Speed and Love

I started Speed and Love (Viki) for He Yu and I stayed for He Yu.

 

This is one of those dramas where you objectively understand that the writing and plot are not all that great, but find yourself pretty addicted at the same time.

 

Speed and Love features another of He Yu’s “sort of but, phew, not really” onscreen sisters (I prefer My Fated Boy).

 

If you are worried, there is no incest (or incest adjacent element) involved. Speed and Love is really a childhood connection to lovers story.

 

He Yu gives a performance that is full of not quite realised potential in Speed and Love.

 

This is an intense yet restrained portrayal of an emotionally damaged man… and it is pretty mesmerising.

 

However, the show does not explore his character in any real depth, which is a shame.

 

Indeed, many characters feel underwritten and there is much wasted potential. For example, I would have loved more scenes between Jin Zhao and Lin Sui and more time with the burgeoning found family. Meanwhile, I was not a fan of Esther Yu’s character because of the way she was written.

 

Instead of character development, Speed and Love throws a lot of “plot” at its audience. There is so much going on in this show (romance, racing, boxing, astronomy?, corruption, sabotage, trauma, guilt and noble idiocy for days).

 

And that really is the problem. The overabundance of plot leaves little room for the characters to feel grow and feel authentic.

 

Speed and Love was a fun watch while it lasted but won’t trouble my list of favourite cdramas.

 

However, I cannot wait to see what He Yu does next…