Does Zhang Linghe’s ‘Overdo’ actually deliver?
For now, I’d say it’s worth trying if you’re a fan of Republican-era romances or either of the lead actors — but I’d also keep your expectations in check.
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For now, I’d say it’s worth trying if you’re a fan of Republican-era romances or either of the lead actors — but I’d also keep your expectations in check.
WANG Churan as Ren Susu.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF WETV
After Pursuit of Jade, Zhang Linghe returns with another highly anticipated drama, this time alongside Wang Churan in Overdo. Given the popularity of both actors, expectations were understandably high. The Republican-era romance also generated huge buzz before its premiere, but the reception has been much more mixed than many expected.
Set in Republican-era Shanghai, Overdo follows Murong Qingyi (Zhang Linghe), the youngest son of a powerful military family whose difficult childhood leaves him emotionally scarred. His life changes after meeting Ren Susu (Wang Churan), the young woman who saves him during one of the darkest moments of his life. Their relationship gradually develops into love before tragedy forces Susu to disappear and assume a new identity. Years later, the two reunite under painful circumstances, setting the stage for a story filled with misunderstandings, family secrets and emotional conflict.
Visually, Overdo is easy on the eyes. The costumes, cinematography, and overall Republican-era aesthetic are well done, and Wang Churan and Zhang Linghe certainly look great together. Their scenes are what kept me most interested throughout the opening episodes.
That said, the drama doesn’t make the strongest first impression. One of the biggest issues for me was the opening. The AI-generated intro felt unnecessary, and instead of pulling me into the story emotionally, the first episode felt a little confusing. The pacing isn’t terrible, but it doesn’t immediately give viewers a reason to become invested in the characters or their struggles.
I don’t mind melodramatic stories. Sometimes I’m perfectly happy watching attractive leads, beautiful visuals, and an entertaining romance. But eventually, the story has to offer something beyond that, and so far, Overdo hasn’t quite reached that point.
It’s hard not to compare it to Pursuit of Jade, even though they’re completely different dramas. Both place a strong emphasis on visuals, but Pursuit of Jade managed to hook viewers much earlier. It gave audiences a reason to care about the characters from the beginning, even if it wasn’t a perfect drama.
One thing I do disagree with is the criticism that the leads have no chemistry. I’ve already seen quite a few viewers say they don’t feel any spark between Wang Churan and Zhang Linghe, but I actually think their push-and-pull dynamic is one of the stronger parts of the drama. Their interactions are what make me want to continue watching and see how their relationship develops.
Overall, Overdo isn’t a bad drama, but it also hasn’t completely lived up to the hype after its opening episodes. It has strong visuals, a talented cast, and an emotional premise, but the storytelling hasn’t fully clicked yet. Whether it improves will probably depend on how the next few episodes develop the characters and tighten the pacing.
For now, I’d say it’s worth trying if you’re a fan of Republican-era romances or either of the lead actors — but I’d also keep your expectations in check. It’s watchable, just not as gripping as I hoped it would be from the start.
