 |
| Overdo Review: Viewers Split as Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan's New CDrama Faces Early Criticism. (Photo: iQIYI/Weibo) |
The wait for Overdo (这一秒过火) is finally over, but the conversation surrounding its premiere has been anything but straightforward. Starring Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan, the Tencent Video and iQIYI drama arrived with enormous expectations thanks to its bestselling source novel, glamorous cast and months of anticipation. Instead of everyone talking about the romance, however, the opening episodes have sparked a lively debate over production quality, directing choices and an AI-generated introduction that many viewers simply did not see coming.
Our first impression is surprisingly mixed. Overdo certainly wastes no time throwing viewers into heartbreak, betrayal and political intrigue, but it also feels like a drama constantly trying to sprint before learning how to walk.
The pacing is relentless, the emotional stakes are established almost immediately and there is never a shortage of dramatic twists. Yet the visual presentation often struggles to match the ambition of the story, creating an experience that is entertaining one moment and frustrating the next.
One of the biggest talking points on premiere day was the opening sequence, with many viewers convinced the introduction relied heavily on AI-generated visuals.
Rather than impressing audiences, the sequence immediately drew criticism for awkward edges, inconsistent lighting and an artificial appearance that looked noticeably different from the polished promotional material released before launch. For a production marketed as one of this year's biggest historical romances, many fans expected something far more cinematic.
Film critic Meng Qiqi helped ignite the discussion after posting several strongly worded reviews on social media, arguing that the drama's costumes, lighting and overall production quality looked less refined than some modern short-form web dramas.
Her comments quickly pushed the topic into trending discussions, opening a much wider conversation about whether long-form television is beginning to imitate the style of short dramas at the expense of quality.
The criticism goes well beyond the AI intro. Throughout the opening episodes, the lighting often feels overpowering, leaving scenes washed out and strangely flat. Heavy beauty filters soften nearly every face on screen so aggressively that much of the natural texture disappears.
Instead of enhancing the Republic-era atmosphere, the visual effects sometimes remove the weight and melancholy that stories from this period usually depend on. Rather than feeling timeless, certain scenes resemble glossy promotional videos that forgot to bring any shadows.
Camera work has also divided audiences. The director frequently relies on tight close-up shots instead of allowing scenes to breathe through wider compositions. Considering Zhang Linghe's towering screen presence and Wang Churan's elegant silhouette, many viewers felt the drama misses opportunities to showcase the chemistry between the leads through stronger visual storytelling.
Several conversations unfold almost entirely through face shots, making expensive sets and carefully designed locations feel strangely underused.
Editing has become another unexpected target. Some viewers complained that constant camera cuts make simple conversations harder to follow than they should be. Characters occasionally appear to shift positions between angles, creating distracting continuity issues.
Rather than building tension, the rapid editing sometimes gives scenes an oddly rushed feeling, as though every moment is trying to reach the next dramatic reveal before the audience has processed the previous one.
The sound design has not escaped criticism either. Some viewers pointed out familiar stock sound effects that have become common in lower-budget productions, arguing they weaken emotional scenes instead of enhancing them. Voice dubbing also received mixed reactions, with some feeling the dialogue occasionally lacks natural synchronisation with the actors' performances.
For this reviewer, the AI opening is the biggest disappointment. New technology is not the problem. The entertainment industry will inevitably continue experimenting with new creative tools, and there is nothing wrong with innovation when it genuinely enhances storytelling.
The issue here is that the introduction feels unfinished rather than innovative. Instead of adding artistic value, it creates the impression that corners were cut where greater care could have produced something far more memorable. When viewers notice the technology before the story, something has probably gone slightly off course.
That said, Overdo is far from a complete misfire. Once the episodes move beyond the opening minutes, the story becomes significantly more engaging. The political manoeuvring, hidden agendas and shifting alliances provide enough intrigue to keep viewers curious, while the emotional conflicts gradually begin finding their rhythm.
By the second and third episodes, the narrative starts revealing the deeper motivations behind its central relationships instead of relying purely on dramatic shocks.
The developing relationship between Ren Susu and Murong Qingyi has emerged as an early highlight for many viewers. Their gradual connection through letters before finally meeting brings warmth to an otherwise emotionally heavy story.
Readers familiar with the original novel have praised the adaptation for preserving several defining character moments, giving longtime fans reassuring signs that the source material has not been completely abandoned.
The greatest strength of Overdo remains its cast. Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan possess undeniable screen presence together. Even viewers disappointed by the production frequently admit that the pair share convincing chemistry, with every shared scene carrying emotional tension.
Sometimes it genuinely feels as though the two leads are doing the heavy lifting while the technical presentation tries its best to trip them up. Thankfully, charisma is difficult to blur away, even beneath several enthusiastic layers of skin smoothing.
Supporting performances also deserve recognition. Veteran actors including Myolie Wu and Sha Baoliang bring welcome maturity and emotional depth whenever they appear. Their scenes often feel more grounded, helping stabilise the drama whenever the storytelling becomes overly dramatic.
ICYMI: Shows Like OVERDO.
One group argues that Overdo wastes an outstanding cast, a beloved novel and generous production resources by adopting visual shortcuts that make the drama resemble a lower-budget project. They believe the AI intro, excessive filters and repetitive directing choices stop the series from becoming the prestige historical romance many had hoped for.
The other side could not disagree more. Supporters argue that the fast pace is exactly what modern television needs after years of slow-moving series filled with unnecessary padding.
They enjoy how quickly the story introduces major conflicts, saying every episode delivers meaningful developments instead of stretching simple plots across multiple weeks. For these viewers, Overdo successfully combines the addictive momentum of shorter dramas with the richer storytelling expected from a full-length series.
Some viewers have also taken a middle-ground position. They acknowledge the visual shortcomings but remain optimistic because the foundation of the story remains strong. Several fans admitted they were disappointed by the first episode yet found themselves increasingly invested once later episodes expanded the characters and political conflicts. Others have decided to reserve final judgement, arguing that a 33-episode drama deserves more than a single day before being fully assessed.
Perhaps the biggest conversation surrounding Overdo is not about one drama at all. Instead, it reflects a wider industry debate over whether long-form Chinese television is becoming too heavily influenced by the pace and style of short-form productions.
Faster storytelling can certainly make a series more addictive, but if visual craftsmanship and cinematic atmosphere disappear along the way, audiences inevitably begin asking what has been sacrificed to save time.
For now, Overdo lands somewhere between frustrating and fascinating. Its AI-assisted opening, uneven visual presentation and occasionally awkward directing prevent it from reaching the premium standard many expected.
Yet its compelling source material, attractive cast, engaging political intrigue and steadily improving emotional storytelling make it surprisingly difficult to abandon after only a few episodes. Sometimes it feels like two completely different dramas arguing with each other on the same screen, and somehow that makes it strangely watchable.
With more than two dozen episodes still to air, there is plenty of time for Overdo to either silence its critics or prove their concerns justified. One thing is certain: people are talking about it, and not many premieres manage to spark this much discussion on day one.
Next: Where Was OVERDO Filmed?
Have you already watched the opening episodes? Do you think the criticism is fair, or are viewers judging Overdo too quickly?