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| Overdo Goes Viral for the Wrong Reasons as AI Intro and Camera Work Spark Debate. (Photo: Tencent Video) |
Overdo (这一秒过火) was supposed to be one of the biggest Chinese drama launches of the summer. Instead of everyone talking about its romance, chemistry and emotional twists, much of the conversation has centred on director Yi Jun. While the Republican-era drama stormed to the top of viewing charts within hours of its premiere, audiences have been just as quick to question whether its production quality actually matches its blockbuster reputation.
Commercially, the series could hardly have asked for a stronger start. Starring Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan, Overdo reportedly secured around 120 million yuan in sponsorship deals before release and attracted more than 10 million reservations.
It quickly climbed to the top of Maoyan's drama popularity rankings while posting impressive heat indexes across both iQIYI and Tencent Video, confirming that viewers were eager to see Zhang Linghe's first drama following the international success of Pursuit of Jade. But the celebration did not last long.
As soon as the first five episodes became available, social media platforms filled with criticism aimed squarely at Yi Jun. Instead of praising the visuals, many viewers argued that the drama looked surprisingly cheap for a production carrying such high expectations.
Some even joked that if nobody had told them it was a major television series, they would have assumed they had accidentally clicked on a fast-paced vertical drama designed for mobile viewing.
One of the biggest complaints revolves around the show's visual presentation. Fans criticised the pale colour grading, excessive beauty filters and heavy skin smoothing, arguing that they drained the Republican-era setting of its atmosphere.
Rather than creating a rich period aesthetic, many viewers felt the screen looked so polished that it almost appeared wrapped in permanent soft focus. Several sarcastically remarked that everyone looked flawless, but the historical setting seemed to have disappeared somewhere behind the filters.
The cinematography has proven just as divisive. Viewers pointed to the repeated use of tight close-up shots that fill the frame almost entirely with the actors' faces.
While nobody questioned the fact that Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan are both visually striking, many argued that constantly zooming in prevented audiences from appreciating the elegant costumes, detailed production design and the actors' full on-screen presence.
According to critics, it felt less cinematic and more like a production determined to remind viewers every few seconds that its cast is attractive—as if anyone needed convincing.
Another unexpected talking point came before the story had even begun. The opening title sequence, created using AI technology, immediately sparked debate online.
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| Overdo Breaks Records but Director Yi Jun Faces Heat Over AI, Cinematography and Editing |
Many viewers described the sequence as visually inconsistent with the rest of the drama, arguing that it lacked the artistic quality expected from such an expensive production.
While AI-generated opening sequences have become increasingly common across the entertainment industry, many fans felt Overdo only strengthened the argument that technology still works best as a supporting tool rather than replacing traditional creative design.
The storytelling itself has also divided opinion. Adapted from a novel by popular author Fei Wo Si Cun, the drama wastes little time throwing audiences into fake deaths, revenge plots, forbidden romance and long-hidden secrets.
Some viewers welcomed the fast pace, saying it kept every episode engaging. Others argued the opposite, claiming emotional moments arrived before viewers had enough time to become invested in the characters. Instead of letting dramatic scenes breathe, critics felt the story simply raced towards the next shocking twist.
One scene that had generated enormous anticipation before the premiere perfectly captures the gap between expectation and reality. During filming, fan-taken photos of Zhang Linghe carrying Wang Churan quickly spread across social media, with many predicting it would become one of the drama's most memorable romantic moments.
Once the episode aired, however, some viewers felt the lighting, editing and dramatic soundtrack diluted the impact. A line of dialogue translating to "She came back to life. I went crazy" also became the subject of playful online jokes, with countless memes appearing within hours of broadcast.
Even so, not everyone agrees that the criticism is entirely fair. A sizeable group of viewers believes the backlash snowballed before many people had even watched the full episodes. They argue that once criticism gains momentum online, every camera angle, editing decision and visual effect suddenly becomes another piece of evidence in the internet's ongoing trial.
According to supporters, Overdo remains an entertaining adaptation with two charismatic leads whose chemistry continues to carry much of the drama's appeal.
Most fans, regardless of where they stand, agree on one point: Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan remain the series' strongest asset. Their performances and on-screen chemistry have consistently received praise even from viewers who remain disappointed with the directing choices.
Many believe the actors delivered exactly what audiences hoped for, leaving production decisions—not performances—to shoulder the criticism.
The controversy has also sparked concern about Yi Jun's future projects. The director is expected to reunite with Wang Churan for fantasy romance Tales of the Floating World, adapted from Sha Luo Shuang Shu's novel, while industry rumours continue linking him to costume drama Ci Tang, where Zhang Linghe is reportedly attached as the male lead alongside Lu Yuxiao, although the project has yet to receive official confirmation.
Some fans now hope these productions will reflect the lessons learned from Overdo, particularly regarding cinematography, visual storytelling and overall presentation.
Ironically, Overdo has become a reminder that massive commercial success does not automatically guarantee glowing audience approval. The drama continues to dominate streaming charts and generate enormous online discussion, yet many conversations focus less on its romance and more on filters, camera angles and AI-generated opening credits.
Whether the criticism fades as more episodes are released remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Overdo has become one of the year's most hotly debated Chinese dramas. What do you think? Are viewers being too harsh on Yi Jun, or does Overdo genuinely deserve the criticism despite its record-breaking launch?