Dazzling Drama Review

• Drama Title: Dazzling
• Also Known As: 耀眼, Wen Rou De Ri Zi, Yao Yan
• Genres: Romance
• Director: Zhu Dong Ning
• Cast: Guan Xiao Tong, Li Yun Rui
• Number of Episodes: 30
• Date of Release: May 27, 2026
• Original Network: Hunan TV, Mango TV
• Where to Watch: iQiyi, MGTV, Viki, Viu

Dear readers, how are you today? I hope you’re all doing well, especially those living in Europe and Venezuela. The recent news about the heatwave across Europe and the devastating earthquake in Venezuela has been heartbreaking.

My thoughts are with everyone affected and I sincerely hope that you, your families, and your loved ones are safe and able to get through these difficult times. I sincerely wishing you all brighter days ahead. 🩵

As always, I hope spending a few minutes here reading about Cdramas and this Dazzling Drama Review can offer you a small moment of comfort. Happy reading, dear readers…

Dazzling Drama Review

The Synopsis

After her family’s mishap, Qing Ye was forced to abandon her dream of studying abroad. Instead, she was sent to a remote seaside town called Zhazhating. From living in a mansion, now she has to live in a small house with an aunt, a grandma, and a cousin.

It wasn’t easy for her to adapt. But with the help from her cousin, Xing Wu, she managed to do so. Although he appears to be a troublemaker who dropped out of school, Qing Ye gradually discover his kind heart and exceptional intelligence.

As they bond grows strong, he becomes one of the most important people in her new life. And, in that small town, Qing Ye learns what it feels like to have a real family.

Qing Ye adjusted well to her life and resumes her high school. She forms friendship and becomes an inspiration for those around her to pursue their own dreams. And Xing Wu is no exception. Together, they navigate the challenges in their life, while searching for the future they truly want.

The Review

Dazzling is a perfect drama to watch in summer. After watching it, all I can think of is a chilled half-watermelon eaten straight from the rind with a spoon. I‘ve never tried eating watermelon that way, though. But watching Qing Ye eat it with such relish suddenly made me crave it too. And those Zha Zha drinks, I should try them, whatever the flavour is.

Dazzling’s aired a little bit earlier than Ashes to Crown. But I managed to watch both at the same time. While this drama is filled with summer vibe, light-hearted, and easy to digest, Ashes to Crown is dark and gloomy because the atmosphere of revenge is so thick.

So, watching Dazzling feels like eating ice cream after a bowl of hot, spicy noodle soup. And who could resist that kind of temptation? Especially with Li Yun Rui too? 😁

I watched the first episode of this drama on three different streaming platforms: iQiyi, MGTV, and Viu. They all have different style of English subtitles. For instance, the name of Li Lan Fang’s hair salon. On iQiyi, it called Xuan Island, just like on MGTV. But Viu uses the Chinese pinyin, Xuandao.

It also translates the name of Xing Wu’s best friends, Huang Mao and Fan Tong, as Blondie and Chubby Tiger. As a non-Chinese speaker, I rely heavily on the subtitle. So far, the best drama subtitles I’ve found are always Viki’s. But unfortunately, it often doesn’t have the dramas I want to watch available in my region. So, most of the time, I have to stick with iQiyi, WeTV, and Youku.

This time I preferred to watch Dazzling on Viu because of it kept the Chinese names, and the subtitle felt quite informal. Besides, even though I watched the drama on the same resolution, Viu’s picture quality looked better.

However, those who loves watching dramas at 1.5x or 2x speed will be disappointed because Viu only comes with one playback speed. The bonus is a free patience training. 😆

Dazzling is a character-driven drama. You might think that this drama is a bit slow because all the issues revolve around Qing Ye, Xing Wu, and the people around them.

This drama doesn’t have a world-shattering conflict. No. The conflicts are actually pretty common in real life. Debt collectors showing up at your door, betrayed by a good friend, an underwear thief, or school bullies. Things like that.

The general premise is also pretty common. A rich girl experiences poverty and is helped by the poor hero. This rich-and-poor couple is a common combination in Cdramaland.

For instance, Li Yi Fei and Qian Fei in Love Has Fireworks, Xiao Zhi Yu and Hu Xiu in Love Between Lines, or Fang Chang Yu and Xie Zheng in Pursuit of Jade. There’s actually nothing new about it. But what attracted me to this drama is the message behind it.

Dazzling wants to tell a story about motivation, about not giving up or losing hope, and about how hard work can pay off. It’s a very good message. However, don’t forget that this is still a work of fiction. In stories, every question has an answer, and every problem eventually finds a solution.

Real life doesn’t always work that way. Reality is often far more complicated. Even so, stories like this can still be inspiring. It reminded us that having the courage to keep moving forward is already a victory.

Although Dazzling’s main story is about Xing Wu and Qing Ye, I love how the writer wrote meaningful stories for the minor characters. For instance, Shi Min and Cao Fan. Both are talented person in their own fields. Both has dreams.

But both are also shackled by their circumstances. Shi Min is an artist who wanted to pursue her dream, but her father needs her help with the family business. Cao Fan has to works at a laundry shop to support herself with barely enough money to survive.

Still, she has a big dream and the determination to work hard for it. Each one of these characters may seem unsignificant. But their stories and even those of the chaotic duo Hao Cheng Gong and Fan Tong, have left their mark on the lives of Qing Ye and Xing Wu.

And don’t forget the Three Beauties of Xuandao:

, whose friendship became one of Dazzling’s greatest strengths. Their unwavering support for one another proved that life is always a little brighter when you have friends who stand by your side through thick and thin. 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

For me, Dazzling could deliver such a heartfelt story and convey strong emotions because of the team behind it. The director, Zhu Dong Ning, is the man behind many good dramas such as Put Your Head on My Shoulder, Wulin Heroes, and one of the most touching and heartbreaking dramas, Angel Fall Sometimes.

He did a wonderful job interpreting the script into such a compelling visual story and guiding the actors’ performance. And although Guan Xiao Tong is such a good actress, the ones who truly caught my attention were Li Yun Rui as Xing Wu and Gao Lu as Li Lan Fang.

Initially, I thought that Li Yun Rui’s appearance looked way too mature for a high school boy. It was the same feelings that I had while watching Zhou Ke Yu as Lu Xi Xiao in Never-Ending Summer.

But after watching several episodes, I understood why he was chosen for this role. Xing Wu is an 18-year-old boy who was matured far beyond his age. He acts as the head of the family, and he carries the responsibilities that should never have fallen on his shoulders in the first place.

So, Li Yun Rui’s mature appearance actually suited him perfectly. I’ll just pretend I didn’t notice how out of place he looked in a high school uniform and focused only on his muscles. 🫣

Meanwhile, the girls in Dazzling and Never-Ending Summer are perfect for their roles. Guan Xiao Tong is 28, while Bao Shang En is 24. Yet both looked so convincing in their high school uniform costumes.

Their youthful appearance made them completely believable as teenagers. And I love how natural Guan Xiao Tong looked as Qing Ye when she started high school in Zhazhating. She effortlessly captured the confidence and determination of a city girl, yet her gentle gaze revealed the kindness hidden beneath her polished exterior.

Although Li Yun Rui impressed me with how he portrayed Xing Wu’s maturity, Gao Lu stole my heart in a completely different way. With her flaming red hair and bold patterned shirts, she played an imperfect and ordinary woman who, despite a little unreliable, never wavered in her love.

It was easy to hate this kind of childish mother. But Gao Lu managed to make Li Lan Fang lovable in my eyes. She showed that being playful didn’t make Li Lan Fang a bad mother. When it mattered most, her strength shone through.

Li Lan Fang loves Xing Wu and Grandma Zhou wholeheartedly. And even though she initially took care of Qing Ye for the sake of the money, in the end, they become each other’s source of support.

Gao Lu found the perfect balance between childlike innocence and emotional maturity. Li Lan Fang’s character development has become one of the most satisfying parts of the drama for me.

In the end, Dazzling isn’t tried to tell a grand or extraordinary story. It tells a familiar story with familiar characters. Yet it overflows with so much warmth and sincerity that it never feels boring.

The conflicts are common, the emotions are genuine, and the message is simple. This drama, dear readers, is perfect for those who loves a comforting story filled with family, friendship, first love, and ordinary people doing their best to navigate their lives.

The Story – Where Hope Finds a Home

I never thought that I could be so motivated by a drama. But Dazzling proved me wrong. Watching this drama made me want to become the best version of myself. At the same time, it reminded me of all the opportunities I let slip away when I was younger. Ahh… regrets. There’s nothing more painful than all those “what ifs.” 😢

Although this is just a youth drama, it is filled with meaningful dialogues. I’ve already filled several pages of my notebooks with them. My favorite is when Xing Wu asked Qing Ye whether she would regret continuing her high school in a small town like Zhazating. This was her answer: “This is the best choice I can make right now. Even if it’s not the best choice, I’ll work hard to make it the best choice.”

Can you see why I love this drama already?

For me, that quote isn’t just about Qing Ye choosing to stay in Zhazhating. It’s about accepting situation you’re in and doing your best whit what you have, even when life doesn’t go according to plan. That’s why Qing Ye’s story feels so relatable.

Many people went through something similar during the pandemic a few years ago. Maybe not to the same extent, but many suddenly lost the life they had painstakingly built. I know that because I’ve been there too.

And I bet some of you have as well. Count yourself blessed if you managed to bounce back or at least have a stable life right now. Because it’s easy to find someone, or some family, who is still struggling. They never managed to return to their life they had before and have to make do with whatever they have now, despite working so hard. Life indeed doesn’t always work the way we wanted it to be.

Now let’s talk about the story, shall we?

Qing Ye used to live a comfortable life. Her father was busy with his business, but her mother was always there for her. The bond between Qing Ye and her mother was much stronger than the one she had with her father.

Unfortunately, those happy times didn’t last long. Qing Ye’s mother died of illness, leaving behind one final wish that Qing Ye should study abroad. Just as she was preparing to leave, her father’s business ran into a serious trouble. To protect his daughter, Qing Hong Zi sent her to the only relatives they had, who lived far away from Beijing.

And thus, Qing Ye’s journey in Zhazhating began. From a big mansion to cramped bedroom shared with Xing Wu. From cool summers, thanks to air conditioning and overseas vacations, to the unbearable heat of a seaside town.

From spending money without a second thought to learning that every yuan had to be earned. Life suddenly became far less comfortable and forcing her to face hardships she never imagined. Yet somehow, it also became more meaningful.

This situation make Qing Ye’s answer about life choices feel so relatable to our real lives. We all end up in situations that aren’t favorable, aren’t our first choice, or maybe aren’t something we would have chosen at all.

But when life puts us in those situations, we only have two options. We can cry or angry, complain about how unfair life is, or we can get up and make the best of the only choice we have right now. It wasn’t easy. It takes hard work.

Xing Wu’s living situation was far more complicated than hers. His family consisted of him, his mother Li Lan Fang, Grandma Zhou, and his father, Xing Guo Dong. However, Xing Guo Dong was an unreliable father.

So, Xing Wu become the pillar of the family. He carried burdens and responsibilities that should never been his in the first place. While his classmates worried about homework and exams, Xing Wu was running around doing whatever he could to earn some money. He was forced to grow up much faster than his peers.

I have mixed feelings about Li Lan Fang. There were moments when she act like a proper parent persuade her son to go back to school. But there were also moments where I want to shake her and remind her that she is the parent, not Xing Wu.

She often seemed more carefree and childlike than her own son. But as the story unfolded, I began to understand her better. Li Lan Fang had Xing Wu when she was still young. She wasn’t ready to live on her own, much less become a mother.

Her emotional growth might have stalled somewhere because she entered survival mode. And I couldn’t help but thinking that her optimism and cheerfulness might be her coping mechanism.

Rather than dwelling on regrets and sadness, she chooses to laugh, smile, and believe tomorrow will be better. For others, Li Lan Fang seemed naïve and childish, but maybe that was simply how she protects herself from despair.

The main dish of the drama is Qing Ye and Xing Wu’s love story. They started out as family although they weren’t related by blood. Li Lan Fang is Qing Ye’s mother adopted sister, but she had run away from home long before. And considering the huge gap between their families, if nothing had happened to Qing Ye’s family, they probably would have never met.

I believed that Xing Wu was already captivated by Qing Ye the first time he saw her. The way he looked at Qing Ye, you could see that he was curious but also fascinated by her.

However, there were plenty of clashes at the beginning of the story. Qing Ye, who wasn’t willing to stay at Zhazhating, strongly despised everything about the place. And Xing Wu, although he tried to be kind and gentlemanly, was also annoyed by her “city girl” demeanour. But his soft heart had already began to melt when he saw just how helpless she was.

Ahh… when the heart has spoken, there’s really no point arguing with it. 😆

I love watching Cdramas’ slow burn romance. I didn’t want their relationship to progress too quickly because it would mess up the whole story. But let me tell you, when I said slow, I mean it.

I only got to see the kissing scenes near the very end. Literally. Xing Wu and Qing Ye were definitely into each other since they were in high school, but they weren’t thinking about romance. Because they both know their priorities.

So, be patient. 😁

If you wish to see a coming-of-age drama with a little bit of spice, you might as well go with Hidden Love, You Are Desire, or Our Secret. If you want something with a complicated story, go with Wind Direction, Reborn, or Twelve Letters.

And if you just want to wind down after a long day, try Exclusive Fairytale, When I Fly Towards You, or Always Home. Well, I just love promoting my own articles. So, help me by clicking them, would you? 😁

I love Qing Ye’s personality the most. She used to be a spoiled girl who live comfortable in a big city. But despite the repeated setbacks, she managed to persevere and get back in her feet because she wanted to live the life she dreamed of. Instead of letting hardship change her into a bitter person, she learned to adapt while staying true to herself.

Qing Ye’s perspective on relationship is really refreshing. Many Cdramas tends to portray one of the leads desperately waiting for their love to be recognized or relentlessly chasing after someone who keeps running away. Dazzling presents a healthier dynamic where both Xing Wu and Qing Ye are equally responsible for the relationship.

Qing Ye didn’t put her life on hold for Xing Wu, nor did she lower her standard to meet his. Instead, she told him that he was welcome to come to her when he was ready. She also said that she would cover half the distance between them (literally distance in kilometers), but the remaining half was up to him.

She never begged Xing Wu to choose her or chased after her. The decision was entirely his. And as a woman, I wholeheartedly agreed with her way of thinking. Completely.

Because if they eventually ended up together, it would be because Xing Wu made the choice willingly. Not because he was pressured or persuaded into it. that made his commitment feel more sincere. He accepted the relationship with full awareness of what it means and the responsibilities that came with it.

Looking back, Xing Wu and Qing Ye weren’t ordinary people. They were gifted with exceptional intelligence, unwavering determination, and strong common sense.

It might seem a little too much when Qing Ye managed to help Xuandao to its success, but she grew up learning form a capable businessman like her father.

And Xing Wu, even though he came from a remote town, was still able to keep up with technology. That part felt a bit too much for me. So, who do you think was better and smarter, Qing Ye or Xing Wu?

As we could predicted from the opening scene, Dazzling ended happily. It wasn’t surprising because youth dramas often have happy endings. To this day, the only youth drama with a tragic ending that has lived rent-free in my mind is Wind Direction. Thanks goodness I didn’t have to go through another traumatizing ending. 🥹

The Visual – Summer in Every Shot

Dazzling radiates positivity and summer vibes. So, everything feels light and colorful. From the bright blue skies to the lively street filled with people and fruit hawkers, all bathed in warm golden sunlight by the sparkling sea.

The drama opened with the heavy traffic of Beijing, then slowly it shifted to the busy street of Zhazhating, as if comparing the two places. While they were both bustling, the atmosphere was completely different.

In Zhazhating, the streets were filled with people and hawkers. Xing Wu and his friends looked like a walking traffic lights with their yellow, red, and green hair.

Add in the bright yellow scooter, along with Li Lan Fang’s flaming red hair and bold blue eyeshadow, that is a burst of color scene. Then Qing Ye arrived in a gleaming black Audi, dressed in a preppy black outfit. Without saying a word, this drama had already shown us that she didn’t belong there.

But as the story progressed, and Qing Ye began to accept Zhazhating as her home, her wardrobe gradually becomes more colorful. She still maintains her soft aesthetic, but the outfits become more relaxed. As if she starts to enjoy the summer vibe in Zhazhating.

The cinematography complements this transformation smoothly. I love how dynamic the camera movement. There are hardly any moments where camera stay still far too long on one scene. It moves in close when we need to see the emotions on the actors’ faces more clearly.

And it slowly pulls back to reveal the beautiful surrounding. The lighting also plays a huge role in creating the atmosphere. I love how this drama mostly uses natural setting lighting that make every scene, even the most ordinary moment, feel warm, alive and nostalgic.

I love this kind of visual storytelling that Zhu Dong Ning showed us. Rather than telling us how Qing Ye feels about her new surroundings, he lets the color, costumes, and the environment quietly tell the story for her. It’s subtle, but incredibly effective.

The Characters

Qing Ye (Played by Guan Xiao Tong)

Qing Ye is a city girl with refined tastes, accustomed to convenience, comfort, and high standards. She is particular about almost everything, not because she is arrogant or feeling entitled.

But because she appreciates quality and believes there is always a better and more efficient way to do things. Qing Ye is considerate, thoughtful and intelligent. She is also an optimist with a clear vision for her future and rarely loses sight of her goals.

Even if circumstances are not in her favor, she’ll made the best choice out of it. In Zhazhating, Qing Ye use her sharp business instinct to create new opportunities to help Xuandao. If life ever gives Qing Ye lemons, she’ll turn them into a successful lemonade business.

Xing Wu (Played by Li Yun Rui)

Xing Wu looked like an intimidating young man at first glance, but he actually a soft hearted, kind, and always ready to help other. Personally, he is emotionally restrained and rarely talks about his feelings even to those closest to him.

Although he has earned a reputation as the school’s troublemaker, beneath the tough façade, is a caring and dependable person. He is sensible and fiercely protective of the people he loves.

Xing Wu gave up his education for the sake of his family and willingly shoulder responsibilities far beyond his age as the head of the family. Despite his rebellious image, Xing Wu is exceptionally gifted. His is actually a simple-minded man with remarkable resilience and a rational mind.

However, in a way, he is burdened with despair. He wats to build a better future for him and his family, but the poverty is his shackle. It erased all dreams and ambitions, replacing it with nothing but obligation.

Li Lan Fang (Played by Gao Lu)

Li Lan Fang is Xing Wu’s mother. She is a straightforward and eccentric woman who loves wearing bold and colorful outfits. She owns Xuandao and works as its main hairstylist. Li Lan Fang also loves to cook and she makes delicious foods.

Because she was still young, Li Lan Fang feels more like an older sister than a mother. Although she is careless, but Li Lan Fang is also warm-hearted, cheerful, and optimistic person. She is so full of love that Xing Wu never doubted that he was cherished by her.

Her only flaw is that she is absolutely obsessed with mahjong. Although she is a good player, there’s no doubt that she has also lost plenty of money at the table. Xing Wu knows it, but he lets her be because he understands it’s the only joy she has in her life.

In their family, Xing Wu provides stability and protection. While Li Lan Fang gives him warmth and unconditional love. The mother and son’s personalities are so different, but they fill in the pieces the other lacks.

Zhou Gui Mei / Grandma (Played by Paw Hee Ching)

Grandma Zhou is Xing Gou’s mother and Li Lan Fang’s mother-in-law. Because of her frail health and paralysis, she needs constant care from her family. Despite her physical limitations, Grandma Zhou is wise and kind-hearted woman.

She radiated warmth and gentleness, offering comfort to those around her with her calm demeanour and thoughtful words. She may not have much strength left in her aging body, but her presence becomes the emotional glue that holds the whole family during difficult times.

Meng Rui Hang (Played by Wang Jia Xuan)

Meng Rui Hang is Qing Ye’s childhood and best friend back in Beijing. Just like her, he comes from wealthy business family. Money has never been a problem for him. Meng Rui Hang has been in love with Qing Ye for a long time.

When she first moved to Zhazhating, he did everything he could to help her. He was the one sent Qing Ye’s precious laptop from Beijing. Although he is gentle and kind, Meng Rui Hang is also incredibly stubborn. He will go to whatever length to help Qing Ye, even if it leaves his mother fuming with anger.

The Conclusion

Dazzling is a very good summer Chinese drama that you shouldn’t miss. The story is light-hearted, compelling, and full of warmth. I had such a great time watching it, and I enjoyed writing this review just as much.

There are still so many thing that I want to talk about, but I’m afraid of spoiling the details. If you’re curious about how everything ends, don’t worry. I’ll be posting an Ending Explained article for this drama soon.

This drama is perfect for a daily dose of entertainment. You’ll find this one is such an easy watch after a long day at work. Don’t forget to prepare a chilled watermelon. You’ll be craving it soon after you see it on screen.

That’s all for today, dear readers. thank you so much for your attention and patience. Hopefully this Dazzling drama review will help you choose a drama for your watch list. I’ll see you in the next drama review. Until then, ciao and happy watching!