- Drama Title: Speed and Love
- Also Known As: 双轨, Double Track, Shuang Gui, Star Trails
- Director: Yu Chung Chung
- Cast: Yu Shu Xin, He Yu
- Screenwriter & Director: Zhao Xiao Lei
- Genres: Romance, Action
- Number of Episodes: 29
- Aired: December 12, 2025
- Original Network: iQiyi
- Where to Watch: iQiyi, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel “Shuang Gui” by Shi Jiu Yuan
Dear readers, 2026 is just few days away. Thinking back about this year, have you done something that feels truly accomplished? Let me go first. I finally mastered the art of folding dumplings. Yes, this somehow feels like the biggest achievement I’ve made in my kitchen. So I celebrate it by making more dumplings and eating too many of them. I feel proud. I feel stuffed.
And if you’re reading this and thinking you didn’t achieve much this year, that’s okay, too. Some years are not about winning or checking boxes. Some years are about getting through the days. Dragging yourself to work or classes. Or keeping yourself together when the whole world feels like it’s against you.
Those moments mattered too. So, cheers to you all, dear readers. May next year treat us gently. May you find more happiness. And may our biggest problem be choosing what to watch next. And, this is Speed and Love Drama Review
Speed and Love Synopsis
Jiang Mu was born in a complete family. She grew up pampered and sheltered by her parents and her loving brother. However, after nine years, everything changed.
Her parents divorced, and she lived with her mother while her father and brother moved out of China and settled in Thailand. Later, she learned that her brother was not her biological sibling. Jin Zhao was adopted before she was born.
Years passed, but her longing for her brother remained. So, Jiang Mu decided to travel alone to Thailand. She was determined to find Jin Zhao. But the person he was looking for was different from what she expected to be.
Jin Zhao, who used to be a model student, didn’t go to college. He abandons his dream and jumps straight into the underworld of Thailand. He becomes a street racer and also an underground fighter. He lived in a dark world that she never knew or was part of.
But Jiang Mu didn’t give up. She has set her heart on him, so she stepped into his world without hesitation. Her reason was simple. She wanted him back in her life once again. At first, Jin Zhao resists. But facing Jiang Mu’s determination, he was bound to lose. In the end, Jin Zhao gathered all his strength to face the reality and his feelings for her.
Speed and Love Drama Review
Dear readers… I think I had a small existential crisis. For the past month, I’ve been bombarding myself with mystery or wuxia dramas. I kept telling myself that watching different genres would help expand my drama palate. I just didn’t expect that I would forget how to enjoy my favorite genre, romance.
As usual, I was watching Sniper Butterfly (a romance) simultaneously with Love on The Turquoise Land (not so romantic, contrary to the title). Even though I proudly called myself a romance junkie, all I could think of was how cloying Sniper Butterfly felt that it gave me a toothache. And no, that’s not a compliment.
Later, I’m burying myself with Speed and Love. I finished it last night and immediately rushed to my computer. During the binge, I was happy at first. But then things slowly went in an unexpected direction. I started getting annoyed by many things.
Worst of all, I keep guessing where the story would go. What Jiang Mu or Jin Zhao would do next. What kind of trouble waited ahead, and what plot twist might suddenly appear. Every possible scenario flew around my head. I kept making comments like an aunty gossiping about the neighbours.
It seemed that those mystery and wuxia dramas had successfully trained my brain to stay alert. But look at the positive side. I couldn’t keep on choosing romance drama only. It will only create bias, plus I need to add more readers to my Dear Readers squad. 😉
So, with this determination. I solemnly vowed that in 2026; I will watch every genre that the Cdramaland threw at me. Everything. Including all the drama that makes me fidget whenever I read the synopsis.
Now back to the drama!
Speed and Love is a drama that needs some consideration. This is a kind of take it or leave it drama. Either you love it, or you hate it. Some of you will root hard for the leads and their story. Others might feel a little unsettled by the plot.
As for me, I didn’t feel deeply connected to the story, yet I stayed until the final episode. Not for the story, but for the insane chemistry and the excellent visuals. Well, as someone who wandered the Cdramaland for far too long, I found the story just okay. Many things were predictable, and at times it feels a bit draggy. But if you are here for the romantic scenes and the lovey-dovey parts, you came to the right place.
Truthfully, Speed and Love could be one of the strongest idol dramas at the end of the year. Nobody could resist the charm of He Yu and Yu Shu Xin. 🥰
The rebellious Jin Zhao was portrayed perfectly by He Yu. You would fall for his charisma almost instantly. Once you learned about his painful past and harsh life, it’s impossible not to want to help or comfort him.
He Yu didn’t do flashy gestures to show Jin Zhao’s emotions. He kept his reactions small and his emotions in check. He restrains himself because that is what Jin Zhao will do. To him, love is a conditional thing. It could be given or taken away from him. So he chose to pull back first before anyone else got the chance to leave.
At the beginning, Jin Zhao was really cold towards Jiang Mu. That is because he protects himself. Jin Zhao believed that Jiang Mu’s decision to run away to Thailand is just a moment of impulse. Only a statement of rebellion. He never thought it would last. So, when he knew that she decided to stay for him, you could see that his lifeless eyes slowly lit up.
That was when I completely fell in love with He Yu. Not because of his handsome face and perfect muscles, but because his eyes carry so many emotions. And it fit perfectly with Jin Zhao’s quiet personality and protectiveness.
He Yu didn’t act as the possessive and domineering CEO in short Cdramas. He played it quietly because he understood Jin Zhao. He showed the pain and the suffering that lived inside Jin Zhao for years.
While I could go on praising He Yu and his Jin Zhao. I feel less energetic to talk about Yu Shu Xin and her portrayal of Jiang Mu.
Yu Shu Xin was known for her cute looks, expressive reactions, and her peculiar voice. Some love her, some don’t. Many of her roles were portrayals of cute and easy-to-read characters such as Xiao Lan Hua in Love Between Fairy and Devil, Yu Mei Ren in A Romance of the Little Forest, and Chu Li in Moonlight. She rarely took a different kind of role.
Therefore, I was surprised to watch her performance as Yun Wei Shan, an assassin in My Journey to You. I truly thought she would explore more varied roles after Yun Wei Shan. Instead, she took similar characters as Wei Zhi in Ski into Love, Ling Miao Miao in Love Game in Eastern Fantasy, and now as Jiang Mu in Speed and Love. I had to admit I was a bit disappointed. I loved her depiction as Yun Wei Shan. So, I hoped she didn’t fall into the typecasting trap.
Watching Jiang Mu in this drama was frustrating at first. Jiang Mu is indeed a cute and childish young woman in her early twenties. But at times, she felt more like a pre-teen with all the picky eater things and the coquettish acts. If only Jiang Mu hadn’t turned into a more mature woman later in the story. I might not make it to the end. 😵💫
The Manshi arc took up more than half of the show. Even though it was the most important part of the story, I didn’t like how they portrayed Jiang Mu. My favorite version of her was in the last ten episodes. I loved to see Jiang Mu as a mature woman. Yu Shi Xin’s cute voice added some softness to her steady nature. This drama captures the transition perfectly. Not rushed but not dragged out either.
In the end, the main leads were the biggest reason I stayed. The story was less interesting for me, and the ending was predictable. However, Speed and Love was still well written and well directed. This drama may not be completely my cup of tea. But I still enjoy watching it.
The Story-Love, Handled with Caution
“My dream is for you to be happy” -Jin Zhao-
“I’ve heard the phrase, “for your own good” too many times since I was little. It’s completely useless, you know?” -San Lai-
This drama focused on the relationship between Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao. And this is also where the problem lies. Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao started off as siblings, even if they did not relate by blood. Jin Zhao was adopted by Jiang Mu’s parents before she was born. She spends her infancy and childhood with him. Jin Zhao feed her milk from the bottle. And he was the first words she said. Not “mama”, not “papa”, but “gege” (brother).
In Jiang Mu’s life, Jin Zhao was more present than their parents. He practically raised her. And with that level of closeness, their sibling vibe was very strong.
Back in 2020, Huang Jing Yu and Wu Jin Yan acted in a drama called Something Just Like This as adopted siblings Duan Ran and Qian Xi Xi. In this drama, they already knew that they were not biologically related. Qian Xi Xi and Duan Ran were neighbours at first. After Qian Xi Xi’s mother passed away, Duan Ran’s parents adopted her out of pity .
Qian Xi Xi and Duan Ran’s relationship felt like ordinary siblings. You know, the kind of taking over his closets just because its empty, fighting over car, or arguing at the dinner table. But when troubles came, they stood together. That kind of sibling bond feels familiar. You see it everywhere.
That was not the case with Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao. From the beginning, Jin Zhao has treated her like a precious antique china. And I have never seen such serene and calm kind of sibling relationships before, not in Cdramaland or in real life.
They were totally the opposite of the Sang siblings in Hidden Love. Sang Zhu and Sang Yan’s relationship is chaotic while Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao’s devotion to each other is unparalleled.
When Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao reunited after being separated, you could see that they have such an unusual longing in their eyes. That was the moment I started feeling uncomfortable to watch them. And it’s mostly because Jiang Mu seemed to try very hard to cross the line. And the idea of sister seducing her brother is quite scary for me.
When Jiang Mu went to Thailand, she was just nineteen, almost twenty. Her goal was clear. She wanted to find her brother. A family member. But the story led them to an intense romantic relationship. Thankfully, this happened when she was already an adult. My heart just cannot handle more strange ideas. 😁
If you want to fully enjoy this drama, it will help to stop thinking them as siblings. Just treat them as two people growing up together, like childhood sweethearts.
Now let’s forget about their labels and talk more about their dynamic.
For Jin Zhao, Jiang Mu is like a light that guides him through a dark night. She is the reason of his perseverance. His heart is fragile, and Jiang Mu is the quiet strength that holds it together. He treats her carefully, for fear that he might hurt her. He calls it protection. But without realizing it, he keeps deciding for her. He didn’t consider her choices, because deep down, he was afraid of her decision.
The words “It’s for her own good” become his excuse. But love shouldn’t take away someone’s free will. It’s Jiang Mu’s life. She gets to decide what she wanted to do. And that is why I consider San Lai as the more mature one. He cared about Jiang Mu’s thoughts and never looked down on her choices.
On the other hand, I feel that Jiang Mu regarded Jin Zhao as her emotional anchor. He is the land that every sailor looks beyond the horizon. The place where she could return when she is tired.
When she was young, she depended on him. Now that she has grown up, she no longer wants to be protected. She wants to choose him consciously. Not as a shelter, but as a partner whom she is willing to walk beside.
The Story-Inherited Wounds
After the divorce, Jiang Mu continued living in a comfortable environment with her mother. However, Jin Zhao’s life is the complete opposite. Jin Qiang leaves the marriage with nothing and must start from scratch with Jin Zhao.
They went through the hardest time together in Thailand. And when he finally settled in, Jin Qiang was already an alcoholic. His addiction was so bad that he could drink until he passed out on the road. And since he did it so many times, Jin Zhao and Jin Qiang’s wife, Zhao Mei Juan, didn’t even bat their eyes anymore.
Jin Zhao also did his part to help the family. Even after he decided to live separately, he still did everything he could to help Jin Xin, Jiang Mu’s little stepsister, who has a congenital heart condition.
The relationship between Jin Qiang and Jiang Yin Han seemed to have already broken down before Jin Zhao entered the family. His presence is only a trigger that makes it worse.
Jiang Qiang is a racer who enjoys a carefree lifestyle, while Jiang Yin Han is a disciplined dancer. The difference between them was too wide to cross. Resulting in their separation.
Jiang Ying Han’s hatred of Jin Qiang and Jin Zhao was too strong. She even had Jiang Mu change her surname and told her bad things about Jin Zhao, hoping that her daughter would completely forget about her father and brother. Jiang Ying Han always treated Jin Zhao coldly. Even after she was divorced from Jin Qiang, she still showed her dislike towards him.
But Jin Qiang is not a good father either. He put his passion as a racer first and the family second. He didn’t seem to care about his pregnant wife and children. He took Jin Zhao into his house, adopted him, and left him in the care of his wife, without asking her opinion first.
At this point, the divorce is inevitable.
You could see Jiang Ying Han’s hatred towards her ex-husband and Jin Zhao in the first episode. Jiang Mu’s mother literally broke her heart by saying that Jin Zhao is not her brother and she is not his sister. She also said that her father has remarried and has her own family. Jiang Mu is no longer a family. Jiang Ying Han is being too harsh to her daughter.
Jiang Mu has a stubborn and courageous personality. She was also in her late teenage years with raging hormones, restless curiosity, and bold confidence. She feared nothing and cared about nothing except herself and Jin Zhao. Meanwhile, her mother was tightly controlling her. She was afraid that Jiang Mu would end up like her father.
Jin Zhao must live with a resentful stepmother and a stepfather who helps but is too busy to care. His heart was empty. Then he saw baby Jiang Mu. He cared for her. It was probably a projection of what kind of love he was looking for.
After Jin Xin was born, Jin Zhao treated her like his own sister. He treated the little girl nicely, probably because he is projecting his feelings towards Jiang Mu to her, and she was ot the only one. Jin Zhao always treated children nicely. Probably because they reminded him of Jiang Mu.
Speed and Love told us that parents shouldn’t stop being responsible for their children just because their marriage fails. Jiang Ying Han and Jin Qiang let their unresolved problems spill onto their children.
Neither truly put the children first. They didn’t understand that the hatred between adults will always find a way to wound the young. When the parents fail to do this, children growing up carrying burden that were never meant to be theirs.
Speed and Love quietly remind us that adults can walk away from marriages. But they shouldn’t walk away from the consequences. Jiang Mu and Jin Zhao didn’t just inherit their names, but also the emotional debris that they leave behind.
The Visuals
The visuals are the best thing in this drama. It was a feast for the eyes since everything was so beautiful and artistic. It reminded me of Jerry Yan and Xu Ruo Han’s Forbidden Flower. Both dramas felt artsy and a little sexy at the same time.
That makes sense, because one of the directors, Zhao Xiao Lei, also directed Forbidden Flower. And she didn’t only direct but also wrote the script for both dramas. The other director, Yu Chung Chung, is also known for Love Song in Winter.
Speed and Love is not the kind of drama filled with mansions or huge apartments. Instead, most of the spaces feel ordinary and even desolate. Yet it was still beautiful. Lighting played an important role here. Jin Zhao’s garage was screaming modest living. But somehow, it still felt warm and inviting.
There were three main settings in this drama: Manshi (Thailand), Nanjing (China), and Canada. Many Cdramas were made with the intention of promoting tourism in China. For instance, The Best Thing drama starring Zhang Ling He and Xu Ruo Nan.
It highlights the value of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the scenic beauty of Hangzhou. Meet Yourself, starring Liu Yi Fei and Li Xian, promotes the beauty of rural areas in Yunnan. To the Wonder, the drama which was selected for Canneseries in 2024, showcases the Altay region in Xinjiang.
This time, even though Thailand was famous for its beautiful environment, the camera rarely focused on that. Most scenes were taken indoors, such as Jin Qiang’s apartment, Jin Zhao’s garage, or the school. There weren’t many outdoor shots.
The costume and makeup department also deserved praise. Even though I didn’t like how they wrote and presented Jiang Mu during the Manshi arc, I had to admit that some of her outfits were very cute. They gave off a tropical holiday vibe.
If you have a plan to go vacationing on an island where you could sit by the beach sipping on coconut water. You could check this drama for fashion inspiration. I personally love the white flowery strap dress over wide-legged jeans.
The Characters
Jiang Mu (Played by Yu Shu Xin)
Jiang Mu was in her late teens when she travelled to Thailand. She had the courage of a young person. Nothing could make her fear the world. She is stubborn and unyielding, but also smart. She looks playful and harmless on the surface. But underneath, she is sly and observant.
Jiang Mu has a high EQ and know exactly how to deal with Jin Zhao because she understand his true nature. People may change, but some traits stay forever. And even she didn’t say or notice her own ability, it comes to her naturally as an instinct.
But be careful. Don’t make her hate you. Jiang Mu might look cheerful, naïve, and kind, but she has a black belt in martial arts. She also holds grudges well. Combine with her stubbornness and naughty nature. She can easily become your worst nightmare. Even if it comes wrapped in pink ribbons and bows…😂
Jin Zhao / Brandy (Played by He Yu)
Jin Zhao has always been mature beyond his years. He took on the weight of life early on and learned to guard his emotions. He is focused, diligent, resilient, protective, and sharp. He looks tough, determined, and unshakable on the outside. However, whenever he saw Jiang Mu with another man, he felt quietly jealous.
Deep down, Jin Zhao is far more fragile than he shows. Although life trained him to be tough, he still had a soft spot in his heart, which he reserved only for Jiang Mu. He would rather swallow his difficulties and suffering than drag her into a difficult and burdensome life.
If he could choose, Jin Zhao wouldn’t want to live like he is right now. He had dreams and goals of his own. However, he was grateful to Jin Qiang for not abandoning him as a child. Therefore, when times got hard for them both in Manshi, Jin Zhao would never abandon Jin Qiang.
San Lai (Played by Fei Qi Ming)
San Lai is Jin Zhao’s best friend in Thailand. Compared to the tough Jin Zhao, he looked softer. However, he often showed that he was a mature person, hardened by his loveless family and his father’s gambling addiction.
You could tell he had a gentle and kind heart from his choice of business. San Lai is an animal lover who owns a pet shop. His cheerful personality brought happiness to those around him. Much like his pink truck, which looked like it was made for photo shoots.
Lin Sui (Played by Mike Angelo)
Lin Sui is a wealthy businessman with a keen sense of business. Though he can be arrogant, he is also charming. Behind his cold façade lies a playful and cunning personality. If you get to know him better, you’ll find that he’s kind and a very loyal friend.
Na Na (Played by Li Ao)
Na Na and Jiang Mu met on a plane headed to Manshi. She is a very cheerful and playful girl. She hit it off right away with Jiang Mu because they both have similar personalities.
Like Jiang Mu, Na Na also grew up in a sheltered life as a member of a wealthy family. Despite her carefree attitude, Na Na is a loyal and protective friend.
Wan Qing (Played by Sun Mei Lin)
Wan Qing was also known as Snakey. She was Jin Zhao’s number one fangirl in Manshi. She was head over heels for him and would do whatever it took to make him her boyfriend.
She is a very confident and arrogant girl who is always followed by some of her father’s retainers. Even when she meant well, she delivered it in the worst way.
The Conclusion
Speed and Love is a take-it-or-leave-it drama, not because of the actors, but because of the plot. The siblings-turned-lovers trope was enough to scare me off. Even though Jin Zhao and Jiang Mu weren’t biologically related, I still found it unsettling.
However, in terms of acting, this drama deserves tons of praise. You could instantly feel the insane chemistry between He Yu and Yu Shu Xin. And the visuals? They were very easy on the eyes. If you can’t stick with the story, at least stick with it for the visuals. And also for He Yu, who always seemed to be dripping in sweat in Thailand…
Well, dear readers, what do you think about Speed and Love? Will you put this on your watch list or leave it to the side and choose another one instead? The choice is yours. And if you choose to watch this, let me know yuor opininon about it. I’ll see you in another drama review! Until then, goodbye!
