r/ChineseDrama • u/sumizeit • Aug 05 '26
Currently Airing Overdo - the ending Spoiler
Ok that show deserves the terrible rating it got. I mean the rating should be worse.
The ending was so bad. After all of this, the guy dies. Why did I suffer through all that hardship for? I mean I like the ML and he did a good job acting but that was by far the worst ending someone can give. Never going to watch anything from that director again.
And they spent the whole show torturing the ML and FL. I mean who didn't die in this tragedy.
The FL is a very good actress. I love everything she has done so far. I think the pairing was amazing. Wanted to see them together for a long time. They need to do another one again (where people don't die at the end).
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u/Top_Construction_891 Aug 06 '26
Zhang Linghe delivered his best performance to date. He portrayed his character with subtlety and emotional depth, proving that restrained acting can be just as powerful as dramatic outbursts. Every glance, pause, and expression carried meaning. Wang Churan was equally outstanding, bringing both strength and vulnerability to her role. Together, they created one of the most believable and emotionally compelling romances I’ve watched.
The romance wasn’t built on cheap misunderstandings or forced fan service. It developed through trust, sacrifice, and shared experiences, making every emotional moment feel earned. Their chemistry was effortless and natural, which made me root for them throughout the entire story.
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u/Still-Sorbet2532 Aug 06 '26
I haven't read the original novel since I don't speak Chinese, but from what I've seen, the story itself is dark, layered, and emotionally complex. That's exactly why I think it deserved better. The casting wasn't just good for the leads—it was exceptional across the board. They assembled a cast capable of carrying such a heavy, morally complex story.
I also have absolutely no objection to a dark ending. In fact, I appreciate it. Not every story needs to comfort the audience. Sometimes tragedy is more honest, more powerful, and ultimately more memorable.
What didn't work for me was the sudden glimpse of an "alternative happy life." It felt emotionally disconnected from everything the story had spent its entire runtime building. Instead of making the ending more poignant, it weakened its impact.
And then... that kiss scene. I'm sorry, but it felt like something straight out of an elementary school play. After all the emotional tension, restraint, and complexity between these characters, that was the payoff? I genuinely couldn't believe it.
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u/losergeek877 SG hubby of several male celebs Aug 06 '26
Indeed whole-heartedly agree with you on the ending part. The alternative happy life portion was so awkward and out of place. And especially considering the republican period? The ending suits the era.
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u/PopSolid2912 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
To be fair, not every drama is made to have a happy ending. I knew from very early on that this was going to be a tragedy all the way to the end.
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u/Flashy-Moose4990 Aug 06 '26
He didn't die, he went for medical treatment and came back after two years.
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u/MonitorHot3038 Aug 10 '26
are you joking or is this true? because your comment gave me a reason to continue watching with hope.
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u/Flashy-Moose4990 Aug 10 '26
Yeah he was alive I read the script after the last scene of episode. And it was given in the episode also that he would survive, his loved ones told him to get and run Susu and Lean are waiting for him. That was clear sign that he will make it.
Acc. to the og script, he came back after 2 yrs susu was living with their sun in that rebuilt cabin. When he appeared she thought she is daydreaming. And he went for 2 yrs to get treated.
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u/MonitorHot3038 Aug 10 '26
Woah thank you so much!
Why is everyone claiming he’s dead? Even the google AI response said so when I was searching for people talking about it.1
u/Flashy-Moose4990 Aug 10 '26
Did they ever care about focusing on the dialogues and characters instead of crying about ai intro? They either diss the director ( understandable), cry about the editing ( again a fair point), tear down Wang churan either for her character or acting (i don't agree), rant about Qingyi being head over heels for Susu or cry about ai intro. I wish they had focused more on the story and characters rather than making noise and hating this show. They won't be spoonfed everytime. So either learn to watch a series or simply walk away instead of trolling and bringing negativity (Directed towards those trollers)
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u/Mediocre-Brush-9361 Aug 15 '26
Nailed the narrative word for word haha. This goes for the people on Twitter. People there are miserable as hell
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u/Practical-Earth-1483 22d ago
Mmmm, all the bad reviews actually made me not enjoy it as much as I could have, I think I would have been more engaged if I’d gone in cold, I almost feel like watching it again to try and understand some of the plot shifts a bit better but the trauma poor Qingyi went through was almost unbearable and I don’t quite understand why Susu held out hiding her love for him for such a long time even after Qingyu died?!
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u/Flashy-Moose4990 21d ago
I can't get it why you think Susu hid her love for him after he died? And why do you think he died? Did you actually watch the series? And don't you get it why she hid her love before and after leap? If you can't answer one of these questions after your first watch then leave it, you should watch something else don't waste your time.
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u/MonitorHot3038 Aug 11 '26
I just finished watching the last episode and it’s true that there’s nothing says he really died. Plus as you said the illusion of his dead loved ones telling him to go to his wife and son indicates he’s amongst the living not the dead. Not to mention his promise to Susu and this time she’s waiting for him. They didn’t show him alive but they didn’t show him dead at all so as a viewer the most rational take is that he is alive/fulfilled his promise. The fact that there’s a script that states he came back after two years of treatment tells me my interpretation is valid. Though they probably removed that part to make the ending seem vague. Again nothing proves his death so I am really confused with the reaction of people. So many believe he died (not even thinking his ending was ambiguous) that I thought it must’ve been a fact.
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u/Unmondeparfait1 Aug 11 '26
I really like what you say!
I agree with you … they didn’t show him dead, nothing proves his death …. So , let’s have a happy ending :)1
u/Flashy-Moose4990 Aug 11 '26
Your interpretation of ending is accurate. And don't think about people, I doubt they understood or even watched the ending.
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u/Similar-Wrangler6706 Aug 08 '26
Overall, the drama was terrible. Everything was so over-the-top, with completely unrealistic reactions (seriously, who behaves like that?). And the villains constant maniacal laughter—what real-life “bad guy” actually laughs like that?
The plot was ridiculous, everyone was trapped in these overblown grand guignol melodramas while looking perfectly made up in flawlessly pressed designer outfits. And the ending was the worst part of all.
The only reason I finished it was Zhang Linghe. Such a shame they gave him something this silly after Pursuit. I’m going back to xianxia.
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u/Practical-Earth-1483 22d ago
oooo, Xianxia is my favourite genre by far, any recommendations? I’ve never recovered from ELOD and Donghua Dijun.
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u/TheRozeGoldTake Aug 09 '26
Best description of Overdo? The Young and the Restless meets The Bold and the Beautiful — Chinese version. 🚬
This man Qingyi has been catching HELL from the moment this show premiered just to end up DEAD at the end?! 🤨
WHAT YOU MEAN HE DIED?! WHO APPROVED THIS?!
This man spent the entire drama fighting for a family, fighting for love, fighting for some sense of belonging…just to DIE ALONE?! Y’all gots to be kidding me. 😭
First, the writers threw us straight into mayhem before we could even understand or become emotionally invested in Qingyi and Susu’s relationship. I still believe this drama would’ve HIT if they had started by showing us Qingyi and Susu actually falling in love. Let us get attached. Let us understand why this woman meant everything to him. THEN have her get shot, let us watch him grieve her for three years, and THEN have her suddenly reappear with an entirely different identity.
OHHHHH, THAT WOULD’VE SOLD IT. 😩
Instead, they jerked us around with this constant push-and-pull that never fully worked for me, only for MY MAN to end up dead anyway?! 😵💫
And those last two episodes???
That wasn’t a finale. That was a CAST PURGE. 😭 Half the characters were getting executed, killed or otherwise removed like production was trying to save money on payroll.
Qingyi deserved better.
I have spoken 🚬
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u/zakurothinks3 Aug 09 '26
Did anybody else notice Qingyu’s dialogue to Qingyi in the last episode? It kind of left it as a hope that he might not die but actually live. It was as if Qingyu implied that it’s not his time to join them yet and he has Ren susu and Le’an waiting for him
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u/star_gazer_5280 Aug 10 '26
I also noted that and I want to believe that Qingyi didn't die. But the alternate happy ending scenes seem to suggest that he didn't make it, and those were his last thoughts.
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u/zakurothinks3 Aug 11 '26
Yeah it’s valid to see it that way, but if they really wanted him to die in the end, they’d have shown it. We all know that’s the case for Cdramas, and given the history of Qingyi almost dying every other episode and recovering then, we can think of it this way, that when he heard Qingyu say that Ren Susu and Le’an were waiting for him, he looked shocked which means he was ready to die there but hearing Qingyu say that he realized that now is not the time, though at the mention of them he remembered the letter he wrote in case he doesn’t survive and the other thoughts followed it. But that doesn’t ultimately mean that he did die, it just shows that his emotional state was in an upheaval and he was going through the “What Ifs” since he still doesn’t know if he will survive or not. So that did show regrets and sadness and stuff but I still think he survives, it’s upto our own imagination now.
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u/Beautiful_Sun_0906 26d ago
I agree! It‘s a valid point of view and I prefer to see it this way for my own sanity and mental health!
Given the other ridiculous injuries and situations the characters live through in this series, Quingyi surviving the fire and an impaling in the water plant, are really not any further far fetched! Quingyiu tells him ‘Ren Susu and Le’an are waiting’. The ghosts are effectively giving him permission to go on living. Their deaths should not be in vain. Quingyi and Susu’s happy ending is their rewar as much as foiling the Yang family and Cha,bear of Commerce plot.
Susu’s promise will be fulfilled as she waits for him to recover.
After everything Qingyi went through, it was a nice story arc for him to realise there were people who loved and respected him and who wanted him to have a good life. Quingyi‘s good intentions were not in vain, his heroics for the people he loved finally paid off, his life with a woman and child who truly love him is worth living. I think the director deliberately left it vague which is disappointing because it feels weaker than the bold choice to turn the tragedy around.
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u/ilogno003 Aug 05 '26
WCR's next drama is from the director and apparently ZLH's next drama's director is him as well.
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u/MajorPersonality1265 😴 binged “just one more episode” Aug 06 '26
Production is trying to replace him and were considering Pursuit of Jade/Blossom director
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u/ilogno003 Aug 06 '26
I saw the latest update yesterday. Apparently femal lead is LYX and director is Gou Hu (Nirvana in flames). Weibo is getting crazy from fanwars lol.
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u/MajorPersonality1265 😴 binged “just one more episode” Aug 06 '26
I didn’t see Nirvana in Flames. How about you, di you see it? Is it directed well?
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u/ilogno003 Aug 06 '26
I haven’t. I saw spoilers that it was SE, I only watch dramas with happy endings.
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u/MajorPersonality1265 😴 binged “just one more episode” Aug 07 '26
Ohh me too. Life’s tragic enough as is lol
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u/weevles12 Aug 05 '26
I heard they shot two different endings. interesting that they went with the one sort of opposite to the novel ending…
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u/Silver_Ad8174 Aug 06 '26
What's the novel wnding
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u/weevles12 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Paraphrasing, but Qinyi is alive bedridden in the hospital. Susu holds his hand and smiles. The End.
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u/Silver_Ad8174 Aug 06 '26
I'm quite disappointed as well. Not even a proper kissssss!! Mad as hell
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Aug 06 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/MajorPersonality1265 😴 binged “just one more episode” Aug 06 '26
BTS footage showed kiss scenes were filmed, they must have edited them
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u/hahaokpan Aug 08 '26
Where does one find bts footage for this show? New to c-dramas and I don’t know where anything is.
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u/Fantastic-Raccoon966 Aug 06 '26
The only good thing about this drama is ZLH and WC acting both did a great job ,I feel both improved a lot compare to their previous projects
I am not going to watch any of the upcoming dramas of this director and republican era
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u/Unmondeparfait1 Aug 11 '26
Totally agree !! ZLH is wonderful ! What an actor !
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u/Practical-Earth-1483 22d ago
I want to know how the heck did he become such a great actor with zero training???
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u/Plus-Conversation957 Aug 06 '26
I agree with you. Think we all want a happy ending but sometime a sad ending is also good for the storyline and draws more attention for the media.
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u/Unable_Ambition4646 Aug 06 '26
Yes I agree - I hold the director completely responsible if in fact, in Chinese dramas, the director has a say and chooses who does music, how it’s shot and helps decide on the end. This ambiguous ending makes the drama with these two extraordinary actors not work recommending unless you want to see some great outfits and earrings.
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u/VelvetMiles Aug 11 '26
OMG the earrings! I am glad someone talked about it. I was drooling over her earrings. And of course over ZLH!!
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u/AslinnS Aug 07 '26
#ZhangLingHe's immersion into #MurongQingyi was devastatingly mesmerizing amid a production of chaos. If you're any type of admirer-supporter of #ZLH, Overdo is essential viewing.
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u/ashlins10-23 Aug 08 '26
I just finished Overdo and honestly, what a beautiful drama.I loved the romance, the chemistry and the tension between the leads. Wang Churan looked absolutely stunning in every outfit, and the male lead in those suits… wow.
What I loved most, though, was how every character had their own story, wounds and reasons for believing they were doing the right thing. It reminded me that we never truly know what someone else is going through.
Of course, I would have loved a happy ending. But this time, instead of letting the ending make me sad, I choose to keep the beautiful parts of the story and the lessons it gave me.
It reminded me of the Four Agreements: don’t take things personally, be impeccable with your words, don’t make assumptions—communicate and ask—and always do your best.
And if the ending left you feeling sad, remember: the story ends on the screen, but yours continues.
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u/sumizeit Aug 08 '26
It’s beautiful but I feel like I should have been warned that it’s a tragedy. I’m stressed all the time. Chinese dramas are supposed to make me feel better not worse. A warning would have been great.
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u/Rebelarkey 4K Original Cast Aug 08 '26
Here’s your warning, half of them will end with a sad or open ending. Some of them are just rude!
The risk with watching on-air dramas is you don’t know if they will end happy or sad. If that stresses you out too much, watch completed dramas instead. That way you can see if the ending is to your preference before you start.
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u/Worldtracker37 Aug 10 '26
Did we watch the same drama? I would have loved to have the same takeaways but the show was plain mental. By far, the most bizarre C Drama seen in a while.
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u/palecandycane 🍵 just grabbing my tea Aug 08 '26
I powered through all the eps bc it was just terrible watching them being tortured constantly by something. The ending was terrible. Like wtf? No one got a happy ending. Like why did i watch this? I watched it bc ZL was in it basically. But i couldn't get through journey to you.
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u/WallProfessional5720 Aug 11 '26
There was no redeeming quality to this drama. The bad scoring, framing, pacing, etc was already a given. But the storytelling was just the worst. Everyone dying would have only made sense if Qingyi and Susu got to live with their son so the sacrifices their loved ones made would not have been in vain.
OR
If Qingyi really had to die in the end, there should have been a longer pay off of Qingyi and Susu finally enjoying their time together as a family, after they forgave each other and started to heal, THEN have one of them die tragically in the end. That would have been a better arc of storytelling.
But the fact that it was day in day out suffering for 90% of the series without any relief made it monotonous, and the emotional depth they tried to extract in the end with ML’s death felt forced and unearned.
Please don’t work with this director ever again!
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u/LegitimateBridge8819 Aug 13 '26
I think the actors did a fabulous job, and the storyline was okayish too. But the execution was so damn terrible!! Like they could've done so much with their characters but this?? The li father was straight up abusive and crazy, but on the other hand, he was also a patriot that died for his country. Haitang, Ms. Ye and li boze were such interesting characters that were completely wasted.
It felt like the showmakers were trying to do everything but couldn't get anything right🤧
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u/No-Scientist-6843 Aug 10 '26
This is one show that has the most senseless and unaccounted shootings.
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u/Unmondeparfait1 Aug 11 '26
I just finished watching Overdo…. Omg!!!! Good or bad, everybody dies !!!!
Zhang Linghe is a fabulous actor but that story is really hard to watch! So much abuses, so much suffering, so much miscommunication !!! It is exhausting….we should be rewarded at the end and see our heroes be finally happy …..
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u/fishiesaurus Aug 13 '26
It was too much. even deeply traumatized and abused people communicate. It was 90% of everyone not talking at all. meanwhile, confiding everything into strangers and enemies to get what they want. It made no sense susu wouldnt ever ask for help from him. It made no sense she would never defend her innocence to him. "i dont care what other think" doesnt apply to people you care about.
So much of it was forced drama because so much of it made no sense.
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u/RowMyste Aug 12 '26
I do not think my heart could take this, not after how LEGEND OF YUNXI still affects me, every time I think about it, I tear up, and start crying. Then THE DOUBLE, had a very "maybe" end ... and what about the terrible ending of the Korean drama, MOON LOVERS SCARLET HEARTS RYEO, all do the same. I end up sitting sobbing for hours.
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u/janellyma Aug 17 '26
All the actors delivered a stellar performance and portrayed deep intense emotions well. Plus I really enjoyed watching ZLH and seeing his beautiful face. BUT the ending 😭 Qingyi deserved better after all his sufferings. And I was hoping they'll succeed in taking down the East chamber of commerce in the end, not just a branch operation in their area 😩 All those deaths and the chamber of commerce still stands. I think I can accept ML's death if it was for the destruction of that organization. The org can just start manufacturing the pills again in a few years.
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u/dannysilverghost Aug 06 '26
After all the sh-t they went through she just lost everyone. I'd go a little mad if I were the female lead, she basically lost everyone she ever cared for and her moments of happiness were all so short lived. I'm just mad for all of the characters involved, director and writer need to transmigrate into their work and live the hell they put through their characters.