✦ Drama Matchmaker
✦ Drama Matchmaker
Dazzling (2026 C-Drama) Review Episodes 1–10

Dazzling (2026 C-Drama) Review: Episodes 1–10

Chinese Drama
MAB Score 7.5/10
  • The Binge Team
  • June 1, 2026
Grab your favourite iced latte and sit down, because we have some big emotions to discuss in the C-drama world! The much-awaited youth romance Dazzling finally arrived on MangoTV and Viki on May 27, 2026, and I immediately went to my room and binged the first week of episodes. This is a special small-town coastal coming-of-age story with sharp, witty dialogue that keeps you completely engaged. Our two leads deliver an amazing plot in banter, bringing a refreshing energy to the summer drama lineup.
The story unfolds when city girl Qing Ye (Guan Xiaotong) is forced to return to her struggling hometown during her hectic senior year of high school because of a family emergency. There, she meets Xing Wu (Li Yunrui), a free-spirited rebel who lives life on his own terms. The two end up sharing a home, but their worlds could not be more different from the start, separated by nothing more than a thin curtain. The production value is impressive; the coastal lighting is bright, the scenery is beautiful, and the visuals feel modern and postcard-worthy.

The Paper Roots of the Romance

Dazzling Review Episodes 1–10
Image Credit: MangoTV
For the bookworms in this community, this show is directly adapted from the popular web novel "Yao Yan" by the talented author Shi Jiu Yuan. The novel is beloved for its realism, psychological complexity, raw character development, and heartfelt exploration of youthful hopes and dreams. It follows the inner conflicts of two young people trying to survive in a tough, unforgiving world.
The story is filled with emotion and has a deeply evocative tone that resonated with thousands of readers online long before the cameras ever started rolling. That emotional foundation remains one of the drama's greatest strengths.

Coastal Tales and Thin Curtains

The first episodes are devoted to introducing Zhazhating, a coastal town far removed from the gloss and glamour of the city Qing Ye left behind. We get an immediate glimpse of the jarring tension created by this transition in Episode 1 as she begins planning her escape before her bags even hit the floor. The pacing is quite consistent, and the setting feels like a real character in its own right rather than just a backdrop.
Everything really begins in Episode 2 when their bizarre shared living situation turns into a petty conflict over space in the most ridiculous ways imaginable. Qing Ye attempts to study for her university entrance exams on one side of a thin curtain, while Xing Wu pounds away at his gaming keyboard on the other. The contrast between them is both hilarious and endlessly entertaining.
By Episode 3, I had firmly established this show as a daily highlight. The writers do a great job capturing the frustrations of youth, as opposed to the usual sweet and passive characters who never seem to get angry with one another.
Things become much more down-to-earth in Episode 4 when the financial struggles facing their families begin to affect their everyday lives. Qing Ye's dedication to school and Xing Wu's lack of interest in academics create a strong dramatic contrast.
Episode 5 beautifully portrays the sense of isolation that comes with small-town life through lingering shots of the harbor at dusk. This unique atmosphere provides a perfect foundation for the show's lighter comedic moments.
Dazzling Chinese Drama Review
Image Credit: MangoTV
With the first half of the premiere complete, Episode 6 features a terrific sequence in which our protagonists find themselves at the center of a major misunderstanding. The banter between these two is what the show does best, and they trade verbal blows better than almost anyone else in the drama.
In Episode 7, the focus turns much more toward the supporting cast, providing a wider glimpse into the close-knit, sometimes claustrophobic nature of their coastal community. Xing Wu asking Qing Ye for help managing Xuan Island's finances feels like another meaningful step forward in their growing relationship.
One of my favorite moments comes in Episode 8, when a quiet, beautifully lit harbor scene gives way to a few minutes of honest conversation. Our two leads feel incredibly human as they express their concerns about the future while brainstorming ways to save Xuan Island with their friends.
The momentum remains strong in Episode 9 with the arrival of a new character, a distant friend of Xing Wu who may be setting the stage for a potential love triangle in the episodes ahead.
Episode 10 takes Xing Wu's growing feelings for Qing Ye a step further with the arrival of Qing Ye's friend from Beijing. At the same time, Xuan Island begins to flourish thanks to Qing Ye's creative business ideas, bringing in new customers and renewed hope for the community.
Pursuit of Jade: First Impressions (Episodes 1–10)

Sparks Fly Across the Divider

The chemistry between our lead actors is the absolute highlight of this show. Guan Xiaotong, who plays Qing Ye, is phenomenal in this role. She's every bit the city girl, but she's also deeply relatable and vulnerable. She portrays a proud, highly intelligent young woman who refuses to let her family's bad luck crush her spirit. Whenever she gets into an argument with Xing Wu, it's pure gold. She's exactly as irritated as a top student would be when forced to deal with complete chaos in her study space.
On the other hand, Li Yunrui completely steals hearts as Xing Wu, bringing plenty of golden-retriever energy to the role. He adds an authentic free-spirited charm and just the right amount of bad-boy appeal to every scene, perfectly complemented by his surfer-like blonde hair. His performance balances lazy nonchalance with sudden moments of protectiveness, which had my fangirl heart melting more than once. It's genuinely fun to watch him confidently pull a prank on Qing Ye, only to quietly make things right afterward.
The maternal characters and neighbors have also been given a major sitcom makeover, turning some of the more complex and emotionally burdened web novel characters into quirky and lovable sources of comic relief. At times, this polished and glamorous presentation softens what is ultimately a very emotional story, as real-life struggles are occasionally repackaged into more photogenic high-school challenges. Even so, this C-drama has quickly become my new addiction, and I will absolutely continue binging it. Honestly, you should too.
✦ Watch This If You Loved
For fans of youth romances who love slow-burn rivals-to-lovers stories, forced proximity, gorgeous coastal scenery, and addictive banter. If you enjoyed "Lighter and Princess", this beautifully shot C-drama is an easy summer comfort watch that will leave you smiling.
Lighter and Princess
When I Fly Towards You
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Drama Info
TitleDazzling (2026)
Total Episodes30 (Ongoing)
Review
1-10 Episodes
CountryChina
GenreRomance · Slice of Life
Release DateMay 27th to June 10th · 2026
Stream
🎬Viki
Main Cast
Guan Xiaotong Chinese Actor

Guan Xiao Tong

Qing Ye

Li Yun Rui

Xing Wu

MAB Score (For Episodes 1-10)
7.5/10
Overall Rating

Story

Acting

Chemistry

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