Going into "Dashing Youth," I didn't have particularly high expectations, but I was optimistic about enjoying it. The premise of a group of friends embarking on thrilling adventures while navigating the complexities of heroism seemed promising. However, by the time I reached the halfway point, I found myself disappointed and ultimately decided to drop the drama.

What started as an engaging narrative centered on the adventures of Baili Dongjun and his loyal friends quickly took a nosedive when the plot became entirely overshadowed by the romance between Ye Ding Zhi and Yi Wen Jun. This shift in focus felt like a poor choice, sacrificing the story's initial excitement for a love story that, in my opinion, fell flat.

The drama's highlight was undoubtedly the lighthearted and fun friendship between Baili Dongjun and his friends. Their loyalty and unwavering support for one another provided some genuinely enjoyable moments. The camaraderie among the group was refreshing, and it was easy to root for them as they faced various challenges together.

However, the worst aspect of "Dashing Youth" was the romance between Ye Ding Zhi and Yi Wen Jun. For a relationship that was supposed to be gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, I felt nothing. Their love story lacked depth and emotional impact, making it difficult to invest in their relationship. Ye Ding Zhi, who started as a character driven by a powerful desire for revenge, inexplicably abandoned his quest for justice the moment Yi Wen Jun entered the picture. It was frustrating to watch a character with such a strong initial motivation lose sight of his goals for a woman who didn’t seem willing to fight for their love.

Another disappointment was the female lead, Yue Yao. If I remember correctly, in the donghua, she was quite powerful and able to stand on her own. But in the drama adaptation, she is basically there for decoration. As a female lead, she fell flat for me too. I couldn’t bring myself to enjoy her romance with Baili Dongjun; it was just as stale as the other romantic arcs. Overall, I was disappointed in all the romance lines, and I believe the show would have been 100% better if there were no romance or at least very limited romantic involvement.

As for the characters, my favorite thus far was their master, Master Li, also known as Nangong Chun Shui. Like a true master, he was wise, kind, and generous. His love for all his disciples was undoubtedly the best part of the show. He knew when to step in and when to let his disciples figure things out on their own, striking the perfect balance between guidance and freedom.

Another standout character for me was Prince Roufeng, also known as Langya Wang. He is just as wise as his master, Master Li, but with the added perspective of a prince who must consider the greater good of the country. He made some questionable decisions, but if he didn’t, who would? Prince Roufeng seemed to be the only logical one among the main leads, making decisions with a clear head, unclouded by emotional attachment.

In the end, "Dashing Youth" started with potential but lost its way when it prioritized an unconvincing romance over the more compelling elements of its story. While the friendships and certain characters were bright spots, they weren't enough to save the drama from its missteps.

This prequel ultimately fell flat compared to its sequel, The Blood of Youth. I loved The Blood of Youth more because the plot was consistent, the actors did great with their characters, and there was zero to no romance at all. It’s unfortunate that Dashing Youth couldn’t live up to the same standard.