Speed and Love


Speed and Love is a 2025 Chinese television series starring Esther Yu and He Yu. Adapted from the web novel Shuang Gui by Shi Jiuyuan, the series is a high-octane romance that explores the reunion of two childhood companions whose lives diverged into two vastly different social worlds.

Synopsis

Jiang Mu and Jin Chao grew up together until the age of nine, when their parents' divorce forced them onto "dual tracks." Jiang Mu remained in the south with her mother, living a sheltered and academic life, while Jin Chao moved to Thailand with his father, struggling for survival in a rugged environment.
Years later, after discovering that Jin Chao was actually adopted by her father, Jiang Mu travels to Thailand to find him. She discovers that the once-gifted boy has transformed into a streetwise mechanic involved in underground boxing and illegal street racing. Despite the danger, Jiang Mu integrates herself into his world, eventually becoming his navigator on the racing track. The story follows their journey as they navigate their "pseudo-sibling" bond, personal trauma, and shared dreams of aerospace exploration.

Cast

Main

  • Esther Yu as Jiang Mu : A young woman who grew up in a sheltered and academic environment in southern China. After discovering that her childhood companion and "brother" was adopted, she travels to Thailand alone to find him and eventually becomes his racecar navigator.
  • He Yu as Jin Chao : A former child prodigy who moved to Thailand with his father and became hardened by the streets. He works as a mechanic and competes as an underground boxer and illegal street racer under the pseudonym "Brandy."

Supporting

  • Fei Qiming as San Lai : Jin Chao's loyal friend and a member of the local street-racing community in Thailand.
  • Mike Angelo as Lin Sui : A skilled racing driver and rival-turned-ally who mentors Jiang Mu in drifting and advanced driving techniques.
  • Patrick as Liang Yanfeng : A competitive racer in the Thai street-racing scene.
  • Li Ao as Na Na : A young woman Jiang Mu meets during her flight to Thailand, who later becomes her close friend.
  • Sun Meilin as Wan Qing : Also known as "Snakey," a bold woman associated with the racing and boxing underground.
  • Guan Zijing as Jin Fengzi : A character involved in the underground boxing world who initially brings Jiang Mu to Jin Chao's matches.
  • Casper as He Zhang : A rival fighter and racer who frequently clashes with Jin Chao.

Others

  • Zheng Xiaoning as Jin Qiang : Jiang Mu's biological father and Jin Chao's adoptive father. A former racer who struggles with alcoholism but eventually works toward redemption.
  • Tian Miao as Jiang Yinghan : Jiang Mu's mother, who separated the siblings after the divorce and changed Jiang Mu's surname.

Production

Development

The series was produced by iQIYI as part of its 2025 drama slate. The production team focused on the "bad boy/good girl" trope combined with professional racing elements, which were noted for their technical accuracy and high production value.

Filming

Principal photography began on November 22, 2024, and wrapped on April 2, 2025. Filming took place in several international locations to highlight the contrast in the leads' lives:China: Scenes depicting Jiang Mu's academic and family life were filmed in Nanjing and Hainan.Thailand: The "gritty" and "action" segments were filmed on location in Bangkok, utilizing landmarks such as the Saphan Kwai Intersection, Talad Noi, the Chao Phraya River, and the MBK Mall.