The Chinese drama Overdo premiered as one of the most awaited series of 2026. With Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan as the lead pair, the show had everything going for it. A popular novel adaptation. A Republican-era romance. A star cast. Millions of fans counted down the days until its release.
But soon after the first episodes dropped on July 19, 2026, the conversation took a turn. Instead of praising the performances or the story, viewers started talking about something else. The opening credits. Many believe the intro was made using AI-generated visuals, and they are not happy about it.
Why Viewers Are Calling Out the AI Intro
C-dramas are known for their strong opening sequences. These intros set the mood, introduce the characters, and give viewers a taste of what is coming. For a high-budget show like Overdo, fans expected a polished and visually stunning intro.
That is not what they got.
The opening sequence looks artificial, according to multiple viewers. People pointed out unnatural character movements, blurry transitions, and inconsistent scenes. Some even said the colour grading looked dull and washed out.
One viewer wrote on social media:
“Okay, we know that C-dramas have been using AI for their openings lately, but there’s a limit to how much tolerance the audience has. It all looks awful, artificial, and fake. Wasn’t this drama supposed to be high-budget?”
The criticism grew louder because Overdo had a high production cost. Fans are questioning why the production team did not invest in actual animators and artists instead of relying on AI.
Mixed Reactions From the Audience
Not everyone is angry. Some viewers are choosing to focus on the story rather than the opening credits. But the disappointed voices are hard to ignore.
A fan expressed their frustration on X:
“There’s no reason for the intro to be made with ai WE ARE LOSING THE PLOT PPL.”
Another viewer compared the show to other dramas:
“It’s such a mess while chinese drama get more famous and recognized now, then they happen to do this dirty production scheme. Such a downgrade with zhang linghe last project and any other cdrama that be compared to korean drama, and they did this to the other new cdrama.”
Some fans felt the AI intro made the show look cheap.
“That AI intro makes it look so cheap. I didn’t even know this was S tier drama and not reels short.”
A disappointed viewer wrote:
“Overdo is one of the most awaited c-drama in 2026 yet the produce team produced it like this. soooo disappointing. story is fine but the AI intro and the production design is so meh.”
Production Quality Under Scrutiny
The criticism is not limited to the opening credits. Viewers have also pointed out issues with post-production, visual effects, and dialogue. Some described the overall production quality as feeling more like a low-budget short drama rather than an S-tier series.
One reviewer on MyDramaList wrote:
“everyone just looks washed out, and the colour grading is so dull. – he decided to use AI for the intro and a bunch of other shots instead of using that budget to pay actual animators and artists who know what they’re doing.”
Another viewer commented on the editing and camera work:
“Lawl, the acting! So bad…. like even if they have chemistry, whatever they did in here, the editing, music, cuts, camera angles, etc, kill the chemistry. What could have been an intense scene felt soooo flat!”
The Story Behind the Controversy
Overdo is set in Republican-era Shanghai and follows Murong Qingyi (played by Zhang Linghe), the son of a powerful warlord. He suffers years of abuse after being switched at birth. As a teenager, he is rescued by Ren Susu (played by Wang Churan), but the encounter brings disaster to her family.
The drama is adapted from a novel by Fei Wo Si Cun, a well-known author in the romance genre. The combination of a strong source material and a popular cast created high expectations.
Despite the backlash over the AI intro, some viewers are still invested in the story. They are waiting to see how the relationship between Murong Qingyi and Ren Susu develops, especially when a major twist changes everything.
Release and Streaming Details
Overdo premiered on July 19, 2026, with the first four episodes releasing on that date. The drama is available for streaming on WeTV, iQIYI, and Rakuten Viki. New episodes are being released on a scheduled basis.
The show features Zhang Linghe and Wang Churan in the lead roles, both of whom are popular actors in the Chinese entertainment industry. Zhang Linghe previously gained attention for his performance in Pursuit of Jade.
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Fans Remain Divided
The reaction to Overdo is clearly mixed. Some viewers are disappointed with the production choices, while others are willing to give the drama a chance based on the story and performances.
One review on MyDramaList offered a balanced view:
“I’ve seen comments saying the CGI, editing, and production quality aren’t perfect. Others feel the pacing is slow or that the AI opening is distracting. Those are valid opinions, but they don’t automatically make the entire drama bad.”
Another viewer who watched the first three episodes shared a positive take:
“I’ve only watched the first three episodes, but so far, I absolutely love it. I love that it doesn’t look, feel, or unfold like many other C-dramas.”
The debate over AI usage in entertainment is not new. Other productions have faced similar criticism. Recently, Naagin 7 also received backlash for its excessive use of AI in visual effects. The conversation around AI in dramas is likely to continue as more productions experiment with the technology.
Overdo is currently airing, and more episodes are on the way. Whether the backlash affects the show’s overall reception remains to be seen. For now, the drama is generating plenty of discussion online, both positive and negative.
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