LayarHijau – The Chinese historical drama How Dare You!? (成何體統) has officially aired its final episode, sparking heated discussions among viewers. Starring Wang Churan and Cheng Lei, the series did not deliver an outright tragic ending. However, many fans believe the conclusion felt rushed and deviated significantly from the original novel.
Spoiler Warning: This article discusses the ending of How Dare You!? (成何體統), please proceed at your own risk.
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From the beginning, How Dare You!? combined a story set in ancient times with a modern-day timeline. The romance between Zhang San and Wang Cuihua served as the emotional core, with their relationship shaped by a cross-time narrative. Yet in the final episode, viewers noticed a sharp shift in pacing.
After the conflicts in the ancient era reached their climax, the storyline abruptly jumped to the modern setting. The long-awaited reunion between Zhang San and Wang Cuihua was shown in only about three minutes, with minimal emotional buildup. For many fans, this brief transition weakened what should have been the most cathartic and meaningful moment of the entire love story.
One of the biggest complaints involves the removal of Yu Wanyin’s arc following Xia Houdan’s death. In the novel, Yu Wanyin and Xia Houdan spend meaningful time together in the past before his passing. Afterward, Yu Wanyin ascends the throne as empress, highlighting her resilience and strength. The drama’s decision to cut this storyline significantly reduced the depth of her character and diminished the emotional weight of her journey.
Comparisons with the novel have therefore been unavoidable. In the original story, the ending is far more layered and emotionally resonant. Zhang San returns to the modern era first, carrying all the memories of their life in ancient times. He considers seeking out Wang Cuihua, who has not yet experienced the time shift, and even travels to her city. Ultimately, he decides not to interfere with fate and chooses to wait.
Ten years later, Zhang San has become a successful CEO and acquires the rights to a novel titled “穿書之惡魔寵妃” (Wearing a Book: The Devil’s Favorite Concubine). Through this project, he finally reunites with Wang Cuihua. In the novel, this reunion carries much greater emotional impact because it follows a decade of longing—one character living in solitude with memories of the past, the other unknowingly moving toward their destined meeting in the modern world.
It is this bittersweet romantic tone that many readers felt was missing in the television adaptation. Although the drama does grant the main couple a reunion, the compressed execution left some viewers feeling emotionally unsatisfied.
Despite the criticism, How Dare You!? remains one of the most talked-about recent costume dramas. Wang Churan and Cheng Lei received praise for their chemistry, convincingly portraying longing, regret, and enduring affection across two timelines. Still, for a significant portion of the audience, the rushed ending reduced the narrative depth that had been carefully built throughout the series.
With the series now concluded, debates over adaptation choices versus novel fidelity continue. For many fans of the original work, the novel’s ending remains the more complete and emotionally powerful version of Zhang San and Wang Cuihua’s cross-time love story.
