THE SHORT VERDICT:

If you enjoy coming-of-age c-dramas like When I Fly Towards You (review here), and if you loved Reply 1988 (review here!), then this show is for you.

This show takes the best of both these worlds, and blends it all together to make a hybrid drama that delivers those wholesome community feels that you get in Reply 1988, while retaining all of its defining coming-of-age c-drama characteristics.

Likable characters, comforting community feels, a bit of romance to underscore it all – and the slice-of-life quality that allows you to feel like a fly on these walls?

Win, win and more win! 🥰

THE LONG VERDICT:

Honestly, the only reason this show came to be on my radar, was because Shruti reached out to me to let me know that this has now become one of her most favorite dramas, alongside Reply 1988 and Someday Or One Day (reviews here and here!).

Thank you, Shruti, for thinking of me, and reaching out! 😘

This show does give me some Reply 1988 feels, while still being very much its own thing, and I liked that a lot.

It essentially feels like a mesh of the quintessential coming-of-age c-drama (in the vein of When I Fly Towards You – review here!), with the Reply 1988 construct, where we have the whole “neighborhood as family” set-up.

Reply 1988, but c-drama style? I couldn’t say “yes” to this, fast enough. 😁

OST ALBUM: FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

Here’s the OST album, in case you’d like to listen to it while you read the review.

Overall, I enjoyed the music in this show, though I have to admit that I mostly didn’t notice it all that much, while watching episodes.

I will say, though, that I really have a soft spot for Track 1, Let’s Meet Someday, which I’m belatedly realizing is sung by Zhai Xiao Wen. I just really like the lyrics, especially that line that talks about becoming braver, because of having the other person. Lovely. 🥲

Shout-out too, to Yang Xi Zi and Daniel Zhou, who also each sing a song on the OST. Such a talented cast! 🤩🤩

HOW I’M APPROACHING THIS REVIEW

First I’ll talk about how to manage your expectations going into this one, and what viewing lens would be most helpful.

After that, I talk about stuff I liked on a more macro level, before I give the spotlight to selected characters and relationships, in a separate section. Finally, I spend some time talking about my thoughts on the penultimate and finale episodes.

If you’re interested in my blow-by-blow reactions, &/or all the various Patreon members’ comments during the course of our watch, you might like to check out my episode notes on Patreon here.

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS / THE VIEWING LENS

Here are some things that I think would be helpful to keep in mind, to maximize your enjoyment of your watch:

1. Think coming-of-age and slice-of-life

In terms of Show’s focus and rhythm, I do think that coming-of-age and slice-of-life is the right lens to wear, while watching this show.

There are some big events in our story world too, but by and large, Show is more slice-of-life in flavor.

2. The romance is a slow-burn

There is romance in our story, but it’s a very slow burn, with Show only really delving deeper into the romance in the later part of our story.

Adjusting your expectations for that definitely helps.

3. Bad things blow over quickly

When anything big or bad happens to our characters, I find that it’s helpful to remember that in this story world, bad things blow over quite quickly, as our characters process said events and adjust to a new equilibrium.

In that way, I do feel like it’s quite reflective of real life, where we also need to adjust to changes in our lives. I thought this was quite nicely done.

STUFF I LIKED

Likable characters

One of the things that really drew me into this story world, when I first started my watch, was how likable I found our core characters.

I found myself taking to them right away, and that definitely contributed to why I found myself looking forward to watching more episodes of this show.

The crush lines

Very quickly upon starting my watch, I could already see crush lines crisscrossing among our core foursome, and for a good long stretch, these crush lines were a highlight of my watch.

I just found it all to be pretty nostalgic and heartfelt, because it reminded me of what it’s like to be a teenager, with friendship worries and crush anxiety, and how it really can feel like your whole world is at stake, when you’re in the midst of it all. 🥲

Also, I appreciate the wisdom of what Xin Yan (Zhao Fan Shu) says in episodes 5-8, while musing about how romantic the notion is, that the person whom you like, would choose the same book as you; that it’s unlikely, yet precious.

This feels like metaphor for romantic relationships too, because how unlikely and yet, how precious is it, that the person whom you like, would like you too? Which, really, feels like one of the strong undercurrents in our story world, with so many crisscrossing crush lines.

Out of these multiple crush lines, it would likely be the rare one, where those special feelings end up being reciprocated, yes? 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. The way I see it, Song Cong’s (Daniel Zhou) got a crush on Huan Er (Yang Xi Zi), who’s possibly got a crush on Xi Chi (Zhai Xiao Wen), who definitely has a crush on Qi Qi (He Qiu), who definitely has a crush on Song Cong. 😁

It’s all fairly low-key at the moment, but with the way Song Cong looks at Huan Er with quiet gentleness, I’m fairly sure that he’s quickly grown a big soft spot for her.

And with the way Huan Er decides to join the 1,500 meter race because she knows how important it is to Xi Chi, that their class win, I’m pretty sure Xi Chi occupies a pretty special place in her heart too.

Then of course, there’s also how Xi Chi is trying his darndest to get closer to Qi Qi, who’s trying her darndest to subtly get closer to Song Cong too.

Oh what a tangled web we are beginning to weave, eh? 😁

E5-8. I feel really bad for Xi Chi, when Qi Qi moves in for a hug with Song Cong but clearly ignores the opportunity to also hug Xi Chi.

Poor Xi Chi, getting his heart slowly but systematically broken. 💔

Like when he offers to accompany Qi Qi to the pharmacy to buy medicine for Huan Er after her accidental fall into the lake, and get turned down, only to immediately overhear Qi Qi ask Song Cong to go with her, because she doesn’t know where the pharmacy is.

But, Song Cong’s also getting his broken a little bit, every time he sees Huan Er having a moment of bickery fighty playfulness with Xi Chi.

You can just see that he feels very left out, and wishes that Huan Er would feel just as comfortable in his company, as she does in Xi Chi’s. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

The sense of emotional heft

One of the things I really appreciate about Show, is how it’s able to weave in a good amount of poignance and emotional heft into its story, in a way that feels natural and organic.

Because of this emotional heft, I found myself that much more invested in our characters and their lives.

I feel that this does set this show apart from a good number of its cousins in the coming-of-age genre of dramas.

[BROAD SPOILER]

E9-12. One of the big themes in these episodes, is that you rarely ever see it coming, when Life suckerpunches you in the gut, and when it happens, everything can change in an instant.

And when everything changes and you’re struggling to get through it all, it’s your community stepping up for you and being there for you, that makes all the difference. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

The sense of community

Right from the beginning of my watch, I loved the community vibe that Show gives us.

I love that this community comes together, not only in times of crisis, but on an everyday basis.

I just love-love-LOVE the idea, that for this group of people, sharing lives was just a way of being. 🥰

[BROAD SPOILERS]

Among the younger generation, I really like how quickly and willingly Xi Chi and Song Cong welcome Huan Er into their midst, even introducing her to their secret hangout, and even telling her the secret code to text, if she wanted to meet them there in an emergency.

I thought that was very sweet.

As with Reply 1988 (again, review here!), I also love how parenting effectively works on a communal basis, with the moms literally taking turns to feed the kids breakfast. There’s something very heartwarming about that.

I also love the fact that when one of the moms is having a late work day, it’s perfectly normal for her to send her kid over to another house for dinner; it’s not an imposition, it’s a way of life.

That was one of the things that really stuck with me, in Reply 1988, and the fact that this is how these families operate here too, already has my heart. 🥰🥲

[END BROAD SPOILERS]

The inclusion of the parents’ stories

Like with Reply 1988, our main story is with the younger generation, who start our story in high school, and the parents’ stories will form strong supporting arcs.

I liked that we not only had our story occasionally focus on the parents’ stories, and I also appreciated the various flashbacks, that gave us insight into these characters, so that we were able to see these characters as people, and not just the parents of our core crew.

It’s true that Show’s focus on the parents is starkly reduced in Show’s back half, after the kids graduate high school and go off to university, and I did miss it, to be honest.

However, I rationalize that this is quite reflective of how the kids become much more independent of their parents, as they grow up. 🥲

The way bad things blow over quickly

From time to time, big &/or bad things happen in our drama world, and while I appreciate the role that these events played in our story, I was also very grateful for the fact that Show doesn’t tend to linger in angst or sadness for very long.

Here are two different examples, to illustrate what I mean.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E13-16. For the record, I was rather aghast at the prank that Huan Er’s dad (Wang Lei) initiated on her mom (Ophelia Yang), these episodes, but I’m glad that it all blows over quite quickly, and her tears soon become happy contented smiles.

Also, I take to heart Huan Er’s voiceover, where she muses that only when love is deep enough, can one argue with confidence. That’s pretty deep. 🥲

E13-16. I’m relieved that this show doesn’t tend to linger too long on sadness, and that, with the changing of the seasons, we learn that life eventually feels more normal, despite Xi Chi’s dad’s (Yan Peng) passing.

It’s not that his death doesn’t make his family sad, but at least now, their sadness doesn’t hold them in a chokehold, and they’re able to go about life in a way that feels close to normal.

I feel that that’s a very accurate depiction of how grief is like, for many of us. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

When Show is thought-provoking

Another thing that I felt set this show apart from its similar-looking cousins, is the way Show manages to be thought-provoking on a pretty regular basis.

This show really has a way of dropping little reflections and truth bombs through its story, and I absolutely appreciate how relatable the reflections often are. 🥲

One of the key delivery mechanisms of deep thought, in this show, is the voiceover, and we get regular voiceovers, most often from Huan Er, about life, and growing up.

These feel like universal growing pains that I think we would all be able to identify with. 🥲

[MINOR SPOILER]

Like in episode 3, where Huan Er muses about first times for everyone, whether it’s about chasing your dreams, or rebelling against your parents, or even understanding your own child.

[SPECIFIC SPOILERS]

E5-8. I appreciate the poignance in Huan Er’s voiceover at the end of episode 6, where she says that she finally understands Xin Yan; that sometimes lying is just a way for our cowardly selves to be bold for a bit – even if we’re not very good at the lying.

I feel like with this beat, Huan Er is likely talking about her desire to hide her physical frailties by talking big about protecting the boys, rather than anything about her realizing that she likes Xi Chi – although my take is that she does like him.

E5-8. The thing that Song Cong later says, as a way of offering Huan Er some perspective, really does ring true; that it’s normal to get to know more people, as we go out into the world, and that it’s also likely normal, for friendships to last for a season, instead of for a lifetime.

That really resonates with me, as I’ve seen friendships come and go over the various seasons of my life, and it’s bittersweet to think back on all the friendships over the various seasons.

In a way, the boys’ friendship with Li Tian (Zhang Xu Zhen) kind of smacks of this seasonal thing, doesn’t it?

I mean, they are lifelong neighbors and I do think that foundation will never actually go away, but there had been a season when Li Tian had hung out with Song Cong and Xi Chi regularly, until Li Tian had found himself needing to compete with Song Cong academically, thanks to parental pressure, and that’s when he’d withdrawn into his own world.

That’s pretty poignant, when I think about it, because it does seem to me like there’s a part of Li Tian that misses hanging with the boys like he’d used to. 🥲

Another nugget of truth, which we hear from Huan Er in voiceover, is how youth seems to be a magical sort of filter; that thinking back, she always thinks of it as the best time of her life.

I find that very relatable as well; we tend to look back on our growing up years with a lot of nostalgia, and it’s easy to only home in on the happiest memories. 🥲

E17-20. That soundbite from episode 20, about friends being temporary, is so poignant to me.

It’s true that many friendships are seasonal, and perhaps it’s time to admit that the season for a number of our high school friendships, has come to a close. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

STUFF THAT WAS OK

Saying goodbye to the high school years

Like I alluded to earlier, my favorite part of this story, is the high school years.

And so, when we bid goodbye to those high school years at around the midpoint of our story, I definitely felt very wistful about it.

It felt like before I knew it, it was time for our characters to take the Gaokao and graduate high school.

Sniffle. Where has the time gone, really??

However, I do appreciate that Show handles the close of this chapter, and the transition to the next chapter, with lots of tenderness and heart. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E13-16. I did very much appreciate Teacher Xu’s (Sun Le Tian) words of wisdom to the class on the eve of the Gaokao; that although exams may affect their lives, they don’t have to define their lives. Very wise, and very compassion, I thought.

The thing that I found quite affecting, was the scene where our various characters shed tears in the darkness, because they can’t bear to say goodbye to all of their friends.

I found that very relatable, because when I’d been in school, this was exactly the kind of thing to get me all emotional as well. 🥹

E13-16. Like Huan Er says at the close of episode 16, aside from the river of love, there are also lots of other rivers that we need to cross on our own.

It truly feels like the close of a chapter, with our characters poised to embark on a new season of life, where they will face many new things, and have to figure out how to deal with it all, on their own.

I feel wistful, but I also take heart in this show’s tendency to not keep our characters apart for too long at a stretch. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

STUFF I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH

When Show takes certain things off-screen

I don’t know if this was a result of certain footage not making the final cut at the editing stage, but I found it odd that Show would take certain things off-screen.

Given Show’s slice-of-life nature, I’d expected to have been given a front-row seat to everything, especially the more significant moments in our characters’ lives.

And yet, this particular event was taken off-screen, to my bemusement. I didn’t like that so much.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E13-16. I’m rather glad that Qi Qi and Huan Er make up, when they cross paths at the taro snack shop.

However, I’m a little bummed that we don’t actually get to see them make up on screen.

I thought that we’d at least get to see them make up in a flashback, but no; it appears that we’re left to imagine for ourselves how that went down, which doesn’t feel quite right, given that these two friends have been estranged for literally 2 whole years.

[END SPOILER]

SPOTLIGHT ON SELECTED CHARACTERS / RELATIONSHIPS

Yang Xi Zi as Huan Er

I’d seen Yang Xi Zi in the 14 episodes of Love Me, Love My Voice that I did watch, where she’d played the female lead’s best friend, and I was happy to see her here, as our female lead.

I honestly think that Yang Xi Zi did a very good job of bringing Huan Er to life.

When you first meet her, Huan Er might appear to be a little on the reserved side, but she isn’t actually super shy.

In fact, the more comfortable she is with you, the more her bright, cheerful, earnest personality shows, and I really liked watching her come into her own.

Overall, I have to say that I liked Huan Er a great deal – she’s arguably my favorite character in this drama world – and I always found myself rooting for her. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. I was so surprised by the reveal that we get, that Huan Er’s had major surgery for something during her childhood, and is therefore considered to have quite a delicate constitution.

With the way that she was clutching her chest during the race, interspliced with those scenes of her in the hospital going into surgery, I’d immediately assumed that she’d had open-heart surgery.

But, later on, we see that the scar she checks, is actually on her scalp? So.. she’d had brain surgery..?

We don’t know the details yet, but this definitely adds an unexpected poignant layer to our story.

Our sweetly awkward everygirl is actually a survivor, and therefore not quite your average girl after all.

And yet, I do think that that’s the point; that underneath it all, despite all that she’s been through, Huan Er is still your very normal everygirl who just wants to be one of the gang.

She doesn’t want to be given special treatment like she’s an invalid, which, I suspect, is why she doesn’t tell anyone about her condition; she wants to be a contributing member of her class and community, and I find that very earnest and poignant. 🥲

E5-8. It does seem like Huan Er’s the only one in our group who doesn’t seem to know that she likes someone; everyone else seems quite aware of their feelings for their crushes.

I do quite enjoy this very pure innocent sort of mindset and attitude that we see in Huan Er; whether it’s about friendships or crushes, she just seems so wholesome and pure.

I think it’s really cute how she’s easily galvanized into a bit of bickery, fighty fun with Xi Chi, and I can’t blame Song Cong at all, for watching her with such quiet appreciation. 🥲

In fact, it kinda feels like Huan Er would prefer it if all her friends and classmates would just stick to simple friendships, instead of complicating it with romantic inclinations; at least, that’s the sense that I get.

I find it very endearing, that while everyone else is busy thinking of how to attract their crush by spraying perfume on their books for the book exchange event, all Huan Er thinks about how the book she’s chosen, has helped her understand her own mind better.

Isn’t that so wholesome? 🥲 I really like Huan Er, if you couldn’t already tell. 😁

I also feel like there’s something endearing in how she doesn’t actually see Qi Qi’s real intentions for constantly asking her questions about Song Cong; she just trusts Qi Qi so wholly, when Qi Qi says that she doesn’t have any particular reason for asking about Song Cong.

E9-12. I thought it was pretty heartwarming, the way Huan Er gets Xi Chi and Song Cong to help Li Tian find a way to participate in the English competition, when Li Tian’s parents insist that he participate in the Math competition instead.

The way Li Tian lights up as he takes to the stage, is really akin to a duck taking to water; he looks so happy and at home, as he delivers his speech, and I’m happy for him, that he wins the top prize, even though his father is less than pleased.

It feels like something genuinely precious to him, and I’m glad that he has achieved this precious thing, with the help of his friends. 🥲

I’m also happy for Huan Er, that she’s discovered a passion for pharmacy that she wants to pursue.

Although her mom tells her that it’s much harder than she thinks, and tells her to think about it some more, I do think it’s quite precious, to find a vocation in life that one is truly excited to pursue. 🥲

E17-20. I’m proud of Huan Er for being honest with Song Cong, because in her shoes, Teenaged Me would have totally agreed to be friends, without actually feeling comfortable about it, and then probably not lived up to the promise in the end.

It’s a kind of maturity, actually, for Huan Er to be able to speak honestly, even though she knows that the answer isn’t what Song Cong wants to hear.

I do believe Huan Er, when she says that she needs some time, and I trust that when that time has passed, and they both come back home, she’ll be back to being the same welcoming friend to him, that she’d been from the start. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Zhai Xiao Wen as Xi Chi

I was pretty surprised, coming into this show, to realize that this wasn’t my first time watching Zhai Xiao Wen; that I’d, in fact, seen him fairly recently, as supporting character Xiang Lang, in The First Frost (review here!).

Honestly, I was pretty tickled to compare Xi Chi to Xiang Lang, because as Xiang Lang, he was quiet and geeky, whereas here, he’s outspoken, gregarious and sporty; the total opposite of Xiang Lang.

And, I’m quite pleasantly surprised that Zhai Xiao Wen is as convincing as Xi Chi, as he was, as Xiang Lang; what a nice discovery, to realize that our guy’s got range.

I found Xi Chi very likable as a general rule; even though he’s sometimes a little annoying, he’s definitely harmless and good-hearted.

[MINOR SPOILER]

For example, even though he shirks fruit-cutting responsibilities and tosses the fruit-cutting to Huan Er to do, right upon meeting her, he does also very quickly stand up for her, when those rumors start flying about Huan Er, that she’s a sly flirt.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. With Xi Chi being so cheerful, I wouldn’t have imagined that he’s nursing an old injury that’s threatening his chances to play professional football, which is his dream.

I can understand why his mom (Rong Rong) would be so concerned about his desire to pursue professional football, since he could seriously hurt himself, and so there’s a fair bit of angst at home around this.

But, Xi Chi always puts on a cheerful and optimistic front, so most people wouldn’t guess that he has any hidden angst.

E9-12. As we see through Xi Chi’s experience, sometimes having a dream, means that that dream can get crushed without warning. 💔

It was painful watching him struggle through his recovery, but it was also touching to see his friends and family doing their best to be there for him, every step of the way.

I thought it was heartening to see the moms rally around to encourage and comfort Xi Chi’s mom, Li Na, and I also thought it was great to see Huan Er and Song Cong volunteer to tutor Xi Chi, so that he wouldn’t have to repeat a year at school.

I really felt for Xi Chi, as the reality of the extent of his injury starts to really sink in; you can literally see his optimism start to fade, and the sadness start to take root. 😭

I thought it made a lot of character sense, that Xi Chi would push Huan Er away and tell her not to come to his rehabilitation sessions anymore, because as much as Xi Chi presents himself as a cheerful, happy-go-lucky kinda guy, he does carry a lot of worry and concerns, underneath it all.

The fact that he would tell Huan Er not to come, makes me think that it’s because he doesn’t want her to see him at his weakest and most undignified, which I do think is a very representative of the typical male mindset.

E9-12. In a train of logic that I hadn’t expected, Mom buys into the coach’s words, that one of the reasons Xi Chi had ended up hurting himself, is because he hadn’t had proper professional coaching, and had trained on his own, inadvertently adopting wrong techniques that left him vulnerable to injury.

In that context, I think Mom starts to see that her efforts to restrain Xi Chi in order to keep him safe, have instead, inadvertently led to his injury, and that’s one of the big reasons she comes around, and even tells Xi Chi that once he recovers, she’ll personally accompany him to the youth team tryouts.

Awww. This is a huge deal for Xi Chi, to finally have Mom’s support in pursuing his dream, and I love that. 🥲

E13-16. Everything looked to be going so smoothly – until Life threw another curveball at Xi Chi’s family, with his father’s sudden passing.

Oof. I could hardly believe what was happening on my screen, but this does reinforce the idea, that change can come at any time, like in the case of Hao Mei, last week.

It was heartbreaking to see Xi Chi go silently numb with sadness, and then even more heartbreaking to see him deal with the guilt that came with the realization that the whole reason Dad had even been on duty, was because Dad had swopped shifts with a co-worker, so that he could visit the sports school in the area, to ask them to consider giving Xi Chi a chance.

Double oof.

I can only imagine how devastating this must have been for Xi Chi, and I totally understand why he would wonder about what would have happened, if he’d just given up his soccer hopes earlier; would Dad have been fine, then? 😭

That’s just way too heavy a burden for anyone to carry, let alone a teenager who’s still trying to figure himself out. 💔

And, the whole context of Dad having gotten him the opportunity, just makes it all the more heartbreaking, when Xi Chi doesn’t manage to pass the initial physical exam.

OOF. MY HEART. 😭😭😭

I’m just relived that Song Cong and Huan Er are there for Xi Chi, as he grapples with all this.

I’m also very relieved that Mom doesn’t blame Xi Chi for Dad’s death, and even tells him, in the midst of her own sadness, that he will always be her pride. 🥲

As painful as it is, I’m also relieved that Xi Chi manages to distract himself by losing himself in his studies, because at least this way, he’s not constantly drowning in grief.

[END SPOILER]

Daniel Zhou as Song Cong

This was my introduction to Daniel Zhou, and I liked his delivery of Song Cong very well.

When we first meet him, Song Cong is our resident smart guy, who easily wins academic competitions and is on the fast track international class instead of the normal class like the other members of our core cast.

He’s quiet and unassuming, and not at all cocky about his achievements; he strikes me as just wanting to enjoy life with his friends, in his own quiet way.

I also like that he’s helpful, and easily agrees to tutor Huan Er and Qi Qi, when asked to, even though that takes up a good chunk of his time.

[BROAD SPOILERS]

Over the course of our story, Song Cong goes through a fair bit, and in the process, he learns a lot about who he is as a person, and about his place in the world.

There’s his crush on Huan Er, his eventual connection with Qi Qi, his family situation, as well as his experience at university, that all contribute to shaping his understanding of himself as a person, and I thought the journey was very worthwhile. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. I do feel for Song Cong, who looks like he’s suffocating under his parents’ expectations of him, particularly with his mom, who’s already set her heart on the idea of him going abroad, and attending one of the top 5 universities in the world.

I’m glad that he is inspired to do something about it, and asks to transfer to the regular class; he definitely does seem happier there.

Of course, there’s also the thing where his dream is to study medicine, and his mom’s bottom line, is that he should never study medicine, because she doesn’t want him to live like his dad.

So, Song Cong still has a hidden burden, despite managing to get himself some breathing room, by transferring classes.

E9-12. I did feel for Song Cong, as he has several moments of feeling excluded, while watching Huan Er get along happily with Xi Chi.

Oof.

I feel very drawn to his quiet appreciation of Huan Er, and I couldn’t help but go, “Oh, poor babyyy~ 🥹🥹🥹” every time that happened. 🥲

Of course, we do also see that Qi Qi is still very much interested in making a romantic connection with Song Cong, but I’m with Leslie on this one; I don’t yet like Qi Qi enough to want to root for her to be successful in winning Song Cong’s heart.

Also, more importantly, it doesn’t seem like Song Cong even remotely sees Qi Qi in a romantic kind of light, so that’s that, right?

Once we hit episode 11, Song Cong’s suddenly got much more worrisome things on his mind, with how his mom has that freak accident in the emergency room, and ends up with nerve damage and motor loss in her leg.

E9-12. I really appreciate how Huan Er opens up to Song Cong and tells him a little bit about her experience of being sick as a child, and how she hadn’t liked it when her parents had been so worried and sad because of her.

I feel that that really gets through to Song Cong in a very important way; because of Huan Er’s sharing, Song Cong decides to go back to school, even though his mom hasn’t woken up yet from her coma, and even though he’s clearly worried about her, because he knows that this is what she would have wanted him to do. 🥲

To my eyes, Huan Er’s words are fundamentally different from Qi Qi’s words to Song Cong, where Qi Qi tells him that if his family would like to sue, her mother would be able to help.

Where Huan Er is purely focused on supporting Song Cong towards honoring his mother’s wishes, which would be indirectly comforting to him, Qi Qi is focused on whether his family would want to sue the patient and their family, that had caused the accident.

It’s just not the most important thing to Song Cong right now, and I feel that it’s quite telling, that Qi Qi doesn’t see that.

E9-12. One of the moments that I found very poignant, is when Song Cong follows after his dad (Chang Cheng), and sees Dad take a moment to cry a little.

It feels so real and relatable, that as a parent, Dad would try to put up a brave front with Song Cong, and tell him not to worry; that Dad’s got everything under control and to just focus on his studies.

Don’t all parents do things like that? It really does make me wonder about the times my own parents might have put on a brave front too, with us kids, just so that we wouldn’t worry. 🥹

I feel that Song Cong’s instinct to hide, so that Dad wouldn’t see him, might not be that Song Cong’s afraid to face Dad’s fears, like he says in voiceover; I feel like it could also be his way of protecting Dad’s dignity? 🥲

I can understand Song Cong’s decision to transfer to a different school that would allow him more time and flexibility to care for Mom in the hospital.

In a situation like this, of course Mom’s care comes first, and it was heartening to see everyone support Song Cong’s decision, even though they’re sad to see him leave. 🥲

I really do appreciate Li Tian’s gift of that set of notes to Song Cong; I feel that this really demonstrates Li Tian’s true heart of friendship towards Song Cong, despite all the bickering and competition that’s gone on between them, in recent years. 🥲

E13-16. I did think that Song Cong asking Li Tian about the question of A, B and C was quite funny, because it becomes a running joke through these episodes, with Li Tian offhandedly making comments or giving advice or offering help, to poor Song Cong’s chagrin.

Poor Song Cong; he’d had no idea that Li Tian would catch on right away, on the fact that the problem of A, B and C referred to Song Cong, Huan Er and Xi Chi. 😁

E13-16. I just LOVE Song Cong’s response, when Huan Er grumbles that Xi Chi ssays no one will like her because she’s not worthy of being liked.

He tells Huan Er, without a second’s hesitation, that she’s worthy, and to not listen to Xi Chi; that Xi Chi’s just blind.

Flail. 🫠🫠🫠🫠

I just love Song Cong’s quiet, understated yet firm pronouncement, that Huan Er is worthy of being liked, and we know that it’s because he has liked her from the very moment he’d first set eyes on her. 🥲

I find it very swoony; I can’t help it. 🫠

E13-16. I appreciate Song Cong gathering his courage to shoot his shot with Huan Er.

I also appreciate that he makes sure to check with Xi Chi first, to make sure that Xi Chi doesn’t also like Huan Er.

And the moment he ascertains that Xi Chi doesn’t (or at least, says that he doesn’t), he doesn’t hesitate for a second; he gets up and goes straight to Huan Er, and doesn’t even let Qi Qi deter him.

He’s that focused and determined to let Huan Er know how he feels about her, and I find that determination very swoony as well.

..Which is why I’m gutted for Song Cong, that he promptly gets his heart broken, when Huan Er tells him that she’d like them to just be friends.

Aw. Poor Song Cong.

I kinda knew this was coming, and I still feel sorry for him. 😭

E17-20. One of the things Show does deal with, is the awkwardness that Huan Er feels towards Song Cong, after his love confession.

Her avoidance of him feels very relatable (uh, because I’ve done similar things at her age? 😅🙈), and it makes a lot of sense to me (not just because I’ve done similar things at her age, but) because at that age, we just don’t have the maturity to do anything else, after an unexpected and world-tilting event like that.

I’m honestly really glad that Song Cong comes right out and asks her to stop avoiding him, and even apologizes for making things awkward for her.

For Song Cong, who’s always appeared to be so reserved, this is a big step for him, particularly gathering his courage to shoot his shot, and getting turned down.

I feel bad for him that Huan Er tells him that for now, it’s hard for her to just go back to being friends, but I’m still proud of him for being upfront and taking a chance, and then making the choice to not avoid Huan Er, even after getting turned down.

E17-20. We do see some glimmers of connection between Qi Qi and Song Cong, after they go away to university in the same city, with her seeking him out at school, and inviting him to spend time together.

I think the difference here (I think, anyway), is that, in this new environment where he’s no longer the top student, Song Cong’s feeling a little more insecure, and Qi Qi’s presence provides him with the friendly companionship of someone who believes in him and thinks highly of him.

I also think that Qi Qi represents a past on which he thinks fondly, where he’d been the clear top student that everyone had looked up to.

Plus, she’s a familiar and friendly face, in a new place with new and formidable study rivals.

I feel like these are the various factors causing Song Cong to be a little friendlier and more open with Qi Qi now, compared to before.

And perhaps there might be some empathy in the mix, since he now knows what it’s like to like someone, and not have that person reciprocate?

All that to say, I feel like I could possibly root for this romance to blossom now, even though I’d started this show firmly rooting for Song Cong to win Huan Er’s heart. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

He Qiu as Qi Qi

I last saw He Qiu in The Princess Royal (review here!), as Qin Zhen Zhen, so I found it a little trippy to see her in a modern role, after having only seen her in period costume.

Overall, I feel that He Qiu does a convincing job of the role of Qi Qi.

It was very pleasant to have Qi Qi come across as down to earth, even though most of the other kids see her mainly as “the rich girl” that’s out of their leagues.

However, I will say that, over time, that “rich girl” background does show up in some less pleasant ways, which I’ll talk more about later.

In the end, I did make peace with Qi Qi as a character, although she did not work out to become one of my favorite characters in this drama world.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E1-4. Qi Qi just wants to hang out with her friends and live a normal life, but is hampered by her mom’s expectations of her, from learning piano to taking math tuition.

She’s suffocating too, just like Song Cong, but in a different way.

E5-8. I feel like Qi Qi is quite the opposite of Huan Er, in a manner of speaking.

With Qi Qi, I feel like we see so much hyper-fixation and over-analysis, when it comes to her crush on Song Cong – as well as her friendship with Huan Er, as we see later, in these episodes.

It’s not a great look, sure, but y’know, I find Qi Qi’s tendency to fixate on small details and overthink everything, very relatable.

I totally remember overthinking everything as a teenager, and I feel like many of us would likely have similar memories.

And so, even though it’s not a good look on Qi Qi, especially when her behavior is contrasted with Huan Er’s much more innocent, trusting sort of manner, I feel like I can’t hate Qi Qi. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Huan Er and Qi Qi

I found the fast friendship between Huan Er and Qi Qi very endearing, and loved the idea of them bonding so quickly, and so well.

However, as it turns out, it’s not so easy to maintain a friendship, when Life gets in the way.

I thought that this angle was well done, in that I felt like the struggles portrayed were relatable and felt true to life. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-8. Huan Er’s friendship with Qi Qi undergoes a crisis, when Qi Qi is forced to choose the Arts stream by her mother, thus separating her from her newfound friends.

I can empathize with how this likely feels like the end of the world for Qi Qi, because she’s being forced to say goodbye to the only friends that she’s made, in school.

(On a personal note, this totally reminds me of when my mum had made the executive decision that I should choose a secondary school nearer our home, instead of continuing at the school where I’d spent my primary years.

I cried buckets, because I had to say goodbye to my friends, and was utterly stressed about making new friends at my new school – which is why I do feel for Qi Qi, that she has to do the same, kinda.)

It’s sweet how Huan Er works to give Qi Qi that birthday surprise, with the entire class celebrating her birthday with her, before her transfer.

E5-8. It’s entirely poignant to me, how Huan Er and Qi Qi try so hard to maintain their friendship, even forgoing their assigned breaks, by using that time to say a quick hello to each other.

Unfortunately, like I mentioned earlier, Qi Qi’s got a strong jealous streak, and I feel like every time she sees Huan Er with other friends, she distances herself from Huan Er a little more.

It’s not good behavior, to be clear, but I do sympathize with Qi Qi, as I can imagine that she fees like she’s losing Huan Er to other people, like Xin Yan.

On Huan Er’s part, however, she doesn’t think of friendship as being finite, and feels like she can be friends with anyone, and still treat Qi Qi the exact same brand of special as always.

In fact, I find it endearing, how Huan Er manages to make friends with her new deskmate Du Man (Sui Yuan), even though Du Man is consistently reticent and distant.

I felt really bad for Huan Er, as she goes through that very slow and painful process, of systematically being shut out by Qi Qi.

The way Qi Qi stands her up at the taro snack stall is not cool, and as much as I sympathize with Qi Qi’s young heart feeling overwhelmed with the sense that Huan Er doesn’t need her anymore, I feel for Huan Er more. 🥲

I’m glad that Huan Er’s got both Xi Chi and Song Cong watching out for her, like the way they rush outside to look for her, when she’s late coming home.

E5-8. I felt really bad for Huan Er, when Qi Qi actually “breaks up” with her, essentially telling her that if she can’t be Huan Er’s only friend, then she’d rather they not be friends at all.

Ugh. What a big blow to Huan Er’s innocent, tender, earnest heart, yes? 💔

I’m relieved that Huan Er does have her other friends looking out for her, and I found it poignant to see Du Man silently pushing a tissue to Huan Er, so that she can wipe her tears.

But also! I can’t help but home in on the way Song Cong looks so concerned as he observes her quietly from behind.

E17-20. For Huan Er’s sake, I’m glad that this thing with Song Cong doesn’t negatively affect her friendship with Qi Qi.

Which, come to think of it, is a big step in growing maturity, for Qi Qi, because based on what we know about Qi Qi, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d somehow blamed Huan Er for giving Song Cong the wrong idea, or something similar.

I’m heartened to see that Qi Qi really does treasure this restored friendship with Huan Er, and won’t let a situation about a boy ruin that friendship. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Our core trio

I really enjoyed how Xi Chi and Song Cong welcome Huan Er into their midst so readily, and absorb her so that they become a trio instead of a duo.

I found it very wholesome and heartwarming to see the group dynamic grow into its own, over time, so that it got to a point where it felt like Huan Er had always been there. 🥲

And, it was very comforting as well, to see that they were always ready to back one another up, through thick and thin, and be there for one another, through happy times or sad.

Of course, the crush lines do create some complications, which I’ll talk about a bit, in this next spoiler section, but in the end, friendship prevails, and I find that very lovely and wholesome.

[SPOILER ALERT]

E5-8. In episode 8, the misunderstandings around our crush lines deepen, and I feel really bad for Song Cong, because he’s kind of stuck in the middle of it all, through no fault of his own.

He can’t help it that Qi Qi likes him and keeps trying to cozy up to him, and he can’t help that people notice Huan Er being nice to him, and start gossiping that there must be something going on between them.

I can understand why Huan Er would feel obligated to keep her distance from Song Cong, not only because she wants the baseless rumors to stop, but also because she doesn’t want Qi Qi to get the wrong idea, but I feel so bad, so hard, for Song Cong, when this happens, because our poor guy can’t help but feel keenly, that Huan Er’s actively avoiding him.

Not only that, Huan Er’s bickery fighty moments with Xi Chi are still making Song Cong feel excluded.

Poor Song Cong. 🥲

I have to give our guy credit though; I like how he doesn’t beat about the bush and just straight-up asks Huan Er, via their in-game chat, why she’s avoiding him.

And when she demurs, he suggests that they play with fireworks, and then puts in all that effort to be extra bright and chatty, while getting everything set up.

But, credit to Xi Chi as well, who, despite his blustery persona, proves to be very emotionally sharp.

That thing that he says to Huan Er, that friendship is pure, and as her friend, he would always wish her well, no matter what had happened between them; that she’s done nothing wrong, and shouldn’t be afraid of offending other people and thus stop being herself.

In the end, I feel like both Song Cong and Xi Chi play equally important roles, in getting Huan Er to relax and let go of her fears, and just be herself again.

The way Song Cong yells out to Huan Er, as the fireworks start sparking, that they have a pure revolutionary camaraderie, lands as really poignant and bittersweet to me; it feels like he’s friendzoning himself, for Huan Er’s sake, and that just hits me right in the heart. 🥲

This is kind of like what Huan Er had said earlier, isn’t it, about how we sometimes lie in order to give our cowardly selves a way to be bold..? 🥹

I’m glad that things are no longer awkward between Song Cong and Huan Er, but at the same time, I can’t help hoping that there will be a chance for Song Cong to un-friendzone himself, sometime in the future. 🥲

E13-16. I’m relieved that Huan Er and Song Cong are there for Xi Chi, and won’t leave him to his own devices, even when he declines to meet up on New Year’s Eve.

The way they get beer from Du Man’s family’s convenience store, and descend on Xi Chi, feels like something that only really close friends get away with. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Xi Chi and Huan Er

From pretty early on in our story, it becomes clear that there’s a special connection between Huan Er and Xi Chi.

It’s a wholesome, special kind of friendship, where they are very comfortable with each other, and understand each other, and are always there for each other.

They have a special place in each other’s hearts, and I found it all very gratifying to witness.

[BROAD SPOILERS]

Over time, especially as they get a little older and more mature, it also becomes clear that they have started to entertain romantic feelings for each other, and honestly, even though I’d started this show rooting for Song Cong to win Huan Er’s heart, I definitely saw why Huan Er and Xi Chi would be drawn to each other.

This loveline takes a long time to get going, and I appreciate the way Show explains this; that they both treasure their friendship too much, to dare to risk it. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E9-12. I loved that beat, when our sweet Huan Er presents those soccer final tickets to Xi Chi; that really is the perfect gift for him, isn’t it?

And it’s so great, that Huan Er secretly passes a third ticket to Xi Chi’s mom, so that Mom can also be there. 🥲

Huan Er’s such a sweetheart, really.

The moment that really got me in the heart, was the way she does all that research, and makes that speech, so that she can tell him about all the soccer legends who’ve made strong comebacks after suffering serious injury.

I found that really moving, because she doesn’t know a thing about soccer, honestly, and yet, this truly is the exact kind of thing that would speak to Xi Chi, in the midst of his discouragement, yes? 🥲

I feel like I can totally understand why we see Xi Chi seem to respond to Huan Er with a little bit of special feelings in response?

Like the way he wants to treasure that final ticket, even though Mom didn’t get to go in the end, and the way he wants to keep Huan Er’s notes from her spiel to him, as a memento.

There’s no real change in Xi Chi’s relationship with Huan Er at this point, but we do see a marked change in his relationship with his parents, and that feels important and healing. 🥲

E9-12. It feels like things miiight just be leaning towards the romantic side of things, between Huan Er and Xi Chi..?

I mean, there’s that moment when Xi Chi nonchalantly talks about how things might be like, when they have children, and it gets all awkward, because this could be interpreted as them having children together. 😅

And then there’s also how they go to the cake shop together, and Xi Chi seems to take special note of the fact that Huan Er seems especially drawn to the cake in the display window.

E13-16. I’m of the definite opinion that Xi Chi likes Huan Er, and is just in denial.

I mean, just look at the lengths he goes to, to get her the chance to enjoy the cake that she’d been looking at so wistfully in the cake shop window.

Not only does he basically dupe Song Cong and Li Tian into buying a third of the cake each, he prepares his third so preciously for Huan Er, telling her to eat it all.

His actions just speak so loudly, about the amount of care that he has, for Huan Er. 🥲

Obviously, seeing Huan Er happy, makes him happy too, and that is the exact sentiment that we also hear from Huan Er, later in these episodes; that seeing him happy, makes her happy too.

I think that is pretty much all the confirmation that I need, that Xi Chi is Huan Er’s romantic endgame.

I mean, it’s true that life can throw you unexpected curveballs and things could change, but based on what Show’s been serving up, it very much looks like Xi Chi and Huan Er will end up together. 🥲

Plus, how about allll the time that Huan Er and Xi Chi spend together, in episode 14, where she helps him with his studies?

It sure looks like they’re spending every waking moment together, and having fun while doing so, even though they’re basically studying the whole time.

Even though I do still feel for Song Cong, for being left out of all of this, even though his heart still beats for Huan Er, I couldn’t help but feel proud of Xi Chi, for managing to improve his grades by so much, despite all the catching up that he had to do. 🥲

E13-16. I got as worried as Huan Er, when she woke up from her tipsy nap, and found Xi Chi gone, and his phone buried in the pages of his journal, which is just filled with words of guilt over his father’s death.

I can totally understand why Huan Er would freak out and think the worst, and run out into the streets to look for him.

To think that the reason Xi Chi had even left the house, was to look for fireworks, because Huan Er had mentioned that she’d wanted to play with fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Aww. Again, this is so reminiscent of the effort that Xi Chi went to, to get that cake for Huan Er.

E13-16. I thought the beat where Huan Er uses her cousin’s visit to trick Xi Chi into thinking that her cousin had been her childhood sweetheart was a little silly, but take the point that this, did, in fact, make Xi Chi rather uncomfortable and jealous. 😁

E13-16. Ooh. We get that crackly moment of hyper-proximity and hyper-awareness between Huan Er and Xi Chi, in the kitchen, when they’re bickering over him teasing her.

I have to tell you, I was on tenterhooks through that entire moment, because by this time, we knew that the rest of the gang was on their way downstairs to the kitchen, and I just really didn’t want Song Cong to have to witness this and get the wrong idea. 🙈

Thankfully, the moment is over before the rest of the group arrives, PHEW. 😅

E17-20. We spend most of these episodes in Wuan University, and I was right; Xi Chi does end up there, even though he’d told everyone that he hadn’t put down a second choice, in his  university application.

I get that Xi Chi had wanted to give Huan Er a surprise, and that’s why he hadn’t told her about it, but I’m with her on this one; in her shoes, I’d mad at him too, for colluding with my mom, and keeping something so big from me, while I worried for his future.

Plus, there’s the whole moment at the secret hideout, where Huan Er had hugged him goodbye, thinking that he would be going off to Yenching University with Song Cong.

I’d feel awkward about that too, in her place. 😅

So yes, I feel that Huan Er has every right to be mad at Xi Chi, though I am guessing that there’s a part of her that’s secretly pleased and relieved that they won’t be apart after all. Maybe. 😅

With Huan Er and Xi Chi being so stuck in their friendship ways, it makes sense to me that jealousy would be the catalyst to prod them about their feelings for each other.

At least, that’s what it looks like, with Show introducing Tian Chi (Zhou Hao Qi) as a potential suitor for Huan Er, and Du Wei (Zhang Hao Xin) as a female suitor for Xi Chi.

I did get a bit of a kick out of Xi Chi becoming hot property on campus, with everyone oohing and aahing over how cool and handsome he is, which is likely why Du Wei soon sets her sights on him as well.

Through it all, I’m mildly amused at how Xi Chi and Huan Er basically get all hot and bothered when they each see the other person on the receiving end of romantic interest and attention.

Xi Chi in particular reacts very noticeably, every time he sees Huan Er with Tian Chi, and never misses a chance to try to elbow Tian Chi out of the picture, heh.

Like when he picks up a drunk Huan Er and takes her out of the dinner venue, after glaring at Tian Chi like it’s all his fault, for example.

Which, y’know, Xi Chi’s instincts around Tian Chi aren’t wrong; I’m pretty sure, based on everything that we’ve seen Tian Chi do, to connect with Huan Er, that he likes her and would like to make their connection into something romantic.

And y’know, like everyone else around Huan Er, I, too, think that Tian Chi’s a pretty good catch.

He seems to be a genuinely pleasant, decent guy, who’s not only helpful and caring, but also, handsome and academically accomplished.

I mean, look at how much he does to help Huan Er, when she unexpectedly gets saddled with running that self-defense session for women, and that annoying senior just leaves her to her own devices, after shoving the task at her (I am not impressed by him, if it wasn’t clear enough 😪).

Not only does he help her clean up that storeroom of a venue, he helps her with designing the flyer, and then even helps to get the event a sponsor, and gather attendees too – and then volunteers to be her punching bag on the actual day, when she needs one.

If not for the fact that I strongly believe that Huan Er already likes Xi Chi, I would say that she should consider giving him a chance.

But of course, there’s how Xi Chi comes through for her too.

It’s true that he gets roped into that other performance thanks to Du Wei having her eye on him, but his focus is entirely on Huan Er.

I love the way he broaches the subject of how Du Wei had been dismissive of Huan Er’s prepared Wushu performance, and then describes so earnestly, how important and noble Wushu is, to Huan Er and her father.

I found that quite touching, not just because he was speaking up for Huan Er, but because this moment really demonstrates how much he understands her and the things that are important to her. 🥲

There’s also how he is insistent that he be Huan Er’s punching bag for the event, even though he knows this will entail actual physical pain.

And then there’s also how Xi Chi goes off-script during the arts performance event in order to promote Huan Er’s self-defense class, and literally gets dragged off the stage for it.

He might not be properly cognizant of it, but Huan Er is clearly very, very special to him. 🥲

Where we are at the end of episode 20, though, things continue to be muddled and confusing, for both Huan Er and Xi Chi, particularly since they each keep seeing the other person with a potential someone special, at their side.

I feel bad for them, but it is still rather amusing, that they each have no idea that the other person is so affected by them.

The whole reason Huan Er had agreed to go to that movie with Tian Chi, was because she knew that Xi Chi would be there, and she was probably curious about the state of affairs between him and Du Wei.

But she can’t help but feel bummed, when she sees the two of them sitting together, just like Xi Chi can’t help but feel bummed, when he sees Huan Er arriving on what he believes to be a movie date, with Tian Chi.

The crossed signals during the movie, where they each keep peeking over to look at the other person, only to feel perplexed that the other person seems to be having such a good time with their companion, is ruefully amusing; poor babies.

I’m glad that that gets cleared up somewhat, when Xi Chi receives the bottles of medicated ointment that Huan Er had passed to him through Zhou Ye (Yang Hao Ming), and Huan Er sees the video of Xi Chi promoting her event, and getting dragged off the stage.

The way Xi Chi rushes off to see Huan Er, and the way she looks so pleased to receive his call, made me pretty happy.

Isn’t it sweet the way he remembers that they’d planned to go to the seaside at Sishui but hadn’t managed to, and tries to recreate the experience somewhat, at the swimming pool?

It’s also nice to see them hang out together comfortably again, even though they’re still big in denial, with Xi Chi vehemently denying that he’s jealous of Tian Chi, heh.

I gotta give Du Wei props for having the guts to make a public confession like that, to Xi Chi, but perhaps she’s just that overly confident in her beauty and popularity, that she believes that there’s just no way that he would turn her down?

It’s unfortunate that Huan Er only sees the last part of the interaction, where Xi Chi and Du Wei step away from the crowd, just the two of them, because it very much looks like he’d been the one to confess, and that they were now off to have some alone couple time together.

Still, I think it’s emotionally sharp of Xi Chi, to turn Du Wei down in private instead of in public.

And, in return, Du Wei gives Xi Chi something to think about; whether he and Huan Er are so close, that they can’t see each other clearly.

I expect that this will lead to some realizations on Xi Chi’s part; he certainly looks like he’s thinking hard about it.

And yes, for the record, I am actually rooting for this loveline to actually happen now.

Good job, Show, on doing a pretty good job of making this loveline feel right to me, even though I’d boarded the Song Cong train early. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Hao Wen Ting as Hao Mei [BROAD SPOILERS]

I wanted to give a bit of the spotlight to Hao Mei’s arc, because this is a great example of how Show demonstrates that sometimes, Life can suckerpunch you in the gut when you least expect it – but that’s when your community steps in to help you up.

And that’s when you also learn that you’re more loved than you know, and also, that you’re stronger than you know. 🥲

[SPOILER ALERT]

E9-12. Ouch. I really feel for Song Cong’s mom, Hao Mei, because her entire life changes in that one instant, and it had literally come out of nowhere. No wonder she’s completely blindsided. 💔

I can only imagine how shattered her self-confidence is, in this situation, where she’d always been the strong and capable one, and now, she needs help for everything. 😭

Again, I really appreciate how everyone in the community shows up for this family, in this very difficult and trying time.

E9-12. I was glad for Hao Mei when she gets discharged from hospital, as that in itself feels like a big milestone in her recovery.

The thing is, though, it’s a whole new beginning for her after her discharge, and that’s something that I think no one in the family had been truly prepared for.

Hao Mei understandably feels extremely distressed by these huge changes, and that’s on top of her anger and displeasure, that Song Can had transferred schools without her knowledge.

With how she’s always put so much emphasis on Song Can’s studies, and how she’s always had such big plans for him, the idea that his studies have now been compromised, and on her account, must be very unbearable for her.

Adding on all the various challenges that she now faces with her compromised mobility, and I can see why she quickly begins lashing out at everyone.

And then, how humiliating it must have felt, to have fallen from her wheelchair, trying to cook while everyone else was out (after having been chased out by her), and then even wet herself, because she’d been unable to get up off the ground.

It’s a lot, and I just feel so bad for her, that she has to contend with all of this, all of a sudden.

I do very much love how Li Na chooses to intervene.

First, and perhaps most important of all, is that Li Na gives Hao Mei a safe space to cry for a bit, which I feel is also very needful, because Hao Mei’s been dealing with so much. 🥲

And then, I love that Li Na persistently asks Hao Mei for cooking guidance, starting with her signature pork knuckle dish.

I think it’s brilliant, because Hao Mei’s always been well known for her delicious food, and that’s a source of pride and worth to her.

By tapping on this, Li Na’s giving Hao Mei a way to feel useful again, and in an area where she has lots of experience and expertise.

Plus, it also works as a way to distract Hao Mei from her tears, as she starts to focus on Li Na’s questions on how to cook the pork knuckles.

E9-12. I thought it was really nice that the three families go on that trip together to Sishui; it’s a great way for everyone to get away from reality for a while, and just spend quality time together.

It’s also sweet how Xi Chi goes to such lengths to surprise his mom, Yi Fan, on her birthday, with cake and a nostalgic slideshow. Aw.

I would say, though, that the more special mother-son moment goes to Song Cong and Hao Mei.

I love that beat where they are silently side by side, on the beach, just looking at the water, and Song Cong puts his hand on her shoulder, and she reaches to grasp his hand.

This moment feels very healing, for both mother and son, and I do love that. 🥲

[END SPOILER]

Special shout-out:

Zhao Fan Shu as Liao Xin Yan

Even though Xin Yan is a fairly minor character, I just wanted to give her a quick shout-out, because I found her very likable.

She’s got a cheerful, warm sort of presence that I enjoy, and I also like the fact that she’s easygoing and self-possessed.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE PENULTIMATE EPISODES [SPOILERS]

E21-24. Ahhh! Love is in the air these episodes, my friends, and I am loving it, honestly. 🥰🥰

It feels like it’s taken us a lonnngg time to get to this point in our characters’ journeys, and now that we’re finally here, I am actually really pleased with how it’s all turning out.

Let me talk about the loveline between Song Cong and Qi Qi first, since that’s the first relationship to get minted.

As a lead-up to this, I also wanted to touch on the way Song Cong has to adjust to not being the top ranking student at university, which is totally unlike how things had been, back in Tianhe.

It seems to me that Song Cong’s academic brilliance had become such a defining part of his personality, that he now needs to figure out who he is, a little bit, now that he’s no longer the top student that he’d once been.

I feel like in a weird kind of way, Song Cong not being top student any longer, works out to be kind of freeing, for him?

Like, once he kind of accepts that this is the new reality in which he lives, he appears to be more relaxed, and also, more open to new experiences, like going to that photography exhibition, when Qi Qi invites him – which naturally creates opportunities for them to talk and get to know each other better.

It says a lot, that Song Cong would feel comfortable enough to share his struggles over his studies with Qi Qi, and I like that the perspective that Qi Qi offers – that there’s no such thing as perfection, and that to be human, is to be flawed – gives Song Cong both comfort and food for thought.

With these various interactions, I feel like I can see them becoming closer and appreciating each other more.

And while it’s true that Qi Qi’s clearly the one in pursuit, I like that she’s become a lot more restrained about it; like, she doesn’t come across as so fiercely desperate as she’d used to, and that does make her appear more attractive, I do think.

That scene where she presents him with his birthday gift was really quite atmospheric and melty.

First, I love her choice of gift, and the fact that she tells him that she believes that he’ll become a great doctor in the future.

The gift is not only practical and relevant, it also speaks to the lashings of insecurity that he deals with, about no longer being a top student, and I find that very meaningful.

Beyond that, I did find the whole moment, where they listen to each other’s heartbeats, very cozy and intimate, and I can see why Qi Qi would be caught up in the moment, and lean in to kiss him.

Talk about gathering data to see if he likes her back; she can hear his heart rate increase immediately, upon their lips meeting, heh. 🤭

I’d imagined that Song Cong would have given her a firm answer in that moment, but on hindsight, I concede that it also makes sense that, given his personality, he would take some time to think about it, and only tell her his answer, when he’s really sure.

The way he tells Qi Qi that he now has the answer to her question, and that he thinks the heartbeat was real, before then saying, “Let’s be together,” is just the flavor of serious and awkward that I think feels authentic to Song Cong. 🥲

I honestly did feel my heart swell with happiness for Song Cong, because it’s just so nice to see him smiling like this, after the pensiveness that’s marked his expressions, for so long.

I did giggle at the round of phone calls, from Qi Qi to Huan Er, to Xi Chi, to Song Cong, where Xi Chi gets the wrong idea that Song Cong’s slept with Qi Qi, and calls Song Cong to berate him and call him trash.

Oops. Poor confused maligned Song Cong! 🤭

I always say context is everything, and that applies to relationships too.

I feel like as long as Song Cong and Qi Qi are in their own little bubble, everything is happy and sweet and very much fine.

It’s once they start having to face the context in which they exist, that issues start to surface, like the fact that Qi Qi’s from a wealthy family and is used to living an expensive lifestyle.

I felt really bad for Song Cong, when he gets saddled with the bill of that expensive lunch, when he hadn’t even picked out the place.

Of course, I also felt bad for him, when Rich Friend gives Qi Qi that pair of very pricey earrings, when he’d just given her his little handmade pair.

Yes, his handmade pair is very sweet and sincere, but putting myself in his shoes, it’s hard not to compare, especially since this money differential is showing up in so many corners of their world.

They arrive at a truce of sorts, with Song Cong agreeing to accept the expensive shirt that Qi Qi bought for him, and Qi Qi agreeing not to buy him such expensive things in the future, but I can’t help wondering if it really will be this simple, for them to arrive at an understanding and equilibrium that works for them both.

As for Huan Er and Xi Chi, let me first talk about Tian Chi, who’s clearly liked Huan Er for a while now.

I’m honestly very pleased with how this mini arc wraps up; there’s no big drama or angst about it.

I really like the way Tian Chi acknowledges that he likes Huan Er, but can see that there’s someone else in her heart, and it isn’t him.

The way they wish each other well, and say goodbye, feels gracious and mature, and I really enjoyed how understated it all was.

Given that young people can be a little (or a lot) dramatic at this age, when feelings are everywhere and crushes feel like they mean everything, I am very impressed with how Tian Chi and Huan Er handle it.

I also appreciate how Show shines the spotlight on why Xi Chi and Huan Er are hesitant to act on their feelings for each other.

I’d kind of had the sensing already, but that conversation between Song Cong and Xi Chi solidifies it for us; Xi Chi’s terrified of losing Huan Er as a friend, the way Song Cong kind of lost her as a friend for a while, after confessing to her.

The way Song Cong remarks that Xi Chi obviously treasures his friendship with Huan Er more than he, is nicely helpful as well, in framing Xi Chi’s hesitation.

On that note, I do really enjoy the little nuggets here and there, that demonstrate that the friendship between Song Cong and Xi Chi is as strong as ever, even though they are now in different universities.

I thought it was touching, that Song Cong would remember and know right away, that it was Uncle Jing’s birthday, and that’s why Xi Chi was feeling down.

Aw. Even Huan Er doesn’t remember, while Song Cong doesn’t even need to be told. I somehow really like this detail, coz it makes the brotherhood between these boys feel so assuring and strong. 🥰

Additionally, the fact that Song Cong regularly asks Xi Chi how things are going with Huan Er, and actively encourages him to act on his feelings, definitely helps to smooth the way for me to root for this loveline, despite having once rooted for Song Cong to win Huan Er’s heart.

It does a while for Xi Chi and Huan Er to actually turn things romantic, but through their regular interactions, it’s not hard to see that they each have a very special for the other person, in their hearts.

Like the way Huan Er rushes out of her date with Tian Chi, to go to Xi Chi, once she realizes that Xi Chi is feeling down because it’s his father’s birthday, and the way Xi Chi is always quick to give Huan Er his jacket, or help her with her luggage.

Or how about the way he immediately thinks to make a copy of that exam paper for Huan Er, when he agrees to help Zhou Ye solve the questions on the paper?

All of it speaks so loudly, of mutual care and concern.

Along the way to romance blossoming, of course, there are some moments of hyper-awareness, the main one, I think, being the one where Xi Chi’s enthusiastically describing how leaving Song Cong and Qi Qi in the same room, would cause love to blossom, and gets all up close in Huan Er’s personal space, ahem.

The way they both catch themselves and catch their breaths, before Xi Chi changes the subject and suggests that they step outside to get some air, does land as a little crackly, I do think. 🔥😁

On a slightly different but kind of related note, I did grin at the way Huan Er takes the chance to try holding Xi Chi’s hand while he’s asleep coz of the fever (that he got from letting her wear his coat and going without) – and then, when he wakes up mid-handhold, passes it off as him having reached for her hand in his sleep.

Ahahaha. That was sneaky of Huan Er, for sure, and poor Xi Chi, having to make up a quick dream excuse, while his mind is whirling from the thought that his feelings for Huan Er have grown so strong, that he’s even reaching for her hand in his sleep now! 🤭

Poor Xi Chi, but also, that’s pretty cute, isn’t it? 😁

Back on the topic of the friendship between Song Cong and Xi Chi, I really loved that scene when Song Cong’s dad comes into give Song Cong some fatherly advice, now that he’s in a relationship.

First, I love that Song Cong and Xi Chi are close enough, that there’s no need for Xi Chi to leave the room, to give father and son some privacy for a personal conversation like this; they’re literally like brothers, the way it’s the most natural thing in the world, for Xi Chi to sit in on the conversation like that.

Second, I love the idea that Xi Chi’s benefiting from this fatherly advice himself, particularly since Uncle Jing’s no longer around; it feels like Song Cong’s sharing his dad with Xi Chi, almost. 🥲

When Huan Er discovers that Li Na needs to have a biopsy done and is reeling from the thought, I can’t help but notice that it’s Xi Chi whom she turns to, and not someone else; not even Qi Qi.

And, when Li Na’s in hospital for the procedure, it’s Xi Chi who shows up at the hospital with food for Huan Er, because he knows that she wouldn’t have eaten all day. 🥲

It feels like such a poignantly intimate moment, that this is when Huan Er cries in Xi Chi’s arms, for the first time; he’s there for her in the midst of her pain, and she doesn’t feel the need to hide it from him. 🥹

Speaking of hiding, on a tangent, I just wanted to mention that it was also very poignant to see how everyone in the family tries to be strong and nonchalant over the Lunar New Year, pretending not to know that Li Na’s got a health issue.

It might look and sound weird to the non-Asian viewer, but this does resonate as being very Chinese, to my eyes; this is our gruff way of showing love, by doing our best not to worry our family. 🥲

It’s a relief that Li Na’s tumor turns out to be benign, and it’s also heartening to see the rest of the family take this time to appreciate and honor her, with Chen Lei opting to stay home to take care of her, and Huan Er inspired to buy her a diamond ring, to make up for the fact that she’d gotten married without ever wearing one.

..Which is how we get Chen Lei proposing to Li Na, complete with wedding outfits, a diamond ring, and photos.

The thing about this scene that struck me the most, is how all our key characters are present to share the joy, even those who’ve gone through loss and sadness.

Even though Hao Mei’s lost her mobility, and even though Yi Fan’s lost Uncle Jing, this doesn’t stop them from sincerely sharing in the family’s joy, and I love how this demonstrates that there can be true joy, even after deep loss. 🥲

It’s a very beautiful, assuring sort of picture, and I love it very much.

It’s also very poignant to see Song Cong give Hao Mei those flowers, and thank her for giving him her best, and tell her that she’s the best mom he could have had.

That’s so touching and beautiful, considering how tense things had sometimes been between them, when he’d been in high school and they’d been at odds over his academic pursuits.

They’ve come a long way, and I love this demonstration by Show, that strained relationships can blossom into nurturing relationships, given time, understanding and effort.

Back on track with our OTP though, we get our OTP minted, finally, and I’m grinning from ear to ear. 😁

Honestly, that moment of hyper-proximity could have been awkwardly ignored just like all the other moments of hyper-proximity that have come before, but our Xi Chi steps up, (I feel) encouraged by Uncle Song’s words of advice, and pulls Huan Er in for a kiss.

Eee!! 😍

I find it adorable how Huan Er’s response, after a long moment, is to grin and bury her face in Xi Chi’s shoulder, as they hug. CUTE.

And Xi Chi looks gently content, as he holds her, which is lovely to see.

Afterwards, I am honestly proud of Huan Er, for making sure to request a proper confession, and I love how simple and earnest Xi Chi’s nervous confession is:

“Chen Huan Er, I like you. Will you.. be my girlfriend?”

I facepalmed when Chen Lei waltzes right into the moment, and breaks it up without even realizing that he’s walked into anything. 🤦🏻‍♀️

BUT. Afterwards, it’s all very cute, when they finally exchange texts (after Xi Chi hurriedly ends the call that he finally makes, when Yi Fan walks in on him), and Xi Chi tells Huan Er that he’d been serious earlier, and asks again, if she’d be willing to be his girlfriend.

The way they both squee, when she confirms it by saying, “Good night, my boyfriend,” and he replies, “Good night, my girlfriend,” is SHO CUTE. 😍😍

And then it’s just hilarious that Xi Chi flailing in his bed with happiness, actually causes the bed frame to give way and collapse, hahaha! 😂

I ended these episodes with the biggest grin on my face, and I can’t wait to see how our newly minted couple navigates their newly upgraded relationship, in our next episodes.

I am ready to squee some more, so I’m very much hoping that Show will give me reason to! 😁

THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING [SPOILERS]

E25-30. One of the things I really appreciate about this show, is the way it manages to still feel like real life, even while it’s aspirationally warm and wholesome.

Let me try to talk about it all, by breaking it down into a few main sections.

Song Cong and Qi Qi

Honestly, I did think that Song Cong and Qi Qi made a cute couple, but that was before Qi Qi revealed that she hadn’t actually been herself, with Song Cong.

Ohh. Well, that just changed everything, didn’t it?

I’d been so supportive of the idea of their relationship, because Qi Qi had appeared to really change, and the sweet, understanding sort of vibe that she gave off, seemed to me to be very well-suited to Song Cong.

And so, when she reveals that she’d only acted the way that she’d believed would be appealing to him, I felt that it was truly the better thing, for them to break up.

Better to suffer heartbreak, than to invest themselves in a relationship that was based on a lie, right?

I’m glad though, that Show demonstrates that, over time, these two are still able to be part of the friend group, despite their breakup.

Song Cong and Du Man

In the light of the reason for Song Cong’s break-up with Qi Qi, I actually found myself perking up at the burgeoning connection between him and Du Man, in these finale episodes.

Clearly, Du Man has always been herself around Song Cong, and I liked that beat, where Song Cong appears to realize that he and Du Man are similar.

In that moment, it felt like he finally realized where he belonged in the world – and that she was right there, in the same corner of the world too.

On that note, I do appreciate that we get to see Song Cong coming to a sense of closure and acceptance, around the fact that he’s just an ordinary person, even though everyone back home had dubbed him a “study god.”

It really feels like a burden lifts from Song Cong, once he comes to terms with the idea that he’s just a normal guy, and I really like this lighter, more carefree version of Song Cong, who’s no longer burdened by his own expectations of himself.

Honestly, I like that Show leaves the status of Song Cong’s connection with Du Man friendly and open.

There’s no overt romance between them, despite that kiss that they share, when trying to process the death of their first patient, and I don’t mind that at all.

I like that they’re friends who understand each other and are there for each other, and I can see their relationship staying platonic or turning romantic, and either way, I think it’s a good outcome, because either way, they’ll have each other in their lives. 🥲

Xi Chi and Huan Er

I had no doubt that Xi Chi and Huan Er would be fine, even though they do encounter some challenges in their relationship.

I was a little surprised when Huan Er’s father reacted so negatively to the idea of them dating, but at the same time, it’s not difficult to believe that he would be so reluctant to see his little girl grow up – even it’s in the arms of a trusted neighbor like Xi Chi.

That beat where Dad has that heart-to-heart talk with Xi Chi and asks him to take good care of Huan Er, even if they were to break up in the future, was really poignant and heartwarming, and it felt pitch perfect, for this drama world. 🥲

I wasn’t too keen on the whole arc of Xi Chi’s Yang Wu portal being taking over by Huandao, and Xi Chi having to move to Jing City in order to work for them, but I appreciate the fact that we see Huan Er doing her best to be supportive, despite the strain on their relationship.

I would believe that the company would want to take Yang Wu in a more profitable direction, and in the end, I’m glad that Xi Chi chooses to leave.

I’m also glad for the moments that he rushes back to Wuan, when he realizes that Huan Er is sick, or in danger.

That beat in episode 29, where Xi Chi visits the site of the fire where his father had died, did lean a little contrived in execution, but I very much appreciate the idea that he gains an important sense of closure from it.

And, I’m glad that Huan Er’s there with him, through it all. 🥲

All in all, even though I didn’t enjoy the fact that our story separates them for a chunk of time in these final episodes, I do like the idea that they come out of these challenges even stronger, as a couple.

I also liked that beat in episode 30, where Huan Er asks Xi Chi about the meaning of his name, which is when we learn that Mom had named him Xi Chi, because she’d hoped that wherever he went, he’d always have a home.

Ahhh. No wonder that’s the title of our show. Very nice. 🥲

The final act

I was really happy with Show’s decision to gather all our high school friends for a reunion.

As much as I enjoyed getting to know the new friends that our key characters made in their new phases of life, I have to admit that I still feel a lot of nostalgia for the original high school gang.

It made me very happy to see everyone together again, and catch up to how everyone was doing.

The way they’re chattering nonstop, it feels like not a day has passed, since they were all in high school together, and that’s very lovely. 🥰

That last bit, where each of them take turns watching the video snippets of their high school selves talking to their future selves, was also a little contrived in the execution, I felt, but I really liked the concept of it.

It feels very gratifying to witness each of our crew taking stock of their lives, and speaking to their younger selves, with the increased vision and wisdom that they’ve gained, from living these extra years. 🥲

It’s very comforting to see that each of them is in a happy place, as they walk away, and I like that very much.

Last but not least, I also really like that nugget of wisdom that Show leaves us with, via that old video of Xi Chi:

They always say that change is a constant in life. Houses get torn down, friends get separated, even the closest people leave.

But I always think that even if that day comes, the traces of those people and things, will follow me, and accompany me all the way to a faraway place.

Even if I’ve already forgotten this afternoon many years from now, some things will change, and some things will never change.

What a lovely thought to have, not only about these characters whom I’ve come to care about, but also, about life.

Thank you, Show, for the memories, and the wise and comforting words. 😍🥲

THE FINAL VERDICT:

Warm and comforting, with lashings of poignance.

FINAL GRADE: B++

TRAILER:

WHERE TO WATCH:

PATREON UPDATE!

The next drama I’m covering on Patreon, in place of  Always Home is A Dream within a Dream [China].

You can check out my episode 1-4 notes on A Dream within a Dream on Patreon here.

Here’s an overview of what I’m covering on Patreon right now (Tier benefits are cumulative)!

Foundation Tier (US$1): Entertainment Drop (Sundays) + the first set notes of all shows covered on Patreon (that’s 2 episodes for kdramas and 4 episodes for cdramas)

Early Access (US$5): +The First Night with the Duke [Korea]

Early Access Plus (US$10): +Our Unwritten Seoul [Korea]

VIP (US$15): +The Prisoner of Beauty [China]