Always Home

Exceeded my expectations, one of the best but so underrated !!!

It is one of the best C-dramas I have ever watched and should get the same level of recognition as WIFTY and HL. It is insane why people are sleeping on this. This show is far from all the usual clichés and is a show full of life lessons. I loved there school times and it shows how people could evolve but still not turn back on their roots and value the little things in life. I absolutely loved the lead couple, they were like two peas in a pod. (kind of wish there were more scenes of them together)
If, I had one complaint that would be how Qi Qi's storyline was dealt with. I understand that she was extremely insecure from the beginning and it is realistic that she and Song Kong broke up, but being a main character on the show, we don't really see how she achieved her closure like Song Kong did. She disappears after the break up and reappears at the end. I personally did not like her character, but would have really loved to see how she would grow out of her insecurity and be better at handling relationships

Read More

Always Home: 8/2/25 ~ 8/13/25

This drama covered a lot of things very well. It showed grief and how you may be able to move on but it is always there, even when many years have passed. It showed sacrifices how both kids and parents sometimes have to make difficult choices because of circumstances. It showed friendship, even though at times it was frustrating that’s the harsh reality of true friendship. Lastly it showed love and how it’s something that takes time and work, how even when people may want it to work it may not because it’s not meant to be. However on the contrary it also showed that just because something is easy doesn’t mean it will always be, as it also needs attention. The ending also shows the harsh truth of time, how people may once be close will grow about because of life. Overall this drama showed life as it is, how things can be hard but also an be good, how people struggle and how people succeed.

Read More

A Beautifully Realistic Tale of Youth, Love, and Self-Discovery

What I Liked
1. The Realistic Portrayal of Youth & Growth
The drama beautifully captures the struggles of growing up—friendships, dreams, family pressures, and self-discovery. It never felt forced or overly dramatic but instead natural and deeply relatable. Watching the characters navigate high school, university, and their careers was genuinely fulfilling.


2. Huan'er’s Character Development
She started as a fun, naive, and playful girl but gradually grew into a more self-aware and mature woman. Her ability to encourage and uplift her friends, while also finding her own path, was one of my favourite aspects of the show.


3. The Friendship Between Huan’er, Xichi, and Song Cong
The bond between these three was heartwarming. Their "family housing" setup gave off a cosy, found-family vibe that I adored. They supported each other in times of crisis, fought like real friends, and ultimately shaped each other’s futures.


4. Xichi’s Emotional Depth
Initially, Xichi seemed like the goofy best friend, but as the story progressed, it became clear that he had layers. His struggles with his injury, his father’s death, and his fear of losing Huan’er made him one of the most complex characters in the series. His emotional intelligence, despite his playful exterior, made him one of the best-written characters.


5. Song Cong’s Growth and Friendship with Du Man
Song Cong went through so much—his mother’s accident, feeling overshadowed in university, and his failed relationship with Qi Qi. Seeing him let go of his obsession to be the best and finally finding a steady, mature friendship with Du Man was satisfying. Their chemistry was subtle but felt natural. I did wish they were endgame🥺.


6. The Themes of Family Pressure vs. Personal Dreams
Every character had to deal with some form of parental pressure, whether it was Song Cong’s strict academic path, Qi Qi’s mother controlling her future, or Xichi’s struggle with proving his passion for football. The show realistically portrayed the weight of expectations and the fight for independence.


7. Qi Qi’s Character Arc (Mostly)
While she was frustrating for much of the show, her final arc, where she realized her toxic patterns and decided to grow, was one of the most well-executed redemptions. Her breaking up with Song Cong and acknowledging her flaws was painful but necessary.


8. The Use of Soundtrack
The music choices throughout the show were perfect. Every emotional scene had the right background music.


9. The Ending & the Final Reflection Scene
I loved how the show wrapped up—giving us closure without tying everything up too perfectly. The reflection on their past selves and how far they'd come felt earned and emotional.


What I Didn’t Like
1. Qi Qi’s Manipulative Behaviour in the First Half
She was insufferable for most of the series. The way she treated Huan’er—getting mad at her for making new friends, her emotional manipulation, and her general possessiveness—was toxic. While her redemption arc was decent, it didn’t fully erase how frustrating she was for most of the show.


2. The Overcomplicated Romance Between Huan’er and Xichi
These two had obvious chemistry from the start, but the show dragged out their love story way too much. The unnecessary misunderstandings, jealous moments, and miscommunications felt repetitive. While I loved them as a couple, I wish their relationship had progressed more naturally without forced obstacles.


3. Song Cong’s Obsession with Being the Top Student
His downward spiral over not being the best in university was frustrating to watch. His character was so much more than just academics, yet he let it define him for too long. Thankfully, he eventually let go of that toxic mindset.


4. Du Wei’s Obsession with Xichi
She was one of the most annoying side characters. From forcing Xichi into her club to publicly confessing her feelings in a dramatic fashion, her whole arc was unnecessary and just a time-waster.


5. The Love Square in High School
At times, the whole who-likes-who drama felt too much like a soap opera. Qi Qi liked Song Cong, who liked Huan’er, who was clueless, while Xichi hid his feelings. The constant love triangle moments (and later, love square) dragged on too long.


6. Qi Qi’s Handling of Her Relationship with Song Cong
It was doomed from the start. She chased after him, then proceeded to make him uncomfortable with her wealth, failed to stand up for him when needed, and emotionally blackmailed him into staying with her. It felt like the show wanted us to feel bad for her at the end, but her actions made it hard to sympathise.


7. Gao Ang’s Unnecessary Villain Arc
Why was this guy so intent on making Huan’er’s life miserable? His arrogance and condescending attitude added stress that wasn’t even necessary. His eventual downfall felt deserved, but I wish the show had spent more time on something else.


8. The Overcomplication of Huan’er & Xichi’s College Relationship
They finally had the chance to be together, and yet they still had to go through unnecessary drama with Tian Chi and Du Wei. Some conflict was understandable, but the constant jealousy and miscommunication got exhausting.


9. Qi Qi’s Financial Gap with Song Cong
She genuinely seemed clueless about how her wealth made Song Cong feel, but her handling of it was terrible. Letting him pay for an expensive dinner when she knew he couldn’t afford it? Not realizing how out-of-place he felt in her world? Her lack of sensitivity ruined whatever potential they had as a couple.


Final Thoughts
Despite the flaws, Always Home was an emotional rollercoaster that I thoroughly enjoyed. It balanced humour, heartbreak, nostalgia, and personal growth beautifully. The relationships—both friendships and romances—felt real, and the themes of growing up, finding yourself, and making peace with your past were incredibly touching.
Would I rewatch it? Yes, but I’d skip some of the more frustrating moments (mainly Qi Qi’s early antics and Du Wei’s entire existence).
Would I recommend it? Absolutely! It’s a heartfelt coming-of-age drama with lovable characters, emotional depth, and a satisfying ending.

Read More

Heart-fluttering, Heart-warming.. and all there is for the heart to feel

Dare i say this is my favorite c-drama yet compared to other higher-rated ones from this year. It is a slow-burn friends to lovers with irresistible butterflies from the leads chemistry.
I dont prefer love triangles, and didnt care much for the second lead's romance, but that didnt bother me since the main romance was as natural as it could be. There was an unspoken yet simply undeniable bond between the two leads, building up from just being neighbours, to inseparable your-problem-is-my-problem best friends. And as if i needed my standards to be any higher, xi chi is there to show us what it's really like to unconditionally care for someone with all your being.

I could mention the eye-opening commentary each episode brought, their families, friends, dreams.. but honestly, they werent anything extraordinary, and it's the first time i feel that the romance built from all these makes the drama whole as it is. i only wish they got together earlier or we saw more of their university years, but really, what a treat this drama was. brb while i rewatch it while waiting for my xi chi.

Read More

worth watch it ?

life is not the same as we grow older it change constantly. when we born we know nothing about world how to read people who is wrong for you or who is right. at first we learn to walk then speak and those days are magical because we don't get to compare with other everyone treat us nicely and adore us. and then start schooling but the most interesting thing is we know nothing about education but we study compare with everyone told us to study hard and score good but the fact's know one told us the score made my parents proud in real world know one actually care about it. and after done with school we enter a whole new different world college and seriously it was a whole different world here you everyone is was best and if you fail it make you fill like you are a loser I remember seeing a scene where song cong say that he get first place from elementary school to high school but as he enter college he can't take it when he don't get in first place that when he learn life is not always be the same may people love you now but don't take that hard or wrong way it may be you change Or they change



this drama is soo good just watch it

Read More

Friendship blossomed into love

It was cute and loved how their friendship blossomed into love.
If you watched “go ahead” then you will get a little bit of that with 2 boys liking the same girl. If you watch WIFTY, then you will get the “coming of age where they are in high school, university and then the real world. Having friends, romance….."
It showed how each character grew despite what they went through growing up.
All I can say is that ML loves the FL - they had great chemistry.
I am glad her character wasn’t childish or annoying. 
The ending was good but I wish they has shown more on how their lives progressed now they are living together.

Read More

From Classroom to Career: How Always Home Nailed the Realness of Growing Up!

I think Always Home is one of the most realistic and heartfelt youth dramas I have seen in a long time. The plot summary follows four friends, Chen Huan’er, Jing Xi Chi, Song Cong, and Qi Qi, who grow up together from high school in 2007 through university into early adulthood, all within a close-knit residential community. It traces everyday moments-family dinners, exam stress, part-time jobs, alongside major life events: injuries, bereavement, shattered dreams, shifting ambitions

What I love is how realistic the story feels. People break up, people change, friendships drift. Not everyone ends up with their high school sweetheart. The drama lets characters diverge naturally and it never sugarcoats it. When Song Cong ends things with Qi Qi or the others struggle with family expectations, it all reflects how life really unfolds, not a scripted fantasy .

Characters are well-written and grow in believable arcs. Jing Xi Chi is refreshingly bubbly and human, extroverted, goofy yet caring. Huan’er is resilient, quiet but determined. Song Cong is the golden student who becomes ordinary by choice, caring for his mother after tragedy. Qi Qi is the rich girl with literary dreams, grappling with parental pressure. Everyone feels flawed and vibrant

Relationships evolve naturally. The main pairing between Xi Chi and Huan’er grows out of friendship. There are teen crushes, misunderstanding built slowly, then support through grief and distance. I felt their bond deepen realistically: not instant, but layered. Some side couples drift apart; not every romance is meant to last, and the show embraces that . What I love is how realistic the story feels. People break up, people change, friendships drift. Not everyone ends up with their high school sweetheart. The drama lets characters diverge naturally, and it never sugarcoats it. When Song Cong ends things with Qi Qi or the others struggle with family expectations, it all reflects how life really unfolds; not a scripted fantasy .

The university-to-job transition is also beautifully portrayed. We see Xi Chi chasing soccer, then dealing with injury and heartache. He pivots to app development. Huan’er shifts into environmental science and later research studies. The real life struggles of a student when entering a job field feel earned and emotionally grounded .

If you want a drama that shows realistic couples, real transitions, the pain of growth, and relationships that survive because they evolve, not because they are pre-written fate then this is definitely the one!

Read More

Enjoyable but slightly frustrating

This review may contain spoilers.

Always Home is a slice of life drama that follows the adventures of three teenaged characters as they grow up, go to high school and then attend college.

In the beginning the story reminded me of A River Runs Through It, because the two main male leads have similar personalities to the male main leads in that drama, but the female lead is very different than the female lead in that series...she has a stronger personality and seems more confident in herself. I think the actors that were cast as our 3 main protagonists were outstanding in their roles. It's hard to imagine someone else playing any of their parts.

I enjoyed the way the drama was written so that the lives of the parents were portrayed as being important to the development of our main characters. The parents were written fairly realistically, flaws and all. The parents suffered setbacks that affected their children, but also they demonstrated how to overcome adversities.

I also appreciated that our main characters were 'allowed' to fail from time to time. Often in dramas everything always works out and success is always achieved, but this drama was more realistic in the sense that the main characters experienced sadness and disappointment but still had to figure out how to carry on and move forward in life.

Of course, since this is a coming of age drama, there is some angst among friends and romantic situations that have to be addressed but I expected that. I think maybe some of that could've been condensed to make room for other things to be added to the drama (see spoilers below) but I didn't feel like it was too draggy most of the time.

Possible spoilers below!


As much as I enjoyed the drama, I was disappointed and frustrated with the ending...not the actual ending scene, but the way it left me wanting answers. I think it would've been a good thing to have an extra episode to answer the following questions:

Is Xi Chi still unemployed? Did Huan'er finish graduate school? Are Song Cong and Du Man really an item? When will Xi Chi and Huan'er get married?

As it was, I felt like I was given characters I cared about but I didn't get any closure...I didn't get to find out what happened between them after everything was said and done. However, in real life we don't always get answers, so maybe that's the point. In my opinion it would've been more satisfying to cut some of the length in the middle and add it to the end...or else add on an episode or produce a bonus episode.

Overall, though, I thought this was a good series, and I'll probably watch it at least once more.

Read More

THE best Friends to lovers with a great Friendship!

This drama isn’t just a show—it’s an experience, a journey that wraps around your heart like a familiar melody, gentle yet profound. It feels like coming home, like finding a space where every emotion, every moment, belongs. The beauty of this drama lies in its simplicity, in its quiet ability to reflect life as it is—sometimes tender, sometimes painful, but always real.
At the heart of it all is the Xichi-Huaner couple, whose story is a masterpiece of transformation from friendship to love. Their connection is so beautifully crafted, so natural, that it feels like watching a bond unfold in real time. The male lead, playful yet effortlessly intelligent, is a rarity in the world of dramas—his wit and charm are refreshing, and beneath the surface lies a depth that makes him unforgettable. He’s not just a pretty face; he’s a complex soul, layered and nuanced. And then there’s Huaner, a character whose sweetness feels like a breath of fresh air. Her kindness and vulnerability draw you in, making her someone you want to protect, someone you want to see flourish. Together, they create a dynamic that is impossible to look away from.
But what makes this drama truly remarkable is how it portrays life, not just love. It’s not merely the story of two people—it’s the story of everyone around them. In this world, no one is just a side character. Each person has their own life, their own story, their own struggles. The drama weaves them all together, and in doing so, it reflects the way we all live our lives: interwoven, interconnected, with moments of joy and sorrow that we all share. There are no clear villains or heroes; there are only people—each navigating their own complex journey. This honesty makes the drama feel more like a mirror than a fictional world.
The parents’ storyline is an especially beautiful touch. It adds another layer of depth, showing the quiet power of friendship and how relationships evolve with time. The way their lives unfold—sometimes tender, sometimes bittersweet—adds richness to the world, reminding us that every life is full of stories, some of which are untold but equally important. It’s a testament to how relationships, whether between friends, lovers, or family, are the threads that hold everything together.
Visually, this drama is nothing short of breathtaking. The cinematography is an art form in itself, with each scene feeling like a painting come to life. The colors—soft, warm, and comforting—reflect the emotional tone of the story perfectly. The music, subtle yet striking, enhances every moment, elevating the emotions without overwhelming them. It’s as if every note is in perfect harmony with the characters’ lives, amplifying the beauty of their experiences.
But it’s not just the visuals and music that make this drama unforgettable. It’s the authenticity of each character. Every person in this world has their own set of dreams, flaws, fears, and hopes. They are not perfect, and that’s what makes them so relatable. Each character’s journey feels like a reflection of our own, reminding us that we, too, are all figuring things out as we go. The struggles they face, the lessons they learn, and the growth they experience are all so deeply human, and that’s where the magic lies.
This drama is not just a love story; it’s a life story. It’s a reminder that every day we live, we are both the main character and the side character in someone else’s world. It’s about the delicate balance of joy and sorrow, about learning to grow and letting go, about the fleeting moments that shape who we are and who we become.
In the end, this drama teaches us that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. It’s about the connections we make, the people we meet, and the love we give, even when it feels uncertain. Every character is a reflection of the life we live, in all its beautiful, messy, and unexpected forms. This drama is a celebration of that—of life, in all its tender, flawed, and exquisite glory.

Read More