Always Home

The Beauty of Growing Up and Letting Go

When I first started Always Home, I wasn’t completely hooked but just two episodes in, I found myself drawn in by how real it felt. The drama beautifully captures the simplicity and chaos of youth, friendship, first love, family expectations, and the bittersweet transition into adulthood. Watching it reminded me of my own high school days the friends who stayed, the ones who drifted away, and the values that changed along the way.

What makes Always Home special is its quiet realism. It doesn’t rely on dramatic twists but unfolds naturally, showing laughter, tears, and the growing pains of becoming an adult. It’s lighthearted at times yet emotionally deep a rollercoaster that makes you laugh one moment and tear up the next. The cinematography is warm and nostalgic, perfectly matching the tone of self-discovery and change.

The cast chemistry between couples feels effortless and genuine. Their interactions, along with the nuanced storytelling, make this drama more than just a coming-of-age tale; it’s a reflection of how ordinary lives hold extraordinary meaning. From friendship bonds to heartbreak, from chasing dreams to facing reality, Always Home delivers it all with grace and honesty.

It’s not just about youth it’s about growing up, moving forward, and realizing that even when life changes, the memories of “home” stay with you forever. A must-watch if you love heartfelt, nostalgic, and life-affirming stories.



"If you two aren't doing well I also hope that you tow can part ways in peace.It's not easy to be friends for so many years.Her mom and I can't be with her forever. If one day we are no longer aaround and huan'er encounter difficulties , I hope she has a friend who knows her well to help her" (part of fl's father conversation with ml in epi 26)

"If somethings doesn't belong to me,then i don’t want it.instead of wasting my time with someone, who doesn’t deserve it.i will trade it for something that makes me happy "(Du Man epi 28)


"Only after growing up do we understand that we're just ordinary people in life. Right and wrong sometimes become blurred. And some answers don't seem that important" (Song Cong epi 29)


This drama has taught me.. Life is not a test...there are no standard answers for it...everyone answers it differently...thank you for giving such a masterpiece..this drama will always remain close to my heart.This drama wasn’t just a story, it was a lesson in love, family, healing, and growing up. Every scene held so much emotion, and it left me thinking deeply about life and relationships. The characters felt real, the pain felt honest, and the ending

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More Than a Story: A Journey Through Growing Up, Letting Go, and Holding On

Let me start by saying I don’t usually watch C-Dramas, but this one hit different and it hit hard. While not without its flaws, it stands out as one of the most authentic and emotionally grounded dramas I’ve seen. What truly sets it apart is its masterful character development. You follow the lives of multiple characters across different time periods, from high school to college and into adulthood, and the growth feels natural, layered, and deeply human.

The story focuses mainly on the journey of a few core characters, but the supporting cast still gets meaningful attention. Even when some of them fade from the spotlight, you never forget them. As the drama itself says, “Those who have been in our lives will be part of our souls forever”, and you truly feel that. These characters don’t just pass through the screen, they stay with you. You care about who they are, what they’ve been through, and who they’re becoming. Their identities, struggles, and the quiet moments of their lives all feel incredibly real.

There’s a deep sense of nostalgia woven into the storytelling, not just through the characters and their memories, but through the places they inhabit, which start to feel like your own. It’s the kind of drama that makes you feel like you’ve lived alongside its characters.

The OST complements every stage of their journey beautifully. It's subtle and evocative, perfectly tuned to each time period and emotional shift, enhancing the story without ever overwhelming it.

And the ending is rewarding, heartfelt, and fully earned. It ties everything together in a way that leaves you feeling full, a rare and precious thing in long-form storytelling.

This is the kind of drama that stays with you. If you let it in, it gives you something deeply moving in return.

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This is so beautiful and heartwsrming drama

This dramas is really realistic and very relatable to real life. This drama is light but on the other hand also very complex. The cinematography of this drama is also very beautiful. The drama tells the story about friendship, family, first love, dreams, struggles in achieving those dreams, and self discovery to becoming adult. This rollercpaster like drama giving me a lot of laughs in the beginning and tears at the next moment. Like the metaphor of adolescence, full of laughter and dreams, then growing up and facing the bitterness of life.

I really hope many people recognize this drama. If you've lost your way or lost yourself while pursuing your dream, maybe this drama can became a glimmer of light that can lead you into your next your steps.

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Growing up is not scary if it feels like this

I thought a river runs through it is my favorite youth cdrama, and no one will be better than when I fly towards you but after watching always home i can't move on. I finally found my home. The slow burn romance feels like WIFTY, while the characters remind me of ARRTI. I love the characters so much... the little moments together, the friendship, the chaotic school life and memorable life of being once a youth. I was with them since they were in highschool until they pursue the life they wanted for themselves after they graduated so I felt emotional after I finished watching the series because it makes me feels like I'm one of them. I also love the story and friendships of their parents, how they always makes each other part of each others lives and the struggle when life gets tough but they always have each other back. ALWAYS HOME YOU WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME, THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF MY 2025!! 🤍

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Best drama of the year so far ❤️❤️❤️

This is one of the best chinese dramas I’ve seen in a while, and I watch a lot!!! Everything about it invites you in, it’s a slice of life story about family struggles, kids to adults. The chemistry between the leads is absolutely mesmerising, both of their acting is soooo amazing. I’m usually the type that fast forwards through bla bla moments, but with this drama I just couldn’t do that! Their acting is so compelling that I had no choice but to stay glued to the TV. Zhai Xiaowen’s portrayal of the main lead will probably stay with me for a long long time and I will definitely have to re-watch this drama a million times. Cannot believe the rating, it deserves soooo much more attention. Definitely for me it is the best drama so far this year and Zhai Xiaowen will defo make it big!

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Every struggling High School and University students should watch this

If you're currently a High School or University student and you're having a hard time, you should watch this.

This show depicts CLOSEST TO REALITY. From someone who has gone through HS and Uni already, as cliche as it sounds, try to ENJOY your school life as much as possible while you still can because when real life adult problems set in (not to invalidate the problems a student faces), you'll find yourself thinking that those student woes were so trivial.

I especially love how this show presented that not every dreams and wishes we prayed and hoped for when we were much younger will come true and that it's okay(!) that we can still be happy no matter what we end up to be because HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE.

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A Heartwarming Journey Through Time

Always Home is a beautiful Chinese drama that takes viewers on a touching journey from school days to adulthood. The story feels natural and heartwarming, making it easy to connect with the characters and their experiences.

One of the best parts of this drama is the amazing acting. Every cast member delivers a genuine performance, making the story feel real and relatable. Zhai Xiaowen and Yang Xizi stand out the most—they bring their characters to life with such natural and heartfelt emotions that you can truly feel their growth and struggles.

More than just a love story, Always Home is about friendship, family, and the warmth of growing up together. It’s not filled with over-the-top drama, but instead, it touches your heart with its simple yet meaningful moments.

If you’re looking for a comforting and wholesome drama, Always Home is definitely worth watching. It’s a story that stays with you long after you finish it.

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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 the 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 have grown out of her insecurity and be better at handling relationships

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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.

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