“We haven’t enjoyed the present yet. How can we talk about the future? ”
This is, in short, a story about three couples. Each of them faces different challenges in life, career, and relationship.Na Wei and Shen Li are a married couple in their forties. Their story went through drastic changes that are both heartbreaking and inspirational. Shen Lin is my favorite character in the entire show. She is, to me, a strong inspiration for a lot of women out there. She’s brave, smart, and loving. She knows how to stay on her ground and knows when to let go of her pride, which is admirable.
Na Juan and Xiao Yue are the youngest couple in the story. Their problem as a couple is deeply rooted in their opposite values in life, especially when it comes to career. They’re the least interesting to me. But, I have to say, I have a soft spot for Xiao Yue in my heart. She reminds me of myself a little bit. And she has made some decisions that I also made in the past. Out of the cast, she’s the one I related to the most.
Lastly, Shen Lei and Mei Lan. The couple in which I was interested the most but was disappointed because we didn’t get enough out of their story. Mei Lan is such a polarizing character. I wanted to get more of her story.
This is a solid and underrated slice of life story full of lessons.
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Which "One"?
A mature Chinese drama about ordinary people and their daily lives in the bustling capital?Everything I'm looking forward to watching.
The story of three couples at different stages of life shows us how the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle of the metropolis transforms us in different ways we don't even realize, regardless of the country we live in.
After all, people are people.
Mundane yet extremely relatable dramas, with a couple in their 40s afraid and insecure about having to start over, and other couples realizing they're looking for different things for the future, and their partner doesn't seem to be the right companion for that.
But as the drama's title suggests, we were born to be the "one." But what is this "one"? What are we expected to be? What we already are now, or the result of others' expectations? These questions permeate the psyches of our protagonists, bringing about different actions and consequences in their lives.
What is truly important?
Be loyal to your bosses who treat you as disposable, or be loyal to yourself and those who will be by your side when you hit your lowest point?
Adapt to a lifestyle that makes no sense to you, just to please your partner's materialistic desires?
Accept the reality that society imposes on success and give up your health in pursuit of the desired financial freedom, in exchange for all other aspects of your life?
The drama's strongest point is developing these stories without making a definitive judgment value about which path is the right "one" or who is definitively right and who is wrong. On the contrary, it reinforces the different ways of living in this modern world we inhabit, and how different personalities and goals can, and should, bring different meanings to what it means to be the "one," something that everyone is to themselves, their own protagonists in their own story, but who are not necessarily beings who follow and aspire to travel the same path.
Once again, a Chinese series, from a country on the other side of the globe, manages to connect with me in a way that no other series from a "neighboring" country can, demonstrating the country's strength in this style of narrative, which for me is its strongest point in these fictional stories.
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The beautiful song of the common people
This slice-of-life drama from 2024 is among the most beautiful and warm pieces of art in the form of drama that I recall from recent years. I’ve seen masterpieces, immersive, rollercoaster-like, magnificent, simple, riveting, soothing, emotional, and touching ones, but until now, very few can be labeled as beautiful and warm. Born to Be the One is that.I approached it with mistrust, knowing almost nothing about it and expecting to get bored soon. God, I was wrong! I didn´t want it to end, I wanted to go on with them in their journeys.
It’s inspired by (and I would also say dedicated to) middle-class people in all shapes and forms. Perhaps now you’re thinking this is not a drama for you because life is already hard enough to immerse yourself in lives so close to your reality, but I tell you: the journey is beyond worthy. You’ll laugh, cry, reflect, enjoy, smile, get mad, feel understood, feel happy and not so — but you’ll never feel desperate, alone, or depressed. You’ll feel part of it, and part of its people.
The story is told through the lives of three couples. The main one is a family: they’re both 40 year old, have a 10-year-old daughter and an almost 1½-year-old baby. Each of this couple’s younger brothers has their own story: the female lead’s brother is in his early 30s and married, the male lead’s brother is in his late 20s and has a girlfriend. Their family backgrounds are also diverse: lonely mothers, widows, parents who live in the countryside, parents who both died in an accident. Same with their jobs, their work/career trajectories, and the different segments that exist within the middle class.
Through them, and in a very close and relatable way, the drama reflects on universal topics: the importance of choosing a partner who shares your values and of being honest about what you want in life; the struggles of women in modern society — in all shapes and forms; the idealization of the countryside and the big cities; the savage competition and stress in work environments and their consequences; the rising cost of living; family relationships; unemployment after turning 35 or 40. All possible scenarios are here.
There are so, so many scenes I’d like to highlight — again, beautifully done and acted — but I don’t wan tto spoil anything. They’re all so smoothly executed that the script deserves recognition indeed (and I usually don’t emphasize this aspect). I know the show has several nominations, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the script is among them.
The storytelling is also of my liking. The first episodes are slow because of the setup, but then the drama tackles so many things that, without realizing it, you’ll find yourself ruminating about them while not watching. The OST is also enchanting, inspiring, touching, warm — and it follows you unconsciously.
Finally, the acting. The main couple is flawless: so realistic and natural that many times you forget you’re watching a drama and feel like you’re spying through a camera in a real home. The rest of the main cast is also very solid, even the actress I usually don’t like and doesn’t have much range - Here, the character fits her like a glove. And the same can be said for practically everyone. Special shout out to the young actress who plays the daughter!
Although its setting is local and it addresses some local issues, humankind has no boundaries and neither does the core message of this drama: Life isn’t perfect and has its ups and downs. In the end, there isn’t one best way to live; everyone has their own, and as long as you’re not a bad person, you have to live your life in the way that suits you best and makes you happy.
It's a beautiful, warm, relatable, and truly universal drama. Hope you enjoy it too, if you give it a chance.
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This review may contain spoilers
The main couple saved this drama for me.
I’ll start by saying that Born to Be the One is one of the best slice-of-life dramas I’ve seen in a while in terms of cast, production quality, and set design. The series does an excellent job of capturing the small, everyday moments of life while portraying realistic relationships. It’s clear that a lot of money was invested in this production, from hiring a talented ensemble of actors to the high-quality, film-like visuals of each episode. The attention to detail in the set design and the cinematography elevates the viewing experience. You can also tell that the drama took a long time to film, as the characters and their relationships evolve naturally over the course of the series.
That being said, this drama is not for everyone. It’s slow-paced, repetitive at times, and occasionally drifts into boring territory. If you’re looking for a drama that’s light and fun, this isn’t it. It’s not a show designed for quick entertainment; instead, you have to approach it as a meditative experience that unfolds gradually. You need patience and a mindset geared toward reflection to truly appreciate it.
Summary
The official synopsis of Born to Be the One is somewhat misleading, so I’ll offer my own. The story is primarily about the lives of two couples, rather than three, as the third couple spends a significant portion of the drama apart due to a divorce.
The series follows three key couples:
A married couple in their 40s living in Beijing, as they navigate the challenges and successes of their daily lives.
A couple in their 30s, who are trying to find their way in life, especially as they wrestle with their differences in values and personal goals.
A third couple, whose relationship disintegrates early in the series, leading them to separate in order to rediscover their true selves.
The Couples
The First Couple (The Main Couple)
This couple, in their 40s, truly saved the drama for me. They are the emotional core of the story, and their unwavering support for each other is what drives much of the series. The male lead’s mother is one of the most endearing characters in the show—she’s positive, supportive, and refreshingly down-to-earth. The male lead, while sometimes frustrating and slow to grasp things, always makes an effort to help his family. The female lead is remarkable. She carries the drama with her strength and resilience, even after making mistakes early on. Her portrayal feels real and heartfelt, and the actress delivers a performance that is both relatable and powerful. Their daughter is also portrayed excellently, adding another layer of warmth to the family dynamics.
One of the best aspects of this couple is that, despite their struggles, they never give up on each other. Their love feels genuine, and the actors' chemistry makes them feel like a real family. You can sense the bond between them growing stronger as the story progresses, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.
The Second Couple
Spoilers ahead. This couple, in their 30s, has a much more toxic dynamic. The male lead is a workaholic, driven by his desire to secure a prosperous future, which often makes him controlling and rigid. The female lead, on the other hand, is naive, a bit lazy, and prone to playing the victim. Their relationship is fraught with tension, and they break up twice over the course of the drama.
The first breakup is triggered when the female lead declines a promotion that would have helped her financially, opting for free time instead. This frustrates the male lead, who is focused on securing a stable future. The second breakup is more complicated and feels a bit forced for the sake of drama. The male lead, while intelligent and forward-thinking, is manipulative, and after each breakup, he immediately starts going on blind dates in an attempt to move on quickly. The female lead, however, doesn’t take life as seriously as him. Her carefree attitude stems from the death of her parents when she was in 12th grade, which led her to adopt a "live for the moment" mindset.
Ultimately, their differences become too great to overcome. The female lead breaks up with him for the second time after he buys two apartments, one of which he intends for her, and even proposes. Her decision to break up at that moment was frustrating, considering everything they’d gone through. Personally, I felt they should’ve parted ways earlier, as their values and life goals were clearly misaligned.
The Third Couple
This couple is largely unnecessary to the overall plot. They spend most of the drama apart, with the male lead going on a soul-searching journey in the mountains, while the female lead, who is manipulative, blames him for their problems. Their relationship is toxic, but both of them come to realize that they are not meant to be. Although I didn’t agree with all of the female lead’s actions, her motivations are understandable. In the end, they divorce peacefully and develop a mutual respect for each other. However, their storyline doesn’t add much depth to the drama, and their absence would hardly change the overall narrative.
The Ending
The ending was somewhat underwhelming. The second male lead finds a new girlfriend in the final two episodes, but it’s clear he still has feelings for the second female lead, who, by this point, has chosen to prioritize her freedom. The main couple remains strong and stays together, while the third male lead finds happiness after his soul-searching journey. Though the conclusion felt rushed, it did provide a sense of closure. The central message of the drama—that sacrifices are necessary, and a strong will can help overcome life’s challenges—resonates throughout. It also reminds viewers that not every love is meant to last forever, and that’s okay.
Do I Recommend It?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a drama. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories that feel natural and grounded in reality, then Born to Be the One is definitely worth watching. However, if you prefer lighter, more comedic slice-of-life dramas or are looking for something more romantic, this may not be for you. Romance is not a major focus here—aside from the second couple, who are the only ones that share kisses, the rest of the relationships are established from the start.
In the end, this drama is more of an experience than a typical romance or feel-good series. I enjoyed watching it, although the last few episodes tested my patience enough that I watched them at 2x speed. Still, it’s a well-crafted show that offers a thoughtful exploration of relationships, family, and the complexities of love.
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