Wanna Be (2025)

WANNA BE / HELLO MODEL: Simple yet deep, straightforward, fast paced mature romance drama.

"Wanna Be / Hello Model" is a hidden yet beautiful drama that explores the complexities of the modeling industry through the eyes of its compelling characters. The story revolves around a famous supermodel, portrayed by Cici Wang, who finds herself in a life-altering accident that forces her into a three-year hiatus. Upon her return, she grapples with PTSD while meeting a witty and ambitious fishmonger, played by Daddi Tang, who is also facing the challenges of a hereditary eye disease. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways, leading to a journey of self-discovery and resilience.

The storytelling is refreshingly straightforward yet deeply engaging, ensuring that there are no dull moments.

Each character is richly developed, with even the side characters adding their own unique charm to the narrative.

The female lead, portrayed by Cici Wang, is a captivating blend of intelligence, beauty, and complexity. Initially cold and distant, her character gradually reveals layers of vulnerability and warmth as the series unfolds. She possesses a delightful mix of laid-back charm and fierce savagery when necessary, making her both relatable and intriguing. Her work ethic shines through, and I can't help but admire her stunning wardrobe—her wavy long hair and chic outfits perfectly reflect her profession as a model.

On the other hand, the male lead, played by Daddi Tang (Tang Xiao Tian), is equally compelling. He's witty, ambitious, and refreshingly straightforward, never one to be taken for a fool. His ability to stand up for himself, even in front of the female lead, adds depth to his character. With his kindness and cuteness, you'll find yourself rooting for him throughout the series. Their dynamic is fascinating, as their personalities complement each other; they share similarities yet maintain distinct differences, creating a captivating on-screen chemistry.

The romance between the leads is definitely my favorite aspect of the show, just as I anticipated. Their relationship is beautifully mature, characterized by a directness in expressing their feelings rather than dancing around them. Initially, they start off as bickering enemies, providing plenty of cute banter and humorous moments as they constantly challenge each other. As the story progresses, they transition into mutual friends and colleagues who support one another in their professional lives.

The development of their romantic attraction is natural and engaging, featuring flirty moments that gradually evolve into a deep connection. Their chemistry is electric, filled with tension and those delightful butterflies that make every scene captivating. What stands out is the mutual effort they both invest in the relationship; it’s refreshing to see both characters looking out for each other and providing support without one feeling more invested than the other. This dynamic makes their journey all the more rewarding to watch. So far, they are undoubtedly my favorite couple this year!

The acting is impressive, and I must say, it’s my fourth drama featuring Tang Xiao Tian, and the second where he takes on the male lead role. I sincerely hope he lands more lead roles in romance dramas because he truly excels in them. His eye acting is phenomenal! As for Cici Wang, I'm definitely going to keep an eye on her future projects; she’s really talented.

In summary, this drama checks all my boxes: it offers a simple yet profound narrative, straightforward and fast-paced storytelling, a natural buildup of romance, interesting and complex characters, and great sizzling chemistry between the leads. The acting is top-notch, and the original soundtrack is beautiful. Plus, with each episode being only 30 minutes long, it perfectly caters to my attention span. I highly recommend this drama if you're looking for a simple yet beautiful romance story!

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BEST ROMANCE CDRAMA OF 2025 (for me)

I completely don't understand why this show has such as low rating (7.6) on mdl... the rating initially deterred me, but I'm glad I decided to watch it in the end!

Story: The story already caught my eye, because I haven't seen a show about modelling before. It follows our superstar model Han Yijing, and our fishmonger-turned-model Jia Fan, through all their highs and lows. The main couple was seriously so cute.. their romance was undoubtedly the best part of the show! So mature, so wholesome, and nothing could break them apart. They never had any petty fights or misunderstandings, and both were willing to do everything for the other. Their scenes will make you squeal, kick your feet and binge the entire series at once. Trust me!

Acting: I haven't seen either of the main actors before, Cici Wang and Daddi Tang, but both were fantastic! They played their roles so well. Cici Wang was so gorgeous as a superstar model, with her tough outside-soft inside personality. Daddi Tang was equally stellar, down-to-earth , filial and selfless (thank god he cut his hair in the first few episodes..) I'll definitely be looking out for more of their shows.

This was definitely my top romance cdrama of the year! I was super surprised, because I was in my wuxia-xian xia phase, but this drama completely stole my attention. It's truly a must-watch! Just ignore the mdl rating,,, it doesn't deserve such a low score.

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