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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Wanna Be - A "Wanna be" Good drama.
I'm pretty let down by most Chinese storylines, and this one was no exception. I have to admit, the cast is nice to look at. They’re all attractive, even if the characters they portray can be pretty irritating. Whenever I watch Chinese dramas, it feels like they love to depict an unrealistic world.The male main character is always portrayed as weak and constantly getting hurt. He never seems to handle his responsibilities well, often showing up late or not at all, yet he keeps getting chance after chance. In reality, we rarely get more than a couple of opportunities.
I only felt a connection with the female lead because she’s really charming, and that’s about it. The characters spend the entire show crying over the same issues. The so-called villain doesn’t seem like a true villain to me; his goals don’t really seem to harm anyone. I don’t see much character development, except for the female lead.
So, thanks for casting such beautiful faces—that pretty much sums it up.
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A tale of two shows
Please allow me to set the scene. My Fated Boy (MFB) is my all-time favourite romance drama. I was excited when I found out the same writer penned this show.Rather than just writing a review of Wanna Be, I shall contrast it with MFB because I think the comparison is illustrative.
Let us begin at the beginning. Both shows are very focused on the romance of our leads. I'm thankful for the consistency. Both relationships took a bit of effort to get going and the meet-cute are poles apart but once it happens, their love is rock solid and unshakable. It is not all plain sailing but at least there are no silly breakups. Now, let's talk about where the shows diverged.
MFB is relatable. Even though the ML eventually became moderately famous, his focus is always on his noona. Their little exchanges are cute and swoonworthy. We can focused on their romance with minimal distractions. We can laugh and cry with them. They are like us. The classic scene in EP.28 when the FL found out she has a white hair and their subsequent conversation about growing old together is grounded and heartfelt. Swoon!
On the other hand, Wanna Be was set in the rarefied world of super models and the fashion industry. Yes, the writer didn’t take it to the extreme and most characters are quite “normal” but is this realistic? It feels almost too clinical. Playing it safe, so to speak. It is a double-edged sword.
I can sense the writer wanting the characters to be relatable hence the ML works as a fishmonger. However, when you mix everything together, the world building feels stilted. It is real . . and not real. Of course, this happens a lot in the dramaverse, it is a necessity. When it works, we get an impactful and engrossing world, but here, it feels derivative and bland. There are glimpses into that rarefied world but they are insubstantial.
This extends to the support characters and secondary plots. As I mentioned before, MFB has a relatively small cast. Everyone knows everyone else. Even secondary characters are interesting and their relationships are relevant. I do feel that the writer tries to be more ambitious with WB. That is totally understandable and a worthy goal.
While the smaller cast helps MFB, the larger roster was a hindrance to WB. To keep them all gainfully employed, there are more side plots which took the focus away from the OTP. Many of these subplots are tropey and feels like smoke and mirrors. It is telling that there are no villains . . . just misunderstandings.
Don't get me wrong, whenever our leads are together, we swoon. What is lacking are other viable CP’s. Even after 29 eps, both 2/3CP remain ambiguous. To be honest, I don't ship them. There is little chemistry between any of them. It is particularly stark when compared to the OTP's. Speaking of which, there is a 3.5hrs OTP romance cut on YouTube. Say no more!
In the end, Wanna Be is watchable and a solid production. I just don't feel fully engaged. It is one of those show that ebbs and flows depending on who is on screen. There are wasted opportunities with subplots as we are delivered a harmless ending.
I still loved the OTP’s journey and their growth. I did have high hopes, my bad. The DNA is there but it mutated and not in a good way. I can happily rewatch the highlight reel and maybe the last episode. Peace.
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Beyond the Tropes: A Drama That Dared to Be Different
THE POSITIVE:This is the drama that tried to bring out untold narratives,like the behind-the-scenes realities of the modeling industry, which, for me, was a refreshing first. It dared to step away from the overused “boy meets girl” formula, offering something different and grounded.
The Cinematography, thoughtful casting, sharp editing, background music, and scriptwriting—all of these shaped this drama, and it made it one of my favorites
The leads may have taken their time to come together,and their beginning was far from perfect,but once they did, it was pure fireworks. Their bond felt genuine, rooted in mutual support and a shared determination to stay together, no matter what.
I’m genuinely grateful to the drama gods for sparing us the usual round of unnecessary breakups and overblown misunderstandings.
These two were solid,especially impressive considering the male lead’s more reserved demeanor, shaped by his humble background.
What stood out most was their banter. He wasn’t afraid to call her out, something she clearly wasn’t used to.It was refreshing,and necessary,for her to finally meet someone who could challenge her. And in that clash, their chemistry truly came alive.
THE NOT SO POSITIVE: THE SIDE CHARACTERS
Despite its charm, Wanna Be felt like it was missing something essential.It was a rare attempt at breaking away from the usual tropes but somehow the writer snoozed off and missed plenty of opportunities.
She had plenty of material to develop,especially with the storyline around the abandoned/fired models who ended up wasting away in a that "Venting club" drinking their sorrows away.Where is the redemption story?That subplot had potential, and at the very least.
The female lead's journey as a designer was barely touched—just one sketching scene and suddenly, a full-blown fashion show? It lacked depth.
I personally feel like the auntie’s implausible romance with the second male lead consumed too much screen time. That time could’ve been far better spent developing other subplots or characters
That being said, I’ve concluded that this drama will be enjoyable if you are seeking something beyond the usual formula and its fresh perspective, combined with thoughtful production and attention to detail, makes it stand out.
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This review may contain spoilers
I'm not impressed.
The first half of the show is quite good, maybe just barely a 7-7.5, but it's increasingly bad later on. It's honestly quite difficult for me to understand how the director and the writer of the amazing `My Fated Boy` could produce a drama of such low quality. Sure the leads had acceptable chemistry, but the whole model business is not that well researched or interesting to begin with. While the genetic eye disease thing could have been worse, it's still pretty damn bad. Chinese TV cannot deal with stuff like this. Then there is also the awful aunt/mom, they spent 5 episodes on making her -basically- Cruella & then another 5 on her redemption ark, It's needless to say I'm quite displeased with that. It's a shame, because normally I like noona romances, but it's difficult to enjoy the second couple? here, when I did not like either of the two characters.At the end of the day this show is mostly ruined by the bad writing in the second half. I wish I had stopped watching around e18, but alas..
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Unique, inspiring drama with LOTS of eye candy
Just finished Wanna Be / Hello Model.This has been a unique, nice steady drama with very BEAUTIFUL tall people. FL -> gorgeous. ML -> so tall! SML -> tall and gorgeous! The chemistry between the main leads was amazing, they know how to passionately kiss but also tenderly care for one another. The audience really ends up rooting for them and sharing in the joys / pains /struggles throughout the drama.
What's great is that this is NOT a drama with LOTS of drama! haha... Of course it has drama, but is measured and feels more realistic we see what the characters experience, how they are affected, how they cope, how they encourage and support each other. There's the building and development of various friendships, old and new. There's no one nasty person who stays evil the whole time. Everyone is human with flaws and we learn to see whole of them - even characters who start off as unpleasant. By the end, they're not so bad, just human.
Main couple - their relationship grows and they really do support each other but in alignment with their personalities so it's not the way we would expect like in other dramas. Love how the male lead's character is not typical - very refreshing. The female lead is kinda badass. Both are bold and cool.
Costuming - some were great, some not so. But overall, very fashion. I am wondering whether some of the casts are actually models as well.
Overall, this is been a story of overcoming obstacles, self discovery and strength as well as working out relationships - plutonic, familial, romantic. I guess it is a healing drama and yes with a Happy Ending / Beginning...
And it ended beautifully with a beautiful song -
Like a bird flying over a deserted wasteland
dreamed of too many what if's, what if you loved me too
Like a star falling, igniting the spark within
don't let us drift apart, like clouds meeting the sky
Oh, dream can we get a little closer
when the passion resurfaces
Let me be your shining point, finally standing before you
Daydreams come true, holding you in my heart
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No Toxic Love, No Overdone Villains—Just a Drama That Feels Right
When I started watching this drama, I didn’t have sky-high expectations—mainly because the cast isn’t exactly a trending hashtag in most countries. But wow, I was so wrong. First off, the acting? Surprisingly good! Like, “wait, why am I suddenly emotionally invested?” good. I loved the mutual support between the leads—it’s not just the FL cheering for the ML, he’s also right there being her biggest fan. And the so-called villains? Shockingly human. No over-the-top evil laughter, just characters learning to accept their fate like mature adults (imagine that!).Even the earlier villains had understandable backstories—no “I’m evil because I like it” nonsense. The romance? Blessedly non-cringe. No dramatic slow-motion stares, no twirling into each other’s arms like an '80s music video. And best of all? No annoying jealousy plots where the second male lead ruins everything. The relationship feels stable, refreshing, and—dare I say—healthy. I especially loved how the FL stood by the ML when he had to leave the country, and that moment of her waiting for him? Heart. Melted.
There’s honestly so much more to love, but I’ll stop before this turns into a novel. Just know: you should definitely watch it.
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Mature romance with no idiotic decisions + a bunch of Complicated relationships
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25Before I randomly came across “Wanna Be” on Reddit, I had never heard any mention of it on MDL. It was not a surprise as the leads and the cast are not idol traffic actors, and the theme is quite mature. But I was ‘promised’ a mature and satisfying romance, thus I decided to give it a shot. Besides, it’s only 29 episodes long and most episodes are less than 40 minutes. It’s not a long investment of time.
Romance
True to the recommendation of this drama, the romance is mature and satisfying. It’s been a while since I came across a mature romance like this without noble idiocies and dumb decisions and misunderstanding. The main couple may not be as sizzling as the other couple in “Fake it Till You Make It”, but their unwavering support and understanding are the same. Jia Fan (played by Tang Xiao Tian) and Han Yi Jing (played by Ci Ci Wang) are quite different. Their beginning starts with chaos and distrust, but because they are both good people, despite not liking each other, they help each other. Together, they battle through challenges in life and in their careers. Throughout all this, they never once suspect, misunderstand or accuse. They figure things out like adults and act like adults. Tang Xiao Tian and Ci Ci Wang have great chemistry. If you know me, I love a good passionate kiss. They deliver beautifully. There aren’t too many kisses in this drama and definitely no fan service, but each of their kisses is full of emotions and happens naturally. There are also some cute moments of the couple but not enough, if you ask me. LOL I love their flirting before they get together, and especially love the scene when ML asks FL to be her boyfriend.
Secondary Romance
Unfortunately, this noona romance is a little disappointing. What a waste of the handsome and talented Garvey Jin as Xing Mo. I need to see more coming from Han Jia Ling, even if she was conflicted. Xing Mo is a hopeless romantic who just can’t let go. I am ready to jump into my screen to snatch him for myself.
Relationships
Aside from romance, “Wanna Be” features many other relationships between the characters. I have to say, I love them all! They are all positive and supportive, though not without arguments and fights. However, because humans are complex, these relationships can be just as complex. Even though I understand the motivation behind certain actions, it doesn’t mean I approve of how nosy some characters are in butting into other people’s business and thinking they know what’s best. But, I do love these relationships.
1. Aunt/Niece and Boss/Employee relationship between Han Yi Jing (FL) and Han Jia Ling - love and hate, support and fight
2. Xing Mo (2ML) + Han Yi Jing (FL) + You Ning = Model veterans friendship and support through thick and thin for over 10 years.
3. Han Yi Jing (FL) and You Ning = frenemies but so fun!
4. Bromance + Mentor/Mentee relationship between Jia Fan and Xing Mo
5. Bromance between Xing Mo and Liao Jin Yuan
6. 7 Newbie model friendship - so positive and not jealousy - I have to admit this one is a little too idealistic.
7. Jian Fan (ML) + Father - what a lovely bond they have. Dad has the best relationship advice!
8. Jia Fan + Father + Dong Xiao Ru + Aunt - a small and mighty family
9. Jian Fan + Dong Xiao Ru - adorable and supportive sibling relationship
Modeling/Plot
I am not sure how realistic the portrayal of the modeling agency is, but I did have a good time getting an inside look. There’s a lot less fights and backstabbing than I anticipated. There may be a couple minor incidents but for the most part, everyone is so nice (a little too nice). There’s no competition between the newbies or between the veterans except for the two ladies in the beginning. There are a lot of photoshoots but no commercials and not too many fashion shows/catwalks. Though I have to say, I quite enjoy the 2 fashion shows towards the last quarter of the drama. 2 very different styles and venues that complemented the fashion. The plot surrounding the models, their challenges, secrets and paparazzi isn’t anything new or you haven’t seen before. Viewers can really guess what the next crisis is going to be. But the ‘twist’ will be how the characters respond to the crisis, but not the crisis themselves. The pacing is good for the first half of the drama and then slows down a little bit in the middle. But when the last quarter hits, it’s a barrage of incidents and secret reveals one after another.
I would recommend “Wanna Be” if you are looking for a mature romance of two intelligent and hardworking lovers. I love all the different relationships depicted in this drama, though I do think everyone is a little too nice. I wanted more from the secondary romance. The acting is solid and no character annoys me. It’s a somewhat easy watch. I’m rating this an 8.25, not quite an 8.5 but close.
Other Random Observations:
1. Tang Xiao Tian is way too old for me to pretend he’s only 25 years old. But in a way, it works for me because I am not a fan of noona/jiejie romance.
2. I never find Tang Xiao Tian to be attractive, but I've got to say he looks good in this photoshoot and in the last scene. Glad that ugly wig didn't last for long.
3. Garvey Jin is incredibly attractive to me in this drama. I might not like his fashion choices but staring at his handsome face and knowing he plays such a green flag character make me very happy.
4. The title of the drama “Wanna Be” is weird. I believe there’s a different English title before. The Chinese title translation is “Daydream and Her”.
5. Thank god the actors are using their own voices!!!!
Completed: 6/29/2025 - Review #596
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The Cutest Romantic Journey in the Fashion World
PLOT: FL, a top model making a comeback after an accident/breakdown, recruits a fishmonger/delivery man (ML, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa) to cope with a show dropout. He seizes the opportunity to become a model and tries to survive the many challenges of the modeling world with her help (rivalries, backstabbing, contract struggles, stalkers, etc.).+++ Tang Xiao Tian demonstrates all his talent here ♡o｡.(✿ฺ｡ ✿ฺ): magnificent, moving, subtle... A few older suit him well. An eye's pleasure ! I didn't know CiCi Wang, but I'm going to follow her from now on. They build a brilliant CL (solid, confident, inseparable :)
+++ An unusual and innovative setting, which shows us the other side of a very flashy, but harsh, and cruel setting. Behind the scenes is not always a dream ...
+++ Perfect production: no dead time, well-crafted images, lighting, and framing, and OSTs amplifying the emotions.
NO flaws
=> A superb and moving series ღ˘◡˘ற♡.｡oO I'll rewatch it in some months, without a doubt :)
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The cutest romantic journey in the fashion world
PLOT: La FL, top model en comeback après 1 accident / break-down, recrute 1 vendeur de poisson / livreur (le ML, atteint de rétinite pigmentaire) pr faire face à 1 défection lors d'1 défilé. Celui-ci va saisir la chance de devenir modèle, et essayer de survivre avec son aide aux multiples difficultés du monde du mannequinat (rivalités, coups bas, lutte pr les contrats, stalkers, etc.).
+++ Tang Xiao Tian démontre ici tt son talent ♡o｡.(✿ฺ｡ ✿ฺ) : magnifique, émouvant, subtile ... Qq années de + lui vont bien. Un régal ! Je ne connaissais pas CiCi Wang, mais je vais désormais la suivre. Ils forment un CL génial (solide, confiant, que rien ne peut séparer :)
+++ Contexte inhabituel et innovant, qui nous montre l'envers d'1 décor très bling-bling, dur et cruel.
+++ Réalis° parfaite: sans temps mort, images - lumière & cadrages bien travaillés, OSTs amplifiant les émotions.
NO flaws
=> Une série superbe et émouvante ღ˘◡˘ற♡.｡oO
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