This review may contain spoilers
Nostagia, Childhood, Youth.
Always Home
I realized from this drama that youth dramas just hit different. I love the community around them, where everyone is so close with each other and will help, support, and protect each other as well. I love the bonds, friendships, relationships, and support that is formed within all youth dramas and how that friendship can carry on through adulthood. It’s truly the perfect portrayal of what everyone wants to obtain from their childhood, but very few people end up getting.
My thoughts after finishing it. Whoo! My favorite part of this whole drama is it’s portrayal of growing up. I have watched many youth dramas before, but none of them portray it as accurately as Always Home. The ups and downs of family, relationships, friends, careers, and homes are just perfect. Nothing is ever going to come perfect, but the people and the things that you care about and dedicate yourself towards will never leave you. “There are many times that will come and go, people, hobbies, events. However, I believe that they will always follow you and support you through all your future endeavors.” No matter what challenges are faced, everything will work out in the end. Good friends will stay good friends. Bad people will leave and life will go on. This drama’s big point is not even surrounding the romance. That is a sub-plot to me. It’s just the character growth and realization of how true reality is in life.
From the very start, I love this drama. I love the youth and school setting of it. The way that Xichi and Huan’er hit it off so quick. I love their dynamic, it’s definitely like a childhood best friend teasing dynamic. And Song Cong is the parent of the dynamic. He’s the calm and mellow one that controls when things get too rowdy.
I’m really moved by something that Huan Er said “Just because you have a planned life doesn’t mean that it’ll make you happy.” That’s a rlly impactful quote for everyone growing up and at an impasse. Even if there’s a path laid out, if it doesn’t make you happy, it’s not worth it.
I feel so bad for both Song Cong and his mom. I understand both perspectives. His mom is just working to try to make his life as easy as possible, so he doesn’t have to go through the same struggles as she did. However, Song Cong is his own person and has his own thoughts and wishes. If he doesn’t want to go study abroad, then he shouldn’t be forced to because he will never be happy that way. Something that Xi Chi said also stuck with me in that moment, “if u truly love something, then you will let it hurt you over and over and never regret it.” That’s such a true statement. You would be willing to give up everything for something you love.
The start of this drama with everyone’s baby crushes is so cute. It’s a love square. Xi Chi likes Qiqi. Qiqi likes Song Cong. Song Cong likes Huan’er. Huan’er likes Xi Chi. It’s a whole chain where there’s not one couple that reciprocates their feelings.
I really like Li Tian for some reason. He’s such a relatable character who helps people in need, but also tries not to bother them. He’s under so much pressure from his parents and they don’t even listen to what he wants one bit. I was really happy when Xi Chi, Song Cong, and Huan’er helped him attend that English competition instead of the math comp that his parents wanted him to go to. It was really sweet and he was able to do what he wanted for once.
Aww…Jing Xi Chi injuring his leg make me really really sad. That is his one dream in life and he’s trying so hard to be better and prove all the people that says he can’t do it wrong, but in the end, he ended up hurting himself even more. I still feel bad for Song Cong. He feels left out of the dynamic, no one truly understands him, they view him as this perfect guy when he just wants to play and mess around like everyone else.
When Song Cong’s mother was in the ICU and Song Cong was really devastated about it, Huan’er comforted him about it. She revealed some of her own struggles when she was sick as a kid and reassured Song Cong that his mother would be ok. Song Cong was really grateful for that and moved by her kindness. UGH I AM GETTING SECOND LEAD SYNDROME FOR LIKE THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE AFTER LIKE 30 DRAMAS WATCHED. I also loved how Li Tian stuck up for Song Cong too in the class when they were all gossiping about his mother’s situation.
The kids all caring for their parents more and thinking about them getting old is so relatable. I love this familial aspect of the show as all the kids understand how limited time is and how much the need to start caring for their parents wellbeing as well.
When there was the power outage in class before the Gaokao, the teachers speech got me rlly emotional. He reminds everyone to always try their best and live their life differently than everyone else. A test is important but it doesn’t determine your life. All of the kids crying shows just how affected they are. Not only are they great students, but they all understand the maturity of the world they’re going to enter. It’s so relatable esp when being close to becoming an adult, because u realize u have to part with the lie u once knew and adjust to the real world. I LOVE how this drama is so relatable. Huan’er getting sad thinking abt how everyone is moving so far away.
EPISODE 16!! WHAT THE HECK!! WHY DID EVERYONE CONFESS AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY ALL GOT REJECTED. Song Cong bro, he seemed so dejected after. ILL TAKE U IF SHE DOESNT. He asked Xi Chi first if he liked Huan’er because he thought of his best friend over his feelings. Then, he worked up the nerve, got rejected, then completely was like not himself after. He was no longer the stable, mature, Song Cong. The one time he tries to be honest and truthful, it fails. MY SECOND LEAD SYNDROME IS SO HIGH. AND THEN HE PUT THE GLASSES BACK ON😭😭. My heart is broken for him bro. Him and Huan’er is such a perfect match and I will stand on that. Huan’er and Xi Chi are too similar, but Song Cong balances her out. UGHHHHH💔 He even came to her and apologized for making things awkward saying to forget he ever said it. When he asked if they could still be friends and she said it would be hard, my heart broke for him even more bro. Not only did he lose his love, he lost his friend, and told her to think of him as a neighbor if it’s too hard for her. He’s always thinking of other people.
I’m not going to lie, I don’t really connect with the lead couple that much as I keep watching.
Awww I knew this would happen but it still hurt me. Tian Chi is so mature. He knew that Huan’er didn’t like him and still decided to reveal his feelings but then tell her that he understands. His giving back of the book from years ago was like the end of a book. That chapter is closed. Ugh Tian Chi deserves someone good. My 2 favorite characters rejected by the same girl: Song Cong and Tian Chi. They need happy endings.
Song Cong and Qiqi just don’t seem right to me. They come from 2 diff worlds no matter what Qiqi tried to do. She’s used to the luxurious lifestyle and always having money, living in big houses, and expensive gifts. He prioritized his family, small acts of love, and quality time. I actually hated how Qiqi didn’t realize that Song Cong paid for that expensive of a bill and how that affected him. Like, not everyone has unlimited money, so for Song Cong, that simple meal cost a lot. Yea, ok after that scene at the bar, it gave me a big ick. Qiqi knew he had a test tmrw and still forced him to drink with her. Not only that, she had the audacity to say she had to change for him to like her. He ate her up with that line: “is it fair if ur changing me into a person I don’t want to be?” That is exactly how the relationship was heading towards. He and her have such different goals and priorities that it wasn’t ever going to work out.
WOW WOW WOW!! I never even imagined that Du Man and Song Cong would be a fit for each other. But man, they are literally perfect. They literally have the exact same perspective on life and Du Man understands Song Cong in a way that no one else does. She’s not overly feminine, overly emotional, but more rational. And that is exactly how Song Cong is. Not only that, but the fact they live so close and work together, they can lean on eachother for support. And when she kissed him, bro. That was a power move and boy am I glad she did it. I don’t know how far this relationship is going to go, but she is what Song Cong needs and likewise.
Ok, yes. So, this is exactly what I was talking about. I know that Jing Xichi has good intentions and he truly loves Huan’er but their personalities are just disparate. Like, he got so jealous over Tian Chi’s help for Huan’er when he should have been thanking him. What did he expect Tian Chi to do? Watch Huan’er faint and call Xichi to drive over when he’s in a completely different city? And then he got mad at Huan’er for Tian Chi dropping her off from the hospital in the middle of the night. Like what? Tian Chi is her senior, so he is supposed to care for her and protect her just like any friend. I really don’t like how Huan’er and Xichi are making him seem like some jealous ex that did something wrong. He never overstepped his boundaries and he helped her when Xichi could not. This is why I actually like Du Man and Song Cong’s relationship more. It’s just more mature and reliable. Like their conversation in the mountains in episode 29 was the first time I saw any declaration of how much each other means to them. And with this being a 30 episode show, like, the lack of emotional depth at the beginning was just a limiting factor for me with that main couple. Like, I understand this show is about growing up and learning how to do these things and be vulnerable, but how are they together for like years before ever doing this? Idk, the maturity between them and then Du Man and Song Cong just has such a big difference.
I realized from this drama that youth dramas just hit different. I love the community around them, where everyone is so close with each other and will help, support, and protect each other as well. I love the bonds, friendships, relationships, and support that is formed within all youth dramas and how that friendship can carry on through adulthood. It’s truly the perfect portrayal of what everyone wants to obtain from their childhood, but very few people end up getting.
My thoughts after finishing it. Whoo! My favorite part of this whole drama is it’s portrayal of growing up. I have watched many youth dramas before, but none of them portray it as accurately as Always Home. The ups and downs of family, relationships, friends, careers, and homes are just perfect. Nothing is ever going to come perfect, but the people and the things that you care about and dedicate yourself towards will never leave you. “There are many times that will come and go, people, hobbies, events. However, I believe that they will always follow you and support you through all your future endeavors.” No matter what challenges are faced, everything will work out in the end. Good friends will stay good friends. Bad people will leave and life will go on. This drama’s big point is not even surrounding the romance. That is a sub-plot to me. It’s just the character growth and realization of how true reality is in life.
From the very start, I love this drama. I love the youth and school setting of it. The way that Xichi and Huan’er hit it off so quick. I love their dynamic, it’s definitely like a childhood best friend teasing dynamic. And Song Cong is the parent of the dynamic. He’s the calm and mellow one that controls when things get too rowdy.
I’m really moved by something that Huan Er said “Just because you have a planned life doesn’t mean that it’ll make you happy.” That’s a rlly impactful quote for everyone growing up and at an impasse. Even if there’s a path laid out, if it doesn’t make you happy, it’s not worth it.
I feel so bad for both Song Cong and his mom. I understand both perspectives. His mom is just working to try to make his life as easy as possible, so he doesn’t have to go through the same struggles as she did. However, Song Cong is his own person and has his own thoughts and wishes. If he doesn’t want to go study abroad, then he shouldn’t be forced to because he will never be happy that way. Something that Xi Chi said also stuck with me in that moment, “if u truly love something, then you will let it hurt you over and over and never regret it.” That’s such a true statement. You would be willing to give up everything for something you love.
The start of this drama with everyone’s baby crushes is so cute. It’s a love square. Xi Chi likes Qiqi. Qiqi likes Song Cong. Song Cong likes Huan’er. Huan’er likes Xi Chi. It’s a whole chain where there’s not one couple that reciprocates their feelings.
I really like Li Tian for some reason. He’s such a relatable character who helps people in need, but also tries not to bother them. He’s under so much pressure from his parents and they don’t even listen to what he wants one bit. I was really happy when Xi Chi, Song Cong, and Huan’er helped him attend that English competition instead of the math comp that his parents wanted him to go to. It was really sweet and he was able to do what he wanted for once.
Aww…Jing Xi Chi injuring his leg make me really really sad. That is his one dream in life and he’s trying so hard to be better and prove all the people that says he can’t do it wrong, but in the end, he ended up hurting himself even more. I still feel bad for Song Cong. He feels left out of the dynamic, no one truly understands him, they view him as this perfect guy when he just wants to play and mess around like everyone else.
When Song Cong’s mother was in the ICU and Song Cong was really devastated about it, Huan’er comforted him about it. She revealed some of her own struggles when she was sick as a kid and reassured Song Cong that his mother would be ok. Song Cong was really grateful for that and moved by her kindness. UGH I AM GETTING SECOND LEAD SYNDROME FOR LIKE THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE AFTER LIKE 30 DRAMAS WATCHED. I also loved how Li Tian stuck up for Song Cong too in the class when they were all gossiping about his mother’s situation.
The kids all caring for their parents more and thinking about them getting old is so relatable. I love this familial aspect of the show as all the kids understand how limited time is and how much the need to start caring for their parents wellbeing as well.
When there was the power outage in class before the Gaokao, the teachers speech got me rlly emotional. He reminds everyone to always try their best and live their life differently than everyone else. A test is important but it doesn’t determine your life. All of the kids crying shows just how affected they are. Not only are they great students, but they all understand the maturity of the world they’re going to enter. It’s so relatable esp when being close to becoming an adult, because u realize u have to part with the lie u once knew and adjust to the real world. I LOVE how this drama is so relatable. Huan’er getting sad thinking abt how everyone is moving so far away.
EPISODE 16!! WHAT THE HECK!! WHY DID EVERYONE CONFESS AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY ALL GOT REJECTED. Song Cong bro, he seemed so dejected after. ILL TAKE U IF SHE DOESNT. He asked Xi Chi first if he liked Huan’er because he thought of his best friend over his feelings. Then, he worked up the nerve, got rejected, then completely was like not himself after. He was no longer the stable, mature, Song Cong. The one time he tries to be honest and truthful, it fails. MY SECOND LEAD SYNDROME IS SO HIGH. AND THEN HE PUT THE GLASSES BACK ON😭😭. My heart is broken for him bro. Him and Huan’er is such a perfect match and I will stand on that. Huan’er and Xi Chi are too similar, but Song Cong balances her out. UGHHHHH💔 He even came to her and apologized for making things awkward saying to forget he ever said it. When he asked if they could still be friends and she said it would be hard, my heart broke for him even more bro. Not only did he lose his love, he lost his friend, and told her to think of him as a neighbor if it’s too hard for her. He’s always thinking of other people.
I’m not going to lie, I don’t really connect with the lead couple that much as I keep watching.
Awww I knew this would happen but it still hurt me. Tian Chi is so mature. He knew that Huan’er didn’t like him and still decided to reveal his feelings but then tell her that he understands. His giving back of the book from years ago was like the end of a book. That chapter is closed. Ugh Tian Chi deserves someone good. My 2 favorite characters rejected by the same girl: Song Cong and Tian Chi. They need happy endings.
Song Cong and Qiqi just don’t seem right to me. They come from 2 diff worlds no matter what Qiqi tried to do. She’s used to the luxurious lifestyle and always having money, living in big houses, and expensive gifts. He prioritized his family, small acts of love, and quality time. I actually hated how Qiqi didn’t realize that Song Cong paid for that expensive of a bill and how that affected him. Like, not everyone has unlimited money, so for Song Cong, that simple meal cost a lot. Yea, ok after that scene at the bar, it gave me a big ick. Qiqi knew he had a test tmrw and still forced him to drink with her. Not only that, she had the audacity to say she had to change for him to like her. He ate her up with that line: “is it fair if ur changing me into a person I don’t want to be?” That is exactly how the relationship was heading towards. He and her have such different goals and priorities that it wasn’t ever going to work out.
WOW WOW WOW!! I never even imagined that Du Man and Song Cong would be a fit for each other. But man, they are literally perfect. They literally have the exact same perspective on life and Du Man understands Song Cong in a way that no one else does. She’s not overly feminine, overly emotional, but more rational. And that is exactly how Song Cong is. Not only that, but the fact they live so close and work together, they can lean on eachother for support. And when she kissed him, bro. That was a power move and boy am I glad she did it. I don’t know how far this relationship is going to go, but she is what Song Cong needs and likewise.
Ok, yes. So, this is exactly what I was talking about. I know that Jing Xichi has good intentions and he truly loves Huan’er but their personalities are just disparate. Like, he got so jealous over Tian Chi’s help for Huan’er when he should have been thanking him. What did he expect Tian Chi to do? Watch Huan’er faint and call Xichi to drive over when he’s in a completely different city? And then he got mad at Huan’er for Tian Chi dropping her off from the hospital in the middle of the night. Like what? Tian Chi is her senior, so he is supposed to care for her and protect her just like any friend. I really don’t like how Huan’er and Xichi are making him seem like some jealous ex that did something wrong. He never overstepped his boundaries and he helped her when Xichi could not. This is why I actually like Du Man and Song Cong’s relationship more. It’s just more mature and reliable. Like their conversation in the mountains in episode 29 was the first time I saw any declaration of how much each other means to them. And with this being a 30 episode show, like, the lack of emotional depth at the beginning was just a limiting factor for me with that main couple. Like, I understand this show is about growing up and learning how to do these things and be vulnerable, but how are they together for like years before ever doing this? Idk, the maturity between them and then Du Man and Song Cong just has such a big difference.
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