This review may contain spoilers
Nostagia, Childhood, Youth.
Always HomeI 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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THOUGHTS!!
Love of the Divine TreeThis drama was so interesting and definitely kept me hooked. I wasn’t completely obsessed tho, which is the only reason why it’s not getting a 10/10. I loved the visuals and the plot lines and the character arcs for everyone though and no episode was boring to me. Definitely definitely recommend.
Ok, instantly. The visuals in this drama are insane. The setting, the characters, and all the colors are all so gorgeous. Deng Wei’s facial features are so sharp. With the mask and the markings on his face combined with his sharp facial features, *chef’s kiss. THE VISUALS. THE VISUALS. THE VISUALS. Everything is literally perfect.
Wow. The 1st episode was so good. It definitely hooked me into the rest of the drama. I love the switched plot of this drama. Master-disciple turns into disciple-master. The power that Su Yishui holds.
What happened in their past life together because Su Yishui is already head over heels in love with his past master. The look in his eyes when he sees her wearing the red robe from years and years ago. It’s just, this early on, he’s probably still in love with her master’s old identity and not her new one. We’ll see though.
Only episode 5 and Su Yishui has already started caring about his master even when he “hated” her at first. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I kindve want the drama to go back to modern times though. This backstory is nice but I want their new reborn life to be shown again. Yup he’s a goner now too. He called her “master”, accepted her, smiled when spending time with her, and wants to protect her from injuries.
Only episode 6 and Su Yushui gave up years on his life just to save Mu Qingge. Dedication, devotion, and all of the above is all I got to say. I love how he gave her the benefit of the doubt and remained kind and caring without jumping to conclusions. This shows that true love can beat any type of spell or poison. He’s already kissed her forehead this early on, holy. “You told me to protect the mortal world with you, but it’s only worth it to me if you’re in it.”
No way this drama is making me cry at episode 7. The desperation in Yishui’s voice when he realized that his master was protecting him and never wanted his power. She never got the spirit yet made sure that the other immortals thought she had it. She put a silencing spell on Yishui so he couldn’t tell the truth about him being the demon child. Most importantly, she told everyone she was the demon child and therefore, sacrificed her life to keep Yishui safe. This is a real master-disciple relationship. Yishui trying his best to get to her and stop this, but couldn’t. The raspy voice that he had plus Mu Qingge’s love in her eyes for him at the last moment. All she ever wanted to do was protect him. And then Yishui saving her soul to allow her to be reborn again. Wooh! That was a lot.
Ohhh…I see how this drama is set up. It breaks in the modern plot for several episodes to give us the backstory, then resumes right where it left off. It’s actually pretty smart. I take my words back, I like the background to better understand the situation.
I know that Su Yushui isn’t supposed to feel any emotions anymore, but I can quite literally see the love and care he still has for Mu Qingge. I have no idea how that’s possible, but he’s kinder to her. He cares about her wellbeing differently than all the other disciples. He wants her to be happy and can basically, never say no to her.
EVERY SINGLE CDRAMA ACTOR LOOKS SO GOOD IN WHITE HAIR I SWEAR. I FEEL LIKE I’M SAYING THIS IN EVERY SINGLE REVIEW, BUT IT’S SO TRUE. DENG WEI IS NO DIFFERENT.
Episode 17 is actually insane. There is one word I can describe this whole drama with, literally and figuratively: AURA! When Su Yishui touched that demonic power and had that dark look in his eyes, it was over. “You dare hurt my disciple.” Poof. They’re gone. His eyes are so expressive.
Ughhh the start of episode 18 made me want to claw my eyes out, scream and kick my feet in admiration, and yell because of the miscommunication. Su Yishui confessing his love for Mu Qingge and how he just can’t let go of her, while Xue Ranran doesn’t know that she is Mu Qingge. So, Ranran thought that Yishui still loves someone else. I felt so bad for her when he kissed her twice because in her mind, she wasn’t the person he was envisioning. But, the truth is, she has been all along.
Those episodes in the very middle of the drama when Yishui was pushing away Ranran in order to protect her made me rlly aggravated but I also understand him as well. He has so much power that he doesn’t know how to uncontrol. Mix that with the guilt of his actions in his past life and he’s bound to want to distance himself. But, the hurt that they both felt when he did that was so painful.
When Ranran found out a little more about the truth of Yishui, I’m so glad she’s strong minded and understands her master. “You’ve protected me from the very start, so I will never abandon you.” Even though Yishui doesn’t realize it, Ranran is trying to protect him just as much as the other way around. Those harsh words still hurt tho, Ranran has to endure the fake words that Yishui is saying to try to push her away. If she wasn’t as strong minded, this drama may not have a happy ending, but we’re hoping. Just please Ranran, don’t give up on Yishui. Keep on fighting.
Yes yes yes. Finally, she figured out the truth. Now that her true identity is out, her and Yishui are working together again and caring for each other again. Wow, the cinematics in this whole drama is so beautifully done. The green dragon and the vermillion bird both helping Ranran and Yishui. Them reuniting in their original bodies on its back. This drama is actually so beautifully done. Gorgeous gorgeous.
Holy. The dedication between them 2 in order to protect each other. Ranran gave up all of her spiritual power in turn for Yishui reaching the Transcendence stage. She’s now more vulnerable than a regular person to injuries and she can’t cultivate anymore.
I actually despise Mu Ranwu. How are you getting mad at your sister when you were the one that tried to take her soul to begin with? Mu Ranwu is a horrible person who doesn’t do things for the goodness of the world, which is the major difference. There is a reason why good things go to Qingge, it’s because she’s a better person. Mu Ranwu is just demanding and annoying. She even got mad at her disciple and humiliated him when all he wanted to do was help her.
I despise these misunderstandings though. The forgetting memory around episode 30 made me want to actually quit. They’ve been through so much already, they didn’t need another road block in their relationship. I feel like we’re back to day 1 again. Still though, Yishui protects him with all of his power, he just has this instinct. Ranran truly makes Yishui a better person, influencing him to think abt the good in the world and not his own selfish desires.
Omg, Yishui was completely taken over by the demon, but he was somehow able to stay in his own consciousness and fight his way back to Ranran. He not only saved himself from killing her, but he shattered his own essence core to expel the demon.
One of the last scenes in Episode 39 with both Yishui and Ranran working together and in synchronization, it was so harmonious. Even though both of them were stunned by their attack not working, you could really see how they are equals now and not master and disciple. They are both working together, protecting each other, and trying to protect the world.
I loved the HE. It ended great for most people and even those that ended up dying, they all were meant to. It was the best decision for themselves to stop their suffering and give themselves up for the greater good.
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I'm not going to lie, but I didn't think that this drama would beat Go Ahead just because of how short it is in comparison. But, I actually loved the pacing of this drama. It didn't drag at all, but everything was able to get covered really well. Since I watched Go Ahead before, I knew the plot before coming into this drama. However, I was still deeply moved by some plot points and I definitely shed a few tears. Overall, I LOVED LOVED LOVED the dynamic between the 3 siblings, it was so sweet and just refreshing to see. A little note about the actors. Jung Chae-yeon who plays Juwon is genuinely so beautiful and pretty. I love her hair, it's so healthy and shiny throughout the whole drama. Hwang In-yeop genuinely might be the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Like, gorgeous as in, model he's too pretty gorgeous. Also, when he cries, he's such a pretty crier. His facial structure is just so symmetrical and perfect, with those high cheekbones when he smiles. Already though, I really liked the child actors that portrayed these 3 characters when they first met. I also love Hwang In-yeop. I think he portrays the older brother vibe so well. When he first showed up to fix his little sister's tie, his deep voice and playful vibe got me hooked onto his character.
Ok San-ha's mother is actually evil. How can you blame your neglected child for the death of your other neglected child? He was just trying to feed her since the mother was nowhere to be found. And the way she dares to tell Juwon's dad that he raised them bad, when she fully ABANDONED HIM. How is the mom still blaming San-ha for everything? Her own daughter ran out by herself and somehow it's San-ha's fault again, when the mother was NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. She gets me so aggravated omg.
Also, I love the dynamic between the 3 of them: they understand each other so well. Especially, San-ha and Juwon: San-ha can instantly tell how Juwon is feeling by her facial expressions. You can't hide anything from them. "You must be okay for Hae Jun and I to be okay." Dang...all these kids are really dealing with deep emotions and conflicts because of their mom. The emotions are acted out so well in this drama.
I think San-ha realized he started falling for Juwon in episode 5 after she defended him: "Only good things happen around Kim San-ha." The way he replayed all of their good memories together where Juwon helped him.
I love Juwon's dad. He is the sweetest, kindest, and most considerate person. He views all 3 kids as his own and is able to provide them with the best environment and life possible.
When Kim Sam-ha started crying after being out in the rain and realizing the care that everyone has for him, I lost it. This is his real family, blood or not blood-related. And then when they all took turns caring for him when he got a fever. ughh...I just love this found family.
Yup, Kim San-ha is officially a goner after she fell into his arms while trying to walk on the wall. I love how he protected her fall and her head though. Poor San-ha. He has to go through so much in life and be mature about it to deal with it himself. He deserves to have a support system like he does through Juwon's family. Yoon Juwon is really Kim San-ha's safe place. Whenever he is going through something, it is Juwon that he turns to for comfort and vice versa. Hae Jun is so understanding towards his dad's situation. Their relationship is beautiful.
The way that Hae Jun forced himself to go to America through his birth dad's money, so that his real dad could relax a little and not have to worry about paying for him. Whoo! Episode 9 broke me down. When they were all mad at each other and Juwon said one line about how they are not real family, since both brothers are leaving to go be with their real families. Then, I broke down even more when San-ha and Juwon were at the cafe and San-ha promised to be with Juwon forever after he came back from Seoul.
Kim San-ha's confession was the cutest thing ever. He was so worried that she would go on a date with someone else. "Give me a chance because Yoon Juwon is my entire world"!!! AHHH...I'm melting. Bro the way that San-ha still knows what Juwon is feeling without her saying it. He knew that she has feelings for him too, even though her mouth is saying otherwise. So, he took initiative!!! Why do all K-drama kisses happen under or near a tunnel? (Scarred from 2521) When Junwo was eating and tried to be more polite about it, I loved how San-ha said "Eat how you normally do. I like it when you eat healthy." This shows his care for her and how comfortable they are with each other.
OMG...why is the mom still doing the same things on EPISODE 13? There is no way she is still calling San-ha selfish after he gave up 10 years of his life to care for her. I did love when Juwon stood up to San-ha's mom though. Someone honestly needed to. When Juwon said: "I don't like it when you suffer, it breaks my heart" And then San-ha said I love you after, you could really feel their endless support for each other no matter what. Juwon truly makes San-ha a better person, as he instantly expressed a little bit more about the struggles he was facing with the whole family to be more vulnerable and not hide anything. Also, I love the part where Hae Jun sees San-ha and Juwon almost kissing, with San-ha just looking more annoyed than anything that he was interrupted.
I'm so glad that Hae Jun and his mom were able to make up, he really deserves that support and relationship back in his life. Yesssss...Dal and Hae Jun at the very end. I'm so glad that Hae Jun's life is picking back up again, he's genuinely so soft spoken and has such a pure heart.
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Overall, I absolutely loved this drama. Wang Anyu and Liu Haocun had such good chemistry together. I really think this drama shows how you never know who will end up being your person and how much a relationship can change one person. Chen Luzhou's whole character, purpose, and meaning of life changed with Xu Zhi. Honestly, I didn't think I would love this as much as I did. I was hooked to every episode and I love how mature CLZ turned out to be. Their relationship really felt like a true, mature relationship that has to deal with the ups and downs in life. CLZ is so thoughtful when it comes to Xu Zhi. All the things he did for her that are connected to her mom (architecture building, letter written to her) shows how deeply he cares about Xu Zhi. Also, that rain scene was probably one of the best made tension filled scenes. The OST playing in the back with Zhou Shen, the rain, and their hands on the glass. I love how CLZ always pulls her against a wall. This drama was lowk kind of shameless too. Some of the comments insinuated are really funny considering this is a Cdrama. The way they say “想得美” (xiǎng de měi) to each other when they would make unfiltered comments was such a nice touch. And when CLZ came back from Europe, that first gaze was so emotion-filled. You could tell none of them forgot about the other. I also love the found family. Xu Zhi’s dad is such a warm, kind presence. He even made Kung Pao Chicken without peanuts for CLZ because of his allergy, which is something CLZ’s own family never even remembered.
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