Almost Lover (2022)

An unconventional sweet drama

What started out as a misunderstanding turns out to be a love going both ways. However, can they overcome obstacles along the way to get their happily ever after?

Certainly this kind of idol urban drama where love is the center is nothing new but the most striking thing is the definition of love in this drama is not limited to romance. There is family/responsibilities/filial piety, friendship, and comradery. In addition, the drama highlight upon each career aspects of all characters.

Male lead is definitely not your typical domineering CEO. Rather he has flaws, but is willing to listen and understand others. This character doesn't have much lines compare to FL and second leads but the actor's acting is immersive that grounded it for me. Timmy Xu did an excellent job in presenting a 3-dimensional character that I can relate, sympathize and like. One thing I have to say is that there is finally a drama where the domineering CEO actually is seen working hard and not falling in love all day long. Also, this male lead, Xiao Shangqi, does not have the golden finger to solving or having an answer to everything. Xiao Shangqi is certainly in the dark in almost every situations where he either has to slowly figure out the puzzles himself or with FL. Our male lead is a most understanding, patience, devoted, faithful character to FL I have not seen in a while. You'll wish there is such character is real life. Sadly, there's no such tall, rich, handsome, loving man in real life that would chase their partner like Xiao Shangqi. If there is he does not have to give chase, I would be the one chasing. LOL

All the actors/actresses did a good job. Each carries their character well. Although there are noticeable traces of weaknesses in some. As a viewer, I think there are some inconsistency in FL behavior/characteristics. The actress could have done better maybe in acting out a more loveable/relatable or softer character. There are also instances where she is "acting" instead of "being the character". However, this is just my opinion.

I wouldn't exactly say I love it but I do like it. It was an enjoyable watch. I would re-watch it again. Well, I have re-watched some episodes. ^_^ The story is logical. The storytelling itself is not excellent but very comfortable. Some situations are very relatable and grounded and there's no over the top or suspense of disbelief. And best of all, we have a satisfactory ending wrap, which is sometimes rushed in many other dramas.

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Friends and relationships - the good, bad and everything in between

To me, this drama is primarily about the complicated nature of friendship and how old patterns are hard to break even years later. I liked the second chance at love, although the lack of clear background story made the first 10 episodes rather confusing.

The highlight for me was the parallel between the trio of friends - past and present. The FL took on a job in a remote place, very different from her high school dreams, but also found 2 co-workers with whom she formed a beautiful bond of mutual support. They were very close friends, always there for each other, without overstepping the boundaries necessary for personal growth.

Enter ML, with whom she had had a long friendship marked by unrequited love and then separation. They were also part of a friendship trio in school, with the ML chasing and protecting his crush (who was in an abusive home environment) and FL always being supportive. This created an unhealthy dynamic where the ML became the perpetual knight in shining armour, his crush a damsel in distress who had to manipulate others for survival and the FL stuck in the middle.

Unfortunately, the cycle continued as adults. The ML tried to distance himself from the former crush and her manipulations, yet old habits are hard to break. It led to many tensions in his relationship with the FL and in the end a series of uninspired choices and negative consequences that impacted his whole life.

I was glad to see the FL take a firm stand and disengage from the codependent cycle, making her needs and well being a priority, regardless of the ML's actions. There are subtle tones of emotional depth and maturity throughout the varied relationships portrayed by the drama - friendship, family, romance etc.

All in all, a quiet slice of life that made me ponder about relationships, with a solid happy ending for everyone.

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