Friends to Forever.. A Heartfelt Journey in You Are My Lover Friend..
In a genre filled with familiar tropes and cliched romances.. You Are My Lover Friend tries to set itself apart by taking a more heartfelt approach.. Exploring the slow burn of friendship evolving into love.. With genuine emotion and subtle moments You Are My Lover Friend captures the beauty and complexity of realising your love for someone who’s been by your side all along..Really loved all the characters in the drama especially Cheng Hui.. He was really fun to watch.. Feng Wei Ran and Jiang Yan An's relationship was another strong point in the drama.. And I also enjoyed the dynamic between the ML and his mother.. It added a lighthearted enjoyable touch..
However.. Honestly.. The drama would have been better received if it was just 20 or 24 eps.. The main couple could have gotten together sooner.. As there was no real reason to delay it.. There were quite a few unnecessary subplots that didn’t add much to the story.. And the whole 'Brother Yang' thing became repetitive.. It was honestly annoying hearing them call her that so many times..
One of the positives of You Are My Lover Friend is that it doesn’t rely on a complicated story arc.. For me that’s refreshing.. There are plenty of dramas that overuse angst and tension.. But luckily this one didnt follow the same path..
Overall.. You Are My Lover Friend offers a refreshing take on the friends to lovers trope.. Even though the drama feels unnecessarily stretched, It still remains an enjoyable watch for anyone craving heartfelt romance..
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FRIENDS TO LOVERS TROUPE DONE RIGHT!!!
"You're My Lover Friend" is a refreshing take on the friends-to-lovers trope, bringing depth and authenticity to a story that often misses the mark. This drama beautifully captures the essence of a long-term friendship, where the bond between the two main characters feels both special and heartwarming. The writers have done a commendable job of portraying their relationship as something that goes beyond mere friendship, yet remains just shy of crossing into more intimate territory.What I particularly appreciate about this series is how it highlights the characters' internal conflicts as they begin to realize their feelings for each other. The slow burn of their relationship makes perfect sense; it allows viewers to witness each step of their journey—from deep friendship to the complexities of newfound feelings. While some might find the pacing slow, I believe it adds to the realism of their transition. The fear of losing what they already have is palpable, making their eventual acceptance of their feelings all the more rewarding.
Overall, "You're My Lover Friend" successfully showcases the nuanced journey from friends to lovers, emphasizing the importance of communication and taking things at a comfortable pace. It's a heartfelt exploration of love that resonates with anyone who has navigated the tricky waters of evolving relationships. This drama does justice to the friends-to-lovers trope in a way that feels genuine and relatable.
What I found particularly thoughtful about "You're My Lover Friend" is how the writer dedicated time and importance to the characters and their relationship. It’s refreshing to see a series that centers more on the emotional journey of the main characters, especially amidst the various subplots. The casting choices were spot on; having two real-life childhood friends, Steven Zhang and Wang Yuwen, added an undeniable charm to the series. Their chemistry was palpable, and their interactions felt so natural and fun to watch. You could genuinely sense the familiarity and comfort they shared, which made their connection all the more believable.
The acting was impressive, as expected from such talented leads. The side characters also contributed positively to the overall charm of the series, adding depth without overshadowing the main storyline.
I loved the laid-back vibe that permeated the show; it felt heartwarming, relatable, and beautifully crafted. While some might perceive the pacing as slow or draggy, I appreciated the intentionality behind it. The series did a fantastic job of portraying the complexities and challenges of transitioning from friends to lovers, showcasing the emotional turmoil that often accompanies such a change.
Overall, "You're My Lover Friend" was an amazing watch, and I had a great time going through this journey with the characters. I applaud the series for doing justice to the friends-to-lovers trope in a way that feels genuine and true to life. It’s a beautiful exploration of love that resonates deeply, making it a standout in its genre.
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If you’re in the mood for a realistic friends-to-lovers romance without the typical melodrama, this is a perfect choice. There are no misunderstandings between the leads; they openly communicate and address any issues that arise. The supportive family, friends, and colleagues add to the charm, creating a refreshing alternative to the common tropes of evil mother-in-laws, sabotage, and betrayal.
While some reviews mention that the middle of the series feels slow, I found the pacing to be just right. The leads have been friends for over a decade, and sudden feelings between them take time to confront, come to terms with, and confess to each other. The interruptions during their alone time highlight the busy nature of life, reminding us that meaningful connections require effort.
The secondary and tertiary plots are also well-paced, with strong performances from the actors that make you wish for a separate drama featuring the third lead couple. Both of them are incredibly captivating.
Another delightful aspect of this drama is its focus on food. The portrayal of delicious meals adds an enjoyable layer to the series. Ultimately, *You Are My Lover Friend* beautifully captures what it feels like to have supportive friendships and family relationships. It’s a feel-good drama that leaves you with the thought that life can be amazing when everyone is understanding and there for one another.
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Slow burn gone cold !
The drama centres on Tang Yang and Jiang Shi Yan, childhood friends whose relationship evolves as they navigate their careers along with their personal lives. The premise is engaging with the classic friends-to-lovers trope. However, throughout it struggled with the pacing dragging the romance over almost 23 of the 30 episodes.The friendship between the main leads was the stand-out element. The genuine support, fun banters filled with warmth and subtle tension made their transition feel a bit natural. The second couple while completely underutilized brought some comic relief here and there.
But unfortunately, the pacing didn't sit right with me. The romantic progression felt half-hearted. Yes, I love and appreciate a slow burn but it felt like we were stuck in a loop. The leads avoided any conversations leading to something and the receptive dialogues led to the same conclusions, with them just playing around instead of addressing their feelings. The series does picks up its pace but I felt it was already too late. Their friendship era with flashbacks was great but their romance felt like it was buffering and for a long time.
The third couple felt completely unnecessary and like filler. The over-the-top antics started felt like a distraction. The second couple had great chemistry and an interesting start but it was very fragmented and underdeveloped. I'm still confused about how things progressed and how they ended up together. I have questions and no answers.
Also, serious subplots like harassment or toxic workplace dynamics were rushed and felt unresolved. They had 30 episodes and how some plotlines are still underdeveloped is a bit shocking and frustrating to me.
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this. It could have been good with tight writing and better character development, especially with the supporting leads. I would recommend it if you are a fan of the leads otherwise, you aren't missing out if skip this.
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This review may contain spoilers
Good but Could Have Done Without the 15 Episode Drag-Fest
The storyline was what originally got my attention and I wanted to see Zhang Xin Cheng in something other than Young Blood. It was also cool to find out the leads were childhood friends in real life. The story itself was interesting but it shouldn't have dragged out the leads getting together for 24 out of the 30 episodes.Pros: Friendship goals for real; from high school into adult life! That was the best thing of the entire drama. How they had each other's backs no matter what. The chemistry between the leads was the best as well as the 2nd couple who deserved so much more screen time; I called them the odd duck and the actress. The comedy that he provided was so low key but awesome. They were the most interesting couple out of the three though the kisses of the leads once it actually happened were very good. Think all actors did pretty well with the script they were given.
Cons: The 3rd couple were two morons that even though great friends, they sucked at advice giving and I think kept the leads apart because they'd make them even more insecure. Their overacting and lack of normal voices unless it came to business was ffw worthy which I did. None of the parents could read the room of the obvious feelings of the leads and the repetition of the script got old quick.
Also felt that the revenge plot of Mo guy and the sexual harassment of Gan pervert were just thrown in haphazardly and didn't fully go into either nor punishment. I think had they cut back on the 3rd couple, given the negative aspect of the series a better fleshing out, given the 2nd couple their time, and brought the leads together sooner instead of just repeating the same even dialogue; this series would have been way better.
Would I recommend it? It's a nice series to watch in between anticipated ones. The actors did the best with what they had and were believable.
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Excellent Friends-to-Lovers transition with a slow burn romance that's worth the wait in the end.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75“You Are My Lover Friend” is one of the few dramas that did the friends-to-lovers trope right. The transition is awkward, uncertain and slower than others I’ve seen. This gives a more realistic approach to this romance. Zhang Xin Cheng and Wang Yu Wen are perfect in their roles, and they have such great chemistry as friends and as lovers. On another note, I am a little surprised that business takes up quite a bit of screen time. I was expecting it to be more like “The Love You Give Me”. Some might find the plot draggy due to the slow romance and the business talk.
What I Like:
1. Friends-to-Lovers Transition/Main Romance
Instead of jumping from realizing one’s feelings -> a minute of uncertainty -> confession -> being lovers, “You Are My Lover Friend” took a more natural and slower approach. The realization of feelings took a while for both characters. Of course, there’s the more traditional approach of uncertainty, worrying that 13 years of friendship will go to waste if the romantic relationship doesn’t work out. This drama has those worries as well, but additionally, there’s the uncertainty after the confession, which is not quite an outward confession. Everything is so murky, as it should be. Did they really agree to be together, or not? Are they looking for the same kind of relationship, or not? From beginning to the end, it takes the leads a long time to finally be together. I think this slow burn romance is worth the wait. Once they are together, they are cute and fluffy, yet mature and supportive. They understand each other so well that they don’t need to say a word, the other will know something is not right. They communicate, they support unconditionally and they trust in their partners to not interfere with their work and decisions. They are the perfect dynamic duo in a relationship.
2. Friendship + Flashbacks
I love how the flashbacks are used in the epilogues. They don’t disrupt the flow of the present-day time but show us exactly how great these 4 friends were in high school. The flashbacks also correspond with what happened in the episode. Dramas like these usually show flashbacks over and over again, which could be annoying and repetitive. Instead, I look forward to them at the end of each episode. It’s actually quite lovely to see the main focus of their friendship is in the present-day timeline, and how they continue to be the best of friends. You can see how Jiang Shi Yan and Feng Wei Ran’s tight bond extends to their business partnerships. They might have different points of view, but when a company decision is made by Jiang Shi Yan, Feng Wei Ran does not question and just trusts his decision. Tang Yang and Jiang Yan An have the more typical sisterhood going on, though not as much of a focus than the friendship of the 4 of them.
3. Cheng Hui + Sheng Ni Na (2nd romance)
They are so cute together! I’m a big fan of Cheng Hui and it’s great to see him in this quirky role, a different kind of quirkiness than his role in “Will Love in Spring”. I love that he’s a man of few words and is blunt and sarcastic. It’s a nice contrast to Sheng Ni Na, whose profession as an actress shows that she’s more well-rounded and socially capable. I am actually very happy to see her not depicted as a spoiled actress, but a sensible and mature one. I love how Cheng Hui and Sheng Ni Na grow close together from a few initial pleasantries, to a few words, and quick texts, to cooking and bonding over food and stars. I wanted to see more of them together, but also thought this is just enough for me to be interested and intrigued by their story. OK, I take that back, I want a little bit more of them!
3. Tang Yang (FL)
Tang Yan is an example of how an independent, strong, mature woman can act without being mean and bossy. Tang Yang shows that she’s competent without being petty. She does not need to be saved by a man, and can stand on her own and fight with grace at work. She is righteous and will stand up for those who are mistreated.
4. Jiang Shi Yan (ML)
What a perfect boyfriend and a total green flag, who is not boring! I’ve seen enough boring green flags and he’s perfect yet interesting. Even in the first episode, there’s no way you can’t tell he’s in love with Tang Yang by how considerate and thoughtful he is. He always puts Yang Yang in the first place and does all he can so that he can be with her, without compromising his work. It is possible to have a male lead fall head over heels without losing his cool and losing himself. I also like his jealous pettiness.
5. Zhou Mo
There’s something about the character Zhou Mo, played by Wu Hao Chen, that I find very interesting and mysterious. He’s painted in a bad light, but I always thought there’s more to him than meets the eye. It’s not that I find Wu Hao Chen handsome, but there’s something about how he portrays this character that mesmerizes me, especially the fake smile and mask he put on.
6. Original Soundtrack
There are only a few songs in the OST and I like all of them. I am also glad the music is not overplayed and each song is played at the right time in the right mood. I couldn’t locate the songs on Spotify, if you find them, let me know!
What I Have Mixed Feelings:
1. Slow Burn romance
I think the drama could have been better if it was only about 24 episodes. The romance does take a long time to happen. It could have sped things up in the first 10 episodes, and started the transition a few episodes earlier. Luckily, the recognizing/questioning of feelings happens in the earlier episodes, otherwise, this will feel even more slow burn. There are also way too many near-kisses. Such a tease when you know both Zhang Xin Cheng and Wang Yu Wen are great kissers!
2.Business Plot
I wasn’t anticipating such a focus on the business. The lack of suspense and excitement makes the business side of things less interesting. There aren’t enough ups and downs to keep me interested throughout the whole drama. Coupled with a slower romance build up, 30 episodes seem too long for this drama. I also wanted to see the bad guys taken down in a more humiliating fashion. It’s not epic enough!
3. Jiang Yan An + Reng Wei Ran
Their married life is really fun to watch. This couple brings in a different kind of chaotic energy that is very hilarious in small doses. Unfortunately, their marriage problem came in like a whirlwind from the left field. That was not a fun side plot to watch and I wish the time was spent on the other couples, or cut to make the drama shorter.
Overall, I had a great time watching this drama. There are many likable characters (including the two fun moms!), good all around acting and chemistry between all characters. If you don’t mind a business plot and a slow burn romance, this is a good watch. Although I want the villains to end painfully, the drama does tie up the romances nicely with a fun wedding and dance to end on a positive note. My gut didn’t tell me to give this a 9+ rating, but because I like the friends-to-lovers trope and transition so much, I’m giving this a 0.25 bump to 8.75.
Completed: 10/13/2024 - Review #498
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Plotless fluff...
Lovely cast, lovely friendships, lovely romance a bit draggy but the couples do have great dynamics and are fun to watch especially the quiet dude but to be honest nothing really ahppens in this 30 episode so called drama... AS there really very little to non drama, nothing really interesting happens, some things could happen but just don´t...There is not really anything to make you feel the need to find out what will happen next as it just is...
That sid there are some good lines and moments of sweet and lovely fluff but the loveliness of those is whipped out by the slightly preachy tone to the dialog. And while it is nice to see a male lead use words like consent and respect, a rare occurrence in cs that should have me giving this a 10 I just find myself missing. a plot....
Kisses are blocked so many times I was wondering if I would get a display of balloons to mask the kiss if they ever got there... but once people start to kiss they make up for it so while my a part f me is saying this could be a great fluffpieace with a lot of rare gems the quality of the storytelling just is not there so my heart says 7,5.
In a time of AI I can´t help but wonder if the writers took a few to many short cuts...
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This show doth play it safe for too long
The scheduling god was not kind to this drama. It is released around the same time as the popular k-drama, Love Next Door. Comparison between the two is inevitable. If you filter out the obvious cultural differences and filler subplots, it is basically the same trope. As such, I can’t in all honesty make this show up to be better than LND because it isn’t. Please allow me to explain.As in LND, the basic premise is the classic BFF to lover trope except in this case, there is the added complication of the ritualistic sworn brothers.
Sworn brotherhood is OG. You can see it in classic literature of many cultures. Most are born out of harrowing experiences on the battlefields or during extreme trials. Just ask Henry V or read ancient fables. This is all very well within their historical context but not so relevant in the modern world except for some niche situations. It works great for male bonding but awkward when it is between the opposite sex of similar age.
While this is a valid meet-cute, the show really leans into it. When you consider the whole premise is the OTP having a mutual crush on each other for years, this is a millstone around their necks. We are presented with endless horseplay, push-pulls and staged closeness but they all end with the decoration of "we are bros!!"
Ye gods, what a killjoy! It went on for so long that I became numb. I knew where the show is heading but I lost all faith. The unicorns might die of old age at this rate!
Eventually, our leads confronted their feelings, but their trial is not over yet. First, we have the muddled confession which leads to a period of relationship twilight zone. Then when they are a couple, they enter the Failure to Kiss phase. Just note that this is well past the 2/3 mark of a 30 eps show.
I know the interrupted kiss is such an old cliché in c-dramas but this is taking it to the next level. It is funny the first time, but it wears thin, fast. After numerous failed attempts, I just groan.
I think this is the biggest problem with this drama. It really thinks that the viewer is happy to be baited endlessly. The show kept dangling the carrot before us until we are on the verge of despair. Then we get a little bit of fan service and out comes the carrot again.
Praise be to the Drama Gods when they sealed the deal. It is telling when their best buddy found out, his reaction was “that’s impossible. You are sworn brothers!!” Yes, I feel the same, bro. Of course, it is all sweetness overload from then on.
Our leads really spent too long in the bro zone and their chemistry suffers. It ramps up later on, especially after they dialled up the skinship, but it was lacking for much of the run. Too much fake horseplay and testiness will kill the mood.
There are 2 other pairings. The married couple are there to occupy screen time. The 3CP of the nerdy partner and the movie star was so low key, their confirmation during the last ep was a brief holding of hands. It takes the mutual understanding idea to infinity and beyond. If you blink, you'd miss it.
This brings me to the final point. This show really played it safe on every level and for too long. The romance took forever to jumpstart. The skinship is ok but needs more "heat". The business subplots are hardly engaging. You can skip them, and miss nothing. There is a bit of angst, but it is very formulaic. The typical misogynistic boss is front and centre. Every element is there for you to tick them off, for better or for worse.
As such, it is watchable and even enjoyable at times, but it is also forgettable. The production value is decent. The support cast did their best. However, it doesn’t really hit you right in the feels. IMHO, that's a key prerequisite for a good romance drama.
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Lighthearted, surprisingly relatable fluff
I would recommend giving this one a try if you like lighthearted slice of life dramas. It’s not a groundbreaking work but the friends to lovers transition in the first half of the show is handled in detail and quite relatable for me.The drama is very relaxing and watchable at the end of a long day because of the lack of unnecessary angst or things like love triangles or scheming exes. I also enjoyed the subplots surrounding the ML and FL’s respective workplaces since it rounds off their characters and made them more relatable. It’s basically slow paced fluff with a pretty solid cast anchoring it. Zhang Xincheng and Wang Yuwen as the leads Tang Yan and Shiyan are so naturally sweet and funny together whether they’re bickering best friends or trying to bridge the gap between friendship and dating that it almost doesn’t feel like they are acting at times. Second ML and the second FL also have pretty interesting dynamics and chemistry that makes you want to root for them as well.
That said, I do have a couple of complaints at the moment which prevent me from giving it a 10 right now.
1) The drama length: It feels like the story would have been more suitable for a movie instead of a 30 episode long affair - the writing noticeably weakens in the middle and there are quite a few scenes I would call fillers after episode 17 that do nothing to advance the main or subplots. Sometimes less is more.
2) Feng Weiran: The character is really unlikeable for me at the moment. FWR was an unimportant side character in the original novel and seems to have been given a bigger role in the drama to act as a tool for the writer to bring about filler scenes.
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Too much drag
Honestly i like both ML and FL and had so much hope for this drama but disappointing so far. Its been 15 episodes and there is no hint of romance, untold feelings since first episode. Why create a story with this much drag?Probably waste of time to watch this series if it goes same way until final episode and open up their feelings to each other just to give them an ending.
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It's a decent watch
This is not in align with majority of people thoughts.What I liked was pace. Yes, u saw it clearly......
It's not easy to get into relationship after being in friend zone for like 13-14 yrs. The transition was pretty much like tug of wars, which was fun btw. I didn't feel like there are unnecessary moments. Rather than fight at 20th -22nd episode this was much better, with less negativity.
Characters makes sense, even though but annoying at times. Both of their micro expressions are cute to watch. I am gonna miss Nina and Cheng Hui.
Ost - I liked stargazing song..others are not memorable.
I didn't realise that I am into slow burn these days.
Overall it's a good one in recent times. There are some moments which i definitely gonna rewatch, especially the hospital proposal scene ( it's cute).
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Best Drama This Year
This drama is certainly worth every episode....it could have had more! I am sad it is over and will think of it often. The ML/FL were totally believable in whichever relationship they were in. I laughed, I cried and the memories of my childhood until marriage rolled around in my head. I never dated a guy from my school, but had plenty of male friends that I could equate on the same level as their friendship. Sigh.....I will miss this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
