Drama Review: When You Be Me (反转人生)

When You Be Me (反转人生)

Synopsis

Based on the original novel, the lives of Mu Xiang Xiang, a demure student, and Qiao Nan, a cynical boy get entangled when their souls are swapped. Though they’re faced with the difficulties of living another identity, they must learn to face their problems together.

Adapted from the novel Fan Zhuan Ren Sheng (反转人生) by Yuan He Gu (缘何故). Fan Zhuan Ren Sheng (反转人生) also has a manhua adaptation.

Watch When You Be Me (反转人生) if you like:

• Soul swap drama – this one is unique to recent soul swap dramas as it is youth-centered
• Youth-centered dramas – hitting all the marks on puppy love, examinations, family, etc.
• Comedy – a boy and girl swapping bodies is bound to give you a good chuckle

Avoid When You Be Me (反转人生) if you dislike:

• Cliché character setups of a rich male lead who is a rebel and a poor female lead who is smart
• Plot twist ending to get away with censoring soul swapping
• English subtitles are botchy – I believe they’re auto translated

Final Review: When You Be Me (反转人生)

finding me through you

★★☆☆☆ 2/5

Character Introductions

Ma Si Chao (马思超) from I Don’t Want To Be Friends With You (2020) portrays Qiao Nan, a hot-headed youth. Growing up with his uncle, Qiao Nan doesn’t get along with his family. He is always on Director Wu’s radar at school due to his low grades and tendency to get into fights. Qiao Nan is a member of the taekwondo club, which Director Wu is actively trying to shut down. Despite not being a model student, Qiao Nan is a soft-hearted person who does his best to protect and assist those who have been wronged.

Zhou Yi Ran (周依然) from Run For Young (2020) portrays Mu Xiang Xiang, a shy and intelligent female student. She comes from a struggling family that lives downstairs with her aunt. Mu Xiang Xiang becomes the target of Fang Ling Li as she is worried that Mu Xiang Xiang is catching the eye of Jiang Hai. 

With the character setup of Mu Xiang Xiang and Qiao Nan, it’s easy to see the elements and flow of this drama. Not only do they contrast each other in biological gender, but the two of them are also opposites in personalities, social status, and family dynamics. So we see the two struggle all around to ensure they don’t seem suspicious in front of their classmates, friends, and family members.

Review

When You Be Me is a soul-swap drama centered around two teenagers who swap souls by dreaming the same dream simultaneously. They must take on each other’s identities and discover much more than just companionship on their journey. Throughout their experience, they forge new friendships, mend strained family relationships, and gain valuable insights about life.

As a youth-centered drama, it would have been great to see more heartwarming moments between the family members and interactions with their classmates. Qiao Nan’s family needed more time to rebuild their bond, and it was touching to see Qiao Nan’s father and brother showering him with love. However, this aspect seemed contradictory to the plot since it was Mu Xiang Xiang, using her charms in Qiao Nan’s body, who was receiving the love from the Qiao family. This puzzled me because Mu Xiang Xiang comes from a family with loving and supportive parents, whereas Qiao Nan, who has never experienced parental affection, received lectures and affection from Father Mu while in Mu Xiang Xiang’s body. This allowed Qiao Nan to gain a deeper understanding of family dynamics. On the other hand, we only see a glimpse of Mu Xiang Xiang’s struggles in Qiao Nan’s body, which could have been explored further.

Another example is the Taekwondo club and the newfound friendship with Fang Ling Li. Mu Xiang Xiang, who had never had friends before, suddenly becomes part of a close-knit social circle in the Taekwondo club, but we don’t witness how these friendships impact her. Instead, Qiao Nan, while in Mu Xiang Xiang’s body, forms his own social circle within her class and becomes good friends with Fang Ling Li. Although I’m uncertain how this develops his character, it does provide a friend for the real Mu Xiang Xiang. Despite these changes, When You Be Me fails to delve into the deeper emotional aspects of misunderstood youth and their family issues. Many of these elements scratch the surface but don’t explore them in depth, as the drama aims to maintain a lighthearted feel through comedic scenes.

While I did find moments in the drama that made me chuckle, such as Qiao Nan’s interactions with Director Wu or the families, the comedic aspect of the show sometimes feels forced and try-hard. There were instances when it seemed like the actors were trying too hard to act feminine or masculine, to the point where it didn’t feel like Mu Xiang Xiang or Qiao Nan anymore, aside from a few distinct habits.

The development of Mu Xiang Xiang within Qiao Nan’s body receives more focus compared to Qiao Nan within Mu Xiang Xiang’s body. We witness Mu Xiang Xiang interacting with many of Qiao Nan’s friends, gradually breaking out of her shell and becoming more assertive. As Qiao Nan, she uses his body to build a strong bond with his family members. However, all of this seems futile as Qiao Nan fails to see his family’s good intentions since it is only Mu Xiang Xiang who receives their love. It would have been beneficial for Qiao Nan to witness the heart-to-heart moments that Mu Xiang Xiang experiences in his body to gain a deeper understanding of his family. Without seeing their good intentions, Qiao Nan’s stubborn grudge against his brother and his dislike for his stepmother and father persist. On the other hand, Qiao Nan in Mu Xiang Xiang’s body doesn’t accomplish much beyond realizing his feelings, becoming friends with Fang Ling Li, and standing up against Mu Xiang Xiang’s aunt. He continues to view the world and people as he always has, making the soul-swap aspect feel somewhat counterproductive.

Romance is not a central theme in the show; it takes a backseat to the youth-centered theme. Although Qiao Nan develops a crush on Xiang Xiang, she remains oblivious to his feelings. While their puppy love becomes an issue in the drama, the chemistry between them didn’t resonate with me. Instead, they share a strong sense of friendship as they navigate this life-changing situation together.

When You Be Me is an enjoyable drama to watch on the side, but it may not be the first one that comes to mind when soul-swapped dramas are mentioned. It could have been enhanced with a more compelling motive driving the plot. While many events take place, nothing truly stands out or feels remarkable.

If you have watched When You Be Me, and don’t mind sharing your opinions with me, do leave a comment!

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