Drama Review: Always Home

Synopsis and Information

• Chinese title: 树下有片红房子 / Shu Xia You Pian Hong Fang Zi
• Genre: Romance, Youth
• Episodes: 30
• Episodes Length: 45 minutes
• Where to watch: Tencent (en), Viki (en)
• Adaptation of novel: Shu Xia You Pian Hong Fang Zi (树下有片红房子) by Xiao Ge (小格)

Synopsis: In the summer of 2007, 16-year-old Chen Huan Er (Yang Xi Zi) moves from her small hometown to a residential compound for hospital staff in the bustling city of Tian He due to her mother’s job transfer. There, she befriends Jing Xi Chi (Zhai Xiao Wen), Song Cong (Daniel Zhou), and Qi Qi (He Qiu), forging a bond that carries them through high school, college, and into adulthood. Throughout the years they spend together, they navigate the challenges of growing up, from family strife to broken dreams, but remain steadfast in their support for each other. Will they manage to maintain their friendship despite potential changes to their dynamic? (Source: Viki)

Character Breakdown

Yang Xi Zi (杨肸子) plays Chen Huan Er, a transfer student from a small town. Having been sick as a child, she was trained in martial arts by her father, a martial arts teacher, to help maintain her health. Meanwhile, her mother, avoided putting high academic expectations on her to prevent stress. As a result, Chen Huan Er struggled during her youth to find her dreams and figure out what she wanted for her future.

Zhai Xiao Wen (翟潇闻) plays Jing Xi Chi, a laid-back student who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. Tasked with taking care of Chen Huan Er, he forms a friendship with her, especially after noticing her closeness with his crush, Qi Qi.

Drama Review

★★☆☆ Rating: 2.8/5

Plot Overview

Always Home is about Chen Huan Er, a transfer student from a small town. Her parents, who are friends with Jing Xi Chi and Song Cong’s parents, move into the hospital compound’s neighborhood. With her father away and her mother on odd hours in the hospital, the mothers take turns cooking and caring for the kids. Meanwhile Jing Xi Chi and Song Cong are tasked with looking out for Chen Huan Er, where the relationship between the three begin to blossom.

A Warm, Nostalgic Drama

This watch didn’t leave a lasting impact, but it had good scenes and well-executed moments. It didn’t lean into being overly dramatic, especially for a youth-based nostalgia drama that spanned high school and college years. Surprisingly, 30 episodes were fitting for the story, covering coming-of-age arcs of friendships, crushes, dreams, and adult life.

There was a solid overview of the three leads and their stories over the years, with enough from the supporting cast to prevent them from feeling like mere plot devices. I find that the voice-overs worked well when they were used, supplementing the scenes meaningfully instead of just avoiding showing us things.

Fun Banter and Character Dynamics

The banter among the friend group was fun to watch, and the entire cast did a great job portraying their characters. However, some subplots didn’t interest me. For instance, Song Cong and Qi Qi’s love story or Qi Qi’s possessive behavior and take on friendship.

I found Song Cong’s arcs a bit dull, with shallow character growth. Despite that, all the arcs, conversations, and interactions made sense within the story. There were no filler scenes, which made the characters’ relationships more enjoyable to watch from the parents to even the college roommates.

From Youth to Adulthood: Defining “Home”

I really appreciated how the theme of “home” tied into the story of growth. The main characters are not drifters; they grew up in a loving home and close-knit neighborhood, where everyone looked out for each other. As they transitioned into adulthood, we saw less of their parents in their lives (also on-screen) and more of Chen Huan Er, Jing Xi Chi, and Song Cong forging their own futures.

For Jing Xi Chi, this shift was more forceful, as he matured and redefined his sense of home. For Chen Huan Er, the turning point came when her father gave Jing Xi Chi “the talk,” marking her transition from his little girl to a woman. Jing Xi Chi and Chen Huan Er’s constant presence in each other’s lives highlighted their resilience and how they’d been building a home together since their youth.

Reflecting on One’s Youth

The ending felt a bit odd when they were sitting alone and reflecting on youth, dreams, and growing up but made sense, as the story was told about their past. With this ending, for those who are not currently youths, I think, can resonate with this last bit. In youth, we dream beautiful dreams, only to face the reality of our lives. Whether we live the life we envisioned or fall short, looking back on those innocent moments can bring a sense of sadness. For those who’ve reflected on this part of their lives, the final scene may feel more heartfelt than expected.

Romantic Chemistry: A Warm and Fuzzy Connection

The main couple’s chemistry worked well during their younger years. However, I struggled to connect with their adult selves, as I couldn’t shake the youthful versions in my mind. Their dynamic felt more like close friends than lovers, but considering it’s a friends-to-lovers drama, this made sense.

Instead of a sweet, giddy romance, we got a warm and fuzzy kind of love. The only heart-throbbing scene for me was when Jing Xi Chi shared his earphones with Chen Huan Er while she rested her head on the desk. Otherwise, we saw warmth in how they comforted and supported each other. From their youth to exploring their friendship and letting it become something more, they stayed true to who they were as adults, continuing to support one another—a green-flag couple throughout the years.

Final Thoughts: A Solid, Enjoyable Watch

Overall, the drama was well done for its category and probably deserves a higher rating. However, nothing particularly stood out while I watched. I watched it as a backup drama, didn’t rush to finish it, and wasn’t anticipating each new episode. I had no major complaints. It was a warm, nostalgic watch that was enjoyable for passing the time.

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