Simple stories of regular, ordinary people are sometimes the most effective. The struggles, victories, joys, and sorrows playing out on screen can be familiar and relatable. “Always Home,”; a coming-of-age C-drama, is one such show of seeking identities, breaking boundaries, and being the best version of yourself. As four friends navigate the journey from high school to university and finally adulthood, you are bound to find a piece of yourself in their story. Here’s what you can expect while watching the drama!
Rebels with a cause
When Chen Huan Er (Yang Xi Zi) moves to the big city in her senior year at school, she befriends Jing Xi Chi (Zhai Xiao Wen) and Song Cong (Daniel Zhou). Their families are familiar with each other as they live in the same housing complex, and the three are also in the same year in school. However, their academic aptitude, grades, and aspirations are vastly different.
Chen Huan Er, who had been her school’s star performer in the countryside, finds it difficult to adjust to the curriculum and academic level in her new school. Even though she performs badly on tests, her parents put no pressure on her, encouraging her do better next time. Neither do her parents have her future mapped out like that of the other students. It’s Huan Er’s decision on what she wants to do, and her parents will support her choice.
Meanwhile, Xi Chi lives for soccer. He is the school’s sport representative, and his goal is to go professional. However, his mother doesn’t support his dream since Xi Chi had injured himself while playing soccer, and she has forbidden him from continuing. His father, the school sports coach, supports Xi Chi as he doesn’t want his son to have the regret of not having tried it.
There’s also Song Cong, who is the school’s star pupil, decorated with certificates of excellence, and is part of the special assembly of students, all of whom are aspiring for international colleges. However, that’s not what Song Cong wants to do. He wants to pursue medicine and become a doctor like his father. He decides to change his path in school and informs his parents of his decision. His explanation is simple: he is unhappy doing what his mother thinks he would be happy doing. He understands she wants him to have a comfortable life, but nothing would bring him more happiness than being a doctor.
Last but not least, Qi Qi (He Qiu) is a rich student whose mother runs her life and schedule. Qi Qi likes keeping a low profile in school and doesn’t like to boast about her wealthy background. She is forced to play the piano, since her mother feels it’s a far more sophisticated instrument than the ukulele, which Qi Qi enjoys. Qi Qi wants to be a writer, but her mother is insistent she go abroad and study a better major than writing.
Many times, parents tend to burden their children with expectations of excellence and their own unfulfilled dreams and ambitions. In Xi Chi, Song Cong, and Qi Qi, we see it is necessary to take a stand and put one’s point across instead of dwelling on resentment. The parents, on the other hand, initially protest but come around. The show emphasizes healthy parent and child relationships.
Learning to seize the day
School life comes with its own challenges. It can be enjoyable for a few and tough for others. It is a training ground for the life head. As these four friends, with their hopes high, walk out to seize the day, they understand each one of them has their own unique story. Xi Chi understands that his passion for soccer is not what would sustain him and finds his calling in application development. On the other hand, Qi Qi who has been pursuing Song Cong since school, thinks staying close by him instead of studying abroad will bring them close.
Song Cong, who had a demi-god like status in school, seeks the ordinariness of life. As he pursues his medical degree, his perspective on life and things around him change. And Huan Er, who didn’t seem to have any goal, finds her calling in environmental sciences. She is one character who is not shown to put any pressure on herself but rather takes life for what it is.
But growing up comes with its own challenges. The carefree Xi Chi grows up overnight after a family tragedy. Huan Er also faces a family emergency, which makes her understand that not everything can be left to chance.
As they celebrate their many milestones and overcome the many obstacles, they understand the impermanence of life. There are moments which need to be savored and experienced for what it is as no one ever knows what tomorrow holds. Life, as Huan Er says, is about experiencing the firsts of many things and finding your way around.
Relationships and adulting
Huan Er has always been charmed by the happy-go-lucky Xi Chi in school. And Xi Chi regards her as his best friend. But it doesn’t take him too long to realize that he too is in love with her. But are they mature enough to handle a relationship?
On the other hand, Song Cong tells Qi Qi it is difficult for him to be the version of the person she wants him to be. Are they better off as friends instead of taking their relationship to another level?
Sometimes adulting also means having to let go as well as making peace with the past. It’s about embracing new experiences—as Huan Er says, life is all about first times.
“Always Home”; is a feel good youth drama. The characters are well written and portrayed by the cast. It is also beautifully shot, and the color palette of white, blues, yellows, and orange depict the changing seasons of one’s life. This is a show which could very well be the story of anyone’s lives.
Start watching “Always Home”;:
Those in Southeast Asia can watch here!
Hey Soompiers, have you watched “Always Home”;? What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments below!
Puja Talwaris a Soompi writer with a strong Yoo Yeon Seok andLee Junhobias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewedLee Min Ho,Gong Yoo,Cha Eun Woo, andJi Chang Wookto name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.
