This is a clear evolution of Chinese dramas, from traditional happy love stories to stories influenced by family struggles, childhood traumas and years of living under the same roof. This new trend has already captivated audiences around the world and sparked controversy over romance stories.
The pseudo-sibling trope where two old souls become siblings before they become anything else has been adopted by many dramas such as ‘Love for You’, ‘Never-Ending Summer’, ‘Dazzling’ and ‘Speed and Love’. This fascination and confusion has made the so-called “trauma-bonded relationship” a popular and controversial topic, as the theme explores such relationships that turn into love. The wave of stories represents a significant departure from traditional entertainment formulas, offering audiences narratives that explore turbulent emotions rather than neat fairy-tale endings. The trope centers around an uncomfortable question that drives these narratives forward. What happens when the person who helped you get through your darkest days is also the one you don’t love?