3 Reasons To Watch Rom-Com C-Drama "Go Back Lover"

Shen Xing Ruo (Xu Ruo Han) is the show producer of a popular dating show called “Go Back Lover.” The show is a face off between exes who are put in several situations together, and the participants sometimes find their way back to each other, or in other cases get the closure they need. The escapades are closely watched in real time by the audience. Many years ago, Xing Ruo’s former boyfriend Lu Xing Yan (Li Yun Rui) had proposed to her on a reality show years ago, and the two had become fan favorites. However, the two have split long since and not kept in touch with the other. Both Xing Ruo and Xing Yan receive an offer to come on the show with two other couples, one divorced, and the other who never got a chance to confess ever.

As Xing Yan and Xing Ruo come face to face, sparks fly, but there is a lot that still lies unsaid. “Go Back Lover” is a light hearted rom-com, which sheds light on modern day relationships as well as how one’s past conditions their present. Here are three reasons why the show should make it to your binge list.

A cute reunion between two former flames

Xing Ruo moves in with Xing Yan’s family during her final year of school. A bright student, her sharp tongue and aloof attitude make people weary of her. Lu Xing is the opposite, where he lacks in grades he makes up for with his irresistible charm. Lu Xing’s mother is very fond of Xing Ruo and asks her to help Xing Yan with his grades. Xing Yan’s caring nature wins over Xing Ruo, and the two start dating when they turn 18 years old. However, Xing Yan’s plan for their future is very different from Xing Ruo’s plan for herself. Xing Ruo has no intention of ever getting married and is moving abroad to study. Though Xing Yan is initially hurt by her decision, he supports her and is happy to maintain a long distance relationship until one incident, when Xing Ruo decides to break up with him.

Years later, they face each other yet again, and Xing Yan still loves and cares for her. Though Xing Ruo feels her life is perfect without him, she can’t help but feel the stirrings of attraction and affection. But, well aware of her still being hesitant when it comes to marriage, Xing Yan tells her he is happy to be in whatever arrangement she thinks is best suited as long as the two are together. The subtlety with which their relationship unfolds makes for a no-fuss and simplistic development. There is no unnecessary drama or histrionics, despite the presence of Xing Ruo’s trouble-making intern and the third wheel in the form of Xing Ruo’s friend Yu Si (Liu Hai Kuan), who has a crush on her, as well as Xing Yan’s lawyer friend. The way Xing Rou and Xing Yan find their way back to each other is natural, whether it’s their subtle gestures as well as the level of comfort. The two are in tune with each other despite the many differences.

An interesting mix of multi-layered characters

Apart from Xing Ruo and Xing Yan, the show also introduces the relationships of four of their school friends. On one hand, high school sweethearts Xu Cheng Zhou (Ryan Ren) and Chen Zhu (Rita Wang) have recently hosted a divorce party to end their 100-day-old marriage. The two are the classic case of “love to hate you, hate to love you” and are constantly butting heads when together. However, on the show, Chen Zhu, who always blamed her husband for not being attentive enough to her needs, realizes that her demanding and hard-to-please nature was equally to blame for their relationship falling apart. Shi Qin (Duan Yu), a friend of Xing Ruo and Chen Zhu, has always been a meek sort of a person. Divorced, Shi Qin is constantly traumatized by her abusive ex-husband, and on the show she gets to meet her former high school crush, Si Yue (Xia Hao Ran), who still holds a torch for her. With Shi Qin having a low sense of self-worth and unable to take a stand for herself and Si Yue being too shy to confess his feelings, can these two say what they have left unsaid? And can Chen Zhu make the effort in her relationship rather than blaming Xu Cheng for all their troubles?

As the show navigates between the plot lines of these three couples, it doesn’t waste time in exploring how there is no perfect relationship. As each person comes with their own shortcomings, it’s unfair to place the blame on just one person. There are also several light-hearted moments, as the couples understand the importance of communication whilst being on a dating show.

A winsome male lead who makes up for a complicated female lead

Xing Yan may be tainted as a villain by Xing Ruo’s friends, Yu Si and Chen Zhu, for their breakup. But it’s actually not so. Xing Yan loves Xing Ruo and wants to be with her, come what may. He does not understand when she applies to study abroad, or why she is in no hurry to return. Though he keeps traveling to Germany to meet her and keep their long distance relationship, it comes to the surface that he is the one who is making all the effort to make it work. Xing Ruo is plucky and is a commitment phobe. Having grown up between two sparring parents, she doesn’t ever want herself or her life to be tied down to a person. When she breaks up with Xing Yan, she blames him for not being understanding enough of her needs. Later when she reunites with him, it is again because of what she wants in a relationship. Xing Yan gives in to her wishes—he is okay with not labelling or defining their relationship as long as the two are together.

It can get exasperating since Xing Ruo often comes across as rigid and selfish, and Xing Yan indulges her since he doesn’t want to lose her again. But it is only after a chain of events that Xing Ruo understands what it means to be a partner in the truest sense of the word, and love is never a one-way street.

Xing Ruo comes across as a confused, complicated, and self-centered person, but Xu Ruo Han plays her with finesse. And Li Yun Rui charms as Xing Yan. Plus, the premise of lovers reuniting on a dating show is interesting. “Go Back Lover” is an easy watch, and the situations which the couples find themselves are relatable and even comical.

Start watching “Go Back Lover”:

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Puja Talwar is a Soompi writer with a strong Yang Yang and Lee Junho bias. A long time K-drama fan, she loves devising alternate scenarios to the narratives. She has interviewed Lee Min Ho, Gong Yoo, Cha Eun Woo, and Ji Chang Wook to name a few. You can follow her on @puja_talwar7 on Instagram.

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