Drama Digest
Gao Yang is a rebellious kid who lives with his divorced father, Gao Bin. He hardly used to get along with his father from a young age and often skipped classes in school. One day a new student, Ye Xiao Wen, joins Gao Yang’s class, and an instant rivalry brews up between them. Gao Yang goes back home annoyed because of how Ye Xiao Wen became an instant celebrity in their class, only to find Ye Xiao Wen cooking in his kitchen! His father tells him that Ye Xiao Wen will stay with them for the remainder of the school year, and Ye Xiao Wen will be Gao Yang’s roommate till then without any further explanation. The rest of the drama unfolds around Gao Yang and Ye Xiao Wen’s chaotic yet comedic life as ‘brothers’ or roommates and if they would accept each other or not.
The Feel-Good Part
A different variation of a high school drama, I Don’t Want To Be Brothers With You, focuses on two boys who have to live together in the same house and the rivalry and drama that revolves around them rather than a go-to romance highschool drama. There is no element of unnecessary romance, and instead is a light-hearted family drama. Another major highlight of this show is the comedic father-son duo of The Gao’s, who replicate one another, although Gao Yang despises his father sometimes. The consistency of the character arc throughout the whole season is another plus point of the series. Another small yet heartwarming detail in this show is a cameo of characters from another show by the same director called ‘I Don’t Want To Be Friends With You’ to set up both the shows in the same universe.
Disappointing Factor
The most disappointing factor in this drama would be how the last two episodes unfolded. The story felt rushed and cramped towards the end, and the pace is faster than how the story was going on in the beginning.
In-Depth Analysis
An essential element in I Don’t Want To Be Brothers With You would be its perfect blend of comedic and emotional sequences. The character arc goes in a proper pacing; no character turns a new leaf in a day. The father-son pair puts up a huge comedic relief to the audience while the slow-building relationship between the two kids, Gao Yang and Ye Xiao Wen, add to the emotional factor. Each side character in this show helps drive the narrative forward. Another interesting point in this drama is its lack of a romance element in its storyline although highschool dramas are usually known for it.
Star Power
The lead actors, especially actors who played The Gao, Gao Yang played by Xin Yun Lai, and Gao Bin, played by Lu Fang Sheng, did perfect justice to their characters. Lu Fang Sheng looked and acted his part as a divorced father and sports teacher perfectly; no one could have done it better. It would arguably be Chen You Wei’s (who plays Ye Xiao Wen) best performance compared to his previous roles.
Overall Opinion
Overall, I Don’t Want To Be Brothers With You is a lighthearted family comedy-drama that is worth the watch and could be enjoyed by one and all.
