“Are You the One?” captivates with a compelling premise: two rivals that become a fated couple whose love is threatened by a great lie. This setup immediately hooked me, as it’s clear from the outset that obstacles will stand in the way of their happiness. While a promising concept doesn’t automatically make for a great drama, I found that AYTO successfully delivered a satisfying viewing experience.

The drama excels with its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, talented cast, and a conclusion that manages to be pleasing. However, it does have its flaws.

Let’s start with the standout elements, beginning with the cast. I would like to start off by saying that the magic of great actors in comedic roles is undeniable. Having seen Zhang Wanyi in Lost You Forever, I was already aware of his impressive skills, but his performance in AYTO elevated my admiration. His portrayal of Cui Xingzhou diverges sharply from his previous role, yet he handles it with remarkable finesse. His comedic timing, whether through subtle facial expressions or his delivery, was spot-on. His tendency to speak in a whisper — which is something he did quite oftenly —, however, bothered me greatly at times, as it felt unrealistic that other characters could hear him when he spoke so softly.

Wang Churan, by contrast, had a less comedic role, though her early scenes were filled with humor that she executed brilliantly, forming a delightful duo with Zhang Wanyi. Her character undergoes significant shifts throughout the drama — arguably too drastic, though that’s more a writing issue than an acting one — but she consistently maintained a strong performance from start to finish.

Regarding the plot, a key topic of debate among viewers was the separation of Xingzhou and Miantang. Some felt Miantang forgave Xingzhou too quickly, while others thought she should have taken even longer or maybe not forgiven him at all. Personally, I appreciated the narrative choices here; their time apart felt justified, and their gradual reconciliation was coherent and believable. The pacing of their relationship was neither rushed nor dragged out, striking a balance that complemented the growth of both characters, who were well-crafted with relatable desires, fears, and distinct personalities.

One aspect I regretted was the waning romance between Xingzhou and Miantang after they officially got together. In the final episodes, their dynamic shifted from passionate lovers to more of a friendly rapport, which felt at odds given how recently they had married. Nonetheless, they remained the highlight of the drama.

Now, onto the elements that didn’t quite work for me:

A significant political event pivotal to the second half of the drama was glossed over with a simple time skip. This was a missed opportunity, as the event’s importance to the story warranted more on-screen exploration rather than being summarized off-screen. Though I do believe it shouldn’t be too dragged out, it would’ve been appreciated to see at least a little bit of those events.

As for the supporting characters, Shi Xueji emerged as a pleasant surprise, bringing kindness and warmth that resonated with viewers. However, her romance felt rushed towards the end, lacking depth. It did have a big potential, as we got to see Ziyu and her start to have feeling for each other and deeply care for one another. Ziyu, however, only let go of Liu Miantang in the very ending of this drama and at a point where I believe more time was needed for a good romance to be fully developed between him and Xueji.

He Zhen and Zhao Quan were engaging on their own, and their romance was charming when it aligned with the main plot. However, as their storyline diverged, it began to feel disconnected and unnecessary, leaving me questioning why so much screen time was dedicated to them when it no longer served the main narrative in a harmonious way.

My final verdict is that “Are you The One?” was able to leave a good impression and will probably stick with me for a while, as it was one of my favorite 2024 Dramas so far. It has its problems, some that could’ve been easily fixed, others not so much. In the end, however, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who’s thinking of giving it a go.