From Love for You to Never Ending Summer, why the ‘pseudo-sibling’ romance trope is taking over Chinese dramas

Chinese dramas like 'Love for You', 'Never-Ending Summer', 'Dazzling and Speed', and 'Speed and Love' feature the 'pseudo-sibling' romance trope, where characters raised as family develop romantic feelings.

'Love for You' (2026), starring Song Weilong and Zhang Jingyi, follows Chen Yi and Miao Jing after their parents' relationship fails, and they grow up as only each other's support before falling in love.

The trope explores relationships shaped by broken families and childhood trauma, with emotionally wounded characters becoming family before their bond turns romantic.

Controversy arises from the premise of falling in love with a person who is like a sibling, dividing audiences.

The trend marks a shift from feel-good romances and love triangles to stories built on trauma, survival, and inevitable tragedy.