Why Chinese drama Dear Enemy is the show everyone’s talking about and should be on your weekend binge list

If you’re in the mood for a drama that prioritises emotional depth over sweeping romance, Dear Enemy is a standout.

This Chinese series delves into themes of marriage, ambition, envy, and identity through the intertwined lives of three complex women. Rather than focusing on love stories, the show spotlights the quiet wars women fight every day—against societal expectations, fractured friendships, and personal insecurities.

According to Soompi, the plot revolves around Luo Man (Gao Ye), a successful screenwriter battling imposter syndrome; Chen Kai Xi (Michelle Chen), her once-best friend and now a stay-at-home mother with a seemingly perfect life; and Zhong Qing Cheng (Wan Peng), a social media star and aspiring actress who unexpectedly disrupts their already strained dynamic.

What sets Dear Enemy apart is its refreshingly honest portrayal of female characters. Luo Man, though professionally accomplished, carries a deep envy for Kai Xi’s traditional life path. She resents what she perceives as Kai Xi’s effortless success, likening herself to a hare racing full speed only to watch a swan glide by and win. Kai Xi, however, is far from flawless—beneath her calm exterior is a woman struggling to hold her marriage and identity together. Zhong Qing Cheng initially seems like the stereotypical homewrecker, but quickly reveals herself as a woman with boundaries and ambition, refusing to be reduced to a cliché.

The storytelling is smart and layered. Flashbacks are used sparingly, avoiding confusion or melodrama. More notably, Luo Man frequently breaks the fourth wall, confiding in the audience much like Fleabag’s titular character. But she’s not always a reliable narrator—her biases often color what we see, adding a layer of complexity to the viewing experience.

At its core, Dear Enemy is about fractured friendships, personal growth, and how healing begins when people truly see each other again. Watching Luo Man and Kai Xi slowly rebuild their bond is one of the show’s most rewarding arcs.

For anyone craving a character-driven drama that doesn’t sugarcoat life’s emotional messiness, Dear Enemy is worth the watch.