Introduction
If you love watching romance dramas, once in a while, you come across mature romance dramas featuring characters in their 40s. Those dramas are appealing for several reasons, primarily because they offer narratives that are more relatable and emotionally complex than those typically found in younger romance genres. Adult characters usually possess more life experience, which translates into richer, more complex emotional perspectives. Mature romance often depicts love as a more practical, considered choice rather than an overwhelming, immediate passion. This grounded approach can be refreshing and aspirational for viewers seeking a more realistic depiction of lasting love.
I was interested to watch Why Is He Still Single? is a refreshing departure from typical (Chinese) romance dramas. It’s mature, but not too serious.
Drama Info
Drama title: Why Is He Still Single? (Native title: 他为什么依然单身 )
Alternative titles: Ta Wei She Me Yi Ran Dan Shen
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Life, Drama
Aired: 16 Nov, 2025 - 21 Nov, 2025
Episodes: 16 | Duration: 45 min.
Director: Qie Guo Wei (郄国伟)
Screenwriters: Bu Xiao Feng (步晓峰) - chief screenwriter, and Gui Dong Ming (桂东鸣)
Remake of the 2006 Japanese drama He Who Can't Marry or Kekkon Dekinai Otoko (結婚できない男)
Where to watch: WeTV, Tencent Video, and Viki
OST
他为什么依然单身 (Why Is He Still Single?) by Wu Ke Qun/Kenji Wu (吴克群) – Theme song
欢迎来到我的世界 (Welcome to My World) by Wang Xi/Elvis Wang (王晰) – Yu Yu’s character song
午夜的安眠药 (Midnight Sleeping Pills) by Zhang Yao (张瑶) – Gu Ye Jia’s character song
相遇的孤岛 (The Lonely Island Where We Met) by Wu Ke Qun/Kenji Wu (吴克群) and Lin Fan/Freya Lim (林凡) – Healing song
橘子火花 (Orange Sparkle) by Penicillin (盘尼西林) – insert song
Trailer
Synopsis
A story about a man who seems eccentric but is, in truth, kindhearted, and how the world ultimately accepts him. Through the portrayal of a man with extreme quirks, the film delivers endless humor and sharp banter while prompting reflection on human nature and our relationship with the world. He’s a man who loves life but, in his forties, declares himself a “non-marrier”. Is he the adored male idol surrounded by admirers, or the straight man women steer clear of? Is it that he doesn’t want to marry, or can’t?
When this quirky bachelor finally meets the woman of his dreams, how will he handle it, and will he win her heart in the end? As the saying goes, “There is no fixed flavor in food; what suits the taste is the best”. Likewise, there’s no man who truly refuses marriage, only one who hasn’t yet met the right match. (Source: WeTV)
Characters
Main Characters
Wallace Huo/Huo Jian Hua (霍建華) as Yu Yu
His parents divorced early in his life, and the experience of witnessing the disintegration of his family in his childhood made him deeply resistant to marriage. He thought marriage was a “cage that bound people,” and even made a “no marriage” vow, unwilling to repeat the mistakes of his parents. This childhood trauma became a shackle in his heart, making him unable to trust the stability of intimate relationships.
Zhu Zhu (朱珠) as Gu Ye Jia
A general internal medicine doctor who is rational and has high EQ. Cold and capable in the workplace, but gentle in nature. She is straightforward, frank, and lovely, and her attitude toward love is sincere and firm, but she longs for true love in her heart. She doesn’t reject marriage, but she is firmly opposed to getting married to satisfy the expectations of her elders or the social clock. “Being single is not a failure; there is no need to make do with marriage.”
Supporting Characters
Shen Wu (Fei Qi Ming) – Yu Yu’s assistant designer
Xia Xiao Man (Eleanor Lee/Li Kai Xin) – Yu Yu’s neighbor
Lin Sa (Zhang Yao) – Yu Yu’s agent/business partner. Note: the actress also sang the OST.
Wang Xiao Xiao (Fan Jing Yi) – Yu Yu’s design studio assistant manager
My Rating
My rating for this drama was based on MyDramaList’s scoring system, which is from 0.0 to 10.0. For any drama/movie/show I completed, I gave a minimum rating of 6.0 to appreciate the hard work of the production team, and to adjust to MyDramaList’s overall score base. From 6.0, this drama has additional scores of:
+1.0 for the unique premise of romance for adults in their 40s and a mature romance plot.
+1.0 for the Yu Yu quirky character and his character growth, Wallace Huo’s acting, and chemistry between the Male Lead and Female Lead.
+0.5 for the soft and warmth color grading, costumes, and Shanghai backdrop.
My final rating is 8.5/10.
Review
Story and Plot
Why Is He Still Single? is a character-driven, mature romance that is not heavily plot-driven. It focuses instead on witty dialogue and the gradual personal growth of the lead characters, Yu Yu and Dr. Gu, as they navigate their unconventional relationship.
The central theme revolves around the protagonist, Yu Yu, an eccentric and highly particular man in his forties who explicitly declares himself a “non-marrier”. The drama humorously and thoughtfully questions traditional expectations surrounding marriage and age, suggesting that a person’s life choices should be driven by personal fulfillment rather than external pressure.
The drama features a slow-burn, mature romance built on mutual understanding, witty banter, and bickering, and shared moments of vulnerability, rather than typical rom-com clichés. The connection forms through genuine interaction and acceptance of each other’s flaws.
Characterization and Acting
Yu Yu/Wallace Huo
Beneath surface appearances, people labeled as “weird”, like Yu Yu, often have complex and hidden reasons for their choices. The character growth for Yu Yu focuses on a refined self-understanding rather than a complete transformation.
The Male Lead, Yu Yu, is portrayed as an intense, highly disciplined man who holds himself and others to unwavering, high standards, often offending people with his natural bluntness and sarcastic comebacks. In early episodes, the character comes across as grouchy, aloof, and unlikable due to his extreme quirks and disdain for what he considers frivolous social norms, for example, an elaborate birthday party.
Yu Yu’s internal conflict and growth as he meets the Female Lead, Gu Ye Jia, who is mature and patient enough to embrace his flaws and foster a deep, earned connection. The story explores whether he doesn’t want to marry, or cannot marry, but he simply hasn’t met the right person.
The performance by actor Wallace Huo brought this sharp-tongued yet kind-hearted Yu Yu to life with natural charm, showcasing his versatility.
Gu Ye Jia/Zhu Zhu
Gu Ye Jia is a capable, magnetic doctor who isn’t easily swayed by Yu Yu’s eccentricities. She brings an authentic, supportive presence into his life, challenging his self-imposed single status.
The leading actress Zhu Zhu’s performance is considered a strong point of the series, successfully embodies a mature and grounded character that serves as the perfect match for the eccentric Yu Yu. She has believable chemistry with Wallace Huo, which helps the viewers invest in the characters’ unusual relationship development through many funny and weird moments.
Dao Ge, Xia Xiao Man’s pug, is a scene stealer. I don’t know that they could train a pug to be so expressive and responsive to its human co-stars, lol!
Visualization
The show’s visuals are light and easy, making it perfect for a comforting and relaxing viewing experience, with a natural color balance to create a relatable and warm atmosphere. Overall, the visual effects are adequate for a Chinese modern urban romance, not exceptional or a primary talking point of the show’s reception.
For the costumes, the one that stands out is the Male Lead’s costume, as his character is an eccentric and picky interior designer. Yu Yu’s style reflects a sophisticated, slightly formal, sometimes unique, contemporary aesthetic, fitting his professional life and particular nature.
Beautiful Shanghai was used for the drama backdrop, with its high-end office buildings, vibrant neon-lit streets, and modern landmarks.
Conclusion
Why Is He Still Single? is a pleasant drama that provides both humor and moments of reflection on relationships and human nature. Although it’s light-hearted, there are meaningful take-away messages I reflected:
- The drama encourages us to stay true to ourselves and pursue our own dreams, even if it means breaking away from established societal frameworks.
- Human connection, in this case positive connection or friendship, is a fundamental need, even for the most independent individuals.
- True love can be found at any stage of life when the right, compatible person comes along.
- Everyone has a story beneath the surface that requires empathy and patience in understanding others’ life paths.
Spoilers
What is the ending?
Happy ending.
How is the ending?
Yu Yu confessed his feelings to Gu Ye Jia, and his feelings were reciprocated. Xia Xiao Man got a promotion at work and moved to Beijing, but not before she told Gu Ye Jia that she liked Yu Yu, even though she knew he liked Dr. Gu. Xiao Man convinced Dr. Gu that there was something between Yu Yu and Dr. Gu. There was no secondary couple. Xiao Man and Shen Wu remained friends. Dao Ge, the dog, went with Xiao Man.
