Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Ya Çok Seversen (If You Love), which premiered on July 6, 2023, bringing a powerful story about two damaged souls finding healing through love despite their deep trust issues.
Ya Çok Seversen aired from July 6, 2023 to 2024, featuring 13 episodes running approximately 120 minutes each on Kanal D. This romantic drama follows Ateş Arcalı, a successful businessman who was sent to boarding school after his mother’s death and has lived independently abroad ever since, trusting no one, and Leyla, a young woman who has never known her real family and makes her living through various scams and deceptions. What makes this series particularly compelling is its exploration of how childhood trauma and abandonment can shape adult relationships, while showing that genuine love has the power to heal even the deepest emotional wounds.
The series achieved a 6.9 rating on IMDb and starred international heartthrob Kerem Bürsin alongside rising star Hafsanur Sancaktutan. Produced by Ay Yapım and directed by Ali Bilgin and Beste Sultan Kasapoğulları, the show invested heavily in exploring psychological depth while maintaining the romantic tension that Turkish drama fans expect.
The Collision of Two Broken Hearts
The central plot begins when Ateş, who has built walls around his heart after childhood abandonment, crosses paths with Leyla, a skilled con artist who has learned to survive through deception and manipulation. Both characters represent different responses to early trauma: Ateş withdrew into emotional isolation and professional success, while Leyla developed survival skills through dishonesty and self-reliance. Their meeting creates immediate conflict as neither can trust easily, yet they’re drawn to each other in ways they don’t understand.
The series explores how two people who have been hurt by life can simultaneously be each other’s greatest threat and only hope for healing. Their relationship begins with mutual suspicion and manipulation, creating the perfect foundation for a love story built on overcoming deep-seated trust issues.
Ateş’s Journey from Isolation to Vulnerability
Kerem Bürsin delivers a nuanced performance as Ateş, a man whose childhood trauma has made him emotionally unavailable despite his professional success. Having been sent away to boarding school after his mother’s death and never returning home, Ateş represents those who cope with abandonment through control and emotional distance. His character has learned to rely only on himself, viewing relationships as potential sources of pain rather than comfort.
His encounter with Leyla forces him to confront his assumptions about trust and connection. The series shows how Ateş gradually learns to lower his defenses, though this process is complicated by Leyla’s own deceptive nature. His character development explores whether someone who has closed off their heart can learn to love authentically when they meet the right person.
Leyla’s Survival Through Deception and Hidden Vulnerability
Hafsanur Sancaktutan portrays Leyla as a complex character whose criminal skills mask deep emotional wounds from never knowing her family. Unlike typical con artist characters, Leyla’s deceptions stem from survival instinct rather than greed, making her both sympathetic and dangerous. Her character represents those who have learned that honesty is a luxury they can’t afford, developing elaborate personas to navigate a world that has never protected them.
Her growing feelings for Ateş create internal conflict as she realizes that genuine love requires the honesty she’s spent her life avoiding. The series explores whether someone whose entire identity is built on deception can learn to be authentic, especially with someone who already struggles with trust issues.
When Truth and Lies Collide in Love
The climactic tension arises when Ateş discovers the extent of Leyla’s deceptions, forcing both characters to confront whether their relationship was built on genuine connection or elaborate manipulation. The series builds toward moments where they must choose between protecting themselves through familiar patterns of isolation and dishonesty, or risking everything for authentic love.
The resolution explores whether love can survive the revelation of fundamental deceptions, and whether two people with such deep trust issues can create a relationship based on honesty and vulnerability. The series examines how healing from childhood trauma requires not just finding the right person, but learning to be the right person for someone else.
Success on Kanal D and International Streaming
Ya Çok Seversen found success through Kanal D’s established audience and Kerem Bürsin’s international fan base from his previous work in Sen Çal Kapımı. The series resonated with viewers who appreciated its psychological depth and exploration of how trauma affects adult relationships. While ending after 13 episodes, the show developed a dedicated following through streaming platforms and social media, particularly among fans who connected with its themes of healing and second chances. The availability with English subtitles helped expand its reach to international Turkish drama enthusiasts who appreciated the series’ focus on emotional complexity over typical romantic comedy tropes.
A Healing Love Story for Wounded Hearts
If you love romantic dramas that explore psychological depth and healing through love, Ya Çok Seversen is the perfect series to binge on Kanal D. The show succeeds in creating a mature love story that addresses real issues around trust, trauma, and the courage required to be vulnerable with another person.
When Love Becomes the Greatest Risk and Reward
Ya Çok Seversen proves that the most powerful love stories are often between two people who are afraid to love, creating a meaningful exploration of how genuine connection can heal even the deepest emotional wounds.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 13
Platform: Kanal D / Various streaming platforms
Release Year: July 6, 2023 – 2024
Current IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Romance, Drama, Psychological
Status: Completed
Protagonists: Kerem Bürsin (Ateş Arcalı), Hafsanur Sancaktutan (Leyla)
Supporting Cast: Hatice Aslan, Şerif Erol, Nazlı Senem Ünal, Melissa Dilber