Behind the Scenes of Cohabiting Lover: How Tiffany Zhao & Kaelyn Armstrong Reimagined the Vertical Rom-Com
The cast & crew of Cohabiting Lover
Vertical dramas are known for being fast, flashy, and full of melodrama—but Cohabiting Lover stood out for all the right reasons. Instead of shock-value storytelling, it offered wit, warmth, and characters you genuinely rooted for. At the heart of this refreshing rom-com are writers and producers Tiffany Zhao and Kaelyn Armstrong, whose creative vision brought something entirely new to the vertical space. As vertical veterans in the field, Tiffany and Kaelyn have long waited for a script like this so that they can blend their favorite genre into the vertical space.
From Prompt to Personality
The initial idea for Cohabiting Lover came from the platform Sereal+, which pitched a loose storyline about a runaway bride and a roommate romance. But the early outline leaned heavily on high-drama tropes like kidnappings and surprise pregnancies. Tiffany and Kaelyn saw an opportunity to go in a different direction—leaning into heartfelt comedy rather than chaos.
They drew inspiration from classic rom-coms like Friends, Legally Blonde, and 10 Things I Hate About You, layering in references and dynamics that felt fresh but familiar. The goal? A vertical series that could stand alongside mainstream romantic comedies in tone and storytelling—funny, character-driven, and emotionally grounded.
Their vision was to create a story where viewers could feel the chemistry, see real-life consequences play out, and still laugh along the way. In Tiffany’s words: “We wanted to push for something everyone would enjoy watching—not just what platforms think audiences want.”
Building Something Different
One of the reasons Cohabiting Lover feels so different is the intentional effort to ground it in the everyday. Instead of sprawling mansions and implausible plot twists, much of the story unfolds in a modest apartment that looks like somewhere the characters might actually live. As Kaelyn put it, “It’s super nice being in an apartment that we’ve all lived in at some point—and to show a more grounded version of what vertical dramas can be.”
Even the workplace setting—a startup ad agency—was designed to reflect generational tension and ambition. Andy, the male lead, isn't just another rich CEO; he’s a guy trying to prove himself outside the shadow of his powerful family. That subtle but meaningful shift gave the cast more to work with and viewers more to relate to.
The Cast & Crew: A Perfect Ensemble
Director Dede Harlan helped shape the project from its earliest script revisions through production. Known for his action-packed verticals like My Secret Agent Husband, he was excited to take on a grounded rom-com—and jumped at the chance to reunite with actor Kirby Ellwood, who plays runaway bride Corinne. “As soon as I read the script,” Dede said, “I knew I wanted Kirby for this role.”
Kirby brought a brilliant balance of charm, earnestness, and comedic timing, while Ali Badalov, who played Andy, added dry humor and emotional depth. Their onscreen chemistry—and offscreen improvisation—brought the script to life in unexpected ways.
Best Behind-the-Scenes Moments
The Olive Oil Slip: Originally, the plan was to fake the slippery floor with sound and editing. But the team decided to use water and choreographed a hilarious “ice skating” sequence on the kitchen floor, complete with stunt pads for safety. It became one of the most memorable scenes in the series.
Dog Drama: One of the most unexpected emotional moments came when Corinne accidentally breaks an urn containing Andy’s beloved dog’s ashes. Tiffany feared the scene was too dark to make the cut—but it stayed, and audiences loved the mix of comedy and grief.
The Rug Incident: After filming at an office location, the production team learned they'd accidentally stained the entrance rug. Rather than pay a cleaning fee, Tiffany, Kaelyn, and UPM Grace Swanson drove across LA, bought carpet cleaner, and scrubbed the rug by hand—true indie film dedication!
Costume Keepsakes: Costume designer Mariah Murlowski was so beloved that several cast and crew members “liberated” wardrobe pieces after filming. Kirby still uses her character’s purse in real life, and Tiffany proudly wears a pink cheetah jumper that became a fan favorite.
Pushing Vertical Storytelling Forward
While Cohabiting Lover is a standout on platforms like ReelShort, it also represents a hopeful shift in what vertical storytelling can be. As Tiffany explained, creators are often told they don’t understand the vertical audience. But the overwhelming fan response to Cohabiting Lover—its humour, emotional resonance, and relatability—suggests otherwise.
“I think the success of this project shows there’s space for stories that don’t rely on extreme drama and problematic, overdone tropes,” Kaelyn added. “We hope it helps open the door for more character-driven verticals that feel like actual movies—just told in portrait mode.”
The team hopes for a sequel, and fans are already imagining future chapters. Will we meet Corinne’s golden-child sister? Will Betty get her own love story? Will Corinne and Andy bicker over babies and nappy duty? There’s plenty of potential—and the audience is ready for it.
Cohabiting Lover isn’t just a standout vertical drama—it’s a love letter to classic rom-coms and a hopeful blueprint for the future of the format. Thanks to the heart, humor, and hard work of creators like Tiffany Zhao and Kaelyn Armstrong, vertical storytelling might just be growing up.
COHABITING LOVER IS AVAILABLE TO WATCH NOW ON REELSHORT APP & SEREAL PLUS
Huge thanks to Tiffany Zhao & Kaelyn Armstrong for their input, and supplying all images. You can find out more in the YouTube interview below.
