Love Me Like This (TV Series)

Beni Böyle Sev is a Turkish romantic comedy series that premiered on TRT 1 on February 11, 2013 and concluded on February 27, 2015 after three seasons and 89 episodes. Produced by BSK Yapım, the series is inspired by Orhan Gencebay’s song of the same name. Set in Istanbul, the story revolves around the love between a young couple while exploring themes of family bonds, friendship, and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

Beni Böyle Sev tells the story of Ömer and Ayşem, two university students in Istanbul whose romance begins at first sight. Ömer, a humble young man from a wealthy family, and Ayşem, a vibrant girl from Trabzon who came to Istanbul to study, meet at university. Despite their different social and cultural backgrounds, the two fall deeply in love and face challenges from family pressures and the difficulties of life. Ömer’s family’s disapproval of their relationship, Ayşem’s father’s unwavering support, and the adventures of their friends and relatives add both comedic and emotional dimensions to the series. Rather than relying on grand intrigues, the series centers on the everyday struggles of love and marriage through an authentic and heartfelt narrative.

^{Scene from Beni Böyle Sev (}IMDb⁾

The series explores themes of love, family, friendship, and solidarity. Ömer and Ayşem’s pure and strong love emphasizes the desire to build a lasting bond rather than succumb to fleeting infatuations. Cultural differences and the intersection of urban and rural lifestyles enrich the series’ humorous and emotional tone. Ayşem’s cheerful and resilient personality reflects the importance of maintaining a positive outlook in the face of life’s hardships, while Ömer’s introverted yet loyal nature highlights themes of responsibility and sacrifice. Supporting characters, especially Fahriye and Nail, underscore the power of family ties and friendship.

Beni Böyle Sev was produced by BSK Yapım and first aired on TRT 1 on February 11, 2013. The series concluded on February 27, 2015 with its 89th episode. Filming took place in various neighborhoods of Istanbul, particularly at Okan University’s Tuzla Campus (portrayed as the fictional “Yenibakış University”), as well as in Suadiye, Sarıyer, and Pendik. The directing team consisted of Cem Tabak and Levent Türkan, while the screenplay was written by Hakan Haksun. The music was composed by cellist Günay Uysal, featuring melodies reminiscent of Orhan Gencebay’s works and Yeşilçam melodramas. Scenes of Istanbul neighborhoods such as Karaköy, Eminönü, Beşiktaş, and Üsküdar during scene transitions contributed a nostalgic atmosphere to the series.

The main characters and actors of Beni Böyle Sev are as follows:

• Ömer Karatepe (Alper Saldıran): The humble son of a wealthy family, Ömer is an introverted young man passionate about photography and dreaming of becoming an architect. He feels caught between his mother’s overbearing attention and his father’s expectations for him to take over the family business.
• Ayşem Keskin Karatepe (Zeynep Çamcı): A cheerful and energetic young woman from Trabzon who came to Istanbul to study. Orphaned at a young age, Ayşem shares a close bond with her father, Nail.
• Nail Keskin (Güven Kıraç): Ayşem’s father, a meatball vendor. He is an emotional and protective father figure and the strongest supporter of Ömer and Ayşem’s relationship.
• Nadide Karatepe (Lale Mansur): Ömer’s mother, a controlling character who constantly interferes in her son’s life.
• Reha Karatepe (Altan Gördüm): Ömer’s father, a business-oriented man who wants his son to take over the family company.
• Fahriye Paksoy (Bala Atabek): Ayşem’s loyal and honest friend, who brings humor to the series.
• Nezih Yeşildere (Mert Turak): Ömer’s close friend, a fun-loving and somewhat naive character.
• Seda Alataş (Burcu Biricik): Ömer’s friend, an emotional and dramatic character.
• Reyhan Bartın (Burcu Altın): A friend of Ömer and Ayşem, whose relationship with Mazhar adds a romantic subplot to the series.
• İlyas Keskin (Fatih Koyunoğlu): Ayşem’s uncle, a warm and supportive character.
• Halil (Beyti Engin): Ömer’s friend, known for his witty remarks and emotionally resonant dialogue.
• Mazhar Kirman (Umut Kurt): A shy but sincere character who captures Reyhan’s interest.