A screenshot of Friends Photo: CFP

The Central Perk coffeehouse in Shanghai, which is modeled on the one from Friends Photos: Li Yuting/GT

Allee Willis, best known in China for writing the theme song for the long-running TV series Friends died on Tuesday. As Chinese netizens offered their condolences and reminisced about the classic NBC comedy, they also expressed a strong eagerness to see a Friends reunion.   

The very sad news became a trending topic on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo, where it earned 7.42 million views and more than 3,000 posts. 

"I'll be there for you, 'cause you're there for me too," many Chinese netizens quoted the song's lyrics to pay tribute to Willis. 

"Thanks for bringing us so many great works," wrote several posts on Sina Weibo. 

Willis also wrote several hits by the band Earth, Wind and Fire. The songwriter's death also caused Chinese fans to wax nostalgic about Friends.

The Central Perk coffeehouse in Shanghai, which is modeled on the one from Friends Photos: Li Yuting/GT

"Friends is the only TV series that I have watched more than a dozen times and still want to watch again. The first time I watched it, it was a comedy to me. The second time, it was a romance drama. The third time, it was about all the tender feelings. Each time I watch it, it brings me a different perspective. The show has accompanied me throughout my youth," one netizen wrote on Sina Weibo. 

A few days earlier, updates on a potential Friends reunion had gotten Chinese fans excited. HBO Max is talking about a revival of the show, which would start with a single reunion special, said Bob Greenblatt, HBO Max chief, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published on Friday. Many Chinese fans of Friends saw the news as the "best Christmas gift ever!"