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What I love the most in any romantic drama is when it feels NATURAL, a few over the top camera movements or whiny music are sadly almost unavoidable in these, but the less the better. Natural looking acting, writing and chemistry work the best for me. And this series just did that!
Setting: It's the typical high school setting, focusing on sports in the boys' lives, and to be honest that does feel pretty okay, nothing over the top fantasy world, or huge twists. This kind of environment feels very known for the audience and also this is where we can focus so much on the characters instead of world building and such.
Story: The story that goes on with the volleyball team is a nice one, I like sport themed stuff myself, it could have been maybe a little bit more detailed, but it sort of works.
The side characters are, well, okay. The other couple beside the main one felt weakly written and weakly executed, kind of out of place. Could have been better I think, but that would have probably needed more episodes.
The Guys: These two main guys were so damn good! Very cute too, and I loved their personalities, how they changed too, it was very well done. And nothing really felt awkward, they always felt to be 100% in role, it really showed!
Quality: The series' quality you might say doesn't really matter that much, but before that I watched a much lower quality one, and I have to say, it does. It does feel a lot better not to think about oh, hey the microphones are pretty bad, or geez the camera can't really take good shots in such a small place. Instead I thought, wow this is such a good shot, it's totally clear who is in focus, and the lights look gorgeous. So yeah, big thumbs up quality-wise too!
PS.: Also just a quick mention, for me as I started recently, too much BL action is a little too much. :D I like more discreet approaches, less sexual ones. (so yeah what am I doing watching BL, huh? :D) Anyway, if you by any chance have a similar preference, I can totally recommend this from that side too, it's very charming, quite innocent, just genuine and lovely. <3
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Where’s that movie at, tho?
If you’ve ever watched Haikyuu and thought, “Man, I wish this were gayer”, this is probably your ideal drama.Frankly, the HIStory series always seems to be hitting it right out of the park with incredible dramas that easily sit at the top of my list. They just constantly seem to be cranking out BLs with unique and interesting storylines that will keep you glued to your screen.
History 2: Boundary Crossing (or Crossing the Line) is no exception.
Boundary Crossing takes the generally stale high school formula and turns it on its head with athletic intrigue. It’s not the longest series, and they keep it pretty tight with development between the characters remaining solid and organic. They make great use of what time the have to build the foundation for a believable relationship with great chemistry.
For me, I could live without the side couple but they don’t overstay their welcome.
Acting was quite good, as well. Both leads carried the story respectfully and I felt that they left enough punch during more emotional scenes.
They’ve announced a film for this series, which has unfortunately need postponed indefinitely. I really hope that it will build upon the stakes of their final season together and the progression of their fairly new relationship.
I would definitely consider this a must-watch BL. It’s got an interesting story and fun characters that will surely leave you in a good mood.
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I admit, I let myself be clickbaited by the volleyball-theme. I really enjoyed Haikyuu!! and I kind of assumed that I would like real-live-action-Volleyball as well. Oh, I was so right about it.
The story isn't actually very original, but it's very well-done! The whole drama kind of reminds me of Haikyuu!! (not only because of the Volleyball-theme), but also because it's a series about sports, dreams, friendship, slice of life and love. There are many different topics mentioned in the series, and every one of them is carefully portrayed. The most important one, of course, is love. Love between two boys, that is. I admit (again) that I mainly watched Crossing the Line because of the tag BL, but I really don't regret it. It's the acting I fell in love with.
As I said, the storyline isn't that original, it isn't new or fresh (they even mention Haikyuu!! in the series!), but the acting is so perfect, you will definitely fall in love with the drama and the actors! All the actors are so energetic and so authentic, you just have to love it. Of course, it's a bit "overdone", I mean, it is a BL asian drama, the comical elements are maybe different from what I'm used to, and the characters are sometimes a bit too strictly "asian" (not tryna be racist ok, it's just as I see it).
But you will love it. The first episode is kind of the introduction (as it's usual with every show), but the development of the characters and the story itself will wrap you up in no time!
I totally recommend it. I've watched the whole drama in one go, and then I watched it a second time. Really. You won't regret it.
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In this story, we follow two couples. I will talk about the main one. Both of them have different facets in their personnality, not only one trait. Both of them exist without the other one, have the life without the other one. Both of them are leading each other, are influencing each other. They take care and help each other. They are on the same level, not one stronger than the other but equals.
This is the story of two men who meet each other, who discover each other and fall in love. We follow them as they train and try to win their volleyball match. We follow Qiu Zi Xua as he has to give up his hope to play again because of his injury. We follow as Xia Yu Hao he tries to be the best player in order to carry the dream of the one he loves.
It’s not only about two men saying they love each other. It’s the story about being afraid of their feelings or being confident about them, about following their dream. When I saw them happy, hugging and kissing each other, I was happy too, smiling as they smile to each other. Their chemistry was so real, their love so pure and passionate.
I didn’t see one man being the dominant one and the other being dominated. I’ve seen two equals men finding love.
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The storyline with volleyball which I love as a sport, have a lot of moments to treasure for the whole drama, no forcing any relations, everyone seems so natural and happy, yet there is some dramatic scenes and we could want to cry, it is not awkward at all.
It feels nice to watch even in details, like the emotional eyes between the two leads.
Sometimes you feel confusion and attraction. Then you feel melancholic and affection, with some parts of sadness but again, it is nothing like attempt to make crazy things or be edgy (like some others who almost make crimes to reveal their intentions) to show how much your love is intense. There is no need to show more than their caring, love and MOST OF ALL respect each other time.
Now I'm waiting for the movie filled by hope T_T ?
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This review may contain spoilers
Charming but left me wanting
This drama by far had the best chemistry between actors. That breathtaking dream-kiss sequence still leaves me wanting a love like that. The love story was also the most realistic (of course, that's if you believe in love-at-first-sight). I could believe that Xia Yu Hao was initially resistant to team sports, but was won over by his attraction to the beautiful Qiu Zi Xuan. And they fall in love while training, studying and over repulsion of Zi Xuan's sister's food. Also loved their fujoshi friend and her apt shipping of the team captain and manager. They would make a cute couple and are already super close. Will definitely be watching a third time. My first time watch left me wanting MOAR!! What would they look like as an actual couple? This is why I am over the moon for History 2: Boundary Crossing 2!! The Wang Zen step brothers plot line was also amazing and this would probably be a better drama if they were the lead couple because we got to see the tension and the resolution of that tension when they were happy at the end.Was this review helpful to you?
I thought the story was good. Volleyball gave a backdrop, kept the story going and help with the character development which I liked. I played sports in high school so I liked that they used a sport in the story. The story gave the characters enough back story without it seeming bogged down which was good since there were only 8 short episodes. So the story didn't distract me from the emotions and connection with the characters.
I thought the acting/casting were perfect. Everyone had good chemistry and made it seem effortless. The only annoying thing I found was the actor who played the obnoxious captain and the sister. Probably because they bothered the main couple so much which I hated but other than that I thought the main couple worked well together and really sold it.
Sorry, don't remember much about the music.
I would totally watch this again though. It is light hearted and quick drama to immerse yourself into. I loved the entire History series but this was my favorite.
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I watched this series twice already and I really wasn't expecting to like the series even more this time than I did before. Before it made me feel a little bland, like there was nothing much there. So I definitely have to say you'll have to rewatch it to really like it. It takes time and patience, rather than being in a hurry to finish it off. And concentration also needs to be given to this series.
*analysis*
STORY : The continuous pace and buildup of emotions was amazing. I was kept on my toes during almost every scene (despite the fact I had already watched this before). Sure, I knew what was coming but the way the scenes I was waiting for especially came to be was just amazing. I did get a little confused in the middle (it had been a while since I last watched it) about Xia Yu Hao's character's actions, but it got explained after. However, this doesn't change the fact that the story felt a little irregular to me halfway through. It felt like waking up to snow in July for me, and then being told by the weatherman a week late that there was a storm or something. Though, I do have to say the production was a little better than HIStory2: Right or Wrong. But Right or Wrong's story line was much better. Definitely worth the watch for that particular one. And the side couple's buildup was quite nice to watch too - almost like HIStory: Stay Away From Me. If the director was trying to remind us of the other stories for some reminiscing then it truly worked. While watching this, I felt like going back to some of the other HIStory stories. But the side couple's story was my favorite, even better than the main couple at some points (or more). The kiss, confession, and wait for the main couple to form was just beautiful. Especially because we finally got the ending to the couple that we deserved, with all the sweet moments that I couldn't even keep count of. However, I feel the last episode should have been a little longer so we could get a more finished ending.
ACTING/CAST : Hands down, He Cheng En and Wang Zhen Wen were my favorite characters. He Cheng En and Qiu Zi Xuan's friendship thrived. They were hilarious together, and acted like a married couple throughout the whole series. Their comedy was one of the best I've ever seen in BLs. He Cheng En was perfect as a supporting role / friend to the main leads; he left me speechless one second and rolling on the floor laughing the next. I really liked their teacher too (He Zhong Zhong). She did pretty well as a significant character that actually ended up playing more importance. This is something that I only realized the second time I watched it. She didn't show up much but she actually really helped the story line shape up to how it is now. If all/any of these roles were given to anyone else, I don't think HIStory2: Crossing the Line would come out as well as it did. Wang Zhen Wen's character were rather deep as compared to the rest. Throughout the entire series he showed me that he was: naturally lovable, sweet, caring, cuddly, funny, innocent, selfless (basically a 9-year-old (in a nice way)) but also the one friend who'd smile despite the pain he'd have constantly swirling around inside him. He kept suffering by himself but never broke. His character was actually pretty inspiring but I didn't support the fact he didn't tell anyone about his fears and such. The main actors were actually really sweet throughout, so nothing much could be said about them. They were just such realistic characters that you'd find in the modern world. Everyone followed the script really well, even the background actors. Even Chen Jia Jun's character was formed really well, he's meant to be the villain but I didn't find him to be much of a heartbreaker.
MUSIC : The music was actually perfect, especially during the funny scenes. The instrumentals fit so well. In fact, they're some of my favorite but of course they'd be hard to find. The outro instrumental was very sweet to the ears too. Though, I do have to admit I was more interested in binge-watching the whole series as quickly as I could so I didn't really listen to the whole outro at most times.
REWATCH VALUE : Sure, I have rewatched this before but I rewatched it only because I was in the mood of binge-watching an entire series and all the HIStory's just seemed perfect to do so (and they are so overall, I'd rate the rewatch value of the entire series a big 10/10). However, I didn't really ever see myself going back to his series. The rewatch might've been a little higher if the side couple showed up a little more, and the ending of the series was a little more complete. In fact, the side couple should probably get their own HIStory series, and definitely with the same characters.
*recommendations*
Literally, the rest of the HIStory dramas. You have to watch them. Especially 'Crossing the Line' and 'Trapped'. They've been rated the best ones out of the whole lot too and it's really no surprise why.
And :
Visit my Asian BLs Custom List to see some more of my watches and ratings !! ^.^ Including: Korean, Taiwanese, Japanese and Thai !
Also, please vote to show your view on other dramas :)
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I've seen it said that BL has a lot of tropey-ness (what doesn't?), but this seemed to weave within tropes in a way that created an original pattern--something sweet and just fresh enough to keep me intrigued. The actors/actresses all fit their roles to a T, and when you look back, you can easily see the development. They aren't two-dimensional and bland, and even barely there side characters like the twins are memorable.
The show possesses two separate love stories in it, and the one thing that does make it fall slightly is that it is just too short and could stand to be expanded. I wouldn't say that's a complete bad thing, as I would easily watch the same season expanded just as I would absolutely adore a sequel (for both couples.... and possibly co-captain and #7? Bahaha).
I struggle a lot with the cheese factor in BL dramas, but BOUNDARY CROSSING was able to balance it quite well. There were moments that had me smiling and excited and others with the right amount of angst and others that were just plain sweet and endearing. The interactions between the characters felt organic and naturally awkward when they were supposed to be, which is hard to pull off. The music fit the scenes (which is a HUGE pet peeve of mine... who wants an upbeat song when something tragic is happening? Not I.)
While I know HIStory is more of a bunch of short stories, I really, really would give my kidney (...or probably not. I like my body parts) for this portion of it to have a continuation. I feel it would be a shame to not give it more, which it (and I...) so deserve.
So major kudos.
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story: the storyline was so simple yet so beautiful. it's just a story of 2 (well 4) teenagers falling in love, following their dreams and most importantly doing what they love and what makes them the happiest. the way this show portrays the doubts about one's sexual orientation is realistic. I say realistic because it shows young teens the positive perspective they should adopt towards their doubts instead of the typical "oh I can't be gay because it's wrong". it's all about liking/loving whoever you want without a care in the world.
acting/cast: the actors interpreted their roles in a perfect way, they couldn't have done it better.
music: it was just like the whole show - simple and perfect.
rewatch value: I watched this yesterday and I'll probably watch it a few more times this week... so the rewatch value 10/10.
overall: I'll never forget this show. it touched my heart and it made me incredibly happy. I know this is cheesy to say but it made want to believe in love again. it may not be the first lgbt show I watched, but it will always be my favorite.
p.s: there's one kiss scene in episode 5 (I think) and it's seriously the best kiss scene I have ever witnessed
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