Good until the end (but not really)
Basically the ending sucked. I have a knack for reviewing, especially cuz I'm an awarded (flex flex) writer. This is my first MDL review and this show was spectacular. Until it fell completely flat. Some may like the abrupt ending and I see what the intentional goal was, but it was rushed and confusing and not thought out at all. Tragedy's done best when the after effects of said tragedy are elaborated on and visually conceptualized. This wasn't it. It was a glazed over tragedy. A diet tragedy.Was this review helpful to you?
Sweet, soft and fluffy with major turns
So I watched HIStory 3: Make our days count, which by the way was really heart warming and sweet until they decided to break me on the last step...right in the last gosh darn episode, which left me bloody devastated i must say. Overall I loved the story, except the sad ending, that was quite traumatizing for me.Rating for this one for me is 8/10, literally -1 for the ultimate sadness dumped at the ending which I feel didn't give me as a viewer enough time to not only enjoy their newly found happiness but it also didnt give enough time to mourn or see enough of the changes Xiang Hao Ting went through which I think had the potential of adding more depth into the story, despite its devastating twist. Also -1 because I literally was able to predict what most of the major events were going to be and as much as I hate to admit it I saw the death coming at the end of the 9th episode as much as i didn'twant it to.
But nonetheless if you are looking for a sweet story which will leave a hole in your heart this one is it. A great story for when you want a story to cry your eyes out, but personally i hate sad endings which is why i did not give much of a rewatch value, i would only come back to it when i want something to cry about .
I like the series overally; not too many out of the blue surprise scenarios and a really down to earth romance.
I'm definitely a major fan of the HIStory series and i really enjoy watching them. And with make our days count i think they just went the extra mile making its title quite literal.
I hate and love this series. I love it for its story and beloved characters but really hated the ending so that made it lose a lot of points with me.
Let me just end this with i really did like it, but tragedy is certainky not my cup of tea.
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1. Story, Writing & Direction: The story isn't new. It’s simple high school centric plot focusing on the struggles of being a teenager. The plot revolved around first love, friendship and the trials of adulting. But what makes this cliché story a complete knockout…is its execution. There is nothing more satisfying than witnessing a familiar story but with crystal direction, inspired writing and perfect screenplay. The trio needs to be in sync with each other to create magic onscreen. There were no disjoined moments, or episodes which felt un-organic. The story flew from one frame to another with ridiculous ease and believability. The series on the paper was visualized impeccably, making the direction easier. Special shout out to the team behind the camera who put all their ideas together and came up with this show.
2. Characters & Acting (Secondary Actors): Oh boy….where do I begin? If there’s anything that’ll leave a lasting impact on the viewers after watching this show…then that’s the characters. Every character in this story was strategically placed with certain meaning attached to their existence. Let me start with the secondary characters. Even if their purpose was not to show what they believed or what their world is like, their role in extracting the best reactions out of our leads was done splendidly. The friends and family of our leads did a great job of creating an authentic world. The group of six friends of the lead (Hao Ting) and second lead actor (Sun Bo Xiang) is the emotional backbone of this story. All the actors were ridiculously cute, honest, and natural in their portrayal of teenagers. The mother, father and sister of our lead character Hao Ting were the endearing parts of the story. Their presence added immense depth in the story and created a complex emotional narrative.
3. Main Leads: This is the part I’ve been dying to discuss. Let me make a prediction….WAYNE SONG (HAO TING) WILL WIN A GOLDEN HORSE VERY SOON. Why you ask? We usually use terms like “natural” or “gifted” to describe people who are exceptional at what they do……Wayne Song definitely falls under this category. This man can act….not act….but like ACT! He is so freaking good at this job that I thank my stars that he pursued this profession. His character was brilliantly layered. Hao Ting goes through various transitions throughout the story. He is witty, funny, silly, dumb, mean, innocent, naïve, aggressive, passionate, persuasive, straightforward, impulsive, hotheaded, caring and so on. I can probably go on but you get the drift. Wayne absorbed this character like a sponge! His improvisational skills, presence of mind and ease of portraying conflicting emotions makes me want to commend him again and again. I am damn sure that he will go places after this show as he bloody deserves it. This man’s acting chops are no joke. Definitely the next big thing in Taiwanese entertainment industry.
Huang Juan Zhi played by Yu Xi Gu is a shy, serious hardworking overachieving student. I am in absolute awe of this man’s ability to portray vulnerability and delicate emotions. He is the yin to Wayne Song’s Yang, and without him I doubt Wayne’s performance would’ve been this mesmerizing. Yu Xi Gu was subtle in presenting his character to the audience while not missing the essence of who he is. Not once did he break his character as he evolved in his journey with Wayne which is a testament of his talent. Now talking about the second leads….Wilson Liu played Sun Bo Xiang is a temperamental, passionate and loyal teenager who can swallow the world with his conviction and heart. Being the youngest out of the four, one would think Wilson would be lacking in some ways….but that would be wrong. He was very polished in his craft and presented a raw performance. His ease in front of the camera is visible, which makes his performance much more enjoyable. Thomas Chang played Lu Zhi Gang, an adult who seems sorted in life but in reality is burdened by his past emotional baggage. He portrayed his character just the way it should’ve been, sweet, reserved, caring and restrained. I am yet to be convinced about Thomas’ acting, probably because his character had limited emotional palette (according to me). Maybe after seeing his future projects I will be able to judge him better.
All in all, this show is abso-freaking-lutely amazing!!! As much as I liked Boundary Crossing and Trapped (Chris Wu is adorable), MYDC has raised the bar super high for upcoming BL shows. This one will be remembered for times to come and gain a cult following (I can already see that happening). I have seen many shows, too many to list and I’ve never shed a single tear (never been one of those people who can cry watching movies or dramas)……but I actually cried after watching MYCD. The emotional rollercoaster of MYCD is an experience in itself that needs to be undertaken at least once.
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i've said it many times history webseries is the best taiwan serie i've ever seen ....make our days count was an exception it was good but the ending as previous one said : it was out of the place . for the first time in the history of history web serie ended with sad ending it's like they didn't know how to end it or they planned it from the beginning it was defenitlly unexpected .
the plot was simple , smouth , cliché love story , a very good acting each season they bring amazing actors . as for the agegap between the second male leads it didn't annoy me at all .....
overall the story was good i hoped for a nice ending just like previous seasons
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xiang!hao!ting!
okay, im obssessed with xi. fight me. sue me. whatever. im pretty sure his character was flawed and he obvs did some slightly questionable things, but he's in highschool and young and in love and yes this is the worst defense ever but sorri i love him way too much. this show may not have been that special on its own, but my really unhealthy attachment to himbo guy characters with (or without) dimples made it so. well, that and the fact that it was really well made. and yes, i will fight you on this too. it was nice to watch and i think it executed the high school romcom story in a really raw way. it was just....kids being dumb and yes the ending sucked and wtf was wrong with sun bo? but yes, kids being dumb and then a bit of life being a bitch. i like it when things just are. this just....was. i don't know. it was simple, it was annoying, it was sweet. it was realistic. it was awkward. hao ting was a giant puppy. the acting was WOW. especially wayne's. also, chun chih's. and i have a huge crush hao ting's sister. she is the cutest. the only thing i have a proper bone to pick with is the whole "im not into guys, just yu xi gu" charade hao ting had going on. like shut up, ur bisexual. or pan. or whatever. i love you! please don't cry. yu xi gu rlly did deserve better, poor sod. stalking people is also not cool, xi!Was this review helpful to you?
A must-watch
Let me tell you something... If I had to choose only one BL series to watch again and again for the rest of my life this would be it. This is my favourite bl of all times. It's just a classic.Great storyline, amazing acting and chemistry between both couples. You can feel the love, the insecurities, the challenges of each and every character. I know that at times it can be sad or sentimental but to me it is the most honest portrayal of true love.
I have watched it three times already and I'm about to watch it again. Do yourself a favour and don't miss this one.
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History3 Make our days count is a raw gem. It could have been astounding without some "flaws" in the writing or in the pace or without the ambiguous message it conveys. Nevertheless, it is a must-watch in terms of acting, emotional connection and chemistry. Definitely one of the best BL drama this year. Positive points :
- The plot is simple but effective.
- The relationships between the characters (friends, family, lovers) are all really well done and detailed.
- Some scenes were so beautifully shot they left an everlasting impression (the love-making scene, Wayne's gripping distress...).
- The acting is excellent especially from Wayne Song, Huang Juan Zhi and Sara Yu. Let's not forget about Xiang Hao Ting's sister who has played her part really well.
Negative points :
- Sometimes the pace seems a little too fast or a little too slow : some conflicts are resolved too quickly or not really dealt in depth.
- There are some exaggerated expressions going with the comedic aspect of the series and it feels sometimes awkward.
Debatable points :
- BL tropes : stalking, a forced kiss, the possessive and jealous boyfriend, dubious consent in the fever scene...In Make our days count, you can find the usual problematic BL tropes. However, they are more or less acknowledged in the series as something that should have an answer (an apologize, a character recognizing his problematic behavior and acting accordingly later, etc.). It is not something you see often in a BL series.
- The ending ? Make our days count is a tragedy and the title is ominous enough to tell you there won't be a happy end for the main couple. The ending is also ambiguous about Xiang Haoting's future. His ghost-like appearance in the last episode, his dialogue or his words are at best unclear. You can really wonder if he has the will to live without his most precious person.
And the problem lies with that. The ambiguity is at odds with the message of a franchise sold as a safeplace in BL world because of its usual "happy" endings. It is also at odds with the stated "hopeful" message of a series which says to cherish your love ones when they are still there and to go on with your life despite a terrible loss. The "dead-end"(and cruel) ending does not really convey that message.
It is no wonder the last episode has caused such a strong (and almost hysteric) reaction in the BL fandom and community. However, the extent of this reaction should tell you something of a rare and undeniable quality Make our days count has : the ability to create a deep emotional connection with your audience (for better or for worse ?).
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Loved everything but the ending...
The actors are great, and the chemistry between both pairs is great. The personal growth of each character is realistic feeling. There is so much positive to be found in this series.Until the end. Where the writers decide to kill off one of the lovers for no apparent good reason. It literally was not necessary to kill him off. And it made me so angry that I have difficulty recommending the show. I have rewatched the series a couple of times because I do love both couples- but I don't watch the last half of the penultimate episode, and I don't watch the last episode at all. I just ignore that ending. I pretend that ending doesn't exist.
The end of episode 18, all of 19 & 20 (or as seen on Viki, episodes 9 & 10). The only good thing about the last episode was seeing that Zhi Gang & Bo Xiang are still happily together. You know who should also be happy in those last episodes? Xi Gu & Hao Ting. ---- In other BL parallel universes: I love the cameos of Xi Gu/Huang Chun Chish & Hao Ting/Wayne Song in the show Plus & Minus.
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Words cannot explain...
So I have watched other HIStory series before and always liked them a lot, but this one has to be one of my favorites. It's a pretty simple story with an enemies to lovers concept in high school enviroments, but the realism of it is made very nicely and beautifully. The story may sound simple and overused but this one really isn't, it is so much more.STORY:
Xhiang Haoting is quite of a troublemaker. He's outgoing, hotheaded and extroverted. Yu Xigu prefers to keep a low profile, stay away from others and be by himself to only focus on his schoolwork. As we can see, these boys are the total opposite of each other and perhaps, they were never even meant to meet.
Yet somehow their paths crosses when Xiang Haoting's girlfriend starts losing interest in him and begins making a move on Yu Xigu. This causes Haoting to start following Xigu with the will to ruin everything for him. But after an incident with a school exam things starts to change. Haoting starts feeling guilty over what happened, he may seem insensitive and hotheaded but the fact that he is a very deep caring and joybringing person there is no doubt about. He's not a complicated guy, but very easy and straightforward. After the incident with the exam he starts watching Xigu in distance, but not to harass him this time, but because this quiet and lonely boy suddenly looks so different and interesting in his eyes. Xigu on the other hand seems to want nothing more than to be left alone. But how easy is it to actually know the difference between what you want and what you need if you're someone who's never been anything else but lonely?
They seem like total opposites at first glance. Xiang Haoting who lives freely and does whatever his heart desires without any thoughts of consequences, and Yu Xigu, a lonely and hardworking boy who worked his whole life, all just to not be a bother for other people. Yet it seems like their differences and strong sides could be just what the other one is lacking.
ABOUT THE SERIE:
I know this story may seem basic and overused but the way they made this one is different, very beautiful and unique.
This serie had a very nice way of moving forward, not too rushed, not too slowed or dragged out, and as a watcher you could really feel the characters develop and evolve through out the story. It is not a complicated story itself but the emotion it gives off that makes it feel unique. The story is just Xiang Haoting, a big quite aggressive guy who falls head over heels for a guy of the exact opposite from himself and does all he can to make him like him back. Even though Haoting can be aggressive and forward in his approaching it was never enough to be pushy or crossing a line, it's forward yes, but still very delicately done. It's not hard to see he is a very respectful and caring person. I was personally very surprised but happy with his way many times. He knows when he's done wrong and always tries to fully make up for his mistakes, even if it means hurting himself along the way.
We also get to see how love can change another person. It sounds very old and cheesy I know but this drama performed it very beautifully and not at all forced.
I have heard people saying this serie focuses too much on sexual scenes. I can see why people say this but I still have some things to bring up about it.
These people are in high school and I personally thinks it kinda makes sense, I mean, this serie has a beautiful realism to it and this is sort of a part of it. The serie does focus on sexual scenes sometimes yes, but those were also extremely well performed. Full of emotion, desire, passion, and well built up tension. I am personally so happy to see that they didn't sexualize or fetishize homosexual relationships as some series can tend to do. No, this was all somoehow very realistic, it was simply about the love and desire for another person.
ACTING:
I have only one word to say about this, amazing. The emotions and face expressions are extremely well performed. The actors turns out to not be that experienced but you can without hesitation feel every emotion with the characters. The emotions felt very deep and real, never rushed or awkward. When they felt something, anything, sadness, happiness, confusion, pain, I could feel it all with them. I belive that is a very important add and in this serie it was very powerfully done.
OST:
There were two OST's showing in this serie. The intro, and the "emotional scenes" OST. I love both of them if I'm gonna be honest. Especially the emotional one called "Hey" if i remember correctly?
It was such a beautiful song, it still put me in tears to this day. The way they played the OST's never felt weird or awkward. It was perfectly suited in both the chosen scenes, and in the serie itself. Both the lyrics and song suited the serie very well.
Last but not least. Some of you might heard of the ending already... However there will be no spoilers here.
Some people dislike the ending and I obviously understand why, but I personally somehow like it as I at the same time also hate it. Because even if it feels the way it does, it really adds a very special and emotional touch to the characters and the serie.
If you like the ending or not probably depends on who you are as person and what you prefer but I can say this much, wether you like these kinds of endings or not, the serie itself still makes it 100% worth watching.
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Wayne will steal your heart! He's like a seme picked out of a manhwa! The show was properly paced from Hao Ting having a gf to him falling out of love with her and him realizing his actual feelings for Yushigu. I was into the whole series , embedded in all the feels until the ending hit me hard. I seriously wanna strangle the person who wrote this ending. Wayne's acting during the heartbreaking final episode traumatized me still until today. I can't shake the tragic ending for this wonderful BL. Watch this for the amazing story but be prepared for the final episode! Was this review helpful to you?
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Well here we go. I was really crazy about this series. Everything was in it and I could not wait until the next episode. I always had a good feeling with the history series. But then suddenly you feel where it goes and really I was just sad about it.
I know that it is reality and I know that a happy ending can be impossible. But I watch series because it gives me a good feeling and there is enough misery and I don't want that with a series either. That's why I thought I was safe with history.
I thought the story was good, I thought the players were good, actually I thought everything was very good. So highly recommended, I'm definitely going to watch it again, but not the last 2 episodes. prefer the second pair. The second pair is so incredibly good.
the last episode was in my opinion that, after gu his death he never got over it and he was saying goodbye to everyone. He told his best friend that he is going to the mountain to see him again. And I think that he can no longer cope without gu.I understand the parents on the one hand but why arrive with a girl?
Overall a really good drama with a sad end,again i will rewatch it untill episode 10.And i will wait with a other new history to watch untill i know when it is a happy end.
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Kill me
Oh my god. This drama tore me up so terribly.Firstly, it was kind of stupid and boring and the intrigues were like... what? Pointless? But the deeper into the story we got, the more serious the plot became and by the end off it I was ready to jump off a cliff, swear to God, man.
The main characters are quite perfect in chemistry. The whole enemies-to-friends-to-lovers is my jam. I love how Xiang Hao Ting is just all over the place, intense and horny and seriously your typical teenage dude. xD And then Yu Xi Gu is his polar opposite; studious and serious and weighed down by his circumstances. Talk about these two learning from each other.
About the other couple, I'm not convinced at all. It was fine but mostly I found them annoying. xD I'm only here for the main couple honestly.
But yeah, watch this if you feel masochistic and self-destructive. :-) It's the sweetest but also the most fucking painful.
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