This review may contain spoilers
Okay Storyline with Great Cast
I think I would have hated this show if the cast wasn't as great as they are. I am going to break this review down into partsRui/Zong Yi-- I hated Rui at first and thought that I would never be able to like his character, and to be fair I didn't for most of the show. I had a very big problem with the fact that Zong Yi was a minor and Rui was forcing Zong Yi to house him and was also being weird and flirty with him. I thought that they would at least age up Zong Yi before the actual romance/intimacy was happening but Nope. It was important to the story that he was 17 but I don't really like that there was a sex scene when one of them was a minor and the other was in his 20s. I thought the part where Rui was hidden in the house went on way too long and I was honestly getting bored of it, but then it ended. AND THEN HE WAS HIS TEACHER???? I also don't really understand where Zong Yi's feelings came from since all Rui has done for him was help him with homework (in exchange for cake may I add) but once they got together I didn't hate them. Towards the middle of the story, I started to like this couple more and was rooting for them to get back together when Rui was out of prison, but then they pulled the amnesia thing which didn't really make a lot of sense because he was injured from being punched in the body?? but whatever lol. Once Rui and Zong Yi were back together I liked the storyline with Zong Yi's dad having a problem with them because obviously he would his son went to jail because of this dudes gang/mafia/whatever it was. By the end, I was happy for them and thought their ending was very cute. This review seems like I hated their entire storyline and I wanna add on that I dont!! Just compared to the side couple I did not care all that much for their story. Im sure that many people probably loved their story!!
Chen Yi/Ai Di-- For me they carried this entire show and I think they should have been the main couple, to be honest. I'm kind of a slut for childhood friends to lovers and especially in a mafia show like this I was just bound to love them. Ai Di was my favorite character in the entire series. He was so cute but crazy at the same time and honestly very mature for his age, WHICH WAS 18 THANK GODDD why does every show have to have so many minors??? Chen Yi was also a favorite of mine. Him being in love with the boss at first (who was like wayy too old for him idk why nobody told him this) made the scenes between him and Ai Di even better because I never knew when he was just gonna realize that hes in love with Ai Di (which was so so obvious I literally thought they were dating when I started the show) . These characters had soooo much chemistry I was literally biting my nails wondering when they were gonna get together. I was sitting there so sad for AI Di when it showed him celebrating their birthday alone every year TT. I did not like the fact that the first time they slept together Chen Yi was drunk, and then they didn't see eachother for years. I also did not understand why Ai Di went to jail I dont think they ever explained it. After the time jump I loved this couple even more. Seeing straightfaced, always serious Chen Yi try to figure out how to get Ai Di back was so funny (I liked when he gave him the face pillow lmaooo). When they finally got together I was so much happier than when the main couple got together tbh.
I did not care about the two old dudes at all and everytime they were on screen I did not pay any attention to them at all Im sorry. Im sure their story is interesting but I have no interest in the love story of two old annoying awful dudes.
I would recommend watching this just for the awesome cast, and for Ai Di and Chen Yi. It also has some cameos from other Taiwanese bl actors! Overall I definitely enjoyed this series.
Was this review helpful to you?
Watch it If You Enjoy Action, Romance and Drama
This series has everything.Gangsters, drama, unrequited love, comedy, action. What's not to like?
This show literally had me in a choke hold until it was over, and when it ended my only thought was- Wait, there isn't more?
I wish this show had thirty episodes. I'd keep watching these characters for a good stretch longer.
I really like the world they set up (Who wouldn't like a world made up of impossibly hot gangsters who are all secretly in love with each other?) and both couples sold the romance for me. I even enjoyed the little cameos we got, and I thought they were tasteful and not over done.
That's it. My only critique is that I wish it were longer, because I did feel a little bit like they had to rush all of the flash forward scenes just a bit.
Was this review helpful to you?
It's been a while since I have been THIS invested in a show & couple!
I started watching Kiseki without too much expectations. I'm generally a sucker for mafia-setting BLs, so I was sure I'd enjoy it enough but I was not ready for just how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this show!!!!And the main reason is, as I guess for many others, the incredible chemistry of the side couple! Don't get me wrong: The main couple did a great job, too, but Chen Yi and Ai Di just instantly stole my heart and I rewatched all their scenes several times already despite the show just wrapping last night.
This couple's story is heartbreaking and beautiful and both characters are intresting and lovable despite their obvious flaws. It also helps that both actors are incredibly hot and very skilled in their acting.
Especially Louis, who plays Ai Di, did just such an amazing job at portaying his character! I have never seen him play in anything before Kiseki but I am definitely going to follow up with his career from hereon out as this man has some serious skills. He is able to portray pining & vulnerability in such a raw, open and realistic/subtle way to a level I don't think I've seen in any asian drama for a loooong long time! What a talent!!
The show definitely has its FLAWS - Sometimes pacing is a bit off (things moving too slow or too fast), some of the acting here and there is a bit wonky by main as well as side characters (in a sense of overacting. But overall, acting from everyone was decent enough to not pull me out of the immersion!), sometimes getting a bit heavy on tropes (especially the 'everyone is gay. do straight people exist??'-setup ^^; ) - but THE GOOD - the well written main 4 characters, HOT actors (I can't stress this enough!!), some really likeable and well-played side characters, great opening song and a storyline sending us on wonderful emotional rollercoaster in regards to all couples involved - definitely outweighs these by far!
I also loved the intimate scenes for both couples and the decent amount we got of them. I feel it's enough for people looking for some hot kisses but also little enough to not make people uncomfortable. And it definitely sparked my as well as other fan's creativity to extend their stories in fanworks - and I can't wait for so much more fanfiction and fanworks to come out until we hopefully, hopefully get a chance for a second season or spin-off series (fingers crossed!!)
Generally, if you haven't seen Kiseki yet I definitely DEFINITELY RECOMMEND you watch it!
One of my new absolute favorites that I, for a fact, will rewatch several times for sure!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Such hawt steamy story.
I simply adore their chemistry with each other. Love-Hate, Jealousy, Friendships! everything is there. Protecting your love ones till you're dying breath - how sweet! I love their soundtracks, especially MarryMe <3My ultimate favourite scene is when Fan Ze Rui climbs on Bai Zong Yi and straddle his lap; most definitely HOT! I repeated it many times :P Even just by looking at each other, can really see the sexual tension. Those soft yet steamy kisses is merely stairway to heaven.
ChenYi and Ai Di, well; these two naughty boys really can't lay off each other afterwards. Their relationship truly evolves throughout the series and their shirtless moments is.. MAIGAWD! What AiDi did to Zong Yi is true friendship!
Nevertheless, the story did have few shortcomings; the ending was too jumble up when the previous 12 series the managed to explain things. What's more, having the villain at the last minute and simply be bygones is just messy for me. Really feel like they should really focus more on the mafia sides of the story more; rather than the school life.
Was this review helpful to you?
Hard Series To Dislike
This is a hard series to dislike, even if it is a bit unpleasant to watch. While these guys are ‘bad guys’ they have sanitized them so much and made them redeemable, you literally sympathize with their plight. And honestly, I was completely entertained by them, even though the story is nearly incomprehensible. It is another ‘Mafia-type’ criminally related series with a lot of tropey chest-thumping bravado ‘action’ that I frankly did not understand and was disturbed by its gratuitous violence. None of it made a lot of sense to me and it had a feel of familiarity about it as it is full of clichés. What is really essential are the two solid love stories and the third, rather peripheral and underlying one.Read my fill review at BLBliss.com.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Blend of Action, Thriller, and Romance with room for improvement
A BL story with action, thriller and drama are hard to come by and in my opinion is always greatly appreciated. This series contains a bit of all that with a good serving of romance. But there is still something lacking in its execution that hinders complete immersion.The story centres around 4 central characters. Bai Zong Yi is a medical student studying hard to be a doctor. One day on his way home he finds an injured Fan Ze Rui and helps him out. Instead of showing gratitude Fan Ze Rui threatens Bai Zong Yi and hides in his house until he heals completely. What begins as a chanced encounter turns in to string feelings between these 2 characters. The series also revolves around Chen Yi and Ai Di who are members of the same gang as Fan Ze Rui. As orphans they have grown up together and Ai Di is in love with Chen Yi but Chen Yi does not reciprocate those feelings. Life takes a tragic turn for Bai Zong Yi as his life intertwines with Fan Ze Rui
Zong Yi is driven by his values of hard work and finding a stable future. Ze Rui is part of a dangerous organization who hides his true identity from Zong Yi. For Zong Yi, he is a mysterious character and this might be a reason he is drawn to him. It’s Ze Rui’s affiliation with the group and Zong Yi’s family situation that forces him to make a difficult decision. Chen Yi has a complicated relationship with the gang boss. He is secretly in love with him but is always reprimanded by him. Ai Di harbours feelings for Chen Yi, but is unable to find space in Chen Yi’s heart no matter how hard he tries. He in turn befriends Zong Yi and protects him from any harm that the group may cause.
In conclusion, this series sets a stage for a complex relationship between Ze Rui and Zong Yi from different worlds. There is also Ai Di’s struggle to find love and be with Chen Yi.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
As Far As BL Goes This Is A Solid One
This sure is an interesting one. The premise is nothing new, although it's presented in a way that still feels fresh and not overdone. The acting is spot-on and the chemistry between the characters is great.I'll start with the things I liked about the series first.
The main couple, Bai Zong Yi and Fan Ze Rui do have great chemistry together, and it was (for the most part) interesting to see them develop. I do wish the age gap was smaller, and while I do understand why Zong Yi had to be a minor I feel like that part could've been handled better. The premise of their meeting and subsequent getting to know each other was frankly ridiculous but you get to watch them become more and more healthy as they get to know each other.
The second couple is by miles more interesting in comparison by the sheer amount of history between the two. Ai Di's actor stole the entire show, and felt in a different league from his fellow actors I won't lie. At moments I felt like he was the only one who understood the assignment, be that gang related stuff, or his feelings for Chen Yi. Their storyline is complicated and painful and, in my eyes, a lot better thought out.
Now, for the things I find not so compelling.
The plot was rushed in places it should have taken its time and dragged in places that really didn't need it. The split between the past and the present is uneven and it leaves a bunch of questions open, and a lot of narratives that would have been compelling just hanging. Maybe this is due to production costs, but I was feeling both underwhelmed and rushed during the second part. I feel like the show would have benefited from a scene or two taking place during the time skip to give us an idea of what the life inside prison was and what Ze Rui or Chen Yi was up to in the meantime. It's obvious that Ai Di has some sort of ptsd after serving time but it's almost used as a throwaway, and Zong Yi's injury is, aside from about two scenes, used as a plot device and nothing that really affects his life too much.
It also felt like a mafia series written by someone who knows nothing about gangs apart from they have cool cars and hang out in dingy looking bars. The fight scenes and the whole villain plot is basically nonsensical and the fighting itself was reminiscent of a Gokusen one, and I still don't fully understand what Zhang Teng's deal was. Ze Rui's involvement with the 'gang' felt even more bizzare the more we get to know him, and even the explanation for it just... Felt off. Especially given how we're introduced to him in the first place. The series also gives off the impression that Zong Yi's family didn't visit him in prison which just baffles.
Overall, it's a cute series that you will enjoy if you don't think too much about the plot details. It has plenty of sweet moments for those who just care for that and the chemistry, which is fair. Analyzing it on a deeper level leaves you with quite a few questions that, sadly, remain unanswered.
Was this review helpful to you?
Best Taiwanese BL in 2023
As we all know, some of the most coveted BLs of all time are hailed from Taiwan. And so, when you see a new one dropping the expectation is usually through the roof. All that said, the BLs dropping in 2023 from them have really fallen short in terms of their predecessors.But Kiseki: Dear to Me walked through our doors and offered us a breath of fresh air. For me, it's really rare to be engaged and interested in both pairings of a show. But I was invested in both Zerui / Zongyi and Ai Di / Chen Yi. The chemistry between both pairings was dripping from the screen and their stories pulled at my heart strings so wonderfully. I honestly couldn't get enough of them.
I am dinging a few points on the story however, because the background plot outside of the couples is not really told well and can be kind of confusing. And also, the finale (overall) felt really underwhelming and frustrating by including unnecessary plot speed bumps for no reason.
Outside of that though, this is still worth a watch. Plus!!! There's so many cameos from beloved BLs of the past and it was nice to see them all again on the screen.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This series has a lot of cameos
Someone said this BL is out here collecting BL couples like Pokémon cards. It’s true. Every memorable Taiwanese BL couple who had free time pop up in this series.Go into this series with no expectations and you’ll enjoy it a lot more. I made the mistake of reading the comment section and was expecting the second couple to steal this series. Luckily I put off watching it fro a couple of weeks before I binged it. This saved me from having high expectations of this series. The story of Zongyi and Zherui are so well developed despite the episodes being less than 30 mins each. We didn’t have to suffer through fillers like you do with Thai series. This relationship gives the same vibe as Stand By Me but without the censorship and ambiguity. If China didn’t have censorship of BL we could’ve had Addicted and Stand By Me like Ban ZongYi and Fan ZheRui
Perhaps for some people they like the second couple because the story was good. I won’t say they stole the series by any means. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t like Chen Yi being so dense for a crime boss with his own crew. He is so soft that without Ai Di, he would be dead.
Given the short time of each episode, there wasn’t any plot holes. There were some suspenseful cliffhangers and the acting was very good. It’s on Par with the HIStory franchise.
Was this review helpful to you?
The secondary couple stole this BL series <3 Bonker but also entertaining drama !
This BL drama is centred around the story of a high school student and a gangster meeting in dire circumstances. I found the scenario really entertaining (especially the first part of the series with the second arc being a bit less good). The script is quite flawed with some bonkers plotlines, more particularly with all the gang stuff being totally crazy and making very little sense.The lack of logic, the overwhelming and sometimes idiotic decisions are more than compensated by the fun and exciting aspects of the series as well as the sizzling chemistry of the main couple and the secondary one. The scenario is revisiting a lot of dramatic tropes and ressorts: despite some narrative choices that I found odd, I truly enjoyed that it subverted some of them in a very exciting and sometimes unexpected way.
The 4 main characters are very well built and I found myself super invested in the romances (especially in the secondary couple story which is not that frequent for me). The 4 actors are beautiful and their scenes together are ultra pretty, sweet, hot as well as dramatic on some aspects. The main actors really gave it their all and were very convincing (even when the story and the editing was not helping them), the really managed to bring all the feels and the angst on screen. Unfortunately, the antagonists roles are much more lacking (both in acting but foremost in their storylines, it got pretty caricatural).
The soundtrack is very good with some pop as well rock aspects fitting well with the romance in this gangsta universe. I never skipped listening to the opening and ending of the show because it was beautiful... However, I would strongly advise to not look at the generics (and rather just listen to it) to avoid being spoiled on major scenes and events. The show was a bit cringy in terms of production value (the blood make-up, the fighting scenes,...), a lot could have been better and it felt quite cheap.
I would recommend this to people looking for a BL story with sizzling hot chemistry as well as a lot of dramatic elements. If you do not mind bonker plot and low budget production, I would strongly advice to give this a shot. The story of the secondary couple stole the show, even if you decide to not watch this drama, do yourself a favor and go watch some compilation video about the story of Chen Yi and Ai Di <3 !!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Probably the best BL Ive seen, except...
I wanna be buried with this series. I wanna marry it. It's so ADVANCED. I'm a writer and aspiring director and during the entire time I was watching this series all I could think was of how advanced it is. The story/plot is mind-blowing...it explores uncharted territory--PARTICULARLY the background/childhood for BOTH of the leads. It's unique and honestly, a breath of fresh air. It easily breaks stereotypes, things omitted by past dramas. The plot is so up and down that even straight Kdramas fear it. It challenges basic character structure. NOT MANY ASIAN BL DRAMAS TODAY CAN DO THAT. And by not many, I mean like, two or three. The main pairing, both characters surprised me. It's almost a learned trait of a sort now. I can see an actor and automatically know how they're going to act, and it's TERRIBLE. It's refreshing to see such interesting characters.
There's only one thing stopping this from being a 10/10 and that is, as usual, the Taiwanese drama curse. I have never seen a Taiwanese drama that didn't have at least ONE controversial thing. And that thing ALWAYS has the power to ruin the entire series. I hate to say it but Keseki: Dear To Me didn't dodge it. Also the soundtrack didn't stick out to me, never really does. Music is really important, even in series such as these, and there was a severe lack.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
If they didn’t do these 2 things I would’ve ranked it higher
I really enjoyed the story. Ai Di and Chen Yi really held down the show for me. The 2 things I hated was that fact that this man who is late 20s-mid 30s is fucking with a 17 yr old. What blows me is that everyone seems ok with it. Every time it was mentioned that Zhongyi was a minor I got uncomfortable. The second thing was Ai Di sleeping with Chen Yi when he was drunk off his ass, which if any of y'all didn’t know, is rape and just plane immoral. So besides that blatant pedophilia and rape I quite enjoyed the story😃Was this review helpful to you?
