Unknown - The best BL in recent years
I used to watch a lot of BL back then, from Addicted to Tharntype and some other Thai BL series. I haven't been watching any BL dramas recently since the acting in a lot of series is pretty awkward and over the top. Also a lot of them don't have a good plot and revolves around NC scene/ kiss scene which feels forced to an extent.I came across Unknown from a short video clip and I was interested immediately. That was a week ago when episode 9 came out and I finished the whole 9 episodes in a night (only 30 mins per episode). From then I kept re-watching the whole 9 episodes to wait for ep 10-11-12 and I was not let down.
The last 3 episodes were beautifully made, everyone has their happy ending.
The acting in this drama is superb, not necessarily Oscar level but both actors really portrayed the characters very well. The kiss scene, NC scene, none of them feel forced. The OST is also a strong plus.
The only complaint I have is the NC scene in ep 11, i think they could have done a little bit better in editing.
Overall, a very worth watching drama in general.
Good luck to both actors in their future works!
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A great drama that will make you laugh and cry all the way through.
This is my first time wanting to rate a great drama. To me, this is one of the best Taiwanese BL dramas so far. This drama is a perfect blend of emotions that will make you laugh and cry all the way through. It really makes me want to watch it again and see the behind-the-scenes footage to understand why the actors portray their characters in this way. Thank you to the production team for selecting the best actors, actresses, director, cameramen, editing team, and OST for this drama. Quality production and teamwork take time and effort, and your dedication really paid off. I am looking forward to a second season, special episodes, or a new drama with the same team. ??Was this review helpful to you?
Leads Chemistry
In one word - It's fantastic ??? Enjoyed from beginning to the end ?? Their chemistry is top notch ??The main thing I liked in this series is their chemistry....even when they were not talking with each other yuan takes care of his ge and qian just accepts it without arguing more? I really need another drama with these two ?? Can't get enough of them ??????Going to rewatch it now bye ??
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Masterpiece ??
I just have to say that this series is placed one of my top 3 bl dramas of all time. I finished this series yesterday and today I'm feeling empty i don't know what i will watch after this wonderful bl. I felt this emptiness when bad buddy and love for love sake ended. I highly recommend to watch this drama its worth watching. I never wrote reviews for any drama before but this drama made a good inpact on me. Story full of happy, emotions, comedy which made the story to grow deep ?❣️. Never gonna forgot qian and yuan, their love story ❤. I do watch it again and again. This drama is a MASTERPIECE ?Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
There is a reason why the title is Unknown
Unknown is clearly a master piece in BLs.The title Unknown is chosen for a reason because Qian and Yuan's relationship doesn't fall in to the norms of society,
I see lot of reviewers using words like disgusting, Yuck etc... but do they realise that this BL title itself is saying do not look at their relationship with the norms of society and what society knows? I am not sure. Qian and Yuan's relationship evolves from something to something else at each period of their life. There is no name for this kind of relationship in our society .
Data points:
1) Qian and Yuan are not blood related but Qian chooses to raise Yuan like a brother despite Qian being a child , parentless himself and Yuan being a homeless stranger and a younger child. In the societal norms this would be closer to adoption but adoption is done between an adult and a child but not a child and a child. So their relationship is more closer to unknown in norms of society.
2) Yuan cares for Qian and knows his PTSD with women and relationships where Qian cannot actively seeks partner. He starts seeing Qian in a different light as he grows that would make him want to stay with him forever. Again it's an unknown relationship in the norms of society.
3) Qian knows something is off with his own feelings in their relationship early on given the extreme closeness both have for each other before Yuan confesses. He also doesn't know what to call it because again it doesn't fall in the norms of the society. So he decides to stay in his safe zone of brotherhood by keeping distance between both.
4)Yuan makes it extremely clear after coming back that he cannot and will not let go of Qian. Qian once he realises that he might have lost Yuan in US starts to panic and realizes the relationship and what he feels is definitely not in the norms of Society. Again the relationship is Unknown according to societal rules.
5) After Yuan's persistence, Qian gains courage to act on his feelings which is not easy for him to begin with. He realises that he is the happiest he has ever been and he has a shoulder to lean on. But according to society they are brothers. But between them they are lovers. This would not fall in the norms of society in relationships either. So hence Unknown. I hope the negative reviewers look at this and try to see this BL in a new light. I really do not wish people losing out on a beautiful story that is so poignantly shown.
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It was good
Normally I wanted to rate it 8.5, but I decided for 9.5, because of the chemistry the actors had between them. The way they brought up their character emotions is gold. The ost was great too. I listen nonstop to the ending song.Now, let's talk a bit about the ending: a bit rushed, a few flashback cuts would be good. I know what the editors tried to do, but of a NC scene, kids don't belong much. Don't get me wrong, I found it very intimate and tasteful, it didn't bother me the rest.
I loved the dynamic of the character from childhood to adulthood. Many commented regarding Lili... she is 23, she is not a child. She knew well what she was doing. If some of you saw her as a child in her behavior, let me tell you, even at 37, I act like that sometime, but that doesn't mean I am not a full length adult with heavy responsibilities.
Overall a very good drama which keeps you each episode glued to the screen and both actors do a great job.
Became fast a new fav drama of mine.
The blood clot was treated realistic, and I like they didn't overdo it.
I think another episode would have wrapped nicely the full drama or a special ep.
As every drama has flaws, but overall is good.
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Best series I've ever watched!
“MASTERPIECE” is the best word to describe this series.Currently watched all episodes of this series and when I tell you I’m IMPRESSED. The only flaw about this series is how addicting it is. I love the dynamic between Qian and Yuan. But also, surprise! ? Le Ge is the one of my favourite characters. His micro expressing is amazing and I felt from the beginning, that he treat Qian like a son.
Salute to the actors, the production team, the screenwriter and the director. I'm waiting for more mature content like this with real emotions and storyline. ?????
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This review may contain spoilers
Gorgeous
I loved this series so much, amazing story and amazing actors.From beginning till end it was amazing. The pace of the story and the growth of the characters. All of them were hurt in their own way but together they survived getting strong.
Qian and Yuan made me so happy and so sad at the same time. The way they Qian tryid to understand Yuan but didn't really get him. And then the moment he finally opened his heart. There first kiss and everything after that was so unexpected but so beautiful, it had me crying.
And Lili and San pang were lovely. Them falling in love was such a nice thing to add. And the baby is cute.
So happy that everyone was happy in the end. Definitely goes in my top 5 of bls list.
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this is a must watch
they arent actual brothers or stepbrothers !!qian when young had “”adopted”” or better took in a kid from the streets , so out of respect they do consider each other as brothers and a family but they aren’t actually related so if that’s what is making you stop from watching it then you can watch it with no problem bcs again they aren’t related in any kind of way.
the series and storyline , is not something for everyone as is pretty mature and if you like silly little teenager love is not for you.
the emotions were well played from the sad moment to the happiest , it had all.
Family drama , comedy , teenager problems , childhood trauma , relationships between sibling and friends , work and 18+ scene.
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easily a solid 10/10
Everything was so beautifully done, Taiwan keeps outdoing themselves with these masterpieces, this one takes the cake.The story played out perfectly they take their time developing the feelings that grow, starting from the earliest days of this small little family. A brother and sister who are struggling all alone take a "stray" in off the street, he quickly becomes part of the family and the close bond they all form is beautifully done. When things start to take a turn and the little brother starts having different feelings for the older brother that took him in, the story turns turbulent and they do an incredible job keeping it both realistic and angsty without pouring on the drama.
The actors are all amazing, I was really impressed how easily they capture your heart and pull you into the story, and the chemistry between them is so good ?
Music and production were probably one of the best ibe seen in Taiwanese bls, they did a great job keeping things realistically gritty and still adding that cinematic flair for beauty.
Watch it, your only regret will be that it only has 12 episodes.
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This review may contain spoilers
My first/last review because, people brought the reviews down for reasons I cannot understand
The subject gives pretty much idea on why I am giving my review.I read the novel by Priest and watched Unknown. I have to say this. I like Unknown better purely because it gives insights in to their relationship. No they are not related. Qian adopts Yuan in to his family so that he can go to school. Yuan and Qian's relationship evolves from where it was to something else. I personally think Yuan is so dedicated and attached to Qian that he subconsciously becomes someone who Qian needs in his life.
For those who find the story unrealistic- I can assure you the situation Qian is in where he has to support his family is not unrealistic. It is seen in most of the asian countries that lack resources to support their large populations.
For those who are contemplating to watch or not watch: Unknown is a masterpiece from cast to story telling. Its beautiful. If you are tolerating the nonsense Thai and some Japanese BLS, loved stay with me - you will love this.
Don't get sidetracked by reviewers who have their own reasons to bring this down.
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A Must Watch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing storyline and direction. Talented actors, chemistry between main leads is ? literally. Not much to say, just watch it and give it a try. You won't regret it.It's my first taiwanese bl, and it didn't disappoint me. It's not like normal bl but has depth and is emotional, you will feel connected to it and feel complex emotions of main characters. Chris chiu and kurt huang are amazing actors. Chris and kurt literally portrayed wei qian and wei zhiyuan respectively very well. These characters were made for them, nobody else could protray them like they did, they gave these characters a life and a face to always remember. And you could also see their 10 years friendship bond in their chemistry onscreen as well as offscreen that I also admire the most. And they are so comfortable with each other that makes me happy.
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