Taiwan is back
This is so good. At first I was kinda skeptical because BLs from Taiwan have not been hitting lately, but this brings it back. The plot is so good and new. Although I would say, one of the plot in this show which was the gangster plot was completely irrelevant. I don't think that much would have changed if they removed it. The only reason it even felt a bit relevant was to show how Qian managed to survive as a kid but even then I think they could have just went about it another way. Also the force angst of that gangster and Yuan thing was a bit of a turnoff but I was okay overall. I loved the chemistry. ONG it was through the roof. I was giggling like a little girl every time they kissed. The actors did a great job and played their characters well. Overall, a really good BL. A win for Taiwan.Was this review helpful to you?
The uncomfortable question of why we can't love our brother
“What else can we be, if not brothers?” Unknown is a deeply affecting story about the intersections between family and romance.Based on the novel “大哥“, which simply translates to “older brother” in Chinese, the series unearths some unsettling questions about why it’s wrong to have romantic feelings for someone we call “family”. But what if the family member is not blood-related?
The show is self-aware.
This taboo is the major obstacle standing in the way of the protagonists’ romance, and is also the biggest reason why Qian experiences so much confusion regarding his affections for Yuan. Does he care for him so much because he single-handedly raised this boy, or does he love him like a life partner?
By the 12th episode, was I fully persuaded by Qian and Yuan’s relationship? I'm not sure, but they were so sweet I couldn’t help but find myself rooting for them.
Perhaps the actual question Unknown explores is what it means to belong to a family. In all its varied forms.
Read more reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/
Was this review helpful to you?
In a year of major BL flops, Unknown is the saviour. Not only that, it's now in my top 5 BLs.
I was hesitant to check this series out because Taiwanese BLs have mostly been so-so imo since the earlier History series. However Unknown begged to differ! The acting is so incredibly well-done by every single cast, and the storyline is easy to understand without difficult plot holes. Lots of the emotions and feelings were appropriately expressed and I cried a lot (which I don't usually do). I found that there were no filler scenes and so it was worth every minute of my watch. Incredible OSTs too!Was this review helpful to you?
Wow just wow!
I think this is one of the best told stories I've seen in while! The storytelling was next level and I just can't describe how beautiful it was. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. I'll admit I did question both romances at some points, but the performance of all the actors deserves 10 stars all on it's own. Every person from the children to the adults performed with such depth and understanding of their characters was truly amazing! I'm not even sure what to write, I've only just finished and I have been sobbing and laughing. I would recommend this series so highly for the amazing execution of this story.Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece
I have never written a review for any series before, but let this be my first. Unknown is a special gem and I promise there is nothing else like it out there. I loved every single second of this series and never wanted it to end. From the characters to the story and music, everything was perfect and it made me really care for this series. Unknown is one that I will not forget, and one that will be upon my favorites.Just outstanding!!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
The Best series of 2024
I love everything about this series. The wait has been killing me, i wish all the episodes will just be released this week.Taiwan bl series has been great, i must say that i have watched if not all of their series and believe me, it was worth watching.
Great acting and fantastic script.... Good job
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
What a great start to this series
What a great start to this series❣️ This screams quality production, from the acting to the music, to the cinematography, to the storyline, etc. The writer and director spent no time telling us what this story is about. Btw both of them were involved in the We Best Love series, My Tooth Your Love series, and/or Stay By My Side series, so we know this is likely going to stay good. For me, these “bro” to lovers storylines are difficult to find the balance between endearing and crossing the line you maybe shouldn’t cross. I understand why Wei Quian would be hesitant to go from provider/ caretaker/ caregiver to lover and I also understand why it would be so easy for Zhi Yuan to fall in love completely given the circumstances and how they met. Learning their backstory puts everything into context. It broke my heart to see a young Zhi Yuan look like an abandoned stray cat or dog following its hopefully new owner home? Qian was truly Yuan’s ray of light among all the darkness around him? The gang part of the story – no surprises there, always taking advantage of the disadvantaged? Wei Quian is an exceptional person to have taken in someone when he himself needed help. He sacrificed for the one he loved and cared for not wanting Yuan to take the wrong paths in life, literally fighting – commendable among so much adversity. I’m already invested in these characters. This is how you start to tell a compelling story?Was this review helpful to you?
One-sided love and the other’s feelings are unknown
It feels like some of Taiwan’s production teams in the entertainment industry are obsessed with incest-like romance. I know that China’s hit series, Addicted (Heroin), plays a big influence in the market but they need to stop since it wasn’t a good storyline to be used nowadays. Many people seem to love this and that’s okay since people have their subjective perspective on a show.Wei Zhi Yuan’s roots in romance were understandable since he felt the warmth from being accepted and sheltered in a family. But Wei Qian’s love was silly; he acquired romantic feelings for the man he treated his brother for a lifetime and I felt like it wasn’t authentic. In the same way, San Pang grows an intimate relationship with the MC’s sister, Wei Li Li. It is unnecessary to let everyone end up and be paired together, especially in a small cast of characters. I might be hated on this but I can’t push myself to like the show.
Was this review helpful to you?
I have finished watching till ep 6 and I've rewatched 2 times and still can't get over with it.
Was this review helpful to you?
Fabulous bl drama ever
Guys please do watch this drama it’s highly recommended I always like Korean and Chinese straight dramas and wonder if they make bl dramas like this without any cringe scenes or college love stories but Taiwan drama is a master piece awesome stories they make which feels like kdrama and Chinese drama this drama is a epic good story good actors and no cringe scenes where other male lead is in concert such things both actors have great personalities and sister love story is also so good all 4 actors played it well I enjoyed it and I think Taiwan dramas make good bl dramas I have started to watch other dramas also and this drama is too good you can find friendship , family, hardship of children and growing together to be a good family and his friend also we’re together with them too so soon it got ended I love this drama please make more such dramas moreWas this review helpful to you?
Unknown, a love so beautiful.
Unknown, is a beutiful story about a forbidden love. While watching this series I felt the love and hardships that they went through. The perfect production and acting made me fall in love with this series. As someone who has suffered in the past due to family issues I could relate a lot to some of the emotions shown. I've never proparly believed in love but because of these characters I think that love can exist and its very precious. I have officialy become a fan of xuan and chris, which isnt normal for me as I have never been a fan of anyone. Their acting is outstanding, they really show the emotions well, making my eyes sore from crying. Thank you chris and xuan for portraying this story in such a nice way.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Every year a top notch production from Taiwan
Last year Taiwans BL industry had "Kiseki Dear To Me" with the highest production value and this year it must be "Unknown". They also had a troubled background story with some mafia elements and general hardships for at least one character. While the story is not perfect the series conveys all the feelings very well. Chemestry between the leads was also top notch imho and they kept the intimate scenes to the story where it mattered. Only LiLi left something to be desired, not really grown up to the end.To read a review where I'm told I'm weired because of "incest" even it isn't "incest" was even more weired for me. Does incest even count between same sex? Incest is only not allowed because of gen deficits the children will get, see Europe and Habsburger :)
While not perfect this show transports all the feelings in an expectional way, with a top notch production value and cinematography. I can overlook all the the little story problems especially at the end. I would have prefered to see the surgery and not LiLis baby. Regardsless a show to recommand.
Was this review helpful to you?
