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Total run-time: Uncut version, 3h, 14m over 2 parts. This is actually a series of 15 episodes but what I watched was combined into two parts.
ACTING/CAST: All did a good job and Mai Ding is too much!
MUSIC: This soundtrack is spectacular. I've listened to it many times. It's all in Chinese so very tough to get good English lyrics though.
REWATCH VALUE: Yup, seen it many times.
OVERALL: Lots of funny and feel good moments sprinkled with some good dramatic moments. Definitely worth your time.
TL;DR: A fun movie where the uke chases the seme in an effort to get the seme to fall in love.
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This review may contain spoilers
This BL is the most beautiful, warmhearted, funny, romantic and passionate BL I have ever seen and experienced compared to the other BL I have watched, it is simply a MASTERPIECE. The story of MaiDing and An Ziyan is so simple but so beautifully made and endearing to watch! What started with a bet and a joke because of MaiDing's student roommate inclined to know An Ziyan sexual orientation for a girl who wanted to date handsome An Ziyan will gradually turn into a curiosity and attraction. First for MaiDing'side, who cannot understand first why he is so drawned by An Ziyan, which will make him by extention questionning himself about his own sexual orientation and made him realized later his love for him. An ZiYan who has obviously never thought or dare to date a man before, who is at first annoyed by MaiDing's interest but who will be soon seduced by this funny, charming and stubborn student! Their mutual curiosity and attraction will turn into a very deep love and attachment. And when do they realized that they madly fell in love? When the absence of the other becomes unbearable! The hospital scene for example is a shining example of their mutual attachment and what a deep love can do to a person, when An ZiYan can no longer convince MaiDing's mother by words and arguments, he doesn't hesitate a second to save his love and kneels in front of her to implore the acceptance of their couple! We can see in his eyes all the love he has for MaiDing that any word can't describe! This BL will always have a special place in my heart so highly recommended to everyone!!!!
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Realistic
This was actually my first bl and I love it. It covers the challenges of being in a gay relationship in a thoughtful and realistic way. The use of humor does not diminish the narrative. The development of their relationship humanizes each one. This is not a fantasy. The problems they face are real. They have their flaws just like we all do. I found myself rooting for them to make it. The acting was awesome. I don’t think this bl gets the credit it should. Look beyond the obvious low budget and you have a real gem.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I just stumbled on this last night and, I must say, this is the most powerful BL series I've seen so far. Others have been entertaining and enjoyable to watch, but Like Love really hits on something so important: namely, the effect of conservative parents and families on their gay children.An's coming out to his family was very brave and unapologetic (good for him), but still brought out the worst in them: the sister was disgusted and even tried to hit on Maiding. An's father beat him and his mother tried cutting her own wrist as a result. And the blackmailing continued, especially on the mother's part. They all berated An for "shaming" the family and putting his own feelings above theirs. An's grandfather was the only one with common sense and empathy.
Maiding kept his secret hidden for much longer (along with flat-out pretense), which was understandable considering the pressure his parents were putting on him to "get a girlfriend." When Maiding finally admitted the truth, his grandmother had what looked to be a mild heart attack and his mother went bat-shit ballistic. At the expense of his own happiness, Maiding was ready to bail on his relationship with An, as a result of his mother's reprehensible behavior. (Thank goodness An refused to accept this and helped to change her opinion in the end).
To me, this is perhaps the most important--and unfortunately, realistic--issue that gay children face: feelings of shame and being loathed by and excommunicated from their families. Kudos to Like Love for approaching this topic head-on (especially from an ultra-conservative country such as China). The moral of the story is (or at least should be) that no one should ever, EVER be expected to live someone else's life. This type of pressure never comes from anything other than selfishness on the part of the family. The results can be absolutely devastating... and this happens every day, all over the world.
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Mediocre but Refeshing
This series was very difficult to watch, as in, the English subtitled episodes with audio were hard to find. I had to use three platforms to watch the first season.Although the story of a nerd crushing on a popular guy seems basic, the actual development of the story felt fresh. It is hard to understand why the two male leads like each other, but their chemistry is good and the progression of their relationship is unique and satisfying.
The series is a good representation of Chinese BL before the ban was enacted. A common characteristic in Chinese BLs is the quick and easy advancement of physical intimacy, which is refreshing to see.
The casting and acting felt appropriate. Any defects are due to poor writing and direction, not the actors.
The music was not memorable and in certain parts the music really did not fit the scene.
Despite the very noticeable defects related to a low budget, spotty writing, and mediocre production and direction...I would rewatch this show more than once. After watching 90% of BLs in existence, I find this show so refreshing despite it's many flaws. This show has potential to be great as a remake and also offers a look at China's unique take on the BL genre.
This show, a long with Addicted, are good watches if you want to see what to expect from Chinese BL when the ban is lifted.
In short, despite the low rating it was worth the watch and gave a refreshing BL experience.
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Creepy
I noticed all the reviews on here for this film are all positive and I am thoroughly confused by that. I am not a BL regular so perhaps it was a mistake of me to come here almost directly after watching History3: Trapped (of which I recommend 100% more than whatever this is). I have a habit of rambling about things that I dislike so bare with me.First, the pacing of this movie is terrible. It moves on so quickly from point to point that I didn't feel like I could develop a connection with the characters or really understand their relationship and why they would ever want to date each other. I am still confused by this even after finishing it, they look like they hate each other the whole way through. Despite this, the run time is over 3 hours long !! a total waste of time, i know it is the uncut version but I sincerely wish the director would think critically about which scenes they could discard to make the runtime bearable. Any kiss scene immediately faded to black after lip contact, it was just really weird? Felt like I was being edged, aren't the explicit scenes the only plus to this movie? Any plot points were almost immediately resolved in the next couple of scenes, the family drama about coming out that this film continuously gets praised for feels so underdeveloped and inconsequential.
Second, the explicit scenes themselves are so creepy to watch. I cannot comment on the second one because i skipped past it, but the first one was lit so darkly, Maiding was drunk during it, and the music was super creepy - it felt more in place in a horror movie !! I know Maiding said he wanted to have sex with him but genuinely, the way the movie framed that sex scene it really felt like rape. So uncomfortable.
TL/DR If this is your first time watching BL, please I am begging you watch something else. Maiding is unfunny and misogynistic, and his persistent pursuit of Ziyan is creepy and off-putting.
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Loooove it
I loved this BL series. Was looking for it awhile and finally found it and uncut too. This had me lolh with these guys. Let's start with his sister couldn't stand her through the show. She was just a bitch. She needed to be put in her place quick quick. Mai ding and zi han relationship. They just had me bawling yes and Mai ding friend. Now that's a friend you need in your corner. They tell you as is. No sugar coating. I actually liked how he let his friend no as is. Zi han 🤣 he was just raw. It's either you take it or leave it. All in all a wicked series. I enjoyed it too the fullest .Was this review helpful to you?
Love it!
although the story has fast pacing I really enjoyed watching this movie. The two main characters have a completely different personality but the chemistry is amazing and they were able to portray in the best way. The other one is kinda funny and the other one is full of seriousness that really fits his character. There is no awkwardness on the intimate scenes which I find it romantic and hot. The uncut version of this movie contains the super hot sex scenes and you can choose the cut version if you're not into that kind of scenes. The choice of music was great especially the classic songs. I even heard listen by Beyonce and that makes me LOl. I'm not quite sure tho if that was on the original movie or it was edited by the uploader. The story was cool and romantic although I have seen a lot of movies and series like this. Basically, part 2 was the continuation of their love from the first movie but the ending of the second movie was hanging since it was banned in China after. The ending was, a man came up and he's trying to blackmail Zi Yan and that's where the story ends. Still, it was a happy ending, they surpass a lot of hindrances in their romantic life before so I think they can get over with this. I just hate China for banning BL like this. Good movie to watch! Please enjoy.Was this review helpful to you?
STORY: I have a long way to go in catching up with BL dramas/movies however the main reason I really enjoyed this one is seeing the couple maintain a bromance amidst the romance. It’s refreshing to see Mai Ding and Zi Yan alternate between trash talking each other then be sweet..haha. I love how they’re not afraid to do that as it shows how comfortable they are with each other.
Zi Yan is super nonchalant and acts disinterested but his love and care shows at crucial times. Mai Ding is as quirky as they come.
ACTING: I love the two leads however their acting is subpar at times.
MUSIC: Love the theme song.
REWATCH VALUE: YES
P.S. I was shocked with how explicit some scenes are, the Chinese in me is screaming!!
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the series really made my head hairs because of the director's naivety that made the BL-MANIA lose a romantic story and actors very open-minded but misuse.
Among the scenes that deserve the framing of the director to be well put together ..
- the almost non-existent reaction of the actors especially the second main role "Huang Li Ge" (April Fools).
- the development of the feelings of the actors before and after the relationship.
- face grimaces.
- The scenes of love very well played for beginners but badly exploited by the director. (To bring out the romanticism of the scene)
without talking about the lighting and the position of the camera which made that follow the march of our protagonists
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For part, I took the story more as a bit of a romantic comedy, and I found that allowed me to slide into it much more. If I saw it as a silly, romantic build up, I found myself less irritated. When we get to the middle of the story, Mai Ding became stupidly endearing (though still annoying at times). The comfort between the actors and their sweet interactions felt natural and easy. The music itself was nice and I appreciated that there weren't the weird side noises (like a thought bubble bursting... it tends to make my own thoughts burst into a weird series of what on earth was that.)
I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing the growth of An Zi Yan and the subtle ways he melted into a much more loving person (while still retaining his edges). I believed him when he put his feelings out there, despite the no-frills way he expresses himself.
Some of the side characters were also lovely too. I enjoyed that we didn't get a spiteful ex and the best bud next door played a hand in the love. Despite the rocky start, it's a show I'd likely watch again when I want something light and sweet with some heat and a dash of drama.
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