This review may contain spoilers
You fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other
I've re-watched it again after years since the BL with the secondary couple is out and I wanted to remember why I was so disappointed at the time we didn't get much of them. Instead, I was like "oh, yeah, that's why I loved Addicted so much at the time". There are a lot of problematic stuff that my younger self didn't pay as much attention to as I do now, and probably without the nostalgia glasses I wouldn't like it as much? I don't know. What I do know is that the chemistry between the main pairing is unreal. The way their relationship is built-in screen is subtle and has a really nice pace, the conflicts make sense and there is no unnecessary drama, I was surprised that they didn't fight about Gu Hai lying about being rich, since it seems like the kind of plot we see a lot, but Yin is not dumb, he knew the other was lying because he is, again, not stupid. Also, maybe that's why this "enemies to lovers"/bullying plot works so well, because both give as good as they get, they're on the same headspace, is not something you watch and actually hopes one of them get away from an abusive relationship os something like that. They're teenagers, and they're dumb and stupid, but also, the way they start getting soft on each other, start taking care of the other is amazing. It's just lovely. It's really sad that we never saw it through because of censorship, but still, this will always be my favorite version of this story, and the OST? Oh, the OST.Was this review helpful to you?
Plot: It has a great pace. You’re able to witness the two male leads who started off the wrong feet to slowly falling for each other.
Acting: Superb! I was blown away at the fact that this was Jingyu and Weizhou first real drama. Their acting is way better than some of their seniors! All of their facial expressions is all on point, especially Jingyu! He is a natural at acting. They both made Gu Hai and Bai Lou Yin character comes to life. I was so persuaded by their acting so much that I even ship them in real life!
Overall: This is not my first BL drama, but this is definitely my favorite. I’ve watched this drama countless times. I even read book 1 and book 2 to get my closure. Highly recommend it to anyone who likes handsome men and great acting.
Was this review helpful to you?
One of the best and most original indie Chinese series ever!
I can't say enough good things about this wonderfully scripted and acted series. As many fans and viewers have commented, it makes one yearn for more and it is a pity that the PRC government banned it after just one season. For most avid readers and viewers, you'd know that the writer had in fact completed two books, and this 15 episodes only covers about 1/3 to under 1/2 of the first book.Nevertheless, I found the short 15 episodes riveting. Firstly, the storyline is entirely believable. The setting is rustic and authentic. The main and even supporting characters are all interesting and one wishes for more for them to develop as the series progresses. Finally, the acting is almost flawless given the fact that the four "boys" were amateurs then and had not much experience prior to filming the series.
Eventually, a great deal boils down to the chemistry between the two leads played by Huang JingYu and Xu WeiZhou. Both were first time leads then and the casting director did a perfect job to discover such talent. The chemistry between the two actors was subtle yet electrifying, which made the entire short series so believable, real and memorable.
Was this review helpful to you?
Left Me Intrigue
The story was great. I could not stop watching it. The 2 main lead actors (Timmy Xu) and (Jonny Huang) performance blew me away. I hope they won an award for there acting. I watched this because I have seen there works (Timmy Xu) and (Jonny Huang) in other dramas. The intense and mysterious way the story goes. The BL scene surprise me. I was just intrigue and I don't watch BL dramas. The only thing that upset me was that it was not finish. We may never get a second season or the ending of this drama. But it is worth watching this 1st season. This is similar to the movie "Brokeback Mountain"Was this review helpful to you?
Best Chinese bl ever that was discountinued.
Absolutely loved this show! The actors were amazing and had so much chemistry on screen and BTS(behind the scenes). I would absolutely recommend this bl to anyone due to it's authenticity and realism. It was like watching an actual school couple and their moments, not just like watching a movie on a screen. The whole cast did great.Although, I am disappointed that it was discontinued due to Chinese censorship, and the actors have not been around for a while, which I think may have been due to separation of the two and something about not being aloud to be seen in public? But there's nothing I can do about it, so I can be contented with the episodes that were released, and only hope for maybe a miracle to happen in the future for these two to come together again.
Was this review helpful to you?
The character of Gu Hai appealed me more in the drama than Bai Luo Yin, but when i read the book after having watched the drama and curiosity to know more, i equally fell in love with Yin Zi.
Gu Hai character is for sure the best of a Boyfriend Kind, who would cross mountains or swim oceans Just at the call of his beloved Yin Zi.. The best Part of this drama was, that the emotion that you capture while reading was well represented here.. When I read the Book both the character appeared same, even the demeanor and silhouette ..
from gifting underwear to cooking looked like real.. their acting excelled far beyond words.. I may be incorrect but i felt that they acted pretty well because in real life also they connect as Gu hai and Yinzi...
[More over i really know why this drama was banned from airing.. and if i could change my opinion just by watching this drama for the LGBT community i am pretty sure million others would also have accepted it as any natural Love affair...]
Also, i wish if I could befriend with any gay guy... I really really want to be friends, but unfortunately i dont have anyone who i can befriends with.. I wish to see someone becoming my friend soon...
Love from and ordinary Girl who likes gay lover now...
Was this review helpful to you?
Comparison Time
Okay so have seen both the original and the adaptation and I will say it without any regrets: The Original Is A 100x Better!Now Comparison Time:
The love Gu Hai showed in these 15 episodes was way better than Wu Bai
The original series was about them unlike the adaptation where they cared about every character's story unfortunately and put equal focus on them
Of course the original had some faults but which show doesn't?
This drama is up on my high-priority list!
I was going to wish for a season 2 from the original but that is never going to happen so I will patiently wait for a season 2 from the adaptation
The adaptation itself was not bad but it was a bromance that you had to imagine as a BL.
However, I do understand the Chinese censorship.
The original was a straight-up BL and you don't need to imagine anything at all.
Both of them have a high rating from my side. I like both the couples and I think their chemistry is off the charts if compared with some leading Thai BLs.
Summary: Feel free to watch both stories and while you wait for another season, feel free to read more than 100 chapters of the book :D
Was this review helpful to you?
This was a gem even with the constraints of censorship.
When I started watching this it felt a little wonky. But every episode made me want it more and more. I'm so in love with the main couple, and I'm so over the censorship issue! These actors did a great job, and I feel really cheated that they didnt get season 2 or a storyline in Love After Addiction. Their relationship was rough and tumble, and it could have come through as cartoonish or melodramatic. But for me, they portrayed it in a way that felt so believable and ultimately warm. Chinese bl is good, and China should celebrate that. Hats off to cast and crew.Was this review helpful to you?
Unmatched and Unparalleled
This series is based on a book series which I've read countless times before. The show and the books are not for the faint of heart and it has content that some may find triggering. The show features dubious consent and the novel has a brutal rape scene between the two main leads. This may lead some people to not condone or enjoy this series but I personally found this show to be the best BL I've ever seen. Real life is not fiction and shows are not meant to portray all LGBT relationships. People who can't understand the difference here should not watch. Taking that into account this show has wonderful acting, a gorgeous soundtrack especially when it comes to the OST, two ML who have magnetic and profound chemistry, and very touching moments. The show does end on a cliffhanger because it was banned by the Chinese government. Google if it you are interested, but the story itself is completed. The author completed the book series and I recommend people watch the show and continue with reading the books to see how their relationship proceeds. The two ML are masculine and begin as sort of "enemies". They have a very cat-and-mouse relationship at first which the actors do a great job in portraying. The emotional and sexual tension between the ML can be felt throughout the show and it makes the scenes poignant and ADDICTIVE. You just keep wanting more of them. No other BL or story has ever captured the magic that this series has with these actors, for me. So basically if you can differentiate between fiction and reality and want to see a BL where the ML have insane chemistry watch this.Was this review helpful to you?
The chemestry between the characters is something that couldn't be explain.
The story, finally, is different from every BL that i watch. Original, beautiful, touching, happy, real. Even if the relationship is develop very fast ( the part of Gu Hai ) his falling in love seem so real that this doesn't count, it's amzing like this. This series is perfection.
It's so sad that they have banned from China. But at least the last episode has a happy ending! HAHAH
The song, oh gosh, i falling in love with the song, they make me found out song like " Hero - Family of the year. " or " Touble i'm in - Twinbed" .
they put it the song in the right place of the series. The filming is the best i ever seen in a BL, seem so professional.
So, in the end, WATCH IT.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I’m inspired
Questions are asked why the Chinese authorities banned this Addiction series specifically, and banned the two leads from being seen together: there are other gay series that are not banned, why? First, this is not a 'gay' series, there is no aggrandisement of any gay lifestyle or anything characteristically gay: on the contrary, these two masculine actors portray two (twenty-four year old) adolescents who happen to fall in love, like any two other people, simple as that: they are portrayed as normal, adjusted, healthy, and reasonable in every respect:that is the problem for the authorities. Two guys falling in love is depicted as the most normal way of life, nothing unusual, or weird, or bizarre, or anything to attract attention: two guys struggling, as any couple would do, in courting. That the casting was genius to match these two guys together: the raw, unashamed direction of the physical and emotional affection and human sensitivity between the two is so touchingly sensitive, there is no shame or embarrassment, makes normality of what might be titillating...it is not anything but normal and healthy, therein is the rub: their love is so attractive, if these are your feelings, hey you, go for it.Was this review helpful to you?
