My first BL series that I watched and I did not regret it
P.S. Consider my review here to be pretty late because I actually watched this last year plus this series takes a special place in my heart due to the fact that this is where it started my journey in watching BL series lol...What I love about this show is how the plot and characters' relationships developed well. We have the main couple and the side couple : police x mob and I was already ecstatic for it. Both couples have great chemistry with each other and I'm glad that the acting is also good - expressions are portrayed well with just a few scenes or moments of stiff acting but that's fine because the overall outcome of the series ended up pretty well.
In addition to that, it's also not the typical romantic comedy genre. It's a fusion of action, romance, drama with a little bit of comedy here and there and I love how they balanced this well. Props to the director, producer as well as the writer.
The pacing of the story did not disappoint me as well because we get to see how the relationship of the couples progressed. There's no "boom" already a couple moment or "boom" hot and steamy kissing scenes already at the first episode. I love how it was slow burn so that the series could develop in terms of plot and character because both couples had their sweet and subtle moments of flirting and I find it to be so wholesome.
For the Cons of this series, I actually felt like the main conflict ended up pretty flat for me. Like I had the expression, that was it? That was the only thing that bothered me in the series.
In conclusion, this is definitely worth the watch if you're into police x mob pairings and slow burn romance with a hint of action and comedy. The series also has a solid cast with good chemistry plus a 45-50 mins running time for each episode that will definitely not leave you hanging.
This series is also part of the History franchise (TAIWAN BL SERIES) and I'll only recommend :
1. History3 - Trapped (COMPLETE),
2. History3 - Make Our Days Count (COMPLETE)
3. History4 - Close To You (ONGOING) because personally, these are the only series worth the watch in the History franchise.
Anyway, Enjoy watching... :)
Was this review helpful to you?
Is this an award-winning program? Not particularly. Is this a genuinely enjoyable, cheesy, but deeply emotional story with a lot of character growth, minimal homophobia, and a plotline that exists outside of the romantic subplots? Jesus, yes. It is nearly impossible to find a decent show with canon gay relationships that aren't flat-out bad (read: step-siblings trope, abusive, large age differences/imbalanced power dynamic, one or both parties dying) but Trapped is a notable exception. The only negatively depicted gay character is balanced out by 6 positive gay/bi figures, so I can excuse it. I just really wasn't expecting this series to go so hard and avoid so many homophobic stereotypes that tend to come with the territory. They don't erase or shy away from the fact that these men are gay or bi, but they also don't constantly subject them to blatant homophobia. The director is seriously a legend. She really knows what she's doing. Also, the entire cast had so much chemistry and it showed in every scene. I loved this show. Would watch again and fully cry.
Was this review helpful to you?
the best possible amalgamation of fluff and angst in a series
i was tired of the cliché romcom bls, and being a lover of the action and crime & investigation genre, i jumped to viki as soon as i finished reading the synopsis on mdl. and man was i surprised.the chemistry, A1
the acting, A1
the story A1
everything about the series is so perfect. the way they managed to include the little bittersweet romantic scenes between the two "enemies " in the middle of a dramatic action sequence, had my stomach churning with anticipation.
the story was very well scripted.
also i have never loved a second couple as much as i loved jack and zhao zi. those two have my whole heart. they were so so so cute ahhhhh... especially zhao zi being an innocent little fawn and jack having a sinister wolf like personality. their contrasting personas matched so well.
Was this review helpful to you?
- Story was interesting and out of the norm for BLs. Refreshing after so many high school/college dramas. I enjoyed the gang dynamics and the dichotomy of the police vs gang with the main characters, even if this was unrealistic most of the time (those cops were...barely cops lol). I definitely was kept engaged by the story and wondering what would happen next. So often the romance is the plot with these dramas, that was not the case here. While it may have not been the most fleshed out or realistic plot, it was enjoyable and fun.
A main weakness for me was the kiss scenes - closed mouths pressing against each other are not my thing. This was remedied in a couple of scenes, but there were too many stiff, dead fish kiss scenes for my taste. That being said, the intimate scenes were quite good without being raunchy.
Character wise - I enjoyed that Tang Yi had some depth and wasn't just a stoic tsundere who refused to acknowledge his feelings. He was a fully fleshed out character with depth and more than one setting. Shaofei annoyed the hell out of me at first, but definitely grew on me. I really enjoyed the side couple and wish they got more screen time, though there was a bit of non-consensualness that kind of turned me off.
Overall a solid drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Funny story/policeman/gangster/bl
Nice, different and interesting story about policeman and gangster and their relationship. Really enjoyed it. Nice skinship, warm feelings, good looking asian guys. Some action with witty dialoges. Already rewatched this twice. Taiwan Bl series have interesting ideas and tasty hot sceens. Not too much, but still interesting. I would really like to see the next season with the same actors and story line. That will be great. Actors with main and secondary roles made a great show, you can see the chemistry and involvement.Was this review helpful to you?
Not of the 'HIStORY' series level.
I suggest you drop your expectations to ZERO before you start watching this 1.I thought my IQ's dropping whilst watching this drama, I had to put it on hold a couple of days after the 5th eps.
They did show plenty of improvement(acting/story/production) in THE LAST 5 episodes, but by then, if you're still watching; how much difference does that really make!?
Don't expect BL-chemistry, even though they tried their best to make it look as if.. felt cringey every time they kissed, for real! [Last episode was an exception.]
Was this review helpful to you?
Main Couple: Shao Fei and Tang Yi
I was initially a little cold toward Meng Shao Fei's character, but his quirkiness and funny emotive facial expressions quickly won me over. He's a bit brazen, bullish, and immature, especially for a police officer, but he has a clear heart and is always forthright in his intentions. I liked Tang Yi out the gate (his voice is *chefs kiss*) but his backstory and affinity for warm smiles when he allows his walls to come down, especially grew on me. I'm really impressed that his character is introduced as bisexual right off the bat. No, "I'm only gay for you" trope at all; he's seen openly flirting with a man at the bar and it's obvious he's not concerned with how it'll look. The enemy-to-lovers trope (which I happen to love) is used in this series, but I felt like it was executed with natural ease, and I'd perhaps credit the writer's pacing for that because they don't automatically fall in love when they first begin spending more time together. They get to know each other as layers are peeled back and their walls come down one by one. At first glance, they're physically a rather unconventional pairing. Tang Yi is tall, elegant, well dressed, and handsome; while, Shao Fei is rather unkempt, unconventionally handsome, and awkward in his posture and body language (I think it's mostly the clothing choices and the hairstyle because he's much more attractive IRL- which is a big kudos to the styling team to bring such a contrast to their physicality). Together, they have a nice synergy that exudes unexpected natural chemistry. Both of their acting is on point, and I was again especially impressed by Chris Wu as Tang Yi, specifically in the heavier emotional scenes that take place near the end of the series (no spoilers). I've seen big emotional breakdowns like that in BLs before, but that one felt visceral and raw. Like I was watching a private moment.
Secondary Couple: Jack & Li An
One is a sm0l and innocent little bean, and the other is coy, mischievous, and has a contagious smile. Their instant chemistry and initial get-togethers were fun to watch. As their relationship grew, I enjoyed watching their chemistry change from that superficial innocence to something more meaningful. As a person, I had conflicting feelings toward Jack. His character is much more morally gray than I'd initially anticipated and I was disappointed in some of the choices he made.
"What to do when a man confesses to another man." LOL. Protect this pure soul.
Third Couple: Zuo Hongye and Gu Daoyi
I'm not remotely interested in this relationship. Hongye is petulant, selfish, and scheming. I don't like her, and I never warmed up to her character. Gu Daoyi is flat and glum at all times. Too hesitant or cowardly to reveal his true feelings until way late in the game. Very uninteresting.
OST: Nice variety in genres that bends easily between each scene, whether it was an action scene or a melancholic moment of self-reflection. Impressed.
Overall: An outstanding BL with such a strong story, it grips you throughout even if you're going in purely for the BL aspect. The acting was strong with everyone, but my superstar is Chris Wu. His range, and his moments of visceral anger or raw and childlike agony, blew me away. I cried with him - literally couldn't help myself. He displays his grief in such a gut-wrenching, all-encompassing way. From his body language to the way his face contorts with its last thread of restraint. I want to see him in more projects. The last few episodes especially were masterfully done.
Any negative feedback?
Not really, except I wish they did a 2nd season with the same characters, or at least an epilogue episode to add closure (no spoilers).
Was this review helpful to you?
still a favorite
Overall: I originally watched this in 2020. Re-watched in 2024, I saw the areas of improvement but the two m/m couples stayed as two of my all time favorites. On YouTube as twenty 22 min episodes and Viki as ten 45 minute episodes.Note: Shao Fei's piece of hair was sticking up on purpose, I think they called it Fifi lol
Content Warnings: past murders, attempted murder, grief, manipulation, violence, blood, torture, held against will, suicide (off screen), drugging, beginning sexual assault, non con touching, manhandling, past child abuse
What I Liked
- dynamic of enemies to lovers/opposites attract
- Shao Fei & Li An's friendship
- Shao Fei wasn't completely inept, did have some fight and detective skills
- sweet moments
- a few funny moments (though some were too cringey)
- good intimacy
- second m/m couple (but not Jack saying Li An had to take responsibility for (unknowingly) attracting him)
- OST
Room For Improvement
- episode 1 was weird when the sister wore his shirt and acted flirty
- the het side couple didn't hook me, wish they had spent that screen time on the second m/m couple
- confused/zoned out with all the mafia intricacies/plot
- some camerawork had a low budget feel
- comedy sound effects
- unrealistic parts, i.e. the 2 coworkers handed Li An off to a known criminal
- some truly heinous suits
- wish something hadn't happened towards the end when they visited the grave, didn't deduct points
Was this review helpful to you?
conflicted
So, overall my rating for this series would be an 8.5. I did enjoy the series and I did end up enjoying the majority of the characters by the end. However, my big issue is that it took way too long for me to get invested into the show in my opinion. The first few episodes (if you're counting on a 1-20 ep scale) were honestly a little bit dull. Visually the scenes were not interesting, kind of dull color schemes and basic sets, and I did not feel anything for our main leads until about episode 4 or 5 (on 1-20 scale). However, I waited it out, because I knew it is a beloved treasure within the bl community. Thankfully, I did because soon I met Jack (him and Zhaozi were honestly a huge highlight for me) I knew I had a character I could hold onto to at least FINISH the show and then also to my luck the main leads warmed up to me. The pace of the mystery plot also picked up (but unfortunately I was kind of meh to it. I enjoyed it but wasn't overly impressed by it).On another note I'll speak about the acting, I honestly do not believe that it is a problem with the actor who plays Shaofei, because he honestly did really well in scenes where he was serious, but I think the directing was a bit confusing for some of his scenes. He would have to go from serious to goofy in the snap of a finger, and honestly the comedic aspect didn't hit right in those scenes. I think Shaofei and Tangyi's storyline could have been left without the weird goofy aspects, and that could have been left to the group of cops and Jack/Zhaozi's relationship personally. I also HATE HATE HATE that every single kiss within this series used the dead ass wide fish kiss eyes. Like who kisses like that???????? But overall it was very nice and overall enjoyable, some aspects just didn't hit right with me.
I think that the actor who plays Tangyi was honestly the highlight of the show. He was so good at playing his character and showcasing every emotion Tangyi felt. His scene at the end of episode 18 (or 9) was so wonderfully performed. I would love to see more from him in the future.
Was this review helpful to you?
Brilliant, Moving, and Full of Pain
This is a phenomenally good BL series that touches the human connection in a way I was not expecting. The series starts out very much as a ‘cops and robbers’ scenario but turns way more intense and personal . This love story is secondary to the development of the main characters forming a bond based on honesty, trust, and basically doing the right thing. It is essentially based on higher ideals and goals not just for life but for their love. It is truly a beautiful story. This is a great story, solidly written and beautifully acted. All the supporting roles are so good and add both to the flow of this series and to its content of making it more of a human story that a love story. It is filled with emotions, painful past memories, and a plethora of unsavory aspects of what makes us human. The beauty of it was that it did not define them, merely explained them. You can read my full review of this very interesting HIStory series at ppbongi.medium.com.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Mafia Boss vs The Police? Heck Yeah!
I remember I watched this around December 2019 on my sister's recommendations. This is the best HIStory, imo. The story is very good and since I'm a simp for enemies-to-lovers troupe, this is perfect. The chemistry between the first couple and the 2nd couple are sooooo goood. The plot is great and the NC's timing were very good. I loved how they put comedy in this series too. They could make it serious but funny and sweet at the same time. but the ending kinda ruined it for me...LIKE WHY IT HAS TO END WITH TANG YI'S IMPRISONMENT?! FREE TANG YI!I would recommend this to someone who like detective/police series and love NC's between the couples.
Was this review helpful to you?
