HIStory3: Make Our Days Count (2019)

A história é tão boa, por que terminar desse jeito?

A história é tão boa, por que terminar desse jeito? Eu não me importo com finais tristes quando o final faz sentido, mas POR QUÊ MATAR O menino lá? Tanto que eles lutaram pra ficarem juntos, para fazer a família acreditar que eles realmente estavam sérios para um com o outro, todo o esforço para fazer o menino lá entrar numa boa faculdade para no final... matarem o menino aos 18 anos, no momento em que ele ia finalmente VIVER, porque vamos combinar, ele tinha uma vida de merda. Sem pais, tendo que trabalhar e estudar, não se alimentava direito... e quando ele finalmente encontra alguém para dividir o lado bom da vida, ele é morto. Poxa cara, sei que o tema da série é exatamente mostrar o quanto temos que fazer cada dia valer a pena, mas que final sem sentido. Triste. Nem consegui terminar. Parei na metade do último episódio, não consegui mais conter o rio de lágrimas que saíam dos meus olhos. Tô desapontada demais.

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Ouch. That one hurt.

Ah, I can't breathe... So many tears.

"Make Our Days Count" was the first BL I ever watched before actually getting into them only a couple months ago. However, I had never watched the last episode until now. I'd been thinking about Sun Bo Xiang and Lu Zhi Gang a lot this week and how sad it was that I never saw their happy-ever-after because I didn't want to see the other ending. So I finally decided to do a rewatch. I thought getting into it knowing the end would help, that I could somehow make myself not care for Hao Ting and Xi Gu, except for the fact that I forgot how insanely sweet they are... so now I'm a wreck... I remembered loving Sun Bo Xiang and Lu Zhi Gang so much, but my eyes were hooked onto Hao Ting and Xi Gu this time, even though I specifically meant for the opposite to happen. Hao Ting's realization of his feelings is so pure. His sister's right, even when he's being kind of an ass, you can still tell he's very kind-hearted. Yu Xi Gu doesn't have a bad bone in his body which makes his end so much more tragic. I mean, he is possibly the worst character to pick to give this ending to, or the best, I suppose, if the criteria is how much you're trying to make me cry. Sweet baby boy lost his parents at such a young age, then decided on his own to go live by himself as to not be a burden to his aunt despite having to put himself through school. He deserved the world and instead... well, you know... It's hard to think objectively when you know what's coming, but the way they went about it is strange. I say strange but to be fair I don't think there would have been a "better death" per say. I just thought there was maybe a missed opportunity to make it a health issue rather than a sudden accident. I mean, Xi Gu is so skinny! There were so many references to the fact that that boy barely eats and looks like he could pass out at any moment. In the end, I don't actually care, and am in fact relieved it was that way just because it's less painful not to see any of it, at least.

It makes me sad to see some very low ratings because of the ending. As devastated as I am right now, every single second of this show really is so good. Would I have preferred a happy ending? Well, yeah... Did this sad ending suck? No, definitely not.

All the characters are immensely enjoyable. The friend group is so lovely and pure. Hao Ting and Sun Bo's friendship is everything. The side couple is just as interesting and lovely, which isn't always a given in BLs, and both couples' stories are intermingled together so well. Lu Zhi Gang is super cute, Sun Bo is adorable, and together they're really something special. Basically, there isn't a boring second in this drama. It still is hard to rate it, though, especially considering I can barely see what I'm writing through my tears, ahhh.

It's rough, though. On the one hand, I wouldn't want to have watched it without knowing the end. On the other end, even the happy moments (which is actually every other episode, another ouch factor) made me cry just because I knew what was coming.

The acting is superb. Wayne really killed it in the last episode, which makes it so much more painful.

The soundtrack is gorgeous as well, they really were coming for me with those piano pieces in the last episodes.

I think the rewatch value is a 10 if you don't watch the end. Otherwise, now that I've finally watched it, I don't think I will be able to go back.

Anyway, I ranted at nearly 6am as my tears dry. That was kinda therapeutic. I think one way to look at it is, are the first 9 episodes worth a watch despite the 10th? Yeah, very much so. Without the ending, this would easily be in my top 3 favourite BLs. And by all means skip the last episode if needed. I might try and go back to pretending it doesn't exist, oops.

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AMAZING, BUT BEWARE OF EPISODE 10!

VIEWERS BEWARE! If you want to keep things lighthearted and fun, DO NOT WATCH EPISODE 10.

I originally saw this when it first came out, and I am rewatching it for the first time since. It is a well worth drama that's different from most, and it will definitely keep your attention. But as I have stated before, episode 10 is a page turner that didn't need to exist.

As a fellow writer, I feel episode 10 was a plot twist Gone Wrong! Some may say it was a final addition to the script that was meant for shock value, others might say it was supposed to come out of nowhere- as it says in the title "Make Your Days Count", but this by far was a terrible way to convey the message. I honestly do not mind the idea of one of the main characters dying by the end of the series, in truth, it does fit the theme/premise of the show. But with this being said, it could have been done a WHOLE lot better. For example, picture this:

"A pair of boys fall in love during the prime of their youth. Young and careless, the two shelter themselves from the world around them creating one of their own- that is until a terminal disease begins to rear it's ugly head threatening to tear the two apart."

This would have been MUCH BETTER; possibly having one of the characters being born with something terminal- he hides it from the second lead not wanting to spoil any of the moments they have left together. It could still have been a shock to the audience, keeping us in the dark as well. It would have delivered a softer yet still effective sting in our hearts wanting us to make the most of what we have.

But ultimately, it was the author's/writers' choice NOT OURS. But WE as watchers do have a choice So if you want to enjoy a beautiful story- only watch up until Episode 9. Don't worry, you don't miss much in Episode 10 that adds needed detail to the plot. After all, I pretend episode 10 doesn't exist. But don't just take my word for it, see four yourself.

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Amazing actors and good ending

Ok, so the ending is "bad" in the sense that it will make you cry. I watched the last episode with tears in my eyes the whole time ... and then watched it again. Will probably watch it again tomorrow.
The main actors are amazing, no childish behavior as you often see in BL but real characters with real emotions. It just clicks on so many levels that I don't understand why people don't like the ending. Ok, so I guess it is not like in the books, but man ... Wayne Song knows how to portrait first love and the way he shows sadness ... it breaks my heart. Ok, I give in, need to rewatch it again now.

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Spoil before you watch!

I had known about this show and it's ending for some time now and I had been putting it off because I don't like sad endings. I thought I was prepared for Eternal Yesterday and still cried like a baby, so I took lots of time and mental preparing for this show! 😂

In the end my mental preparing paid off and I was not emotionally damaged! Though it was still heartbreaking, I was able to objectively judge the show. I'll come back to the ending later.

Without the ending Hao Ting and Shigu's story would be a 9/10 for me. With the ending it's an 7/10.

Sun Bo and Xhi Gang get... a 0/10 I'm sorry lol. I did not care about these two. I thought they were so weird and Xhi Gang was so creepy to me. I don't even mind age gaps, but this one was a big yikes. Irl the actors also have a significant age gap, but them both being legal adults did only a little to ease me since Sun Bo was portraying a kid. I cannot imagine dating a HIGH SCHOOLER. 💀 I didn't want to date an 18 year old when I was 23 much less now lmao. He was always surrounded by younger men, especially high school boys, and so touchy feely with LITTLE GU. I get it that he saw him like a little brother, but this dude was so weird lmao. They didn't do a good job of convincing me he was "protective" instead of predatory. Especially since at one point he tells Sun Bo he's his little boy or something. 🤢 Sun Bo, I didn't like him at first. He definitely acted the part of a high schooler. Idk if he was 17 or 18 because age was rarely mentioned in this series, but I stand by this match being weird on both ends. He was so obsessive and creepy without realizing it I guess. Kissing someone 3x when they said no is assault. The adult in the situation didn't do anything to actually correct this situation. He still appeased him by getting out of the man's car when Sun Bo said he was FOLLOWING HIM, HELLO? I could be here all day telling you why this relationship is yuck. I skipped their scenes after they actually got together because it was a lost cause. However, Sun Bo did eventually grow on me in terms of his friendship with Hao Ting.

Back to the elephant in the room: The Ending

I can see why the audience was so distraught. Up until this point the show wasn't even a heavy one. It showcased struggles yes, but it wasn't "someone dies at the end" heavy. It was a little angst along side comedy. I mean come on... I always wondered who would buy those fish flipflops from Shein. 😂 Though at the end Hao Ting's parents were super annoying and not the best.
Ex:
-Not supportive even though they stopped resisting.
-Encouraging him to date a woman, instead of comforting him, despite him CLEARLY mourning and depressed!

They still offered some comedic relief in their arguments, cue the fish flipflops. So when the viewer abruptly finds out the MC died halfway through the last episode it would definitely be jarring to someone who went in to this show blindly. You also find out in the last quarter how he died and that this time jump was around 6 years?! For the emotional impact I don't think it was even well done, written, or planned with care. They didn't deliver the audience a bittersweet emotional moment, they did a time jump and swept the MAIN CHARACTER under the rug like he didn't matter. At least give us some of that heartbreak and do Shigu's character some justice. He was so warm, strong, kind, and I adore the actor's bright smile. Shigu deserved better and so did the audience.

Now I prefer he have not died at all and that sloppy alternate ending online is just hilarious to me. The alternate ending sucked too. Take out the accident and refilm a GOOD alternate ending. Though I'm glad there was enough outrage from the masses to show the writer she's an a*shole, I understand the goal between the death and the title, but you had so many options to go with this. The loss of Shigu's parents would fit this. His aunt basically abandoned him. If something must happen maybe an accident he survived or a short coma. Hao Ting cutting his parents off. Heck if someone needed to die, why not Xhi Gang? 😂💀(I'm actually fr on that one.) You could've made the "tomorrow isn't promised" point a plethora of ways that didn't flush a whole show down the toilet.

All in all I'm glad I watched this. I would suggest spoiling it for yourself and just prepare! I would rewatch it and probably just stop before the last episode. Despite hating Hao Ting at first, that big golden retriever grew on me and their love story sucked me in. I'll always have a spot in my heart for them, but especially Shigu. ♥️

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Just: Xiang Hao Ting

I went into this for shits and giggles. And then....I kind of got obsessed, I won't lie. I still am, with one character in particular.
The concept of this show isn't anything special: but they handled the first-awkward-dumb-teenage love thing so fucking well. I don't exactly know what it was about the whole show, maybe it was Wayne's acting or their relationship being so fucking wholesome and idiotic or the parent's being so typical but also trying to be understanding or the cute sister or just fucking, dumb, idiotic Xiang Hao Ting. Probably all of those things. Or none. Or just one. This show was so...real? Dumb? I don't know what I'm trying to say, but it didn't play around. It knew what it was. It delivered. The ending, I decided to skip at first because I couldn't see Hao Ting cry. But, when I finally got the courage to try and watch it, I'm glad I did. That ending was just....it. It sucked, God. Because, why the hell did poor Yu Shi Gu get all the bad luck in the world? But, people dying, death, the inevitability of it, is a real thing. When you're young, you don't really see death as a reality. Yu and Xi definitely didn't either. But, life doesn't give two shits about that, so it hit them. Like a truck. The ending was just life deciding to say hello. That's what happens to us all the time, so I won't begrudge them that.
Also, oh yeah....Xiang Hao Ting. I absolutely, positively hate him. But, not really because I love him more than I should love a character. I really do need to stop getting attached to characters so much. Alas....he was a giant puppy who had dimples and kissed really well and wasn't afraid to show his feelings. So, I got sold. And still am. Don't watch this show if you like dimples, guys, or giant puppies. Oh, also I will pretend the second couple didn't exist because...yikes. XD

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Wronged but a wonderful story - Spoiler alert, just read if you've finished watching

I'm writing this review because I want try to help people to understand or to see the ending of the show in a better way, cause I genuinely like the story, including how it ends... So let me explain some points.

1 the end was not unexpected
During the whole show we could see that something bad was about to happen. We have the tittle, the sad songs, the sad Yu Xi Gu’s life story, his health frailty (I was thinking that he was going die of some disease), the fact that he almost had a car accident once, but Hao ting saved him, and the many plans both was doing for the future.

2 Hao ting was the main character, but they both had a mission: to save each other's lives
In my opinion, the whole story is about Hao ting's life and how he will become a better person, and Yu Xi Gu came to help him with that. I think the two characters have a "mission". Yu Xi Gu had the mission to show Hao ting how to be a better person and be a “star” for Hao ting, giving him a way. Hao ting's mission was to give Yu Xi Gu love and affection during his short life, since he never got that from his parents or anything like that. I also think Hao ting's mission was to live the life that Yu Xi Gu lost, making his dreams come true so that Yu Xi Gu could still be alive somehow, even after his death.
For me, Yu Xi Gu was destined to die from the beginning, but having found Hao ting, even after his death he will live on because his dreams will still be alive with Hao ting. So, Hao ting also saved Yu Xi Gu's life.

3 history has a beautiful lesson
I really think we NEED to see this story in another perspective so that we can learn something precious from it: It doesn't matter how long our lives last or how we die, It only matters how and with whom we live our days and make them count.
I'm sure the Hao ting will be cured and we've already seen the beginning of this process at the end of story. Of course he will always miss Yu Xi Gu, but the pain will become a lovely memory.

4 for me, recommending not watching the last episode is a mistake
Last but not least, I want to mention that a lot of people say that watching the last episode is bad and not recommended, but guys, it's precisely in these episodes that we see how amazing Wayne's acting (actor who plays Hao ting) is. The acting is also VERY important to the overall quality of a show, and in this case the overall acting is amazing. So folks, let's properly appreciate the deserved aspects of this work.

Ps: In this show the writer made some mistakes, including some confusing elements related to Yu XI Gu's death, but in this review I decided to focus on the fact that the character died, which was what displeased the fans the most.

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In my TOP 5 BL Dramas. An Exquisite Mixture of...

This drama mixes various topics and aspects of life perfectly. It starts as a high school drama, with lots of funny moments, struggles of student life and teen romance, how to find your own way, finding out what you like, what you love, experimenting with new things; and ends with making serious questions about adult and psychological issues. The casting is pretty good, main and side characters alike and the actors are really top-notch and versatile. They can be funny, lovable, goofy and can also carry out heavy drama at a very high standard. Moreover, the script and the characters are beautifully written, and side characters are not only in an insignificant comic-relief role, but certain characters are utilized later on in the show as a plot device as well as in an emotional drive, making them a feel more significant. The quality of the episodes only vary a little, every episode is entertaining and satisfying by itself, with the finaly one being the best episode in my opinion. It could be a stand-alone clip/movie as well and would feel very strong.
It is 100% worth watching the whole show and reaching the finale.

The questions the drama shows the viewer include:
- How do you find your own way as a teenager at school, at love, at your own family?
- What can you learn from another person culturally, emotionally, especially if they are totally different from you?
- How do you think about the future?
- What to do with your life after graduation?
- How to overcome the past? Is it even possible?
- What's the true meaning of life?
- And more....

What I can say is that this drama will:
- Make you smile
- Make you root for the couples' happiness
- Make you learn from their dynamics
- Lift up your soul to the Heaven, squeeze it and send it to the deepest parts of Hell

As for me, this BL should be placed on the same shelf as titles like Your Name Engraved Herein, I Feel You Linger in the Air, and I Told Sunset About You (ITSAY), which introduce you into real drama and heavy emotions in a nearly perfect way, with beautiful script, visuals, characters and actors. Although it is not as realistic as ITSAY, it really deals with serious topics not many BL dramas do. It's one of the really unique BLs ever created.

Personally, I have rewatched it already 3 times, at different stages of my life, whenever I felt like reliving some real or even sad emotions, or just to remind myself to believe again, and I enjoyed it every time I watched it, I feel its rewatch value is pretty high, but you tell me. :) I'm feeling a bit confused that its MDL rating is lower than its more action-packed counterpart HIStory3: Trapped, but I can accept that action and lighter BLs might be more popular.

You'll LOVE this show if you are empathic, enjoy details and can easily get engaged by heavy drama situations.
You'll NOT LOVE this show if you are only into fluffy, goofy, innocent, easy BLs.

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This would have probably been one of my favorite from the HIStory series, if not for the muddled ending. It's such a lovely portrayal of finding the right one for you. It poses the difficult question of how much you would do to achieve your love.

Acting was really good, I had fun watching all the characters interact with each other. Both couples were so endearing in their own way, and I found myself falling in love with them over the course of the drama. The chemistry between the couples was really good as well. This is definitely the most explicit HIStory series. Music wasn't really at the forefront of Make Our Days Count. I think they concentrated more on the characters, which is fine with me. HIStory doesn't really focus on the music side of things, more so on the plot the majority of the time. The story is pretty basic, but the actors really bring you in, and I enjoyed getting to know them along the way. Both couples get relatively equal screen as well which is happy.

That being said, I haven't officially finished this series. I avoided the last episode, because I think it might break my heart the watch the last one. I might get around to it, but after watching Yu Xi and A-hao work hard to be together for eighteen episodes, it's unlikely I'll submit myself to that.

All in all, a really good drama, and super fun to watch. If you're fine with mixed endings, then you're a braver soul than I. If you are not, skip the last episode and nothing will be missed.

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A beautiful drama

From the story to the acting to the cinematography, this series was absolutely beautiful and has stuck with me long past the first time I watched it. I enjoyed both couples very much but the main couple was definitely my favorite and their love for one another was lovely to watch. I found them realistic and they dealt with real life struggles. Watching the way they cared for one another, stuck by each other and loved and supported one another was the most powerful part of the story.

I couldn’t recommend this enough. As others have mentioned, there is definitely a twist in the last episode but don’t let that put you off. Enjoy the ride because it’s well worth it.

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