HEHE&HE (2018)

You've got a friend in me!

So I have just spent over half an hour trying to find out the name of the actor playing Tat/Radar and all I could find are two names: Ajun and Charles without a photo to accompany those....It is often so frustration when there are webdramas like this one, hidden gems which could use more exposure because they are original and fun, and I cannot find any information about it save for what's mentioned on youtube which is not much. I don't speak cantonese but even their wikipedia page (which I translated using google!) does not offer more! Why?

This webdrama is first and foremost a sitcom about two best friends living together. They'd been friends for twenty years, they even tried dating once but without success so they remained friends, closer than lovers, which eventually put strain on their respective romantic relationships. Zik is gay and after his 10 year relationship comes to a close, he seeks solace and a place to stay with Tat (or Radar in final episodes. I don't get different names!). While Zik is messy, Tat is a clean freak and their cohabitation is marked by many bickering scenes because of their differences.

The drama has actually 25 episodes: there is an episode 0. Except for a few last ones, all episodes are about 5min long including a behind the scene part. The originality of this drama is that it is presented as a mockumentary: with characters being interviewed and the single camera filming style seemingly simple and cheap. Well, they obviously did have a very low budget (sound recording is atrocious!), the sets are hideous (but probably realistic, HK way of living in cramped high-rises!) but the writing and the acting are stellar!

The sitcom mostly explores the cohabitation of two men of completely different disposition. But underneath the funny bit, we can also see their relationship changing even though they try to pretend that everything is the same. They themselves seem not to realize the real depth of their connection. Which is is very obvious to the set of support characters gravitating around the main pair: Tat's mother convinced they are dating, the neighbourhood fujoshi and a young man who has grabbed the life with both hands and is exploring his own sexuality in depth (asking Zik for advice), Zik's ex Steven and even the building guard.

Since this is mostly a sitcom, there are no bad characters, some can be overbearing and a bit annoying but that is life. I liked how they included HIV testing into the plot making it important but without panicking.

The plot developed smoothly: from the initial comedy sketches, the slow inclusion of additional characters makes the plot move forward slowly but naturally. Nothing is forced. Kudos to the writers, whoever they may be!

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On My Must See List!

This is an astonishingly funny yet poignant series completed a number of years ago that is just awesome. Funny, cute, and filled with real human characters that are relatable, charming, and individuals i would want as friends. It is a story of friendship and of life and how in life there are always challenges to relationships that must be resolved by ending them. The timing of the humor is shear perfection and the whole series just has a certain 'lived in' feeling about it that is so relatable. I loved this series a lot
If you want to see my full review, read it at BLBliss.com.

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