Hot take: The only ones with interesting storylines were from the supporting casts
Taiwan and its compulsiveness in making stepbrother romance as a relationship approach in a series. I liked a lot of elements from this drama, but I’ve seen too much of this concept that the impact became dull and redundant. A coming-of-age setup reminds me of some notable C-dramas I watched in previous years, and what makes this more interesting is that they give us the BL flavor to spice up the audience.The substitute teachers and Alors Cafe owners need their show! They captivated my whole attention, and I love them the most. I demand a prequel or sequel that features them more than anyone else. The love tension is so extreme but I was left hanging by that minimal kiss and confrontation at the end. Subjectively speaking, Zhao Xi and Benny stole the show and I’m craving more from them.
Every cast did great with the portrayal of their roles. You can’t guess that these teenagers in the story were adults in real life. The squad isn’t that impactful but they still manage to provide a favorable result of high school friendship. Andy Chen as Gao Tian Yang is my favorite one from them! I’m grateful that the drama introduced me to this Gu Hai version and excited to see his next projects, hopefully, a BL show, in the future. One of my favorite episodes was the sports festival which was chaotically fun and regained the momentum of the drama’s appeal.
I applaud the production for limiting the young couple’s intimate scenes. I honestly think they can make more sexual scenarios and I’m glad they don’t. From what I’ve seen from the latest BLs today, many shows prioritize the R-18 plot more than the quality of their script.
Overall, this drama is good but downgraded by the concept of an incest-like relationship. Thankfully, the supporting characters left a good impression towards the end despite not having their proper closure to the story.
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This review may contain spoilers
What???
Okay what the heck was that last episode?? It was a terrible way to end a drama! I know there's a 2nd season but seriously, the last episode was not IT. They could have chosen other parts of the book for the last ep. Spoiler ahead....
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Wang intentionally flunked the exams because he wanted to distance himself from Tian because of his feelings. But they resolved this, comes Wangzai's bday and that's when they confess and got together. If I'm not mistaken that's when they first kissed too (in the novel). After that, the had an exam and Wangzai got back to Class A, JiaHao failed, and that's when the angst started. I think this parts would've been the better option to end the 1st season.
For the cast: I'm okay with their performance, however, Liu Dong Qin does not really look like a high school student. I'm a little flabbergasted why they casted adults to play high school students!
The music: It's great and fitting.
The plot: It's not new. It's actually very common for a coming-of-age slash slice-of-life genre. What I appreciate was the world building. Like I've read stories and watched movies/dramas that show students but don't live like one (they spend most of their time outside than in school which is unrealistic). With this, one, especially in the novel, it really presented the idle yet eventful life of a student. They built Wangzai and Tian's student god images with actions and not merely a description. They actually showed how they study, how much time they spend on it, and whatnots. Typically, authors would just say that their MCs and MLs are studious, geniuses, etc. without showing how they are like that. But in this story, it's the opposite.
I understand why other people find this boring and slow but I appreciate its pace. People got used to fast-paced dramas like in the 3rd ep the lead characters are already in love and whatnots. People forget the MC and ML are still high school student. What could they do beside going to school and studying?
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely wait for the 2nd season. A must watch and rewatch!
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This review may contain spoilers
Bonds in the Series
The story mostly tackles friendship than romances. The only intimate interaction was when they kissed. The rest were only intense moments or more on friendship. Although the main lead, Sheng, shows signs of attachment, he does not realize it and pushes the notion that he only sees him as a brother. Meanwhile, Tian, despite his romantic feelings for Sheng, doesn't make big moves that throw him off as someone who likes Sheng. He does small gestures as someone who admires Sheng but is hardly noticeable. Over time, they grow attached with each other.Was this review helpful to you?
A flower that didn't get to bloom
I can't express how much I loved it, it was very unique and special drama, yet, it didn't feel complete, it felt like a very long preface and stopped right at the first chapter.I have to say first that I haven't read the source material I know the series adapt a part of a whole, but my opinion relies only on the series, so excuse me if I ignore the whole and focus only on the part adapted.
What I liked about this drama despite the slow pace is the way the story is represented, I totally got immersed in it and wanted to see more, and although I mainly started it because it was a BL, I didn't really care about the lack of romance for the most of it, I also felt robbed of the relationship development as it stopped at a very critical point but that didn't deprive the story from it's charm.
Acting was amazing, I can't believe the two leads are actually that old, they fit their ages pretty well, and they did great job, specially the 30YO Liu Dong Qin, despite applying half a bottle of foundation on his beard area and how obvious it looked but I bought that he is 17.
However, what made me anxious toward the end - beside knowing that I won't find a drama as good after finishing it - is that I knew there won't be enough time to show the relationship and the blossoming romance between them.
And that really left me in a pinch, because I don't know if adapting a small part of the source material and stop the drama at this point on the story and depend on having a second season to tie up loose end is a good idea or not, because second season isn't promised and many problems could arise making it difficult to produce a second season, that been said, i also can't imagine changing and of the episodes to include more of the story as I believe it could take away from the beauty of how it's made.
I mean, ep9 is amazing I had so much fun watching it and despite most of it being a filler, I don't wish to change a thing about it.
Overall I love it as it is, slightly hoping that the plan of having a second season would be true and we will get to see more of them, I really want to see those two boys in love.
I really recommend this, it's one of a kind and very perfectly made.
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Ending was shit.
What hack? Waste of time. Worst ending and homophobic story. They give up on both couple. Even 2nd couple ending with homophobic.I was expected more... Anyway what u can expect from china or taiwan. ?????. There acting was good but at the end bottom started to act cute lol.?? I don’t want to be hater but i feel like waste of time after watching end ep. Hope there will be 2 season.Was this review helpful to you?
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So - So
This drama is good, but it doesn’t feel like a BL. It feels like a story of two strangers who became family instead of lovers as there’s no romantic connection, we’re two episodes left and YET there was no scene where it felt like they loved each other. The teachers plot is also so uninteresting. Otherwise I think this show is pretty enjoyable and entertaining.Was this review helpful to you?
A Total Mess
Dont call it an adaptation if you changed everything! Such a disrespect.I thought having a director whom did a great job with YNEH could also produce another title with the same quality but nope, he destroyed it completely, a disaster.
Dont come at me and say that I'm just a hater, nah I was totally happy with the first eps but then the ending of eps 2 made me a lil bit dissapointed but still gave them chance bcs I thought they would do better. haha I was such a fool, until I couldnt bear to watch it anymore and stop at eps 8. I had no beef with the actors, pure hate on the production team. Even when the drama wasnt aired yet and ppl said trash about this series, I defended them!! They said the plot is similar to addicted and there's nothing new, I corrected them! What a naive me lol I regret it now
The worst part if you ask me? Mischaracterization!! The only character that they did justice was jiangtian's mom, that's it! I hate jingjie in this drama to the core bcs she was sooo ooc, like I couldnt even remember the jingjie in the novel anymore. It seems like to me that the director just borrowing the characters' names and added one or two scenes from the book and for the rest he just made his own story.
I dont want to explain any further.
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Most gentle coming of age BL I’ve seen this year!
I have been a MDL lurker for years and have watched literally hundreds of BLs, but never posted. So it is a true testament to how amazing this show that I’ve come out of my cave to post.I was astounded to see a high school setting done so delicately. A truly excellent director and actors brought the nuances of the story to life - from tiny eye flickers to grimaces to careful observation of each other, I FELT their affection. There was no unnecessary fighting, drama or miscommunication and I was satisfied to see that finally we got a BL plot that was more that just those things.
If you want to feel your heart flutter while watching a gentle slow burn coming of age then please please watch this! I’m usually a fan of the harder BLs but every so often I dabble in the “feelings” type of shows, and with this one you won’t be dissatisfied! ❤️?
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Lots of emotions, whether sad of joyful ones.
This is one of the best BL I've ever watched. The actors achieve to convey emotions through their eyes. To me the plot is basic but their performance, the music and the atmosphere makes the charm.Carefull SPOIL :
I just cried for the last 20 minutes of the last episode. Just based on the music and the actor's performance understanding their emotions is so easy without talking much. Seeing Tian so sad and disappointed that Sheng leaves the class and knowing the reason why Sheng leaves it shows such a dramatic moment.
I really hope they will announce a season 2
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THE BEST BL OF 2024 !
I honestly had zero expectations going into this series.I had not read the story .This was just another drama that popped up on my Netflix feed.But watching the first episode made it clear that it was not your typical BL.
Yes,similar stories have been done countless times before .
But what makes this special is how they delivered that same story .The story telling in this series is just so unique and beautiful.The actors did the most incredible job in bringing those characters to life in an authentic and relatable manner.
As an audience you feel every emotion that the main leads are feeling. You understand his thoughts and you understand his actions .
The characters Jiang tian and Shen wang have a very special bond between them and we get to witness the whole process of formation of that bond .This show is very realistic in its portayal of love. People may label this as "slow burn " but this showcases how love blossoms in real life.
The soundtrack adds another dimension that captures the essence of each scene and amplifies the emotional impact leaving a lasting impression.
Overall, "the on1y one " is a must-watch and exceeded expectations! The entire production team deserves accolades for creating something truly special. Outstanding acting, directing, and storytelling brought the characters to life in a genuinely captivating way. Don't miss out on this incredible series!
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Its has a slow pace!
Not everyone enjoys a slow pace of romance and love. For me it's different. I love how they progress in looking at each other and getting comfortable with each other. Slowly it looks like it's turning to "I can't spend an hour without you" kind of a feeling. It's extremely hard for me to wait for 6 days for the next episode and I sincerely wish that it was more than 12 episodes overall. I do not like the support role who appeared in "History" because it kind of brought me to sense that the two MLs are actually above High School age. Coz, in reality, you can't remember what they are with the way they are wearing and all. Anyway, I am enjoying it to the max at the moment and I hope for a happy ending as spoilers say it is in the Novel. Very badly want to read the novel so if anyone knows where I can find the English translation free please share it with me.Was this review helpful to you?
