A series so good that it will stay with you
Amidst the backdrop of Chinese content restrictions on LGBTQ themes, this emerges as a remarkable series that transcends limitations, delivering a heartwarming tale that lingers in your thoughts. Witnessing the transformation of the two main characters from adversaries to lovers is a truly gratifying experience, subtly portraying their blossoming affection in a context where explicit declarations are constrained.Even as the narrative draws inspiration from the original "Addicted" series, "Stay with Me" unveils the lives of two high school students, Su Yu and Wu Bi, whose personalities clash vehemently. Oblivious to the fact that their estranged parents are now married, the series deftly navigates their interactions as their connection deepens, unravelling the complexities of their family dynamics.
Within its narrative, the series embraces a spectrum of emotions, including drama, nuanced romance, friendship, unrequited love, and the intricate relationships between parents and children. It effortlessly weaves mystery and action, making each episode a captivating chapter in their journey. At the heart of the series is the brilliant portrayal of the lead characters, showcasing the remarkable talents of Xu Bin and Zhang Jiong Min. Xu Bin brings Wu Bi's fiery yet compassionate persona to life, capturing his internal struggles, love, and longing. His portrayal of a young man who values love over material wealth resonates deeply. Zhang Jiong Min's performance as Su Yu is equally mesmerizing. He masterfully conveys the layers of emotions beneath Su Yu's academic prowess, unveiling a character driven by unresolved feelings, yet undeterred in showing his affections.
Together, Xu Bin and Zhang Jiong Min convey the intricate relationships their characters share with family members and with each other. The series adeptly navigates their evolving bond through moments of conflict, jealousy, and an irresistible yearning to be together. Amidst their squabbles, the underlying affection remains unshaken, reflected in their mutual support and sacrifices for each other's happiness.
The subtlety in portraying their love is a testament to the series' finesse. While misunderstandings and fights occasionally punctuate their relationship, the unspoken emotions remain intact. Their mutual protectiveness and genuine care are reflected in their actions, whether it's Wu Bi's watchful eye on Su Yu or Su Yu's unwavering support for Wu Bi's aspirations.
In conclusion, this series triumphs as a superior adaptation, filling the void left by “Addicted”. The exceptional performances, engaging music, and heartfelt narrative combine to create an emotionally rich experience. While the series concludes with a cliffhanger, one can only hope for a second season to continue this captivating journey of love and self-discovery.
Was this review helpful to you?
Maybe it's not for everyone
I am crying rn like what was the point of it if he died? Episodes where pulled out in the first 7 episodes and then the story had become super plain and boring and then things where rushed up in the last 2-3 episodes and the story felt camed up so it wasn't exactly slow burn or fast paced drama . Maybe it's just not my style ? watch it at your own risk you may love it or hate it there is no in between ?? I can understand as bl is kinda banned in china maybe that's the reason it turned out to be like this ......Was this review helpful to you?
Best Chinese bl ever
Omg although some say it’s bromance some say it’s bl but for me it’s su you and wu bi story I don’t care about intimate scenes as long as they express them in love I’m voting for this as best drama ever I knew Chinese dramas has a very different tendency to make bl dramas if they make it wow it will be ultra level drama compare to Kerala which couldn’t reach it like thai drama I hope I hope they can make like these dramas a lot so I can see it in Chinese bl or bromance whatever a atleast with cute moments all the best to the team they have extraordinary acting and face and about the script wow it’s. A great story and video editing and quality is awesome and regarding songs omg I really love it I hope in season 2 they get more scenes together waiting for itWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
BE for Now (If there isn’t a Season 2)
DROPPED**REASON**
I stopped watching this show because of its heartbreaking conclusion, where one of the main characters is entangled in a car accident, casting a veil of uncertainty over their fate. The series, classified within the classical family drama genre, unfolds at a deliberate pace, meticulously exploring the dynamics among its characters. Despite the absence of explicit scenes due to censorship, the interactions between the main characters are remarkably tender, authentically conveying a sense of affection. Regrettably, the supporting cast fails to make a lasting impression, and the powerful ending ultimately diminishes the overall enjoyment of the series for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
My favourite drama for sure !
I love the fact it's a cuter version of "Addicted" ! To be honest, I don't like the first version, it's too violent and I didn't understand a thing (especially because the actors look alike, I couldn't tell them appart).At first, after watching the trailer of Stay With Me, I didn't want to watch the series because of the accident (I'm traumatised by sad endings). But I kept seeing shorts of Su Yu and Wu Bi and I actually enjoyed it so I forced myself a bit to start at least the first episode and I absolutely loved it ! I mean, I love enemies to lovers. ? In 2 days I watched all the episodes that were already out (18). ? And even if it's quite long (24 episodes), this drama hypnotised me !
What I like the most about it is the chemistry of the main characters, the way they look at each other is perfect ! We can totally see that they love each other as lovers and not only as friends. Since it's a censored version I was afraid it would look like a bromance and nothing else but absolutely not ! In addition to the chemistry, there are scenes kinda sus (like when Wu Bi apologised to Su Yu, the way they hold hands says it all) so we can definitely understand they are boyfriends, Duo Duo shipping them and making them dance together (it's so cute ?) and this beautiful scene in which Su Yu says he loves the "sea" (?) and many more details ! I was so surprised they could film kisses by the way ! I like the plot twits, I could understand the story better and some of the characters reactions. And talking about reactions : I love Wu Bi's jealousy and possessiveness, it's so funny to watch ! ? The scenes with Ye Wanying (the fights) shows how much the main characters love each other, it's definitely the kind of plot I like !
Then comes the ending, I thought it wouldn't be the very last episode so I was a bit disapointed but I learnt not so long after the end of the series that it would be a second season with a happy ending and I'm sooo happy, I can't wait for the year 2025 !!! So much passion and cuteness in one series ?
PS : Sorry for the possible mystakes, I'm not a native :,)
Was this review helpful to you?
IT'S BL, NOT bromance
....Hints are all over the place that this is purely BL! So, if you still think this drama is only "bromance," you are lost!This got to be the best BL adaptation of 2023 and also one of the best bl I have watched!
All the actors and actresses 100% match their character in the story so much! Zhang Jiong played his character, Su yu, so well. He nailed it! ? Even better than Timmy who played Su yu/Bai Lou Yin in the 2016 version.
Zhang Jiong was able to capture every personality of his character!
I LOVED ML and MC's bickering! The chemistry was awsome! We got to see a lot more scenes from the novel making the drama more interesting and heart warming! Hopefully for season 2 with our two lovely Zhang Jiong and Xu Bin returning!?❤️
Was this review helpful to you?
You'll need a box full of tissues!
If you like sad ending than it's a must watch! I was totally addicted to it. The story is more like bromance. At the end I felt like their family was my own family. I cried like crazy after finishing it. Everything was perfect.The cast was so good! And Wu Bi is the perfect boyfriend ? He'd die and kill for his loved one's. Su yu is also great!
If you're looking for something intimate, then it's not a good choice! It has nothing intimate. It's the best beginner friendly bl! The only thing I didn't like about this story was a bit of miss communication.
Was this review helpful to you?
Simplest Act of Love is Truly Wonderful
First of all, I never watched Addicted series, and only read the novel partially because it's too angsty for me.I decided to watch SWM after seeing some tweets talking about it.
Kinda hesitated at first because it is said that the ending is too sad.
I'm really not fond of angsty story.
But I'm glad I did. It's truly remarkable and wonderful.
Wu Bi and Su Yu showed their love and attention to each other in simplest way, a way that they could do best without any exaggerated efforts. So simple yet so sweet.
For me this series is much more romantic than many other BLs series that I have watched.
A bit weird but after watching this SWM series, I haven't got any interest to watch other BLs series.
The secret kiss at the classroom is the best kiss compared with many other crazy and passionate lip kisses.
I watch that scene repeatedly and always smile foolishly.
Their family condition is what we can find in reality, that one family can be very loving and supportive, while other can be very hateful, judgmental, and super toxic.
They seem wanted to remind us that if we build our own family in a wrong way, it will cause a great damage in the future.
As I said in the comment section, knowing how crazy China with its censorship, I don't hold a high hope for a 2nd season.
This drama could be considered lucky for getting the permission to be broadcasted worldwide but not so sure for the 2nd season approval.
Either way, let's just cherish and enjoy this series as long as we can.
I'm just gonna re-watch that sweet scene now so I can sleep happily with smile on my face.
*Loving BinJiong*
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Prime example of love that is shown more than spoken
As I started this series back in July, I had no expectations whatsoever. But then, entering into the first half of the 1st episode, I realized how wrong my judgement was. It was so thoughtful and deep that I decided to stop at ep 8 and binge watch it after the last episode aired. And I never valued any decision I made more than that.This series is an existing example of how affection and bonds can be gracefully and magnificently shown without delving too much into them. It teases on the emotions, lets it float on the surface for the audience to pick up and analyze. Every interaction, each sideway glance, all the quiet smiles and loud fights gave this series so much life and domesticity that it left me with a pleasant ache.
The actors, each one of them did a beautiful job out of their roles, they owned them. The chemistry between the leads felt like molten rocks and flowing water, slick and domineering.
This series would be rightfully called a family drama with romance and slice of life. Every character was impeccably written and directed, every family diverse, every relationship unique. The subtle signs and affections scattered all over the series through expressions and even household decorations, just perfection. Special mention to the coloured glass panes of Su Yu and Wu Bi's part of the house, they made the cinematography a hundred times more impactful, influencing the moods and scenes with all the colours they gave off.
Till the 22nd episode, I had no expectation of witnessing anything remotely similar to kiss, yet it took me out like a gun shot each time they kissed each other on the cheeks, felt butterflies and stars on their intimacy. Speaking of intimacy, the series exuded sticky warmth through every intimate shots and gestures with such ease that it hit raw and real.
Many may argue that this is not BL or even call it queer baiting, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I can't imagine the amount of bravery and guts it took for every person associated with this series to step up and play such roles when china has harsh and inhumane censorship rules. Hats off to every staff and actors involved in the making of this.
This would forever be one of my top rated BLs, eagerly waiting for s2!
Was this review helpful to you?
China has many potentials for making BLs
Okay just finished this drama after a week of binge-watching. I have never written any reviews before. Stay With Me indeed touched my heart and i can’t help spending time writing this review. NGL the past 7 days give me more butterflies than my entire career of watching BLs. I won’t forget the moments i blushed at the dialogs/interactions between the MLs. I loved this drama. It will take time for me to get over it and I’m gonna miss the MLs especially Wu Bi. There are so many quotes from Wu Bi that give me butterflies. The way he is so jealous and protective of Su Yu completely melts my heart. You can tell that he is madly in love with Su Yu. As a gay guy myself, Wu Bi is my babe goal. The line “Su Yu is mine” will forever Stay With Me and i know it will cheer me up whenever i think of it. The ending gives me a bittersweet feeling. I’m sad that Wu Bi ended up that way and we have no idea what will happen to him and Su Yu next. However, this open ending gives me hope for a season 2. So yeah, it’s a bittersweet feeling. SWM is the first Chinese BL that i’m really invested into and it opens my eyes a lot. Before it, i was stuck in the world of Thai BLs and i always wondered why it is so hard to find a good BL that can touch my heart. Now i know that there is a big gap between China and Thailand in terms of drama production. Thailand especially GMMTV still has a long way to go. China has mastered their storytelling, acting and production. I will definitely explore more about Chinese BL dramas. Too bad, LGBT content is censored in China. If they were allowed to develop and produce LGBT content at full force, i strongly believe Chinese BLs would take the world by storm.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Stay with me have my heart❤️
Well, I am a massive fan of this series. I binged watched it one day and well of course I was hooked into the storyline and characters. Not enough words can express my love for this series and the way it made me feel when I watched it. I love it. It’s the best thing in the world. But- the ending… I’m looking forward for an update about it if there ever will. The ending was unsatisfactory for me- I really love the characters so I want to see them again. Please just give us season 2 I will beg everyday and everyone for it. I cannot live without a season 2. Anyways, thank you to the production team, all the staffs, the actors, everyone who made this series happen ?❤️ I haven’t seen anything like it ? Please I beg. The characters are so beautiful. Well done to the makeup artists and stylists. The hair stylists too. Thank you to the music provider, the directors and producers. To Jiongmin and Xubin. Thank you all I miss you. ?❤️Was this review helpful to you?
everyone says it's bromance but it's not, gagaolala and Viki confirmed it's bl
highly recommended, i can't spoil guys, i'm gonna leave some short message, but guys this is the best drama series of 2023, and for me this is number 1 drama series , the plot of the story, the acting, casts and the ost/music, very perfect, the best outstanding drama series, please watch it you will be obsessed like me and you will miss so bad the actors, it's been a week i miss them so bad, i'm waiting for the season 2 even it's too long to wait, but this is me I can wait, i don't know what to say more, but this drama is so very good to watch, the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best the best, sorry guys this is my first time reviewing a drama series, I hope u understand but this drama series is so good , please watch itWas this review helpful to you?
