Stay with Me (2023)

To date Suyu myself I would have to time travel, but to what year?

I would like to preface this by saying I absoloutly adore this show and the characters and I would never steal Suyu from Wubi ever (I would porbably die in a 1v1 fight), but why is the time period of this show so extremely confusing? The thing about this very spesific critic is that it sounds really nitpicky to point out, but it seriously bothered me so much while watching that I just had to say something about it.

This show is a remake of an older show that came out in the 90s(?) or atleast early 2000s, therefore it makes sense that the creators would like to keep the same "old" feel when directing it. The problem with this is that while a lot of the scenes, places and clothes fit that aesthetic super well, it somehow feels like they just forgot to keep the thing going in the middle of the show, making the clashing elements so extremely out of place and distracting it becomes jarring.

Like in episode 5 when Suyu uses a really old fashion heavy-duty box computer at his friends house, while Wubi literally whips out a macbook less then 5 minutes later, EXUSE ME WHAT DECADE ARE WE LIVING IN? They use huge computers, old casette TVs, they have cds, casettes and DVDs that are IN USE, they never use laptops/computers when in school, literally just paper, pencils and books (idk if that's the norm in China pls don't sue me).

The interior and clothing design is also so aggressively 90s, but Wubi talks about how Suyu is weird for liking a song that came out in the 90s? As if it's ancient and not from the decade they're living in at all. They take pictures with cameras and not phones, they use flip-phones with keyboards and ipods, no headsets just earplugs and cd-players. BUT THEY STILL HAVE MACBOOKS?

My head hurts. Anyway WUbi better be alive or I'm suying the entire Chinese government, thank you and goodnight.

Read More

It would have been the best bl ever for me if it was not for……

SPOILER ALERT

Maybe some of y’all thought I was gonna say the ending.
While I was annoyed by that crappy ending I was not surprised by it at all. It’s rare for mainland Chinese drama to have happy endings, I didn’t think a bromance was gonna be an exception. If anything I was prepared for the worst possible ending. My biggest complaint is not the ending itself but events leading up to that ending. Nothing made sense. It was like they were hell bent on having a tragic end. It’s not unheard of for a series to have many plot holes and even throughout the entire there were so many of them but the ones in the last episodes were just too much. For instance;
you telling me Suyu who hated being given hand outs would just easily accept to go to an hopistal appointment made by Wubi’s creepy brother without even questioning the whole thing at all?
Also didn’t that creepy brother even consider that even after killing Suyu, Wubi would not live without Suyu like literally? And the way those two boys used to spend every minute together didn’t creepy brother not consider that by attempting to kill Suyu he would end up harming Wubi as well?

I couldn’t even be sad at Wubi death, I honestly don’t know what the writers were aiming at by killing him. I guess they wanted to maintain the ending in the original material. But that don’t make sense either because they had changed so many things, I don’t understand why they couldn’t just change the ending as well. One more thing, I feel like the series was also unnecessary too long. By the end of three quarters of the show, most conflicts were already resolved, relationships were mended, as for the rest I felt like it was just dragging down and I was just there waiting for that miserable ending. I can’t say enough about how predictable that ending was omg. The moment Wubi gave duo duo that watch, I knew he was gonna be the one to die. When the creepy cousin started asking Wubi funny questions like; seeing you can do anything for Suyu are you willing to give him your dad’s company?—/ I was like dude, if what you want is the share of the company or rather whole of it, won’t killing Wubi’s Father be more sensible that killing this only 18 year child because you think he is a potential threat? ??‍♀

Anyway enough ranting, let’s move in to the things I liked.
This show is so much better than the show; addicted. Wubi was a better person than Guhai, he never really forced himself on Suyu, he waited for him. Their relationship seemed to have naturally grown. Notwithstanding some plot devices at the beginning for our boys to get together, the rest didn’t feel that forced. There was no nonsensical accidental falling into each other’s arm and what not.

The star for this show for me was Duo duo. Heck I loved that child. I loved the whole extended family thing they had. Their cute moments together made this little wicked cold heart of mine beat. Also I liked the fact the boys were actually studying haha all the damn time.

I wish they didn’t make the rich folks seem unredeemable though. I mean they were not that bad. I think they deserved a chance to show their humanity and kindness. Like Wubi father cared for his son, and losing his wife was not easy on him let alone having his son blame him for his mother’s death.

Cringy parts
I didn’t like that crush who turned into a fan girl and was shipping the boys. For anyone paying attention would have known that the boys were more than just friends, we didn’t need a fan girl confirming their relationship .

I didn’t like that dance the guys performed at duo duo’s school. There was nothing wrong with it just made me cringe.

I didn’t like those forehead kisses and pecks in the dark because they left me wanting more ?. They should have just stuck to hugging.
I kept checking if it’s indeed from China mainland, sometime I wished it was from Taiwan then our boys would at least kiss once. Yes while I was satisfied with the mutual pining I couldn’t help but wish for more.

Fav parts
Suyu: so Aunt Zhou is the most important person in us your life?
Wuyu: You should use that brain of yours more on other things than just solving maths problems.

Or when Suyu asked Wubi why he was crying when yet it wasn’t him that was hurt by that creepy uncle.


总结,那个结局很垃圾。but if a show is called; brother don’t run away, that’s a dead give away like literally.

Read More

Great watch overall - hard to choose a standout factor amongst great project

I am writing this review probably a month after the watch of this show. It stuck in my mind as a great watch.

One word for it - consistent. I was dropped into a bucket of emotion and comfort. I did not feel threatened by ridiculous plot or unnatural acting of the leads for the sake of story. They kept their character throughout (not suddenly cute while being portrayed as extremely cool). The makn character traits stayed the same -- some aspects of their character were challenged and some were relished by the moments in the story -- as it should be! It is really that easy, challenge the traits you give them as a writer, do not simply give them randomly new ones. It is life for God's sake (except dis fake life but ykwim, they be representing life).

Their chemistry was one of the best in bl I witnessed. Sometimes they made me feel butterflies just because of their bantering.

I do not particularly care for OST, so not really memorable.

One of fave watches of 2023.
Skip never.
Many rewatches shall proceed.

Also pls S2. Only if you won't disappoint me.

Thanks for reading.

Bye bye.

Read More

So happy with this drama

Is that really the ending!?! It was such a good drama I was so ready for somone to finally make a move. Besides that tragic ending (*sniff*) I'm happy that there are so many episodes! It gives the male leads a chance to bond before all the romantic tension starts. No offense to shorter BL dramas, but they are usually a little lackluster and less intense. I love the family dynamics, watching WuBi feeling at home with SuYu and his dad, their whole little family is the sweetest, especially Duo! Then SuYu finally accepting his mother, there's so much growth its beautiful. Stay with Me is very sweet. There better be a second season ahhh

Read More

Everything was fantastic…..except….

This BL/bromance Drama is probably one of the best I’ve watched. It had a great plot that kept you guessing, right up until the end. If you are in to physical type BL’S, you will not find it here. It is kind of left to your imagination with glances, pecks on the cheek, sleeping together, oh, and the lube scene, LOL. The acting was outstanding with very good chemistry between the two ML’s. I did not like the BL 2016 Addicted, but people keep comparing that to this. This was so much better than that. DEFINITELY worth watching it. I am hoping there is a Season 2, or there are too many unanswered questions. It would have been a strong 10 for me, but those unanswered questions turned it into an 8.

Read More

Lighter yet complete version of the original

An unexpected remake project of the most controversial yet popularized BL story in China. Its power and influence remain the same as fans still acknowledge anything “Addicted”-related things. I salute all of the people behind this show and reproducing the first banned gay show in their country. Yet, they need to take some precautions by cutting out the intimate scenes and filtering out the romance between the two main characters. And this is pretty enough for fans who want to see the continuation of the drama into the series.

Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin still hold the record in my favorites list as they have such notable and distinguished characteristics in both the novel and the first live adaptation series. Although they literally romanticized toxicity as a form of love, I can’t help but feel astonished by their love story every now and then. I remember reading the book with too much focus as I can feel how painful and dramatic each turn of events is towards these characters. Of course, Johnny Huang and Timmy Xu play a big role as they paved the way for most of the international audience to indulge in this story. They have such a firm and strong chemistry that leads me to imagine their faces while reading the novel.

After banning their show way back in 2016, fans left nothing but sadness. The first thing that came to my mind when I heard that earlier this year, a remake version will be released, is the question “can they match the standard set by the first version?” The answer I get is both a YES and a NO. It’s a YES, in a way that I can see that the production is following the main storyline of the novel with lesser tension and leaving out some significant scenes that may target their project again by the Chinese community. And NO because, despite the efforts, I feel like they’re always something lacking that leads me to feel bored sometimes. This may be due to my expectations that are too high for the remake project to satisfy me.
The nostalgic feeling adds spice to the show and it's hard for me to focus my attention on the remake and avoid reminiscing the scenes from the first version. Nevertheless, I feel grateful that they made this drama lighter and minimized cruelty to the characters’ perspective. If a sequel is possible, I am just wishing for them to continue sticking to the main storyline and avoid unnecessary cut-offs as much as possible.

Read More

Love the Story. Hate the Ending

Soooo. I just finished the Drama Stay with me in about 4 Days beacause even tho it has 24 episodes, i really loved their Story. But I honestly really wanted Su yu to help wu bi a bit more. I know that he helped him study and find more about his moms death but he could of had a bit more faith in him in the beginging. I would also think that beacause he lived only with his dad that he might of been able to cook at least a bit and maybe could of helped wu bi. It dosent show him cooking at all for anyone but it just makes sense for me that he could cook even tho his second mom (forgot the name sry) cooked for them most of the time. But the ending.

I am still recovering. I really dont feel like his cousin had any right at all to even be mad at wu bi. But whyy??? i am just speechless that he even would consider killing su yu. Honestly i dont think wu bi would have any contact to him if su yu had died. That family just desroied him already so much. i hate his cousin soo much.

Wu bi didnt die. i dont think but how would I know????? Why couldnt they have made at least one more episode instead of considering a second season. BECAUSE they sold it now and i think they are making a second season as a radio thing or something. It destroid me so much. I love the drama but please. i need a second seasonnnnnn. this is so devastating. Wu bi's cousin just basically took su yu's hole life away from him. That Family realy is Phsichotic.

In the ending when Su yu rememberd every memory from Wu bi I literally just cired my Heart out. Thanks

Read More

NOT ANOTHER ADDICTED PLEASE!

Okay...I'm sad, hurt, and pissed off that we have another major cliffhanger ending!!! Whyyyyy tho? There are rumors about a second season, but whyyyyyyy? Was the MAJOR unfinished episode really necessary? It added nothing to the plot and just makes it's fans frustrated.

This show had A LOT of potential to be a 10! Cute story, nicely written characters overall, amazing lead chemistry, not toxic like a lot of BLs out there - not that I am complaining lol, but it's always nice to watch a lovely story.

But noooo, they had to crash all hopes (pun intended) and deliver that weird and unfinished ending with no apparent reason! We all have suffered with Addicted before and we all know about Chinese BLs empty promises ??

And the fact that they like to turn our romances into bromances doesn't help us poor viewers at all!! They were almost there lolol omfg I am maaad!

BUT it was a good series! I really enjoyed it and I am definitely hoping season 2 is actually happening because I'll riot!

Read More

Addicted 2.0 or not?

Stay With Me is based on the BL novel “Are You Addicted?” by Chai Jidan and it is the second time that novel was brought to life as a tv drama show. The first adaptation from 2016, called “Addicted”, is more similar to the original novel in terms of content and also much more open in terms of showing sexual acts between two men in front of the camera. Unfortunately, that was also the reason why first the series and then the actors (Timmy Xu and Johnny Huang) were banned from the mainland China media market. Shortly before the end of the series, with three unaired episodes left before the season finale, it was removed from all Chinese channels because of "the gay and explicit content".

Stay with me (2023) is now the second time the original novel “Are You Addicted?” by Chai Jidan is brought to the TV screen. This time it’s more of a Bromance and explicit content is nowhere to be found. Names, roles and the story are slightly changed, perhaps for a more modern approach, although the novel isn’t that old, and the series takes place in 2006. I wouldn't call it a remake of Addicted (2016) but rather a new interpretation of the original material.

The main leads are Xu Bin as Wu Bi and Zhang Jiong Min as Su Yu. They play two completely different characters who initially have nothing in common. One is spoiled, arrogant and with an aggressive temper and the other is highly intelligent, reserved and caring and both of them are playing really well and convincingly. If you’re hoping for good acting, you won't be disappointed. Besides the two main leads I really loved some of the supporting actors (Su Zhi Gang, Xiao San and Duo) and some I couldn't stand at all (Ye Wan Ying and the cousin of Wu Bi). I guess that's how it was planned by the producers and yeah, success.

As already mentioned, there are no sex scenes, nude scenes, not even a real kiss between Wu Bi and Su Yu throughout the series. This is possibly to avoid censorship in China, but it could also be a simple decision by the director and producer to make something great without any physical aspects. In the end, it's up to the viewer what they make of the "playful" touches and the hidden allusions.

For me there is no doubt about the deep love between the two, may it be brotherly love or the love of lovers or something in between, but unfortunately it all leads to a difficult end in the last episode.

I had already felt that I might be experiencing a second HIStory 3 end moment. That moment I will never forget. How desperate and sad I was and for the first time in 20 years I had to cry and my whole body was shaken. It left such a profound impression back then and I was afraid to experience a moment like that again.

(Just as a side note: For over 20 years now, I have suffered from an emotional disorder that prevents me from crying or experiencing emotions like others do. I have been receiving treatment for this all those years but have never made any real progress. Imagine a world where tragic, sad but also happy and inspiring things happen and everyone around you has a way to express themselves emotionally or is just able to cry as a means to regulate your mind, but you can't do that. That was my situation. Back then, after HIStory 3, I even had to go to my therapist because I couldn't deal with what had happened. Even though I knew it was just fiction, it weighed me down so hard.)

And now that end of “Stay with me”. I have so many questions and without this ending the series could have been concluded. I just hope for the best for Wu Bi and I would be very happy about a second season. Thank you.

(This is my first review, show some mercy) :D

Read More

I came for the romance, I stayed for the found family feels <3

I checked out this drama as a fan of the original Addicted Heroin, curious to see what they would be doing with this remake, and I ended up quite disappointed with the romance. I have absolutely no problem with shows selling me romance in a subtle and non-explicit way - WangXian is still my Chinese BL OTP til today, and Zhao Yunlan and Shen Wei are not far behind - but it does require remarkable acting and chemistry to sell it, which was, in my opinion, not the case here. I rarely felt like the actors actually conveyed the romantic dimension of their love towards one another, except towards the end. It was obvious they were extremely close and cared a huge deal about each other but the chemistry was, most of the times, more brotherly than romantic to me.

It did not prevent me from enjoying their relationship at all, as I soon came to discover that Stay with me, unlike Addicted Heroin which was more romance-focused, is a family series. Family is not just a plot device here, it's the overarching theme of the show, what drives most of the characters' actions and what they find meaning in. Both Su Yi and Wu Bi working through their complicated family relationships, and Wu Bi finding his place and his family in Su Yi's own, were some of the most wholesome journeys to watch this year. This drama is brilliantly written and acted when it comes to family relationships, by the main leads and the supporting actors alike. The actors playing Shu Yu's father, Aunty and Duo Duo in particular gave stellar performances and I loved their characters. The pace, the camera language, the music choices also complemented the series well.

All in all, it was a warm and full of heart watch.

Read More

Stay With Me

I really enjoyed the series! The actors did an amazing job portraying the main characters. They had great chemistry and conveyed their emotions convincingly. I especially appreciated how they showed the evolution of their relationship, from initial rejection to love.

However, I also noticed some flaws in the production of the series. For example, there were changes of clothes from one scene to another (during Wubi's kiss with Suyu in the classroom, Suyu comes out wearing glasses, then not), cameramen in the shot, and continuity errors. These are small details, but they threw me off a little bit.

What I loved most about the series was its humor and jokes. The series did an excellent job of balancing drama and comedy while showcasing China's unique sense of humor. It's hard to put into words, but it's definitely one of the things that made the show so enjoyable.

What I liked least about the series was the ending. It seemed very abrupt and sad, and left me with a lot of doubts. I don't understand why they decided to end the series with an accident and that's it. I would have liked to see a happier and closed ending for the main characters, or at least see what happened to everyone.

Read More