Stay with Me (2023)

A FOUND FAMILY DONE RIGHT

In the heartwarming Chinese drama "Stay with Me," two individuals form an unexpected bond, creating a found family that brings them solace and support amidst life's challenges. As they face various trials, their connection grows stronger, and they learn the true meaning of love, friendship, and loyalty. The show beautifully explores the power of human connection and leaves you with a warm feeling as you witness the characters' growth and transformations. It's a delightful drama that will touch your heart and remind you of the importance of cherishing those who stay by your side.

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After 7 years, my soul has been satisfied

At first, I did not want to watch it. I was too loyal to the original cast and to the first series. My good friend encourage me to give it a chance. So I watched the first 3 episodes. I was expecting the same plot as to the first series. It discourages me. Then again, my good friend told me to watch it without comparison with the first series. I gave it another try. Though names, some characters, some plot were changed, some parts were able to follow the book. I started to enjoy. I was only able to finish it for 2 days. It satisfies my soul after 7 years of waiting, finally, they were able to finish the 1st book. I have been wanting it for a long time. The best scene for me was Ep. 22 at 22:22, to those who read the book, we all know how important this scene is. It made me emotional coz finally, we have the photo we have been wanting for the whole time. As for the story, YES, it was a bit different from the book, but I guess they have been trying their best to copy what's in the book to avoid it from being banned. For those people who has been saying this is not BL only bromance, for me it is a complete BL. I am looking forward to Book 2 of this. I hope it will be soon. <3

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Not at all what I expected but very heartwarming show

I just finished this show and WOW. I am sobbing rn. (no spoilers)

The acting coming from the two main leads was amazing. This is the first Chinese show I've ever watched and I didn't realize that it was going to be so tame (compared to Taiwan's BLs) I understand it's like the governments fault but I was definitely disappointed with the lack of kissing etc. Despite the lack of making out, their chemistry was FANTASTIC! I am really really impressed with how obvious their love and attraction was without those scenes. The looks they give each other, the little cheek kisses--everything!!!

Also, loved duo so much. I didn't know where else to put this in the review but she is a fantastic character loved every single thing she did or said.

To be honest, I was expecting a show that focuses on their romance and drama, but this isn't it. In reality, this show is about finding family and growing up/coming of age. I was really impressed by the plot however. This plot was one of the best I think I have ever seen. I loved the development at the beginning of the show from strangers to rivals to kind of friends and then more... It felt very realistic. The timing of everything was phenomenal, it wasn't too focused on the main leads, there was good side plots and sub plots, there was most importantly, an ENDING THAT I COULDN'T PREDICT AT ALL. Not to brag or anything, but until this day, my guessing the ending to shows win rate was 100%. Now it's at a crisp 99.9% unfortunately.

Some things I didn't like about the show: I honestly didn't like any of the music. Fortunately, I feel like music doesn't really have a HUGE impact on a show's value, so it's easy to look past. And it's not like I just hate all Chinese singing like there are plenty of Taiwanese shows that I think have good music but this just is not it. I did like that one song they had in English though lol.
Another nitpick but the clothing was really throwing me off and kind of lifting the illusion. Nobody is convinced they dressed like that in 2006. All those clothes were modern... honestly, If they had replaced those Nokias with iPhones I would have thought this took place in 2023.
I thought that some of the acting could have been better on the part of the dad (Yang Shuo/Su Zhi Gang).. also why did they never really address the lottery tickets? Chekhov's gun?

So final thoughts on this show. Not at all what I was expecting, much more subtext-based than actual relationship. However, this made it feel so much more realistic. I really loved following their journey growing up and learning more about themselves and each other and the world and.. coming of age <3. This is a series I will definitely remember and think about at least a few more times after this.

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hidden gem

i was very surprised when i came across this show. firstly it was chinese, second it was 2023. the law and banning of anything remotely suggestive if BL.

as i started to watch i thought i know this story omg it is Addicted Heroine. excitement settled.

Xu Bin i though was no Johnny Huang. howeve xu bin made this role his own. he was able to express a lot with his sullen nad behaviour.

there has been mich adjustments to the story bit the important bits seems to be lining up.

i have heard rumours of a season two. having read the book i know where the story is heading.

i was especially please how they cleverly worked around the romance, there were many subtle hinys of their being in a relationship and a physical one at that.

just show you not wverything has to be in your face. the audience can read between the line too.

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A MASTERPIECE OF BL ❤️

I finished watching stay with me a few days ago and I have to tell you that I haven't stopped thinking about them for days and I don't think I'll ever be able to stop.

I was a little afraid to watch it because of all the spoilers I saw but thank goodness I did. This series made me feel all kinds of emotions. There wasn't a single moment that I didn't like.

Su yu and Wu bi stole my heart. What a cute connection they had and the thing about always wanting to be together. Let alone their moments together and whoever tells me this isn't a bl I don't think they watched the same series as me.

I loved all the drama that was in this series. When they would fight and then make up. They were meant to be together.

I have to tell you that I am also obsessed with the ost. Shining stars and Waiting are tremendous ost.

This series made it in my top 3 in less than two days and I don't think it will be out of my top 3 in a long time.

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CAN'T WAIT FOR SEASON 2 ?

I don't write review for every drama,series or movies ........i write the review for those which have touch my heart ........and I writting review means. I have fallen love with this series❣️The series is just perfect . Addicted is one of my favourite bl series and I didn't accept that the adaptation will be able to achieve that love from me....but I was really wrong because stay with me is one of the best adaption ..... Addicted has some unfinished or incomplete development of character..... I don't know well who know if addicted has season 2 then these problems may be removed......but stay with me clear all these doubt and character development was well done ..every character has got their role and story well ......like wubi father and mother,su yu mother and father .....duo duo ...and his mom ....ever character story was developed well and shown well....whereas many new characters were also introduced like mo yi father and wubi younger uncle......and mo yi character was also developed and I don't know why but I kinda feel mo yi is really obsessed with wubi (I don't if it is for Wu group or something else).......Addicted has left a huge hole in my heart bcoz I have been waiting for season 2 and in same way stay with me got a open as well as unfinished ending ....I just hope that the season 2 will not get cancelled or anything...... I love addicted as well as stay with me equally ❣️

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Best Series of 2023

As someone that has seen "addicted" I was expecting the same emotions. However, this show took on a life of its own with its adaptation of the novel. Never have I been soo entranced with some basic school boys trying to live their lives as best they could. All they really wanted was to be happy and I truly believe that they brought out the best in each other, while also helping to heal each other's pain. I also loved that even though a good bit of the main cast are really handsome, they were not sexualised at all, but they all had moment when I thought "dang he really sexy though". The ending could not have been done better, I hated it by the way, but I was living for it at the same time. I have never been more upset that I didn't realise it was the last episode, than I have ever been till I realise the out-of-space high cliff hanger I was left on. The show was masterfully done and I cannot wait for season two.

Story:
The story began pretty slow, which was great, gave us a good chance to get to know the characters and subsequently judge them to say who we want to support or not throughout the series. The premise wasn't new and I was fooled into thinking that it would be some basic highschool drama. I was soooooo happy to be wrong about this. This drama took on some mature theme of family dynamics and how we are affected by the choices our parents make. The emotional damage and how it takes one person to heal that was fully developed in this series. The many plot twists and the reveal of how his mother died were superbly executed. The two sons crossing paths and becoming friends, helping each other to understand the people that angered them most, that was a beautiful full circle moment. Also, that moment when Wu bi stormed into that house and started to beat people up for making his friend stand in the rain was magical. Their protection of each other physical and mention state was a truly heartwarming. All the will they wont they moments were also a very nice touch without making it the centre of the scene but it was the centre of the scene. The supporting story lines and characters all made for an excellent blend of sweet and sadistic. The ending though.... They better bring season 2 quickly. I just need to know about him.... I just need to know. Please just don't break his heart. don't break anything. the glass on the ground is enough broken things. Please, just please. I know his big brother will be devastated if his plan to separate them backfired... but the broken glass is enough.

Acting:
They honestly blurred the lines into BL territory, but I honestly think the relationships and chemistry between the two main actors was AMAZING. The moments when they were genuinely going out of their minds worrying about the other could be felt off the screen. Su yu and Wu bi were everything in this series, yes I know they are the main characters, but a lot of shows have main leads that no one likes. This show did them well... You know the actors are great when you want to jump inbetween them to stop them from arguing. That one scene where who's married to whom and who isn't really who father. God! The pain, the anger, the fear.... every emotion was on full display and the actors had wishing I could just explain to them not to fight, it isn't each others fault. Stop, remember you both are besties.... It actually broke my heart to see them scream at each other.

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Comparison Time

Okay so have seen both the original and the adaptation and I will say it without any regrets: The Original Is A 100x Better!

Now Comparison Time:
The love Gu Hai showed in these 15 episodes was way better than Wu Bai
The original series was about them unlike the adaptation where they cared about every character's story unfortunately and put equal focus on them
Of course the original had some faults but which show doesn't?
This drama is up on my high-priority list!
I was going to wish for a season 2 from the original but that is never going to happen so I will patiently wait for a season 2 from the adaptation
The adaptation itself was not bad but it was a bromance that you had to imagine as a BL.
However, I do understand the Chinese censorship.
The original was a straight-up BL and you don't need to imagine anything at all.
Both of them have a high rating from my side. I like both the couples and I think their chemistry is off the charts if compared with some leading Thai BLs.

Summary: Feel free to watch both stories and while you wait for another season, feel free to read more than 100 chapters of the book :D

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