Blue Canvas of Youthful Days (2024)

A Good Watch, but could have been so much better

BL needle score: 6.5 - Moderate but adorable BL-ness

I used to look forward to this series with a lot of anticipation...the amazing chemistry and connect between the main leads, good acting, good production values, and the realistic storyline, it had everything going for it...and it successfully created these hooks that made me wait with a lot of anticipation and concern for the the two young boys, Qi Lu and Qin Xiao, who were trying to keep their love alive despite powerful adversaries like that disgusting piece of shit, Qi Lu's Father, and one hurdle after another that came their way....the way they watched out for each other, often quietly, and at the cost of their own selves, the way they were ready to give up everything in their lives just so that the other could go ahead, was heart melting...in other words, I was very invested in the story and the characters.

But with all those positives, one major problem with this show was how it just seemed to focus on the build-up, the challenges and one blow after the other for the leads, till the very last 10-15 minutes of the show...and then it seemed like an underwhelming and abrupt end....like we didn't really get a full closure...as a friend said, it was '12 episodes of pain and build-up, followed by some quick text explaining the next 7 years of their lives, and just 5 minutes of happiness'...leaves you feeling kinda betrayed.

It ended with Qu Li and Qin Xiao being reunited and leading a happy life, but it felt like a lot was left unsaid, particularly in terms of resolving a lot of angst and resentment that the show built for some of the characters like Qu Li's father...there were hardly any payback for that, or even a plausible explanation of how Qi Lu managed to really get past the clutches of his powerful and oppressive father so easily...if he could go on to study Film-making in the US right after he went to Russia, why couldn't he do so even earlier? Also, the storyline of the second couple kinda got diluted towards the end and their scenes started to feel gratuitous to an extent. Maybe they had to censor some scenes out when the series got held up for some months in between (the routine thing that happens to BLs from China I guess)? I would have wanted to rate this as a 'Great Watch', but due to these flaws I'm giving this a 'Good Watch' rating.

Anyway, at least it has a happy ending, and it was comforting to see them be a loving couple, doing everyday nice things that loving couples do ....the lines at the very end were beautiful, when they revealed that Qi Lu and Qin Xiao had wished the exact same thing for each other - 'In the future, you must do what you love'...

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Art is beautiful....

China can do bl and do it well enough to capture the important aspects of good story telling. From the beginning it is obvious that it doesn't have the funds to produce it on a grander scale but this is easily overlooked by the quality of acting. Riveted by the story and its pacing, it is a beauty. The interactions of the entire cast flowed so well to make the audience believe in their characters.

I was enthralled by the mains acting. The starkness of the environment aided in displaying how important each meeting was to the story. There is an anxious theme that permeates the story, informing the audience to enjoy each second of their love story, for in a moment this bubble could be broken and all will be lost. QL and QX embodied the intensity of their young love. QL's fiery determined confession matches well with QX's humble but intoxicating acceptance. The sacrifices they made for each other's happiness in the end would see them on different paths.

LMY and TY became a savior to each other. Ultimately, protecting and fighting for each other as real couples would. TY's round eyes and dedication to LMY would make him a favorite. Their responses to each other would make their age difference believe. TY's petulance and introspectiveness fought well against LMY's resistance and flawed thinking. Had this not been resolved, I could see TY waiting a lifetime for him.

The support cast did well also. Turtle, an early irritant, added to the spots of humor, making him a joy to watch at the end.

Production could have been better. With limited resources, the scenery and wardrobe became monotonous but overlooked. China's limits on BL physical interaction saw juvenile kisses but again forgiven due to the innocence of their relationships. The sudden appearances of characters and dissappearance added to some choppy scenes. The script in itself was brilliant (XQ's confession) and poor at times. The fillers used to lengthen the series was obvious.

The ending for each couple was beautiful. This is added to my list of series to rewatch as their confessions were charming and the piece that makes this shine.

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