Deep In

Blurred Realities make Excellent Drama

This drama was intense from start to finish. The storyline, cast, music, and production was great. It was hard waiting for the episodes to release each week. So much could happen in each episode and yet it could feel so short. It did leave me wanting more but it was because the performances by both the main and supporting cast were so engaging.

The star lead of the film pointed his romantic intensity towards is co-lead and kept pushing the drama on set as his co-lead tries to handle and understand his feelings about his advances. In a stark contrast, the characters they portray in the movie they portray are the exact opposite; with the intensity bubbling over from the seemingly shy co-lead/patient to the lead star/doctor.

The cuts between the story they were filming vs the story of the actors involved were masterfully done. The reality sometimes bends for the audience as sometimes we spent a lot of time engaged with the films story. It serves as an interesting substitute for what traditionally would be a secondary plot on the same storyline.

Additionally, I love that the main characters weren’t sidelined by green tea characters. Other characters were introduced to face push forward issues and insecurities they were facing. I felt it lead to deeper and more engaging character development. Loved it. 10/10.

Read More

Amazing!

I don’t normally like red/black flag type MLs in stories and won’t watch those types of dramas. But this one… this one I could help watching. I can give this nothing less than a full 10 star rating, and it is not even for the story itself!

The director has done an amazing work with this series. The cinematography, the transitions between the ‘reality’ and the ‘movie’ were just beautifully done. Superb acting from the leads. They portrayed the multilayered roles within the series so well, that it was clear who were Fang Chi/Gao Zhun and Zhen Xin/Zhang Zhun at all times

While the characters were distinctive, the emotions were not. The way the emotions and scenes between ‘reality’ and the ‘movie’ being made just blended into/mirrored each other and fed each other was just sooo well done. The actors were indeed too ‘deep in’ to it. And so was I. Every time the director within this drama said ‘cut,’ it felt like my attention, which had gone deep into the movie within, was being viserally pulled out. So well were both stories done. Both the plots were equally engaging.

In the initial episodes, the ‘movie being filmed’ mirrored the ‘real life’ so much. Then in the later episodes, it was the opposite. When the plot with Fang Chi/ Gao Zhun was filled with heartaches, we got sweetness from Zhen Xin/Zhang Zhun. And when things got intense with the Zhen Xin/Zhang Zhun, things were improving for Fang Chi/Gao Zhun. It has the right dose of angst and sweetness mixed. The director truly played with our feelings. And like a person under thrall, I went through all the emotions the director meant to convey. So many emotions within the short span of each episode, that by the time I was finished with each episode, no matter the actual story, I was left in awe at the masterfulness the director.

And the OSTs. They were just amazing! As someone who doesn’t listen to music much, even my attention was thoroughly pulled and hooked by these OSTs. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve listened to them!

This drama is not just a story. It is truly an amazing art. And I loved every aspect of it.

Read More

Worst psychologist ever. Never book an appointement with Fang chi.

I love it so much. I was like the main lead, obsessed with them. I started the novel but didn't finish it because I didn't want it to spoil me. I'm sad it ended.

Glad he react this way knowing Zhen Xin took advantage of him while he was drunk. It was never romantic or acceptable.

To continue in the "fag world" the two girlfriends should have ended together.

I was mind fuck by the plot twist, i really didn't expect it. And people told me it wasn't just "a book in their world" both of the couple are actually real. Love it. Your friend write your story and you act his story. Okay diva;

Read More

Holy such a good drama!! This got me staying up late and fan girling like crazy. I'm so happy that its a happy ending my heart is full now. The acting is immaculate, the plot is so beautiful and the chemistry is just so fucking perfect!

But like holy shit the plot twist in the end? That was also crazy but I'm happy about that too! I wished for more BLs like this PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I can't believe I finished this drama in like less than two days! I'm insane!!

Anyways truly kudos to the actors and the whole crew for making this series come to live and possible! Truly one of the best bL series!!! Totally recommended!

Read More

Top-tier

A lot of people recommended this one, but I didn't start watching until Episode 5... and that's honestly one of my biggest regrets. 😅 CBL did it again.

Can we start with the visuals? Is Ollie even real? That face is a gift from the heavens. And Shu Yuan? I totally understand why people joked that he was AI-generated because of how ridiculously handsome he is.

Now the chemistry? Top-tier. I'm obsessed. Not just with their characters, but with them in real life too.

As for the story, it felt like a mix of familiar and fresh. Their relationship developed pretty fast, but I just accepted that they're simply meant for each other. Sometimes love doesn't need to take its time. 😌

And Zhen Xin... I love how possessive he is (minus the drunk scene, of course). His jealousy was on another level. 😂

One detail I really loved was how they changed the screen ratio whenever they were filming compared to the "real" Deep In timeline. Such a simple touch, but it made it so easy to tell the difference. And the acting? So good. This didn't feel cheap at all. They can really act, especially Ollie.

As for the loopholes... the therapy aspect felt a little odd and not very realistic, even if the idea was that he was genuinely falling in love with Gao Zhun. But you know what? I'll gladly turn a blind eye because I'm biased. 🤣

And the plot twists? The plot just kept plot-twisting. Hehehe.

Read More

My fav cbl

This is definitely a cbl that will make it to my top 10 series this year, the characters and storyline was complex, unhinged, intimate and crazy, it was well rounded, its a dark story so it will not be for everyone, the cast did incredible job, the acting was so good The serie within the serie and plot twist by end was immaculate, the serie had one of best pacing I've seen, i didnt struggle showing us 2 love stories in perfect way, kt was entertaining, the chemistry was on point, emotional core was strong, the intimacy was hot, the only issue I had that my shayla was entitled to an apology for the sa by end, im getting tired of romanticizing this in media.
The side characters were good, served different emotions, the director was one of my fav
Anyway this will get long if i get into details, but this was well rounded serie

Read More

I’ve already watched it three times.

easily one of the most psychologically compelling and emotionally shattering drama experiences in recent memory. If you are looking for a show that will completely consume your thoughts, ruin you emotionally in the best way possible, and stay with you long after the finale, Deep In is a 10/10 masterpiece. both the stories unfolding so flawlessly was so gripping to watch. I was locked in within the first 5 minutes. and I just gotta give props to my boy Ollie. I’ve followed since boys planet, and I’ve just gotta say, he literally blew me away with this performance. being able to play such contrasting characters so flawlessly simultaneously was so impressive to witness. I’m so proud of him and I hope to see him in more and more dramas. this was perfect to me.

Read More

Where The Lines Are Blurred

OMG! I loved this from the beginning to the end, and past the credits!
Firstly, the production element where the movie they were 'filming' was reduced on the horizontal, to distinguish it from the 'real life' "Deep In" series.
I loved how the men developed their love along with the characters in the film.
They seemed so mismatched at first, but, somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking of Ollie as a gangly youth, and
began to see him the way 'Zhang Zhun' saw him.
The shame of being their true selves in public and to their families, was *real*.
I loved the ending so much!
From the opening scenes - where 'Zheng Xin' kisses Zhun behind the curtain, I was roped in by the realistic approach of the actors.
Ollie and Shu Yuan, were fantastic! Kudos to the supporting cast - as they were all amazing!

Read More

The art of perception will blow your mind, its more than a BL with good nc

It's hard to begin to explain how masterful this drama is, but I'll do my best.

Deep In is one of the very few, and I mean very few works I give a close 10/10. It's even rarer to know certainly I'd be rewatching it after the initial grief of saying goodbye passes. There are some nitpicks, but by far this BL surpasses any I've seen before (though of course, they each have their own strengths, as most don't even fit into the psychology tag at all to allow this kind of story to unfold).

I'm still reeling from thinking these two were only 19 and 22 at time of filming, friendly reminder. AND, they only had 2 acting coaches on set (you can see the credits). AND this is their first ever project. Please, I hope this is never the last because what the fxck.

Around the scene where the Cantonese track started playing, where Zhangzun reminicised his memories with Zhenxin, I was struck by an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, like its the late 2000s again - where the portrayal of love was simpler, OH THE YEARNING, it was like being young again, finding the courage to just go for it, and recognising that loving someone was missing them, but it was also so painful.

Director Wen Dao is meticulous in his details about CRAFT. Can't believe this is his first work.

The book is a strong reference, but it takes real skill to jab emotional points at times in a video format where he wants them to land, and he did that so seamlessly (the author for the book, the shots for the director). He has made artistic choices.

Examples (too many) - that aspect ratio at EP12 with the curtain? Post credit scene? The colour grading - warmth for Zhenxin and cold for people like Justin and others, and the fiance?

The brilliancy comes when you realise the usage of a psychatrist as a character is delibrate from the author. Deep In is a taste of what acting means for many actors. it's beyond just living as a character, but the exploration and discovery of emotions, releasing them, is a process mirroring that of a patient with his own in a session. It's a form of release, and a strange kind of purging. Zhenxin and Zhangzun's own discoveries of their emotions for each other are a reflection of their own characters as patient and psych. Acting is a form of therapy and this is commonly said.

How can someone so young be able to pull off such intimacy, understanding, maturity in emotions - as well as layered complexity is beyond me. This drama deals (and took risks to portray) with extremely difficult topics, sensitive and heavy in every aspect - of grief, deep yearning, shame, confusion, love, reluctance, pain, denial, acceptance, hatred and simultaneously love - at themselves, at each other, it goes on and on.

Deep In has so many vulnerable moments that are handled with care, and such is given space without it dragging to the point where it's "too much". The relationship between patient and psychatrist ended up feeling so symbiotic, it's fascinating and terrifying to watch.

This is especially for EP6 and opening of EP12. You'll know it when you see it. It's intense rather than explosive, and you, the viewer, are forced to sit in the aftermath - within THEIR secondary story, and while they are simply as Zhenxin and Zhangzun, and the tender moments where these two just came out of a scene.

They don't spare you by cutting away immediately or fade to black. You see every raw (and terrible) reaction, practically hear their very thoughts as if they are your own. It forces you to be uncomfortable, and yet you can't pull away.

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say this drama sets a precedent. There is real emotion in this story, and it is the messiness, the raw spillage of it all, showing the ugliness and beauty and cruelty of human beings so unflinchingly, that makes this drama masterful.

There is no other quite like making the viewer want to run away from these heavy scenes and forced to stay because of merely how compelling it is.

Some criticism: I mostly view this as Gaozhun's story in their own drama. As much as I wish Fangchi's wound was more explored, him being shrouded in mystery and we are left to wonder is part of the craft, and it works very well. There was a scene in EP11 that cut off too easily to the next day of them texting in a script read, it was jarring and the resolve wasn't clear.

Overall, this is more than an inception of story within a story, it's where an episode leaves breadcrumbs and you happily work for your meal. You pause, you can't binge, you notice little bits, and you're left in awe.

I hope more dramas realise what Deep In has achieved, and try to inject this kind of character and a strong WOUND into their projects, because it will change the game. There is strength in other BLs, but few like Deep In, understand that the greatest stories (the most memorable), are the ones that doesn't make the characters too perfect.

For now, I can truly say it is difficult to say goodbye to this drama. Honestly so glad to be able to witness (for the first time since 2017 when I became a BL fan) that this is what the genre could become, and the possibilites of more projects of this quality awaiting us.

No longer is it labelled to be something that girls are obsessed with and actually, there CAN BE profound storytelling within it, just like any other fiction.

Read More

Something New and Interesting

I really loved the storyline of Deep In and how it often went back and forth between the real characters and them as actors. Combining how their characters they were portraying affected them in real life and their relationship. It was something new in BL, at least in the way they captured it. I have some small complaints here and there but nothing that made me feel like dropping the series by any means. I think overtime both Ollie and Shu Yuan will become very skilled actors as they continue on. The only thing I will say I’m a little disappointed in was this last episode, the last episodes in C-BL always feel so rushed and a little unnatural. I wish we had gotten a little more or maybe did a separate episode for the conflict that happened in the last episode and then a final episode with just the fluff of a happy ending. But again, it was concluded overall fairly well but I always tend to complain about an ending feeling rushed when a series I enjoyed feels over a little too soon.

Read More