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