42
167
8
1
1
1
6
1
5
6
2
6
1
1
1
1
1
4
5
7
Interesting story with good acting and chemistry, but writing could have been better
Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75
Taiwan usually produces some pretty quality BLs, especially when the cast is experienced and not full of young idol newbies. With that, I was looking forward to watching “Love Upon a Shooting Start”, especially when I don’t know anything about the plot.
A few quick bullet points of what I like about the drama:
1. I am a fan of second-chance romance and I enjoy the flashbacks of the teenage years. I think the drama did a pretty good job in going back-and-forth with the two different timelines.
2. I adore the two teenagers and really enjoy their storylines. This is Chen Yen Hsv’s (young He Xiang Yong) first drama and I think he did admirably. But Max Kuo, being the more experienced of the two, really does shine here. Max is only 17 and has so much potential! He is very good-looking, and his ‘fake’ smile doesn’t look too fake and really does fit the personality of everyone’s favorite classmate.
3. The leads, Jed Chung and Chu Meng Hsuan, performed very well as well. They have great chemistry together as a couple, but I also enjoy their individual stories and hardships.
4. I love that the setting is on a rural island and not in the big city. The scenery and cinematography are nice. The shots of the sea and underwater really bring out the summer feel of this drama.
5. I love, love, love how tan all the boys are. After consuming so many white filters, white foundation and white smoothing of the skin, it’s refreshing to see a drama set in the summer with boys all dark and tanned. It would be super fake if they appear white while running around the island under the sun all day long.
6. NC scenes and kisses. Well, be prepared when you watch ep 8. That was one of the most sensual and sexual intimate scenes I’ve seen. I just wish they tone down on the music and give me some more natural sounds of desire and passion.
What I have mixed feelings and don’t quite like:
1. I am not feeling the secondary romance. It’s supposed to contrast the more slow-burn and angsty main romance, yet I found it somewhat cheesy and over-the-top. The reasons for Hamaguchi’s obsession are too shallow and I don’t see why he’s so in love with Li Wan Zhe.
2. I was expecting a more serious or dramatic reason for the fallout between the main leads during their high school years. But then I found it, it wasn’t really that bad and a quick conversation would have resolved it. However, I do understand when you are teenagers, all problems are amplified and it would seem like a big deal to them.
3. He Xiang Yong’s artwork left a lot to be desired. I am not sure if it deserves the constant praise from Chen Hao Wei. LOL
4. I would have liked to see a few more happy couple scenes before the ‘consequence’ of the wish to start so soon.
5. The drama didn’t explain the what/how/why of the fantasy element very well. Why is XiXi special? In the end, I think I understand the moral of the story and the lesson that He Xiang Yong learned. But what about Li Wan Zhe? Why dragged him into this when his story got wrapped up so half-heartedly?
6. So what exactly did He Xiang Yong do wrong at work? What about Chen Hao Wei’s panic attacks and work problems? Did I doze off while watching and miss the closures of these few areas?
There are lots to like about this drama, even though I think the writing could have been better. I do enjoy the acting, chemistry of the leads (young and old), the rural setting and nice cinematography. This could be a refreshing change, compared to other BLs out there.
*edit* After giving it some more thought and chatting with my friend.... there are many plot holes and unfinished business. I still like the drama in general, but it could have been so much better with longer or more episodes to cover everyone's stories. The last episode might have given me kisses and cute scenes, but not the closure I was looking for.
Completed: 6/4/2026 Review #691
Taiwan usually produces some pretty quality BLs, especially when the cast is experienced and not full of young idol newbies. With that, I was looking forward to watching “Love Upon a Shooting Start”, especially when I don’t know anything about the plot.
A few quick bullet points of what I like about the drama:
1. I am a fan of second-chance romance and I enjoy the flashbacks of the teenage years. I think the drama did a pretty good job in going back-and-forth with the two different timelines.
2. I adore the two teenagers and really enjoy their storylines. This is Chen Yen Hsv’s (young He Xiang Yong) first drama and I think he did admirably. But Max Kuo, being the more experienced of the two, really does shine here. Max is only 17 and has so much potential! He is very good-looking, and his ‘fake’ smile doesn’t look too fake and really does fit the personality of everyone’s favorite classmate.
3. The leads, Jed Chung and Chu Meng Hsuan, performed very well as well. They have great chemistry together as a couple, but I also enjoy their individual stories and hardships.
4. I love that the setting is on a rural island and not in the big city. The scenery and cinematography are nice. The shots of the sea and underwater really bring out the summer feel of this drama.
5. I love, love, love how tan all the boys are. After consuming so many white filters, white foundation and white smoothing of the skin, it’s refreshing to see a drama set in the summer with boys all dark and tanned. It would be super fake if they appear white while running around the island under the sun all day long.
6. NC scenes and kisses. Well, be prepared when you watch ep 8. That was one of the most sensual and sexual intimate scenes I’ve seen. I just wish they tone down on the music and give me some more natural sounds of desire and passion.
What I have mixed feelings and don’t quite like:
1. I am not feeling the secondary romance. It’s supposed to contrast the more slow-burn and angsty main romance, yet I found it somewhat cheesy and over-the-top. The reasons for Hamaguchi’s obsession are too shallow and I don’t see why he’s so in love with Li Wan Zhe.
2. I was expecting a more serious or dramatic reason for the fallout between the main leads during their high school years. But then I found it, it wasn’t really that bad and a quick conversation would have resolved it. However, I do understand when you are teenagers, all problems are amplified and it would seem like a big deal to them.
3. He Xiang Yong’s artwork left a lot to be desired. I am not sure if it deserves the constant praise from Chen Hao Wei. LOL
4. I would have liked to see a few more happy couple scenes before the ‘consequence’ of the wish to start so soon.
5. The drama didn’t explain the what/how/why of the fantasy element very well. Why is XiXi special? In the end, I think I understand the moral of the story and the lesson that He Xiang Yong learned. But what about Li Wan Zhe? Why dragged him into this when his story got wrapped up so half-heartedly?
6. So what exactly did He Xiang Yong do wrong at work? What about Chen Hao Wei’s panic attacks and work problems? Did I doze off while watching and miss the closures of these few areas?
There are lots to like about this drama, even though I think the writing could have been better. I do enjoy the acting, chemistry of the leads (young and old), the rural setting and nice cinematography. This could be a refreshing change, compared to other BLs out there.
*edit* After giving it some more thought and chatting with my friend.... there are many plot holes and unfinished business. I still like the drama in general, but it could have been so much better with longer or more episodes to cover everyone's stories. The last episode might have given me kisses and cute scenes, but not the closure I was looking for.
Completed: 6/4/2026 Review #691
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