52
182
8
1
1
1
6
1
6
6
2
8
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
6
8
Underrated CBL Dark horse with excellent Leads Acting & Chemistry, but with Production issues.
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25
I believe “Blue Lips” is the underrated darkhorse this year amongst a sea of Chinese BLs. It was a short web series (20-min episode) that had to compete with other more popular BLs. This drama is obviously very low budget, as most of my criticisms are targeted at the production quality.
Let’s start with the obvious and one of the main reasons people are not watching “Blue Lips” - the frequent use of AI generated images and scenes. If you oppose using AI, please do not attempt to watch this drama. You will be completely upset and frustrated. But if you are like me, who generally are OK with the use of AI during transition scenes and images only, and especially for a low budget production, then I recommend this drama. I don’t want to turn this into a debate. But AI is a big deal in China and it’s not going away and we will only see more. But as viewers and consumers, we have the right to not support such productions. Because CBLs have a hard time already, and need to jump through hoops to avoid censorship and be produced overseas, I am more lenient in this regard, especially for low-budget CBLs. “Blue Lips” is still acted by real people and written and adapted by real people.
I’ll continue with the criticisms. The dubbing for the actors is not good. The dubbed over singing is even worse. I am sorry, who decides it’s a good idea to poorly dubbed over Wu Shi Xian’s singing and sometimes with songs unrelated or changed all of a sudden? The songs themselves are actually great (and a couple songs are sung by Wei Lin Yu) and I even enjoy the punk rock/heavy metal songs at the bar. But the editing, the background music, and the use of music in general is the one of my main criticisms. The transition scenes are choppy (whether they use AI-generated scenes or not).
The ending also isn’t very satisfactory. I am not sure if they are planning for a season 2, or if they ever will have enough funds for another season. A somewhat major plotline about one of the leads is not resolved. While waiting for the last 3 episodes, I was curious how the drama is going to close out on 2 major plot points. In the end, they left one of them as a somewhat to-be-continued…..or never-to-be-continued.
Now, why am I still giving this a pretty high rating? Because I LOVE the two main leads. I LOVE them as actors, and as characters. I cannot believe this is Wei Lin Yu and Lan Shao Yun’s first acting gig. I tried to search for their info but came up empty-ended. This can’t be their first time acting right? They are just too good!!! As characters, the older Teng Mo is funny, sexy, broken and also very mature. The younger Shi Xian’s early thorny and prickly exterior is attractive and inviting in a way. His vulnerability in the later episodes make me want to wrap him in a big bear hug and protect him at all cost. No wonder Teng Mo can’t help but fall in love with him despite a 9-year age gap. They both have so much chemistry together. From the early bickering, teasing and fighting, to the later attraction, controlled feelings and undisclosed facts and secrets, both actors did a fabulous job. Their relationship develops at a really good pace with enough comedy, sexual tension, controlled emotions, angst and honesty. Those episodes when the two of them are trying to protect themselves, withholding information yet all done in a noble-idiotic way, I was more moved than frustrated. Instead of saying they miscommunicated, maybe they just decided not to communicate. But once they do, it’s all honesty and support for one and another.
Speaking of comedy, episodes 2 & 3 are hilarious! The umbrella scene will forever be an iconic moment. Teng Mo’s parents in episode 8 are just as funny. You can see why Teng Mo is Teng Mo, because he grows up in such a fun and loving family.
The supporting characters are fine. I can’t decide if the sister’s acting is emotionless, or her character should be acted that way. The sister definitely acts and looks very sickly. Brother Hao is an interesting character. I wanted to see more of him and I am so happy the direction the story has for him. I really don’t need a love triangle or love square.
Without any expectations, “Blue Lips” captures my heart because of the story of Teng Mo and Wu Shi Xian. As a romance-lover, I enjoy their story, their interaction, their chemistry, kisses (for the most part) and intimate scenes. I enjoy how they push-and-pull and their heartfelt conversations. I was rooting for them from beginning to the end. I just wish the drama had more funding to fix a lot of the production issues. And I wish the episodes were longer so that they can better allocate time to give “Blue Lips” a proper and deserved ending. I am giving "Blue Lips" a somewhat high 8.25-8.5 rating despite all my criticisms, since it's a low-budget production.
Drama Completed: 8/19/2026 Review #714
I believe “Blue Lips” is the underrated darkhorse this year amongst a sea of Chinese BLs. It was a short web series (20-min episode) that had to compete with other more popular BLs. This drama is obviously very low budget, as most of my criticisms are targeted at the production quality.
Let’s start with the obvious and one of the main reasons people are not watching “Blue Lips” - the frequent use of AI generated images and scenes. If you oppose using AI, please do not attempt to watch this drama. You will be completely upset and frustrated. But if you are like me, who generally are OK with the use of AI during transition scenes and images only, and especially for a low budget production, then I recommend this drama. I don’t want to turn this into a debate. But AI is a big deal in China and it’s not going away and we will only see more. But as viewers and consumers, we have the right to not support such productions. Because CBLs have a hard time already, and need to jump through hoops to avoid censorship and be produced overseas, I am more lenient in this regard, especially for low-budget CBLs. “Blue Lips” is still acted by real people and written and adapted by real people.
I’ll continue with the criticisms. The dubbing for the actors is not good. The dubbed over singing is even worse. I am sorry, who decides it’s a good idea to poorly dubbed over Wu Shi Xian’s singing and sometimes with songs unrelated or changed all of a sudden? The songs themselves are actually great (and a couple songs are sung by Wei Lin Yu) and I even enjoy the punk rock/heavy metal songs at the bar. But the editing, the background music, and the use of music in general is the one of my main criticisms. The transition scenes are choppy (whether they use AI-generated scenes or not).
The ending also isn’t very satisfactory. I am not sure if they are planning for a season 2, or if they ever will have enough funds for another season. A somewhat major plotline about one of the leads is not resolved. While waiting for the last 3 episodes, I was curious how the drama is going to close out on 2 major plot points. In the end, they left one of them as a somewhat to-be-continued…..or never-to-be-continued.
Now, why am I still giving this a pretty high rating? Because I LOVE the two main leads. I LOVE them as actors, and as characters. I cannot believe this is Wei Lin Yu and Lan Shao Yun’s first acting gig. I tried to search for their info but came up empty-ended. This can’t be their first time acting right? They are just too good!!! As characters, the older Teng Mo is funny, sexy, broken and also very mature. The younger Shi Xian’s early thorny and prickly exterior is attractive and inviting in a way. His vulnerability in the later episodes make me want to wrap him in a big bear hug and protect him at all cost. No wonder Teng Mo can’t help but fall in love with him despite a 9-year age gap. They both have so much chemistry together. From the early bickering, teasing and fighting, to the later attraction, controlled feelings and undisclosed facts and secrets, both actors did a fabulous job. Their relationship develops at a really good pace with enough comedy, sexual tension, controlled emotions, angst and honesty. Those episodes when the two of them are trying to protect themselves, withholding information yet all done in a noble-idiotic way, I was more moved than frustrated. Instead of saying they miscommunicated, maybe they just decided not to communicate. But once they do, it’s all honesty and support for one and another.
Speaking of comedy, episodes 2 & 3 are hilarious! The umbrella scene will forever be an iconic moment. Teng Mo’s parents in episode 8 are just as funny. You can see why Teng Mo is Teng Mo, because he grows up in such a fun and loving family.
The supporting characters are fine. I can’t decide if the sister’s acting is emotionless, or her character should be acted that way. The sister definitely acts and looks very sickly. Brother Hao is an interesting character. I wanted to see more of him and I am so happy the direction the story has for him. I really don’t need a love triangle or love square.
Without any expectations, “Blue Lips” captures my heart because of the story of Teng Mo and Wu Shi Xian. As a romance-lover, I enjoy their story, their interaction, their chemistry, kisses (for the most part) and intimate scenes. I enjoy how they push-and-pull and their heartfelt conversations. I was rooting for them from beginning to the end. I just wish the drama had more funding to fix a lot of the production issues. And I wish the episodes were longer so that they can better allocate time to give “Blue Lips” a proper and deserved ending. I am giving "Blue Lips" a somewhat high 8.25-8.5 rating despite all my criticisms, since it's a low-budget production.
Drama Completed: 8/19/2026 Review #714
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