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This review may contain spoilers
King of it's Kind!
My my my...WHAT A DRAMA! I have never seen anything of this sort before. As someone who is seriously against red flags and the entire manipulation thing, this drama shook my morals at least a good couple of times.
Fan Xiao-a, Fan Xiao, WHAT A MAN YOU ARE! I have no idea why I was watching you ruin a good human's life. Because honestly, I know clearly I was never on your side till the end, but I still couldn't help but want you next to You Shulang, at least a bit. Every second was a ticking bomb because I couldn't wait for your ridiculous plan to be revealed. But I must say, the second half into the groveling and redeeming was so satisfying and pleasing, not just because you had it coming, but also because I could finally, whole heartedly support you instead of fighting myself. I was just waiting for that. Fan Xiao is the kind of morally grey person with a solid backstory that has enough points to side him if you tried. I definitely wouldn't blame him for the break up of You Shulang with his ex or brother. But I just cannot with the entire "I'm the one who'll leave him once I'm done". Yes, he couldn't accept that goodness could exist because of what he's been through. But that gives him no license to mess up someone's life for fun. Yun Qi is a very good actor with real potential. Can we have another drama of him as a dom? Please? 😭
Now towards one of my favorite characters of all time, You Shulang. THIS IS WHAT I WANT IN A BL. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR. Not a soft, obviously feminine, trying too hard, damsel in distress. But a strong, genuinely good human being - capable, smart, kind and every other possible good trait you could find in a human who tries to live his best possible life, no matter how hard life is. He's not an angel, not a sweetheart who's all sunshine. He is a boss who can beat you up without batting an eye if you crossed the line. Evident from how he doesn't break after being molested or knowing Fan Xiao's truth. I was all in for it!!! Altogether, I have to say he didn't deserve the pain he went through. But I don't know how he still has that good heart to love again. I mean, that part takes a lot of strength. And yes, Fan Xiao did change a lot (bless that) but ya, needs courage and a big heart to trust again. Hao Yiran, hats off to all that wonderful acting! It surely would have been so draining but thank you for sticking through 😭🙏
And I've heard from those who have read the novel that the redemption arc was a bit sped up and I agree with them. An extra episode or two wouldn't have felt like a lag 😁👍🏻 The chemistry between them? FIRE, LITERALLY FIRE! To think so much of skin is shown on a Chinese BL, DAMN! I don't even know why I went weak in my knees for the entire bodhisattva and the pendant thing 🫣 YES! The sparks were there from the beginning and it had already started to spill wayy before it finally burst. Good good good 😁
Side characters were good, not too much, but played their part. There wasn't much on the music side either. None caught my attention, also might partly be because my entire focus was on the story and acting.
Must say, you are a outstanding author, Su Er Liang! I seriously hope that someday, I can read the original novel - 'Si Mian Fu'. The direction by Ou Tan Kai that brought this world to life, is truly remarkable. The lighting was great. Loved it! Grateful for this work.
In a nutshell, Fan Xiao and You Shulang would definitely be the icons of 2025 BL dramas and for me, the best of all the manipulation dramas I've seen in a BL. Will never forget them! This is the kind of dynamic I want, a strong top and bottom 💪 And since as of recent, the whole morally grey, black flag trope is on the rise in the BL world, it would take quite a lot for another drama to dethrone this. To my shore has set the bar high!
Fan Xiao-a, Fan Xiao, WHAT A MAN YOU ARE! I have no idea why I was watching you ruin a good human's life. Because honestly, I know clearly I was never on your side till the end, but I still couldn't help but want you next to You Shulang, at least a bit. Every second was a ticking bomb because I couldn't wait for your ridiculous plan to be revealed. But I must say, the second half into the groveling and redeeming was so satisfying and pleasing, not just because you had it coming, but also because I could finally, whole heartedly support you instead of fighting myself. I was just waiting for that. Fan Xiao is the kind of morally grey person with a solid backstory that has enough points to side him if you tried. I definitely wouldn't blame him for the break up of You Shulang with his ex or brother. But I just cannot with the entire "I'm the one who'll leave him once I'm done". Yes, he couldn't accept that goodness could exist because of what he's been through. But that gives him no license to mess up someone's life for fun. Yun Qi is a very good actor with real potential. Can we have another drama of him as a dom? Please? 😭
Now towards one of my favorite characters of all time, You Shulang. THIS IS WHAT I WANT IN A BL. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR. Not a soft, obviously feminine, trying too hard, damsel in distress. But a strong, genuinely good human being - capable, smart, kind and every other possible good trait you could find in a human who tries to live his best possible life, no matter how hard life is. He's not an angel, not a sweetheart who's all sunshine. He is a boss who can beat you up without batting an eye if you crossed the line. Evident from how he doesn't break after being molested or knowing Fan Xiao's truth. I was all in for it!!! Altogether, I have to say he didn't deserve the pain he went through. But I don't know how he still has that good heart to love again. I mean, that part takes a lot of strength. And yes, Fan Xiao did change a lot (bless that) but ya, needs courage and a big heart to trust again. Hao Yiran, hats off to all that wonderful acting! It surely would have been so draining but thank you for sticking through 😭🙏
And I've heard from those who have read the novel that the redemption arc was a bit sped up and I agree with them. An extra episode or two wouldn't have felt like a lag 😁👍🏻 The chemistry between them? FIRE, LITERALLY FIRE! To think so much of skin is shown on a Chinese BL, DAMN! I don't even know why I went weak in my knees for the entire bodhisattva and the pendant thing 🫣 YES! The sparks were there from the beginning and it had already started to spill wayy before it finally burst. Good good good 😁
Side characters were good, not too much, but played their part. There wasn't much on the music side either. None caught my attention, also might partly be because my entire focus was on the story and acting.
Must say, you are a outstanding author, Su Er Liang! I seriously hope that someday, I can read the original novel - 'Si Mian Fu'. The direction by Ou Tan Kai that brought this world to life, is truly remarkable. The lighting was great. Loved it! Grateful for this work.
In a nutshell, Fan Xiao and You Shulang would definitely be the icons of 2025 BL dramas and for me, the best of all the manipulation dramas I've seen in a BL. Will never forget them! This is the kind of dynamic I want, a strong top and bottom 💪 And since as of recent, the whole morally grey, black flag trope is on the rise in the BL world, it would take quite a lot for another drama to dethrone this. To my shore has set the bar high!
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