Reviews

Deep In (入戏) Review: More Than a BL—A Story About Performance, Identity, and Emotional Truth

There is a moment in Deep In when one character asks the other:

“Why do you avoid me, but you never avoid my kisses?”

That single line captures what this drama does so well. It isn’t interested in grand declarations as much as it is in the contradictions that reveal what people cannot yet admit—even to themselves.

On the surface, Deep In is a BL about two actors who fall in love while filming a romance together. But that description barely scratches the surface. What makes the series special is its layered structure. We follow both the actors, Zhang Zhun and Zhen Xin, and the characters they portray, Gao Zhun and Dr. Fang Chi. Rather than feeling confusing, the two stories strengthen one another. The parallels between the fictional romance and the real one create some of the most emotionally satisfying moments in the series.

One of the drama’s greatest strengths is that it understands the difference between plot and emotion. Because it only has twelve episodes, it cannot show every rehearsal, every day of filming, or every step in the production process. Instead, it chooses carefully which moments deserve the audience’s time. It compresses events without compressing emotional consequences.

The result is a story where small moments carry enormous weight: quietly leaving medicine outside a hotel room, instinctively protecting someone from danger, remembering an umbrella years later, counting 472 steps, or simply using the wrong name at exactly the right moment. These scenes are not there to move the plot forward. They reveal the characters long before those characters fully understand themselves.

The performances deserve enormous credit. This is the first drama for both Ollie and Shu Yuan, and while their inexperience occasionally shows—particularly in some of Shu Yuan’s repeated facial expressions—the emotional sincerity of both performances is undeniable. Ollie delivers an especially confident performance for a first leading role, balancing confidence, vulnerability, humor, longing, and heartbreak without ever feeling artificial. More importantly, the chemistry between the two leads is exceptional. Not because of the physical intimacy itself, but because every touch, every hesitation, and every glance feels emotionally motivated.

The supporting cast is equally strong. No one exists simply to create artificial obstacles. Even characters who complicate the relationship are given understandable motivations, making the world feel inhabited by real people rather than plot devices.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the direction. Despite being led by a relatively inexperienced director, the series consistently trusts silence, restraint, and visual storytelling instead of overexplaining emotions. The recurring visual callbacks and carefully placed motifs reward attentive viewers and make the emotional payoffs feel earned.

What impressed me most, however, was that Deep In refuses to rush through difficult emotional territory. Love does not magically solve every problem, and painful choices are allowed to have lasting consequences. The characters are given time to struggle, make mistakes, hurt one another, and slowly find their way forward. That emotional honesty is what elevates the series above many romances.

Even the drama-within-the-drama reaches a satisfying conclusion, proving that both storylines matter. Rather than feeling like a gimmick, the dual narrative becomes the foundation upon which the entire series is built.

The soundtrack, cinematography, pacing, and writing all work together remarkably well. By the finale, it feels less like watching actors perform and more like watching fully realized people navigate impossible emotions.

Deep In is one of those rare series where the whole is even greater than the sum of its parts. It is romantic without relying solely on romance, emotional without becoming melodramatic, and thoughtful without ever losing momentum.

For me, it stands not only as my favorite BL drama to date, but as one of the strongest short-form dramas I’ve watched in any genre.

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If only Day was less ungrateful...

First of all, I'd like to apologize in advance to everyone who likes Day as a character, because he pissed me off so much that this review is going to be aimed at him in particular.

This drama started off SOO strong. The first five episodes completely hooked me because of their potential, the interesting dynamic between the two protagonists, and the gentle way they slowly grew closer.

However, the moment August started becoming part of the picture, it was as if Day completely lost all common sense, or maybe he simply started showing his true colors through a series of completely irrational decisions. Let me explain.

Before Day reconnects with his badminton friends, there's a genuine bond between him and Mhok. You can see how attentive Mhok is, how respectfully he treats him, how patient, gentle and understanding he is. But the moment August comes back, it's as if none of that closeness had ever existed.

He even refuses to date Mhok because he "doesn't like bad boys."

But... what??? What bad boy??? It's obvious that Mhok is only a bad boy aesthetically (if even that). That genuinely drove me insane. It was like Day didn't know him at all, like he was living in complete denial. He clearly felt all of Mhok's affection, yet somehow he keeps denying every bit of it.

The truth is, Day is selfish and ungrateful. And that's something he actually admits himself. He "used to be a cocky badminton player", going blind wasn't what taught him humility. He still lives in a golden cage. He loves the sound of his own voice, he always needs to be the center of attention, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the relationship he has with his brother.

The hatred he has for his brother is completely incomprehensible to me, especially once we find out where it comes from. It was never the accident that fueled his resentment. What really bothered him was the fact that his brother tried to step into the role of an 'older brother' and be seen as a good person by everyone.

Once again, Day completely misses the point. What he actually hates is that, one day, his brother stole the spotlight from him. He doesn't like his brother's kindness because he thinks it's hypocritical?? Seriously, what are people even supposed to do for you, Day?

You hate awkward acts of kindness, you hate people feeling sorry for you... Is there anything someone can do that won't annoy you? This guy is unbearable.

And actually, THIS STORY IS REALLY ABOUT BLINDNESS.

And don't even get me started on the ending, because it made me lose my mind.

Day is the first person to say that you don't need your eyes to truly see, yet he spent the entire drama completely blind to the love Mhok had for him.

In the end, he remains deeply self-centered and unable of recognizing the love people have for him because he constantly mistakes his disability for his identity, and compassion for pity.

That's exactly why the breakup in the final episodes drove me absolutely insane. Day decides (as always) to end the relationship because his partner supposedly pitied him.

Sorry, but here's my take. Mhok wasn't pitying him, he was simply in love. He wanted to be close to the person he loved instead of being on the other side of the planet. He wanted to stay by his side because he cared about him. For once in his life, he wanted to be there for someone he loved. And Day completely ruined everything by confusing Mhok's endless love with pity...

This guy has absolutely no idea what love actually is.

Even in their relationship, everything revolves around him. As far as I'm concerned, Mhok is the only one actually fighting to make the relationship work. He's the only one constantly walking on eggshells every time this insufferable spoiled rich kid decides to throw another tantrum.

Thankfully, Mhok has the patience of a saint and apparently very little self-respect to come back to him three years later. I honestly thought this would finally be the moment where Day apologized to Mhok. But of course not, this guy never questions himself. Mhok apologizes for God knows what reason (thankfully love really is blind LOL), only for this idiot to turn to his mother and say:

"But how do I know if I gave him a second chance he won't repeat what he did?"

Once again, I have to ask... What exactly did he do? Someone please enlighten me because I genuinely still don't get it.

He refuses to give Mhok a second chance, immediately regrets it, runs after him at the airport, and Mhok, after having his heart broken about thirty times by this indecisive jerk, still decides to dance with him... and love him, Forever, on top of that.

Honestly, good for him.

"I'd rather lose somebody than use somebody," said The Neighbourhood. Day, on the other hand, would much rather use somebody who love him.

At the end of the day, Day got everything he ever wanted. A loving family. A RICH family. Because let's not forget that the reason he got his eyesight back was, above all, because of his privilege. And he has someone by his side who loves him unconditionally and, fortunately for Day, seems perfectly happy surviving on love alone. Good for him.

Even though Day regained his sight, he'll always be blind in my eyes, because he never managed to see the beauty of the love Mhok had for him.

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Triangle

I’m not a fan of triangles because I always root for the person who won’t win.

That being said, I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Jong Bum. I so wanted his second chance at life to have been better. So I spent my whole time rooting for him. His love for Sa Bin was heart wrenching.

I got so I couldn’t stand Su Hyuk and wondered what Sa Bin saw in him in both lives. 😂

I found the supporting cast very good. Ta Hae ended up being my favorite supporting character. The uncles were fun.

I actually thought at first the younger brother was the psychopath. I’m glad that I didn’t see much of him or Jong Bum’s parents.

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NO CHEMISTRY

Let me tell you if you watch S1 dont watch S2 and if you want to watch S2 then dont go with S1.
The overall scene and fighting scenes in S1 is fabulous the strong gaming competitions felt like excitement. And mu doek is the really a great actor, I dont know the exact reason of shifting from such a great actor to other great actor. Only if Bu yeon got back her memories in S2 little bit earlier then it would be little fascinating i feel. Coming to the romance in S1 i got butterflies just by watching them on the edge of death together. But in S2 i felt it was forcing romance. However i didn't like the concept of jang-uk moving on so fast from mu doek to Jin- Buyeon. They showed it as 3 years but still im against it. And trying to remember your ex from your current is the nightmare. When it comes to second lead So-Yul he had great music whenever he finds naksu. I felt atleast he should be getting a happy ending. The overall question to director was why did they kill mu - doek and make her soul to survive in Bu-yeon. While the body is Bu-Yeon. and the soul of Bu Yeon continues. Why was naksu introduced ? Only to train the hero ? In that case he lost everything while getting rid of barrier due to Ice stone.

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No chemistry!

This drama lost me, especially after the fl drunk scene . Ai Mi is still immature and it shows. They ruined this drama with her as the lead. She filmed this at 17 with love interests with two older men 28 and 30 years old. That's creepy. There was absolutely no chemistry btw the leads and just knowing her age while filming must have had an impact. Who wants to be associated with the word pedophile. There are so many great actresses to choose from why settle with this underage with no real-life adult experience. Bad decision. Minghao also looked like he was not feeling this drama; he looked unenthused in some scenes especially with the FL. I stopped watching this drama, it got worse with each episode.

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Deep In: A Truly Unforgettable Story

Deep In had such a compelling plot and exceptional writing. I loved how it took such a unique approach to storytelling by following Zheng Xin and Zhang Zhun as actors filming a movie, while simultaneously unfolding the heartfelt story of Fang Chi and Gao Zhun. The way both narratives intertwined was so creative and emotionally engaging, making every episode feel meaningful.

I first knew Ollie from Boys Planet, but I never imagined he would completely amaze me with his acting. His performance was so natural, emotional, and convincing that I forgot I was watching someone making their acting debut. It’s even more incredible knowing that both he and Shu Yuan were acting for the first time, and that this was also the director’s first BL production. You would never have guessed it. The chemistry, the emotional depth, and the overall execution felt so polished that it easily stands alongside much more experienced productions.

Deep In is truly one of those dramas that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching it. It’s a beautiful reminder that with a compelling story, thoughtful writing, and passionate performances, even first-time actors and a first-time BL director can create something truly unforgettable.

I hardly give series a 10/10 but…

Story: 10/10
Acting: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Music: 10/10
Rewatch value: 10/10

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An Incredible Series Undone by Its Own Finale

My Journey to You completely hooked me — the atmosphere, the cast, the visuals were all incredible, and I loved watching these actors bring such a dark, intricate world to life. But the ending ruined it for me. After all that buildup, it collapsed into a confusing, open, honestly crappy finale that felt more like a cliffhanger than a real conclusion. Even the reviews say the same thing — anti‑climactic, nothing resolved, too many mysteries left hanging. And knowing they actually filmed a different ending just makes it worse, because that version could’ve saved the whole series.

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Great Cast. Horrible Script.

Wonderful cast. Horrible script. The overall plot, the setting, the production level and of course the actors were all great. Unfortunately, the script was just awful. The script writer clearly was in love with the "misunderstanding" plot trope as she used it again and again and again in various forms throughout this show. This trope was used to drag out contrived drama for far, far longer than was remotely entertaining. Worse, the script also required some of the characters to act, well, bizarre. Dylan Wang's character, Shi Yan, was just so bizarre and not likable at all until around episode 31 or 32, which is how long it took before the show finally resolve the main 'misunderstanding' to allow the two leads to finally become a couple. Through most of this show his character is so incredibly petty, sullen, ridiculously resistant to normal human communication and to the FL, often downright cruel and abusive. That all magically goes away when they finally turn the corner, but that doesn't happen until, like I said, around episode 31+. Most of this series is just dragged out contrived 'dramatic tension' that you are left waiting for the plot to finally resolve so they can be together. Then you finally get a tiny handful of episodes of them actually being together. This is not good storytelling. There are some good points. While their characters are at times annoying and ridiculous, both Bai Lu and Dylan Wang perform them well. The then-very-young Shen Yu Jie, as Qin Shiyue, is wonderful and steals much of the show as one of the only consistently 'sane' characters and one who goes through a lot of personal growth. The cast and the overall plot premise were good, and the last 5 episodes were much better, but man, it was tough hanging on to the end. I blame all the problems in this show on the awful script.

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I've watched Youth many times,

I've watched Youth many times, and when something starts to irritate me, I switch to Youth. It's cozy, lifelike, and unpretentious. Even when I remember it, I feel better. Even the actor plays the traitor so well that it doesn't evoke disgust, because everything is in the context of the era, the ordeal—you couldn't say it better.
The atmosphere of the drama "Youth in the Flames of War" is truly incredible: the intelligentsia at the crossroads of time and the trials that befall an entire generation. This series truly saves you from artificial pathos and falsehood. Why "Youth" heals irritation and gives comfort: Real life instead of gloss. In "Youth," the characters sweat, get dirty, freeze, and sincerely fear death. This down-to-earth nature creates that very feeling of "life." Even the opponents don't seem like cardboard villains from a fairy tale. Their actions are dictated by a harsh and cruel time, so they fit seamlessly into the story and are aesthetically pleasing. The warmth of human relationships: the series' coziness is built on genuine student camaraderie, a thirst for knowledge despite the bombings, and faith in the future. Dylan Wang and the entire cast managed to convey the maturation of souls without intrusive and inappropriate romance. As their familiar world crumbles before their eyes, the characters simply try to remain human and preserve their country—and this inner strength is conveyed to the viewer, bringing emotional relief.

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Don't get all the hate

Honestly, it's a cozy watch. The leads actually communicate and the drama level is low. To me, they showed well how outdated some of the social opinions are, like divorce and how conservative the corporate world is. Everything is handled like adults should. The romance is tranquil and mostly mature. Male lead is a totally green flag. Women support each other, people forgive each other, talk about things and loyalty is all over the place. Maybe this is why people are hating on it. I will be definitely rewatching this because is warm and cute. Plus, it's SIG playing a part that is his own age, so it's very appropriate.
The only boring thing in this whole story was the second couple. I literally skipped them, big snore.

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Genuinely Funny, Great Chemistry

I love when you can tell that actors have worked together for a long time, and that's exactly how I felt watching Tay and New in Dog and a Plane. It's obvious from the start that the two actors understand each other very well, and this is especially apparent in the way they play off each other in comedic moments, and the chemistry they bring in the romantic ones. For a show to be funny in its native language is one thing; for the humor to translate into another language is another talent. This one was genuinely funny, even translated, and was super fun to watch. While it wasn't some deep, emotional show and maybe could've created a little more intrigue or tension in some places, it was still a great time.

Kanit (New) is a flight attendant with a pilot boyfriend, doing very well for himself. During a luggage switch-up, he ends up with the suitcase of rescuer Toto (Tay), meaning all of Kanit's designer clothes were replaced with Toto's cheap and rugged ones. Toto capitalizes on this switch up to try out some luxurious clothing, and ends up paying the price when he gets into a fight, Kanit's clothes get destroyed, and Kanit wants him to pay up. Unable to pay with cash, Toto enters into a deal with Kanit: determine if Kanit's pilot boyfriend is cheating on him. As Toto investigates Kanit's (obviously) cheating boyfriend, he starts to fall in love with Kanit himself.

I really enjoyed this series, especially the first half where Toto was trying to find evidence that Kanit's boyfriend was cheating on him. As a viewer, you're almost immediately aware of the answer, but watching Toto try to prove it was super fun. Then, the development of the relationship between Kanit and Toto was wonderful. I really enjoyed the tension between the characters, Toto's boldness in pursuing Kanit, and the comfortability that Tay and New brought to these characters. Not to mention, this show was super funny! Toto's over the top pursuit of Kanit was hilarious. Plus, Mond and Ryu's roles were a great complement to Tay and New, and I was super invested in their storyline too. Overall, a great comedy that you don't need to take too seriously.

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