What a devastating turn of events
I needed a few days to sit with my emotions before I could talk about the absolutely tragic series of events that led to the present situation: me, mourning the cancelation of an 8-year-old show!So, in case you are reading this from the future, this is from the summer of 2024 when the book "Are You Addicted?" received its third adaptation into a BL drama; this time the attempt is by Thailand. I had heard about the first adaptation aka the present title) but I was told that the show was: 1) Bad. 2) Heavily censored and canceled before it even ended.
So I naturally never even considered watching it but with the new adaptation coming out, I became intrigued and decided to check out the new adaptation. But for *reasons* I ended up sort of hesitant in approaching the series, and as it continued to air, I saw fans of the previous adaptations complain about the quality almost non-stop. So between my new-found interest and the complaints and other reasons...I finally took the bait and watched this one, instead.
Reader, I was not ready. *ugly crying*
First of all, a big flipping-bird to the misleading masses who said this was bad! I went into this expecting it to look and behave like some cheap, homemade p*rn video, with terrible acting, bad lighting, overall abysmal production, and little to no comprehensible plot. That's not it at all!!!!! This is a proper show. And let me just burn all the bridges right here and say that a low-budget, first-project, basically-put-together-with-glue-and-determination-of-the-crew Cdrama is STILL miles better than a high-budget, well-supported Thai drama. What goes on over there?!
Anyway...
Yes, the show looks very cheap. The lighting in some scenes is pretty bad too and that does unfortunate things to the also very humble make-up work BUT the show makes up for all its shortcomings with amazing acting, a great script that follows the book to a T (well...the little bit of the book that I read), and sincerity.
This is perhaps the best that one could expect from a Cdrama, when it comes to a faithful adaptation of a heavily explicit gay romance (and also just an overall great adaptation in other regards too, actually). They clearly cut the parts that needed higher budgeting but the dialogue is almost verbatim from the book. Each event is followed so closely that it's almost uncanny! I really appreciate the fact that they didn't turn the adaptation into a farce just because they had no money. Like, I love me some (no, I don't) Go Princess Go type of absurdist, camp adaptation that makes a mockery of both itself and the source material (I have no idea how that show worked out but it only just barely got away with its bs) but it's just something else when the show has a low budget but they maintain their dignity enough to treat it seriously and do the best to make the finished project a respectable, acceptable product.
I was won over by the sincerity of this project more than its weird-ass plot (it's really weird), or its salacious romantic scenes (idk if some people's boat floats that way but honestly? I was not wooed. Like, never would I think "oh yes baby, throw me against the wall like that..." but we will get to that part later...). What stands out in this show is how every single person present on the screen and also every single person working behind the scenes was totally committed to making it work. And it worked. (Kinda like Untamed but if Untamed was, like, REALLY broke.)
Both shows had a lot of heart and they did all the technical things as correctly as they could to make the show work. I respect that. I LOVED that.
Now, the other thing that worked? The acting. Holy Meow! I genuinely thought I was going to deal with abysmal acting. Like constipated faces, vague statue-like expressions, and maybe a bit of self-effacing embarrassed acting. I thought they would just be trying hard but looking awkward...Reader, there was none of that! I am an instant fan of these boys. In fact, I am emotionally attached to these young actors who put their careers and futures on the line and then committed 100% to the characters they were given and acted the pants off of them! These characters feel more real than 90% of what you see in Cdramas and maybe 50% of Kdramas too, actually (100% more realistic than those you see in Thai dramas, and the numbers are out for Jdramas 'cause they swing back and forth between silly anime acting and proper acting, idk). These felt like real boys. And it really helped that the voices were recorded on set and thank goodness that the guys were so good at talking and following the script. They felt raw. Real. Human. And it's ironic because a lot of their behavior makes 0 sense. Like, any and all characters could be in jail or mental hospital, if they pulled one of the many shenanigans they pull in real life but somehow because the actors are such great actors, they made it work. So you see the most bizarre thing on screen and you can actually can comprehend why this very real human boy would do that action in that moment. Even if out of context, two seconds away from the screen, it would cease to make sense. I am so impressed by Johnny Huang and Timmy Xu. Too impressed. I don't know. I'm a little speechless (Shocking, I know. I've been blabbering nonstop but I really want to say more but feel like words are failing me) They were so raw, guys...They just did so well and I think the supporting cast did very well too. I would only say maybe one or two actors are weird or gimmicky but thankfully by the time they show up, the romance brainrot has taken over both the viewers and the two main leads so we literally do not care. Like, all we want is for the pesky supporting cast to leave so they can...wrestle a bit more. I wish the best for the actors. They did too much. They literally were too good in their chemistry, it got the show canceled! *ugly crying* But that's the price we all paid for excellence, I guess. (Ok, I'm talking it up but this was their first project and it was risqué and controversial and demanding and they both did so well. I feel like they deserve the confidence boost)
Music-wise...they use such beautiful classical pieces..with literally no context. There would be a jig while the characters are crying! It made no sense. Whoever did the background music work must've just put their Spotify on shuffle. The only music choice that works is this one scene in episode 15...which was unfortunately too explicit and the whole scene was cut and it's a very unfortunate situation...yikes!
Plot summary: Gu Hai's dad is marrying his mistress and Gu Hai is super bitter about it. The stepmother in question has a son and when it's suggested that the 4 of them should all live together, Gu Hai finds this to be too much and bolts from the house. He's a rich boy so he goes across town and lives alone in his loft apartment and attends a new school where he meets Bai Luo Yin. Love knows no reason and also has one brain cell, apparently. Because Gu Hai is immediately 150% obsessed and he also has the social skills of an octopus in a dog's body so he expresses his feelings as eloquently as that and I don't know what to tell you! It's just that! Oh! And Bai Luo Yin is THE stepmother's son! lol
Negatives: I'm just gonna say it straight up. This show has r@pe. A lot of it. In fact, the concept of consent is extremely murky and undefined in this narrative. And I could sugarcoat it and come up with excuses....it's r@pe. Okay? And I know why it's in there...it's plausible deniability. As long as it's not two-sided, you can get away with showing some sexy action, and yes...the ONE time the show had consensual, two-sided, enthusiastic (well, actually...one was drunk still, yikes, so not 100% consensual but we are beggars, and the show literally gives us no choice, so...) the show got canceled for it. -_-
Yes, reader...you read that right *ugly crying* This show was Icarus! It flew too close to the sun!!!!! And it was burned to a crisp, I tell you! *ugly crying* We were left hanging in the middle of the air! Never to fly, never to fall, just levitating, wondering how it could've ended! *ugly crying* Woe is me! What is this tragic nonsense?! We're in the 21st-century, ffs!!!!
Anyway, the show has weird romantic dynamics. You know it's supposed to be slightly more consensual than what we see because at a high point, the character's argument is "Stop! My dad could see you from right there" So like...if he was bothered, he could literally scream for his dad to come save him from the octopus-man but no, he's just worried they would get discovered. Which is not great but I guess it's a bit of consolation. STILL, if you can't handle SA, don't watch it! It will upset you. I was fine because I don't necessarily assume the situation I am watching is supposed to be morally appropriate and because I don't have that expectation from my lead characters, I can still enjoy a show even if the mains are terrible people who do terrible things. But if you feel uncomfortable by that or it might trigger you, be kind to yourself and don't put yourself through it...or I guess you can skip? But at some point, you would just be skipping the whole show.
Overall: Reader, it was love at definitely-not first sight. It took a few episodes for me to warm up to this but just like how Gu Hai becomes this obsessive mess, I too, eventually became an obsessive mess when watching this show. It was just a good, though not high quality, show that captures your heart with its sincere heart and then just as you are freefalling into its rabbit hole, it ends on an inconclusive note. An unfinished sentence. We will never know how this was meant to end and that's heartbreaking. But the fact that the cast and crew paid the ultimate price and were either banned, imprisoned, or forbidden from working takes the tragedy from a 10 to a hundred. It's in respect to the sacrifice they made that I think it's good to see so many love this work and keep its legacy alive. If you prefer a more family-friendly version of this plot, Stay With me, the second adaptation of the book is also available. The Thai one has its own issues...I'm not gonna tell you, go find out about it yourself. But if you can handle the controversial bits, this show is so worth the heartbreak. Yes, the heartbreak. You will be heartbroken but you will also be thankful for it. It's all gain and all loss.
P.S. (because I didn't talk enough): One thing I love about this show is how both characters are such macho men. They're like...big, manly man types! Which is very rare in BL? I have never seen it like this, to be honest. And it was just so refreshing! I don't know, I liked how they were both big, strong men who could punch each other and cause actual damage! hehe he he he...I don't know, I guess we all have issues?!
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Better than most!
OK, so when I started watching this I was not expecting it to be so good. The acting was actually really great, considering some of the actors were beginners.I know that Chinese censorship ends up turning BL romances into Bromances, so as I watched this and realized that it had MORE... well I was doubly impressed. The resentment in the beginning were your basic emotions when new marriage and siblings are thrown into the mix. The acting was great in this sense.
Honestly I was so into it I noticed that as the feelings started to change, the characters just seemed more real to me. That slow slide into love was amazing. I liked how Gu Hai never questioned his feelings and he was so open about what he wanted. Yes he was pushy and a little overbearing but I think that made the character more personable. Bai Luo Yin's character was really great too, in the sense that, even though he fought it at first, he gave in. Now that scene was very well done and the music they used made it even better.
10/10 would watch again. I really hope they get a chance to make a second season
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Ouvi falar da série e resolvi assistir. Sinceramente não era uma série que merecia ser censurada e cancelada na metade do caminho. O relacionamento enemy to lovers entre Bai Luo Yin e Gu Hai me manteve entretida e ansiosa pelo desenrolar da história. Adorei o jeito irreverente, apaixonado, travesso, atrevido e imprevisível de Gu Hai. A química entre os atores é inegável, quer eles estejam brigando ou flertando entre si e prendeu minha atenção de um jeito cativante. Eles pareciam muito confortáveis e à vontade um com o outro. É uma pena que a série foi abruptamente interrompida, ficando sem resolução. Mesmo assim, merece um 10 pelo que apresentou em 15 episódios e em respeito às pessoas envolvidas no projeto.
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It has authentic quality
This is a very late review and most know of the drama with the drama. Censorship issues aside, what struck me most with Addicted is how authentic the cinematography and scenes were. It looked like a poorer area and school. It never felt like a ‘set’.The actors did very well capturing the characters and I was sad that it had such a negative effect on their careers for so long.
I think this has been the best adaptation of the novel so far. Why it is so difficult for this source material, I don’t know.
Should be a definite watch for most, and I rewatch regularly.
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Problematic
I really wanted to like this series since it's so popular, but watching it was soooooo uncomfortable. Gu Hai forcing himself on Bai Luoyin even though throughout the entire series he never seems to reciprocate his feelings isn't romantic, it's creepy and abusive. It's a shame, because the acting is great at the story had so much potential up until Gu Hai KIDNAPS Bai Luoyin and starts pressuring him so much that I could not continue to watch. Why is it so hard to create a romance drama that doesn't involve emotional and physical abuse?Was this review helpful to you?
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Don't Get the Hype
This drama has been highly recommended and is the favorite for a lot of BL fans. And to some extent I get why. The acting is amazing, the plot isn't boring and I did keep coming back for more. However, this drama will not age well. It already hasn't. BLs have a serious problem with romanticizing rape and this drama is incredibly guilty of it. I was uncomfortable for a huge portion of this drama, the only reason I came back because the chemistry between the leads are off the charts and I really couldn't resist.Louyin at times doesn't make sense to me. He doesn't get mad at things I thought he would and he gets mad at things that I really don't see the big deal about. Louyin's motivations confuse me to put it plain and simple. Nonetheless I did enjoy watching this drama until the very end when it leaves us on a cliff hanger with no resolution in sight. It's been four years and I highly doubt we will see a continuation of this drama despite rumors and promises of a completion to it. The drama was banned in China so I really don't have my hopes up. But if you ignore the last five or so minutes of the drama, it's a fine open ending instead leaving us on a cliff hanger.
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Friendship,brotherhood,love,jealousy,healing,family all aspects beautiful narrated.
Can watch it again and again
.love is most important.irrespective of who u are and who ever u love.trust also important.
Must must watch.
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LEGENDARY ADDICTING
Let me just say that this is the first BL's I ever watched in my life, and watching this again is like so Nostalgic for me in my BL journey, and As far as I can remember when I watched this drama, I watched it liked 2 or 3 times in a row ! as far as what the title is, watching this drama is so addicting. after 3-4 years I even understood the story now that I came back to see it again, it was really really too bad that this has became the first and the last BL drama of China.I just liked the story, the leads are just confused bi sexual, specially the way Gu Hai was dominant and so eager and addicted to Bai Louyin, every scene was just so simple but we can clearly understand whats happening and there was no confusion, the script is as exactly as what we can expect them to be and the events are so realistic, the sound effects are just right with the scenes and so loved the facial expressions.
I fell inlove so hard to Huang Jingyu during the first time I saw this drama so so hard that I even downloaded hundreds of his photos on my phone, it was not really easy to move on back then and now that I re watched this, I feel like I like him again .. I really hope I could have someone like Gu Hai so so dominant so sadist yet so true and so manly, no wonder that Bai Louyin who is also a hard as stone became soft march mallow because of Gu Hai
All in all this drama is like so rewatchable like many times in forever HAHAH, for me .. I just felt too bad that I would never see them again in a drama together, to be honest I tried having an sneak on their other dramas even the latest ones but I can hardly accept that they have a new partners AHHAH anyways they are just a legend that I can never see again for me Legendary Addicting ! bye Gu Hai and Bai Louyin ! see you again soon ♥
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PERFECTO!!!
Heck yeah my fave BL Serie all the time!Their chemistry was so good! Jingyu and ZhouZhou really made it. What the most i love about this series is : The storyline was so great, the developing of their relationship from time after time, highschool era. Well this really my ideal type of BL series. Perfect package including :music which was the main actors whom singing it, good looking actors thoo!
The bad is : THEY BAN THE SEASON 2 OF THIS SERIES. DANGGGG!!!
I suggest you all after watch this whole series, go and find the novel. It has bitter-sweet story.
Ps: This is binge-watching thoo! i almost watched it for nearly 5 times (?) and read it twice.
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Great Series!
This was a really good series. I have but one question and it’s regard the cliffhanger it leaves you with.WILL THERE OR IS THERE A SEASON 2? I see I. YouTube there’s some kind of season 2, but each episode is kind 5 minutes long and has no talking just music. THIS SERIES NEEDS A SEASON 2!
I read somewhere that there was controversy over this type of show in China yet there are series still being made there with this type of content. THERE NEEDS TO BE A SEASON 2!!!! Please!
Acting was great story was great all in all this was a good series to watch I would highly recommend it!
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So confused.
Edit: After taking the time to read one of the books this series was based on, I also highly recommend reading it. So much is explained in it.There was nothing in this series that did not leave me confused and confounded.
Why YuoLin made his choices.
Why GuHai made his choices.
Why some stuff was cut by the censors and not other stuff.. which added to the confusion.
Why someone would need sleeping medicine at school.
Why none of these people can seem to take a hint even when it's outright stated.
What did I just watch? This was a story of the most lopsided relationship I've ever witnessed.
Just so many questions. I'd like my time back please.
Having said that tho, I'd probably watch a season 2 of this trainwreck for closure.
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