Addicted

This is not the right recipe for happiness!

What the hell did I just watch?!?!? I have seen some highly toxic and unhealthy things, but this one takes the top spot! Well, at least they did not lie in the title which is actually Addicted . Heroin is the translation of the word you get when you put their names together, as explained in the series.

The drama tells the obsessive and possessive, highly toxic love Gu Hei has for Yui Zi. Gu Hei was fascinated with Bai Luo Yin ever since they met for the first time and he never left him in peace since. He started first with pranks in school, than he pretended to be poor, then wormed his way into his family, slept with him in the same bad but trying to get more in a kind of round about way, flung his wealth and connections around manipulating lives of people close to BLY, kidnapped him, tried to rape him repeatedly. Gu Hai basically showed behaviour worthy of a psycho. He was addicted to BLY, to his kindness, intelligence, level headedness and therefore tried to control him, own him, cutting him from his friends and family with jealous insistence. That is why I do not understand when BLY finally succumbed to GH pressure and let him do whatever he wanted with him, which is the only thing GH was interested in, apparently!

The series is based on a danmei book: so basically this is the result of a female fantasy writing. Love, generally speaking, can provoke this kind of obsession even in the straight couples. But it does not mean that it is right. Usually when you have a similar kind of a relationship in movies, it never ends well. This kind of obsessive relationship never ends well in real life too. I am glad we are finally moving away fro these kinds of tropes in BLs: this is not a recipe for happiness . Addicted was pulled off air unfinished, after the very steamy episode 15!. But it seems that there are another 3/4 of the book left, not covered by this series. The series ended with them in a sort of relationship but do they get their happily ever after at the end of the book? I hope not!

There are a lot of side characters with unfinished stories: a couple of crazy ex girlfriends, a crazy cousin, controlling or laxist parents, school friends' possible second couple romance... The actor playing BLY's father was the most handsome of the lot. The two playing GH & BLY are obviously too old for the roles: they are supposed to be teenagers (I guess around 18 seeing them driving cars and getting drunk but still in high school: go figure!!!) but they are obviously much older. You end up getting used to it by the end but it felt really strange at the beginning! They were OK but no more than that!

The series looks very low budget: it was clearly made in a week! Just look at the weather throughout the 15 episodes: it is always gray and cold (steam coming from actors' moths when they talk)! Once they actually discussed what they would love to eat for a holiday which falls the following week, on August 15th: while the trees outside the window were bare of leaves and as steam was coming from their mouths! Global warming and drastic climate change evidently!
Costumes tell the same story: everyone is wearing two same outfits throughout! Music was the best about this series!

Recently, I've been watching dramas I never really wanted to see (especially chinese ones). This one is a legend, the unfinished one, the one which brought on the demise of chinese BL and the birth of bromance c drama. But is it good? NO! But it is a gulty pleasure watch. I understand that. I can watch it once but never again!

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when the last episode came to an end..... spoilers ahead

REVIEW
**a lil personal story/reaction first**
When this drama ended, when the last episode came to an end, i just stared at the wall, totally blank for a solid minute. When the ending OST played, i stared at the screen, letting all the memories sink in. Goosebumps all over my body, reminiscing about all the moments (it had only been a day since i watched it. Yes i watched the first 14 eps in one day and watched the last ep the next day coz it was too late and also coz i wanted to be fresh and alert while watching the last episode) tears in my eyes that i had to say goodbye. And i am not lying when i say this, out of all 50+ BL dramas, 50+ BL anime that ive watched 50+ manhwas that ive read, this is the only actually the 2nd drama (1st one being The On1y One') that made me sad that it has ended. There have been many dramas which made me want more of the story however none of them have made me sad that they have come to an end. But in case of addicted and The On1y One it literally made me sad. Actually i can say that addicted made me even more sad than on1y one. because there is a possibility of The On1y One coming with a s2 but addicted? nahh it has been 8 yearss alreadyy.

now review
My likes (there's a lot)
-This story was just really awesome. All the actors played their roles very nicely tho they were not 'flawless' but i am not complaining.

-i was taken over by the cute little interactions between our main couple. The constant teasing, fighting, getting each other in trouble was ADORABLE to watch.

- But that's not all. Both of them knew how to be responsible as well (like when Bai was sick Gu took care of him. When Gu fought for Bai's sake, Bai was concerned if Gu would be expelled)

-After that dinner and piggy back ride the way they bonded was amazing. they showed their love and care for each other in subtle ways.. i love that scene where they were having break fast and Gu hai noticed Bai eating the meat out of the food so Gu gave him his meat as well awww adorable

- both actor's singing is cherry on cake

- music and songs are wisely used and i love it

- i absolutely love the bed scenes, not the sex-bed-scenes (talk about that later) but the scenes at Bai's house where both of them are on the same bed. It is hilarious to watch Gu Hai trying to sleep basically glue-stuck to Bai Luo Yin.

now, the dislikes which mainly revolve around ep 12 13 14, Lulu, and some personality traits of Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin (not a lot but seems big coz i have described in detail)
- Lulu-- Gu hai alr has a gf-lulu, yet he goes ahead and falls for Bai. i know he cannot control it but why did they add it into the story? it could have been just as good if not better even without the gf... and also if Gu hai already knew he now likes Bai luo yin then why did he not break up with her then and there and instead led her on. In the end even when he did break up, he made it look like he did so because she was cheating on her (which she was) like he couldve just not led her on and break up with her?

now i will talk about the three episodes, Bai LUo yin and gu hai altogether

for me, the entire pace was ruined by ep 11 12 13 and 14. The atmosphere shift in these episodes was unlikeable. But more than that i had a problem with how Gu Hai and Bai's 'relationship' was portrayed in these episodes.
Now let me get this straight. Since the beginning of the series, we can clearly see that Gu hai is head over heels for Bai luo yin. All the existing chemisrty between them is 99.99% because of Gu hai's actions. Bai luo yin, since the beginning has been resisting and pushing Gu away (which is not a problem but stay with me and hear me out). He does show some subtle signs of affection towards Gu hai but it does not really come out as love (for me atleast).
So now all of a sudden, in ep 11 12 13 and 14 they start behaving like a couple which is a problem to me. I personally cannot feel Bai luo yin's affection towards Gu Hai which is exactly why in ep 11 12 13 14 when they do couple behavior it seems out of place

talking about Bai luo yin's character, i found it particularly unlikeable in ep 11 12 13 14...Actually since the beginning i was quite neutral towards Bai's character...i did not like him nor disliked him (contrary to Gu Hai's character which i loved)...he was just there for the plot and to be loved by Gu hai...however in the episodes i found him unlikeable and idk why

About Gu Hai, i saw someone say that he is a walking red flag. like in that scene where gu hai punched and threatened to break a guy's leg... other red flag was the sexual assault which even i agree was veryyy wrong.. we could literally see Bai struggling under him. but i just ended up ignoring all the red flags tho

DESPITE all the dislikes i mentioned, still love the series. I actually am not gonna let my dislikes affect the rating of the story and am gonna give it a 9 okay a 9.5..
This is rare for me to do coz usually even if i dislike a part of a story, i would lower the rating but i am not doing that for this series which shows just how much i love it mannn
ohh and i researched A LOT about this series out of curiosity read multiple articles and blogs.. they all mention the 8 year promise ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Even though it had already been 8 years when i watched this series (in 2025) i am still gonna be a part of the 8 year promise and just like millions of other people i am gonna wait for them to appear together (deep down i know it is impossible and it makes me sad but, i will still believe)

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Some things didn’t sit right with me

I saw how popular this drama was and decided to try it.

The acting is good however I have issues with the dubious consent and how stalkerish GH is. I get that this is fiction but how is this representing the LGBTQ community by showing one guy force the other into physical contact to admit he has feelings for said guy especially in such a homophobic society?

Once again, I reiterate that the acting is convincing enough that I feel uncomfortable with this. GH really is a bully to me. This bugs me to no end.

I’m glad BLY found his own feelings in his journey.

The music wasn’t anything unforgettable.

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There's something addictive about this problematic show

It's hard to put into words why this show works and personally even moreso than any BL that have come after it, ignoring it's very weird rapey writing (throw kidnapping into the mix) with the most questionable sexual moments (it doesn't matter you have herpes I still want to have sex..............WOW writing award), also the rapey-ness is both ways Bai tries to fuck a sleeping Gu Hai near the end it's just such a problematic show

But looking past this, in this absolutely fucked up way outside of the actual rape, the show manages to capture a gay teenager's horniness remarkably well, it feels completely unintentional the way Gu Hai's behavior actually does translate to actual real life teenagers (despite being an adult with muscles) but its very clear the writer just wrote him like this little explosive ticking bomb of sexual harassment

This is also one of the few shows where the canon couple coming together is done in the best way possible, the backdrop for Bai's life in poverty and how Gu Hai trying to match his life to Bai's and spending meaningful time with him and his family, him trying to improve his writing by tearing a page from Bai's notebook and buying him little presents to show him affection but them reaching the wrong desk, the writer for the actual novel this is based on manages to develop these very simple and small story beats that bring these two characters closer without it feeling very contrived, Gu Hai already does love him in an obsessive way which already breaks out of the tradition of BL story-telling where both of the characters have to climb the ladder to see each other romantically.

It's this one sided lingering that makes Gu Hai problematic but compelling to watch, you know it's stalkerish, creepy and obsessive but you can't look away, there's something about the way he's written that feels weirdly honest, he feels unfiltered and unsanitized, a person who is willing to get his hands dirty and really go there for the person he desires....... but the show doesn't view him as such, the show only sees him as romantic, this confusing delivery really stuck in my mind after all this time despite it being years since I've watched the show.

I can't divorce the show from it's very intriguing and problematic developments, but it being this way also circles back to adding an extra dimension to the show itself that it doesn't even realize it's adding, this isn't HIStory season 1 which JUST feels like you're watching rape on top of rape

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Conflicted Addiction.

Here’s the thing.. I watched the drama and I read both novels to cure my curiosity on how it all ends. As much as I anticipated the drama, it is honestly not appropriate. Period.

Yes. There is sexual assault. Not once but multiple times. The ML basically forced the other ML on numerous occasions and not just in that one scene. The “kidnapping” in the drama and the second “kidnapping” in the novel are both disgusting and uncalled for. It did not add to their story or development. It showed how psychotic the ML is and his obsession became overwhelming. Who does that to someone you love? Forcing them to have sex with you and forcing them to love you? To make it worst, the story ROMANTICIZED the abuse. The whole, “I did it for us” BS played over and over again. What a disappointment. This could have been such a beautiful story.

Throughout the entire drama and novels, they both continue to act out in all their jealous charades thus proving they should not be together. I’m so disappointed.

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Truly Devastated That Nothing Compares

Never in the probably a 100 BL's I've watched have I seen seen chemistry like that of main characters Bao Luo Yin and Gu Hai. It's truly unmatched how these rookie actors pulled off such a burning complex romance.

If you haven't heard, this show was cancelled early and the last few episodes will never see the light of day. Nonetheless, I'm grateful we at least made it to episode 15 as it includes a scene that fills me with hope and solidifies their love story, erasing any doubt to be had on their love for each other.

The music(OST) is very underated as it includes a few songs sung by one of the main characters and even a song with both main characters on it. The soft melodic soundtrack blends right in with the setting of a small peaceful town in the countryside. The star of the OST is a heartwarming song played on the final episode during the very special scene that matches the characters complex romance so perfectly and puts you right in your deepest feels.

I'm writing this review many years after watching this show as it's yet to be forgotten in my mind. Truly a stain on my heart the real life situation around the show vs the government but I'd never regret the burning warmth I feel watching Addicted. I reccomend reading the novel afterwards as it’s a beautiful story with a satisfying ending, though TW because it has some darker moments on the way there.

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i'm going to be completely honest.
this show is watchable but i'm not sure about enjoyable. i was watching it just to watch something.
the problems don't lay in the acting on the contrary i think for beginners they did a really good job with the acting and the expressions and the feelings they wanted to deliver.. now thats the real issue. i still dont get the feelings they wanted to deliver , i do not feel the love or the character development.. the aggressivenes of gu hai and the way it was simply accepted by BLY even tho he still showed his dislike towards GH .this series doesnt clearly give us the closure we need.

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The opening title and synopsys sold this as a sweet, romantinc BL drama. It is NOT!
I gave this a 7.5 because it is a well done series, the actors, direction and cinematography is great. It would work as a cautionary tale, if the ending would be different.
This series is basically Gu Hai sexually assaulting Louyin every chance he gets. He is a sick guy, even if he comes across as sweet and caring sometimes. He is obsessive, aggressive with everyone, overreacts, and hates Louyin's friends and he's rude to them on purpose (which is a red flag in itself).
He gets what he wants in the end, but I am not sure it's a happy ending and not sure this needs a second season (unless it's a very dark one, but I am sure the fans don't need that).
To me, this looked like the type of relationship that gets you killed if you want out. By the 10th episode, it got hard to watch. We really need to stop romanticizing abuse.

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raw teenage feelings

this drama portraits the feelings of young men/teenagers well. those who love each other tease each other.
some complain about stalking, sexual harassment.. these are tough boys growing up without learning how to express their feelings but a high energy (sexual) drive. and he grew up as the master with only his father above him. there's sexual tension, there's possessiveness, love bombing, during a time in which no meant maybe. but in the end he still accepts his boundaries and waits. sad we don't get a proper ending as the show became a scandal and got cancelled

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Addicted was So Hated by The Chinese Government!

I truly would love to see The Heavily Unedited Version of Addicted! Attempted Boy Love Rape! Really! 🥴😜

There truly must be a longer version of Addicted that makes sense! The truly annoying edited version of Addicted…makes for a truly hard watch! There are tons of plot holes! The Two Leads… Huang Jingyu and Xu Weizmann we’re very good when the story was all about their love/or hard to get! They Both had a Hard On for each other! I truly would love to see the Full Version of Addicted! Plus the Chinese Government Stepped in and would not show the last three??? Episodes. Plus the Two Male Leads were an overnight success and were constantly doing shows to promote Addicted and massive Interview Shows…and their own Popularity Grew overnight! Until the Officials, Major Dickheads Chinese put a stop to it all!

Maybe Someone will find the Complete Addicted TV Shows and post them on You Tube! Huang and Xu had tremendous Boys Love Vibes for one another! It truly was horrible how the Dickheads of the Chinese Government put a end to Boys Love..Addicted!

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SO AMAZING IT WAS BANNED

Bai Luo Yin's mom marries to Gu Hai's father. Both of them are disconnected from the parent as they feel a sense of betrayal from previous circumstances. Gu Hai antagonizes BLY during class but finds a way to get closer into his heart. Gu Hai refuses to go home as BLY's mom moves into the home, so he moves in with BLY, his father and his grandmother. This is where the amazing chemistry of the whole cast is displayed. BLY's careless, more so naive father immediately accepts Gu Hai as one of his own as he is sweet in his own way. At first the acting of BLY and GH is a bit cringe but still convincing. This awkwardness helps the show be even more realistic as they are still figuring themselves and their family situations out. It really does feel like you're watching a great friendship/romance of 2 boys develop in real time. The side characters are a great addition and makes you want more. Yang Meng and You Qi's interactions were beginning to get more intense, but we can never see it in full as it was banned before the rest of the episodes can come out. The slight comedic value Yang Meng has due to him being so pretty makes the show a bit more lighthearted. The cast and their acting made the story so much better and realistic. The OST is really soothing, like you are looking up at the night sky with a loved one, which BLY and Gu Hai does at least twice on the roof, making it all the more better. The show starts to feel a bit slow and gray from episodes 9-13 but it is still a plot builder nonetheless. All in all, this show will make you laugh, smile and feel like you've seen 2 loved ones and their family grow together for the better, a decent watch.

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