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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 showBut 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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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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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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THE MOST REALISTIC SERIES EVER
The thing i like about this series is how natural and real it is, no extra drama and no predictable C-drama scene's. Although the fight scene's where kind of bad (especially the sound effects) but the chemistry between the actors covers these flaws.Actually this series is my honest reaction if something like this happened to me, and thats what kept me hooked. its not like other series where the leads are all dramatic and extra, thats why this series seemed so true and real.
I really like how simple yet meaningful this drama was truly one of a kind series, i really wish these actors had more series together.
OVERALL must watch
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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.Was this review helpful to you?
this is very intense but SO cute. It had some scenes that made me go hmmm and I wish that Bai Luo Yin showed more signs of falling in love... Either way, you know why this BL is called “Addicted” :0
The acting and story line isn’t bad, it’s well done, and it’s the kind of BL you’ll carry with you for the rest of your years- Trust me
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I loved the first 10 episodes. The prank war had me giggling so much every episode, and the progression of the relationship seemed so organic and it was so much fun to watch. Things got kinda weird from episode 11 onwards though. There were definitely some non-con moments, but honestly I've learned by now it's kind of a common trope in BL, so I'm not unreasonably bothered by it. (Not sure what that really says about me as a person, but that's neither here nor there). But things seemed pretty choppy as far as the timeline goes. We don't really get to see Bai Luo Yin come around to Gu Hai. One moment he's completely against being anything more than friends (or step brothers) and the next moment he's teasing him, then against it again, then kissing him, and it was kind of confusing to me.
I think this show would have been better suited to 45 minute episode instead of 20 minute ones, but that's just a personal preference I have. I also hate that this ended on a cliffhanger I'll never know the conclusion to. Hopefully I can find a translated version of the book somewhere to get the answers I'm looking for.
I'm sure I'll rewatch this again in the future, but I'm not itching to do so nearly as much as some of the other BLs I've loved.
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The story though, very encaptivating. Also the chemistry between the main characters. One thing I hate about this series is how they portray women in general (the exes, the mother) it felt like women are the arch-enemy, the only one who is okay, the vendor lady but she didn't add much to the story.
My heart still aches they got banned and they cannot even on the same screen together anymore.
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