Enemies to lovers + forced proximity with a boss/employee grumpy/tsundere pairing, damaged seme
Following in We Best Love: Fighting Mr Second and HIStory 4: Close to You’s footsteps this was Taiwan’s 3rd office-set BL in as many months. They’re horning in on Japan’s territory and I’m DELIGHTED, it’s not like Japan is doing anything with it. (Can you tell I’m STILL bitter over Docchi mo Docchi? Seriously it’s been 7 years! I gotta let this go.)This one was super soft, and Taiwan doesn’t normally do soft which made it slightly awkward for everyone concerned, but lovely and sweet in the end. The plot felt quite contrived, but that was really its only flaw. Everything else was pitch perfect.
By far BLINID’s best quality was that the tsundere uke’s tsundere-ness was entirely sympathetic, he was utterly likable from the start. As the narrative progressed the seme’s grumpiness becomes more sympathetic too (as we and the uke learn more about him).
This meant that audience and tsundere were on the same journey, softening towards the seme at the same time. Taiwan isn’t usually this clever about BL (that’s Korea’s jam) but this one was smart, and leaned on some great acting and beautiful trope execution to carry it. (There was a LOT of crash into me, though.) Grumpy/tsundere is a HARD pairing to execute well, so I was impressed.
A cute classy little BL with a few plot raised eyebrows, but no other concerns. It gets high marks from me, I loved it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love this Drama
I have become a BL fan for not too long like for 2-3 months and I am watching every popular BL drama. I was searching for new drama to watch and saw the poster of this drama. I was, like, having feeling that this a great drama and got to know that this drama is still going so I thought to watch it and I became a super fan. They don't lack anything, story to visual, everything is great. This drama gave me feeling of beautifulness, I don't know why but I loved the poster so much. The story is different too, generally BL are about a boy who liked girls and then came a boy who shakes his heart, but this drama is about a boy who got hurt by his previous relationship with a boy. Sorry for the spoilers !!!! I have to say that you should definitely watch this. I am counting days for new episodes ! 🙃💙Was this review helpful to you?
Great acting and likeable characters
I'm quite surprised the main reviews I saw for this are rather negative. Although I know enjoyment is subjective! Still, I feel personally that it deserves a good amount of praise.I'll start off with a few things I didn't like, which is primarily Yi Zi Tong. A lot of things pertaining to him felt unnecessary and were just generally extremely frustrating. Could have done without 85% of his screen-time. No offense to the actor of course, as he did a great job playing the character. Most other issues I have with the show are a by-product of his presence.
Shi Lei and Jin Yu Zhen definitely do have a slow burn romance, and there are some typical tropes used to progress their relationship, but I never minded. There were a lot of ups and downs between the two, where they got closer and then a bit distant again, but I found the ending to their story to be satisfying and lovely. The two had chemistry that was palpable at times, and any of their sweet or tender moments together were incredibly well done.
Shi Lei's mom is one of my favorite aspects of the show. She's sweet and caring, and you can tell she loves and supports her son in a genuine way. I could recite the entire scene of their conversation and him coming out, as I was that moved by it, but I won't do that. Just know that I could and would.
At first, the relationship between Gang and Si Qi was rather bland to me, but they grew on me and I really appreciated their story. They were kind and straightforward with each other. There were times that misunderstandings could have driven a wedge between them, but they instead just talked with each other. No running away, no forced drama. Their relationship ended up being a wonderful part of the show for me, though I know some others might not care about them so much. For me, they have a very realistic - feeling relationship.
I tried to keep things rather vague to avoid just spoiling the whole show, so I don't know if I truly sold my point very well, but the gist is that it's very charming.
Once again, my biggest complaint was Yi Zi Tong and oh boy could I write an entire dissertation about my issues with him and his presence, but I'll spare you.
Still, I've watched this 2+ times already and will do so again as it's just a guaranteed sweet watch.
I'll only briefly mention the music, since it has been awhile since actually watching the show; I can't recall the OST in full, but I remember liking a lot of it.
Overall, I'm aware this isn't a perfect show, and it might not be for everyone, but I highly recommend watching it for yourself since the viewing experience can't fully be delineated through words.
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The little Prince ? & the Fox ?
First let me just start by saying I love Asian Men They are absolutely beautiful 🥺 I first watch a trailer for this series a few weeks before the first episode aired and I can proudly say finally I was able to follow along with everyone else. Jin Zhen & Shi Lei took us for a roller coaster of emotions it’s not your typical fall for your boss storyline. One thing that I thought was absolutely fascinating was the Ex wasn’t here to cause trouble like you would normally see and I had initially thought he made Jin Zhen face his feelings for Shi Lei in what turned out to be a very very passionate explosion of two people who love each other. We all know even the side characters knew. As frustrating as it was watching them dance around their feelings this does happen so often! The soundtrack was amazing as well. Well the story is over I’m hoping for a special or maybe 🤔 a season 2 I also have to just take a moment and appreciate the cast for all the hard work put into this series And Aaron looked absolutely stunning in every scene! Be still my heartWas this review helpful to you?
I hated this
I don't know if that was just me but I hated this, it's just so boring and the plot is just so basic and boring and cliché. even if most BL dramas are clichés but usually they are fun and comedic or artistic or adds anything new.this one is just flat, bland characters I don't even see the chemistry that people are talking about they are just two attractive people, there were no actual chemistry between them.
the plot about the studio and their work and their colleagues is just k*ll me now. so boring i almost fell asleep.
I don't recommend watching at all actually, you can find nicer stuff that can actually make you laugh at least from how silly it is but this one doesn't even have that.
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A love story weighed down by flaws
The premise had potential, but the execution didn't deliver. The only true strength of this series is the chemistry between the two leading men. Unfortunately, however, that chemistry was ruined when the actor Hank Wang (Shi Lei) was visibly uncomfortable kissing his scene partner. His lips were sealed shut and he refused to kiss meaningfully. His scene partner had more courage and made the best of a bad situation. Why would a production company hire an actor who doesn't want to do the work? The evolution of their relationship felt more natural, which was enjoyable to watch. The secondary gay couple needed more of a story - they didn't really have one, so why where they there? The straight couple were also underutilized.Was this review helpful to you?
It was great but still good
I thought thus series was going to be more edgy. Meaning that the Jin character was going to be more of an eccentric, but he just slowly became normal without much fanfare about it. It did slow down in the middle and there were a few episodes that were like treading water. They could have created more tension. I liked the mom character and she disappeared. The initial idea was great but they should have continued it more consistently and caused more tension. Still worth the watch and it was enjoyable.Was this review helpful to you?
Out of the Ordinary
Most of the complaints I read from all the reviews here are all the ordinary aspects that a reviewer could notice, and I am not against it or against them. It's their POVs.I gave 10 full score in 4 categories and in overall because when I am watching it, I really just enjoy it. Couldn't wait for another week to watch another episode, it excites me and look forward for the day another episode be released. I don't have time to be a know-it-all critic. My purpose is to entertain myself and be happy with it, and I did.
The story is unique, executed in not so ordinary sequence of transitioning from one episode to another
The acting of all the actors are great specially of Aaron and Ballhank, the little details of expressions and gestures are realistic
The music are well-mainstreamed and relatable
And definitely, I would watch it again though I already did, three times now.
Overall, It is one of my favorite series (aside from No.1 for you)
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It's an OK drama
This drama started very good for me but started declining as the episodes went. The chemistry of the 2 mains is very good but the slow burn was not done very well and the episode length did them no favor, during every single episode when i started to get engaged and think things were going to happen the episode ended and the next one we were again back two steps behind.Also contrary to most people I actually did not like the side couple until episode 8; they were not adding or doing anything to the drama, they were just there, and i feel like they were being used as a device to make people stay while the main couple did not get together, which is a sign things are not going to do so well. The third couple was also just there and basically disappeared towards the later half, their purpose was only to give advice to the main guy.
Now for things I did like about this: the character evolution and how Jin Yuzhen's issues dont simply go away once he falls in love again, that was handled fairly well, and I was pleased that them being gay was never the problem during the whole drama, but an entirely different thing. Also as I said in the beginning the main characters's work very well and the actors's chemistry is very nice.
The osts are good too! Sometimes they got a bit repetitive since there are only 4 of them, but that didnt take anything of my enjoyment and im definitely saving one to my playlist.
Overall its an OK drama, wont be anything world changing but its nice to watch once if you have free time.
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Why give so much importance to ex's character, I get it was to talk about Real's trauma but still...
Obviously Real wasn't enough for him and I believe down deep he knew it that is why it was easy for him to leave Real and move ahead. I hate the fact that at the end of the series they let his character talk about his current relationship and him and the side couple guy at the bar talking about the fact he has finally been tamed just tells me once again he knew Real wasn't the one for him.
From what he says in his recording he wasn't the type to stay stable when it came to job opportunities or even relationship so basically he wasn't the stable type so why enter a serious relationship with someone to the point of buying a house with that person if you knew that is how you are but like he said Real also knew what type of person he was so he is also to be blame for engaging into a relationship knowing fully well what awaits you ahead.
Apart from the above, I hate to admit this but when I first saw him and his ex kissing in the series the first time I went like damn their chemistry is something else and this special episode just confirmed it not to compare and believe me I love the main couple.
Their story would've been beautiful if the love they had for each other was on an equal level. Real to me was the only one completely in love that is why he was devastated after their breakup or should I say after E-Stone abbandoned him.
That is why I hate the idea of them bringing him into the picture and making his character a big deal. They main couple could have still ended together even without him in the picture that is why I don't really understand the use of him doing all what he did in the name of helping his ex to move on. Till the end he had the last say in defining their relationship and I hate it.
And with the main couple being on a verge of divorce in "Plus and Minus" just makes me feel uneasy with this special episode.. I really don't think this was necessary.
I would have loved for this story to be a totally different series not related to "Be Loved in House" but this happening only if their love for each other was on an equal level.
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Disappointed
I am honestly disappointed in this drama. The CP didn't get into a relationship until the last half of the last episode. I liked the makeout session but it wasn't enough to wipe out my frustration. The CP had so much chemistry and I feel that it was completely wasted. It's a pity.The acting was awkward at times especially when the two male leads were contrived to be in a compromising situation. That said, I loved Shi Lei's mum, she was the best. As for Shi Lei, his character especially during the first few episodes was not likable. However, he is so beautiful and his smile is infectious. He has cute ears and just looking at him makes you happy.
I loved most of the music. The lyrics for the music were also very good which I liked.
Overall, it was an okay drama with several highs and lows.
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[insert some smart metaphor about the little prince and the fox]
I knew what I signed up for when I read the plot summary, but I still found myself quite frustrated at the whole "single rule" thing. It never made any sense, no matter how much Jin Yu Zhen and the writers bend over backward. But I choose to not take it too seriously.The main couple has good chemistry and falls more under the slow-burn category which is one of my favorites actually. The side couple though wasn't my tea at all. I don't really like couples that not only have a noticeable age difference but also further the power dynamics by making the younger one inexperienced, shy, and dependent on the older guy. So that was a no from me. The straight couple had like two scenes together and were only there to set up some sort of conflict.
Through the show, we encounter quite a few clichés that were mostly executed as you would expect them. Therefore, there aren't a lot of moments that genuinely took me by surprise. That's not necessarily a bad thing, I guess. I didn't mind it, since most of those tropes are one of my favorites (e.g. one bed), but a little bit of creativity never hurts ;)
The intro "I do, I do, I do" was quite catchy and I would recognize it and immediately think about this show, so that's a good thing.
The rewatch value is actually surprisingly high, thanks to the main couple who is carrying this whole show on their backs (and Shi Lei's mother of course).
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