The On1y One

A happiness I haven't felt for a long time

I can't find the correct words to describe how incredible this masterpiece is but I'll try to summarize the main points that have caught my attention.

First: we do have to emphasize the chemistry between the main leads. I mean, how can they expresso much feelings and love within only 8 episodes that don't contain, almost, any kiss or touch? The actors themselves have done a wonderful job and the script, that derives from a perfect novel, makes it not only possible but also dense! The gazes, the words, everything just suits perfectly good!

Second: Chinese culture knows a lot how to make people cry with the simplest things. Although the topics mentioned here aren't simple in any way, there's so much emotion in every scene. The cenarios, the storyline, the background of each character, their personalities, everything makes you feel how dense their messages are. We can learn a lot of things through each reflection, which (beware) is my dearest element of this show.

This review is really condensed but I hope you see this art yourself. Really, you won't regret it!

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It was slow-burn, but slow-burn romance it was not

Only watched 6 episodes and FF the remaining at 3x speed. Initially I liked the story because of awesome cinematography and good acting by the leads, not to mention I am a sucker for a good step brother romance story. However, the plot meandered too much because of all the side characters and plots. I can't really tell if the leads are attracted to each other or just affectionate and heal each other's trauma. There was a kiss scene but it was too premature and didnt feel right. It was not a kiss of love, but rather a kiss to make a point. The ending didnt satisfy me either and I am left just as confused as I was in the beginning. Heard season 2 isnt happening, so I won't be recommending this show to anyone.

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Gripping love story

I loved this love story. The two main leads were unknown to me but represented their characters so well. Both have suffered and you learn that as you continue to watch the episodes go by. I loved how the story develops and felt the writing, acting, directing and music contributed to a show that steals the viewer's attention so when the episode is over you are already focusing on what is going to happen in the next one.

I watched it initially episode by episode as they aired but since then have watched the whole series in one sitting which is how I prefer to watch them as it's easier to remember details when they aren't stretched out over weeks and months.

I would very much love to see a season two of this show as the characters have so much of their lives to let us see. Great job to the main lead actors!

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Heartwarming relationship, lovable & relatable characters, can't get enough of this

Really love this BL, just what I'm looking for in a BL Drama.
The plot might not be the best, and of course there's a lot that can be improved from the actors, but overall I can feel the passion and love that the whole crew put into making this series
It touched me in various scenes, and the emotional struggles that the characters went through was beautifully depicted by the actors and also the crew working behind the scene
Loved the color grading in this series, and there were many beautiful and aesthethic scenes
The chemistry between the main couple is like they were made for each other
If you're looking for heartwarming & cute relationships, with a lot of positive vibe between the main couple, this is just the right drama for you.
Can't wait for S2!!

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I felt scammed.

I am aware that Taiwanese BL are more of a roller coaster ride and will just leave you in midair, but this is something else. All the episodes, except for the last two, focused on character development. We became part of the transformation of Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian, witnessing how their personalities changed for each other and how their feelings evolved from friendship to something more. The climax would have been them expressing their feelings to each other.

But the director had something else on his mind. There was a kissing scene between the two main characters, but it was the wrong time and feelings. There was a bed scene, but it was not theirs and was utterly unnecessary.

Nevertheless, the series was successful in making us want more. And like every successful Taiwanese BL , we are left in midair - and the thoughts of the series will haunt us in the days to come.

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What???

Okay what the heck was that last episode?? It was a terrible way to end a drama! I know there's a 2nd season but seriously, the last episode was not IT. They could have chosen other parts of the book for the last ep. Spoiler ahead...
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Wang intentionally flunked the exams because he wanted to distance himself from Tian because of his feelings. But they resolved this, comes Wangzai's bday and that's when they confess and got together. If I'm not mistaken that's when they first kissed too (in the novel). After that, the had an exam and Wangzai got back to Class A, JiaHao failed, and that's when the angst started. I think this parts would've been the better option to end the 1st season.

For the cast: I'm okay with their performance, however, Liu Dong Qin does not really look like a high school student. I'm a little flabbergasted why they casted adults to play high school students!

The music: It's great and fitting.

The plot: It's not new. It's actually very common for a coming-of-age slash slice-of-life genre. What I appreciate was the world building. Like I've read stories and watched movies/dramas that show students but don't live like one (they spend most of their time outside than in school which is unrealistic). With this, one, especially in the novel, it really presented the idle yet eventful life of a student. They built Wangzai and Tian's student god images with actions and not merely a description. They actually showed how they study, how much time they spend on it, and whatnots. Typically, authors would just say that their MCs and MLs are studious, geniuses, etc. without showing how they are like that. But in this story, it's the opposite.

I understand why other people find this boring and slow but I appreciate its pace. People got used to fast-paced dramas like in the 3rd ep the lead characters are already in love and whatnots. People forget the MC and ML are still high school student. What could they do beside going to school and studying?

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely wait for the 2nd season. A must watch and rewatch!

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Beautiful Story

No words, really.

These days, I don’t watch BL all that much. Call it growing older, call it cynicism, or maybe just losing some color—but I had started to feel bored with the same old saccharine storylines. Even the ones that leaned serious, spooky, or crime-driven seemed to lack something crucial: **heart**.

I haven’t been truly impressed since *Bad Buddy*, which I finished back in 2022. That series left a deep mark on me. Though its storyline was simple, it had **heart**. It had **soul**. Since then, whatever I watch, I always measure it against the benchmark set by *Bad Buddy*.

That was until March 2025, when I watched *The Only One* for the first time.

Oh. My. God.

This series is **phenomenal**. I love them. I love their chemistry. The "opposites attract" dynamic, the doomed romance, the *star-crossed lovers* trope—the **taboo** of being stepbrothers. The **pining**, the **angst**, the **acting**—so **subtle**, yet deeply affecting. Every little moment matters, even the seemingly insignificant ones that later come back in such a powerful way. This series delivers all of it **in spades**.

The longing looks! The drama! The side characters are **outstanding**. Special shoutout to Gao Tianyang’s actor—he absolutely **nailed** his performance. He’s so lovable, such a comedic genius, and genuinely one of the best supporting characters I’ve seen in BL. And, of course, a special mention to the **first cutest het couple in BL media** (not saying who they are, but I am **fully rooting for them**).

As for the main leads? Their chemistry is **unreal**.

The **skinship** is abundant, but it’s never meaningless. Their **love language is acts of love**, and it is **breathtaking** to watch. Someone once said that Jiang Tian teaches Shen Wang that love is **difficult**, not easy, but **worth it**—that you have to push through the ugly parts of love to truly reach the other person. That lesson is **so profound**.

We see Shen Wang being polite, distant, and mechanically affectionate—good at faking friendliness to keep everyone happy. But Jiang Tian? **He sees through him**. He **knows** when Shen Wang is being inauthentic, and when that false politeness is directed at him, he **calls him out on his bullshit immediately**. It’s such a rare and beautiful lesson to explore in a BL drama. **Chef’s kiss.**

Now, the story isn’t complete. *The Only One* is adapted from a novel (a **very** faithful 1:1 adaptation, with only minor changes), and so far, we’ve only covered **60 chapters**. There are **50 more chapters** left for Season 2. When Season 1 ended where it did, I **literally rolled around screaming,** *“No, this can’t be it!”* But I quickly calmed down, read the novel, and now… I’m **eagerly waiting** for the rest to be adapted.

Bring on Season 2. I need it. Now.

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