Despite frustrating ending + writing flaws, worth it for the butterflies that the romance provides!
I have watched the previous chinese adaptation "Addicted" of the novel and was curious to see the newest adaptation and how the director and screenwriter will be able to build up this BL relationship while meeting the censorship criteria. Fortunately enough, I think they did a very good job regarding the development of the relationship.They choose to develop the story in a less toxic way. I liked how toxic it was in the previous adaptation, but here they made it something else and it is as interesting and much more wholesome and candid. They managed to handle the censorship very well: the relationship between the two guys is clearly romantic and with a lot of chemistry despite not being able to show much. Everything is in the subtext, which I really enjoyed.
The downside of the story resides in the last third of the series with a not very inspired resolution to some of the familial conflicts as well as an abrupt ending that felt very much open and which was to me super frustrating. It seems that once again an adaptation of the novel is stopped in the middle of a narrative arc. A season 2 would be more than welcome to conclude better the series but sadly enough, I don't think anything is planned in that respect.
The two actors casted as main leads were really good. They had a great chemistry together and I totally believed in their characters' strong feelings for each other. They managed to convey so much with just their eyes, the looks they were throwing to each other as well as each of their very innocent touching. That's impressive to express so much with so little skinship: every little hints they gave regarding their affections and even more felt like a precious gift to the viewer. The secondary cast was more of a mixed bag in terms of performances.
I enjoyed the production value of this drama. There were a lot of very pretty and memorables scenes between the leads showcasing very well sweet moments between them. I also enjoyed the soundtrack: I liked less the opening song but the other three songs were very solid and such a vibe fitting the romance very well.
I would recommend this to people looking for a Youth BL that really put the focus on developping in a wholesome and believable way the relationship between its main leads. The scenario might be a bit wonky at time as well as the actions of some of the side characters but the main relationships (as well as the two actors acting as leads) is really worth the time invested. Be aware that the ending might be frustrating, but the journey of the romance really offset this point to my eyes.
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As Close As You’ll Get To A Chinese BL
Let’s address the elephant in the room. There are no overt love confessions or overt intimate contact due to Chinese censorship rules for the entertainment industry. Therefore, all Chinese bls produced in China have to be packaged as ‘bromances’. Saying that, this is the closest I’ve seen a Chinese bl come to being ‘overtly bl’ since the implementation of the censorship rules. This drama walks the tight rope between adhering to the censorship rules and portraying a couple in love onscreen. You’re able to see them be more intimate in the latter episodes and we are promised an uncut version once season 2 is out.What this show does well is that it’s able to do so much with sub-text and emotional undertones. The emotions are strong and the performances are compelling. Like its predecessor, it has relatable down to earth characters and plenty of heart. It does manage to set itself apart from Addicted/Heroin and find its own voice and story along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and think future Chinese bls should follow its blueprint.
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This review may contain spoilers
I should read the comment below first. Haha...
Ugh where should I start this.... This is one maybe the most implicit BL drama that come out China that I've ever watch. And I love every bit of this. Unfortunately this drama leave bitter sweet taste in my mouth with the closing curtain. What do I mean?? Well.... If you already read the comment below you'll know what I mean, if not just be prepared cause I'm gonna scream... Just a warning this gonna be BIG SPOILER ALERT!!! If you don't wanna know just stop reading my review then...THIS A BIG *SS OPEN ENDING!!!! WITH THE CLIFANGER THAT MAKE ME WANT TO HANG THE DIRECTOR!!!!
Well if you read the comment below, you gonna find video from the director that tell they gonna continue this drama. But with BL or anything second season is just mean nothing guarantee & we just need to wait patiently for the announcement or the airing of the 2nd season. But for you who doesn't have patient, like me, to wait for 2nd season, you can find the book (Are You Addicted) and read for yourself. And I've read some of the first chapter, and got a bad feeling this will not gonna be continue. Still finger cross that my prediction is wrong & we can still enjoy the continuity of this drama.
The first question that comes to my mind after finished watching this, of course beside how come the director torturing us with such ending, is how come this passed the censorship??? But once again the comment just help answering "Released internationally only. Many censorship rules don't apply." With the biggest question in my head already been answered let we talk about what I like and don't like from this drama then...
What I like:
+ Oh I really like the chemistry of our boys Wu Bi & Su Yu. From curious to getting to know each other & to life time 'friendship' is played well... Haha... Really funny how they behave like little kids with prank and revenge to each other. And how they friendship finally bloom into something more. Haha... Really like the take on "I Love You... Ocean". Really one brave line from C-drama land.
+ What is family.... The lonely boy found the family in the place that he never expected
+ The cute Duo Duo. Haha... This little smart kids, really brighten the story.
What I don't really like:
- The mystery surround Wu Bi's mom a little not too clear. Yeah I know this not really about her story or Wu Bi family in the matter of fact. But with leaving the thread like that for me is not enough.
- The relationship between Wu Bi and his dad still not too good. Wonder how will the director take the direction from the book. Where the plot gonna be steer.
- Nothing more that just glance or subtle kiss on the cheek (still surprise by this) can be happen on our screen. Because you know... this is c-drama. Need to wait how Thai adaptation gonna take the relationship... Haha....
Overall I really like this drama. Even with such cliffhanger I still can't bring myself to give this drama lower score. Haha...
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Far more than expected….
As someone who adored the original and the source novel(s) … I put off watching this (for obvious reasons) but have been more than pleasantly surprised.Casting is very good (especially Su Yu - exceptional - and not far off Bai Luo Yin .. making him a bit “weaker” was an interesting choice though!)
The adaptation and deviations, are most definitely on the whole decent, and some neat shifts to move the plot along and improve a bit on the story telling front - in this world but also this clearly has a higher budget than the original and has been filmed with the lessons learned.
The downsides are it’s lost a bit of the “special” that made the original, IMO.
As much as I think Wu Bi character is a good adjustment, the actor cast is good and delivers well - I mean in this universe a fully fledged Gu Hai is not even remotely feasible, I personally feel this is the biggest let down and I can’t work out whether it’s the physicality, the actor or the adjustments to the narrative (or a combination of all 3), that are lacking - for me. There are still glimpses of the intensity but just they’re lacking that certain something!
But this is far better than expected and whether I’d feel the same without Shangyin .. difficult to honestly assess.
Worth the time and effort watching so far, invested to see where it progresses over the next couple of weeks and if the flaws (for me) get lessened
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IM INLOVE
I started watching this yesterday and I already love it. Like idk what to say. This definitely deserves more attention. Even though it has it’s ups and downs (this series is breaking my heart every episode i watch) it’s definitely one of my favorite bromance dramas. Also, I do not believe for a SECOND that they don’t have a thing for eachother. They are homosexuals and I know it. If Wu Bi saying “he’s mine” doesn’t prove it idk what does. Anyway i’m so excited for future episodes! Can’t wait!!Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece
Wow, I just finished watching this and I’m still very emotional. I can’t say enough good things about the cast. Everyone did a fantastic job. That little girl… Duoduo… is intelligent way beyond her years. She stole every scene she was in.The story never got boring. Just when you thought it was going to calm down and be peaceful, it all ramped up again. The things those boys had to go though, the things they were willing to do for each other, and the love they had for each other was off the charts. No kiss? There were plenty of touches, hugs, smiles, innuendos, and even some blunt comments. Putting the “lip balm” on his dad’s lips was hilarious.
In my opinion, this is absolutely a must watch! There had better be a season 2!
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This is Killing Me!
I was so excited when I realized that this was an adaptation of Addicted especially seeing there were 24 episodes. I thought finally gonna get the whole story!I am in love with this story. I watched addicted then read the book since I had to see what we were robbed of. This adapation is beautiful I have zero complaints. It is a cautious retelling which I can accept. There are obvious changes from the book but they are acceptable. I'm not going into them only because there are quite a handful so it almost makes the two stories cousins rather than the same.
Not gona lie when it ended I was frustrated at first, only because I was hoping for the full story this time. It does sound like they have a contract for S2. Keeping my fingers crossed it actually happens this time even if we get an open ending.
I am glad I watched the original and read it because I can still feel a sense of completion by stitching all three together.
I highly recommend this but be prepared!
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This series one of the best I’ve ever watched
This series had me laughing, crybaby and so much more. It has officially become my favourite all time series!! I cannot wait for season 2 I hope it’s just as good. These actors did the series beyond justice, love love loved it! The visuals were beautiful and the story line second to none. I cannot express how much I am grateful I found this series via a recommendation. All my friends are raving about this series and we will tell anyone that can hear they should watch this series. Now the wait begins for season 2, I hope we don’t have to wait too long. At the same time I hope it does the first season proud and continues to be amazing.Was this review helpful to you?
Really GAY
Yes this is technically a bromance but there is nothing bromance about this show. This show just screams GAY in all the BEST ways. I haven’t read the novel that it was adapted from but I’m loving the show!The acting is amazing and keeps you engaged. The show script itself is funny, sad, infuriating and all in between! I really feel the need to reiterate how GAY this show is*insert crying emotions*. I wished China didn’t have such strong censorship laws but if they didn’t then this show would’ve ended me.
I think it’s amazing though how great the chemistry main leads have. They can just look at each other and I feel like that did more than a passionate kiss.
Props to the writers and directors of the show with the sublet hints to all the gayness that couldn’t be openly displayed. There were so many times where I was pausing the show because I was squealing at how GAY the show was*insert laughing emoji*. Overall the show has a darker tone then most BLs but it’s also warm and fuzzy. The whole cast did a great job. Overall the show has many heartfelt, sad, hilarious, and tearjerker moments. One of the best dramas this year.
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Sadly another bromance only, lacks the BL real feel.
Sadly another Bromance, not BL that plays close to addicted, but just a younger version of actors. It's a good development, however sadly, I hate all these BL that come from China, as all of it can only look like Bromance instead of real Boylove. I hate the stupid censorship of China, time to grow up and allow actors and directors, and writers to tell the story the way it should be shown and felt. Stop this stupid censorship and show the amazing detail of Boylove with the beautiful story and intimacy that it deserves. Stay with Me has such a great feel but lacked the real beauty of the boylove storyline that we wanted to see the shine. Very disappointed by the playout of the story. Love the acting and where it could go, but just another sad bromance.Was this review helpful to you?
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As addictive as heroine, but less toxic
If I had known that it was a remake of Addicted-Heroine, I wouldn't have started watching, because as much as I felt "addicted" to Addicted, I was able to see lots of things that were wrong in that series. I definitely didn't want to be taken on that ride again. If you fell the same, don't worry, Stay With Me isn't toxic like that. Actually, Stay With Me dropped the majority of all those numerous content warnings for Addicted, and I don't complain. For example, contrary to Addicted, this series shows that it's wrong to try to buy people's feelings and that it usually fails - which is an important message.We all know about the communist censorship, so obviously there are no steamy scenes and the romantic aspect is more implied than shown. You can still guess pretty accurately the milestones of the relationship. Well, there are many shows with nicely executed NC scenes these days, so not every BL has to have them.
Besides, the way this large patchwork family is presented brings lots of diverse emotions, with Duoduo being world's cutest shipper for her geges and SuYu's mother painfully failing at her attempts to create a home.
If you loved Addicted and saw nothing wrong with that series, please give Stay With Me a chance nevertheless. Just treat it as a completely separate show, and you might enjoy it. I really hope so.
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This is one of the best bromance/ bl drama of 2023
I think it is pretty tame compared to regular thai queer shows but I feel like this is the closest to being a queer in real life, in places where they are conservative yet understanding enough. I love a good part of the show shows the family being so abnormal and warm. For me, personally, I love shows that doesnt revolve only around the two leads but their environment where they interact with. It shows the characters as persons outside the romance aspect. It has high rewatch value and the computers and phones give me nostalgia. This series will def be the one where i go back from time to time to destress and wrap myself in childhood nostalgiaWas this review helpful to you?
