First Note of Love

Appreciate the effort

An average BL drama that does not feel bland yet not great either, it was just an ‘okay’ kind of show. They started well as I find the characters interesting but that’s it. I think the first to second episodes were the best ones out of the twelve episodes they had. I can see that they all did their best but the overall outcome for me was just fine, nothing less and nothing more.

I can sense the chemistry from the four of them but it lacks appeal. The way they bring us back when Neil meets the younger version of Sea is not cute at all as they end up being paired together. They should at least hired a teenager version of Neil to make their pairing pleasant since the age gap was shaking them out.

Reese and Orca's language barrier was a nuisance. They should just at least stick with using English when they speak to each other. Although the non-verbal communication, specifically the drawing, was charming. Reese is a giant cutie and I did not expect to see his hot naked body with him having a delightful young face.

When it comes to music as their genre, I just hoped that they presented more songs without repeatedly singing the same set of songs throughout the whole show. I got bored many times but still glad that I finished this without dropping. Love the cast but they should polished the script and execution prior to releasing it.

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Kinda confused about the age gap

“First Note of Love” isn’t a bad watch. It’s interesting and has its moments, though I wouldn’t say it’s groundbreaking. I’ve definitely seen better, but honestly, there are way worse dramas out there. The plot is decent and moves along pretty well, but it could have used a solid villain or some real tension. Every good drama needs that bit of conflict to keep you on the edge, and this one was missing that.

One thing that did throw me off was the age gap between Sea and Neil. Sea’s supposed to be a college sophomore, which makes him around 20, while Neil, based on the flashbacks, seems to be pushing 30. That 10-year gap felt a little iffy and even uncomfortable, considering Sea is so young. I get that age gaps can add some depth to a relationship, but this one just felt a bit too much.

That said, “First Note of Love” is a chill show. It’s light, kind of sweet, and easy to watch when you just want something simple. There’s nothing particularly unique here, though, so it’s not the kind of drama that’ll stick with you long after.

Overall, it’s a decent pick if you’re into Taiwanese BL dramas and looking for something casual. Just don’t go in expecting a masterpiece.

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An interesting start falling to a medicore end with lazy writing

While I always thought lazy writing is a thing for Thai BLs, it also happened here. Also to be a musician is about passion and I missed some of it. Even if you are down a lot and having a depression I would assume a musician will find help with his music. I understand stage fright but should he not have somehow mellowed it down because he has the experience after a while? It seemed like he's still a rookie.

There is no fault in the actors who did the best with a weak script they were given. Production quality was very good except the hair. Neither the wig nor the blonde extensions on Orca were a good idea. I also don't understand Reese why he has the problem to be with his love for such a long time and why both of them did not learn each others languages a bit. Did they not, because they were apart for a long time? At least they sould learn to speak english well which "Orca" did not and talk in english. I also felt there was not enough tension, longing, passion between the side couple, it felt bland. Also the actors did not convince me to be musicians, their performances with the instruments felt a bit stiff and unnatural, especially Sea on his keyboard even when the OST itself was nice. To be a music centric show needs more realism and more training for the actors.

So after a good start the show reduced intensitiy and they seperated the MLs because Sea needs to concentrate on music? Does that make sense? I don't think so. When you are in love seperating makes things harder imho. Even with some fluffy moments, this show can't be saved to be more than medicore. For a taiwanese BL that was disappointing.

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Love what exactly....

It was a nice calm series and I was truly disappointed.

Six skilled actors delivering the most placid performance I would say for 2024. A nice concept, poor writing, uneventful episodes with little to no engagement. These couples didn't fall in love, they both eased into it. Their grief overshadowed everything else and made the story so subdued that I was left wondering what happened. They're all very likeable with no real drama. The healing from loss and abandonment was dealt with by all but without the bang. Where is the passion for living? The storylines were tied up at the end but very very very peacefully.

Reese finally agreed to go to Thailand with Orca. Sea finally tells Neil about their meeting years ago and how it saved him and Neil confessing how Sea empowered him to be brave. All done very quietly. Standout was Mei, working anonymously in the background to bring them together. 1 point for the casting team for choosing the actresses for Mei and Sea's blonde classmate. They brought their characters to life and relieved the boredom.

Too many flashbacks of the same scene. Magnet's one song religiously played for 9-10 episodes. First Note of Love was more like a lullaby. Charles, Michael, Jame and Min Ting were nice to look at but was expecting more. They did act well but just too quietly. Jame, blonde 1980' mullet - why, was the most engaging of all.

Watch if you've had a hard day and just want to relax without too much brain activity. Rewatch - pass.

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First Note of Love But Flat Story

Conceptually, this series ‘sounds’ like a winner. A budding singing duo composed of two likeable brothers. Tragically, one of them dies on the way to a concert site. The other one becomes lost in his own malaise for 5 years. All of that sounds like a great connection story but the sequence of events for them were choppy and insufferably boring. Their relationship looked and felt creepy to me. Even though both were adults, it still felt off. Honestly, I never bought their relationship. Honestly, I was unmoved by this series. I felt little from it. A few good scenes to be sure but nothing sustainable. There was way too much reliance on flashbacks.

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Deja Tunes

I'm about 2/3 of the way through this drama. I like it. Good production value, good acting, and, as several reviews have noted, a really decent soundtrack. Wanna know why? JMO but every song was reminiscent of a chart topper. This was most clearly apparent in the strongest song that played during the episode 8 end credits. That's very similar to Closer by the Chainsmokers featuring Halsey. It's not plagiarism. But the chord progressions are way similar. If you've ever compared Slow Burn by Musgraves and Fire and Rain by James Taylor, it's the same dynamic. Or a descant situation similar to (imo) Thinking out Loud and Let's Get It On.
Again, I liked this drama. BLs have kept me from obsessing over the madness that is currently possessing my country. So, thanks for that. I just had a head jerk moment when I heard that last song. It took me out of the drama for a second. Okay, back to floating on my river of denial.

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An opportunity wasted

I expected so much more from this series. Having watched Jazz for Two, i thought this would turn out to be a Taiwanese version of that bc of the similarities in the plot. However, 5 episodes in and each one feels like I'm being forced to keep my eyes on the screen. I am disappointed. Poor storyline, too many flashbacks to one thing, no real chemistry between the ML and the music isn't even great. This was an opportunity to showcase how music can truly help one heal and how love finds you even in your darkest moments but it failed, abysmally. I have zero positive takeaways from this one and can only hope Taiwan does better.

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Simply Just Not For Me

I told myself at the beginning of this year that I wouldn't force myself to watch anything that doesn't immediately catch my attention or interest. Unfortunately, First Note of Love did just that.

Let's Dive In.

I think this is just one of those series that just isn't for me. I cannot handle the long drawn-out singing scenes, or the fact that none of them look like they can actually play an instrument. I feel like in my watch of just 3 episodes, I did more skipping than watching, and that says a lot.

There are also some characters that appear on screen way too much for me, like Neil's managers or workers or whatever the hell they are. They have their own scenes, but they feel so irrelevant and added just for timing purposes. I can't sit through series anymore where the main focal point of the series is taken away just for the added functions of nuanced characters.

I feel nothing for Neil and Sea, just purely nothing. I think Sea does shyness pretty darn good, and Neil is good at acting like he doesn't give a fuck, but together, I'm just not feeling it. Which is sad, cause I love age gaps, but they didn't spark anything out of me. The ending scene in episode 3 though was actually pretty cute, just not enough for me to keep watching.

I feel like this series in itself isn't bad, it's just simply not for me. I felt like I even forced myself to watch the first three episodes, and I don't want to do that for the remainder of the series.

Ratings:

Story: 6/10 - honestly, a decent plot about a band that falls apart after the death of one of the brothers. The story seemed like it could've really gone somewhere with the growth of Neil as he processes all of it, but it's not enough to keep me watching, Too many irrelevant characters get too much screen time, which is a no-no for me. The romance, from what I've seen in three episodes, does absolutely nothing for me.

Acting: 8.5/10 - Great, no one looked like they couldn't act. If anything, it's this series' strong suit. But they should've done some rehearsing on how to fake-play instruments.

Music: 5/10 - Skipped through it all. A personal problem of mine, not the series.

Recommendation Value: 5/10 - If you like singing, this series might work out for you. Otherwise, no.

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Musical BLs are my weakness

Let's start with the headline.

This BL is what it is supposed to be. A musical BL, and it is stellar in this sense.

What got me frustrated though was the unnecessary Thai subplot, but we can live with that because both are hot. I think that they should have some Thai here and there and have both talk in Taiwanese, since the BL is mainly Taiwanese.

The plot is awesome, but the child playing that part felt rather odd, the songs, the acting, the settings are beautiful done.

I cried at the end and cried here and there so if you love musicals this is another one to fall in love with.

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A Sweet Tune to the Heart

First Note of Love is a 12-episode Taiwanese BL (Yaoi) series directed by Shiue Bin Jian, streaming on GagaOOLala from August to October 2024. At its core, it’s a story about love, healing, and the power of music, told through the connection between Neil (Charles Tu), a well-known guitarist still haunted by the past, and Sea (Michael Chang), a gifted young composer who’s secretly been his fan.

Six years after losing his brother and bandmate Matt, Neil is struggling with grief, anxiety, and stage fright. Enter Sea—an unpolished but passionate composer invited to collaborate with his idol. What begins as a rocky partnership, with Neil dismissing Sea as undeserving, gradually turns into something tender and transformative. Sea’s honesty and love for music slowly chip away at Neil’s walls, promising a heartfelt journey of growth, understanding, and healing.

The series shines in how it frames their evolving relationship. From awkward clashes to becoming a harmonious duo—in both music and love—their slow-burn romance feels genuine and deeply human. Supporting characters add colour too, especially Sea’s cheeky friend Liang and Neil’s colleague Mei, keeping the tone fresh and playful. There are also clever twists that subvert expectations, keeping the narrative from falling into clichés.

Visually, the production holds up well, with thoughtful cinematography (though a few time jumps could have been clearer). What really elevates the show, though, is the music. The soundtrack isn’t just background—it’s woven into the storytelling, with lyrics that echo the characters’ struggles, hopes, and dreams. The performances from Tu and Chang bring maturity and nuance, and even the subplot with Orca, a Thai character navigating a language barrier, is handled with refreshing realism.

In the end, First Note of Love hits all the right notes: a moving story of love and loss, grounded in music’s power to heal. With its heartfelt themes, well-drawn characters, and a soundtrack that lingers long after the credits roll, it’s a warm, soulful watch that will resonate with anyone who’s ever found comfort in both love and song.

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