Wishing upon the Shooting Stars

A fairy tale with a bit of confusion...

As usual the love-story started with a misunderstanding, which is of course nothing new. But how they went with it, was new for me... In the right circumstances a wish from a shooting star can become true. At least I did not expect going that way, because "He Xiangyong" wished to be forgotten. And that had massive consequences with his dad, friends and when he met his highschool sweet heart again. Only his childhood friend recognizes him and he fascilitates the second couple by kicking his friends butt, so to speak, something he could not manage in highschool himself.

The scenery is quite rural and is supporting the story. We got quite some nice scenery, especially the underwater footage in the finale. All the actors did a good job, especially the young versions of the MLs. The second couple had a dead fish kiss in the finale which makes me wonder, if they filmed the finale first, because of course the dumb intro did spoil the end - which I hate.

In the middle of the second half of the show, it gets a bit confusing, because "He Xiangyong" wakes up and something changed. First I thought it's not only his wish, but many wishes intersecting from people around him. But that's not the case, it's just confusing. But at least the God and his helper turn up to save the day. The background music is often offputting and makes no sense, especially when it has a comedic touch but the scene is serious or when a song is playing while a serious conversation is taking place. Of course I understand why they only went with one actor playing "He Xiangyong" and "Zhong Xiaoyou" but for me it would have been better if he really looked different for more immersion and that "Chen Haowei" fall for the second version because of his soul and character. At least it would have been more impactful. Also the "art" was left something to be desired, not good enough to be believable that "He" choosed this as his profession.

So overall a taiwanese production which was good and had some depth and a wonderful story also about two childhood friends. Compared to all the thai crap now airing, this was a refreshing story. Even with all the downsides I mentioned, it is still a good series.

Read More

A Gentle, Magical Start That Feels Both Refreshing and Emotional

After 1/4 of the year is gone, finally our first Taiwanese BL for 2026 did not disappoint. Wishing upon the Shooting Stars is already proving to be one of those series you just feel connected to from the very first episode. This series has completely drawn me in with its soft, emotional storytelling and unique concept.

The premise is honestly one of the most refreshing I have seen in a while. A simple wish turning into something so life changing adds this quiet magical layer to the story. Watching Xiang Yong live under a second identity as Zhong Xiao You is not just interesting, it feels deeply personal. It is less about fantasy and more about rediscovering yourself, your worth, and what you truly want in life.

What makes this even more special is the setting. No flashy city lights, no over the top luxury, just a peaceful hometown that feels warm and real. It is such a nice change from the usual BL settings, and it makes every moment feel more genuine and heartfelt.

And then we have the romance. The return of the high school crush already has me invested. There is something so soft and nostalgic about their dynamic, like unfinished feelings slowly finding their way back. It is subtle, but you can feel the chemistry building, and it makes you want to keep watching just to see how it all unfolds.

The acting so far has been really solid, especially in the quieter scenes where emotions speak louder than words. The music fits perfectly too, adding to that dreamy, slightly magical atmosphere without overpowering the story.

And we can we talk about episode 8 is my favourite episode so far. They cleared up their misunderstanding so quickly instead of dragging it out for a few episodes.
You can really tell how much they love each other during their NC scene. It was filmed so beautifully, one of the best Taiwanese NC scenes I’ve ever seen. I’m honestly speechless.

Unique plot, strong emotions, comforting vibes, and a romance that already has my heart.

Read More

Appreciate Now

It was enjoyable, chaotic, a bit far reaching but just right. Sure there were moments that felt a bit repetitive, the circle it ran in, just to get to the conclusion but it didn't feel too unnecessary. All the actors had character. They felt natural in their surroundings, even the supernatural ones.

Ultimately, a story about choices, good or bad, would have repercussions. Also, I liked the aspect of valuing yourself and never feeling a failure to who matter. Self and those who love you and those you love. Failing at something doesn't mean you are a failure. Show up for the people who love you.

What I loved about this was that each had a story interesting to be told. The cp's complemented each other well. The island life free flowing body movements were refreshing. Uncle and Dad were an easy watch. Wisdom without heaviness.

I knew Jed Chung could act and I was happy to view him here. His smile just makes the angst worthwhile.

Note to Sam Lin: I miss seeing you.

It was fun, lively and Taiwan redeemed their legacy..... a bit. It was more coherent than what we have seen in a few years.

Read More

wishes, regrets and love

Overall: this series got me in the feels several times. 12 episodes about 35 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala, https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6336/wishing-upon-the-shooting-star-2026-e01 (not available in Japan, Taiwan or Korea); Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/41438c-wishing-upon-the-shooting-stars#about and Youku https://www.youku.tv/v/v_show/id_XNjUxNzIyOTU1Ng==.html ; and iQIYI https://www.iq.com/album/wishing-upon-the-shooting-stars-2026-1ytj5n9hiid?lang=en_us

Content Warning: I'm not sure what it exactly was (update: attempted suicide, it was complicated), you can start episode 1 at 1m5s to skip it and then start episode 12 at 17:45, beaten up/fight/punches

What I Liked
- ocean side, small-town vibe
- supportive uncle
- some mystery
- a character who was forthright at the end of episode 2
- intimacy
- the fortune teller like woman/author had a very unique style that we rarely see in media

Room For Improvement
- I was a bit confused who the two characters were in the flashback but I did get it figured out
- episode 6 was too delayed to show what the deal was in the past
- didn't make sense why he would agree to pay that giant fine
- cliche female character in the past
- in the finale they tried to do too much with the scifi/fantasy element and it felt corny

Read More

It's both amazing and confusing mess at the same time

When I started this drama I kinda liked it but as the series progressed the show went bland especially a couple of episodes in the middle were soo boring. After a point I just stopped waiting for the next episode.

I do agree with the comments they should have just removed the whole magical wish part and this would have been an amazing slice of life cz that was pretty messily handled. It started off good with both friends wishing and their wish coming true and both of them kinda paid their price for the wish too. Xiang Yong lost his loved ones and Wan Zi lost his peace. Which 2as plausible cz his wish wasn't as bing as Yong. Everything just starts going downhill after this. Like people lost their memories once and then it happens again🙄 okay u wanna erase HXY but why did Hama chan forget Wan Zi🙄🙄 makes no sense. Also why did Yong trading his life to undo his wish also undo wan zi's wish?

I especially hated how this whole wish mess was just the gods messing with people kinda thing and although they said there were rules i couldn't see any. These 2 kids get to undo their wish while the doc who i feel also repented never got to undo the wish. Also the introduction of the new god in the end felt absolutely unnecessary to me. Also everyone's memories being distorted differently in the end was also kinda uncomfortable for me. Instead if they either just removed the whole magic thing or just let him experience a world where their wish came true and then they came back to where they started. That would have been much much better.

The 1st couple have an amazing backstory but then their current timeline's story was barely interesting on the other hand i absolutely loved the 2nd couple A LOT. They did a good job. For a 1 time watch this drama is good but it might be hard to finish it.

Read More

It's Good but Something's Missing

Let's start with the positives b4 I get into all my unanswered questions

1. I did enjoy how the story started. The beginning highlights what many adults, and especially former gifted kids, might go through. The unfortunate realization that all the hopes you had as a kid will not come true. The career you wanted is out of reach, your actual work life sucks, and while everyone is doing great for themselves, you are broke and drowning in debt and uncertainty about your future. The feeling that you want to simply disappear from your life (the disappointment and shame that has become your life). That part gut-punched me (is it because I can relate to it? We shall not talk about that)

2. A 2nd chance at love. This is exclusively with the main couple. I liked how people not recognizing him allowed HXY to get closer to CHW. To talk about their unresolved issues and better understand why CHW acted the way he did and said what he said back then. The barrier that was created by everyone being unable to recognize him allowed him to have conversations that he likely would've never had if CHW (and his father) had been able to recognize him

3. Xi Xi - She had this interesting goth x part witch vibe about her that I'd have liked to see explored more. Especially her connection to the supernatural. Also, the switch from her goth persona to the normal stressed writer persona should've been shown more.

4. NC scenes - I love it when NC scenes are done well and with care. The ones in this show are filmed very beautifully, and they are very sensual. Hats off to everyone involved. Episodes 8 & 12... Chef's kiss

5. The island setting, the cinematography, and the natural tanned skin tones of the cast. Beautiful

Now to the less-than-satisfactory/confusing parts

The more I think about this story, the more I'm convinced that the fantasy element should've been taken out. On one hand, I can see what they were trying to say, especially regarding He Xiang Yong. I think the overall message here was that we shouldn't try running from our problems but face them head-on. Running away may offer reprieve, but that's only temporary. You are likely to lose more than you think, than you can afford if you keep running.

However, on the other hand, a lot of the fantasy leaves a lot of loose ends, and I, the viewer, confused.

For example.
1. He Xiang Yong's punishment when the wish started backfiring was that everyone forgot him. He basically lost everything. Friends and family included. But what about Li Wan Zhe? Why was his punishment seemingly lesser? Hama-chan forgot him, for like a day, but they were back in love pretty quickly, so...? Yeah, he forgot their brief history, and he has less single-minded devotion to LWZ, but compared to HXY's punishment, this is so little.

Ps. I liked that Hama-chan became less dedicated/attached to LWZ after the wish backfired/broke. While this level of devotion and love can be cute in theory, seeing Hamachan change his life and give up his dreams, basically lose himself to be with LWZ, made me uncomfortable

2. Why wasn't the doctor ever given a chance to change his wish? Was it because, unlike HXY, he wasn't willing to die for it? Or was it because he was complacent? Resigned to his fate of never leaving the island?

3. Why did HXY's actions in the latter episodes have a positive impact on LWZ's wish but not the doctors'? Was it because HXY & LWZ made the wish on the same night/same time, and so they were sorta, maybe linked?

4. What was the overarching role of the god, his helper (Hong), and Xixi?

5. What on earth went down with HXY & CHW's jobs? One was bullied excessively and somehow ended up with life-crushing debt, and the other made bad investments, losing his clients' money, which led to panic attacks. They show these parts briefly but never fully explain them. It all should've been explained better

6. They should've found a professional to do HXY's sketches. I'm sorry, but they... They were not good


Final Thoughts
I will say that I loved the performances from the cast. The plot outside of those last 4 episodes is rather good. I liked the conversations and the lessons.

However, because so much of this plot was intertwined with the wishing, the fantastical element being so messy makes this story feel a little incomplete, confusing, and underwhelming. The drama after episode 8 - where he basically becomes fully erased from everyone's minds and lives - felt unnecessary and overly dramatic.

Rather than all that, I think it would have been better had HXY & CHW had to work together to find a way for everyone else to remember HXY, with help from LWZ and Hama-chan. Or maybe, just remove the fantasy element altogether and have the drama be a slice of life where the main character deals with not reaching his perceived potential, 2nd chance love, and all its angst, as well as trying to fix his r/ship with his dad. The 2nd couple... maybe they'd have been dealing with falling in love while navigating the potential doom cloud of a long-distance r/ship? IDK

All in all, I wouldn't be quick to recommend this as a must/immediate watch. We are currently experiencing what I can only define as the 2026 BL avalanche. You can find something else to watch. Save this when we get hit by a BL drought

Read More

Interesting story with good acting and chemistry, but writing could have been better

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Taiwan usually produces some pretty quality BLs, especially when the cast is experienced and not full of young idol newbies. With that, I was looking forward to watching “Love Upon a Shooting Start”, especially when I don’t know anything about the plot.

A few quick bullet points of what I like about the drama:

1. I am a fan of second-chance romance and I enjoy the flashbacks of the teenage years. I think the drama did a pretty good job in going back-and-forth with the two different timelines.

2. I adore the two teenagers and really enjoy their storylines. This is Chen Yen Hsv’s (young He Xiang Yong) first drama and I think he did admirably. But Max Kuo, being the more experienced of the two, really does shine here. Max is only 17 and has so much potential! He is very good-looking, and his ‘fake’ smile doesn’t look too fake and really does fit the personality of everyone’s favorite classmate.

3. The leads, Jed Chung and Chu Meng Hsuan, performed very well as well. They have great chemistry together as a couple, but I also enjoy their individual stories and hardships.

4. I love that the setting is on a rural island and not in the big city. The scenery and cinematography are nice. The shots of the sea and underwater really bring out the summer feel of this drama.

5. I love, love, love how tan all the boys are. After consuming so many white filters, white foundation and white smoothing of the skin, it’s refreshing to see a drama set in the summer with boys all dark and tanned. It would be super fake if they appear white while running around the island under the sun all day long.

6. NC scenes and kisses. Well, be prepared when you watch ep 8. That was one of the most sensual and sexual intimate scenes I’ve seen. I just wish they tone down on the music and give me some more natural sounds of desire and passion.


What I have mixed feelings and don’t quite like:

1. I am not feeling the secondary romance. It’s supposed to contrast the more slow-burn and angsty main romance, yet I found it somewhat cheesy and over-the-top. The reasons for Hamaguchi’s obsession are too shallow and I don’t see why he’s so in love with Li Wan Zhe.

2. I was expecting a more serious or dramatic reason for the fallout between the main leads during their high school years. But then I found it, it wasn’t really that bad and a quick conversation would have resolved it. However, I do understand when you are teenagers, all problems are amplified and it would seem like a big deal to them.

3. He Xiang Yong’s artwork left a lot to be desired. I am not sure if it deserves the constant praise from Chen Hao Wei. LOL

4. I would have liked to see a few more happy couple scenes before the ‘consequence’ of the wish to start so soon.

5. The drama didn’t explain the what/how/why of the fantasy element very well. Why is XiXi special? In the end, I think I understand the moral of the story and the lesson that He Xiang Yong learned. But what about Li Wan Zhe? Why dragged him into this when his story got wrapped up so half-heartedly?

6. So what exactly did He Xiang Yong do wrong at work? What about Chen Hao Wei’s panic attacks and work problems? Did I doze off while watching and miss the closures of these few areas?


There are lots to like about this drama, even though I think the writing could have been better. I do enjoy the acting, chemistry of the leads (young and old), the rural setting and nice cinematography. This could be a refreshing change, compared to other BLs out there.

*edit* After giving it some more thought and chatting with my friend.... there are many plot holes and unfinished business. I still like the drama in general, but it could have been so much better with longer or more episodes to cover everyone's stories. The last episode might have given me kisses and cute scenes, but not the closure I was looking for.

Completed: 6/4/2026 Review #691

Read More

I wish the fantasy element had never happened

The drama almost feels magical at first, but the plot kept getting messier and less interesting as it progressed. Two best friends make a wish upon a shooting star, and that impulsive, self-centered wish ends up turning their lives upside down. I love the actors, but I constantly found myself wanting to drop the show after the first half because of the fantasy element. I simply don’t buy into it, and honestly, I hated it.

That said, the cast absolutely delivered when it came to the intimate scenes. They held nothing back and were fully committed to portraying the characters’ passion. The chemistry was intense, with every kiss feeling bold and convincing. Jed Chung is easily the MVP of the series thanks to his excellent performance. However, I felt that Chu Meng Hsuan struggled to keep up during some of the heavier emotional scenes. In particular, the scene where his character breaks down in tears during a major emotional moment felt a little stiff and lacked the impact it needed.

Losing your entire identity is a whole different level of despair. But that ending? Brother Hong, being the key figure behind the wishes and their consequences, was incredibly underwhelming. His character felt so out of place that I honestly wouldn’t have minded if he had been removed from the story altogether.

Overall, I think the fantasy element ruined what could have been an enjoyable experience built around the chemistry between the two couples. The supporting cast also did a great job portraying their roles, and I appreciated their contributions to the story. It’s just a shame that I found myself bored so many times whenever the fantasy aspect took center stage.

That’s all from me.

Read More

Wishing upon the shooting stars ~Where Story, Soul and Stars Align ✨

"WISHING UPON THE SHOOTING STARS"is a beautifully crafted series that deserves every bit of praise it receives.

The director and writer have done a remarkable job weaving a story that feels deeply human and honest. The core message is powerful: **accept the truth, let go of past mistakes, stop assuming you are unloved, cherish the people around you, love yourself, and release unnecessary pressure.** These values are delivered with such grace and subtlety that they touch you without even realizing it.

**Chen Hao Wei and He Xiang Yong** bring their characters to life with such warmth and authenticity. Their chemistry is natural, effortless, and genuinely moving. Every scene between them feels lived in and real.

The story itself is tender and layered, never rushed, never forced. It flows beautifully and leaves you feeling full rather than empty when it ends.

And the OST is absolutely stunning. Every track fits so perfectly into the emotional beats of the series that the music alone tells its own story.

A truly special production from every angle. Highly recommended. 💕✨

Read More

Monkey's Magical Realism

I think it's good practice to start with the positive stuff, since there is a lot to like. The premise is reasonably innovative and well-executed to boot. The island setting enhances the supernatural elements and functions as a symbolically laden haven, which allows its inhabitants to (re)learn to live with themselves and foster community. Really, every filming location suits the plot and furthers the narrative. The acting is also solid all around. Even among the side and supporting characters, I can't think of anyone I didn't enjoy watching. The parent-child dynamics are believable, layered, and ultimately supportive. The friendships are fun and dynamic without lacking depth.

The romance is where this story begins to falter for me. Yes, Wan Zhe and Aomi are charismatic and irresistibly charming as a couple. Their journey from artificial, precarious happiness (Adorno says hi) to true love via repeated confessions is satisfying. (The passionate NC scenes are probably a plus for some viewers, but in the case of this story, they didn't heavily factor into my perception of the couples.) By contrast, the main couple's (shaky) romantic chemistry and storyline aren't my vibe. The theme of repetition is significantly less enjoyable with them and borders on wearing. I readily admit that this is a mostly subjective critique (at the beginning, I actually shipped Xiang Yong with Wan Zhe). The fact is, it still dampens my enthusiasm for this story, which starts strong and, for the most part, doesn't run out of steam, though 10 episodes would have been a better runtime.

Less significant and even pettier grievances, which need must be listed lest I combust: The moral of the story is alright, but it neither strongly resonates with me nor turns my worldview upside down. The art is really bad. Like, I know that not everything needs to be perfect and that mediocre art serves its purpose and even fits Xiang Yong's storyline better. But I was about to walk into the ocean if I had to look at that turtle drawing one more time. Speaking of turtles: The last episode (rushed and mostly fluff) has some cool underwater scenes, which make me wish we had more of those, but I get that there must have been budget constraints. The quibble-iest of my quibbles relates to the song choices, which sometimes took me out of the immersion.

Read More

New, Cute... but...

I didn't read the synopsis before deciding to watch this, so I was surprised to find out that it was a fantasy series. That didn't bother me at all, though—I love all kinds of genres.

The story they wanted to tell is there, and it's good. It also feels fresh and different. The couples have great chemistry, including their younger versions.

However, I found some episodes a bit boring. I can't quite put my finger on it, but some scenarios felt repetitive. Thankfully, the series kept introducing twist after twist, which made me stay invested and eager to find out what would happen next.

I just wish they had given more focus to the Girl in Black, Hong, and the White Guy toward the end. It was clear that they played very important roles in the overall twists, and I would have loved to learn more about them.

Overall, it's still a good watch and one I'd recommend.

Read More