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 BL scenes I’ve ever seen. I’m honestly speechless.
Overall, this drama is off to an incredible start. Unique plot, strong emotions, comforting vibes, and a romance that already has my heart.
I am genuinely so excited for the next episodes. Who else is already obsessed?
Rating will change after the next 10 episodes, but so far a 9.5/10 for me.
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what if you wished upon a shooting star?
ever thought about what would happen if you made a wish upon a shooting star, and it actually came true?i found the entire concept of wishing upon a shooting star and having it come true very intriguing. the fact that he wished for it, and it really came true, and now it’s making him realize that it was a mistake to wish for something like that. i love the underlying message : be careful what you wish for!
the cinematography is so mesmerizing. all the blue everywhere just makes me feel so warm💙 the island and its people are just so lovable. they are like one big family!
the actors are doing an amazing job. especially the one playing Zhongxing. and the actors playing their younger selves?? they are so good omg! i love that they actually casted teenagers to play those roles, instead of making the same actors play their younger selves pretending to be high schoolers.
the main couple have so much chemistry! we could feel all the love and regret, and their years of unresolved feelings. the scene of them getting together was so beautifully done. the lighting, the cinematography, the absolutely beautiful ost in the background…everything was just so beautiful. it has to be one of the bests I’ve ever seen in a BL!
the second couple is also amazing, although I’m not a fan of “I’m clearly in love with you, but I’ll keep denying that no matter how much you try to win me over” trope. poor Hama chan has suffered enough, please accept him already 😭 i also just found out that the actor playing Hama is half Japanese! that makes me appreciate this cast even more ^_^
I’m curious to see how it goes from here on. please don’t mess it up🥹🥹
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LOVE THIS SERIES!!
Taiwan absolutely delivered. This is a great series, it’s a clever, different storyline, the two main actors are fantastic and episode eight delivers better than so many of the shows out there right now. I’m not sure why it’s not getting a higher rating overall, but this is one of my favorites. the second couple is just as appealing and entertaining, I like the sort of magical side with Xi Xi and our little man with the watermelon candies. But it’s a love story at heart and just beautifully done.Was this review helpful to you?
First Impression: Wishing Upon the Shooting Stars
Overall: enjoying the vibe of this series. 12 episodes about 35 minutes each. Airing 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_usContent Warning: I'm not sure what it exactly was, you can start episode 1 at 1m5s to skip it
What I Liked
- ocean side, small-town vibe
- supportive uncle
- some mystery
- a character who was forthright at the end of episode 2
Room For Improvement
- I was a bit confused who the two characters were in the flashback but I think I have it figured out
- nervous about what is real and what isn't
- nervous there was a poor communication cliche in the past
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BRO, SOME GOOD BL!!! It's been a while
I don't care what other people say but this show???? It's so damn good for me! I'm a fan of slow burn and broken time lines. It's really one of those shows that I'm proud to recommend to people. Also, TAIWANESE BL COMEBACK!!!If you're someone who's looking for a comfort BL, I think this will appeal to you. Life is so hard. We fall down sometimes but that does not mean it's the end of the world. I love how I can relate to the characters a lot. T.T
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Taiwanese BL Comeback?!
This has the potential to resurrect Taiwanese BL, which hasn't popped off lately. You'll first notice the high-end cinematography and color grading matched with a beautiful island town backdrop. It's eye candy in every scene. And every character/relationship has a bit of mystery to their backstory. The touch of supernatural elements while still being grounded in reality is the final cherry on top.Besides that, the acting, writing, and perfect sound effects are great. There's no wasted fluff. Though at this point I don't feel the chemistry between the 2 leads, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt as it's only ep2.
I have high hopes for this one and will update with new thoughts!
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