Yuan & Qian is each other's home
Wei Qian (Chris Chiu) was the breadwinner of himself and his sister. One day, he took a pity on a homeless boy, Zhi Yuan (Kurt Huang), and welcomed him to his home. Qian & Yuan gets united in a family-bond, but overtime Yuan starts falling for Qian. It's hard to confess their feelings but it's impossible to hide it. Will there be a chance for them be together as lovers?Although coming from a poor background, Qian didn't hesitate to embrace the homeless Yuan, that, I found interesting. Both Qian & Yuan were dealing with harsh realities and it’s heartwarming to see them find solace in their found family. I like their give & take relationship, as Yuan was not only be grateful and receiving, but he tries to contribute to the family’s income, moreover fills the loneliness in Qian's heart. Though I wish he was a bit more straightforward, I completely root for him. It was cute watching him starts crushing on Qian and clings to him.
The acting was good, especially Kurt Huang who played Yuan really shines in his performance! His emotional burst was so profound, also his gaze and weariness of his unspoken feelings makes this drama much more compelling, along with the beautiful OST. Through the beautiful lyrics of the songs I felt the leads' burden. I don't get why the premise and characters emphasize their relationships as brothers turning into forbidden love as they’re not related by blood anyway. It feels unnecessarily conflicting. What I didn't enjoy was the gangster part that felt jarring, like watching another drama. Nevertheless, the finale was great, makes it worth every moment!
April 2024,
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
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Heartwarming, Heartbreaking and a true portrayal of love
"Unknown" defies expectations and transcends clichés, delivering a drama experience that is both refreshingly simple and profoundly complex. In a landscape inundated with convoluted plots and gratuitous melodrama, this series stands out as a beacon of genuine emotion and raw authenticity.At its core, "Unknown" is a story about found family and the transformative power of love. It eschews sensationalism in favor of exploring the intricate dynamics between two young men who, despite their tumultuous pasts, find solace and strength in each other's arms. This is not a tale of taboo romance or scandalous affairs; rather, it is a tender portrayal of two individuals navigating the complexities of their own identities and forging a bond that defies societal norms.
Central to the narrative is the journey of Yuan and Qian, whose evolving relationship serves as the emotional heartbeat of the series. Yuan's unwavering devotion to Qian, coupled with Qian's gradual realization of his own feelings, forms the crux of a narrative that is as heart-wrenching as it is heartwarming. Theirs is a love that transcends boundaries, defying the constraints of conventionality to embrace the pure essence of human connection.
What sets "Unknown" apart is its unflinching portrayal of the characters' inner turmoil and vulnerability. Through nuanced performances and poignant storytelling, the series delves deep into the psyche of its protagonists, laying bare their insecurities, fears, and ultimately, their capacity for growth and redemption. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of love in all its forms.
While "Unknown" may not boast the grandiose spectacle or high-stakes drama of its counterparts (and the editing in some parts may need a second look at), it more than compensates with its profound emotional depth and resonant themes. This is a series that invites viewers to embrace the beauty of simplicity and immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of human emotion. To those hesitant to embark on this journey, I implore you to set aside preconceptions and open your heart to the profound beauty of "Unknown".
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This review may contain spoilers
i'm surprised that not many people are talking about how wi qian & xiao yuan's relationship is literal incest. it doesn't matter if they aren't biologically related, they still saw each other as BROTHERS. even after they started dating, xiao yaun asked wi qian if he was hugging him as a brother or boyfriend LIKE C'MON NOW. and not only are they brothers, they have a weird age gap too. wi qian literally raised him and watched him grow. i'm sorry i just can't get past that. AND ALSO xiao bao and san pang's relationship?? as if having one incest age gap relationship wasn't enough they just HAD to have xiao bao and san pang date. when xiao yaun told xiao bao that san pang CHANGED HER DIAPERS i wanted to throw up. also i'm not sure if their relationship is incest but san pang would call xiao yaun his brother so i'm leaning towards yes it is. something else i want to mention is wi qian's coworkers.LIKE WHY ARE U GUYS ASKING ABOUT HIS SEX LIFE. that pissed me the fuck off. i hate it when BLs have random ass woman obsessing about the main couple's relationship and asking who's top or bottom ITS WEIRDDD. something that is good about this BL though is the acting. the desperation in xiao yuan’s eyes, the chemistry between the two mcs, I FELT IT ALL which is why i continued watching. how i wish that they weren’t brothers because they would have been such a good couple. (I KNOW THATS A WEIRD SENTENCE BUT I MEAN I WISH THEY MADE THEM CHILDHOOD FRIENDS OR SOMETHING INSTEAD OF ADOPTED BROTHERS)
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Somehow tiresome and tedious
Idk guys, it’s probably me and I TRIED but I just COULDN’T.Everything about this drama was fine, technically. The acting was fine, it had a storyline that wasn’t drowned out by unnecessary NCs and it had conflict.
But by GOD it was so TIRESOME to watch. It was gratuitously melodramatic and unrealistic with barely any character development at all. The same conflict was repeated over and over again, so much so that I felt like I was trapped in a forever loop.
It also didn’t help that I kind of started to despise the younger brother. He was annoyingly persistent and selfish and almost kinda started to guilt trip the older brother into considering his confession. A little manipulative and creepy. It was unrealistic how his whole existence started and ended with his older step brother. He doesn’t have a life outside of his brother and his every thought is dominated by his brother. I understand that it’s probably supposed to portray this undying, idealistic type of love (obsession more like) but that’s why it’s either unrealistic or straight up frightening.
By the end I actively rooted against them. It felt like the story was trying to gaslight the older brother into giving the younger brother a chance. Ultimately, it didn’t feel to me like the older brother had the same feelings for the younger one. In fact, their dynamic reminded me a lot of the step bro couple from HIStory 4. Both younger step brothers were manipulative, persistent and obsessive, both older brothers were confused about their feelings and, what felt like, were led to believe that they are in love with their younger step siblings. Idk, I personally feel weird and awkward about this type of relationship dynamic, but those are my personal view and feelings about it.
I do kinda feel bad for giving it a 6 stars but it was such a slog for me to get through that I simply can’t force myself to give it more.
Another thing that bothered me was the love story between the younger sister and the older brother’s friend. He looked so much older than her and probably was and he saw her grow up etc so the first thought that entered my mind was that it’s plain old grooming. I was surprised that the older brother accepted their relationship relatively easily. He wasn’t happy about it but he also wasn’t as upset as I expected or would’ve liked him to be. If it was my little sister I’d probably seriously re-evalue my ‘friendship’ with that person.
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Even Though the Name is Unknown, the World Should Know About This Drama
I really don't know how to express it fully; this is my personal opinion and may differ for others. I want to talk about it non-stop now. For those who came to check the review before watching, I'll keep it short. These are the main points I want to discuss:1. Never judge a book by its cover (brother tag).
2. You are going to get addicted to the characters.
3. Best Taiwanese BL to date.
4. Awesome cast, direction, cinematography, and story.
5. Excellent execution.
6. No boring stuff; all to the point and precise.
7. Rewatch worthy.
8. This is my fourth drama that I will give a 10/10 after watching thousands (very biased opinion).
9. It released on my birthday (so special).
I can go on talking. Initially, when I watched the trailer and read the synopsis, I was afraid of the forbidden relationship and thought of not watching. Once it was completely aired, there weren't many dramas that week, so I simply started watching because it was the only completed show on my watchlist. I thought if it wasn't worth it, I would stop. However, the first episode itself made me realize: never judge a book by its cover. That started my binge-watch. I completed it in one day and couldn't get enough of it. I need season 2 (there is scope). Now, I am recommending people to watch it. Yesterday, I rewatched it again and felt the same emotion the second time too. It's awesome, awesome, awesome. Well done, crew.
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A well rounded, brilliant piece of art that definitely should NOT be missed!
From start to finish this series has served above and beyond. The story, acting, OST, cinematography, and overall production have been fantastic.If you take the plot, they have created a unique and realistic story where you get two main leads who have been through a lot since their childhood and while coming into adulthood the trials they have to face from demons from the past, health, family, relationships and unhinged emotions. It's a slow burn and by no means do the producers rush to give the audience a forced relationship. They tackle everything at a very realistic pace and not a single episode is unrelated or a filler. All the pieces come together nicely in the end, you will find yourself transfixed and completely satisfied. Certainly, you will feel a void in you once it's over as the whole series is such a phenomenal cinematic masterpiece.
The acting was very raw and natural. The whole cast was brilliant. The main leads had one of the best chemistry I've seen on a BL pair. Their relationship by no means was an easy one, the whole connection was a turbulent navigation, and the way they depicted the complexity and the realism is applaudable. If you expect intimacy, their show of feelings wasn't physical, for a good part of the story it was character development, you will understand how they come to be at the same spot eventually, the main focus was building it to a point where everything came in full circle.
The OST is exceptional, with almost all songs on my favorite list, perfectly suited to the theme of the series.
2024 is the year for Taiwanese BLs. This is the best entry so far from them and the future will be great if this is the BL standard everyone's aiming for. Unknown from now on will forever be Known as one of the best dramas regardless of the genre cz this has the ability to break boundaries and become an all-time classic. 10/10. Hope this will bag all the awards!
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I'm sorry
I'm going to be the one making the rating go down lol, because I've been scrolling for a while and all I can see are 10-star reviews.To start with what I liked:
- Acting? Good. It immerses you in the story, it doesn't feel forced, nor scripted, and the chemistry is there (for all the characters). I love Lili especially, she really gave off younger sister vibes.
- Cinematography is also clean and curated, good color grading, and generally visually appealing work. I liked that.
- I guess the main couple has a lot of cute moments, you can really see the affection and love they have for each other, the way they would die for each other if needed. Their bond was apparent and strong.
The elephant in the room:
This is just plain incest. Let me compare it to Stay With Me, which also had some incest-y tones to it: there, the two guys meet as teenagers, not knowing they are related. They become friends, maybe something more, then find out they're stepbrothers. So technically they're related, but haven't grown up together, and don't see each other as brothers. Even though that's still a questionable premise, it isn't as scandalous as this one in Unknown. Yuan has been *raised* by Qian since he was a child, and sees him as a hero (and older brother). Qian acts like a brother and father figure to both Lili and Yuan as they're growing up. I could see Yuan maybe developing feelings for Qian as some sort of unhealthy coping mechanism, but in NO way would that make it acceptable for Qian to reciprocate those feelings. He is YEARS older than Yuan, has treated him like a sibling since childhood, has protected him from abuse and poverty. He should know better. He is an adult, his prefrontal cortex is fully developed, and he knows (should know) right from wrong.
The fact that they're not biologically related doesn't mean anything. That would make it okay for adopted siblings to engage in intimate relationships. They were raised as such, and therefore it's incest. Point blank. Yuan needs therapy and so does Qian - and maybe Yuan should have stayed in the US. Maybe some distance from Qian would have made him come to his senses. If they had been ANY other thing - neighbors, childhood friends, family friends, coworkers- I would have been okay with it. Hell, as I've said, even stepbrothers can get a pass if the series is good (and they didn't grow up together). But this is just not it. I'm surprised by the lack of shock they received from the people around them. What makes it worse is having seen Qian with Yuan and Lili as literal children, which makes me kind of queasy because they change their actors to younger ones but not Qian's. So I couldn't stop picturing that poor teenage boy falling in love with his adult sibling.
I say this as someone who has adopted cousins. Not biologically related is still related. That's all there is to it. There might be chemistry, there might be love, but it's still weird as fuck.
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Painful yet Beautiful
Yes we are talking about bl drama. Everybody can love whoever they want. but the problem arises when that person doesn't love you the way you want.It is a beautiful story director by Ray Jiang, he directed some of my favourite dramas like my tooth for your love, we best love.
The main lead ( wei Xian) is both attractive and hardworking, who works day and night to feed him and his sister after his parents death ( I don't know about the death part , but anyways they have nobody to look after them.) He is also a kind hearted person, because of that he brings a boy (yuan) from the street to his home and since then he is taking care of yuan as his brother. But the boy(yuan) slowly develops feelings for his guardian angel Wei Xian. He doesn't even know when did he fall in love, but when he knew he was completely trapped. And ofcourse wei Xian who only considered yuan as his brother feel betrayed after knowing the truth and sends his brother away for his studies. can he ever fall in love with his brother...
After watching 2 episodes these were my thoughts-
It is ok from the perspective of wei yuan, because he never considered wei Xian as his brother from the start. but the difficulty is all with wei Xian because he only thought yuan as his brother. how can he fall in love with his brother. I am not saying that he can't, but it's surely going to be difficult. we are not living in a fairy tale world and the director is known for portraying real people.
I hope they give justice to the viewers in the end.
Till now I'm happy watching this drama.. This is beautiful at the same time heartbreaking. i rewatched it so many times already. If you don't watch this drama, you are going to miss a wonderful experience in your life. From acting, music, direction, story everything is on top. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster.
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A Little Unrealistic, but Good!
I have tons of thoughts when it comes to my feelings about this series. When I initially tried watching this series, it was really hard for me to get through. I ended up putting it on hold for a few months, and now I've decided to give it another chance. It's easy to see why this series is so loved, but I cannot fathom the idea of this unrealistic lifestyle receiving little to zero backlash from the other characters about their relationship.Let's Dive In.
Again, I'll reiterate that it took me a while to get through the series. During my initial watch, I realized the kind of relationship Qian and Yuan had and were going to end up having. This is also coming from someone who enjoys forbidden romances and age gaps, btw, but still, something about this steered me the wrong way. But, I went back to watch it, and I ended up really liking it.
The only reason this relationship can make sense is because of the delicacy and intricateness that the writers had for Yuan's character. His development is probably some of the best I've seen in a BL this year. He goes from being this overly-obsessive, slightly conniving, extremely immature high schooler to then becoming more firm and direct and evolved after college (still has some weird habits, but still better than before). I think had Qian been okay with Yuan's feelings before Yuan's growth, this series wouldn't have nearly received as much love and attention as it did. But I think Qian at that time, sat in his grief about Yuan being gone and realized that he meant something more, although not quite ready to rip the bandaid off. I was 100 percent against their getting together during the first half of this cause it was too much of a power imbalance, and the writers did a fantastic job of waiting until we saw that growth and development in Yuan before even allowing Qian to contemplate his feelings.
Now, the only part that is disbelieving is the people around them being okay with their new relationship. You're telling me that they were completely okay with Qian calling Yuan his "brother" to one day calling him his "boyfriend"...? Yeah, no. I wanted a lot more backlash and repercussions from those around them, and we simply don't get that. If anything, San Pang is against it in the beginning, but starts to understand in the end, which is okay considering he's also seeing Yuan's growth and has been there with the family since forever. However, the writers completely disregard this ginormous, glaring problem, and it's way too unrealistic.
In the end, their relationship is a little more justifiable, but still, I kind of wished they didn't end up together. It's a sticky type of relationship, one that I hate people are justifying because they aren't "blood-related" even though a familial relationship like theirs is a lot more complicated than that. I think Qian being there to help Yuan get over his crush would've been better than him just allowing it to happen.
On the other hand, I liked the other characters a lot, especially the sister, she was adorable. I like her relationship with Qian and Yuan, and I like that she had her own story on the side.
Ratings:
Story: 8/10 - Complex, flowed easily, super engaging. However, some of it is unrealistic, but it does so well at character development that I'm (almost) okay with giving the score a high rating.
Acting: 8.5/10 - Acting was good! But Yuan stayed in most of a stoic type of behavior (other than one or two scenes), but. Qian does great as the stubborn yet caring older brother. All the supporting actors did well too.
Music: 6/10 - Didn't pay it any attention.
Recommendation Value: 7/10 - Not necessarily for everyone, and I mostly liked the storytelling than the actual BL aspect. But both leads have abs and big arms that you see throughout the series, so honestly, go for it!
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Is it really unknown?
This is a really interesting slice of life found family drama, with pretty decent acting and interesting characters who seem to be able to survive more or less anything... So I am not really sure about how realistic this portrayal is but it does manage to convey hardship, growth and bonds beyond... anything.I am not really sure how I feel a bout the romances in this, while they where very predictable and do a really good job portraying the development and events leading to the romances... I can not help but wonder if the story would have been better if the relationships stayed platonic.
But then again we would not have gotten to see Xiao Yuans fantasyes which would have been a shame as those where the cherry on top of this drama.
A good story, well portrayed but with enough iffy elamnts to keep me from giving it a higher score.
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'unknown' helped to know the unknown.one of the best bl of all time
I don't remember (it's been really long time)when I last saw a wholesome bl..stay with me was super but the ending was not perfect..kiseki had some flaws though just a little amount..but this is the bl we call wholesome from head(da ge) to toe(unknown)..every single emotions were worthy ...actors stood strongly beyond hope but not the production(they successfully ruined actors hardwork in that cheap editing).. they actors brought novel to life..to sum up this is the wholesome masterpiece ...novel and show is not focused on nc scene ..it's based on real emotion -slow burn struggle mixed with enjoyment , concerning about every step carefully, heartwarming and heart tightening phases,forced to control tears, development with time just beyond perfection... the realistic guarantee of lifelong stay..actors were truly amazing. I was never bored ..rewatched every single episode that I lost count.. definitely one of the my most favourite gem..Was this review helpful to you?
1Well-acted with Great leads Chemistry and a beautiful OST but not without flaws.
Taiwan really produces high quality BL dramas and is not afraid to show intimacy and not in a porn-like way. I believe the challenge for some viewers would be to go over that ‘hump’ and maybe the ‘ick’ factor of romances between individuals who have siblings-like relationships. I am mostly fine with the romance between Qian and Yuan. But for the other romance, I have my reservations. That one seems a little more extreme especially when I can’t see how the romance is developed. It’s a hard sell for me.Nevertheless, “Unknown” is a well-acted drama with great chemistry between the leads. I actually think the drama has a slow start but things kick up a notch when all hell breaks loose in episode 6. I do think Qian’s actions were cowardly in that episode and just avoided the issue. Four years is a very long time to have limited communication with your loved one. The second half is also when I am more invested in the drama. I enjoyed following Yuan’s transformation from a smitten, clingy, lovesick puppy, to becoming a mature, flirty and quite sensual adult. Yuan’s love for Qian never changes, but it’s how his way of thinking changes and matures that encourages Qian to slowly open up to his affection. I love the scenes when Yuan would subtly tease and flirt with Qian, and Qian is all shy and not sure how to respond. Flirty Yuan is a lot more attractive and I love how touchy-feely he is unconsciously/consciously. I actually would have loved to see them get together an episode sooner, and give me more dating and sweet scenes.
Although I find the sister adorable, I also think her subplots are a little underwhelming without enough time to flush out the stories. The gangster subplot is a little over-the-top for me. I cannot believe a more mature Yuan would do something so stupid to challenge people where he has no winning chance. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised to see Prince Chiu guest stars as the awkward teacher. I guess he was in the same boy group with Chris Chiu. Sam Lin also has a small supporting role as Dr. Lin. This role is quite different from what I’ve seen him in before.
If you are a BL fan, I definitely would recommend this drama. It’s well-acted, Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang have great chemistry, no annoying characters, and has an awesome OST. I’ve added most of the songs to my Spotify playlist. Although I have my criticisms, I also had a great time watching it. From an enjoyable point of view, this drama is worth an 8.5. If I were to rate this more objectively, it’ll be an 8.0. I wish the drama was longer to better tell everyone’s stories.
Completed: 5/22/2024 - Review #443
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