However, Bao and Sanpang, the side characters, don’t get much screen time. Also, some scenes, like the Russian roulette with the thugs, seem unnecessary if the goal is just to show Yuan’s willingness to die for Qian.
I forgot to note when I watched this, though, because it’s only available on Youku, and I had to subscribe just to see it.
Overall, I highly recommend it and hope to binge-watch it once all the episodes are out. I can’t imagine how tough it would be to watch it week by week
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sit back and enjoy one of the best BL's this year
The cinematography, the screenplay, the acting and directing....it doesn't get better than this. A riveting story that engages you over 12 episodes that never feel long. I have images in my head I will never forget due to their artistry. I didn't know where it was going to go but happy where it did end up. Please watch. The chemistry between all of the cast is sublime. It's just the best.Was this review helpful to you?
A touching and hearfelt story
As I'm writing, I've just rewatched the last two episodes and my feelings are the same as before, I loved it!I have to admit, at first and in particular, when I've started the first episode, I was quite confused and skeptical by the story but then, without knowing it, I was little by little drowned and somehow addicted / attracted by the story and its characters. It was indeed ordinary yet it was very engaging, the urge of knowing what's going to happen next between them, their decisions, their choices, and most importantly, their feelings, that was gripping.
I feel like and I also have been noticing that Taiwanese are quite the best to make us relate some things, to throw some plot that would be heartwrenching but also heartwarming and this is not an exception!! This is why, "Unknown" is one of my favorite.
In addition, the acting was top-notch, I really feel every emotions (yeah I might exaggerate) but that's still true, I felt it, they were really convincing and of course I would mention the main leads, Wei Qian and Xiao Yuan. By the way, I feel like, since it seems the serie mostly focused on these two, sometimes I forgot the side characters and even their sister, Xiao Bao / Lili lol
Lastly, OST are so great to listen and easily on repeat. Taiwan is also the best in this part, when it comes to release such a beautiful, heartfelt and touching song which suits the serie, it's quickly a banger.
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This will be memorable - for a long time
When I first read the MDL summary for Unknown I literally rolled my eyes at the prospect another step bros in love kind of pulp . At first I thought I will not watch it. But then I thought why not give it a choice? Thank god I chose to give it a choice.Because I'd have lost a gem if I had not gotten over my prejudices. And what a delivery! What a masterpiece this series has evolved into. Let's talk about the story, adapted from a novel which I have not read, the screenwriting team has done an exceptional job. Visual storytelling is at its finest. When I saw the premise of how they became stepbrothers or let's not call it stepbrothers because that is completely wrong. How they became "brothers" through shared traumatic life, it made me understand their story better.
The acting is so so good. Each of the eye rolls, forehead crunches, screaming , look of anger, shock and disbelief, pain and visceral fear when Qian thought he may lose his family is acted so so well!
except the story, there are two more things that I absolutely dig. Cinematography and Music. Both have won in this series. The cinematographer and director are very clear on what they want to show. The soft moody and dark-ish lighting, focus on the faces, and frames inside frames (seemed like director and cinematographer's top choice of composition) with minimal bgm. And usage of the OST . Everything was perfect to create a sombre feeling . And also it glows more and lights are added when the full family is happy. Personally I feel like this series is a great case study for people who love cinematography.
The diction is very on point. Especially at the end of each episode, the small reminder on what families are really like warmed me to my core. There are age gaps, there are a lot of ruminations, there are quintessential yet well timed humour.
I saw some discussions regarding the intimate scenes. Some liked it , some did not like how it was edited. Personally I loved that scene. It was the culmination point of Yuan's feelings and his waiting for all these years. It was the point when Qian finally lets go of all his worries and accepts Yuan. They showed their struggles, mostly Yuan's throughout the years to show us how much he suffered and now finally he has the love of his life he always wanted. Because for Yuan it was just not sex, it was "making love" in it's truest essence. And the music alongside and it's lyrics were apt. The intimate scene is also very tastefully and artfully shot. I found the similar vibe of the intimate scene of Toothpari between Doctor Roy and Rumi.
This show has a special place in my heart now. A huge round of applause for the whole team.
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Wow!!
I have to say one of the best bl series I’ve watched and I’ve watched quite a few of em so that’s saying something I think Taiwanese series hit different and portray the characters and acting to a next level I was drawn in from the start and bindged watched it in one sitting the chemistry was unbelievable,from the love scenes to the arguing to disagreements they all felt so real and protrayed emotion well it also tackled the coming out and struggles and denial which I found heart warming to watch and see the growth I would defo rewatch this one day and definitely recommend this to anyone weather that’s you starting bl’s or are experienced it’s a must watch thanks for the creators and directors for making a masterpiece I’ll remember for a while.!Was this review helpful to you?
Seriously Good
There's a big spread between very good BLs and what-the-hell-was-that BLs. UNKNOWN sits comfortably in the very-good list. It's no pastel-wonderland romance, instead the feel and look of this drama is both gritty and realistic. There's no backdrop of unlikely wealth, no ultra spacious homes and no sudden rise to success. People slog here. They work and study hard here. Nothing's easy or given. Also, this series managed to produce two solid characters: the leads always remain true to their given character constructs, and yet, they both show believable emotional growth over the years that covers the story's arc. Matter of fact, all of the characters within this drama are interesting and dimensional: the bad guy is not a total black hat, the good doctor doesn't wear a halo, and the stead-fast good friend is both steady and a little fast. I have a few minor quibbles with the story resolution, but overall, I really enjoyed this series and am glad that I had the patience to wait until the 12th episode was out before I dove in. Because seriously, there's enough cliffhangers in UNKNOWN to really do some damage on a person if they couldn't happily binge. (Sidenote: It took me a few scenes to recognize Sam Lin from WE BEST LOVE. He looks different and played his part so well, I couldn't connect him to the character he played in WBL.)Was this review helpful to you?
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Disgusting!!
Unless you're some sort of disgusting fetishist I do not recommend. I seriously tried to watch this and even got to episode 10 but It's absolutely ridiculous how this is so highly rated. The brother stuff is insane and whenever they sort of explain it away they immediately throw it in the bin by showing a flashback of a grown man and a child. That is the man who raised him how could they get together romantically it's disgusting. Maybe if the age difference was less and they were in their older teens when they met it would be fine but this was just gross. And also the sister having the same situation it's insane! It's like the writer/director had some sort of age kink and/or wants to get together with their brother but can't so they had to make a show about it instead.To end off on a positive note though the acting was good and I enjoyed the cinematography, just wish they could've done something different here.
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Every year a top notch production from Taiwan
Last year Taiwans BL industry had "Kiseki Dear To Me" with the highest production value and this year it must be "Unknown". They also had a troubled background story with some mafia elements and general hardships for at least one character. While the story is not perfect the series conveys all the feelings very well. Chemestry between the leads was also top notch imho and they kept the intimate scenes to the story where it mattered. Only LiLi left something to be desired, not really grown up to the end.To read a review where I'm told I'm weired because of "incest" even it isn't "incest" was even more weired for me. Does incest even count between same sex? Incest is only not allowed because of gen deficits the children will get, see Europe and Habsburger :)
While not perfect this show transports all the feelings in an expectional way, with a top notch production value and cinematography. I can overlook all the the little story problems especially at the end. I would have prefered to see the surgery and not LiLis baby. Regardsless a show to recommand.
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Brilliant Drama
Absolutely in love with this BL. 😍 🤗So unusual.
Great writing & loved the way it's treated.
The emotions, reality of all the situations, the characterizations, the acting...........everything's flawless.
I wish that more dramas are made like this.
I've just finished 10 episodes & I'm totally into all the characters especially the 2 main leads.
Can't wait to see the remaining 2 episodes.
Kudos to the whole team 👏 🙌
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A battle between the head and heart
Taiwanese BLs have always come out a cut above the rest, IMHO, and Unknown showcased this perfectly. From the start, there is a solid story, and moreover, it's relatable and offers depth that is rarely found in BLs. You are able to see and understand struggle vividly, and that's a compliment to both the writers, director, and actors.Unknown comes out as a slow burn, and it's like gradually being wrapped with a warm blanket. You start to feel for the characters, and the pacing assisted in providing context without any drag. Wei Qian struggles for his family, and Xiao Yuan struggles for his love. In both cases, their dedication is entirely pure and salient.
When the story reaches its tipping point, it's an audible change. That struggle from before shifts to something else, and again, attesting to the strength of the actors, you can feel the difference. Life doesn't get easy, but letting the wall down for them allowed for a comfort and happiness. Wei Qian carried himself differently, and the entire time prior to this, we didn't really see him be truly happy -- but then we did and it was magical.
It's one you have to watch for yourself to not just understand but experience.
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So cute!!
Omg!! This was such a sweet BL series!!100% recommend for any BL fans!!!! Great story! Their chemistry was amazing!!
I loved the progression of the story from the very beginning when they were young to how Yuan slowly fell in love with Qian.
All the characters helped build up the story nicely.
The ending was a bit rushed, though, but everything was well tied up at the end.❤️
Chris and Kurt played their main role so well! All the emotions and their chemistry so well on point!!!!!
QianYuan Forever!!!!!🫶
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Unknown - The best BL in recent years
I used to watch a lot of BL back then, from Addicted to Tharntype and some other Thai BL series. I haven't been watching any BL dramas recently since the acting in a lot of series is pretty awkward and over the top. Also a lot of them don't have a good plot and revolves around NC scene/ kiss scene which feels forced to an extent.I came across Unknown from a short video clip and I was interested immediately. That was a week ago when episode 9 came out and I finished the whole 9 episodes in a night (only 30 mins per episode). From then I kept re-watching the whole 9 episodes to wait for ep 10-11-12 and I was not let down.
The last 3 episodes were beautifully made, everyone has their happy ending.
The acting in this drama is superb, not necessarily Oscar level but both actors really portrayed the characters very well. The kiss scene, NC scene, none of them feel forced. The OST is also a strong plus.
The only complaint I have is the NC scene in ep 11, i think they could have done a little bit better in editing.
Overall, a very worth watching drama in general.
Good luck to both actors in their future works!
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