Secret Love

start at episode 56

Overall: this has one of my most hated characters, a character who is a total jerk to the supposed love of his life (and this time he sexually assaults him). Start at episode 56. 81 episodes about 1.5 minutes each. You can watch episodes 1-12 on their YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO-UMZQa-AK62FVuT4bTbaGya2tKvk9k-&si=URrj_dF5OPwK6hFH I initially watched on their website https://portal.qustory.online/ - the rest are behind a paywall. QuStory also has an Android app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bean.qunovel and seems to have mainly books.

Content Warnings: past murder, attempted murder, sexual assault, ptsd/trauma, manipulation, blood, non con kiss, fight, child abuse, unwanted outing, homophobia, drugging?

What I Liked
- story premise was understandable
- accidental fall and catch
- visuals
- kisses
- production value

Room For Improvement
- a character being Mr. Hyde outwardly but Dr. Jekyll internally, the sexual assault was awful and ruined their relationship for me
- didn't understand if the mom had a plan or what that whole thing was with the room
- what happened in episode 12
- cliche zero communication skills
- cliche overheard part of conversation and ran away
- four years apart after already having been apart for 3 years
- dodged physical affection after reuniting at the airport/in the car

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The actors carried this show.

Honestly, I have no idea how this show was able to capture me as much as it did. The production was pretty mediocre. And the story ranged from cliché to downright disturbing.
But still, I was kind of captivated. And I can only assume it's down to the excellent performance of the actors. Honesty it makes me sad to think about actors of this caliber not being in more stuff. (While I cringe my way through the performances of bigger names.) The world really isn't fair.

Anyways, is this a masterpiece? No.

Do I still recommend giving it a watch? I think I do. The chemistry sells it for me.

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1 min

Previously stated, I'm not a fan of 1 min episodes. 81 of these were irritating. The plot was not riveting and neither the setting. The very limited budget was evident. The loud shrewish quarreling between the uncle and aunt would make you wonder if there was any love between them. This too was tedious. The acting could have been better as An movements were stiff and unnatural.

The mains complemented each other and this is what kept me watching. Their confessions made for a tender moment.

If a full version without the breaks be uploaded would make a better watch.

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From Chinese BL fiction to the colors of Southeast Asia

The plot begins when An's world is shaken after Jin, his adoptive brother and platonic love, returns to Thailand from the United States, after several years geographically and sentimentally distanced.
In this way, those who, between laughter and games, and without having any blood relationship, had grown up within the same family, meet again. But they are not children anymore. They are two university students. The reunion gives rise to the fact that, while both discover that some powerful and intense feelings unite them beyond being "brothers", An immerses himself in a journey in which he realizes a shocking truth from his past.
We are talking about 'Secret Love', a BL genre miniseries, directed by Content, the Chinese-Thai adaptation of the Asian giant's novel danmei, by J.W. "Secret Planet Series".
Produced by Bebravehud and distributed internationally by executive producers Wang Yuren and Wu Ben, 'Secret Love' leaves the viewer with a carnival of events, secrets, crimes, manipulations, intrigues, betrayals, revelations, adoptions, childhood traumas, reconciliations and love affairs
It is a short miniseries of the BL genre presented by QuStory, with 81 episodes of 2 minutes each.
Among the points to highlight, it is necessary to keep in mind the schedule for which it was conceived. 'Secret Love' was not created for primetime requirements, but to be shown on Saturday and Sunday evenings in China, Hong Kong and Thailand by HONGKONG QUKAN Network Technology CO., Limited.
It is a short miniseries of the BL genre presented by QuStory, with 81 episodes of 2 minutes each.
Among the points to highlight, it is necessary to keep in mind the schedule for which it was conceived. 'Secret Love' was not created for primetime requirements, but to be shown on Saturday and Sunday evenings in China, Hong Kong and Thailand by HONGKONG QUKAN Network Technology CO., Limited.
The fact explains several characteristics that today are understood from a more systematic perspective: the colors, the lightness of the plot, the construction of charismatic and attractive characters, the secret and forbidden romance for various reasons and the titanic strategies of the father of one of the two boys. for obstructing it.
It should be taken into account that, for years, we have consumed the products of the countries involved in the project that release BL series frequently, with different target audiences and, therefore, records of particular audiences. ELIMINATE
That a poor boy is adopted by a rich family after surviving an accident, at age eleven, in which his parents died; that in the future the same person who welcomed him into their home may be unfairly accused of causing his orphanhood; That someone he trusts is the real culprit of the murder, and ends up in love with his adoptive brother, may seem implausible; but in the vision of its creators it is nothing more than a functional resource that is inserted into an imaginative and traditionally light dramaturgical conception.
While Gu Hao Wei (Thitipol Nimsakul), the company's CEO and friend of An's deceased parents, and his wife (a role assumed by actress Ganitharin Pacharapakdeechode), have upset more than one viewer with their actions, the first for his homophobia and practice of domestic violence against Jin, and the second for carrying several blames, a point in favor is the overthrow of his negative attitudes due to the growing love between the young orphan and his own son, as well as the loss of control of the company when it passed into the hands of the adopted boy.
For his part, Uncle Q (Chakkritt Wangpattanasirikul) is a dark and negative character, who tries to manipulate An for his own benefit.
The fact that it is a short drama does not represent a serious problem for me: I watch the 20 weekly episodes, in a subtitled edition, one following the previous one.
On the other hand, the sum of all the episodes broadcast between Saturday and Sunday add up, in their entirety, to the approximately 40 minutes that the BL series that we frequently enjoy have. In total, the 81 episodes would represent four episodes in a series of this format.
We also have Turbo Chanokchon Boonmanawong among the cast, an actor known for playing Camp in the story 'Friends Forever', from the BL series 'My Universe', and Anda in 'Love Stage!!', who plays in this one. occasion to Lan; and Tee Vitsarut Suwinijjit, popular among genre lovers after starring in 'Restart(ed)', now adding the role of Tong to his resume.
The flashbacks that lead the viewer to understand An's past, the gloomy settings and, at times, the soundtrack of 'Secret Love', underline the dark elements of the story.
Despite some timorous performances (to be developed in the immediate future by the two protagonists), and the lack of depth in the story, the latter being a typical feature of short plots and low-budget productions, both in music and in dialogues, the viewer will also find a beautiful story of love and reconciliation, especially with oneself for hiding an atrocious family secret for years. All of these elements immerse us in engaging entertainment, and debuting stars Tle Matimun Sreeboonrueang, as Jin, and FirstOne Wannakorn Reungrat, as An, are especially charming.
Casting directors take note: Tle and FirstOne, in their respective first roles in their young careers, are two actors to be reckoned with, capable of conveying subtle shades of inner turmoil, of discomfort at finding themselves in love with someone of the same gender, then of his time on the 'TV Show DMD Friendship the Reality', Domundi's artist training program.
They both need a little more acting skills, confidence in front of the cameras. I have no doubt they will win in this regard.
The protagonists of 'Secret Love' had already participated in the 'TV Show SosatSeoulsay', precisely in episode 237, a television program that follows the protagonists and actors of Thai dramas.
In the script, which adapts the Chinese BL novel of the same name, the ingenuity of Wang Tinglian and Ding Wuen must be highlighted, by taking the original work and transferring its setting to Thailand, where the centers move between lavish mansions, companies and the university, with its pertinent allusions to studies, to obtaining the family company as an inheritance and to the search for success at any price, no matter if through crime.
And, if we talk about society, the series explores in a sensible way (and with high doses of sensitivity) certain topics such as male homosexuality, the emancipation of children from their parents, the breaking of taboos, self-acceptance and friendship.
The miniseries, with Chinese narrative inspiration and a warm mix of Thai essences, manages to satisfy the public thanks to the combination of melodramatic elements in an agile, light and attractive story.

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Disappointing Drama with Missed Potential

Overall, the drama isn’t THAT awful; it’s watchable, but there are several issues that stood out to me.

First, the format is a real problem. With 80 episodes that are only about 2 minutes long each, it felt like the creators didn’t know how to properly edit the scenes together and just decided to go with this format. The pacing sometimes is too fast, and some scenes feel abruptly cut, which makes it hard to stay engaged.

Second, I struggled to feel any genuine connection between the main characters. They hint at a mutual interest, but they dont show us how they fell in love. It’s as if they just decide to like each other with no emotional build-up or depth.

Third, I cannot understand why r*pe scenes are still being included in 2024. I thought we had moved past that. T
An even has trauma afterward and is afraid of Jin touching him, but the show barely addresses it. There’s one scene that acknowledges the trauma, but then it’s completely ignored for the rest of the series. What makes it worse is that Jin wasn’t even toxic up until that point; he had the potential to become a great character. Honestly, I found An to be more toxic than Jin. An had zero communication skills and refused to talk to Jin, even though Jin repeatedly encouraged him to open up.
Also dont get me started on the side characters, like the Aunt and Uncle.
The story had potential and so did the character BUT they ruined it.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this drama, nor would I watch it again. There are just too many issues for me to overlook.

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Basic but i enjoyed it.

This was a really basic story, but i still enjoyed it. Visuals were good!

The actors did a good job. I saw this was the first drama for both leads and that impressed me. They really did a good job and i am curious how much better they've done in their later drama's. The kissing scenes were very good, way better then i've seen from some more experienced actors. They had great chemistry.

One thing was very bad. The lead was at the graveyard, his clothes were completely drenched by the rain, After that he walks into his adoptive parent's house and his hair is all wet, but his clothes are completely dry. That kind of mistakes irritate me...

I don't understand why companies make 1 minute episodes, that is just anoying! I was lucky to find the whole series cut into 3 parts. I still saw the breaks, but it was less anoying then to watch it 1 minute at the time.

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NÃO É RUIM, mas poderia ser melhor

Assisti do episodio 1 até o 60 e até então o que eu posso falar é que a historia é interessante, os dois protagonistas tão ali meio que numa disputa pela empresa e o pai quer dar pra um ( o adotivo ), e ele não quer a empresa, e o outro ( o biológico ) tbm não quer. Se fossem uns 10 episódios de 40 minutos ou até menos seria bom, os atores são muito bons, são eles que salvam mais a serie mas é cada coisa ? que meio que fica chato, de novo, se fossem episódios com mais tempo provavelmente não teria esse problema, porque da pra você desenvolver melhor. Os personagens principais eu achei meio chatinhos também, o Jin é o típico personagem meio explosivo que quando o outro protagonista faz alguma coisa ele explode em ódio e é meio burro também, o An falou umas 5 vezes que gostava dele para ele entender que ele gostava realmente dele, e quando ele tenta desviar uma bala que ia atingir os dois porque a mãe do Jin é uma vaca e ia expor que o An gosta do Jin pro pai deles e o An the que dizer que gostava do amigo dele e o Jin fica enfurecido e enquanto o outro tá dormindo ele tenta abusar dele tipo (?), e foram duas vezes, até q ele finalmente entende que o An gosta dele mesmo e só falou para que o pai não descobrisse. Vou terminar para ver se melhora mas por enquanto tem melhores por ai, a historia e os atores são muito bons pena que foram mal aproveitados.

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