Eternal Butler

A wonderful love

This series was amazing.
The story was unique and interesting and I felt the story many times.
The actors made everything even better - they were talented and made me feel like this series was real..
At some points I even was like "I want an AI Roboter like he has too" because their love felt so pure.
I'm glad I watched this series (I had a break in between watching but I continued watching) and hope more people will enjoy it like I did.
Also I liked the song at the beginning and ending of every episode!
All in al I think I would want to rewatch it because it was sweet and entertaining.:)

Read More

Immortal Robot love

I must say I did not realize that this series was related to the other one that came out last year "Anti-Reset". I love the whole "each robot gets its own story and has different personalities and functions" thing.

This series was fun and definitely worth the watch.

The impression I get is that we won't get anymore series like this because the whole premiss is that the bots aren't supposed to have this 'issue' of falling in love with humans. But next, I need Immortal 2, the secretary, and Immortal 7, he was so cute and we love a good ally. Looking forward to mopremise is that the bots aren't supposed to have this 'issue' of falling in love with humans. But next, I need Immortal 2, the secretary, and Immortal 7. He was so cute, and we love a good ally. I'm lookingre from this writer and company.

Read More

Bait & Switch

After Anti-Reset (and the preceding Stay By My Side and You Are Mine), I already did not have high hopes that this newest product from VBL would delve into the SF aspect or even the philosophical aspect of Human-Android relationships.
But what I got was even worse, a Bait & Switch.

They lured us with an intriguing opening scene (AI rights -- a often-discussed question in SF stories, should a self-aware machine with a free will have rights, just like a human?), tantalised us with more knowledge about how the Ever series androids work, the androids bleed, have a heartrate -- basically seem to have a human body, but are enhanced (at least Ever 4 is), and don't age, the story also gave us glimpses of the other Androids (talked about Ever 2, we saw Ever 7, who is a look-a-like to Gu Bu Xia) and so on.
The questions if a human-android relationship would work, and how this would impact society, or what "love" is (can a machine love?) are not new to the genre and are extremley obvious in the premise itself ... and the story gives us crumbs, only to leave us with nothing.
Instead, they gave us the switch: A clichéd story about a young man who still carries trauma related to his mother (ugh!) and who only needs a devoted butler/confidant/lover to heal him, and we never get any more information about the world they are living in.

Characterisations are weak. I already mentioned the ultra-chlichéd background story for Lo Bus Shi. Ever 4 also did not have a consistent character. He is supposed to be mainly a bodyguard/fighter/strategist type of android, who is not supposed to give emotional support to his master, so he should have not been given data for this. He talks about struggling with emotions, asks Ever 9 for advice, but then proceeds to do everything perfectly (like a stereotypical top, see below). This would have been an interesting avenue to explore: Where do emotions come from? How do they work? Or another aspect to explore: The inherent power imbalance between master and slave (in this case, android) -- what does this mean for a romantic relationship? And if they'd further developed the dom/sub vibes Ever 4 and Lo Bu Shi gave throughout the series, this would have added another layer to the question of power imbalance.

Other things that irritated me:
* Ever 4's glasses didn't make any sense. Not only the "dom mode", that is just another Bait&Switch, but especially when he takes them off because "He trusts Lo Bu Shi" -- why does he not put them on again whenever he is alone or in a confrontation. Feels like the director just wanted an excuse to put the glasses away.
* The whole top/bottom dynamic was stronger than in the other VBL productions I've seen, and it made me angry when several characters (Lo Bu Shi included) implied that to bottom during sex between men means that you are less manly for it. Couple interactions were written along the lines of stereotypical dynamics, and, of course, the top is more than capable of doing anything, while the bottom is the one who is cutesy and must be protected.
* The secondary couple was superfluous. There wasn't enough time to develop a good progression, and there could have been another reason for the fall-out between father and son. The writer should have taken the time to further explore the really interesting questions (see paragraph two) or to make Ever 4 more consistent.


Was it good?
As before, VBL take an interesting (and, for a BL drama, unusual) premise -- and only briefly dip their toes into it only to then give us another fluffy romance without much substance. I did not mind so much in You Are Mine, because that one was a comedy first and foremost, and it did that well (even if the power dynamics between boss and employee should have been more developed), but it had already frustrated me in Stay By My Side to the point that I had to put it on hold for a while. Here, in a drama with such an intriguing world, it's sad, even for VBL standards. And no, the last ten minutes of episode 12 dd not save it.
Did I like it?
I wanted to like it. But with this Bait & Switch, I couldn't. It was watchable, but also irritating because it could have ben more, at least a bit. Overall, for an android-human relationship, I'd rather rewatch Anti-Reset, which at least knew what it wanted to tell us, than this.
Do I recommend it?
Only if you are seriously into the looks of the actors. If VBL decides to make more BLs for the other Ever Series androids, then there might be some background informations that could be useful. But that's hard to say at the moment.

Read More

I need another AI themed BL but properly thought out this time!!

Eternal Butler has an interesting premise – a bunch of humanoid robots are created to live alongside and add value to the life of mankind, but problems crop up when they disobey their owners and start to veer away from the path that was originally laid out for them. This, of course, includes falling in love with humans.

The concept is stronger than the execution (expect some loopholes with the storytelling), but this series still promises plenty of interesting questions like: Can humanoid robots truly love another entity? What does it even mean to love, and can we still call this love if it can be reduced to a string of code?

But also, maybe don’t expect too much deep stuff. The series dances around the big questions but doesn’t explicitly tackle them head on. The storyline did very little to meaningfully untangle any profound questions, in part because it’s a short series but also because I suspect it was trying to do too much. I get it, it’s hard to do romance, action, sci-fi, existentialism and the future of mankind all at one go.

It’s a shame because extraordinary chemistry might have made this series score much higher.

More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/

Read More

Hyper-realistic Plot Kind of Story

Eternal Butler revolves around the story of Bushi and an AI Robot named Ever 4. The plot basically talks about Ever 4 being rented to discipline Bushi because of his childish and spoiled acts.

The use of a humanoid robot or AI in the story is what made it quiet interesting.

The plot about the father wanting to discipline his child is not new to the viewer's taste, but not a bad path to go through.

The chemistry of the two main characters reflected a lot to the viewers. The way they acted together and blended well is the key point and charm of this series.

The chemistry also of the side couple and how cute they both look side to side with each other is really an additional factor to the story. The whole series can be bland without the help of the plot of the side characters.

NC scenes are hot but not given enough airtime. Since the story showed us an additional factor or purpose of Ever4 when they're having a sexual intercourse, I think that it will be good if there are more scenes that highlighted the advancements that Ever4 had.

In totality, the series gave happiness to me and my fridays. I love the casts and how they presented their characters to the viewers. Wishing to see them in more series!

Read More

I Want One

Yup, I said it. I want my own personal AI Ever 4. I want to wake up every morning next to someone who will love me for me as I age, until the day that my bolts get rusty and I leave this earth, peacefully of course. My AI has to be a replica of Sam Lin tho, my Taiwanese perfection. No offence to Kevin Chang. You see, I do understand why Bu Shi fell in love, yes it was love, with him.

Bu Shi was frustrated with his world as it was. He was tired of depending on people who saw him as a nuisance or a walking atm. He rebelled as any person would confined to the expectations of a father who had no time for him. I can not say that he didn't love Bu Shi, as he displayed immense patience with his rude reckless behavior and the best thing he could have done is to unknowingly find his son a partner for life. Someone who will be there for him, protect him, always have his best interest at heart(well really it would be the centre of his AI life force) and under no circumstances would he leave him.

So the burning question is, how can AI love a human and vice versa. Here's why the script worked. Ever 4 was the latest model of AI and the most expensive but like every program, he was governed by set rules. He warned Bu Shi early on that the removal of his glasses would change his programming. Bu Shi didn't listen and found out the hard way. Yes, sitting was an issue until he got accustomed. Up until this point there is no difference between the AI and a human. We are all governed by our environments laws and precepts and when we do F around, we do find out.

Petulant, full of pride and willful as ever, Bu Shi runs away, not before giving his best friend all his cash to help his boyfriend clear his generational debt. At no time did the script say Bu Shi was smarter than the average person. Even those with the lowest wattage would know, the streets are unforgiving and if you do not have life skills, you will starve. Here Ever 4 steps in and patiently step by step, walks the path with him. He could have just as easily, man handled, well robot handled him and forced him to go back home. He didn't because he had already begun to care deeply for him. He shifted from his protector mode to partner and lover.

How can he care? All of his AI is artificial and limited to the input info. He gets upgraded as new info is inputted and adapts to said info. He sees Bu Shi for what he is with all his faults and integrates it in his responses to him. So where is the difference between Ever 4 and a human who is deeply connected to their partner? He said I love you. What would AI know about love? He was programmed with the knowledge of love and loyalty. As humans, we are shown what love and loyalty is by those who nurture us. Same info different methods.

He allows Bu Shi to go through his emotions while he provides the means to do so. Albeit, the highest level of intelligence should have known better than to do manual labor but again what professional proof of his abilities did he have. No high school diploma. No college degree. Why then a love motel? No questions asked and cheaper than a standard one. He then becomes an escort and at this point, I have to agree, he knew his worth.

Here is where the script diverts into a bit of nonsense and lost points. Why include a plot of trying to kill the young master when it abruptly stops as it starts after Ever 4 steps in. This should have been woven throughout and not just verbalized by the father. The second couple, though cute in their own way, really wasn't necessary to the plot. Was it to show Bu Shi's heart of gold? Was it to elongate the episodes to 12? Was it to show the loyalty and love between two humans? We liked Anti-Reset because it dealt with the relationship between AI and a human. Why wouldn't we like the same here? If it was used to show that there was no difference in how love is given and received, then it succeeded. We are all caught up in this feeling we call love.

There were moments that the acting was not the best and the lengthy professions of love at the end detracted rather than added to the series. I did like the part where they adopted an AI son. Bu Shi, matured by then, truly thought of Ever 4 as his partner and lover. He didn't want him to be lonely should his demise happen before Ever 4's. How could he love an AI? The better question is, how could he not. He met him intellectually, he always spoke from a place of care and concern, he showed him that his feelings were valid and made him happy. As a human who wouldn't want that? Have you seen what is passing for hoomans lately? Yes, one Sam Lin replica to go, please.

Lastly, Ever 4 began to think independently hence the reason he defied his previous protocols and followed Bu Shi. If this isn't being human, I don't know what is. Bu Shi went against the expectations and chose Ever 4. So a pair well matched. The only deterrent to the pairing is Ever 4's eternal youth. Just as humans age and adapt to the changes in their relationships, so would theirs.

Did I enjoy it? Yes, to a degree. Would I re-watch, probably not. Lately, Taiwan standards are being lowered and providing stories that do not capture your attention for long periods. Their plots have always been a bit outrageous but captivatingly so. This was not so, at all. If you are not looking to be dazzled but welcome a few chuckles inbetween, give it a watch.

Read More

!!!!System Error!!!!

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

I know this will be an unpopular opinion, but there is just something off about this series. I went in with high hopes because Anti Rest was one of my favorite sections out of the compilation series. Although the story concept seemed interesting, the script seems very underdeveloped. It did not do a good job setting up the story premise or introducing the characters. It also tried to introduce one to many storylines in the first few episodes. The storyline with the main couple seems very rushed and not quite right from the very beginning of episode 1. The acting from most of the cast was good, but not outstanding. On a positive note, it had good cinematography, graphics, and cute opening credits.

Random Notes:

There was a hint of side BL couple but it’s a case of too little, too late. I found myself not fully invested in the series to continue.



******Spoiler Alert******

They do not fully explain Ever 4 past about advocating for robot rights. If they gave a little more backstory from the beginning, maybe I would have been more interested in the character. I need more than a good-looking actor to get me invested in the character/storyline.

Read More

A ROBOT AND A HUMAN CUTE LOVE

A robot and human in a relationship? Sounds impossible, but honestly, it's a fresh concept for me, this is the first time I’ve watched something like this. I’ll admit, the first episode didn’t really hook me. It felt kind of slow, but after that, it just clicked.

✅ Episode 2: That fake argument between the girl and her boyfriend at the club? Totally cracked me up 😂

✅ I couldn’t stop giggling when the robot called Bu Shi “baby” after they kissed. Such a flirty little bot.

✅ Bu Shi, though… he can be so annoying sometimes with his constant mood swings. Like, bro, are you 12 years old? He’s hard to read.

✅ The kidnapping scene was kinda lame ngl, and then bam, Ever 4 shows up right away to save the day 😂

Even though Ever 4 is a robot, he’s basically a whole green forest. He even went out and found a job just to support his spoiled brat young master. Gotta love that about him.

I get where Bu Shi’s coming from emotionally, but man, his attitude doesn’t always make sense. One minute he’s all sweet to Ever 4, and the next he’s cold and always sulking.

That said, the main leads are solid actors, especially the one who plays Bu Shi. He honestly gets on my nerves, which probably means he’s doing a good job, lol.

The chemistry between the leads is okay, not exactly fire, and yeah, you can definitely tell there’s an age gap. But the side couple? Super cute and have great chemistry. As for the dad’s acting, it's kinda cringey. The production value isn’t the best, the audio's weak. I noticed the same house and club set from See Your Love. 😅 Also, the visuals in Taiwanese BLs are usually not that polished which I often noticed.

The ending makes me really smiled because of their lovey dovey moments. And finally, I can see Bu Shi's maturity. 😂

There were noticeable plot holes in this series, but still I really enjoyed it. Eternal Butler is a lighthearted romance with a good dose of comedy. Even though one of the characters complains a lot, the series is cute overall.

Read More

So-so

Was anti reset that successful that they made another mediocre drama with the same concept, I mean I know the fairytale love is a thing and why not fall for a robot if you can fall for a vampire and all is good, but I'm talking quality-wise it's not the best.

If you have to redo an idea you kinda have to make it better or different maybe, more interesting but nope.

This was slightly boring, literally nothing is happening just the two leads spending time together and that's it.

Nothing to write home about, but if you are into this new type of robot-love BL then Go ahead, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it but it was an okay watch.

Read More