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a different , interesting story
this is one of the shows that i enjoyed a lot, i look at different things when i watch bls much more than the standard stories that are so frequently done or id say overused, so im glad to find something different, unique and refreshing to seewhile i understand that some people have mixed feelings about the age gap etc but i highly recommend people to check this bl if you can ignore the age gap, i find it good and interesting
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Disturbingly flippant attitude towards SA
The positive part of the show is the two main characters Hai Yuan and Xi Cha. Hai Yuan is smart and has a strong boundaries though has some anger issues while Xi Cha is very friendly and cheery with everyone. Their entangled fates spans lifetimes, but their current selves get along in their unique way. They have good chemistry and it's really good how grounded and quick on the uptick Hai Yuan is to Xi Cha's supernatural situation. It's also nice that Hai Yuan's bar gig bosses are the most lovey dovey lesbians as a elder queer mentors for Hai Yuan and also Xi Cha. It's unfortunate the episodes are so short that there is no time to further elaborate on Hai Yuan's former lifetime's relationship with Xi Cha as the young master that we do see a glimpse of and as Xi Cha's wife who was never shown, and to also reconnect with Xi Cha's mom at any point later in the story. It's weird she's not around for her son's university graduation. Xi Cha getting to live a second life time and having to head straight into sophomore year of college and needing to do different extracurriculars and contests was a idea for him to experience new things that could have been used more. The dorm RA who told fortunes for a little bit and enjoys though has no talent in calligraphy had a weird side plot of being at the school for some kind of mission that was never explained though he was a fun character that Xi Cha got to interact with outside of Hai Yuan's roommate that is also Hai Yuan's distant cousin.It would had been great if the show was confident in the already very interesting reincarnation and soul swap premise and characters and not resort to rape, especially as an introduction to the very important character of Xia Zefang who may or may not be trans because Zefang could have just been desperate to do anything to get with Hai Yuan, which makes it even worse that the only trans adjacent character is also the one portrayed as an obsessive creep. The episode runtimes are so short, instead of the attempted rape, the time should have been spent on Zefang's regular personality before death so there is some clear delineation between Zefang and Xia Cha who takes over Zefang's body aside from the fact that the grandpa is not a rapist unlike the grand kid. Hai Yuan and Xia Cha never talk about Zefang's terrifying behavior although only at the very end Xia Cha does recognize that he spoiled Zefang when he should have been teaching him right from wrong. Xia Cha in his original body also spoke with a very distinctive Mandarin and Cantonese speech that should have continued for a little bit more than the one Cantonese phrase he spoke at the hair salon before completely speaking in only Mandarin when he has to live as his own grandkid at University. The setting is also confusing, it's alluded to be Hong Kong because Hai Yuan's mom said Xia Cha helped her out when she first moved to Hong Kong, but aside from her and Xia Cha, but everyone speaks Mandarin and it looks like Taiwan. As soon as Xia Cha gets to university, it's yet another attempted rape scene and there will be another one later in the series by the same person who is both Zefang's now ex-boyfriend and Hai Yuan's half brother Ri Qing who also makes a creepy incest joke at the end that's more a commentary on Taiwanese drama's obsession with awful assault scenes than funny. There is no real consequence for Ri Qing's assault. Xia Cha moves out of their shared dorm, but the assault is never mentioned as an issue ever again. I hope Taiwainese dramas will stop trivializing sexual assault.
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uncomfortable watch
A Taiwanese BL that began with a deeply intriguing premise but quickly turned into something emotionally uncomfortable and morally confusing. The story follows Xia Cha, an elderly man who transmigrates into the body of his deceased grandson, Xia Ze Fang. Now living in a young body, he encounters Ye Hai Yuan, a man who — in a karmic twist — happens to be the reincarnation of Xia Cha’s late wife.At first, the idea sounds beautifully tragic — two souls finding each other again across lifetimes. But as the story unfolded, I couldn’t shake off my unease. Why was Xia Cha, who had already lived a long, full life and known love, given a second chance, while Xia Ze Fang, a young man who never even got to experience his own story, was erased completely? His body, his voice, his youth — all taken away without acknowledgment. Nobody truly grieved him. It was as if his existence didn’t matter at all.
That thought stayed with me throughout. I kept feeling an ache for Xia Ze Fang — unloved, unwanted, and forgotten by everyone, even by the narrative itself. The injustice of it made it hard to root for Xia Cha’s second chance at love, no matter how fated or soulful it was meant to be.
And then there’s Ye Hai Yuan, the supposed reincarnation of the grandmother. What struck me most was the inconsistency of his love — if he and Xia Cha shared such an eternal bond, why did he never love Xia Cha when he was alive? Why did affection only ignite once Xia Cha was reborn inside the youthful body of his grandson? That sudden shift made their romance feel unsettling — as if love depended on the vessel, not the soul.
The Promise of the Soul had the potential to be a profound meditation on reincarnation and love transcending time, but it lost its heart in execution. The premise was fascinating, yet the emotional balance felt wrong. Instead of a moving love story, it became a quiet tragedy about a forgotten soul who never got to live.
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A daring idea as a wholesome experience!
The Promise of the Soul - Ep.12 Final REVIEWNow with Episode 12 this very challenging topic was resolved. I know some disliked the premise, but as some who enjoys... how can I say - broad perspectives on life, I really enjoyed this series a lot.
For all those who followed it to the end and liked it like me, I wonder if you found the ending a Happy one? For I surely did. I was really afraid at Ep.11, the famous drama apex. I feared, shall we say morality would hold them back. First, it was well acted, beautiful set in scene and the difficult part of the one MC was well played by the actor. It does have a sad element, and I am usually one to quickly find such... dilemmas bad. But I felt it was finished wholesome and meaningful and I for one shall keep this in fond memory for a long time, as wholesome hope giving story. For in the end, as it was wrapped up, I feel it was a good ending for everyone.
For the courage to seek out different perspectives, without regret I give
10/10
Life is large. 🥰
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A story as old as time with room to grow
It can be difficult for some viewers to accept the idea of an older man falling for a younger man. Even though we live in what’s supposed to be a more open culture, certain relationships still carry a sense of taboo. But as the saying goes, love is love—and if BL relationships are to be embraced, then age-gap dynamics should be viewed with the same openness that we often grant heterosexual couples.What stands out about this series is how much it focuses on character growth and emotional evolution. As the story unfolds, you discover there’s much more depth to the relationship than first meets the eye, which makes it all the more special. While the acting still has room for improvement, the natural chemistry between the leads more than makes up for it. The kissing scenes could have been stronger, but it’s worth noting that both actors are straight, which adds its own challenge.
I haven’t seen many BL dramas produced and located in Hong Kong and it has potential. The OST is both beautiful and haunting, adding a layer of atmosphere that lingers after each episode. I’d love to see these two actors reunited in future projects
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1.
What I thought of the series: It may be in a school environment again but there is a twist to it all. Taiwan makes good series and I am not at all disappointed with this one either.You can find more of my reviews on Instagram. :D See my homepage about my Instagram account. Some of my reviews are under five hundred words so I can't post them here. (*^▽^)/★*☆♪(*^-゜)vThanks!
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good but story have a little falt thing
I don't think it's as easy as it's shown in the movies to change an old man's mind and lead him towards love.And the biggest thing is that the old man had a wife before and he loved his wife very much and then even after going to a completely new body in this old age. Forgetting his wife. It is a very strange thing. Even then, he is attracted to another completely unknown thing, boys love. And the biggest thing is that usually the old people or the previous people disagree with this for various reasons. But it is a little strange to agree to it so easily and then fall in love with it so easily.The story is really beautiful and I really liked it, but if you looked at it a little better, I think it would have been even better.Was this review helpful to you?
So much misconception about this series!
Let me just start by saying this: after so many weird tropes and stories that get lost, toxic characters and leads with no soul or chemistry...allow me to say this series is so heartwarming!I had read a lot of comments of people that could not enjoy the show because they could not get over that one tiny fact of the main plot.
The story is not bad, it's actually wonderful, funny and well delivered. The actors did an amazing job, chemistry was top notch, great soundtrack and smooth skinship.
People just need to take a leap of faith, have an open mind and actually watch the whole thing and enjoy the ride.
A solid 9/10 and a good watch!!
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A Red String That Is Soulful Indeed
Being a Westerner, I am completely drawn to the metaphysical construct of soul-transference prevalent in Eastern cultures. Especially if you throw in the mythology of the Red String of Fate. There is something so mesmerizing about the concept of two souls being bound forever via an invisible red string. The intensity of that symbolism is mystical for those of us from the West and I am compelled by its underlying intensity. Evocatively, I can think of no more intimate way to attach to someone you love, truly love, than by tying a red string around their wrist along with yours. Not only is that figurative, but it is also so romantic and shows a deep sense of commitment to a relationship. This series had all of that. Perhaps not in an intense way, and seemingly more peripheral than serious, but nonetheless, it remained its central theme. Read the full review at BLBliss.com.Was this review helpful to you?
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what a waste of a premise
I like the premise because it could have done so much with grief, survivor guilt, age gap discomfort, reckoning with our loved ones being someone other than who we thought they were. It could have used generational divides for comedy and social commentary. It could have eschewed all that and just done a competent romance! Instead, it failed at every point.Acting and writing: The MC, once a relaxed and fairly poised elder, somehow becomes pouty and dependent on the 20 y/o. Literally POUTING in several scenes. There's no continuity of characterization. These are not legible as humans, they're just annoying clowns bouncing from one overused cliché to the next.
There's only ever lip service, 2-liner asides that are supposed to indicate that the grandfather is dealing with the loss of his grandson, all delivered like commenting on the weather. There's never any confrontation of the fact that from the grandfather's POV he has cannibalized his own grandson. What an extraordinary waste. At that point, just drop the blood connection! It's fine, we're used to regression/reincarnation plots, we don't need some bloodline magic.
I really do want to be able to just say, "Well, this one wasn't for me," and move on, but every trash BL is a limited budget and pool of acting talent willing to do BL being drained once more. For nothing. How did the production team let this absolute dross leave the writing room? How did the director tolerate this from the actors? Does no one involved have eyes? Taste??
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Promising premise, bad execution?
This drama left me feeling quite conflicted. I really wanted to enjoy it because the premise is interesting, unique, and somewhat beautiful, with its undertones around the red string of fate.However, the execution lacked the depth and cohesion I needed to be fully invested.
The romance didn't move me as I expected. The transition from being little more than roommates out of necessity to being fully in love felt abrupt and off-putting. Additionally, the presence of the grandson's soul made the situation even weirder for me.
Ultimately, I believe that with a few more episodes, the show could have explored the dynamics between Hai Yuan and Ze Fang more thoroughly, potentially enhancing the emotional impact of their relationship.
So, overall, I think this drama had great potential, but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.
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