I'll Turn Back This Time

lackluster worldbuilding and a disappointing ending (watch suggestions)

Overall: Feb 22nd 2025 update - after the special episode I bumped up to 6.5. I can't bump it up more because the special had even more completely nonsense worldbuilding. However, I'm happy we did get the special https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIcdgalcMUE&feature=youtu.be

I gave this series a 7.5 up until the final episode where I dropped it to a 6. 6 episodes about 40 minutes long. Aired on YoYo English Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTB73Ibi_X3FNNIaLL1ZThNGuT0l-fFOL (not available in Japan or South Korea); GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5066/i-will-turn-back-this-time-2025 (not available in Japan, South Korea or Thailand) and Heavenly (I believe it's available in South Korea/language is Korean) https://heavenly.tv/en/detail/839

Content Warnings: past intimate partner abuse/violence, blood, fight, death (it's complicated), slap, homophobia, near suicide, punch

Watch Suggestions (to skip a ton of angst, moping, terrible parent, etc)
- watch episodes 1-3
- in episode 4 skip 12-21 and 22:15-38:30
- in episode 5 watch 29-31:45 (stop at 31:45, trust me on this)
- skip episode 6, there are some sweet flashbacks starting at 23 minutes but I didn't enjoy them knowing how it ended
- watch the special episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIcdgalcMUE&feature=youtu.be

What I Liked
- relationship progression felt realistic
- supportive friends
- sweet/caring moments
- production value

Room For Improvements
- the cliche running scene and what happened at the end of episode 1
- 2 sponge baths in episode 1 was one too many
- a character didn't have a reason not to reciprocate in episode 3 because the "warning" came much later in the episode
- stereotype of handsy effeminate man
- toilet humor
- cliche saw something, made assumption and didn't communicate (luckily it didn't last long)
- convenient/nonsense worldbuilding: the mysterious guy refused to answer the question but left vague threats, didn't clearly established if the 2nd time was a different situation/world with the parents
- depressing parental stuff
- cliche noble idiot when that was more painful than telling him the truth (which would sound a bit crazy but he could have tried to explain the situation)
- nonsense stuff: everyone was very trusting in episode 2, why wouldn't he spend the whole day with him at the end of episode 3
- terrible ending: especially because it's from China the sad ending where 1 guy will be sad his entire life and they will never end up together felt homophobic, even the final phrase "if we are destined to part, then what is the meaning of our meeting" made me think "if this series was destined to have a homophobic sad ending, what is the point of watching it"

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what's it like objectively +the end

The drama is off to an enjoyable and interesting start with fresh elements, a blend of emotional and funny scenes with a time-travel concept it might confuse you but it's very simple.

Plot & Characters:
The second main lead Gu Shiwen is a stubborn character but portrayed in a good way—he fights back but accepts kindness from Shennan once things are explained to him without dragging, avoiding the usual tsundere trope that constantly fights back. Shennan and Shiwen have a natural chemistry and they shared soft heartwarming moments.

Production Quality:
The cinematography has that classic Chinese drama charm, with beautiful shots of rain and fields. The OST adds to the emotional moments it's my favourite part in this series too.

The Ending:
(no spoiler)
Some may see this as a sad ending, but to me, it feels more like an open ending one that could be interpreted as somewhat happy. I’d say the writing in the last episode left me wanting some explanations (not necessarily needing them). It was a bit disappointing, but not surprising-we can roll with it. Chinese drama endings are often unpredictable and, in many cases, can be sad, so this isn’t unusual.
(⚠️👇SPOILER)
The gem breaking at the end signified, to me, that the cycle of fate and time travel was over, finally freeing them from its grasp. which is the only reason I wouldn't consider this as a sad ending.

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An outdated moral lesson wrapped up in pretty wrapping paper

If i could rate this show in the negatives, that would do it justice. How about -9? While the production vaue, acting and music were good, they could not redeem this show as they were all used simply to deliver an outdated and misplaced moral lesson. DO NOT GAY. That's all this show set out to do. It wanted to present this message in a way that would attract the largest number of viewers and have us sit there captive throughout the whole message to make sure we heard it loud and clear. Do not gay or bad things will happen. Do not gay under any circumstances. Do not gay with your stepbrother, with your friend, no matter how strong the love. Do not gay even if others are saying it's ok. Don't let the object of your attraction know how you feel. Do not express your love. If life puts you in the presence of someone you want to gay with, control yourself! It's against universal forces and something terrible will happen if you give in and don't resist temptation.
And yes, i know that 'do not gay' is incorrect grammer, but it fits.
Anyways, i posted this review so that others will not be taken in by the shiny paper and waste their precious time.

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C-Eent Just Played With Our Emotions.

Oh sad endings, how I wish I can throw rocks at you. In Hindsight I should have prepared my tissues for this ending when it said Chinese bl instead of Taiwanese. For shame, did we really think it would have passed censorship if it wasn't made to crush our happy-ending expecting hearts into tiny pieces?

Listen, this drama broke my heart three times. The first was when they wheeled Shi Wen's body out the ICU and Shen Nan broke down in the hallway while trying to left the sheet off Shi Wen's body to confirm his death. The second was when Shi Wen did the okay sign while he laid dying in Shen Nan's arms. And the third was when Shen Nan's world stopped for a second in the finale when he heard those tires screeched, when he breathed in relief that the accident didn't happen, and yet he choose not to turn back and walked away. #Pain. #Tears. For some reason I wept in episode 5, got triggered with old memories and when Shen Nan left Shi Wen on that bridge, I found myself feeling so sad I couldn't help but cry. Ruined my whole Saturday. Of course, to make myself feel better I went and re-watched episode 4 of Every You, Every Me, you know, so I can keep the sadness going the rest of the day... when in hell, keep going, amirite?

Anyway, yes, this drama wasn't perfect, as a matter of fact it had so many holes we could probably make a basket out of it. But I enjoyed it, sad ending and all. Plus it seemed it's more a hopeful ending than a sad one. The quantum necklace which seemed to be turning back the time and causing all those anomalies deactivated/blackened out in the finale when Shi Wen's fate changed and he wasn't hit by that big track. So I'm thinking it means their ill-fate life has ended? Which of course meant, my stupid arse was screaming, alright 'turn back now, rush to him, you can be together now', but nope... no happy ending here cuz this is still a Chinese bl.

I do have so many questions when it comes to the science behind this, cuz a lot of things were left unexplained or made absolutely no sense whatsoever. Like:
1) Was the first time we meet them their first life together, or was that the second timeline?
2) Where did that quantum necklace come from?
3) Did the 'fate/quantum' people appeared to Shen Nan using his face or was that a Shen Nan from the far future?
4) When Shen Nan's father locked him in that motel and took away his phone, did he even leave him food? I'm still wondering about that cuz I didn't see any ramen or snacks around.
5) I was so SHOCKED when we got that my lips touching/glazing your cheeks scene, and then the hand between our mouths kiss. SHOCKED. I thought we were going to get far away glances like... The Untamed (that one still hurts)... but we got something. It was practically nothing, heck it was so nothing it was non-existent, but, it was something.
6) How in the hell did he still have that camera from their first/second timeline? At first I thought it was himself from timeline 2 putting everything in a box, but then he later appeared and throw it away as himself in timeline 3? I'm confusion. Did the camera also time travelled with them or we just suppose to go along with the flow?
7) That scene during the award ceremony after Shi Wen got hit in the head with the lights and died was ridiculous! Not one person made a call to ambulance or rushed to help/check on him. Everyone just ran away, even the friends and the organisers? Huh? I get they wanted them to be alone, but that was so far from reality I stopped being sad for a moment to go, 'huh, dafug is everyone at?' Cuz, huh??? Stupid. Just dumb.
#7) "Is it really worth it to protect someone with all your strength?" to which Shen Nan replied. "Yes." I was screaming 'dude don't turn back, that's the whole point of this you stupid-head' when he turned back to get that cup of coffee in the finale, but in that last scene of this drama, I was screaming, "please, please, turn back just one more time." But dude must not have been away of the title of this drama, cuz his arse choose a sad ending instead.

The cast did good with this, given how little time they had. The main were good and had good chemistry. Shi Wen's friends as supporting cast were also good, and that friend who liked Shi Wen for like half an episode made me laugh a bit, so good. Those parents though, glad they came around in the end and then disappeared from sight, cuz I was about to reach into the screen and start slapping people with my rubber chicken.

As for the plot. I loved the concept. Time travel with a side of a love so doom nothing can save it. Unfortunately, although it had a good cast, the script wasn't strong and the execution was a mess. It had lots of things that were never explained properly, and most of it was left to the viewer to fill in the blank, which, my brain did not do, so I ended up with more questions than answers. Sure they had only 6 episodes so they couldn't get into the whole quantum necklace thing, but I'd have loved some explanation, any, of how Shen Nan came to have this necklace and could turn back time.

All-in-all a good watch. Not the greatest, but it was good. Also, I'm taking this as a win towards us maybe-perhaps-finally having an actual bl from c-ent. If you're looking to feel sad and or out of new dramas and looking for something to watch, I'd recommend this to you. I hope to see the main in another drama, loved them here and in Meet You at The Blossom.

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Love, tragedy and difficult decisions (last revision)

That Chinese BL is a genre that is in good health is demonstrated every year by various film or serial titles. Just beginning 2025, a series like 'I'll Turn Back This Time' was released, which dwarfs other recent meritorious exponents of these queer productions from the Asian giant, such as 'Stealing from My CEO', 'Uncle Unknow', 'Inverse identity', 'Promising', 'Meet You at the Blossom', 'Stay Still', 'Be Moon' and several more dramatized ones.
I'm not including 'Blue Canvas of Youthful Days', a Chinese queer series that I'm really passionate about.
Directed by Yan Xi, 'I'll Turn Back This Time' is a short series with extraordinary levels of reception in China, the rest of the countries in the region and far beyond the Asian borders, which manages to capture the magic of finding love and defend it even after death.
Between reality and fantasy, the images exude truth, although they also give off a certain aroma of slow cooking and the rewriting that takes place in the laboratories of auteur cinema.
Although innovative in many ways, 'I'll Turn Back This Time' is actually a fairly conventional love story. The plot focuses on the romance between two stepbrothers, which is not a new concept. However, the strength of the series lies in its elegant simplicity and the nuanced performances of the two protagonists.
They are down to earth and lead such a normal life, despite the fantasy element, that I am impressed by their authenticity. Their performances are supported by excellent writing, giving us an intimate view of these well-developed characters.
The love of Shen Nan and Gu Shi Wen arises when the former, a stomatologist who quit his job in a city clinic, travels to Yiling, the urban district located in the city-prefecture of Yichang, in the southern Chinese province of Hubei, to reunite with his father (played by Li Hai Dong), on the eve of his remarriage to Gu Shi Wen's mother. The role of the mother is played by actress Yin Ji.
These two quickly learn the comfortable feeling of living together, especially when their respective parents leave on their honeymoon and are left alone to run the cafeteria and the guest house. Their relationship evolves in leaps and bounds from being strangers as the days go by. This is a story that can lead us to love one day. The two experience such a great connection, and with intense chemistry.
Love immediately arises between the two stepbrothers, interrupted by a tragedy that forces Shen Nan to go back in time three months before the traffic accident that cost Gu Shi Wen his life, in a desperate attempt to change the outcome of the future, and that reminds us of other BL series with a similar theme, such as the Thai 'Absolute Zero' (2023), 'Vice Versa' (2022), '55:15 Never Too Late' (2022), '4Minutes (2024), 'Triage' (2022) and 'Be My Favorite' (2023), and the Taiwanese 'HIStory: Obsessed' (2017), among others. I find time jumps interesting and intriguing.
After the reunion, Shen Nan tries to reintroduce himself into his stepbrother's life. To do this, he will ask for a job as an employee in the cafeteria. At first, he will feel some hostility, as the young man who loves painting will suspect that Shen Nam has a hidden agenda, after discovering that the stranger knows aspects of his life that are unknown to others. But then sympathy and mutual esteem will turn the feelings of friendship into love.
It should be noted that the romantic scenes are not graphic or explicit. Rather, they are tender, artistic and tasteful. The physicality is subtle, but we see enough interactions that the attraction between Shen Nan and Gu Shi Wen feels authentic.
We are facing a series shot with a special style. Through the aesthetics of the lens and the gaze of the characters, 'I'll Turn Back This Time' is rich in spaces for interpretation.
'I'll Turn Back This Tie' is a gem that stands out exquisitely in the genre of gay television productions. Following in the footsteps of Chinese novelist Chai Ji Dan's "Are You Addicted?" because of the unfortunate initial collision when the two meet for the first time on the road, which leads to some tension between them in the early stages of the pilot episode, or because they might hate that their parents have remarried, None of this happens, and the truth is that these two boys quickly go from strangers to being friends and from friends to being in love.
There are many intimate scenes in which the two protagonists hold in their hands or have objects placed in their mouths that can be interpreted as phallic symbols, such as the pinceles used by Gu Shi Wen, the chopsticks and elongated spoons intended to be used at meals, the key to open the house, the umbrella with which Shi Wen tries to defend himself from a possible thief who has entered his home and with which moments before he danced and sang in the rain in a kind of tribute to the 1952 musical film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, the long drink box that Shi Wen puts into his mouth while Shen Nan drinks beer next to him on the riverbank, the mobile shower sprayer with which Shi Wen threatens Shen Nan when he interrupts him while he is bathing, the dental instruments (dental examination mirror, tweezers, pliers...) held by Shen Nan in his hands and inserted into his stepbrother's mouth, the tubes of tempera paint given to each other, even the chicken thigh? that Shi Wen eats at the wedding celebration dinner just when Shen Nan puts her hand on his shoulder to mock him, and even the quantum necklace that Shen Nan wears around his neck, which adds mystery and intrigue to the series.
They are not the only queer characters in the series, while the couple will find allies, that is, people who, without being from the LGBT+ community, will support the couple.
On the other hand, the love of Shi Wen and Shen Nam will overcome and destroy the refusal of their respective phaders to accept homosexual romance.
Chen Shengxu's beautiful photography highlights the natural values of the beautiful city on the banks of the Yangtze River.
The musical themes "This Time, It's My Turn to Look Back First" and "I'll Turn Back This Time", composed by Zhao Beier, and "Returning to the Past to Embrace You", by Zhao Beier and Zhou Kanghaonan, provide of meaning to the series, causing not only the story to be remembered, but also its soundtrack.
Through 'I'll Turn Back This Time', director and production house ZX Entertainment PTE. LTD. they are composing what is a shared kind of audiovisual novel with LGBT+ themes: a serial body filmed with undoubted narrative and formal vigor, while standing as an ode to love, brotherhood, friendship, family and understanding between human beings.
It represents a song to love that also works as an exhortation to harmonious coexistence, above differences in gender identity or other divisions imposed by convention, since the Chinese series tells a love story that is socially unacceptable for many families in any nation for two reasons: the two protagonists will experience a homosexual romance, which at the same time can be rejected as its protagonists are considered stepbrothers, despite not having a blood relationship.
Set in the present day and with a strong character of romantic, family and youth drama, 'I'll Turn Back This Time' adds elements of the best of Chinese queer fantasy fiction, in the manner of the films 'To You, for Me ', from 2015; 'Shao Ling Bi' ('Mermaid's Jade', 2019), by Zhang Kai Qiang, and 'Star Appeal', by Cui Zi En, among many other examples.
The narrative of the butterfly effect, the mystery surrounding a painting of Shen Nan's face drawn by Shi Wen, and the jump in time as a paranormal phenomenon in which a person travels in time or appears in an alternative reality play in their favor. to ours through an unknown means.
The script by Xiao Wan and Zhi Zhi mixes, in equal parts, romance, drama, sensuality and fantasy, which ends up pleasantly surprising viewers. With an agile and concise narrative, it manages to bring together all the ingredients we need to make the most of our fun with it.
The result is an intimate gay romance told from a unique perspective, a subtle series that makes a surprising impression with its joyful, funny and complex characters, elegant storytelling and touching tone.
The acting performances are stellar. Although both protagonists began their careers last year, they manage to make a splash on stage, both in supporting roles and in this, their first leading role. And they do it professionally, providing a moving and nuanced interpretation of their characters. They appear natural, comfortable and confident in each scene.
Beyond the text, the casting, by Monkey Casting Studio, is also very interesting, since both have played other LGBQ+ characters. For example, Li Yi Mu gave life to Jin Bao and Kou Wei Long to Que Si Ming, the members of the second couple of the Chinese queer series 'Meet You at the Blossom', from 2024
Kou Wei Long forges the role of his life until today thanks to Shen Nan, a character conceived, and above all defended with fury, viscerality and characterological profusion.
Li Yi Mu also takes on another of the great roles of his still young career, taking on Gu Shi Wen. Both are the heart of the series.
'I'll Turn Back This Time' is built from two temporal planes: that of the events that occurred before and after the accident.
Now, let's get to the heart of the matter, which is nothing more than the rejection by some of the fact that Shi Wen and Shen Nan are "stepbrothers." In my opinion, both of them are free to have a romantic relationship. And if Chinese laws allowed it, they could still consider even marrying each other.
The two of them are not even close relatives. They are not technically step-siblings, but rather non-blood siblings who were not even raised together within the same family at any point in their lives. They are both possessive and very codependent. There is a universal principle of Family Law which is "AFFINITY DOES NOT PRODUCE AFFINITY". It is like in-laws who can marry each other, because the principle of affinity operates upwards: ascendants, and downwards: descendants.
Since they are not biological children of the same parents, there would be no genetic obstacle that points to incest. The two characters do not share genes, nor were they raised within the same family. That is, they did not grow up as brothers, they do not have the same surnames nor are they legally registered as brothers, so they would not be exposed to laws that prohibit incestuous relationships.
So, 'I'll Turn Back This Time' seeks to break two taboos, specifically the taboo when there is a relationship of kinship (although in truth a relationship of consanguinity does not exist in the story but of affinity), and the so-called "pride of the rainbow", since everything indicates that both young people choose to defend their love, to let the world know that they do not work according to its rules, and thus manage to break the chains of the ordinary to choose those they love.
Overmusicalized, redundant in its approaches and prone to emotional manipulation, the series usually walks close to the cliff of melodrama, but what saves it from falling into the abyss of soap opera tears is the depth – in script and interpretation – of the central characters.
Outside of the imposture, dramatic overload and affectation of the soap opera, the frames of the series exude candor, tenderness and truth, as they bear witness to the circumstances of both. They are supported by the accurate casting selection, which provided a cast that meets all aspects, including physical appearance, and in which Miao Jing Ou and Fa Xuange stand out, as Jiang En Ya and Jiang Yiling, respectively, the friends of the protagonists.
As the bulk of the series' ideology is reinforced after the tragic accident, this commentator opts for this segment, when Shen Nan returns to prevent Shi Wen's death, although to do so he even has to make difficult decisions, such as giving up love and moving away from his beloved.
It is here, in the concluding segment, that the story grows, as one discovers the other's deficiency in color vision, which caused his death when Shi Wen could not differentiate between the green light and the red light of the traffic light; the cause of the color blindness you suffer from and how to correct it; but Shen Nan will also come to understand that his love is doomed, that there is no way they can be together, because every time he returns to the past he cannot prevent the tragedy, so the only way to break the curse is to renounce love, move away and live separate lives.
Yan Xi uses a slow pace that emphasizes Shen Nam's emotional tension and melancholy as she faces the need to separate from her lover if she wants him to avoid death. The director, who delights us with a hard, sullen and bittersweet love story, demonstrates a special talent for details, letting the environment, from the wide and busy Chinese streets, the beautiful parks and river areas where the protagonists and their friends often come to take photos and spend the day, the interiors loaded with the aroma of the food served in the restaurant of the family home, speak as much as the dialogues.
Likewise, the use of hidden messages should be highlighted, such as the "OK" sign made with the index finger and thumb, but not used as a symbol of hate linked to racism, white nationalism and the extreme right, as recognized by the Anti-Defamation League, but rather recovering its usual universally known message that "everything is fine", as a sign that the two protagonists are aware of the sad, but necessary step to take.
In case my effusively positive review wasn't obvious, then I should shout out that I loved 'I'll Turn Back This Time'. I recognize some areas that could use further development, such as enriching the dynamic of the two young people with their respective fathers, who tend to disappear from scenes.
The narrative may also be too fast and subtle for some viewers. However, these minor quibbles do not detract from my overall appreciation of the series.
There is a lot of Sinophobia from people who are unaware, who are not informed, who are not interested in becoming informed and coming to think that a reality may exist that is different from how they perceive it.
Don't be so hard on the Chinese BL community who flaunt Sinophobia. I know that Chinese BLs may never fit the typical gay drama criteria for many. But they still tell really good stories and one should appreciate them. 'I'll Turn Back This Time' is one such example. I imagine many of these commentators getting angry watching a Chinese series with an effeminate boy telling another boy that he likes him, several queer boys gathered around a bottle that rotates in the game of Truth or Dare, as we see in Thai, Korean, Taiwanese series... I imagine them getting angry when seeing two boys in love holding hands, kissing and being affectionate on the Chinese streets, without anyone showing homophobia or worse, internalized homophobia, as shown this series.

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China once again sells gays as unhappy people

I started watching this series and was loving the cinematograpy, the story, the acting and direction. Really lovely and then what happens? They wrap it up with the same old Chinese homophobic ending. Faggots have to die or be unhappy or alone for the rest of their lives. Tired of hearing how China is opening up. The fact is there is a huge hunger for BL in China. And the Government is not stupid. They want to cash in on the BL market in China and internationally but don't want it to condone, defend or uphold a gay lifestyle. Yes I know everyone is supportive in the series (sort of) but utlimately its the same old ugly message. Pathetic.

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Poorly written : noble idiocy and miscommunication were on the driving wheel

A BL featuring a forbidden romance betwen two (soon-to-be) stepbrothers is usually a storyline that I enjoy, mixed with a dash of cohabitation trope and my interest is picked for sure. However, this drama contained so much pet peeves of mine with noble idiocy and miscommunication at the forefront of it that I completed it feeling very disappointed regarding the overall romance and the way the fantasy element was badly layered into the story. It was just poorly written.

Regarding the acting, I have also mixed feelings. Kou Wei Long was quite good and committed in the angsty scenes but his chemistry with Li Yi Mu (whose acting was really average) was lacking. As the central romance is supposed to be a rather taboo one, it is essential for the viewer to feel the passion and the "impossible to repress feelings, despite all of the obstacles". Here it was a miss. A cute love interest at first that remained mid and devoid of any depth despite the fiery nature of the relationship.

The overall production value was pretty average with some of the painful moments looking almost parodic in the way it was filmed. Budget was probably quite limited and it shows.

I would not recommend this as it was just too frustrating to me to see the poor writing choices made and rules of the fantasy elements making so little sense.

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Hidden Message (Gay Bad)?

The story is a ‘good’ story, but its underlying message is questionable. Are they relaying the message that gayness is ‘bad’? Or that the inevitable end of a relationship between two men will always lead to one’s ‘death’? Better still, will simply staying away from anyone that you love that happens to be of your own gender be best for all? While it certainly is a love story, this is not a BL. It never reaches any level of a serious degree of romance or deep sense of passion. And in fact, since it is Chinese, its underlying message might be of a subtle tale that whispers this type of relationship is, as it is stated, cursed and therefore wrong. It certainly is presented with dramatic deftness and tugs at your heartstrings to be sure, but I was uncomfortable in how this all seemed a bit too contrived

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The story...

Loved it. I did enjoy watching this series. It was full of emotion and angst. The two ML acted their parts brilliantly you could feel the agony they both went through. In a lot of these asian BLs parents look at their kids like they have commited a murder by falling in love with the same sex. As long as they are happy as a mother I would be delighted whoever they chose. I have a gay grandson who has a partner
and we as a family love them both. Back to the series the ending wasnt what I expected but it was the only ending to follow the story.. what other ending could they miraculously come up with.Very emotional series at the end. I found it heartrending. I really wanted a happy ending for Shi Wen and Shen Nan but it wasnt to be. Shen Nan knew what he had to do and sacrificed his undying love by removing himself from Shi Wens life so he would live.
😢😔🫣 X

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Turning Back Might Not Be A Good Decision

Admittedly, this is one of the most disconcerting BLs I have ever watched. While apocalyptic in nature, it does not quite end that way, although, given that it is from China, can be a matter of interpretation. I honestly do not know what to make of its ending. If you are an optimist, then the cracking of the ensorcelled pendent means the curse has been broken. If you are a pessimist, then you view the cracking of the charmed pendant as a fait accompli. You must decide which on your own.

The story is so simple really but has such hidden and complex meanings behind it. It is a story of two young men who are ostensibly not destined to be together. Shen Nan (Koi Wei Long) is a handsome and soft-spoken young man but very intense. Shen Nan is gifted somehow with a magical and mystical pendent that has enchanting powers. Perhaps he knows nothing of its powers until it is destined to be used and can only be activated to wish back time. He meets Gu Shi Wen (Li Yi Mu), a hypnotically enchantingly attractive young man about the same age as Shen Nan, perhaps slightly younger. Shen Nan’s father is about to marry Shi Wen’s mother. Almost immediately, they develop a connection, and a spark of love is lit between them. Yet Shen Nan keeps having reoccurring specific nightmares that Shi Wen will die.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2025/03/01/ill-turn-back-this-time-series-review-ep-1-to-6/

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Nothing To See Here....

This has got to be the most boring hearbreak ever. How can a series with such promise be stifled by the uninspiring storytelling. After episode 2 be prepared to sleep through 4 more levels of boredom. Shi Wen and Shin Nan meet. Are about to share their feelings. SW dies. They meet. They share their feeling and fight for their love. He dies. They meet. SN keeps his feelings to himself. SW lives. The ending lines are apt: If we are doomed to be apart, what is the meaning in meeting? Exactly. What was the purpose of this series? How not to meet your soulmate? There isn't any other conclusion.

The production was just as poor as the script and lackluster acting. The lack of funds is clearly shown in the recycled wardrobe and even more so when it was not changed at all. The mother arrives in one dress and spends days in it as seen when SN is locked away from his lover / step brother. She departs with her husband in the same dress. At least, in these instances, allow the actors to use their own wardrobe. They are not rich so this could have easily been implemented.

SW appears to be clueless to all the events surrounding his deaths. The shows never shows how he gets his rebirth, but like magic he is there waiting to die again. The only continuity is SN. He remembers all the lives. So his purpose is to feel pain at his loss but for everyone else to live blissfully. Really pointless. SW's last death was really hilarious. An overhead light falls, causing a fatal blow to SW as he is on stage giving his speech on winning the prize for his painting. What's funny? He falls, SN rushes to his side and the entire audience and his friends run away leaving them alone. No assistance given whatsoever. The writer of that scene should be made to re-watch it every day for the rest of their lives. The script was going in the same circles with the same conclusion. The director to be fired immediately.

China has produced better than this with probably a lesser budget. Blue Canvas of Youthful Days comes to mind. The actors were like animated caricatures but not giving life to their roles. The unbelief could fill a chasm. Will I recommend this to be viewed, yes. Only if China gets better at producing bls after seeing the reviews of these low funded films and if a person struggles with getting to sleep and needs assistance. Rewatch - definite pass.

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