This review may contain spoilers
A complex and addicting dark romance masterpiece
This show! Like a dark horse it came out of nowhere and completely took me by surprise at the end of the year. You would never know this show has a low budget. Production quality, camera work, acting, script are such high quality I'm obsessed! If there is one indicator, it might be some rushed episodes (11 and 15 come to mind), but other than that I have nothing bad to say! I'm personally not the biggest fan of dark romance, but this show has won me over anyway with its wonderful complex characters, their development and the truly insane relationship between the male leads.We follow two extremely traumatized, broken characters, who match perfectly. Problem: One of them is an obsessed lunatic psycho (sorry Fan Xiao). I also want to warn people: There a several triggers, because this show does not shy away from darker, mature themes.
I have so many thoughts about this drama so I am going to explain the main reasons why this show is so special to me and what the show does exceptionally well. This is one of my all time favorite dramas so this will be long (Spoilers from here on):
They have chemistry without being superficial: The scenes of both main leads are my favorites. The tension is great and one of the best I have seen on screen. From the very first episode to the last, every interaction is so entertaining to watch. Even though passion and spicy scenes are an important part of the show, the conversations between both of them are surprisingly deep and profound, even from the first episode. It truly gives depth to their relationship and makes you somewhat understand why both of them cannot let each other go completely.
It's funny! (sometimes): This show is super dark, angsty and makes your heart ache, but it still has several funny moments: Fan Xiaos shameless behavior and crazy schemes actually made me laugh out loud multiple times. You Shulang being an absolute savage and no-nonsense Person make the show also surprisingly fun. It gives the show a much needed balance.
No "I'm not gay"- BL-Bullshit: I'm sorry, but it gets tiring, that most BLs have one character who literally has to be assaulted into realizing that they are in fact, into men (as well). NOT FAN XIAO, thank god. Even though he says homophobic things and is a self-proclaimed "heterosexual", that man doesn't hesitate doing everything in his power to get You Shulang in his bed after he realizes hes attracted to him. And it isn't a topic afterwards ever again. Yay.
You Shulang is not an easy victim: This is very important, because in most dark romances, passion completely overrides the judgement of the "victim" in the relationship. And yes, there are instances where it happens too, but from the very beginning he is the worst nightmare of every abuser: He has firm boundaries and morals, he has a strong backbone and he doesn't give Fan Xiao what he truly wants, his approval, no matter what he tries. He is one of the best written characters I have seen in a long time.
Fan Xiaos mental health: First of all, there is NO WAY this man would be able to get better without therapy in real life, thank you. But since this is FICTION, I'm going to suspend my disbelief. Because his mental health struggles are actually really well done. One of the reasons I can stomach his terrible deeds, is because he never seems to actually be overly narcissistic or actually psychopathic (yes I asked AI to diagnose him) and his main thing is probably Borderline. I can't remember ever seeing a male rep of borderline only female (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and they have so many parallels wow). Obviously this isn't 100 % true to life or great representation but it actually explains so much of his behavior and his obsession with You Shulang. It also explains why he is actually able to take accountability, feel ashamed, guilty and make better choices later on.
The "Redemption" Arc: In my opinion there is no true absolution to Fan Xiaos crimes, because what he did is simply irredeemable. What is happening instead is that Fan Xiao truly changes as a person to become someone who is able to have a healthy relationship. The main reason why I think this is possible is because Fan Xiao changes his 1st priority in life from wanting to be saved by his Bodhisattva to wanting to save You Shulang. This is a fundamental shift in him, because he finally puts his well being first. Each choice helps him to change from a toxic black flag to a healthier partner. He strips himself of his wealth, so there will be no more power imbalances, he realizes his existence is detrimental to Shulang and leaves him. He takes care of his well being by giving him a family and his dream career. He uses the rest of his "dirty" money and gives it to him. He starts doing honest work and volunteers at an orphanage. He is definitely not perfect, more Yellow than Green Flag. Any time he actually crosses boundaries detrimental to You Shulangs choices, he does it for his "well being"., e.g. he doesn't want him to have a toxic partner but can accept a healthy one. This is the reason why I think their happy end makes sense, because he would leave this relationship (again), if he realizes, that he, again, is a toxic partner to You Shulang.
The acting: I don't have too much to say about Yiran, he is an experienced actor and it shows. There isn't a single scene I thought his acting was subpar, and he absolutely crushed Shulangs character. Yunqi gives out an incredible, charismatic performance for a first time actor. Not perfect, but this role just works for him so well! Also I absolutely love that the team gave guest roles to their staff. Amazing!
The religious themes: My knowledge of Buddhism is quite limited but the religious themes in this drama are very universal. Fan Xiao represents the devil or a demon. He has lived most of this life in the dark with no way out but death. He hates being alive and hates everything about it, because all he can see is darkness around him. When he sees the light (You Shulang) he logically thinks that it is a hoax and becomes obsessed with proving that everyone is inherently bad and "dark". At the same time, goodness and salvation is what he craves the most, which is why it is so interesting that he is quite religious. You Shulang becomes a god in his view and he falls in love with him, because he is truly good. What I love the most about the religious messaging is that, in Buddhist teachings, no god will save you. You have to do the work yourself. You Shulang does not save him, Fan Xiao and his choices do.
The directing and lightning choices: Usually I am not someone who gives much thought into camera work, but the way the director chose light and shadow with both characters is phenomenal. Usually You Shulang has a light shown on him, while Fan Xiao is kept in the shadows. And this changes with their character development throughout. On top of that there a several scenes that I love for the way it was shot e.g. the lighting of the cigarette in the first episode. So well done!
The emotional impact it had on me: Say what you want about this show but it will not leave you indifferent. I had to take a break in some episodes because I felt so awful (ep 8, 10 and 14 especially). I love a fluffy romcom but I will always prefer a show that truly impacts and moves me. And this show has done that so well.
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A True Masterpiece - Both Drama and Novel Brought to Life Beautifully
To My Shore is an absolute masterpiece. From start to finish, this drama captured my heart in a way very few BLs have. It not only stands strong on its own, but also honors the original novel in the most respectful and emotionally rich way - especially the ending, which stayed true to the source.Yun Qi as Fan Xiao - I still can't believe this is his first ever acting role! His portrayal of an obsessed lover is flawless, nuanced, and incredibly compelling. You can feel every layer of his emotion, and he made the character unforgettable.
And Hao Yi Ran as You Shu Lang honestly, he's on another level When he cries, I cry. When he smiles, I'm genuinely happy for him. His performance is breathtaking, and his presence on screen is absolutely beautiful
This series surpasses all the BLs that came out last year for me. The chemistry, the storytelling, the performances - everything is top-tier. To My Shore is exactly what I call a masterpiece.
Highly recommend to everyone - especially fans of heartfelt, beautifully acted BL dramas.
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Acting, story, plot, music .. everything is just perfect.
Now this is my fav one. .No 1 for me🍑. I couldn't even move on and watch other series. Both series and novel are masterpieces☺️. Now it's time to revise all episodes while waiting for the special episode/episodes🥺 ( Hope they release more than 1 episode⭐).
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What a Masterpiece!!
This is the most cool, dramatic, traumatic and toxic bl in a one frame ever. It's not peaceful, but heartbreaking story that i'm really invest. This story is so fresh that i really never watch kinda this series before. This will make you crazy, like really because it's contained toxicity and betrayal but in a toxic and good way. Idk but i love everything about this, the ost, the actors, the acting, the story, the pace or everything that contain like it's soo wonderful yet so toxic. Love every second of it and never ever skipped even 1 millisecond.10/10 from me, i'm soo recommended it to y'all, it's wholesome story.
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Acting, Toxicity and Obsession at its finest!
Coming from a demanding viewer, this is a masterpiece. I didn´t expect much from this series since it was not hyped as much as the other chinese bls, but it definitely won a place in my heart. Everything is settled to perfection. If you wanna enjoy a bl with a fast-paced, toxic, obsessive, manipulative and with a more mature tone, this is made for you unquestionably.The story unfolds quickly yet smoothly as they fall in love, and the acting feels natural and unforced. There´s no filler or "unnecessary" incidents throughout the series, not even a boring scene all along. The chemistry between Fanxiao and Shulang started messy, but it makes you obsessed, wondering how everything will end for them? I didn't read the novel, but I can definitely say that they ATE their roles, they just embodied them.
Overall this is an angsty drama, barely with touches of comedy; but when they wanna include them, they're light and silly and non-cringy jokes thankfully.
And let's talk about something many people overlook: the production of this series.
- The music appears at the right time. The soundtrack is also perfect.
- The lightning. Such an underrated thing to appreciate, but it works every time.
- The cinematography. From my point of view, I've never been more attracted to the colours of a series than this one. Every shot is perfectly recorded, from every angle, and don't forget the colours, utterly charming to the eyes.
For sure, there will be a few high-quality bls in the whole industry that include all the previous points, but personally, I love how the storyline develops along with the chemistry between the main leads :) Can't wait for how the story ends! As expected, chinese bl productions are always top-tier.
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This review may contain spoilers
Wasted potential in the pursuit of romance
I want to start this off by saying that I actually enjoyed this show a lot at the start! Till episode 10, I was looking forward to every episode release and absolutely loved the tension. It's the kind of feeling you look forward to when watching a psychological thriller, which is why this show did so well, but its refusal to diverge from the romance genre ultimately leads to its downfall. If you've watched the trailer, checked the tags, or even just sensed it from the show: the main couple is endgame and they have a happy ending. Would this be a problem if Fan Xiao, the love interest, was normal or even bad but redeemable? No. Fan Xiao is such a horrible person and anyone who's watched the show can agree. Not only does he manipulate You Shulang and those around him, but he even harms his "lover" directly by molesting him (which is acknowledged by the show). So with all this, it's safe to say that he isn't redeemable within the time period of the show. He doesn't even serve time for his literal crimes yet he still ends up happily with You Shulang. It's such a shame because the most enjoyable parts were when Fan Xiao would do horrible/controlling things and You Shulang would confront him. The show way more enjoyable when You Shulang was, despite counter efforts by Fan Xiao, mostly independent and stood up to him. In my opinion, their rivalry, arguments and all the negative aspects of their relationship stood out the most. It's also why episode 8 and 10 are my favourites because it shows how relentlessly evil Fan Xiao is and how resistive You Shulang is to controlling people like him. To make them endgame, and happily so, is such a disappointing decision because majority of this show displays why they shouldn't end up together. What seemed like a cautionary tale about abusive people like Fan Xiao turns into a romanticisation of it. When they hinted at a possible spark of romance between these two once again, I lost all motivation to continue watching. It hurts because I already invested so much time into this show. The romance was the final nail in the coffin, though, because the weird, and frankly depressing situation You Shulang was in post-episode 10 started to drag on. I was fine with it in episode 11 because I thought they're just demonstrating the aftermath of their fallout, but it was the same in the next episode and the way Shulang got out of the situation was also confusing. The boredom really hit when You Shulang said, for like the fifth time or something: "I can see our ending already. If you don't drive me to my death, I'll drive you to yours". I don't remember the exact words but it was like that. This guy gets reduced to a all bark, no bite character and it was making me lose my mind. Are you going to kill him or no? Not to mention that in those episodes he was just hopelessly sad the whole time and everything was so depressing and I was begging for something to happen.They set up a bunch of interesting plotlines that would serve as possible exits for You Shulang yet it went nowhere. Like that other rich guy, I think he was asexual (?) which he let us know twice so we'd understand he's not a creep like Fan Xiao, who had some beef with Fan Xiao and was offering to date You Shulang so that Fan Xiao would leave him alone. And then we have Fan Xiao's brother who offered a far more interesting path of leaking company secrets to get him arrested for good. The rich guy was pretty much discarded and the brother doesn't even matter that much, he just put the idea of leaking company secrets into Shulang's head. Speaking of leaking company secrets, the way they separated in ~episode 12 is a little odd. They spent the previous episodes giving us hope that Fan Xiao was on the verge of changing but then he'd do something bad again and it solidifies in the viewer's head that this man cannot change or be redeemed. Then in episode 12 he's suddenly ready to turn his company in and supposedly realises his wrongdoings?? Maybe I was inflicted with blindness halfway through this show but nowhere was it indicated that Fan Xiao was even capable of doing the right thing, let alone doing something that would separate him and You Shulang. It also sucks that You Shulang didn't get out of Fan Xiao's grasp on his own, he was struggling to send the incriminating files to the authorities/news and Fan Xiao (oddly) sent it himself during an uncomfortable make out scene. AND THEY DO ALL THIS JUST FOR HIM TO NOT BE IN JAIL ANYWAY!!!! Just cause he's lost his company and is poor (or middle class?) doesn't mean his controlling behaviour changes. He doesn't truly face consequences for his horrible actions towards You Shulang.
Going back to the start, I want to bring up Lu Zhen, You Shulang's ex. His character was disposed of pretty quick as well, but I think everyone watching saw that coming. Despite being what I'd call a "disposable" character, he had quite the screen time. In the first and maybe second episode, I was still not sure if You Shulang or Lu Zhen was Fan Xiao's love interest, that's how strong his presence was. I knew he was there to help expose Fan Xiao, but I think the show would've benefited seeing less from him, especially after he broke up with You Shulang. He was by far the most normal person there and I thought that the show was a bit harsh on him because after the break up he was just miserable all the time, I could tell they were keeping him in the picture specifically for the Fan Xiao expose moment. He also had a weird side plot where he took up a job that required him to have sex with a female client despite the fact that he's gay. I thought he was a model and it's not like it was ever implied that he'd done this before, especially since it would count as cheating since he was dating Shulang during these modelling gigs. Everyone around him treated it as if it was entirely his mistake but I can't see what he did wrong because to me it looked like he took a regular modelling job for a female client and then was suddenly told that he has to have sex with her. Did he not just get tricked into prostitution or am I insane? It sucked to see You Shulang help him get out of the situation by humiliating the poor guy in front of the client because You Shulang's supposed to be the nice guy. You could say it was a necessary act but You Shulang 100% believed that Lu Zhen was in the wrong when it didn't even seem like it. I could be mistaken, but it felt like us viewers were not supposed to be on Lu Zhen's side. I couldn't wrap my head around why getting seemingly tricked into prostitution "proved" that Lu Zhen is a young and inexperienced person.
My favourite character is Bai Ting. I know there's barely any characters that matter besides our two main leads, and even less so female characters (there's literally just two I can think of), but I appreciate that the female side characters weren't entirely shallow. This show achieved equality by making ALL side characters (maybe besides Bai Ting) give us nothing. Fan Xiao's best friend felt like a gold digger the way he was glazing that man non-stop; it felt like he was hanging out with a dictator the way he would immediately take back any SLIGHT criticism/teasing of Fan Xiao. Fan Xiao's brothers/family had potential but they shut that down quick with the downfall of the company. I was happy to see Bai Ting come back because I thought I was going crazy when Fan Xiao implied that he killed her and You Shulang very much under-reacted. He freaked out a little bit before going back to the usual "I used to love you but now I see your true colours, etc, etc.". It was nice to see someone sound of mind after the departure of Lu Zhen and in the midst of my least favourite arc. She really interested me.
The good parts of this show were not just the well-done tension of toxicity akin to that of a psychological thriller, but the acting too. While the acting in the initial episodes were fine, I think it improved in the later episodes which is funny because shows usually aren't filmed in order. Maybe it was because later on it's more emotionally charged which is what the actors excel in. The chemistry between You Shulang and Fan Xiao during their first relationship phase was really good! The sexual tension, romantic tension and regular flirting was crazy to see. It made you feel guilty for enjoying them being together. Individually, Hao Yi Ran's performance of You Shulang was my favourite. You Shulang in general is a likable character, so seeing him played well is satisfying. The acting never felt stiff or weird, even during extreme scenes where You Shulang would be yelling or crying. Yun Qi's portrayal of Fan Xiao wasn't bad either, but I think there was an order to be as poker-faced as possible. While the smugness of it all is in line with Fan Xiao's character, it somewhat backfires during emotional scenes. I'd say the fault here is a mix of writing and acting, but Fan Xiao would think "I actually love You Shulang" and his face would be very neutral/serious, and the fact that he doesn't do much in favour of You Shulang adds to the disbelief of that statement. I can tell that he's a good actor but unfortunately Fan Xiao is certainly *a* character to play so I don't blame him at all. Then there's the obvious high budget which helped immerse ourselves as the backgrounds, OST and editing were good as well. The makeup was a bit flash-bangingly white though lol.
I wasn't going to mention the adoption thing because it happens at the end and I can't really care for the last episodes but I think it was solely a move to keep You Shulang tied to Fan Xiao in some way. It's ironic how even after their break up (for real this time), Fan Xiao was still meddling with You Shulang's life by essentially making him adopt a kid. It felt pretty pointless and also felt like a move to personally frustrate me because in what world is Fan Xiao a good father? I apologise to the writers, directors and producers for ever doing them wrong. Maybe the true psychological thriller was feeling yourself lose interest in a show you so desperately wanted to believe in.
Overall, would be a decent show if it wasn't so dedicated to being a romance. If it was a thriller, I'd enjoy it so much. There's nothing wrong with displaying a toxic couple, but to act like the abuser is instantly redeemable is something. Besides that, some characters/episodes were weak and the constant suffering of some with no change bored me. I tried to like this show and re-live the thrill and anticipation of what's next but I simply couldn't by episode 13. I guess, to me, it's wasted potential.
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Even though it's not your type, it is your type➡️?
Damn i didn't expect myself to love this so so much. Yes it was toxic but it was so damn good. Even though it was toxic, it felt mature and right and reasonable.The emotions were perfect and on point. Casting and acting also felt so right. Every moment\ situation of leads felt so right. Like when they were together it felt so perfect and also when You Shu Lang decided to leave him it was the right decision. Also when they got together in the end it felt right (even though Fan Xiao didn't deserve him). The major reason all of these felt right was because of the vibes, the actors and their acting. Really great acting by both of them. They expressed the emotions perfectly to the point i felt miserable for Shu Lang and made me hate Fan Xiao so much. They achieved their character's purpose perfectly.
The production was top notch and there was no holes or waste of resources. They created a perfect vibe that makes you feel that whatever is happening is right for them and makes you question yourself whether it is truely right? The sets, the places (made good effort to show thai-chinese environment), the direction and timings, everything was really good.
Each character contributed perfectly as per their roles and every action lead to an outcome. There was no waste of time, no draggy moment or episode, every minute was necessary and the length of drama was perfect.
Tbh wanted to give this one a 10 but just because it was toxic and unethical...? ( idk the right word for it😅) i gave it 9.5 (actually confused between 9 and 9.5, but as i just completed it, i am overwhelmed by it and thus gave it 9.5)
Couldn't believe a toxic bl could be this good. So would definitely recommend it to watch atleast once💯👍👍 Idk if i would defend it though🤔😅
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The psychological tug-of-war here is top-tier. Yun Qi is terrifyingly good as Fan Xiao, playing a character so manipulative he’d literally bleed just to secure his love. At only 23, his screen presence is insane. Yi Ran Hao provides the perfect emotional anchor; their chemistry is dangerous, and that interrogation scene was pure, high-tension cinema.
You can really feel the effort behind the scenes too. Knowing the production moved to Thailand just to bypass censorship and filmed in that intense heat while wearing full suits makes the final result even more impressive. It’s sleek, obsessive, and emotionally heavy. A must-watch for anyone who loves their romance with a side of beautiful chaos.
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Who in the world is Yun Qi?
OMG, who is this kid Yun Qi who played Fang Xiao? Wow, can we give this guy an Oscar? He blew me away. 23 years old? No way! I couldn't get my eyes off him. Incredible incredible acting talent. I've never seen a villain so hot, so committed. I will definitely watch anything he's in.Now that I've got this out of the way, I want to thank those writers who skillfully wrote a script that can make you fall in love with a villain. They had me rooting for Fang Xiao, it's crazy. I loved how he stayed true to his character, he was obsessed to the death. His fierce look and expressionless features were magnetic. The story really pulls you and make you realize how much too much love is scary. This glamorized toxic, abusive relationships but it also worshipped the object of affection and I loved how the end found some redeeming quality to bring it all in. This story is not for the faint of heart or victims of abuse.
The whole cast was phenomenal, the director's angles were some incredible shots, the NC scenes were fire, the chemistry between the male leads is an easy 10+. I would have preferred the ending to not have been a drunkin consent and showing them with the kid would have been a great add, but overall, I don't regret binging this at all. I love the mature concept and the realness of it all. Will definitely add this to my rewatch faves ❤
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This review may contain spoilers
When toxic love meets irresistible chemistry
The storyline itself feels familiar. However, the intense chemistry between the main leads kept me fully engaged from the very beginning. Their chemistry together is really phenomenal. The flirting, kinky talk, love biting are so hot. This kind of tension is something I rarely encounter in mainstream Chinese romcoms these days, which makes this drama stand out.What works for me:
- The performances are undoubtedly the strongest appeal of the drama. Their chemistry is undeniable, natural yet electric, and the intensity they bring to their interactions feels raw, immersive, and extremely sizzling.
- From episodes 1 to 10, the pacing is tight and engaging, rarely feeling draggy. While the overarching theme may not be entirely original, the main characters are relatively well-developed. Their motivations, emotional struggles, and gradual growth arcs add depth to the narrative, preventing it from feeling shallow, making the story feel more complete and emotionally grounded.
- The cinematography is another highlight. Emotionally laden scenes are beautifully framed and thoughtfully directed, enhancing the emotional resonance rather than overpowering it. The visual language complements the storytelling well, making key moments feel intimate, poignant, and visually memorable.
What doesn’t work for me
- On a personal level, I didn’t enjoy the repeated references to Buddha and Bodhisattva. While I understand their symbolic and thematic purpose within the story, these elements didn’t resonate with me and occasionally felt unsettling.
- I felt Episodes 11 to 13 were quite draggy. By episode 10, Fan Xiao had already been established as possessive, manipulative, and deeply toxic. The emotional damage he inflicted on You Shu Lang and Lu Zhen had already pushed my tolerance to its limit. The introduction of the mental “kidnapping” arc further crossed a line, making his character feel irredeemable to me. Because of this, I struggled to accept Shu Lang’s return to him. The lack of focus on Fan Xiao’s transformation makes it difficult to understand his choice. Perhaps it’s lust, or something “written in their stars,” but I'm not getting this kind of love on personal level. I believe the drama would have benefited from scaling back some of Fan Xiao’s manipulative behaviours in these episodes and reallocating that screen time to explore his transformation, remorse, and growth later on. Given how rushed the ending feels, this shift could have better prepared the audience (at least for me) for the HE, making his eventual redemption more believable and emotionally resonant.
Final thoughts
If you are unable to tolerate toxic or dangerous love dynamics, this show may not be for you. Of course, there is no clear boundary between right and wrong here, and the narrative reflects the uncomfortable reality that such toxic behaviours do exist. Ultimately, these are two wounded souls who perhaps find in each other the means to confront, or mend their old scars.
That said, it’s still worth a watch for the sizzling chemistry.
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This review may contain spoilers
started out promising and got lost in a maze
Most of the series revolved around a fight that dragged on for about half a series.As Fan Xiao confessed and tried to fix, in every way possible, You Shu Lang's resentment became disconnected and exaggerated.
Maybe that's the problem with bl couples that are too straight or too alpha; more ego, bickering and head-butting, less sensitivity, understanding and acceptance. there's no balance.
Positive:
- main characters well developed
Negative:
- The obsession with smoking was exaggerated and looked like one long commercial for a cigarette company. It didn't look good or contribute in any way.
- repeat names before every sentence too much.
- Fan Xiao's phone ringing was annoying.
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Very good acting, and cinematography
the acting was sooooo good I'm obsessed, and the cinematography is one of the most beautiful and important thing that I look for lots of dramas. and I found exactly my dream cinematography in this one. fan Xiao was kind of disgustingly manipulative and deceiving but in a beautiful way, and I love how the bot wasn't pathetic or feminine, it's giving alphaxalpha and I'm obsessed. their chemistry was also so good as of they're made for this roles. also behind the scenes shows how after each manipulative and crying scene they start to giggle and laugh together and it's so intoxicatingWas this review helpful to you?
