Secret Lover (2025)

From Rock, Paper, Scissors to a Love Without Secrets - The Best Taiwanese BL of 2025

I’ve watched every Taiwanese BL released this year, and without a doubt Secret Lover is the best of 2025. It is not the usual formula. Instead, it is fast paced, emotionally rich, and captivating from start to finish. Not once did it leave me bored.
From the very beginning, I was drawn to both leads. Tuo is obsessive and intense, while JunXi is sweet, gentle, and adorable. Their bond, rooted in childhood, grows naturally into something deeper, and watching them fall into love felt organic and inevitable. The NC scenes were tender yet romantic, their kisses full of sincerity, and the playful “rock, paper, scissors” moment to decide who tops or bottoms was cheeky, lighthearted, and unforgettable.

What makes this story shine is the shift in their dynamic. For once, it was JunXi who chased after Tuo, who kissed him first, who showed boldness where there was once only hesitation. Usually, Tuo takes the lead, so JunXi’s affection was refreshing and heartfelt. Their communication was equally moving. When Tuo admitted he had only dated girls to hide his true feelings for JunXi, his honesty was raw and deeply touching. His apology lifted a weight from them both, and in that moment, his growth was undeniable.

The smallest details melted my heart, cuddles, forehead kisses, waking up together, and most of all JunXi’s quiet back hug after Tuo’s fight with his father. Without a single word, that embrace carried the message: I am here. You are not alone.
Even Tuo’s father was written with nuance. A single parent abandoned by his wife, he worked tirelessly to raise his son, though his strictness strained their bond. I sympathized with his burdens, but it made me appreciate JunXi even more. He gave Tuo the love and reassurance his father could not, validating every piece of who Tuo was.

Many judged Tuo early on, calling him selfish or forceful. But episode nine revealed the truth. Tuo never left JunXi because he loved him less. He left because he loved him too much. He could not bear to see JunXi hide forever or carry the weight of secrecy. That is why the series carries the title Secret Lover. Tuo’s love was not possession but protection.
And then came JunXi’s powerful declaration: Even if my parents are against it, I still want to be with Tuo. I didn’t realize I loved him this much. At the park scene, it was JunXi who kissed first, who confessed first, who chose reconciliation. This was not weakness but extraordinary courage, especially in a culture where tradition and family reputation hold such power. I admired him deeply, because I know I could not be as brave.

Love often needs distance to return stronger. You do not realize the depth of your love until you almost lose it. This series captured that truth with aching precision, showing that Tuo was never the villain but always the protector of the one he loved most.

When JunXi finally cried, his tears were not born of sadness but of joy. They carried the weight of years of silence, and with them, the heavy stone pressing on his heart was finally lifted. For so long he had hidden his love, afraid of disappointing his parents in a culture bound by tradition and generational values. Yet as his hand clasped Tuo’s, he was no longer alone. Their love was no longer a secret in the dark but a truth they carried into the light.

The most moving moment of all was the parents’ reaction. They had always known. When the truth was spoken, they embraced their sons with warmth, kindness, and joy. Their smiles shone brighter than words, their love wrapped around the boys like a blessing. This is what every parent should give, the assurance that love is love, no matter gender, no matter expectation, and happiness is the only thing that matters.

As the story closed, it became clear this was not just another BL. It was the best Taiwanese BL of the year for me. No dragging storylines, no unnecessary jealousy, no forced third wheel. Every kiss, every touch, every NC scene was alive with passion, intimacy, and vulnerability. Their chemistry was breathtaking, transcending the screen itself.

It did not feel like acting. It felt like watching two souls discover one another. The glances, the touches, the comfort in each other’s presence, it was impossible to believe it was fiction. Even behind the scenes, in playful moments and tender gestures, they radiated a closeness too real to ignore. Perhaps this was more than a story, perhaps it was something lasting even beyond the cameras.

Now it has ended, and their absence lingers like a quiet ache. Secret Lover was not simply entertainment. It was a memory carved deep into the heart, a love story that breathed, that lived, and that will be missed long after the credits fade.
💯 Secret Lover is pure perfection. Romantic, emotional, meaningful, and bold, it is everything I could ever want in a BL. Without question, it is the best Taiwanese BL of 2025.

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Why seek therapy and help when you can just fall in love with your best friend!

The drama runs on the premise of the childhood friends x lovers trope. And when I see this trope, the first thing that comes to my mind is slow-burning romance where two people who grew up together with embarrassing memories and inside jokes, slowly come to the realisation that they are in love with each other all along. The yearning...the pinning.... the subtle hints...The holy grail of slow burn romance.

But what I got was anything but that. Instead of character development, gradual tension and those push-and-pull monologues, what I got was fast-forward confessions with abrupt mood swings and no subtlety.
There was barely any tension or emotional build up. Just a series of "Oh, I guess I love you now" in a very reckless way.

Character Descriptions-

Han Tuo: In the BL world, we are familiar with a lead having a tragic past or a childhood trauma. A'Tuo was no different. This man didn't need a relationship, but a therapist. Despite having a backstory, none of it translates into actual depth. His internal conflicts existed but briefly and for name's sake. I wanted to sympathise with him, considering how emotionally distant his mother was and his abandonment issues by his mother, but somehow how it was portrayed and how he dealt with it as a character annoyed me.

His way out was to trauma dump Junxi with an invisible PowerPoint presentation with two slides - "I am sad" and "I love you". With his backstory came possessiveness on another level. If we remove the romance angle, it is controlling and manipulative. And let's not forget his communication skills, or lack thereof.

At best, he was an overgrown child desperately trying to prove that he is the centre of Jun Xi's universe and that being together is the ultimate solution to all his problems.

Lu Junxi: He was a third wheel in his own relationship and not in a cute way. He was always reactive to A'Tuo's mood swings and possessiveness, and somehow I wondered if he even liked him, or was it just the pressure and the anxiety that came with not having your childhood friend around that you mistake it for love. He makes all his decisions with the legendary stone, paper, scissors game and loses more often than you think.

Romance between them wasn't healthy, but if I remove the problematic lens, it was cute in fragments. It thrived on the notion that one partner constantly crosses boundaries because "that is how they show love", while the other passively accepts as if that's what love is supposed to be like.

There were many aww factors, especially when they were being absolutely sweet and domestic to each other. The way they bickered over the smallest things with silly arguments and small acts of care did entertain me, and I did enjoy their boyfriend era.
They had decent chemistry overall with some good kissing scenes, but honestly, the red flags were raised so high that there is no way to sugar coat them.

Lin Xiao Yang: She was such a breath of fresh air. She was understanding, supportive and out of the trio, the most sensible. I have many issues with how characters are written in the drama, but I am glad writers didn't turn her into the cliche female lead in a BL drama that we usually see, who only causes chaos and is irrationally protective. I wish they had explored her character more or in general, her friendship with the duo.

The other side character, He You Mei, was a hit and a miss for me. I liked her for her quirkiness, but sometimes her behaviour was abrupt. The emotional scene of hers came out of nowhere, and with much context.

I liked Junxi's parents for not being the stereotypical asian parent we see. Them being supportive and treating A'Tuo with so much love was heartwarming to see!

Acting-wise, I found both the leads passable. I mean, the emotional scenes could have been way better, but it wasn't unwatchable. The rest of the cast also did decently based on what the script had to offer, but nothing outstanding.

Writing & Production: I think writing was the weakest link here. The character arcs were painfully uneven. I kept expecting meaningful emotional growth both for the individuals and their relationship, but it rarely appeared. At times, we seemed on the brink of progress, only for the story to backtrack and reset us near square one. On top of that, there were far too many flashbacks to their teenage years, most of which didn’t add much to the present-day story. It felt unnecessarily redundant. Production seemed decent as well. The sets were clean, and the locations felt believable. (The college had students and everything).

Overall, this isn't a masterpiece by any stretch, but it's oddly entertaining in its own way. I reviewed it very critically but if I keep my brain aside, it has a weird charm to its flaws.

Will I recommend it? Maybe, but with a giant asterisk. If you are in the mood for some low-stakes entertainment but a clumsy attempt at romance and a hint of sweetness... then yes. Also, their height difference was really cute.
But if you are here for a deep, healthy relationship with a well-developed character arc, please look elsewhere.

Thank you for reading my review! I hope you have a good day! <3

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“One lie leads to a hundred more.”

And one untreated trauma leads to many more issues… Han Tuo needs a “hot” date with a therapist, not a boyfriend. Not that a few sessions would not help Lu Jun Xi too. But then, it would probably help us all.

There is a huge difference between supporting your partner while they work through their issues, and working around your partner's issues. And with how it is right now, Lu Jun Xi is going to live a rather exhausting life. And I’m just here asking - why the tone at times became so serious? Either keep it light and fun, or overdramatic and entertaining. But they actually tried to be serious with inner conflicts, but also did an extremely poor job tackling the subject, since they did not have enough screen time to dive deep into it and explore it enough…

I really enjoyed how chaotic the first few episodes were, the on crack pacing was actually what kept me interested - what random thing will they throw at me next? But then the pacing actually slowed down, but it did not bring much development. Han Tuo was insecure and unsure about Lu Jun Xi's feelings and it kind of stayed like that till the end. They made up a few times, but is the issue actually gone? Then we have poor Lu Jun Xi who in the speed of light had to deal with his newly found discovery of his sexuality AND being in love with his best friend. This alone could (and should) be the internal conflict for the whole show, not a small setback for one or two episodes.

Were they cute? Yes. Was the chemistry nice? Yes. Did I enjoy the friendships as much as the romance? Yes. Were the kids’ scenes great? Yes. Was I getting more and more bored with every new episode? Also Yes. I don’t know… maybe because they started with a bang, I expected explosions later on in terms of plot developments, but was met with the emotional aftermath of the blast instead. Blame my expectations, but also they made me have expectations based on the first few episodes, so who is truly to be blamed here?

Overall, it just felt… fine.

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Great chemistry, messy story...

The premise of the show was very typical in the beginning, but it changed with the 2nd episode which was good. You may question Tuos method because it was more or less forced and that always leaves a bitter taste afterwards. It was not about a confession for Junxi anymore it was about discovering his own feelings, his angst about himself, family and all people around. They also inserted a GL part but did not play it out which is a shame, but maybe that comes with a special episode.

It's a lighthearted show with a focus on the emotional journey, with very incredible chemistry which elevates this show beyond average levels. Also the children were incredible. They added the "past" scenes to give more context which was missing in the original manga and it pays off. That's what I liked most about this show. Of course production quality was also top notch.

There is not much more to say besides, that I liked it and I would recommand this show over many we have had this year.

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Childhood best friends to lovers, you got me addicted to your love!

Secret Lover is your typical friends-to-lover BL that is easy to watch, great to binge and too sweet to give you diabetes, but all comes with a price, i.e, the questionable choices and their aftermaths.

✦ Storyline: It was just a basic one and predictable. One doesn't have to use their brain at all, just watch and enjoy what is happening on screen. If you judge their every step, you're going to have a hard time liking this.

✦ Acting: It was lowkey the reason we all liked it. The acting of the cast was not anything out of the world, but they delivered it as needed. The thing that made it more interesting to watch, was the MLs insaaaneee chemistry. It was just on fire, like their single touch, softness in voice while talking to each other, the lovesick glances they gave....just enough to make one swoon like a brainless zombie. The kids were the real MVP of the series. They were soo adorable and did their job very well. Lovely babies ><

✪ Now comes the problematic part. Even though it got many swoonworthy scenes, there lies some toxic, unhealthy and selfish desire to falter the fate of the MLs. If you watch it like me without nitpicking every single detail, you'll like it, but if you try to over-analyze this simple dumb plot, then you might not enjoy it as it is. It has positivity for every single negativity they show, as they complement each other in a way that feels wrong on the surface but works perfectly well at a deeper level. Certain scenes will infuriate you, but in the end you'll end up compromising with the plot, and just accept it for all wrong reasons.

Overall, it was a solid bingeable drama for a Sunday afternoon to indulge in the sweetness of the gooey lovebirds. It was nice but nothing new.

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I Tried—But This Drama Tried Me: Started with a Bang, Ended in a Mess

You know, this drama had a good premise—at least based on the trailer. Fake dating? Pretending to be in a relationship to help Junxi with his "love lessons" so he could confess to his female best friend? Yes, please. But I was completely annoyed by the fact that it only lasted two or three episodes. Like, what am I supposed to watch next—their love story? 🤦‍♀️

I get that the whole plot is supposed to be about the romance (blah blah blah), but I wanted some tension. Maybe keep the fake dating going until the middle of the series? But nope. What do we get instead?

A Tuo, who has been in love with Junxi for, what, 10 years? And he’s been dating girls who liked Junxi just to keep them away from him. This guy is super duper jealous, and I hate it. I hate how he’s moving so fast and refuses to accommodate Junxi’s pace.

You want to kiss? Sure—let’s do it right now in the cinema bathroom.

You want space? Nope—let me apply ointment on your sunburn.

You’re not ready to date yet? Too bad.

You won the rock-paper-scissors game? (Junxi, I have to say, you are pathetic—you only won once.)

You want time? Nope.

You want no touching or dating for a month? Forget that. (Even though he won the rock-paper-scissors game) 

Let’s just skip straight to the sex part, shall we? 😳

And speaking of that—playing rock-paper-scissors in bed to decide who tops? We know who wins, because Junxi never wins that damn game. He loses and, yep, loses his V-card. I said it.

Another thing: why are there so many flashbacks about their childhood? I don’t want to see that—it’s just annoying. Two kids and how A Tuo fell in love? I already know that. One or two flashbacks were fine, but now it just feels like you’re trying to fill time.

The only good thing in this drama is the female friend from the trio of friends—she’s a ray of sunshine. But even she’s getting on my nerves for being overly protective of her two BFFs. Like, girl, chill the heck out. No, but on a serious note, this girl is the best. She understands her two BFFs and makes things easier for them.

Do you know that saying... absence makes the heart grow fonder?
Well, that’s exactly what happens in Episode 7. Junxi doesn’t see A Tuo for a few days because of his busy internship schedule, and suddenly—bam! He misses him. Not only that, but now he wants to live with A Tuo. Yep, same idea. Looks like A Tuo’s clinginess is starting to rub off on him. Great. Now we’ve got two emotionally impulsive people in one apartment.

And the jealousy... jealousy over a literal child. Like, man, can you grow up? You already have Junxi. He’s not going anywhere. You had your time. Chill, boy. 😤
Just kidding. Honestly? This part was hilarious. Like, seriously—he’s jealous of a kid. A literal child. Best part of the whole drama, unintentionally. He wants Junxi all to himself so badly that even a 5-year-old feels like a threat.
Can it get more pathetic? Actually… probably. But let’s not give the writers any ideas.

Let’s not forget A Tuo’s daddy and mommy issues. Like, poor you. Honestly, I don’t care. His dad’s barely around—but can you really blame him? He’s out there working hard, providing for your education. And let’s not pretend he’s the only one at fault—cough cough, your mom abandoned both of you, including your father. I get that A Tuo probably felt neglected growing up, and the only parental figures he had were Junxi’s parents. But now that you’re an adult, maybe try to understand your father’s perspective instead of holding onto that same resentment.

Now, acting-wise—sorry, not sorry—but Junxi looked constipated every time they had an intimate scene. His facial expressions were just not there. It was hard not to notice. Can they kiss without making it cringe? Most of the time, it was ok. Do they have chemistry? I’d say yes, it’s definitely there

I tried. I really tried with this drama. But for the love of me and my sanity, I just couldn’t keep watching. The pacing is way too fast, and the fake dating plot—one of the most interesting parts—was tossed aside almost immediately. Now, it’s just their love story (and yes, I get that romance is the main plot, but I wanted more than just that), and we’re stuck watching them awkwardly “navigate” it. A Tuo is extremely jealous and pushy, with no regard for Junxi’s pace or boundaries. Meanwhile, Junxi feels passive, inconsistent, and honestly just hard to root for. There’s barely any character development to keep me invested—just a repetitive cycle of jealousy, awkward moments, and misplaced drama. Honestly, it felt like a wasted opportunity.

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Unfortunately, totally missed the mark on friends-to-lovers trope I adore...

Friends-to-lovers might be one of my all time favorite trope in fiction. On paper, this BL had everything to seduce me but it failed miserably in doing so.

Why ? Simply because it failed in its execution of one of the most important part of friends-to-lovers series : the set up and build up of the relationship. It flied so fast that there were not enough angst to make the romance compelling, not enough time to establish the stakes...The deal was done much too quick. The story should have been constructed very differently in my opinion and the repetitive flashback with very average kids acting did not help at all...

Once I mourned the fact the relationship in the drama was not going to be as I wanted it to be, I must admit that I enjoyed the series more in its second half, it was quite average and expected in terms of storyline but I still wanted to watch the conclusion.

I would not recommend this drama as I have very lukewarm feelings about the series. Chemistry was good overall and some of the NSFW scenes were hot. However, the writing failed at establishing properly the stakes of the romance and the acting was a mixed bag without any memorable outstanding emotional moments. On paper : it had everything to hit me right...In reality : I had to mourn what could have been...

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a sugary sweet love story

A sugary sweet love story that feels like a gentle escape into warmth and happiness, it captures the kind of romance that makes you smile without even realizing it. The beauty lies in its simplicity, keeping the focus on tender moments that build naturally and never feel forced. What truly makes it shine is the chemistry between the leads, which is nothing short of delightful. Every glance, every playful interaction, and every soft gesture feels genuine, creating a connection that is both believable and heart-fluttering. It is lighthearted, comforting, and endlessly charming, the kind of story you turn to when you want something that brightens your day and leaves you with a lasting sense of joy.

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? Secret Lover: The BL Series That Will Steal Your Heart (and Spice It Up!) ?

Secret Lover is a beautifully executed BL series that blends friendship, hidden feelings, and emotional growth in a way that feels both realistic and heartwarming. The chemistry between Han Tuo 💙 and Lu Jun Xi 💛 is undeniable, and the slow burn of their relationship keeps viewers hooked from the very first episode. The series does an excellent job showing how childhood bonds can evolve into something deeper, without feeling rushed or forced.

One of the most memorable moments is when Han Tuo 💙 finally confesses his feelings during the college theater play. It’s simple, yet emotionally charged, capturing both the vulnerability and excitement of first love. And the little cute moments—like when Han Tuo 💙 shyly tries to help Lu Jun Xi 💛 with small tasks, or their teasing smiles when they’re together—make you melt just a bit inside. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, creating realistic challenges for the protagonists—from family expectations to societal pressures—that test the strength of their connection.

From the very first episode, the couple was already giving us all the spicy vibes! 🌶️ I was like, “Oh my god, this series is going to be amazing.” Lu Jun Xi 💛 and Han Tuo 💙… wow. I finally realized that Lu Jun Xi 💛 thought girls were always chasing Han Tuo 💙, but in reality, it was him that the girls were after! That’s why Han Tuo 💙 keeps them at a distance—because he truly, deeply loves Lu Jun Xi 💛. Can it get any spicier? 😳

And yet, amid all the intensity, the small cute gestures—like Han Tuo 💙 quietly saving a seat for Lu Jun Xi 💛, or Lu Jun Xi 💛’s tiny laugh when Han Tuo 💙 teases him—make the romance feel soft and real. I love how Han Tuo 💙 tries so hard to be there for Lu Jun Xi 💛, always supporting him. Their childhood bond makes their connection even sweeter and tighter. And their supportive friend? 💖 She’s just amazing—so understanding and encouraging. I really loved her presence in the story.

Overall, Secret Lover is a perfect blend of heart, humor, and just the right amount of spice and cuteness. If you love BL series with slow-burn romance, childhood connections, and moments that make your heart skip a beat, this is definitely one to watch. Prepare for laughs, tears, butterflies 🦋, and a few soft “aww” moments—because Han Tuo 💙 and Lu Jun Xi 💛 will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions you won’t forget.

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aggressive pursuer & naive pursuee (watch suggestions)

Overall: I wasn't surprised to see it is based on a manga ("Itte Owarina Wake ga nai!" by Komeoka Shigu). It had that bodice-ripper, aggressive pursuit and confused/reluctant pursuee vibe. I haven't read the manga and reviewed the series based on its own merits. 12 episodes about 22 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala (not in Taiwan, Korea or Japan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5526/secret-lover-2025-e01 ; iQIYI https://www.iq.com/album/secret-lover-2025-1gamo9acu1d and GTV Drama YouTube channel (not in Korea or Japan) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk2gvyPpHLRfYzaDVqGeGwr7LPZlWNZQd&si=bCMJZNrnkEEwkbHx

Content Warnings: non con touching, non con touching/kissing turned consensual-ish, non con kisses, manhandling

Watch Suggestions (after episodes 1 & 2 which I'm not re-watching, these timings focus on sweet and steamy moments)
- start episode 3 at 12:20
- episode 4 watch 12:55-20:20
- episode 5 watch beginning to 6:40, 13-14 and 19-end
- episode 6 watch 6:40-8:10, 16:20-17:20
- episode 7 watch beginning-8:30, 21-25:30
- skip episodes 8 & 9
- episode 10 watch 3:30-14 and 24-end

What I Liked
- visuals
- easy to understand premise
- the kids were cute*
- ML said he was fine with either
- supportive friends/not cliched female characters

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward, then went to a flashback before landing in the present
- ignored boundaries, was jealous over his nephew, self-centered, insecure, immature
- asking to slow down/pause on intimacy (a reasonable request) didn't mean ghosting (felt coercive)
- nonsense fever after being in the rain
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
- *too many childhood flashbacks
- did not care about the work drama, slow pacing
- way too many cliche running scenes
- noble idiot trope but at least it was communicated as to the reason
- the parents knew and should have realized it might make their son worry, they could have dropped hints liked watched a queer romance movie and talked about how love is love and they support marriage equality and rights

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Speedrun lover.

When I first saw the trailer and everything surrounding the release, I was super hyped. I genuinely thought, “This is the series for me, I’m going to love it with my whole heart.” The premise is exactly the kind of story I enjoy: childhood friends slowly falling in love. Sounds great, right? Well... it only sounds great.
The biggest issue that threw me off and made me lose interest was the pacing.
If I didn’t know the show was still ongoing, I would have honestly thought I accidentally skipped a few episodes, like I was watching episode 7 instead of episode 2. I understand that Tuo has been in love for a long time, but that still doesn’t justify everything happening so quickly, crammed into just the first five episodes.

That brings me to another issue: Tuo himself.
I find him overly jealous. To the point where it actually made me uncomfortable. Some scenes were genuinely hard to watch because of how intense and possessive his behavior was.
As for their chemistry, it’s really inconsistent. Sometimes it works well and feels natural, but other times it’s completely off or unconvincing.

Of course, the series isn’t fully out yet, which is the only reason I’m still a little intrigued and hopeful that it might improve over time.

UPDATE: Sadly, it didn't get better and my review is still accurate.

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