Secret Lover (2025)

Lin Pei Yu’s involvement in a project is a hallmark of quality, as she is known for creating authentic, engaging Taiwanese BL stories. So, whenever I see her name attached to a project, whether as the original creator or screenwriter, I already know I’m going to love it. Pretty much all my favorite Taiwanese BLs have her signature brilliance. Her work is consistent, thoughtful, and she has this amazing ability to bring stories and characters to life in such a real, authentic way. Her stories aren’t just fun. They’re believable and genuinely engaging.

Secret Lover lived up to her reputation as a charming, emotionally layered friends-to-lovers series. I’m totally in love with this series. Guno and Chance share strong chemistry with memorable romantic scenes. Unlike typical BL series, the female characters were well-developed and charismatic, especially You Mei. She won me over with her quirky vibe.

But the heart of the show, however, lies in Jun Xi’s parents. When Jun Xi’s dad proudly said, “They’re my sons,” I had a big smile on my face. They really embodied the kind of acceptance and love the world needs. This series is a must-watch and definitely worth revisiting.

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Started plain, ended up sweet

To be honest, the first few EPs feel bland, but I’m happy that I stayed. After EP04, I slowly started liking the show. Jun Xi was the star of this show. His cuteness brings a happy mood and energy to the show. Han Tou, on the other hand, was serious and tended to be jealous most of the time. To the point that I kinda annoyed at him at first, but his character grew on me eventually.

The entry of Jun Xi’s older brother, Yu Shu, adds more spice to the story. He is so handsome, hot, and adorable. Seeing him on screen just automatically makes me smile. I love how manly yet appealing his aura is. Jun Xi’s mother and father are also great parents.

Everyone performed pretty good. Even the emotional scenes were properly executed. The title itself may sound so serious, but the storyline was soft and pure. I liked it. The ending was a perfect conclusion to the show. Them talking about the wedding rings was my favorite part.

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Ahh I can't believe it's over! 😭 What else am I going to watch on Tuesday? Considering the source material (I haven't read the manga yet) this drama is so wholesome and cute. It makes my heart melt in the best way.

I wish we had a bit more time with the second couple but I'm happy that we got to see their relationship begin to develop. I love the communication aspect and realistic representations of the real world. I didn't feel like the music was too much either, perfectly fit the show. Alas, I'm sad it's finished but I can't wait to see what the actors, lead and supporting, get up to next!

Recommend this drama for anyone just getting into bl dramas and anyone who wants a cozy, wholesome drama to watch when you're feeling down.

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Quiet, Heartfelt, Amazing Chemistry

There is nothing achingly original about the story line- a well-traveled BL fan has seen this sweet story of childhood friends turned awkward lovers countless times, but there is a freshness in the way the story unfolds. The use of flashback enhances the emotion of the present day story and it’s through those flashbacks, so well integrated into the present day story, that really brings the depth of the love story to your heart.

And the chemistry between the male leads is a perfect balance of sweet, tender, romantic love, and a more primal, fierce, I need to possess you intensity.

now that the series has finished, I can see this becoming a comfort watch that I come back to time and time again, not unlike Time of Fever.

both actors bring such earnestness to their portrays of their characters that you are immediately enamored with them as individuals and as a couple.

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It had it's moments

Disclaimer

What I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.

So, I can safely say that there were some parts of this series that I totally enjoyed and some parts that I didn't (as well as some parts that just did not sit well with me). I would first like to say that I totally adore Jun Xi's parents. They are the best parents that I have seen for a long while in a Taiwan series. I am so grateful that they went that route for Jun Xi's parents and him with his sexuality. I also adore (even though it was not much shown but hinted at the end) the beginning of the cute relationship between Lin Xiao Yang and He You Mei.

The relationship between the main leads was cute, but it did leave me scratching my head sometimes, as we the viewers see the extent that Han Tuo went to so that no one would get close to Jun Xi and date him, as he had feelings for him. But if Jun Xi is able to get over that little red flag behaviour, who are we, the viewers, to complain about it?

Now, I felt that the flow of this series was actually okay, even up to a part in the last episode. But after that, with them basically trying to close up all loose ends (some that I didn't even know were loose as well), it felt a bit lost in transition, as these characters were not developed properly and just had me either meh or confused by it (like am I the only one who did not see that Han Tuo's boss liked him?! Because that was just so left field for me.

But, all in all, I did enjoy this series, and it did have its moments. I would recommend this to people who just want a quick series to watch.

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Cute But Toxic

The show starts off with questionable (noncon) behaviour by Han Tao towards his childhood friend Junxi.

The first half of the show was somewhat interesting but with lack of honesty and communication between the two. They also had a sweet friend Lin Xiao Yang who was supportive of them. Fortunately they did not create an evil woman trope which many BLs do. There are also some cute moments. This ends the positive aspect of the drama.

The couple are not really that well suited since Han Tao is extremely insecure and that impacts Junxi too. He lies to Junxi and uses very wrong methods to approach him instead of being direct about his feelings which is extremely problematic. They spend several episodes running from each other instead of communicating openly and honestly. When Junxi needs space romantically to figure out where his feelings are, Han Tao starts to completely ignore him which I found quite manipulative. It was also revealed that in the past, he actively blocked any women that tried to approach Junxi instead of confessing his own feelings. In real life, this couple will probably not last since they are insecure and jealous. To be honest Han Tao is not only a bad partner but also a terrible friend.

The writers also added so many misleading cliffhangers in the episodes which made it seem like they were purposely trying to create drama without there being any need for it. That led to even more annoyance while watching. This continued till the very end of the show where they introduce a big problem in the second last episode and it turns out to be a nothing burger in the end. Honestly it felt like cheap tricks to make viewers go through an emotional rolloercoaster if you are watching the drama on-going week to week.

It would have been better if they had put some focus on the two girls - Lin Xiao Yang and He You Mei or trying to get the main leads to work towards a healthier relationship. Instead they just added new issues each episode.

The drama is all right. Not really something to talk about other than the nonconsensual and toxic behaviour that wasn't really addressed. For me, it made me lose my intial interest and some episodes also felt boring. I also grew to dislike Han Tao.

The main OST called Sunshine, however, is pretty awesome. I love listening to it.

Since the episodes are around 20 - 25 mins long, it's okay to watch once. But if you skip, you're not missing much.

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A bl portraying insides of a gay relationship along with fluff.

I really liked this. Probably the best one with happy ending after we best love. In most friends to lovers troupe the one getting the confession just goes along with it without having feelings and in most bls they just brush it off but in here they actually talked about it. Happy that they talked about complexity of coming out especially to family members you love. The fluff and bits of taking care of a child just melted my heart.
Actors did a great job especially with intimate scenes. Loved all of their relationship dynamic especially with their friend. And the final scene of MC sticking up for himself and ML making up his relationship with his father was perfect. A good bl with realistic harder ships that couples have to go through alongside with stepping out to the society.
Taiwan did a great job with this and so happy to see Asian bls making such a good series! Let's go bl industry ~

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Button Cute

One word - cute. From Han Tuo to Jun Xi. Xiao Yang was really cute as a button. Wardrobe cute. Locations, cute. Jun Xi looking up at Han Tuo, cute. Everything was just ..... you get the picture.

Predictable plot was executed with just enought humor and cuteness to keep the interest going. Could have been shortened a bit, too many flaskbacks, but the younger versions of themselves were so cute, it's forgiven. Jump starting a change in a relationship with a hand in your crush's pants while whispering in his ear, "You can't resist.", may not be the right way to go about it, but hey, it worked for them. My true pleasure in watching this was Jun Xi's responses. Even though Han Tuo determination came forcefully, he was the one to set the pace of their relationship. In his own timing. He took time to adapt and recognize what he truely felt. Another great addition that kept the balance was Xiao Yang. Her friendship was never biased and became the protector and advisor of both. Her future girlfriend was annoying but yes, also cute.

It's a light hearted comedy romance that hit the mark for me. From the first episode it set the tone and never faltered. Han Tuo grew wiser and softened his approach Jun Xi. Jun Xi grew from being afraid of other's opinions and boldly owned his. They're good together. Yes, a rewatch is in order. Pleasantly cute.

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