Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island

Beautiful, satisfying, and worth it

I'm gonna add to all the hype by also writing a review. In a time where there are BLs galore, where there are very high production costs, and where we are getting more and more eyes on the genre, sometimes these small, low-budget dramas get glossed over. I almost also missed this drama, and it would have been a huge loss.

Not only does this drama talk about the queer experience in a very real way, it also makes you truly feel for the characters and their situations. There's no extra drama, no jealous girlfriend, no homophobic parents — just a simple, slice-of-life, coming-of-age, beautiful drama.

While this drama of course suffered from its low budget (some scenes abruptly ending, somewhat 2D side characters, etc), I honestly feel like it lacked very little. Sometimes we need these shows that don't explain everything outright, that let the audiences come to their own conclusions, but also give us a happy and satisfying ending.

I implore you to give this show a try - it's an easy watch with relatively short episodes, and it's honestly so, so worth it. I'm thankful that we got such a beautiful drama from China (!!!!) and hope that this allows more to come.

(I will add a quick note that sometimes the subtitles are a little off - they don't detract from the plot, but it can be a little confusing in a few places for those who don't speak Mandarin)

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A SOFT STUNNING STORY

Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island is a beautiful coming-of-age story about two boys who form a deep bond over one summer. There's no instant attraction or anything, they just connect naturally and grow closer over time.

Their relationship is definitely a slow burn. Feelings start to develop, but one of them is a bit of a coward (and confused), so it takes a while. But that just makes it all feel more real and relatable.

What I love most is how comfortable and healing this series feels. It’s the most relaxing BL I’ve ever watched, no villains, no unnecessary drama, yet it never feels dull. The plot flows really well, and the storytelling is so creative and heartfelt. It definitely deserves more recognition.

Both leads are amazing, their acting feels so natural, like they’re not even acting. I have to say, Hu Yi (who plays Xiaozhi) looks super young. He’s 21 in real life, but easily passes for 17 in this.

The series gives off serious Call Me By Your Name vibes, if you’ve seen that film, you’ll get what I mean. The cinematography is stunning, vibrant, crisp visuals that really showcase how beautiful Litchi Island is. And the OST? Perfect.

A couple of small things I noticed: the English subtitles are tiny (rip my eyes, lol). Also, there’s a moment where Chen Li tells Xiaozhi’s brother he doesn’t have a girlfriend, but then later says he does? Bit confusing, but nothing major.

Final thoughts:

Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island is my first Chinese BL, and it completely won me over. It’s emotional, genuine, and just a joy to watch. Highly recommend if you’re into slow burn, heartfelt stories with beautiful visuals and zero stress.

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It's not so much a story of coming of age, but rather one of sensitivity

It happens without warning. It lands on the beardless and scrawny body of a young Nie Xiao Zhi, who wanders through the gardens and lytchee fields of his parents' family plantation on one of the islands of Zhejiang, a province in eastern China, and seeps into his veins, possessing him and leaving him without reserve with the force of an electric shock.
Unequivocal and inescapable, first love unfolds on the screen of 'Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island' ('Li Zhi Shu Xia Re Lie Dao') just a few minutes from its start, but it permeates the 120 minutes divided into seven episodes of approximately 15 minutes each, a series that shakes off the prejudices and common obstacles of homosexuality in its historical and social context, to tell a story of friendship, love, and admiration in all its splendor. In my case, it was a rediscovery of sexual awakening that caught me off guard despite the media hype and invaded me like summer days for a teenager, where the only goal is calm, carefree enjoyment.
'Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island' gives us a sensational romance starring one of the couples of the year: Liu Yihe and Hu Yi Chen, who, personally, I like as much as the duo formed by New and Pide, the two actors who played Fou4Mod and Chian in that order, in 'GelBoys', and Ahn Ji Ho and Lee Sang Jun, who gave life to Lee Hee Su and Kim Seung Won, respectively, in 'Heesu in Class 2'. Both shine independently, but when they share the scene the chemistry is explosive. The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful filmography, the exquisite cinematography, the symbolism, a language steeped in that mixture of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, known as Humanism, the key to Chinese philosophy and the cultural thought of that gigantic country, from the most ancient times to the present day, and the aesthetics that immerse you in history.

SETTINGS AND FILMING LOCATIONS

Although the camera also rolls in Guangdong, Moganshan, and the Dongguan Jianyuzhou Cultural Park, most of the scenes were filmed in Zhejiang, with its rural interior, urban centers along the East China Sea, and the picturesque West Lake, where the labyrinth of islands, islets, gardens, stone bridges, and historical sites act as a winding guide for the protagonists through the secrets that await them in a summer that could very well have been the last or be the next.
Xiao Zhi arrives at this place, fulfilling his promise to Xiao Long, his older brother, to participate in the summer camp as a teaching assistant.
The meeting place and boiling love are a modern building surrounded by ruins that serve as a shelter where children play during summer vacation, the dining room, the outdoor garden that serves both as a recreation and play area and as a place where they will have snacks and lunch, and the lychee plantations, which will later be key in several scenes that must already be part of the history of Chinese and, why not, global LGBT+ dramas.
But of all of them, there are three places that inspire the most tenderness and intrigue in me: Nie Xiaozhi's room, which he will share with the boy who will steal his heart and which gives us clues about the younger Xiao's complex character; the bathroom where our main character suffers from embarrassment with his naked body submerged in the bathtub, when the person he has fallen in love with, without asking permission, undresses in front of him to shower as if it were the most normal thing in the world; and the pool where this other young man's swimsuits will drip with the remains of each dive before they are surprised by the sudden rain.

A TRIBUTE TO DAVID HOCKNEY

The paintings the protagonists discuss are from the work of British painter, designer, set designer, printer, and photographer David Hockney. This alone is enough to reveal the character of two young university students with unusual culture and interests.
The effect is as precious as it is effective: it gives the impression that the parents of the shy, artistic, and always deep in thought Xiao Zhi (whom we will never see) have built a summer retreat just so their youngest son can meet and fall in love with their eldest son's best friend.
Undoubtedly, several scenes in the series pay homage to David Hockney, famous for his obsession with pools, rain, and water. The scenes of the young man swimming underwater toward a standing figure in a luxurious garden are a reference to his work "A Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)", whose sale established the painter, born in 1937, as the most expensive living artist in the world. We can find references to two other Hockney works in "Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island". I'm referring to "We Two Boys Together Clinging" and "Domestic Scene, Los Angeles". In the latter, while one of the men is bathing, the other rubs his back... or perhaps, out of embarrassment, prefers to turn his back on him.

THE SLOW JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY, FRIENDSHIP, AND LOVE

This context, which already captivates even the most skeptical viewer, discreetly witnesses the first encounter between Xiao Zhi and his dark object of desire. He answers to the name of Chen Li, a handsome, charming, carefree, and curious university student who visits Xiao Long, the older brother of the Xiao family, during the summer weeks to help him with his work at the summer camp. Xiao Zhi shares not only his room and bathroom with him.
The plot unfolds primarily from Xiao Zhi's point of view. The camera follows him impatiently to show what he sees, his dreams and erotic desires.
After the subtle and unfortunate ambient introduction (as Xiao Zhi's cell phone will break as soon as it touches the island), the two lull us on a slow journey of discovery, friendship, connection, and love.
The love between Xiao Zhi and Chen Li begins slowly; They circle around each other, slowly closing the gap, allowing the initial indifference to disguise their interest to finally disappear. Although both have no experience in love, they are imbued with a deep feeling that leads them to shake up their lives.
Xiao Zhi ends up being much better at that game; he's assertive, self-confident, and able to stand up to his homophobic college classmates. He grows increasingly curious about his brother's friend. Chen Li still has to navigate the path of discovery and acceptance, which ultimately leads him to hurt the boy he loves and himself.
The series is very good at capturing the lazy ebb and flow of summer days, with the drowsiness and exposed body parts covered in blue and red garments (as well as paintings on the walls and various objects in those colors), which become a new symbol to identify the two protagonists.
Everyone seems to be moving in slow motion at the summer camp, with the exception perhaps of the children, who never miss a chance to play. Xiao Zhi's quiet hesitation balances the playful charm and carefree confidence of the boy she's fallen in love with. This languor fits well with the rhythm of Chen Li and Xiao Zhi's relationship, which evolves over meals, bicycle rides, playing under trees, climbing to the top of bushes to pick ripe lychee fruit, sitting on the stone structures surrounding the pool, and conversations laden with lyricism, symbolism, art and philosophy, which actually serve as an overture to the romance.
The first download occurs when Chen Li, somewhat taller and more muscular, presses his fingers into Xiao Zhi's back, neck, and ears, under the guise of applying mosquito repellent.
I can't remember the last time a scene managed to raise the hairs on my neck in just a second, so full of the intended stimulation yet so worried about the outcome of that touch.
In the friendship forged by our two protagonists, there is no hypocrisy; just two people learning to love, with their fears of accepting themselves, with doubts about whether the other loves them, giving way to mistakes and misunderstandings, but ultimately with the possibility of understanding who they are, what they desire, and with it, the value of forgiveness and commitment.

THE TIMELINE

The first five episodes tell us about the early stage of the relationship between Xiao Zhi and Chen Li, in which everything is pure (and at times extreme) desire on the part of the younger of the two. Chen Li seems willing to distance himself from his fears of coming out as gay. It's symbolic how the series shows that the lychee trees weren't filled with fruit while they were at summer camp, indicating that Chen Li wasn't yet ready to embrace his gender identity. And it is in this transition of observer that Xiao Zhi soon encounters passion.
Hu Yi Chen's performance as Xiao Zhi, in this first part of the series, is unsurpassed. Because he says little, and the few words he uses are rudimentary, but his inner self experiences moments of exuberant brilliance. He is falling in love. That's why the young actor must express everything with his gaze, which is emerging into life, into new experiences, dethroning the familiar to land with bewilderment (but certain) in the land of novelty.
Then, a time jump occurs. We leave the island with the protagonists, but they will walk their separate ways for three more years. We first notice the change not in Xiao Zhi's tears of frustration and bitterness, but in the shift in the color palette. It's no longer as bright and ethereal as it was at the beginning of the series. With distance, the shadows and chiaroscuros increase.
The non-linear timeline adds depth and allows for key memories and emotions to be revealed in layers. It's a structure that, while confusing for some viewers at first, ultimately pays off.
Xiao Long isn't the older brother any gay boy would wish for upon coming out, as he tries to separate the boys under the guise of protecting them, or perhaps out of ignorance of the feelings his brother has stirred in his best friend. In any case, the series' approach seeks to reflect the obstacles many queer youth face in their process of self-acceptance and discovery, when, in many cases, their own loved ones attack them. However, there will be no homophobia, nor will there be rejection of the brother or friend for their sexual identity.
The series lets the use of time work on many levels: to build the ever-deepening bond between the two protagonists, to co-opt the viewer step by step into the story, and so that when the two merge in a kiss and embrace toward the end, what Aristotle called catharsis occurs: giving viewers the chance to redeem their own passions by seeing them represented on screen.

LYRICISM, SYMBOLISM, MAGIC

'Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island' shows all the escapes and encounters; Xiao Zhi's advances and Chen Li's steps back as each moves in circles ever closer to the other. The two don't always say (can't or won't) what they really think. Then the director of the series speaks for them by making their desire evident in the cheerful countryside, in the greenery of the lychee plantation, in the bustle of the summer camp, in the water that one dries from the other's body, in the precious liquid that flows from the shower, falls from the sky in the form of rain, drips from the trees in the middle of a downpour, or in one of the two young people swimming in the pool while the other watches ecstatically.
The lyricism is seductive, like Xiao Zhi, fragile and joyful. 'Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island' isn't so much a coming-of-age story, with the loss and diminished innocence that entails, but rather a story about sensitivity. In that way, it's more about the creation of a new man who, as the plot suggests, is liberated by a pleasure that simultaneously establishes a sexual identity.
There are two scenes, among the best in world queer cinema. One is the dream. Xiao Zhi and Chen Li run together, hand in hand. They kiss passionately. The darkness of the night is broken several times by the light from their pursuers' flashlights. When the darkness is broken, the two young people, confused and fearful, are forced to separate. Then, they hold hands again, run, flee, show their triumphant love… This is an unequivocal message about the need to hide that many queer youth are forced to face under the prejudiced gaze of society.
The other scene is the passionate kiss at the end. A kiss that stops the world to create a new one, an unforgettable kiss, a kiss that is the prelude to something more. A kiss that makes you salivate and yearn to experience something like this. A kiss not from the heart, but from something more powerful: instinct. Suffice it to say that by then, the lychee plants had blossomed, and the boys were sending each other the fruits. So much symbolism in a small cardboard box!
All that remains is to suggest you watch the bonus episodes, which reflect small snippets of the couple's life after they get together.

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Two Series in One – Captivating Beauty That Fades

I binge-watched the series and felt like I was watching two completely different Dramas. The first episodes were wonderful, evoking the feel of cinema from another era—nostalgic, beautiful, with little need for words. Everything was shot against breathtaking landscapes, and the cinematography was meticulous, clearly the result of careful thought and precision. It seems the director was influenced by "Call Me by Your Name" (French/British style).

But then, starting from the middle of the series, once the landscapes disappeared, so did the creativity. There was a total disconnect from the first half. No consistency, no clarity—just hints of something past and the director’s own nostalgia, without knowing how to convey it to the audience. Most scenes were suddenly filmed indoors, exposing his weaknesses in lighting and composition. In fact, it seems he relied heavily on the scenery rather than directing skills, which is unfortunate. Perhaps if he had a better grasp of light and shadow—or the budget to continue filming outdoors—the series could have ended perfectly.

The same thing happened with the choice of music. At times, the soundtrack was perfect and beautiful, featuring piano pieces. But suddenly, during intimate moments, he chose trashy trumpet music straight out of cheap 1980s films.

The actors weren’t very good, but in terms of appearance, they were wonderful and very well cast. There were moments when they didn’t convince me, but they still had good chemistry.

The story is quite simple and not particularly unique, but as I mentioned earlier, it wasn’t very clear in the second half. Of course, someone who knows how to piece the puzzle together can understand, but it felt like the director wanted to be understood without actually telling the characters’ story.

A rewatch? That’s a good question. I’m not sure I’d watch it again, but I also can’t completely dismiss the series. I’d say it’s a very good and enjoyable viewing experience. It has a unique charm that, unfortunately, fades—and that leaves you with a sense of missed potential that, in my opinion, makes it hard to revisit.

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go. check. it. out.

it is i, the niel.

i honestly had no idea what i was getting into when i started watching this show, but i'm so glad i gave it a chance! i only skimmed the reviews beforehand, and if you're gonna watch it, i'd recommend keeping an eye on the symbolism used throughout. pay attention to colors (red and blue in particular), parallels, art, objects, music, and sound cues. it's not too difficult to pick up on what's being referenced in a lot of the scenes.

this show isn't necessarily groundbreaking or overly elaborate, but the cinematography is absolutely beautiful! the actors did an amazing job portraying their characters. at first, the development of feelings between the couple was a bit confusing, but eventually, you realize "oh, that's kind of the entire point". the story leaves a trail of small clues in nearly every scene. it's a subtle coming-of-age story, filled with uncertain emotions, hesitant communication, and novel experiences. i think it's very intentional that the audience can't really clue in on their relationship until about halfway through the show; this mirrors how the characters are experiencing it themselves.

this is one of those shows that you should watch in one sitting. there were some elements thrown in that were central to chen li's character that i sort of didn't understand. it felt like they were resolved without any questions asked or much explanation. furthermore, the latter part of the show felt slightly rushed and the dialogue didn't really elevate the story. xiao zhi's brother, xiao long, was sort of a confounding character, and i didn't see much growth from him, even after time had clearly passed. still, i do appreciate how simple they kept the cast of characters, for the most part. a part of me wishes there had been more verbal communication, but since symbolism and unspoken words are so crucial to this show, i'm not too bothered by it.

one thing worth mentioning: the english subtitles are incredibly small throughout the show. i couldn't read the overlaid english translations during the opening for each episode, which was disappointing because i think they were central to the storytelling. at times, some moments were left without captions, such as random dialogue and text messages, but those were less essential.

i really liked the art style and the overall aesthetic. i might be wrong, but during the intro and credits, i'm pretty sure that some of the art was ai-generated(?). that felt kind of weird, given that art is a core detail throughout. the whole show is super well-done, but that strangely seems like a cop-out. i dunno. just a slightly frustrating thought.

largely impressive! seriously give it a watch if you've got a few hours to spare. shazam!

best,

the niel.

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beautiful, melancholic and atmospheric

I've heard good things about this series but I was a bit skeptical before going in. I'm not the biggest fan of the movie Call me by your name (unpopular opinion I know) and it seemed to share a lot of similarities.
But I thought this was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, while it does share a lot of similarities with CMBYN it executes it MUCH better in my opinion. Their age gap is not very bad, it seems the main character is 17-18 at the start and the love interest 21-22 and while it's a more "slow " series I was super engaged the whole time. The cinematography is STUNNING, the actors do an incredible job, the script is well written and the music is really good and atmospheric. I am really surprised at how an "indie" Chinese series managed to deliver Hollywood movie quality while surpassing the clear inspirations that influenced it.
Absolutely recommended

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This glorious visual feast should not be a secret.

“Secrets Happened on Litchi Island” is a remarkable series, sustained by a firm creative vision that runs with unerring determination and artistry through every scene, through all the dialogue (delivered by a uniformly strong cast), together with shot selection and framings that are paradoxically economical yet fully immersive at the same time. 

It's no accident or coincidence that the two leads are reading Aciman's "Call Me By Your Name" in Extra Ep 2. Writer/Director/Creator-in-Chief Lizzy reshapes Elio's journey of self-discovery in 1983 to this decade today, and in today’s socio-political climate. Here, Nie Xiaozhi is a far more aware version of Elio, albeit wracked by the same feelings of shame characteristic of many emergent young gays. Elio's grief for the loss of Oliver at the end of CMBYN is reshaped in this series by Lizzy into a terrifying alcohol-fuelled rage of self-recrimination by Xiaozhi, performed with considerable force by Ha Yichen (an actor I could find little online about, but whose maturity and talent belies his boyish looks). 

Lizzy acknowledges the homophobia in China today, such as the misguided efforts of Xiaozhi's brother to "rescue" Xiaozhi from his unhappiness. But Lizzy succeeds, I believe, in rewriting the ending of CMBYN to the happy ending we all seek and wish for. 

“Secrets Happened on Litchi Island” deserves to be seen in feature-length format to appreciate how rich and complex and satisfying this is, and also to avoid the narrated splash screen episode introductions, probably the only misjudgment in the whole production by this formidable creator.

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Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25

“Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” is a different kind of BL drama from China. Since this is an independently produced web drama, it can avoid censorship and actually gives us some passionate kisses. This short drama has garnered great reviews on MDL, so I wanted to check it out.

The setting is beautiful with nicely shot scenes, great cinematography and the sounds of nature. Most of the drama happened on the island and It feels like a quiet slice-of-life drama. Viewers have the front row seat to the leads’ special summer on the island: exploring, frolicking, tasting delicious lychees, and most importantly, getting close to each other.

It took me a little bit to get used to this way of storytelling. It feels slow and weird, yet also feels different and interesting. The two main leads have great chemistry and the acting is solid. Plotwise, not a lot happened, to be honest: just falling in love, being brave and accepting of oneself. This drama reminded me a little of “I Told Sunset About You”.

I generally enjoy “Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” except for the preachy island aunty. I am still not quite understanding who she is and why the boys seek her out for advice in life. At times, I like the prologue voiceovers, but other times I find the talk of the deep stuff a little pretentious.

I might not love this drama as much as many others, but I acknowledge its uniqueness and challenge of Chinese censorship. I still have a good time watching it and I love the chemistry between the leads in the last scene. I also really like the song that Chen Li was listening to, but I couldn't find it on Spotify.


Other Weird Observations:
1. The boy just put on a face mask, yet he washed off all the serum!!!
2. Rosemary is a mosquito repellant?
3. It was hard to tell how old Xiao Zhi was. Then I realized he’s a college student.



Completed: 5/10/2025 - Review #573

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