1
2A hot mess that was worth every minute for me! A long essay on why I love it and you may/may not!
My brain and heart have been playing tug of war over this drama. My rating for this is extremely subjective. 100% vibes, but I will try to keep my review objective and present through a split lens- one with rose-tinted glasses who saw flaws from miles away but still loved every second of this and will also try to balance it for the “facts over feelings” crowd. ("TRY" xD)Revenged Love is an adaptation from the novel "Counter attack" by Chai Jidan. The source material was full of glorious mess and props to this adaptation for trimming out most of the toxic parts. There are still very questionable traits the characters displayed that would be ethically questionable in the real world. Still, in drama-land, I think they pulled off the adaptation from the source material quite well.
From start to finish, it delivered on all the big emotions for me...angst to laughter to comfort. It made it clear from the very start that we should expect the unexpected, exactly as expected. Imagine a revenge plan that was so over the top with fake coincidences everywhere and executed with the petty perfection that the mastermind didn’t even notice the exact moment he fell in love.
✨ Character descriptions (Based on the universe the drama was set in, not how I judge the actions in real life):
★ Wu Suo Wei, the chaos generator: For me, he was the walking definition of lovable chaos. He is the type of character who walks into a room and immediately changes the vibe... whether you want it or not. He starts out running a petty revenge plan after being dumped in a way that wounded his dignity, but there is more to him than just wild schemes. Now, while some of his plans were bad on paper, drama gods were on his side and all of them ended up working.
But under all that noise and deceit, there is a softer side of him that I couldn't help but root for. A side where he tries his best to change his bad luck with effort. He has been through things, and while his ways may not be "normal" and it might look like he thrives in mess, now and then, we see a side of him that somehow made his journey endearing even with all the imperfections.
★ Chi Cheng, the silk-tongued snake: He is the character that made me feel safe and somehow mildly concerned at the same time. He is confident, decisive and unfazed to make the first move... or the second or the third. He can be a step too pushy at times but then he will do something small but very thoughtful like being Weiwei's SPF (iykyk) or paying attention to even the smallest of the details.
Then there was his love for snakes and not just as pets but as his children, and if you ask me, there was this unspoken reflection of himself. This man was graceful, calculated, deceptive and knew when it was time to slither into the act. He wasn't just playing to win, but also making sure people don't forget how he won over (Both Weiwei and Us).
★ Cheng Yu, the charming gentleman: He is also a snake enthusiast, Chi Cheng's frenemy (more friend than enemy), also a flirt and always three steps ahead in whatever game he is playing( not that I say this in a bad way, more like street smart). I mean, technically and literally, he felt like the only green flag out of all 4 leads. He was playful but when it comes to consent, he has got it down to a T. He will prank, tease, but will stand by his close ones when it matters the most.
★ Jiang Xiao Shuai, the real grandmaster of chaos: If gossip were a career path, XiaoShuai would be the CEO. He somehow knows when to let things crash for character development and when to swoop in to stop the self-destruction. He is attentive, smart and has solutions for all the problems of Weiwei (At least that is what they both like to think)
★ The Wang Brothers, the conflict creators: Wang Shuo is the jealous ex and his jealousy isn't subtle, nor is his manipulation. One might argue that both Weiwei and he are manipulators, but we see a lot of times where Weiwei is conflicted and doesn't intentionally try to hurt. But I can't say the same about Wang Shuo. I was sympathetic to him to a point, but he just came off as delusional. Wang Zhen was more of an opportunist lurking in the background. The jury is still put on him, whether I like him or not.
Neither of them had a fleshed-out character arc. They just served to stir the pot and bring in the drama and angst for our leads and they did a darn good job at it.
✨ Relationship dynamics:
★ Wu Suo Wei & Chi Cheng: Their chemistry was like watching two magnets that keep pretending they don't stick but the harder they pull them away, the stronger they come closer. Suo Wei comes in hot with his petty schemes while Chi Cheng acts cool, like he has zero interest but lowkey cares more than he lets on. Their interactions were full of snark, shade and bickering that might make you roll your eyes into oblivion quite a few times, but under all that clowning and teasing, we had small moments of care and genuine fondness despite everything being a hoax. Weiwei's fiery spirit challenged Chi Cheng to break out of his shell, and Chi Cheng's sincerity towards him just softened his stubbornness, and somehow, the penny pincher turns his whole world upside down for him. Even though their relationship is far from perfect, but it felt real.
Wu Suo Wei's journey goes from spiteful schemer to conflicted pretender to cautious lover to being Xiaocuboa's dad.
★ Cheng Yu & Xiao Shuai: In contrast to the main couple, they were less chaotic and the pace of their love story felt much more grounded. They were on the sweeter side and had more of a cute than messy dynamics. I was less invested in them compared to the mains, but they were like comforting vanilla ice cream. Very familiar and reliable but still vanilla.
★ Not only did I enjoy the romantic part of the drama, but also the friendship between Doc and Weiwei & in the latter half, our very own long-lost friends. They all share 1 brain cell but somehow both friendships were iconic, sometimes stupid, endearing and memorable in their own ways. Even throwaway interactions were ridiculously watchable. Somehow, I got attached to everyone.
But but but...the drama isn't without flaws. If one starts looking at it objectively, one sees them from 1000 miles away. While the below didn't hinder my watching experience at all, it needs to be acknowledged for the fairness of it all.
★ The Dubbing and the editing: It gave 2005 vibes and not 2025. I am not a native Chinese speaker and I don't understand the concept of different accents, but dubbing in a few scenes just fell off, especially in the emotional ones. And a few fades to black transitions felt too awkward and disconnected sometimes.
★ Last-minute conflict: I am not a fan of keeping issues till the very last episode or introducing new ones in the final stretch. I felt the pacing did suffer because of that and it also kind of gave the whole thing a bit of tonal whiplash.
★ The infamous miscommunication trope: The title is self-explanatory. Yes, they could have talked earlier, but if that were the case, we wouldn't be where we are. xD
★ While I do can separate fiction from reality and don't mind red flags on screen, there was this one tone deaf scene in the first episode that literally didn't serve any purpose and doesn't even come up again. It was an odd choice and in my humble opinion, could have been just omitted.
★ The entire snake business math was very difficult for me to comprehend. I just suspended my disbelief and just went with the flow.
Now, while I did notice them all, I acknowledged them but it never tainted my viewing experience.
✨ Acting: I was seeing all the leads for the first time, and I feel everyone did a good job. Tian Xuning as Chi Cheng was most impressive for me. He nailed that hopeless lover look and seeing how his character is so different from how he is in real life is definitely praiseworthy. Ziyu, as Wu Suo wei also surprised me in the best way, pulling that bratty defiance but balancing it with genuineness. I read somewhere that the director asked 3 times to TXN to play the role, and now I understand why they chose them.
Coming to the second couple, Zhan Xuan as Chengyu, there was an undeniable charm he brought to his role. He played it with such ease. And honestly, his smile could light up any room. Liu Xuan Cheng as Xiaoshuai
would pass the bar when it came to being cute and nosy but in the emotional scenes, especially his confrontation scene he was lacking the intensity. The rest of the supporting cast performed decently. I don't have any specific comment. It wasn't bad but nothing out of the ordinary.
✨ Production value: It is definitely on a modest budget at its best and on a smaller scale, but I found the direction and performance making up for it. I can go on and objectively describe how visuals could have better but with the limited resources they had and the sword of censorship looming over their heads, they did a decent job in my eyes.
The color grading was nice and nature shots were beautiful. I have seen dramas with a better budget and still underwhelming visuals. This was made with a lot of heart, and it showed.
While I also didn't like the choice of cutting the intimate scene, it's understandable. I would rather have those scenes in BTS or in my imagination (lol), if it safe keeps the actors.
Overall, while the drama is far from flawless but for me, everything was part of its charm. I thrived on the ridiculousness of the plot and all the leads were flawed and messy enough to keep things interesting. I would 100% recommend it!
I can see why some might rate it lower, though. :)
Thank you for reading my novel-length review! <3 Honestly, I didn’t plan on writing an essay but once I started, there was no stopping me. If you have made it this far without running away, I hope you end up loving the drama as much as I did with all the chaos, flaws and everything!
And if you didn't like the drama, I hope you find something better to binge and I hope my review at least addressed a few points objectively.
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Most overrated drama of 2025
Revenged Love was a hot pile of garbage with the occasional good scene / plot line here or there.24 episodes of a ridiculous story and a plot that went from one place to another with no consistency,
some parts of it were enjoyable and had potential but it was ruined so quickly by over dramatic twists.
I do not know if I should fully blame the actors but they felt so robotic, I partially contribute this to the dubbing. I understand that it is often a standard practice for Chinese dramas but the audio mix was so horrible it took me out of most scenes.
The production in general follows the Chinese trend of having clearly a big budget that was utilised badly. The result was obvious in some nicely but uninspired filming of scenes, combined with horrible editing and childish writing.
Sure all 4 main actors were cute and it had some "spicy" ( sorry but some were so cringe ) is that all it takes for people to rate dramas 10 these days?
P.S. Forgot to mention that the main couple did have some chemistry but ... their emotional connection was so weird, super violent guy, sexually abuses a poor guy that has such low self esteem that emotionally attaches to him YIIIKES is this love ???? sure ...
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what?
I refuse to believe anyone over the age of 14 actually enjoys this show. How the hell did this show manage to gain a 8.6 rating? The amount of people that hype this show up despite the overwhelming SA (which the show tries to pass off as "romantic") and literal GANG RAPE that happens in the first episode is concerning. Just because a bl has two actors that are comfortable with ""romance scenes"" does not automatically make a show good, holy shit. The term "morally ambiguous" gets thrown around a lot from the positive feedback I've read on this forum.. and I fear bl fans do not actually understand that character trope.Aside from those VERY glaring issues, the plot is just all over the place--it's like the author/director wanted to keep milking the story instead of letting it end. The story should have ended after the whole wang shuo debacle.. because what do you mean chi cheng's dad decides to randomly kidnap wu suo wei AND chi cheng randomly gets framed for tax evasion?? like what the hell are we even talking about anymore??
I really couldn't bring myself to gaf about any of the characters in this show because of how flat they are. I could not understand wu suo wei's motivations a lot of the time.. or even the rest of the cast's motivations for that matter. I think the only character I sort of cared about was wu suo wei's mom.. but even she died.. like damn I can't have shit in this house!
The only positive aspects I can bring myself to mention is that the production quality is okay.. and the cast fit their roles? I guess? Some moments made me laugh here and there but I think that was a form of coping via stockholm syndrome rather than genuine enjoyment. This may not be the worst bl released but it's definitely at the bottom of the list for me.
I could have dropped this show at any point, but I guess I'm too much of a "hater" at heart to explain why this show is complete ass without watching it to the end. I can only end this by saying "to each their own" to protect my own peace.
TLDR; if a bl fan recommends you revenged love--run far away from them.
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the love teams
this series is to nice and I love how it flows, im so obsessed with this and not just me but also a fandom came from Philippines the fandom in our country is waving and waiting for next episode, that's why I'm so glad and happy I find this series!!! hope there's more series or drama for TIAN XU NING and ZI YU you'll given to them and they are still a couple. THANK YOU🫶🏼🫶🏼 I'm so glad and also happy!!!! this might be the best bl series I've ever watched. I love those main character/others they prove that They really played their roles THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME HAPPY FOR THIS SERIES🫶🏼🫶🏼😭 I'm crying right now not for sadness but for joy.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
the story
I honestly enjoyed Revenged Love a lot more than I expected. The story is simple but it kept me curious, and I liked how the theme of revenge slowly turned into something more emotional and meaningful. The chemistry between the leads felt natural, and their relationship grew in a way that made me want to keep watching.What I appreciated most is that even though the plot is a bit dramatic, the romance balances it out and makes the show feel warm at times. The acting was good, the characters had depth, and it never felt boring.
For my point of view it was a really good bl that I enjoyed, wish for a season 2
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Good storyline, great acting!
it’s an early review cause the show is only halfway done but damn it’s good. A friend of mine was watching along from the beginning and highly recommended it but I hadn’t gotten around to it until now and boy was I mad at myself for that. at the same time, I’ve now been able to binge watch the whole first half of the show and it’s been great! Not the biggest budget but it’s well made, the acting is on point, not really a spoiler but it has snakes in it too and I’m an avid reptile lover. I highly recommend if you enjoy quality shows with a good balance of drama, comedy and solid storytelling!Was this review helpful to you?
The Chinese BL that Bit Me & I Love It!!!
I just loved Revenged Love! It's that classic enemies-to-lovers trope which I’m a total sucker for but with a fresh twist. The whole snake element is actually so cool (even though I’m lowkey terrified of snakes, haha 🐍). The tension and intense stares when the main leads first meet? Chef’s kiss. Their chemistry is off the charts, and the side couple? Also surprisingly good!Honestly, the cast has such great chemistry that you could mix and match them, and it would still work. The main leads are adorable on their own, but together? Next level. Wu Suo Wei trying so hard to insert himself into Chi Cheng’s world is hilarious like bro even learned how to breed and raise snakes just to get closer to him! At this point, I’m not even sure it’s about revenge anymore.
And his attempts at seducing Chi Cheng? A total fail, Chi Cheng ends up seducing him instead! It’s chaotic, funny, and weirdly addictive. I think Suo Wei doesn’t even realize he’s already fallen for him. This show just gets how to keep viewers hooked.
The cinematography is absolutely stunning something I wish more Taiwanese BLs would take notes on. The production quality is clearly high, and the acting, especially from the actor who plays Suo Wei, is top-tier. He’s effortlessly funny. The OST? Absolute perfection.
While the concept isn’t new, this series is definitely well executed. Chinese BL dramas really hit different, and Revenged Love is a game changer for sure. It’s a bit long though, so I’ve been watching it weekly instead of bingingsuper rare for me! But totally worth it. This show lives up to the hype, no doubt.
Updating my review since it has now ended:
Although Wei Wei and Che Ching look adorable together and their chemistry is absolutely palpable, this series is far from fluffy—and definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a roller coaster of emotions filled with heartbreaking events.
I’ve read so many comments from viewers saying they skipped Episode 18—the breakup scene—while others admitted they got so emotionally affected that they couldn’t bring themselves to watch any further. The story is full of misunderstandings, miscommunication, and two people who are both victims of their circumstances.
It’s also a morally grey relationship. For me, while Wei Wei’s character is endearing, he’s also manipulative at times. I do feel the ending was a bit rushed, but I still loved the mix of emotions this series delivered—the angst, the joy, the sparks, and those fleeting moments of happiness.
The chemistry, emotional depth, and authenticity didn’t just make the story believable—they made it unforgettable. Revenged Love gave us Che Ching, Wei Wei, and the rest of the supporting characters we rooted for, cried with, and, yes, sometimes yelled at (with love).
Overall, Revenged Love is a masterpiece. It wasn’t just a story—it was an experience that touched hearts, sparked conversations, and left a lasting impact on its audience.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Rare electric chemistry that creeps and lingers in your skin—leaving you wanting more
In 24 episodes that range between 30-48 minutes, and with obvious budget limitations—Revenged Love managed to fully possess, captivate, and elicit intense emotions within me and countless other fans with its compelling characters, gripping storyline, beautiful character growth, memorable scenes, and an otherworldly chemistry between the two main leads that is rare to come across and replicate. This show is not without its flaws, but its strengths trump the flaws tenfold.If you love a story where two people are mutually obsessed and would give everything up for the other person—this story is for you.
WEAKNESSES
To begin my ramblings on a more objective note, allow me to scrutinize this show a bit. I may have subjectively rated this as a 10; however, I do recognize that it has its set of shortcomings from a technical and artistic standpoint.
1. Technical Aspects. Poor Editing, Audio Issues, Awkward Camera Angles & Unnecessary Visual Effects.
Possibly the biggest issue I have with this show is how the technical aspects were executed. I'm aware that this is probably due to budget constraints, but nonetheless—it's one of the first things I've noticed upon first viewing, and it is sadly an issue that stayed until the final episode. The cuts and transitions feel a bit misplaced and abrupt sometimes, and some of the effects and filters are overdone, to the point of fully obstructing the viewing experience.
A minor inconvenience that I encountered while watching this show is the dubbing—I don’t mind dubbing itself, but sometimes I would catch that the lip movement does not match with what was being heard because it was either played too late or too early. But then again, this is just a nothingburger for me overall.
2. The Gang R*pe Scene.
A scene that I felt did not contribute anything meaningful to the character is when the male lead, Chi Cheng, orders his men to gang r*pe Guo Cheng Yu’s boy in the name of revenge. While I understand that the show has “revenge” as its title, and that this may be their way to set the tone for the whole series and establish that he is not someone to be messed with, I think this did not serve any purpose with the story as a whole and was just added for unnecessary shock value.
I don’t believe in sanitizing characters, as I do enjoy morally corrupt and unhinged characters. However, I do believe that adding this scene was completely unnecessary because it didn’t really add anything to Chi Cheng’s character. The scene wasn't referenced again and did not contribute anything to the plot. Also, there are other ways to convey what they are intending to show with his character that do not require something this extreme. For example, Chi Cheng could’ve just ordered the men to beat the boy to a pulp until he was partially comatose in a Not Me-Black-fashion. This would’ve been enough to already establish Chi Cheng as a dangerous and terrible person from the get-go without having to possibly upset other viewers. I just think the show is not thematically dark enough to include this one here.
3. Pacing Issues.
The way the plot points were handled in the last 4 episodes was done so swiftly and poorly that it may potentially catch people off guard. This would’ve been avoided if the episodes were longer or there were at least 6 more episodes to fully establish major plot points without the risk of it appearing rushed.
4. Weak Performance on Some Scenes.
While I thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s performance in this show, which I also consider as one of the highlights—I admit that there are scenes where I thought the acting needed some work and more emotion, like Wang Shuo when he cried while talking to Chi Cheng, and some intimate Jiang Xiao Shuai and Guo Cheng Yu scenes that felt a bit stiff and awkward. I also find the dubbing from Zi Yu’s part a bit exaggerated at times so it felt less convincing (e.g., wailing noises of Wu Suo Wei during his reconciliation with Chi Cheng). Still, they mostly delivered what they had to deliver.
STRENGTHS
Boy, do I have a lot to say about what makes this show amazing….
1. Perfect Casting & Stellar Performance
I seriously cannot imagine anyone else playing their characters. Besides having the look and being gorgeous individuals, they fully embodied their characters to a tee. You can just feel the dedication and effort they poured into their respective roles.
- Zi Yu as Wu Suo Wei. Zi Yu’s boyish charms and expressive acting elevated Wu Suo Wei’s likeability a lot. His cartoonish reactions, great comedic timing, and painful expression when he cries was just amazing. The episode that highlighted his acting prowess the most is episode 19 towards the end (if you know, you know). Truly a gifted performer.
- Tian Xu Ning as Chi Cheng. Tian Xu Ning literally became Chi Cheng in every sense of the word in this show. He is a complete show stealer in most scenes he touches. His microexpressions are amazing—he literally emotes with every muscle in his face. The way he emotes with his eyes is just… I’m at a loss for words. The ending scene of episode 23 was his best performance. Honestly, the MVP of the show.
2. Spellbinding Chemistry.
What else is there to say that hasn’t been said about Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng’s chemistry? Them together on a frame sends sparks flying on the screen—you cannot help but feel butterflies. You literally have to see it to know it. I have to give it up for Zi Yu, Tian Xu Ning, and the casting director for making this magic happen. Jiang Xiao Shuai and Guo Cheng Yu also have great chemistry, though not as magnetic as the first couple, but still pretty sweet, and seeing them together brings a smile to my face.
3. Layered Characterization & Great Character Growth.
All of the main characters are full of life and brimming with personality. There is not a single one-dimensional Gary Stu or Mary Sue in this show (well, maybe except side characters like Yue Yue). They are utterly flawed, morally grey, sometimes leaning to black, very toxic, and make a lot of dumb decisions—but you cannot help but root for them in spite of it all. The characters are psychologically complex and do crazy things that somehow make a lot of sense to them and their personalities alone. The show is briefer than some dramas I’ve seen, but it manages to craft character progressions that are nothing short of satisfying and rewarding.
Wu Suo Wei is one of the most charming and lovable main characters I’ve come across in a drama. He is witty and manipulative when he needs to be, but an adorable, stingy idiot at his core. He is a go-getter and he works his ass off to achieve his goals—very inspirational, honestly. Wei is also a guy with many talents—be it sugar figurine making, or fixing broken items—he is crafty and savvy to a fault. He may be adorable, but do not be fooled—as he may have a trick up his sleeve! As confident and resilient as he may appear, though, he is deep down an insecure young man that thinks he always needs to prove himself to others by leading a life of luxury and financial wealth. He thought that to be fully loved and accepted by someone, he needs to have everything. Down the line, he will soon realize that he was wrong—because all the riches in the world will not amount to the value of being with that one true person who will bleed and kill for you, despite having nothing.
Chi Cheng… Where do I even begin to describe what I enjoy about him as a character? Intoxicatingly magnetic, but deadly poisonous. Cheng is a snake in every sense of the way—cold, cunning, dangerous, and ruthless—and is laser-focused on capturing his prey. He taunts, bites, and coils around your neck just to get what he wants—and he does get what he wants, because he is Chi Cheng after all. Because everyone bows down to him, right? Then he meets Wu Suo Wei, who challenges what he knows about himself, down to his very existence. Because for the first time in his life, he faces difficulty in getting a hold of something. Soon enough, the cat-and-mouse game took a turn. The hunter becomes the hunted—and the thing is, he is savoring every bit of it. Because behind Chi Cheng’s seemingly untouchable and tough exterior is a man that just wants to completely surrender himself in love. This man who built years worth of tough barriers made up of the embers from his old flame, secretly yearns for someone to break it down, and make him weak.
Jiang Xiao Shuai—our favorite doctor and gossiper, is the very definition of a wounded healer. Besides being a great friend to a struggling Wu Suo Wei, the mission he set for himself is to heal and spread his light to the people around him, despite being someone who needed the healing himself. His traumatic past didn’t refrain him from wanting to make the world a better place, it instead became his motivation. In the process of unlearning the cruelty brought by his past love, he realizes that true love is gentle and patient.
Guo Cheng Yu is a smart, manipulative, and insanely charismatic guy. He is also a character that doesn’t take himself too seriously. Like Cheng, he is used to getting everything his way. So when Shuai didn’t immediately give in on the first try, he thought of him as a challenge for him to take. He is a player, so he loves a good game. Shuai is only another conquest for him. What started out as a fun game for him evolved into something more serious and real when he unveiled Shuai’s true nature. Because how could someone so mistreated and so hurt still wake up every day and decide to be a kind and giving person every single time? Awakening something in him, Cheng Yu made a personal oath to himself—and it’s to wholeheartedly love this person who swore to spread his love to everyone.
4. Memorable Scenes.
This show has a way of taking a simple action or moment, and amplifying its emotional impact to the maximum—like, who knew watching a character help someone else put on their belt for them would be this sensual? The show is not afraid to depict the characters’ yearning and desire for one another without it being too on the nose. The scenes I found the most intimate in the show are the ones where they are fully-clothed, but the passion is very evident.
5. Great Dialogue.
There were several moments in this show that left me stunned by how punchy, hilarious, and deeply touching the dialogues are. The show buries a lot of subtexts within the scenes that require you to read in-between the lines—sometimes you would catch the character saying something, but it isn't actually what they meant deep down. The author and screenwriter of this show, CJD, truly has a gift for writing layered dialogue that knows how to make you laugh and tug your heartstrings.
6. Gripping Storyline.
Not a single dull moment in this show. One moment you will laugh, then right after you will feel intense butterflies, then feel anxious for a second, then get lovestruck, then suddenly—BAM! Tears start streaming down your face because you were either met with the most heartwarming or the most devastating, and heart-numbing scene in the show. Revenged Love is one hell of an emotional rollercoaster, so if you're planning to watch this, better buckle up—because you are in for a ride.
7. OST That Elevates The Show.
There are two tracks I would like to highlight in this section, it’s Zhan Xuan’s “Last Night on Earth” and Paper Swans’s “Somewhere in Your Eyes.” These songs add meaningful depth to the show as a whole, as the lyrics perfectly encapsulate the love that Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng harbor for one another. “Last Night on Earth,” especially is the standout song for me, because besides the reasons I’ve stated prior, this track is played during the most emotionally-charged scenes. Plus, Zhan Xuan really sang well here and the little guitar solo in the middle of the song just pierces my heart in a good way.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Revenged Love tells a love story that began in lies, deceit, past baggage and of course—revenge. Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng may have a turbulent and rocky start in their relationship, yet beneath all of the chaos, something precious and real started to grow. They just needed to realize it, and let everything go to finally allow themselves to receive something beautiful with open arms. In the face of trials and tribulations, love is the only thing that prevails and matters at the end.
This show has cemented its place in the BL world, and it is here to stay. It is a story that will be cherished and remembered for a long time because of how it beautifully it portrayed the transformational power that love brings to deeply flawed people.
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Crazy how a whole community is ignoring the lack of consent
Let me start bt saying, the casting director did an insane job in casting fitting people for the different roles. And I mean no hate to the actors at all (love them)
I also find the way they incorporated snakes to show different sides of Chi Chengs personality an amazing idea.
Now, how is it, that this show is at a whopping 8.9 rating, when Da Bao is literally SA’d at least twice every episode?
He is putting on an act of liking Chi Cheng. Yes. Fair.
However, Chi Cheng is ignoring and overstepping Da Bao’s COMMUNICATED boundaries more than I want to count.
There literally is a scene in the beginning (Episode 1, I think) where Chi Cheng gives his Men the ‘ok’ to gang R* someone that did him wrong.
That’s not a morally grey character. That’s an abuser. And, what, everyone happens to be ok with it?
Why, genuinely? I cannot wrap my head around a whole community sitting and watching comfortably, even praising a character that repeatedly SAs his ‘lover’…I literally cannot watch this any longer because it makes me feel insanely uncomfortable
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This review may contain spoilers
Thank you TianZiyu for bringing out the best Chi Cheng and Wei Wei for me, you will be missed!
It actually took me a lot of hours and time to put my feelings into this review, so bear with me, it's going to be long. I actually never intended my review to be long, but it always just happens when I come to expressing things I love, and how I just wanted this review to really express how I feel about my overall journey while chasing this drama.FIRST IMPRESSION ₊ ⊹❀
When I first started this drama, I didn't think I will love it this much. I started with low expectations since I know this was a Chinese BL, so with that in mind, I thought the best we will ever get was just a peck on the lips or just hugs etc, and I was even mentally prepared we wouldn't get any of that, but how they portrayed the character relationship between the main pairing Chi Cheng and Wei Wei right from the beginning, just really make me question 'how did this even pass censorship'? I am not saying this is bad, because quite the contrary, I was pleasantly surprise, because I didn't think it would be possible for Chinese actors to film this. This was then, around the same time, I realized that this drama was not aired in the Chinese Platform, but was aired internationally instead.
So in terms of first impression, it really started on a very good note for me, what I didn't expect to get, I got at the beginning, and this drama really did hook me into the story, because I was really captivated by the main pairing: Chi Cheng and Wei Wei (ChengWei) chemistry, and it made me really look forward to their developments story, and how they will be developed as a pairing as the story progresses.
I also really like and enjoy the 2nd Pairing: Guo Chengyu and Jiang Xiao Shuai story as well and I have a soft spot when it comes to pairing being developed as '2 Best Friends on one side getting into a relationship with 2 Best Friends on the other side'. Because, I like the that concept where all 4 (the 2 pairing) can be happy, like a happy family kind of sense, without the unnecessary LT.
Although Revenged Love isn't the first BL adaptation I watched, considering I have watched The Untamed, Word of Honour and The Spirealm before, but Revenged Love is actually the first Real Boys Love drama I watched. So, this will always hold a special place in my heart. What I mean by ‘First Real Boys Love Drama?’, when I said that, I meant there is an actual on-screen kiss scene between two male actors, and it completely took me by surprise by the beginning half of the story, because they were so bold with the whole passion between Chi Cheng and Wei Wei, that you can really feel their chemistry right from the start. Like how can two people just standing next to each other and the way they look at each other can radiate so much chemistry between them? But hey! I am so not complaining here! This just makes it all the more enjoyable and why I love the main pairing (ChengWei) so much!
CHARACTERS & ACTING ₊ ⊹❀
The Casting is also completely new to me as well, since I have never seen any of their previous works before. Maybe I would have for Tian Xuning if Eternal Faith ever gets released since he did play as my favourite character, He Xuan (Earth Master) which is a drama adapted from the novel Tian Gu Ci Fu
Tian Xuning as Chi Cheng
Chi Cheng is the Male Lead in Revenged Love, where his character introduction at the beginning was presented to be like a 'mafia' type of aura, and he doesn't tolerate those who betrays him. He was also raised from a very wealthy family, and from the beginning, he was also shown to really love snakes on his side, and he keeps them like they are his precious babies.
While some may have problems with snakes in this drama, I personally don't find anything off-putting about it, I mean, I even came to like Xiao Cubao a lot.
Tian Xuning portrayal of Chi Cheng had proven how he was made for this role. His acting ability is praise worthy. I found no problems with his acting performance as he delivered his character well. I fell in love with Tian as Chi Cheng on my side from the beginning, I found his character interesting and charismatic, although I will be honest, I don't like people who smoke but for Tian I am totally fine with him, maybe because I am bias :P, or he looks so hot when he does it? I don't know but he has this magnetic charm that pulls me in, and his character overall is my favourite in this drama. He also has a lot of layers that I love, and I felt like he is quite misunderstood where people don’t understand this from his perspective why he did what he did, but Tian really did an amazing job bringing the character Chi Cheng to life, and I am forever grateful I came to love him in this drama, because I will always remember him through this drama!
Also, I felt like Chi Cheng is not an easy character to portray, but with how Tian played this character, you really can’t hate Chi Cheng! I certainly don’t because he made me feel for this character, his micro expression and how he expresses those scenes really made me love/appreciate that he was the one chosen to play as Chi Cheng. No doubt in my mind that there is anyone who can play a better Chi Cheng than Tian Xuning did! Tian Xuning is THE perfect Chi Cheng for me!
One of my favourite scenes from Chi Cheng, is the scene when he first cried in the drama, it felt so real/genuine with how he expresses his heartbreak/sadness and how he wanted to hold back his tears (in the car), yet he couldn’t in the end, I really can feel those emotions and how hurt he felt in that moment. If people don’t see Tian’s acting capabilities, then they surely can feel it in that scene alone!
Zi Yu as Wu Suo Wei | Wei Wei
Wu Suo Wei is the Main Character, and the Protagonist in this story. He actually has like 4 names in this drama, his real character name: Wu Qi Qiong (which he hardly used), his changed name: Wu Suo Wei, Da Bao(which is the first nickname Chi Cheng calls him), and Wei Wei.
For me, since out of all 4 names, I personally love to call him "Wei Wei" better, so I will just refer him as Wei Wei in my review.
Wei Wei was raised in a single-family house-hold from his mother, and at the beginning when he found out that Chi Cheng was dating his ex girlfriend and those situations where Chi Cheng ruined his plan, which was not intentional on Chi Cheng side, but because Wei Wei misunderstood, he actually formed this misconception on him, and he plotted a revenge to get back at Chi Cheng and also Yue Yue for breaking up with him. His plan was to have Chi Cheng fall in love with him, chase after him and then dump him. Well, that was his original intention, but we know it won't always go as plan especially when you know they are going to be a couple in this drama.
What appears to have started with ill intention from Wei Wei side had evolved into something more when he came to fall in love with Chi Cheng. His character actually has a lot of growth in that sense, because he went from someone who he thinks is straight to someone who is gay for Chi Cheng.
When I first found out that Zi Yu was just a backup actor to play this role, because he wasn't originally chosen for this character, it actually made me feel sorry for him, but I am glad that he persisted and tried again, and in the end, we got him to play as Wei Wei in this drama, because he really lightens up the atmosphere, he can be so goofy at times, but in a very hilarious way, and despite his young age, his acting was very good when he played out those emotional scenes. He really sold me to his character as Wei Wei. I love how he brings out his own version of Wei Wei, that made him loveable to me when compared to the Novel. So, similar to how I feel for Tian as Chi Cheng, no one can replace how I feel, that Ziyu is the perfect choice to play as Wei Wei in Revenged Love! I am glad though, since Ziyu and Tian really have that natural chemistry that I really love!
PAIRING CHEMISTRY ₊ ⊹❀
Tian Xuning (Chi Cheng) and Zi Yu (Wei Wei) ~
Chi Cheng and Wei Wei, as a pairing really has been through A LOT in this drama. Their story started off as two individuals, where Wei Wei was the one who made Chi Cheng fall for him due to his Revenged Plot, and yes, Chi Cheng did fell in love with him, where you can see these subtle changes in Chi Cheng's character, when he falls deeper and deeper in love with Wei Wei, to the point that he went from someone who started off by saying "I want to sleep with you", to someone who will restrain himself because of what Wei Wei said to him "If you and I have sex, then this will only be a physical thing, you will never have my heart", and "We are not even dating, so why should I let you do what you want with me". I think one of the main reason Chi Cheng loves Wei Wei so much is because Wei Wei actually challenges Chi Cheng, he was also the first person who said "No" to sleeping with him, despite Wei Wei was the one who make Chi Cheng falls in love with him at first.
They have chemistry I tell you! Whether it's onscreen when they're in character, or in the BTS! Their chemistry is what makes it a big hit for this drama. I am not usually someone who will want to go watch the BTS, but I don't know why Revenged Love, I just am so captivated with the BTS, watching it just makes me love TianZiyu even more. I felt like the BTS can be a drama entirely on its own because it is more bold when compared to the Drama for me.
While in the Drama, I do agree with some people in here/and other social media, that the feeling ChengWei gives off after the whole Wang Shuo Arc, really felt like their relationship has changed, I actually have mixed feelings to how I feel about this. I mean in this changed, you can really see a contrast between how Chi Cheng was like at the beginning when compared to how he had evolved into in the end. And, if I have to say this in simplified terms then, "the beginning is fiery passion between the two, whereas the latter half is more passion but in a more ‘silent or gentle’ manner where it is left offscreen(not for viewers)".
In terms of TianZiyu chemistry, their chemistry never diminished for me, it has always been there and that is why I will always love TianZiyu chemistry as ChengWei but a part of me still misses and wanted to see that ‘fiery passion’ like how they were seen in the beginning but when I didn’t get even one final passionate kiss between them in the final episode, that did left me feeling a bit sad and disappointed that we never get to have the one last final kiss in the last episode.
This is why I have mixed feelings, because that part/side to me, wish we could have that, and that will be a good way to end the drama, I mean, it's not like I am asking for another NC scene but considering all they've been through, especially after the whole angst, and Chi Cheng coming back into Wei Wei's life, I really expected like a passionate kiss between them if that makes sense.
I can't say whether this was intentional or not, because we will never know, but you definitely can see the change in ChengWei relationship changing in the second half of the story, after they got back together. Maybe this was to show a contrast from beginning vs ending, how the character, Chi Cheng has evolved/developed into someone soft/sweet when it comes to his love for Wei Wei. He may be a red flag in the novel, but to me, he is a green flag when it comes to Wei Wei in the Drama, especially after they got back together, Chi Cheng is very sweet/loving and domestic with Wei Wei, where you can really see/feel it in the way they look at each other, even their hugs can be powerful enough that make me swoon/fangirl for them. Yes, I love them that much!
I guess in a way it works out better for them, because I got sick and tired of people saying ChengWei is toxic at the beginning (when they weren’t to me, each to their own I guess), but at least with how they made it like that after they got back together, is filled with sweetness, where their love is shown in a more gentle/passionate way and you don’t really need those kisses to show how much they love each other, but you can feel it through their actions, and honestly, for me, while I wanted 1 final passionate kiss, I’ve made terms with it, because I can still feel ChengWei love for each other has grown into something more deeper in that sense, and if I ever wanted to see those passionate kiss scenes, I will just go back and watch it in the beginning, since we got more than we could have asked for when it comes to a Chinese BL Drama. I never think we would get this much when I first started this drama, it’s just when they give me so much in the beginning, I did get my hopes up and want them to show me more towards the end, especially after they got back together, this is why I was left a bit unsatisfied at first when I saw the ending.
OVERALL IMPRESSION ₊ ⊹❀
Despite my original gripe at how episode 24 was only a 33 minutes episode (since I still wish it was a full 45 minute episode, 50+ minutes would have been better!!), I am still surprised they managed to give us so much in the span of 33 minutes at the end.
While it isn’t entirely perfect since I wish there were some parts that was done better, but this, to me, is definitely better than the novel for me with those changes, I have read the novel to certain parts, and I didn’t like what was shown, that is why I didn’t continue with the Novel. I love the changes to Chi Cheng and Wei Wei’s character in the Drama. For me, despite I wish certain plot points could have been better, and how I wish that those scenes weren’t deleted, but I still want to give this an overall 10/10, because I am emotionally connected to the characters/pairing and the story on my end. This overall is 10/10 is coming from my heart, how much I came to love this drama despite its flaws, and this ending really left me wanting more!!!
It hurts to say goodbye, and I don't want to say goodbye to Chi Cheng, Wei Wei and ChengWei.... I am going to miss them so much!!! but I still want to say a big thank you to you, Tian Xuning and Ziyu for the beauty you've given us and giving me the perfect Chi Cheng and Wei Wei. Nothing can diminish the glory of your work, not even the shameful editing towards the end, fans who paid and watched this in official platform deserves better, but most importantly, you deserve better. You will certainly be missed, no matter what happens in the future, I hope you will always be happy and protected away from any unnecessary toxic attention.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review, I know it's long!
P.S: I actually did added GCY and JXS and other parts to my review, but due to the character limit, I have to remove it, so I will post them in my review comment instead for those who is interested
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Smoking, Scheming, Sexual (ASSult)and Snakes
I have so many issues with this drama its scary but at the same time a part of me just wants to celebrate the fact that this BL made it out in China... A drama where manipulation and sexual assault are means to help ones partner let loos.... and where friends that scheme together stay together. A drama where no means work harder and air without a mist of smoke just does not seem to exists, and nothings says I love you as much as a box (filled with cartons) of cigarettes. Entertaining at times sure, but a part of me wonders if this actually was Chinese anti LGBTQ+ propaganda disguised as a romance BL...The acting in this drama is so bad the only thing worse in it is the dubbing, while one of the male leads and his freind do seem to be able to deliver a line or two the others acting goes from bad to worse to okay back to really bad.
I personally love snakes but if you have ophidiophobia you will wither be cured, scared to death or have to skip the firs 12 episodes or so.
As for the characters and the story, there is not a single character (okay maybe the poor mom, but she also makes some bad decisions) that is good, pure, kind as they are highly problematic do a lot of shady stuff and deliver such great lines as.
"You killed the snake (that was strangling another person to death) are you even human"
Not to mention a complete lack of acknowledging the B in LGBTQ....
Oh and seriously, mouth blown sugar figurines, that can not be hygienic, at all.
So what can I say, expect highly questionable actions, moral decay, steam, lots of steam, smoke and snakes. But oddly entertaining friendships and obsessions.
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1This review may contain spoilers
The production as rough as the relationship between Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng.
Why of why did they not keep it short and simple? You truly do not have to adapt everything that is in the novel plot line. You can in fact just pick one aspect and make it happen. We had so much going on, but somehow nothing really was happening.Revenge Wu Suo Wei planned, Chi Cheng family drama, whatever was going on between Chi Cheng and Cheng Yu, second leads romance, Yue Yue and whatever she was doing, the snake business, the art business, Wang Shuo and his drama, Wang Shuo’s bro who was there to look hot, make Chi Cheng jealous and make us hope they would develop his not so bro like relationship with Wang Shuo, Wu Suo Wei’s mother’s health issues… I am sure I am missing some other side plots.
I could feel that people involved in this production actually cared about it, but maybe they cared a little bit too much so they were not able to let go some aspect that would in fact improve overall quality. The actions and decisions were as misguided as the ones of the characters.
If we just focus on the love and chemistry between Chi Cheng and Wu Suo Wei, it would be perfect. I adored the love and devotion I saw in Chi Cheng’s eyes when he was looking at Wu Suo Wei. The way on his side the connection moved from pure curiosity, to last and then to love was done in a perfect manner - be it performance or pacing wise.
And then we have Wu Suo Wei who not only had to deal with his unexpected growing fondness towards Chi Cheng who was by all means his enemy, but also his newly discovered interest in men. Baby boy went into complete panic mode more than once. But the fact these two ended up completely in love is undenied.
Then we had a second couple and I’m only left with disappointment. I love Guo Cheng Yu, I love him the most out of all the characters. He was the true man of the story. Every new scene with him made me just love him more and more. The way he did not take advantage of Doc being drugged, the way he took revenge on Doc’s ex - how patient he was during the relationship - he kept gaining points from me.
But then we had Doc - Xiao Shuai… oh boy. He did not deliver on the romance at all. First of all, I rather have no kissing scenes than watch a scene where one clearly is not enjoying whatever is happening. I could sense how awkward Liu Xuan Cheng felt while filming it, and I should not be feeling what actors are feeling, I should be feeling what the characters were supposed to feel. Liu Xuan Cheng did the best in the silly down to earth scenes between him and Zi Yu and their friendship baby girl energy. But when we talk about any more serious scenes, emotionally heavy ones or romantic ones - he failed, over and over again.
Yes, Chu Cheng did a number of questionable things, so did Wu Suo Wei - that’s not the issue. The bigger problem was how writing wise they were not always consistent with how the characters were written in the first place. Example: Chi Cheng could not bear to actually hurt Wu Suo Wei and he did not want to force Wu Suo Wei to sleep with him. And yet that’s exactly what he did by scheming and manipulating Doc. If your lover's reasoning for going to sleep with you is anything other than them actually wanting to sleep with you, you are doing something wrong.
Any other dynamics worth mentioning? Whatever was going on between Chi Cheng and Cheng Yu. I am sure these two characters at least once thought about sleeping with each other. No way their feelings were not even slightly complicated in their past. I loved it. I also loved the friendship between Wu Suo Wei and Xiao Shuai, even if some of their schemes “against” each other that were aiming for their own good, would for sure cross my personal boundary.
And here comes the biggest surprise, I actually ended up adoring Wang Shuo. This idol snake stole my heart. He was the greatest source of never ending entertainment. The cheekiness and boldness that was covering up his deep sense of insecurity was one of the best aspects of the drama. I wish we saw more of him and his “bro not really bro” with whom he clearly did not have bro chemistry going on.
Yue Yue was boring, the off screen conclusion of her character was boring.
The sick mother plotline was annoying and I wish it was shorter. The lack of communication and the whole plot was so poorly written and annoying, I was rolling my eyes so hard I could see the neurons dying in my brain. That said, the actual conclusion and the death of the mother was shot in a beautiful and touching way - cannot deny that.
Production wise… questionable? The dubbing was painful. But it is something you can get used to. By episode 3 I was not bothered by it at all. Honestly, compared to others the dubbing did not bother me that much. What bothered me was the song choices, especially two tracks. One gave Twilight vibes, the other gave me hallmark christmas movie vibes. It does not matter what scene they were playing for, I could not stop laughing. On the better side - I actually liked the set design and the outfits the characters were wearing matched their personalities perfectly. Yes, a bit too… on the nose? But somehow it matched the overall tone of the story - it was cliche and over the top, but fun.
On the sad note: not even the strongest toxic gege can fight censorship. It is a proper BL, don’t get me wrong. We get plenty of kisses and intimate scenes. But we also get less and less of them as the show progresses. In later episodes we could see how they cut the scenes shorter and the transitions were not smooth at all. I get that external limitations of what they can show are something they could not do anything about, but you can always be smart while filming. Film scenes in a way that even if you are later forced to cut short, they still feel completed.
Then there is the issue of them being casual about really serious topics: Chi Cheng making gang rape happen. Wu Suo Wei pretending he wants to kill himself in front of Doc, who in fact in the past tried to off himself. I know they tidied up a lot of "problematic" things from the novel, but then why leave these few scenes that are simply not necessary anyway? It's like you deep clean your house, but leave a shit in the middle of a living room. I’m not necessarily against dark romance and I enjoy problematic relationships as forms of entertainment too, but they need to be presented in a proper context. Here they made the story more cute, at times even wholesome, but still left some bits of that typical darker story. It just did not mix well at all.
Overall, it was fun, but so unnecessarily long. Maybe if they actually kept the plot more tight and made the show shorter, the censorship police would not have caught them fast enough and we’ve got the whole show without the obvious re-edits and cuts done in the second half.
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