Revenged Love

What is this overrated trash i just watched?

Excuse me for the title but it just expresses my disappointment with this drama.

Twitter people were buzzing about the new BL in town so I had to check it out.
I had expected that the production quality will be bad so I am not disappointed by that. This is reminiscent of the worst kind of BLs from Thailand years ago when the quality and content used to unwatchably bad and traumatic. Thailand's dramas have developed so much since then and chinese bromances, at least from what I remember, had some beautiful plots.

One of the lead actors is terribly bad with his comic timing and the other one is too stiff to be called good.

Is it watchable? Yes! You can finish it if you don't care much about the painfully cringy plot or you have it in you to give the horrific toxicity a pass and still see the relationship as love but honestly, its just far worse than most BLs people have openly trashed upon. So, I am confused about why it is overrated. I see some people shipping actors (not characters, but actors and talking about off screen chemistry). Something about the direction, the shipping culture and the style screams fetishization to me. So, if you get uncomfortable by that,this is not for you.

I felt the need to write that other that the acting that I didn't like, I mostly consider the writer as well as the director to be responsible for ruining this drama beyond redemption. This wasn't as simple as showing a bad character but this was about showing an abuser and then trying to turn him into a prince...bad,repeated exposure to abusive and criminal behavior in the guise of romance is a good example of the writer as well as director requiring some therapy. When you write such characters, you don't color them bright. They are supposed to be seen as abusers and not romantics

Let's say that I will prefer watching my favorite "your name engraved herein" hundred times than watching one more episode of this cringefest. It might actually work out for the very younh audience but I guess 🤷 not because its 18+ ?

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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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The production as rough as the relationship between Wu Suo Wei and Chi Cheng.

Why, oh why did they not keep it short and simple? You truly do not have to adapt everything that is in the novel. You can in fact just pick one aspect and make it happen. We had so much going on, but somehow nothing was really 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 of 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 lust 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 sleeping 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 good 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, 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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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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Meh

The chemistry between actors and the music are the only good point about this show.

The story, though it started well at the beginning just lost itself until the end, it's just too long whithout anything to say and the show could have ended after around 8-10 episodes...

Character like Chi Cheng are despicable, the guy litterally r*pe all of his best friend boyfriends, and both of them consider it as just a game. I mean the first episode litterally contain a gang r*pe for a professional mistake and later this guy even threaten to do it to someone if Wei didn't give what he want "because i can't afford to force him". How romantic this is, a rapist that don't want to force someone for once in his life, so everything fine I guess.

Is the show going to make a message about abuses? No. Never. No instead look, it's soooooo romantic...
It's just a overated pile of garbage, just skip, there is better show out there worth of your time.

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BTS Was more Fun than the Series...

Me and one of my close friends literally dedicated two whole days to get through this, that's how much excitement we had behind this. Except, the problem was that it didn't deliver like I was anticipating, which might be entirely my own fault.

Let's Dive In.

My entire Instagram Reel was full of BTS of this series, which is what initially got both me and my friend excited. Immediately, me and her made plans to get together and binge the series. Now, what I did not know was that this was 24 episodes for 40 minutes each. Ouch. Honestly, if I could go back, I would've rather watched this while it was airing. 24 episodes is a lot to get through, and our binge day ended up being a two-day binge (a sleepover with my amazing, hilarious, and great friend, so I really didn't mind.)

Before this, I have never watched a Chinese BL or drama in general (technically Addicted, but I remember quite literally nothing besides kidnapping...yeah), so the language, traditional Chinese style editing, cinematography, and overall cheesiness was something I wasn't prepared for at all. Again, a "my fault' thing. The initial set up of the story is fun, if not entirely idiotic to get revenge on a man for a woman that literally hates your guts, but okay! Again, I had to kind of put myself in a "this is not serious, don't take this seriously" mood. It kind of felt like I was watching one of those little mini series they advertise on TikTok where you have to pay to watch each part and it's like a crazy set up... yeah, that's what it felt like.

It wasn't that this series had some crazy, "that can't happen fr" moments, but some stuff was just so good vs evil, wrong vs right coded that I couldn't help but snicker every few minutes. You know who is evil, you know who is good, and there is no in-between. This reminded me of Thai BL in mid/late 2010s: Evil woman, lead is only gay for other lead, top is toxic, every obstacle ever to break up the leads. But, even with saying that, I still kinda enjoyed it. I think you watch, you laugh, you say "huh?" a couple of times, and then you move on. I also learned a lot about snakes, how fun!

The editing is what really took me out. So many fade to black moments for no reason, and too many times it felt like they had cut entire scenes. I know this series was very censored after it's initial release, so maybe lots of stuff was cut due to it, but you can't expect me to think Cheng is going around saying the thing he's saying, smacking/jiggling Ba Dao's ass and they wouldn't show them actually getting it on. Whatever.

Which is my next point: the BTS was so much more thrilling than the actual series. So insanely crazy to say. After episode 14 (after already watching the series on 1.75x speed), me and my friend generously skimmed through the rest of this series. Lots of this and that, exes, snakes, fade to blacks, blah, blah, blah. I have a feeling this could've definitely been wrapped in 12 to 15 episodes if they threw out every single new obstacle that the leads and side leads had to go through for whatever reason.

Lastly, I think the side leads are adorable, but then they kiss and... again, "Huh?" It was like they were moving their heads, but their lips weren't moving...? Odd.

Okay, enough crapping on this. I didn't hate it, seriously I didn't, but I don't know if Chinese BLs are going to be my cup of tea. I'm willing to give others a try, and I'm always open for suggestions. Just maybe not one that's so..... comically cheesy?

Ratings:

Story: 7.5/10 - The initial conflict and setup isn't bad, but it's all the other conflicts that come after and just the overall trashy vibes. The leads had good chemistry, I won't get too deep into "omg, Chi Cheng is the worse and is so hyper toxic that I would need another separate review just to talk about it." so I'll just say, I wasn't his biggest fan. Honestly, everyone was pretty toxic, but oh well.

Acting: 8/10 - Good. Nothing crazy, again I was getting use to the acting in Chinese dramas, so it's not the crazy best (imo), but I think Ba Dao handled his more emotional scenes to the T.

Music: 6/10 - Some random english song would start to play and throw me completely off. I did like whatever song was playing during Cheng Fu and Xiao Shuai's NC scene when the power went out.

Recommendation Value: 4/10 - Eh. Watch it cause I think the hype around the series is fun. I also think this is opening more doors for Chinese BLs to happen, and that makes a lot of people happy which makes me really happy. But, honestly, I could've done without watching this series. By next week, I'll have forgotten everything besides snakes, Xu Ning shirtless, and a shot in the ass (LOVED that scene, lol).

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A comfort drama in the truest sense: emotionally open, imperfect, and deeply felt

There is something quietly disarming about how Revenged Love settles into the viewer’s life. It doesn’t announce itself as an event or demand immediate devotion; instead, it seeps in gradually, building familiarity before you realize how attached you’ve become. What begins as a light, almost mischievous romantic premise slowly reveals itself as a story driven less by plot mechanics than by emotional accumulation. By the time the series finds its footing, the investment is no longer optional. You are already there, watching not to be surprised, but to feel.

The premise is familiar and unapologetically so. Wu Suo Wei, wounded by abandonment, chooses revenge as a form of proximity, inserting himself into the life of Chi Cheng, the man who replaced him. The plan is flawed from its conception, bends under its own contradictions, and inevitably collapses once genuine feeling takes hold. Revenged Love never pretends this outcome is unexpected. Its confidence lies in accepting the shape of this story and inhabiting it fully, finding humor, tension, and warmth within a structure that prioritizes emotional truth over narrative surprise. The series understands that what sustains a romance is not novelty, but resonance.

The opening episodes lean comfortably into comedy and deliberate exaggeration. Absurd situations, broad timing, and a near-theatrical lightness establish a tone that refuses to overexplain itself. This works because the characters themselves are compelling enough to carry it. Wu Suo Wei is impulsive and emotionally transparent, someone who reacts before he reflects, and his vulnerability is never framed as something to be fixed. Chi Cheng enters as his counterbalance: confident, affluent, self-possessed, wrapped in a dominance that might veer into caricature if not for Tian Xuning’s controlled, precise performance. Their collision generates a tension rooted not only in attraction, but in pride, status, and the uneasy negotiation of power.

That tension is allowed to mature slowly. Episode by episode, the initial performance of control and provocation loses its effectiveness, giving way to something more exposed and emotionally dangerous. When this shift occurs, Revenged Love pivots quietly. Revenge fades into irrelevance, replaced by questions of endurance. Who stays when the premise collapses, who yields first, who loves without knowing how to protect themselves from it. The series treats this emotional realignment with notable sensitivity, resisting the urge to label feelings too quickly or reduce them to explanation.

At the center of it all is the chemistry between Zi Yu and Tian Xuning, which functions less as spectacle and more as evolution. It deepens, shifts, and fractures in believable ways. Meaning lives in lingering glances, in silences that stretch uncomfortably, in gestures so restrained they feel almost accidental. Chi Cheng’s progression from rigid control to hesitant surrender is shaped with patience and respect for his internal rhythm. Wu Suo Wei’s journey is even more exposed, moving from impulsive attachment to a love lived openly, without calculation, shame, or retreat. Few recent BLs have articulated this transition with such emotional clarity.

Some images, once seen, refuse to fade. The fireworks sequence, underscored by a resonant and carefully chosen soundtrack, stands as the emotional emblem of the series. Its power lies not only in its visual beauty, but in the meaning it carries: a deliberate choice to remain, to stay present, even when love becomes confusing, exhausting, and painfully incomplete. In that moment, spectacle gives way to vulnerability, and what could have been simple romantic flourish becomes a quiet emotional statement. It is a scene that slips beyond the boundaries of its episode, lingering in the viewer’s memory as an unspoken farewell, the kind that says everything precisely because nothing is said aloud.

The supporting cast brings a necessary sense of balance to the series, most clearly embodied in Cheng Yu and Xiao Shuai. Although they occupy less screen time, their relationship unfolds with a calm assurance that feels deliberate. Rather than relying on declarations or dramatic turns, their bond grows through familiarity: shared looks, easy presence, and moments of quiet understanding. This lived-in quality gives the series a steadier emotional ground, allowing the protagonists’ volatility to feel sharper by contrast. While revenge and desire drive the central romance forward in sweeping motions, this second relationship moves at a gentler pace, anchoring the narrative without ever lessening its emotional weight.

Xiao Shuai, especially, stands out for the care with which he is written and performed. He resists the easy categorization of the “comic friend” and instead emerges as Suo Wei’s most reliable emotional anchor, someone who listens more than he speaks, who supports without intruding, who loves without seeking validation. His presence subtly reshapes the emotional balance of the series, suggesting that care does not need to be loud or performative to be meaningful. Through this secondary couple, Revenged Love resists turning inward on itself, opening space for a broader, more generous understanding of intimacy. Their quiet steadiness reads as a form of grace, reinforcing the idea that love can be patient, undramatic, and still profoundly affecting.

Not everything, however, withstands the test of time. From its second half onward, Revenged Love seems to lose some confidence in its own simplicity. The script becomes entangled in repetitive conflicts, leaning too heavily on miscommunication between adult characters and persisting in storylines that drain more energy than they add emotional depth. The recurring return of Chi Cheng’s ex illustrates this wear particularly well: his prolonged presence tests the viewer’s patience and softens the impact of moments that could have been narratively explosive. What once felt like dramatic tension begins to edge toward exhaustion.

When the pacing softens, the series reaches its most affecting terrain. Scenes of care, grief, and emotional repair, especially those shared between Wu Suo Wei and his mother, unfold with a tenderness that feels carefully measured. The emotion is undeniably heightened, as it must be when confronting loss, but never excessive. Instead of tipping into overwrought melodrama, the series allows feeling to breathe, trusting silence, proximity, and small gestures to carry the weight of grief. These moments broaden the story’s emotional register and remind us that beneath the romantic turbulence lies a meditation on belonging, mourning, and familial love. It is precisely in this controlled, humane balance that Revenged Love feels most enduring, grounding its romance in something deeper and more universal than desire alone.

Viewed within the realities of its production, shaped by budget constraints, noticeable cuts, and an ending briefer than the story seemed to demand, the series’ cohesion remains striking. Revenged Love arrives at its conclusion without diluting its intentions or softening its emotional core, maintaining a clear sense of purpose to the very end. It refuses to frame its romance as tentative, compromised, or apologetic, and within such a restrictive creative environment, that steadfastness reads not as defiance, but as a quiet, resonant triumph.

In the end, this may not be the most technically polished or structurally rigorous BL of the year. But it is undeniably one of the most inviting. Revenged Love operates as a comfort drama in the truest sense: emotionally open, imperfect, and deeply felt. It arrives without grand promises and leaves behind a gentle ache, and few series manage to make departure feel this personal. Perhaps that is why letting go feels heavier than expected.

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A Ride I Barely Survived

My first C drama and I was a bit taken aback by the dubbing thing… Can’t say I’m a fan of that aspect.

Acting:
Pretty good, a couple of noteworthy scenes where things got serious. Definitely more scenes where the acting was lacking, though. But not egregiously so.

Writing:

EEEEEK bro… If this is a heavily adapted version, keep that original novel AWAY from me. This was rough. Didn’t love that gangrape set-up by Chi Cheng, then he like changed entirely as a person? Idk, felt like poor writing. First 10 episodes were decent. I love a good snake situation. Except that it’s 2025 and we’re still writing bl plots where the only relevant female character is painted as super evil when she’s really just a classist bitch while the ML is over here committing actual crimes that would put him in federal prison and also send him to the void at the QuinDecim… Like it’s fiction so whatever, I’ll get over it and probably will enjoy the story anyway. But, I did write a 12-page paper and had to do a presentation on this topic so it’s real hard to ignore now. Episodes 11-12 were mostly painful to watch as it was essentially just a dub-con plot with some fluff in there. Then the next like 9 episodes had me CRASHING out. Then the next 2 were a bit better than those. Then the last episode had me asking WHERE IS MY DIET DR KELP. I needed something more. Why is that side couple getting a passionate smooch but my main boys gave us a lil snuggle? Don’t piss me offfff.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

It was alright, definitely there. Most likely couldn’t live up to their full potential bc of censorship in writing/filming/editing. Not the best I’ve seen but not even close to the worst. This story as a romance is… Eh? Idk man, it’s fine ig? Ish? Kissing was okay at best. Maybe censorship again..? But I didn’t get passion and love from the kisses as much as I like to see in a romance. Again, not the worst by far. Didn’t care for the second couple that much. Didn’t feel much chemistry, didn’t like their romance story, and obv that made me not even bother to care about their kissing.

NC Scenes:

Obviously censorship plays a role. I think they could have gone a different route, maybe an artsy one? Something was missing and it wasn’t the lack of more explicit content, it was more like a sensuality and passion to the scene. Doesn’t help that the story was just dub-con plot either.

Music/SFX:

That FUCKASS RINGTONE dawg. In my nightmares every night on repeeeeeat. Hilarious as hell that it was playing nonstop for the frist 10 episodes and then just disappears though lol. Music though? Banger after banger, my guy. SFX besides the fuckass ringtone was okay for the most part but there were a couple questionable choices there.

Overall, it was a lot to take in… Love a snek, love a Zi Yu, love a Tian Xu Ning. But like, it feels like the a lot of ya’ll played a trick on me with your 9-10 star ratings…

Highlights from my EIGHT pages of notes:

- I went into this pretty blind but I did have some assumptions and I can promise you that none of them had to do with snakes
- End those fuckass dark denim with white stitching onesies asap PLEASE.
- I really think they made lil man’s (he’s 9 inches taller than me lmao) character a bit too straight. That shit would’ve been clocked and dumped pretty fast by me and every other queer person I know.
- Mommy said my girlfriend has to come with me on my business trip. I have to listen to mommy bc daddy has my snakes and instead of going to retrieve them and dealing with the whole situation once and for all I’m going to continue acting like this.
- Every last one of em are pissing me off istg.
- Sneks topping all the charts lmao everyone wants them fr.
- Wdym meeeean I’m not even halfway through this series yet???
- Uhhh.. How would that make my boy want to sleep with slitherin..? What in the hell is happening anymore..??
- Alright, I can’t take it anymore.. WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE THE SAME RINGTONEEEE
- This shit make me want nicotine soooooo bad.. impulse control slowly dropping below 0.. casual relapse approaching in 3.. 2.. 1..
- Istg everyone just pisssssing me offff if I were baby I would kill everyone around me and then myself at this point
- Imma have nightmares featuring that fuckass ringtone
- Does Guo own one single shirt or 10 of the same shirt?
- Congrats on the sex you guys really good work out there.
- Lmao baby got bent in half. Never seen a bl drama address the morning after desire for pain medication and a donut pillow before lmao.
- FUCK Guo once again for setting that up just for them to have an “I’m the most unbothered look how nonchalant I am” contest like what was the point. Guo always gotta be doing something pointless that isn’t his business.
- Bro I’m WHEEZING who tf is this muscle tank homie who just whipped out of nowhere to one-strike ko that fuckass Wang Shaun ahahahaaaaaa.
- Jesus Christ… Mama dying fr now?
- This is so messsyyyyyyaaahhhh
- OOOOh brother I’d be in a jail cell if that man was acting like that around me oooh brotherrrrrrr
- “Don’t wait up for me” is genuinely one of the dumbest things you could tell your partner in this situation…
- OKAY hahahahha so my boy wearing sneaker and walking on a rug so why we adding crisp click clack footprint SFX lmaooo
- Gonna toss it out there, that’s not boxing…
- JUST FUCKING TALK WHAT ARE WE DOINGG
- Why he keep giving away insanely priced art pieces for free..??
- WHY is Guo spending his birthday with the Wang bros????????????????
- “Ayo, hand me the aux. Let’s get this party started” *presses play on Hello by Lionel Richie* Or Adele, both fit quite well tbh
- Why the fuck did it take this long for him to say that to Wang Shaun?? You only say it AFTER finding out he didn’t cheat? Cheating and pretending to cheat are both fucking awful? What the fuck is this story I can’t tell if I’m too stable or unstable for this shit man
- Ya’ll got mad cash why you drinking Budweiser all the damn time?
- Just noticed the truly shocking fact that the second half of this show is devoid of that fuckass ringtone lmao
- Why is this the third episode where the plot revolves around coercing someone to have sex before they are ready/want to?
- Why do all of these characters act irrationally when they should act rationally and rationally when they should definitely be acting irrationally..?
- “I brought you a gift” *child appears* “oh cute, where is he from!” lmao not the reaction I would have had if my partner whipped up at dinner time with a child I’ve never seen before hahaha
- ahahahahaha I’m dying what is this show anymoreeee
Sit down I want to talk to you about something *she disagrees* “stop talking” ahh yes, a grown ass man
- Go back to selling sugar figurines..? You’ve got mad resume now and you’re names not in the mud so you definitely don’t have to be a street vendor lmao
- Ahahaha bro really hit em with a “you’re adopted” ahahahahaaaa
- Whats the sitch with the sneks where my noodle boys at
- A $140,000 price reduction?????????? Even in a buyer’s market that would NEVER happen
- Episode 23 jail visit definitely top 3 if not #1 best acted scene in this show
- What do you mean there’s only 30 minutes to wrap this up in the last episode????
- Why are there water guns? Why is the FUCK are the Wang brothers here?? Wjhat the fuuuck
Am I high..? What the fuck is this? Where is my touching reunion? Where’s the intimate moment where they realize that they’re going to be okay? Where is the look into each other’s eyes where they finally can take a breath knowing that everything is over and they can rebuild? Where is my passionate kiss? WHERE IS MY DIET DR KELP What the fuck am I watching?

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Depravity sold as love - So bad that it's painful to watch.

I give all trending dramas a fair chance before judging them but after a few episodes, you can make a fair assumption of what the drama is about.

This drama is about a man who is highly sexually abusive in his personal life and has a followed the life of crime. There are two types of criminals shown in movies or dramas
1) the first one is the one that fights fairly for power even though he has toxic traits. These ones are criticised rightly despite redeeming qualities.

2) the second one is the villain among the villains as in, that man has no limits. He can be as deprave as you can imagine a monster to be and by the end of the movie, you want him butchered in front of your eyes.

The main character is a third category here - He is actually a rapist/ criminal in a romantic comedy. I don't even know how to approach this story. What should I even do? Should I just shut my brain and pretend that it's romantic or should I expect the story to be realistic where the victim as well as the boyfriend will some day give him a taste of his karma? I feel terrible for the victim who hasn't even come out in the drama and poor thing has experienced abuse. He does feel uncomfortable many times but he is made to think it's romantic which is actually in line with how rapists generally behave. His first experience is ruined along with his mental health. Yeah, no wonder he confuses abuse with romance.

What genre is it? Surely not love. I am dropping it for now but if the abuser gets his karma in the end and the victim gets his revenge (I want him in jail), I believe it will make sense and I will then finish it. The title "Revenged love" will have s lot of meaning then. For now, I will keep in on hold.
I am not a fan of acting and I didn't feel much chemistry even though many fans told me that the chemistry is great. Frankly, I have a japanese word for it - Itai (so cringe that it's painful to watch)

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Drags on after a while

There's a mix of just barely enough of a story, a stunted communication trope, SA, the fake-out to the dark themes, and a rushed ending that overall made it fall flat, it seems that you need to watch the behind the scenes to get much enjoyment out of this. To me, the plot was killed off way too soon, and the "dark" underlying theme to it took on too much of a bubblegum effect as episodes went by. The more we were left with the pieces to the story, the less they make sense or add to the series. I understand one of the main underlying themes is that Chi Cheng changed, shed that cocoon he had wrapped himself in to wallow in misery, but I would've liked more in-depth scenes to this change he went through. I would've liked to have a full-circle moment where they actually communicated for once, but the viewer is kind of left to fill in those gaps on their own. Maybe it's the subtitles, I don't know.

Though the second pairing weren't that much better, I did find them a lot more palatable even though they were a struggle to get to that point of enjoying their story.

And a bit off topic, but the dubbing and breathing constantly added to Chi Cheng (like when he'd drink) drove me up a wall.

Overall, I would not watch it again, but it was good to see a sense of progress for Chinese BL, and I am glad the cast had so much support from international audiences too.

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