Revenged Love

Summer of 2025

I don’t think I’m in the right mental space to write this review — but anygays, here we are. This drama just ended this week, and my heart is still caught somewhere between the moonlit joy it gave me and the aching emptiness it left behind. Revenged Love didn’t just entertain me — it consumed me. It made me happy — like genuinely, over-the-moon, can’t-stop-smiling happy — and it made me hurt. And honestly? Feeling both at the same time is a miracle only a few stories can pull off.

Let’s start with the obvious: the chemistry. My god, the chemistry. Tian Xuning, Zi Yu, Zhan Xuan, and Xuan Cheng — I have no words for the magic they created. This is one of those rare, rare series where you could take any two characters, pair them up in a scene, and the screen would sizzle. They made longing feel tangible, like if you reached out, you could touch it. And this wasn’t the high-budget, overly-polished kind of production — it was modest, but the acting? The commitment? Off the charts.

This isn’t a censored “brotherhood” BL. Oh no. This is an uncensored BL that aired outside China, complete with beautifully shot NC scenes that are tender, intense, and dripping with unspoken love. You can feel the comfort level between the actors — they weren’t just acting intimacy, they were living it in those moments. And that comfort, that authenticity, is what elevates this series into something unforgettable.

The story itself… the novel it’s based on had some problematic aspects, sure. But the way they adapted and edited it here? Chef’s kiss. They took the bones of the original and stripped out what wouldn’t work, leaving us with a narrative that still feels sharp, emotional, and deeply human. And come on — it’s China. We know when they want to deliver a BL worth remembering, they go absolutely stupendo-fantabulous. The best of the best.

I won’t lie — the editing in the final episodes let me down a little. Some pacing felt off, some moments could’ve been lingered on longer. But the songs, the cinematography, the soul of the story? Perfection. And the way both couples would just hold each other’s gaze — no words, just an eternity’s worth of emotions in their eyes — that’s the kind of love story that stays with you.

And yes, I have to mention this: the BTS footage is as addictive as the drama itself. These actors? Completely at ease with BL roles, laughing, teasing, and slipping effortlessly into their characters’ intimacy. It’s rare, and it’s beautiful to witness.

Also, Wang Shou — my beautiful, beautiful princess with a disorder. (And yes, I say that with every ounce of affection in my heart.) Special mention because he stole scenes in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

The last time I felt this alive about a drama was the summer of 2019. Now it’s the summer of 2025, and Revenged Love has carved itself into my memory forever. It’s the kind of series that leaves you with withdrawal symptoms — the aching kind where you can’t bring yourself to start anything new because you’re still living in its world.

So here I am, floating somewhere between Tian and Ziyu’s fierce devotion, Zhan Xuan and Xuan Cheng’s deep pull, and the bittersweet knowledge that it’s over. And I know one thing for sure — I’ll always remember this summer.

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Chemistry between the 2 male lead is everything

The chemistry between the two MLs is what kept me going until the very end of the series.

To be honest, the storyline isn’t really my type. I feel quite annoyed with how they wasted five whole episodes on a past love story that made absolutely no sense to me. It really didn’t need that many episodes for something that’s long over — two eps would’ve been more than enough. Stretching it out to five or six eps felt like such a waste. And because they dragged that out for so long, the later episodes ended up feeling rushed, as if they were scrambling to cram in an entire second volume’s worth of plot from the original novel, which made it turn to be too rushed after episode 20 and, at times, even a bit messy.

Five episodes for a shallow, irrelevant romance that no one cares about anymore… yet the same number of episodes was all they had to cover the events of volume two. That’s probably one of my biggest regrets while watching.

And towards the end, perhaps because of censorship, scenes that should have had a kiss to elevate the emotion of the moment were completely removed. It felt like being spoiled with a feast of meat and fish every week, only to suddenly be forced into going vegetarian — very frustrating. The ending scene was also abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving me with a lump in my throat. Thankfully, I later got to see the leaked clip of Sou Wei taking Chi Cheng to his father’s grave to introduce his boyfriend. Without that, I swear I would’ve held a grudge against the production team forever.

The acting isn’t outstanding — sometimes it even feels a bit stiff to me — but they still have those magical moments when the performance truly soars. I even cried by the river while watching episode 19; Ziyu’s acting in that episode was absolutely captivating. Even now, I still tear up whenever I see anything related to Ziyu in episode 19.

Also, the BTS of this series is insane.
Thank you for making my summer of 2025 unforgettable.
Love. ❤️

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Circumventing Censorship: Daring Approach in Love

What seems to be another frantic attempt to enter the rising game of elite LGBTQIA+ series, turns out to be a complete game-changer. Not only does it leave my chinese studies brain - who also just came back from studying in China for one year - completely scattered with questions of how can a series this vivid be produced in nowadays China; but also the (voice) acting and superior editing left me without doubt that this will be one, if not THE game-changer of the year 2025.

Bringing such a series to life, given all the circumstances and hidden legal pathways, is kind of like a modern wonder. It´s creating visibility for possibilities that many had long given up on, me included. It´s mind altering to be proven otherwise.

STORY 7.5 >> 8.0
While it´s arguable that the story in itself has a very fresh humorous and catchy general vibe, I think in parts it´s still too sophiasticated to be exceeding story-wise. It´s like the series does an excellent job in themathizing the morally questioable - slightly diabolical - fantasies; and maybe THAT exactly could be the argument why the story is good: It´s great in conveying this genre, but the genre itself doesn´t have as much depth in writing than other series of the same orientation.

However, as someone who´s studied Chinese for years REVENGED LOVE can be a hilarious, yet breathtaking experience.

ACTING / CAST 9.0
Now we´re talking game-changing: The production crew of this series has made many right decisions, of which two make the series particularly unique: the AUDIO and the CINEMATOGRAPHY. Holy Lord.

Casting Zi Yu and Tian Xu Ning as the main cast is a great foundation for a succesful project. These two were able to act out exactly those little details and exaggerations which make the show exciting to watch. You can argue that they could have made this series equally successful without adding any explicity. From the main cast to the guest cast, each one seems to fullfill their duty well of portraying their character, let alone the chemistry that keeps you hooked to your seat. Combined with the visual effects created by the cinematography and editing teams, this series well deserves the hype.

Special credits should be given to the voice of Chi Cheng, Wang Bao Shun 王保顺 . I´m convinced his voice - especially the sound effects of his breathing and little giggles - are playing into a significant part of why REVENGED LOVE has reached such a wide degree of attention. The audio and sound effects, which are vivid and game changing, are precisely utilized to keep the viewers hooked. And. it. works.

MUSIC 9.0
Inarguably one of the best choices of music we could´ve asked for. Not too over the top, but melodical and suitable enough to not lift the attention, but intensivy the entire experience.

OVERALL 8.5 >> 9.0
Daring. Full of Courage. Unique. Fresh and Catchy. Revenged Love. Enjoyed it while it lasted.

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Fantastic job by the main leads !!

Series watched out of curiosity, due to its popularity.

PLOT: A young, poor, and lost ML (morality rather grey) is dumped by his (idiotic and greedy) girlfriend. He repeatedly crosses paths with ML2 (rich, gay/bisexual?, sploided, a snake lover, and with toxic behavior). Disheartened to see his ex-GF now flaunting herself with ML2, the ML decides to seduce him.

+++ The two main characters are fantastic and give their everything to make us believe in this story.
+++ The second romance is very cute and more mature.
+++ The budget is clearly limited, but the directors make good use of it. Excellent OSTs.

WOW (‡▼益▼) (‡▼益▼)
### Silly, poorly constructed storyline. The misogyny (ex GF is a pest) and homophobia are blatant!!
### The characters have inconsistent, illogical reasoning. They want us to believe that gay people don't think like everyone else...
### In this type of drama, all the men (or almost all) are gay. I'm aware that people mostly hang out with their own community, but here, it's too obvious. IRL, sexual orientation is more varied :)

+++ The storyline improves once the two couples are established. We return to the usual twists we can watch in heterosexual dramas, with consistent behavior, and then, we become attached to the characters.

=> I don't know how this drama got past the censorship, but kudos to the actors who are fantastic!!
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N'étant pas une fan de BL, j'ai regardée cette série par curiosité, en raison de sa popularité

PLOT: 1 jeune ML, pauvre et paumé (moralité plutôt grey) est plaqué par sa petite amie (idiote et cupide). Il croise à plusieurs reprises le chemin du ML2 (riche, gay / bisexuel ?, sploided, aimant les serpents, au comportement toxique). Le ML, dépité de voir que son ex GF s'affiche désormais avec le ML2, décide de séduire celui-ci.

+++ Les 2 ML sont fantastiques et donnent tout pour nous faire croire à cette histoire.
+++ La 2e romance est très cute et plus mature.
+++ Le budget est visiblement limité, mais les réalisateurs en font un bon usage. Les OSTs sont excellentes.

WAHOUUUU (‡▼益▼) (‡▼益▼)
### Storyline idiote, mal construite. La misogynie (ex GF est 1 peste) et l'homophobie sont évidentes !!
### Les personnages ont des raisonnements incohérents, illogiques. On veut nous faire croire que les gays ne réfléchissent pas comme tout le monde ...
### Dans ce type de dramas, tous les hommes (ou presque) sont gays. Je suis consciente que les gens fréquentent surtout leur communauté, mais ici, c'est trop flagrant. IRL, l'orientation sexuelle est plus variée :)

+++ La storyline s'améliore quand les 2 couples sont établis. On en revient aux twists habituels dans les séries hétéro et à des comportements cohérents et on s'attache aux personnages.

=> Je ne sais pas comment ce drama a surmonté la censure, mais Kudos aux acteurs qui sont fantastiques !!

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I watched it without expectations but turns out it's so good?
I dont get the snake plot, but the romance is romancing 🤣🤣

Red flag perverted male lead top, Chi Cheng, and naive crybaby bottom, Wu Suo Wei, is such a delight. Their journey to be a couple isn't smooth but it's such a bittersweet story.
Chi Cheng and Wu Suo Wei relationship with their bestfriend is a good addition to the whole story.
The bestfriends, Chengyu and Xiaoshuai, is the second couple and worth to watch too. The dynamics is so interesting.

Alsoooo, the bts. Damn. Watch the bts, people! The BTS is funny, more spicy in some scenes and feel like a fan-service to the fans😂😂😂

All in all, RL deserved the hype. Who would have thought a low budgeted series would blow up and up to this day, fans still can't move on?

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Hook, Line, and Sinker: Revenged Love Ensnares Viewer

How on earth did I fall in love with this drama?!

Somehow, some way, Revenged Love flew under my radar for so many months. Perhaps it's because I wasn't paying attention or wasn't looking to have my heart broken by another drama. But, I'm so glad I stumbled across it through a comment online... Once I started this drama I had to finish it – I was rushing home every night after work to sit down with these lovely characters.

I went into the drama innocent and with no expectations. But the main actors of both the A and B couples had such good chemistry, I was rooting for them from the start! The acting starts off a bit shaky and you understand that part of it is due to the offbeat tone of the show. Most of the time it strike the balance of funny and heartfelt just right. There were quite a few times where I laughed out loud at the goofy comedic scenes, and there were even more scenes where I was just choked up (or straight up crying) in the heavier scenes.

I love that within these 24 episode we get so much time to know these main characters' hearts and minds... they're imperfect people who have trouble expressing themselves properly, but who end up loving each other more and more as they overcome the difficulties. What's more, we see how they sacrifice for one another in small and big ways.

One thing that unfortunately put me off from the start was the depiction of use of the animals in the production. Some things are clearly (most probably) CGI effects, but I am always concerned as a viewer of the way animals are treated – whether real or not, especially if it's not pivotal to the scene's progression. For example, seeing them feed a live mouse to one of the snakes was unnecessary in my opinion. It may be natural animal behavior, but it's certainly not a necessary for the continuation of the plot or bigger meaning of the scene in any way. But that was just one or two instances in a rather well done show, so I overlook it. I hope that drama productions think more carefully about these things.

This is in no way a perfect drama. Some of the plot could be improved. A few moments in the sub stories could have been resolved better. Some of the naiveté of the characters could be written more maturely. I would have had more sensible dialogue about gay relationships that reflect more accurately. The villains could be made less like caricatures. Perhaps some of the aggression in certain scenes could have been handled better or edited or rewritten. As director, some scenes could have been redone and the acting moments improved a bit more. Things like that could have made this an even better success.

However, what holds this drama together is hands down the acting and the fun, heartwarming, tear-jerking love scenes (including the sensual ones) of all both couples. It will make you smile and laugh and cry and brood with them. A great rollercoaster. In these chaotic times in the world, this drama is one of the few this year that actually made me forget a lot of the troubles out there. Definitely worth the watch, and even some rewatching later on if I start missing these characters.

I feel part of the appeal of this drama is how well it lures you in with it seeming like just another piece of lighthearted fluff... and slowly... you're smiling ear to ear and falling more deeply for these people as they fall more madly (and it is madly) in love with one another. Well done!

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Watched it in 2 days and I regret not startint it soon

Apart from the moments when we have threats of SA and dub-con, the series was one of the best things I've ever seen. I had previously seen a video on TikTok about it, but I never got around to watching the series. After a recommendation, I spent two days watching the series, barely sleeping at night because I was and still am so addicted. I've been rewatching several scenes and wow, I love Chi Cheng and I love how he loves Wei Wei, and vice versa. Their love is evident in every action and glance! And speaking of glances... THE WAY CHI CHENG LOOKS AT WEI!

Perfect intrigue, perfect romance, perfect story. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, identified with it a lot... I'm thrilled!

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Marks a turning point for me in the Chinese BL landscape

It is the first Chinese production to bring together all the elements with outstanding quality: a well-structured and well-paced plot, an ideal number of episodes that allows for development without filler, convincing performances, and impeccable overall production.

I was fascinated by the sensitivity with which they approached the emotional universe of the characters. The exploration of their feelings, conflicts, and insecurities was deep and real, earning a score of 10 from me in this regard. I also highlight the success in handling intimacy; scenes of sexual tension were present but did not fall into gratuitousness or heaviness, instead contributing to the story and the development of the relationship.

In a context where BL productions in China face challenges, 'Revenged Love' demonstrates the immense creative potential that exists. I just hope there will be greater openness for these types of stories to continue to be produced, because China has everything it takes to become a leader in the genre.

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Not a bad watch ... except for the normalisation of sexual assault ffs.

I enjoyed rl - had to ignore some things to do so ngl. I will admit some parts were very triggering. I stayed for the chemistry but this drama would've been so much better if they didn't fucking normalize sa. I personally loved wsw's acting btw.

Let's dive to cc tho, he was a red flag. Ps, I know I'm a bitch for saying this but he's very handsome tho. Back to the point however, firstly, I can't believe how in the 1ST EPISODE, he literally indicates one guy to be gang raped and said "just don't let him die". I was hoping that wasn't what was happening but then I saw them taking off the dude's clothes in the background, I felt so triggered and disgusted. Cc was forceful. Okay, I get that he stopped but come on, it doesn't excuse that he WAS forceful. Remember, it's only cuz he couldn't force himself FULLY (keyword here) upon wsw that he used the next approach; went to jxs to demand that wsw has to sleep with him or he'll assault jxs. Disgusting. Most of the characters in this drama kept talking about using force to make the other person submit, which indicated that they believed force and assault was okay... if it was not clear from the first fucking episode.

The second couple were more of a green flag then cc. Gcy waited until jxs was safe and I respected him for it. I still believe that he'd wait and not force himself on jxs, had cc and wsw not planned anything.

Do I think this drama is overrated? No. But I think the sexual assault here is absolutely ignored. I don't see anyone talking about it and it hurts how they've normalized it. Sa is a serious topic.

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