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Wasted talent
I won’t lie , the first 3 episodes got me OBSESSED. The acting was so good, the chemistry was chemistrying so hard and the guys were so GORGEOUS that I was wondering where those guys came from and why didn’t I know of them because they weren’t even rookies , they acted in more stuff that I thought. Ok, the plot was basic and cliché, true, the setting was a simple house and a beautiful pier and the budget was what they had in their wallets but despite all this I was so entertained with their interactions … And then the bitchy female villain showed up (gee, what a surprise) and everything turned into a melodramatic soap opera with OTT acting, teary eyes and intense feelings after only knowing each other for 4 days. The kid suddenly wasn’t sassy, bold and cheeky but rather a dummy led by the nose by that woman and although he was paid to have baldie’s back he was actually voluntarily chased away by that woman’s sob story. Meanwhile baldie was acting like a dramatic heroine in a South American telenovela, walking around all teary-eyed and sad while waiting for the kid to come back and at the same time trying to convince the fiancé ’ from hell to go back to hell and let him live happily ever after. From a 9 rating to a 6 in just 2 episodes. The kisses were decent but something was still missing. It also had a censured explicit beginning of a sex scene. I know how it sounds but trust me, it’s a thing. Like, they kiss and touch and start to undress and you’re there all tense waiting to see some skin . And when they finally remove the shirts suddenly there’s a tank top underneath. So , you see, this is what I call a censured explicit sex scene Chinese style hehe. The scene was still beautiful though and more than I expected from a Chinese show, however I still feel that this was a bit of a waste of acting talent on a subpar and way too short script.Did I mention how beautiful those men are?
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Started strong with good chemistry then came the self sabotage trope!
This drama started with a charming setup and two leads who carried it effortlessly, only to fumble halfway by squeezing in unnecessary melodrama like it’s a full-length series. It has 5 bite-sized episodes, we are talking 8 to 10 minutes each, you would think every second would be used wisely right !!? But no, apparently not!The premise here is familiar with the "classic fake dating" trope where Zai Rong is desperate to avoid an arranged marriage and Lu Xiao is a broke uni student trying to get by.
But what starts as a transactional setup quickly shifts into something deeper. From the second these two share a screen, the chemistry is fire with those looks, the body language, the quiet tension! Nothing feels forced and it felt like they don’t need big dramatic moments to sell it. Their vibe was lowkey sweet, a little awkward and just right.
Then the second half rolls in and suddenly someone decided this was the moment to throw in a dramatic ex and waste precious time on a classic meddling third-wheel plotline that added absolutely nothing
Even though the production is bare-bones, it uses its limited space well. Everything feels too intimate when the leads are on the screen.
Overall, the pacing is fast and with such a short runtime, everything from plot to characters stays surface level.
I have watched another BL "Trapped in Osaka" from this production house and loved it. The difference (not talking about the actual plot) was that they concentrated on the main characters and their stories. There were backstories and other characters mentioned, but they never took away from the screentime.
I would recommend it if you are here just for the chemistry (which is solid) but don't expect much. It's more charm over substance but since it's a mini series, there is not much to lose.
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Minimalistic but beautifull.
First of all, oh my gosh! Those 2 men are gorgeous!!! And their chemistry, out of this world!!I really liked this drama, it all was in a very minimalistic setting. But the visuals were stunning, good very subtle music, it was a good story and great acting.
The final kissing / love making scene was so beautifull, it shows that you don't need to see "half" naked bodies to still create a stunning love making scene. Look for the uncut version of ep. 5 (15 minutes).
I watched this series twice and will definatly watch it again in the future.
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When Zai Rong met Lu Xiao
Yes, once again, China has stepped into the arena and delivered. Well, for the expectation from China. Place two decent actors in a scarcely decorated room with the right script and watch soft magic happen. The acting, esthetics, and chemistry between Lawrence Zhang (Zai Rong) and Su Yu Hang (Lu Xiao) carried this short series. Immediately, upon meeting, they held the screen captive. This presented itself as the beginning of the life LX and ZR would share. Do not expect more.Cornered into an upcoming arranged marriage, ZR seeks the help of LX to extricate himself and live freely. Unfortunately, his family and their connections may not allow for this as there may be severe consequences. The moment ZR looked into LX eyes, he knew he didn't want this to end. LX, an actor, is naturally charming and proceeds to play the part he was hired for. To be ZR love interest. While preparing for a visit from the intended fiancé, LX gives ZR what he craves. A warm ear and genuine attention as they bond. ZR nestles within LX arms and believes that his lifetime love will come. He desperately wants to believe. LX has told him so.
The budget used in the production of this series was not extravagant and truthfully not necessary. All that was needed were these proficient actors, an ocean wall, and two rooms. Together, they made a beautiful couple. The viewer also believes in LX by the way he held and reassured ZR. He was the man for him. Their dance, mesmerizing. The fiancé pleadings and silent exit were gracefully done.
Five episodes were enough for this to be told with little to improve on. No excesses, no lulls, evenly paced. The script was simple but effective to propel the story along. The last episode had a slightly different texture to the previous as it felt performative. The music a bit erratic. Ultimately, everyone involved did well. This was a very nice watch.
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Why soo short??????
Watched if cz of an insta reel but damn it was good for a short drama. Probaby really good. Would've been great if it was longer. The actors had great chemistry like really great. I've never seen this in CBL. The story was predictable but i loved it🤭🤭. The biggest plot twist was probably Xiao being the top cz i was like this would be like RL where the uke thinks he could be the top but then gets a reality check but then nope Rong was the bottom. I was like damn. Overall it was a nice watch. Haha watch it u won't regret. As for why 9 not 10 it's just it was soo short😅😅Was this review helpful to you?
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Ngl the story was very short so it was kinda mid but only if it was longer it would've been so much better. But then again can't expect much from such a short story of like about 40 minutes. But the actors clicked it off very well, i would've never knew this series existed if it weren't for sue, i never thought yuhang would do a bl but here we are. the chemistry between the actors was wildddd, it felt like a perfect match. i would rewatch this 100%. i want the actors to play in a longer story, yuhang×lawrence pleaseeeeeeee Was this review helpful to you?
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Chemistry? ... Where
I knew this would lack some development, Story-wise and the reason I started it was ... Well, it's available and everyone is complementing the two guys' "chemistry" together.İt was quite the opposite for me.
I liked the story, I guess they show enough of everything to give us an idea about what is going on... İs it a good story however?? Nope, completely ridiculous, yes, quite unrealistic.
Why would you leave a whole country because your filthy rich papa and grandpa are forcing you to marry your childhood friend!? Mate, they can easily bring you back, you are not even hiding somewhere you just having a break in Japan, also they gave us an idea about what is going on without saying much which is good but at least give us some development in their relationship, like, you've been straight your whole freakin life to easily switch sides because of ...??? What? What did the other guy do exactly? Hug you while crying watching a sad movie? Cook for you? You didn't even include a scene where he'd maybe listen to him complain, or cheer him up, instead you added a scene where he agree to sleep in his room FOR MONEY, and you are telling me I'm supposed to believe in a strong love between two straight guys, with money involved, and no intimacy happened between them ... At least make one of them gay! And who are you trying to cheat or trick by hiring someone to act as your lover lol, your closest friend since childhood? They didn't even give us a reason why he didn't want to marry her, because "my dad is forcing me" reason is just too lame, if you like the girl, even slightly, then it's a win, mate.
I'm not asking for anything big, a couple of scenes would solve those problems easily...
Also acting is good, great even ... But where is the chemistry everyone keep talking about!? Mate, even some straight dramas have 1st and 2nd male leads with more chemistry, and they are supposed to be straight guys and enemies/rivals ... All I'm saying is any two guy friends could give more gay vibes than the two leads.
Their interaction was the bare minimum for a BL İMO, less than that and it's not even bromance.
Now the end, I know they want to go for HE, but it didn't make sense
Definitely, not recommended ~~
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Filmed on someone's iPhone
This was pretty forgettable but it's short and on YouTube for free so watch it or don’t. I would give it an 8.5 out of 10. I am gonna say what I liked, what I didn’t like, and then a very short overview because there are 5 episodes lmao.What I liked. The bald guy was handsome and the same with the other guy. The other guy's eyes were especially sexy oh my lord. I think the plot was like something with fake dating and it was cute. Kind of. I think that both of the actors were good at acting and the show was very to the point and yeah, it’s like oh this happened and then this happened and there wasn’t fluff, but there was fluff, but like not a lot. I think that the characters were pretty likable, and the guy with the sexy eyes was low-key very funny. The plot was good. I can’t lie but it’s five episodes and they’re all like eight minutes so they can only do so much with that. Also, they kissed surprisingly and it was like a good kiss I was not expecting it but yeah, I think the ending was fine, and yeah.
This was genuinely so random and one of the most forgettable shows I’ve ever watched, but I’m trying really hard to remember it right now. Fake dating plot but we don’t know how to date and it was just very awkward. For this show, they spent all their budget on this house and not enough budget on a better camera I swear to God. The girl's character had a max of two minutes of screen time and she pissed me off THAT ENTIRE two minutes. Fuck off. Yeah just besides the filming and the budget this show wasn’t that bad.
“They gave them a camera and said go wild.” That sums up the entire plot. That’s what I said in my first episode review. The actors were good, it's just the filming budget wasn't. “I like the plot idea it's just too short to do anything lmao.” “They filmed this shit on someone’s iPhone. KISS??? Hello. Hello???? Crazy ending to a cute show. I did not expect them to kiss at all I'm gonna be honest.”
You can skip this one but for what it was, it was pretty good. Okay bye!
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it's been 3 days...you guys don't know each other
it is i, the niel.this put me to sleep. i guess that's an hour i'm never getting back. certainly better than the other shows from this company, but it was nothing. an ounce of plot, yet somehow less interesting than the other ones. if you wanna waste your time, go for it. i need a nap after that. zzz!
best,
the niel.
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awesome chemistry with unnecessary 3rd character
Overall: the beginning was very enjoyable with a clear premise and chemistry; however, interjecting a third character ruined the momentum. 5 episodes about 8 minutes each. Aired on Secret of Us YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BSona1dmx50GA_E5MncPccjZdoNfjLn&si=BRP6NYZqmq5PrXoz The production has also made: Trapped in Osaka and Infidelity, It's a Disease.What I Liked
- clear premise
- their dynamic/opposite personalities
- production value (for what I assume is a very indie company)
Room For Improvement
- the third character took up way too much screen time (and was also the wannabe wife cliche), I was supposed to believe the two leads were meant for each other but I didn't see enough of their relationship progression
- kind of noble idiot trope at the end, though it didn't seem to last long
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It is possible that I am exaggerating, but here there is no production and no budget, acting like a 3-year-old, a director is not even needed. What is the point of a series of 5 episodes of 6-8 minutes, I really don't understand???
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Curtinho, fofo e, claro, com o drama obrigatório chinês
Mais um curtinha delicioso pra fazer companhia na hora do almoço, e sinceramente, deveria ser crime fazer algo tão curto com um casal desses. A química entre eles é absurda, daquele tipo que dá pra sentir mesmo nas cenas mais simples. A Sketchy Job tem aquela energia leve e envolvente que te faz querer mais, mas quando acaba você só consegue rir e aceitar que foram poucos minutos bem gastos. É fofo, divertido e tem aquele charme meio despretensioso que os curtas bons sabem ter.Mas claro, a China nunca deixa de ser China, mesmo num curtinha tão direto ela tem que enfiar seu melodrama característico. O casal é perfeito, boas atuações, mas tem que aparecer aquela noiva vinda da baixa da égua pra atrapalhar tudo por causa das regras de família. É irritante, mas de algum jeito faz parte do charme deles.
E sem falar que to adorando a forma como os chineses estão encontrando jeitos criativos de divulgar seus trabalhos, mesmo com todas as regras sobre conteúdo LGBT+. É impressionante ver tanta qualidade em algo tão curto e com orçamento limitado, e dá pra sentir o esforço de toda a equipe e atores. Espero que em breve todos possam criar coisas assim em seu próprio pais, com segurança e sem restrições.
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