Sammy's Children's Day

I don't want China to stop making BLs

The amount of butterflies I got in my stomach while watching this drama was insane. The main attractiveness of this drama is The POWER BOTTOM ? Ohhh yeah the characters are so handsome that sometimes I forgot to breathe . What a beautiful storyline ! What a beautiful acting ! Woah . The slow burn is S L O W B U R N I N G . And one the most beautiful part is the cinematography. It's really awesome.

I love it when two polar opposite people start to like each other. And the 1980s theme made it more special.

What made ' Sammy's Children's Day ' more likable ?

A. Excellent story plotline. Something new , Something unique. ( Not some typical soft romance )

B. The strong MAIN CHARACTER ..... ( Said goodbye to stereotypes )

C. Beautiful background music .

D. Talented actors who made those side characters interesting too.


If the starting of 2026 is like this then I can wait for it every year . Go and try it , you will definitely like this drama a lot . 10/10 recommended.

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I can't believe, They're soo inlove. My pookies I'm going to miss them. What's wrong with the ENDING

{ Detailed Review }
This bl is insane , I love each and every part .
They had intense chemistry , but the relationship just started and clashed Idk how long we needa wait and chu san too .
But I'm sure liu yi will come back .
the first episode was quite classic , and my expectations were not so high for itt , but I didn't bailed just after the first ep , cuz uk I didn't wanted to regret later .
And I'm glad I continued watching it otherwise I would have missed another actual art work .
It started getting more and more interesting . I slowly understood it's an enimes-to-lovers trope and it engaged mee so much , the more I watched , the more I got fascinated.
I loved the way they stared at each other instead of ignoring eye contacts , He chu san and xiu li got very close , I could tell from the beginning that san was the one who will fall first and I knew ittt with that much care liu yi will fall hadder .

Focusing on episodes :
I can literally tell from their reactions that they do have feelings for each other but trying to hide them
ohh I remember that part were chu san was literally staring at his butt heheee , how can forget that part .
In the further episodes I gotta see liu's possessive side , I love to see him getting overprotective of chu san , like not letting others touch things given by san and say anything bad about him .
Well , He chu san is getting more crazy bout liu that he literally dreamt about them uhmmmm . Look at how shy he was the next morning while washing the bedsheet 🫣 , when he saw xiu he actually avoided eye contact that part was extremely adorable .
Look at He chu san teasing liu yi about his fake girlfriend Mei , he knew about liu's feelings sooo , he teased him , ik san actually likes his jealousy side .

I literally wanted to cry when sam expressed his worry for lui yi , I can see how much chu san actually matters in liu yi's disturbing and horrible life .
San came at the correct time in yi's world , when he lost his family ( sister and big bro ) . It's not his fault for being a gangster it's just the situation pressures him to be one , I could totally understand liu yi's emotional condition , he needed someone to support him at that crucial moment , it's some kind of fate that brought them together .

They're like the two poles north one and south one , which could help them understand each other and help the other one . Honestly , I loved the way liu yi pampered sam when his dad suddenly fainted , and ik he cares for sam so much too .

Don't you think this guy is so adorable when he is jealous , he's like a pookie baby , who keeps on babbling around , so Ik now why he's a BOTTOM, what a pookie gangster .

What a mafia , he can't even do anything when chu san actually kissed him instead of ignoring like a adorable baby . Ik he kinda liked it but he's just trying to avoid the fact , he is already in love with a young college boyy ( even though he's not )

Idk how are they going to balance all of it together in just one episode
The second couple still are stuck as enemies and chu san just confessed to yi , I am very interested to know what's happening next , honestly i don't want second couple to just stay as hookups .

It's the exact type of drama that I love the most . It's actually worth watching , a lot of people are actually loving this and me tooo .

**THE OUTCOME WAS SO BEYOND EXPECTATIONS**

I got to see liu yi's after reaction , he was so happy literally laughing and dancing around just like a man who got his first love , I loved his reactions even though chu san missed it , honestly i wanted them to share a meal together when san returns and spend a special night , and wanted yi to quit his position and start a very normal life with sam by his side . I wanted him to brag all about san and I want to see sam's dad's reaction so much .

Howw it's so small .
So , it's quite sad that it's completed , chu san and liu yi finally realised their feelings , I could see how worried yi was when san got kidnapped and harrassed and I knew it from the way they kissed , how much scared they were and that joy .
But , I didn't expect the part when he actually got arrested leaving sanin tears , me too I literally cried , they just got together , but didn't even got time to spend with eachother . The most miserable part ever , I cried when liu yi said “wait for me ” .
They never deserved that ending , I thought they'll probably get out of that place
and live a normal life together .

Now we don't know how long it's gonna take for liu yi to return , when will they meet again , what will change between the officers , how he's gonna take revenge . They left us hanging with 100 s of unsolved questions .

In some way it's good that it ended this way cuz it's quite hard to balance all of the things in a single episode .
But the bad thing is that we don't know if there'll be a S2 or not , what will happen to the relationship that they built .

Hints for Season 2 ::
The questions that leads us to the second season.
• The officer , needed to talk about what .
• what happened to the fat gangster.
• how chu san got away from the fat ganster .
• what was he doing with those people throwing money or stuff .
•how will the officer take revenge for his brother .
• who is the actual killer .
• The relationship between the officers .
• the police officer and that gang leader Both were eliminated through the exact same signature killing style .

Biggest hint : liu yi told chu san to wait for him .

So , I'm not losing any hope yet , These key points strongly indicate that we are headed for a second season ( there's a lot of unsolved questions and mysteries ) .

I'm so happy that literally nodded and confirmed that there'll be a season 2 in their latest live stream on insta or tt .
Xixi zhaooo plssss don't play with us , we already have c bls season 2 trauma ...

Overall I recommend you guys to watch it , it's exactly perfect if we remove the ending .

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Ended in a cliffhanger...

The elefant in the room with this series is the lip-syncing of the whole audio. For me it always felt out of place. They could not transfer all the emotions of a scene in a believable manner. Unexpectable the kissing was not good either.

The finale was a bit of a bummer. We get a cliffhanger for a 2nd season and I always hate it, when they do that. Chances are good with all the support this series gained it will happen. But to wait for a year for the continuation of this story suxx.

Besides the couples and the girl, I also think the acting was lacking. They choose to implement silly moments in such a dark story and I'm not a fan of it. Production quality was top notch, besides the lip-syncing.

We get a story between a "soft" gangster boss and a "innocent" student who is the pride not only of his family but of the whole neighbourhood. It's quite clear from the beginning that the student is drawn to the gangster and it's typical BL cliché that the gangster boss has to struggle to accept his own feelings. So nothing new there and nothing which does justify all the hype about this series..

Overall it was good entertainment but for me it was not stellar. And to have to wait for another year for the conclusion (or again 9 episodes with a cliffhanger) pisses me off.

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First impression: stands out more for its ambition than for consistently polished execution

In its opening episodes, Sammy’s Children’s Day presents itself as an ambitious entry within the BL genre, leaning less on the comfort of idealized romance and more on a narrative shaped by contrast. Setting the story in the 1980s Kowloon Walled City is not just an aesthetic choice, as it defines the entire viewing experience. The environment is chaotic, violent, and unpredictable, and that energy carries directly into the tone, which blends crime, humor, and melodrama in ways that aren’t always perfectly balanced, but are almost always engaging.

The narrative structure stands out for its relatively brisk pacing. Unlike many slow burns that take their time laying the groundwork, the first episodes here quickly introduce conflicts, relationships, and even major turning points. This creates a double-edged effect: on one hand, it keeps the viewer engaged and avoids any sense of stagnation; on the other, it weakens the emotional impact of certain developments, which arrive before the audience has fully connected with the characters. Even so, there’s a clear intention to develop the central relationship gradually, building a steady tension that keeps the story compelling.

It’s in the dynamic between He ChuSan and Xia LiuYi that the series finds its strongest footing. Their contrast isn’t treated as a simple trope, but as a driving force of the narrative, exploring differences in personality, social standing, and worldview. Their chemistry works from the start, largely supported by performances that balance intensity with lightness. Even within a violent setting, the series allows space for humor and more spontaneous interactions, which humanize the characters and keep the story from becoming overly heavy.

From a technical standpoint, Sammy’s Children’s Day shows above-average care in certain areas. The cinematography and production design play a key role in immersion, with framing that enhances both action and quieter, more intimate moments. In contrast, the fight scenes reveal clear limitations, whether in the lack of polish in the choreography or in editing choices that disrupt the flow. The dubbing can also be distracting at times, creating a disconnect between dialogue and performance that undercuts some of the more emotionally charged scenes.

Overall, the opening episodes build a series that stands out more for its ambition than for consistently polished execution. There’s a strong identity taking shape, supported by a striking setting and characters with real dramatic potential. At the same time, issues with pacing, tonal balance, and technical finish suggest a production still searching for its footing. If it manages to better align these elements as the season progresses, Sammy’s Children’s Day has all the potential to move beyond a strong first impression and establish itself as one of the more interesting entries in the genre.

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A Gritty BL Masterpiece That Deserves a Season 2 - Best BL in 2026

Wow, what a BL. This feels like the first proper China/Hong Kong BL that fully embraces a gangster and crime theme, and it is such a refreshing change from the usual school or office settings.

From the moment it began, I was completely hooked. I was genuinely excited for every episode. Set in the 1980s in Kowloon Walled City, the atmosphere is incredible. The show captures how dangerous and chaotic the city feels, with crime everywhere and corruption lurking in the background. The attention to detail is impressive, and even the knife fighting scenes feel raw and realistic.

What truly carries the series are the two male leads. ChuSan is a quiet, nerdy student who dreams of escaping the chaos, while LiuYi is a powerful triad deputy leader. They are complete opposites, but their dynamic works so well. Their chemistry feels unique, with some surprisingly funny moments. Their eye contact and overall connection make their relationship very compelling.

The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is strong, and the darker tone helps it stand out from many other BL dramas.

Everything feels more cinematic and mature.

This Hong Kong/China BL is easily one of my favorites of 2026 so far.

It is very underrated and absolutely deserves more attention.

A masterpiece, and we definitely need a season 2.

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DON'T LISTEN TO THE BAD REVIEWS GO WATCH IT!!

This show was sooooo good!!! The story is well written and very different from usual cliche BL plots. The cinematography is also in a different league of it's own. They truly know how to use lighting, where to put it, and are very knowledgable in creating beautiful colorful hues to add so much more to the moment. The acting is superb and the actors are very handsome as well. The only thing is that they switched the translation/dub from Mandarin to Cantonese so the lip-syncing is very off lol, but once you get past that it's an amazing show and I definately recommed it to anybody! I don't know why the ratings are so low honestly since it's an 100000/10. PLS I NEED THE S2 NOWWWWW!!

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Baba, I'm in love with a criminal

"In 1989, Hong Kong, Jiaolong Walled City"
I couldn't stop reading the novel Chusan's Liuyi Children's Day I found on fanmtl which plays mainly in the early 90s, not 80s as advertised. We have first mobile phones and computing power rises for faster and advanced trading. It's a great story and the cast fits very well. the first episode throws you right into great visuals + violence, you feel weak + aroused like Sammy/Chusan. It's not for the faint hearted but the love story itself is actually fluffy and nice, not toxic at all. I like how they show from the beginning how Chusan is already into Liuyi.
I'm looking forward to see how they bring this into action.

criticism:
the Cantonese is dubbed, so this strong language isn't quite reflected in the facial expressions as most actors speak the softer Mandarin. But as it plays in Hongkong, the Cantonese makes it more authentic. I read the main leads are dubbed in HK Cantonese and the supporting roles in other Cantonese dialects. As I don't understand Chinese well enough, I don't mind it too much. I'm busy reading subtitles anyway 😅
In episode 2 they added sound effects to funny scenes. My reaction: Please, no. stay cool! don't become a silly Thai romcom.
They threw some facts and scenes together, changed the timing and storyline but else they can't tell the novel in such a short time. I hope they don't screw it up. The novel isn't following typical drama tropes but watching episode 5 I fear they chose to go down the common road.

Go with the flow, enjoy the ride!

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Give us Season 2!!!

While the episodes were being released, I also read the novel. Honestly, the actors carried the show , especially Chusan, Luyi, Li Guangmin, and Xia Zhihua, . Their facial expressions, gestures, and overall acting were so on point that it felt like they had stepped straight out of the novel. Also the couples chemistry was on fire.🔥 🔥 🔥
While reading, I kept picturing the actor who played Li Guangmin every time his character appeared, he is so good.😫
Of course, it was clear that the budget played a role, as well as the director’s decision to focus more on the main couple and their storyline rather than the detective and crime aspects, which are actually a major part of the novel. A lot was cut, especially towards the ending, which made it feel somewhat
rushed and a bit confusing. If they’re not planning a second season, then they’re losing a significant part of the story.
That said, I want to highlight that the production team did a great job. The atmosphere of the drama and the visuals are truly captivating. The slow-motion scenes, the lighting - everything fits perfectly and is simply beautiful to watch.
I’m really hoping for a second season 🙏🏼😭

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Secret softie triad leader + adoring nerdy lover boy =A damn good time!

With violent knives and tender eyes, warm lighting and cheeky lines, and ridiculous fibs and intriguing police ties/gritty triad crimes, Sammy's Children's Day left me wanting . . .

Wanting more!

Because with chemistry this intense AND a story with this much potential, closing the chapter here would be a grave mistake on the part of the creators.

Was the dubbing admittedly egregious at times, and some aspects (such as awkward background actors and disjointed cuts) subpar? Yes. But I still loved it, dammit!

Maybe I am upset at its conclusion, but for me, that just speaks to how good this drama was.

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Pure Entertainment

It was ludicrous, hilarious, dramatic, poignant, heartbreaking and endearing but most importantly very entertaining. The thin bare plot broke down after ep 3 and picked back up in the last 5 minutes of ep 9, but it's worth sticking for everything else. The both cp have chemistry in bucket loads. Just a glance, a deep inhale or a gentle touch and the atmosphere was crackling with electricity. I must admit it hurt when Chen Gong (?) died, he also had a presence that filled the screen.

Yes the script was chaotic, childish and unbelievable at times but forgiveable when taken in entirety. China producing in Thailand, what else could be expected. Am I waiting for S2, yes and hopefully with a slightly bigger budget. Will I expect better, no because it will make S1 insignificant. Let this stay in the lane it has chosen: pure entertainment.

The only reason I gave this an 8 because I was never bored, even in the nonsensical moments.

Taken in the vein it was produced in, you will enjoy.

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A work of art: the title alone feels thoughtful, symbolic, and tied to the characters’ journey

Fascinating. Impeccable. Intense, yet somehow restrained. There are honestly too many adjectives that could describe this show. It’s a low-budget series that somehow delivers high production quality, and it absolutely earns a high rating for such an impressive job well done.
Set in the 1980s within the iconic Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, the story already starts with a rich backdrop that is layered, gritty, and full of narrative potential. Then we meet our two main characters, who are complete opposites. One is a brilliant student, the only one who makes it into university. While the other is a young gang leader carrying the intimidating title of “twin-blade master.” From the get-go, the foundation is exciting. And just when you think you’ve figured out the dynamic, the show flips it: the dominant one turns out to be the nerdy guy, while the submissive one is the feared leader. I love that. It refuses to rely on cliches and keeps you pleasantly surprised.

The visuals are a huge bonus! Both couples are ridiculously good-looking, the kind of faces that immediately pull you in. They all have this natural charisma that makes it so easy to root for them. Their acting skills are prominent. Even the supporting characters are just as charming, especially Cui Dong Dong and Liu Yi’s right-hand man. Their Hong Kong Cantonese accent is absolutely irresistible, too.

I do feel like the story left a few things a bit open, particularly the truth behind the death of Liu Yi’s sister and brother-in-law. We’re given hints about the previous gang leader possibly having unspoken romantic feelings for Liu Yi, but it never fully unfolds. Still, their presence and impact were strong enough to set the tone for the series. And honestly, I’m glad the show didn’t drag out the misunderstanding about Liu Yi being framed for their deaths. That would’ve been exhausting.

One of my favorite aspects of the drama is the meaning behind its title, “Sammy’s Children Day.” It’s beautifully layered. It ties back to Liu Yi’s tragic childhood, with him and his sister suffering abuse from their father until Qing Long rescued them and gave Liu Yi a new birth date: June 1st, which is also celebrated as National Children’s Day. And “Sammy”? That comes from Chu San’s English name, Sam. It’s nostalgic, metaphorical, and exactly the kind of meaningful title I wish more shows had, something that truly reflects the heart of the story.

Visually, the drama delivers so many memorable scenes. The bus scene, where they see each other again after such a long time apart, is simple but emotionally charged. Then there’s the graduation photo with Chu San’s father, made even more powerful when we later learn that Liu Yi was late because he was literally fighting for his life just to buy flowers for Chu San. Moments like these stick with you.

I also feel incredibly lucky to have watched this during its airing period. The second couple, portrayed by Matthew Han and Zhang Ming Bo, brought so much chaotic and hilarious energy through their live streams and social media promotions. Their off-screen chemistry made me even more invested in them. I just wish we got more of their story in the series itself. Still, the way they wrapped things up in the final episode is a chef’s kiss.

Speaking of the finale… that reunion kiss was pure cinema! After all the tension of Chu San being kidnapped. Liu Yi doesn’t hesitate for a second and rushes in, hugs him, kisses him, and completely ignores everything else. It’s raw, emotional, and incredibly satisfying. With such an open-ended conclusion, I can’t help but hope for a sequel. I need to see both couples fully stepping into their lovey-dovey era as official boyfriends.

At the end of the day, I’m just grateful that high-quality BLs like this exist. Truly, thank you for the masterpiece.

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Super entertaining, visually stunning and insanely addictive (second season when?)

Where do I even start writing a review for a drama that completely stole my heart and is so far the strongest contender to being my favourite show of this year. It got me, an adult woman with a job stressful enough to have better reasons to look forward to Fridays, looking forward to them because they were "SCD days".

I had no expectations and almost no prior knowledge when I started watching SCD. I haven’t read the novel, the only cast member I was familiar with was Matthew Han and I only remembered him as that cute cop from that somewhat cute Taiwanese BL. When I started watching the show, one of the first things that hit me was… the dubbing that didn’t fit the lip movement ;) I am happy it didn’t deter me from watching, because what followed was glorious.

First of all, the cinematography – by far my favourite aspect of this drama. SCD is absolutely gorgeous. The use of light and shadow, the colours chosen for specific scenes, the symbolism hidden behind the shots – this is a true art of film making which nowadays is often absent from modern productions that feel too sanitized, too clean, too bright, too… flat. SCD imagery has this magical depth present in the older movies.

I mean, how do I not gash over those scenes when Chusan stands illuminated by light, while – juxtaposed – Liuyi is covered by darkness, emphasizing them coming from two different worlds? Or by that shot with red background when Liuyi enters the warehouse to absolutely annihilate anyone who might’ve hurt Chusan. How do I not appreciate that Chusan’s room (Liuyi’s safe space) is almost always busked in gentle sunlight (minus that night when Liuyi has nightmares) and subtle pastele tones of blue and yellow? Or isn’t it so cool that the camera focuses on Hua washing his hands simply after talking with Guangming, as if to emphasize himself distancing from something that could taint him? There are honestly so many such scenes throughout the entire show and they really make me excited for a re-watch.

Secondly, the cast. Producers struck gold, there’s no other way to put it. Just like many others, I was completely drawn in by the chemistry between the main leads. But it wasn’t just the chemistry between them, but also their individual performances, for which they deserve to be applauded. He Yanzhao to me is like a diamond in a rough – maybe still lacking experience, but with absolutely crazy potential to become a phenomenal actor. I read this was his first major role in a drama – I guess when you have "it", you just have "it", after all. He’s incredibly expressive and has amazing ability to switch from looking cute/innocent/clueless/docile to dangerous/violent/domineering and borderline crazy. And none of these looks feel forced. On the contrary – his acting has this raw quality to it that makes it feel very authentic.

It took me some more time to warm up to He Changxi’s acting (not that I felt it was particularly bad at any time, but I was just too taken by his co-actor). However, ultimately I became a fan of his micro-expressions and, probably the thing I liked the most about him, his eye-acting.

Canto dubbing over Mandarin-speaking actors does mess with the final impression of actor’s performance to some extent, but there’s plenty of facial expressions and body language left to appreciate.

Thirdly, the characters themselves. They’re just all either very likeable or entertaining/intriguing. Both Chusan and Liuyi have their unique stories and personality that develop over time as we accompany them on their journey. Which, in turn, makes them more alive. Chusan is my absolute favourite of the entire show. I actually felt moved by his quiet determination and perseverance (and enjoyed his manipulative side too ;)). Liuyi is a perfect blend of cool and lame somehow coexisting within one person. He is also an interesting case of more complex emotions (I love the scene when he sees Chusan for the first time during people celebrating him getting to university – you can clearly see there’s a certain longing after a simpler, peaceful life in that moment within him; and of course the whole arc of why it bothered him so much when "Jason" spoke English and called Chusan "Sam").

But it doesn’t end with them either. I enjoyed virtually everyone who appeared on screen: from Qing Long and the longing after Liuyi always present in his eyes, to a pure delight that Xiao Ma (bless his heart) was, to absolute wholesomeness of Chusan’s dad and his girlfriend (?), to cooler than anyone else Dong Dong, or finally – my second favourite – Lu Guangming, with all his charisma, intensity and smugness :P

It’s all accompanied by a really pleasant soundtrack, with songs sang by the cast (which is an additional bonus for me). Spotify had already let me know that "Shi Ni Ai Le Wo" by He Changxi was my most listened to song in the recent weeks. So there’s that.

Ok, now on to the final thing I wanna address, which is the pacing of the story. Up until the very last episode I would confidently say it was impeccable. The story clearly spans over a few months if not more than a year (two years maybe?), but the narration deals with all time jumps and transitions very smoothly. Events that are not shown on screen (whatever the reason) can be still inferred from what’s actually shown or told, there’s no dragging, no impression of things being disjointed (which I find quite common in cdramas actually), everything flows very seamlessly.

This does change in the finale. I don’t necessarily agree with claims that it was completely scattered and crazily rushed. As a season finale, it was a rather successful one: provided big epic climax on the romance part, continued previously opened plot points while accelerating them and turning into an intriguing cliff hanger. If we do get a second season, I don’t think there was anything gravely bad about it.
Having said that, I do believe that the narration felt less fluent in the final episode, here and there I had a feeling that we needed one more scene to connect things better, while some scenes, on the other hand, felt redundant.

Still, as a whole (if I didn’t make it obvious already) I adored the drama. It had everything I could wish for in a show: great chemistry, convincing development of a romantic relationship, interesting protagonists, good acting, beautiful cinematography, a very satisfying blend of serious elements, (at times ridiculous) comedy and a tiny bit of action. I eagerly await the second season.

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