Sammy's Children's Day

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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Transports you to 1980s Hong Kong. Unforgettable CP chemistry

This is my first time hearing a Cantonese dubbed drama, and this language is very musical and pleasant to the ears. The cinematography and the aesthetic lighting really make this BL stand out from the usual BL fare. I am in love with the set design, especially He Chu San's room back at Mr. He's place and also his new apartment. The 1980 Hong Kong walled city vibes are immaculate.

What also makes this drama stand out to me is the eye acting, especially from He Chu San's actor. His emotions are very believable. Lots of micro expressions, and his face tells a story in and of itself. Hesitation, worry, concern, affection, exasperation, fear... He Chu San feels like a character who can exist. You can give the script to actors and say, "here, this scene is sad so cry" or "this scene is happy so smile," and actors may deliver something passable. But once in a while, an actor comes along and single-handedly elevates what is otherwise mundane dialogue or a mundane scene. He Chu San's actor is one of those actors. I can count on one hand the BL actors who make me believe them, and He Chu San's actor is one of them (unfortunately, I often have to turn my brain off when it comes to acting in a lot of BLs and just enjoy the vibes lol, looking at you GMMTV). His silent devotion and yearning for Xia Liu Yi really come through in a convincing way.

The actor who played Xia Liu Yi is simply arresting on screen. He does extremely well when the character is in a serious situation. You can see his thoughts going a million miles per second on his face as he weighs the pros and cons as a gangster leader. His very first bloody entrance made me gasp and sit up, such an unforgettable scene when he looks back at the camera like a rabid dog. He comes off as effortlessly badass in any fight scene. I give his sense of playing up the physicality for the camera a 10/10.

What fascinates me is how Xia Liu Yi's actor switches between his dominant side and his submissive side in a very natural way. Tbh, it's not easy to play a power bottom that pleases the average BL audience member's aesthetic, who is used to seeing typical masc top and femme bottom roles. You have to be commanding and dominant and walk around like a "top," and then when the actual dominant love interest comes in, you have to adjust your physicality to be submissive in scenes where the submissive concedes to the dominant person. Tho I also feel obliged to point out that He Chu San bottoms at least once for Xia Liu Yi in the novel, so I am not talking about the sex positions when I say dominant and submissive, but dominant and submissive in terms of personalities or the courtship pursuit.

Xia Liu Yi starts off snapping and being aggressive, and now in these last two eps, you feel like he is this flustered dog who is not really sure what to do in He Chu San's presence. Just that the dog likes the safety and affection he gets from a safe, stable place. He Chu San is like a steady, calm harbor, a lighthouse in Xia Liu Yi's life of calamity and violence and chaos.

Ultimately, this BL stays true to its namesake in the 8 episodes so far. Xia Liu Yi is truly Chusan's Liu Yi, a stray dog taken in by Chusan who becomes his.

If they were going to do multiple seasons, I feel like they should have kept 12 eps for the first season instead of just 9, as 9 is way too short imo. If this were just a fluffy story without much happening, then 9 would be fine, but as it is, it feels inadequate. There's a lot of stuff going on in the story,

Regardless, I am very grateful we have what we have. The BEST romance in 2026 for me by faaar. That ending kiss eclipsed the rooftop confession scene of Bad Buddy for me, and if you know what I am talking about, that seemed like such an impossible bar to cross.

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We don’t just want a second season, we need it!

I started watching this series without high expectations, since mafia stories are usually not my thing. I never expected to get so emotionally attached to the characters and their story.
Waiting for each new episode felt like torture, and each episode felt way too short to calm down my excitement. Every week I would say that this is my favorite episode, only for the next one to come and prove me wrong. For me, that’s what makes a series successful, regardless of genre. The fact that it keeps getting better with every episode.

Chusan and Liuyi are honestly one of the most interesting dynamics I’ve seen in a while. At the beginning, it feels almost uncomfortable. Liuyi literally drags Chusan into his world, and there’s this constant tension of power and control. But what surprised me is how quickly that dynamic flips. Chusan isn’t weak at all. He’s calculating, observant, and in many ways, he ends up holding more emotional power than Liuyi.
And Liuyi… I didn’t expect to feel so much for him. He starts off as this brutal enforcer, almost cold, but then episode 2 hits and everything changes. The moment with his sister’s death just breaks something inside him, and from there you start seeing all the cracks.

That’s when the story really hooked me. It stopped being just crime and started being about grief, loneliness, and the desperate need to hold on to someone.
The development of Chusan and Liuyi’s relationship may feel slow to some people. I am one of those who think it might have even been a bit fast, considering the circumstances they were dealing with.

What really got me was how quiet their feelings are. It’s not about big confessions or dramatic words. It’s in the way they look at each other, the way they stay, even when everything around them is falling apart. Especially after Liuyi’s loss… you can feel how broken he is, and how much he doesn’t know what to do with that pain. And somehow, Chusan becomes the only place where that pain softens.

I know their story doesn’t end here. Being someone with no patience, I read the novel while the series was still ongoing, and I loved it even more than the show. Despite their differences, this might be the first time in my life where I wasn’t bothered at all by the adaptation. I think it stands very well on its own. Or rather, it would, if it were complete and didn’t end the way it did… I don’t really have anything negative to say about the series apart from that. It’s definitely not "perfect" in every aspect, but I never rate things based on that standard anyway.

It would be a solid 10/10 from me, but I have to deduct something because the ending didn’t feel like an ending. And if a second season ever gets announced, I’ll gladly give back that half point I deducted from my rating 😅 I don’t know if we’ll get it, but I honestly think it’s necessary. It would be such a huge shame to leave such an interesting story like this.

I’m going to miss these boys soooo much. I really hope everything goes well for them and that we get to see them in many more series in the future, together or separately, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as they are doing well and achieving their goals, because they truly deserve it.

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So good I am posting my first ever review

Gonna start this with, it’s going to be long and I’ve never commented like this before. Not once have I ever thought I would actually post any of the comments I’d like to make on the internet or social media about BLs until this damn series. Omg I love it sooooo much! I rank this series up there with my all-time favorites like “Beautiful Man” and “Addicted.” After the first few episodes I liked it so much that I went looking for a translation of the book. I finished it before the 7th episode came out and absolutely loved it! It was sooooo gooooood!!! It made me cry and laughing out loud. And omg! the frustration!!!! I wouldn’t be surprised if I revisit that book many times like I have with other beloved books and fanfictions. Anyways! After I finished the book I was, of course, comparing and seeing what they were leaving out, understandable so. I was disappointed some thing’s were left out and other things changed, but only slightly! It was the last, 5 mins, of episode 8, that was released just a couple hours ago, that made me start writing this comment/review.

When He is touching Xi’s scars…. 😢 They did so good w that scene. As much as I wish they would just use the book as a script, they have made this its own thing and it’s beautiful! It’s rare that adaptations are good and this one is great! I can’t wait for the last episode!!!! But also hating that there’s only 1 more and they’ve only touched the smallest fraction of the story. Sigh. Maybe there will be more seasons, maybe not. I think I’d be ok w no more. I’d be ecstatic if there were 1 or 2 more. And I’ll never lose the hope that this will be adapted with more detail in the future. I’m not a anime fan at all but I’d def watch any animated version of this story.

If anyone wants to talk about the series or book, I’d love to! I have no drama or BL friends. If your ult stan is Skz, even better!

Love love love Sammy’s Children’s Day!!!! Can’t wait to reread the book and rewatch the series in its entirety soon!

And thank you if you actually read all this!

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Sammy's children day -- A sweet & Emotional BL worth watching ?

Sammy’s Children’s Day is a soft, heartwarming Chinese BL that focuses more on emotions and character growth rather than heavy drama. The story feels simple at first, but it slowly builds a meaningful connection between the characters that makes you genuinely care about them.

One of the best things about this drama is its gentle storytelling. It doesn’t rush the relationship, which makes every small moment feel special and realistic. The chemistry between the leads is natural and comforting, even without overly dramatic scenes.

Visually, the drama has a calm and warm vibe that matches its theme perfectly. The background music also adds to the emotional tone without being overwhelming.

However, if you’re expecting intense romance or bold storytelling, this might feel a bit slow. It’s more about subtle feelings, innocence, and emotional bonding.

Overall:
A soft, emotional, and wholesome BL that’s perfect if you enjoy slow-burn stories with pure vibes.

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Best bl so far!

I finished all 9 episodes in one sitting, and honestly—this drama was incredible.

I don’t usually watch BL dramas, and I’m quite picky when it comes to both plot and acting. If either one feels weak, I normally drop a show quickly. But this is the first Chinese BL drama that I’ve watched from start to finish, and it has become one of my favorites.

As a native Cantonese speaker, I actually appreciated the Cantonese dubbing because it made the atmosphere feel even more immersive. I also grew up watching Hong Kong dramas, so I was initially hesitant when I heard this was centered around gang/mafia themes since I’ve seen similar stories many times before. However, I really liked how the show didn’t overcomplicate the gang conflicts and instead focused more on character development and emotional storytelling.

In just 9 episodes, the drama beautifully portrays He Chusan and Xia Liuyi’s journey from meeting each other to falling in love. The pacing feels smooth, with no unnecessary scenes or dialogue. The cinematography, transitions, and small details were all handled extremely well.

The acting was another huge highlight. The entire cast delivered strong performances, including the supporting characters. And the two leads were perfectly cast—they completely exceeded my expectations. Their chemistry felt natural, and every emotional moment, from subtle glances to physical intimacy, was filmed with restraint and beauty.

What I loved most was how cinematic everything felt. It often felt like I was watching a beautifully made film rather than a drama series.

Of course, everyone will have different opinions, but for me, the story, performances, characters, OST, and overall tone were just right.

Huge thanks to the director and production team for creating such a wonderful show.

I’ll definitely be rewatching—and I truly hope there’s a Season 2.

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EXCELLENT SCRIPT AND STORY. AND CINEMATIC!

I’ll start by saying that I don’t watch a lot of BLs. I’ve started several over time, but most of them I dropped after a few episodes. Sammy’s Children’s Day was different.

It’s a bit of a slice of life drama, about the underworld in 1980s Hong Kong, but it has a very cinematic quality. It is beautifully shot and has dialogue that actually develops the characters and builds the world around them. What touched me most, however, was the dynamic between the MLs. It felt realistic, natural, and I don’t know… human? Not artificial or over the top. Their relationship develops slowly because the focus is on their emotional connection and friendship rather than just sexual tension or physical intimacy (though we get some intense moments too, which are beautifully presented, btw). If you are looking for a BL that is mostly about kissing and sex, this is not it.

Yes, the dubbing is in Cantonese, but the actors performed in Mandarin originally. At first, the lack of sync between the voices and their mouths is obvious. But after a while, you just stop noticing it. The actors are so expressive and immersed in their roles that you just stop focusing on the mismatch. Their eyes, the small details in their gestures… those carry all the scenes. Plus, the dubbing is fantastic! Whoever voiced them captured the actors' emotions perfectly.

The storytelling is understated, which makes this BL so great, imo. It doesn’t try too hard to dramatize or sensationalize everything. I love how it leans into everyday moments. That’s why it feels more grounded than other BLs. After each episode, I would just sit there for a while and revisit some moments in my head. They really NEED to make a season 2! They absolutely must!

The best way I can put it is that this BL is likely to stay with you. Not because of some crazy plot twists, but because of how GENUINE it feels.

10++++ from me

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Best BL of 2026 so far

Thank you to that one manhwa artist fangirling over He Yanzhao for finally convincing me to check out this series. Holy hell, he's stunning.

Not gonna lie, if Xia Liu Yi had been played by a different actor, I probably wouldn't have been interested in watching it at all, especially with a weird title like that.

The chemistry between the leads was off the charts. The OST was amazing and perfectly suited the series' 1980s Hong Kong setting. The cinematography was beautifully shot, with so many scenes that felt like they belonged in a movie.

Unpopular opinion: I had no issue with the dubbing. Then again, I understand Cantonese, so that probably helped a lot.

Definitely one of my favorite BLs, that's for sure.

Now all that's left is to patiently (or not so patiently) wait for Season 2. Hopefully it won't take too long. (guess i'll read the novel in the meantime....)

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unique plot and fantastic chemistry

Overall: this is a slow burn done right. Aired on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/6325/sammys-childrens-day-2026 (not available in Macau, Japan or Korea) ; Viki viki.com/tv/41463c-sammys-childrens-day (U.S, New Zealand possibly other countries) YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvGcdVlZnkJ5Y4OWETVZTXmJMKswptul5&si=arkxVwP7ybUjxOgt (everywhere except Japan and Korea, episode 2 onwards requires a membership)

Content Warnings: murders, blood, torture, violence, kidnapping/held against will, coercion, mental health struggles, suicide, past child abuse, attempted sex trafficking, self harm, manipulation, non con kiss, grief

Watch Suggestions (take out most content warnings)
- episode 1 watch beginning to 16min, 20:30-end
- episode 2 watch beginning to 1:50, 6-15:30, 23:40-30:15, 36-38
- episode 3 watch 5min-14:45 and 31-46
- episode 4 watch 23min-end
- watch episodes 5, 6 & 7
- watch episode 8 (skip 18min-22:30)
- episode 9 watch beginning-5:30 and 28-end

What I Liked
- the setting/plot
- unique dynamic (the person who did the kabedon in a later episode is not who a viewer would expect)
- chemistry
- production value

Room For Improvement
- the main character appeared deadly and stone cold and then in the second half of episode 1 became goofy, it did balance out okay later
- finale had a quirky part, they show what happened after the credits at 35 minutes
- the cliffhanger ending with open plot threads and needed more with the side couple
- not a fan of dubbing but I didn't take off points as I know it's extremely common in China

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