Has potential if there is going to be a second season...
I liked the premise, and the main couple was compelling, but unless there are plans for a second season I gotta admit this was disappointing. The second couple added nothing to the story, if anything it felt like they took screentime from what could have been spent to the main couple. The last episode felt very rushed, and new information that had no place being there unless there is going to be continuation for this series, was added last minute. Virtually nothing got resolved either. As a standalone I would not say this was a good series, but with so many lose ends I am very hopeful that the story will continue, and if that happens I will update my review and rating for this season.Was this review helpful to you?
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I will not get over this. Ever.
I'm writing this review seconds after final credits. My heart is still racing. This series is incredible. In the short while that China has been making use of the loophole they found to be able to produce uncensored, they have managed to put out several amazing series, but this one takes the crown.Everything is perfect to near perfect. It's setting in the old walled city in HK and the cinematographic opportunities this provided have been used magnificently. It looks gritty, dark but with a succinct 80's vibe. Some costume choices or props looked a bit off, but that happens to the best.
Story and story lines are clean, without loose threads or strange turns. The backstories make sense, and there is explicite room for an airy humorous note here and there. Sometimes subtle, sometimes not really but always fitting to the story.
The acting of all cast is great. From the main leads, the secondary leads up to the guest roles.. Perfection.
As is customary in BL, we find many tropes in this production. Heroic rescue (from a plant, no less), fate, confusion, unconscious kisses, etc. Most of these are acceptable I just found the unconscious kisses a bit meh. We don't kiss people that are not awake, dammit!
And while we are on the subject, the thing that really annoys me is the fact that the rooftop love scene is never mentioned again. Not in thought, not in flashbacks, not in conversation. It's like as soon as the sheets were cleaned, so was the memory. Like, whatt? Not only was this non-consensual, it was ignored. Bad move.
I loved the contrast between the main characters. One dorky in daily life but very forward in affection. The other a real life crime boss, but a shy and cute mess when it comes to love.
The development of the events and the relationship felt natural (if you can speak of natural in that kind of environment).
The last episode was really the climax we were building up to. The final kiss was truly epic. But there are loose ends that desperately need tying. The 2nd couple has no real closure. All they has was a hot encounter and some aggressive flirting. That's not ok.
What I loved most was the build-up, the visuals, the interactions between Liuyu and Chusan and the back stories. This really 'made' this drama for me.
Now hurry and get me an S2.
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A raw masterpiece
This drama is not as polished as a lot of drama's out there, but that rawness is what makes this drama so great!I watched every episode of this drama as soon as it aired and was so looking foreward to every episode every week! And now before watching the last one i rewatched them all in one go. I love this series so much and i really hope that there will be a second season. The story ended too unresolved and i need to see more of them actually in a relationship.
I loved the story and even though it was a rough setting with gangs and hardship, they did a good job including some funny moments to make it a little "lighter".
The subtle romantic moments and glances were perfect!
The visuals and music were great too.
The acting was amazing and the mains had such good dynamics and so much chemistry with great kisses!
My only complaint is, that it was too short!
This is a must watch and i will definatly watch it more in the future.
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it is both bitter and sweet
I really liked it the cast,the music,the acting was so breathtaking,the production was good overall it was such a bittersweet ending good but also bitter but it was really interesting to watch chemistry getting better and better as you watch the episode yup really good and interesting storyline,very good that I didn't want it to end by the way it's one of my best series so far so it's worth it,I can recommend this for real and we need more like a s2 maybe cause it was really amazing such a great worth watching drama I recommend itWas this review helpful to you?
A masterpiece that keeps you hooked
The series is a masterpiece, and I couldn’t stop watching. The actors are exceptional, and the viewer becomes fully immersed, truly believing in the story. The chemistry between the actors is palpable and grows throughout the episodes into a very well-built connection. The setting is interesting and breaks away from the usual BL tropes. I hope season 2 comes out as soon as possible, because it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this eager while waiting for a new episode.Was this review helpful to you?
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never felt this attached to a series, breathtakingly beautiful.
first (and possibly the last) time writing review. sammy's children's day is such a beautiful series. starting from the plot, to the cinematography, to the chemistry between the leads, to the music, everything just sat so right. not even a second felt boring to me. especially how they placed little non-cringey comedy scenes to lighten up the mood, didnt feel out of place at all.i loved how even in such a short time, they portrayed the change in character dynamics, both in an individual setting and with their respective partner. he chusan grew more confident. he let himself go into the darkness just to bring liuyi out of it. on the other hand, xia liuyi was ready to give up his only identity for he chusan, the xiaoqi hall. the gradual progression of their feelings for each other was so wholesome to watch. havent read the novel myself but ive heard that they skipped parts of it, for which season 2 is a must im REALLY looking forward to what more they bring us.
cant help but mention some scenes which particularly awed me, one: when chusan tells liuyi he wants to take liuyi with him out of that place, chusan is seen initially standing under the light, liuyi in the dark. but by the end, chusan says his last line standing in the dark too. "how will i bring liuyi out of hell if i dont enter it." two: when a single drop of blood falls onto chusan's white canvas shoes, indicating the entry of liuyi is his life. three: the balcony to phonebooth communication, just felt so unreal.
maybe i am biased but the chemistry between changxi and yanzhao are off the charts, both of them seem so genuine on and off screen it makes mt heart so full. even in the series, their chemistry bloomed so well. alongside, the story between second couple was left at a very awkward position but with what was shown, i can tell they sit well too.
so, yeah. a beautifully made series. a little hasty but i hope ss2 will make up for it. made me sob, laugh, then sob again. (and i absolute love the pairs arghh can never get enough of them)
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Need China to stop being homophobic immediately so I could get S2 ASAP
This was so good. China really step it up these days. They are dishing out 5 star meals consistently. Every other region should be scared and shaking cuz I am really amazed by the quality despite the hurdles. The plot is so good. Mafia story is nothing new but the characters are such a breath of fresh air. Their dynamic is so fresh. The top is sweet, simple and nerdy but also very dirty minded and cunning while the bottom is the more 'manly' type who is the mafia and is very dominant. I love it so much. They also made the top the damsel in distress instead of the bottom which is such a 'chef kiss' to me. I love their chemistry so much. This would have gotten a 10/10 if it wasn't an ending for a S2. Cuz I don't even know if we will get it so I am sad but hopeful. Please BL Gods let there be a second season. I don't want it, I NEED it.Was this review helpful to you?
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we need a s2
a show that has everything from comedy at times then its serious when need to, to gang stuff etcthe male leads have a slow burn romance , i find that i did like that they took their time so their romance dont feel sudden nor rushed, their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers feel well done, the season is obviously not complete with a hint for a season 2 and now i really need season 2 to happen as they didnt cover the whole novel there's a lot that can be done in the season 2 and id love to see the male leads lives as a couple
the second couple do look interesting too esp after seeing their scenes in the final ep
also good ost and lyrics i love it..
i highly recommend this show as it feels well done
note: china just started doing bls after longtime not being able to do and they are already killing it, one interesting plot after another, good osts and good acting, please never stop giving us the good quality we were starved for something good to watch
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These Two Have My Whole Heart
If you're debating on watching this or not, DO IT. This show is soooooooo good. These two make me swoon and their relationship development is so sweet and natural. One of the only issues is that the dubbing is a little awkward but I'm able to ignore it, some people might not be able to. However, give it a shot and try it out.I love them so much and I'm hoping hard for a second season. If this is only 1 season, then the show is very unfinished and it would lower my score but there are strong rumors that they've already started filming season 2.
But overall, the show is amazing. These two are so perfect for each other and I can't believe I waited so long to start the show.
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I have to see the premiere of season 2 to believe that this series will have a season 2
DisclaimerWhat I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this series. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a higher or lower score and why it is better/worse than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that. Please also note that there will be spoilers in this review from the series – IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT SPOILERS, THEN DON'T READ THIS REVIEW!!!
I fell in love with getting to know the world of He Chu San and Xia Liu Yi. Their relationship didn't start off as your typical love story, as Xia Liu Yi saw He Chu San as his underling. But as time progressed, so did their relationship. It was truly a slow burn, and I got truly wrapped up in this series even down to the last episode. The actors did a wonderful job in bringing these characters alive to the screen for us viewers. I will also say that I wasn't expecting much, so I am really surprised with the outcome.
Now, while this series was entertaining, it has left us wanting more. The ending is not truly satisfying, as the main couple are not fully together as yet. Also, the secondary couple kind of left us wanting more, as it seems that their storyline needs to be dealt with, as it has been left unfinished. Now, here's the thing – there are talks about a second season. But I have become sceptical of this as I have suffered many, many burns of promises of second seasons that do not come true (The On1y One is the most recent one that is coming to my mind). As such, I have to see the premiere of season 2 to believe that we will get a season 2 and that's why I am giving this series an 8.
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GIVE ME ANOTHER SEASON!!
THIS WAS SO GOOD!the story of a university nerd and a gangster falling in love with each other in the 1980’s lawless Hong Kong . pretty simple, but executed so beautifully.
the acting of both main leads was so good. and THE CHEMISTRY was INSANE! not to mention how incredibly good looking they both are🥹
i love how it breaks the sterotypes about the couple’s dynamics, and the cutie nerd is the one dominating the gangster here 😂
the cinematography was amazing! i loved seeing the 1980’s Hong Kong setting. and the color grading was so beautiful 🥹 the osts were so beautiful too. I fell in love with the drama from the opening song alone! and then i found out that the actor Yan Zhao sang jt himself?? that made me love him and the song even more🥹
the only thing I didn’t like was the dubbing. the super fake noises and out of sync dialogues was pretty off putting to me. but I understand that they had their limitations, and weren’t able to provide the best dubbing.
that ending though…THEY BETTER GIVE US A SEASON 2 😭😭
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Sometimes it feels like I watched a different show...
You ever feel that way? You see all the hype and love for a show and then when you watch it, and you feel like you watched a completely different series. Here's my take on it.I was in it for the vibes of 80's gangster craziness, especially when they brought out those brick cell phones and suit jackets with shoulder pads, that completely disappeared by episode 5. But by episode 5 I'm was in it for the long haul. Which to me, impacted my liking of the main couple and show overall. As a montage 80's style gangster movie, it wasn't so ridiculous to think the ML could be a secretly kindhearted individual, but going into drama mode with a more serious tone made the love story clash with the plot(s) because there's no freaking way a leader of a Triad would be that way in a more drama focused story telling.
I don't understand the hype this couple has based on all the comments also. The slow burn romance is a bit too slow burn and nothing really happens until closer to the end of episode 8, but that's also because the ML's really don't interact alone together through most of the show. The ML's really needed more one on one time to build a deeper relationship to make it feel more reasonable why episode 9 happened the way it did. That's not to say they didn't have good chemistry, their interactions felt fluid and natural, not forced or uncomfortable at all. But I wouldn't say it was butterflies in my stomach or sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of them being on screen together levels. If you want some good anticipation and amazing chemistry between two characters, go watch To My Shore, it won't disappoint but it is dark as hell.
I actually liked what everyone else seems to dislike, the introduction of the police as the next plot point. I felt like this was better for the overall story then the continued gang conflict that really wasn't working any more for the change in tone. Story progress picked up at episode 8, which is what made the ending of episode 9 so jarring. The twist, in my opinion, really wasn't much of a twist.
Overall if you enjoy watching absolute craziness that tapers off into a slow burn romance drama, this is probably a great show for you. But if you are looking for that craziness all the way through, sorry but this show will disappoint. I don't think this was a terrible show and I enjoyed every second of it for it's intention and ambition, but I definitely don't agree with the majority of reviews this show has gotten.
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