Love after Addiction

The Real Stars: Yo Ki & Yang Meng

If we are being real, Yo Ki and Yang Meng are the only reason to watch this show. While the main story was sometimes too heavy or confusing, these two kept things fun and sweet.
Lin Feng Song (Yo Ki) played the persistent pursuer perfectly, and Chen Wen (Yang Meng) was adorable as the guy who acted annoyed but clearly loved the attention. Their scenes felt like a breath of fresh air. I found myself fast-forwarding through everything else just to see them together.
Even if the editing wasn’t perfect and the other couples were boring, the "ChengWen" duo made it all worth it. They took a side story and turned it into the best part of the entire series. They are the definition of "carrying the show on their backs."

My Ratings:
Story Plot: 5/10 (A bit boring)
Visuals/Editing: 6/10 (Could be better)
Yo Ki & Yang Meng Chemistry: 10/10 (Amazing!)

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The visuals carried the whole drama

It was a drama with a lot of plot holes and not much consistency in the storytelling. Honestly, though, the actors were really good-looking. There are a lot of important elements in a BL drama, and visuals are definitely one of the things I care about the most.

That said, there were quite a few moments that just didn’t make sense to me while watching. A lot of situations developed way too suddenly. I had pretty high expectations because of the “meeting again after 10 years” storyline, but in the end, it just felt like a decent time-killer. I don’t think I’d watch it again.

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Good acting and chemistry but flawed script and continuity

I'm gonna preface by saying I really enjoyed watching this series. I really liked the main actors, their chemistry and romance.
My biggest gripe with this series is the script... I'm guessing due to the time constraints of having a 12 episodes 25 minutes runtime. Way too short for the whole story/plot. The script plot was sometimes nonsensical, defied logic and left a lot to be guessed on our own. They're filming a reality tv show with no cameras/drones around? The whole fish thing was weird and I didn't really understand what happened...Lots of parts were too rushed and cut weirdly. What saved this for me were the main actors and me really liking their chemistry and characters/story, despite the flaws I mentioned before,I still really recommend it!

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Beautiful, imperfect story

8/10

I know some people may feel disappointed because this series doesn't give them the same feeling as Addicted 2016. But I think the comparison is a little unfair. Apart from the characters You Xi and Yang Meng, this is a different story, and I think it deserves to be appreciated for what it is.

What I love most about this series is how real it feels. This isn't another CEO romance trope. It's an original slice-of-life story about two adults approaching their 30s, dealing with their own responsibilities, fears, and struggles while trying to understand what they truly want in life.

You Xi's journey is heartbreaking. He goes from being a successful actor to losing almost everything. He was controlled by his agent for so long, always following instructions even when he didn't want to. What really makes his story meaningful is his decision to stop hiding who he is and what he wants. In the end, he finally chose himself, embraced who he truly was, and had the courage to let the world know the truth about himself. To me, that's really brave.

Yang Meng has his own struggles, too. He has responsibilities, his father's expectations, and society's judgment to deal with. His feelings aren't something he can easily accept, especially when loving another man means going against what others expect of him. Watching both of them struggle to accept themselves and find the courage to choose their own happiness is one of the most touching parts of this story.

The series has its heartbreaking moments, but it also has happiness, warmth, and sexual tension. The main couple's chemistry is wonderful. Even though there aren't that many kissing scenes, I was still invested in their relationship. They have a natural connection that makes their romance believable. I also think their real-life friendship may contribute to that chemistry.

The acting, background settings, plot, and music all kept me interested. I rarely watch a BL series without skipping some scenes, but this one managed to keep me watching. And the music... oh, the music! The inclusion of a Korean song was such a pleasant surprise for me.

Of course, the series isn't perfect. Some flashbacks feel repetitive and unnecessary, and I think certain situations could have been handled better because some moments don't feel quite right. There are also some emotional scenes that could have been more powerful. In particular, I felt that Chen Wen's performance in some of the heartbreaking scenes was a little lacking. I wanted to feel more of Yang Meng's sadness, but somehow, those moments didn't hit me as hard as I expected them to. The second couple's chemistry also felt a little weak to me. I think some parts of the story could have been developed further to make the characters' emotions and certain situations feel more convincing. Still, despite these flaws, the series has a story that genuinely touched me, and these shortcomings don't take away from what I love about it.

What makes this series beautiful to me is its message. Sometimes, we spend so much of our lives trying to meet other people's expectations that we forget to live for ourselves. You Xi and Yang Meng both have to learn to accept who they are and what they want, even when the world may not approve. Love is part of that journey, but so is learning to be honest with yourself.

I also appreciate that, despite what seems to be a limited budget, the series still managed to deliver a story that kept me emotionally invested. It may not be perfect, but it has heart.

I've loved both Fengsong and Chen Wen since Addicted in 2016, so I have to admit that I've waited a long time to see these two finally get to tell their own story together on screen. Seeing them in this series is already something special to me. But honestly, my affection for these two isn't the reason I'm giving this series such a high score. Being a fan may have made me more excited to watch it, but the story itself is what made me fall in love with this series. Even if different actors had played these characters, I believe I would still have loved this.

For me, this is a beautiful, imperfect story about love, courage, and learning to live as yourself. And sometimes, a story doesn't have to be flawless to leave a lasting impression. Wish to see Fengwen in more BL series.

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Unexpectedly addicting

I've not watched the prequel cz i read it's a sad ending and waited for this to end so that i know it's a happy ending. The initial few episodes kinda gave jdrama vibes with the exaggerated acting and delivery. I really liked the show and i had rated it a 9.5 till episode 9 minus 0.5 for minor misses i noticed but after episode 9 the drama just went on a fast track which kinda felt rushed for me thats the reason the rating dropped to 8.5. I felt we needed a bit more of the 2nd couple's story and also a bit more on Yo Ki faking everything for his image and stuff and a more natural reunion between the leads. It was like they had soo much to cover but 3 eps left so they just rushed to the main points kinda.

I really loved both the tops they were like cunning, playful and manipulative in a nice way trying to get their boyfriend 🤭🤭 which was soo cute. I wonder if the 2nd couple would get a spin off or something. I'd like to see that. Overall its a good watch.

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This feels like a love story written for tired people.

How do you review Love After Addiction when your main memories are sleepless nights, rescue missions, and You Xi looking at Yang Meng like he had personally invented REM sleep?

This series really looked at the romance genre and said, "What if we added insomnia, career collapse, emotional dependency, unresolved history, and enough yearning to keep an entire city awake?"

You Xi had fame.

Success.

Recognition.

And absolutely none of the peace that was supposed to come with any of it.

Scandals happened.

Burnout happened.

Sleep stopped happening altogether.

Then came Yang Meng.

Former classmate.

Rescue captain.

Human sleeping pill.

Apparently.

Because somehow, against all known medical science, You Xi discovers that the only place he can sleep peacefully is next to him.

Honestly?

Cinema.

Lin Feng Song brought so much exhaustion, vulnerability, and quiet desperation to You Xi that watching him slowly unravel and rebuild himself felt painfully real.

And Chen Wen as Yang Meng?

The king of patience.

The emperor of emotional stability.

The CEO of accidentally becoming someone's safe place.

Watching Yang Meng slowly realize that You Xi needed far more than sleep while You Xi slowly learned the difference between dependence and love gave us one of the most emotionally mature relationships of the year.

Because this wasn't simply a romance.

It was a story about trust.

About loneliness.

About what happens when someone becomes the first place you've ever felt safe enough to rest.

And honestly?

That might be more intimate than love itself.

The supporting cast understood the assignment too.

The friends.

The colleagues.

The people trying to hold these two together while they stubbornly pretended they were handling everything perfectly fine.

Spoiler:

They were not.

And can we talk about the people behind the camera?

Writer and director Nattachai Jiraanont understood exactly what this story needed: quiet.

The emotional moments weren't rushed.

The silences mattered.

The sleepless nights mattered.

The spaces between conversations often said more than the dialogue itself.

The cinematography deserves special praise.

The city lights at 3 AM.

The empty apartments.

The exhaustion written across faces illuminated by street lamps.

The contrast between sleeplessness and peace.

Every frame felt intimate.

Almost intrusive.

Like we were witnessing moments nobody else was supposed to see.

And the soundtrack?

Absolutely guilty of aiding and abetting emotional devastation.

Every song arrived precisely when viewers had almost convinced themselves they were emotionally stable again.

Almost.

Love After Addiction wasn't simply a BL.

It wasn't simply a second-chance romance.

It was a story about finding rest in another person after forgetting what rest even felt like.

This wasn't celebrity × rescue captain.

This wasn't ex-classmates-to-lovers.

This was insomniac actor × man who accidentally became home.

8/10.

Would absolutely lose sleep, make terrible emotional decisions, and watch these two idiots discover that sometimes the thing you're addicted to isn't sleep.

It's finally feeling safe enough to close your eyes.

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Honestly, I’m not quite sure if I liked this series or not.

There were moments that caught my attention, but at the same time something didn’t fully click for me. I kept watching, hoping it would pull me in more emotionally, but my feelings about it stayed a bit mixed.

It’s one of those series where you finish an episode and still feel unsure about how you really feel.

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How can a poorly written ending destroy a beautiful love story ...

PLOT: Yoki, an insomniac star actor, is caught up in a scandal (framed) and forced to film a celebrity game show on an island. There, he reunites with Yang Meng, a former high school classmate. Yoki is surprised to find himself sleeping soundly next to Yang Meng. As their adventures unfold, Yoki and Yang Meng grow closer and are attracted to each other, but Yang Meng hesitates because he fears his (very homophobic) father's disapproval and the rumors.

+++ Electric chemistry between Lin Feng Song and Chen Wen⚡⚡, both excellent.
+++ Very good cast, and I really like the second romance (which shows other facets of a relationship).
+++ Awesome OSTs (。ˇ ⊖ˇ)♡ but why Korean songs?
+++ Coherent storyline and fast-paced direction. The cinematography is magnificent, and the stunning landscapes are beautifully showcased.

### The last two episodes are convoluted, poorly written, and full of plot holes.

=> My final impression is inevitably skewed by the last two episodes (9.5 -> 8), which is a shame considering the superb work of the actors.
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PLOT : Yoki, acteur star insomniaque est victime d'1 scandale (framed) et est obligé d'aller tourner 1 show de "jeux de célébrités" sur 1 ile. II y retrouve Yang Meng, ancien camarade de lycée. Yoki est surpris de dormir sans pb auprès de Yang Meng. Au fil des aventures télévisuelles, Yoki et Yang Meng se rapprochent, s'attirent mais Yang Meng hésite car il craint la réprobat° de son père (très homophobe) et les rumeurs.

+++ Alchimie électrique entre Lin Feng Song et Chen Wen⚡⚡, tous deux excellents.
+++ Très bon cast et j'aime bcp la 2nde romance (qui montre d'autres aspects d'une relation)
+++ OSTs géniales （。ˇ ⊖ˇ）♡ mais pourquoi des Korean songs ?
+++ Storyline cohérente et réalis° sans temps mort. La cinématographie est magnifique et les superbes paysages, bien mis en valeur.

### 2 derniers épisodes tordus, mal écrits, pleins de plot holes.

=> Mon impression finale est forcément altérée par les 2 épisodes finaux (9.5 -> 8), ce qui est dommage pour le superbe travail des acteurs.

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I Didn’t Expect to Get This Attached

I genuinely didn't expect to love this drama so much.

At first, I was mostly here for the nostalgia. A sequel connected to *Addicted* released ten years later and starring the same actors? Of course I was going to watch it. What I didn't expect was to end up loving the drama for its own merits.

The greatest strength of this series is its characters. I became attached to every single one of them. Both couples were incredibly enjoyable to watch, and each relationship brought something different to the story. The main couple was sweet, comforting, and emotionally satisfying, while the second couple added a more chaotic and playful energy that I absolutely adored.

What really worked for me was the balance. The drama knows when to be funny, when to be romantic, sad. It made me laugh, kick my feet, and occasionally want to throw my phone across the room from frustration. That's usually a good sign.

I also appreciated how mature the story felt. This isn't a perfect world where everything magically works out. The characters have to deal with public judgment, family expectations, personal insecurities, and difficult choices. Yet despite those heavier themes, the drama never loses its warmth. At its core, it's an incredibly hopeful story about love, acceptance, and finding people who make life easier simply by being there.

The chemistry between the actors was fantastic, which honestly isn't surprising considering they've known these characters for so long. There was a natural comfort in their performances that made every emotional scene hit harder.

And can we talk about the soundtrack? Every song felt perfectly chosen.

It’s not a perfect drama, and I don’t think it tries to be. At times the connection to Addicted feels a bit looser than I expected, and some plot points do feel slightly rushed or like they could’ve been explored more. There were moments where I genuinely wished certain storylines had more time to breathe, just so the emotional impact could hit even harder. But honestly, despite all of that, the emotional payoff was so strong that I barely cared about the imperfections. I found myself completely invested from beginning to end, and once I was in, I was in — fully attached to the characters and their journey.

This drama made me smile, made me emotional, and left me with that bittersweet feeling you get when you don't want to say goodbye to the characters.

Ten years later, these actors came back and somehow delivered something that felt both nostalgic and completely fresh.

That's honestly kind of beautiful.

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I don't know how to feel.

And I probably never will.
Onestamente non so cosa scrivere. Nè voglio saperlo.
L'unica cosa che so è che ho avuto la storia di due personaggi che ho sempre amato.
E che da un certo punto di vista ho avuto anche la chiusura dei loro chiamiamoli amici del liceo. Ho chiuso almeno in parte con Gu Hai e Bai Luo Yin. Ma questa non è la chiusura che volevo. Perché per quanti BL di più o meno qualità produrrà la Cina, il mio capitolo con Addicted è e sarà sempre aperto.
Detto ciò, probabilmente sarebbe stato meglio vedere questa serie senza aver visto Addicted. Almeno non vivrò nel triste rimpianto di avere gli attori che YoKi e Yang Meng, ma non Timmy Xu e Johnny Huang.

Comunque faccio un piccolo inciso: aver visto questa serie non so perché ma mi ha rovinato la visione di Addicted. Volevo rivedere alcune puntate nel weekend e non facevo altro che pensare a questa storia e a come due dei personaggi (attori compresi) avessero avuto il loro lieto fine. E niente, grazie tante Love After Addiction.

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