K-Drama 
DON'T MISS THIS!!
One of the most incredible, top-tier Chinese BL series. It felt like watching two series at once—and it was amazing. The production was gripping from start to finish. The plot, cast, music, and overall execution were fantastic. I really enjoyed it. The supporting characters were wonderful and conveyed a wide range of emotions, while the story was packed with incredible moments.Was this review helpful to you?
Two Stories. One Love. Deep in.
This year’s top BL — one that grabs you from the very first minutes and doesn’t let go until the very end. A brilliant premise, with two stories unfolding side by side, gradually merging as the series progresses because, at their core, they are so similar — the love between two men, even though each story approaches it in a different way.This series is truly captivating, bold, and emotional. For such young actors, it must have been a huge challenge, but they handled it brilliantly. I’m sure I’ll return to it again — it has real depth.
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This review may contain spoilers
Deep In: An Extremely Intriguing Psychological Drama
Deep In follows Zhang Zhun (Shu Yuan), a struggling actor finally getting his shot at a leading role, who lands the film "Deep In" and gets pulled into a relationship with Zhen Xin (Ollie), an already-established star. Within the film, Zhang Zhun plays Gao Zhun, a deeply troubled patient, opposite Zhen Xin as Fang Chi, his psychiatrist, an unethical dynamic built on dependency and emotional manipulation. As the filming blurs into their real relationship, Zhen Xin's intrusive behavior sends things spiraling between the both of them to the point where neither of them can tell which feelings belong to the characters and which belong to themselves.This drama has changed my entire perspective on dramas/BLs. Everything I thought I knew about my own taste has changed after this. I usually don't care for or dislike certain tropes such as: infidelity, SA-victim storylines, anything overly toxic because they're rarely done well. I tried a few Chinese BLs before this one, and they weren't to my taste either, so I'd basically written off the genre for myself. Then this drama proved me wrong.
What stood out to me is how the show handled tropes I normally don't like. The difference between other shows I've disliked for these same tropes and this one is in how it's handled . Deep In is unapologetically toxic and doesn't try to dull anything down, but at the same time, it acknowledges that toxicity and actually sits with it instead of dismissing it. The show never lets its characters easily off the hook for their behavior, which makes the whole characters blurring thing even more interesting. The scene where Zhang Zhun talks to Gao Zhun through the mirror gave me goosebumps. You can really see how blurred the line between the actors and their characters had become.
CHARACTERS
- Zhang Zhun — An actor low on opportunities who finally gets to act in a queer film. He already has a girlfriend, yet he can't control his feelings for Zhen Xin. Raised by his grandmother, he's terrified of disappointing his loved ones, and that fear stays with him and influences his thoughts a lot.
- Zhen Xin— A well-known actor who had already met Zhang Zhun before and was interested in him. He falls hard for MC and doesn't care about the consequences. Like Zhang Zhun, he also has a girlfriend, though his relationship with her is far more shallow.
- Gao Zhun— A rape victim carrying deep trauma. He goes to see his girlfriend's ex, a therapist, starts treating him as a safety net and becomes very co-dependent on him.
- Fang Chi — A psychiatrist treating Gao Zhun, who torn between his desire for his patient and his professional ethics.
None of them are green flags. They're all problematic in their own ways, which makes them more compelling.
ACTING
Ollie and Shu Yuan each had to play multiple characters. You can really separate all four characters, and the way they perform each character's struggles and pain is simply fantastic. I can't believe this is their debut show.
OVERALL
This has become my top BL of all time, surpassing all of my old #1 favorites. This show has opened my eyes to what a true 10/10 feels like. There's absolutely nothing I would change about it. It's perfect to me and has no flaws. With every other 10/10 I've given, there's always a thing or two I don't fully love, but not here. It's a superior 10/10. I'd give it a higher score if I could.
I will say you kinda have to turn off the morality brain to truly see the beauty behind this show. There's manipulation, infidelity, non-consensual acts, a doctor-patient relationship, co-dependency, and a bunch of other dark topics. It's both morally and ethically problematic, but that's part of what makes it so fascinating to sit with and watch. This is a deeply psychological drama that needs to be watched until the very end to fully understand how the actors' relationship, the "in-film" dynamics, and problematic topics blend in with each other. Truly an unforgettable show!
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Deep In: A Truly Unforgettable Story
Deep In had such a compelling plot and exceptional writing. I loved how it took such a unique approach to storytelling by following Zheng Xin and Zhang Zhun as actors filming a movie, while simultaneously unfolding the heartfelt story of Fang Chi and Gao Zhun. The way both narratives intertwined was so creative and emotionally engaging, making every episode feel meaningful.I first knew Ollie from Boys Planet, but I never imagined he would completely amaze me with his acting. His performance was so natural, emotional, and convincing that I forgot I was watching someone making their acting debut. It’s even more incredible knowing that both he and Shu Yuan were acting for the first time, and that this was also the director’s first BL production. You would never have guessed it. The chemistry, the emotional depth, and the overall execution felt so polished that it easily stands alongside much more experienced productions.
Deep In is truly one of those dramas that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching it. It’s a beautiful reminder that with a compelling story, thoughtful writing, and passionate performances, even first-time actors and a first-time BL director can create something truly unforgettable.
I hardly give series a 10/10 but…
Story: 10/10
Acting: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Music: 10/10
Rewatch value: 10/10
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Beautiful, Dark and Heartwarming
It's been a very long time since I felt inspired to write a review but I simply MUST express how impressed I am by this series. The director, producers, actors and the crew pulled out all the stops to make this gem. I have watched SO many BL stories in the past 6 years and this one is top notch on many levels for me.Everyone will have their own opinions on what makes a good show but from a purely quality of production perspective, I really feel this one is excellent.
It's not a gentle ride. Just a note for anyone looking for something fluffy. This is NOT that. It's gripping, it pushes boundaries and certainly that's not for everyone.
I just feel like hugging everyone who made this series possible and thanking them sincerely for letting me walk alongside these beautiful souls as they tried to untangle the knots in their hearts...both in their lives and through their show. It felt too short by far and that is perfect. They left me wanting more and I will miss them!!
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You'll get DEEP IN the series without realising
I'm obsessed. No other could do justice to the role than Ollie and Shuyuan.I casually started it, but got hooked up to this series. I love both the main story and the secondary story, the quality🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
Who would believe after seeing their performance that they're only 20 and 24.
I don't regret watching this series at all. Acting is top notch. I could keep watching this series on and on and on.
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A two in one combo? and they actually made it work!
I will say, though, that I found one story more intriguing and captivating than the other storyline, but overall, I still enjoyed this series.I went into this as a show to binge watch and ended up really enjoying it! Watching two storylines unfold within one series was interesting because, at first, I had my doubts about how they were going to portray both without one overshadowing the other. But wow, was I blown away by how invested I became in both storylines and their respective characters.
One of my personal highlights was the 472 steps confession scene that genuinely had me smiling nonstop. The emotions, the atmosphere, and the way the scene was presented made it such a beautiful and memorable moment for me. It was easily my favourite scene in the entire series.
I also really enjoyed the characters, particularly Feng Yunting (Zhen Xie's girlfriend), Ms. Qin and the Director. And that ending? What an unexpected twist! I definitely wasn't expecting that, and I loved the surprise.
Another thing worth mentioning is the amount of intimacy in this series. I rarely come across a Chinese BL with this many kisses and intimate scenes, especially ones that are so detailed and visually presented. That was certainly something different and interesting to watch. I mean, there was practically a kiss in almost every episode! I'm not complaining, just making an observation.
I particularly enjoyed Ollie's acting, although the rest of the cast did a good job as well. His performance stood out to me, and I really appreciated the cast's contributions to bringing the different characters and storylines to life.
As for the soundtrack, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't entirely my cup of tea. I noticed that the series seemed to rely heavily on English language songs, and I honestly can't recall hearing a Chinese song. That's just a personal preference, though, and it didn't take away too much from my enjoyment.
The cinematography was lovely, and I really appreciated the editing and transitions between the fictional series and the behind the scenes storyline. I thought the series within a series concept was creatively executed, and the way the two narratives were presented made the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
Overall, I had a good time watching this series. While I found one storyline way more captivating than the other, I still enjoyed the experience. The series dealt with some heavy and sensitive topics, but its psychological elements and dark undertones made it an interesting and engaging watch. I'd recommend it to anyone willing to immerse themselves in a series with multiple intriguing storylines.
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A story within a story, double the fun!
Two drama's in one, what a treat! This was so good!! The story was very different and very well written. The production did a good job, the only bad thing about this drama was the dubbing. I think the emotions would have come out even better without the voice dubbing.I love how the screen gets smaller when the drama is filming, that makes a clear distinction between film and "reality".
The visuals and music were beautiful.
All the actors did a great job, i was surprised it was the first role for both leads.
They had great chemistry and good kisses. In the last episode we got a great kiss with a bit of tongue! The NC scenes were well done.
I highly recommend watching this great drama.
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THIS GOT ME HOOKED!
First of all I was spectacle, I didn't have high expectations but they delivered and I mean real HARD. It was so intriguing, I got fascinated by the concept, that they had two movies in one show. That was played amazingly.The kissing scenes gave me so much butterflies🦋. I was pretty surprised. The kisses were smutty, hot and sexy. The YEARNING was insane too. It feels as if they couldn't enough of each other. It's been a years since I've ever watched c - drama completely but Deep In got me hooked!
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This review may contain spoilers
Let's start with the abject truth, that I have already rewatched this several times or turned it on to go to sleep. It's already become a comfort food. lolNow for the critical explanation:
1. The music choices are immaculate. The sound engineering also deserves praise with the subtle and detailed enhancement of the scenes. Even the title song is, imo, the best BL title song I've heard.
2. The story, while not exactly true to the novel, is perfectly told. I think the right choices were made as far as what to include, what to leave out and what to alter slightly. But nothing deviated from the original heart of the story, which is that two men fall in love while playing the roles of two men who fall in love. And our inability to tell what's real and what's not is exactly aligned with theirs as it progresses. The script is thoughtful and all of the characters feel believable, and in some ways likeable, even the "protagonists". The pacing is perfect. There's no fat on the story but it isn't rushed either. I found myself unable to predict as easily as I normally can with BLs what exactly was going to happen in the next episode.
3. The casting is A+, especially Zhang Zhun, Zhen Xin and Director Chen. Director Chen is hilarious and genuine. The main leads are beautiful and meticulous actors. The subtleties of the choices they made moving in and out of their "true selves" vs their characters was so well done. Side note: They are both pretty criers. And lastly, their chemistry was outstanding. Again it felt genuine and lived in, without needing to go to the extremes of nudity and saliva dripping off of their kisses, the implication of their intimacy was just as effective.
So with that, I really have no notes and this is currently ranked as my #1 BL. Bravo!
And in case you haven't looked, the director is only 27!
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Best Chinese BL in 2026
I really loved this one. It was a bit meta with the story that's being acted by the actors being presented like a story itself, but it worked very well! I really fell in love with the characters and I'm so happy they found each other.The ending was also really touching, because obviously, I don't think the industry and society is that far yet in China, but I really hope the country can get to that point eventually. I think all the BLs could help even though they're not being liscensed in the country.
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i'm talking bout innit
Ollie has single-handedly given me a thing for men in fur coats. key tags: co-stars to lovers, explores dark themesStory 9/10: I liked the story a lot. It kept me hooked and due to the pacing, I binged the fuck out of this show. There are times (as with most Chinese BL's) that the plot gets a bit confusing/convoluted and maybe things are drawn out a bit much, I also didn't particularly love the ending and the unnecessary conflict they have. I think the show really hit its peak at the midpoint. Overall, I think they balanced the "show" and real life pretty well, and I didn't find myself preferring one over the other as other reviewers have said.
Acting/Cast/Chemistry 10/10: Honestly, this is what really sells the show to me. Ollie does an incredible job and I can't take my eyes off him at all, and the chemistry he has with Shu Yuan is really special. I will say the actors are very skinny which can be a bit off putting at times, but I could literally watch a 20 minute clip of them eating dinner together I don't care. When they're on screen together it's mesmerizing. Supporting cast is also excellent.
Music 8/10: I can't say that I really found the music to be anything notable but it also wasn't distracting, which can be rare for a BL lol. They keep it relatively low-key to give the actual show room to breathe.
Rewatch Value 8/10: I have watched this once by myself and once with friends! And clips on Instagram. But I wouldn't say I would watch the whole thing in its entirety again.
Overall 9/10: Maybe I am overselling it, but I liked this show a lot! Especially in terms of Chinese BL's which I can sometimes find a bit hard to get through the whole thing, Deep In really kept my attention.
**Spice Meter 9/10: In terms of the NC scenes here, they covered pretty much everything. Except I am SO PEEVED that we didn't really get to see them be intimate outside of when they're playing their characters on the show very much. However, I think this is first time I've seen a TOUNGE KISS in a CBL, I was gagged. Since Chinese BL's are voice over, I do think you miss out a bit on the real sounds, but overall, no complaints.
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