Revenged Love: I’m really gonna miss Revenged Love. It hit every single one of those spots I look for in a series. I especially love couples that break the mold, not the usual “cute and fluffy,” but raw, messy, and deeply provocative. And it had one of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers.
The casting was spot-on. They couldn’t have picked a better group to bring these complex, flawed, emotionally layered characters to life. Honestly, they were the heart of the show. Zi Yu, in particular, was phenomenal. His facial expressions alone told entire stories. One moment he’s sweet, the next seductive, and then suddenly heartbreakingly vulnerable.
I could go on for hours about this series, but I’ll just highlight a few things that really stood out and might’ve flown under the radar.
The art direction? Absolutely stunning. They used LGBTQIA+ colors in such a subtle, symbolic way, not just as decoration, but as emotional cues woven into the narrative. Whether it was the pride flag at Jiang Xiao Shaui’s clinic, the intimate scenes between Guo Cheng Yu and Jiang Xiao Shaui, or how each color mirrored a stage in their relationship, it felt like the show painted the flag into their emotions instead of just hanging it on a wall.
Visually, the series leaned into a bold, urban vibe all reinforcing the characters’ identities and creating a space where emotional and sexual fluidity felt natural and unapologetic.
I really hope this marks a turning point for Chinese BL dramas toward more freedom, more depth, and more stories like this.
Whether it was intentional or not, I loved the subtle nod to ABO Desire in the early episodes. Both shows are part of this exciting wave of Chinese BL dramas that aren’t afraid to dive deep emotionally and push boundaries, even in the face of censorship.
My beautiful man A true masterpiece. This is one of those super rare cases where a franchise nailed it from start to finish.This trilogy is packed with visual and narrative metaphors that dive deep into themes like obsession, identity, power, and love. The supporting characters act like mirrors and catalysts, playing key roles in the emotional growth of the leads. This is another series I could go on for hours.
You have to watch it through the same lens that Hira and Kiyoi use to understand each other, otherwise, you’ll miss all the subtle things left unsaid. What their eyes reveal is so powerful, no words could ever express it. From the moment I started watching it, one phrase came to mind: The eyes are the windows to the soul.
When Kiyoi walks into that classroom and their eyes meet, they recognize something in each other they’ve been searching for, even if they don’t realize it yet. Expecting two teenagers, still trying to figure out who they are and how to deal with unfamiliar emotions, to have a perfectly “healthy” relationship during one of the most chaotic phases of life? That’s just not realistic. Hira and Kiyoi are flawed. They know it and they’re not afraid to be.
Hira has stalker tendencies, and Kiyoi is selfish. But no, this isn’t a toxic relationship. It’s brutally honest. In real life, not everyone meets their person when they’re emotionally ready. Relationships are about learning, growing, and navigating differences. In truth, they’re more alike than they think. If Hira doesn't think he's good enough for Kiyoi, Kiyoi doesn't think he's good enough for the shy and talented Hira.
They’re both complex, insecure, and vulnerable on a journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. And while some of their actions might seem questionable to us as viewers, they don’t see them that way. When Kiyoi calls Hira “disgusting” and a “stalker,” it’s a raw reaction to the confusing feelings Hira stirs in him. People underestimate Hira, anyone who thinks Hira is weak is mistaken. He knows he's being bossed around, and he only allows it because it's his way of being close to Kiyoi.
And this was Kiyoi's way of protecting him and interacting with him.
Don’t think it went unnoticed how Kiyoi subtly gives Hira his phone number, or how he quietly steps in to stop the other students from really bullying him. Slowly, Kiyoi begins to understand that Hira loves him unconditionally. Both of them start to grow. By season two and the movie, Hira no longer looks like a frightened rabbit, and Kiyoi becomes softer, sweeter. But Hira still struggles with the psychological walls built by his insecurity.
As Noguchi-san says: Hira is like a king in sheep’s clothing. He has strong self-awareness. In fact, Noguchi is one of the few, besides Kiyoi, who truly understands Hira and sees what he tries so hard to hide. When Noguchi hands Hira a camera and encourages him to photograph Kiyoi, Hira hesitates. But with Kiyoi’s support, he captures stunning images. And every time Hira points his lens at Kiyoi, our own eyes are drawn to the intensity of Kiyoi’s gaze. The eyes are the windows to the soul.
The beauty Hira sees in Kiyoi goes far beyond physical appearance. He’s always seen Kiyoi’s essence, his inner beauty, his deep emotions even when words fail. He sees Kiyoi in a way that transcends the lens. That’s why, when Kiyoi tells that his beauty will fade as he gets older, Hira simply says: “No matter how old you are or what happens, you’re always beautiful in my eyes. No regrets.”
Kiyoi finally learns to express his feelings more clearly and begins to trust the sincerity of Hira’s love. He realizes he’s found someone who loves him the way he’s always wanted to be loved:not as an idol, but as a regular man. Unconditionally.
Their relationship is something only they understand, and they don’t feel the need to explain it to the world. They support each other through hard times. They love each other and found a way to make it work. And in the end, isn’t that what really matters?
The writing is brilliant, but what makes this trilogy unforgettable is the performance of Riku Hagiwara as Hira and Yusei Yagi as Kiyoi. They brought these characters to life with such depth, nuance, and authenticity. Their chemistry is insane, so natural, so effortless. Hira and Kiyoi carved out a permanent place in my heart.
One last note: the NC scenes are absolutely perfect. They’re not explicit, but they’re emotionally intense in every way. My favorite scene is the movie’s ending, where Hira and Kiyoi are wrapped in sheer veils — a visual metaphor that reinforces how their relationship is something only they truly understand. They’re happy there. And that’s enough.
YamaKen:
p43425:
ssangrieul:
Ju Moon:
