To My Shore
i know a lot of you found this too much but I absolutely loved this! Fan Xiao is a black flag for sure but such interesting twists and turns to the story. I really think they sold these characters as these damaged people. Fan Xiao really seemed like he couldn’t help his behavior, even though it was awful. His backsTory—actually both their backstories—were really moving.
ok, I do really love the obsessive, overprotective and manipulative boyfriend trope. But I also feel like Fan Xiao re did redeem himself in the end. And You couldnt stop loving him for his bad and good traits. It was clear Fan Xiao loved You so much he couldn’t always help himself. But in the end he tried to be a better man. And I also love a reformed bad boy trope.
this show had me riveted throughout and desperate for each new week. I think it rivals the other Chinese shows from 2025. And what a year it was for Chinese BLs. It worries me a little that China portrays so many gay men as “crazy,” but they do it so well I can’t say I’m not on board for the ride.
in the end when You came back to Fan Xiao, who was reduced to so little, I was really moved. They really loved each other, and You could see how hard Fan Xiao had worked to become someone You could allow himself to love. A beautiful ending. “My other half.” I love that phrase.
9/10 for me. 8/10 for quality plus an extra point because it won me over completely. I know this isn’t for everyone but I thought it was great.