Dao

I really liked the way the story is told. It doesn’t feel like a beginning, middle and end. It's not a plot, it's storytelling. And visually, this show is beautiful. The landscapes, the nature, the cinematography in general. It feels much more polished and carefully made than most Chinese BLs I’ve seen so far. There’s a real sense of atmosphere to it, and it’s beautifully done.

But while there is all that beauty and poetry, it doesn't take away from its realism. The characters feel true - imperfect and vulnerable, each of them wearing their own past without it overshadowing their entire existence. It's a kind of subtlety that is quite rare. I’ve loved so many shows and characters, but the whole plot is often built around one traumatic event that needs to be overcome, and then everything is fine. This is so much more complex than that, without ever forcing the drama.

This also applies to how it depicts the entertainment industry. Of course I can't tell how accurate it is, but it feels like the series, through its course, just shows you how it is - without trying to make a point or advocate for anything.

And then there’s the main couple. I absolutely loved them. What I love most is that they deeply love each other, and this is never really in question. No stupid misunderstandings, no “does he still love me?”, no unnecessary drama because someone didn’t explain themselves properly. They might not always understand what the other is doing, but they trust each other enough to believe there’s a reason behind it. They also don’t give up who they are just to be together. They live their own lives, pursue their own careers and become the people they want to be. And somehow, that’s still part of the life they’re building together. There's no teary promises, no outbursts, just a quiet love, so strong and unquestionable that it doesn't need to be spoken.

There were definitely things that kept it from being a 10 for me, though. I found the sister’s behaviour increasingly frustrating and, honestly, I never really felt the romance between Wen Shu and Qing Tian. Their relationship felt incredibly deep and loving to me, but not romantic. I actually think it might have been more beautiful if it had stayed that way.

The third couple was only “interesting” as a tool to shed some light on the entertainment industry, but they honestly have no chemistry and their story brings down the quality of the show. It sadly captures all of the “gimmicks” of romantic shows - silly fights and misunderstandings, being annoyed and all over each other every other minute. They really break the flow of the series.