The latest episodes are so good! And such a roller coaster of emotions too :'(
The following are just preliminary observations - pardon me if there are mistakes/if I observed wrongly:
I am especially hooked onto Xingsi's eyes and looks these episodes, the actor (Michael An) really showed it really well. In several occasions throughout, from the time when he was looking at Yongjie through the reflection on the rearview mirror (after Licheng himself looked at Muren through the same reflection) - it seems as if Xingsi is having lots of thoughts, and when he looked at Licheng after he told Muren that he 'gave up' on him, it was obvious that his eyes were showing lots of sad emotions.
Why so? He was obviously thinking about what Yongjie told him just earlier before the scene, that he was still willing to be with his brother even if he was to be rejected. By observing the 'reflection' in Licheng's actions, Xingsi was in fact realising what Yongjie's own thoughts behind his words. There are obviously lots of parallel here, and just as Muren came to realise that he actually also liked Licheng towards the end, Xingsi also must have felt the same. Next episode, it seems that it will be Xingsi's turn. The preview didn't show much, but from the little we were given, it seemed to be the way.
Excellently thought out small details and actions, and well-acted too. These really brought out the story to a much deeper level if we are willing to look beyond just the surface. There are still more details I may have missed out, as this is just a quick update after my first viewing at night. Thanks to Viki for the excellent quality video.
Now really can't wait for the next one! 7 more days is just too long! Especially happy that Xingsi's dad 'seems' to be accepting Xingsi's sexuality.
The ep. 11 & 12 PREVIEW may signal a more favourable characterization of Yong Jie.The fact that Yong Jie is going…
Thank you for the amazing connection with the 'sad and painful love', and your analysis of the diary entries were exactly what I have been thinking of too! Yongjie as someone who actually sought Xingsi's happiness over anything else, and is willing to stand silently while enduring all that, only for him to grow ever more in love over the years, as he saw how Xingsi was making no progress at all - thus, he might end up dying an old man unloved (as per what Yongjie summarised to his mum).
Hence, the whole rationale of his actions in the earlier episodes too (which as shown here, was cause more of misunderstanding and lack of proper interaction, rather than Yongjie being genuinely mischievous, bad or terrible in character), as seen in Episode 10, he is definitely capable and willing to reach out to others if he wants to, and I believe we'll see more of this in the coming episodes.
It is almost as if both XS and YJ are still wounded and incomplete, and had to live their lives that way. Once they find each other, and complete each other (as one noted how complementary they are to each other), then both of them can finally move forward, and more positive characterisation not just for YJ, but also for XS (in overcoming his fears and cowardly manner of living - in XS' own words).
I have been enjoying the latest episodes even more and as expected, when they reveal more and more of the plot with each episodes, it makes everything to be clearer as the series progresses on.
Regarding episodes 9 and 10, the relationships between the two couples are getting better, though as usual my favourite are still Xingsi and Yongjie pair. As mentioned in my earlier post, Xingsi’s reading of the diary is my favourite, as it revealed a lot about Yongjie and just how genuine he was in loving Xingsi, and growing fond of him as time passed through the years of him observing Xingsi and his actions.
It is indeed very remarkable that Yongjie’s observation and prediction were so accurate, and how he calculated every move and steps, which I am sure amazed and made Xingsi very touched. This is what is referred to later on, towards the end of episode 10 when Xingsi and Yongjie had the quiet walk together in the park.
That scene (and this whole episode) marked the turning point in the entire relationship between Xingsi and Yongjie, just as it is also the turning point for Licheng and Muren’s (Licheng began openly courting and chasing after Muren). Notice shortly before the diary scene, Xingsi adamantly refused to allow Yingjie to follow him to the trip, and even saying that what Yongjie felt was just attachment rather than love?
Right after the diary scene, Xingsi told Licheng that he wanted Yongjie to come to the trip (showing just what a dramatic change after the revelation of the diary showing Yongjie’s true feelings). Xingsi likely begins to realise that what he felt towards Yongjie might indeed be true love (link this to the statement Muren made to him just before the scene too - ‘love can come from any angle, and can come at any moment’), and even though Yongjie may be his stepbrother, that does not mean they cannot love each other.
Lastly, at the moment when Xingsi was having conversation with Yongjie in the resort’s park, Yongjie again reaffirmed that what he felt towards Xingsi was not just an attachment, but real love, which he himself has also not known how to describe, and right after he said to Xingsi that ‘I am your best choice’, he took Xingsi’s hand and lead him on, showing again how he will be with Xingsi when he is going to face his dad (coming in the next two episodes!), and when just a little while later, they intertwine their hands together, it subtly and clearly shows us without words, that Xingsi accepted Yongjie, his love and whatever path he is leading them towards.
Really love the previous episodes, and the latest two for reasons shown above. The diary scene is my first favourite for obvious reason stated above, as the turning point in the stepbrothers’ relationship, just as the episodes are turning point for Licheng and Muren’s relationship too!
The latest episodes (9 and 10) are amazing, and things are really getting better and better (as expected!)Both…
And just to add:
Pretty much Muren summarised some of the arguments we had here in his conversation with Xingsi towards the end of ep 11 (almost as if the producer and writer predicted all the responses and comments that this series would generate over the earlier chapters). And Xingsi's response clearly showed that whatever some thought it was (taking advantage, etc.), it really wasn't, and Xingsi himself saying it very much affirmed it.
Almost as if Yongjie himself is the producer/writer of the series, with his otherworldly observation skills and attentiveness to detail. Salute to the producer for the efforts!
The latest episodes (9 and 10) are amazing, and things are really getting better and better (as expected!)
Both couples are progressing well (with coming problems for both in next episodes 11-12), and I really enjoy the story development.
More in depth and detailed analysis to come - but in short, my favourite is the scene when Xingsi was reading the diary, it was really good, and with my favourite OST (Hidden) playing during the scene it is just superb. As we all guessed before, Yongjie really knew everything in and out about Xingsi, and I feel that it is the moment that he began to change his 'angle' of love towards Yongjie (angle reference to Muren's words to Xingsi earlier on, 'Love can take place from any angle and at any time')
My other favourite scene is the juice one: Yongjie's really dominantly claiming his Xingsi when he told Muren sarcastically, there's the fresh one over there (fresh - Licheng, means that Xingsi is already taken/'not fresh' and is Yongjie's XD)
Very well written solipisism5!Agreed with all the points you mentioned and detailed here as they are exactly what…
I don’t think it’s a waste of effort. Thanks to all these inputs, more and more people start to look beyond superficiality and begin to appreciate this series better!
I believe that our efforts had made a good impact on everyone. Thankfully the heated exchanges had calmed down too (likely because of these efforts we did too).
I hoping so. I really want happy ending. I faith in the show that they will redeem yong jie.
No worries, I am sure they will. I know I shouldn't read too much into the trailers, the snippets from the intro scenes of each episode, but it seems that things will get better for him and the others.
He will change. And to me, it is an interesting way to plot a story. If you had gone so low at the start, it can only get better, and even if it does turn downwards, compared to how tough it was at the start, viewing from the perspective of how it was at the start, things will still be better. This will then make the ending that is (hopefully) good, even better.
(As compared to a rather monotonous theme throughout that can get boring fast, or very predictable before the plot even reach halfway point) - (or so unbelievably good or bad throughout, that it ended up unrealistic and too fictional to connect to us the audience) - after all, life has its ups and downs, and I believe HIStory series so far have been trying to portray these in each of their series.
Honestly i wouldn't be surprised. This show is definitely exploring troubled relationship with stepbrothers. Its…
I agree with you on this, as you mentioned that the show didn't romanticise on his actions and mistakes - and I believe they had shown how Yongjie faced the consequences of his actions, and the story then has moved on to the next chapter. Now, what is left is to see how it leads to the future episodes.
I believe that things will get better overall for each characters, Xingsi, Yongjie, Muren and Licheng. They will have their struggles and challenges to overcome, but in the end I hope all turns out well for both couples!
Very well written solipisism5!Agreed with all the points you mentioned and detailed here as they are exactly what…
And yes, as you pointed out, Yongjie is just a normal person, troubled by his past, but otherwise is quite brilliant and can be understanding towards others too.
For now, yes, it is just Xingsi, but that is why as shown in ep 9-10 preview, it is perhaps that Xingsi will help Yongjie to transform his attachment into true love, and also be more open and trusting towards others.
Looking forward to more interesting episodes ahead and to see how all the four main characters and the side ones develop along the way!
I don't know why so many people think Yong Jie is so troubled to the point of needing therapy. Albeit, most teenagers…
Very well written solipisism5!
Agreed with all the points you mentioned and detailed here as they are exactly what I thought of both of Yongjie and his mum too!
As mentioned, his mum is an interesting character that also showed genuine concern for her family, including towards Xingsi as you mentioned. I do feel that the mum had kind of known earlier on between the two of them, as hinted in ep 4 when she tried to eavesdrop the conversation between Xingsi and Yongjie.
Just to add on a bit:The part at the end when Yongjie knew that Xingsi was going to cry and then lead him into…
That is why I like this show because of its complexity and rewatchability. You need to rewatch a few times just to get the story and characters right.
This reminded me of another Taiwanese masterpiece last year, Your Name Engraved Herein/YNEH (perhaps my all-time favourite) - there are so many hidden nuances, visual and non-visual cues, that I rewatched the movie at least ten times to understand things fully. And only once I read the novel adaptation completely that I finally understood the entire movie. In addition, YNEH also addressed topics controversial in the story’s timeline (set in 1987-1988)
While that one was much more liked than HIStory 4 Close to You, it did have its share of ppl who disliked it especially those who did not bother to understand/appreciate the many hidden things in between lines and actors’ expressions.
So, I like the way producers do things these days, especially in Taiwan, to make things not as straightforward as it is.
Just a little note on one aspect of Fu Yong Jie's character:I think since one of the reasons Xing Si actually…
Agree with all the points above. This latest addition to HIStory is a complex one, and one must really pay attention to each of the verbal, non-verbal, visual and various other aspects and also the context of each to understand the story, the character fully.
If necessary, as I did, we should go and rewatch the earlier episodes again. And I believe once the whole story is complete, rewatching the entire 20 episodes (or 10 complete episodes) will be really different compared to now, when we are only having clues and even guesses for the cues and hints given.
Looking forward to Sunday's ep 9-10 and the remaining 5 Sundays after!
Lesbians4KPOPBL mentioned in one of the recent comments below on Xingsi's earlier conversation (in ep 5) with his friend Frank. It dawned to me that what happened on the rooftop is symbolic of that.
Xingsi spoke to Frank, saying that his future partner hopefully would be thick-skinned so that he would be able to accompany him and stand by his side as he faces his dad. At that rooftop, we see just how scared Xingsi was as he stepped up beside Yongjie. But Yongjie stretched out his hands and held Xingsi's hand, and they (guess what?) stand side by side, holding hands together.
To me, of course we don't know the future episodes' plot yet, but if any foreshadowing, that rooftop imagery is rather one of how they will indeed end up together, and Yongjie is that partner whom Xingsi wanted, to be the one standing by his side as he overcomes his fears (facing his dad) - symbolically represented by the heights.
(And if you notice from the opening scenes of each episode - it does seem show both couples do end up together - not guaranteed smooth sailing of course!)
Just to add on a bit:The part at the end when Yongjie knew that Xingsi was going to cry and then lead him into…
Someone mentioned in one of the above comment on Xingsi's earlier conversation (in ep 5) with his friend Frank. It dawned to me that what happened on the rooftop is symbolic of that.
Xingsi spoke to Frank, saying that his future partner hopefully would be thick-skinned so that he would be able to accompany him and stand by his side as he faces his dad. At that rooftop, we see just how scared Xingsi was as he stepped up beside Yongjie. But Yongjie stretched out his hands and held Xingsi's hand, and they (guess what?) stand side by side, holding hands together.
To me, of course we don't know the future episodes' plot yet, but if any foreshadowing, that rooftop imagery is rather one of how they will indeed end up together, and Yongjie is that partner whom Xingsi wanted, to be the one standing by his side as he overcomes his fears (facing his dad) - symbolically represented by the heights.
The scene at the end of ep. 8 where Yongjie tells XingSi: "I am going to let you go home. Did you hear that? I…
That link to the conversation with Frank in the earlier episode is also amazing, and which then leads me to the rooftop scene again, when XS was struggling to go up beside XS. It was YJ who stretched out his hand and held XS' hand. That can be seen as symbolic of how YJ will be the one helping XS to overcome his fears, a foreshadowing of the future episodes.
Just to add on a bit:The part at the end when Yongjie knew that Xingsi was going to cry and then lead him into…
I hope it will be good ending for both couples. Surely, they would have known how MODC ended and how it broke the heart of many (hence now they have MODC 2 :D)
While ep 7 and 8 seems to be focusing a bit more on Muren and Licheng's changing nature of relationship, but those…
Just to add on a bit:
The part at the end when Yongjie knew that Xingsi was going to cry and then lead him into the toilet/closet, was really a hit for me. Not only that the closet was (to me) symbolic of how Xingsi was still a 'closeted' gay (hinted also when he said sorry that he had been hiding this fact from even Muren and Licheng), and how he was really struggling with it, but that Yongjie as mentioned, want to be the one to break him out of this state.
And that Yongjie was able to do such a thing, helping Xingsi to cry in secret (away from his father's view), showed that he wasn't necessarily selfish (which some people may have thought based on what he did earlier). He cared about Xingsi first and foremost, and in the end, wanted him to be happy. For the moment, though, Yongjie himself knew that wasn't yet the time to pick a battle (again I like his ability to think that deep) and helped Xingsi to hide rather than openly confront the father/anything of the like.
While ep 7 and 8 seems to be focusing a bit more on Muren and Licheng's changing nature of relationship, but those two episodes (especially episode 8) are very important in the stepbrothers' story development (Xingsi and Yongjie).
As I said on a few occasions before, we must not be triggered or be overly fascinated/sensationalising certain parts of the earlier episodes (especially episode 6). As shown by episode 7 and 8, the story is just about to get a lot more interesting, and more are being revealed in these two. Very important plot lines and details are revealed in these two episodes on the stepbrothers' relationship and history (in my opinion).
First of all, I really like the way the actors portray Xingsi and Yongjie's character. They were good at it, and the emotions on both sides could be clearly seen. And if anyone else also notice, there was in fact a very powerful parallel between what happened at the rooftop and at the end of the episode 8, when in the earlier one, Xingsi held Yongjie's hand, and the history of what happened to Yongjie was revealed more, how he had to endure very difficult period right after his father suddenly died and having to live with hostile relatives.
Note: I have had the privilege of knowing someone who had lost his parents at a young age, and he was adopted as a child by his uncle, and both of his adoptive parents were not treating him well. This person had to endure a lot, and while he wasn't behaving like Yongjie, he clearly showed similar traits (especially in being cold and difficulty to trust others). I totally can understand Yongjie's viewpoint here.
And it was therefore not surprising that Xingsi having entered his life at such a moment, would have gradually brought Yongjie not only out of that depth of despair (he himself said on the rooftop, that was how he felt back then, to be so high up on the precipice, just at the edge of existence), but also slowly to fall in love with Xingsi. To Yongjie, Xingsi is really the sun, the one who had brought warmth and happiness again to him after all he had experienced.
Then, the parallel I mentioned earlier, in my opinion, is when Yongjie told Xingsi, 'I'll let you come home' not once but twice, this time holding Xingsi's hand, which made Xingsi to cry. Notice how it was what happened to Yongjie when Xingsi held his hands on the rooftop too? It went to show how it was not just Yongjie who had experienced a lot of pain in the past, but probably Xingsi as well. There are more to be revealed, and just as the past few episodes had done, they certainly have the trend to show flashbacks of the past, and I won't be surprised if there are more flashbacks in the upcoming episodes.
Why did Xingsi cry at the end of the episode 8? As some of you have guessed here, it may have to do with Xingsi not able to come to terms with how his identity as a gay can sit well with his own father, and how he was really afraid that he will not be accepted by his father, and therefore, compounded by his own growing feeling towards Yongjie, he chose to move out instead on his own accord, so that he would not have to suffer. The fact that Xingsi in episode 7 again uttered how he was worried that he had corrupted and turned his brother to be gay and liking him is a subtle hint that Xingsi really did love Yongjie, and he was truly conflicted in how he should address/handle the situation.
That was why he chose to move away, to step away, and Yongjie was in fact the one to remind him that he should not be afraid, and that the feeling was really mutual (through the parallel of holding hands earlier). And just as Xingsi came to be the 'sun' in Yongjie's life, Yongjie wanted to show that there could be a brighter future for Xingsi together with him (remember when Yongjie spoke to his mother how Xingsi would probably just die an old man without finding happiness? and how he wants to be that happiness for Xingsi in episode 5?)
These two episodes are really what we need, and I really can't wait for episodes 9 and 10 (the preview alone promised us even more revelation of the past and the relationship between the stepbrothers). I feel that so far, on the side of the stepbrothers' story, HIStory 4 Close to You had shown us not only the complexity and the hurdles the two of them had to face, but also their respective characters, while it may seem to be different and polar opposites at the start, yet in truth, they are more alike than they are not, as shown especially when Yongjie showed his vulnerable side on the rooftop).
This is again my opinion, and sorry for the long post, but I think this series truly deserve a proper in-depth explanation and perspective, so that we are not blinded by some plots that in the past week had led to a lot of bitterness earlier. Again, just would like to say that based on evidence in the last week episodes and this week, what happened in episode 6 cannot be considered rape (at the same time, I am not saying that Yongjie's method was also 100% correct and acceptable). But that is fact, and we should move on.
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The following are just preliminary observations - pardon me if there are mistakes/if I observed wrongly:
I am especially hooked onto Xingsi's eyes and looks these episodes, the actor (Michael An) really showed it really well. In several occasions throughout, from the time when he was looking at Yongjie through the reflection on the rearview mirror (after Licheng himself looked at Muren through the same reflection) - it seems as if Xingsi is having lots of thoughts, and when he looked at Licheng after he told Muren that he 'gave up' on him, it was obvious that his eyes were showing lots of sad emotions.
Why so? He was obviously thinking about what Yongjie told him just earlier before the scene, that he was still willing to be with his brother even if he was to be rejected. By observing the 'reflection' in Licheng's actions, Xingsi was in fact realising what Yongjie's own thoughts behind his words. There are obviously lots of parallel here, and just as Muren came to realise that he actually also liked Licheng towards the end, Xingsi also must have felt the same. Next episode, it seems that it will be Xingsi's turn. The preview didn't show much, but from the little we were given, it seemed to be the way.
Excellently thought out small details and actions, and well-acted too. These really brought out the story to a much deeper level if we are willing to look beyond just the surface. There are still more details I may have missed out, as this is just a quick update after my first viewing at night. Thanks to Viki for the excellent quality video.
Now really can't wait for the next one! 7 more days is just too long! Especially happy that Xingsi's dad 'seems' to be accepting Xingsi's sexuality.
Hence, the whole rationale of his actions in the earlier episodes too (which as shown here, was cause more of misunderstanding and lack of proper interaction, rather than Yongjie being genuinely mischievous, bad or terrible in character), as seen in Episode 10, he is definitely capable and willing to reach out to others if he wants to, and I believe we'll see more of this in the coming episodes.
It is almost as if both XS and YJ are still wounded and incomplete, and had to live their lives that way. Once they find each other, and complete each other (as one noted how complementary they are to each other), then both of them can finally move forward, and more positive characterisation not just for YJ, but also for XS (in overcoming his fears and cowardly manner of living - in XS' own words).
Regarding episodes 9 and 10, the relationships between the two couples are getting better, though as usual my favourite are still Xingsi and Yongjie pair. As mentioned in my earlier post, Xingsi’s reading of the diary is my favourite, as it revealed a lot about Yongjie and just how genuine he was in loving Xingsi, and growing fond of him as time passed through the years of him observing Xingsi and his actions.
It is indeed very remarkable that Yongjie’s observation and prediction were so accurate, and how he calculated every move and steps, which I am sure amazed and made Xingsi very touched. This is what is referred to later on, towards the end of episode 10 when Xingsi and Yongjie had the quiet walk together in the park.
That scene (and this whole episode) marked the turning point in the entire relationship between Xingsi and Yongjie, just as it is also the turning point for Licheng and Muren’s (Licheng began openly courting and chasing after Muren). Notice shortly before the diary scene, Xingsi adamantly refused to allow Yingjie to follow him to the trip, and even saying that what Yongjie felt was just attachment rather than love?
Right after the diary scene, Xingsi told Licheng that he wanted Yongjie to come to the trip (showing just what a dramatic change after the revelation of the diary showing Yongjie’s true feelings). Xingsi likely begins to realise that what he felt towards Yongjie might indeed be true love (link this to the statement Muren made to him just before the scene too - ‘love can come from any angle, and can come at any moment’), and even though Yongjie may be his stepbrother, that does not mean they cannot love each other.
Lastly, at the moment when Xingsi was having conversation with Yongjie in the resort’s park, Yongjie again reaffirmed that what he felt towards Xingsi was not just an attachment, but real love, which he himself has also not known how to describe, and right after he said to Xingsi that ‘I am your best choice’, he took Xingsi’s hand and lead him on, showing again how he will be with Xingsi when he is going to face his dad (coming in the next two episodes!), and when just a little while later, they intertwine their hands together, it subtly and clearly shows us without words, that Xingsi accepted Yongjie, his love and whatever path he is leading them towards.
Really love the previous episodes, and the latest two for reasons shown above. The diary scene is my first favourite for obvious reason stated above, as the turning point in the stepbrothers’ relationship, just as the episodes are turning point for Licheng and Muren’s relationship too!
Pretty much Muren summarised some of the arguments we had here in his conversation with Xingsi towards the end of ep 11 (almost as if the producer and writer predicted all the responses and comments that this series would generate over the earlier chapters). And Xingsi's response clearly showed that whatever some thought it was (taking advantage, etc.), it really wasn't, and Xingsi himself saying it very much affirmed it.
Almost as if Yongjie himself is the producer/writer of the series, with his otherworldly observation skills and attentiveness to detail. Salute to the producer for the efforts!
Both couples are progressing well (with coming problems for both in next episodes 11-12), and I really enjoy the story development.
More in depth and detailed analysis to come - but in short, my favourite is the scene when Xingsi was reading the diary, it was really good, and with my favourite OST (Hidden) playing during the scene it is just superb. As we all guessed before, Yongjie really knew everything in and out about Xingsi, and I feel that it is the moment that he began to change his 'angle' of love towards Yongjie (angle reference to Muren's words to Xingsi earlier on, 'Love can take place from any angle and at any time')
My other favourite scene is the juice one: Yongjie's really dominantly claiming his Xingsi when he told Muren sarcastically, there's the fresh one over there (fresh - Licheng, means that Xingsi is already taken/'not fresh' and is Yongjie's XD)
More to come! :D
I believe that our efforts had made a good impact on everyone. Thankfully the heated exchanges had calmed down too (likely because of these efforts we did too).
On a lighter note - this series has amazing OSTs - and my personal favourite is this one!
看不見的傷最痛 (Hidden) by GJ(蔣卓嘉)
It deserves a lot more views!
He will change. And to me, it is an interesting way to plot a story. If you had gone so low at the start, it can only get better, and even if it does turn downwards, compared to how tough it was at the start, viewing from the perspective of how it was at the start, things will still be better. This will then make the ending that is (hopefully) good, even better.
(As compared to a rather monotonous theme throughout that can get boring fast, or very predictable before the plot even reach halfway point) - (or so unbelievably good or bad throughout, that it ended up unrealistic and too fictional to connect to us the audience) - after all, life has its ups and downs, and I believe HIStory series so far have been trying to portray these in each of their series.
I believe that things will get better overall for each characters, Xingsi, Yongjie, Muren and Licheng. They will have their struggles and challenges to overcome, but in the end I hope all turns out well for both couples!
For now, yes, it is just Xingsi, but that is why as shown in ep 9-10 preview, it is perhaps that Xingsi will help Yongjie to transform his attachment into true love, and also be more open and trusting towards others.
Looking forward to more interesting episodes ahead and to see how all the four main characters and the side ones develop along the way!
Agreed with all the points you mentioned and detailed here as they are exactly what I thought of both of Yongjie and his mum too!
As mentioned, his mum is an interesting character that also showed genuine concern for her family, including towards Xingsi as you mentioned. I do feel that the mum had kind of known earlier on between the two of them, as hinted in ep 4 when she tried to eavesdrop the conversation between Xingsi and Yongjie.
This reminded me of another Taiwanese masterpiece last year, Your Name Engraved Herein/YNEH (perhaps my all-time favourite) - there are so many hidden nuances, visual and non-visual cues, that I rewatched the movie at least ten times to understand things fully. And only once I read the novel adaptation completely that I finally understood the entire movie. In addition, YNEH also addressed topics controversial in the story’s timeline (set in 1987-1988)
While that one was much more liked than HIStory 4 Close to You, it did have its share of ppl who disliked it especially those who did not bother to understand/appreciate the many hidden things in between lines and actors’ expressions.
So, I like the way producers do things these days, especially in Taiwan, to make things not as straightforward as it is.
If necessary, as I did, we should go and rewatch the earlier episodes again. And I believe once the whole story is complete, rewatching the entire 20 episodes (or 10 complete episodes) will be really different compared to now, when we are only having clues and even guesses for the cues and hints given.
Looking forward to Sunday's ep 9-10 and the remaining 5 Sundays after!
Xingsi spoke to Frank, saying that his future partner hopefully would be thick-skinned so that he would be able to accompany him and stand by his side as he faces his dad. At that rooftop, we see just how scared Xingsi was as he stepped up beside Yongjie. But Yongjie stretched out his hands and held Xingsi's hand, and they (guess what?) stand side by side, holding hands together.
To me, of course we don't know the future episodes' plot yet, but if any foreshadowing, that rooftop imagery is rather one of how they will indeed end up together, and Yongjie is that partner whom Xingsi wanted, to be the one standing by his side as he overcomes his fears (facing his dad) - symbolically represented by the heights.
(And if you notice from the opening scenes of each episode - it does seem show both couples do end up together - not guaranteed smooth sailing of course!)
Xingsi spoke to Frank, saying that his future partner hopefully would be thick-skinned so that he would be able to accompany him and stand by his side as he faces his dad. At that rooftop, we see just how scared Xingsi was as he stepped up beside Yongjie. But Yongjie stretched out his hands and held Xingsi's hand, and they (guess what?) stand side by side, holding hands together.
To me, of course we don't know the future episodes' plot yet, but if any foreshadowing, that rooftop imagery is rather one of how they will indeed end up together, and Yongjie is that partner whom Xingsi wanted, to be the one standing by his side as he overcomes his fears (facing his dad) - symbolically represented by the heights.
Looking forward and hoping for the best between XS and YJ!
The part at the end when Yongjie knew that Xingsi was going to cry and then lead him into the toilet/closet, was really a hit for me. Not only that the closet was (to me) symbolic of how Xingsi was still a 'closeted' gay (hinted also when he said sorry that he had been hiding this fact from even Muren and Licheng), and how he was really struggling with it, but that Yongjie as mentioned, want to be the one to break him out of this state.
And that Yongjie was able to do such a thing, helping Xingsi to cry in secret (away from his father's view), showed that he wasn't necessarily selfish (which some people may have thought based on what he did earlier). He cared about Xingsi first and foremost, and in the end, wanted him to be happy. For the moment, though, Yongjie himself knew that wasn't yet the time to pick a battle (again I like his ability to think that deep) and helped Xingsi to hide rather than openly confront the father/anything of the like.
Just my opinion.
As I said on a few occasions before, we must not be triggered or be overly fascinated/sensationalising certain parts of the earlier episodes (especially episode 6). As shown by episode 7 and 8, the story is just about to get a lot more interesting, and more are being revealed in these two. Very important plot lines and details are revealed in these two episodes on the stepbrothers' relationship and history (in my opinion).
First of all, I really like the way the actors portray Xingsi and Yongjie's character. They were good at it, and the emotions on both sides could be clearly seen. And if anyone else also notice, there was in fact a very powerful parallel between what happened at the rooftop and at the end of the episode 8, when in the earlier one, Xingsi held Yongjie's hand, and the history of what happened to Yongjie was revealed more, how he had to endure very difficult period right after his father suddenly died and having to live with hostile relatives.
Note: I have had the privilege of knowing someone who had lost his parents at a young age, and he was adopted as a child by his uncle, and both of his adoptive parents were not treating him well. This person had to endure a lot, and while he wasn't behaving like Yongjie, he clearly showed similar traits (especially in being cold and difficulty to trust others). I totally can understand Yongjie's viewpoint here.
And it was therefore not surprising that Xingsi having entered his life at such a moment, would have gradually brought Yongjie not only out of that depth of despair (he himself said on the rooftop, that was how he felt back then, to be so high up on the precipice, just at the edge of existence), but also slowly to fall in love with Xingsi. To Yongjie, Xingsi is really the sun, the one who had brought warmth and happiness again to him after all he had experienced.
Then, the parallel I mentioned earlier, in my opinion, is when Yongjie told Xingsi, 'I'll let you come home' not once but twice, this time holding Xingsi's hand, which made Xingsi to cry. Notice how it was what happened to Yongjie when Xingsi held his hands on the rooftop too? It went to show how it was not just Yongjie who had experienced a lot of pain in the past, but probably Xingsi as well. There are more to be revealed, and just as the past few episodes had done, they certainly have the trend to show flashbacks of the past, and I won't be surprised if there are more flashbacks in the upcoming episodes.
Why did Xingsi cry at the end of the episode 8? As some of you have guessed here, it may have to do with Xingsi not able to come to terms with how his identity as a gay can sit well with his own father, and how he was really afraid that he will not be accepted by his father, and therefore, compounded by his own growing feeling towards Yongjie, he chose to move out instead on his own accord, so that he would not have to suffer. The fact that Xingsi in episode 7 again uttered how he was worried that he had corrupted and turned his brother to be gay and liking him is a subtle hint that Xingsi really did love Yongjie, and he was truly conflicted in how he should address/handle the situation.
That was why he chose to move away, to step away, and Yongjie was in fact the one to remind him that he should not be afraid, and that the feeling was really mutual (through the parallel of holding hands earlier). And just as Xingsi came to be the 'sun' in Yongjie's life, Yongjie wanted to show that there could be a brighter future for Xingsi together with him (remember when Yongjie spoke to his mother how Xingsi would probably just die an old man without finding happiness? and how he wants to be that happiness for Xingsi in episode 5?)
These two episodes are really what we need, and I really can't wait for episodes 9 and 10 (the preview alone promised us even more revelation of the past and the relationship between the stepbrothers). I feel that so far, on the side of the stepbrothers' story, HIStory 4 Close to You had shown us not only the complexity and the hurdles the two of them had to face, but also their respective characters, while it may seem to be different and polar opposites at the start, yet in truth, they are more alike than they are not, as shown especially when Yongjie showed his vulnerable side on the rooftop).
This is again my opinion, and sorry for the long post, but I think this series truly deserve a proper in-depth explanation and perspective, so that we are not blinded by some plots that in the past week had led to a lot of bitterness earlier. Again, just would like to say that based on evidence in the last week episodes and this week, what happened in episode 6 cannot be considered rape (at the same time, I am not saying that Yongjie's method was also 100% correct and acceptable). But that is fact, and we should move on.