This review may contain spoilers
Worth watching for PoohPavel alone?
First of all, I’m a fan of PoohPavel ever since I saw them in Pit Babe. As Thup and Singha, they definitely have chemistry. We get several cute moments and a sweet ending, and there is character development—especially Singha, who starts out very rational and gradually becomes more open-minded toward spiritual matters because of Thup. Over the course of the drama, their relationship develops into a mature and trusting one.However, I wasn’t always satisfied with the plot. Especially in the middle part of the series, the crime aspect became so dominant that the romance felt almost negligible. I understand that this is a mystery series, but firstly, the balance between romance and investigation shifts unevenly throughout the show, and secondly, some of the police work felt unrealistic. For example, characters often go alone or only in pairs to investigate dangerous or suspicious places, which was sometimes frustrating to watch. I also agree with others that the ending felt rushed and not as captivating as I had hoped—for instance the final fight.
I don’t have much to say about the side couple. They did add something new to the series, and I wasn’t dissatisfied whenever they appeared, but I also didn’t actively look forward to their scenes. Overall, they felt like a pairing with cute and teasing moments, but nothing particularly memorable to me.
The character development of King—especially his relationship with his father—was mostly well done. However, towards the end it remains unclear how King and his father actually resolved their conflict, since their conversation happens off-screen and we only get a brief approving nod from his father. This was a bit frustrating, as it was one of the major subplots.
Regarding the ghosts, chanting, rituals, and overall atmosphere: this is definitely a well done horror series, but I agree with the 13+ age rating on MDL. It’s not overly scary, but rather tense. Additionally, I really liked the gripping OST.
Overall, the drama was enjoyable despite its flaws, but it wasn’t consistently captivating. Whether I would rewatch it, I’m not quite sure—maybe if I ever run out of unwatched mystery series that interest me. During its airing, I also started and finished another ghost-related story called "Khemjira", so I naturally had something similar to compare it to. In summary, my feelings about this series are mixed, making it hard to clearly recommend or not recommend it.
Nevertheless, I’m definitely looking forward to "The Grim Lover", the next series starring PoohPavel.
Was this review helpful to you?
Cigarette after cigarette, you’ll fall for me
I felt so much pain while watching this series. At first, I thought: “Okay, this is a tense, almost predatory conquest of a man”—like a cat catching a mouse. But after they got together and started sharing cute and tender moments, the revelation of lies hurt even more. I truly suffered. This series broke me.Fan Xiao is definitely toxic and awful - not only at first glance - but over time it becomes clear that he genuinely starts to love Shu Lang. His trauma does not excuse his behavior; yet as the series progresses, I found myself feeling sympathy for him, especially because he also does many good and caring things for Shu Lang.
Shu Lang isn’t a bodhisattva, which makes his role an especially interesting counterpart. On the one hand, he was very caring towards his ex-boyfriends and, with Fan Xiao, may be experiencing for the first time what it really means to be cared for and to open up to someone, rather than just caring for others. On the other hand, he consistently stands up for his own dignity and refuses to lose himself completely in the relationship.
If you’re looking for an emotional roller coaster with heavy themes, this series is exactly that. Additionally, the cinematography is excellent—for example, the cigarette-lighting scene at the beginning is beautifully shot. For my personal taste, there was a bit too much smoking, but I understand its dramaturgical purpose.
Interestingly, there are no side couples, which allows the viewer to fully focus on the multilayered main characters.
I’m also really looking forward to the special episode and hope for a few more sweet moments.
Was this review helpful to you?
Take your time for this experience
Honestly, I really liked the slow pacing. Some episodes are definitely much longer (up to 2 hours) compared to the usual 45–60 minutes I’m used to, but they never felt too long. In fact, they often felt better paced than shorter episodes, which sometimes fail to fully engage me. The extended runtime gave the main couple enough space to properly develop, which I appreciated a lot. Also, we actually got a real plot that wasn’t only focused on romance, and that really made the series stand out compared to many others I watch. Overall, I enjoyed the village setting more than the city scenes. The atmosphere there just felt richer and more engaging.Unexpectedly, I didn’t enjoy the former lives storyline as much as I thought I would, even though I’ve seen and liked reincarnation plots before. Objectively, it was well executed, and the past versions of the characters were unique and added important layers to the story. Still, for some reason, I was mainly interested in the present timeline. I liked the main couple – and the side couple – so much in the present that I constantly found myself wanting to get back to them. It felt like when you only watch a series because you’re waiting for your favorite couple’s scenes. This is purely my personal feeling, and I’m pretty sure it’s an unpopular opinion.
When it comes to Khem and Peem (his master), their chemistry was undeniable, especially since they were living together most of the time. That closeness really worked in their favor. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the two characters who were mainly introduced to distract the couple from each other and create jealousy – that part was pretty meh for me.
As for the side couple, Chan and Jet, I was pleasantly surprised. Their relationship developed very differently from the main couple’s, which made it refreshing to watch. Additionally, I really loved that we also got GL representation.
Honourable mention goes to Thong and Ek, the two adorable child spirits. They worked perfectly as comic relief, but I also got emotionally attached to them.
Regarding the villain, Ramphueng, I appreciated that she felt genuinely different from typical antagonists. She was powerful without being overpowered – the same goes for the protagonists – and her characteristics were clearly shaped by her past. One thing I personally didn’t like, though, was that Khem sometimes felt too passive or helpless and too dependent on Peem, almost like a damsel in distress.
Lastly, I absolutely loved the production quality. The visuals were stunning, atmospheric and truly beautiful - e.g. the ghosts or the ritual scene in the rain.
Was this review helpful to you?
Heartwarming family
I felt so comfortable watching this series. First of all, the OST was amazing— all four songs were great, and both the opening and ending themes matched the visuals perfectly.In general, Stay with Me was unexpectedly joyful for me. Su Yu and Wu Bi each have unique personalities, and the actors did an excellent job creating a genuine brotherly bond on one hand, while also letting us feel the subtle chemistry of two guys slowly falling in love. Yes, there’s China’s censorship, and officially it’s a bromance, but the production team delivered as much romance (and kisses) as possible.
What I liked the most were the family dynamics. We have three separate families connected through three children. In my opinion, Li Dou, Su Yu’s neighbour, was a really lovely and smart girl, serving as a cute and meaningful connection between Su Yu and Wu Bi. Some characters start off as rather unsympathetic but undergo believable development. We also get to see their perspectives, which helps us understand why they behaved the way they did in the past.
Another thing I appreciated was that there wasn’t too much unnecessary drama. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy good drama—but sometimes I’m in the mood for a wholesome series without cringe-worthy characters or bad boys. Stay with Me is one of the most realistic yet still engaging series I’ve watched. Besides some subplots, like a past car accident, the story focuses on the coming-of-age journey of two boys in school and home settings. They each have their own dreams and struggles with their parents—one comes from a rich family, the other from a poor one. (It’s a cliché, yes, but very well executed.) Scenes like riding bikes together or helping each other with homework are lighthearted and sweet.
Minor criticism: Not every supporting character worked for me. For instance, Su Yu’s friends felt a bit flat, likely due to limited screen time. Wu Bi’s friends were even harder to connect with—I didn’t really know who they were, and the scenes with them felt somewhat unnecessary. I also wasn’t particularly invested in the plot involving Wu Bi’s mom, though I really enjoyed her as a character and how she shaped the relationships around her.
Overall, Stay with Me is heartwarming, relatable, and beautifully balanced—full of small, realistic moments that make it unforgettable.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I really loved both couples
I came across this drama while searching for BLs with at most one black flag main character. Despite my initial doubts, I ended up finding the plot surprisingly captivating. Wu Suo Wei’s (WSW) scheming was one of my favorite aspects, especially because the drama doesn’t romanticize it blindly: we also see his inner conflict and emotional struggle, particularly since he identifies as straight at the beginning. That added an interesting layer to his character development.In my opinion, the drama also does a great job of integrating WSW’s financial background. His poverty and resulting frugality are not played off as a joke but are meaningfully woven into the narrative. What I found especially interesting was how his relationship with money is reflected in his romantic relationships — and how this attitude gradually evolves as he grows emotionally and becomes more secure in his feelings.
The shared hobby of snake breeding was a refreshing and unusual element. It felt new and added a mix of visual appeal, tension, and emotional symbolism — combining a certain “hotness factor” with genuine storytelling.
On top of that, the chemistry between Chi Cheng (CC) and WSW was definitely there. While there is some miscommunication (or lack of communication) leading to jealousy and misunderstandings, their interactions were overall humorous and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the softer, more intimate moments, like the firecracker scene or the interactions with WSW’s mother. That said, there were a few plotlines that felt somewhat odd or unnecessary — the kidnapping storyline in particular stood out as strange.
What really elevated the drama for me, though, was the side couple: Guo Cheng Yu (GCY) and Jiang Xiao Shuai (JXS). Often, side couples are either so uninteresting that I skip their scenes or so compelling that I wish they had more screentime than the main couple. Here, however, I genuinely loved both couples equally. JXS’s clinic served as a great setting for exploring the consequences of WSW’s scheming and his emotional turmoil. I also appreciated how the relationships gradually evolved into genuine friendships. By the end, all four characters form a surprisingly harmonious and well-balanced friend group — especially considering how much GCY and CC clashed at the beginning. JXS, in particular, acts as a comforting presence for GCY, and their relationship is refreshingly low on unnecessary drama. Their dynamic felt warm, natural, and emotionally safe, which was a nice contrast to the more chaotic energy of the main couple.
As for the technical aspects: the OST was fitting and pleasant, though not particularly memorable. The rewatch value of the series is quite high — especially since it inspired me to start reading the novel "Counterattack". I would absolutely not recommend reading the novel before watching the drama. I’m very glad the adaptation made significant changes e.g. the brick scene(s). After finishing the series, however, it’s interesting to compare the two. The novel itself reads like a light, trashy fanfiction — which I personally enjoy as casual entertainment (no offense intended to fans; this is purely my personal opinion).
In conclusion, I do think Revenged Love is somewhat overhyped, which can raise expectations a little too high. Still, it’s genuinely enjoyable and has become one of my favorite BL dramas so far.
P.S.: If you enjoyed the scheming aspect at the beginning — trying to win over another man’s heart — I can also recommend the Chinese BL "ABO Desire". Apart from that similarity, the two dramas are quite different, though.
Was this review helpful to you?
