Froehlein

Yes, definitely.
That's also what I've learned from the series. Everything is multi-layered, and the more you look, the more you discover. There are clues everywhere. I'm sure there are a lot of clever minds involved.

Since the whole series is full of metaphors and symbols (and my feeling for a 2nd season is similar), I very much support your theory and think that's a smart move too. Also like the split '某' that on one hand represents '某某', but on the other hand it can also refer to the 2 seasons that only together become something whole and The On1y One.

Well written! I sometimes have the feeling that the expectations placed on BL amount to black and white... But life is a big gray area that needs to be explored. Sometimes I wonder if people apply the same standards to straight dramas. Personally, I welcome diverse representations a la coleur.

For example, I really like that The On1y One tells the story of two teenagers discovering themselves, developing, connecting emotionally and finding love along the way. I don't know if I can express myself well enough... In my opinion, the focus in straight dramas is more often on a story and sexuality is a part of it and in the BL scene I sometimes get the impression that the story is secondary. All representations have their justification. I would like to emphasize that. However, I find it astonishing that dramas like The On1y One sometimes receive very harsh criticism, dramas with physical and psychological abuse, which sometimes constitutes a criminal offense, are highly praised without a critical classification. I have already received responses: That's just the genre... But isn't that how stereotypes are built up and reinforced?

I can understand the frustration of the viewers, in the end the director left us with the same feeling that JT feels. Between frustration and hope. Somewhere wafting in the gray area. I think it's very cleverly done. Everything is very well thought out and symbolic. When the episode ended yesterday, I felt like I hit the "pause" button and not the "stop" button and honestly, I like that I was left on such an emotional level. It feels different from other BLs and unique.

I would add Love in the Moonlight to your examples, there wasn't a kiss there either as far as I can remember. (Edit: I forgot another movie, how could I? One of my favorite movies: Sleepless in Seattle, a movie without a kiss and a special bond).
I also think the BL genre deserves to tell good stories without following a set episode template. Of course, the season is incomplete, maybe even a little imperfect, like a half 某 from the movie poster that only becomes perfect and complete through its 2nd part and the 2nd season. For my part, I like being in this gray area and only start reading the novel because of the series.

Well, I think it's good that we were able to clear up the misunderstanding quite easily, don't you? :)

Yes, I've already seen it.
To your point about it making less sense, I would say: when you're a teenager, you make stupid decisions. And it's ultimately the decision to create the most distance possible from 24/7 to maybe 8/7 and even in the dorm SW goes out of JTs way. In the dorm, it also might not be as noticeable that SW is drooling over JT all the time and he is physically aroused. Now if he were to stare at him all the time in class or at PE, he might get into trouble explaining to the class and JT. And honestly, I don't know what it was like for you as a teenager. But my thoughts used to constantly revolve around my crush... Physical distance sometimes helped me to become a bit clearer. I also have the impression that SW sees it as one-sided love and doesn't see JT's care as what it actually is. If I were JT, I would also be very frustrated when I realize what's going on and the other person lies to my face and then makes stupid decisions and I just can't get to the other person to work things out...

I think we've all seen different translations. That's why we have communication difficulties here. I also only caught the class change and no dorm change. But I have seen another comment that talks about changing dorms.

So I looked at the scene again... You mean the scene on the sofa, right? With Viki it's like this:
JT: When are you moving?
SW: Ha?
JT: when do you transfer to another class?
SW: noon....

I was wondering if I had missed something because Shi Yu is also in the Dorm and in class B and I only noticed that SW was switching classes. I don't know where you're watching. But either Viki or your platform have subtitle chaos...

One investor is LDQ agency. Why shouldn't they continue to invest if the series gives their artists international recognition? It is also successful on Viki, Gagaoolala and IQiYi. Why wouldn't they want to invest as well? Especially if the viewers want to pay for it.

Yes, there is apparently a time skip of 10 years.

Thank you...
I actually think Zhao Xi has an idea what it's about and doesn't say anything because he's either busy with his problems or just sees that SW is running away just like Benny... With He Jin, I would rather think that he realizes that something is up but he doesn't know and has no idea what it could be....

I completely agree with you. I know LDQ from other series and I know how changeable and versatile he is. However, I think the nature of the role he plays here made him fall a bit behind a radiant Benjamin. JT's emotional world was much more complex earlier on and his character was more reserved and SW was portrayed as unaware and with pouty and puppy dog eyes. Which, in my eyes, distracted from his talent due to Eric's cute appearance. Only now that SW is aware of everything can he, in my opinion, be portrayed in a more nuanced way and Eric can show that he is in no way inferior to Benjamin in acting. And in such a way that even those who were distracted before can see it. I think they're both terrific. It's just that I've newly discovered Benjamin. Nevertheless the director did a great job to engage Eric and Benjamin. They are outstanding in this genre.

I can't imagine a 2nd season without LDQ either and refuse to even consider the idea. I think Benjamin and LDQ get the best out of each other. If there was no season 2, I would still love the show just as much.

As another comment mentioned, I also had the feeling at the beginning of the series that S2 might even be filmed already.

What is clear is that they had no budget for marketing, with that said I think the guerrilla marketing worked well in their current strategy. For you, it doesn't inspire much confidence. I think it's a clever strategy to engage the audience. Ultimately, it all started with word of mouth. The fans have the feeling that they are making a difference and, in my opinion, have grown together with the series, the cast and also with each other in a special way. At least that's how I feel, also with regard to the community here. The series has also conquered an international market that was apparently not the target at all. The rankings are good, the cast is very approachable. I feel that the marketing has been very successful in the context of what it was used for. But I am also generally optimistic (I accept a possible heartbreak)😅

🫂

I think tonight's episode finally gave him a chance to stand on equal footing with Benjamin. Eric was terrific.

But the director says: "Never say goodbye, we will meet again!" I am pretty optimistic.

I always love your words very much and am always grateful that you can bring me closer to the Chinese expressions 🙏❤️

"It took almost two hours to come down from the emotional high before I could even find the words to describe it."
I felt the same way and yet I still feel like I can't put everything into words...

Haha, I loved it and laughed so hard at the way SW was struggling at the beginning.... Finally he had to experience what JT has been going through for a while....

Yes, the director mentioned these words in his story a few days ago. I wrote to him briefly and even then everything pointed to a second season. (English is not my first language and I could interpret it in two different ways)
It also seems to say "See you again" under Eric's last post. There's no reason for me not to be optimistic.

I'm glad they didn't rush the last episode to get a different ending.

Thank you ❤️