I really want to bite my tongue whenever Jaein comes on screen and I'm convinced that her character was written to be mildly abrasive and uncomfortable to watch. As a long time friend of Pio, I honestly cannot for the life of me understand how Jaein keeps pushing Pio to perform while he is breaking from within after spending his entire life chasing approval and accomplishment. He opens up to her about Jeongyo's death and the best comfort she can provide is a kiss and new relationship. She gets to know that Jeongyo cannot remember Pio and she says, it's good that he is back while going behind him and setting up a stage for them both to perform together which is insensitive to both Pio and Jeongyo. Forget romance, I don't even think she is qualified enough to be called a friend when she is as dense and self-pleasing as she can get.
Also, I want Pio's mother the get the hell off, the way my pressure rises whenever she appears is diabolical. Can't believe I'm saying this, Kang PIo would've been happier as an orphan.
It is not stated that Pio performed Jeongyo's interpretation piece by piece, we do not know that yet. Pio did coerce Jeongyo into joining the competition and Jeongyo did do it for him. Pio wanted to give one final push fair and square and as his friend? Jeongyo wanted to give that to him. I am confused what the problem is, because this is how relationships work in real life. Pio knew with clarity that Jeongyo was better than him, did he not help him get back on the stage? If Jeongyo joining the competition for Pio was self-sabotaging himself, then Pio helping Jeongyo perform again is also self-sabotaging himself. The point is that neither of them need to do so, but they did because they deemed it necessary and important.
I agree and wholeheartedly support Jeongyo's anger too, because anyone in his place would be angry seeing his friend? say on international television that they were not close after all he had gone through. But, as a third person, I can understand that that denial was Kang Pio's way of protecting himself from a wound he did not want to open in front of strangers for the world to watch. I would rather watch him deny it on the TV and keep desperately searching for him quietly than accept their closeness on TV and not worry a moment personally.
Kang Pio has to work on his communication skills, but I don't think we'll get to see that any soon given how less he is prone to talking about his feelings. But if you noticed, he was the only person who thanked Jeongyo for coming back without wanting anything from him. He also requested for a hug and said that he thought they were close. I think that in itself is a huge step in the right direction.
Damn, part of me really wants there to be a revenge angle, but I don’t want Pi-O caught in the middle of it.…
I second you. If Pio wanted clout and sympathy, it would have been easier to even falsely exaggerate his closeness to Jeongyo and shed a few tears, that way he could even potentially set a shield for him if and when Jeongyo comes back. He couldn't and wouldn't do that because he is deeply sensitive and in fact does have a conscience.
Also, love that you pointed you the harmonica competition. I also feel that Pio definitely would not have played the way Jeongyo would have. For one, another contestant saw him listen to Jeongyo playing the free piece and in turn briefly listened to it as well- enough to identify any similarities if he did copy it. And, Pio might have an inferiority complex, but he was definitely not blinded by his own lacking. He clearly knew that Jeongyo was better than him the very moment he first listened to Jeongyo playing. He did not have to go out of his way to facilitate Jeongyo into playing again and he definitely did not have to look out for Jeongyo. He does all that despite his need to be better and get the approval he yearned for solely because he is not the kind of vile person who is cruel enough to go to any extent for his achievements. He is simply human, and humans are not black and white- they are grey.
Jeongyo sneakily letting Pio know that Jaein requested they collaborate while holding back a smile and being passive aggressive with Pio because of his denial in the interview gives major dark villain era boyfriend vibes and I'm enjoying it so much it also hurts😭 I want all the episodes to drop, but I don't want it to end- It's been so long I've fallen this hard for a drama✨️
For all the people saying Jeongyo suffered more than Pio, I don't know if we've been watching the same series. It makes no sense to compare two people based on who suffered more.
Pio and Jeongyo have a very conflicting relationship with each other. They love and cherish each other, but there is also jealousy, guilt, comparisons and sabotage. There is no emotion in this world that isn't tainted by darkness. If pure love and adoration should exist without any negative emotions however small accompanying it, that is impossible,
For the 9 years they've been apart, Pio was a minor for 2-3yrs. He was powerless, stuck in a house with adults who act like he is the sole reason everything falls apart everytime. The therapy many talk about, it'd probably be easier for him if he forgets his career and gets out of his family completely. But, then what? Forget finding Jeongyo, he'll barely be able to house and feed himself. His career, his schedule, his freedom, his actions- everything lies within his mother's palms. His agent is his mother's friend, his manager is that friend's daughter, officially his mother has also gained some posittion in a committe which could be a potential threat for him. He is a man built on the very foundation of guilt, sacrifice and constraints. He has money, he has a family, he has a house, he has a mother. He never experienced love, he never could exist without proving himself, he never escaped the chain of validation, he was never enough, he was never important in ways that mattered. He grew up in a prison that constantly asked him why he deserved to exist in this world.
Jeongyo's beginning was bright. He had a family, a mother who dearly loved him. Through her eyes, Jeongyo learnt love. But then all of his brightness ended with his mother's death. A father who called him a bastard, debts he couldn't begin to count, a lifetime full of darkness he couldn't see a way through. He roamed the world untethered and unsure of his future. His only companion was the piano his mother had given him. He gained some semblance of hope after gaining the scholarship and getting to know Pio, but then again, the cut-throat competitions, Pio's inferiority, people's comparisons, adults forcing them both into paths they remained hesitant and unsure of- he was made a scapegoat and banished from the life he gained permanently.
Jeongyo's suffering was palpable, visible and tangible. Pio's suffering was quiet, invisbile and intangible. If this series was made in Jeongyo's pov, Pio would have been the villain of the story because his situation is not easy to comprehend without the minute details of his life.
Their relationship is beyond Pio's jealousy and Jeongyo's sacrifice. And I do not believe for a moment that Pio would take advantage of Jeeongyo' willingness to let Pio use him, or that Jeongyo would insistently hurt Pio for self gratification. They are both the product of the sick and twisted adults around them who used them to their advantage.
Can it be called queerbaiting if the characters turned out to be related in the end?
That would be so sick. At that point, they would've just failed in developing a reasonable plot twist after creating a masterpiece that probably did not even need one.
be honest.... is it queerbaiting or actually a BL?
I don't think queerbaiting can be used to justify the character and relationship depth portrayed so far. The MLs have a genuinely conflicting depth and draw towards each other and it depends on how you want to interpret it. As far as 6th episode, I do not see a concrete development between the ML and FL and their relationship is honestly very underwhelming (seems like they threw in all their creativity into the MLs and left no crumbs for the FL which is so generic and irritating). But there is a chance that they might pursue that underwhelming relationship to force the no-homo slogan, I don't see any strong implications so far. If you’re asking whether the drama is based on the MLs relationship and struggles as marketed in the trailer- a strong yes.
Yeah, if their problem is the jaein being underdeveloped, then their point should to criticize and ask for jaein…
My problem is that Jaein seems to exist only for Pi-o. She seems like a friend, but all we see of her is constantly hyping Pi-o. She herself says that she has no talent with violin, but nothing she talks with Pi-o acknowledges and merges their struggles together. I am annoyed with the kiss, but not too much, because I could see a clear portrayal of ingenuine emotions in that scene. My problem would be if they continue to hold onto the farce and somehow hope to make everyone believe that they love each other. So many people find it so overwhelming when viewers ship the MLs together- because apparently, this is more than that. But Pi-o and Jaein having a kiss scene with no proper relationship development - criticizing it suddenly seems because everyone wants it to be a BL. Jaein is a one dimensional character without whom nothing will change in the series and that is my problem. Also, I do not think she understands Pi-o at all, so even that aspect is a failure. I think it is a total waste of the actor's skill to be casted in such an underwhelming character that solely exists as a buffer to the MLs.
Everyone keeps saying they already know how the story is going to go and that everything is predictable. As someone…
I didn't know this was adapted from a book! Can I ask you where you read it? I would love to read the book, I go crazy for stories that have great character depth and Dean and Moth seem to be very well-written characters.
seeing comments about how this is toxic yaoi done well, and like...no, did we watch the same thing???? toxic yaoi…
I think you missed a lot of nuanced subplots here focusing solely on the general plotline. For me, this is arguably one of the best Dark BLs out there with well-developed, complex characters, deep storytelling, captivating acting and exquisite script-writing and directing. But if it's not your cup of tea, that's valid
Season 2 only 7k watchers. What happened to 20k who watched season 1? They didn’t come for season 2.
As a season 1 watcher myself, I felt S2 did not have the collective soul S1 had. I did manage to watch more than half, but it felt lacking because Shen Yi seemed to be the sole highlight of the seasonand it made the entire portrayal look so unbalanced. It transitioned a crime thriller to hero worship. This and the toning down / less focus on Du Cheng and Shen Yi's, consequently the entire team's chemistry should be the reason S2 took a hit.
They had months of training, in-depth analyzations and acting classes with Hao Yiran supporting him a lot as well.…
I came across someone in instagram saying that he thought the whole casting was a scam and refused to give it a chance before someone convinced him to give it a try. I came across it long back so I don't remember much🥲
Hey BL lovers. So many of you are trying to personally insult me to make yourselves look good. So stop it. I am…
I'm honestly baffled by your comparisons. I get and respect the fact that you cannot tolerate explicit scenes. But calling people who want to explore and enjoy various themes including sexual representations, kinks, non-con, aggression, violence, gore, manipulation and whatnot and relating them to porn-watchers and voyeurs is a touch too self-absorbed. You have stated your stand and done what you claimed others did to you- portrayed yourself better and pure like white lotus. Dramas and series are FICTION and can reach any level of intensity the writers, directors and actors wish to portray- this is called literary and artistic freedom.
To quote some of your own words- "My question to them - why not go watch some porn somewhere else and leave dramas be dramas. No TMI and voyeuring here please. Seems like it will never work, BL audience likes ponr and they also like s.x mixed with violence. It is what it is, and speaks for what their "culture" is like" "Esp since a straight romance is often more than just two ppl jumping on each other, there is a lot more subtlety and emotional work to be explored" "More gay ppl means less kids and also less traditional families and culture".........
-Seems like you personally insulted others first claiming a higher moral ground with your paltry ignorance, homophobia and rigid moral compass with expectations that every series should cater to your views. Suprise suprise, there are billions alive in this planet excluding you. Also, us people here are standing up to our enjoyment of the show sincerely without needing to hide behind any person like you to elevate ourselves. Calling you a puritan does not make us pure white lillies, because who the hell claimed that- we are proud to enjoy and consume FICTION AS FICTION and rather than trying to police stories to fit our narrative, we actually invest that energy in the real world.
If you really wished to watch such "pure, emotionally deep, culturally rich" BL dramas, there indeed are tons of them available. And you'd find them if you so much as searched for them- but ofcourse you wouldn't because your intent is to villainize this community and its allies by portraying us as aliens and immoral while victimizing yourselves. You are what you claim others are.
I can't believe Fan Xiao's Actor Yun Qi had his first Acting role here, he's beyond incredible in his role.
They had months of training, in-depth analyzations and acting classes with Hao Yiran supporting him a lot as well. Nevertheless, Yunqi's dedication and talent is incredible, Fan Xiao's character being especially difficult to portray (p.s. he initially thought the whole scouting was a scam😂)
Throughout the series, I had mixed feelings about the way the story was told. I found myself confused, endeared, longing, and melancholic, every emotion and scene burying deeper into me and leaving me with more questions than answers. The story itself is hard to relate and integrate into, yet, the characters add so much depth, flaws, nuance and vibrance to what would otherwise hold no form.
One of the asterstrokes of the story was Sumiko and Ryu's mother, both abandoned by family that ought to catch you when you fall, yet refusing to stay within the grasp of its pain. Their kindness, strength, refusal to diminish themselves even when it comes to being a mother, a wife, and a friend, refusing to give up love for their own self in the name of sacrifice truly settled down something deep within me.
Ryu and Yohan's relationship was so sheer, raw, unexplained and unapologetic. The team took such a brave yet dangerous step in deciding to leave most of their genuinity, closeness and tenderness hidden behind the scenes. And this is exactly what pushed us audience into the role of the society around them. We know they live together, we know they belong to each other in ways we'll ever be left guessing, we know they share a home- and that's all we know. Oftentimes, we look at snippets of people living next to us and carve out their life deciding we know enough about them to do so. Just like that, within this story, we are left to project our ideologies into their relationship, forcing it to fit within frames that were never meant to hold them.
We yearn for a conclusion, a label, a status, an answer. But, the series remains stubborn in not giving one. It dares us to fill in the gaps left behind while silently moving forward on its own terms with no remorse. And that's where it perfectly captures life and love. It flawlessly denies conformity and definitions, truly existing free within a literary utopia where to live together and create a home, you owe no one any explanations.
Also, I want Pio's mother the get the hell off, the way my pressure rises whenever she appears is diabolical. Can't believe I'm saying this, Kang PIo would've been happier as an orphan.
I agree and wholeheartedly support Jeongyo's anger too, because anyone in his place would be angry seeing his friend? say on international television that they were not close after all he had gone through. But, as a third person, I can understand that that denial was Kang Pio's way of protecting himself from a wound he did not want to open in front of strangers for the world to watch. I would rather watch him deny it on the TV and keep desperately searching for him quietly than accept their closeness on TV and not worry a moment personally.
Kang Pio has to work on his communication skills, but I don't think we'll get to see that any soon given how less he is prone to talking about his feelings. But if you noticed, he was the only person who thanked Jeongyo for coming back without wanting anything from him. He also requested for a hug and said that he thought they were close. I think that in itself is a huge step in the right direction.
Also, love that you pointed you the harmonica competition. I also feel that Pio definitely would not have played the way Jeongyo would have. For one, another contestant saw him listen to Jeongyo playing the free piece and in turn briefly listened to it as well- enough to identify any similarities if he did copy it. And, Pio might have an inferiority complex, but he was definitely not blinded by his own lacking. He clearly knew that Jeongyo was better than him the very moment he first listened to Jeongyo playing. He did not have to go out of his way to facilitate Jeongyo into playing again and he definitely did not have to look out for Jeongyo. He does all that despite his need to be better and get the approval he yearned for solely because he is not the kind of vile person who is cruel enough to go to any extent for his achievements. He is simply human, and humans are not black and white- they are grey.
I want all the episodes to drop, but I don't want it to end- It's been so long I've fallen this hard for a drama✨️
Pio and Jeongyo have a very conflicting relationship with each other. They love and cherish each other, but there is also jealousy, guilt, comparisons and sabotage. There is no emotion in this world that isn't tainted by darkness. If pure love and adoration should exist without any negative emotions however small accompanying it, that is impossible,
For the 9 years they've been apart, Pio was a minor for 2-3yrs. He was powerless, stuck in a house with adults who act like he is the sole reason everything falls apart everytime. The therapy many talk about, it'd probably be easier for him if he forgets his career and gets out of his family completely. But, then what? Forget finding Jeongyo, he'll barely be able to house and feed himself. His career, his schedule, his freedom, his actions- everything lies within his mother's palms. His agent is his mother's friend, his manager is that friend's daughter, officially his mother has also gained some posittion in a committe which could be a potential threat for him. He is a man built on the very foundation of guilt, sacrifice and constraints. He has money, he has a family, he has a house, he has a mother. He never experienced love, he never could exist without proving himself, he never escaped the chain of validation, he was never enough, he was never important in ways that mattered. He grew up in a prison that constantly asked him why he deserved to exist in this world.
Jeongyo's beginning was bright. He had a family, a mother who dearly loved him. Through her eyes, Jeongyo learnt love. But then all of his brightness ended with his mother's death. A father who called him a bastard, debts he couldn't begin to count, a lifetime full of darkness he couldn't see a way through. He roamed the world untethered and unsure of his future. His only companion was the piano his mother had given him. He gained some semblance of hope after gaining the scholarship and getting to know Pio, but then again, the cut-throat competitions, Pio's inferiority, people's comparisons, adults forcing them both into paths they remained hesitant and unsure of- he was made a scapegoat and banished from the life he gained permanently.
Jeongyo's suffering was palpable, visible and tangible. Pio's suffering was quiet, invisbile and intangible. If this series was made in Jeongyo's pov, Pio would have been the villain of the story because his situation is not easy to comprehend without the minute details of his life.
Their relationship is beyond Pio's jealousy and Jeongyo's sacrifice. And I do not believe for a moment that Pio would take advantage of Jeeongyo' willingness to let Pio use him, or that Jeongyo would insistently hurt Pio for self gratification. They are both the product of the sick and twisted adults around them who used them to their advantage.
Thankyou for the info♡
To quote some of your own words-
"My question to them - why not go watch some porn somewhere else and leave dramas be dramas. No TMI and voyeuring here please. Seems like it will never work, BL audience likes ponr and they also like s.x mixed with violence. It is what it is, and speaks for what their "culture" is like"
"Esp since a straight romance is often more than just two ppl jumping on each other, there is a lot more subtlety and emotional work to be explored"
"More gay ppl means less kids and also less traditional families and culture".........
-Seems like you personally insulted others first claiming a higher moral ground with your paltry ignorance, homophobia and rigid moral compass with expectations that every series should cater to your views. Suprise suprise, there are billions alive in this planet excluding you. Also, us people here are standing up to our enjoyment of the show sincerely without needing to hide behind any person like you to elevate ourselves. Calling you a puritan does not make us pure white lillies, because who the hell claimed that- we are proud to enjoy and consume FICTION AS FICTION and rather than trying to police stories to fit our narrative, we actually invest that energy in the real world.
If you really wished to watch such "pure, emotionally deep, culturally rich" BL dramas, there indeed are tons of them available. And you'd find them if you so much as searched for them- but ofcourse you wouldn't because your intent is to villainize this community and its allies by portraying us as aliens and immoral while victimizing yourselves. You are what you claim others are.
Live and let others live.
One of the asterstrokes of the story was Sumiko and Ryu's mother, both abandoned by family that ought to catch you when you fall, yet refusing to stay within the grasp of its pain. Their kindness, strength, refusal to diminish themselves even when it comes to being a mother, a wife, and a friend, refusing to give up love for their own self in the name of sacrifice truly settled down something deep within me.
Ryu and Yohan's relationship was so sheer, raw, unexplained and unapologetic. The team took such a brave yet dangerous step in deciding to leave most of their genuinity, closeness and tenderness hidden behind the scenes. And this is exactly what pushed us audience into the role of the society around them. We know they live together, we know they belong to each other in ways we'll ever be left guessing, we know they share a home- and that's all we know. Oftentimes, we look at snippets of people living next to us and carve out their life deciding we know enough about them to do so. Just like that, within this story, we are left to project our ideologies into their relationship, forcing it to fit within frames that were never meant to hold them.
We yearn for a conclusion, a label, a status, an answer. But, the series remains stubborn in not giving one. It dares us to fill in the gaps left behind while silently moving forward on its own terms with no remorse. And that's where it perfectly captures life and love. It flawlessly denies conformity and definitions, truly existing free within a literary utopia where to live together and create a home, you owe no one any explanations.