This review may contain spoilers
Messy Love, Beautiful Chaos
Okay, this was an interesting watch. I must say, I’m so happy Chinese BL is improving and finding ways around censorship, because they often have really good plots, but the censorship ruins things a bit. Anyway, I think this series is a good one, and I’m going to be as honest and unbiased as possible—because I don’t believe it deserves a 10 or even a 9.
Before I continue, I want to say this is just my opinion and personal take on the show. Every opinion or review is valid; it all depends on your perspective. But here’s mine.
I don’t know if anyone else thought this, but this series reminded me a lot of Love in the Air—only if it had been done better. It had many similar aspects: the “two bottoms as besties,” “two tops as best friends,” one bottom with a traumatic backstory, Wu Suo Wei being “straight” at first (or so he thought), and the way the characters interacted with each other. It really gave off LITA vibes. Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same—many things were different—but honestly, it was kind of a mess at times.
I usually hate super messy or toxic plots. I just want everything to be happy and sunshine (jk), but seriously—don’t make half the series a complete train wreck while leaving plot holes unresolved. Maybe I’m alone in this, maybe not, but why did it feel like everyone in this show had insane chemistry? So many times I felt like any two characters could kiss and it would make sense. Honestly, it almost felt like everyone should’ve just entered a poly relationship: Wu Suo Wei, Chi Cheng, Guo Cheng Yu, Jiang Xiao Shuai, Wang Shuo… and even Wang Zhen. At first I didn’t want to include Wang Zhen because he’s related to Wang Shuo, which felt weird, but since they weren’t blood-related it suddenly felt very “China/Taiwan drama stepbrother trope” of them. So fine—add Wang Zhen too. A big poly relationship would’ve solved half the drama and they could’ve all just been happy together.
I’m not the type to hate on the whole “top and bottom” thing—idc about that. I just want a good story and strong chemistry. But why was this series so focused on who was a top or bottom, and on sex in general? It felt stereotypical. And then there was that comment about “once you like a dude you can’t go back.” Um, actually, Britney—you can go back. That’s literally what bisexuality is. Liking men doesn’t erase your attraction to women, and vice versa. Everyone’s journey with sexuality is different, but I hated the way the show treated it like a disease you can’t escape.
The sex part also rubbed me the wrong way (pun not intended). Wu Suo Wei, Chi Cheng, Guo Cheng Yu, and Jiang Xiao Shuai all seemed way too eager to rush into bed with their partners. Like, if the other person isn’t ready, don’t pressure them and don’t glorify manipulation as if it’s romantic. That was messed up.
Also, Chi Cheng. Biggest red flag. Later, maybe he turned into more of a yellow or beige flag, but early on? Nope.
After episode 14, the show got super messy. The conflicts kept piling on, lies stacked up, and none of it was ever fully addressed. They’d stop talking, then suddenly act like nothing had happened. The lack of real communication made it frustrating.
I know it sounds like I hated the series, but I didn’t. The first few episodes were peak. But I always have trust issues with long series—they drag things out with filler and unnecessary conflict. This one definitely fell into that trap.
One moment that truly touched me was when the mother passed away. That scene hit hard because I lost my mom to cancer a year ago. Whenever I see that storyline, I feel the pain ten times more. I was honestly a little jealous of Wu Suo Wei, because he had support and a boyfriend to help him through it—something I didn’t really have. That part of the story was very emotional and meaningful to me.
Something else I noticed: lots of kissing early on, but then suddenly nothing. Apparently, that “famous” kiss in episode 20 was their real first kiss in the show, which means the series was filmed out of order. That explained some things, but it still felt strange. Especially in the final episodes, a kiss or two would’ve made sense. But nope—nothing.
By the time I got to the last three episodes, I had to watch them at 2x speed, and even then it was unbearable. So much unnecessary conflict, dragging everything out just to hit 24 episodes. Honestly, 12 episodes would’ve been enough—maybe 16 at most. By episode 21 (around the camping scene), the show should’ve ended. Instead, it just dragged on.
And let me just say this: no person in the world is worth selling the house where you grew up, with all your childhood memories, and where your late parents lived. That decision by Wu Suo Wei was beyond stupid. Chi Cheng had every right to be angry. His parents had money—they could’ve helped. But I guess it was meant to show the depth of Wu Suo Wei’s love. Still, dumb move.
So yeah—I know most of my comments sound negative, but I’m just being honest. I don’t think this show deserves a 9 or 10, and it’s definitely not the best BL of the year. But it did have its good parts: the slow-burn romance, the chemistry, and a few emotional moments. It just went off the rails later and starved us of happy scenes.
It definitely needed fixing, but overall it was a decent watch. My rating: 8/10.
And thank you to anyone who took the time to read my little essay of a review—your time is appreciated.
Before I continue, I want to say this is just my opinion and personal take on the show. Every opinion or review is valid; it all depends on your perspective. But here’s mine.
I don’t know if anyone else thought this, but this series reminded me a lot of Love in the Air—only if it had been done better. It had many similar aspects: the “two bottoms as besties,” “two tops as best friends,” one bottom with a traumatic backstory, Wu Suo Wei being “straight” at first (or so he thought), and the way the characters interacted with each other. It really gave off LITA vibes. Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same—many things were different—but honestly, it was kind of a mess at times.
I usually hate super messy or toxic plots. I just want everything to be happy and sunshine (jk), but seriously—don’t make half the series a complete train wreck while leaving plot holes unresolved. Maybe I’m alone in this, maybe not, but why did it feel like everyone in this show had insane chemistry? So many times I felt like any two characters could kiss and it would make sense. Honestly, it almost felt like everyone should’ve just entered a poly relationship: Wu Suo Wei, Chi Cheng, Guo Cheng Yu, Jiang Xiao Shuai, Wang Shuo… and even Wang Zhen. At first I didn’t want to include Wang Zhen because he’s related to Wang Shuo, which felt weird, but since they weren’t blood-related it suddenly felt very “China/Taiwan drama stepbrother trope” of them. So fine—add Wang Zhen too. A big poly relationship would’ve solved half the drama and they could’ve all just been happy together.
I’m not the type to hate on the whole “top and bottom” thing—idc about that. I just want a good story and strong chemistry. But why was this series so focused on who was a top or bottom, and on sex in general? It felt stereotypical. And then there was that comment about “once you like a dude you can’t go back.” Um, actually, Britney—you can go back. That’s literally what bisexuality is. Liking men doesn’t erase your attraction to women, and vice versa. Everyone’s journey with sexuality is different, but I hated the way the show treated it like a disease you can’t escape.
The sex part also rubbed me the wrong way (pun not intended). Wu Suo Wei, Chi Cheng, Guo Cheng Yu, and Jiang Xiao Shuai all seemed way too eager to rush into bed with their partners. Like, if the other person isn’t ready, don’t pressure them and don’t glorify manipulation as if it’s romantic. That was messed up.
Also, Chi Cheng. Biggest red flag. Later, maybe he turned into more of a yellow or beige flag, but early on? Nope.
After episode 14, the show got super messy. The conflicts kept piling on, lies stacked up, and none of it was ever fully addressed. They’d stop talking, then suddenly act like nothing had happened. The lack of real communication made it frustrating.
I know it sounds like I hated the series, but I didn’t. The first few episodes were peak. But I always have trust issues with long series—they drag things out with filler and unnecessary conflict. This one definitely fell into that trap.
One moment that truly touched me was when the mother passed away. That scene hit hard because I lost my mom to cancer a year ago. Whenever I see that storyline, I feel the pain ten times more. I was honestly a little jealous of Wu Suo Wei, because he had support and a boyfriend to help him through it—something I didn’t really have. That part of the story was very emotional and meaningful to me.
Something else I noticed: lots of kissing early on, but then suddenly nothing. Apparently, that “famous” kiss in episode 20 was their real first kiss in the show, which means the series was filmed out of order. That explained some things, but it still felt strange. Especially in the final episodes, a kiss or two would’ve made sense. But nope—nothing.
By the time I got to the last three episodes, I had to watch them at 2x speed, and even then it was unbearable. So much unnecessary conflict, dragging everything out just to hit 24 episodes. Honestly, 12 episodes would’ve been enough—maybe 16 at most. By episode 21 (around the camping scene), the show should’ve ended. Instead, it just dragged on.
And let me just say this: no person in the world is worth selling the house where you grew up, with all your childhood memories, and where your late parents lived. That decision by Wu Suo Wei was beyond stupid. Chi Cheng had every right to be angry. His parents had money—they could’ve helped. But I guess it was meant to show the depth of Wu Suo Wei’s love. Still, dumb move.
So yeah—I know most of my comments sound negative, but I’m just being honest. I don’t think this show deserves a 9 or 10, and it’s definitely not the best BL of the year. But it did have its good parts: the slow-burn romance, the chemistry, and a few emotional moments. It just went off the rails later and starved us of happy scenes.
It definitely needed fixing, but overall it was a decent watch. My rating: 8/10.
And thank you to anyone who took the time to read my little essay of a review—your time is appreciated.
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