any_anka

Oh, but I'm all for constructive criticism and discussion. And I agree with you that criticism is essential for improvement. I also wanna make it clear that I didn't intend to attack you or "witch-hunt" you (reference to your other comment, not in response to mine). I generally got an account on this website because I wanted to chat/discuss, share my opinions with others etc. who watch similar stuff.
I happen to disagree with you on the quality of this show, but because you provided actual points I could address (instead of just going "this drama sucks, it's so boring, eww"😋 ), I ended up writing a lot and felt it was worthwhile 😉.

I agree with your general sentiment, I just don't see this show fitting into that narrative. For me this show is actually a case in point for someone if they wanted to make an argument that BL dramas are getting better. So there you go...

I guess we can agree to disagree.

P.S. Anime's quality has been going downhill for years, I agree with you on that. The market's saturation and - ironically - it's maturity, resulted in a factory-line-like production of formulaic clones with uninspired, lazy writing. But you can still find some gems out there (like, e.g. Dungeon Meshi). But this is off topic.

Nappy is the master of cute, undeniably so 😉

I don't know where you got this impression that Sheng Wang was supposed to be scared, shy and not likable - that was never the case (?). Sheng Wang is clearly, similarly to Jiang Tian, considered the "cool guy" pretty much immediately. His issues with making friends are directly connected with the style of his dad's work and the fact that they move a lot, so it's not so easy to get integrated into new school and form deep connections and friendships... His shy, flustered side shows itself pretty much only when he is with Jiang Tian, and more towards the end of the drama, when he is starting to realize his feelings and attraction to Jiang Tian are more than them bonding as bros.

Sheng Wang is a multi-layered character, which is the reason why he is so attractive as a protagonist of the story. He's not one dimensional, so of course depending on who he is facing or how much he opens up to that person affects how he interacts with them and how much of that confident aura or shy vibe he will be giving off. Just like people in reality...

I consider Liu Dong Qin's portrayal of Sheng Wang amazing and am honestly baffled by you singling him out as the weak one in terms of acting. Him, Benjamin (Jiang Tian) and the actress playing Jiang Tian's mother - in my opinion - gave the best performances among all the actors (in a generally well-acted show, may I add). They're stellar. The amount of microexpressions and nuance Dong Qin brought to his character is truly impressive.

But I guess to each their own...

I will address one more thing, though. You make a claim that what it takes is just good looking cast for the female audience to eat up anything in the BL genre. It's an interesting take when mentioned in a critique of this particular show, because truly, majority of praises that I read about this drama were focusing on cinematography, acting, OST songs, directing, lyrical writing or even things like real portrayal of a school life.
When the show was still airing people were sharing interpretations of what happened, what particular scenes meant, how they connected to some poems or scientific phenomena mentioned during the classes.
There were very little comments focusing on how hot are the actors (and the most thirsty ones that I remember were about the PE teacher, who appeared for maybe like 1 minute in total 😋). So I think that argument you're making doesn't really apply here that much.

Finally, to your point about the plot being nothing new: I honestly don't think a show has to always introduce new elements to be a good work. And, vice versa, dramas that try something new (while they get props from me for a bold move) don't necessary end up being any good. In other words, it's not about what happens but *how* it happens. Executions is everything. To me, this show presented one of the most heartfelt images of two lonely people getting close to each other. Coupled with beautiful cinematography, plenty of symbolism and metaphors, as well as good acting (I know you disagree), it's a true gem and in those regards - stands out among other BL dramas I've watched. Even if the original premise of the story alone is nothing particularly innovative.

If the second season happens, I wish the sound engineering is improved. There were issues with the sound, music was sometimes too loud, the volume was sometimes uneven. I don't mind the cicadas in the last ep, because I think that was purposefully there, but nevertheless, the team can improve in the sound department. Still, this was barely a small inconvenience and, in my case, didn't ruing my experience.

As for the bar being set high or low and this year's best releases... Well, in my opinion:

The On1y One and Love in the Big City are two best BLs that came out this year. And they set the bar really high for any future productions.

I can understand that heat-of-the-ending effect, cause in my own way I experienced it too.

I felt so anxious and bad while watching second half of the last episode for the first time and when the credits rolled, I was genuinely upset.
I actually handle bad endings pretty well usually, but despite having watched tons of other dramas/movies/tv shows in my life (and I'm not that young either, so I'd like to believe I've learnt to regulate my emotions😋) but there were just a few that left me feeling so regretful and... unfair for what happened (mostly to Jiang Tian in the case of The On1y One).

So yeah, the ending of this drama seem to have a strong effect on people 🙃

I don't know if you've heard about it, but there are plans to make a second season. What you've watched is an adaptation of the first half of the novel - if they film the second half, we would get more than a confession 😊
Sadly, it's not a sealed deal yet, but director Patrick Liu assured fans that they're working hard on their part to make it happen (funding seems to be the biggest issue, though) and Liu Dong Qin (the actor playing Sheng Wang) in his most recent live told the audience "see you in season 2".
So chances are we might get a happier ending to this story...

Thanks a lot, that's way more than I got from what I've watched before.
I would've never expected him mentioning his dog Nappy as one source of his inspiration/point of reference while playing Sheng Wang 😊

I honestly prefer that scenario that it's all just an intentional way to create suspense, or even a marketing strategy to hype up season 2😋
I'm fine with that, I can sacrifice my nerves for the greater good (i.e. release of the second season).

Hmm... to me, as completely enchanted Jiang Tian is by Sheng Wang, I actually have always seen their dynamic as a really equal one (which is what I love about their relationship, I'm always way more into romance that actually has two people having each other's back, lifting each other up etc. instead of just one side taking and taking and taking 😋 but I digress).

One thing was already mentioned in here by others, how it's Sheng Wang who initially pushes more to become friendlier with Jiang Tian. There's also the whole "let's live together" thing, when Sheng Wang understands Jiang Tian's need to have a place he could consider his home and decides to create such a space for him. And that's huuuge. So I never was actually thinking that it's Sheng Wang always being protected by Jiang Tian. And as you said so, yourself in the other comment "he is the one who saves Jiang Tian".

But with all the getting sick, getting drunk, falling etc. I guess I get why it might look like that for some people 😉

Where did you find the those parts of his live, if you don't mind me asking? Do you have a link? I did see LDQ respond to a question about if he'd like to switch parts with Benjamin and play Jiang Tian, but tbh the translation was not the best...
I'm curious what he was saying when it comes to his craft, so I'm interested in his input abt playing Sheng Wang (there was also this part that I think he said he'd like to work with Christopher Nolan and that also peaked my interest bcs I happen to be somewhat of a fan 😊).

I respect your right to dislike the direction or narration of this show, but I have to disagree with you on some points. It didn't just take Sheng Wang 12 episodes to figure out he likes Jiang Tian... They were gradually becoming closer from a starting point where both of them had their own abandonment issues. So this entire "wasted" time was dedicated to show their journey of two lonely, to some extent traumatised individuals allowing themselves to open up and get closer to the other person.

Yes! I agree whole-heartedly (and I used to mention it here on MDL as well)! I know people don't mean anything bad, but it slightly bugs me when I see them talk about Dong Qin's Sheng Wang only in terms of him being a "cute baby" etc.

Of course, don't get me wrong, being a grown man (with a pretty strong build as well, it's not like he looks tiny or sth) and making the audience think of him as "baby girl Wang", "cute baby" etc. is an achievement on its own 😛

But he brings so much more into his character! I've been re-watching the drama and some scenes are still fresh in my mind, so let's just take the moment when he notices Tian's unpacked suitcase, or the moment in ep 11 when Tian is looking for his ticket holder and originally rejects Wang's help with "why should I tell you" remark. The look on Sheng Wang's face when he responds "I thought we were friends" and the mixture of surprise and confusion, to hurt or even slight fear... And don't even get me started on pretty much the entirety of episode 12. He nails every emotion, including really nuances ones, not just a puppy-like pout...

Praises for Benjamin are all very well-deserved and he is fantastic as Jiang Tian, but LDQ as SW is so much more than some people give him credit for.

I join the two other people in convincing you to watch more 😊
Episode 11 is pretty much safe (maybe minus Tian's Very Moment at the end, so I guess u could skip that) and it has a fair amount of really sweet moments.

The first 15-20 minutes of episode 12 are really, really fun. As CallOutMyName mentioned we get to witness his self-discovery and you *don't* wanna mis it!

Hmm... it seems that books.com.tw doesn't have preorder option?
The price alone looks soo much better... but I'm not sure abt additional costs, like shipping costs, VAT tax etc.

I guess YesAsia is more convenient, since they ship worldwide all the time. Unless somebody lives in Taiwan ofc.

It's not about changing classes per se. It's about Sheng Wang distancing himself, choosing to lie etc.

In his little brain (bless his heart) Sheng Wang probably thought that his plan to mess up the test was perfect, as it would let him put some physical distance between Jiang Tian and himself to cool off and "correct" his feelings, without alerting Jiang Tian that he's even doing anything (make it look natural, like an exam failure). He didn't predict, however, that Jiang Tian would not buy the whole "I messed up on the exam" thing. Jiang Tian was aware of Sheng Wang sabotaging his results and - more importantly - that he was lying to him (something which was a *big* deal for Jiang Tian, after what they went through in episode 6).

The entire drama portrayed their journey of getting closer, starting to trust each other, breaking down each other's walls, opening up, becoming each other's comfort and home (esp. for JT). Sheng Wang choice of dealing with his feelings (which he thinks are unrequited) meant that he is lying to Jiang Tian and intentionally creating distance between them.

It's even more heart-breaking because Jiang Tian tries to confront Sheng Wang and asks him about the truth at Grandpa Ding's place, but Sheng Wang is still choosing to lie to Jiang Tian's face. It makes it impossible for Jiang Tian to reach him emotionally. The walls are back.

Yeah, I remember you chose to be optimistic from one of our earlier exchanges...
Me - on the contrary - I always fall back to my "comfort zone" of doubting everything and assuming the bad outcome 😜

Wait up... no, no, there's a misunderstanding 😉 We don't mean he owns the company - it's just "his" company as in he has a contract with them/they're his agency (obviously, I don't know the details of nature of their professional relationship, but it's probably sth like that) 😜

I think what adds credibility to this whole thing is that - if I'm not mistaken, but I've seen it mentioned before a couple of times - Dong Qin's company owns the copyrights to the entire novel and they're the ones who funded the 1st season... So if he's the one saying sth like "see you in season 2", chances are he knows sth, or ate least might be more up to date than other members of the cast.

On the other hand, I will feel completely reassured probably only once they start filming. However, him mentioning season 2, earlier Patrick talking abt season 2 so often, recent announcement of the fan meet - it all shows sth *is* happening. It's obviously better than if we had crickets.

Having said so, I remember Stay with Me was supposed to get a second season, too. I didn't follow the news closely because I wasn't that invested in the drama (I enjoyed it, but not to such an extent of it being my favourite etc.), but I think I did read there was an official confirmation. And then the rights were sold, and it was cancelled. Now we have news abt second season being filmed after all, but with some changes to the cast...

Another case of audience's expectations being shuttered is History 2: Crossing the Line. This show was really successful back when it aired. I remember talks abt second season, then about a movie... Till this day none of those things happened, the cast moved on to other projects, the hype died out...

So I am always very cautious. But I will shut up now, cause I don't wanna rain on everybody else's parade anymore 😜

Thank you once again. Everything is crystal clear now! :)

But now I feel sh*tty to celebrate when the guy is literally talking abt having to quit his other drama due to health issues... Good to know he's better now, though.

Aaaah, I see. Thank you, thank you!

Maybe I could allow myself to get a bit happy about what he said then ;)

I don't really know any of that, I don't have access to such data 😜 But I'm sure that the company had to do some prior research and chose the location that was deemed potentially "profitable".

I do know, however, that at least on IMDB, most people who rated the drama are from Vietnam, so fairly close-by (if you look just at the distance alone between Hanoi and Macau, the flight would probably take less than an hour or so; ofc assuming there are direct flights, I dont really know if there are).

MiHile, can you speak Mandarin? If so, could you provide a wider context? I am forever a sceptic 😜 I don't wanna celebrate prematurely and then end up feeling disappointed twice as much as I'd have been originally...

I tried to listen to the video arnd that time stamp, but isn't he saying sth "ru guo" sth sth earlier, arnd minute 58? Isn't then the whole "see you guys in season 2" in the wider context of "if"? I don't really understand much of what he's saying and the bits I do understand only leave me more confused 😜