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Between spies and potential mobsters, love is in the air
After delighting BL fans with the dramas 'Eternal Butler' (2025), 'Unknown' (2024), and 'Stand by Your Side' (2023) as screenwriter; the series 'We Best Love We Best Love: No. 1: For You' and 'We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd', and their respective specials, as executive producer; and the Specials 'Anti Reset Extra Episodes' (2024), 'Stay by My Side Extra Episodes' (2024), 'VIP Only Extra Episodes' (2024), and 'You Are Mine Extra Episodes' (2024) as actress, Cai Fei Qiao offers us, in 'Fight for You' (2025), in her first work as screenwriter and director, a mix of genres that works quite well. Here we have comedy, espionage, drama, and, above all, romance. All this with two actors who will make you laugh and want to visit the stars.
All the genres mentioned in the previous paragraph come together in the relationship between the characters of Andy Ko (Hei Yu Bo / "Da Hei") and Nelson Ji (Bai Zhou Qi / "Xiao Bai") throughout its 12 episodes.
Let's believe for a second that the synopsis of this series doesn't spoil the interesting twist of its premise. Let's admit that the marketing campaign has sold its best secrets without hesitation. What you'll be lucky if you get to 'Fight for You' without any of the spoiled information and you go into it without knowing what it's about.
Two young people land in the middle of a house; each one hopes to get their way and occupy the best room. One of them abruptly gives in. The tenants shout with joy. They now have landlords, and two handsome young men, of course. Their false names protect their complete anonymity.
Through dialogue, brief monologues, precise flashbacks, and specific thoughts, we slowly, unhurriedly, progressively learn their false identities and the reasons for their presence and personalities. It doesn't matter who they were for the moment; we will be able to accept them for who they are now.
This is Cai Fei Qiao's first tool to draw you into her unique game: you will always know that the two of them will not be who they say they are... and we will already know who they are supposed to be.
In this Taiwanese series, built on a foundation of comedy, intrigue, deception, and humor, the romance is evident almost from the moment the two protagonists meet and begin to bond beyond what is advisable in the always dangerous realm of spies and organized crime.
Da Hei, a young man who works at a food establishment with his grandmother Hei Shi Lin (Lam Sau Kwan), is in need of money to cover the medical expenses of his ailing sister, Hei Jia Li (Mimi Shao – 'The On1y One'). Because of this, he is driven to reluctantly join a mysterious "All-Service House", run by his neighbor Dou Ke Yi (Wills Sia), which is under investigation by the intelligence department as a suspected front agency for a crime syndicate. The evidence, though inconclusive, is quite compelling.
Xiao Bai is a member of a famous family of intelligence agents. But his superiors and his own family don't see in him the qualities that distinguish his grandfather and older brother Bai Zhou Guo / "Da Bai" ('Papa & Daddy', 2021).
What Da Hei doesn't know is that his roommate is an undercover spy named Bai Zhou Qi, sent to find evidence linking Dou's business to the mafia. To do so, the clumsy agent resorts to deceiving the gullible suspected gangster, first by posing as a university student named Xiao Bai, then by making him believe he's in love with him and convincing him to fake a courtship between the two in front of Da Hei's grandmother, leading to a hilarious clash of secrets, dangers, and unexpected feelings.
As part of an exercise to reevaluate his work, the young spy must verify, as his grandfather puts it, whether the unsuspecting young man is "a just person or a hostile person".
Xiao Bai will come to the conclusion each day that of the two types of people the elderly secret agent believes exist in the world, Da Hei is of the righteous. But he will need to convince himself first, and then convince the others of this.
What the two don't know is that after completing each tracking and verification mission, their growing dependence on each other will deepen. But how will Da Hei react when Xiao Bai's true identity and mission are revealed? Would you love someone even if you felt like you didn't know them? Would you love someone even if you feel you don't know them?
By the fourth episode, I would like Da Hei to answer yes, if only for the mischief they have experienced together.
The chosen context —organized crime and the possible affiliation of one of the two protagonists— decorates a beautiful, joyful, and fun love story that delves into that which, through deception and impersonation, functions as the true support of relationships: the purest of truths.
Xiao Bai's quest, eager to prove that this truth exists, possesses good pacing and tension, despite lacking impact and surprise. It demonstrates that when the script is well-crafted —although it suffers from exaggerated dialogue— everything flows naturally, leading to a beautiful love affair.
'Fight for You' doesn't reconstruct the spy genre but reinvents it, turning the experience into a tense journey toward a happy ending, accumulating false clues and half-hidden secrets that must find their necessary conclusion.
The series fulfills its purpose of entertaining and amusing, but also of making we reflect on relationships built on the basis of complete ignorance of the other's identity.
Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, some parts are cringe worthy. And yes, the creators of the series know this perfectly. It's full of absurd and exaggerated humor, along with tender and sweet moments, and plots that keep you on the edge of your seat. The result is a heartwarming story that will give you the serotonin boost you need.
Regarding the casting, it's clear that it relies heavily on the roles of Andy Ko and Nelson Ji. It's important to note here that the one who shines the most is Nelson Ji, who makes the series his own from the moment he appears.
This actor, known for playing Duke of Yong in 'The Longest Day in Chang'an' (2019), stands out for the great spontaneity, comic timing, and believability he brings to his character, Xiao Bai. Andy Ko, for his part, is convincing as the naive, grown man who is afraid of cockroaches and is suspected of being a member of a criminal organization; both elements are frequently used to provide humor, intrigue, and suspense.
While the main characters steal the show, a cast of supporting actors enriches the narrative, creating a richer and more engaging story.
Part of the pleasure lies in seeing how all the pieces come together in a seemingly natural way.
And Cai Fei Qiao, with her narrative wisdom, draws you neck-deep into a spy-gang game with such personal nuances that even you'll want to see it end.
The elegant, classic, and calm direction allows the viewer to enjoy themselves, giving them their time and space, allowing them to settle back in their seats and enjoy the delicacy without rushing.
The script is impeccable. Every choice is spot on, nothing is missing or superfluous, everything fits together. It follows its own rules of the game and respects them to the death, like a faithful dog.
It's a strange and surprising series. It summarizes, concentrates, and distills spy and romance cinema while giving it a new lease of life and vigor.
A lighthearted series, intelligent in its exaggeration, beautiful and accomplished, that respects the tradition of the most fantastical and escapist fiction, the most dreamy and unreal.
I'll come back later with the review.
All the genres mentioned in the previous paragraph come together in the relationship between the characters of Andy Ko (Hei Yu Bo / "Da Hei") and Nelson Ji (Bai Zhou Qi / "Xiao Bai") throughout its 12 episodes.
Let's believe for a second that the synopsis of this series doesn't spoil the interesting twist of its premise. Let's admit that the marketing campaign has sold its best secrets without hesitation. What you'll be lucky if you get to 'Fight for You' without any of the spoiled information and you go into it without knowing what it's about.
Two young people land in the middle of a house; each one hopes to get their way and occupy the best room. One of them abruptly gives in. The tenants shout with joy. They now have landlords, and two handsome young men, of course. Their false names protect their complete anonymity.
Through dialogue, brief monologues, precise flashbacks, and specific thoughts, we slowly, unhurriedly, progressively learn their false identities and the reasons for their presence and personalities. It doesn't matter who they were for the moment; we will be able to accept them for who they are now.
This is Cai Fei Qiao's first tool to draw you into her unique game: you will always know that the two of them will not be who they say they are... and we will already know who they are supposed to be.
In this Taiwanese series, built on a foundation of comedy, intrigue, deception, and humor, the romance is evident almost from the moment the two protagonists meet and begin to bond beyond what is advisable in the always dangerous realm of spies and organized crime.
Da Hei, a young man who works at a food establishment with his grandmother Hei Shi Lin (Lam Sau Kwan), is in need of money to cover the medical expenses of his ailing sister, Hei Jia Li (Mimi Shao – 'The On1y One'). Because of this, he is driven to reluctantly join a mysterious "All-Service House", run by his neighbor Dou Ke Yi (Wills Sia), which is under investigation by the intelligence department as a suspected front agency for a crime syndicate. The evidence, though inconclusive, is quite compelling.
Xiao Bai is a member of a famous family of intelligence agents. But his superiors and his own family don't see in him the qualities that distinguish his grandfather and older brother Bai Zhou Guo / "Da Bai" ('Papa & Daddy', 2021).
What Da Hei doesn't know is that his roommate is an undercover spy named Bai Zhou Qi, sent to find evidence linking Dou's business to the mafia. To do so, the clumsy agent resorts to deceiving the gullible suspected gangster, first by posing as a university student named Xiao Bai, then by making him believe he's in love with him and convincing him to fake a courtship between the two in front of Da Hei's grandmother, leading to a hilarious clash of secrets, dangers, and unexpected feelings.
As part of an exercise to reevaluate his work, the young spy must verify, as his grandfather puts it, whether the unsuspecting young man is "a just person or a hostile person".
Xiao Bai will come to the conclusion each day that of the two types of people the elderly secret agent believes exist in the world, Da Hei is of the righteous. But he will need to convince himself first, and then convince the others of this.
What the two don't know is that after completing each tracking and verification mission, their growing dependence on each other will deepen. But how will Da Hei react when Xiao Bai's true identity and mission are revealed? Would you love someone even if you felt like you didn't know them? Would you love someone even if you feel you don't know them?
By the fourth episode, I would like Da Hei to answer yes, if only for the mischief they have experienced together.
The chosen context —organized crime and the possible affiliation of one of the two protagonists— decorates a beautiful, joyful, and fun love story that delves into that which, through deception and impersonation, functions as the true support of relationships: the purest of truths.
Xiao Bai's quest, eager to prove that this truth exists, possesses good pacing and tension, despite lacking impact and surprise. It demonstrates that when the script is well-crafted —although it suffers from exaggerated dialogue— everything flows naturally, leading to a beautiful love affair.
'Fight for You' doesn't reconstruct the spy genre but reinvents it, turning the experience into a tense journey toward a happy ending, accumulating false clues and half-hidden secrets that must find their necessary conclusion.
The series fulfills its purpose of entertaining and amusing, but also of making we reflect on relationships built on the basis of complete ignorance of the other's identity.
Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, some parts are cringe worthy. And yes, the creators of the series know this perfectly. It's full of absurd and exaggerated humor, along with tender and sweet moments, and plots that keep you on the edge of your seat. The result is a heartwarming story that will give you the serotonin boost you need.
Regarding the casting, it's clear that it relies heavily on the roles of Andy Ko and Nelson Ji. It's important to note here that the one who shines the most is Nelson Ji, who makes the series his own from the moment he appears.
This actor, known for playing Duke of Yong in 'The Longest Day in Chang'an' (2019), stands out for the great spontaneity, comic timing, and believability he brings to his character, Xiao Bai. Andy Ko, for his part, is convincing as the naive, grown man who is afraid of cockroaches and is suspected of being a member of a criminal organization; both elements are frequently used to provide humor, intrigue, and suspense.
While the main characters steal the show, a cast of supporting actors enriches the narrative, creating a richer and more engaging story.
Part of the pleasure lies in seeing how all the pieces come together in a seemingly natural way.
And Cai Fei Qiao, with her narrative wisdom, draws you neck-deep into a spy-gang game with such personal nuances that even you'll want to see it end.
The elegant, classic, and calm direction allows the viewer to enjoy themselves, giving them their time and space, allowing them to settle back in their seats and enjoy the delicacy without rushing.
The script is impeccable. Every choice is spot on, nothing is missing or superfluous, everything fits together. It follows its own rules of the game and respects them to the death, like a faithful dog.
It's a strange and surprising series. It summarizes, concentrates, and distills spy and romance cinema while giving it a new lease of life and vigor.
A lighthearted series, intelligent in its exaggeration, beautiful and accomplished, that respects the tradition of the most fantastical and escapist fiction, the most dreamy and unreal.
I'll come back later with the review.
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