when speed meets Groundhog Day
After watching Mobius with Bai Jingting, I felt a little underwhelmed. One reviewer here on Dramalist suggested I watch Reset, also starring BJT along with my favorite actress, Zhao Jin Mai — and I’m glad I did. Though it revolves around the familiar “bus with a bomb” trope, I truly appreciate its Hitchcockian approach to building tension and suspense.The acting was superb across the entire cast, making this a rare C-drama where the performances truly shine. It doesn’t rely on unnecessary comedic filler; instead, it stays tightly focused on the story and its emotional depth.
Interestingly, I didn’t feel there was a single lead character. I found myself empathizing with each of them — every person’s loss and sacrifice felt deeply human and real.
Bai Jingting remains consistent in his performance style, much like in Mobius, but what sets Reset apart is its careful attention to the characters’ backstories. It’s a series that asks the ultimate “what if” question — what if life gave us second, or even multiple chances, to correct our mistakes?
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A butterfly returns when the flower blooms
Sometimes we need to stop asking why, it is just is. The Chinese makes some of the best BL shows and this is one of them from Hong Kong. It’s gritty and grungy, and very real. When a show is beautifully scripted and craftily edited it can really tell a story and in 5 short episodes. Some are left to the audience imagination. The show talks about relationships that are painful to go through, specially those we regret for not even fighting for. The what ifs! This is not a Thai feel good BL and that’s what makes it so great. It touch me deep and invited some of the pain I went through growing up, and reminded me my life now is what it is based on the choices I made and that happiness continues with knowing we become because we chose it. Is is just is.Was this review helpful to you?
Weekend binge cuddle up romcom
Delicacies Destiny is not just a drama—it’s a gentle feast for the heart. In only 16 episodes, it serves a story so tender, you feel as if you’re being let in on a quiet secret between two souls. There is no cruelty here, no shadows of betrayal—only the soft unfolding of affection, like steam rising from a warm bowl on a winter’s day.Our heroine’s journey is a slow simmer, each step adding depth and flavor to who she becomes. She is as endearing as any Audrey Hepburn heroine, and her story feels like a Cinderella dream—one where love grows not from grand gestures, but from shared glances, quiet laughter, and the joy of simply being seen.
It is a drama best enjoyed in unhurried moments, when you can let the warmth seep in and the sweetness linger. But be warned—its dishes will tempt your appetite, and its romance will leave you hungry for more.
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The show just dragged on so slowly
My Sweetheart Jom had potential, but it lost me in the mix of too many subplots. I admire Saint’s versatility and his courage to produce, but the romance here lacked the kilig—that fluttery, can’t-stop-smiling chemistry that makes you hit “next episode” without thinking.The show never seemed sure what it wanted to be—coming-of-age, rom-com, action, dramedy? In the confusion, the love story got buried under side plots and even a random kidnapping.
I wanted to root for Poom and Saint, but the spark just wasn’t there. Here’s hoping they get another project together with a tighter focus—and a lot more heart
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A refreshing view of athletic love
What I love about this show is the lack of unnecessary distractions or twists or surprises. I mean it’s predictable that’s true but how the story was told was truly refreshing and clean. Demonstrating the agony of how athletes or even famous people struggles with dealing with taboo love even in the modern world we live in. The acting was simple and real as if they were just ordinary folks like us dealing with our problems. You want to root for them as we watch their love grows. Their love making scene was so beautiful focusing on the kiss and allowing their sensations to magnify. It’s definitely a feel good series and kudos to the Koreans for gradually opening up more to same sex relationships. Should we get a part two, personally I don’t need the drama that follows and leave things as they are.Was this review helpful to you?
Got my attention in every episode
With Chinese dramas, I have a tendency to fast forward or skip episodes even with the great ones. I mean it’s not easy to fill in stories even when the plot is great. This drama builds the lead and supporting characters extremely well, the subplots are relevant to the character development albeit some may find them too long but I personally enjoyed the variety nod mysteries. Reminded me of Quincy, ME (dating myself). There is enough twists but not to convoluted that it hurts your neck. A satisfying ending leaving you hello ng good for rooting the main characters. As I said before a well written story will always keep the reader or audience glued. In a society we’re women were once treated so low they aborted girl babies I am glad to see heroines emerging in stronger leading roles. I hope they do more of these kind of shows showing the strength of a woman in a male dominated culture.Was this review helpful to you?
When the writers fell asleep
Just like any good book, it’s the story that pulls you in. Think about your first Harry Potter read. The wroter(s) just couldn’t pull the plot together. It seems to dragged on. On top of that the leads lack the chemistry It felt like it started as a BL version of What's wrong with secretary Kim. Amd turned into what’s wrong with my Boss. A good director can make a bad actor look good and I think the actors have potential but we’re not guided or directed well. The fight scenes were meh! It was hard to finish this series and it could have been shortened to 8 episodes. Emotionally I just couldn’t connect to this show though deep inside I was rooting for it not to fail.Was this review helpful to you?
They should have title it the Notebook
The main lead playing DoBaWu with that stare of innocence shows the depth of love and pain one suffers with a one sided love. And yet the series shows the emotions of the characters in a way we can relate, albeit in a slower pace. After all that’s how unrequited love usually goes, long and slow and painful to the core. Who didn’t have a deep crush with a friend but never told him or her.
Koreans are so good in telling a story and in selecting the right actors to play the role. No frills or acts of cuteness just raw emotions. And their script writing is top notch as well. I’m glad they didn’t rush the storytelling allowing the viewer to question their actions mean I got pulled into my own past of regrets. People may not agree with me on this but loving Ina very fast works where our expectations of shows should feel like being on a fast moving train, life is usually a slow burn which allows us to adapt and most times, recover.
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A roller coaster of emotions beautifully crafted
Based on the director’s own life growing up closeted though has been done many times but this one I believe is the best one. For those of us who grew up during times in Asia where loving another of the same sex was taboo this one really hit hard. I felt like it was my story when I was a teenager. It made me go through that roller coaster of emotions, the happy times, the painful goodbyes, and the haunting music that lives with you forever. And yes when you meet later in life that friendship never changes, the bond losses a lifetime even when your both pulled apart. Your first love can be your last even later in life. The cinematography was beautiful, acting was incredible, you forget it’s a BL and more focused on the development of their friendship. Just like the priest was a pivotal role in Les Miserables (if you read the book) here the priest was also pivotal. Growing up catholic you carry that guilt and a healthy discussion and argument with God as well. When I want to feel good about myself and my past I would rewatch this movie. And reach out to an old friend just to say hello, how are you? Because til now his name is engraved in my heart.Was this review helpful to you?
Dynamic storyline keep it interesting
I find Chinese dramas can be so long I would skip some episodes but this show kept me interested. 32 episodes is just right in my humble opinion. It detailed each character and spent a little more history shot their value in the relationships of the main characters. Each story was unique which kept me interested. Just the right amount of comedy relief but avoided making the show mediocre. I enjoyed their acting except for some villains were a little far off. Overall a great show.Was this review helpful to you?
It’s been a rough journey so far
I’m currently on episode 12 and really wanted to give this drama a fair chance. I’ve seen Cheng Yi in other works before—while I wouldn’t say I’m a fan with a bias, I was open to seeing how he would carry this story. Unfortunately, I’ve had several issues so far:• Too many characters, too little clarity. The sheer number of characters makes the story feel distorted and hard to follow. Perhaps the novel provides more context, but on screen, the narrative doesn’t flow smoothly.
• Cheng Yi’s acting. His performance feels very monotonous. Maybe his character was written to have a flat affect, but aside from one emotional scene after a friend’s death (which still came across unconvincingly), his delivery lacks depth. I know he’s capable of better.
• CGI overload. The excessive use of CGI in fight scenes is distracting—especially in the era of 4K where the flaws become so obvious. Tom Cruise once said he refused CGI in Top Gun to keep the experience authentic, and I think that resonates here. Perhaps I’ve just hit my limit with the overuse of CGI in C-dramas.
That said, I’ll continue watching in hopes that the series redeems itself. Right now, though, I’m also watching Spirealm, which is far superior in quality, making the flaws here stand out even more. It leaves me with the same feeling I had watching Shadow Love—great actors stuck in mediocre shows
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When chemistry meets electricity
That opening scene jump started the whole series. It grabbed me and got me excited until the end. I truly enjoy the focus on both ML, including the child actors.This s a RomCom at a higher level. Most BL series tend to add too many distractions with your typical highs and lows. Secret Lover is truly about deep friendship, it’s light-hearted and if you want a feel good show, this is highly recommended.
The chemistry of the MLnis just electric. I mean, every stare, every touch and every kiss can be felt. It’s like bein fb in the room with them. You just froze and kept asking yourself did that really happen. I wouldn’t be surprise if they’re dating for real because they might as well, they’re perfect for each other. And our young Junxi and Atuo were perfectly casted for their roles, as little actors their performances were incredible. Even the sexier scenes were beautifully crafted, enough to get you excited for both of them. The kiss, oh those kisses that came naturally. This is not a BL story, this is love and friendship.
And that music. I had to download the OST so I can listen while walking and driving, and imagine the two of them together.
Like Revenged Love, I will kiss them both and yet I am glad to have two beautiful RomCom series I can enjoy rewatching for years.
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Suddenly I’m a fan of Dylan Wang!
I’m usually not a big fan of dramedies since I often struggle to catch their rhythm, but Guardians of Dafeng completely won me over. Dylan Wang was perfect for his role—his performance was not only beautifully acted but also full of charm. He made me laugh, get excited, and even feel sad, blending emotions seamlessly.What really impressed me was the comedic timing. Too often in Chinese dramas, humor feels forced or added just for the sake of being funny. Here, it felt natural and well-placed—funny when it needed to be, without breaking the flow of the story.
Of course, it isn’t flawless. With so many characters, there simply wasn’t enough time to fully develop them. The current limit of 40 episodes also meant the ending felt rushed, condensed into a short narrative. Ironically, I used to dislike the very long Chinese dramas, but once I got used to how they take time to expand characters, I now sometimes find Korean dramas with only 12–16 episodes lacking.
That said, the CGI was top-notch, and the overall production quality was amazing. The ending left me hanging with a sense of unfinished business, but I also appreciated the hopeful, positive note it closed on. Clearly, the door was left open for a Season 2—and I’ll be eagerly waiting for it.
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Intense and raw emotions, get ready for the roller coaster ride
As I started watching High School Frenemy, I was surprised to learn it’s a GMMTV production. Other than the two leading men, nothing about it felt like a typical BL series. Much like Weak Hero, this is a story rooted in deep friendship. What sets it apart is the undeniable chemistry between the main leads—those moments when conversation, body language, and even silence go beyond acting. A glance, a subtle gesture, the quiet between words—these aren’t scripted; they’re the natural, magnetic pull between two people, like opposing ions drawn together.Sky and Nani deliver such powerful performances that I found myself completely absorbed in their painful truths and raw emotions. There are no NC-17 scenes, no kissing, no unnecessary touching—yet the empathy and connection they share is so palpable it lingers with you.
It makes me wonder—why doesn’t GMMTV produce more high-quality, adult-focused series like this instead of relying on the usual teenybopper tearjerkers?
This drama has made me a true fan of Sky and Nani as a team. I can only imagine the sparks if they reunited in an action series. I want to see how far their skills—and their chemistry—can go
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It’s a painfully beautiful love story worth watching over and over again
Unknown is a classic take on the “brotherly love” trope, but the Taiwanese BL industry elevates it—especially through its heartfelt storytelling and hauntingly beautiful music. At its heart, it’s unconditional love in its purest form: the sacrifice of an older brother for his family, and the deep, reciprocal affection of an adopted younger brother. I found myself completely pulled into their family dynamic—rooting for the younger brother’s growing feelings, yet understanding the elder’s struggle as he grapples with the unknown.The OST is among the best I’ve ever heard, with both leads lending their voices to songs that deepen the emotional impact of the story. Their acting is superb, making it impossible not to empathize with each character as their bond grows more intense. Watching them is like observing two opposing ions—destined to be drawn together despite the forces that push them apart.
Unknown will always sit in my top five BL dramas, competing closely for the number one spot alongside another Taiwanese masterpiece, Your Name Engraved Herein.
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