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Touching story but confusing

This coming of age series was heart touching. The characters were well acted. The main ML and FL were excellent. I enjoyed the story until the poor editing on the last 2 or 3 episodes made a muddle of the series.
After completing it I continued to ponder the timeline in these episodes to make sense of things. There appeared to be sacrifices and considerations occurring that weren't straightforward. It just really got confusing. I can't help but think there was a better way to present the chain of events that caused the leads to be without communication for four years. I wish the last 3 or 4 episodes were redone to provide more clarity. On reflection it's like the plot wasn't adequately developed to reflect the motivations of several of the storylines...like maybe the production was running out of time or money to fully develop the plot.

I would love to see the ML as a main character in more movies. The secondary couple were sweet and romantic and helped carry the story along with warmth. The antagonists: the spoiled selfish FL lead and her besotted sort of step brother were both infuriating and unnecessarily tragic. I enjoyed this cinderella-like series until it became a mess and morphed into a jigsaw puzzle .

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A cute ridiculous story

Absolutely loved the 2 MLs and the FL. Overall this comedy of sorts had real potential. Considering it was produced in 2006 it was probably a hit then. However, when they do a remake, the show needs serious improvements.

First, the the story and character development needs improvement. The Crown Prince kept hinting that he had plans to alter the way the antiquated monarchy functions but except for handling reporters in a very sophisticated manner, he actually didn't unveil any plans. The female lead had a huge adjustment to an arranged marriage and being a part of the Royal family. I felt compassion toward her except that she leaked like a watering can 85 % of the series. She wasn't a doormat but she didn't really exhibit any real assertiveness.

The show definitely managed to project a teenage mentality. It kills me how they chose actors though that didn't seem like teenagers at all. I felt like smacking the adults in the palace. Their laws and rules of etiquette came across for the most part as an abusive way to force people to do what they required them to do regardless of humane treatment.

I could understand the ML's attitudes and behavior but he really was an emotionally stunted person with an entitled attitude. The second male lead was a much healthier person. He was frankly fortunate to grow up outside the palace. He was kind, compassionate and conscientious. I'm not sure how his greedy manipulative mother raised such a fine person. The FL's family was adorable and very devoted to each other.

Hopefully the remake gets a better sound person to mix the music and vocals. Once or twice in a movie where the music is so loud you can't hear the words is one thing but for it to constantly be a factor causing you to strain to hear the dialogue is irritating. The cinematography, staged settings and wardrobes were excellent.

I enjoyed watching this version once, but probably could not endure it's length again.

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Failed potential

The cast is good, but the storyline is so trite and simplistic that there's not much to work with. I'm watching it mainly to see how it ends but it requires persistence.

I know life and relationships can be messy. However, there is something replusive about the lack of honesty by both male leads. Each of them were using there supposed partners. The storyline progression was sloppy.

This series had potential but fell woefully short of my expectations. I think the cast had more depth in their acting skills than portrayed. For some reason it just seemed sluggish and stilted. It came off as low budget. It kinda felted like a stage play that progressed from act to act with little finesse.

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This entire series was exceptional! The main two actors as well as the secondary couple did a superb job. The story developed the importance of family, friendship, and caring.
A disturbing reoccurring theme is the parental violence that's viewed as acceptable in the Asian culture. I'm from the United States so the mindset is somewhat unusual for me. Several movies I've watched recently portrays physical abuse arrogantly perpetrated on victims that have no recourse. I favor corporal punishment but not abuse. If I could have reached into the TV and grabbed that abusive SOB of a father by the collar, I swear I would have hurt him bad! When his son handed his father the instrument to beat him at the end of the movie in order to create some sense of balance to protect the one he loved, I wanted to cry! I literally shouted "Don't do it!"
Both of the male leads at the end of the series were sacrificial toward their partner for the welfare of their partner's future. It reminded me of the short story by O'Henry "The Gift of the Magi". I'm so glad that years later they reunited.
The secondary couple were an added bonus. They did a terrific job!
The story was so well developed. It's frustrating that the constraints put on BL series by China causes such a lackluster physical display. Their closed mouth pecks on each other's lips we're disappointing. Don't get me wrong. I'm not suggesting that they should swallow each other's tongues -just more realistically kiss each other. I will say though that they managed to portray their genuine caring for each other in physical ways that were affectionate and mildly senual but not necessarily sexual. This is an indication of the actors' skills.

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Omg

The quality of this production is excellent! Everything is clicking: OST, acting, and intimate scenes. The visuals flow with a professional quality. I'm watching the "sultier" version. In episode one the scene with Korn was hot! On a more personal level...KinnPorcshe escalated the type of sex scenes portrayed in bl series and I think 4 minutes will do the same. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the explicit nature of Korn's scene and the passion portrayed. But, at what level does bl cross over into pornography? Is it pornography with an actual plot, great acting and human emotions or is it an explicit bl on a different level? Just asking? I'm still enjoying it and am definitely watching the rest of this series.

After completion:
The production was significantly superior to many bl's. The cinematography, the acting, the music...everything. The only negative was the time skipping. That really got confusing. It felt like the story didn't completely flesh out. I think if I rewatch it I'll probably pull more of the subtle elements of the story together better. Bible and Jes as a couple was a definite winner. I'll always be disappointed that Build was treated so badly and had his career ruined by that mental shank he dated. BOC, however, recovered the pairing with Bible and Jes. Bible seems like an awesome person and I hope the very best for his future. (Had to throw my 2 cents in about the whole Build fiasco.). As I stated, I'll wait a couple weeks then binge watch "4Minutes" again. I definitely think I'll enjoy it more since I know the overall story of the script now.

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A confused happy heart

The gradual unfolding of the love story of the 2 leads provided time for character development. The pace was slow but the beautiful ost filled in any gaps and kept the story moving.

The ending was ambiguous. I choose to be positive. Xiao Han was willing to wait how ever long He Ran needed. So many things pointed to a possible good outcome. The symbolism with the two fish and the special plant opening and the 2 cups with toothbrushes implied waiting and then that they would be together. The abundant fields of pink flowers implied that when all other blooms were dormant, these would bloom late. Xiao Han was pensive but then again he had a quiet considering personality.

Others may see the ending in a sadder perspective. I, however, choose to see that year separation as a time of healing. The slow smile and the embrace in the fields of flowers indicates that their love was meant to last.

There is a mention of a season 2. Frankly, I would prefer it be more focused on He Ran's mother and Zhang's relationship. This romantic melodrama didn't really strike me as "a slice of life" genre. But, their relationship seems to be conflicted yet passionate. It has room for development.

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Excuse me... where's the real story

When I read the book, Jade was a kind naive young man. This series version makes him an idiotic simpleton. There's more depth to this story than is portrayed. Overall instead of giving this story a little more true content the series creates a frantic confusing portrayal of Jade. Bedfriends had a complex story line with character development and relationship building. This unfortunate redition is childish and has an undeveloped romantic relationship. Jade is so silly it's hard to imagine him being in love or sexually interested in anyone. Mai definitely has a swoony persona. The series doing a little more justice to his character. I'm going to perservere and watch all 8 episodes simply because I enjoyed "Bedfriends" so much.

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I thoroughly enjoyed the Korean version and watched it about four times. I viewed the ML with a lot more depth
than the comments about him being a playboy. As much as I enjoyed the Korean version though, the Japanese version was superb.
The FL had a quiet courage. The male lead had depth of character. His backstory was developed more than the Korean version. To me he didn't come across as a playboy. He came across as someone who was afraid of commitment because it was always temporary. His mother was selfish and had little time for him. He was devoted to his childhood friend and put his own personal interest aside to be with her when her diagnosis was grim.
There was a lot of angst in the female lead. She risked her heart and she was hurt. But in the last episode she went to see him and more or less let him go. This took a strength of character to show him she cared but she wasn't going to pine for him. He on the other hand had to see that commitment and love were worth the price even if they were not forever.
I really like the name " Nevertheless: The Shape of Love" because between the main characters and the secondary characters there are many nuances of how love develops and commitment to that love develops.
I very much agree with one of the comments that this movie had more of a poetic feel to it and that the cinematography was wonderful.
The main leads chemistry was off the charts. Ren's eyes could melt metal. His eyes spoke of deep emotion and strong sexual interest. The female lead was deeply drawn to him both in a human sense and a sexual sense. As often portrayed in the Japanese movies, the women aren't overly aggressive and are somewhat tentative in their approach. It kind of comes across like I'm really attracted to you and I want to do something, but the male lead has to take the initiative and be the one to actually do most of the work.
The ending came off as a little rushed. I like the comment that Ren had, "He was back." This kind of gave more of a hopeful and continuous story to their love. The FL's statue about forever also supported this theme. (Although just a side note, her statue was horrible. I couldn't see the artistic quality to it at all. It was bland.)

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Time and Persistence

I truly enjoyed the relationship between the two male leads. They developed a friendship and a respect for each other. Both were attracted to each other and supportive. Tien and Yang's relationship was a delightful one. Yang's support for his brother from when he was very young into his adult hood was admirable. The story had action, suspense, a slice of life and a sense of a moral compass. While I think the script was a little too long, the progression of understanding and acceptance of a less traditional lifestyle was very realistic. For such a lengthy script the series was fast paced and engaging. I would definitely watch it again. I felt compassion towards Tien and Jui. Their two characters make the series a definite repeat. On a side note, I am grateful for the BL and the GL series that provide insight into thoughts, feelings and cultures that are non-traditional. Overtime the exposure to several of the BL and GL series have helped me to develop acceptance of "people are people" and "love is love". As a mature individual it is refreshing to learn that thoughts and beliefs can be fluid. It's comforting to realize coloring outside the lines is a good thing.

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I enjoyed this period drama . The story actually had a plot with a little bit of complexity. The various attitudes toward a homosexual relationship were realistic for this time period. I liked that the main couple and the second couple respected their partners opinions. The main couple seemed to normally kiss with almost a detached peck on the cheek type attitude. The secondary couple kissed with some real passion. It's worth a rewatch. I almost couldn't breathe when the count ignored the professor at the end of the series as if he had grown indifferent to him. Thank goodness it was a misunderstanding and they still both loved each other deeply.

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