Don't let the BL tag scare you off
Shine isn't your typical BL that focuses on cute, giddy first crushes, misunderstandings, or excessive fan service. It’s fundamentally a mature political and social drama underpinned by a gay love story. It's a another level of elite production, top-tier acting quality, gripping story and phenomenal execution.The romance isn't characterized by cute schoolyard antics or simple cohabitation. Instead, the characters are adults grappling with their identities and desires under immense personal and national pressure. Their relationship is a slow burn that is earned through shared trauma, difficult choices, and deep connection, not simply physical attraction.
The individuals in Shine are not painted in simple black-and-white. They have flaws, trauma, and conflicting loyalties, making their journey of self-discovery and love feel incredibly realistic and complex.
Don't let the genre tag scare you off. Shine is an ambitious, unforgettable historical drama about love, repression, and revolution. It's a must-watch masterpiece.
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This review may contain spoilers
I watched it without expectations but turns out it's so good? I dont get the snake plot, but the romance is romancing 🤣🤣
Red flag perverted male lead top, Chi Cheng, and naive crybaby bottom, Wu Suo Wei, is such a delight. Their journey to be a couple isn't smooth but it's such a bittersweet story.
Chi Cheng and Wu Suo Wei relationship with their bestfriend is a good addition to the whole story.
The bestfriends, Chengyu and Xiaoshuai, is the second couple and worth to watch too. The dynamics is so interesting.
Alsoooo, the bts. Damn. Watch the bts, people! The BTS is funny, more spicy in some scenes and feel like a fan-service to the fans😂😂😂
All in all, RL deserved the hype. Who would have thought a low budgeted series would blow up and up to this day, fans still can't move on?
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Sorry ZeeNew
Cutie Pie the series is the first BL I ever saw them as the couple. But, watching The Next Prince, I could only see a little improvements on their acting, especially NuNew.Kinda feel like his character in CP or TNP is the same.
Story is somewhat good, acting could be improve from the main couple but the aesthetics is sooooo beautiful. The palace, the clothes, the settings.
No wonder they splurged budget on this series.
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Is it worth to watch?
YES. The first BL series with the whole ABO elements. Unlike PittBabe, Desire is a true abo drama settings. Alpha, Omega, Beta, Enigma and their rut/heats/scents/pheromons etc, they stay true to the classic abo world.They also have mpreg, and that subtle baby bumps (it's so cute).
The story itself is okayish, manipulative boyfriend and stalker behaviour of Huayong, kinda "forcing" himself to his crush Sheng Shaoyou. In the novel, HY is depicted as a black flag, cause he doesn't hesitate to kill anyone who stands in his way to get SSY. He even SA his so-called true love and continue deceiving him.
Even when SSY got pregnant, HY didn't come clean about all the things enigma could do to alpha, like got him preggy and turns his rut into heat. Basically turning an alpha to omega. It was too late anyway, SSY has been "tamed" in a way, due to the nature of enigma (the strongest of them all) and him being preggy changed everything (relying on HY for a soothing pheromones, permanent mark means they're partner for live etc).
As for the 2nd CP, oh my god it was too frustrated to watch. How could S-Class Alpha be so dumbed like Wenlang? and Gao Tu, albeit he's sweet and kind, didn't even try to communicate clearly with his longtime crush. They both at fault. They made me feel like I could just sit them down and explain everything to them so they could just move on to the happily-ever-after lives.
And the ending? Damn. They skipped a lot. We don't get to see SSY pregnancy taking a toll on him, how confused and embarassed he is, also just a few glimpse of Gao Lele in the end😭😭😭
WL and GT didnt even clear their misunderstanding.
I suggest you all to read the novel instead to soothe your broken hearts due to that ending scene.
Li Pei En, Huang Xing, and Qiu Dingjie acting is good, but Jiang Heng could learn a lot more (heard it's his first drama). Also, sometimes they cut the scene awkwardly. With a big budget as they say, the quality could be improve too (the settings or the story).
It may be not the best BL drama but still phenomenal. Afterall, it's a Chinese series with a pregnant man. Applause to the whole crew and actors of ABO Desire❤️
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Definitely one of the best GMMTV Series
I finally watched this in 2025—yeah, super late 😅I’d lost interest in Thai series and movies for a while, but Not Me was one of the few that got me out of my watching slump.
Not Me isn’t a typical BL series. It blends thriller, romance, and activism in a way that feels fresh and meaningful, and it shows how politics and the law are really used in the real world.
The acting is top-notch—especially Gun. Gotta give it up to him. Playing two characters with completely different personalities and making viewers instantly tell them apart? That’s skill. Off doesn’t disappoint either; he truly brings Sean to life.
And the tension between them in the middle of the series? Damn. No need for excessive NC scenes to convey their emotions or their love—the chemistry and acting say it all.
The 14 episodes left me wanting more, largely because of how strong the soundtrack and cinematography are. It feels very different from most typical GMMTV series. The music is always on point, blending seamlessly with each scene and elevating the emotions throughout.
Overall, Not Me stands out as a bold and meaningful series that goes far beyond typical BL storytelling. With its powerful performances, striking cinematography, and an unforgettable soundtrack, it delivers both emotional depth and social relevance. It’s a series that stays with you long after the final episode.
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