This review may contain spoilers
the ml is giving obsession final boss (very minor, minor spoilers)
I really didn't know what to expect when I started watching KTL. I recently rewatched The Untamed for the fifth time and I was craving something of a similar vibe (historical drama BL/bromance). I also finished watching ABO Desire recently and I was craving a Hua Yong level obsessed ML. With that in mind, nothing prepared me for the main couples romance dynamic in KTL. Oh. My. Gosh.
First off, KTL is a BL not a bromance. STANDING OVATION.
When an obsession trope is executed well, it can be sensational. Where I find a lot of obsession dramas/novels fall short is when the obsession character is wayyy too toxic, to an uncomfortable degree, and the relationship dynamic doesn't vibe at all. I'm aware that the laws of morality, ethics and reality don't apply to the fictional drama world, but there are still some lines that I find shouldn't be crossed. But I'm also not saying every obsession trope NEEDS to be mutual; that would literally defeat the purpose of it being a fictional dark romance. Obviously every writer has the creative liberty to explore different levels of toxicity—ITS A DRAMA. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE A STRETCH FROM REALITY—but there is something soooooo satisfying about obsession tropes where the characters lowkey match each others freak in some way or form. I never see it coming and it's a pleasant surprise every time. This is what KTL excels in. I'm not saying that Xiao Shu He is the same level of freak as Duan Zi Ang, BUT I am saying it is kinda giving stalker meets manipulator. Some might disagree with that.
I'm writing this review approximately one week after finishing the drama and I'm STILL going through withdrawals. I've rewatched episodes, read fics and even roped my non-BL fan friends into conversations about my theories over the ending. This drama is THAT good. Insanely good. At first I thought the acting was kinda cringey/cheesy and I didn't expect much, but the storyline is really good. It's a quick watch—only 12 episodes—and I was engaged the whole time. If you are on the fence about watching KTL... GO WATCH IT NOW.
First off, KTL is a BL not a bromance. STANDING OVATION.
When an obsession trope is executed well, it can be sensational. Where I find a lot of obsession dramas/novels fall short is when the obsession character is wayyy too toxic, to an uncomfortable degree, and the relationship dynamic doesn't vibe at all. I'm aware that the laws of morality, ethics and reality don't apply to the fictional drama world, but there are still some lines that I find shouldn't be crossed. But I'm also not saying every obsession trope NEEDS to be mutual; that would literally defeat the purpose of it being a fictional dark romance. Obviously every writer has the creative liberty to explore different levels of toxicity—ITS A DRAMA. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE A STRETCH FROM REALITY—but there is something soooooo satisfying about obsession tropes where the characters lowkey match each others freak in some way or form. I never see it coming and it's a pleasant surprise every time. This is what KTL excels in. I'm not saying that Xiao Shu He is the same level of freak as Duan Zi Ang, BUT I am saying it is kinda giving stalker meets manipulator. Some might disagree with that.
I'm writing this review approximately one week after finishing the drama and I'm STILL going through withdrawals. I've rewatched episodes, read fics and even roped my non-BL fan friends into conversations about my theories over the ending. This drama is THAT good. Insanely good. At first I thought the acting was kinda cringey/cheesy and I didn't expect much, but the storyline is really good. It's a quick watch—only 12 episodes—and I was engaged the whole time. If you are on the fence about watching KTL... GO WATCH IT NOW.
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