27
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Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25
“Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” is a different kind of BL drama from China. Since this is an independently produced web drama, it can avoid censorship and actually gives us some passionate kisses. This short drama has garnered great reviews on MDL, so I wanted to check it out.
The setting is beautiful with nicely shot scenes, great cinematography and the sounds of nature. Most of the drama happened on the island and It feels like a quiet slice-of-life drama. Viewers have the front row seat to the leads’ special summer on the island: exploring, frolicking, tasting delicious lychees, and most importantly, getting close to each other.
It took me a little bit to get used to this way of storytelling. It feels slow and weird, yet also feels different and interesting. The two main leads have great chemistry and the acting is solid. Plotwise, not a lot happened, to be honest: just falling in love, being brave and accepting of oneself. This drama reminded me a little of “I Told Sunset About You”.
I generally enjoy “Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” except for the preachy island aunty. I am still not quite understanding who she is and why the boys seek her out for advice in life. At times, I like the prologue voiceovers, but other times I find the talk of the deep stuff a little pretentious.
I might not love this drama as much as many others, but I acknowledge its uniqueness and challenge of Chinese censorship. I still have a good time watching it and I love the chemistry between the leads in the last scene. I also really like the song that Chen Li was listening to, but I couldn't find it on Spotify.
Other Weird Observations:
1. The boy just put on a face mask, yet he washed off all the serum!!!
2. Rosemary is a mosquito repellant?
3. It was hard to tell how old Xiao Zhi was. Then I realized he’s a college student.
Completed: 5/10/2025 - Review #573
“Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” is a different kind of BL drama from China. Since this is an independently produced web drama, it can avoid censorship and actually gives us some passionate kisses. This short drama has garnered great reviews on MDL, so I wanted to check it out.
The setting is beautiful with nicely shot scenes, great cinematography and the sounds of nature. Most of the drama happened on the island and It feels like a quiet slice-of-life drama. Viewers have the front row seat to the leads’ special summer on the island: exploring, frolicking, tasting delicious lychees, and most importantly, getting close to each other.
It took me a little bit to get used to this way of storytelling. It feels slow and weird, yet also feels different and interesting. The two main leads have great chemistry and the acting is solid. Plotwise, not a lot happened, to be honest: just falling in love, being brave and accepting of oneself. This drama reminded me a little of “I Told Sunset About You”.
I generally enjoy “Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island” except for the preachy island aunty. I am still not quite understanding who she is and why the boys seek her out for advice in life. At times, I like the prologue voiceovers, but other times I find the talk of the deep stuff a little pretentious.
I might not love this drama as much as many others, but I acknowledge its uniqueness and challenge of Chinese censorship. I still have a good time watching it and I love the chemistry between the leads in the last scene. I also really like the song that Chen Li was listening to, but I couldn't find it on Spotify.
Other Weird Observations:
1. The boy just put on a face mask, yet he washed off all the serum!!!
2. Rosemary is a mosquito repellant?
3. It was hard to tell how old Xiao Zhi was. Then I realized he’s a college student.
Completed: 5/10/2025 - Review #573
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