K-Drama 
52
185
9
1
1
1
6
1
6
6
2
9
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
7
8
Full-length True Hong Kong BL with an Interesting romance, but with low budget production issues
I am happy to check out “Ash” as my first full-length Hong Kong BL, played by actual Hong Kong actors who speak Cantonese. I’ve seen a few short ones, e.g. “Stay Still”, but it’s a nice change from all the Chinese ones who claimed to be from Hong Kong.
It’s a low budget BL, so my expectations are low. There are definitely areas I can pick on. I think the pacing is on the slower side. There’s more they could pack into 9 episodes in terms of the plot. But instead, we have extended looks and conversations that don’t really add much to the plot. The acting is average. I’ve seen worse, definitely, but I wouldn’t call the acting amazing here. However, since we are talking about first-time actors, we could probably cut them some slack. Kingston’s acting is probably the best of the bunch. The police aren't that smart. The undercover sting operation is laughable, but let’s give this opportunity for Kingston to shine. Well, the biggest complaint and elephant in the room is the AI-generated flashbacks. I am on the more lenient side with the use of AI in low-budget production but that doesn’t mean I am not going to dock a point off my overall rating.
On the positive side, I am really digging the romance. Yes, the chance encounter and the start of their story was cheesy and intentionally rom-com like. But the progression of their relationship is interesting. I like that both are strong individuals with their own stubbornness and perception of their relationship. Given their socio-economical differences and especially Mok Fei Foon’s profession as a cop and Hui Leuk To as the CEO of a big company, you know their relationship is not all rainbows and roses. I like the argument and confrontation, the harsh words spoken and the guilt after. The push-and-pull and the separate-and-not-separate going back and forth. I like that they are both so incredibly in love with each other, yet trying not to, or don’t know how to show that until they are facing dangers to their relationship and lives. Hui Leuk To might have a learning curve on how to be a good lover, but I like that he’s possessive but not truly a toxic partner. In a way, their relationship is actually pretty fun, sweet and open (after the first couple episodes).
My other complaint is the kisses! LOL The leads have such great chemistry and they look so good together. There are so many loving looks, longing looks and hungry looks. Yet, their kisses are mainly very sweet and cute. I love them, too, but I think there are a few scenes where a more passionate kiss is called for. They could have gone further with the ‘passionate’ scenes but they didn’t. I also am not a fan of them always wearing the white tank tops. They should just go topless. But of course, that’s just my personal pet peeve.
Overall, I have a good time watching “Ash”. I like the good-looking leads and the romance, thus I am giving this a high 8.0. I thought about lowering the rating a little more, but it’s a celebration of my first true full-length Hong Kong BL in Cantonese and not dubbed, especially for a Cantonese speaker myself.
Drama Completed: 10/4/2026 Review #728
It’s a low budget BL, so my expectations are low. There are definitely areas I can pick on. I think the pacing is on the slower side. There’s more they could pack into 9 episodes in terms of the plot. But instead, we have extended looks and conversations that don’t really add much to the plot. The acting is average. I’ve seen worse, definitely, but I wouldn’t call the acting amazing here. However, since we are talking about first-time actors, we could probably cut them some slack. Kingston’s acting is probably the best of the bunch. The police aren't that smart. The undercover sting operation is laughable, but let’s give this opportunity for Kingston to shine. Well, the biggest complaint and elephant in the room is the AI-generated flashbacks. I am on the more lenient side with the use of AI in low-budget production but that doesn’t mean I am not going to dock a point off my overall rating.
On the positive side, I am really digging the romance. Yes, the chance encounter and the start of their story was cheesy and intentionally rom-com like. But the progression of their relationship is interesting. I like that both are strong individuals with their own stubbornness and perception of their relationship. Given their socio-economical differences and especially Mok Fei Foon’s profession as a cop and Hui Leuk To as the CEO of a big company, you know their relationship is not all rainbows and roses. I like the argument and confrontation, the harsh words spoken and the guilt after. The push-and-pull and the separate-and-not-separate going back and forth. I like that they are both so incredibly in love with each other, yet trying not to, or don’t know how to show that until they are facing dangers to their relationship and lives. Hui Leuk To might have a learning curve on how to be a good lover, but I like that he’s possessive but not truly a toxic partner. In a way, their relationship is actually pretty fun, sweet and open (after the first couple episodes).
My other complaint is the kisses! LOL The leads have such great chemistry and they look so good together. There are so many loving looks, longing looks and hungry looks. Yet, their kisses are mainly very sweet and cute. I love them, too, but I think there are a few scenes where a more passionate kiss is called for. They could have gone further with the ‘passionate’ scenes but they didn’t. I also am not a fan of them always wearing the white tank tops. They should just go topless. But of course, that’s just my personal pet peeve.
Overall, I have a good time watching “Ash”. I like the good-looking leads and the romance, thus I am giving this a high 8.0. I thought about lowering the rating a little more, but it’s a celebration of my first true full-length Hong Kong BL in Cantonese and not dubbed, especially for a Cantonese speaker myself.
Drama Completed: 10/4/2026 Review #728
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