lluc

Let me preface this by saying that I didn't finish the series. I'm someone who for some reason hates curveballs in series so I read the reviews before starting it, and all of them mentioned that the last episode was terrible. The ratings supported these claims. So, I stopped right after the second to last episode. Since I didn't watch the last, my review encompasses episodes 1-9.

I actually liked the first two episodes or so, where they're "enemies" and Hao is bullying Xi Gu. They actually went for it and the harassment was pretty egregious, which many series don't dare to do. And Hao realizing he actually liked Xi Gu and asking his gay friend for advice was so wholesome. The series overall has a very sex positive message that surprised me quite a bit, I wasn't expecting it. And the friend group was very supportive and they tried to educate themselves for the sake of their friends which was awesome.
The main selling point of the series is the chemistry between the two main characters, it's honestly great. The actors do their best and there's plenty of cute (and spicy) scenes that are pretty good, very believable. And man, Wayne Song is so handsome so that's always appreciated. Blessed my screen and all that (and that's all my cringe quota for today so let's move on). And Hao caring for Xi Gu and getting him to eat and take care of himself was also very cute.

With that out of the way, I'll just say, Idk what the budget for this was, but the production is just not good. I caught multiple continuity errors, and it was so distracting, it kept taking me out of the scene. The dialogue can get pretty weird and goofy, and some of the jokes/humor didn't really land for me, I found it a bit... childish? I don't know how to explain it. But I guess that's just a personal preference of mine.
While Hao can be an incredible partner in many ways (he's caring, protective, attentive, etc.), he gave me the ick PLENTY of times. First of all, how is it justified that he treated his girlfriends like trash?? That was not cool. Second: he was SO horny skdj like episode 8 was crazyyyyy, my man was going THROUGH it. But the problem for me was that he kept pressuring Xi Gu to sleep with him, when the other was clearly anxious and insecure about it and just needed time and patience. Like bruh he was fully dry humping him throughout the episode, that would've made me soo uncomfortable if it were me. I guess they were going for the "dubious consent/he's clearly into it" trope that Asian BLs love so much, idk. Not a fan.
Secondary couple was a no-no for me. I honestly could live without age gap ships in BLs. That man was in his 30s dating a highschooler, like get your shit together please. And the friend (his partner) was whiny and jealous and possessive and it annoyed me a bit. Also, random note: he looked like a mix of Hyunjin from SKZ and Mark Pakin from GMMTV to me lmao
I liked Hao's father as a character though. Complex, layered, realistic. Wasn't fully redeemed, wasn't fully hateful either. Just conflicted. Good work on that.

Overall: some scenes were good (mostly the ones between the MCs), the story is cute and wholesome (maybe a more mature version of Heartstopper if you will), and I skipped a LOT of stuff so... yeah. Bit of a mixed bag. Would watch an edit on YT, but I wouldn't rewatch. Sorry