Daisuke

After 6 episodes the attraction of this program imho is in inverse proportion to the volume of the romance scenes between Kim Shin and Kim Go Eun - and it seems to be increasing………ep 8 excellent, if a bit heavy - even kim go eun was good…..getting up to episode 13 I shared the consensus that this was a top-flight drama.

I put off watching the final episodes 14 - 16 because I was reluctant for it to end. Now I've watched ep. 14 which is clearly sequel in nature. I have to say I found it a hard slog, the sparkle has gone, the interaction between Goblin, Grim Reaper and Deok Hwa sadly missing. If this continues I would have to say it was a mistake. They should have finished with ep.13 and maybe a brief "follow up" finish. Don't mean to be b*****, but the idea anyone or any supernatural entity would span the universe in eternal love to chase Kim Go Eun stretches credulity.

Taking the plunge again at Ep. 14 better but I find the central romance utterly unconvincing, partly because it just goes on far too long - there's a limit to the sweet endearments and exchanges you want to hear.

Finished at last! A suitably complex and, I'm glad to say, unpredictable ending. Ah, if only life - and death - were like that. Turned whimsical again at the end, but inevitable I expect. Isn't it wonderful also how time can pass in a camera shot in TV dramas? Preferred Grim Reaper and Sunny and Deok Hwa to Goblin and Eun Tak, though the latter did improve markedly towards the end when she stopped playing all "kittenish". Which reminds me, what happened to Deok Hwa amidst all the complex comings and goings at the end?? So annoying.

The production values, background scenery and camera work were excellent throughout and the fashion sense fabulous - but when my mind keeps going off the story to the clothes and background scenery, annoyingly missing the subtitles, desperately waiting for the next scene with Grim Reaper and/or Deok Hwa, it's clear that it's not entirely absorbing my admittedly volatile brain. Music almost entirely good. Re-watch value? well not any time soon, but the fashion, design and memory of the comic parts may tempt me. Still, there's nothing else for it, but to give it 10/10 for the overall achievement.

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delightful if unoriginal

what to say about this drama？
delightful couple(s) handsome actors and with the virtue of Taiwanese gay dramas that it brings equal treatment with straight dramas to the physical side of relationships as well as other aspects including marriage and the actors play their parts quite well without inhibition I would say。

on the other side it failed somewhat as a drama。 the idea to set this in a funeral business background is original but、it does not make the actual development of the story and romance original or add anything to the story、 its intrusion in the last episode truly is macabre。
this is a drama supposedly of two couples but the secondary couple's story was really drowned out by the main couple and the resolution of the second couple story putting it kindly rather unconvincing。
for me the drama went on too long and was beginning to drag around episode 8 and the twist in the last two episodes again putting it kindly rather weak and adding little to the resolution。
so. for me、 even with its good points it does not pass the ”I can not wait to watch and must watch every day test”； so a generous 9.5 from me because of the equality factor🩷🌈

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"Don't be afraid of the cracks that's where the light comes in ”

"Don't be afraid of the cracks, that's where the light comes in." I like Taiwanese lgbt dramas because they treat the stories seriously and sensitively, with plenty of space for character development、 though in Unknown there is maybe a little too much space I think。 of course this may reflect the story itself as it is predicated on Wei Qian only being able to accept his feelings over a long period of time however、 against this we have the "four years later" trope which I am unsympathetic to as a device。 Some of the action in the middle such as the re-surfacing of the gang theme and its violence could have been left out without detracting from the story in my opinion.。for me the OST also became intrusive as in many dramas unfortunately and producers should realize songs do not replace a script and even silence has more effect in certain romantic situations. however these are minor criticisms of a well crafted and sensitive drama. I accept we need to know of this early stage in Qian's story to understand his eye problem later、 as also the flashbacks to his mother、a marked contrast （intended dramatically I assume)to the family he managed to create and foster..I particularly❤️🌈

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Good Chinese school drama

this is a really very good chinese school drama and in my opinion deserves a better rating
it includes many good stories in the short episodes and is realistic and the spirit of camaraderie among the boys comes over very well and there is great chemistry between the two male leads of different backgrounds。 the script and production are very tightly constructed including a lot in the short episodes without any feeling of cutting the corners。note for example how the wuxia book scene with Linghua as a child ties up with final episodes。Chinese censors of course make sure we do not get a ”wrong impression”、 but you can use your imagination　🩷

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heartwarming and delightful

I am glad Japanese doramas especially can present serious emotional issues in gay romance doramas through an amusing and unusual or even bizarre storyline different from just sweet but formulaic stories、 so here [unlike the more usual story of teen struggle] we have a story of adult confusion about sexual identity in Souta set against Mahiro's obsessive love while struggling with lack of self-confidence and repressing his feelings。Yutaro's acting is especially good。for me this dorama deserves a higher rating I think。some of the comments fail to understand the deeper issues it raises I would say。heartwarming and delightful〜❤️🍉🌈

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Surprise endearing Chinese BL drama

this is endearing drama、 though low budget in production it does not matter they manage to bring out such emotions and interaction between the characters I cannot understand the low ratings

as for the ending、 bitter sweet but separation is part of life : if that was all、
however for me the failure here was Cheng Yi’s forced lovemaking knowing he intends to separate from Zi Min、g this comes into the category of playing with someone else's feelings which can have serious psychological impact
significance of phone call ambiguous I feel calling but unwilling to say where you are suggests further selfish emotional manipulation probably just unthinking not calculated ？
though this also leaves open the possibility for future reunion but of course it is unlikely this would pass censorship in China in fact it is surprising this drama seems to have fallen below the radar
though it is very welcome to find such a moving same sex Chinese drama
but anyway we are free to make our own imaginary sequel ❤️🌈

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Fantasy storybook and heartwarming bonds

I really came to like this： a series of supernatural stories revolving around the friendship、 with clear homoerotic intent、between a demon and demon hunter 。 the various stories are uneven and some lacked momentum、for me the last one about the scholar and spirit of the painting、 also by no coincidence homoerotic、 is the most beautiful and poetic。the ending brings everything together sweetly。 the production values are obviously limited although it is strong on creating atmosphere、 even a numinous quality if you let your imagination flow。this may not appeal to everyone〜 maybe just those with bizarre tastes like me❤️🌈

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Sensitive gay story ：ignore the low rating and nasty reviews

This contains spoilers about the ending

I am so glad I gave this another chance after being put off by some poor reviews。 I love the tender moments and sensitive artistic touches that make up for limitations in production values、 so I view it as more an impressionistic drama and the MLs have very good chemistry。 unusual to see such open displays of affection in Chinese drama。 the low rating is really undeserved and a travesty ❤️

the emotional blackmail episode was not a surprise but was very rushed though of course it had to fit in a short series, the portrayal of gay love always ending in unhappiness or disaster is not original though no doubt remains true enough problem as this continues to exist not only in very socially backward countries like modern China though more obvious there： it is difficult to feel how this pressure must be like without having experienced it

I thought maybe the unhappy choice allowed it to get under the Chinese censorship as happened in early treatments in Western dramas from 50 years ago？but then this is contradicted by the final ending giving hope love wins❤️

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❤️beautiful though too short GL story in old China

🔆this will not be to everyone's taste as it may seem slow and the characters not very dramatic、 do not be misled by the fierce opening scenes since although there is partly a court battle background most of the story plays out as a gentle comedy of manners with same sex attraction MLs。 I love the characters 〜the eccentric apparently slow-witted magistrate Tao Mo who actually has laser-like intuitive wisdom and the cool intellectual Gu She hiding passion deep inside、as well as their jealous retainers quarelling with each other and the various others on the make around the town and court〜and seeing how they relate and develop and there are law court sub plots as well as the background political intrigue to vary the story〜the final episode is very moving and confirms this as a GL story （maybe most openly so Chinese one I have seen）〜 it is a pity as others say that the series does not continue longer especially given most Chinese dramas are usually 30 episodes at least （maybe for political reasons ？）🎼special mention for the very fine singer of the main theme
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　。：゜(；´∩｀；)゜：。

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Holyland 2005

original adaptation is best ！ not great fan of yankee or gang dramas but I like here how it shows Yu transforming as an individual and also realising importance of friends both personally and in fighting 〜 and at a deeper level this drama shows a man in a real fight for existential survival and this lifts this drama above simple entertainment：he fights or he's bullied、 but even fighting and winning the battle never ends as life itself is a battle〜don't agree this is too short it is just right to ensure the pace and development of the story without useless repetitions of fights just for their own sake and for me there is no boring episode〜fights are exciting but scary〜 theme music great🔆

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comments on the ending

🔆: just having seen the epilogue I think I can fairly see that my imagined ending reflects this and my disappointed review should be read in this mind as referring up to episode 36〜 I feel they could have included this ending somehow with the main final episode at same time though which would have made the series ending much more satisfying： still I am glad they made this epilogue though it could have been longer and shown more of how they came together again and their life together afterwards✳️✳️

This review is only about the ending〜 I hardly know where to begin in reviewing the whole superlative drama〜 as it was for me！〜 especially how it captured the relationship of the two men （especially using your own imagination）in spite of the restrictions within which the producer had to work。 I have put off watching the last episode for some days as I did not want it to end.。The last episode very neatly resolved the various strands of the plot though the endings are rarely totally satisfying。 It was not exactly unexpected in terms of the ”quest” being an anticlimax like many similar stories or Cheng Ling as an adult being the ”heir” of the heroes、although the specific manner of the ending for Zhou Zi Zhu and Wen Ke Xing was unexpected。Of course I was very disappointed particularly as the closing song always promised they would be together for ever！The ideal of self-sacrifice is very noble but does not Wen consider it would be even more painful for Zhou to recover only to find Wen was no longer alive for him？？ I suppose all you can say is that if Wen did not use the Six Combined Cultivation method it would be a case of him losing Zhou eventually 。Of course I hoped ーas seemingly promised at earlier points in the storyーZhou could be healed and they could both live together away from the pains of the World〜however I see them united in spirit in the Afterlife and maybe Wen even present in spirit with Zhou in this life and eventually coming together again as soulmates in a new incarnation〜for me however the ending of 「The Untamed」 was much better and happier although I found the relationship between the two during 「Word of Honor 」closer and more appealing to me than 「The Untamed」〜 but now with the epilogue 「Word of honor」 and 「Untamed」 are my joint favorites but I still feel the Word of honor better at suggesting same sex relationship as in original novel🔆🔆

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