In regards to the plot, I love the depiction of every character, and the cast was well-chosen. Both protagonists,…
you word it so beautifully and i 100% agree with everything. i also saw quite some comments about how they find it kinda boring and monotonous and how the main pair has no chemistry. and tbh, this series also does kinda lack the hype, especially on the international side. while i do respect their opinions, i just feel like, do some people just not get the story and the essence of this series? like, for some reason, i think it just doesn't reach some people, idk why. but yeah maybe it's just not their cup of tea.
"or is it because the characters are not having sensual interaction yet?" i was also wondering too if that's the reason. cause they really barely have any physical interaction so far. only in ep 4 they snuggled up. they don't have many 'moments' or cliche or fanservice-y scenes, what they have is just genuine interactions and conversations, and subtle things like gazes and such to carry the emotions (and they do a good job at that), no rush (which i like, it just feels natural)
and i also wonder if it's because the main characters' visual are on the more mature and natural side? the characters feel so authentic even down to the way they are dressed and styled, literally they are dressed just like an ordinary person. and afterall, this is quite a mature romance/love story. though it has a lot of humor but the way they handle the story and relationships feels mature. no unnecessary childish dramas with no depth. just real life adult problem and issues lol but on the other hand, i also think they just lack promotion on the international side too.
not even kidding when i say it gets better with each episode, and i keep liking it even more with each new episode.
things are building up nicely, slowly. this slow pace in a drama about life might not be everyone's cup of tea, some things might just seem too mundane or ordinary that it makes some people get bored.
but for me, that's actually the charm, the mundane and kinda ordinary stuffs is what makes it so comforting to me. this series offers warmth. a story of ordinary people finding their ways in life, navigating through problems, figuring things out, trying to find their place in this world and finding companion along the way that eases things when it gets hard. it's what makes it feel real and humane and relatable.
also, the way they slowly build up the romance between Haowei and Xiangyong makes me feel like, this is really about human connection. love is not just about the explosive passionate burning fiery or flowery feelings. love here feels... gentle. like, being seen and appreciated for who you are, being accepted and understood, with communication, and connection.
"You're just like Xingpu Island, full of energy and wamth. More people should know about Xingpu Island. And you, He Xiangyong, also deserves to be seen." Xixi said this about He Xiangyong, and honestly i feel exactly like this about this series.
I feel that this series is so genuine and warm and full of energy and life, it just has a 'soul' that touches me and makes me think about life. and i hope more people can see it and appreciate it.
also, the bed-time conversation between Haowei and Xiangyong in this Episode 4 is probably my favorite so far. it just flows nicely, and feels so natural. it feels warm and content and comfortable. some parts might just seem like some random silly talks, but actually behind all those, there lies the concern and care they have for each other. it's just filled with warmth.
the only downside is really just, each episode feels too short indeed. i always want more.
i loveeeeeee the main pair!!! really love their chemistry, and how things are building up slowly, no haste, no rush. fyi their bromance irl is also very cute. they are very close and clingy irl. have been friends for 6 years, and at some point they even lived together for a short period, like, 3 years into their friendship iirc. the lore about how they end up playing as a pair together is also pretty interesting. so jed was supposed to pair with another actor for this series, but in the middle of the filming, that actor got into military evasion scandal, so they had to find a replacement. and somehow that replacement was ernie? i think jed also didn't know at first, and then when he found out, he was like, oh that's good cause they already know each other. and their partnership is just so cute, it just works. i think in a way things actually got better. and jed's thought was that, this is something that is meant to happen. also, i think when they casted ernie as the replacement, they also had to recast the younger version actor as well, which is max. i literally cannot imagine this series without ernie and max, i think they are perfect for their roles. personally, ernie caught my attention the most from the trailer, so he's a huge reason i start watching this series, which, i really really like and love.
but anyway, about the story. i always like the storyline about high school sweethearts finding their way back together, back in their hometown, away from the struggles of adulting and harsh adult life in the city. i really can relate to that kind of feeling lost as you navigate through the adult life. i think it's about the journey of self-rediscovery when you feel like you have lost yourself and lost your way. the hometown feels comforting, especially with all the sceneries, cinematography, places, relationships, friendships, family, and just the community in their hometown. it feels lively and alive. the mundane stuffs and also the funny moments are all enjoyable, feels natural. and also the nostalgia. the yearning and longing between two people because of unfinished feelings. it might seem slow for some people, but for me it's building up nicely. there's still a lot of things we don't know yet, still a lot of mystery. but i am enjoying the way they take their time to tell the story, as things slowly unravel. it might be subtle, but i can feel their chemistry even from the very first scene where they meet again. the clueless haowei, and the stunned xiaoyong overflowing with emotions, all the memories and feelings coming back to him. given their circumstance, it is very understanable why the progress isn't fast, because well xiaoyong isn't really xiaoyong right now, so for haowei, it's like getting to know someone new again, but feels so familiar. but it's definitely building up slowly, which keeps me wanting to see more and see things unfold. just 3 episodes in and i know this is already gonna be one of my favorite series of the year and one of my favorite taiwan BL ever.
"or is it because the characters are not having sensual interaction yet?" i was also wondering too if that's the reason. cause they really barely have any physical interaction so far. only in ep 4 they snuggled up. they don't have many 'moments' or cliche or fanservice-y scenes, what they have is just genuine interactions and conversations, and subtle things like gazes and such to carry the emotions (and they do a good job at that), no rush (which i like, it just feels natural)
and i also wonder if it's because the main characters' visual are on the more mature and natural side? the characters feel so authentic even down to the way they are dressed and styled, literally they are dressed just like an ordinary person. and afterall, this is quite a mature romance/love story. though it has a lot of humor but the way they handle the story and relationships feels mature. no unnecessary childish dramas with no depth. just real life adult problem and issues lol but on the other hand, i also think they just lack promotion on the international side too.
things are building up nicely, slowly. this slow pace in a drama about life might not be everyone's cup of tea, some things might just seem too mundane or ordinary that it makes some people get bored.
but for me, that's actually the charm, the mundane and kinda ordinary stuffs is what makes it so comforting to me. this series offers warmth. a story of ordinary people finding their ways in life, navigating through problems, figuring things out, trying to find their place in this world and finding companion along the way that eases things when it gets hard. it's what makes it feel real and humane and relatable.
also, the way they slowly build up the romance between Haowei and Xiangyong makes me feel like, this is really about human connection. love is not just about the explosive passionate burning fiery or flowery feelings. love here feels... gentle. like, being seen and appreciated for who you are, being accepted and understood, with communication, and connection.
"You're just like Xingpu Island, full of energy and wamth. More people should know about Xingpu Island. And you, He Xiangyong, also deserves to be seen." Xixi said this about He Xiangyong, and honestly i feel exactly like this about this series.
I feel that this series is so genuine and warm and full of energy and life, it just has a 'soul' that touches me and makes me think about life. and i hope more people can see it and appreciate it.
also, the bed-time conversation between Haowei and Xiangyong in this Episode 4 is probably my favorite so far. it just flows nicely, and feels so natural. it feels warm and content and comfortable. some parts might just seem like some random silly talks, but actually behind all those, there lies the concern and care they have for each other. it's just filled with warmth.
the only downside is really just, each episode feels too short indeed. i always want more.
but anyway, about the story. i always like the storyline about high school sweethearts finding their way back together, back in their hometown, away from the struggles of adulting and harsh adult life in the city. i really can relate to that kind of feeling lost as you navigate through the adult life. i think it's about the journey of self-rediscovery when you feel like you have lost yourself and lost your way. the hometown feels comforting, especially with all the sceneries, cinematography, places, relationships, friendships, family, and just the community in their hometown. it feels lively and alive. the mundane stuffs and also the funny moments are all enjoyable, feels natural. and also the nostalgia. the yearning and longing between two people because of unfinished feelings. it might seem slow for some people, but for me it's building up nicely. there's still a lot of things we don't know yet, still a lot of mystery. but i am enjoying the way they take their time to tell the story, as things slowly unravel. it might be subtle, but i can feel their chemistry even from the very first scene where they meet again. the clueless haowei, and the stunned xiaoyong overflowing with emotions, all the memories and feelings coming back to him. given their circumstance, it is very understanable why the progress isn't fast, because well xiaoyong isn't really xiaoyong right now, so for haowei, it's like getting to know someone new again, but feels so familiar. but it's definitely building up slowly, which keeps me wanting to see more and see things unfold. just 3 episodes in and i know this is already gonna be one of my favorite series of the year and one of my favorite taiwan BL ever.