Reviews

Impressively boring and shallow.

I was so excited to watch something light and cute, but I ended up scrolling through half the show because I was so bored.

Look, I love some fluff with zero drama, but Duang With You is nothing like that. It romanticizes a childish and surprisingly toxic relationship, drags on for no reason, and is filled with annoying clichés, cringe dog-fetish humor, and painfully unfunny sound effects.

The characters have zero depth. There’s a lovable sweet boy who’s obsessed with a cold, introverted guy. That’s it. Twelve plus hours of the same thing. This show could easily be cut down to a 20 minute short film.

Let’s talk about the romance for a second.

To give it the benefit of the doubt, it did make me smile a couple of times (even though the acting was pretty average and the chemistry between Duang and Qinn was lacking). But.

It’s so freaking toxic and borderline abusive. Qinn acts like an asshole in pretty much every episode, and the show explains his behavior in the dumbest way possible (yes, sad childhood trauma, as usual).

He’s so distant, cold, and emotionless toward Duang that even his confession feels forced—almost like he’s doing it out of pity. Duang, on the other hand, seems to have zero self-respect, putting up with Qinn’s behavior over and over again, while the show desperately tries to present it as pure, innocent love with pretty lighting, blur filters, and slow music.

Overall, Duang With You might work as a one-time watch if you’re just trying to kill some time.

Just put it on 2x speed.

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Fluff with no substance

This is a series for beginners. I first watched this less than a year ago when I first started watching drama. I had seen maybe 30 at the time, and I found it cute and easy to watch. Now, I've seen almost 300 dramas, and I decided to rewatch this series because I couldn't remember Teetee in it, and I wanted more of him and Por after finishing Duang With You, and I remember really liking Por in this series.

Boy, is it a hard rewatch. And Teetee was barely in it, so I feel like I just wasted my time. I watched it at X2 speed most of the time, and my attention wandered so much that I thought about watching a compilation video of RealHia and LeeKlaijai (is that his name?) moments.

One thing that didn't change after the rewatch is my love for Real, Hia, and Lee, and Teerak's grandpa. Muenfah was alright, and I didn't like anyone else.

But let's start with the positives!

--While Kong's acting isn't the best, everyone else did a good job. Por was especially impressive.
--Auau and Save have great chemistry, and so do Por and Teetee for what little we see of them.
--The RealHia moments are the only thing that got me through it. I also really love their difference in height.
--School work was more involved than in most dramas I've seen.
--Thomas and Por look enough alike that they are believable as brothers.

And that's about it! Now I'm about to rant & there will be spoilers!

--The plot is so straightforward that there is no suspense about what will happen next. To summarize, boring.

--Oh, played by Mike, is just creepy. He also looks a lot older than everyone else, which doesn't help. Everything with him and his mother is also just dropped, and they both exit stage left like they never existed.

--Lee's relationship with Teetee's character (His name is difficult) is something they spent little to no time on and was just tacked on an episode here and there.

--This show could have easily been 8 episodes. The passing would have been much better if they hadn't stretched things out into 12 episodes. Cut out the filler and some of the fluff, and honestly make the NC scenes shorter.

--One of the things I hate most is stupid or immature characters. This series has them in abundance. Teerak, Joy, and Type only have a few brain cells between them, and Teerak never seems to be in possession of them.

--Teerak's character is one of my least favorite main characters ever. His character was made to be a pure innocent bottom that you want to protect. And everyone tries to from his family, to his friends, to the boys crushing on him. His friends and love interest are doing it because they see how naive he is, so they don't annoy me as much. His family, however, raised him this way. I think the parents or the sister thought that he needed to grow up at all, but stay a sweet little boy forever. The result? We have a 19/20 year old boy with the personality and emotional development of an 8-year-old. He's an adult. He shouldn't be begging his father to kiss his head and pouting when he doesn't get it. He has to look up the simplest things to do with dating, like how to get to know each other, and how you know when you like someone. You know obvious things, and then for some reason, he doesn't have to look anything up about kissing or sex. He jumped into it like it was his job.

--Babe is a character that I only liked because she's supportive when Teerak really wants a relationship with Muenfah. Everything before that point pissed me off. (I don't know if she did or said anything about Miu, so I can't really compare how she acts when Teerak is dating anyone, so this is just a comparison of when he's being pursued.) Babe is very aggressive, toured Muenfah, and is overly protective of Teerak as soon as she thinks they are dating. She goes right to Muenfah and demands answers. She then tries to shut down any "couple" moments, even though she knows it's fake. Thankfully, she backs off once Teerak tells her he wants to have a relationship with Muenfah. But she acts this way to Muenfah, but does and says nothing to Oh. I don't care if he's a senior. If you are this protective of your brother, that won't matter. She literally acts like a third parent to Teerak when they are only a year apart in age, so why is it that when he's actually having problems with someone, she does nothing? She saw that Teerak was uncomfortable about Oh giving him flowers and gifts, but didn't do anything because why? Teerak told her not to? Then we have the birthday party, which she either shouldn't have let him go to simply because it was Oh's or gone with him. She does neither, and her brother would probably have gotten worse than sexually assaulted if it hadn't been for Muenfah, the one she's giving a hard time. So yeah, I don't care for her at all.

--Teerak's father was stupid for thinking that putting Teerak under house arrest and driving him to school when Babe couldn't until he broke up with Muenfah was magically going to fix that his son was gay. My dude, look at how you raised your son. I'd be more surprised if he were straight.

--Lastly, I couldn't care less about Teerak and Muenfah's relationship. I was so bored with them; it was all fluff and filler, and I was more interested in literally anything else. They had okay chemistry, especially in the more intimate scenes, so I'd like to see them in more things in the future, and I really hope they don't turn out to be another MaxNat (Naughty Babe) for me. I've watched almost all of MaxNat's shows, and while I can see improvement, I still have yet to actually like anything that they are in.

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seriously disgusting

not enough people talk about the amount of SA in this show. why is it being romanticised and not taken seriously?
after reading some of the reviews it seems to me that the show doesn't address this issue in the later episodes but i admit i can't know for sure because i couldn't even get halfway through it. at first i tried to ignore it (which i shouldn't have) but by episode 6 or 8 it was making me too uncomfortable, i had to stop watching. all of the kisses were non consensual and one of the MLs kept forcing himself on the other ML while there was some romantic music playing in the background. it was disgusting as well as just... confusing, i guess? i mean, there's really nothing romantic about sexual assault.
i also think the gang rape at the beginning is very overlooked. there was really no chance for me to like chi cheng's character or root for him in the slightest after he allowed that guy to get raped. i don't have a problem with characters being flawed, i don't have to agree with them on all of their choices but one of the MLs doing something so horrible really threw me off.
ah seriously... i don't really know what else i could say at the moment. i'm genuinely just mad that this show gained so much popularity and also the way people talk about it, mostly ignoring these issues. so so disgusting.

!! i would also like to add that if you, by chance, enjoyed this show and want to recommend it to someone, please make sure that you mention the SA elements.

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Maybe not for me

A lot of this show involves sitting in a certain level of misery which made it hard to watch when there was little relief. Dong Man’s “craziness” is meant to at times offer some comedic lightness but I found it very awkward and cringe. I mostly enjoyed his interactions in Eun-A but also found their relationship hard to believe and confusing. There were some parts of the story that didn’t quite feel finished (whatever happened to Knock Knock Knock?) or rushed/odd at the end (DM struggling to maintain control of the set so the solution is a fist fight?). I was surprised everyone was so happy for Dong Man after all he’s said over the years about their own work.

I can understand why others liked the story, and in a way I did too. It was new and not your typical drama, but I think this was just not quite my style.

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Dead-Fish Kisses Found Dead in a Ditch

Yowzaaa. What the hell did I just watch?

I found The Revenge of Begonia completely by accident and ended up inhaling the entire thing in one sitting. This drama is a perfect example of why short-form C-dramas deserve far more respect than they get. While many viewers dismiss them as low-budget fluff, this show proves there's some serious talent working in this space. Is it campy? Absolutely. The second half is packed with over-the-top villains, dramatic misunderstandings, and enough damsel-in-distress moments to make me roll my eyes. But these dramas operate at maximum intensity, and honestly, that's part of the fun.

What elevates The Revenge of Begonia above the crowd is its two leads. Hong Xiao and Yan Zi Xian have some of the most ridiculous chemistry I've seen in an Asian drama in years. Not good chemistry. Not great chemistry. Ridiculous chemistry. Every scene between them crackles with tension, attraction, and emotion. The romantic moments feel passionate rather than choreographed, and the relationship benefits from small details that make it feel surprisingly real. Hong Xiao is fantastic as the conflicted Yan An Ning, while Yan Zi Xian brings exactly the kind of presence and charisma the role demands. The man can act, he can carry a scene, and yes, he can kiss. Very important.

The plot is entertaining enough on its own, but let's be honest: the romance is the main event. If you've spent years watching dramas where the leads seem mildly inconvenienced by each other's existence and kiss like dead fishes, this feels like a breath of fresh air. It's short, bingeable, wildly entertaining, and somehow had me giggling at my screen like a teenager. Give Hong Xiao and Yan Zi Xian a full-length drama together immediately.

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A Sweet and Heartwarming Family Rom-Com

This is a simple, sweet, and fun rom-com that makes for a perfect quick watch. It feels like a spiritual sequel to *Love Trap* since it reunites the same lead actors, and their chemistry remains just as strong as ever. Having seen them together before, I already knew they worked well as a pair, and they didn't disappoint here.

The biggest highlight of the drama is the adorable children. They bring so much charm, energy, and humor to the story, and many of the funniest moments come from their mischievous antics. The bright visuals and colorful wardrobe also give the drama a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Both leads deliver solid performances and effortlessly handle the romantic, emotional, and comedic moments. Their chemistry is natural and engaging, making it easy to root for them throughout the story. The supporting characters, especially the family members and the assistant, add even more warmth to an already enjoyable watch.

Overall, this is a lighthearted and heartfelt drama with a lovable cast, plenty of cute moments, and one of my favorite pairings in Chinese short dramas. If you're looking for something easy, entertaining, and full of charm, this is definitely worth checking out.

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A marvelous experience to watch as an avid kdrama watcher & lover since 2020!

I'm so glad I finished it today. The last few episodes really made me cry. In my past few years of watching a ton of kdramas, no other kdrama has made me cry this much before. They truly did exceptionally well with the entire show. It was a marvelous experience to watch. I am forever not gonna forget the last few lines of the series as it really struck a chord in my heart. The phrases & words "holding on" and "freely" will always stick with me thanks to them. The ending left me a lasting impression of feeling hopeful in the days to come too. I think this series is like one of those scent that you'd never forget no matter where you are. The connection of rain to this series is superb to me. Kudos to the entire cast, director, script writers, and pretty much the whole team for all their hard work in bringing this drama to life. I hope both sides of their pillow are always cold!~

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Very Disappointing

A Date with the Future

William Chan - Jin Shi Chuan
Zhang Ruonan - Xu Lai

Summary: This drama was honestly pretty disappointing for me. I started it with high hopes because I really liked Fireworks of My Heart but this drama just did not equal my expectations. There were barely any action scenes where we got to see the firefighters working, it was a lot of just fluff that made the drama kind of boring. Although the love story is idealistic and meant to be, sometimes, this drama was a little too dramatic as in these events would never happen in real life. I also don’t think the actors had much chemistry even though they may be great individual actors. I don’t know, I was more invested in the second ML, the second couple, and the third couple. That’s the reason why I finished watching. But, it wasn’t bad. It was just boring to me, too long, and didn’t hold much emotional depth or meaning. The only reason why this drama is getting as high as a 6.5/10 is becuase of the family that they created. I loved the bond with the firefighters, Jin Shi Chuan, Xu Lai, and Zang Qiu. When all of the firefighters decided to stay and help evacuate Jin Shi Chuan, that part made me a little emotional. I was so sad when the second ML Huo Yanzhong let go of Xu Lai, but I’m glad that he’s still saying as her friend. I also have to admit that I did cry when Liu Xu’s farewell party happened and Jin Shi Chuan was giving his speech and Liu Xu had that tear run down his cheek. Not only that, but all the firefighters saluting him and him and Zhang Yang’s bond. This is what saved this drama from being a dumpster fire for me, is this family. HOLY. WHY THE HECK DID THIS DRAMA BREAK ME WITH LIKE 4 EPISODES LEFT? I had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Why did it have to be Liu Xu bro? He was one of the most genuine people on the show. Not only that, but the screenwriters really made a mistake with their storylines. After Liu Xu died like that, I’m sorry, but I have no care left to care even the slightest about what happens to Jin Shi Chuan. I don’t really care that he’s not waking up for now because at least he’s alive. Disabilities are better than being lost in that fire. Don’t even get me started on Zhang Yang bro. I feel so bad for him, Liu Xu was his guy and Liu Xu sacrificed his life to save Zhang Yang’s. His last day on the job too…like what is with this? Xu Lai is really annoying me in these last couple episodes. How dare she come up to Zhang Yang saying that “everyone is hurting the same” (when they clearly aren’t) and that life and work must go on. Zhang Yang lost his mentor, his friend, the person he went to for everything, so how dare Xu Lai say that like she knows what it’s like. She’s not apart of the firefighter team, so she has no clue. Him losing Liu Xu was like Xu Lai losing a parent and I know for sure that she would be crying and not coming out, let alone if her parents sacrified themselves for her. She has no right. I’m so frustrated with her. everything for her revolves around Jin Shi Chuan and it is really pissing me off. Like there’s so many other people in this world, Jin Shi Chuan is not the only person. Every sentence that comes out of her mouth is “Jin Shi Chuan”. I think this is the first time that a FL has annoyed me this much. But, because of how much I love characters like Zhang Yang, Liu Xu, Lu Fangqi, Zang Qiu, this drama is still getting a 6.5/10 for me or else it would get much lower. I’m not even kidding, without those characters, I would be at like a 3.5/4.

Before even starting this drama, I wanted to say that I am super excited to watch this one. I have been in the need of some action in modern dramas lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love like youth dramas and sometimes workplace/business modern dramas, but they can get boring and repetitive. The last time I watched a police/military/firefighter drama was “Fireworks of My Heart” and I loved that one. So, I’m super excited to be finally watching another one…I just crave that action and protectiveness that I know the ML is going to have.

Yup, episode 1 done and I’m already hooked and loving this premise. I’m seeing a little bit of an enemies-to-lovers slow-burn type of thing where Jin Shi Chuan thought that Xu Lai was the one that published that criticizing firefighter news story, when in fact, it was caused by Xu Lai’s workplace drama and she was framed. I also love the parallels that are made between Jin Shi Chuan saving Xu Lai 10 years before and saving her in the present, with her running behind the truck and the tugging of his jacket. I ALSO LOVE THE DOG OMG. I love the name “ping an” because it translates to like safe and sound in Chinese and reminds me of how Jin Shi Chuan has made Xu Lai feel safe and sound more than 1 time and I don’t doubt there are going to be more. I have a little theory that “ping an” is the same dog that found Xu Lai 10 years back that Jin Shi Chuan used. I only say that because when Xu Lai put that picture on her desktop, the dog went crazy. So, I’m really hoping it’s the same dog because that would just be plain fate. After watching a bit more, I’m so much more confident that “ping an” is the same dog. He also got excited over Jin Shi Chuan’s shirt that Xu Lai borrowed. (Aw, I was wrong… Jin Shi Chuan’s dog passed away while on a mission, that would’ve been a really cool connection of fate though) I HAVE TO SAY: I LOVE PING AN. HE IS THE CUTEST DOG EVER AND THE MOST LOYAL AND WELL-BEHAVING DOG. Them 3 sitting together is like a happy family.

I’ve been loving the dedication from Xu Lai, following the firefighters everywhere and always being brave in order to get the footage she needs to paint them in a bright light. I also really liked the part where you can start to see Jin Shi Chuan’s care for the world in general, no matter who it is. Him giving Xu Lai the wasp sting medicine and thanking her for help with catching the chickens shows how he is a decent man with morals at the end of the day, no matter how cold he seems to appear. I also think the other firefighters are starting to warm up to her too, so I’m just waiting for that day where she ends up building a community at the fire station.

Wow, this slowburn is not moving as slow as I thought. Episode 3 and Jin Shi Chuan is already starting to warm up to Xu Lai asking why she didn’t contact him when she was in trouble during the exposure of the chemical warehouse factory place. Not only that, but he took multiple hits for Xu Lai and made sure she didn’t get hurt by the attackers.

Wow, episode 5 is definitely very very dramatic in terms of plot. I didn’t think that this drama would set up this dramatic of a scene so early on. Jin Shi Chuan was literally about to die until Xu Lai came in the scene, ran in the fire, and put the oxygen mask over her. Although, I thought this scene was very well done as I could clearly tell that Jin Shi Chuan’s only motivation to keep going was Xu Lai’s face and his natural protection over her to get her out of that fire. Then, he instantly put the mask back over her. I love when Jin Shi Chuan shields Xu Lai’s body using his own. He did it so many times during the fire to make sure any debris, glass, smoke, heat, or even that man’s punch wouldn’t hurt her. No matter what he says, he truly does care for her. I also love that by episode 5, Xu Lai already has the other firemen’s support with her pursuit of Jin Shi Chuan.

Man, I’ve really got to give it to Xu Lai. I think that everyone should try to be as brave as she is. She literally told Jin Shi Chuan she loved him endlessly and unbreakingly in the 6th episode of this drama. Not only that, but I think her whole speech and conversation with Jin Shi Chuan over dinner where he told her that he’s emotionally unavailable and she decided to respect that decision but also let him know that she wasn’t giving up is one of the most brave actions a FL can take. Getting rejected over and over, but still deciding to not lose her dedication to him is really really challenging for a female to do. But, Xu Lai telling him “You are worth it.” and then kissing him was the biggest turn of events I could’ve thought to happen. I’m excited to see this next segment of Xu Lai working as the search and rescue dog trainer and working hand-in-hand with the firefighters. Aw…now that Jin Shi Chuan knows of Xu Lai’s fear of thunderstorms, rain, and dark places, he made sure that she was ok when being stuck in the rain. Not only that, but the scene where she came down in just pajamas and he ordered the other firefighters not to look and then put his jacket around her, that scene was rlly rlly cute. And then when she pulled him even closer, I couldn’t really believe it. Aw, when Xu Lai and Jin Shi Chuan were on a mission in the rain together to look for the dogs, he ended up covering her ears to block out the sound of the thunder.


Ok, I do have to say though: as these episodes are going on (I’m on episode 12), the drama is getting a little bit boring. I need that tension, angst, yearning, and almost slowburn. Jin Shi Chuan and Xu Lai got together so early and their relationship has been smooth sailing basically so far, so I’m missing some of that depth and emotion in this drama. We’ll see if it gets better, but right now, I don’t know why this drama has 24 more episodes to go when they’re basically happy and dating already.

There are still some parts that get me pretty touched though. When Xu Lai met Jin Shi Chuan’s grandfather for the first time and they ended up playing the same song on the piano, I was really touched. Then, finding out that Jin Shi Chuan’s late mother was Xu Lai’s piano teacher, their connection just got that much deeper. I have to say though, I don’t think they did the best job of acting out playing the piano. I can clearly tell they aren’t the ones playing, but I also play the piano myself so I could be looking at it more specifically than others.

Um…not good news that I’m reporting while I’m watching episode 16. I’m getting second lead syndrome. It may be because I find Ci Sha more attractive and his persona in the show more protective, so it could be personal bias. But, when Huo saved Xu Lai from that group by coming and punched Sun Lei for touching Xu Lai, I started getting major second lead syndrome. “Xu Lai is my bottom line.” When Huo said that to Sun Lei, it gave me a really protective nature and feeling that I felt. I know Jin Shi Chuan is literally in the hospital from trying to protect Xu Lai, but idk what it is…I just can’t connect to these characters. Another thing that’s making me have second lead syndrome is that Jin Shi Chuan is very immature in my opinion when it comes to relationships and communication. Whenever there’s a small issue, he hides it from Xu Lai and just breaks off their communication. Huo Yanzong can hide his emotions in order to keep Xu Lai happy and think through it himself. Huo Yanzong is always considering Xu Lai, while Jin Shi Chuan has some issues figuring that out sometimes. Like with the whole recording and Huo Yanzong being put under fire, he reassured Xu Lai that he would handle it and told her not to worry even though she kind of got him in that situation. Huo Yanzong even got a whole fake gf to reassure Xu Lai and keep them as friends because he knows that Xu Lai was reserved about her rejection of his feelings. Huo Yanzong is able to communicate his communication, care, and love for Xu Lai in such a mature way that I can’t help but have some second lead syndrome. At the first sign of struggle, Jin Shi Chuan backed out, like is that really love? If you truly love someone, no matter what troubles you are experiencing, you work through them together, you don’t just abandon that true love. This is why I’m frustrated with Jin Shi Chuan’s outlook on this situation.

I am a full Huo Yanzong supporter as of episode 19. After that breakup scene in the rain, how could any man just let her stay out there? Yes, he was watching from the corner and called Huo Yanzong, but like, at least stay with her until he got there and then leave her. The fact that he was able to just watch her suffer like that. Also, Xu Lai is definitely better in my eyes than Jin Shi Chuan relationship wise, but sometimes, she’s too optimistic which can get annoying. If someone has told you multiple times they want to break up, there is no point losing your own self dignity for a man. I think that’s my biggest issue with her, it’s that she can disrespect herself for Jin Shi Chuan. I knew it was over for me when the part I got excited about was Huo Yanzhong showing up, princess carrying Xu Lai away. Huo Yanzong’s stare to Jin Shi Chuan was so possessive, warning him not to hurt her again, and he was soaking wet so he looked even more possessive. Ci Sha really does a great job of portraying his emotions.

On a more positive note, I love Zang Qiu’s character. She’s so strong and stands up for what she believes in as a person. She knows what she wants and doesn’t stand up for anything less. I also love Lu Fangqi as a character. He’s always there for Zang Qiu even if she appears to not accept it. When she broke down after the reunion and he held her while she remembered Fang Huai, I loved that scene. Even though Lu Fangqi was pursuing her, he respects Fang Huai a lot and tries not to overstep. I’m rooting for those two if anything. When he sent her the flowers even though he was allergic to pollen, I love how he said not to forget about Fang Huai if she can’t. All he wants is to make her happy and if she is happy when reminded of Fang Huai, he’s okay with that.

How dare Jin Shi Chuan even think about stopping treatment. Fang Huai lost his life for Jin Shi Chuan and now Jin Shi Chuan wants to give up. After all the doctors efforts and everyone’s support to get better, he wants to give up. Is he ok!? Also, he was the one who broke up with Xu Lai so “if life doesn’t have any meaning”, it’s his own fault. How dare he still hold her hand when she was unconscious. He broke up with her, so he no longer has the right. Bro, I’m so confused. How does he go from I want to give up to I need to try for Xu Lai. This back and forth is just so frustrating. Do you guys see the difference between Huo Yanzong and Jin Shi Chuan? Jin Shi Chuan has Xu Lai’s help but doesn’t want it. Huo Yanzong is in the hospital, severely injured too, went to save her, but hid this from her so she doesn’t worry. But, Huo Yanzong is going to give up because he realized that Jin Shi Chuan claims to love Xu Lai. Me personally though, I don’t like the way Jin Shi Chuan expressed his love, but that’s just me. One more thing that has annoyed me about this drama is how unrealistic it is. There’s no way that real fire scenes let anybody just run onto the scene. Even as a reporter, they always stay behind the tape for safety reasons. I don’t even know how many times Xu Lai has run onto the scene and even helped out some times. It’s just not realistic.

Bro Xu Lai is annoying me too. When Jin Shi Chuan was stuck under the rubble and Xu Lai forced the firefighters to let her go with them, I was thinking “What the heck are you going to do to help?” Her screaming and crying is not helping the situation. Moreso, she’s not trained for this, doesn’t have protective gear, and is adding one extra person that could be in danger or hurt. It just doesn’t make sense for her to be on the scene, it just makes everything worse. She’s getting on my nerves, like I know that you are worried, but what can you do by being there? She’s not a doctor or a firefighter, she’s just a reporter. There’s a reason why they don’t let family members in stuff like surgeries or across the yellow caution line in dangerous scenes. Family members just add extra unneeded emotions that make the situation worse than it already is.

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Makes you feel emotions in a way that it consumes your whole mind

Story - Intriguing and Heartbreaking - A Christian boy in a seminary whose never had any family and decides to become a priest falls for another boy who lost faith because of the pain he had been through.
- Faith, love , not being able to live your life, being misunderstood, lonely - it cuts you in one way or another

Acting - Extraordinary. GeminiFourth make you feel and I mean it when I say it, they make you feel what they are feeling - the struggles, the pain and the love. One look at each other and it's over. The tension is palpable and you can feel the love through the screen.

Direction/Sound - The story is very nuanced from the detailed acting to the direction, camera work and sound. They immerse you in. Every dialogue, every shot has a purpose, it has devastating amounts of symbolisms that takes your breath away when watching.

As a viewer, it consumes your every thought, even the happy moments can break your heart for them because of how much you start caring for these characters

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one of the best cbls

cbls have a history with rape to romance, i had my fingers crossed that this would be different, and it was. it was absolutely beautiful. every time i felt like it was going to be toxic, it never was, and any miscommunication, mistake, small or big, was addressed. i think its a wonderful bl, and i have to commend the actors, everything felt so natural, there was never a moment where they let it feel like they were acting, this applies to all the actors. i really do wish for season 2 since this has been a beautiful journey but with an open end, a cliffhanger, so i do hope a season 2 will be out. its a slowburn done right, when they kiss, it feels like the right time, not too late not too early. the dubbing was bad, however not as noticeable to me as people claim, the child actors hired for the flashbacks threw me off a little, but i was calmed when i found out the age gaps were 10-13-19 between xia liu yi, his sister, and his brother in law. they hired child actors too young and kept the same present brother in law in the past too, so it was confusing. other than that, there are no complaints regarding this bl. i think if you’re a slow burn fan, this is a beautiful bl to watch.

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MY LULU AND LEILEI! Is a PERFECT MATCH!!! Love them so much!?

I’ve really been enjoying The First Jasmine so far. The storyline is engaging, and what stands out to me the most is how carefully every character has been written. You can tell that a lot of attention has been paid to even the smallest details, which makes the story feel more immersive and meaningful.

As usual, every episode brings its own story, emotions, and character development. No episode feels repetitive because each one adds a new layer to the journey of the characters, making me even more invested in their growth and relationships.

The production quality, cinematography, and OST are also beautifully done and add so much emotion to the drama. Im still hoping for a happy ending, but we’ll have to wait and see how the story unfolds.

On a personal note, Bai Lu has been one of my favorite actresses for years. Many of her dramas are on my rewatch list, and every year i look forward to her new projects. As for Cheng Lei, ive watched several of his dramas before, but it was through The First Jasmine that i truly realized how much i love his charisma and screen presence. He has definitely become one of the male actors who left a strong impression on me.

Overall, i love this drama not only because of the story itself but also because of Bai Lu and Cheng Lei. Cant wait to see how everything ends. Lets continue supporting them and help boost all the ratings! ^^

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where do i even start

chinese bls have this thing with rape to romance that i simply am sick and tired of. although, please give the credit where credit is due, eliot’s acting was absolutely amazing. he’s the one that stuck out to me the most. the ability to change personalities through his demeanor, eyes, its really a talent. i had many moments where i thought of dropping this, it took me alot of time to finish, and.. speaking of finish, the ending was terrible. gao tu was probably the only one that was innocent completely althought sheng shao yu was innocent too in my opinion. gao tu had the most depth out of them all, though, and i’m upset how they sidelined him. not because i wanted him to get with shen wan lang though, oh no, i hated him, and you will too if you give it a try. eliot’s acting convinced me into finishing it, he did great, even tho his character hua yong.. was quite a complex one. the others, i cant say the same? no one sold me on acting but eliot. it has twists and turns, lots of them, things that will make you go crazy with realization, like literally, but overall? its not amazing. i think the non con elements add to my distaste for it, as well as the terrible fight scenes. it could be excused once, maybe twice, but god, sheng shao you and shen wan lang’s fights were absolutely horrendous, whoever edited them has got to get fired. it seemed childish, which is not what a fight scene’s vibe is supposed to look like. i can’t exactly call it mediocre, its a bit lower than that. but its revolutionary for a fixed couple in cbl, so i wish eliot and kipuka the best! and.. maybe better roles too..

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