Reviews

When Love Meets Destiny in a Romance Beyond the Grave

I have to confess, I didn’t have high expectations at first, but I got completely hooked right away. The CG is absolutely stunning and top-tier. The director, Zoe Qin the same talented woman behind Lost You Forever, did an amazing job once again.

The action scenes are intense and satisfying, especially Duan Xu's portrayal of a fierce, ruthless general at the beginning. Simu looks breathtaking in every frame, with such a powerful aura. The cinematography, costumes, accessories, and props are all beautifully crafted. All the actors delivered strong performances, and even with so many characters, none feel unnecessary. each one shines in their role.

The chemistry between Arthur Chen and Dilraba is wonderful. Just seeing them together or gazing at each other is enough to make you smile. It’s a shame the kiss scene in Episode 30 was cut, because from the behind-the-scenes footage, it was absolutely unforgettable. Although the story is supernatural, it feels grounded and meaningful, touching deeply on life’s philosophy — birth, aging, sickness, death, and the pain of separation.

Overall, I loved every part of it. If you’re still unsure, I highly recommend giving the first 1-2 episodes a shot. You’ll likely get hooked just like I did.

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Not Perfect, But I Loved Them Together

I found Close to You (2025) to be a genuinely good drama and so underrated. What stood out the most for me was the chemistry between the leads — their closeness felt natural and never fake. Their interactions were soft, emotional, and believable, which made it easy to connect with their story.
Yes, the drama has its inconsistencies, but I always judge a series as a whole. And in this case, the feelings it delivered were unique and genuinely cute. It gave me a warm, comforting vibe that stayed with me.
I also didn’t find it dragging at all. The pacing worked for me, and I enjoyed spending time with the characters. The acting was solid, and the soundtrack fit the mood nicely.
It’s true that the last episodes felt a bit strange and slightly off compared to the rest. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the drama delivered over 30 episodes of quality content and emotional moments.
Overall, despite its flaws, Close to You is a heartfelt and worthwhile watch.

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we need a s2

a show that has everything from comedy at times then its serious when need to, to gang stuff etc
the male leads have a slow burn romance , i find that i did like that they took their time so their romance dont feel sudden nor rushed, their relationship from strangers to friends to lovers feel well done, the season is obviously not complete with a hint for a season 2 and now i really need season 2 to happen as they didnt cover the whole novel there's a lot that can be done in the season 2 and id love to see the male leads lives as a couple
the second couple do look interesting too esp after seeing their scenes in the final ep
also good ost and lyrics i love it..
i highly recommend this show as it feels well done

note: china just started doing bls after longtime not being able to do and they are already killing it, one interesting plot after another, good osts and good acting, please never stop giving us the good quality we were starved for something good to watch

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Need China to stop being homophobic immediately so I could get S2 ASAP

This was so good. China really step it up these days. They are dishing out 5 star meals consistently. Every other region should be scared and shaking cuz I am really amazed by the quality despite the hurdles. The plot is so good. Mafia story is nothing new but the characters are such a breath of fresh air. Their dynamic is so fresh. The top is sweet, simple and nerdy but also very dirty minded and cunning while the bottom is the more 'manly' type who is the mafia and is very dominant. I love it so much. They also made the top the damsel in distress instead of the bottom which is such a 'chef kiss' to me. I love their chemistry so much. This would have gotten a 10/10 if it wasn't an ending for a S2. Cuz I don't even know if we will get it so I am sad but hopeful. Please BL Gods let there be a second season. I don't want it, I NEED it.

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Pure Entertainment

It was ludicrous, hilarious, dramatic, poignant, heartbreaking and endearing but most importantly very entertaining. The thin bare plot broke down after ep 3 and picked back up in the last 5 minutes of ep 9, but it's worth sticking for everything else. The both cp have chemistry in bucket loads. Just a glance, a deep inhale or a gentle touch and the atmosphere was crackling with electricity. I must admit it hurt when Chen Gong (?) died, he also had a presence that filled the screen.

Yes the script was chaotic, childish and unbelievable at times but forgiveable when taken in entirety. China producing in Thailand, what else could be expected. Am I waiting for S2, yes and hopefully with a slightly bigger budget. Will I expect better, no because it will make S1 insignificant. Let this stay in the lane it has chosen: pure entertainment.

The only reason I gave this an 8 because I was never bored, even in the nonsensical moments.

Taken in the vein it was produced in, you will enjoy.

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Gangster x Nerd: A Perfect Slow Burn

This show is everything I’ve ever wanted from a gay love story - two strong individuals with their own identities falling in love. The slow burn is to die for. I went ahead and completed the novel after watching the third or fourth episode because it was that interesting. I loved the changes they made from the novel for the show. The two lead actors are breathtakingly gorgeous, incredibly talented, and have sizzling on-screen and off-screen chemistry. It scratched every itch in my brain. The collision of two worlds - the hot, fierce gangster and the hot, intelligent nerd - could it get any more interesting? 10/10. Strongly recommended.

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We don’t just want a second season, we need it!

I started watching this series without high expectations, since mafia stories are usually not my thing. I never expected to get so emotionally attached to the characters and their story.
Waiting for each new episode felt like torture, and each episode felt way too short to calm down my excitement. Every week I would say that this is my favorite episode, only for the next one to come and prove me wrong. For me, that’s what makes a series successful, regardless of genre. The fact that it keeps getting better with every episode.

Chusan and Liuyi are honestly one of the most interesting dynamics I’ve seen in a while. At the beginning, it feels almost uncomfortable. Liuyi literally drags Chusan into his world, and there’s this constant tension of power and control. But what surprised me is how quickly that dynamic flips. Chusan isn’t weak at all. He’s calculating, observant, and in many ways, he ends up holding more emotional power than Liuyi.
And Liuyi… I didn’t expect to feel so much for him. He starts off as this brutal enforcer, almost cold, but then episode 2 hits and everything changes. The moment with his sister’s death just breaks something inside him, and from there you start seeing all the cracks.

That’s when the story really hooked me. It stopped being just crime and started being about grief, loneliness, and the desperate need to hold on to someone.
The development of Chusan and Liuyi’s relationship may feel slow to some people. I am one of those who think it might have even been a bit fast, considering the circumstances they were dealing with.

What really got me was how quiet their feelings are. It’s not about big confessions or dramatic words. It’s in the way they look at each other, the way they stay, even when everything around them is falling apart. Especially after Liuyi’s loss… you can feel how broken he is, and how much he doesn’t know what to do with that pain. And somehow, Chusan becomes the only place where that pain softens.

I know their story doesn’t end here. Being someone with no patience, I read the novel while the series was still ongoing, and I loved it even more than the show. Despite their differences, this might be the first time in my life where I wasn’t bothered at all by the adaptation. I think it stands very well on its own. Or rather, it would, if it were complete and didn’t end the way it did… I don’t really have anything negative to say about the series apart from that. It’s definitely not "perfect" in every aspect, but I never rate things based on that standard anyway.

It would be a solid 10/10 from me, but I have to deduct something because the ending didn’t feel like an ending. And if a second season ever gets announced, I’ll gladly give back that half point I deducted from my rating 😅 I don’t know if we’ll get it, but I honestly think it’s necessary. It would be such a huge shame to leave such an interesting story like this.

I’m going to miss these boys soooo much. I really hope everything goes well for them and that we get to see them in many more series in the future, together or separately, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as they are doing well and achieving their goals, because they truly deserve it.

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Love Like On A Three-Wheeler

Summarily, this series intrigued me for its content and subject matter. There were several dynamic and powerful relevances going on all at once. Thus, this series tackled way too much with way too many for it to be efficacious. Its major significancy was deeply scarring and wounding. My issue with series that tackle such emotionally charged and psychologically damaging or traumatizing issues is that they never go far enough. Simply ‘glossing’ over the issues or only gingerly handling the sensitivity of the subject matter is really not doing it justice. And it tried too hard to take a cavalier and too lighthearted approach to three themes that are quite serious and daunting. So, I was not sure what it was trying to actually be. Each of these love sonnets could be a series and was a premise for a stand-alone story. For me as well, it was the secondary couple, in this case two others, that outshined the primary couple, yet again.

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Fast-Paced Horror That Grips, But Doesn’t Fully Stay With You

if Wishes Could Kill delivers a tense and engaging watch, especially for viewers who enjoy light horror without being overwhelmed. Despite an initially intimidating atmosphere (especially when watched at night)the series settles into a more manageable tone. It relies on familiar elements like jump scares and graphic moments, with certain scenes involving physical harm (like eye injuries) being more uncomfortable than genuinely terrifying.

The drama benefits from a quick pace and a short episode format, keeping the story moving and maintaining attention throughout. Its central premise is intriguing, and while the narrative occasionally becomes confusing, it remains compelling enough to hold interest. The open ending hints at the possibility of a continuation, though it doesn’t leave a particularly strong anticipation for another season.

Where the series falls short is in its characters. Many of them feel frustrating or underdeveloped, with decisions that often seem illogical, a common trope in the genre. Emotional connection is lacking, and even key characters fail to leave a lasting impression. However, the origin story elements involving earlier events add a layer of intrigue.
Overall, If Wishes Could Kill is an entertaining, easy watch imperfect but engaging enough to keep you from losing interest, even if it doesn’t leave a strong impact afterward

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So Close to Perfection

I remember binge-watching the first 4 episodes and thinking to myself that this drama would be one for the books. Up there with the Japanese BL drama "My Beautiful Man" — which is the only drama (BL or otherwise) that I re-watch once a year. It had all the elements to make it perfect.

a. Opposites attract
b. Two damaged souls unexpectedly coming together to heal each other
c. Incredible chemistry between the main actors (that sick X icecream scene in episode 4 should be a study in chemistry and tension)
d. Incredible cinematography
e. A catchy opening OST

These are all things I loved and appreciated in the drama. I also love how we are shown that Hirukawa liked Minase 1st. While they don't outright tell you when it happened or why, if you pay attention to the ongoing events of episode 1, you can see how Hirukawa looked at Minase at the taps. Additionally, he noticed Minase in the corridors during their first year (2018), when Minase didn't seem to care about his existence. Perhaps he'd always had a crush, and the universe hadn't brought them together b4 their sophomore year in 2019.

Unfortunately, once we get three-quarters of the way through episode 6, things start to get shaky and eventually crumble. I'd rated the 1st 5 and three-quarter episodes a 10/10 and the last 4 episodes a 5/10. I'm not counting the special episode, ep 11, in this.

Lemme explain why

🪞The Noble Idiot
I'm taking this 'moniker' from someone else's review because I agree with them on this. Hirukawa sacrifices himself for his terrible friend. This is where things started going downhill for me. I understand he was dealing with feelings of self-loathing and low self-worth, which led him to believe that his influence was what led his friend down the delinquent, shoplifting path. That he was his father's son, so clearly everything bad is all because of him.

But hadn't we seen him all along trying to work on being a better person? Start to believe in Minase's view of him and get serious with school? It felt like he had taken 5 steps forward, and that incident made him walk 10 steps backwards. They ruined his character development.

🪞His Father's Death
Perhaps some will call me unempathetic for this one. So, when he broke down in Minase's arms that night, I expected that he would have been crying at the immense relief he felt that this monster, this shadow that had been looming over his life and making it hell, was finally gone. That he was conflicted over the fact that he was happy, horrified that he was happy, and sad that his father, who was also his abuser, died.

Now imagine my surprise at finding out that he was this broken up and ridden with guilt over the fact that he thought he was at fault coz he hadn't taken good enough care of his father, and that supposedly led to his death. I..... uuuum... I had a hard time with that line of reasoning. Rather than it impacting me how they'd hoped it would, I just got annoyed.

🪞The Break-up & the Reunion
Personally, had I been the writer, I wouldn't have had them break up. And if they really had to, it at least would not have happened in the way it did. Or maybe not for as long as it lasted. I reason this way because:

In a way, the break-up was good for Hirukawa. He was able to start a new life and get himself together. His reasoning, I believe, was based on the movie that was directed by Minase's father, and that one line they kept quoting. About how one character left to prevent the other from being swallowed up by their problems. He also wanted to become a person worthy of Minase. That worked fine for Hirukawa. He did what he set out to do.

But... what about Minase? His wound was one of neglect. His father was a big name out there, but he only remembered him sometimes. His mother remembered him a lot, but she, too, always left him behind because of her career. Plus everytime they spoke, it was never about him. It was all about his grades and this unseen future, or to complain about the incompetence of his dad.

Minase had never had anyone in his corner. Even his friends never truly knew him. Yet, finally, when he has someone who knows him, sees him, and goes out of their way to spend time with him, they, too, leave. And Minase lets him go coz that's what his life is, and as we see all along, Minase, while a little closed off, is actually a good person.

When they finally reunite, we do not get a conversation that delves into Minase's feelings of abandonment. It's all explained away by a simple 'I lost my phone while in America.' Bruh... IT'S BEEN 5 YEARS!!!! I should've gotten more than that.

I feel like while it started with them finding and healing each other, by the end, it eventually felt like Minase helped heal Hirukawa, while Hirukawa left Minase more broken and empty than he'd been before. Minase had been going through life with an empty hole inside him. Hirukawa came in and filled it, then emptied it after he left for a whole 5 years.

Their happy ending is deserved. I love that they found each other after so many years apart and that they'd never stopped loving each other. However, I cannot rate this higher because
a. I find the breakup period to have been too long and abit unneccessary,
b. the lack of a proper conversation about Minase's feelings regarding his abandonment and,
c. the bad kissing (this is an issue across 99% of JBLs)

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It’s like a teen movie, just set in ancient costumes.

In this world, there are no sports or cheerleading teams; instead, martial arts sects serve as the sports teams, which is quite fun. There’s a sweet, youthful romance building in the background, and both the male and female leads are beautiful and lovely. It’s a bit of a shame that there are so many characters it gets a little dizzying. After looking into and trying all three series in the same universe, I found that Dashing Youth is the most enjoyable. The overall tone is bright, and the storytelling is well-paced.

Spoiler alert!
The storytelling isn't very concise. Given the 40-episode length, they could have covered much more content, especially since there are still many unresolved plotlines—such as the story of Baili Dongjun and Yue Yao, who ultimately didn't end up getting married. I guess they didn't know how to wrap everything up, so they just ended it like this for now.

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