I've never been so confused...
What a weird experience this was.First 10 episodes I'm sat here thinking: "Wow, this is amazing," only for it to turn into a massive trainwreck.
There's a lot a of great things to be said about the first ten episodes!
While I was expecting something a bit darker for some reason, instead of real hate to start off, it's childish and hilarious bickering. The two main leads have great chemistry and great acting. The story is interesting enough; I was even thinking that despite being a step-brother story, a trope that I hate, it wasn't bothering me at all because of how it's set up. It was easier to watch in part because it's not a tight-knit family, they don't get along so there's less stakes if they do want to be together. The soundtrack is great, it's non-invasive and not overused and when there is music, it's a really pleasant guitar or piano tune that I genuinely love.
And after episode 10... well... I actually have no words.
Gu Hai gets a personality transplant that even great chemistry can't fix. Up until this point, he was very overly affectionate but it was still somewhat palatable and funny, keeping in mind that for a BL made in 2016 I knew to be prepared to not let myself be bothered by the more problematic aspects. I can't even say that Luo Yin "looks" like he wants to run away because he absolutely does! He's so uncomfortable, even more than before, and it's just not possible to enjoy at that point. And honestly the story just stops making sense. The step-brother aspect never becomes relevant; we don't even get to really see anyone react.
I actually didn't know that it was censored until it actually is very obvious scenes were cut and after watching those scenes, oh boy, it's even worse than I could have possibly imagined.
That being said, the whole story behind the series, what happened to the sequel, and the actors being separated and struggling to find work after the ban is heartbreaking.
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It’s A Travesty That This Series Remains Unfinished
This was one of my first bls and it set the bar really high for me in terms of bl actors being able to convey their characters and the believability of their characters through genuine and palpable chemistry. Although incomplete, this series has a lot of strengths. It reminds me of an indie production. It has a lot of heart, a lot of unpolished charm, a lot of likeable down to earth characters and a story that draws you in. There’s a reason why the leads have developed a cult following. They did so well in their roles.Was this review helpful to you?
The Best BL Series in the World as of 2021!
I have started watching BL movies and series from many countries since 3 years ago. I have loved some of those made in Thailand (Love of Siam, Kiss Me Again, Together The Series), Taiwan (some HiStory series) and China (Addicted Heroin, Like Love). Few ones come also from the Philippines (Gameboys and Gaya sa Pelikula). So far, as of June 2021, this Addicted BL series that was made in China is still the best one ever!Cast and Acting. Superb. The two main leads played their roles excellently. I especially liked Gu Hai. I thought Huang justified best the character assigned to him. The support roles were also very good. Though the two looked much older from their classmates, I forgive the casting director for the great job overall.
Soundtrack. I have no words for the beautiful songs in the series. Did I say beautiful? That is it haha. You get even more immersed with the series and the story because of the unforgiving songs.
Cinematography, direction and editing weren't perfect but very good. Kudos to the makers of this series. You have done a great job! Still hoping that season 1 of this series will be completed soon!
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I like how natural the 2 boys acting that melts me away with the story. Especially Xu Wei Zhou (Bai Luo Yin), I love his act and in addition he's so cute that made me fantasize the whole story I watched.
I'm just too exited that I watched the whole 15 episodes in one night and now waited for the next season! :D
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Acting/Cast: The acting was amazing there is nothing to really complain about here. All the actors did their parts and acted them out super well. They each portrayed their character the way it was intended. I really felt the relationship between Gu Hai and Luo Yin. The way Gu Hai felt when Luo Yin acted a certain way. The times they were there for each other. It really made me feel that they were actually in love. Not just in the series but even outside.I do have to say that i could hear the machine that makes the rain during one of the scenes but not many people would have noticed that. In fact most people probably thought the rain was real. To me that's kind of a big deal but nothing i could take points off for.
Music: The music was to die for. The opening song makes me teary eyed. Not to mention the upbeat music played throughout the series. I might be biased to this but i really love a good violin or piano so when they played those the scenes just became 10 times better. Not to mention the cute songs sung by Bai Luo Yin (well not sung by him just that he sang them during the series) and how they used that song to create an emotional connection between the two main characters.
Re-watch Value: If you are ok with the fact that there is no season 2 then i would definitely recommend watching this again. I try not to because it makes me sad that they left it off where it was expecting to continue with a season 2 but it got shut down by the Chinese government. which is the reason i gave it a lower re-watch value. If you do decide to watch it i recommend watching it around December or late November because you can really feel the cold and the season as the episodes progress. Also if you can watch it with someone else. Maybe even someone special. If you don't plan on stealing the cute lines from this series and using them on your significant other.
TLDR: very good series. Music is cute. Acting is amazing. Re-watch if you like happiness followed by depression due to a shut down season 2.
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Sadly for the series and the actors themselves, the Chinese decided to ban the filming of the series and including seeing the two actors together. Talk about ultimate bigotry.
Nonetheless, I recommend to watch this series. You will definitely be hooked. :D
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What in the Cliffhanger!?
The ending is such a cliffhanger, and after reading through the comments China restricted the remaining episode release or something like that - guess it was too steamy for them. This show is good despite that, and there's some character development. All in All a good watch.Between these two male leads sparks friendship and they learn a lot about themselves and each other during this time. It is hilarious to see just how forward/blunt the male lead is to the other male lead. It is quite refreshing.
Just know that you do not get any answers to how their relationship ends, but you get to see the beginning and the early lovey-dovey stages - its really good for the soul lol. I was told to read the fanfiction that this story was developed from because it gives you closure to this entire show, and apparently it is A LOT MOREE DETAILED than the series, for obvious reasons! I will have to definitely read that when I have a chance.
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This is a great series! Definitely one to re-watch (Last line of review extremely important)
What I liked-I liked how you could see the chemistry between the actors
-the love-hate relationship between the boys
What I disliked
-how a lot of things were cut from the drama and things got a little confusing cause that. especially when an episode ended in one place and the next one started in a different place and you're sitting there watching it like, "What?". understand that some scenes were the deliberately cut cause of China's sensory issue.
-there were really only 2 settings (school and house) it could have used a little more variety)
**important! No season 2 will be being made because of the fact that China thought the show was to vulgar and they cut the show short and banned the 2 male leads from appearing together on screen ever again
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The storyline is good although there are scenes that would confuse you as the editing is not quite organized. There will be parts that would jump from this place to another that would confuse the hell out of you, but maybe because of too much cuts. The chemistry of Bai Louyin ang Gu Hai is 10/10, seriously they could just get married! On and off cam, Johnny(Gu Hai) couldn't just take his hands off Timmy (Louyin) lmao. Their acting is superb, the character development is there although it was kinda rushed maybe because of limited episodes but it was enough. This is a series that would give you the feeling of living inside the web, like you could really get attache to the characters, that's how good this series is. If you like domineering seme you should watch this. Gu Hai always try to force himself with Bai Louyin so be prepared for some of that. It's not as serious as SOTUS and not as playful as MIR, it's somehow in between.
If you like to watch BL stories with lots of skinships, this is for you. *winks*
P.S This series was not finished as China banned this from airing as well as the actors from doing shows together. Many says that the main eason fro the banning was because of the gay theme but the other reason was because of the title that is drug-related (Heroin). They say that the production team can;t anything about it because law for drugs in China is very strict but anyway we all know how homophobic their government is.
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Nevertheless, I found both lead actors so hot and charismatic and the chemistry between them so intense that when I watched this series, all of its morally disturbing and offensive aspects faded into the background.
Am I proud that their hotness and natural charisma clouded my moral judgement? No, absolutely not, but I would still rewatch this series.
This is not a drama that you watch for its great storytelling. It’s a horny watch (especially if you include the deleted scenes - easily to be found on YouTube), and if you can appreciate it as that, you will enjoy watching it.
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This review may contain spoilers
what the hell....
I'll get the good out of the way first....the story line was basic but good, two school boys meet because their parents divorced, and the divorcee met the others parent making them "step brothers". fine and dandy, done before but a safe choice for a BL.
The cast is good, acting is good. Soundtrack is fine.
But what in the BL rape f*ckery happened to this drama?!
Gu Hai is diagnosably insane... No question in my mind. This character is so problematic from start to finish. He starts out with an innocent crush (while having a girlfriend) on his step brother, Yin. He then STALKS HIM. Starts bringing him gift after gift while harassing him at school and causing all sorts of issues for poor Yin who just wants to nap. He continues following him around until eventually he moves in with Yin and Yin's father.
He proceeds to repeatedly force himself on to Yin so many times its disgusting. every time he is pushed away aggressively, there's no room for "well maybe he's being playful or playing hard to get". no he's SHOVING Gu Hai away while basically telling him to f*ck off.
Gu Hai then for some reason thinks it's a good idea to send two men to kidnap Yin and tie him up on Gu Hais bed so he can have his way with Yin, along with some of the creepiest dialogue I've ever seen.
He releases Yin after finding out Yin isn't mad at him and wanted to apologize for their fight, but doesn't give up on physically assaulting Yin throughout the rest of the show.
At some point near the last episode Yin is seemingly stolkhomed enough to climb on top golf Gu Hai, who is passed out and drunk at the time, and starts making out with him out of nowhere. This wakes up Gu Hai who is unsurprisingly happy that this is happening and immediately flips Yin over and has "sex" with him. They sleep together again in a car that Gu Hai bought for Yin because he felt jealous of Yins ex girlfriend? idk at this point.
After all of these shenanigans it shows a clip of them in class when suddenly Yins ex girlfriend comes into their class and says something like "you already forgot about me" or something weird... Then ends?? Thats all folks. The most random ending I've experienced.
I would not recommend this to anyone.
TL;DR - this is literally a story of assault and stolkhome syndrome. Just don't waste your time.
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