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What a mess
The 10-15 minutes cut from each episode doesn't do this show justice. It really turned the plot into a half-assed slice-of-life. I enjoyed the chemistry and comedic scenes. However, this show is lacking in character depth, highlights, adequacy, and completeness.The plot holes bothered me a lot. First, we were never told Xia Yao's true motive on signing up for Yuan Zong's bodyguard academy. I thought he found the Yuan siblings annoying and didn't want anything to do with them? Xia Yao and Yuan Zong end up falling for each other, but NEVER announce their relationship or clear up misunderstandings about Xia Yao being Yuan Ru's boyfriend. This led Xuan Dayu to attack Yuan Ru for "cheating" on Xia Yao with another guy.
The inconsistency in side characters' actions also made me drop the rating. Xuan Dayu hated Wang Dashui for taking his money and was so determined in tracking him down. After learning Dashui's sad backstory, Dayu immediately forgave him and even supported him financially. And then he went on to abusing Dashui just because he was Dashui's sugar daddy. He also has an unhealthy obsession and possessiveness for Xia Yao, which makes me wonder, who even is Dayu's true love? And then Peng Ze clearly has a girlfriend, but he's also sugar babying another androgynous man. Xuan Dayu criticized Yuan Ru for cheating, but not Peng Ze? Very odd.
I was hyped up for this drama because my favorite actors were in it, but even rewatching this again couldn't make me ignore how bad the plot is.
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Underated
Lol this was so sweet aghhhhhhhh. Their acting is on point the chemistry of the two of them just aghhhhh I love it. I actually already watched this but the edited version of this which I hate and now I'm rewatching this again but this time with no cut (I think). I thought this was just blatantly plain series because they remove some scene so I suggest to watch the not edited version so you can enjoy watching it..... Hmmm the ending I'm not satisfied with it but I'm kinda okay with it so it's still a best drama. :)Was this review helpful to you?
The movie had incredible potential. It had multiple plots, action and thrills, good acting, and good chemistry... BUT: China is doing a number with censorship! After the Chinese Inquisition (i.e. the Chinese censorship office... lol) finished cutting out what it deemed unacceptable, it left us with a film in shambles. Scenes are interrupted and cut short, there are countless abrupt endings to conversations, characters appear out of the blues with no background, or explanation... but the strangest and weakest failure is in the script itself. This movie has the most fatuous, pointless, and disconcerting (not to call it ridiculous) ending I have seen in all of Chinese cinema. It cheapens the entire movie and feels as if the ending too had been removed by the offices of the Chinese Inquisition and replaced with a finale designed by kids for the middle school play.
Like I said: Do not waste your time!
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Don't get me wrong. The story wasn't all that bad but it wasn't what i was personally looking for. The cast was good and acting was better than most. Music was unremarkable and common. Sime good fight scenes as well (these i enjoyed). Companies producing this drama have to do what that must to keep the cash flow going. So i can't be too mad when the band restricts output. With that being said, i came here to watch the romance and sexual interactions *~*. I came to be a pervert and left disappointed. And i didn't even get so much as a peck on the lips. There was skinship and i guess one "implied" sex scene. I don't even think it was . It was in the very last couple of episodes But no make out and no legit confession from any of the three couples. But i did have a good time at the beginning. The ending was animated which irritated me. I suggest to watxh the last 5 episodes with patience because the character can be very dim witted and full on stupid at times. Some characters were beyond crazy and could have had mental trama/illness. **I am not making jokes or say mental illness isn't serious** So if you don't mind the lack of kiss scenes and closure then i recommend.
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A Masterpiece that is a Master Class in Subverting Censorship
Despite its flaws, I consider Advance Bravely to be part of the BL canon. That is, it has an esteemed place among the collection of BL dramas considered representative of the genre.Moreover, it is highly canonical, closely following well-established yaoi principles. I would even say that Xia Yao and Yuan Zong are uke and seme archetypes and that they are the quintessential BL couple. Gong Jun and Jason Xu play these roles to the hilt. Their acting is pitch-perfect. Whoever cast these two knew exactly what they were doing.
As the seme, Jason Xu’s Yuan Zong depicts restrain, physical prowess, power, and shows a protective nature like few other characters I have seen in BLs. As the uke, Gong Jun’s Xia Yao is a bit androgynous, has a smaller build, and although a champion kick-boxer, is presented as being physically weaker than Jason Xu’s character. Also, Gong Jun’s portrayal of Xia Yao even contains traits that are usually associated with bishonen (although Li Zhen Zhen is the fully realized bishonen character).
This BL is a master class in using subtlety, innuendo, double-entendres, subtext, and even certain visuals to get around the loathsome, infamous Chinese censorship that is the ruin and devastation of many a Chinese BL. The director knew exactly how to take the platonic and obvious chemistry between the main leads and give us an intoxicating, addicting series using yaoi basics, all the while skirting and subverting heavy censorship.
Yes, I know, there is no kiss. But there is plenty of subtext and homoeroticism (unless you watch the “cut version). For example, in episode 10, Xia Yao, with a wide grin on his face, watches Yuan Zong collect lotus roots – which are oblong, tubular, huge, fat, and thick in shape. Another example is in episode 28, where Xia Yao and Yuan Zong play a video game in bed, with lots of touching and teasing and skin ship.
Speaking of subtext, the OST is full of it. My favorite is Jing's Love Sick.
The series has too many crazy sub-plots for my taste, and it suffers from poor continuity, under-developed supporting characters, and some truly awful editing. But these are mere quibbles, because, all in all, the world is a better place with a censored, somewhat haphazardly edited Gong Jun and Jason Xu BL than a world without one at all.
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Great but too bad it's from China
Geez, I really think this is worth doing again in Thai or Taiwan. It was really great up to the ending if that's what you want to call it. It wasn't a bromance it is a love story. That's plain and obvious. There was not kissing or anything else, but they slept together almost overnight. The 6 guys were all awesome. Simon and Jason just light up the screen and were obviously enjoying the series. Their chemistry just overflowed on the screen. Just the best. The story is too good to leave it alone. The sides stories and the main story left me wanting more even with censorships. Again it must be redone without censorship. Some one please do it. Bravo this production company minus the ending. Like what's with the cartoon ending?Was this review helpful to you?
Amazing Chemistry. Great Series!
I loved this series! This series is better than most bl's I have watched, I consider it to be a bl - with no kissing, but definitely better than most bromances that come out of China.ADDED NOTE - this series was recently added to Viki, BUT... they cut out some very key scenes and I don't know why. I stopped watching and went back to find it on youtube.
The way Yuan looks after and cares for Yao is incredible. "Don't mess with my baby", gave me chills. The production was also top notch, the body guard facility and training was very realistic.
I don't want to give anything away, but wait for the motorcycle ride in the rain. It's so awesome.
I wasn't too crazy about the side stories of Yao's friends, one episode got a little weird, but most of the focus for the series was on Yuan and Yao.
I know this is old, but if you have not seen it, check it out on youtube. One final warning - something happens at the end of the last episode, I feel like the producers were forced to change the final ending - it's in anime form and makes no sense for an ending, so I think it was a coverup. Just skip that scene.
For me, this series has a high rewatch value, not right away, but someday.
The episodes are not very long, but there are 30 of them.
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A bold, crazy, action-filled package of fun
It’s not the best--uh bad--because the storyline is all over the place, it’s largely comprised of fanservice (though they poke fun), the side couples and characters aren't great, there is some internalized homophobia, stalker stuff, and probably criminal actions that are brushed off, and the ending sucks; HOWEVER, if you overlook that, it’s a nice slice-of-life romance with bonus comedy and action. The chemistry between the leads is very good (Junjun is so cute in this role and though Xu Feng’s character comes off strong, he does a good job bringing a tenderness and likability to him distinct from the novel's character (who is ok but...) and the relationship of their roles is quite cute once the stalker stuff passes.The show is also very brave in its portrayal of the main couple which is definitely what leads to its ultimate self-sabotage. It's really tragic. It was released a bit after Addicted/Heroin (上瘾) was taken down, so they were probably walking on eggshells with what they could depict, somehow a lot was included. I gained a lot of respect for Chai Jidan, I'm not gonna lie. I won’t spoil much, but let’s say you’ll become a living surprised Pikachu face. You might even scream a couple of times out of incredulity...or horror.
TL;DR I would recommend it because it’s cute, but action-packed and will make you laugh and smile and feel sad at times. If you are willing to overlook some--many--problematic/bad elements, you might be in for a really enjoyable time :)
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Hsia Yao is rich guy that works sometimes (pun intended) and a rich girl called Yuan Roo falls for him. So she tells her brother, Yuan Zong, the CEO of a important bodyguard company, that she wants Hsia Yao to be her boyfriend. So the brother goes kinda stalking Yao but at the Yuang Zong ends up falling in love with him too. With this we have also Hsia yao's friends stories: Xuan Da Yu, a rich rich guy and how he meets Wang Zhi Shui, a thief and artist. Peng Ze, and how he wants to get closer to girl but he has a lovely model friend instead, Li Zhen Zhen.
The story started up so well but towards the middle we ended up with a lot of weird situations and obviously we have the China BL ban, so we don't have kissing or intimate scenes. Everything is off screen but we can assume that those moments take place. Everyone here is handsome and cute (I have to vote for Xuan Da Yu as my favorite) and each couple have their moments in the story. I liked the romance moments and the music of the series IS GREAT, I mean the songs are so catchy.
Off all the couples, my favorite is Xuan Da Yu and Wang Zhi Shui. I mean, they started bad: WZS steals from him but then they have cute moments together: XDY even goes when WZS used to live and finds out the tragedy of his past. Even though XDY has feelings for his best friend HY, we are kind of aware that he develops feelings for WZS too. And I wanted to see MORE OF THIS STORY DAMN.
As well of Peng Ze and Li Zhen Zhen, we don't have that many scenes, they are almost invisible and that's bad. And the main couple, I mean, I liked Hsia Yao but the was too good and do so many heroic stuff but man, Yuan Zong takes the cake. He was hot and adorable and charming. YES.
Overall and taking aside China's BL Ban, I think this is a fun and charming story. Even with all the weird moments (Hsia Yao and the doctors is the worst by far), I really liked the characters and the music is great. My favorites are Xuan Da Yu and Wang Zhi Sui *hands down*
Probably rewatch it? I don't know. Maybe in a couple of years, who knows.
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a must watch
despite the fact that a lot of scenes are missing and the action makes little sense, its still one of the best BL dramas, thanks to the two gorgeous ML's. they are really so hot together!the fighting scenes are also pretty good...
a lot of cringey characters/scenes though, like the weird robber with some hidden secrets (?). or the (almost) absence of female characters... or the never-ending troubles for the ML's. and totally nonsensical ending...
still the two ML's are so handsome and so versatile that i can ignore the plot. hilarious too!
waiting for the uncut version!
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Recomendation: If you watched this on Viki... MUST rewatch on dailymotion.
I watched this a couple of days ago on Viki for the first time. Even when I really enjoyed the series overall, I got kinda pissed off by the ending (which felt unfinished), I just wanted them together (Xia Yao and Yuan Zong) somehow.Last night, all my dreams came true. I found out that I watched a heavily censored version (without even realize it).
So, I won't spoil anything, except that: If you liked the series or the ML's chemistry; If you thought there was "potential" to be good; If the ending left you weird out somehow... Then go inmediately to Dailymotion and watch the uncut version (30 episodes, +21 mins each).
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Cringed towards the end (still couldn't stop watching!)
I have to be honest here. I dropped the series after the first episode 1 year ago because I couldn't fathom Xu Feng's acting! I felt like he was forced into the series, but after that, I never could get him off my mind. After finished reading Heaven Official's Blessing on Novelupdates, browsing on what else to read, I picked up Advance Bravely and started reading the novel. I fell hard for the Yuan Zong in the novel and I figured, okay why not- let's give the drama another chance.After episode 1, I still cringed at the acting, but I couldn't stop watching all the way till the end!!!! Xu Feng was super stiff but it made me realize, that's exactly how Yuan Zong is as a character! He is a boring, stiff ex-army veteran who lives his life based on routines and never would lift a vein for something trivial. Unlike Xia Yao, who is more energetic and bubbly- a kid who was coddled growing up being the only form of colour who entered Yuan Zong's life.
What bromance? Dude, they are so clearly in love with each other in the drama! Even though China goes through great lengths to censor gay romance, I felt the affection and longing throughout all the episodes! If they ever do touch each other, I think I would burst a vein! They should change the title of this show to Blue Balls. So much tension, so much staring at each other and so much teasing!
In the novel, I couldn't stand Da Yu and Peng Ze. But they are portrayed in the drama so well! Da Yu is seriously not likeable at all in the novel, but through the drama, I actually felt his pain of one-sided love with Xia Yao and I am definitely going back to the novel to re-read his story. The Wang Zhi Shui here is exactly how I imagined him in the novel! Zhen Zhen is seriously as flawless as I would imagine. Yuan Ru? Seriously, the casting was perfect. They found a super annoying girl to play Yuan Ru and with that, *chef's kiss*- the series became perfect.
I was so amazed by the fighting scenes to be honest. You will find that the show is really extra on the fan service ( slow mos, a lot scenes with half naked men, and multiple scenes with Xu Feng wearing very less clothes.) The action scenes were believable, Simon Gong is a nice actor to look at and the other actors were good as well.
I even watched the behind the scenes footage and the chemistry between Simon and Jason was so lovely. You can tell that they fully understood the novel together because they were talking about the intimate chapters in the novel and tried their best to portray this in their facial expressions in the drama. The crew is always recording these two guys together behind the scenes as they have such great chemistry and brotherhood on set.
Overall, I won't forget this show. Although the novel is not the best I have read, the drama is worth checking out.
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