Hot take: The only ones with interesting storylines were from the supporting casts
Taiwan and its compulsiveness in making stepbrother romance as a relationship approach in a series. I liked a lot of elements from this drama, but I’ve seen too much of this concept that the impact became dull and redundant. A coming-of-age setup reminds me of some notable C-dramas I watched in previous years, and what makes this more interesting is that they give us the BL flavor to spice up the audience.The substitute teachers and Alors Cafe owners need their show! They captivated my whole attention, and I love them the most. I demand a prequel or sequel that features them more than anyone else. The love tension is so extreme but I was left hanging by that minimal kiss and confrontation at the end. Subjectively speaking, Zhao Xi and Benny stole the show and I’m craving more from them.
Every cast did great with the portrayal of their roles. You can’t guess that these teenagers in the story were adults in real life. The squad isn’t that impactful but they still manage to provide a favorable result of high school friendship. Andy Chen as Gao Tian Yang is my favorite one from them! I’m grateful that the drama introduced me to this Gu Hai version and excited to see his next projects, hopefully, a BL show, in the future. One of my favorite episodes was the sports festival which was chaotically fun and regained the momentum of the drama’s appeal.
I applaud the production for limiting the young couple’s intimate scenes. I honestly think they can make more sexual scenarios and I’m glad they don’t. From what I’ve seen from the latest BLs today, many shows prioritize the R-18 plot more than the quality of their script.
Overall, this drama is good but downgraded by the concept of an incest-like relationship. Thankfully, the supporting characters left a good impression towards the end despite not having their proper closure to the story.
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Thanks Mu Su Li
Recommended for:- Poets
- “Mou Mou” fans
- “Your Name Engraved Herein” fans
- Slow burn fans
- People who hate themselves
- “Stay With Me” fans
- Chinese coming of age/youth series lovers
- “Unknown” fans
- Danmei likers
NOT Recommended for:
- Happy people
- Top students that care about their future
- People with no patience
- People with a life (very addictive series)
- The person who saw Mu Su Li’s name and thought, “Wow, I love Global Examination! I wonder if this is just as good?”
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HELP this little gem of a drama get a 2nd season !
Why didn't I rated this a 10/10 ? There's only one reason: it absolutely NEEDS a second season !Let's all sign the official petition (on Change.org) to make sure this drama gets a 2nd season !
Here's the link to INITIATE PRODUCTION of "The On1y One" Season 2: https://chng.it/cM25fR6r2z
https://www.change.org/p/initiate-production-of-the-on1y-one-season-2?redirect_reason=guest_user
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP !
PS: Thanks to Celestia777 on VIKI who made me aware of the existence of this petition !
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My new favorite show
I never write reviews but I had to for this show. This show is so special to me and felt so healing. I love how much depth each character has. And how they took the time to build up their story in a realistic way. The acting is amazing , they were able to show so much without words. Another thing I really appreciated is how the class actually felt like a high school classroom with how they interacted and joked around with each other. Slow burn stories are really hard to do without it getting boring and making it feel like the plot is actually moving along but, The On1y one did it perfectly. I never felt bored and even though each progression in the plot seemed small , it also meant so much to the characters’ and stories’ growth. I really loved this story, Jiang Tian, and Sheng Wang. I would love to see their story continue in a season 2 I think it could be really beautiful.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
My thoughts
I havent been a BL fan for too long, only less than a year but when finding this series whilst it was airing, it made me happier because after school I could watch a cute series that brings me happiness.Thoughts on the ending + series in general:
I'm a hater for bad endings or cliffhangers, though this is more of a bad ending, I had wished for Sheng and Jiang to get together !Atleast! By the final episode, I was sadly disappointed, it was a pleasure to watch and admire their friendship but I had gotten quite upset at the ending. Amazing series though, no regrets watching it.
Overall I recommend! but be ready to cry (or just be emotional)
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Best BL for 2024
Initially having second thought watching this show. Since netflix already have some episodes available i gave the show a try. To my suprise the show was so good. Actors are all good. Music used on the show added more depthness and emotion in some scenes. The chemistry between the two leads were spot on. The show gave me the craving to watch it till the end.Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Actors: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Supporting Cast: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Music: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I guess im not the only one hoping for season 2. Majority are begging for it. Aside from the main cast, im also excited for the story of the 2 teachers, the storybof the parents specially the introduction on Jiang 's father, Gao and Chilli's story is exciting too.
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I was literally screaming, feeling disappointed like Tian was with himself rather than Sheng Wang. I always brace myself when watching Taiwanese BL series, but this is the first time I felt truly terrible. I was about to sleep right after watching the season finale, but they made it very hard for me to close my eyes. I had to take two Advil and watch some porn to finally fall asleep.
I don't really care if a series ends in a sad way, as we're used to seeing in Taiwanese dramas. However, leaving unfinished business is the worst feeling you could give to fans. I wouldn't mind if they were trying to convince us that there’s another season coming, but they still should have wrapped up the show properly.
I love this series, especially with the common theme they explored. I initially questioned why they repeated the "step-siblings" concept again, but as time went on, I fell in love with it more than I ever expected. We don’t really need a side couple—their friendship reached another level compared to any BL series I’ve seen. Even Qi Jia Hao’s character was quite convincing.
But once again, I can never forgive this series for how they wrapped up an entire season with such uncertainty.
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What an amazing show
This masterpiece deserves and needs S2. All the Chinese idoms and metaphors being woven into the story is just so beautiful. And yes, they are just 17yo boys. Im glad the "slow" or lack of progression represents real life. Its realistic. They have so much to lose if they were to throw caution to the wind and just be tgt. I hope S2 sees them in the adult working world.Was this review helpful to you?
This is a Masterpiece
The story, the cast ,the acting...it's an overall 10 series of the year.Talking about the actors, I can't imagine anyone else doing either of the characters. Benjamin has become my favourite. He is really emoting the character well. I really wish for season 2 with the same cast (if not I drop the idea of watching it!), because nobody can replace this.
The story is actually been focusing many different aspects (the friendship,the family and the side couple)
which is making it more entertaining and anticipating to watch.
Hope for the success of this series and actors.
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So much potential. Unfortunately not actualized in this season. There is second season. Right?
The output is not particularly high, but I did think this was an enjoyable watch with a lot of potential. I really enjoyed it so I bumped it up to 7.Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian had good chemistry, and albeit occasionally cringe, they held out perfectly fine.
Sheng Wang is adorable and funny and showed physical and mental strength in multiple occasions. Jiang Tian, well he was a bit more flat, until the father story came in.
The plot itself got from basic got super interesting around the last two episodes, that it was just begging (or indicating) for second season. There must be because all things started to hook up in the last few episodes, and then ....pam pam puff.. the end credits...come... with zero meaning.
What?
Is it ending like this?
Did their budget disapear under the snap of the fingers, in the middle of the day, they got the call and went "let's wrap it all up in 5, okay?"
Good prep season but only as a playing field for season 2 that must come. Okay? It must! I NEED TO KNOW HOW HE FEELS ABOUT THE SCAR.
Ok, thank you for reading. Bye.
(side note: a recommend if there is a second season. if not I am throwing hands and rerating this to 6)
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A Total Mess
Dont call it an adaptation if you changed everything! Such a disrespect.I thought having a director whom did a great job with YNEH could also produce another title with the same quality but nope, he destroyed it completely, a disaster.
Dont come at me and say that I'm just a hater, nah I was totally happy with the first eps but then the ending of eps 2 made me a lil bit dissapointed but still gave them chance bcs I thought they would do better. haha I was such a fool, until I couldnt bear to watch it anymore and stop at eps 8. I had no beef with the actors, pure hate on the production team. Even when the drama wasnt aired yet and ppl said trash about this series, I defended them!! They said the plot is similar to addicted and there's nothing new, I corrected them! What a naive me lol I regret it now
The worst part if you ask me? Mischaracterization!! The only character that they did justice was jiangtian's mom, that's it! I hate jingjie in this drama to the core bcs she was sooo ooc, like I couldnt even remember the jingjie in the novel anymore. It seems like to me that the director just borrowing the characters' names and added one or two scenes from the book and for the rest he just made his own story.
I dont want to explain any further.
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This review may contain spoilers
So - So
This drama is good, but it doesn’t feel like a BL. It feels like a story of two strangers who became family instead of lovers as there’s no romantic connection, we’re two episodes left and YET there was no scene where it felt like they loved each other. The teachers plot is also so uninteresting. Otherwise I think this show is pretty enjoyable and entertaining.Was this review helpful to you?
