Beautiful
In a world where people come and go, it is already beautiful to have met people who have given you long-lasting memories. The story progresses, from fun, regular living, and continues as they show a lovely friendship and you see a romance on its way to get fulfilled. Life happens for everyone. But if you can stay true and cherish what is important, may be there is a way for it all to come together eventually. And isn't that beautiful.. when life reinforces the love you have for all the important people in your life?There may have been technicalities, but this story has a whole lot of heart. The acting fit the characters. It's not very well-rounded on the details I feel, and can come off amateurish at times but since it delivers alright on whatever is relevant to the plot, this can well be ignored.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Thoughtful New Topic, Great Ep 9-12.
It starts off weakly and builds really slowly, but at the same time I want to encourage people to watch it because it's a thought-provoking queer story and the romance is beautiful!The last 3rd of the series (Ep 9-12) was a gem! The first 2/3rds were mostly slow, sometimes boring, and with an annoying secondary couple. The episodes are only 20-30 mins though so it was bearable with some fast-forwarding. Ep 9-12 were more tightly written, thoughtful and insightful, well acted, and extremely emotional.
The series sensitively explores a topic I've never seen in a show before. I knew beforehand what that topic was and my curiosity about that character, and the way he was well-acted, kept me watching through the first 2/3rds, and I'm really glad that I did! The last 1/3 was both heart-wrenching and heart-warming and ended very satisfyingly.
The cinematography was beautiful at times and the music was ok but not memorable.
TOPIC SPOILER and explanation below.
I know that translation can be difficult when there aren't exact matches for words, but I think 2 things are worth mentioning.
1) The English translators use the term "disease" when it isn't one; "condition" would have been more appropriate.
2) They didn't actually use the term intersex anywhere so I would have been a lot more confused with Amber's brief explanation if I hadn't read it in spoilers beforehand!
It's obvious to the audience early on that Amber has some kind of connection with Wen Wen, the childhood friend of Le Chien and Yu He. I had trouble getting into the series but the reviews were so passionate about it that I intentionally read some spoilers and learned that the character Amber is intersex. Intersex people genetically have both male and female chromosomes and often some combination of male and female internal reproductive organs and external genitalia. This is sometimes not noticeable until a child reaches puberty and their body starts to develop differently than expected. That's why Amber and his family thought he was female until puberty (genetic gender and gender identity are different things.)
The magnitude of what Amber and his family had to navigate mentally and socially, and how it effects his friends too, is really eye-opening and thought-provoking.
Side note: I strongly disliked how Yu He handled the information over time, but it's realistic too; I'm sure there would be some people who would make the same decisions in the situation she was in. I personally had a hard time forgiving her though.
I'm really glad I stuck it out and watched the whole thing; I feel that overall it was time well spent.
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Very good story
So as a series it wasn't the all round best so that's a minus one. Secondary couple I thought was weak in scripting but actors were good. The story about Wen-Wen being a girl who moved away when in grade school and came back as a young man in high school was very cool. As the story goes with Pu falling in love with Amber before he finds out that Amber is Wen was done well. What makes it for the entire series is the scene with PU and his mother. That was scripted very well and Lukas did an awesome job with it. Very believable. I felt his pain in his confession. Another plus is all of the secondary characters were great. Also, I was very glad that Shieh did not go crazy when she found out the Pu was in love with Amber. The music was great. Interesting story very worth watching but it could have been better.Was this review helpful to you?
Worthy series that is as beautiful as it is thoughtful
I am absolutely in love with this series. The whole thing - plot, acting, direction, cinematography, music, the detailed continuity, and the attention to the costumes (worn items, correct clothing for students, etc). I cried buckets, but enjoyed every minute. Worthy of rewatch, and that’s rare for me. I put this in with my other treasures: ATOS, Trapped, Long Time No See, Manner of Death, and Semantic Error. There are subjects covered in this series that don’t get addressed in many dramas. The characters are fully drawn and interesting. I wanted more, but enjoyed fully what we received. Do not hesitate to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
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Unique plot and cinematography
This is a bl series unlike any other I have seen recently. While it’s not entirely devoid of the typical “oh no I tripped and you caught me” or “I slipped and fell on top of you” these moments are not the key driving factors of the show; which I think is very important.The beginning of each episode reflects on Amber and Le’s childhood but you’re left perplexed until the later episodes when you truly understand what’s going on. The plot is weaved in a fashion that could have gone multiple directions and is not immediately predictable.
Additionally, this show does not shy away from actual LGBT representation. There is an existing relationship with the side characters where they undergo relationship issues that they must resolve, everything is not constantly sunshine and rainbows for them. When Le determines that he likes (dare I say loves) Amber, his immediate thoughts are about how he will tell his mother, who thankfully receives him with whole hearted support.
Don’t even get me started on the cinematography! It is out of this world. Seriously, watch this series. The chemistry is insane and it is worth waiting for the mini make out session final episode offers viewers ;)
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The Most Underrated Drama I Have Watched
There are two things to remember when starting to watch DNA Says I Love You: the first couple of episodes are a little rough, and the flashbacks are more important than you might realize. After getting through the first couple of episodes (mainly the first), it was almost as though the rest of the episodes were written by a different person (this is a very good thing). Regardless, this series turned out to be amazing. Without giving anything away, the storylone was refreshing, the supporting characters actually had depth, and the topics were explored with care and dignity. This series is more than worth your time amd attention.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the best BL series of 2022
2022 has been a great year for BL series and this one can be ranked as one of the best. This is so much more than just a simple story about 2 guys falling in love. It dared to venture in to places that no other series has gone before and has handled those topics masterfully.In 12 episodes, we get to learn about the 5 main characters and their relationship and the journey they go through and their struggle of making sense of the situation they encounter. The back stories of the 3 kids at the start of every episode gives you a glimpse of the strong friendship they share and this explains the strong bond that they still share when they grow up. Their take on the relationship between friends, siblings, family and lovers is truly believeable and kudos to the great actors that brought that to the small screen. The kids acting is sub-par but that is easily ignored because of the strong performances of the rest of the cast.
Instead of being preachy about how love transcends gender and time, you get to see the struggle of the main characters and how they come to terms about their feelings from past and present. Certain topics regarding gender identity is managed with utmost care and stitched in to the storyline with such preciseness it opens up a different world of romantic story telling.
You might find the first few episodes to be a drag as characters are being introduced and not much happening but if you stay, you will certainly be rewarded with a great story and fabulous acting. Do give this one a watch and you will see yourself returning to it over and over.
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The best bl ever released?
everything about this show was such absolutely amazing, the climax of this show was really good and the storyline was incredible, I love the fact that they didn't rush the relationship between the 2 main lovers, i really like that it was kind of slow paced. I really thought amber was a trans man, was kind of disappointed when he wasn't but besides that, everything about this show was very well written and the acting was very realistic, did not feel awkward even once watching them. It is definitely rewatch worthy but it is honestly most enjoyable on the first watch, it is best when binge watched, that way it is more fun.The best thing about this show was that it wasn't awkward or weird with le and amber, they both looked comfortable around each other and didn't look weird or awkward, the casting was really good and the couple matched well, even with the side characters, they were all very well fitted in the show, probably the best part about the show is the casting.
The ending/last episode was incredible and they ended the show perfectly, a lot of shows end the show every badly or rush to end it, but it really didn't feel like that with this show. I'm really happy with the ending and don't need another season, with aq lot of shows, i need another season or more eps cuz I'm not satisfied with the ending but with show, the ending was really good and happy that I really son't need another season.
I will definitely be watching this show again soon, this show was just too good and i was giggling and kicking my feet every ep, was not bored at all and that is really rare, i was enjoying each episode as there was always something to look forward to.
Thank you to all the cast members and the crew. This is one of my fave shows.
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A very original plot, with mature development and quite a nice cast.
I was really pleasantly surprised by this BL series. I suppose the main reason is the originality of the plot. Everything starts with a certain focus on some friends trying to develop a vlog channel, when a "newcomer" enters the scene. Then slowly our attention shifts on the new relationships develop, and equally importantly, on how these ones affect the old ones. When secrets slowly get revealed, the plot thickens. What I really liked about this particular aspect, is that the secrets themselves, although they trigger changes, it is not their revelation per se but rather their effects on which the story concentrates.The acting is quite good. Perhaps not stellar, but then again it is not needed. This is one of the rare cases in such series, that the emotions of the characters are adequately described by their actions, and therefore overly emotional outbursts are not really necessary (which does not mean that the characters are blunt, it is simply that the series does not rely exclusively on the chemistry between couples). I also liked the side couple's story, which beyond filling air time also supports the plot (having been an established couple for four years). All characters are mature (in the sense that they adults and use their heads, but also grow as time passes by. Perhaps they are all a little bit too good-hearted, but then again this does not save them from pain (which for a change does not stem from a crooked world or a particular big bad wolf).
Perhaps some viewers will be perplexed about the existence or not the temple our adventurers are looking for, but in my opinion this is completely irrelevant. The quest more than adequately serves its purpose in offering material for the vlogs - it gives the backbone but not the flesh and blood to the plot. It is nice to occasionally have a story which is different, in that it makes you think a little bit, and not just brainlessly cry your eyes out.
Compared to the overall rating of the series, I give it a relatively low rating for the rewatch value. This is no contradiction, it is simply a consequence of the genre. It is neither a comedy, where one wants to listen to funny lines again and again, nor a sweet romance, where one simply wants to enjoy passion. Here we are dealing mainly with realizations, which per definition are absent in any subsequent second run.
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This review may contain spoilers
I found this drama fascinating.
Push through the odd beginning and make allowances for some of the script meanderings and you will be rewarded.The cinematography is first rate.
There is a twist in regarding the 2ML that is handled well with sensitivity and understated use of flash backs and vague language.
(I have not seen this topic depicted in dramas previously and it prompted me to do a little research).
The friendship of the three main characters from childhood to the present day is emphasised and their different personalities are well defined by the actors.
I love that the FL has to self reflect on her motives and her reluctant acceptance of the role she can play in this trio of friends.
The budding love relationship of the two MLs is gently depicted in their actions rather than words. It lacks any sizzle but has a solid yearning feel.
The ML is slow to comprehend his feelings of love yet when he does he unambiguously takes action and the scene of coming out to his mother shows his deep caring and love for their relationship. He comes across as brave and protective and very straightforward.
The 2ML has returned, ostensibly, to renew his friendship with the trio but quickly realises his ulterior motive is to remain close to his first love. His past experiences have made him secretive and afraid of others reactions so he guards his identity from the ML.
A truly lovely BL with many layers and some fun scenes where Ching Lung fantasizes the two ML leads in two well known K-drama scenarios.
This is a short drama and has short episodes so I recommend binging.
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Full of refreshing elements
This series includes multiple tropes that aren't easy to find in other shows with similar premises: a group of friend with amazing chemistry all the way through, a secondary couple that is already in an established relationship, and the tackle of other themes that aren't common to find in a BL (and some are just very unusual overall).The main couple is simply adorable. I really liked the development of the relationship between Le Jian and Amber as they share common interests at first, then end up becoming best friends in a short time because of how comfortable they are around each other. The love and affection just ooze from the characters without them having to say anything specific, which is the best thing to see in any film or show: by the time their feelings are put into words, it's already blatant how they feel.
The pacing was probably the only thing I really didn't like about this show. The beginning is sweet and tender and all, but it can come off as a little slow, and I can see myself skipping or fast-forwarding in case I were to watch it again; on the other hand the ending felt more rushed than I would have liked it to be. Overall it was still enjoyable though, so I can't say it was a huge flaw.
In conclusion, I found it cute and very interesting under many aspects, but if you aren't into coming of age stories and slice-of-life pacing, this is probably not for you.
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Unique Perspective and Overall Good Storytelling
I quite enjoyed this! Despite being more of a slice-of-life, the story is unique and the characters are well written.My review will contain major spoilers. Please read with caution.
The story: I thought the way they laid out the story added a lot of intrigue to what could have been a fairly bland story. They mixed in the mystery around the nunnery to juxtapose the mystery around Amber. Though I feel like there could have been more correlation between the two.
I thought for sure that Amber was trans but instead he turned out to be intersex, another underrepresented minority. Either way, his story broached topics around sexuality and gender identity that are often not seen in BL. I feel like his own journey with gender identity was glossed over but overall the topic was mostly handled with care.
However, YuHe outing Amber? Not cute. I really liked her character and it was unfortunate that she betrayed Amber’s trust like that.
The random suicide attempt? Also a strange writing choice and not handled well.
The lead pairing had good chemistry and all of the relationships were well fleshed out. Including friendships and sibling dynamics (not just romantic).
The acting was hit or miss but when it hit it hit hard. The actor that played Amber had some really emotionally impactful moments. I feel like he was probably the standout of the cast.
The soundtrack also kinda slapped imo.
Would I recommend? Yes! Not sure if I would rewatch this but I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
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