Stay by My Side (2023)

Simple, Cute, Enjoyable.

Stay By My Side is a Taiwanese Supernatural BL and I will have to say that it is surprisingly enjoyable and sweet to watch. For starters, the story follows Bu Xia who is a college student who plays basketball and can hear ghosts when his sister in the temple accidentally burned a part of his talisman but the way that he is living his life changed when he met this new independent but has a rich background, ace student named Jiang Chi. They became roommates and they initially had a love hate relationship but things slowly turned for the better when they become close and you can see that Jiang Chi fell in love with him immediately and Bu Xia was just using him for protection but he fell harder in the future. This is just a surprisingly cute story and I know that there are supernatural elements to it and I actually did not care about it as much. I feel like the show had a good momentum and they just really worked on it by using it to push for the story. There were moments in the story that they fight but it still remained very cute to watch and enjoyable. I think what I enjoyed most is the chemistry of the lead actors and how playful the characters are to each other. I feel like this could easily go the wrong way but they were able to handle the storyline so much better by not overcomplicating things especially the ghost stuff. I love that they were able to simplify that and just make it to a good part of the story. The simplicity of the love story is what really drew me in and I enjoyed it so much. It is a good watch.

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Love overcomes misunderstandings, rivalries, differences and ghosts

A love that overcomes misunderstandings, rivalries, personality differences and ghosts

'Stay by My Side' begins with an unexpected and involuntary collision between Gu Bu Xia, the Anthropology student and owner of a sports scholarship as he is one of the best players on the university basketball team, and Jiang Chi, the future lawyer and son from a famous family of doctors who has just been transferred to Yong Yu University.
After several setbacks, these two young people, soon declared enemies, begin to live in the bedroom occupied by Bu Xia, since Jiang Chi has been forced to make a living by his own means after defying his parents, who want the boy to continue his steps in the career of Medicine.
Starring Isaac Yang as Jiang Chi, and Hong Wei Zhe as Bu Xia, the romantic and supernatural comedy with an LGBTIQ+ theme revolves around the unlikely romance between these two young college students with major personality differences, marked by paranormal ability of one of the protagonists, which provides a pleasant and fun novelty to the audiovisual product.
Soon the tender, light and happy series will introduce us to the lives of both characters. While Jiang Chi is an excellent basketball player, he does not seem interested in joining the varsity team, not wanting anything to distract him from his studies. Additionally, he works several part-time jobs to avoid being financially dependent on his parents.
For his part, the orphan Bu Xia has been raised by his grandfather, a spiritual medium, in a temple run by his sister Gu Bu Tao (Jin Cheng). After the death of the old man, the shy and insecure Bu Xia hears ghost voices murmuring in his ears, a circumstance that will worsen just as the new roommate enters his life.
Bu Xia, who has lived alone in his bedroom until Jiang Chi's arrival, will soon come to a conclusion: being close to the boy who now sleeps a few meters from his bed brings him peace, as the ghosts feel self-conscious and flee before him. Your presence. The more he interacts with Jiang Chi, the less he hears the voice of those who "pull the chain." That is why he will try to always have him around him..., but he hides the reason from him.
For his part, the law student mistakes Bu Xia's camaraderie as if the boy was flirting with him. "Could it be that Bu Xia has fallen in love with me?" he will ask himself. Jiang Chi comes to think that he is the object of his dormmate's love interest.
As a result, the supernatural element spices up a series with greater originality than the classic college romances, while the relationship between the two boys takes us on a journey surrounded by mystery and intrigue and in which love can overcome misunderstandings, differences in personalities and even outwit the ghost chase.
Likewise, the series will allow us to appreciate how two rivals can come to love each other with such madness and passion, to the point of one of them accepting the transfer of the uncomfortable ability to hear ghost voices that the other suffers.
Vidol, the Taiwanese streaming platform that makes BL series such as 'VIP Only' (2023), 'Anti-Reset' (2024) and 'You Are Mine' (2023), commissions Cai Fei Qiao, known for being the screenwriter of the acclaimed drama 'Unknown', 2024, the executive producer of another classic of the genre: 'We Best Love: No. 1 For You' and 'We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd', and for playing Mrs. Yao, Shun Yu's mother, in 'You Are Mine Special', released in May 2024.
Lovers of the genre will be pleased with 'Stay by Me Side' for its strong BL content, for the tender and constant romantic interaction of the protagonists, for portraying two college sweethearts living the fullness of romantic happiness, for exploring the bond of the physical, emotional and spiritual couple, for their happy ending.
Likewise, fans of BL series will like the complicity of Bu Xia's sister and Jiang Chi, both interested in the young man's well-being and happiness.
I like the character played by Hong Wei Zhe: a boy who shows traits of insecurity and cowardice in the face of paranormal phenomena, who doesn't? But he leaves us with a memorable memory, especially when he discovers that he has fallen in love with another boy, and there he acts not infrequently in a childish and insecure way as well. What sometimes overreacts? His contagious laugh, his innocent eyes, his angelic face redeem him from excesses.
The mysterious and reserved character played by Isaac Yang is equally convincing, especially when he seeks to protect Bu Xia from ghosts and everything that could affect him. He is a lover who gives himself completely to the loved one.
I would have liked the series to delve deeper into the denunciation of possible homophobia (the reasons are not clear), perceived when Bu Xia and Jiang Chi's relationship becomes gossip among the other university students, who will try to obtain invasive photos of the loving couple, or make annoying comments in physical and virtual settings.
Isn't Taiwan the only Asian territory where Equal Marriage or Homosexual Marriage has been approved? Is sexual diversity not widely accepted by the Taiwanese population? Are same-sex sexual relations not legal? Why then consider the fact that two boys holding hands and attracting each other on a university campus or on the street in Taipei a public spectacle?

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Perfection

I think this series is sheer perfection, I don't think I can find anything wrong with this series. It made me happy and I was so sad when it ended, I definitely won't be mad if they make another season or something continuing this story.

I think Jiang is the greenest green flag that there is, honestly so is Buxia, I liked that they made them both extremely mature and they were able to talk about what was bothering them, they also couldn't stay mad at each other for longer than like a day or two. Buxia hid a secret from Jiang but what I thought made this series perfect is when Jiang found out about the secret Buxia was hiding, he didn't get mad and break up with him or leave him, he went to his sister to try to understand what it all meant and that is refreshing because usually creators like us to go through some big secret and then it leads to a breakup, sadness or revenge but this one did not. Also, I liked that when Buxia was drunk and tried to make a move on Jiang, he didn't pursue the advances because he wanted Buxia to be sober if they did it, which was refreshing. After all, usually they go down the "drunk, spicy" role and honestly, I'm not really into that because when you're drunk you can't give consent and you end up regretting it when you sober up, so I love that they didn't do that in this series. As much as I love the hot spicy scenes, I didn't mind this one not having any, but the makeout scenes made up for it. The ending, them both being each other's "Heaters" was just so good.

Overall 10/10

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I literally need a season 2 right now!!

Stay by my Side is a masterpiece in my opinion. It literally hooks you in once the show starts. Gu Bu Xia is my favorite person because 1. He’s so cute 2. He’s so funny and 3. He can handle talking to ghost while I would never be able to deal with them. Jiang Chi and Bu Xia’s relationship is the cutest thing, like I want what they have so badly because Jiang Chi said multiple times throughout the show that he will never leave Bu Xia’s side and won’t let him deal with the ghosts alone, and Bu Xia is literally falling so hard for Jiang Chi. That one scene where Bu Xia was sitting on the bridge because he couldn’t take it anymore and all that his friends said when he was up their was that “it wouldn’t be good if this was on the news”. That ending was insane because does Jiang Chi now have to deal with the ghost now or did he just take it from Bu Xia because now I would like to see a season two because for two reasons they have so much chemistry and I need to know who has the ghost with them or is it them both. I haven’t seen the special yet, but I’m pretty sure it will be amazing because they even made the anti reset special amazing. I really recommend this series because it’s so enjoyable to watch. I would definitely also think you would never get bored watching this because it’s that good.

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Stay By My Side" Review: Taiwan's BL Drama Shines Once Again

🚨 **Spoiler Alert** 🚨

When it comes to the pulsating world of Asian BL drama, Taiwan has always held a distinguished spot. From the inception of the famed *HiStory* series, Taiwan has showcased its unique flair. And now, with **"Stay By My Side,"** produced by the illustrious Sanlih E-Television, traditional Taiwanese TV has boldly stepped into the BL arena — and what an entry it is!

Meet Gu Buxia, a student whose academic prowess may be questionable but whose charm is undeniable. Raised amidst Taoist temples, this character has a quirky fear: ghosts. Yet, it's his childlike innocence, devoid of any guile, that captivates the enigmatic transfer student, Jiang Chi. As Jiang eloquently puts it, "I'm smitten with the very essence of you."

The show beautifully weaves quintessential Taiwanese elements — Taoist temples, the traditional birthday dish of pig's trotter noodles, and colloquialisms that might get lost in translation. Yet, fret not international viewers! The endearing dynamics between our leads will keep you grinning from ear to ear, language barriers be damned.

And here's the twist: who knew that the ultimate way to drown out pesky ghostly whispers was by diving deep into a same-sex romance, complete with passionate embraces? While the series might shy away from any risqué sequences, there's no shortage of heart-throbbing kisses between our leads.

In conclusion, **"Stay By My Side"** is more than just a BL drama. It's a vibrant tapestry of Taiwanese charm and culture. It promises not just romance, but depth, humor, and a cultural immersion. Tune in, and let yourself be whisked away by its youthful zest and allure!

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Encantador, divertido, mas com alguns tropeços, assim foi o dorama

Foi uma experiência cativante, mas com altos e baixos para mim. No início, senti um pouco de vergonha alheia, mas logo me vi imerso numa trama fofinha que trouxe conforto e distração. A história, embora não tenha trazido grandes inovações, conseguiu me prender pela sua abordagem interessante. A abordagem do sobrenatural deixou um pouco a desejar, mas sei que isso não era o foco, então não foi um grande problema.

Apesar de os efeitos visuais não serem os mais impressionantes, a ambientação e a fotografia foram pontos altos. Os locais de filmagem eram bonitos, contribuindo para a experiência visual. A trilha sonora também foi cativante, combinando muito bem com a narrativa. O que mais me cativou, no entanto, foi a diversão que tive assistindo. A série se mostrou uma ótima companhia durante o tempo em que estive envolvido, e o fato de ser um dorama curto foi uma vantagem considerável.

Jiang Chi e Bu Xia formam um casal adorável, apesar de suas diferenças. A evolução da relação deles, partindo de uma rivalidade inicial para algo mais profundo, foi encantadora. As atuações dos dois foram adequadas, sem ser excepcionais, mas também sem serem ruins, transmitindo uma química palpável na tela.

Contudo, o final não foi perfeito, mas ainda assim, deixou espaço para mais. Sinto que uma temporada 2 ou um episódio especial seriam bem-vindos para proporcionar um desfecho mais completo à história. No geral, "Fique ao Meu Lado" cumpre o que promete: é uma história fofa e reconfortante, ideal para momentos de descontração, sem abordar assuntos difíceis, proporcionando um puro conforto.

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