When I thought nothing could touch Unknown, along comes The On1y One, which effortlessly outshines any other for 2024. It's that great. Lead by the director Lui Kuang Hi who gave us Your Name Engraved Herein, nothing but an intense slow burn insightful unique piece of perfection should be expected. He definitely knows his art. With each episode he teases and plays with our emotions, giving the viewer the belief that with every other episode, we will be satisfied. We are not, we want more. He knows how to tell a story and tells it well. The script was mastefully brought to life by a truly gifted cast.

Wang and Tian's story unfolds in a way that shows with clarity the angsty teenage years. The urgency of emotions are hidden behind stoic facades that fool everyone but themselves. Their bond is unbreakable. One would think that the pouty Wang needs to be constantly taken care of, but we see that he is the one who creates a 'home' for Tian to feel safe. To rest the burdens he carries. Little by little their worlds fuse and being without each other becomes painful for them and us. The beauty of their relationship is the innocence and sincerity in which they hold onto each other. At 17, with past hurts, their emotional insightfullness is more mature than their peers.

Xi and Benny's relationship shows that at any age, love is hesitant, confusing and frustratingly emotional. They're both the other's anchor. With 15yrs of friendship behind them, they too struggle to shape what is truly between them. Xi sneaks moments to embrace Benny's acts of love without anyone knowing. Benny, hinting at his true feelings, is the one to actually bring to the fore what cannot be ignored any longer. His round hesitant eyes look directly at Xi, "I like you." I'm left to wonder, why Xi previously pretended not to know. Is he unwilling to lose an irreplaceable friend if something goes wrong? Has a past hurt made him cautious? Benny, I'm rooting for you.

Rather than putting every nugget that made this series gold, I will not. This is a series that everyone should experience with fresh unknowing eyes. I will say, the whole gamut of emotions will be felt. With the hint of a proposed season 2, I will be waiting.