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MsDarkqueen
As long as you are by my side.....
The series has been adapted from the novel 'Dage' by the chinese author Priest. I don't know what made me check out this series, but I am glad I stumbled onto it. This is the first BL series that I have watched and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out to be.
The Unique Selling Point (USP) of this series for me was the strong bond between the Wei Family members. What makes a family? Biological family is the traditional form of family wherein we care for the members because we are born into it, however some families are formed due to the choices that we make and strengthened by sheer determination, sacrifice, trust and above all LOVE. It is the journey of two people, Wei Qian and Zhiyuan From 'UNKNOWN' to Dage to 'UNKNOWN' to Lovers.
When a young orphaned Wei Qian (Chris Chiu), shouldering an immense responsibility of being the sole breadwinner and a guardian of a young girl, his sister Wei Lili(Tammy Lin) takes on the added burden of providing shelter for a homeless street urchin Wei Zhiyuan (Kurt Huang) a different kind of a family comes into existence. The first few episodes show us how a deep bond is formed between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan. Starting from the feeling of gratitude and dependency of Zhiyuan and commitment and devotion of Wei Qian, morphing into an unbreakable soulbond and a deep desire to be an equal partner, sharing all weal and woe together.
Obviously, it wouldn't be a worthy love story if the protagonists did not have to overcome a few hurdles in their path to everlasting bliss and happiness. From Wei Zhiyuan's side it was very clear from the opening that Wei Qian was not just his 'dage' but was the very air that he breathed. Throughout the series, Wei Zhiyuan showed and expressed his feelings very clearly, be it helping to pay bills by working part-time while he was a school student to taking care of Wei Qian's health by ensuring he took proper meals and rest. The hurdle in this relationship was Wei Qian. From the beginning Wei Qian as well as others around him had put him in a position of a guardian and caretaker so it was difficult for him to transition into a life partner. Even though it was evident how much he cared for Wei Zheiyuan, he was reluctant to change their status quo. Wei Qian had closed himself to romantic emotions, dedicating his life to the wellbeing of his sister and Zhiyuan. It took a major jolt for him to realise that he should grab onto the person who matters the most to him before it's too late.
Wei Qian had to realise that it was alright to reciprocate Zhiyuan's feelings. It was ok to leave the shroud of 'dage' and step into a new role of a lover and a partner. Wei Qian and Zhiyuan had to make their own family by finding the answer to the question WHO AND WHAT MAKES A FAMILY?
With each progressing episode, the viewers get more attached with this new family that was in the making...at the end of each episode, there was a quote attached to highlight the changing family dynamics. (Those quotes always caught my attention so I am compiling them here)
Episode 1 to 12
Episode 1 -The first- ever family that will never abandon you.
Episode 2 - The second kind of a family always leaves the light on for you.
Episode 3 -The third kind of a family is the one that makes you stay.
Episode 4 -The fourth type of a family member is someone who is always there for you.
Episode 5 -The fifth kind of a family is too good to let go.
Episode 6 -The Sixth kind of a family pretends to be strong and doesn't say goodbye.
Episode 7 -The seventh kind of family is always waiting in the distance, never leaving.
Episode 8 -The eight kind of a family shows care in his(their) own way.
Episode 9 - The ninth kind of a family is always there to protect you when the end comes.
Episode 10 - The tenth kind of a family loves you so much that they want to leave you.
Episode 11 -The eleventh kind of a family indulges you unconditionally because they love you so much.
Episode 12 -The twelfth kind of a family stays together for life.
What kept me invested in this series and the relationship between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan was the fabulous performance by Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang. From the start till the end, there was never a moment when I doubted the deep love between Wei Qian and Zhiyuan due to their performance. Eyes cannot hide, what the lips cannot speak was proven correct in their case.
An honorable mention to the actor Kim Jae Hoon who plays the character of San Pang and actress, Tammy Lin who plays the character of Wei Lili. San Pang was a kind of friend who stands by your side metting out bitter truths but also holding your hands when you are down. Wei Lili was the sweetest sister who grew up under the nurturing care of two young boys.
A special mention to the OSTs, the lyrics were so suitable, they conveyed the feelings of the characters to the audience when the characters were unwilling to acknowledge them verbally.
It is clearly evident that a lot of attention and care was given by everyone to small details while making it. The production team, the screen writer, the director and actors worked in tandem to create a series that would set a high bar for other BL series in future.
Overall: Not to be missed, makes you believe in the adage, "Love Conquers All".
____________________________________________
Additionally, I have also written the episodes' reflection along with some special comments as and when they aired. If anyone is interested to read more they can read episodic musings written in the general comment section, I will leave the links to all episodes below as well as all clickable links as a comment to this review.
Episode 1 and 2
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16426687
Episode 3
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16480939
Episode 4
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16548613
Episode 5
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16617895
Episode 6
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16694139
Episode 7
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16769473
Episode 8
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16853383
Episode 9
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16933581
Episode 10-12
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-17032049
The Unique Selling Point (USP) of this series for me was the strong bond between the Wei Family members. What makes a family? Biological family is the traditional form of family wherein we care for the members because we are born into it, however some families are formed due to the choices that we make and strengthened by sheer determination, sacrifice, trust and above all LOVE. It is the journey of two people, Wei Qian and Zhiyuan From 'UNKNOWN' to Dage to 'UNKNOWN' to Lovers.
When a young orphaned Wei Qian (Chris Chiu), shouldering an immense responsibility of being the sole breadwinner and a guardian of a young girl, his sister Wei Lili(Tammy Lin) takes on the added burden of providing shelter for a homeless street urchin Wei Zhiyuan (Kurt Huang) a different kind of a family comes into existence. The first few episodes show us how a deep bond is formed between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan. Starting from the feeling of gratitude and dependency of Zhiyuan and commitment and devotion of Wei Qian, morphing into an unbreakable soulbond and a deep desire to be an equal partner, sharing all weal and woe together.
Obviously, it wouldn't be a worthy love story if the protagonists did not have to overcome a few hurdles in their path to everlasting bliss and happiness. From Wei Zhiyuan's side it was very clear from the opening that Wei Qian was not just his 'dage' but was the very air that he breathed. Throughout the series, Wei Zhiyuan showed and expressed his feelings very clearly, be it helping to pay bills by working part-time while he was a school student to taking care of Wei Qian's health by ensuring he took proper meals and rest. The hurdle in this relationship was Wei Qian. From the beginning Wei Qian as well as others around him had put him in a position of a guardian and caretaker so it was difficult for him to transition into a life partner. Even though it was evident how much he cared for Wei Zheiyuan, he was reluctant to change their status quo. Wei Qian had closed himself to romantic emotions, dedicating his life to the wellbeing of his sister and Zhiyuan. It took a major jolt for him to realise that he should grab onto the person who matters the most to him before it's too late.
Wei Qian had to realise that it was alright to reciprocate Zhiyuan's feelings. It was ok to leave the shroud of 'dage' and step into a new role of a lover and a partner. Wei Qian and Zhiyuan had to make their own family by finding the answer to the question WHO AND WHAT MAKES A FAMILY?
With each progressing episode, the viewers get more attached with this new family that was in the making...at the end of each episode, there was a quote attached to highlight the changing family dynamics. (Those quotes always caught my attention so I am compiling them here)
Episode 1 to 12
Episode 1 -The first- ever family that will never abandon you.
Episode 2 - The second kind of a family always leaves the light on for you.
Episode 3 -The third kind of a family is the one that makes you stay.
Episode 4 -The fourth type of a family member is someone who is always there for you.
Episode 5 -The fifth kind of a family is too good to let go.
Episode 6 -The Sixth kind of a family pretends to be strong and doesn't say goodbye.
Episode 7 -The seventh kind of family is always waiting in the distance, never leaving.
Episode 8 -The eight kind of a family shows care in his(their) own way.
Episode 9 - The ninth kind of a family is always there to protect you when the end comes.
Episode 10 - The tenth kind of a family loves you so much that they want to leave you.
Episode 11 -The eleventh kind of a family indulges you unconditionally because they love you so much.
Episode 12 -The twelfth kind of a family stays together for life.
What kept me invested in this series and the relationship between Wei Qian and Wei Zhiyuan was the fabulous performance by Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang. From the start till the end, there was never a moment when I doubted the deep love between Wei Qian and Zhiyuan due to their performance. Eyes cannot hide, what the lips cannot speak was proven correct in their case.
An honorable mention to the actor Kim Jae Hoon who plays the character of San Pang and actress, Tammy Lin who plays the character of Wei Lili. San Pang was a kind of friend who stands by your side metting out bitter truths but also holding your hands when you are down. Wei Lili was the sweetest sister who grew up under the nurturing care of two young boys.
A special mention to the OSTs, the lyrics were so suitable, they conveyed the feelings of the characters to the audience when the characters were unwilling to acknowledge them verbally.
It is clearly evident that a lot of attention and care was given by everyone to small details while making it. The production team, the screen writer, the director and actors worked in tandem to create a series that would set a high bar for other BL series in future.
Overall: Not to be missed, makes you believe in the adage, "Love Conquers All".
____________________________________________
Additionally, I have also written the episodes' reflection along with some special comments as and when they aired. If anyone is interested to read more they can read episodic musings written in the general comment section, I will leave the links to all episodes below as well as all clickable links as a comment to this review.
Episode 1 and 2
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16426687
Episode 3
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16480939
Episode 4
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16548613
Episode 5
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16617895
Episode 6
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16694139
Episode 7
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16769473
Episode 8
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16853383
Episode 9
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-16933581
Episode 10-12
https://mydramalist.com/762497-unknown#comment-17032049
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