This review may contain spoilers
I was watching this show thinking, it's too good to be true. Turns out I was right.
What I loved (because I really loved this show, it is mature, amazing and innovative in so many ways, and would gladly give it a 10 if not for episode 11):
- I have to say, I'm a sucker for equal, balanced relationships and this show is among the very few that really delivered. There is no "pursuer and pursuee", they just fall in love with each other and act upon that. They both initiate kissing, they both fight for each other, they both take care of each other. When Lang initially rejected Xun An and then confessed to him, I expected a teary scene when Xun An accepts him without a second thought. I was so pleasantly surprised when Xun An said “I like you, but it doesn’t mean that you can do anything you want to me,” it was so amazing that he actually stood up for himself!
- when Qi Ran appeared, I naturally expected him to mess things up, I thought Lang will get insecure and go back into his shell, that the presence of a former love will seriously damage the main couple’s relationship. Again, a very pleasant surprise, there was some jealousy, but Lang again acted upon it, talked to Xun An and then just confronted Qi Ran (the hug scene was so funny btw) instead of immediately assuming that Xun An is getting back with Qi Ran and running away.
- I love that the show approached mental issues seriously, PTSD was not miraculously cured by sex or similar nonsense, it showed Lang’s coping mechanisms and the way it affected his whole life. Xun An acknowledged Lang's issues and wanted to be there for him. I loved that he was angry at Lang’s sister that she didn’t do anything, didn’t force Lang to go to a therapy. Although it hasn’t been mentioned directly, I believe that Xun An would do that sooner or later.
- domestic fluff, little gestures, kisses, hand-holding, loving stares, spending time together – BL series often end when the main couple gets together, so it was nice and refreshing to see them at the stage when they are openly in love and in an actual relationship.
- side couples were nice, especially Alex and RJ, and I really hope we will see them in season 2. Only Qing and Qi Ran felt forced and it didn’t make much sense that they were a couple, in particular because earlier Qing said that she liked to be single and that happiness is different for everyone. It was such a nice inclusion, showing that finding a partner is not equally important for everyone and it’s okay, but then it was unfortunately abandoned.
There is only one thing that I hated and I guess it’s the same for everyone who watched the show. Xun An’s parents. I forced myself to accept that Lang’s sister punched Xun An, because I thought it was supposed to be a comedic element, perhaps a cultural difference, whatever, but I was livid after watching ep 11.
I don’t get the entire concept of Xun An kneeling in front of his parents’ door for hours to gain his father’s approval. It has never even been explained why his father was against his relationship. Was he homophobic? Was it a usual thing in their household when Xun An wanted his father to agree for something? HAS XUN AN BEEN BEATEN AND MENTALLY ABUSED FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE? It calls for a PTSD at least at the same level as Lang’s and it was just swept under the rug as if nothing happened!
Did Xun An really want Lang to have a family consisting of an asshole of a father and a passive mother who never offered any actual help? Did Lang really accept parents who hurt his partner so much? Why wasn’t any of this addressed?! It could have been a great example of choosing your own family, showing Lang who lost his parents and Xun An whose parents were unworthy of his attention, creating their own family together with people who really care about them. Honestly, it nearly destroyed the entire experience for me.
Overall, I recommend this show because it would be unfair to overlook so many amazing things because of one element. Just be prepared.
- I have to say, I'm a sucker for equal, balanced relationships and this show is among the very few that really delivered. There is no "pursuer and pursuee", they just fall in love with each other and act upon that. They both initiate kissing, they both fight for each other, they both take care of each other. When Lang initially rejected Xun An and then confessed to him, I expected a teary scene when Xun An accepts him without a second thought. I was so pleasantly surprised when Xun An said “I like you, but it doesn’t mean that you can do anything you want to me,” it was so amazing that he actually stood up for himself!
- when Qi Ran appeared, I naturally expected him to mess things up, I thought Lang will get insecure and go back into his shell, that the presence of a former love will seriously damage the main couple’s relationship. Again, a very pleasant surprise, there was some jealousy, but Lang again acted upon it, talked to Xun An and then just confronted Qi Ran (the hug scene was so funny btw) instead of immediately assuming that Xun An is getting back with Qi Ran and running away.
- I love that the show approached mental issues seriously, PTSD was not miraculously cured by sex or similar nonsense, it showed Lang’s coping mechanisms and the way it affected his whole life. Xun An acknowledged Lang's issues and wanted to be there for him. I loved that he was angry at Lang’s sister that she didn’t do anything, didn’t force Lang to go to a therapy. Although it hasn’t been mentioned directly, I believe that Xun An would do that sooner or later.
- domestic fluff, little gestures, kisses, hand-holding, loving stares, spending time together – BL series often end when the main couple gets together, so it was nice and refreshing to see them at the stage when they are openly in love and in an actual relationship.
- side couples were nice, especially Alex and RJ, and I really hope we will see them in season 2. Only Qing and Qi Ran felt forced and it didn’t make much sense that they were a couple, in particular because earlier Qing said that she liked to be single and that happiness is different for everyone. It was such a nice inclusion, showing that finding a partner is not equally important for everyone and it’s okay, but then it was unfortunately abandoned.
There is only one thing that I hated and I guess it’s the same for everyone who watched the show. Xun An’s parents. I forced myself to accept that Lang’s sister punched Xun An, because I thought it was supposed to be a comedic element, perhaps a cultural difference, whatever, but I was livid after watching ep 11.
I don’t get the entire concept of Xun An kneeling in front of his parents’ door for hours to gain his father’s approval. It has never even been explained why his father was against his relationship. Was he homophobic? Was it a usual thing in their household when Xun An wanted his father to agree for something? HAS XUN AN BEEN BEATEN AND MENTALLY ABUSED FOR HIS WHOLE LIFE? It calls for a PTSD at least at the same level as Lang’s and it was just swept under the rug as if nothing happened!
Did Xun An really want Lang to have a family consisting of an asshole of a father and a passive mother who never offered any actual help? Did Lang really accept parents who hurt his partner so much? Why wasn’t any of this addressed?! It could have been a great example of choosing your own family, showing Lang who lost his parents and Xun An whose parents were unworthy of his attention, creating their own family together with people who really care about them. Honestly, it nearly destroyed the entire experience for me.
Overall, I recommend this show because it would be unfair to overlook so many amazing things because of one element. Just be prepared.
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