A perfection, if it's not restricted
Trust me, the original story is so remarkable and excellent. I've read the novel fully after watching this and if this eventually not restricted, perfection. I adore Ms. Chai right after reading a quarter of this novel. So, watch this first then read the novel, you won't disappoint much.The story itself is novel based, it is has a strong base and variety of scenes. For the production, it is good, but some parts are in an awkward angle and I don't really like their color palette, also their clothes pick. Some scenes look somewhat stiff, but it's still enjoyable. There are some plot holes too. And instead of saying it as bromance, it's actually a really smear BL (like when they're not having enough episode to confess). The cast, I am shaking. Especially, Yuan Zong, Jason definitely born to play this role. Their acting, it's a big applaud to both of them, especially the cringy bird conversation. Some support cast a bit bland and bizarre also some scenes.
The music itself sounds good, unique, and helps the scene as to how it supposed to work. But not at the rate of I'll shove it to my playlist. Lastly, am I going to re-watch it? Yes, I've re-watched it over 100 times already, even yesterday. Just because somewhat the live-action is more interesting than just words.
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what the heck??
I understand the “No BL” issue in China but what I don’t understand is the absolute failure to have a decent plot and ending. There were too many characters and they didn’t develop them thoroughly. I was ok with the two main characters. I thought they had great chemistry but the sister and the best friend were annoying. The worst part was the ending. Why did they feel like they had to have another life or death scenario that required saving from. and this one was stupid, helping someone who fell down a well! But for it to end so abruptly I thought maybe I missed something. i feel like I wasted 3 days watching this drama and now I know… No more Chinese “BL” dramas. it’s not worth it!!Esta resenha foi útil para você?
A Masterpiece that is a Master Class in Subverting Censorship
Despite its flaws, I consider Advance Bravely to be part of the BL canon. That is, it has an esteemed place among the collection of BL dramas considered representative of the genre.Moreover, it is highly canonical, closely following well-established yaoi principles. I would even say that Xia Yao and Yuan Zong are uke and seme archetypes and that they are the quintessential BL couple. Gong Jun and Jason Xu play these roles to the hilt. Their acting is pitch-perfect. Whoever cast these two knew exactly what they were doing.
As the seme, Jason Xu’s Yuan Zong depicts restrain, physical prowess, power, and shows a protective nature like few other characters I have seen in BLs. As the uke, Gong Jun’s Xia Yao is a bit androgynous, has a smaller build, and although a champion kick-boxer, is presented as being physically weaker than Jason Xu’s character. Also, Gong Jun’s portrayal of Xia Yao even contains traits that are usually associated with bishonen (although Li Zhen Zhen is the fully realized bishonen character).
This BL is a master class in using subtlety, innuendo, double-entendres, subtext, and even certain visuals to get around the loathsome, infamous Chinese censorship that is the ruin and devastation of many a Chinese BL. The director knew exactly how to take the platonic and obvious chemistry between the main leads and give us an intoxicating, addicting series using yaoi basics, all the while skirting and subverting heavy censorship.
Yes, I know, there is no kiss. But there is plenty of subtext and homoeroticism (unless you watch the “cut version). For example, in episode 10, Xia Yao, with a wide grin on his face, watches Yuan Zong collect lotus roots – which are oblong, tubular, huge, fat, and thick in shape. Another example is in episode 28, where Xia Yao and Yuan Zong play a video game in bed, with lots of touching and teasing and skin ship.
Speaking of subtext, the OST is full of it. My favorite is Jing's Love Sick.
The series has too many crazy sub-plots for my taste, and it suffers from poor continuity, under-developed supporting characters, and some truly awful editing. But these are mere quibbles, because, all in all, the world is a better place with a censored, somewhat haphazardly edited Gong Jun and Jason Xu BL than a world without one at all.
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Overall it wad generally a good boys love drama, although they do not officially start to date, there journey to their love was fantastic. The 2 main actors were soooo handsome (the main reason I decided to watch it :) ).
I would definitely recommend this because no only was it romantic, it was funny as well. The only bad thing is that the ending was rubbish. I mean it left me questioning so many things. But hopefully they will do a second season.
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I also loved how long the series was. I would say the only problem I had with it but I would still watch it again anyway was that it ended so abruptly. I wanted some finalization if you know what I mean. No matter what though I would rewatch this show again and again.
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To be honest the only negative about this show is that it ended so early. The characters are well developed and each get proper story arcs which allows the audience connect with them and build a favourite character. If I could change anything than I would have changed the last episode as the sudden switch to animation was a little unsettling in terms of the show's tone however it was still such a great drama and I was sad when it finished. It had such funny side characters but the main couple also had their moments. My favourite couple being DaYu and Zhi Shui because they were so funny and Zhi Shui was constantly playing hard to get. I wish they had a spin-off show. The way they presented the struggle that Xia Yao went through due to his lack of sexual attraction to women was well done and the way they presented the trauma he went through was perfect even though to keep the light hearted tone it was made humourous it still showed his instability. The portrayal of Yuan Zhong feeling of responsibility for his sister due to the fact that he practically raised her like a father and yet had to leave her alone when he became a soilder was used as a more complex internal conflict that led to Zhong and Yao meeting for the first time. The way the properly explained Zhi Shui's dark past and yet didn't destroy the tone of the show was extremely well done and I think Xue Feng did a great job acting as Zhi Shui. I watched this is 2018 when and I still rewatch certain episodes and enjoy the drama especially episodes that focus on DaYu and Zhi Shui however overall I enjoy re-watching all episodes of the show and I really do wish each secondary couple could have had their own spin-offs. Overall the cast was brilliant and so was the story line, production and direction, Yang Long (the director) should be really proud of this work. Esta resenha foi útil para você?
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PURE BL (NOT BROMANCE), THOROUGHLY ENJOYED
The moment I saw GONG JUN as one of the MLs I was like - "OMG ITS HIM!!!! YAY!!!" (Bcz he is one of my favourite actors since I watched Word of Honor). I love him...his acting , playfulness, hotness and cuteness.. everything is just so well blended and on point. And then, when I saw his co-star XU FENG I was like.. "OMFG HE'S SO HOT!!! WHAT A DADDY!" (LOL)Coming to the story, I liked the plot. I was so done with college and office romance. This was refreshing, an ex-armyman and a boxer. The chemistry they both had was so damn adorable!!!! I got hooked until the last. And what I like about C-BLs is how they show selfless love. BOTH MLs are ALWAYS DOES SOMETHING FOR THE OTHER, EVEN AT THEIR OWN RISK. ITS JUST SO SWEET! EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO INTIMATE SCENES, YOU'LL STILL GET BUTTERFLIES WATCHING THEM... THE STORY WASN'T COMPLICATED. IT WAS SIMPLE AND SWEET . BUT THE CASTS TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL. I liked the supporting casts too but the MLs are my favourite. Do watch!
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Simon Gong and Xu Feng. Their chemistry was on point. Even without the kissing or BL scenes they were able to keep you hooked. I understand the ban from China so Im not even going to rant about it. There are plenty of reviews that do. Im not sure if a Japanese or Thai crossover would be as popular. Im sure with the fact that it could show the BL scenes it would do fine, but only ONLY if the casting is as perfect as it is here. I wish we could have gotten an I love you/I like you scene. Im sure it was said in the manga, but it was lacking without it here. I will say this with the build of tension of many scenes where they were close and you wanted more, when Yuan Zong says, 'if you guys dare to lay another finger on my baby' there wasnt a person watching who didnt squeal. I woke my house up at 4am because I was so happy to finally get a confirmation on feelings. Thinking and knowing are two different things. All in all its an awesome show. There is so much potential for a sequel, or even it being turned into a movie where you could have more of the BL scenes.
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I would have liked it a bit more intimate in places, but after reading some of the other reviews I can understand why it wasn't. I was left wanting more when it finished.
The episodes on YouTube jumped a bit here and there, and the episodes were roughly only 20 mins long. I don't know if they are meant to be. Some scenes jumped in randomly leaving me confused as to how the characters got there.
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Bromance because China
Like all my reviews regarding Chinese BL, I think it's important to remind people or to inform for those who don’t know, that the Chinese government is very strict against BL. They put so much red tape on many shows that most of them have being cancel. For those who are not cancel, they are restricted on what they can put on a show. So if you want that hot Thai style BL, you wont find it, unless it’s in a cancel show (because it has hot BL).Regarding this show; I wish they could have done a better job, but again, that red tape is scruples and for such, I do believe they did a great job. Good effects and acting. It’s obvious what is going on without showing sex scenes or kissing scenes. One of their techniques is using subtle but obvious clues of what is going to happen. In one episode, you can see Xia Yao throwing Yuan Zong to the couch and slightly loos his necktie (if you don’t know what is happening, then you are more innocent then me…lol). Then on another scene, you can see how they got to a point that they are just in bed enjoying each other’s company, on the same day that Yuan Zong was at Xia Yao making dinner, and the mom was there.
The ending was a little disappointing, they had to make it animated (the last 2 minutes) (don’t know why). I was waiting for them to just be at their place (either one) and just look at each other with the look of love and compassion as they move bravely to the future together.
Furthermore, you can see Xia Yao friend’s development in their own relationships as they struggle to admit to themselves what they really want.
In order to fully enjoy the show, you must remember 2 main things: 1) it’s a Chinese BL and in order to finish the show, they had to make it romantic but as well brolove and 2) The tile! It’s call “Advancing Bravely” for a reason! Meaning, the message of the story is; in order to move forward (no matter what), you have to be brave. I believe having this 2 main points, you will be able to fully enjoy this show.
Please let me know your opinion once you finish the show ^_^.
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Swiss Cheese
Let's start from the good things. I loved the actors. They created every character in a credible way - including the characters that weren't all that well written. This applies of course to the main leads, with their contrasting personalities, the sister, hysterical and bitchy, the rich friends, spoiled and vain, as well as the thief, smoothly manipulating his a** out of troubles. I would also like to mention the mother character: she is just there, looking elegant, watching soap operas, enjoying her son-in-law's cooking, and never causing unneeded drama. Way to live!The romance between the main leads was shown perfectly, taking the censorship into consideration. Watching those two mess with each other and care for each other all the time was pure pleasure. The way Gong Jun's character teases his bf, takes money out of his pocket because he knows he can, and simply moves in at some point is cute and hilarious at the same time.
Here the good things end and I need to talk about the plot. Starting from the premise, where a dude agrees to hit on another dude in the name of his younger sister, the whole story is absurd. The characters' actions are sometimes weird or stupid, or even plain criminal, but they don't get called out on this. And don't even get me started about the ending. Construction workers need a rich boy's help? Really? And then leave him in the well to freeze? Really, really? It's a pity, because with a story less offensive to reason, this could really be a great series.
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