Avançar Bravamente (2017)

I started this series with a lot of hopes and expectations... I thought it was about a guy that does boxing to get money but that was only the first episode.. turns out that everyone here is rich except one character and the story is about certain couples and their problems.

Hsia Yao is rich guy that works sometimes (pun intended) and a rich girl called Yuan Roo falls for him. So she tells her brother, Yuan Zong, the CEO of a important bodyguard company, that she wants Hsia Yao to be her boyfriend. So the brother goes kinda stalking Yao but at the Yuang Zong ends up falling in love with him too. With this we have also Hsia yao's friends stories: Xuan Da Yu, a rich rich guy and how he meets Wang Zhi Shui, a thief and artist. Peng Ze, and how he wants to get closer to girl but he has a lovely model friend instead, Li Zhen Zhen.

The story started up so well but towards the middle we ended up with a lot of weird situations and obviously we have the China BL ban, so we don't have kissing or intimate scenes. Everything is off screen but we can assume that those moments take place. Everyone here is handsome and cute (I have to vote for Xuan Da Yu as my favorite) and each couple have their moments in the story. I liked the romance moments and the music of the series IS GREAT, I mean the songs are so catchy.

Off all the couples, my favorite is Xuan Da Yu and Wang Zhi Shui. I mean, they started bad: WZS steals from him but then they have cute moments together: XDY even goes when WZS used to live and finds out the tragedy of his past. Even though XDY has feelings for his best friend HY, we are kind of aware that he develops feelings for WZS too. And I wanted to see MORE OF THIS STORY DAMN.

As well of Peng Ze and Li Zhen Zhen, we don't have that many scenes, they are almost invisible and that's bad. And the main couple, I mean, I liked Hsia Yao but the was too good and do so many heroic stuff but man, Yuan Zong takes the cake. He was hot and adorable and charming. YES.

Overall and taking aside China's BL Ban, I think this is a fun and charming story. Even with all the weird moments (Hsia Yao and the doctors is the worst by far), I really liked the characters and the music is great. My favorites are Xuan Da Yu and Wang Zhi Sui *hands down*

Probably rewatch it? I don't know. Maybe in a couple of years, who knows.

Leia Mais

a must watch

despite the fact that a lot of scenes are missing and the action makes little sense, its still one of the best BL dramas, thanks to the two gorgeous ML's. they are really so hot together!
the fighting scenes are also pretty good...
a lot of cringey characters/scenes though, like the weird robber with some hidden secrets (?). or the (almost) absence of female characters... or the never-ending troubles for the ML's. and totally nonsensical ending...
still the two ML's are so handsome and so versatile that i can ignore the plot. hilarious too!
waiting for the uncut version!

Leia Mais

Recomendation: If you watched this on Viki... MUST rewatch on dailymotion.

I watched this a couple of days ago on Viki for the first time. Even when I really enjoyed the series overall, I got kinda pissed off by the ending (which felt unfinished), I just wanted them together (Xia Yao and Yuan Zong) somehow.
Last night, all my dreams came true. I found out that I watched a heavily censored version (without even realize it).

So, I won't spoil anything, except that: If you liked the series or the ML's chemistry; If you thought there was "potential" to be good; If the ending left you weird out somehow... Then go inmediately to Dailymotion and watch the uncut version (30 episodes, +21 mins each).

Leia Mais

Cringed towards the end (still couldn't stop watching!)

I have to be honest here. I dropped the series after the first episode 1 year ago because I couldn't fathom Xu Feng's acting! I felt like he was forced into the series, but after that, I never could get him off my mind. After finished reading Heaven Official's Blessing on Novelupdates, browsing on what else to read, I picked up Advance Bravely and started reading the novel. I fell hard for the Yuan Zong in the novel and I figured, okay why not- let's give the drama another chance.
After episode 1, I still cringed at the acting, but I couldn't stop watching all the way till the end!!!! Xu Feng was super stiff but it made me realize, that's exactly how Yuan Zong is as a character! He is a boring, stiff ex-army veteran who lives his life based on routines and never would lift a vein for something trivial. Unlike Xia Yao, who is more energetic and bubbly- a kid who was coddled growing up being the only form of colour who entered Yuan Zong's life.
What bromance? Dude, they are so clearly in love with each other in the drama! Even though China goes through great lengths to censor gay romance, I felt the affection and longing throughout all the episodes! If they ever do touch each other, I think I would burst a vein! They should change the title of this show to Blue Balls. So much tension, so much staring at each other and so much teasing!
In the novel, I couldn't stand Da Yu and Peng Ze. But they are portrayed in the drama so well! Da Yu is seriously not likeable at all in the novel, but through the drama, I actually felt his pain of one-sided love with Xia Yao and I am definitely going back to the novel to re-read his story. The Wang Zhi Shui here is exactly how I imagined him in the novel! Zhen Zhen is seriously as flawless as I would imagine. Yuan Ru? Seriously, the casting was perfect. They found a super annoying girl to play Yuan Ru and with that, *chef's kiss*- the series became perfect.
I was so amazed by the fighting scenes to be honest. You will find that the show is really extra on the fan service ( slow mos, a lot scenes with half naked men, and multiple scenes with Xu Feng wearing very less clothes.) The action scenes were believable, Simon Gong is a nice actor to look at and the other actors were good as well.
I even watched the behind the scenes footage and the chemistry between Simon and Jason was so lovely. You can tell that they fully understood the novel together because they were talking about the intimate chapters in the novel and tried their best to portray this in their facial expressions in the drama. The crew is always recording these two guys together behind the scenes as they have such great chemistry and brotherhood on set.
Overall, I won't forget this show. Although the novel is not the best I have read, the drama is worth checking out.

Leia Mais

Cute bl

I knew that this bl drama didnot have any kiss scene yet i tried it. And to my surprise it was perfect without even a kissing scene. The way both of them support each other and share the bed together is really good! The episodes are short. I find it really cute. The way they protect each and take revenge is realllyyy cuteee. I think this is underrated enough compared to the story plot and execution of the characters by the actors. All the actors did a very goood job according to me. This drama also has good visuals. All the boys in it are handsome and has a hot body too

Leia Mais

Took me forever to finish because the script and scenario was so silly and frustrating for me, all the talk about freaking birds lol how much torture can you take from a dumb storyline when I freaking love stalking trope! Something like Healer where the stalking makes sense, instead of Jason who was doing it BECAUSE HIS SISTER LIKED HIM . And I would have been fine if that was the only problem with the script! Unlike dramas like Waikiki and Teichi's country which have over the top humor in every scene but it's done exceptionally well. Here the 'silliness' was just frustrating. Boring af like I love 2 Moons and the couples and the actors, but it felt like they forgot to give Pha and Wayo a story arc so you just get bored and want to skip to Ming Kit or Forth Beam. Only here you can't wait because there is nothing there. Look, I understand entertainment is subjective and a lot of people liked this well to each his own, it just wasn't for me. But... the ONE THING that even kept me watching were the two main leads who were really gorgeous and those scenes were HOT.

Leia Mais

I genuinely really enjoyed this show. I at first didn't think I would like that it was more of a bromance than a BL but the writers and director did a good job. First the show was very funny and light and just kept you very much entertained with everything that was going on. Also the plot for the show was rather different and new to me when it comes to BLs and because of that it was a breath of fresh air. Secondly, the slow and steady growth of XY and YZ's relationship really made it easy for you to like the couple. The chemistry that they have with each other was portrayed so well that even though there wasn't a bed scene or a kiss scene the love that they have for each other and just generally their friendship was easily beautiful. Third, the relationship between PZ and LZZ. I would have loved to see more of them and their relationship. I think that if they were given more time we would have been able to understand and love their relationship more. Overall though the actors and everything about the show just made it so much easier to love because you didn't feel like anything was forced and it all just seemed very natural even without some of the aspects other BLs have so because it was so refreshing and enjoyable I can easily re-watch this show multiple times.

Leia Mais

I think this show deserves all the kudos. I know it was rated somewhat poorly on some platforms... Maybe it's because of the obvious censorship?

If you're hesitating because of the rating and/or censorship: please don't! It's worth your watch!

It is a very sweet love story, yes there is no kissing scenes and no obvious love declaration... but the male leads' chemistry is OFF THE ROOF! There's no mistaking the way they look at each other or act with each other. Besides, they spend most of the drama half naked and/or in the same bed... (which is technically way more nudity than we see in other dramas and now I'm confused about how China decides what to censor and not censor haha)

I'm giving this a 9.5 because I spent a really nice week watching these men falling for each other, it was very cute and they put a silly grin on my face. The main CP is very pure and must be protected at all cost.

I'm now on my way to find the novel and read it

Leia Mais

A Classic Pre-Covid Gay Drama For Older Fans

"Advance Bravely" is a captivating slow burn gay drama with some elements of BL. Remarkably, considering China's conservative stance on gay dramas, it delivers compelling storytelling without explicit scenes. For those accustomed to gay western shows, it serves as an excellent bridge between western media and Asian BLs.

Xia Yao's portrayal of the rich, spoiled brat is impeccable, while Yuan Zong shines as the mature protagonist. Their chemistry is delightful, making them a captivating pairing.

I'm grateful that "Advance Bravely" was among the first BLs I watched, unlike many Westerners who discovered BL during the Covid lockdown through "2gether." There's a discernible difference between pre-Covid and Covid-era BL fans. The latter prefer fluffy BLs with happy, clichéd endings, while the former appreciate a wider range of compelling BL and gay drama content, avoiding formulaic tropes and repetitive plots.

This series is for a more mature audience and not tailored to schoolgirls. It offers a refreshing experience, setting it apart from juvenile productions with subpar acting and scripts. "Advance Bravely" truly shines as a captivating adult series in the world of BL.

Leia Mais

a bodyguard BL, got censored mid series, has a VERY weird end

Tropes & Quick notes:

E2L, bodyguard mixed with sports style romance workplace (gym) and home set.
Some action sequences.
Teacher/student, protector/spoiled prince dynamics.
Trigger for hazing, but there is no sexual contact between leads so it never gets into dubcon etc...
Themes of revenge, salvation, infiltration, and domesticity.

This is kind of a bodyguard romance, but it got censored mid series, and has a VERY weird ending. I actually kinda like this show (they VERY PRETTY) but it is very much chopped off at the d***, so to speak.

Basically?

Hottest bodyguard on the planet decides he must "protect" hottest spoiled prince on the planet from (no really, completely) unknown forces of evil, mostly shirtless and occasionally in the shower or rain (still shirtless).

China pretended this wasn't gay by putting them in bed together regularly and then dumping them into a lime pit and not allowing them to finish, so I won't either...

Leia Mais

This drama is the first BL drama that I enjoyed. Honestly, I'm actually not a heavyweight Fujoshi and just like seeing cute interactions between two men in one group of idols. I also feel uncomfortable with excessive interactions (such as kisses and quite extreme scenes between two men) Haha. I also don't like seeing BL because of the character of Uke who is sometimes too dim. However, this drama seems to change my perspective.

Initially, I saw this drama because I wanted to see Simon Gong. and apparently, he became uke in this drama. I was shocked and tried to see it. Finally, I became addicted !!

For BL big fans, this drama might be very ordinary. However, for me this drama made me jump into the trap of BL romance. The light story between the two men in this drama feels very funny as well as adorable. Plus, fanservice because of the many half naked scenes also cannot be ignored. : D Because of this drama, I became addicted to the BL drama and am now looking for other BL dramas that I think I can accept all the scenes (even extreme scenes on the bed! Wow!). Ha ha ha. Looks like I've become a pervert because of this drama.

Leia Mais

just finished the drama. it wasn't a totally perfect drama but wasn't bad either.
first the story which matches well with the plot summary given. Everything starts slowly but you have to assume a lot of things throughout because there is no clear indication to what is happening. Do they love each other?? assume a yes. do the other couples fall in love?? we will never know. I think there were missing links because of the ban in china. therefore there were a lot of loopholes.
Second the cast. absolutely great. Good eyecandies as well as good actors. loved the chemistry even though there were no intimate scenes.
the music was pretty good.
i dont think im gonna rewatch it cause the ending leaves you confused and wanting for more. there was no closure to any of the stories. and there was some anime added towards the end i have no idea why that happened.
overall you can watch it for the actors as they are good but the story will leave you unsatisfied.

Leia Mais