it was fine
I started to watch this show because it is based on a BL, but even though I never really got to see the BL it was still very well done. The two main characters don't have a story that hasn't been done before, however, the pacing was done so well that it still was refreshing and believable. They started off at a very slow pace of just general hate for each other but Yuan Yang back story of why he is so untrusting of people claiming to want to help him, was actually heart-breaking, but so simple. Their little war is very entertaining to watch as Gu Qing Pei genuinely wants to help Yuan Yang but Yuan Yang is such a mess that he can't even accept it. On the other hand Yuan Yang has some of the most ride or die friends I have ever seen in a series, those boys were on point from start to finish. Their methods may not have been the best but they are the best to him. They lil stupid though, but nobodies perfect.While we never get to see a real romance between the two male leads, they do have a pretty good bromance and in the end it seems like it did overcome all, with some limitations.
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Bromance ...
Okay this is a bromance and not a BL, but having said that, its was a really good and extremely enjoyable to watch, I literally watched this drama in one sitting that is how good it was.This Drama is a separate beast altogether. Though the main relationship remains explosive with unresolved sexual tension that is very palpable, in absence of actual sex a real mentor and pupil relationship comes to a forefront and the progression of said relationship is very realistic. As a rule the story deals with two very different and lonely people who have no one they can trust, as they are thrust into a situation they both don't want while being chained by their temperaments and positions., And the show does very well with the options it got.
The main characters were really put together, you can feel and see the chemistry between them, it would have been nice for them to have had some NC scenes (but with China on rampage with this I guess we have to settle with no touchy adaptations)
not only were there a well, pair but they both were hot in looks, your typical BAD BOY, meets White collar boy. there were well matched I thought & decently-paced, in a way that really drew me in, if perhaps while implementing plotlines & characters that one could perhaps say have been done before.
I thought the acting, at very least of the two lead males especially, was very powerful and well-done & very compelling; I thought they also had excellent chemistry and played very very well off of each other. From their facial-expressions, to their vocal-tones, & their overall body-language & everything...it was all so excellently conveyed by these actors that, in my opinion, it crossed into that silver/golden line where really great acting actually becomes completely surreal & even almost Unreal to watch for me in how perfectly & how POWERFULLY portrayed it is. when in reality it is actually a pretty rare person who actually conveys their emotions so well or so flawlessly that it is nearly impossible to so-easily mistake except perhaps if you aren't really particularly attentive or learned to such specifics or detail. (But, it wasn't just the leads, many - if not even all - of the rest of the cast also acted very capably well.) I thought the whole cast embodied their characters well, although - I suppose - I can not truly compare the characters from the tv series to those in the novel...nothing I have heard of the novels so far has really deviated from what I had personally seen in the tv series. Of course, every reader of any novel will have their own ideas regarding that anyhow, I'm sure.
Overall, this is a great show, and the story is so different that it got me hooked. A must watch! Again, BROMANCE…LOL.
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Gli effetti deleteri della censura...
Francamente non comprendo il perchè di tanti drama made in Cina che traggono spunto da novel BL. Perchè il meccanismo che ne deriva, è quasi sempre lo stesso: il tema dell'omosessualità viene eliminato, e con esso tutte le scene previste, mantenendo però tutto il resto e connotando la serie come una Bromance (anche perchè, di fatto, abbiamo per forza due protagonisti maschili). E' quasi sempre una scelta che penalizza, riadattare una BL a una Bromance non è automatico e pur non avendo letto la storia originale lo spettatore avverte che qualcosa non va: una bella storia, ma qualcosa che manca c'è.Anche mantenere il resto delle scene fedeli al testo originale può diventare un problema, perchè in certi passaggi ci si ritrova un po' disorientati, e ciò che nell'originale ha pienamente senso qui va un po' interpretato, quasi sforzandosi di capire il riadattamento.
E' un vero peccato, perchè molti drama cinesi hanno un cast, una sceneggiatura, regia e riprese di alta qualità. Con un passo indietro rispetto alla scelta di censurare il tema, si otterrebbero prodotti di gran lunga superiore alla miriade di BL commerciali made in Tailandia, dove spesso le storie, i dialoghi e le sceneggiature rasentano il ridicolo (non vale per tutte, ovviamente, ma per buona parte sì). La Cina offre queste Bromance di classe, ma che partono zoppe e che cercano di ricucire offrendo appunto una visione qualitativamente superiore rispetto a molte altre. E' una situazione di stasi, un limite che tiene sotto scacco la questione e che non può risolversi se non con due alternative: smettere di produrre drama basati su storie BL oppure accettare che siamo nel ventunesimo secolo e abbandonare la chiusura mentale.
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one of the best life lessons in the dramaworld
It could have been a great BL, it has a lot of undeveloped potential, but sadly the sexual tension between the leads was not explored.The actors are very natural, character development and psychological touch are done right, the plot is quite catchy and doesnt drag much. Some side roles still unnecessary, but then the bunch of friends is really something to watch! Also the businessman friend...
The skinny, narrow-framed ML comes across as more of a man than the hunk second ML, which is quite a performance! The ML is a tragic, still serene character - unique even in the world of drama! Absolutely unique! To be seen!
One particular thing i like abt this drama is its realism... Not every valuable person is valued in life, some worthy ppl are still treated like shit!!
Note: The assault of the ML by the SML was brushed off too easily. To drug someone, beat him, strip him half-naked and throw him unconscious in the bushes on a rainy night is attempted murder... It pained my heart and had me cry for real, since we already live in a cruel world. That scene triggered me unlike any other : (
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Starts out good, goes downhill
I was so disappointed with this series. It started out good, then became slow and kind of boring.I know this was Chinese which restricts the bl, this series I wouldn't even refer to as a bromance, there was nothing remotely suggesting that these two guys were even attracted to one another.
The storyline is just not that good, the series has a really sad tone throughout most of it, with nothing to break that up it just becomes repetitious. It's too bad really, because I think it could have had the potential to be a good bl.
The series centers around corporate business, which was not really interesting, and most of the side characters had little acting skills.
From previews I thought this was going to be worth watching, I usually avoid Chinese bl's, I should have avoided this one as well.
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BL made CIS
If you have ever read the novel Shui Qiang Cheng is good at making love and hate the 188cm gang. unfortunately this adaption did NOT do her justice. Thus is a BL story without any BL. It is missing so much from the novel tbat are key elements to drawing you in to this world she created. It felt like they ripped her work and stumped on it. Even of they censored they boylove parts it could've made it better they just took it completely out. I won't be watchung it again but I do look forward to her works with other companies/ studios to make her works come to life.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
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Bromance
The story is actually very good. Before anything else, this is a Bromance. But like I always say, remember that China is very particular about BL shows. They have tons of red tape to the point that if you show kissing and it’s considered explicit, then they will cancel the show… Just for a kiss scene. Saying that, I would love to see the show but with a cast of Thailand or so. The story is so good that It made me wish that they put some rated R scenes, at least some kissing and actual affection.Overall, this is a great show, and the story is so different that it got me hooked. A must watch! Again, BROMANCE…LOL.
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I have a love-hate relationship with this one ; Or is it Hate-Hate?
So...I just finished the show and... - I'm confused.[I will warn when spoilers appear]
First of all, I am somewhat disappointed since I started viewing this one since it was hardly recommended on Advance Bravely's page (and I adore that one despite de chinese censorship since it still has the essence and the feeling in between the leads is undeniable) so I was hoping for something different than what it came out to be.
My expectations for BL content weren't too high because, once again, this is mainland china, there's obviously gonna be a whole wave of censorship. However, I was still disappointed that there weren't even any hints, any kind of connection in between the characters which in all aspects was a relief for me due to Yuan Yang's character but I will get there later.
Before that I really wish to commend the actors. The story isn't the best, the characters are a bit all over the place due to some things being changed from the novel to the series. But the actors did an amazing job. Especially the two main actors, Shang Bai (Gu Qing Pei) and Gao Ming (Yuan Yang), despite not having overwhelming chemistry (something that could have happened with other cast), the two actors when seen individually aced the show. Shang Bai did a great job portraying Gu Qing Pei and his business manner whereas Gao Ming did amazing portraying such a difficult character that is Yuan Yang. So I must really congrat them for that.
[SMALL SPOILER WARNING]
Now onto the characters. Gu Qing Pei is okay, he's likeable and a great businessman. My only problem that I have with his character is that he's too forgiving. It's okay to be a forgiving person but it's not shown well enough why he decides to forgive everything others do to harm him. Without a proper explanation, he just comes across as forgiving for the sake of it, and it's a huge contrast to an otherwise intelligent character. It makes no sense that he let people toy with him the way they did, especially Yang, not with how his character is portrayed for the most part of the show - it's contradicting and poorly written.
Now, Yuan Yang, how much I dislike him. And I don't really wanna like him. He's such an awful character and person. I love flawed characters, they're super intriguing and interesting when well done. But my problem with Yuan Yang is that he has no reasons to do what he does, there's no catalyst, it's just him being an awful person for the sake of it. And then we're just supposed to get over it because he's forgiven? What he did to Gu Qing Pei, the fact that he drugged him and did all that regards him as an awful person and I'm sorry but having daddy issues doesn't make it any less bad, there was literally no reason for him to do what he did. He does have problems with his father but he never really deals with them, just takes out his anger on other people in the most outrageous way. He's like a child throwing tantrums, but his tantrums seriously damage other people's lives. Only starting from episode 11 or so did I start disliking him a bit less due to the forced redemption arc but even then, for me to like him I would either have to forget all he had done till then or he would have to very well explain why he did those (which he would't be able to because there was virtually no reason for it).
What really irritates me as well is the fact that he hated his father so much that he wanted to destroy his career but the moment the later goes to the hospital he is all freaked out and calls him dad with a super soft voice. HIS DAD ALSO. I dislike the man so much. And I dislike his character development. After everything, at the end, he just ends up all nice and smiley to Yuan Yang and suddenly changes to a better person and actually starts caring about his family. There's no explanation, no story there, just a shift like day and night. I'm sorry but no, that doesn't happen that easily. You can't just make a character be bad and mean for 14 episodes and then just turn him into a super caring father and person on the last episode.
AND EVERYONE FREAKING FORGIVES EACH OTHER
(pArdOn mY irOny)
Gu Qing Pei to Yuang Yang - "yeah you almost killed me, almost ruined my career, made my life a living hell and all but since you're cute and did help me a few times after u urself screwing up I'll let it go and I'll help you with your spoiled project"
Gu Qing Pei to Wang Jin - "yeah u betrayed me and I told u that I considered u my friend and would never work with u again but u know what? It's okay it's all business so how about we work on a lot of other projects just because? oh but I don't want to have anything to do with your company" - *proceeds to let everyone get the idea that he is working for Wang Jin's company and can't tell the guy a NO*
Wang Jin to Yuang Yang - "we don't really know each other but yeah, u screwed me and my company up, you're a snake and you've hurt my friend. I have the means to confront you but u know what? I'll just forgive u cause that would be too much screentime for a support role"
Yuan Yang to his father - "okay so, u've been controlling me my whole life, made me do things I hated or didn't want because u only care about yourself and I hate you and I'm gonna ruin you cause no one opposes me! Oh you're in the hospital? You know what? nevermind, you deserve father of the year, #bestfather"
AND THERE'S A LOT MORE
LIKE ??????
[END OF SPOILER]
Overall this series wasn't a super great experience. Story could be better, development could be better, music is bad and could use some serious work. I won't rewatch it probably.
This series is a devastatingly good example of bad writing. You could do so much with flawed characters like this but instead they're just terrible people with no reason for it.
So why am I ranking it a 5? Well, because, although all this exists, I still enjoyed it and quite a lot actually so I feel like it deserves at least a positive rating. My google sheets suggested an overall rating of 5.5 acording to my ratings on different areas but because my high ratings have to do with enjoyment and acting, not the actual thing in itself, I don't want to give that extra 0,5.
When I had time I watched up to 5 episodes and only stopped because it was already too late. And right now it's 1 am while I'm writing this review. So yeah, it is intriguing and unhealthily adicting.
If you're looking not for a great show but for a hardly decent one, with good actors, enough fighting scenes, business world theme and a bunch of scenes to boil your nerves this is your show!~
Honestly though, you might want to give it a try, it's not perfect (far from it) but it's still an okay(ish) watch ^^ depends on ur mood however.
- eve ~
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dysfunctional
Finishing this drama I think it divided into two with first 5 to 6 episodes about the relationship of sensei/student between Gu Qing Pei and Yuan Yang but which does not really work because for me the violence is too unrealistic to the point I nearly dropped this：no one would accept that treatment and carry on the connection whatever the money or business reward〜then it starts to become more interesting as the two different characters work together to get results from around episodes 6〜 then after only about two episodes big disappointment because it was as though it totally lost that bromance or gay plot line and became mainly a business and family contact drama with Gu Qing Pei and Yuan Yang relationship in background and so twisted around I did not know what it was supposed to be。 I enjoyed the story andit kept me wanting to know what happened next and I binge watched last episodes but I do not think the two halves fitted together that well and so the drama as a whole lost direction and as for the relationship theme it was like premature ejaculation〜 it never happened in more ways than one。 quite good acting and drama flow（it sometimes gets slow or disjointed with Chinese drama I feel）。Production values only average but actors made the best of what they were given music very good Overall enjoyable watchEsta resenha foi útil para você?
Read the novel instead!
It wasn't bad, but I couldn't finish it, it didn't felt right, there was a lot of plot holes and unresolved tension, so I decided to read the novel, and let me tell you... it all started to make sense, the novel is so much better in literally everything . Please if you watched this show, you need to read the novel asap, it's so good! nothing like the show where they censor EVERYTHING in a way that as the episodes go by, you start to get frustrated because nothing is happening, and you just KNOW nothing is going to happen. You don't know the masterpiece you're missing, the show doesn't make the novel justice at all. I appreciate the actors, because you can feel this sexual tension between them building up, but nothing really happened and it's not their fault, and also they fit their roles pretty good so kudos to them. I really think it would be one of the best bls ever if they would have stick to the novel, but china's censorship took away that opportunity from them. I feel like this show kind of disrespected the novel's author in some way by removing and changing so many important details, situations, characters, and obviously the beautiful relationship they had in general, but if this show wouldn't exist, we wouldn't have Gu Qing Pei and Yuan Yang the way we know them, so I'm thankful regardless.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
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Taiwan Could’ve Made This Better
This gay drama from China was quite disappointing, especially for those who had read the novel. The story remained unchanged, revolving around a rich son being groomed by a company man chosen by his father to fulfill his role as heir to a conglomerate. However, as expected with Chinese gay dramas, it was watered down to a mere bromance, lacking the depth and romance of the original source material.On a positive note, the acting and cinematography were commendable, but like many fans of the novel, I longed for the authentic romance that was missing. I didn't require explicit scenes for it to be a good gay drama; instead, I wished for the essence of the original story to be preserved.
Although I liked the series to some extent, I couldn't help but imagine how exceptional it could have been if produced in Taiwan during the time of the HIStory series. Regrettably, it fell short of greatness, leaving me feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
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