HIStory3: Faça Valer a Pena (2019)

It didn’t work for me

I know that a lot of people love this series and always talk about the sad ending. I’ve seen “salt” listed as a big villain in the BL world because of it. But MODC didn’t work for me. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and thought that the main couple was a bit forced. To be fair, the ending was spoiled to me, so that could be part of the reason. I think the secondary couple is a bit better than the main one, but I expected them to have more relationship troubles. It always looked like there was gonna be cheating looming around.

Knowing how the ending was, I expected the last episode to deliver some drama. But it only showed a protagonist that’s unbearably boring and sadness about something that happened 6 years before, and that we don’t see. They stayed together for less than a year and he could not move on, besides now having a girlfriend.

I don’t think the show gave us enough moments to show how deep their relationship was and how madly in love they were. With 10 episodes, I think they could have developed a better romance. So, for me, it looks like too much drama. The hallucinations were a bit too much.

Leia Mais

The Best HIStory To Date

You wanna talk about me being blindsided by a series? Well this one DID THAT! I did not expect it to be so heartfelt, addicting and very VERY steamy. I had seen "HIStory 3: Trapped" before this one and I really liked it, but this one I prefer over that one, even though both are great. Why? Well this story I was more invested in I think overall concerning each individual character, I mean the show made me cry multiple times. Also the 2 couples we have are equally likable but very different. Where in Trapped though I loved the couples in that too, they were very similar so less variation.

Enough about Trapped though, in this series they (the couples) have some great chemistry, which leads to some very passionate scenes that had me gasping out loud. I just didn't think the show would go there, but it did lol. I have to give a huge shout out to the actors in this series, not only did they all nail the seriousness of the drama but also the hilarious humor that cuts the tension at times and it was fantastic. My personal favorite actors were Wayne Song as Hao Ting, he was so freaking charismatic, sensual, adorable and charming in this once he figures his crap out and hilarious. I'm not gonna lie I was extremely attracted to him throughout the show lol, he's so freaking tall too wth and the dimples! Moving on past the thirst, I really liked Wilson Liu as Sun as well, whose surprisingly a newcomer and really really good! My god this guy is funny and sweet. I also really liked Thomas Chang as Zhi Gang, he was super sweet and attractive as hell. Huang Juan Zhi as Xi Gu will break your heart and he was great as well. Very rarely do you get a solid cast of mains so cutos!

Many people either dismiss or dislike this series because of simply its ending, which tbh you can't blame the series on because it's just going off of the source material. However, I understand why. Sun and Zhi got there happy ending and I was very satisfied with it! However, Hao and Xi Gu didn't in this. Which totally sucks because there's so much buildup to making their lives better and then BAM Xi Gu just dies randomly. In the same way his parents did!? Like come on, his character didn't deserve that disrespect. You can't have a character go through all those hardships just to kill them off like that, of course the audience will be disappointed unless it has intended purpose. Which to be honest, this really didn't for the most part so I'm glad the author supposedly added an extra chapter to the novel. However as much as that last episode wasn't optimal for me in how it ended, damn it was still done well. Again Wayne Song as Hao Ting, best actor in the show. He tore my heart to shreds. Seriously I cried for that entire 50-whatever minutes it was. He was fantastic and I appreciated him and Sun's 2 conversations in the episode. Both really well done, written and acted, especially that final scene. I do have an issue with Zhi Gang's lack of response to Xi Gu's death though, I wanted to see his reaction to it as well since they were so close.

Also yes I did see the cameo in "Life Senjou No Bokura", it doesn't really change my thoughts on the original ending. However, it was nice and I hope the actors work together in a full series again. Either way, the show is still great and you should watch it! I've watched it through so many times now and it still makes me giddy every time. We also have to support a female director and screenwriter for this series, yay!

Update: A sequel series was announced! YES! So I'm hoping we finally get a happy ending for Hao Ting and Xi Gu <3 more than likely that will happen because every main actor was recast.

Leia Mais

Loved it!

(Not going to be a proper review... just my feelings about the show)

This show.... where do I even begin?

Like all the others, I did not cry while watching the show, but I am crying now while writing this. It's just so ughhhh... but I guess I get why they did what they did... the message of the show is the title itself, 'Make our days count' cause you never know what might happen next...

This is probably the funniest, loveliest, and one of the most engaging BL I've watched so far! I remember laughing a lot, cringing a lot, shipping and squealing a lot, and now I am crying a lot... I'll just go bury myself under the blankets for the next week or so I guess...

The actors did a splendid job playing their role. Like they honestly made the show, which had a mediocre plot, seem a thousand times better. The music is fantastic as well... especially the background piano that plays every episode is beautiful.

If you are weak-hearted, then here's a piece of advice (which can be considered a little spoiler).... pretend this show has only nine episodes and not ten.... if you watch the tenth one, god knows what will happen...

Leia Mais

I should have read the previous reviews and spoilers

Plain and simple, I should have read them.
They killed him off, for what reason? That poor man had enough tragedy in his life, to only then become more of a tragedy? I just can't, and despite the fact that both actors in those main roles were phenomonal, my heart broke. I knew at the end of episode 9 what likely happened, but still thought maybe episode 10 would prove me wrong.
This just broke my heart and I know I won't ever watch it again, and actually I'm not sure I would trust any of the other HIStory stories after this. I really need an HEA, an HFN, that is what I come here for.

Leia Mais

Sweet, soft and fluffy with major turns

So I watched HIStory 3: Make our days count, which by the way was really heart warming and sweet until they decided to break me on the last step...right in the last gosh darn episode, which left me bloody devastated i must say. Overall I loved the story, except the sad ending, that was quite traumatizing for me.
Rating for this one for me is 8/10, literally -1 for the ultimate sadness dumped at the ending which I feel didn't give me as a viewer enough time to not only enjoy their newly found happiness but it also didnt give enough time to mourn or see enough of the changes Xiang Hao Ting went through which I think had the potential of adding more depth into the story, despite its devastating twist. Also -1 because I literally was able to predict what most of the major events were going to be and as much as I hate to admit it I saw the death coming at the end of the 9th episode as much as i didn'twant it to.
But nonetheless if you are looking for a sweet story which will leave a hole in your heart this one is it. A great story for when you want a story to cry your eyes out, but personally i hate sad endings which is why i did not give much of a rewatch value, i would only come back to it when i want something to cry about .
I like the series overally; not too many out of the blue surprise scenarios and a really down to earth romance.
I'm definitely a major fan of the HIStory series and i really enjoy watching them. And with make our days count i think they just went the extra mile making its title quite literal.
I hate and love this series. I love it for its story and beloved characters but really hated the ending so that made it lose a lot of points with me.
Let me just end this with i really did like it, but tragedy is certainky not my cup of tea.

Leia Mais

I have watched all the seasons of the History universe....and without a doubt...Make Your Days Count (MYDC) is not only the best in the whole series but also a fine example of superior story telling. This show has singlehandedly changed the BL genre and proven that these shows need to be taken seriously....just like any other straight relationship based dramas/movies. The last episode was controversial....many criticized the whole show because of it....but my review is not about the ending. As much as I struggled to accept the way the makers ended the show, it did not impact my adoration for this masterpiece. Here are my reasons why you should DEFINITELY give MYDC a chance, especially if you are a BL fan & why I absolutely loved this show:

1. Story, Writing & Direction: The story isn't new. It’s simple high school centric plot focusing on the struggles of being a teenager. The plot revolved around first love, friendship and the trials of adulting. But what makes this cliché story a complete knockout…is its execution. There is nothing more satisfying than witnessing a familiar story but with crystal direction, inspired writing and perfect screenplay. The trio needs to be in sync with each other to create magic onscreen. There were no disjoined moments, or episodes which felt un-organic. The story flew from one frame to another with ridiculous ease and believability. The series on the paper was visualized impeccably, making the direction easier. Special shout out to the team behind the camera who put all their ideas together and came up with this show.
2. Characters & Acting (Secondary Actors): Oh boy….where do I begin? If there’s anything that’ll leave a lasting impact on the viewers after watching this show…then that’s the characters. Every character in this story was strategically placed with certain meaning attached to their existence. Let me start with the secondary characters. Even if their purpose was not to show what they believed or what their world is like, their role in extracting the best reactions out of our leads was done splendidly. The friends and family of our leads did a great job of creating an authentic world. The group of six friends of the lead (Hao Ting) and second lead actor (Sun Bo Xiang) is the emotional backbone of this story. All the actors were ridiculously cute, honest, and natural in their portrayal of teenagers. The mother, father and sister of our lead character Hao Ting were the endearing parts of the story. Their presence added immense depth in the story and created a complex emotional narrative.
3. Main Leads: This is the part I’ve been dying to discuss. Let me make a prediction….WAYNE SONG (HAO TING) WILL WIN A GOLDEN HORSE VERY SOON. Why you ask? We usually use terms like “natural” or “gifted” to describe people who are exceptional at what they do……Wayne Song definitely falls under this category. This man can act….not act….but like ACT! He is so freaking good at this job that I thank my stars that he pursued this profession. His character was brilliantly layered. Hao Ting goes through various transitions throughout the story. He is witty, funny, silly, dumb, mean, innocent, naïve, aggressive, passionate, persuasive, straightforward, impulsive, hotheaded, caring and so on. I can probably go on but you get the drift. Wayne absorbed this character like a sponge! His improvisational skills, presence of mind and ease of portraying conflicting emotions makes me want to commend him again and again. I am damn sure that he will go places after this show as he bloody deserves it. This man’s acting chops are no joke. Definitely the next big thing in Taiwanese entertainment industry.

Huang Juan Zhi played by Yu Xi Gu is a shy, serious hardworking overachieving student. I am in absolute awe of this man’s ability to portray vulnerability and delicate emotions. He is the yin to Wayne Song’s Yang, and without him I doubt Wayne’s performance would’ve been this mesmerizing. Yu Xi Gu was subtle in presenting his character to the audience while not missing the essence of who he is. Not once did he break his character as he evolved in his journey with Wayne which is a testament of his talent. Now talking about the second leads….Wilson Liu played Sun Bo Xiang is a temperamental, passionate and loyal teenager who can swallow the world with his conviction and heart. Being the youngest out of the four, one would think Wilson would be lacking in some ways….but that would be wrong. He was very polished in his craft and presented a raw performance. His ease in front of the camera is visible, which makes his performance much more enjoyable. Thomas Chang played Lu Zhi Gang, an adult who seems sorted in life but in reality is burdened by his past emotional baggage. He portrayed his character just the way it should’ve been, sweet, reserved, caring and restrained. I am yet to be convinced about Thomas’ acting, probably because his character had limited emotional palette (according to me). Maybe after seeing his future projects I will be able to judge him better.

All in all, this show is abso-freaking-lutely amazing!!! As much as I liked Boundary Crossing and Trapped (Chris Wu is adorable), MYDC has raised the bar super high for upcoming BL shows. This one will be remembered for times to come and gain a cult following (I can already see that happening). I have seen many shows, too many to list and I’ve never shed a single tear (never been one of those people who can cry watching movies or dramas)……but I actually cried after watching MYCD. The emotional rollercoaster of MYCD is an experience in itself that needs to be undertaken at least once.

Leia Mais

i've said it many times history webseries is the best taiwan serie i've ever seen ....make our days count was an exception it was good but the ending as previous one said : it was out of the place . for the first time in the history of history web serie ended with sad ending it's like they didn't know how to end it or they planned it from the beginning
it was defenitlly unexpected .
the plot was simple , smouth , cliché love story , a very good acting each season they bring amazing actors . as for the agegap between the second male leads it didn't annoy me at all .....
overall the story was good i hoped for a nice ending just like previous seasons

Leia Mais

xiang!hao!ting!

okay, im obssessed with xi. fight me. sue me. whatever. im pretty sure his character was flawed and he obvs did some slightly questionable things, but he's in highschool and young and in love and yes this is the worst defense ever but sorri i love him way too much. this show may not have been that special on its own, but my really unhealthy attachment to himbo guy characters with (or without) dimples made it so. well, that and the fact that it was really well made. and yes, i will fight you on this too. it was nice to watch and i think it executed the high school romcom story in a really raw way. it was just....kids being dumb and yes the ending sucked and wtf was wrong with sun bo? but yes, kids being dumb and then a bit of life being a bitch. i like it when things just are. this just....was. i don't know. it was simple, it was annoying, it was sweet. it was realistic. it was awkward. hao ting was a giant puppy. the acting was WOW. especially wayne's. also, chun chih's. and i have a huge crush hao ting's sister. she is the cutest. the only thing i have a proper bone to pick with is the whole "im not into guys, just yu xi gu" charade hao ting had going on. like shut up, ur bisexual. or pan. or whatever. i love you! please don't cry. yu xi gu rlly did deserve better, poor sod. stalking people is also not cool, xi!

Leia Mais

A must-watch

Let me tell you something... If I had to choose only one BL series to watch again and again for the rest of my life this would be it. This is my favourite bl of all times. It's just a classic.
Great storyline, amazing acting and chemistry between both couples. You can feel the love, the insecurities, the challenges of each and every character. I know that at times it can be sad or sentimental but to me it is the most honest portrayal of true love.
I have watched it three times already and I'm about to watch it again. Do yourself a favour and don't miss this one.

Leia Mais

History3 Make our days count is a raw gem. It could have been astounding without some "flaws" in the writing or in the pace or without the ambiguous message it conveys. Nevertheless, it is a must-watch in terms of acting, emotional connection and chemistry. Definitely one of the best BL drama this year.

Positive points :
- The plot is simple but effective.
- The relationships between the characters (friends, family, lovers) are all really well done and detailed.
- Some scenes were so beautifully shot they left an everlasting impression (the love-making scene, Wayne's gripping distress...).
- The acting is excellent especially from Wayne Song, Huang Juan Zhi and Sara Yu. Let's not forget about Xiang Hao Ting's sister who has played her part really well.

Negative points :
- Sometimes the pace seems a little too fast or a little too slow : some conflicts are resolved too quickly or not really dealt in depth.
- There are some exaggerated expressions going with the comedic aspect of the series and it feels sometimes awkward.

Debatable points :
- BL tropes : stalking, a forced kiss, the possessive and jealous boyfriend, dubious consent in the fever scene...In Make our days count, you can find the usual problematic BL tropes. However, they are more or less acknowledged in the series as something that should have an answer (an apologize, a character recognizing his problematic behavior and acting accordingly later, etc.). It is not something you see often in a BL series.

- The ending ? Make our days count is a tragedy and the title is ominous enough to tell you there won't be a happy end for the main couple. The ending is also ambiguous about Xiang Haoting's future. His ghost-like appearance in the last episode, his dialogue or his words are at best unclear. You can really wonder if he has the will to live without his most precious person.

And the problem lies with that. The ambiguity is at odds with the message of a franchise sold as a safeplace in BL world because of its usual "happy" endings. It is also at odds with the stated "hopeful" message of a series which says to cherish your love ones when they are still there and to go on with your life despite a terrible loss. The "dead-end"(and cruel) ending does not really convey that message.

It is no wonder the last episode has caused such a strong (and almost hysteric) reaction in the BL fandom and community. However, the extent of this reaction should tell you something of a rare and undeniable quality Make our days count has : the ability to create a deep emotional connection with your audience (for better or for worse ?).

Leia Mais

Loved everything but the ending...

The actors are great, and the chemistry between both pairs is great. The personal growth of each character is realistic feeling. There is so much positive to be found in this series.

Until the end. Where the writers decide to kill off one of the lovers for no apparent good reason. It literally was not necessary to kill him off. And it made me so angry that I have difficulty recommending the show. I have rewatched the series a couple of times because I do love both couples- but I don't watch the last half of the penultimate episode, and I don't watch the last episode at all. I just ignore that ending. I pretend that ending doesn't exist.

The end of episode 18, all of 19 & 20 (or as seen on Viki, episodes 9 & 10). The only good thing about the last episode was seeing that Zhi Gang & Bo Xiang are still happily together. You know who should also be happy in those last episodes? Xi Gu & Hao Ting. ---- In other BL parallel universes: I love the cameos of Xi Gu/Huang Chun Chish & Hao Ting/Wayne Song in the show Plus & Minus.

Leia Mais