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Contrast (Japanese Series)

By Golu
This is basically a high school BL where two guys who have nothing going on in common somehow end up getting really close to each other, and that's kind of the whole point of the title too. There's barely any drama or fluff packed in here, it stays pretty straightforward the whole way through. A little bit of friction pops up here and there, but it's nothing compared to what you'd normally get in this kind of show. Runtime wise you're looking at 8 episodes, each one sitting around 25-30 minutes. The two guys carrying the story are Akira and Kanata, and funny enough they knew each other's faces way before they ever knew each other's names. Kanata's the type everyone likes, always got people around him, popular guy, but there's this distance to him that people can't quite place. Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...
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Innocent (Taiwanese Mini Series)

By Golu
Stories about Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) can be very fascinating if done right. I can't remember this thought being used in any of the gay films or series that I have seen so far, so in that sense, full marks to the makers of this 4 part mini series from Taiwan of about 17-20 minutes each episode. The disjointed narrative initially may feel a bot weird but when through flashbacks we are told exactly what happened, things start to make sense. The chemistry and romantic involvement of the two leads definitely add to the charm.

Wu Zheng is an ordinary man living an ordinary life. One day a boy named Yu Shi bumps into him crying for help. Not knowing what to do, he brings him home and finds out that he is actually his neighbor, But Yu Shi seems have a childlike mental condition coming across asa harmless and innocent young boy. Wu Zheng starts to take care of him and starts feeling an inexplicable attraction and love towards Yu Shi. The duo become lovers and Wu Zheng also introduces him to his grandfather. Its only through flashbacks that we find out that Yu Shi has DID. Yu Shi was. Molested when he was just 5 years old and Noah, his split personality came into being to protect him all these years. Noah also stays with Wu Shen but resists his sexual advances. Through a doctor friend of his, Wu Zheng figures this out and decides to be with Yu Shi and Noah with al th love and support that he can, leading to a loving end where Noah tells Wu Zheng that he feels comfortable that he will take good care of Yu Shi.

Despite an intriguing and interesting premise, my biggest issue with the show was the seemingly placement of episodes. The first episode starts with things right in the bang middle and as audience it takes time for you to understand what really is going on. Who are these people, what's their relationship etc. The structure of the story seemed convoluted, but its the third episode when we get to know the back story and things start to make sense. I do understand the makers wanting to keep the big reveal for later, but then the initial episodes should have been shot in a different way. We should have at least been told how the two leads met, at the bare minimum. Also the whole premise as to why suddenly Wu Zheng falls for Yu Shi and starts sexual relationship is questionable but I am going to put those aside for now. Coming to acting, I think the two leads do a. Decent job of what is expected of them. Although Yu Shi has a meatier part and scope for showing his acting chops, its actually Wu Zheng that takes the limelight here. He is more natural and comfortable with his character. Thankfully, the romantic scenes involving kisses and body contacts feel natural and they have good chemistry. At no point, there is any awkwardness which definitely helps. My other complaint is about introducing a second gay couple between the doctor and Wu Zheng's friend. That was so not needed. It was a clear act of desperation that had no business being in the script besides their primary need of supporting characters.

Overall, with a short duration and novel story, its still a series worth celebrating for its efforts for an innovative plot. Yes the execution can use a LOT of improvement, but I am willing to make that concession for once here, only because the story was focussed and there was no unnecessary distractions from the main story. (6/10)
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