I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
First of all, actually I did don't really "need" to watch this series to get context on my latest reviewed Mini series 'Unguarded'. Yes, it does provide one tiny context but other than that, having to sit through 8 episodes, each of 20 minutes approximately to witness two silly strangers randomly falling in love started off ok, but really doesn't go anywhere until the last 2 episodes. Also, don't get fooled by the poster. It was just taken form one o the profiles form the dating app that the show uses but has nothing to do with it.
Its pandemic time and Mark Lee is unsure about his sexuality. He finds himself being attracted tooth girls and boys. On insistence of his friend, he downloads an app 'Findr' to see where things take him. There he meets Henry and in their very first conversation Henry flirts with him a lot and mark Lee gets shy. Eventually they get to talking all the time and slowly love starts building up. Henry even risks one night to go meet him and have sex. But Henry is also going through some personal family stuff and he hasn't yet told Mark lee about his plans to go to Bangkok as exchange student for better future. Henry also has a best friend Lukas, who doesn't like Henry's proximity with Mark ee, since he is also secretly obsessed with him; and he creates distrust and misinformation making Mark Lee doubt about Henry's intentions towards their relationship. They eventually talk it out and Henry tries to make him understand that he really needs to go to Bangkok to study. The ending was lame where he goes off to school.
I wish I could say something interesting about this show. It was just so basic. Sure, people are lonely in pandemic but that doesn't mean you fall in love so quickly with just the one person who you met online on a dating/hookup app? Yes, this series also, like most other series during pandemic was shot indoors by probably actors themselves, but the story and their interactions so just so lame and boring. I mean we saw similar premise in Gameboys but that show had so much love and charm. On the contrast, these characters are boring and their so called conversations are long and preachy. The flow of thought from all the characters are way too similar that it feels like a single person talking to his split personality. The drama was unnecessary and Mark Lee seemed a very clingy sort of boy. Also when two people talk all day every day, why would they not tae about some of the more important things about their relationship. This was definitely one of the more boring shows I have seen and I would recommend staying away from this one. (3/10)

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