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...
The drama starts with Eun Ho dreaming about a young man who is saved by his bodyguard from assassins, and the theme is set up during the Joseon period. The dream is followed up with more scenes of two young men sharing romantic and warm moments, with one of the boys being himself. But Eun Ho is unable to complete the dream and wakes surprised, but doesn’t really get the time to process it as his friend keeps him distracted. The friend notices a painting on printed paper and comments on how it looks similar to Eun Ho’s painting and style. Eun Ho teasingly agrees and leaves for an art gallery where he happens to see the exact same painting. Things get dramatic when Eun Ho starts to feel some sort of connection with the painting. Suddenly he finds himself teleported back in time, where a lady appears saying ' I have found the owner and then you need to finish what you started before you can go back to your life". Wandering in his new surrounding he meets a prince, who has been banished with his bodyguard. Although suspicious of our boy, the dup let him stay with them. Eventually the prince finds out that Sun Ho is a painter and he asks him to teach him. The duo star spending time and make a painting that is very similar to what Eun Ho saw in dream and in the art gallery. The "finishing of job" that Sun Ho was to do was to safeguard the prince's life and tale him to the modern world to safety.
The unique historical setting and innovative premise are the best selling points in Tinted With You. It has an exciting concept about a modern high school student stuck in the feudal era. The imaginative plot offers many possibilities, experimenting with timelines, history, and culture. Sadly it is not realized and that is fine. You can see the budget limitations here. Some of the logic didn't work, especially the end where I was kept wondering f the prince really went to the modern world, how was he adapting or what really happened. But I don't think the focus was on details here. The idea was to present a fantasy universe and personally I bought into it, even though I have to admit that it was totally silly. Each character has a distinctive identity: the hapless time traveller, the tragic prince, and the devoted bodyguard. Their drastic differences and surprising similarities lead to quirky interactions. Still, nothing is shown how the prince and Eun Ho come to starting to like each other so much so they kiss a few times. As actors, the prince and the bodyguard were strictly ok, but our lead Eun Ho had a very magnetic charm to him. He is like boy next door cute and completely held my attention with his performance. This show will not be everyone's cup of tea. But, it’s a good watch for when you’re feeling down and don’t have the time to binge longer dramas as it is a cute and sweet drama! Go with minimal expectations. (5.5/10)
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But I have hopes they could try that kind again maybe. Korean BL are getting longer, and -more importantly- way better imho. If you are looking for something else to wqtch, can I warmly recommend " Unintentional love" and most of all "The eighth sense".
Back to this show, it was just ok. Something you just watch and forget.
A few Thai series have ended as well:
"Bed Friend" has dysfunctional families, shitty parents, and basically a really good side-storyline (the psychological untangling of a broken person), but people who are lucky enough ( = who have never been in Uea's shoes or seen such shit up close) will probably miss it.
"Destiny Seeker" - Hogwarts meets Thai BL in the technical university context :D There's no spells or potions or cloaks and hats, but there are 4 rivaling dormitories. Although it's another university series, there's well written friendship and protagonists have lovely personalities. And parents. It's finally available with half decent subtitles (DramaCool).
"Chains of Heart" - I'm not sure... Production and locations are definitely something to watch. Too many crime storylines, they get tangled easily and sometimes it was physically hard to concentrate. The ending did not feel like ending at all, it sort of faded out. I like open endings, but not as the finale of that kind of crime series. "Manner of Death" has spoiled me rotten :D
"Love Syndrome III" - NO! Toxic, twisted, manipulationships - AND confusing scriptwise, average acting and whining-protagonist-cringe. Spare your eyesight and sanity, please.
"Tin Tem Jai" - No. Whining-protagonist-cringe again, to the degree that it feels like a 12-yr-old is trying to seduce an adult. Fragmented. Locations, however, are quite nice.
"Future" - No. Trope overload - there's nothing you haven't already seen a few dozen times. Besides, it's the side story to "Love Mechanics" which is already in your "keep away"-list.
"The eighth sense" left a huge impression on me and is my favourite series so far this year (which already had a lot of good ones!)
"Destiny Seeker" - one word: fluff alert. Dammit, that was two words :D
"A Shoulder to Cry On" was nice and flowing, comfortable to watch. As a Sagittarius girl I loved the archery part. The bows, the arrows, the targets...
"Love Syndrome III" is a twisted sick horror, written by some twisted sick pervert/s. And that's putting it mildly. You've seen "Unforgotten Night", right? Remember there was this nice dude Day, Kim's ex? And he had a nice caring relationship with Itt? Well, "Love Syndrome III" is supposed to be its side story. But here the Day and Itt characters are like two runaway patients who are supposed to be locked in the madhouse. The series is based on a book (those events are not included in the script, "lucky" us) where 1) Itt organizes a r*pe of Day's brother and 2) Day finds out and goes and r*pes Itt. And now they are in a "loving" relationshit where Day admits to his friends that he is deliberately grooming Itt to be dependent on him so Itt wouldn't be able to live without him. That alone is lethally toxic, but the clash with Itt&Day in "Unforgotten Night" is... CRINGE. Again, appealing on the precious sanity of that inner teenage girl of yours - please keep away.
If you want to feel like a fresh flesh wound, I suggest Ilmar Raag's "The Class" (a film + 7-episode sequel), but that comes with a huge trigger warning and suggestion to google its background first. After watching it you can call yourself a survivor.
P.S! Did you watch "All the Liquors"? Nice one, but not very memorable (for me).
I'll check your suggestion (and hope I can find it with english subs, I couldn't find Eismayer so far)
Thanks for the heads up buddy