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 series follows the chaotic, steamy romantic lives of architecture students Rei and his best friend Kai, both architecture students. The show doesn't run them parallels, rather divides 4 episodes each to focus on their love life. Rei's meeting with his college alumni Arashi doesn't start on a good note. Arashi likes cars and bikes and works in a mechanic shop but also participates in illegal races. Although starting on the wrong foot, their romance eventually grows where Arashi sort of teaches Rei on the value of studies and keeping your life in order while Rei realizes that there I more to Arashi than just hi handsome personality that everyone is after. Then we have Arashi's fellow rider friend Fuma who ends up meeting Kai when Kai and Rei have gatecrashed one of the racing events. That night they both have sex with each other but soon Fuma realizes that he has stronger feeling for Kai. But Kai has a dark past. His ex-boyfriend really used and abused him and had him gang raped multiple times because on which it is extremely difficult for Kai to trust anyone. With patience and resilience, Fuma eventually succeeds in winning Kai's heart. The two special episodes have nothing noteworthy to speak of honestly and can easily be avoided.
There’s not a lot of fresh material in terms of plot: two hot men fall for “damsel-in-distress” sort of younger college kids. Things work out in the end, and there are some steamy scenes in between. In Rei and Arashi's relationship what I liked was uplifting of each other. Arashi is rich, street smart, accomplished, and yet he never falls back on his achievements. Instead, he endeavors to improve; something that inspires Rei. Rei is brash, lazy and naive. He is also exceedingly annoyed by Arashi until they grow closer, and he starts falling for his senior. Their chemistry was good. Actors playing Arashi had this broody demeanor, but somehow he didn't fit my definition of that "hot" guy. Rei plays the mischievous, carefree character very well. For the other couple, I feel they eventually standout with their chemistry. There storyline had more promise and the series doesn't stretch it unnecessarily. We see and feel the trauma that Kais endured but thankfully focus here in on Fuma using his love to bring him closer and try to forget his past trauma. As I mentioned before, there is nothing new here, especially considering that it is a remake. Having said that it is a well edited and tightly put together. Simply put, the remake is equal parts similar and different from the original live-action; it retains imperative portions and adds its own unique distinctions. (6/10)
Comments