BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“True love stories never have endings.” – Richard Bach
I loved this series, a lot! One of the rare ones originating from China! This is an older series that was begun in late 2015 and aired through 2016 and 2017. I found it serendipitously and could not stop watching it and finished it in one setting. It was complex in its presentation yet subtle in its message. In some sense, it was painful to watch because it is a love story of an unrequited love that exists in the deepest recesses of each of them that may never come to the surface. More despondently, it was a love that could, undoubtedly, never be unhidden. The main actors are Huang Jingu, (Johnny Huang), who plays, Bai Luo Yin and Xu Weizhou, (Timmy Xu), who plays Gu Hai.
Without knowing the background of each other, they begin to develop a bond and subsequent feelings for one other. What I can tell you is that as their sensitivities for each others intensifies, so does their yearnings for one another. I do not want to give the remainder of the plot away or even hint about their connection because it would diminish your reactions to their rather unique situation. You need to see the rawness of the whole story. Suffice to say, while it is at times warm, sensitive, and profoundly moving, it is also be tough, cold and calculating. It is an exploration of character development that was influenced by both sets of families and intimate relationships.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? The acting is superb. It is obvious that Johnny Huang and Timm Xu are worthy of this distinction. The acting is exceptional as they had to put on a false front through much of their performances. The range of emotions both publicly and privately had to display both to the outside world and to themselves was a work of art to watch. With each having to display a sense of hopelessness in their own unique way, it never completely overwhelmed them. A glimmer of hope always was present in both, fed by the unspoken love that each had for the other. Given the repressed society they lived in made what they were feeling even more poignantly soul searching. It had to be hard to maintain that closeness to each other and display emotion and show strength of character but still be distant.
This is a pearl of a series. I wish, not just for the gay community, but for all communities, to see and experience what an outstanding character driven series can do and be. Too bad. You set a standard.
Epilogue: I was deeply saddened that a further exploration of their lives, and relationships would not come to fruition. This series was banned by the Chinese government and they would not allow any more episodes. If you watch to the end, you will understand why I bemoaned with torturous groans at its nebulous end. These two main actor were subsequently banned from ever appearing in the same movie/series again. Thank goodness, this series has been circulated on the internet. If you have not seen this archetype, then this must be go into your column of To Be Watched!
Upon further reflection over the years, this series has most dramatically come into its own and in essence has become a ‘classic’ and a model for many BLs that have followed it. Although unfinished, it has been an inspiration for others to take up the mantle of telling a love story, ironically. The very notion the Chinese government was trying to suppress. References to this series is pervasive either directly or indirectly. The story itself has been recreated as well.
So kudos for awakening a sleeping giant called BL.
Leave a Reply