BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“I am and always shall be – your friend” – Spock (Star Trek)
This is an exceptional and phenomenal BL series that, I believe, is one of the best BLs currently out there. There is no glitz or glamor here – just good, old-fashion storytelling. Nothing pretentious and no artificial dramas. It is presented so forthright that it almost got lost in its simplicity.
It is two stories, really, both parallel each other. One love story is a predestined one. Chen Ze Shou (Max Lin) and Fu Li Gong (Shi Cheng Hao) are friends since they were youngsters. They grew up together, went to school together, and entered the same field of study together, and when graduated, worked for the same law firm, together. Neither one spoke of love for each other in the physical sense except when Ze Shou would get inebriated, he would have tender moments with Li Gong and on occasion would kiss him.
Li Gong has always loved him but discerned that his love for Ze Shou may be unrequited. He is the more reflective, pensive, and stable individual but seemingly wounded in this relationship, perhaps desiring it to expand into a more passionate level. But it never does. Although the two of them are inseparable and appearing to be ‘brothers’, they have always known that no one can replace the other. It is as if they know that somehow their lives have been, are, and will always be, intertwined.
When a simple symbolic token allows for their friendship to finally move into a new realm, reality hits. Ze Shou finds that Li Gong has been keeping/hiding the other half of the key chain he had given Li Gong as a birthday gift many years ago. With the plus and minus sign now home, Li Gong finally surrenders and tells him, “Do you believe in fate?” and kisses him, passionately. The key chain is their relationship. When they discovered it when they were teenagers, they were told that, “whoever holds the pair, will be together forever. Ze Shou bought one half and gave it to Li Gong when they were teens. Li Gong went back to buy the other half but kept it, never giving it to Ze Shou, until he found it. Now, Ze Shou must confront and own his feeling for Li Gong. Fate said that this had been long enough. Now is the time to act.
However, when they come to the realization that their relationship has suddenly entered a new phase, despite both really wanting it to be this way, second guess and falter with doubt. I am reminded of a quote from a Star Trek series that so aptly applies here:
“You may find that having is not so pleasing a thing as wanting. This is not logical, but it is often true.” – Mr. Spock, “Amok Time”
Now that they have each other, is it really want they want? Will their love crack their friendship? That is the story here. And only they can decide that for themselves. The story of this discovery is remarkable in its simplicity, its depth of acknowledged feelings for each other, and the realization of the unbearable pain if they were not in each other’s lives. Until you face that realization, do they really know the depth of love that exists for each other?
The second love story is just as remarkable but in a much quieter tone. This love was not predestined but spontaneous. Can two people of simple background living ordinary lives have a love story also? I again am reminded of a quote from Star Trek:
“Change is the essential process of all existence.” – Mr. Spock, “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield”
Their chance encounter forces each of them to change and begin to live again. Both were well established in their own routines and destined to be left to their own established patterns to find pleasure. Jian Ying Ze (Matt Lee) is a quiet, introverted rather boring individual who is divorced and has a precocious, astute, and very observant little daughter. He seems to go out of his way to be unseen. Who enters his life is a bartender Kato Yuki (Zheng Qi Le) that shares the same building of the laundry shop that Jian Ying Ze owns. We honestly do not know much about him except that is handsome, articulate but introspective, and has a pleasing and soothing personality about him. One could understand his attraction. In fact, both have a certain magnetism about them and perhaps that is why they are drawn to each other.
This is a soft, whispering kind of love story. Starting out hesitatingly and uncertain, both realize that they are drawn to each other. It is more of a complimentary kind of attraction than the harmony of pieces to a puzzle like the other couple. What one lacks, the other makes up for in some way. It is a stunning story of fulfilling needs, companionship, and yes, a deep gentle love. It was if these two are also meant for each other, also by fate. This love is not splashy, but it is known to them and the daughter. She senses it, knows it, and therefore, it becomes real. It is a beautiful love story of a deeper connection than simply two lonely people together. They are meshing not only their lives together but their lifestyles. Softly, but ever so profoundly.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this series? This is an exceptionally fine ensemble cast. What I enjoy about Taiwanese series is their ability to focus on their characters in the here and now. We can see the nuances in themselves and know when something is of importance to them. Two people stand out the most. One unfortunately I cannot find who the actress is but she played the daughter of Jian Ying Ze. Her role for being so young is profoundly critical to allowing, dare I say, permitting her father to let go and embrace the love of Kato Yuki. She is the adhesive force that really cements this relationship to love. She literally loves both. The second rather interesting character is the bar manager, Nikita (Shara Lin). She is a rather enigmatic character who dispenses wisdom at the bar equally as well as drinks. While she seems arduous on the exterior, she also feels wounded especially when it comes to love. She apparently had an infatuation with Fu Li Gong and when she thinks that he is questioning the relationship with Chen Ze Shou, she tries to gently persuade him to change. It was a remarkable scene, full of sadness, and was such a cry for wanting someone in her life to love. I found myself crying through that whole scene because she knew the futility of her actions but could not stop herself from trying. A breathtaking scene of loneliness and desperation best not remembered. I again am reminded of another Star Trek quote:
“Humans do have an amazing capacity for believing what they choose — and excluding that which is painful.” – Mr. Spock, “And The Children Shall Lead”
This series had one of the best endings I have seen from a BL in a long time. After the realization that they could not live without each other, Cheng Ze Shou proposed to Shi Cheng Hao by getting on his knee with a red rose, which he has given him every day that they have been together. He says, “Are you willing to spend the rest of your life to finish the play with me? Will you be the main character in the story? Perhaps the story may not have a perfect ending every time. You may redo the scenes or forget the lines. But I will do everything I can to present the sweetest scene,” and hides the ring in the rose.
It was an astonishingly moving proposal filled with so much heart and believability, that I, like I am sure many others did, wept at its impact. It was filled with so much love, hope, and passion. The marriage was the same way. It was presented with the same level of realism. Never being afraid or hesitant to make us feel as if they were married and deeply and profoundly in love with each other. In fact, both couples were unafraid to show the passionate side of a relationship. They were not hesitant to kiss passionately and make if feel so substantive.
At the end, there is a ‘special’ that answers the axiomatic question: Why did they end up together? Fate? Pre-destiny with a little bit of magic? The key chain is the symbol that binds them together. Plus stand for Chen Ze Shou and minus stands for Fu Li Gong. The two pieces when placed together is a sign that they are meant to be together. Each now has a piece that secures them together. They are now complete and linked forever as one. They are unquestionably – soulmates.
This is a brilliant series that shows normalcy in gay relationships by conforming it with the tradition of marriage as its aim, all the while making it feel so customary. And wondrously beautiful in its simplicity. This is indeed one of the best in 2022.
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