As is the case with most Chinese Bromances these days, Stand by Me premiered without much fanfare. It’s like most Chinese production houses are bidding their time to drop new releases without much promotions/marketing; especially if they are bromance/brotherhood related. It wasn’t surprising; what surprised me more was the classic pairing and the overall look as well as feel of this miniseries. If you love Republican era dramas, then you are in for a treat. Unlike “Winter Begonia”, which had a magnanimous setting and popular casting; Stand by Me does fall short of these things. However, it makes up for the loss with a storyline that is tight lined and actors that have a great chemistry. Obviously, Bromances are marketed based on the subtle, barely there romance between the male protagonists. We know it is there, we can see it, but because of Chinese censorship; we choose to ignore it. Tencent’s Stand by Me does live up to that premise; it is a beautifully orchestrated love story between two compatriots, who are also best friends. Let’s dig deeper and figure out if this short web series is worth your time!

Synopsis-

In Shanghai in the year 1936, Huang Wei Jie, a member of the patriotic organization, happened to meet Feng Guan Yu, a patriotic businessman, during his mission. The two were childhood friends who separated due to a misunderstanding. Feng Guan Yu forced him to be his bodyguard. Although the two have constant conflicts, in the face of common adversity, the two with ideals of justice join hands and heroically devote themselves to the cause of patriotism.

(Source: DramaWiki)

Main Lead’s and Their Chemistry

Deng Kai plays the main protagonist, Feng Guan Yu. He is the current head of the Feng family. Though ruthless in his business transactions, Guan Yu is extremely patriotic. Wang Zu Yi plays the role of Huang Wei Jie, a young member of the anti traitor organization. He is an orphan and also Guan Yu’s childhood friend. Guan Yu is quite obsessed with Wei Jie, to the point that he keeps Weijie beside him all the time.

The Chemistry

Guan Yu and Weijie have the most peculiar relationship in the history of Chinese Bromances. It is a rather a pull and push deal and most times; it is freaking hilarious. Guan Yu is a very calm and composed person; coming from an influential background, he has a regal bearing and commands respect. He is also patriotic and hates the Japanese smugglers who are selling opium on the Chinese lands. Weijie, on the other hand, is pure comic delight; he isn’t exactly bright and is prone to making dumb decisions most of the time. Because of the short timeframe, the show doesn’t disclose much details related to their childhood friendship or apparent separation. It seems important because Weijie is testy about the fact that Guan Yu abandoned him in the past. Despite their misgivings and abundant misunderstandings, Guan Yu and Weijie always stick together. In the first few episodes, it is just Guan Yu blackmailing Wejiie into submission. But as their identities and real purpose get disclosed, our endearing couple band together to fight the Japanese drug dealers. Deng Kai and Wang Zu Yi have a beautiful chemistry. Guan Yu is quite smitten with Weijie and Deng Kai really embodies that look. Guan Yu’s constant need to be around Weijie; his desire to protect his best friend *ahem* spells romance and so much more. They are polar opposites, and yet they somehow mesh together perfectly.

Is It A Worthwhile Watch

If you are suffering from withdrawal symptoms (because of Chinese censorship), then you should definitely watch this show. The short runtime might grate on your nerves, because the storyline and actors deserve a full fledged drama where the romance is appropriately developed. The settings and costumes give the rustic Republican era feel and it is quite conducive to the plot that digs deeper into the protagonist’s patriotic pursuits. I wasn’t expecting much from Deng Kai because he mostly plays antagonistic characters (The Blood of Youth & Destined). So, it was refreshing to watch him in a positive role. This was my first time watching Wang Zu Yi and he really embodies Weijie’s idealistic approach (his ridiculous antics are really amusing). The show does suffer from editing problems and the pacing is a little odd in some places. But the main leads tide over those inconsistencies with their fresh pairing. Watch it if you are looking for a light hearted bromance. Don’t go looking for a serious storyline though; that wouldn’t help!

Rating- 4 out of 5

Streaming on- Tencent Video