Even good actors would fail at saving a bad script with abysmal storytelling!

Can you fall in love with your kidnapper? Makes you wonder if the said victim Wang Zhan suffers from Stockholm Syndrome or he is simply finding comfort in the arms of the man who puts him through a gruelling routine for three quarters of this show. Wang Zhan & Tang Du Zhi’s love story is quite questionable; Wang Zhan is afraid of ghosts and obviously funeral rites scare the bejesus out of him. Ironically, his family business involves running a funeral home and he wants absolutely nothing to do with it. A runaway wannabe, playing music on the streets, Wang Zhan is content with his life. Until, his older brother’s lackey Tang Du Zhi forcibly brings him home and starts training him to takeover the family business. They have a lot of differences, opinion clashes and yet inevitably in the midst of all those disagreements, they slowly grow closer. But Tang Du Zhi has personal demons and baggage to unpack, while Wang Zhan has to face his own fears. The show doesn’t make a lot of sense in certain aspects, the pacing falls back in some places and in the second half, you feel utterly bored. This is one of those shows that starts good but ends miserably!

Our Stockholm Syndrome Couple

Frankly they both are miserable in different ways. While Wang Zhan (Chang Chia Sheng) wants nothing to do with the family business because he can’t stand the smell of blood or death, Tang Du Zhi (Parker Mao) bears the absolute guilt of his parent’s death. It’s not that he caused their death, but it is ingrained in his psyche that they died because they rushed home to celebrate his birthday. His younger brother’s frail health further complicates things leading to his random panic attacks. Parker Mao excels in those scenes, he brilliantly depicts the trauma and guilt experienced by Tang Du Zhi. Tension escalate when Tang Du Zhi blindsides Wang Zhan and starts training him for the takeover. It takes a while before we learn that Wang Zhan’s elder brother Wang Ying Xiu (Mozy Yu) is suffering from an incurable disease. Now guilt ridden, Wang Zhan throws himself into the gruesome training process and tries to understand the funeral etiquette in better ways. The slow burn romance was worthy of the budding love story that brews between these two crestfallen characters. It’s just that I wasn’t enamored with their chemistry.

Kissing Chemistry- 🔥🔥

Taking Platonic Love Too Far

Now Wang Zhan’s best friends are as miserable as he is. Maybe ever more. Zhang Yi Qing (Hsv Wei Tse) and Tu Jing He (Pu Ching Heng) have been in love with each other forever. Miscommunications are rife and they don’t dare to cross the boundaries, fearing reproach or redressal. Things progress at a slow speed until Tu Jing He has had enough and decides to get married to the first girl he goes on a blind date with. Thereupon, things spiral out of control as Zhang Yi Qing vehemently takes control of the situation, fearing that he might lose the love of his life. Frankly, these two had a better chemistry than the main leads. Their slow burn romance was intriguing and the actors make a handsome couple.

Kissing Chemistry- 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Is it a Worthwhile Watch

I have no idea on how to answer this question- guess you will to watch this show and form your own opinion!

Taiwanese BLs have a charm of their own. Since same sex relationships and marriages are legalized in the country, the free spirit displayed in their cinema is commendable. That’s the draw of Taiwanese BL, may it be a movie or drama. But that doesn’t mean, all of their shows are phenomenal or outstanding. Some like “Exclusive Love” toe the line between the mediocrity and excellence. You won’t regret it if you miss this one!

Rating- 3 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala/IQIYI/Viki