This is a surprisingly effective series that is deeply rooted in the realms of movie making and BL specifically. The more light that is shed on whom represent characters in movies, specifically in the BL genre, fans will hopefully gain a better appreciation not only of the work that is involved in the making of a movie but also understand the complexities of the underlying production to a movie. And a lot of it is ugly. I do think the story is a relevant one to tell because it represents the ills that go on in this industry. It can be a brutal, impersonal, and cut-throat industry and make no mistake, it is an industry.

And we also get to see that the ‘idols’ can be messed-up, insecure, vulnerable, and have many of the same problems that the rest of us have. Sure, I do think what was displayed in this series is a bit over-the-top and not necessarily representative of the industry as a whole. Living near and having friends in Hollywood and the entertainment industry, I do know some of these accounts are real, but the nefarious deeds as presented are exceptionally rare.

Hidden in the production is a love story, because of happenstance and fortuity, which is expressed indiscernibly, yet increasingly and steadily sensuously accentuated. Indeed, we have seen versions of this theme before. But this one felt intimate, genuine and honest. It also felt wonderfully unique as it created a world where they alone existed. And we got to see inside that world.

A young, unknown actor by the name of Su Yi (Huang Xiao) gets a lead role. He has no real experience but there is a hunger within him that we, as the audience, get to understand is his motivation. His passion is what makes him difficult to divert your eyes from. He is opposite a famous idol, who has had some recent controversies surrounding him. Pei Jia (Chen Ye Sheng), handsome to be sure, is a bit arrogant but soon finds himself being drawn to this novice. There is something about Su Yi that is enticing and arousing. Without trying, Su Yi gives off a rather alluring and seductive vibe without being aware of its magnitude on others. It is natural and intrinsic, like a moth to a flame. One can easily be drawn to him as was the case with Pei Jia. He was induced.

This is indeed a very layered love story and needs to be peeled back to be understood. So much of it is in the hands of outside forces that controls what is going to happen next. The love story between Pei Jia and Su Yi is complex to say the least. Compounded with a medical condition that Su Yi suffers from that he has kept mostly to himself. However, in an ironic twist of fate, who he shared his destiny with a while ago was none other than Pei Jia as a fan to his idol. And perhaps it was meant to be since Pei Jia remembered the letter that was sent to him by a stricken fan.

There is a secondary couple involved as well that is equally intense in terms of emotional upheaval. The director, Yi Cheng (Shao Hong Fei) and the scriptwriter, Su Bo (Wei Ming Jia) are in a relationship and have been for some time. Unfortunately, before the end of the filming of the production, this relationship will dissolve for reasons that have nothing to do with their intimacy but have a lot to do with the integrity of their working relationship. I really enjoyed the waxing and waning of their connection throughout the series as they both tried to make amends, with Yi Cheng making the most evolution. Yet, as happens in real life, I was not sure they would ever be partners in a relationship again. Yes, business partners, for sure. But perhaps the ship has sailed between them where they can be together again as lovers.

Even though the cliché driven bad-guy image of individuals behind the scenes can be overblown, part of what was presented here is true. Producer Fang Runzhi (Ding Yu Jia) is ruthless and demanding. His antic about pushing his weight around is no doubt not too far from the truth for big investors. They tend to get what they want. However, the sexual abuse and exploitation of new and upcoming performers is a bit of a stretch, and this constant use of this trope is giving everything about the entertainment industry a bad name. While again there is no doubt some of this goes on, to the extent and the degree that it is portrayed here must be questioned. None of that takes away from Ding Yu Jia brilliant performance of the sociopathic and unempathetic individual who uses people and then discards them like old clothes. His characterization of Fang Runzhi is spot-on with a smiling exterior and then conning, manipulative behavior underneath. He knows he can exploit and manipulate the most vulnerable, especially if they are physically attractive. He indeed represents the worst type of individual imaginable because he is rich, powerful, and famous. He can ruin one’s reputation with a mere glance. Ding Yu Jia played the part with cool detachment, giving his character a sense of entitlement and arrogance. Kudos for making his character so dastardly.

Overall, this is a very entertaining story and certainly will keep your interest throughout. Where it slipped and fell a bit was in its take-down of Fang Runzhi. I know or I can at least appreciate the enormous difficulty of trying to take down someone that powerful, who is also evil. And they sure had the evidence. But merely exposing him at a news conference about a premier felt like a let-down. His behavior, by any standard must be considered illegal. The kind of sexual abuse and exploitation should be legally dealt with as well. If not, then the court of public opinion ought to have been expanded to a larger audience and with greater force. Someone like him MUST never be allowed or be permitted to have a position of power again where he can exploit the vulnerable. There must be a moral and ethical code of conduct enacted either industry standard-wide and/or within individual contracts to protect individuals (male and female) from this type of exploration or abuse. I wish this point had been made stronger and more emphatic; otherwise, it will continue.

My second concern is that this storyline is frankly getting old and trite. It could have been a good story without this thread. Su Yi was a complex figure both physically and psychological. There was more than enough to work with here. He is hypnotically enticing. Pei Jia is also complex, and he too could have been explored more deeply. For example, their scene in the bar was just brilliant and one of the best interactive scenes between two men navigating their feelings for one another. It was quite moving. These two can act! There is something about watching two men going through angst in the development of a relationship that never gets old. If presented well. And this was exceptional.

The secondary couple was just as intriguing and tangled. Their relationship was quite involved and a deeper exploration of these two was certainly worth more attention. Why they broke up was legitimate and exceptionally definitive. While we did get to see how they tried to navigate through that, I wanted more. It was all intense but too sporadic and a bit inconclusive.

This is a very good BL, surprisingly from China, with support from Singapore. It is provocative, fervent but relatable, and almost got there. While not everything has to end conclusively, I do wish it had been a bit more definitive in its ending and the route to the destruction of the antagonist a lot more definitive, empathetic, and meaningful. Overall, a very, very watchable series.

And yes, I truly am obsessed and fixated by Huang Xiao as Su Yi. There is something so enthralling, mesmerizing, and absorbing about watching him on the screen. Honestly, I would be engrossed even if I watched him read names from a telephone book. There is something about his intense rugged looks and his piercing talent that is captivating. Truthfully, I am rarely captivated by anyone. There is always an exception, and he is one.

Rating- 4.5 out of 5

Streaming on- Gagaoolala/YoYo English YouTube Channel