HIStory3: Make Our Days Count (2019)

Wayne was captivating as Haoting. Yu Shigu's actor I think was disadvantaged by shallower writing for his character's dialogue; it left him a little as a foil for Haoting rather than a character in his own right, which I think is a waste of the opportunity to meaningfully watch him learn and struggle with being less serious. It wasn't drastic; he wasn't two dimensional, but he was definitely not fully fleshed out and certain plot choices made sure we never got to see how he might further have grown. As a result we only got to see Haoting's growth, which was still a delight, just less than it could have been.

On the the topic of slightly shallow writing, I generally wish some of the characters relied less on cheesy grins in lieu of characterization or dialogue. I blame the script writers more than the actors. The actors/directors could have let the emotions be a *bit* more variable. The grinning all the time was exhausting to watch - people in love don't have to always give full-blown, huge smiles or a meek, cheerful "嗯!" every time something nice happens.

An indisputably excellent show up to the end of the 9th episode (of the 10 Viki episodes)!! After that, a questionable plot choice is shoehorned in and some weird contrivances are added for? The Drama? Dunno. They tacked on a weird message about making each moment count but they didn't give the characters the chance to do so, really? In fact, we find out that one really important character wasted 6 FULL YEARS of moments that didn't get to count. So. Idk maybe it was deliberate irony.

Lire davantage

Definitely worth watching + one criticism

This review contains spoilers. It's better to watch the show before reading what I've written.

Each week, I waited patiently for the next episode of "History 3: Making Our Days Count" to be released on VIKI. It's been such an amazing show and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The final episode, however, is not sitting comfortably with me. At this very moment, I am in front of my computer after having completed the drama and I'm feeling completely gutted and wishing that I had stopped watching the show at episode 18.

By way of background.... my very-much-loved son passed away a couple of years ago and this final episode has brought back all the misery, all the heartache and all the grief that I felt when he died. I mention this as an indicator of the impact that this last episode had on me and also because there is a parallel between my experience and Hao Ting's story. It is a huge credit to Shao Hui Ting's writing and Tsai Mi Chieh's directing that I am now feeling this way. In addition, Wayne Song's acting was absolutely outstanding; he brought me to tears. I honestly hope that he wins an award. He deserves it. I also know that I feel this way because of Juan Zhi, too, and his ability to create an incredibly real and very likeable Xi Gu. I applaud the abilities of every one of these people with all my sincerity. What makes me reflect the most, though, is that I wish that I did not have to experience these painful feelings again without benefiting from some positive gains as well. For example, when I look back on my son's life, there are so many positive aspects to it for which I am extremely grateful. This sense of the value of a life was not there in the last episode of "Making Our Days Count". For me, such positive gains in the midst of terrible tragedy seemed to be missing and I was left feeling meaninglessly heartbroken.

I'll explain what I mean.

Xi Gu did not deserve to end so miserably. He had already been through more than enough. His struggles contained life-lessons for all of us and were worth so much more than a few bits and pieces in a biscuit tin. That Hao Ting's parents did not honour the memory of Xi Gu a little more was cruel because even in death, Xi Gu kept his heartfelt, solemn promise to Hao Ting's parents and gave their son the reason and the momentum Hao Ting needed to make a great life for himself. It would have been wonderful if Hao Ting's and Xi Gu's homosexual relationship, brief as it was, could have been celebrated because of all the good that it eventually brought. This did not happen though. Instead, we were introduced to "Phoebe" and the glimpse of a heterosexual relationship now being important. In my opinion, Xi Gu's promise to Hao Ting's parents in an earlier episode was worth its weight in pure gold and was worthy of acknowledgement and story development rather than being pretty much forgotten. Had Xi Gu been remembered with fondness and gratitude by everyone who mattered, the tragedy would have felt worthwhile and it would have sat much more comfortably with me. It would have been cathartic.

To be honest, I usually find the "six years later" (or equivalent) kind of last episode challenging. In this particular instance, I would have liked the final episode to lead the me along a little more gently instead of keeping everything a mystery until right near the end. While all the characters in the drama had had 6 years to move on and get used to the situation, as the audience, everything was brand new to me and it was hard getting my head around it all and trying to make sense of it. Maybe this is just me, though.

While I know that I have been negative in writing the above, please keep in mind that these critical thoughts relate to just one double episode in one drama. And the drama was well worth watching.

In closing, I sincerely want to thank all those involved with the different History series. You are doing the world a great service by showing same-sex dramas and teaching the world that gay is OK. What's more important, though, is that you are leading the way with helping the world see what gay relationships look like, that they are not something scared of and, at the end of the day, that love is love. I congratulate everyone on their amazing work.

Lire davantage

Don't be afraid of the end, but learn to see its beauty.

It’s my first time doing this because I don’t speak English very well. But this time, I will make an exception.
I hesitated for a long time to start Make Our Days Count because I know that’s a sad ending and, like all of us, I dislike it. But in the end, I can’t regret my choice to have tried anyway.
The first 18 episodes are made in a fairly light tone. The story of Yu Xi Gu was, indeed, complicated. But not desperate. His vulnerability made him endearing and I like it. For Xiang Hao Ting, I like this kind of character, a free spirit. However, the story was still fairly classic.
For me, it's really the last two episodes that make the series really beautiful and that allow it to rise to such a good position. I didn't like Yu Xi Gu's disappearance, but it allowed the series to address an aspect of romantic relationships that I found very important and on top of that, it did it well. We are rarely told how we recover from such a loss. But here, Xiang Hao Ting gives us a great life’s lesson.
It is the story of a man who will have to recover from one of the most painful losses life will allow him to experience. It is the story of a young person who does not know how to deal with his suffering, who no longer knows how to live but who survives. This is the story of a person's resilience, of their acceptance in the face of harsh and cruel reality.
I cried so much watching the last two episodes. I could only share Xiang Hai Ting's pain, but not only. The most beautiful scene in this series is definitely the one at the end, where he finally agrees to let Yu Xi Gu go, where he finally manages to let him live in his heart. That same scene where he finally agrees to try to live again for himself, and no longer for a ghost.
It was all of this that made this story so beautiful to me, because life is rarely fair or easy. It brings us to our knees, hurts us and damages us. And I find it wonderful to be able to get up and keep my head up high despite everything.
Don't be afraid of the end, but learn to see its beauty.

Ps : sorry for my poor level in english x)

Lire davantage

It was good

everything was good even the sad part where Yu Xi Gu (Huang Juan Zhi) die, that part got to me real good it shocked me the entire time in episode 9 I was like the genres didn't say anything about tragedy I was screaming at the end when I finally come to term on that. I don't like it when BL drama meets a tragedy like F$#K you man that death part got me really good. there was some slight realism in the drama too. The friendship in this drama was epic it was good because they accept their friend than judging them for being gay, they supported Xiang Hao Ting (Wayne Song)
and the other friend too. this drama was really good even with the tragedy.

Lire davantage

I really loved it until the end. By episode 6 (11/12) I had a bad feeling but I kept up hoping....

They finally had a story that showed some real romance, so real life struggles and the process of coming out - oh, wait - he didn’t come out. He went back to women as soon his lover died....

Stupid. And. Lame.

The Sun and Bo story was beautiful. I heart them so much, but it was marred by being in the same show as the MC/ML. Lame!

I had just started thinking that HiStories were getting better and worth watching....I’m not gonna watch anymore and I’m cancelling my Viki subscription. It was worth $5/month to rewatch this again but not now!

Lire davantage

To be honest, I don't really understand why this drama is getting so much hype. In no way, this drama is better than Cross The Line or Trapped. I can't stand the couple Sun Bo and Lu Zhi. The beginning of their couple is so toxic. Sun Bo is ultra possessive and he forcefully kissed Lu Zhi, which is sexual aggression. He can't take no for an answer and he's a stalker. I don't understand how their relationship can be viewed as romantic. And proposing when you're that young and you know the other person for such a short time, it's also not romantic.

I do agree that Yu Xi Gu and Xiang Hao are cute together. And when they smile at each other, it's really cute. I do want them happy together and I do want Yu Xi Gu happy. Seeing him getting healthier and happier, less tense melts my heart. The chemistry between the actors is great. But the plot is simple. And the reactions of Xiang Hao and his gang at the beginning make no sense.

It could have been a very good drama if the second couple didn't outshine that much the main one and if the second couple wasn't so toxic. It also lacks some maturity Trapped has.

Lire davantage

Underrated!

Yes, this seires did have a sad ending and I do think that Yu Xi Gu deserved better but not all love stories have a happy ending and that's why I think it's underrated. Most people want a happy ending where they end up getting married and living happily ever after but like I said not all love stories have that kind of ending, which makes it more close to reality. The acting was great, I really felt the emotions of the characters and I would watch this again even after knowing what happenes. I did feel bad for Yu Xi Gu's boyfriend (forgot his name lol), he was stuck in place and never moved on. The actors stole my heart and I'm greatful that I got a chance to see this story grow.

Lire davantage

The best drama I have everything watched .. (which happens to be a bl Story)

After 206 Shows and 64 movies, HIStory 3 make our days count is for me the best drama.
The acting from EVERYBODY was spectacular.... even the guest roles did an amazing job.... the main roles were fantastic.... Watched it all in one night and could not sleep afterwards because i was still thinking about and still am....
congratulations from the botom of my hearts to everyone that contributed to the making .....
spoiler...




I cried so much with the ending... it was not what anyone was expecting but that is also life..... although I was really sad, I enjoyed the acting so much.....So realistic....


I hope there is a continuous of this story. I am hoping for it...

Lire davantage

Gorgeous, just ignore the last episode.

MY ADVICE

To those who want to watch this but don't want to deal with heartbreak (and frankly, poor story-telling), I would recommend just watching the first 9 episodes (if you're watching the 10 ep version). In my opinion, their stories wrap up quite nicely (and happily) by the end of that episode, and you will be satisfied if you end it there. Think of episode 10 as like, an alternate timeline or something. It was hard to rate this series with a single number because it is such a sweet, meaningful little story, if only it hadn't ended the way it did.

MY THOUGHTS (on episodes 1-9)

This is such a beautiful coming-of-age, romance which takes some of the tired old tropes of BL and handles them with grace. The reason for this? The characters actually communicate with each other rather than brood, so there's very little of that drawn-out melodrama. However, it is still a teenage romance at heart, so be prepared for the cheese. But let's be real, that's what a lot of us are here for anyways. It's nothing revolutionary, but it subverts expectations enough to be refreshing.

The acting was superb! I love the development between the two main leads. They share such a profound on-screen chemistry, that it's easy to fall in love with them and their relationship. When things get steamy (which, they certainly do), it feels private, intimate and /real/. It is beautifully done. Let me say, I wasn't expecting to cry quite so much during some of these scenes, but I relate wholeheartedly to some of the pressures they both face. Specifically that feeling that the world is crumbling around you and you need to hold it together all on your own. However, every time Xi Gu smiles, his entire face lights up and he simply radiates. Honestly, his character deserved the world. I didn't love the secondary couple at first, mostly because I just didn't understand how they fell in love, or what even attracted them to one another. They grew on me slightly as the series progressed, but honestly I still don't really /feel/ much for them.

All in all, episodes 1-9 tell a fairly well-rounded story which would've ranked quite highly on my list of BL faves. However, I can't give it a higher score because that last episode is, unfortunately, there for all to see.

Lire davantage

Definitely not what I had expected.....

So the start of this grabs you and sucks you in.
The ending was really the worst, I was so not expecting that kind of ending, at first the bullying scene got me a bit pissed but then I gradually overlooked that when he reliase he was wrong, and he totally stood up for him. The friendship between the guys were really awesome especially when they found two of their friends were into the same sex, there was absolutely no judgement.

The second couple was also fun to watch (they bathroom scene was soooooo hoooot)
I did find that his a bit immature at times but his partner was really good with him.

The other part I found super hot was when xing was sick! Dam that whole hand job was hooooooot.

The whole drama unfolded nicely you had the parents finding out or like catching them making out, try to deal with the acceptance of there son. The friends and sunbo determination to get his man.

The thing that disappointed me the most was the last episode, it was like the writers ran out material. He died in a accident and xing trying to come terms after 6 years, why and how.? And who was that he met in the coffee shop he looked so much lik3d his love was he hallucinating or dreaming?

The ending was definitely disappointing ?

Lire davantage

Just human

I defined this drama "just human" because that's how I see it. Because that's the adjective that fits best.
This story depicts the many facets of human beings and I'm going to list the reasons.

I want to start by saying that I rarely write a review, because if I do there must be at least one of these reasons: 1. It has to be a great story that impressed me positively or 2. It has to be a story that made me feel deeply sad about something/disappointed.
This drama gave me both.

The story is very well thought, I really feel like praising the screenwriter/s and the director. The story of the main couple is just delicate. Two teenagers portrayed with all their true emotions, difficulties, fears, hopes. They look real, spontaneous. The events just flow perfectly and with realistic dynamics.
The way they build their relationship is through hard work, collaboration (especially after Xiang Hao Ting gains Yu Xi Gu's trust). It's cute how both fall in love with each other and slowly start to know their weaknesses and faults. It was harder for Yu Xi Gu because he was very introverted, due to all of his life's challenges and I can't blame him at all for that. He was just defensive and only a stubborn, crazy guy like Xiang Hao Ting could reach his heart. He was a boy full of energy who put his all to achieve anything he wanted and I admired him for that. His character development was splendid.
Sexuality, desire, feelings, are depicted just as a teenager would live them. Those few scenes fit perfectly with the dynamics and weren't forced at all.

The second couple was cute too, and I can't say it's not common to see age-gap couples (and who am I to judge if there's true love and dedication?). Sun Bo Xiang was a very good friend too and I appreciated his character a lot.

This drama made me the spectator of something extremely real. Social problems, family issues, the conflicts of young boys who yet have to build their future. That's how life is for the majority of people.

What got me deeply into it was the display of emotions (anger, sorrow, sadness, joy) because the actors did an amazing job and expressed it all with heart + another praise to the sound designer for the soundtracks. The music was so beautiful and emotional that, for me, it had a huge impact on the scenes.

I cried a lot at the end. I also felt a bit disoriented with the flashforward, it took me some time to understand what was happening and what fate was reserved for Yu Xi Gu. Many people say it's not fair (yeah you're damn right) and other say they skipped the last episode. I didn't expect all that pain and it left me hollow. But after thinking about it, I came to a conclusion: life can be like that. You can put all your effort into something and then it can slip away from your hands. Happy endings don't happen for everyone, even for the best, hardworking people. Sometimes it's just fate, or bad luck, however you want to put it. I know people who lost relatives or their partner in similar, unfair, circumstances. Life can be like that too.
"You naively think that something will be there forever. But then you understand it's a lie. That one day, it could not be there anymore". So, what it conveyed to me was this: live your life to the fullest, cherish every moment and never stop believing in your goals.
I firmly believe that this drama deserves a lot more attention and love.

Last, but not least, give a damn Oscar to Wayne Song.

Lire davantage