The On1y One (2024)

More Than a Romance

At first, you may think this is just one more old cliche about two brothers who fall in love. But it's much more than that. It's a beautiful coming of age that digs into feelings of being alone, finding out who you are, love and handling hurt. It goes deep into the youth and not just the easy parts. If you are waiting for a usual boys' love story, think again because this one stays with you. It might even make you bawl your eyes out and leave you wanting more when it ends.

Let's start with Jiang Tian, he is such a deep character, he has many sides and holds a lot of sad feelings. He keeps his emotions hid as if they are dark secrets he does not want to disclose to the world because he is afraid. His past and the marks he has, both in and out, have made him into someone who wants to be near others but is also scared of it. That's when Sheng Wang steps in. What I like is that he doesn’t hit Tian’s life hard like a wrecking ball but rather gently nudges him to drop his guard down.

The two main leads are thrown together because of their parents and suddenly they’re supposed to act like brothers. But they definitely don’t feel like siblings at all. Right from the beginning, there’s this tension - it's not bad, but its definitely not the typical sibling vibe. They are trying to understand each other and coexist but you can feel something brewing underneath even if neither of them is ready to admit it yet.

And yes, it’s a slow burn (a thing that many people did not like) but that’s the beauty of it for me. It pulls you in with all the little moments - quick touches, secret glances and the way they look at each other when they think no one is watching. These tiny details make your heart race. The way their hands accidentally brush together (or maybe not so accidentally) and the gentle, lingering looks they share are all done so subtly - it’s just beautiful.

And it's not only about love, it's also about healing. Wang is gently aiding Tian in facing the pain he has held for ages, just by staying by his side and showing him it's fine to open up and let someone in. And Tian is showing Wang that love can be tough. At times, the ones you hold dear are the toughest to reach, but they are worth the hard work.

And the actors are just amazing. It's not often you see roles played with so much truth. You can sense their sadness, their silent wants and the love they share. Each look and each touch is full of meaning. They act with a rawness that makes it all seem real and nothing feels hurried. This makes their bond really stand out. You are not just seeing love, you are watching it grow, bit by bit.

NOTE ABOUT THE ENDING

I thought the ending was okay but it left some things unresolved. There were moments that felt a bit unsatisfying but since they seem to be hinting at a second season (even without official confirmation) it makes sense. They didn’t rush the plot and allowed the story to develop slowly and thoughtfully. If we’re lucky enough to get a season 2 then we’ll likely see their relationship fully blossom which feels like the natural next step after all this gradual buildup.

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RECIPROCITY - Walk in a straight line BUT circle back to each other.

----The key point of the series is ----


"If there is only ONE person in this world who can understand your words, then he is more important than anyone else.” -Jiang Tian

"The population of the planet is now about seven billion. If the average life expectancy of each person is 80 years and they can meet 1,000 people per day, they will meet about 29.2 million people in their lifetime. The probability of two people meeting is 0.00417. while the probability that you happened to like him, he likes you back and you become each other's special 'someone' is only 0.0000173. Everyone has a "very moment" in their life. Your memory will freeze at that moment, becoming a very special moment. It turns into a most important memory of your life. And every time you think of it, you will always have a special feeling inside" - Sheng Wang



A good coming of age BL drama from Taiwan, adapted from the book 'Mou Mou' by Mu Su Li. It's a story of two 17 year old boys coming from different backgrounds, forced to live in close proximity due to their respective parents cohabitation. Slowly these two find a home in each other and open their hearts to a possible connection. The series is not fast paced which is one of its greatest advantages, it paints a nostalgic picture of the bygone days.


The story wouldn't have been as compelling as it turned out to be without the fabulous performance of both the lead actors. Liu Dong Qin who plays the part of a lonely, privileged and affable, Sheng Wang AND Benjamin Tsang who portrays the often stoic, prickly, Ace student of the class, Jiang Tian.

At first glance, the audience perceives, both Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang are opposite in their disposition and would likely clash due to their different personalities. However just in the case of magnets, opposite poles attract each other, the audience comes to realise that underneath their seemingly contrasting outward personalities, both hide deep seated vulnerabilities that they are unwilling to share or reveal to the world. Their close proximity due their parents' cohabitation enables them to peel the protective outward layer and peek into the inner hidden sensitivity of the other.

There are many instances where the viewers get a glimpse of how well these two fit together. With each Thread of shared experience, unrevealed emotion, conversations with concealed subtexts, silent support, All combining together; their relationship transforms into an unbreakable Rope of blazing love. Some of their interactions that make them realise they have found a 'home' in each other and share RECIPROCITY in their feelings are :-

1. Sheng Wang is beaten by some outside thugs on the school campus (arranged by a jealous competitive classmate). Sheng Wang while taking the beating and trying to escape from the goons, thinks that he is all alone and nobody is there to help him. When Jiang Tian finds out about this incident, he works out a way to catch these fellows and punish them. Later Sheng Wang finds out that Jiang Tian was instrumental in their being caught, he talks with Jiang Tian who divulges that if in place of Sheng Wang, he would have been caught alone by the thugs, he too would feel helpless and wish someone would help him. Jiang Tian further states that at that time he wasn't there to help Sheng Wang but he made sure those guys were punished for attacking Sheng Wang and making him feel powerless. (This conversation makes Sheng Wang realise that Jiang Tian would always protect him)

2. Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian both want to live in a dorm (hostel) at one point of time. However later, after the two feel a sense of fellowship, Sheng Wang no longer wants to live in a dorm but wishes to live in his father's house with Jiang Tian. Jiang Ting confesses that even though he also rejected the idea of living in a dorm due to their growing closeness (and the fact Sheng Wang was hurt by Jiang Tian wanting to live in a hostel) he still wished he could stay in a dorm. At that time Sheng Wang thought that Jiang Tian would leave him so he started distancing himself from Jiang Tian. Later Sheng Wang came to know from Old Man Ding that Jiang Tian never had a permanent home, he always kept his belongings packed in a suitcase, ready to leave the place where he was currently residing at a moment's notice because he had an unstable childhood and never got a place to call 'home'. Sheng Wang then offers to stay with Jiang Tian in a dorm, both of them would live in a dorm together so that Jiang Tian would feel safe for at least the duration of their boarding period (as it was fixed as per the fees paid and duration of their studies, the stay in a dorm is not depended upon unforseen changes in his mother's relationship with Sheng Wang in future) and would UNPACK things from his suitcase as he would get a clear timeline as to how long he could live at one place. (This conversation with Sheng Wang made Jiang Tian acknowledge that someone understood his fears)

By gaining insight into the other's frality, both feel protective towards the other. This understanding creates a bond of friendship and acceptance, however it is complicated by their budding romantic feelings for the other. Sheng Wang is more vocal about things but is oblivious to the romantic undercurrent between them or so it SEEMS, Jiang Tian on the other hand is hyper aware of his feelings but he is accustomed to bottle up his emotions never verbally voicing them out.

The hurdles in their way to a blissful life of togetherness are them being of same gender as well as their parents' relationship which makes them 'brothers' in the eyes of the society.

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I would say this series is multi-layered, it deals with many issues that a young adult goes through.....

1. Dealing with past trauma and loss - Searching for that certain some'ONE'.
2.The Bittersweet school life - surviving the competitive world of education where ranks and grades have to be maintained, the jealousy and backstabbing of other ambitious student(s).
3. The budding romance - Growing affection between two boys who care deeply for each other but are afraid of societal judgement as well as afraid of rejection by the other so they keep their feelings within themselves.
4. The stolen glances - Looking at your crush, trying to gauge their reactions based on subtle changes in their facial expressions. Trying to gain the attention of the person you are captivated by. Realising that what started as infatuation has morphed into an indestructible bond of Love that lasts a lifetime.

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I would also like to praise the director of the series, Liu Kuang Hui. The director made the perfect casting choice, Liu Dong Qin and Benjamin Tsang create a believable love story of two young people who are too afraid to voice out their emotions. The Director, through their slow build relationship managed to tell a heartwarming story of two youths' struggle to find a way to stay together. From Jiang Tian's attentive, observant gaze To Sheng Wang's unwillingness to get close to anyone who might desert him. Both fearing abandonment, their non-date Date, having each other's back. The director laid down layers upon layers of shared experiences to cement their commitment.


The soundtracks also manage to solidify the burgeoning feelings.. Although it's difficult to choose a favourite amongst them, my favourite is '17 Run to You', the lyrics were so appropriate for these two lost souls finding a common ground to flourish and live happily together. Other Songs include 'Just lonely', 'Interlude', 'Rainbow Love' and 'Love Proverbs '(The theme song)- All 5 of them have quite soulful melodies and meaningful lyrics that linger in your heart for a long time.


::::Overall:::: Another good BL drama from Taiwan, a little wistful, evoking memories of youth.
This series is replete with pathos for literary enthusiasts. People who are interested in literature should rewatch the series to savour the metaphors, symbols and references from other literary works that the Scriptwriter/ Director has woven into the narrative of the story.

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My 'Very' Moments (Additional Titbits)

1. Episode 3

'up to you' versus 'down to you' - There is a scene where the English Teacher in Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang's school is asking the students to differentiate between the phrases 'up to you' and 'down to you'.

As per the dictionary:
'up to you' means 'It's your decision! You choose!'
Where as 'down to you' means 'to be someone's responsibility or decision:Duty, obligation and responsibility'

In the same episode before the English Teacher brings up the topic of differentiating between the two phrases, Jiang Tian has given money to Sheng Wang for the bottle of water he had purchased earlier for Jiang Tian, Sheng Wang tells Jiang Tian that it's 'up to you' implying that Jiang Tian can choose to remain formal and stiff with Sheng Wang, unaccepting his clumsy attempt at explaining as to Sheng Wang only kissed Jiang Tian in school due to the game of truth and dare, the kiss was just a part of the game.

Later when Jiang Tian offers to be friends with Sheng Wang while talking in his bedroom. Sheng Wang's soliloquy brings the whole topic of difference between the idioms full circle. Sheng Wang muses - "At this moment, I totally forgot what our English Teacher had said. What's the difference between "up to you" and "down to you". Only then did I realise, the moment Jiang Tian said that, my world turned UPSIDE DOWN. My world toppled."

The thin line between "up to you" i.e choice and "down to you" i.e obligation, blurs as everything turns topsy turvy with one heart to heart conversation of Jiang Tian with Sheng Wang.


2. Episode 7 - Moving into a dorm

As per my perception and the conversation that Sheng Wang had with Jiang Tian, Sheng Wang hopes to find some 'stability' for Jiang Tian hence suggests moving into a dorm.

It was stated by Grandfather Ding that Jiang Ting had NO home while growing up, he was constantly on a move, sometimes living with his father, mother, grandmother or old man Ding... probably he may have spent an occasional night at some acquaintance's home. Now that his mother has moved into Sheng Wang's father's home, logically he might get a stable home but due to his past experiences, psychologically he is still unable to relax and unpack. He may fear things going south between his mother and Sheng Wang's father someday or displeasing his stepfather or ... or ..or...and he may have to 'move' again so he is keeping himself ready for that possibility.

As per Sheng Wang, living in a dorm Jiang Tian may unwind a little because even though they cannot live in a dorm forever, it gives a 'specified duration' wherein the students can live as per the fees they have paid for the term. Hence Jiang Tian can mentally feel some stability for that time period.

So it doesn't matter that there are two other people sharing a dorm room with them because at the current juncture of the story they are looking for 'stability' rather than 'privacy'. Therefore both are rejoicing at having achieved that goal.

Maybe later they may find sharing the accommodation with other two students a little restrictive but that's for the future..In the present, they can heave a sigh of relief on behalf of Jiang Tian.


3 . Episode 8

The difference between the conversation that Sheng Wang has with his father and Jiang Tian has with his mother regarding shifting from Sheng Wang's father's house to a Dorm.

Sheng Wang is quite vocal and doesn't mince words, he is eloquent and has a way with words. His father often considers him immature and doesn't really listen to what he is saying. Sheng Wang very clearly stated what he wanted and put his feelings into words to express what he wanted. He very generously accepted his father's need for a companionship but never faltered from his point of needing to stay in a dorm.

Jiang Tian and his mother's relationship is quite stilted due her guilt of leaving her son to fend for himself while she was busy earning money to support her family. Both stay quite, sitting on a sofa not knowing how to approach the topic, until they break the ice. Jiang Tian comforts his mother by saying that this time he is NOT alone when he moves to a new place, as he has a companion who would accompany him and ensure his happiness. He also expresses happiness that his mother will also not be alone as she has also found a loving companion.

What made me happy to see is that both boys want their respective parents to lead a happy life but they are not willing to change their decision. Their approach of discussing things with their own parent differs but both manage to convey their choice distinctly. They stay firm and polite but don't buckle under the pressure of parental guilt, obligation or coaxing.

4. Episode 9
Once again a topic explained in the beginning of the episode by a school teacher, forms a heartfelt moment...the series did the same in episode 3.

Now again in this episode. The difference between a period (.) and ellipsis (.....)

i.Period (.) means end of conversation, there is nothing left to say anymore.
ii. Ellipsis (.....) means something is left intentionally unsaid, the conversation is at a pause and there are more things that are unsaid, to be said.

This lesson, is quite meaningful as the relationship between Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang is at the ellipsis stage.....

There are so many things bubbling at the surface between these two protagonists waiting to burst out.

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*Through two incidents, we witness different dynamics of the relationship between Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian.*

When Sheng Wang cajoles, coaxes and calls him "ge" all the while pouting, to convince Jiang Tian to wear the sports T-shirt with embarrassing letters printed on, Jiang Tian surrenders, he agrees to put on the T-shirt to make Sheng Wang happy. Sheng Wang sports a smug smile because, he knows he would always get his way with Jiang Tian by pleading.
(Sheng Wang 1 : Jiang Tian 0)

Second incident, when Sheng Wang hurts his foot after the last round of Long Jump, Jiang Tian notices his wince when Jiang Tian is tying their legs together for a three legged race. Jiang Tian immediately calls a halt and asks permission from the teachers to take Sheng Wang to a health centre. Jiang Tian instructs Sheng Wang to get on his back so he could carry Sheng Wang piggyback style. With so many people watching, Sheng Wang is embarrassed to get on Jiang Tian's back, he squirms and tries to make excuses. Jiang Tian doesn't heed and repeatedly asks Sheng Wang to "get on" his back in a protective authoritative manner till Sheng Wang climbs onto his back so that Jiang Tian can carry him to the clinic.
(Jiang Tian 1 : Sheng Wang 0)

Both these incidents highlight their relationship dynamics, Jiang Tian will fold and give in to Sheng Wang's persuasions in all instances except when it comes to Sheng Wang's well being, then Jiang Tian wouldn't be swayed by anything. An interesting fact is that Each of them is aware of their strengths and weaknesses where the other is concerned.

(I have run out is space here so My 'very' moments for episode 11 and some musing on episode 12 specifically the Ending are added as comments to this review, If you are interested to read more please look up the comments)

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