The On1y One (2024)

Sure to warm your heart

The On1y One is an achingly sweet slow burn about two boys. One is the new kid in class, Sheng Wang. He’s adorable and eager but struggling with the aftereffects of the loss of his mother. The other, Jiang Tian, is an observant, aloof class favorite with a tender heart that he tries to hide. These boys are not just classmates but begin living together since their parents are dating. They are drawn to each other early on, and quietly grow closer and open up. Their interactions are heart fluttering to watch.

This series is more than a romance. It's about the growing pains of adolescence, the development of earnest friendship, and the love and support of family. There's a nostalgic and sincere tone to each episode. You can tell that a lot of heart has been put into its production.

It's based on a book, which has a happy ending. Be forwarded however that the series ends at a mid point and leaves the door open for a season 2.

I loved everything about this series. It isn’t glossy or overproduced. There’s no exaggerated acting. No intrusive sound effects. From the director of Your Name Engraved Herein, you can tell he took a naturalistic approach to the story and production. High schoolers act like high schoolers and struggle with issues that are age-appropriate like grades and making friends. The two main leads are a pleasure to watch. Both have the gift of delivering micro-expressions that convey so much meaning.

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welcome home, where you belong :)

I had my reservations about watching The On1y One because I hadn't ventured much into Taiwanese BL dramas before; most of my experience came from Korean and Thai BLs. Plus, I had already seen spoilers floating around TikTok and Twitter, so I knew the general plot. But I’m glad I took the plunge to watch it. I ended up being quite invested in this drama, watching it as after everything was released because I don’t have the patience to wait for weekly episodes, but this was worth it. I was initially concerned about the “brother-turned-lovers” trope and how it would be received, but to my surprise, the series handled it in a refreshingly subtle way. It's now tied with Love for Love’s Sake and My Stand-In as one of my favorite BL dramas this year.

I thought the main conflict would focus heavily on their romance and how being "brothers" might affect the family, but the show took a much more toned-down approach than I anticipated. This subversion of expectations felt refreshing. Instead of over-dramatizing their relationship, the story balanced emotional depth and subtlety in a way that felt new and welcome.

If I were to compare this to another series, it reminds me of The Trainee with OffGun in terms of vibe. It’s not a typical BL where everything is centered around romance. It leans more into a "coming-of-age" story, but with a much bigger emotional depth. The drama captures raw, real moments, and the emotional buildup pays off well with each episode. Every character development felt organic, and it never felt too heavy-handed.

Jiang Tian, portrayed by Benjamin Tsang, is an incredibly layered character. He carries so much emotional baggage—trauma, defenses, and personal reservations—that he inflicts on himself. His complexity unfolds piece by piece throughout the series, with the “Jiang Tian’s Very Moment” segments at the end of each episode giving more insight into his emotional state. It never felt like the show was just telling us who he is; we truly got to understand him. Tsang’s portrayal is subtle yet powerful. His smiles are rare but genuine, and his emotional breakdowns are heart-wrenching, leaving me teary-eyed at times. His performance is a masterclass in emotional intricacy.

Sheng Wang, on the other hand, seems straightforward but has his own complexities. He’s more open with his feelings, particularly toward Jiang Tian, but he also has his share of emotional struggles. On the surface, he’s carefree and outgoing, but dig deeper, and you see someone who’s also reserved and introverted in his own way. His character development, especially the way he handles failing his test, was executed beautifully, and it added depth to his relationship with Jiang Tian.

Benjamin Tsang and Liu Dong, who play the leads, are exceptional in their roles. As someone who watches a lot of BL dramas, I can confidently say their performances were among the best I’ve seen this year.

The slow-burn romance trope was executed perfectly. The tension, especially during key moments, was palpable. Beyond the romance, the series explored various themes like familial pressure, school toxicity, and competition. It covered a lot of ground without feeling overwhelming. The pacing was gradual, and everything felt meaningful.

I also appreciate that the school setting wasn’t just a backdrop. It was integral to the story. You could feel the stress of exams, the pressure of maintaining grades, and the competitive environment between classmates. The school events, like the sports festival, were woven into the plot effectively, making the setting feel authentic and lived-in.

At its core, this drama is about understanding the complexities of life and how our decisions impact not just ourselves but those around us. Jiang and Sheng moving in together caused both of them to confront their own issues. Tian felt trapped, and Wang struggled with his father trying to replace his mother. Yet, over time, these tensions brought them closer. Even Wang's intentional test failures affected their dynamic, driving a wedge between them and forcing them to reevaluate their relationship. These small moments added layers to the story, making it more than just a love story.

The series isn’t solely about romance—it’s about healing. Tian and Wang heal each other in ways that are subtle but powerful. Wang’s friends play a crucial role in his emotional growth, and even the family members find ways to mend old wounds. This theme of healing is what makes The On1y One stand out.

If I had to nitpick, I’d say the production had some room for improvement. There were some awkward voiceovers, particularly with Jenny, and a few cinematography choices felt off, like the VFX in the first episode. These issues didn’t detract from the overall experience, but they were noticeable.

The casting was phenomenal. Every character, from the teachers to the students, had their moment. Even smaller roles, like Uncle Mute and Mr. Ding, felt integral to the plot. But I have to give special mention to Gao Tian Yang—his quirky and fun energy added much-needed levity to the series.

The ending left me a bit puzzled at first. It made me go, "Wait, that’s it?" But after reflecting, I saw how the lemon honey reference tied the story together, especially for Tian and Wang. It feels like they left room for a sequel or at least some special episodes, which I’d love to see.

Beyond the well-executed themes of healing and personal growth, there's an undeniable warmth and comfort that comes through. Despite the emotional struggles and complexities, the characters and their journeys give off a sense of familiarity and belonging. Watching The On1y One feels like coming home, where even through the ups and downs, there’s solace in knowing you’re understood.

This drama isn’t just about love—it's about finding where you truly belong, and that’s what makes it so special.

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Overall worth it

You get this type of emotionally captivating series rarely from time to time.
At first the story seemed simple but throughout the series it gets deeper/complicated in a good way.
I didnt feel bored watching every episode and waited weekly for every episode which something rare while watching many series these days this one gets you hooked right on.

Liked:
- main leads were great
-emotional scenes and story is well paced (imo)
- the osts are amazing

Things to consider: (little spoiler)
There's some stuff that wasn't covered yet in this season which might be a cliffhanger for some. It was announced they're already done/working on s2 script.

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Directors and Writers should create series without another season in mind.

I might've dug up my own grave here by watching a series directed by one of the saddest gay films I've watched to date (Your Name Engraved Herein) but considering how there was a kiss on the first two episodes each, I expected the pace to pick up but it didn't. I don't hate slowburn, but that build up for 12 episodes was for nothing which is a sucker because everyone in the cast really played their part well especially the oozing chemistry between the two main leads. I really hoped the director and writers wrote this without a second season in mind and serve us a season that ends on a good note/ a series that could stand alone even without renewal. The ending was so disappointing tbh, really don't know what to feel about the series overall. The plot was just going circles in terms of the development of their relationship, I feel like the series peaked in the middle episodes and just went down from there :(( hope this would get a season 2 and redeem itself.

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Freefall, or, Now My Friend Refuses to Talk to Me.

A conversation between me and a friend called Zhuang Zhou:

Part I. Episodes 1-7

ME: There’s a new Taiwanese BL in town!
ZZ: Oh? Is it about stepbrothers?


ME: Ummm…
ZZ: Let’s run through the checklist. Are the leads unusually attractive?


ME: Yes.
ZZ: Is one of them poor, the other one rich?


ME: Yes.
ZZ: Is one of them a taciturn grouch, and the other a happy-go-lucky pout?
ME: Wait…
ZZ: A dead mother, or an absent father?


ME: Both!
ZZ: Does it go from (step) sibling conflict to (step) sibling rivalry to (step) sibling love to (step) sibling banging?


ME: I don’t know about the banging, but the rest of the arc is covered.
ZZ: Is there an outing by the beach, by the river, or in an arcade?


ME: Two out of three!
ZZ: Being pushed against a wall? "Spin the bottle"? "Teach-you-a-lesson" kiss?
ME: Uh-huh.
ZZ: An older, supportive side gay couple?
ME: Yes. But helpfully, they have no individuality so far.
ZZ: Cameos from other TBLs?


ME: Aplenty.
ZZ: A vague attempt at creating a stock villain?
ME: There is this kid who might fit the bill. But his only sin, as far as I can see, is wanting to be the best and popular. So, monster!
ZZ: Loud, intrusive background music?
ME: Yes! Why do TBLs do this? Sometimes, I can't even hear what they're saying.
ZZ: Pity. How about a timejump or a trip abroad?


ME: We aren’t there yet, but it is based on a novel, and the young people who have read it hint at both in the comments.
ZZ: Don't tell me they're going to pull another Addicted or Stay With Me on us.
ME: That's the fear.
ZZ: So tell me why I should watch it.
ME: Well, it is not without charm. The characters are in school, and they are actually shown schooling! You know, books, teachers, homework, and all that stuff which other BLs pretend don’t exist? Plus, in this world, the teenagers do have boners, which, of course, most teenage boys do all the time. (Remember what filth we entertained in our heads?) So, it is not chaste. And the leads do have great chemistry.
ZZ: Tell me why I shouldn’t.
ME: The fans might murder me for this. But the episodes are far too long for what they contain. They could have done each episode in 30 minutes or less (which the Japanese seem able to do effortlessly). I'm not sure what all those lingering shots of nothing accomplished. I love seeing the boys together. But this is not Andrei Rublev.
ZZ: It does sound like it is chock full of the tropiest tropes that ever troped.
ME: Doesn’t matter if done well, though, does it? I myself am a bit divided about the show, but on the whole, I'm rather enjoying it than not.
ZZ: Maybe I’ll give it a go. I’ll call you after it’s done.
ME: Shhhhh…. Don’t let people know we call each other! What will the teenagers on MDL think?
ZZ: Right.


Part II. Episodes 8 & 9

NOTE: ZZ has a very irascible sense of humour. His opinions are not mine :)

ZZ: I hate you.
ME: Why?
ZZ: For making me suffer through this show.
ME: Did you quit?
ZZ: Are you still watching?
ME (shyly): No...
ZZ: You do realise what you've done?
ME: What?
ZZ: You've made me want to quit Taiwanese BLs forever. After you ruined Thai BLs for me forever by recommending that pile of... Never mind.
ME: When did you quit and why?
ZZ: Fifth or sixth episode, I'm not sure.
ME: So soon?
ZZ: What was there to watch? It's every trope in the TBL book, but served half-baked and soaked in maple syrup. The boys were quite cute, yes, but they were clearly 30 playing on 17. Their roles and interactions were stale as last month's loaf. I'm fine with the step-brother trope, but tell me what was subversive about it? What was new? And it was so... slow... It wasn't building up tension. It was acting as a muscle relaxant. Which might be good for Wang, because he's clearly the bottom, but I kept falling asleep. What did you see in this?
ME: Just lots of lovely moments. Tenderness. Hope for a beautiful romance. Unlike you. Who has an iceberg for a heart.
ZZ: Which made you overlook all the bad signs posted along the way. Well, was it worth it?
ME: To be honest, I no longer know. Why couldn't they leave well enough alone? Things were good (for me) until Ep. 7. Then, at the end of Ep. 8, the boys move in together, and what should have been a beautiful moment was ruined by such an awful loud soundtrack that I thought, this has all the subtlety of a hangnail. It was a bad sign. Then Ep. 9 came and... I needed to be put out of my misery.
ZZ: What happened?
ME: Oh, ZeeZee. It was baaaaaad... an absurd kidnapping plot, strange bisexual love triangles between teachers without any palpable tension, students mooning their teachers, 25 minutes of a school sports day... IBS would look at that episode and say, that's bloated. I couldn't go on. But I hear that there was a bandit in the 10th episode, who provides the only possible excuse for our boys to finally sleep in the same bed together.
ZZ: Because you know... Wang, despite his build, is as helpless and maladroit as if he's always about to walk on a banana peel...
ME: Yes. The poor thing kept spraining his ankles. Despite fighting off thugs three episodes earlier, he's still afraid of sleeping alone with all that banditry.
ZZ: I told you. This is BL by the numbers. Why won't anyone listen to me? Have you been spoiled the ending? Was I right to predict a time-jump and a forced separation?
ME: It seems so. Which is why I quit. Either they will have to get precipitously to a happy ending, or, they'll do a cliff-hanger and wait for a second season. I'm not sure I wanted to stay for either. Do you think I should have?
ZZ: I don't know, and I don't care... I'm going to go sink into my bed like a hippopotamus and stuff myself with a Victoria sponge cake. Now, go away.

P. S. I did go back for the last episode, eventually. The ending was just... unforgivable.

Reader's Digest:
DO SAY: You're the On1y One.
DON'T SAY: I am the One & On1y...

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Breaking the wall of disappointment, you came into my life as a ray of hope.

This is a story of two teenagers acting like adults just to be found that their inner child is still alive and yearning for the love and affection they never got.
 
The drama that I almost skipped had me in tears. I can't explain to you enough how much I could connect with their storyline. This was very different than any other love story where the word "love" was never uttered but understood in their own way.
 
💟The things I appreciate:
 
• First of all, I wasn't interested in another high school stepbrother falling in love, but I was pleasantly surprised at how neatly they had woven the storyline so intricately that you couldn't let go.
 
• It's not easy to accept someone as your parent with whom you're not biologically connected. So Sheng Wang not accepting Tian's mother as his mother was normal. Most importantly, the way he accepted is praiseworthy. Like, I accept you as my family, but definitely you can't replace my mother. Fair enough.
 
• The best part of the series is its willingness to give "time" to both characters and them accepting the circumstances. It's not like they started hating or loving each other all of a sudden; it was a continuous natural process of them coming to terms with being brothers and then realising maybe they have affection and consider each other more than brothers. Things weren't rushed but shown in a slow, subtle manner.
 
• Sheng Wang and Jang Tian's past experiences created a deep hollow in their hearts; they closed their hearts and isolated themselves from the whole world until they met each other. But the process of them getting to know about each other in small situations had me wondering how small things hold important memories in our brain that we don't know we had. A simple gesture of avoidance holds a heap of grudges in our hearts, which slowly eat us from the inside.
 
• The side characters are lovely. Realistically, when you have several comforting, reliable helping friends like Gao Tian, Li Jia, Xu Tian, etc., then there's always someone who's not friendly and jealous of you, like Jia Hao. 
 
📝Room for improvement:
 
•Actually NONE. I'm neither worried about it's runtime or long episodes nor any side characters because everyone was flawed, and they and I both accepted them as they are, beautifully broken.
 
About the 2nd season, I do want that; I do want to know how they'll deal with and explain their simple feelings in this complex world, but I do realise some things should be left as they are, unfinished and unsaid; that's how real things get in life. That's why I could connect with this so well.
 
Overall, if you are not worried about teenagers being absolutely frustrating, having a slow-paced storyline, having no physical intimacy, but having a pure connection of soul and heart, then this is for you.

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slow burn with emotial conflict and a cliffhanger

Why I do love slow burns, I am not a fan of mutliple couples, especially of the grown up sort on the side.
Two teachers are in the same boat as our MLs, but they know each other for more than 10 years and have not found the time to confess their feelings much much much earlier. This is a big downer of the whole show.
First I (and many others) assumend that both teachers where together, but much later on, we learn, that's not the case. That's also the reason why the female teacher has so much screen time.

Tians conflict is not really revealed. If you don't know the book, you don't know that he is a homophobe. The flashback in episode 11 shoulkd teach us that, but (!) it does not... yes he is disturbed what he has seen, but I would never have the conclusion that it makes him a homophobe. He also does not react as such in the two kissing scenes. So something is either lost from the book or lost in the script.

Other than that both characters are what you expect in a BL. One introvert, the other one an extrovert. Both with emotional damage. The character building was nicely done, You see that they are caring for each other and they are growing togehter. But they don't make the step to confess even when both feel the same. So the cliffhanger for Season 1 was done in the nicest way possible for the MLs, but the teachers were a disappointment.

So I personally have to disagree with "best BL 2024", I think that "Unknown" was better. It's a good show, with good acting, very good cinematography but the story is nothing we did not see already. It also has "Addicted Heroin" vibes but they resolve such a story in an other way. We get an unsatisfying ending because it looks like it was designed to have two seasons. Now we have to wait and see if we really get a second season, which is not a given.

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Conflicted

Man, I love this series so much but I am so conflicted. They barely touch the relationship between the two characters and they put a useless second couple in the show for no reason which ruined the time and it ended abruptly without any warning. We were just beginning with the show and it decided to end. At one hand,I love this series so much but on the other hand how could they just end it like that. I pretty sure they did if for a sequel and that's is very very very shitty. It makes me unfulfilled and dissatisfied. But you gotta give 10s where it is due,good plot,good acting,nice chemistry and overall very good but still MAN....WHYYYYYYYY

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The hype is not accurate to the content, but the show is worth a watch.

THE GOOD:
- The acting, especially in the emotional scenes.
- Some conversations were really well written.
- Casting was good for over all good quality actors.
- I liked the film style of this, some of the cinematography was great.

THE BAD:
- Too much filler. Could have cut a lot of stuff out and the point of the story would not have been affected.
- Boring/unnecessary side couple drama
- Ill timed music, ruined some of the emotional intensity.
- One sided ML simpage. I have always hated this. (As I've said in previous reviews, if the person being simped over is not Xie Lian or Wei Wuxian levels of simp-worthy, then someone chasing them on simp level is just off putting.) Sheng Wang was not deserving of having a simp level love interest chasing him imo.
- The final scene (after credits) in ep 11 was incorrectly placed, it should have been used when the issue of whatever effect it had on Jiang Tian was going to be addressed, it ended up being utterly pointless since it served no purpose in S01.

Nothing UGLY, really.

THE HIGHLIGHT:
- Singular. Andy Chen as Gao Tian Yang. Talk about casting a ML standard actor as a support character.

------

If they make a s02, I will watch it (because the acting is really good), but I do hope they drop the excess filler and keep the story in focus, even if it means a lower episode count.
As to the whole show, considering this is a high school (and falling for their 'step bro' complicated family issues/disapproval type) teenage romance, the whole thing more or less adds up to a sensible, passable ending, but only if there is a sequel, otherwise, the ending is open ended in a totally pointless way.

I can't rate it more than a 7.5/10 though, because personally, the drawbacks (BAD) mentioned above were not compensated for, even by the great acting. Especially the biggest ick for me, JT's continually increasing level of simpage. It was off putting, I mean, having a mini emotional episode because his crush moved to a different classroom is just, well, sad. And not in the 'aw sweet' way, in the 'ugh, seriously?' way.

Over all, it was not a waste of time to watch this, but it took some patience. It'll suit some viewers tastes and press the patience buttons of others, but whether you skip through filler or watch every scene, it is worth a one time watch. I would very softly recc it, if you have the free time.

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We need Season 2

"The Only One" season 1 left us on a cliffhanger, a bittersweet symphony of emotions that resonated long after the credits rolled. While the finale was beautifully crafted, leaving us with a sense of closure and a glimmer of hope, it also left a gaping hole in our hearts. The unsaid words, the unspoken feelings, the lingering tension between the two protagonists – it all culminates in a heart-wrenching climax that begs for resolution. The chemistry between [Character 1] and [Character 2] was palpable throughout the season. Their interactions were filled with unspoken longing, a dance of attraction and avoidance that kept us on the edge of our seats. We witnessed their individual journeys, their struggles, their triumphs, and their vulnerabilities. We rooted for them, we ached for them, and we yearned for them to finally acknowledge the undeniable connection that bound them together. The ending, although poignant and well-executed, left us with a sense of incompleteness. The final scene, where [briefly describe the final scene], left us with more questions than answers. Did [Character 1] truly understand [Character 2]'s feelings? Did [Character 2] finally realize the depth of [Character 1]'s affection? The ambiguity of their final interaction left us craving more, yearning for a resolution to the unspoken emotions that simmered beneath the surface. We need season 2, not just to see how their story unfolds, but to experience the catharsis of seeing them finally confess their feelings, to witness the culmination of their journey. We need to see them navigate the complexities of their relationship, the challenges they face, and the triumphs they achieve together. We need to see them embrace the love that has been brewing for so long, a love that has been tested, tried, and ultimately, strengthened by the trials they have endured. The pain we feel after the season 1 finale is a testament to the power of "The Only One." It's a reminder that we are invested in these characters, in their journey, and in their happiness. We are not simply viewers; we are invested participants in their story. We need season 2 to provide the closure, the resolution, and the emotional satisfaction that we crave. It's not just about the story; it's about the characters, their journey, and the connection we have forged with them. Season 2 is not just a request, it's a necessity. It's a chance to give justice to the emotions we have experienced, to see the characters we have grown to love find their happily ever after. It's a chance to finally see the love story we have been waiting for unfold, a love story that has been brewing for a season and is now ready to blossom. We are ready for season 2, and we are waiting with bated breath for the moment it arrives.

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