The On1y One (2024)

The most perfect love story I've seen in a while

There are many aspects that make this the best BL show I've seen this year, but in this review, I'll concentrate only on why Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian are perfect for each other and why I think they are "The On1y One" for each other.

Let's start with Jiang Tian. I don't think I remember the last time I've seen someone to appreciate, adore and respect their love interest as much as Jiang Tian does. I did a rewatch of the entire show the last couple of days and with the exception of one time (the revenge kiss at the beginning of episode 3), I never saw Jiang Tian get angry at Shang Wang, no matter what he did. He was hurt and confused both times when Wang pulled away from him, but he still tried to understand and never blamed Wang or tried to pressure him into anything. He accepts him for what he is from the very beginning and is there for him, but only to support and encourage him, never to try to change him in any way. For him, Wang is perfect the way he is.

Wang is clumsy and falls down a lot? Well, it's adorable, and if necessary, Tian will let him drag him to the ground and lay down with him. Wang pouts a lot? Tian thinks it's the cutest thing he's even seen and it makes him smile every time. Wang is picky about food? No problem, Tian will make sure to get him something he would eat. Wang needs help to catch up with his lessons? Tian will stay up at night with him and will prepare notes for him, even with the power down. Wang wants to skip class? Tian will go with him even though he's never done it before. Wang gets drunk by accident and needs someone to bring him home? Tian will do that, carry him home on his back, even though Wang is taller and bigger than him, without accusing him or blaming him. Wang needs to distance himself, because he has to sort out him newly discovered romantic feelings? Tian will accept that, even though it hurts him immensely, and will wait for him. Wang constantly needs to borrow ink fillers? Tian has them ready for him. Wang can't stand a bully treating a helpless man like dirt and hits him? Tian is right there and will do the same. Wang doesn't want the honor student title? Tian doesn't either.

Also, he lets Wang make all the important decisions that define their relationship with each other at his own speed. More on this later.

Seriously, it's so rare to find someone who completely and utterly adores you like that. Of course, Tian is generally the caring type and this is his way to express his love for everyone he cares about, but his absolute devotion for Wang overtakes the way he treats everyone else in the show, because the difference is that unlike with the others (his mother, Uncle Ding, etc.) he opens up to Sheng Wang and not only shows him that he cares, but also tells him, several times. Tian is the perfect person for Wang, because for him, Wang can do no wrong, and he's able to read and understand what Wang wants and needs and is willing to do anything to give it to him, even if it hurts him.

Now about Wang. Although there are similarities in their childhood (both have experienced abandonment, although a different kind), Wang has a different way to deal with it and hasn't closed up like Tian. Wang is, despite having no mother and an absentee father and being forced to move a lot, thus becoming an outsider in his schools, an open, curious, friendly and positive person. He's capable of opening up to Tian almost from the very beginning and in being active, in talking about himself, smiling, making puppy eyes, asking for (or demanding) things, even being bothersome sometimes and making Tian care about him, he manages to get Tian out of his self-inflicted isolation and make him enjoy life without dwelling too much on the past. Tian didn't want to attend the first party with their classmates at the beginning; at the end, he was there and no one questioned it. He never participated in the school games before; this time he did, because Wang was there. Wang is the sunshine, Tian the sunshine-protector. It's Wang who moves their relationship forward and makes the important decisions, Tian simply follows them, because he knows that being with Wang, whichever way possible, has changed his life for the better. There is a person who genuinelly cares and understands and expresses it without being scared. This person also appreciates everything he does for them. In episode 12, they made a very important point: Wang is a brave person, and I think Tian got it.

It's Wang who tries, clumsily, but still, to break the ice when he went to Tian's room to ask for help with the homework he couldn't do. While he wasn't brave enough to say what he wanted, Tian is very smart and got it anyway, and the first step was done. It was Wang who added Tian's number and chat contact on his phone first and asked to be friends and was hoping that Tian would confirm it. It was Wang who pointed out to Tian that everybody around them was the opinion that they were close to each other, even though it wasn't true, and it was Wang who opened up and told Tian about his lonely childhood, about what happened after his mother died and his father stopped coming to comfort him, thus making Tian decide that the past didn't matter anymore and they should try to become close. It was Wang who decided that first they were going to stay together in the house and after getting why Tian wasn't able to feel there at home and would stay only because of him, he changed his mind and told Tian they should stay together in the dorm in order for Tian to finally have a place to call home. It was Wang who took Tian out on a date (well, not officially, but this is what it was), bought the bracelets, and made a promise to be there for him. And of course, painful as it it, it was Wang again to decide that he needed some distance from Tian in order to get his feelings sorted. What broke my heart was that Tian immediately closed himself to others after that. Without Wang around, Tian turns into the person we met at the beginning of the series - the best student in the class and respected for it, but with no friends, no other contacts except an elderly man who used to take care of him as a child but to whom he hasn't completely opened up either, and no real happiness, dramatic as it sounds, in life. Tian hitting the wall in the last episode was not exaggerated, because he knew Wang was deliberately pulling away from him and saw how far Wang would go to do that, and he felt absolutely helpless and knew he couldn't do anything to prevent it and had to wait until Wang comes around. He literally was experiencing the person he cares about most and the only one able to make him smile and laugh and relax and just enjoy simple things putting a barrier between them. This hurts.

To sum it up: these two complement each other perfectly and I honestly can't remember the last time I'd seen such a well-written couple. I have to admit that I needed some time and understanding to appeciate episode 12, because the ending was not what I wanted, but after waiting and rewatching it today I have to say that while I still would've preferred a different ending, I've changed my mind so far as to say that episode 12 is exactly as good and amazing as the rest, and the fact that Tian, despite his breakdown, realised that Wang will return to him and he has to wait for him. is enough even if season 2 doesn't happen. Because Tian knows Wang will come back, and we know, too.

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SEASON 2 is a MUST.

The On1y One is a BL series from Taiwan and they really make good ones. I will be honest and be straight that this is such a good series and my only ick is that ending. I know that they are trying to set up a second season for this show but I am not sure if there will be one so I am a bit scared that this might be where things will be going. Anyways, before we start with the talks of the second season, let us first talk about the first one. The story is about Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian who are now forced to be siblings because Sheng Wang’s father and Jiang Tian’s mother are now a couple and they are now starting to live together. We have seen this kind of siblings to lover’s storyline but what makes this so good are the characters. I want to highlight that the relationship may have started as this cliché storyline that we have seen where they are fighting but end up together. I think you can say that it is in a way like that but what makes this so good is that the characters are amazing not just the lead characters but everyone in the story. It is important in making a good show and they were able to cast amazing actors here. On top of that, we also have an amazing writer and director that did not really let the story stale. It is flowing seamlessly and they really focused on letting the relationship between the lead characters grew so naturally that it convinces me why they are so close together. Sheng Wang is played by Liu Dong Qin who resembles New so much from Thailand and is the other half of my favorite love team in Thailand so I am immediately drawn to him. He is so cute and I think what really made this character so attractive is that he is smart and acts so cute. I will have to say that I even fell in love with how the character is portrayed. He is also very nuanced as we got a side story of a kid who really loves his mother who died so the fact that a new woman is taking in that position from her deceased mother is a bit hard for him and that is understandable but they did not play on the character recklessly. Instead, he is a very kind person who accepted her as part of his family but not a replacement of his mother but an addition to his family and that really is such a mature thing to do. I feel like we do not always get that kind of representation onscreen so that is much appreciated. We also have Jiang Tian who is played by Benjamin Tsang. The character is more reserved and is the top student. He is very stereotypical smart kid but what him so interesting to watch is how his character evolved from being someone who easily moves from one place to another to someone who have found his own place. I feel like he had to play a much darker character with all the trauma that he had to go through when he was younger. I think it was believed that his father is abusive but little did we know is that there is so much to the story. This is a miss for the show and I hope something that they will tackle more about because this is a good storyline and to leave it like that is just bad. Jiang Tian had more of the opening up to do here because he is the more reserve character but we also got amazing Jiang Tian moments at the end where he is showing so much concern for him and I love those moments regardless of how small they may all have been. It is such a sweet story to see Jiang Tian and Sheng Wang really have this connection that is just getting stronger as the story progress. Actually, the small details that they were able to put in is really highlighting how this relationship went pass being brothers and into lovers already because they are so romantic to each other already. They had so many good scenes together where they are so sweet but I would understand if they will take their time thinking about it considering how Jiang Tian first saw something like it and how they are still very young kids. I mean, just look at Xi and Linzi who are adults already and are still confused with it. I think I will forgive them if they are just letting the characters have some time to figure things out. I think that is okay and they are still young. I just want to make sure that we will have a second season and get a happy ending because the ending we got here is not really sad but they are apart. I think it will be not the best way to end such story considering how they are really pushing for it. Anyways, I just want to give a special shoutout to their friend group. I think they were really able to establish a good set of characters to be their friends here. They are so fun but Andy Chen as Gao Tian Yang is just criminally hot. He is the hottest and funniest boy in their class and I just instantly fell in love with this guy. He is so cute and the muscles are insane. INSANE. He is so hot. I wish we got to see his shirt off but we did not. He is so nice to everyone to and he had this storyline of him being into Little Pepper but she is interested in Sheng Wang. Now, this is another storyline that I wish they are trying to explore in the second season. We really need a second season for this show because there are so many loose ends in the story and I wish they release it now. I love and enjoyed this show so much that I am wishing to see more of it as soon as possible.

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A GAME CHANGER

There's a lot to say about The On1y One, but one thing is for sure; this will captivate you until the very end. Watching the boys trying to navigate their lives while simultaneously going through their own changes and orientations with doubt and uncertainty's, is somewhat refreshing and heart wrenching. You can't help but route for them but also empathize that maybe just maybe it can't be. You can feel them through the screen crying for help. The chemistry between these characters has you thinking they've known eachother their whole lives. The cinematography, production, music, everything felt complete and harmonious. Hoping for a season 2 and the continuation of their story .

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Sad but real

I do want to understand why people have disliked the ending so much. I mean everyone was well aware of the possibility (and almost reality) of the series not ending in great terms.

Let's be serious: who hasn't ever been in denial or in denial about a potential relationship? It's totally understandable why Sheng Wang is rejecting his own feeling. Just try to put yourself in his place: you've never fallen in love with anyone and, now that the time has come, this someone has to be your best friend and even your """""""stepbrother"""""" (I hate people calling them brothers yuck)! Wouldn't you also be crazy? Try to see from the perspective of the character.

Furthermore, talking about capitalism reasons, you know pretty well that the team wants us to be as anxious and nervous as possible for another season. This the only way to stay with the hype up. We'll probably get another season. Taiwan does it a lot and, if they continue following the novel, the S2 will also be perfect. Please continue hyping the series to make it possible

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Hopefully we get a part 2!!

I finished the show and I had to read reviews and shit because I was super confuse for a minute. Now, the cast was marvelous everybody understood their job and fulfilled it excellent. However, as always I needed more. The story had my questioning wether this was a romantic BL or if the protagonist are really in an sentimental relationship like whats up. Despite that I like the story. It was not rushed I think some scenarios were unnecessary but, I understand the portrayal. Like Sheng its only 17 so we definitely have a long way to go. On the other hand, what concerns me is the fact that we dont have a season 2 confirm lol. Definitely this series is a slow rollercoaster ride but I like it bc you grow with them to the point of even navigating and overcoming your own traumas. I really hope we get part 2 or more episode with them as adult and not just for the main couple if they make it to couple land. But also Pepper and Gao like I need to see that couple. In addition to Qi Jiahao issues there is still so much to see. So I will keep my hopes for the series.

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Emotional damage, but I love it!

It's not just a bromance , and not yet a full boys love. But everything is here, we just need to wait...maybe because they're teens, underage high schoolers or because it's 2012. and same sex married wasn't legalized at the time ( 2019 was a breakthrough year).

I'm glad they didn't have characteristics of Thai bl- humping, jumping and d-ucking on every corner.

This was/is a beautiful story , where you finally try to understand your feeling and still you don't know how to react, cause you're still immature but the feelings are here and won't move on. You need to keep swimming, unit it's the right time. We saw how much time 2nd 'couple' needed to express themselves.

Main actors were fantastic, how they manage to express their emotions with just facial expressions . Let's hope there'll be 2nd season and the cast would be the same .

This show really stole my heart ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I'll definitely read the novel .

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A flower that didn't get to bloom

I can't express how much I loved it, it was very unique and special drama, yet, it didn't feel complete, it felt like a very long preface and stopped right at the first chapter.

I have to say first that I haven't read the source material I know the series adapt a part of a whole, but my opinion relies only on the series, so excuse me if I ignore the whole and focus only on the part adapted.

What I liked about this drama despite the slow pace is the way the story is represented, I totally got immersed in it and wanted to see more, and although I mainly started it because it was a BL, I didn't really care about the lack of romance for the most of it, I also felt robbed of the relationship development as it stopped at a very critical point but that didn't deprive the story from it's charm.
Acting was amazing, I can't believe the two leads are actually that old, they fit their ages pretty well, and they did great job, specially the 30YO Liu Dong Qin, despite applying half a bottle of foundation on his beard area and how obvious it looked but I bought that he is 17.

However, what made me anxious toward the end - beside knowing that I won't find a drama as good after finishing it - is that I knew there won't be enough time to show the relationship and the blossoming romance between them.
And that really left me in a pinch, because I don't know if adapting a small part of the source material and stop the drama at this point on the story and depend on having a second season to tie up loose end is a good idea or not, because second season isn't promised and many problems could arise making it difficult to produce a second season, that been said, i also can't imagine changing and of the episodes to include more of the story as I believe it could take away from the beauty of how it's made.
I mean, ep9 is amazing I had so much fun watching it and despite most of it being a filler, I don't wish to change a thing about it.

Overall I love it as it is, slightly hoping that the plan of having a second season would be true and we will get to see more of them, I really want to see those two boys in love.

I really recommend this, it's one of a kind and very perfectly made.

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Simple done very well!

A massive congratulations to the cast and crew for a well thought off bl! I am forever in love with the cast (especially you andy chen!!!) and will forever cherish them in my heart!

Weeks ago when this was airing ep 1 and 2, I just saw this series on my fyp on TikTok and thought to myself that this might just be a silly Taiwanese series just for the vibes (cause I saw the truth or dare scene! the kiss was what reeled me in!), but woah was it more than that!

I might sound like I'm overhyping the quality, but c'mon you gotta admit everything was done soo well! The song choice, the camera angles, the script, and the lighting?! The production team carried a lot as well as the actors! I honestly was not prepared for what is to come, and honestly am very thankful for this rollercoaster of a show! We went through so much in such little time and I would applaud how the pacing fits sooo well!

This series so simple, like it has the most basic Taiwanese bl plot of step brother but it is sooo well done! It had it's own unique flair and style! I will forever love you Shang Weng and Jiang Tian ( and Gao Tianyang MY HUBBY) This is definitely forever one of my top bls to date!

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What was that ending?

This show made me so mad. It was a great beautiful story (very slow moving) and then it just ends abruptly. It's too many open ends. There are so many plot points that are not wrapped up.
You have
1. The Substitute teachers
2. Tian's Dad
3. Both leads parents relationship
4. Tian relationship with his mother
5. Sheng's relationship with his father
6. The overachiever boy and his insecurities
7. The English teacher

And that's just seven right off the top of my head. There's a few more that I'm too mad to remember at the moment. That is why I gave this such a low score. Those take away from the story. I'm very sure it was ended that way to set up for a second season. But I've seen plenty shows that do something like this and don't get a second season. I need Taiwan to do better. This is the second time they have disappointed me like this with a drama

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