The On1y One (2024)

Fascinating chemistry, fun characters...but an underwhelming ending.

I was looking forward to On1y One as it gave me an impression that it'd be a BL in a similar vein to Addicted/Stay With Me, with what its teenage step-brother BL. It shared a lot of those basic beats with those series that it had me intrigued to see a Taiwanese interpretation of such a dynamic. I am also aware that this is actually based off of a novel of its own, but I've not personally read it so I know that going into this review I'm not as in-the-know of the finer details of the story aside from what I find pointed out on Twitter.

But as I've been watching this show...my interest waned over the weeks, I must say. I don't mind a nice slow burn story, and sure enough this season may not cover most of the novel, but reviewing this show on its own merit as a singular season with how they've presented the relationship...I'm not that satisfied with the ending. If it's supposed to lead to a second season - one that's not even technically confirmed to be in production at the time of writing - that's cool and all, but this season just feels very lacking. I'd hardly say this show is re-watchable, personally. At least if it's the only season we ever get to see.

That said, I did love Sheng Wang and his journey of self-discovery and his feelings towards Jiang Tian. I'm also a big fan of the secondary cast of friends. But what certainly caught my attention the most was Qi Jia Hao. His little venture throughout the season was in particular very fun to visit and I really wanted to see more of what he would get up to. Hopefully the second season does a bit more with him if it ever comes.

The overall romance is a slow one. And not just a slow burn. It's like we're watching an initial spark being made in real time so we can get to that burn. Yes, there's kissing in the beginning of the show, but the actual meat of the romantic tension is very, very quiet. It's like the most gentle breeze ever. The chemistry is certainly there and I adore both Liu Dong Qin and Benjamin Tsang for what they bring to the characters. I guess it would be nice if the pace would pick up a little bit as both Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian are dancing around the fact that they like each other and when the mutual pining is so obvious it gets to a point where I'm just hoping one of them takes the dive and does something a little more explicitly romantic.

There's also the secondary couple in the two male teachers who get into a bit of a love triangle and honestly? I. Could. Not. Care. Less. I feel like what the show is trying to do is almost present them as a parallel of sorts to the main couple but I do not see what purpose they really have in the show, and especially in this season. Undoubtedly they'd get more of a development in a hypothetical season season, but I can't imagine I'd be any more interested in what goes on with them. It's so obvious they're into each other and dancing around the truth from the get go that I caught that when I first saw them on screen, and considering we're following a primary couple with a similar story I don't really wanna see it twice.

The secondary couple is perhaps my personal least favourite part of the show. It feels like a drag when they're given the focus and I don't really recall if any of their scenes - bar THAT one in episode 11 - really impact JT and SW in any meaningful way. They feel like they could be removed or replaced and nothing would change. Why were they made teachers at the school? Seemed a bit like an excuse to put them in a love triangle and so we'd have an excuse to see them more often in context of the main boys. I dunno...eventually I just got to a point where I'm waiting for Sheng Wang and Jiang Tiang to show up again.

I feel like perhaps there could have been a review as to what scenes may or may not have been worth shifting to a potential second season and what could have been shifted over into this season to give it a more satisfying end. I don't know the novel, so maybe this was the best outcome in adapting it. However, I definitely think the end credits scene in Episode 11 - IYKYK - was...out of left field? I like the scene and what it does to inform us about Jiang Tian's backstory, however it felt so bizarre that we suddenly saw it in Episode 11 of a 12 episode season of all places. Am I the only one? Would it not have been a better fit, say, either at the very end of this season so we literally end on a saucy bit of exposition, or in the second season where it'd be adjacent to scenes that would better explain its context? It was a FASCINATING scene in the grander scope of the narrative of course but it feels like it was kinda plopped at the end of an episode and so close to the end of this season as well.

As for the last episode...yeah, uh, kind of a let down? I've already said I wasn't satisfied with the ending, but in general I just found myself amused at the fact that the main emotional conflict was...Sheng Wang moving classrooms. I'm sorry that really did take me out of it a bit because...huh? They already live together in the dorms so they don't really lack an opportunity to communicate or spend time together. Yeah, they're not in the same class but still. I wouldn't have minded this honestly if such a deal wasn't made out of it in the episode. It stops being a dramatic moment and feels a bit silly.

Overall, would I recommend this show? Yeah. I would. I absolutely would. The chemistry is there and I love the leads. I think if a slow burn and self-discovery is up your alley you'd like this. Plus the secondary cast is actually really fun to watch so all the friendship scenes and bonds between characters add some levity and vibrance to the show.

Lire davantage

A series that will make your heart beating again.

This series will make your heart think of ''Someone'' who is always in your heart, a story of love, friendship, and confusion. A time of youth that is bright and full of life. Their love and friendship will make a lifeless heart feel alive again. Even if you have to shed some tears but it is another series that is worth to watch and is a must in 2024...
ซีรีย์เรื่องนี้จะทำให้ใจของคุณหวนนึกถึง '' ใครบางคน'' เรื่องราวของความรัก มิตรภาพ เเละความสับสน ของช่วงวัยที่สดใส เเละ เต็มไปด้วยชีวิตชีวา ความรักและมิตรภาพของพวกเขา จะเติมเต็มหัวใจที่่แห้งเเล้งไปแล้วให้กลับมาชุ่มชื้นได้อีกครั้ง เเม้จะทำให้มีน้ำตาบ้างเเต่ก็
เป็นซีรีย์ที่น่าติดตามอีกเรื่องนึงของปี 2024 และเป็นซีรีย์ที่ห้ามพลาดของปีนี้ด้วยเช่นกัน...

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The Only One

Es una serie maravillosa! Tenemos de todo, sufrimiento, odio, risas,y sobretodo amor muchísimo amor😘! Estamos esperando ya la segunda temporada! Los amo! 💝Un trabajo impecable por parte de todo el equipo, así da gusto!!.
A tres capítulos del final estoy cruzando los dedos para que la temporada 2 vea la luz, sino, mi estabilidad emocional va a sufrir de una forma intolerable. En series como estas deberían evitar hacer dos partes, porque ya se sabe lo que puede pasar (ejemplo Stay with me, Adiccted) y lo mejor sería que la hiciesen entera y listo. Supongo que si no lo hacen así, será por un tema de presupuesto, peeeero…por el bien de la salud mental de los espectadores, mediten este tema.

Lire davantage

honestly…

Although it might not be for everyone… a high school, coming of age, love story that is pretty slow-burn at that, it’s still hella good in many other ways. The slow burn makes sense as the character starts off having bad impressions of e/o esp after finding out their parent are dating so naturally it will take a bit to accept that and have a better relationship but they did it and it turned out great! The scenes feel very realistic and genuine. The small but cute gestures will have you squealing already despite the fact it’s so minuscule. The cast is also lovely in my opinion even though many people, especially the novel enthusiasts, wasn’t the a big fan of it because that’s not how they expected the characters to look like. But i think the all the actors aced this! You can tell they really tried and it’s not some half- assed bs. Overall, I love this so far and would rewatch again for sure. Looking forward to the next 2 episodes!
(((o(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)o)))

Lire davantage

Omg! Such a GREAT series!

The chemistry, and the emotions the two main leads have in this BL is good.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Season Two is a Necessity!

I adore the two leads, their overflowing chemistry and how well written their story is. Jiang Tian is such a sweet, earnest and avid protector who loves through service and deeds which is so noble and admirable; Sheng Wang is such a koala bear, I love seeing him get all clingy and I hope (when) season two comes he'll embrace his honesty more openly. I have stood by too often and seen beautiful stories disappear thinking it was inevitable but our response is what keeps these characters alive and I can no longer stand idle as such a beautiful story disappears because not enough people stood up to support it. I hope beyond hope there will be a confirmed season two so their story will be complete and they get their happy ending!

Lire davantage

Most realistic BL series

What I find amazing about this series is the complications of being in a boy-love-boy relationship. It's slow, yes, but it is very true to real-life experiences of gay people. Falling for a guy is not as easy as saying, 'Hey, I'm gay. Will you date me?' It's not easy; I know this all too well from personal experience. I had unrequited love for a presumably 'straight' guy for nearly six years before I gave up, but the feelings still linger. It would have been easier if he had just said he's straight or whatever, but it's hard when you both know you have feelings yet can't come forward with them. We have to take into account that it was 2012 when it was probably not as acceptable, and it was in an Asian country. The feelings Jiang Tian had for Sheng Wang are very real, yet Sheng Wang, in the end, couldn't understand or accept them because Tian is his brother. It wouldn't have mattered as much if they weren't family, but Jiang Tian got 'brotherzoned' in the end. Sheng Wang, confused with his feelings, most likely decided to fail his exam so that he could get away from Jiang Tian because he couldn't face the truth that he had fallen for a boy. And Jiang Tian being upset is way too real; when I watched that scene, I was hyperventilating because the feeling was so true for me. It's like, 'I know you like me and we like each other, but why can't you admit it? Why are you trying to run away?' That kind of stuff. Overall, this series touched my heart deeply, and I would love to see how it all works out in season 2.

Lire davantage

It is about family and making hard choices in life

In the drama you see two young boys going through challenges in their life. One lost his mother and the other one always running away. But they found each other. I love the bond that they have and I love that it took time for them to really trust each other and that is life. It is not going to be as simple as looking at each other and falling in love. They grow and see how important they are to one another. The acting was phenomenal. And even though the ending made you wanting more, I think that was the point to make the International fans fight for a season 2. Which I am all for it and if you liked the drama enough you can wait for a second season. I just felt so happy, sad and angry watching this drama, which means it was amazing!. I fell in love with the actors and characters that they played and I hope that people enjoyed watching it as much as I did.

Lire davantage

Oh Sh*t...

Quite wonder about this drama. Finally finished aired. Let's watch it...

Story about Sheng Wang (SW), a boy who just move back to town & enter new school. The first scene actually just give view that he just come to town, but later when SW flash back, we know that actually he's lived there when he's little. So, SW move back to town due to his father re-married. In this new school, he get a shocking news, the school have a harsh test rule. They quick to learn new subject & then test. But thankfully, SW is a clever boy, he quickly adapt with the school system & got himself friends.

On the other hands, there's Jiang Tian (JT), a top student in the school. SW's dad married JT's mom & that's make them brothers & they also lived in the same house. At first, SW quite reluctant to ask for JT's help, cause JT also like build a wall so no one can go near him. But slowly but sure we can see how special SW in JT's eye. JT silently help SW to adapt with their friend & in the end also JT & SW both help each other in their study.

So, slowly but sure we can see how their relationship get closer and closer. But of course like any other teenager, SW quite struggler with his feeling for JT. On one hand, JT is SW brother. But on the other hand, SW notice JT is quite special for him & SW also notice how JT think him as special man too. So, how will their relationship evolve from here...?

That's pretty much the story. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ The perfect chemistry between JT & SW. Oh I love how they put the atmosphere between these boys....
+ Usually I quite hate or don't like if actor in their 30s or edge of their 20s act as teenage boy, but for these cast I beg the different. And unlike the recent Thai drama that force their luck with the actor, both our main lead surround by the actor of their age.
+ The funny and perfect little school life.

Overall this quite good a drama. But why I only give this 6.5...? Because one big thing that I really hate... But that's also mean BIG SPOILER ALERT!!! Read it at ur own risk. Without the drawback actually I'll gonna rate this 8.5 - 9













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SPOILER ALERT!!!
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What I don't like:
THIS IS THE OPEN ENDING WITH THE CLIFFHANGER!!!! They leave us when SW start notice his feeling for JT & want to 'cure' it, return it to just brotherly feeling between them.

But still this one series that I still excited to wait for season 2. I really hope I'm not wait for too long

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