Mou Mou (2024)

Complex characters, good acting but very slow-paced without much happening

My expectations of “The On1y One” were quite high due to the comments and reviews I’ve heard. Unfortunately, it might not have met what I was hoping for. It was still a pretty good drama, especially the acting of the cast. But if I have to compare it to my recent favorite, ‘The Time of Fever’, it’s not up to that level of enjoyment for me.

What I Like:

1. Main Acting
I will complain about the ages of the main leads, but maybe a younger cast might not be able to deliver such nuanced acting. Liu Dong Qin is an experienced actor, and even though he looks way too old to be 18 (he’s 30 in real life), he was able to portray Sheng Wang really well. Benjamin Tsang was a surprise since he’s quite new to the industry. He only started acting in 2023 but his Jiang Tian is so believable. The perceptive, contemplative and longing looks he has for Sheng Wang really deliver all the emotions with few words.

2. Sheng Wang + Jiang Tian
Two very different teenagers who have nothing alike are able to find comfort in each other. Sheng Wang is a lonely boy, who wants to be surrounded by friends, but is afraid to owe a favor. He’s rich, spoiled and picky but has a good heart. Jiang Tian, on the other hand, had a tough upbringing, never had a place to truly call home. Knowing he never unpacked his suitcase pains me. He’s used to being left behind and has built a tall wall around him, so he will never be abandoned again. Both of these characterizations and how they become close to each other is beautifully written. This is also the strength of the drama. Romance is secondary, but how these two individuals grow is central.

3. The Moments
I love all of Jiang Tian’s moments. He’s a man of few words, and these moments give us an inside look of how he really feels. I might complain about the flashback, but the first moment when Sheng Wang called out his name, is significant and symbolic of their relationship. Jiang Tian is my favorite character. He appears tough, but he can never truly say “no” to Sheng Wang.


What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:

1. Age
First look at Liu Dong Qin, and I thought he’s way too old to play the part. I don’t think I was ever able to get past these feelings, even though he was acting young and pouty.

2. Pacing + Flashbacks
12 episodes are way too long for this drama without much going on. The pacing is already slow and when you add on the constant flashbacks, it feels even slower. Though I enjoy the writing of the main leads character development and their relationship, nothing much really happened. The drama could have spent more time on the other side stories. Season 2 was not even announced or may not be in the works when season 1 was written. But it’s written as if it’s dragging its feet and hoping for a second season.

3. Side Plots/Characters
While the banter between Pepper and Gao Tian Yang is cute and fun, the crush Pepper has on one of the main leads could be more obvious and developed better. The love triangle between the teachers happened towards the latter half of the drama, and could use more screen time and a stronger focus. I want to know and see more of the two teachers’ background stories (one is not enough), instead of just telling me they were close. Is the kidnapping really necessary? The only NC scene of the drama felt out of place. All of the kisses in the drama are very G-rated, described as “4 lips touching together.” The NC scene feels like fan service because this is considered a BL, so we need some sex? It’s longer than necessary to tell the story.


There’s a lot to love about this drama, it just didn’t meet my expectations. I will recommend this if you enjoy a slow burn relationship (not necessary romance) with complex characters. The drama is an easy watch and very character-driven. But if you enjoy a more plot-driven drama, this might not be it for you.


Completed: 10/21/2024 - Review #500

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This is just the beginning.

The On1y One, will take us back to the age of high school teen, the age of learning, trying, and finding the answer of every incoming to your life. This drama shows us the great story teller, music, chemistry of every character in a frame (perfect casting for every characters too!). The story going not too fast and not too slow, so we can get to know more about these 2 main characters, Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian with smooth. I hope this great drama can be make for the next season. because this is just the beginning. I hope that those who have never watched this drama will give it a try.

Leggi di Più

Simple slow burn done right

This won't be a long review.
The whole story was beautifully made, every emotion so well expressed. Never have I ever been so endeared and impressed by the attention to the chaotic simplicity of adolescence. It took me back to my school days where we would spend our days trying to study for board exams, and cherish and also feel the intensity of emotions in the little time we had in school with our friends.

While I do agree that the pacing and story line in some areas could have been better, the exceptional supporting cast made it all better. Also the 'very moment' section at the end of some episodes was so cute!!
Lastly, kudos to the actors, Benjamin and LDQ, who made this what it is.

Can't wait for season 2!!

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season2

I completed this serie in 1 day because I was really excited for it and overall I really loved it and the chemistry was on top.
and the ending was sad but I get sheng a lot he likes him but he can’t because they are brothers and maybe that’s why he failed the exam to distance himself from tian and maybe that’s why tian asked him if he also lied to the teachers about that.
I also think that tian likes sheng because he made him happy and he also thinks about him and he knows sheng likes him.
I really hope to get season 2 asap cause I need the ending we all need.

Leggi di Più

What it's actually like to fall in love

"I like you so much, it's like standing at the edge of an abyss or walking on thin ice"

People have expressed their disappointment with the underwhelming ending, citing that "nothing happens" and that the show "fails to deliver" on its expectations as a BL series. However, as someone who typically avoids this genre due to the community and the fanservice often associated with it, I can confidently say that this is genuine queer media.

With all the complexities of queerness, and even the added dynamic of being stepbrothers, I empathize with Sheng Wang's perspective. Unlike the typical BL series where characters conveniently fall in love regardless of societal norms, this portrayal is far from normal or easily accepted in today’s world.

People need to understand that in a series like this, and with a director who prioritizes the subtle nuances of queer experiences, a slow-burn narrative is something to be expected. Personally, I appreciated it, and it further deepened my understanding of the challenges of being queer, something I relate to on a personal level.

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Starts out strong. Loses momentum at the end

Other reviews have captured the important points which, summarizing, are that this is a great slow burn story but marred by an unsatisfying ending. However, in addition to all the points other reviewers have made, I'd like to add two. First, there is an unusually high level of sophistication in emotional expression and carefully paced story telling in the first 7-8 episodes. Excellent attention to detail regarding lighting, interiors, props, costuming, etc. Liu Dong Qin / Eric Zay as Sheng Wang did a great job with eye/facial expressions; I could read every thought without a single word/inner monologue. Second, while the first 7-8 episodes are really fantastic, episodes 9-11 have a variety of confusing / clumsy edits that make you wonder if the editor/director/show runner were out sick, and the B team stepped in. Episode 12 seems to return to the same consistent pace/tone, but delivering an unsatisfying ending. This could have been the best BL ever. A real pity that so much excellent work gets thrown away in the last few episodes. A sequel to wrap up the storylines would help.

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