One of a kind masterpiece!!!

I never thought I would write a review but this drama left me no other choice.

Everything, from cinematography to the haunting soundtrack is pure heart wrenching perfection.

However, I do have to give you a fair warning before you start this journey: This is NOT a BL drama. So if you are looking for a gay romance this might not be the one for you. Crystal Boys is a look at the gay community in the 70s Taiwan. It's dark, gritty, passionate, sad, poetic... it shows you all the different shades of life that luckily most of us don't have to bear anymore.

Watching this feels like reading a deeply sad poem at night while a faint light of the moon is shining in through the window and the world quiets down, letting you completely lose yourself in the endless emotions of your heart...

Now let's dive in a bit deeper - MILD SPOILDERS AHEAD -

The story? 10/10

As I said, this is not just a love story. You will see what it was like to live at that time in Taiwan from perspective of the poor, the rich, the middle class. The plot follows several characters and tells many different stories of the 'crystal boys' trying to find their way despite their varied circumstances. Sometimes it feels almost episodic in nature. It's rich, it will make you feel all the emotions imaginable and most of all, it will stay in your memory long after you finish the last episode.

The cinematography? 10/10

Unlike modern dramas, you can see a lot unique thought that went into each shot. Most of the story takes place at night and the way the drama uses light and shadow is remarkable. Of course, it's an older drama so the quality is very different from what is common today, however in my opinion it only enhances the gritty story it tries to convey.

The acting? 10/10

Perfect cast. Again, this is not a BL. So don't expect every single character to be straight out of Vogue and GQ. The casting is very true to life - you actually get actors who are older than 20 (pure myth in today's day and age). And it all just adds to the realistic feeling of the drama.

Music? 10/10

If I could I would give this category 100/10. This might be one of the best soundtracks I have ever heard. Period. Not just dramas. In general. I was amazed to find a gem like this and had it on repeat for weeks. Each tone will tear your heart to pieces...

Rewatch value? 10/10

This is a subjective rating and also comes from the fact that I wasn't able to find many other Chinese/Taiwanese dramas that would be this serious. These days almost everything is happy and bubbly - which is not a bad thing. However sometimes I crave something serious, dark, poetic... and this ticks all the marks.

Final thoughts:

Do yourself a favor - just watch it. There is nothing even remotely similar among other dramas - so at least for the unique experience of seeing something completely different, give it a shot. You might just find your new heartbreaking obsession.

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WEIRD! CRAZY! RIDICULOUS! SURREAL! In the best way possible. (WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK)

You will laugh, you will cry, you will puke and you will be utterly bewildered.
It’s a wild and very rare ride, but worth every second!

Few disclaimers before I start dissecting the drama (pun intended):
This is not for the faint of heart – this show is really graphic when it comes to injuries, so if you can’t stomach a look at gross wounds – RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
Also, this drama is not for those who seek comfort formulaic dramas – this one is mad Asian craziness at its best.

You will either absolutely hate it or absolutely love it. Be prepared for both.

Now for my review:

Story 10/10
At time it’s a surrealist comedy, at times it’s a really heartfelt drama, at times it’s just nonsense.
At its core this drama has a simple touching story to tell. But it does so with really heightened hyperboles. Nothing is middle of the road. Every metaphor has to hit you over the head at 110 percent.
My personal recommendation is to not go into this expecting just comedy – there is meaning hidden behind every silly/goofy joke. The writers did a fantastic job.

Whenever I felt like I finally got the story it did a sharp turn to catch me yet again off my guard. It will keep you engaged until the very end.

Acting/Cast 10/10
High profile Asian dramas always browse through the Vogue pages to choose their cast - and don’t get me wrong, I like to swoon over Asian actors all day long. But here the casting choices were perfect – very real, down to Earth, so right for their roles. The whole ensemble brought a sense of raw realism that made the drama hit even harder.

Music 10/10
Silly/funny/karaoke ready. You have to watch it to understand.

Rewatch Value 8/10
Will I be reaching for this often? Probably not. The ride was too wild. But I will definitely come back for more. This is a rare gem in the Asian repertoire.

Final verdict:
Rollercoaster full of perfectly timed madness with a surprisingly touching story that I would happily recommend to those who are not afraid to try something new and daring.

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Heartbreaking melodrama where some will love every single second and others will hate it to the core

Anti C-drama! Definitely not for everybody, but I believe target audience will enjoy every second!

If you like Asian dramas, chances are, you mostly search for romance, comfortable archetype characters and fluffy tropes that warm your heart despite their silliness. This drama gives you NONE of that! Instead it delivers heartbreaking melodrama that aims to destroy your emotions with every scene.

I am also putting big emphasis on the word melodrama - in true Chinese fashion, the plot goes over and beyond. If we want tragedy, why not give it to every single character in multiple ways? Shakespeare's Hamlet would be proud.

But if you are like me, and if this is what you sometimes crave, then this show will be perfect for you.

If you are still unsure, here are a few more details:

Cinematography/Setting 10/10
You will get to see China like you almost never see it in mainstream C-dramas. Down to earth, gritty and yet, incredibly directed and shot, so that even the darkest, dirtiest corners feel poetic.
Same goes for the heavy topics - no matter how tragic the story gets, the visual treatment is always incredibly lyrical, cinematic and poignant.

Story 9,5/10
I really enjoy the story. Chances are you will hate almost every character at one point in the show and chances are you will cry for every character at one point in the show as well. All these characters feel very real. They are not good, nor bad. They make mistakes but they also try to change and get better.
My half point is missing solely because I felt the story didn't need as many side plotlines.

Acting 10/10
Beautifully acted. Chinese dramas tend to go overboard, but here some of the strongest moments are expressed with the most subtle acting skills. And of course, Qin Hao is an acting powerhouse as always.

Music 10/10
The quiet, simple soundtrack masterfully intensifies all the tense and desperate moments of the show.

Rewatch value 6/10
This is a hard one for me. It wasn't easy watching the show. I had to stop a few times, because the show is simply too heavy. It never loosens its grip until the very last second. And I loved every second but I'm not sure I would be able to sit through it again, nor do I think it was the intention. This is something that punches you right in the heart and you will remember it even though you might never watch it again.

Overall 9,5/10
This score is extremely subjective and based on my personal subjective point of view. If you enjoy fluffy, fun dramas you will HATE this. Even if you enjoy serious dramas, this might not be your cup of tea, because it really goes way way overboard with the tragedy.

But for me? One of the best Chinese dramas I have EVER seen. The aftertaste still lingers in my mind...

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