I really enjoyed this show. There was so much to dig into and it was a real pleasure to see a BL with such mature themes, nuanced characters, and complex morality. By far my favorite part of this show was the care and attention shown to familial love, especially the complicated relationship between Jim and Li Ming. Heart’s storyline was also a highlight, and he and Li Ming had a very charming teen romance.

That said, it was not a perfect show for me. I think for a show with only 8 episodes aired over 4 weeks, Moonlight Chicken tried to do a little too much. In particular, I thought they resolved the major conflicts too early on, releasing a lot of the dramatic tension in the story and leaving us with a slower pace and fragmented focus. I enjoyed all the characters and themes, but I’m not sure it all came together as one cohesive narrative engine.

The biggest flaw in the show was in the casting. The actor playing Jim was simply too young for the part, and it became a distraction. The romance between Jim and Wen was also missing something as a result. I think a better casting choice for Jim would have strengthened the show a lot.

Even still, I do recommend watching. It’s a beautiful show with a lot of warmth.