s01e09 — He Chu San Gets Kidnapped

Gspd, how can I live to see tomorrow, my teeth are already cramping

I was so afraid of this episode and everything flashed by in seconds, even the flashbacks managed to cram in. It's a little crumpled, but it's exciting.

I feel very sorry for the policeman. So he longed for justice, which, in fact, in the 80s and 90s, no one tried to look for, meaninglessly, "not to spread on bread."

There is a reserve for the second season, but here, in principle, there is a logical holistic ending.

Liu Yi and Chu San are forever in my heart.

The line of Inspector Xie and Officer Lu hooked me NO less than the line of the main characters, and maybe more ...
I would have watched a separate series about them. 💔
They made it more logical in the film than in the novel, as Vera said, where they were both in love with this one dead handsome guy.
And in the series, I liked the fact that Lou turned out to be his brother, seeking revenge.
Our main characters are very lucky that someone like Xie took over their business.

In general, the series is well shot and the music and the lights and the colors are all in the theme.
Chu San + Xia Liui = super Zai forever 💞

Before I write a multi-letter comment about why I fell in love with this drama, I need to admire the lovesick Lui.

When he touched the place where Chusan had been sitting, as if in an attempt to regain the feeling of his presence next to me, I realized that the guy had swum

@HaiLouYin Thank you so much for taking the time to pamper us with gorgeous gifs.

The finale turned out to be obscenely short, which undoubtedly broke my heart... but this scene was so emotional that I am ready to forgive the creators of this inhuman act.

@HaiLouYin, if you don't mind, you can make a gif where all of Lucy's friends encore😂 it's about 24 minutes.

I demand a separate series about the inspector and the officer... Even their very appearance was gorgeous.

I NEED A SECOND SEASON. 😭

This is the best thing I've watched this year officially.

With this story, I had love at first sight. And when the credits rolled for the first episode, I already knew that from that moment on, my Fridays would belong to Chusan and Liui.

I've been waiting for every episode with impatience, and even now I'm starting to feel this uncomfortable emotional hangover when the story is already over and you can't leave it.

The drama hooked me right away and primarily due to the setting and cinematography. But the symbiosis itself worked no less: crime drama, comedy and romance, which constantly collide with each other.

Surprisingly, I usually don't like genre vinaigrettes, but here it was this move that made me fall in love with the story, because it works on the plot and creates a new level of emotional swing.

Here, tension quietly coexists with comedic awkwardness, cold calculation with sudden tenderness. And I didn't feel all this as a contradiction, because for the characters themselves, this is life. Cruelty and everyday life do not compete with each other, but simply exist side by side, as two sides of the same reality, and I felt it for myself.

One minute you're watching with a heavy heart, and the next the plot suddenly throws up a domestic moment that pulls you out of chaos, filth and violence... like a reminder that this world is not just about cruelty. The people inside him get used to it, adapt, continue to live, and it is the intersperses of lightness and humor that make you feel that the atmosphere lives not only in the scenery, but also in the characters themselves.

The criminal world has long been a part of their lives, and therefore no one reflects violence and injustice every second. They continue to move on without getting stuck in these states. And the viewer is led at the same pace.

And yes, the story does not stand still, but constantly moves forward and does not let you get bored.

I want to say something about romance separately
I know that it was not enough for some of the audience, and for others it felt too slow, but for me it was more than enough.
I've enjoyed this pace since the first episode, because I love it when feelings aren't flaunted from the first seconds. And that's why every scene with their manifestation caused me to tremble.

And of course, the directing and the visual side deserve special mention. Here you can feel the attention to detail: color correction, the play of light and shadow, all this aesthetics of the late 80s. I often found myself thinking that I wanted to stop and take a closer look at the frame. Interiors, costumes, makeup, music, installation — it all adds up to a single visual language that you want to immerse yourself in.

And even I especially appreciate Chusan's dream kiss from the point of view of directing. On the one hand, this is an aesthetically pleasing scene in which every gesture and every movement works on emotions. On the other hand, it's a kind of gesture towards the viewer. It's as if the creators understand that slowburn is not easy for everyone, and they give this moment as a reward for their patience.

I also want to mention slomo, which works here point-by-point and dynamically. This gives rise to the very desire for time to stop and the moment to never end... but it moves and slips away. And in general, these pauses and glances, when no one looks away, but on the contrary, as if trying to see something in them, already create tangible chemistry and feelings in themselves, which you react to with your heart before the characters themselves are able to realize them.
Sticky hay when Chusan rides the bus – chef's kiss

And I really caught myself at some point that I stopped being an observer and just found myself inside this story, living emotions with the characters.

Not everything is perfect here, but for me it overlaps with the atmosphere and the way the visual and emotional layer is built. And this is probably the main indicator that the creators are working not only with the form, but also with the content.
•••
The result is a very catchy mix of crime, drama, humor, and vibrant chemistry between the characters. A story that has a character and you want to follow it further.

I feel Sammy's children's day as a separate piece of my life that I lived with the characters. And I already know that I want to go back to her.

And it doesn't matter if the drama continues or not, it will stay in my heart rent-free.

P.S. and yes, BTS and streams are a must—have program. There's a special magic there: the moments of everyday life, the reactions while watching the episode, the discussion of the filming process, and just the opportunity to look at the actors outside the roles
, the guys give such a powerful aura of comfort that it makes my cheekbones ache with a smile.

Well, a few impressions about the plot as a whole and the ending of the story.

The plot for me is a direct hit to the very heart. I'm tired of the usual predictable dynamics built only around the relationships of the main characters, when it doesn't even matter what obstacles are introduced into the plot, and it's clear in advance how everything will end, but it's important for me to feel the tension and worry about the characters.

The dynamic between Liu Yi and Chusan is the jewel of this story for me. And I like that it doesn't fit into the usual patterns. There is no classic enemies-to-lovers here, and there is no feeling that someone was in love from the very beginning. The story focuses on the slow development of relationships, where the characters go from strangers to deep affection.

Feelings here do not arise out of nowhere, they are collected from actions and gestures, from interaction and experience, which gradually brings the characters closer. And it is in these little things that not only affection is revealed, but also the characters themselves.

For example, the scene with the celebration of Chusan's admission to the university
Lui does not interfere, does not invade this world, but simply leaves, lingering on Chusan's gaze. And there are several layers to this look at once: interest, a desire to protect someone else's happiness, and a slight sadness that someone's family can be so cozy and supportive. And it only makes my heart feel warmer when Lui becomes a part of this family.

Even then, Liu was unknowingly protecting Chusan, who was a special person within the walls of a stuffy, cramped and gloomy area of Hong Kong, and gradually he became special to himself.
So, the episode when Liu Yi goes to the territory of a warring gang to buy a bouquet for Chusan for graduation speaks louder than any words about his feelings.

A special pleasure for me is that both Lü and Chusan are two strong characters who reveal themselves as the story progresses.

Chusan, who at first seems easier and more accommodating, actually gets attached faster, realizes his feelings earlier, does not turn away from them, but on the contrary shows perseverance.

But Lucy, on the contrary, holds on to the last, but then abruptly goes into his jealous, possessive side. At such moments, he is both tough and ridiculously touching, because he constantly has this strange mixture of danger and almost childish, puppy-like gentleness. And that's another thing that makes this story special to me.

After all, Lui is a man who was forced to grow up early and build up his armor. But inside, he didn't stop being alive: a moody, stubborn, impulsive boy with a bad temper.

He is cruel to those who deserve it, but hides all the thorns when it comes to loved ones. Except that Xiao Ma gets slapped on the back of the head, but their interaction always made me smile. Xiao Ma is such a funny fool, but at the same time the most loyal person whom Liu sometimes trusts even more than Cui Dongdong.

And that's probably why I can't just see Lucy as someone from the criminal world. I understand what he's doing, I understand that it's illegal, but at the same time I have a very warm feeling for him. And not only because he's a charismatic caramel bun, but because I understand him.

At first, childhood deprived him of a basic sense of security and dragged him into darkness, then the environment within the world of triads gave him protection, principles and a direction that he follows. And in the end, he just goes down this path because he doesn't know any other way.
He has a past that shaped him, and a future that seems pre-determined.
But fate had prepared Chusan for him.

And this is where the most interesting moment begins for me. Because Chusan is a man who had a choice. He had goals, he had another life, but meeting with Lucy turns him towards the world from which he planned to stay as far away as possible.

And for some reason, looking at him, the line "I was made for loving you babe" pops up in my mind. I think that's what you can see in his eyes when he looks at Lucy.

Chusan is not a perfect hero. He's quite an actor. He is cunning, he is calculating, he can manipulate and adjust circumstances. But that's what makes it lively and interesting.

He is ready to wait, act and balance on the border between two worlds. He understands that you can't get out of the underworld without getting your hands dirty, and he stays close anyway.

And this is his conscious choice. He saves Lucy once, then again, and at some point he can't stop. Yes, love plays a huge role here, but no less important is his inner determination and strength of character. Chusan is one of those people who, if they have already decided something, will see it through. Even if it means rethinking your moral guidelines.

And I love stories where the characters are complex, the emotions are ambiguous, and the actions don't fit into a simple division into right and wrong. Where morality and its absence collide and create something more complex. Where life is not divided into black and white, but consists of contradictions, circumstances and personal choices.

Perhaps the fact is that I never drown for didacticism, which is why the story fascinated me so much. I leave real life on the other side of the screen and accept the rules of the game. I want to live this story through the eyes of the characters, to understand what shaped them and why they make this or that choice, without trying to label it.

And that's probably why the story of Chusan and Lui got me so deeply hooked. I watched two people who grew, developed, overcame difficulties and chose each other over and over again.

I just let this story get under my skin.

Separately, I can't help but compliment the acting, because the atmosphere and emotions of watching it largely depend on it.

The actor playing the role of Chusan lets so many emotions run through him that you can literally see the gears turning in his head. He doesn't just take the tone of the scene: sad — sad, cheerful — happy. He gives his character volume

I especially remember the scene of the bullet extraction, and the glass fragments too.

Tension, fear, and anxiety are read at the level of body language. In his eyes, in his tense shoulders, in his trembling fingertips, in his quivering muscles. All this makes the scene tangible. Yes, everything I see is unreal, but what I feel is absolutely real. I see the character's fear, feel his excitement, and live this scene with him.

The actor very smoothly guided his character from "the student who hides under the table" to a man who will descend even into hell if it allows him to save his beloved.

Similarly, the actor in the role of Xia Liui combines several images, which he very skillfully juggles.

Mafia mode was awesome. I adore cold–blooded Louis with a bored look, which he makes it clear that everything around him is a dirty mold.
And when Lui turns on berserk mode… I'm dying looking into those cold eyes full of predatory gleam. 🫠

And, of course, Princess mode is pure charm. I love every scene in which Lucy lets herself relax and be funny, awkward, vulnerable, sweet, touching, embarrassed, annoyed... truly alive.

And all this is thanks to an actor who understands how facial expressions work, knows how to put emotions into gestures, voice, gaze, and literally brings his character to life.

And by the way, "Sam... nice to meet you..." is an improvisation by Yan Chao.
That's what it means to feel your character. 🤌🏼

Well, the take, during which Yan Chao's peach sat on the curtain, turning Liu Yi into a "bride", is a good example of how even a mistake can create a beautiful scene.

Thanks to Yan Chao for being able to keep his face down and for including this take in the final edit. After all, such awkward moments are very much in the style of Lucy.

URGENT SEASON 2 TO ME! URGENTLY!!!

Well, there weren't enough so many of their scenes are not finished, well, it's nice anyway, I enjoyed watching it, I'll miss it

Всем смотреть на ютубе Finale Special Easter Egg｜Sweet BTS you can’t miss. Такая милота (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)

It was so beautiful and sensual. For the sake of just such an emotional response in the soul, you watch doramas and lacornas.
To be honest, I was wondering if it was worth it or not. I was very afraid to be disappointed, because the story is not really over at all. Well, what did they have to finish the standard 12 episodes and put everything on the shelves?! The feeling that the story was interrupted in the middle. The cop's killer has not been revealed, and Louis must get out of the situation with his arrest (at least regarding the murder, which is not his fault). I would even like him to serve time for his past sins and remain clean before the law and with a clear conscience go into a new life with Chusan. Inspector Xie and Guangming should become the second couple. How the look of the first one changed when he learned the motives of the second's actions. There just has to be a sequel to this. You can't shoot so cool and stop in the middle.

We ended up like we were planning season 2.

Mr. Lu was obviously not a brother with that policeman, because he is still a cunning man.

Well, the final scene of the reunion of Chusan and Liu hit the very heart.

I will miss our kittens.

Girls!!!! If you haven't seen BTS yet from the filming of hugs from the opening, then this urgently needs to be fixed!!! I almost died of ecstasy.

Friday without Lucy and Chu San is not Friday at all😭😭😭

Ciao seems to be hinting that we still have things to do.

So, well, I'm indignant!
Where are my well-deserved couple more episodes where the guys are just hugging, making out, kissing happily?! Where is all this?!

A wonderful drama, bright, wildly charismatic characters, an interesting story and a beautiful picture. We were very pleased.

I am sure that the modest and quiet ChUsan would have quietly crushed the whole of Hong Kong in the end.

So, who read the novel, is there anything else to shoot? Is there?

We're all urgently running for a new number of Madame Figaro, and we're looking at the guys' photo shoot)