Be Loved in House (2021)

When I started the drama I wasn't expecting much but a couple minutes into the show and I instantly fell in love with the show--it is a little different from our average bl series. I love when we move away the university theme honestly. I loved how the show was a bit of a slow burn--for 13 episodes they got together episode 12? but it was worth it honestly. I do think they could've gotten them together sooner but yi zi helping shi lei out kinda surprised me because usually exes try to sabotage their ex and their lover new relationship ya know? This show was refreshing honestly--the ending did feel little rushed but it still will give it a high rating because i like the show and cast a lot

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One of my favorites!

This was a really solid drama! I genuinely enjoyed nearly everything about it.

Notes:
1- lead couple chemistry and development
The chemistry between Yu Zhen and Shi Lei was top notch, really nice to watch. The development was kinda stinted at times and felt like it made a couple big jumps in certain spots, but given all the other things that I enjoyed about this drama, I personally don't find it a big issue since it was fairly mild.

2- side couple
Really cute! Honestly one of my favorite side couples I've come across.

3- backstories
My biggest gripe with this drama is that due to the short length and relative slow pacing, it feels like the hints at both Yu Zhen and Gang's backstories were wasted. We were given just enough about Yu Zhen's backstory to be lead to believe it would be a major block in his and Shi Lei's relationship, but it wasn't except for the existence of the Single Rule. There was wasted potential in specifically Yu Zhen's backstory and would have provided an opportunity to further develop Yu Zhen and Shi Lei's relationship.

4- Shi Lei's mom
Oh, I'd die for this woman. It was really refreshing and just NICE to see a mother in a BL encouraging her son. Shi Lei's mom deserves the whole world, and that scene with Shi Lei and his mom killed me.

5- relative low secondhand embarrassment
This is a personal pet peeve I have in dramas, but I find them unwatchable if the secondhand embarrassment is too high. It was fairly low with this one - it was mostly just awkward interactions that are normal with the person you like.

I really enjoyed Be Loved in House: I Do. It's one of my favorites and definitely does retain rewatch value for me personally.

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Mostly good...?

I can't say that I didn't enjoy myself, but I also can't say that I'm entirely satisfied with this series.
The premise is good, and I actually thought that the pacing wasn't bad at all. It's an obvious slow burn and I was already expecting to wait for the two main characters to actually get somewhere with their feelings. The mystery around Yu Zhen is what drives the plot for the most part, and Shi Lei slowly unveiling it kept me engaged. Still, I feel like there were elements in the plot that were set aside in favor of others that were less interesting. Some things were introduced and not explained, some other things were introduced and explained but also discussed so thoroughly that it got kind of annoying. I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil anything, but I believe that it could have felt much more satisfied if the story was more coherent with its message and its various elements.

The main couple is very good. I believe that both actors did a pretty good job and there are specific moments that really let their acting shine bright. Their chemistry is also pretty good - I had my doubts at first, but they fit with each other quite well.
As for the second couple, unfortunately I can't say much about them. They are cute, both individually and together, but there's little to nothing about them. Nothing happens in their romance either, it was just a straight line with no events, so they were one of the least interesting parts of the series to me.
The supporting characters were all quite good. I wish Xiao Qian and Wang Jing were shown some more, especially since the dating ban affected them the most out of all the characters. As for Yi Zi Tong, to be entirely honest I think he had way more screentime than what was actually necessary.

The montage was good, but there was nothing especially interesting about the way the scenes were filmed. The music did its job well most of the time, but there were also many times when the songs played felt completely out of place and even stopped me from enjoying the scene, especially when the song played too loudly and out of nowhere.

Overall, I can say that it was mostly a cute and enjoyable series, but I can't help feeling mildly disappointed about it too. Watch at your own risk.

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IMHO

I loved the acting of both leads, and they did what they were supposed to do in all the scenes. They did not seem to shy away from the intimate scenes, and they played their parts well. But can I ship them? No. I couldn't find the chemistry that others seem to think was there. I thought Shi Lei had better chemistry with Stone and the waitress than with Real.

Shi Lei's mom was GREAT! I loved how she supported him.

I liked this drama, but I would not rewatch it. Hank Wang, however, is cute as a button, so I'll be looking out for him in other productions.

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Slow Burn with Not Enough Pay Out

While I enjoy a slow burn, I'd like the ending to be worth the wait. Some reviewers are saying there were too many episodes without character growth, and I agree. Then we get Jin Yu's ex boyfriend returning to throw a wrench in things, and when the two main characters get together, the love scene and ending aren't enough to quench this viewers thirst after the long wait. Adding to that, I watched it on Viki, and they tack the special onto the end as ep. 13. So, after watching the whole thing and being slightly disappointed, I was treated to the special, which was full of Jin Yu and his ex.
Jin Yu took too long to get his head together, and it felt contrived in order to keep the viewer in the dark about what was really going on.

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It had Potential, instead it was just plain boring

First things first I enjoy Slow Burn. I dont mind slow pacing and dialogue heavy plots. On the contrary I usualy enjoy it since the focus lays on building the emotioanl conection between the characters rather than just sexual tension. But for some reason in this show it just…didnt…hit. I was waiting and waiting for some kind of tension between them to build but at ep 6 I had to resign that the show is just boring. NOTHING HAPPENSS!
The actors were good, the chemistry was there, music and film were good so i dont know where they went wrong with the plot. Rather than focusing on healing and getting over a past lover it just felt like the plot was kind of trickling along with some comedy relife on the side. And dont get me started on the end. Like no i was soo anoyyeed. Why does it need the ex to come back for them to finally act on theyr feelings? No just no.

That being said not all was bad. Some of the scenes between the mains were very cute and i liked how they showed intimacy between two people in small gestures like remebering the drink someone likes and the cuddling scenes were adorable. But it just wasnt enough to wheigh out all the boring rest.
I also really enjoyed the scene with the mother. Those were adorable.
But by the end I was getting so annoyed with all the characters and their indecisiveness and i just wanted the show to be over.

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Storia semplice e molto carina!

La storia gira intorno a un gruppo di personaggi interessanti.Un nuovo direttore vieta le relazioni e si scatena un casino.Il bel direttore sembra freddo e cinico ma è solo ancora sofferente dopo un brutto abbandono.Con fermezza si oppone a questo vieto il capo squadra,un bel ragazzo che si scopre innamorato di questo capo testardo ma anche così affascinante.
La trama e scorrevole e molto piacevole.Bellissima e molto carina anche l'altra coppia che si forma.
Belli gli attori protagonisti mi sono piaciuti molto vederli recitare insieme.
Drama bl che sicuramente merita visto.
Fantastica anche la puntata epilogò assolutamente da vedere.

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The (Sexy) Little Prince and his (Be-Dimpled) Fox

Be Loved in House I Do is one of the first BL series that I’ve watched and it got me hooked to this genre.
Since the first few BL dramas I’ve seen were Korean, Be Loved was a visual delight to my newbie eyes. Two gorgeous men falling in love, one with abs that you can wash your laundry with, the second with that bedazzling dimples that mesmerizes. Then after watching those sweet virginal korean BL, this Be Loved finally satisfied my voyeuristic desires of seeing the passionate lovemaking of Yu Zhen and Shi Lei in the end. My newbie BL heart was in heaven.

Despite the passionate kisses that the series finally dished out, Be Loved is sweet and wholesome. The episodes before the finale is a build up that leads to the satisfying explosion of emotions at the end. If you want your BL mains to establish a relationship in the middle and encounter humps testing their love, then this will be frustrating. Because the plot of Be Loved is to capture the heart and trust of our wounded Sexy (Little) Prince, Yu Zhen. This seemingly impossible task is taken on by our ultra-charming fox, Shi Lei, innocent and clueless, with a golden heart, armed with a 1000watt be-dimpled smile, with a loving mother as his fairy godmother, and a number of pesky minions to cheer him on. Despite this armory, it took the whole series to finally win our gun shy but totally worth the price Prince.

Be Loved’s script is a different take on the Little Prince with the fox taking a bigger role in the Prince’s life. So the Vain Fragrant Rose that pierced Yu Zhen has to understandably come out and be compared to Shi Lei. Zi Tong’s return is the last challenge for Yu Zhen to finally live his life again and leave his past and aches. A lot who saw the series said that Zi Tong entering the blooming relationship between Shi Lei and Yu Zhen just disrupted the couple and slowed down the drama. Had Yu Zhen and Shi Lei reached their understanding earlier on, we would have more tender moments between the two… but the screenwriter is probably an old soul and loved a challenge. The tables were turned, and two sexy men are now vying for …. Shi Lei! Our Sexy (Little) Prince is fighting the Smouldering Rose for the be-dimpled innocent fox. For me, this extra effort of wooing assured Yu Zhen that he has moved on, no second doubts. But like the other viewers, I wish the contest between the Prince and the Rose was shorter to give us more time for the bl moments between Shi Lei and Yu Zhen.

Be Loved has one of my fave theme songs and I dance to the tune everytime I rewatch Yu Zhen and Shi Lei. Obviously, this sweet series has been rewatched numerously.

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this series was beautiful. i found myself waiting with anticipation for every episode. i love this series a lot; and it's risen to be one of my favorites from 2021.

i love the way the story is set up. i love the way the characters have background and meaning behind their actions. though some of the main couple's moments can feel silly, it never feels overly unnecessary at any time. i especially love how the female characters aren't written as evil; and i even love the ex and how he isn't necessarily the bad guy.

when it comes to acting, i think YZ and ZT have more chemistry. it could be because ZT is easier going in romantic settings, but their scenes are filled with emotion. it almost feels like the love YZ and SL portray isn't as strong (as much as i love them together). the ending didn't hit as hard as i wanted it to; the bed scene seemed sloppily added and i didn't love the proposal from ZG and SQ. BUT i understand why they happened and i do love a happy ending, even if it is rushed.

overall i recommend this. i have endless good things to say about it; good things that outweigh any of the bad. the slow burn feels so.. correct. it's done really well for a slow burn. if you're into that kind of thing, this is right up your alley :).

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Foi um bom drama, mas poderia ter sido melhor

(minha primeira review)
O drama tem um bom plot e uma premissa promissora, mas se perdeu em alguns pontos. A história em si não ficou com grandes furos, a maioria dos ciclos iniciados foram fechados e os que não foram, deram indicios de como prosseguiria, o problema com o enredo tá mais no fluxo e com a continuação, o começo foi muito bom mas começou a se perder nos últimos episódios com um angst meio forçado e exagerado, com problemas que seriam facilmente resolvidos. Os defeitos porém na minha percepção acabam por ai, já que a atuação e a química dos casais da série são incríveis e só por isso já valeria a pena assistir mas o drama ainda surpreende pois mesmo com o angst forçado e meio envergonhante em alguns pontos é totalmente divertido e gostoso de assistir, gera boas risadas e você acaba se apegando aos personagens mesmo em um drama tão curtinho, por esses motivos recomendo a todos para assistirem esse drama e terem um bom tempo de diversão, não acho que reassistiria esse drama com tanta urgencia pois dado ao ritmo dos últimos episódios já foi difícil terminar, mas por ser bem curtinho, reassistir esse drama é uma possibilidade que eu não excluo.

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The Kolas and The Shop Owners

Glad I caught up in time but also sad because I'm gonna miss it, it's so good. Loving the Kuudere Koala that is Yu Zhen tho I did want to fight him at the beginning and loving the T'Sundere Koala that is Shi Lei. Just the selfish prick coming back to mess everything up is annoying to me, they already had their internal struggles that I completely understood; Yu Zhen's trauma with his past and Shi Lei coming to the conclusion about his sexuality, afraid to be a disappointment in yet another aspect of his life as he tries to uphold with pride the ability to do his job well as Team Leader. I've enjoyed watching Jin let his guard down and be vulnerable around Shi Lei enough to open his heart to him and trust him. While Shi Lei grew to understand more about himself by allowing himself a moment of, in his mind, selfishness choosing to let his walls down and open up his heart to care for someone he didn't think he'd fall for. The coming out to his mom scene was beautiful, I cried. The acts of service and gift giving has been their love language with the projects at work, cooking at home, filling the fridge with their favorite drinks, the removal of certain rules at home as well as taking care of the other when they're sick or having a bad dream and it had me giggling like a little girl the entire time. Can't praise them enough really, I love them, Hank and Aaron work so well together. If you're truly not a fan of slow burns, you may want to stay away or watch it for the second couple who are just as great but physical touch and quality time happen to be their love language.

Speaking of the Shop Owner and his tiny co-owner who can't cook; I loved how Zhao Gang took Si Qi in when he needed a place to stay. He has really been an mvp for the series, I praise him for the useful advice he has given Jin Yu Zhen and Shi Lei. I'm just curious about how Si Qi's crush on Zhao Gang started cause I can't remember him mentioning or them showing it up till now. Wish they'd show why Zhao Gang is the way that he is about his relationships also.

Will come back to edit the review after the last episode is out and see if anything changes.
Edit- That ending was so sweet and explosive and I loved every minute of it!! Jin Yu Zhen and Shi Lei's first time was like a bomb went off after their feelings were known. Amazing and the scene with the "new rules" was precious. The plottwist with Yi Zitong did get me tho. Zhao Gang and Si Qi were cute also.

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