We Best Love: The Runner-Up Strikes Back (2021)

Best BL and most underrated

Honestly, I only created an account just for this drama. The production quality, the acting chops, the directorial savviness, it's all just *chef's kiss.* I would go as far as to say that not only is this an underrated BL, it's arguably underrated in the whole romance genre.

I look forward to seeing what the actors are going to bring us next in their careers. When I spoke about how good their acting was, I always feel like I'm underselling them because the amount of chemistry and raw passion found between the two male leads is something that I've never come across before in Taiwanese dramas. It really seemed as if their acting belonged on the big screens in Hollywood. They already look amazing in suits.

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Too many loose ends

The first series was excellent and a change to the usual Thai BLs. Sped through this eager for more about the main leads' relationship and where it would lead, not really interested in the side relationships. A little confused as to what happened when and did GSD actually tell SY about the blonde woman and baby because I don't recall him actually explaining clearly what happened in the US.

However, disappointed with the ending and felt episode 6.5 was completely unnecessary, repeating what had happened in previous episodes. That relationship I didn't feel was appropriate and I certainly don't think a third season about them would have been justified.. but that's just my personal opinion. I would have liked a closing scene with the two main leads declaring undying love etc rather than the side leads' proposal.. that episode felt unfinished.

On the whole however, really enjoyed WBL.

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pretty good for a season 2

We don't usually get a lot of great second seasons, especially when it comes to bls, so this was a pleasant surprise. If you were missing our sweet GaoShide and ZhouShuyi chemistry, welcome to season 2!

The story in this season is admittedly a downgrade, it all revolves around misunderstandings that could have easily been cleared up but ends up taking years out of their time together. I'm not fond of the dramatics, and the fact that it crossed over into their professional lives to such a large extent is a bit cringe. That said, their acting and chemistry is even better than season 1, and we get some really cute scenes that make it all worth it.

We also see a whole lot of side couple in this season, which is bittersweet, I feel like it's a cute and intriguing story on its own, but it feels a bit like filler at times since you're just waiting to get back to the main story. Also, their story is a little weird, but I think it works for them.

As a standalone, this wouldn't be all that great, but with all of the history between these two, I think it's a pretty well done second season, have a watch!

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Highly recommend!

To start off, let me just say right off the bat that this review is for both We Best Love: No. 1 For You and We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd. Partially because I binge watched both back-to-back without stopping to write a review but also because it's practically impossible to separate the two once both have been seen. Some of that is due to the flashbacks and reminders in season 2 but also all the references and mentions of things that happened in the past, the series were clearly made with 2 parts in mind. When the first one leaves off with such an open-ended cliffhanger like that, there's no way they were ever considering ending it like that. And if they did, they would have had so much backlash.

Anyway....

As a whole, the series was very good. I thought it would be a quick watch, seeing as each season is only 6 episodes at 30min a piece. But each episode is so packed with content and things going on that were actually relevant that a 6 hour watch-a-thon felt like 2 days of non-stop watching. I'm not complaining, as I enjoyed every second of it... but I didn't realize how much of a mental break it is when a series is lighter and longer with fluff filler that seems so superficial. It makes watching a series with substance so much more fulfilling.

Speaking of which, I can't remember the last series I watched where I felt as empty and sad that it was over than I felt after watching this. I just didn't want it to end.

The pacing was really well done though there is that weird peek into the future at the end of season 1 that causes the whole tension for the beginning of season 2. Admittedly, I was watching season 2 thinking "the misunderstanding better not last for the whole season" and thankfully, it was somewhat cleared up by episode 3. I hate when series have misunderstandings to begin with, let alone using it as the main conflict for an entire run of a show. Thankfully, that didn't happen here. The only thing that never really gets cleared up is who the girl with the child were though it's clear to assume it is She De's half brother and step-sister from the mother's new marriage. I mean, we find out that the mom was pregnant when they arrived which would mean by the time Shu Yi went to the US, the child would have been just over a year old.

I enjoyed the transition from University life to the working world to see their growth as individuals apart from the relationship. Even the supporting cast was great to see in a different light. I almost didn't recognize Zhe Yu and Bing Wei at first but then was happy to see they were still hanging around Shu Yi, even in a professional manner. I thought all the actors portrayed their characters well though I was really impressed with Shih Chih Tian as Zhen Xuan. It is extremely hard to portray an affective disorder without being over the top with it but I thought he did a great job with little nuances and ticks that showcased his struggle with it all.

Some reviews I'd read thought a chunk of the intimacy (mostly in season 2) was unhinged and messy but I personally didn't feel that. I can only assume they are referring to when Shi De was drunk and it looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands. It may seem sloppy on the surface but, at least for me, it is pure and real and passionate. A good portrayal of wanting to cherish but also wanting to devour the guy that got away 5 years ago and you finally managed to have within arms length, even if you are three sheets to the wind.

Not only would I recommend this series but I would watch it over and over again; it was just that good. It's also one of those series that once you know the ending, you'll want to watch it again to see if there were any hints or foreshadowing.

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Good Start, What Happened?

This series was nowhere near as good as the first series. I think the writer(s) ran out of ideas.

Full of additional, unnecessary characters, lines, scenes and not enough time spent on the two main characters.
Only six episodes but they should have focused way more of that time with the two mains.
Maybe it was all the storyline, but I felt even the two mains lost their concentration part way through.

I loved the relationship in the first series so much more, still, I am glad I watched this because without this series, the ending to the first series would have been too sad.

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We best love review

To start this is my first review, so I will try my best :) All context relating to this series is amazing but having just finished watching the second season I thought I must write a review.

Story:
Normally I can’t stand when a story line involves cheating, and it truly leads you to believe this is what’s happening at the beginning. As the story unwinds they do an amazing job at showing the audiences that this is not the case. The story is fast paced but it is done well, it does not seem unreasonable.
Along with the main story the side story / somewhat side stories are good. One is definitely more thought out than the other and I did find the proposal at the end a bit strange. However this is made up for with the connection that is shown between Yu Zhen Xuan and Pei Shou Yi. I found I was a lot more invested in these two rather than the other side characters.

Acting/ casting:
I think all characters are amazingly well cast and the connections that the actors create are amazing. Everyone works well together and nothing seems awkward or out of place. You can definitely see this in the kiss scenes between Zhou Shu Yi and Gao Shi De it looks extremely natural.

Music:
The music is good, to be completely honest music in drama has never been something I care about unless the music is really bad. They did a good job and I do have a personal soft spot for sad violin music! I don’t think there was anywhere that I felt the music stood out in a strange way.

As for rewatch value I am someone who loves to rewatch, so I feel my opinion here isn’t the best. I will say however that I don’t have the urge to rewatch anytime soon or at least until the story has worn from my mind. Take that as you will but some drama I will finish and immediately want to rewatch!

Overwall I would seriously recommend this whole series, although the story isn’t particularly unique in the genre I think the amazing acting seriously makes up for this and creates a whole new feeling to watching it.

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short and simple review

Pacing: Really good pacing. The love story is so sweet and the emotions gradually become bigger and visible.
Acting: Out of this world! They really outdid themselves. The firsts season was already so amazing but damn in this season, they elevated their emotions to an oscar worthy level performance. I had tears in my eyes. They are one of the best BL actors i have come across along with Bilkin and PP from ITSAY. The chemistry, intimacy and gazes between them were so emotionally impactful, i felt it in my blood.
Plot: the plot isnt too unique rather, from season one in college to season 2 in a work setting. It is a cliche plot but it is executed well.
Side characters: I was more invested in the main couple but a lot of people liked the side couple, tbh their acting was super good too!
Please watch it, its so good!

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MANIFESTING SEASON 3!

Ahw! I'm sad now that I finished this series. So happy and glad that they fix and overcome all of the misunderstanding in their relationship of the main character. But Season 2 is not enough! WE WANT SEASON 3! for the continuation of their love story in the future! The supporting actors had a proposal but We also wanted the main characters to see their future marriage! We want more please! Manifesting for SEASON 3! ?♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

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It is a great series. I love the story, the characters, the theme songs and the actors are very talented. The male leads and side characters are all so good looking, ang popogi nila makalaglag panty. It is a must watch series. I just wished it was longer, more episodes, go for season three. the series is so romantic and their acting/feelings they are all natural. The bed scenes were really really hot to handle nakakabaliw sa kilig. Grabe yung emotions feel na feel mo.
???????❤️‍?It is a great series. I love the story, the characters, the theme songs and the actors are very talented. The male leads and side characters are all so good looking, ang popogi nila makalaglag panty. It is a must watch series. I just wished it was longer, more episodes, go for season two. the series is so romantic and their acting/feelings they are all natural.

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