HIStory2: Boundary Crossing (2018)

[Góc review phim ảnh & anime]

VIỆT GIỚI – CROSSING THE LINE

Thể loại: BL, hiện đại, học đường, ngọt ngào, ấm áp, HE.
Nước sản xuất: Đài Loan – Phim nằm trong series History 2.
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Phim gồm 8 tập ngắn và vừa ra tập cuối vào tối hôm qua, không kiềm lòng được nên mình phải nhào lên giới thiệu ngay cho mọi người ~

Nội dung xoay quanh nhân vật chính Hạ Vũ Hào – một thiếu niên tính cách lạc quan, xán lạn, hơi có phần ngỗ nghịch. Cậu vì bảo vệ bạn nữ mà đánh nhau rồi bị đuổi học phải chuyển qua trường cấp 3 khác. Ở đây cậu vô tình gặp đàn anh Khâu Tử Hiên và anh đội trưởng-siêu-cấp-lầy-lội-không-não, cả hai đang cùng nhau huấn luyện cho đội bóng chuyền trường mình với hy vọng có thể đưa đội vào tới chận chung kết. Năm ngoái vì trấn thương nặng mà Khâu Tử Hiên từ một Ace mạnh nhất giải phải trực tiếp nghỉ thi đấu và lui về làm huấn luyện đội viên. Từ những khúc mắc nho nhỏ cho đến sự thấu hiểu, cảm thông và cùng chung tình yêu thể thao nồng nhiệt, những thiếu niên ấy đã tụ hội về bên nhau, trao cho nhau tình yêu, tình bạn, tình đồng đội, tình anh em chân thành nhất.

Cứ mỗi lần tiểu công Hạ Vũ Hào lộ mắt cún nhìn đàn anh Tử Hiên là mình muốn đập cho nó một phát tỉnh ngay, bỏ ngay cái đôi mắt thiếu nữ huê hường mơ mộng kia đi.

Cứ mỗi lần anh đội trưởng nũng nịu gọi cậu bạn trúc mã của mình một tiếng “Hiên~~~” là mình muốn rớt từng lớp da gà khỏi người.

Mỗi khi đàn anh Tử Hiên đã cận lòi ra mà còn cười tít mắt thì mình cũng phải tít mắt theo cái vẻ ngây ngây của ổng.

Và dĩ nhiên quắn quéo nhất chính là mỗi lần cp Ngụy huynh đệ Chấn Văn - Chấn Võ trong truyền thuyết xuất hiện thì mình phải tua lại coi 800 lần xD. Nói về cp này thì các bạn phải coi phim mới thấu hết cái độ cưng của anh em nhà nó, đứa thì yêu mà không dám nói, đứa thì ngập ngừng chưa nhìn thấy tình cảm của mình, thành ra cả hai cứ càng né càng dính, càng xa càng gần, càng hận càng yêu =)))

Có lẽ sau 5 bộ phim thuộc series History của ChocoTV này thì “Việt Giới” là bộ phim mang lại nhiều nuối tiếc cho mình nhất. Bởi dù kết phim HE nhưng mình còn muốn xem thêm 1800 tập nữa mới thỏa lòng :(((

Dàn diễn viên cực kỳ hợp vai, không phải kiểu đẹp soái ca lồng lộn mà là kiểu thanh xuân vườn trường vừa đáng yêu vừa khỏe mạnh vừa moe vừa sến. Nhiệt liệt đề cử các bạn lao hố ngay nhé <3

#YPL

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My 5th series of History franchise and truthfully the series are getting better. The story wasn’t fresh for me, I’ven seen another BL with typical theme before this one aired. However, It didn’t make me detest of every presentation that showed.

Fandy helped this series more interesting with his great performance, even I had a doubt at first about his acting but somehow his characters has the most development. When he became more “serious” about “his love”, the staging developed with a huge quality.

Another point that I gave plus for this show is the music, I kinda like it if we compared with all of soundtracks of History 1, in these sequel the quality of the music are stronger.

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First of all: Fandy's facial expressions give me life!!! He is SOOOOO cute and adorable and conveys how he feels through his actions perfectly and I love it! He made this experience just so much more for me and I really applaud him for that. This was so great to watch. I replayed certain parts over and over again because of him and I have no regrets.

On to SPOILERS! He wasn't the only amazing actor in this drama, Zach's character and the other members of the volleyball team were special in their own way and stood out on their own too and I love great supporting characters. They are always important. But more importantly: THE KISSES!!!! This BL drama delivered the best imitate scenes I've watched so far and it was still able to be cute and heartbreaking throughout the series. The dream sequence was the best and ultimately my favorite no doubt and it was still funny because he woke up afterwards and giggled! GIGGLED!! I'm happy for him, hes happy. Just yay! I want only good things for him in life, I really do. They were comfortable with each other and it showed through their progress from classmates, to volleyball member and coach to friends that help with teaching each other to help study or tease them about their love for their family. It made the ending scene when they finally got together well deserved and I jumped in joy when it happened. They got my heart.

The step brothers relationship was tricky for me. Since they are not blood related (unlike the rival volleyball team twins near the end of the drama......eww), their relationship arc was very mature for a laid back drama. One believes it's okay for them to like each other and the other thinks now that their parents married and they are brothers, they shouldn't be together. It's a definitely sensitive and taboo topic so I'm impressed with the show's ability to seriously talk about it because the character responses and reasoning had merit behind it.

The chemistry between the main character made me love this show and made me want to see more of them or just their actors in BL again. This couple is a favorite for me.

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Must Watch

The acting and direction is clearly on another level compared to the first season. The story is straight forward but effective. The acting is decent enough though Fandy Fan (Xia) is definitely the star of the show. The captain, Hur, is great as the comic relief. The exception is the step-brothers' plot line, which feels very fake and forced. Their acting is also sub-par. There are no stereotypes, caricatures, or common BL pitfalls like calling one of the gay men the wife. The characters didn't self-identify with a specific sexuality but the show does acknowledge sexualities and also that "the times are different now. Liking the same sex isn't a big deal." There is one fujoshi but she has been respectful throughout the show. I can always come back and watch it for a pick-me-up. I already rewatched it several times.

There's a sequel coming out in form of a movie called 跨界! They started filming in 2019.

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Almost perfect

RATING: A

This mini series is almost perfect. This series, along with Mr. Heart, made me realize I may like the shorter series better than full length. There’s something about the unrequited love, and leading up to admitting you like someone that is far more appealing than all the drama that happens later. Plus you don’t get all the unnecessary filler. But they still manage to cram a lot into these few eps. Hsia Yu Hao’s bad-boy turned good, his struggles with school, Qiu Zi Xuan’s injury, his sister’s crush, the brothers’ romance… and all the volleyball. While each story could have been expanded upon (especially Qiu Zi Xuan’s feelings about not being able to play anymore), overall they were all handled well and felt satisfying in the end.

There is a light touch here, a good mixture of drama, romance and comedy. The team Captain is a fun character who is very relatable. The brother/sister relationship felt very real. Her bad cooking was very funny. The step-brother romance, a familiar trope, worked quite well, due mainly to the strong performances of Patrick and Nick in those roles. While you know exactly what is going to happen from the start, it’s done so well that it’s a truly enjoyable journey.

ACTING/DIRECTION
Fandy was a revelation in his role as Hsia Yu Hao. He played the bad boy portion so well I was totally thrown off when he transformed into the doe-eyed puppy dog with nothing but love in his eyes every time he looks at his crush. Those moments when they are supposed to be studying and he can’t concentrate could play on a loop for me endlessly. While I thought he was cute at the start, he seemed to get even moreso as time went on. At one point, I had to pause because he was so stunning to look at. I believed every second of this performance. He is a star. Unfortunately, I found Zach’s performance lacking. He was so passive, his face a blank slate most of the time. When he did allow himself to emote he was quite good and I was immediately drawn in more, but he held back too much and displayed too little for me. The direction was strong and delivered exactly what was necessary.

KISSING/INTIMACY
Aside from one “dream” sequence (put in to give the fans a “hot” moment, I think, more than anything), there are only a couple of chaste kisses, but in this type of story, exploring the beginnings of a relationship, they were all that was necessary. The intimacy here is sold in the moments when the boys touch, be it leaning on a shoulder for support, tending to an injury, even a light punch to the chest. Somehow these resonated so well I got all I needed.

THE DOWNSIDE
Zach’s performance was the biggest disappointment for me. And, as mentioned, they could have explored the storylines in a bit more depth, but overall very little to complain about for this series.

These boys don’t at all look like a High School freshman and senior. Zach was almost 30 when he played this role. Set the story in University and I might buy it, but not High School.

SUMMARY
Very strong and satisfying. Worthy of watching repeatedly. One of the best I’ve seen thus far. Watch it NOW!

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At first I didn't know what to expect... But the first scene took me by surprise... Honestly it wasn't anything incredible when it comes to the special effect etc. but just the first time main characters met, the first time they looked at each other... there was no words between them, just this single eye exchange and I just knew this will be a gem !
And oh boy was I right!
The plot is really good, very smooth and not forced. Their relationship progressed smoothy and everything was logical and so was the growth of their emotions. You can slowly notice this little signs of budding love.
But I won't spoil hehe :D
What I really hate and fear and always try to avoid in dramas are crazy misunderstanding and problems created from nothing just to put tension on MCs... If you hate it too do not be afraid my dear friend as this drama is one that value the peace of your heart <3 !
God Bless the actors as they're just perfect for this roles and their chemistry will make you feel like this short 8 episode drama is a blasphemy.
WE NEED MORE!!!
Highly recommend to watch!!!!

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Ah! Where do I begin reviewing my favorite BL ever? I love Zi Xuan and Yu Hao! I love everything about them!!!

Okay, here we go, for real. After a problematic start, HIStory 2 finally finds its footing with this great second part. A typical high school set love story that manages to do everything right and some more.

The way the love between the two main characters is done is so satisfying and well done, without any negative tropes or stereotypes. It's just two boys falling for each other, mixed in with the theme of volleyball. Zach Lu and Fandy Fan are magnetic in their respective roles and they give such a life to their characters that you fall in love with them. Everything about them is sweet and wholehearted. You feel for Yu Hao as he learns of his feelings early on for Zi Xuan and tries his best to deal with them. There's also Zi Xuan, who is reluctant to accept his own feelings for Yi Hao, for his own sake and for his sister's since she also has a crush on Yu Hao. It all comes to a fitting end that sees Zi Xuan accept of his feelings and the two of them promising to continue their relationship despite the long distance.

The side characters are great (I won't be talking about the stepbrothers yet, that's coming up). Zi Xuan's best friend and captain of the volleyball team is a great balance of comedic relief and emotional support as he is always there for Zi Yuan no matter what and accepts his feelings for Yu Hao. The homeroom teacher/volleyball coach is super cool too with whatever little screen time she's given. There's also her sister who helps assist the volleyball team and she's absolutely adorable. It's nice to see a BL with positive female representation which is so rare. Even Zi Yuan's sister, despite her clingy and immature nature, isn't necessarily a bad character either. She just has a crush and even tells her brother to go after Yu Hao since she realizes her crush to be solely circumstantial. There's the other member of the volleyball team and it's implied that he had feelings for Zi Xuan despite it never explicitly being said.

Alright, now onto the stepbrothers. Now to start off, I like them as characters. They're good friends to Yu Hao and very loyal to him. However, as for their relationship... I'm going to say this... I find stepbrother romances in BL to be disgusting and I hate them. Now I know some will say that they're not blood related which is technically correct but they're still family and I just find the whole thing gross for me, in my opinion. I'm honestly tired of the trope in BL and it's one that was explored already in the first HIStory. I wish the trope to go away and be erased forever. If I were to look past the whole stepbrother incest thing, which is problematic in itself, their relationship is kinda dry anyway. I just wish they were best friends in love with each other instead.

Despite this flaw, Boundary Crossing is one of the best - if not the BEST BL out there at the current moment. I know some might disagree and that's okay because everyone is different in how they like things. This drama made me feel so many things, so many emotions. There's very little dramas that actually make me feel that way and this is one of those cases. Zi Xuan and Yu Hao are the prime reason you should watch this show. Their character development and relationship development is incredible and so soft.

I cant wait for the film sequel! Which should be coming out any day now... (and they better not end it like they did Make Our Days Count or so help me...)

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This drama was one of the better that came out of the HIStory series. I have re watched this one a couple times already and its still just as beautiful as the first time. The story line is very nice, and had me engaged. The main characters Yu Hao and Zi Xuan are a perfect couple. The chemistry between them is amazing so it made the series that much more enjoyable. The steamy parts were not unwelcome :) The relationship between Yu Hao's friends, Zhen Wen and Li Qin is sweet and at times rough to watch, because you just want them to spell out their feelings. Zi Xuan's best friend Cheng En had my dying, he is some much needed comic relief at times. I would highly recommend this drama.

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THERE IS A SEQUEL

All of the actors are very good and the storyline is amazing.

Crossing the Line has a good distribution of screen time. The main couple gets almost all of the time but the side couple gets just enough to gauge the story of their relationship without taking away from the more dramatic nature of the main.

It is very good and have a nice balance of drama and painful scenes. There is enough sweetness to stop the emotional and dramatic scenes from sending the whole stories into chaotic messes but there is also not too much sweetness which could have made it quite boring.

Also, all of the couples face adversity in one way or another which helps to make them seem more real and draw the viewers in more.

Definitely worth a watch and just to let everyone know, there is a sequel to Crossing the Line which is already out.

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