Stand By Me (2023)

Forgettable, But Still Worth The Watch.

(Spoiler free)
The first half had me confused, but I still really enjoyed it, (thanks lian for subbing, or else I would have been confused for the rest). The setting and main plot isn't usually my cup of tea, but it's good to step out of your comfort zone.

The million dollar question, which a lot of people were wondering: Is it a censored BL or hints at it? My personal take is if you want to watch it as so, then yeah, but if you don't think it is, then it's not. It's really up to the watchers imagination. I found it a bit suspicious at parts, definitely gave a vibe, especially in the last few episodes. No matter if it is or not, I really enjoyed the main lead's friendship and relationship dynamic.

What I liked/didn't like:

Cons-
1. The opening was way too long for such a short runtime. It was okay for a couple episodes, but 20? Not necessary.
2. The characters were boring, and no one really had a good backstory. Again, there was little screen time, but it's important to give some insight to the characters... Even the ML's just seemed to magically come into existence. I had/have so many unanswered questions.

Pros-
1. The bromance. After watching so many romance dramas recently, it's nice to see a (mostly) platonic pairing once in a while. I really felt like they had chemistry and the friendship felt realistic, comfortable, and fun.
2. The comedy aspect. The story seems fairly dark, however, it was quite lighthearted and funny. Wei ji, as dumb as he was, certainly was amusing and I enjoyed his personality.
3. Cinematography, Set, & Clothes. I don't like the 1900s historical setting, but Feng Guan Yu gave a New York mobster from the 50's vibe, which is rather specific, but it fit the story well.

Stand by me, overall, was fun and interesting. Worth checking out.

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20 Episodes 10 Minutes Each w/1 Smart & 1 Dumb Lead Each

First time watching this type of drama where the episodes are 10 minutes each. Wanted to check it out because the ML I've previously seen in antagonist roles, so to see him play a protagonist was too good to resist. If you're a TBOY fan, you'll understand. I love Republican Era dramas as they're beautiful when it comes to costumes and sets. This review will be short. Again thank you @Lian for providing subtitles on Kisskh; couldn't have watched without your phenomenal work!

Pros: ML or FGY is very good at being a hard ass and a stubborn one at that and here it played to his advantage very well. You got to see the character's vulnerability, trying to save his childhood friend at all costs even when said childhood friend was a total moron. If I hadn't seen him play ruthless asshats in TBOY and Destined, I would have thought he was just really good at being deceitful while trying to save everyone that mattered to him. Though SML or HWJ finally grew a brain cell in the last episode and I really liked the church shootout sequence plus the actor played him well, I can't really find much else in the pros with him. LTT was a good addition for as long as she needed to be. Costumes (when they weren't oversized), sets, OSTs were beautiful. The comedy was good for the most part.

Cons: The storyline though understandable was edited very roughly. It went from as serious as a heart attack to comedy club funny in 2.5 seconds and it just made things very shaky. I wish we knew who the other characters were played by like the antagonist, the traitor, the girl who helped them out. Plot hole of HWJ being basically brainless to all of a sudden possessing extraordinary martial art skills and being able to fire a gun in the last few episodes was very questionable. For a good portion of it, you wanted to hit him with a desk for just being so stupid, it hurt your own head.

Would I recommend it? This series is really one of those in between ones that you watch when you're bored; it's short and sweet. But I am glad though short and small, I was able to see DK in a protagonist role for a change. He needs more of those and I hope he gets them in normal length series in the future.

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A Goofy Bromance

Is this the best short-length series I've watched? No. Did I enjoy it? Quite a lot.

(I didn't mark this as spoilers, but there are still VERY slight spoilers. Don't read if you want to continue this with little information)


I didn't go into watching this with expectations, which could be the reason for how much I enjoyed it. If your going into tthis and expecting a serious, action-packed series, with high standards, lower it.

Why do I say that? Because it's quite the opposite. It isn't a bad series, but is it trophy worthy? No.

The story was a bit chaotic. It confused me and made me do a little head tilt at times. Did the bromance make up for it? Yes.

As one of the other reviews states, if you want to visualize this as BL, then it will be a BL. If you want to watch as a normal comedy, then that's what it is.

BL or not, this can still be a good watch.



Things I DID Like:

1. The Bromance
-Must I say more? Other may say that they didn't see the chemistry, but me? I ate that up.

2. Humor
-I enjoy to have a little laugh while watching dramas, comedy or not. When the scene is supposed to be taken as "serious" and a joke is added, it makes it more enjoyable.

3. The Relationship Dynamic
-The leads are taken as childhood friends, which one betrayed the other.

Things I DID NOT like:

1. Backstories
-Referring to #3, I did wish they did more of a backstory on the betrayal, like including a flashback. The short explanations leave me with questions.

2. Drag on
-Although the series was enjoyable, I feel as if it was dragged on. It could've wrapped up in a few episodes less, such as only 15 episodes. (I did appreciate more interactions between the MLs though)



Overall, I would not recommend this if you want a full of action series. It's just a goofy watch to sit back and enjoy to fill your time.

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What a little surprise!

I usually don't watch such short formats.Right or wrong, i always think it will be a waste of time(despite the very short length )because either the budget is limited,or cannot give a satisfactory story.

This one really impressed me.I liked it very much mostly because i like the Era and the Spy theme.
I don't know their budget but definitely nothing seemed cheap.On the contrary.The visuals are really good,the direction was on point,music fitted perfectly.There are some issues with the editing and the acting wasn't for seminar but..ok!

The two eye candies were adorable!I have seen one of them in "The Blood of Youth" but the other is new to me.
Either way,they both wear their suits with such elegance and look so fine in them,i was distracted most of the time and could easily overlook all the flaws,lol.

You can tell,there is a story here.Yes unfortunately it is not detailed enough.We don't get any background and we know nothing about our protagonists past.It is like they were thrown to the present and we follow the story,onwards.So it is better to set your brain in the relax mode and don't ask many questions cause you won't get many answers!
The start is a bit confusing but nothing to give you a hard time.

It has many silly moments.And many funny moments.Few serious and many sweet too!The fight scenes were good,especially those in the last episode were trully amazing.Also the iconic scene from Goblin,which is copied so many times in so many dramas is here too,and is done right.I really enjoyed it.The leads have chemistry and it shows.I spent a very pleasant afternoon.

I know many wondering whether this is a BL or not.This is my opinion.
It is an unquestionable BL in disguise.an untagged Censored Adaptation Of Same-sex,a heavy bromance.Call it what you like.Noone can tell me those two don't have romantic feelings for each other.You can't officially call The Devil Judge a BL.It isn't though??Same here!If this was longer and had few kisses too,it would be a perfect 10!
Give it a try!

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Delightful Bromance

I really lucked out on stumbling into this series. I had no expectations other than this being a bromance. This story is such a good binge of chemistry and visuals.

The story was cute and I like that they didn’t delve into their backstory of why they had a falling out 10 years ago to fill in with unnecessary scenes. I mean I much rather have the John Woo style Gun fight at episode 4 than that.

I really enjoyed the story of taking down the Japanese during their occupation in China. Yup, I think the Japanese are horrible since they were lethal during their occupation of China and South Korea. I’m glad for the ending because payback was so satisfying.

I really hope there will be a season 2 of this series. It was left open ended for a possible season 2 and even season 3 where our heroes Guan Yu and Weijie take down more Japanese baddies with the help of Li Tao.

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The bromance is strong with this one

Another completely biased review from me to you.

I adored this series! It definitely doesn't take itself too seriously. The story has some ridiculous parts to it but is done so damn right! Both MLs are absolutely gorgeous, and their outfits are stunning. (Except for the hats, but oh well, historical accuracy and all that? I could do without that little bit of accuracy though) Seriously, whoever did their wardrobe, especially their three-piece suits, should win an award, just beautiful. I wonder if they get to take their suits home with them. And can we talk about dressing the one ML up in a frilly apron? Yep, strong bromance. And the other ML rocking an ascot? Yep, he does.

The sets, music, camera, lighting, everything in this series are really good. The music is wonderful and really adds to the story. As far as I can see, high production values for such a silly short series. Episodes are 10-11 minutes long. Opening is 1 minute 21 seconds. End credits are 2 minutes. So each episode is actually ~7 minutes long, give or take a few seconds lol. But surprisingly I don't mind watching the open/end credits. They are pretty darn good and show the strong bromance between these 2. And the end credits are different each time, showing a bit of a preview of the next episode so fun to watch. Plus check out the words of the ending song. Oh my, strong bromance.

Yes, this is a delicious, silly little series but so easy to watch. And perfect to get you out of a heavy drama and angsty things. A It's a light and fluffy republican era drama (who knew there was such a thing?) with 2 hot MLs shooting their way through the bad guys? Oh yes, sign me up for this one! Maybe I enjoyed this a bit too much! Would love to see more like this. And no annoying FL to mess up the bromance!

Here's the spoilery stuff.

There are so many bits to love:
The getaway with both of them on one bicycle with them bickering the entire way is so damn funny!
Defacing the family motto!
The blind date stand-in.
The way the one ML drinks liquor!
OMG, ML2 breaking the gun ML1's dad left him, then handing him his undercover Anti-traitor Corps badge LOL 'Crap! I got exposed.' So damn funny I almost hurt myself laughing!
Oh lord, 'No one is on opium guard duty tomorrow night' over and over and over. 'Do you think he heard us?
How f*cking cool the ML looks in his silver mask.
The ridiculous code names 'Starry Boy' lol.
'Fine, I'm mad now. Stay here for some introspection.' while wagging his finger at him.
ML1 and other anti-traitor corp dude wearing matching silk robes and pajamas and ML2 with different silk pajamas on sitting in the middle. Yep, other ML said it best, 'Idiot'
ML1 is trying to explain to ML2 that he isn't a traitor, and all the things that he's done to try and protect him, then it somehow morphs into a wife complaining about the husband's bad habits: 'You never wipe your shoes bottom when you come indoors, leaving the floor all muddy. You make a lot of noise when you eat and sleep. I can't fall asleep at all.' I am dying laughing here! The best part is you never know when these gems are going to come out, they just organically appear.
It's always nice when a gang attacks the good guys, but then all wait their turn to fight.
The slow, romantic music, while they are trying to find each other after being attacked, with lots of bromance flashbacks!
The look on ML2's face when he finally sees ML1. The look on ML1's face when he sees ML2. Oh my, this is a bit more than bromance.
If ML1 keeps knocking out ML2 all the time he's going to suffer permanent brain damage. And he's very slow to begin with!
The dynamite sticks duds pretty damn funny! Such a dramatic build-up.
The fight scene in the church, awesome!
The little smile on ML's face, priceless!
Snore/punch lol
Wonderful ending, including the gun fumble and door handle.

This light bit of froth is just a perfect binge watch. I highly recommend this. Enjoy!

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