HIStory5: Love in the Future (2022)

Struggled to finish it

This is a classic example of what happens when a story has good elements and potential, but ends up being ruined by awful plot devices and bad pacing.
The beginning was actually pretty interesting. I was really enjoying the series for the first 4 or 5 episodes: stories with a time-traveling trope usually have the main character going back to the past rather than to the future, and I thought it would be interesting to see how would the writer develop a plot like that. I also really liked the dynamics of both couples: the main one is very energetic and funny, the secondary one is more calm and sweet overall. The actors are good enough, although they are not mind-blowing in their performances, and very cute in their respective couples.
...and then the plot just went in unexpected directions. I don't mean it in a good way: I felt like the plot just decided to change topics and overall atmosphere all of a sudden. Huge problems seemed to appear out of nowhere and for no good reason. Last but not least, this drama seems to be affected by some of the worst miscommunication issues I've ever seen in any romantic series or film. There are multiple instances where the characters could just talk to each other sincerely, explain themselves and their thoughts or feelings, but they just don't (they will literally stay quiet or even leave the room in front of a question). Some of the episodes are just full of unasked questions and lack of explanations, which made the series feel frustrating, long and tiring to watch.
The last episode was the most annoying one, because it's the one that should connect dots and give proper closure to everything, but it only made me feel like it could all be done a lot sooner and spare me a couple headaches.
It might sound weird, but the actual highlight of this series was the appearance of the couple from HIStory 4 (the step-brothers), which I guess says a lot.

In conclusion, while I can still say that I've seen a lot worse in the past, I can't say that this was good enough. In some ways it was even worse than HIStory 4 (didn't think it could be possible), although at least it didn't include some of the worse tropes available. It can still be a cute watch if you're exclusively interested in cute guys kissing, but if you're looking for a proper plot then this is not for you.

Leia Mais

History tapi hampir punya konsep cerita yang sama seperti season 1

Seperti hal-nya series history sebelumnya, series HIStory adalah series bL Taiwan yang menurutku paling menarik. Punya konsep seperti pendahulunya HIStory1: Obsessed (2017), History 5 ini membahas mengenai perjalanan waktu. Diceritakan ada seorang pemuda yang super-rajin bernama He Bo Wei ; kehidupannya serba biasa, tidak ada yang menarik selain bekerja - saat tahun baru dia meminta sesuatu yaitu seorang pasangan yang mungkin akan bisa mewarnai kehidupannya yang serba biasa itu, hingga akhirnya dia pulang dari pekerjaannya melewati sebuah terowongan jalan raya ~ sesuatu terjadi, dia ternyata terlempar ke masa depan. Bagaimana kisahnya? saksiksan series ini. Dari segi dialog dan alur menurutku mudah difahami ya, dari segi konsep cerita, lumayan menarik ya karena berisi beberapa reaksi He Bo Wei ketika melihat masa depan. Namun, beberapa hal terasa kurang realistis, konsep seperti "malaikat pengatur manusia dan assiten tuhan"-pun di hadirkan di sini, membuatnya seperti sangat Ghoib dan jauh dari kata ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi, walaupun begitu saya tidak terlalu mempermasalahkannya ya karena toh isinya juga untuk lucu-lucuan aja. Ada beberapa hal yang membuat cerita ini seperti biasa saja ya karena beberapa scene mengangkat pembahasan mengenai hubungan "orang dalam" dan "pekerjaan", semuanya cenderung terlalu ideal, beberapa masalah pun sebenarnya tidak terlalu spesial, walaupun mungkin menurutku pribadi dari segi konsep cerita dan scene masih ada di bawah series history lainnya, namun series history ini juga menurutku sangat rekomendasi untuk ditonton.

Leia Mais

Free time? Here's an okay watch.

Yes, we are well aware that the past HIStories were done better with a more solid cast and plot, but contrary to popular belief, HIStory5 was not that bad, it just seemingly lacked some thorough planning.

With the plot, I saw what the writers were going for, but I don't think that it was achieved--it sorta got lost midway. Yes, the goal was there in the back of our minds, but I don't think that it was as clear as it could've been. Many other elements could've affected this as well, which if you do decide to give it a watch you'll understand what I'm alluding to, but it was still easy to follow.

The main couple did not draw me in at all, it felt forced almost and it just didn't sit well with my spirit at the beginning. As the show went on though, I did see the improvements with the characters and can appreciate them. Some more work could've been done to their personalities and other things, but I do like how they portrayed the adjusting of Bo Wei to Johnny Dai. It felt very realistic and as annoying as it may have been in the beginning, the development was essential to the plot. The second couple however is the main reason as to why I stuck around. I absolutely loved the young shy new worker and the managing director trope and it was executed beautifully. It really highlights how difficult it can be with age differences, work harassment, jealousy and how important clear communication is. The full reveal towards the end was great and the heartwarming discovery for Wynn was such a lovely thing to watch. The actors did their thing in this regard--kudos!

The music was pretty good, zero complaints there. The theme song right up to the piano excerpts played/used. A huge thumbs up to the person who chose those pieces--excellent. They fit perfectly with the themes of that relationship and the personalities as well.

Morale, it isn't a show that I think you should go in having high standards for, but if you just want something that is a fairly easy watch, can help you pass time, not too boring and has some nice piano pieces, I say go for it.

Leia Mais

history series are starting to lose their spark?

i mean this serie is not too much bad, its a watchable serie, not boring, but... the plot is really meh, i dont feel attached to the characters, and i have to say i liked the second couple more than the main one
dont get me wrong , my favorite character is Hai Yi and my second favorite is Vincent.. now while i love Hai Yi but his partner's attitude Johnny is kinda frustrating, stop treating your man badly? while there is times where i understand where he is coming from but other times he is just frustrating, i get it he was mad that his partner was hiding his identity, but there is time and place for everything? the timing? his partner lost his dad, the first thing you should say when you see him is "im sorry for your loss" ,not just starting a fight there and not caring that he lost his dad, where is his sympathy for his lover who is suffering at that time?
there is other moments when Hai Yi went to bar with him to celebrate but Johnny is complaining about how expensive the wine is but later on he leave him alone in the bar and he go to his bestie to whine and say that he love him, then why you left his ass alone in the bar when its supposed to be a special and romantic moment? because the wine is expensive, really?? its just a onetime thing, like chill maybe?

the nc scenes of the second couple looked fine to me, but even the nc scenes of the main couples felt a bit off, i dk Johnny sometimes make those expressions like he is in pain ,or like he is forced to kiss , maybe its only me who felt that way in few scenes, but i think even the chemistry of the second couples felt better than the main one, it just felt that Hai Yi and Johnny dont look compatible together maybe
then there is those silly moments where Johnny keep pushing him into blind dates but in the same time getting jealous and spying on him, the plot is really full of clichey scenes....
later on they showed the second couple of history 4 Xing Si/Yong Jie, i guess it has been a year since i watched them so i calmed down lol they look cute when i pretend i dk their past storyline, but Yong Jie had to remind me when he introduced him as "he is my lover and my brother" not that line again? lol can he stop? i get it they are not real brothers but his choice of words tho >_< anyway,their chemistry is better than both couples of this serie? :o i do really like how in the history series they do show past couples and all, i find it cute and entertaining
but i really hope they work on their storylines tho, h3 was good, but i think both h4 and h5 are really lacking, this season even more than h4, because at least in h4 we got amazing chemistry btw both couples, while h5 idk i can only say i liked the second couple

Leia Mais

Kinda rush!!

Overall the drama is perfect and I like both the couple very much ...the storyline between second couple is prefect but the first couple was being rushed because ...it does not clear how they fell for each other ....the writer must written some more strong scene to define the love between them...I feel that in this drama many things were unclear and rushe...like how/why/ the hell the ML was brought to future.....iknow they in story it tells that he come with the fude (i don't actually know what he is) and he was brought for hai yi(why??)....and the death of grandmother and father was also being rushed ....the motive lu shi ching choose hai yi and leave him ..that part must have define well ....this drama has flaws but I like this drama and all the drama under history is nice and have some flaws ....with this I have completed all the history series

Leia Mais

Potential drama, but lacks of subtlety and connection between details

I feel like this drama focuses on the family member affection more than two couples' relationship. You can notice all four main characters (eventually) beceme orphan in different ways, and the story included not only the unexpectedly sudden "leave" of Hai Yi's dad, but also Zhe Ni's grandma in an unbelievably unfortunate situation. So imo, this would be suitable if the drama metaphors the recent epidemic, like you've seen its impact to our life. The few last episodes should bring out the comfort, luck and cherish actually.

For the plot scenes, low communication and lacks of pot subtlety / connection should be improved. For example: Zhe Ni got familiar way too fast to modern gadgets; Wen Sen got so easy and direct to know Huai En was in great danger; Huai En and Zhe Ni tried not to admit their own relationship to each other, but later then both communicated like admitted already; or the "legal" boxing attack in the training room. Furthermore, the minus is most key scenes were in-order shown rapidly at last episodes instead of scattered from the middle to end. Welp, at least they brings the quick transition factor between online and face-to-face conversation for video call scenes.

However, what got me bad impression is the controversial couple from HIS4. Yes, their acting is great, but I don't think they can be mentors in terms of relationship advises, like their relationship was really toxic in the beginning.
And personally, I prefer the side couple's visual and chemistry although Wen Sen character behavior doesn't seem to be relevant for a general director role imo.

Leia Mais

CONFUSING FIRST COUPLE, ADORABLE FLUFFY SECOND COUPLE

FIRST of all, whoever idea that scenario where you make a call and all of a sudden the person you called just appeared in frot of you and all with interactions and stuff....IS SO STUPID!!!!!!! You are making the viewer engaged with something false and confusing! Good thing I quickly catch-on with whatever that idea is!!! DIRECTOR....SCRIPT WRITER...BOOOHOOOO!!!

I am more interested on the second couple, they have more promising story that a stupid time travel shenanigans with a twist of idiotic phone call crap!! I watched this series because JASON TAUH is in it! I watched every BL he made not only he's hot and handsome but also talented, character wise! Anson Chen, It's my first time seeing him and I must say he is a great actor. Together with Jason Tuah, boy oh boy they make a good BL couple!

I JUST WISH THEY DIDN'T MADE THAT PHONE CALL SHIT THING ON THE FIRST COUPLE, IT WOULD'VE BEEN MORE INTERESTING WATCHING THEIR CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. JASON AND ANSON'S CHARACTER IS SPOT ON! I CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND WELL WHERE THOSE COUPLE GOING.

FOR WHOEVERS GONNA WATCH THIS SERIES YOU BETTER WATCH CAREFULLY ON THE FIRST COUPLE, I HOPE YOU DON'T GET LOST AND CONFUSED WHENEVER YOU THOUGHT THEY'VE ALREADY MEET BUT IN REALITY ITS JUST A PHONE CALLL SHIT!

IF ANSON AND JASON'S STORY I WOULD GIVE IT A SOLID 8.0
WHILE THE 1ST COUPLE IT'S FAIR TO GIVE THEM 6.5, IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT THOUGH, IT'S THE SCREEN WRITERS AND DIRECTOR!!!!

Leia Mais

Seriously regrettable waste of a promising storyline

Gosh, how I have missed HIStory, Taiwan’s most reliable BL series. But this one only disappointed with a plot that spun out of control. Towards the end, I spent most of the episodes praying for the end to come swiftly.

This season of HIStory has a mix of both predictable and original romance storylines. The story about the manager and the new guy is a typical BL narrative while Johnny and Haiyi’s story was filled with more surprises and unpredictability.

The time travel plot is certainly a creative one, but wasn’t as well-executed as I expected.

All in all, the show has several conflicts/tensions stretched out across 20 episodes. Some episodes (the earlier ones, especially) are better than others. Unfortunately, the relationships go downhill in the second half of the show with a lame, poorly-written conflict. It’s supposed to make sense at the end but ehhhhh… I’m not sure it changes my review.

Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2023/03/17/history-5-2022-love-in-the-future-review/

Leia Mais

It is interesting for me. Comparing to other history seasons i personally like it. Feel real . the casting is super feel like they born to do that character. It is a interesting storyline. Extrovert, introvert, shyness, care everything mixture and timetravel is another interesting fact. I like mainleads living place. And obessed with there hair style. When it comes to bls Taiwanese never disappoint. There stories are unique. Its a story of a boy who time traveled from 2000 to 2020 like that, mainleads are comedy i like mainleads more because secondleads story is cheesy and not that bad. I am happy it has many episodes

Leia Mais

HIStory5: the last delivery

I seriously wanted to like this, I really did, but I'm sorry y'all, I really couldn't take another minute of it. I can't believe I'm giving a HIStory installment a 3.5, I almost wanna gaslight myself into liking it simply because of how fond I am of this franchise.
What started out as a unique fun plot ended up being a bunch of unexplained unrelated nonsense held together by my undying boredom and Linus Wang's good looks. I genuinely don't know what to say about it but to sum up the issues with this one, the plot said sike and left the building, the music is nothing short of uninteresting and uninspired, the camera work and editing is probably one of the worst out of all the previous parts, none of the characters were likeable and don't get me started on the non existent chemistry between our first main couple because boy I am vexed. I know most of the people behind the franchise have left so the production value and the writing took a blow, but I really can't help comparing this absolute mess to the other series that preceded it.
If anyone is interested in watching this, I advise you to lower the bar so as to not be disappointed because if it isn't for the sake of nostalgia or watching the final series of one of the most popular Taiwanese BLs then I really don't recommend it. Were the older parts perfect? No, but they sure as hell were more enjoyable than this one, even HIStory4, which is my lowest rated HIStory installment, got a 6/10 from me, I really hope whoever's watching likes it better than I did, but yeah, this one will be living in my "on hold forever" folder indefinitely.
Have a nice day/night everyone.

P.s: I've just come to the conclusion that I actually don't like any of the characters so I changed the bit in my review where I exempted two of them. I thought I liked magic man and Huai En but now that I think about it, one is extremely boring and the other makes no sense so yeah, not a fan of anyone in here.

Leia Mais

Plot, what plot? // Chemistry? Never heard of

Want to get bored while watching BL? Then this is the drama you have been looking for.

In the first episodes I kind of liked the weird approach and He Bo Wei/Tai Che Ni's cheery character but after a while it got old. The plot seems okay at first but when you finish watching you'll be like 'plot, what plot? did something happen?'

The main pairing has zero chemistry. Linus Wang did okay but Sean Chang was acting like he was not in a BL drama. The 2nd pairing with Anson and Jason was better and some scenes had me giggling of joy. But then their story got a bit boring as well.
And for the last few episodes we suddenly got even a 3rd couple. What was that even about? I'm still confused.

If you want to watch this because of hot scenes - look elsewhere. I recommend Love in the air.

This drama doesn't have any rewatch value. I don't know why I even completed watching it. Probably because of Linus Wang and Anson Chen. They should have been a pair :')

Leia Mais

Chemistry

1. Chemistry between the leads is on point.
2. The Story telling (plot) might usual but in this series is highly Interesting.
3. Intro Music is lovely
4. The story do far have a lovely and Cute air or presence.
5. Second lead have unusual unique Chemistry.

So far I love everything about the story line and the story itself. It's cute and lovely.

1. Chemistry between the leads is on point.
2. The Story telling (plot) might usual but in this series is highly Interesting.
3. Intro Music is lovely
4. The story do far have a lovely and Cute air or presence.
5. Second lead have unusual unique Chemistry.

So far I love everything about the story line and the story itself. It's cute and lovely.

1. Chemistry between the leads is on point.
2. The Story telling (plot) might usual but in this series is highly Interesting.
3. Intro Music is lovely
4. The story do far have a lovely and Cute air or presence.
5. Second lead have unusual unique Chemistry.

So far I love everything about the story line and the story itself. It's cute and lovely.

Leia Mais