Chinese Web Series: Addicted

The lovely couple: Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin

Let me preface this by saying that while I may not be a bible-thumping Christian, I do believe in God. However, when it comes to gay issues I believe that God is the only one who has the right to judge others. Given the aforementioned I am not afraid to state that I love myself some Yaoi, especially after watching this web series.

The 15-episode web series stars Johnny Huang as the seme, Gu Hai and Timmy Xu as the uke. Gu Hai is a manly military brat with a powerful commander for a father. Gu Hai's wealth and military background allow him to be the short-tempered high schooler that he is. However, underneath his bad attitude and reckless behavior is a sweet, loyal and playful lover who is willing to do anything for his taciturn uke, Bai Luo Yin.

Unlike Gu Hai, Bai Luo Yin comes from a poor background and lives with his single father who is very supportive but hare brained. Despite his playful father, Bai Luo Yin is very guarded and solemn due to the abandonment of his mother. Maybe as a result of this trauma, he does not like for people to see him do kind things even though he has a big heart underneath his cold exterior.

First Meeting

In the beginning of the drama, Gu Hai explains to his girlfriend that his father just got married to the woman he was having an affair with while his mother was still alive. While having dinner his father mentions his wife's son may come to live with them. Gu Hai has a fit and declares that he will move out if that guy moves into his house. His father tells him to get out and Gu Hai is not one to bluff so he moves out and decides to transfer from his private school while he's at it.

At his new school, he pretends to be a poor guy and lives in a humble home. Meanwhile, at home BLY picks up the phone. It's his adorable puppy of a friend Yang Meng who is calling him because he is late for school...again. It should be mentioned that BLY lives very far from his school and walks the distance every day. This means he gets home late and barely sleeps and so he spends most of his time sleeping. Luckily, he's a genius and can answer the questions of his frustrated teachers correctly.

On the first day of class BLY is tasked with writing the names of his classmates for the seating chart and is puzzled by the handwriting of the new guy. He storms over to Gu Hai's desk to find out his name and after Gu Hai tells him BLY snarkily replies that if he's human he should use human language (HA!). It's love at first sight for Gu Hai once he sees BLY's beautiful handwriting and he makes it his mission to get to know this short-tempered guy.

Through much stalking Gu Hai finds out about BLY's poor background and his lack of a mother, which he sympathises with. Meanwhile, BLY's mother shows up to offer him private education courtesy of her new wealthy husband. 

Yes, it's true. BLY's mother and Gu Hai's father are married and the stepbrothers are none the wiser for most of the drama.

Falling in love

Gu Hai spends most of his time making gay comments and touching BLY's crotch while BLY spends most of his time playing hard to get. 

Their interactions and bed scenes (Gu Hai starts sleeping over BLY's house) are what makes them such a great couple. I love that this is a couple with two very manly man, but I am skeptical of Chinese web series always implying that two men just happen to fall in love with each other (they're not gay, people!). Yeah, riggghhhht. 

This brings me to BLY's behavior. He really has a hard time acknowledging Gu Hai's feelings and doing something about it, but also does not want to let him go. Yet, if we think about the fact that this is a guy who had a beautiful girlfriend in the past (we'll come back to that crazy bitch) it is very realistic that he would struggle with the strange feelings he has for this new guy. On top of it all, is that he is clearly the bottom in this relationship and is faced with having to acknowledge that as well. 

While I can be understanding of his struggle, BLY did frustrate me a little with the constant push and pull, but I was well rewarded as once he decided on what he wanted he managed to return all the love that Gu Hai showed him. 

The struggle of a gay couple is very real, especially with BLY's stalkish ex-girlfriend who refuses to acknowledge their break-up even though she lives in America and he constantly blocks her phone. I commend the directors and writers for this marvelous story. Gu Hai is a wonderful character whose loyalty and profound love could be an inspiration to any straight couple. It's really easy for me to accept the series' premise that these two exceptional people would fall for each other. Gu Hai easily understands that BLY is in need for affection and reassurance that he will stay no matter what unlike his mother. As a person with abandonment issues I can understand the allure of someone as loving and devoted as Gu Hai. 

Gu Hai is someone who always does his best to cater to BLY's needs. He cooks for him, washes his underwear (according to the novel), and knows how to break down BLY's barriers.

So watch to see two sexy man court each other. Watch to see that love is for everyone. Watch to see the jealousy, the angry moments, the violence, the uncertainty and the vulnerabilities that come with falling in love wether you're gay or straight. 

A note about the drama

While Gu Hai's courtship is wonderfully entertaining, viewers should be aware that Gu Hai is quick to violence and rape. He's the type of person who sees red when he gets angry and is quick to act first and then apologize. In short, this is a guy ruled by his id. I love some violence and tension in relationships, which is why I'm obsessed with this drama, but I know this may not be everyone's cup of tea. 

Comparison between novel and web series

The novel was written by Chai Ji Dian (Counterattack) and contains the story in it's entirety. The web series omits a lot and so it is confusing for the viewers who may feel they have missed a lot of the story. I recommend for everyone to read some of the translated chapters on Soompi forums or Wattpad as you can really get to know the characters and the story a bit more.

The web series' second season was banned by China thanks to their conservative views, but you can read the rape scene and their years together on Wattpad. 

Glossary of terms

Seme: Japanese term to describe the top in a gay relationship.

Uke: Japanese term to describe the bottom in a gay relationship.

Yaoi: Japanese term for Boy's Love. 

...and one more for the road :)