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One of My Favorite Comfort Shows
When I started watching Ai Long Nhai, I was drawn to the simplicity of its premise—a classic "love at first sight" romance set in a university backdrop. It felt comforting and nostalgic, something I could sit back and relax with, something simple and lacking any sort of angst and on that front, this show delivered marvously, at least for me. This show remains, even to this day, my go to show for rewatching. The fact that I have rewatched it over 15 times says a lot about how I feel about it.
The story follows Ai and Nhai, two students who meet by chance and quickly become entangled in each other's lives. Initially, I found myself charmed by the straightforward nature of their relationship—there’s an immediate attraction that leads to a sweet, if sometimes cliché, romance. The series doesn’t shy away from the typical BL tropes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re in the mood for something familiar. But as much as I wanted to stay invested in the plot, I couldn’t help but feel like the storyline lacked depth. It’s as if I was watching the characters go through the motions rather than witnessing them experience real growth or challenges. And while this might mean an immediate "drop" for some viewers, the simplicity of it didn't bother me that much as I don't rewatch the show for the plot, or rather the lack of plot.
In regards to the characters, one aspect that really stood out to me was the portrayal of Nhai. He’s incredibly naive and almost childlike, which initially felt endearing, but over time started to feel a little out of place. I found myself wishing for more complexity in his character. His innocence bordered on immaturity, and it was hard to buy into his romantic relationship with Ai because he seemed stuck in this overly simplistic view of the world. I would have loved to see him develop, even just a bit, throughout the series.
On the flip side, I was pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between the leads, especially given the varied reviews. Their interactions, though sometimes inconsistent, had a genuine warmth. This is the main reason for the number of times I have rewatched the show. Ai and Nhai are simply so sweet together and Nhai is actually adorable instead of bratty when he is with Ai. While their intimate scenes are somewhat...lackluster in terms of sensuality (especially compared to couples who are extremely comfortable with NC scenes, like FortPeat) but it makes up for that in terms of emotions. But nonetheless, don't start watching this show for the NC scenes, you'll be dissapointed on that front.
In terms of side characters, I liked Nhai and Ai's friend group and I especially enjoyed seeing Arm and Porsch, who are a real-life couple, play supporting roles. Their presence added a nice, authentic touch to the dynamic of relationships portrayed on screen.
The production quality is...okay. Visually, the series is easy on the eyes, with bright, well-framed shots and a soundtrack that matches the overall tone of lighthearted romance. However, I must note that this is a low budget production and it shows. At times, the sound quality is really bad and the props and set feels cheap. It pulled me out of the story a few times because of it. Another issue I had is the acting. The acting is...awkward at times. While MeenPing's chemistry on screen is undeniable, I don't really consider them good actors. While this might be because of the directing, but there are scenes that felt awkward and off, making me want to skip them altogether.
In the end, Ai Long Nhai is a mixed bag. There are definitely sweet, enjoyable moments that made me smile and appreciate the simplicity of their romance. However, the lack of character development and the awkward directing, acting and dialogues did make me cringe at times. If you’re looking for a series that doesn’t stray too far from the typical BL formula, this might be an enjoyable watch. But if you’re craving something with more emotional complexity or depth, Ai Long Nhai may not quite hit the mark. For me, it was an enjoyable watch and one that I would go back time after time.
The story follows Ai and Nhai, two students who meet by chance and quickly become entangled in each other's lives. Initially, I found myself charmed by the straightforward nature of their relationship—there’s an immediate attraction that leads to a sweet, if sometimes cliché, romance. The series doesn’t shy away from the typical BL tropes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re in the mood for something familiar. But as much as I wanted to stay invested in the plot, I couldn’t help but feel like the storyline lacked depth. It’s as if I was watching the characters go through the motions rather than witnessing them experience real growth or challenges. And while this might mean an immediate "drop" for some viewers, the simplicity of it didn't bother me that much as I don't rewatch the show for the plot, or rather the lack of plot.
In regards to the characters, one aspect that really stood out to me was the portrayal of Nhai. He’s incredibly naive and almost childlike, which initially felt endearing, but over time started to feel a little out of place. I found myself wishing for more complexity in his character. His innocence bordered on immaturity, and it was hard to buy into his romantic relationship with Ai because he seemed stuck in this overly simplistic view of the world. I would have loved to see him develop, even just a bit, throughout the series.
On the flip side, I was pleasantly surprised by the chemistry between the leads, especially given the varied reviews. Their interactions, though sometimes inconsistent, had a genuine warmth. This is the main reason for the number of times I have rewatched the show. Ai and Nhai are simply so sweet together and Nhai is actually adorable instead of bratty when he is with Ai. While their intimate scenes are somewhat...lackluster in terms of sensuality (especially compared to couples who are extremely comfortable with NC scenes, like FortPeat) but it makes up for that in terms of emotions. But nonetheless, don't start watching this show for the NC scenes, you'll be dissapointed on that front.
In terms of side characters, I liked Nhai and Ai's friend group and I especially enjoyed seeing Arm and Porsch, who are a real-life couple, play supporting roles. Their presence added a nice, authentic touch to the dynamic of relationships portrayed on screen.
The production quality is...okay. Visually, the series is easy on the eyes, with bright, well-framed shots and a soundtrack that matches the overall tone of lighthearted romance. However, I must note that this is a low budget production and it shows. At times, the sound quality is really bad and the props and set feels cheap. It pulled me out of the story a few times because of it. Another issue I had is the acting. The acting is...awkward at times. While MeenPing's chemistry on screen is undeniable, I don't really consider them good actors. While this might be because of the directing, but there are scenes that felt awkward and off, making me want to skip them altogether.
In the end, Ai Long Nhai is a mixed bag. There are definitely sweet, enjoyable moments that made me smile and appreciate the simplicity of their romance. However, the lack of character development and the awkward directing, acting and dialogues did make me cringe at times. If you’re looking for a series that doesn’t stray too far from the typical BL formula, this might be an enjoyable watch. But if you’re craving something with more emotional complexity or depth, Ai Long Nhai may not quite hit the mark. For me, it was an enjoyable watch and one that I would go back time after time.
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