Showbiz BL

RegisterLogin

Theme

Showbiz BL

I write reviews and my personal thoughts on novels. I like to read a variety of novels not only as a form of entertainment but to also improve as a writer and a reviewer!

I understand that some of these novels were written to be profitable and under harsh deadlines- thus may not have the same emotional depth as other novels- but I still want to read it with the same reverence as any other book, and thus review it like any other book too.

This list is categorized by theme. If you don’t want to see the reviews as they contain spoilers, just don’t click more>>

0 1668 15

10 Followers

stuffiedlikefoiegras

Created: Aug 9th, 2023, Updated: Aug 20th, 2023

Created Aug 9th, 2023

Updated Aug 20th, 2023

CN (4.6)

#1Studio Superstar

54 Chapters Every 3.7 Day(s) 831 Readers 5 Reviews 12-02-2023

Comedy Drama Romance Shounen Ai Slice of Life

Finished Ch17 part 1... more>>

At the moment I like this novel, it is well written! While reading I feel as if I am living through the perspective of Xue Xiao- but at the same time also as a bystander, cheering on his journey to become a star. The author is a good writer, and I especially got invested in the Orchid Praying Mantis plot. Is it weird if I wished that the author actually wrote a book based of it? loll

I also like how the author gave the side characters motives and moments to shine in the novel- a prime example is Jin Xiaochen, especially during his performance! Given that I am only 17 out of 89 chapters through, I hope that the author continues this trend, and the side characters have a life of their own beyond the protagonist. I hope I grow to love the other side-characters just as I do with Xue Xiao.

A small problem I nitpicked is the slight protagonist halo. While I do love relaxing while reading (as I know that the protagonist will have an easy path), I prefer more tense plots. Although it is too soon to get a full picture, it seems that Xue Xiao is usually in the right (like a man against the world situation, except the man has many powerful and supportive allies??), and that anyone who opposes him, gets clapbacked.

Especially considering Xue Xiao’s personality to wholeheartedly love acting and wish that his opponents live up to their acting roles; I think it would be better if the antagonists were more of a challenge in terms of acting prowess. Portraying the antagonists to be completely cruel yet short-sighted, and also just innately untalented is slightly ruining Xue Xiao’s journey as an actor. Like suddenly, his achievements are not as valid because his opponents were set up to always fall short as compared to him. Furthermore, by portraying Xue Xiao to always be in the right and to have little to no flaws- not only does it emotionally distance him from the readers, but it’s also disheartening in a way. I want to see him be in the wrong sometimes! Cause consequences he can’t take back! I want him to learn and grow not only as an actor but as a person too.

I hope I am just being unreasonably nitpicky, because I am really excited to continue reading once there’s more chapters!

<<less

CN (4)

#2Exclusive Model for the Top Painter

73 Chapters Every 2.3 Day(s) 557 Readers 2 Reviews 12-05-2023

Mature Romance Slice of Life Yaoi

Finished Ch9... more>>

I love the concept of this book! However, at the moment I don’t think it’s executed very well.

As much as I want to root for Liang Jin and Ji Xiuyuan, I can’t, which is a surprise because I usually am empathetic towards most characters in novels. I think this is because:

1.) There is no clear motive for either protagonist. They are just floating around and are not being very proactive. It’s more-so that the world pushes them to take action to move the plot forward, or they take action as an occasional reminder to the reader of their characters as model and painter respectively, rather than the protagonists actually living out the story.

2.) The novel is very simple and is “badly written”. I am unsure if the author has this type of writing style, or the translation is unable to translate the emotional depth and description across language barriers, but the novel is extremely straightforward in the sense that it lacks nuance. It is weird how the personalities of the characters are slightly convoluted whereas the the writing is very straightforward. Maybe in another novel would this have worked to achieve a sense and mystery and intrigue, but the way this was executed makes the book boring to read for me. The characters’ personalities, feelings and thoughts are spoon-fed to me, rather than shown throughout the novel.

To be honest, the reason why I put apostrophes on “bad writing” was because the writing itself is not bad. Rather, it’s just incompatible with the premise that was promised. I think what would improve the book would be to just describe the scene a bit more- the book is fast paced, but for characters like the alluringly strange Ji Xiuyuan, I think it would be better if the book slowed down its tempo for the readers. I think this would make Ji Xiuyuan interesting to comprehend. From my impression of him, Ji Xiuyuan is an enigma. He has a range of personalities and switches between them based on his mood and inspiration as a painter. The writing style of the book is fast-paced, which makes Ji Xiuyuan’s changes feel too abrupt and takes me out of the book. it’s difficult to create the illusion that he is an actual person like this! Instead he is rather like a book character with no/an inconsistent personality. It’s as if the author had tried to fit in many ideas and tropes, tried to make it work despite the contradictions, but made it over incessantly complicated. Thus by slowing down the tempo of the book, it makes Ji Xiuyuan‘s decisions, thoughts and actions more deliberate. Making him more interesting to explore.

I hope the issues i have with it is just because I have just started reading the novel and is just unfamiliar. Or it is just a translation mishap (although I think the translator is doing a good job!) because I really adore the premise and I like the thought (though not the execution) behind the book. <<less

CN (3.9)

#3Crematorium For Everyone After the False Young Master Awakens

41 Chapters Every 3.7 Day(s) 1300 Readers 12 Reviews 12-04-2023

Drama Fantasy Romance Shounen Ai

Finished C5... more>>

It is too early to say much, but I really like the slow tempo. It fits well with You Mian’s lethargic and apathetic mood.

What i’m looking forwards to is his passion in art. I want to understand why he moved from art to sculpting! Was it because he found a spark that he did not find with art? Was he forced to do art as a substitute, but now wants to pursue his real passion in sculpting?

Off-topic, but I think a really good extra touch to this book would be to explore his imposter syndrome. What ideas, hobbies, thoughts, friends and even family is true to him only, without the influence of Xiao Lin? I think it would be really interesting for him to be a very good substitute of Xiao Lin, both physically and mentally, and watch him discover his own passions, and walk down a path that is unique to him only. I think him dying his hair back to his natural chestnut is a great foundation to build on!

I also hope that his future in sculpting and his relationship with his mentor, seemingly the only person who cared for him truly in his last life, is explored more too. Although he was betrayed by almost everyone and I do understand his withdrawn attitude, I also hope that he realizes that there will always be people who love and care for him. In the later chapters, It would be nice to see if he was troubled or lost, and required the help or comfort of his mentor or friend! (without making him look pitiful) I think this sort of character development from his closed-off shell to someone who is independent, but still in touch with the world, would do well for him. I really hope they don’t portray You Mian’s isolation as cool and freeing. Maybe it is from my perspective as an extrovert, but how can you not “care” when you are being withdrawn? From my perspective, it looks like he is restricting himself from having friends and enjoying life because he was betrayed.

I also hope that those who wronged him, is unforgiven, and that not all the blame is shifted to Xiao Lin. It’s cool to see them mature, but does not warrant forgiveness. I hope the story becomes more complicated in the later chapters, because at the moment, it is very black and white.

Looking forwards to reading more of this! Even if this doesn’t develop as I wished, this would still be a guilty pleasure hehe <<less

CN (4.2)

#4Exclusive Love

79 Chapters Every 3.7 Day(s) 989 Readers 4 Reviews 11-30-2023

Comedy Mature Romance Slice of Life Smut Yaoi

Finished Ch46... more>>

CN (4.1)

#5My Deceased Wife Came Back And Joined Me In A Romantic Reality Show

22 Chapters Every 9.1 Day(s) 532 Readers 1 Reviews 10-26-2023

Comedy Romance Shounen Ai Yaoi

Finished Ch17... more>>

CN (3.7)

#6[Entertainment Circle] First Love Behavior Art

52 Chapters Every 5.8 Day(s) 1152 Readers 4 Reviews 12-05-2023

Romance Slice of Life Yaoi

Side note: I looked at the reviews before I read this book, because I was curious as to why the rating dropped so fast loll. Thus my review may be biased against this book, and may have similar criticism because I cannot unsee it. Ah, I wish I didn’t read the reviews!! It was my fault, and I spoiled it for myself. ... more>>