The Promise of the Soul – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

The first episode is a mess. It tries to cram too many important plot points into a single thirty-minute episode. The story barely introduces the characters before a literal sexual assault occurs. Before you can even process that trauma, people are falling down stairs and dying! Oh, but we are not done yet… Suddenly, there's a resurrection! And a grandpa possesses his own grandson's body! Everything is too rushed, but I'm also kinda obsessed with the explosive drama. The story is so bizarre that I'm fascinated by what happens next!

By the end of the first episode, I was cackling my ass off. The first episode is nothing like what I expected! I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a dead 70-year-old grandfather is the main character of a BL drama. It's certainly the first of its kind. Most series only have protagonists in their teens or twenties, so having a much older man as the lead is a huge change of pace. I dunno how they'll pull off a romance between a grandpa and a student, but I'm seated. This story wins my respect for being so gutsy, doing something completely different from the norm. Let's see how this Grandpa BL works!

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

Most people would be losing their minds if they saw a dead guy coming back to life. I mean, look at the neighbour's hilarious reaction! Yet, Hai Yuan seems unfazed by all the crazy shit happening around him. He has this poker face the whole time, like the equivalent of the 😐 emoji. I like that Hai Yuan is emotionally guarded, not wearing his heart on his sleeve. He doesn't panic. He doesn't overreact like other immature young characters. His calmness makes him seem older than he is. Hai Yuan has the soul of a grumpy middle-aged man.

My favourite part of the episode is when Grandpa Cha describes the moment he fell down the stairs. Life flashed before his eyes. "So, this is how I die…" He also wonders what was going through Ze Fang's head in those final seconds. His grandson must have felt so much fear and regret. Wow, the moment is strange and moving at the same time. You wouldn't find dialogue like this in other BL dramas. Grandpa Cha is an interesting character because he has so much wisdom. With decades of life experience, his perspective is thoughtful and mature. It makes his conversations feel more meaningful than the usual BL fluff.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

Grandpa Cha is honest. He opens up a lot about himself, pouring his heart out. His conversations become very intimate, almost like an old man rambling on the porch, but I love that about him. During the balcony scene, Grandpa Cha holds a metal tin with old photos and random trinkets. He starts sharing his memories with Hai Yuan. As he talks, I'm really connecting with him. Like, I'm learning about his life and getting to know who he is. These meaningful scenes help me grow attached to Grandpa Cha.

I'm obsessed with the dynamic between the leads. Grandpa Cha might be 69 years old, but he has such a young soul. He's so bubbly and friendly to literally everyone. It's hilarious how he gets excited about going to school for the first time in decades. Then, you have the perpetually grumpy Hai Yuan. He seems mildly annoyed around this out-of-touch old man. Even the way they dress is quirky! Hai Yuan's outfit is trendy with muted colours, while Grandpa Cha is dressed in these quaint, old-fashioned patterns. The contrast in their personalities and styles makes me laugh. They're such an odd couple, and I love that!

Unfortunately, this episode introduces my least favourite part of the series. Ri Qing, the ex-boyfriend, brings so much unpleasant drama to a very gentle story. Ugh, I just wanna ignore all his scenes and pretend this character doesn't exist, but he's too prominent in the storyline. Ri Qing already makes a terrible first impression by sexually assaulting Grandpa Cha. Just because you guys are dating, it doesn't mean you can force yourself on him! I mean… I understand his confusion. Ri Qing doesn't realize his boyfriend is a different person now. But still, fuck off!!!

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

This series has a disproportionate number of shower scenes, plus plenty of other excuses for the leads to walk around shirtless. Can you blame them for showing off the goods this much? Have you seen the actors? Their physiques are unreal. I was absolutely drooling. Yes, the story is all about falling in love with someone's soul, and that's genuinely beautiful. But I will admit, it's easier to stay immersed in the romance when those souls belong to two insanely hot guys with abs and pecs.

Besides looking hot as hell, Martin Wong is doing seriously impressive work as Grandpa Cha. This isn't an easy role. He's a guy in his mid-20s, playing someone several decades older than him. And somehow, he pulls it off convincingly. Martin brings so much charm and humour. Every scene instantly becomes more engaging when he shows up. To be honest, the rest of the cast doesn't have the same level of charisma. Martin is doing most of the heavy lifting here and carrying the series on his back. Without him, I would enjoy The Promise of the Soul a lot less.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

This episode shows how mature Hai Yuan is for his age. He's so hardworking. Going to school by day, pulling shifts at the bar all night. Compare him to Qian Sui, who's playing games on his phone. Hai Yuan seems more responsible than his peers. Also, we see his nurturing side. He's out there buying food for Grandpa Cha, sharing his lecture notes, and even setting an alarm clock for him. Hai Yuan isn't an immature college kid. He's already a grown-up at heart, making him a suitable romantic partner for an older soul.

In contrast, Grandpa Cha feels younger than he actually is. He isn't some wise old man who has made peace with being alone. Instead, he wants to hang out with Hai Yuan and cuddle in bed. He almost acts like a needy kid who wants someone to pay attention to him! Since Grandpa Cha is a little immature and Hai Yuan is so serious, they actually meet in the middle. It bridges their age gap perfectly. To be fair, Grandpa Cha isn't dumbed down. He's just slightly quirky. His eccentric habits, like drinking tea in the hallway, make his character endearing. (BTW, his name Cha literally means "tea" in Chinese!)

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

After Hai Yuan opens up about his family trauma, Grandpa Cha comforts him by offering one of his "grandpa hugs". It's a funny scene because he overcoddles Hai Yuan like a toddler. Which Hai Yuan hates, of course. Not impressed! Later that night, Grandpa Cha has a nightmare. This time, Yuan pulls him into an intimate embrace. I like how both guys have moments where they're vulnerable, and the other person is there to reassure him. As they grow closer, their "old guy and young kid" dynamic is starting to disappear.

In the early episodes, the series mostly used Grandpa Cha as a punchline. The jokes were all about him being this out-of-touch old guy who had no clue how the younger generation worked. This episode flips the script, highlighting his actual strengths for once. He's a total master of these old-school skills. Doing calligraphy! Fixing broken furniture! Even getting into embroidery and woodwork! Sure, these are stereotypical grandpa hobbies, but the story shows he has real talent. I love how his age isn't the butt of the joke anymore. Instead, his life experience becomes a quality that we can admire.