HIStory 2: Right or Wrong – Series Review & Ending Explained

Story

Thorny story

If we put aside the age difference and professor-student dynamic, I like the story in HIStory 2: Right or Wrong. A single working dad falls in love with a man after his divorce and introduces him to his family. The core concept is cute for a BL drama and I'm into it!

The cute and heartwarming family moments in HIStory 2: Right or Wrong are enjoyable. Yi Jie's daughter is an endearing character and she's the glue that keeps the main characters together. Their scenes are lovely, portraying two men who raise a child together in a loving environment. I like that Xiao Fei becomes You You's second dad, and she even calls him as such at the end of the series.

However, HIStory 2 isn't just a wholesome series about a modern family. It also contains some edgier storylines, including an age-inappropriate relationship that oversteps ethical boundaries. You hire a student to look after your daughter, and then you end up sleeping with him… On the one hand, this BL drama wants to be cute and endearing. On the other hand, the romance is inappropriate and problematic. These jarring discrepancies leave me with complicated thoughts about the overall story.

Yi Jie

Yi Jie is an unconventional lead for a BL drama. In this genre, you don't see too many divorced dads in their thirties. You definitely won't see many main characters hooking up with their 19-year-old babysitters.

I like Yi Jie's character transformation during the series. He started out as a workaholic who was negligent of his child. Thanks to Xiao Fei's influence, Yi Jie becomes a family man who prioritizes his home life over his career. His character goes through a well-crafted personal journey that feels satisfying and believable.

With that said, I'm iffy on Yi Jie's character as a person and question his dubious ethics. You hire a student to look after your daughter, and then you end up sleeping with him… Regardless of whether their relationship is right or wrong, the love affair is a little tacky. 🙄 While I think Yi Jie is a well-developed protagonist, I don't find him particularly likable or endorse his decisions.

Xiao Fei

I'm not that into Xiao Fei's backstory, intertwined with homophobia, drug use, and anonymous sex. Not only are these tropes overplayed, but they don't mesh well with the vibe of the character or the series. On paper, I like the idea of Xiao Fei as a former delinquent youth who rehabilitated successfully. However, his high school flashbacks were weirdly executed and just didn't feel right for me.

During the flashback, we learn that Yi Jie came to Xiao Fei's rescue years ago. Yi Jie gave the troubled teenager a lecture about self-respect, which inspired him to change the trajectory of his life. In my opinion, this past connection seems unnecessary, adding an iffy twist that Yi Jie met Xiao Fei when he was a teenager. As someone who isn't on board with their 13-year age gap, the flashbacks only highlighted how young Xiao Fei is relative to Yi Jie.

Ex-wife

Like Xiao Fei, I assumed Yi Jie was a widower at first and thought his wife passed away. However, they got a divorce four years ago. She couldn't handle the stress of caring for a sick child, leaving You You under Yi Jie's care. The ex-wife makes a dramatic return in the last few episodes, wanting to form a family again. Her arrival makes Xiao Fei feel insecure about his relationship until Yi Jie gives him reassurance.

I have mixed feelings about this last-minute plot development. On the one hand, I'm a messy bitch who lives for drama, so I love how the ex-wife comes back to stir the pot. 🤭 However, I also think the storyline is sloppy, too eager to demonize the ex-wife. The drama condemns her character as a bad parent and exposes her homophobia, so it's tough to take her side.

The truth is that the ex-wife had a mental health crisis a few years ago. She feels better now, wants to get her life back on track, and make up for lost time with her daughter. However, Yi Jie refuses to get back together with her, choosing his new lover over his ex-wife. His decision is understandable, but this storyline feels flat. HIStory 2 was afraid we'd sympathize with the wife, so they made her character as one-dimensional as possible. If only there was more nuance to the situation, it would have enriched the emotions and made the drama more compelling to watch.

Romance

Tricky romance

The romance in HIStory 2: Right or Wrong progresses at a comfortable pace. Xiao Fei and Yi Jie are given plenty of time to establish their bond before they develop an attraction. It feels almost authentic when the characters fall in love. They also share a decent amount of passion in their relationship, including an intimate sex scene near the end of the series. Overall, HIStory 2 gets many components right in its BL equation.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to overlook the complications in the romance. Xiao Fei is Yi Jie's student, nanny, and almost half his age. Based on their backgrounds alone, they aren't suitable love interests for each other. If we must discuss whether their relationship is "right" or "wrong", it definitely leans towards the wrong. Yi Jie should have controlled his impulses and not sleep with his student!

At 19 years old (20 by the end of the series), Xiao Fei is almost thirteen years younger than his boyfriend. He doesn't seem like an age-appropriate love interest for Yi Jie, who is creeping on Leonardo Dicaprio territory here. The age gap also exposes how the characters are in totally different stages of their lives. The aspirations of a working divorced parent don't align with the carefree lifestyle of a young college kid. I don't feel like they're compatible as a couple.

Acting

Okay acting

I enjoy the chemistry between the leads and think they seem comfortable in their interactions. Yi Jie's actor (Steven Chiang) puts in a solid performance, creating a nuanced role with various endearing quirks.

In contrast, Xiao Fei's actor (Hunt Chang) is a little inconsistent. He seems shaky during some emotional moments, even though I still like his character. His performance could have been more persuasive, in my opinion.

I like the child actress playing You You and think she portrays her role well. You You is a pretty prominent character with numerous scenes throughout the series. However, the actress is capable and has a natural on-screen presence. She comes across as giddy and adorable without being too precocious.

Ending

Happy ending

HIStory 2: Right or Wrong has a happy ending where Yi Jie and Xiao Fei are still together by the end of the series. Earlier, the ex-wife has returned and wants to reconcile with Yi Jie again. Her presence makes Xiao Fei feel insecure about his role in their family dynamic. However, Yi Jie reassures his boyfriend that he has no intention of getting back together with his ex-wife. He rejects her decisively and ends up choosing him instead.

In the last episode, Yi Jie celebrates his 20th birthday. As a gift, his friends Ye Zi and Shao An babysit You You for the day. Yi Jie and Xiao Fei use the afternoon to enjoy their time as a couple, consummating their love for the first time. The final scene jumps forward in time, showing how Xiao Fei has settled into his new relationship. The three of them attend You You's school event together, just like a cohesive family unit.

Overall, I thought HIStory 2: Right or Wrong cute and pleasant ending. Xiao Fei still feels hesitant about his place in the family, since he doesn't want to attend the school event at first. However, both Yi Jie and You You insist that he's part of the family now, making him feel more comfortable. It's lovely seeing the three of them as a happy family at the end of the series.