Unknown – Series Review & Ending Explained

Unknown is a Taiwanese BL series about two orphans who grow up together.

Unknown is a Taiwanese BL series about two orphans who grow up together. The main character comes from an abusive home. After losing his mother, he must look after his younger sister and becomes a teen delinquent working under a gang leader. One night, the protagonist encounters another homeless child. Out of kindness, he invites the boy to live with him. Over the years, their bond becomes so close that they consider each other brothers.

Early on, Unknown tugs at your heartstrings with an emotionally gripping start. The series develops a compelling relationship between the leads, balancing platonic affection with simmering passion. The haunting soundtrack amplifies their feelings to the fullest. While the series falters midway with clumsy writing, it redeems the romance in the final episodes. The actors' excellent chemistry help make this love story come alive.

Unknown Summary

Title:

關於未知的我們

Series Info:

Taiwan (2024)

Length:

7 hours

Total Episodes:

12 episodes

Genre:

Romance

About:

Unknown is a sad & emotional BL drama.

Plot

Qian, Yuan, and Lili take a graduation photo together.

As a child, Qian grew up in an abusive home where his mother mistreated him. After her death, Qian and his younger sister, Lili, were left to fend for themselves. Qian took on dangerous work as a teenage delinquent to provide for Lili and keep them both afloat. He worked under Le, a sadistic gang leader. Le manipulated Qian, using him to carry out his ruthless bidding.

On his way home, Qian encounters a homeless child sleeping on the streets. The boy, Yuan, is scared and defensive when they first meet, but Qian shows him kindness. Qian offers food to the starving child. Night after night, Qian continues to bring Yuan meals. One evening, Yuan follows Qian home, desperate for a safe place to stay. Qian initially refuses, knowing he can barely afford to support himself and Lili. However, his little sister convinces him to let Yuan stay at their house.

From that moment, Yuan begins living with the siblings under their roof. He finally feels protected and well-fed for the first time in years. Yuan is grateful for Qian's kindness and idolizes him as his guardian. Qian looks after Yuan just as he does Lili, and the three form a strong bond. Yuan becomes so attached that he calls Qian his brother and Lili his sister. To the outside world, the trio is like a family. Sang Pang, a friendly acquaintance, sometimes helps them with money to make life easier.

Qian continues working for Le, taking on dangerous jobs to support Lili and Yuan. Concerned for his safety, Sang Pang urges him to find a different job. He reminds his friend that if something were to happen to him, no one would be left to care for Lili and Yuan. Realizing the risk, Qian decides to leave the criminal world behind. However, Le and his henchman Hu are furious about his decision. To punish him and keep control, they kidnap Yuan, knowing how much he means to Qian.

Qian is forced into a brutal street boxing match, where Le has placed a large bet. The fight takes a heavy toll, leaving Qian battered. Yuan watches in tears, powerless to help. After winning the match, Qian is bloodied and bruised. He makes a lifelong vow to protect Yuan from harm. Soon, Le and his gang must flee from the police. With the gang disbanded, Qian is finally free from the grip of the criminal world. After meeting Xiong, a wealthy benefactor, Qian begins a new chapter. He returns to school and leaves his dangerous past behind.

Unknown Cast

Characters

Qian

Chris Chiu (邱宇辰)

Qian is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Chris Chiu (邱宇辰).

Qian grew up in an abusive home. He was left to care for his younger sister, Lili, after their mother's death. To support her, he became a teenage delinquent working for a sadistic gang leader. Despite his rough exterior, Qian showed kindness to a homeless boy, Yuan. Eventually, Qian invited Yuan to live with them.

Chris Chiu

Chris Chiu (邱宇辰) is a Taiwanese actor. He is born on October 1990.

Chris Chiu (邱宇辰) is a Taiwanese actor. He also goes by his old alias, Modi. He is born on October 1990. His first BL project is the 2024 series, Unknown.

Yuan

Kurt Huang (黃宏軒)

Yuan is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Kurt Huang (黃宏軒).

Yuan was a homeless child when he met Qian. The teenager showed him kindness and provided food to the starving boy. After moving in with Qian and Lili, Yuan felt grateful for their kindness toward him. He became deeply attached to them, calling them his brother and sister. Yuan has a close bond with Qian, idolizing him as his guardian.

Kurt Huang

Kurt Huang (黃宏軒) is a Taiwanese actor. He is born on August 14, 1997.

Kurt Huang (黃宏軒) is a Taiwanese actor. He is born on August 14, 1997. His first BL project is the 2024 drama Unknown.

Supporting Cast

Lili is portrayed by Taiwanese actress Tammy Lin (林思廷).

Lili

Tammy Lin (林思廷)

San Pang is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Kim Jae Hoon (김재훈).

San Pang

Kim Jae Hoon (김재훈)

Xiong is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Danny Liang (梁正群).

Xiong

Danny Liang (梁正群)

Le is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Yankee Yang (楊子儀).

Le

Yankee Yang (楊子儀)

Dr. Lin is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Sam Lin (林子閎).

Dr. Lin

Sam Lin (林子閎)

Hu is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Justin Chang (張楷奕).

Hu

Justin Chang (張楷奕)

The teen version of Yuan is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Max Kuo (郭大睿).

Teen Yuan

Max Kuo (郭大睿)

The child version of Yuan is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Juan Po Hao (阮柏皓).

Child Yuan

Juan Po Hao (阮柏皓)

The teen version of Qian is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Edward Jhu (朱宥丞).

Teen Qian

Edward Jhu (朱宥丞)

The child version of Qian is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Calvin Tsou (鄒暟澐).

Young Qian

Calvin Tsou (鄒暟澐)

Qian's mom is portrayed by Taiwanese actress Linda Lin (林筱萍).

Qian's mom

Linda Lin (林筱萍)

Feng is portrayed by Taiwanese actress Alisia Liang (梁湘華).

Feng

Alisia Liang (梁湘華)

The stall owner is portrayed by Taiwanese actor Star Chao (趙柏瑜).

Stall Owner

Star Chao (趙柏瑜)

The office employee is portrayed by Taiwanese actress Yin Tseng Jung (尹岑榕).

Fei

Yin Tseng Jung (尹岑榕)

The office employee is portrayed by Taiwanese actress Guan He (關何).

Employee

Guan He (關何)

Cast Highlights

Kim Jae Hoon

San Pang's actor has a supporting role and a minor gay subplot in the 2022 BL drama My Tooth, Your Love. He also appears in the 2024 series The Nipple Talk, portraying a straight love interest.

No 1. For You

Dr. Lin's actor (Sam Lin) and the two child actors who portray Yuan (Max Kuo & Juan Po Hao) appear in the 2021 series No. 1 For You. Sam also stars in its 2022 sequel Fighting Mr. 2nd.

Raiden Lin

The star of the 2024 Taiwanese BL drama, See Your Love, has a minor role in Unknown. He plays one of the office employees.

Unknown Review

Review

Drama Review Score: 8.3

B+
Qian and Yuan are in bed together.

Unknown begins with a powerful premiere. A homeless child meets his saviour, who offers him food, safety, and kindness. As they interact, the haunting soundtrack amplifies every emotion to its fullest. I love the music in this series, which consists of beautiful ballads that enrich the melodrama. During the episode's climax, the bloodied and bruised protagonist vows to protect the orphaned boy. His heartfelt promise resonates profoundly. Within the first thirty minutes, this relationship already feels so damn epic.

The series continues to deepen Qian and Yuan's bond, adding more emotional layers. Episode 4 is one of my favourites. Each scene reveals Yuan's perspective and the depth of his unrequited feelings for Qian. Their interactions blur the line between platonic affection and simmering passion. Yuan's actor (Kurt Huang) captures his character's inner torment as though he carries a heavy secret. The episode ends with a breakthrough in the relationship, and this romance pushes forward with exciting momentum. Unknown has done it again, delivering another intimate chapter of the love story.

Let's address the controversy with Unknown. Qian and Yuan grow so close that they identify as brothers, which brings icky allegations of incest to their romance. In my opinion, these orphans misconstrue their bond as brotherly due to the absence of parental love. Both are so desperate for a family that they distort their relationship, but I don't consider them real siblings. However, the story deliberately leans into the incestuous themes to create conflict. It constantly emphasizes family to make the romance seem taboo. The series isn't innocent and attracts criticism for a reason.

After a strong start, Unknown struggles to match the emotional heights of the earlier episodes. Poor writing undermines the potential for compelling arcs. The story skips important events, forcing viewers to learn about plot developments through dialogue. It handles conflicts clumsily, as arguments escalate too fast and reactions seem exaggerated. Worst of all, Yuan becomes one-dimensional. The series fixates on his obsession with Qian and ignores other aspects of his life. He turns into a dull character without dreams or depth beyond yearning for his love interest.

From tedious conflicts to frustrating plot developments, the series loses steam as it progresses. I'm annoyed because the story could have been written so much better. Despite my grievances, the last few episodes benefit from the BL content. The relationship scenes showcase superb chemistry between the leads, making it easier to enjoy their romantic bliss and overlook the narrative flaws. Qian's actor (Chris Chiu) also reveals a coy and flirty side that adds to his character's charm. Thankfully, the final stretch is lovey-dovey enough to restore my enthusiasm.

Unknown closes with a down-to-earth finale that balances romantic moments, heartfelt chats, and character growth. Even without tears or melodrama, the ending evokes understated emotions almost as powerful as the premiere. The leads have endured so much, growing from hopeless orphans into a happy couple. They've earned a stable life in a home filled with love. Rather than focus on the narrative flaws, I want to remember this series for how deeply it makes me feel. Unknown leaves a lasting impression with an epic journey that lingers in the heart.

Summary

Powerful story

Unknown begins with an emotionally gripping premiere that sets up an epic relationship. The narrative's pacing falters midway, as poor storytelling undermines the potential for compelling arcs.

Emotional romance

Qian and Yuan's romance begins emotionally and finishes satisfyingly, even if the couple hits a rough patch in the middle. Some BL fans may feel uncomfortable with the incestuous undertones.

Compelling acting

Both leads (Chris Chiu and Kurt Huang) have moments where they shine throughout the series. Their compelling chemistry as a couple makes this romance more convincing.

Happy ending

Unknown has a happy ending with Qian and Yuan achieving a blissfully stable life. The finale's quiet emotions make you reflect how much the characters have overcome in their journeys.

Evocative artistry

The series pairs haunting music with striking cinematography to amplify its emotional weight. I love the opening song! The beautiful ballads enrich the story's melodrama to its fullest.

83%

Unknown delivers a compelling romance with emotionally gripping moments. While the story could be written better, the couple's excellent chemistry and epic journey leave a positive impression.

Unknown Episodes

Episode Guide

Unknown has a total of 12 episodes. Each episode is around 25 to 35 minutes long. The last episode is around 30 minutes long. It is a long BL drama, and you can finish the entire series in under 8 hours. Unknown started on February 24, 2024 and finished on April 20, 2024.

Unknown is adapted from a Chinese novel. The original work, Da Ge (大哥), is made by Priest.

Episode 1
Episode 2

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review
Qian extens a hand to a smiling Yuan.

An emotional moment in the first episode is when Qian tells Yuan to come home. The powerful meaning only becomes clear when we learn Yuan's story. He was an abandoned child, starving and sleeping on the streets, until Qian took him in. Beyond offering a place to stay, a home comes with a huge emotional sentiment. It implies safety, stability, and most importantly, permanence. Telling Yuan to "come home" means Qian has chosen to make him part of his life forever.

In the opening scene, Lili and Yuan banter during family dinner. Lili makes a hurtful jab and says, "You're not from our family." What she says is rude but true. Yuan may live with the siblings, yet he isn't supposed to be part of their family. He is, technically, a guest. However, Qian scolds his sister because he doesn't want to alienate Yuan as an outsider. Part of the reason the characters identify as "brothers" is to make Yuan feel included while living in this house. However, this label also creates ambiguity, blurring Yuan's role in Qian's life. The story wants us to think about the complexity of their bond.

Another interesting moment is when San Pang gives Qian red envelopes for New Year's. Qian fills the packets with money before offering them to Yuan & Lili. Giving red envelopes is a tradition commonly practiced among family members. However, this wasn't Qian's idea. It originated from San Pang, a friend who encourages Qian to do it. This subtle distinction shows that Qian may not initially think of Yuan as family, but San Pang imposes a traditional structure onto these three youths. They absorb the idea over time, and Yuan becomes included as part of the family.

Qian offers his hand to Yuan.

My first impression of Qian is that he shows a lot of compassion. Can we summarize his heroic deeds in the first episode? He gives food to a starving child, rescues a homeless orphan from the streets, and protects this vulnerable boy from gangster violence. Wow, we need to nominate Qian for sainthood! Qian's background also plays a factor. Growing up in an abusive household makes him more sympathetic to other helpless kids. He may relate to Yuan's circumstances and feel a natural instinct to protect him.

After the fight, Yuan blames himself for Qian getting hurt and says, "You should've left me behind." As an orphan, Yuan believes he's destined to be abandoned. However, Qian reassures him, "If I lost you, I'd have nothing left." He wants to validate Yuan's existence, letting him know that he matters. The episode closes with meaningful imagery. Yuan and Lili's height measurements on the wall are shown at the same level, symbolizing how Qian sees them as equals in his life. Qian views Yuan as important as his biological sister.

Unknown Music

Music

Unknown

Chris Chiu

Unknown is the opening song for this BL drama. It is performed by Chris Chiu, who portrays Qian's character in the series. The song also features Kim Jae Hoon, who plays Sang Pang's character.

怪咖Freak

WAJI

怪咖Freak is the ending song for Unknown. It is performed by WAJI, who has previously starred in the 2023 Taiwanese BL drama, Stay by My Side.

Unknown Information

Result Entertainment

Result Entertainment is a Taiwanese BL studio that produced No. 1 For You (2021) and Fighting Mr. 2nd (2021).

Result Entertainment (結果娛樂) is a Taiwanese BL studio that produced No. 1 For You (2021) and Fighting Mr. 2nd (2021). Its portfolio also includes My Tooth Your Love (2022) and Unknown (2024). Result Entertainment works in tandem with another Taiwanese studio, Yoiisz International Media Limited (有意思國際傳媒), to present these BL series.

Director

Ray Jiang (姜瑞智) is a Taiwanese director. His first BL project is the 2021 series, No. 1 For You. He also directed its sequel Fighting Mr. 2nd. Ray's other works include My Tooth Your Love (2022) and Unknown (2024).

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