The Heartbeat – Series Review & Episode Guide

Jason and Conil are content creators at a digital media production company. Following the recent success of Ossan's Love: Hong Kong, their boss and colleagues want to capitalize on the popularity of BL. They plan on making a web drama with Jason and Conil as a fictional couple. The two guys oppose the idea. However, their boss insists the project will be successful. Their female coworkers are also enormous BL fans and seem excited to work on this series.

Despite their reluctance, Jason and Conil begin working on the BL drama. Since neither has experience with acting, they struggle to be comfortable on camera. The director is upset about their awkwardness with each other. After many failed takes, they barely progress in shooting a single scene. Sensing the frustration, Jason and Conil decide to take the project more seriously. They give advice and encouragement to relax on camera. Finally, the series is starting to take shape. As Jason and Conil continue filming, they also bond and become closer.

The Heartbeat is a simple love story with a familiar premise. The two main characters develop feelings for each other while filming a romantic drama. You will recognize many predictable tropes in the formulaic plot, from common misunderstandings to petty rivalries. The series abides by standard conventions and offers nothing particularly new or innovative. The Heartbeat doesn't have a unique selling point to make it stand out in the BL genre.

Despite its lack of creativity, The Heartbeat delivers a couple of cute BL moments. I enjoy seeing the leads improve their relationship, going from mismatched acquaintances to genuine companions. Episode 3 showcases their bond sweetly, especially the part where the protagonist protects his love interest from traffic. The imagery of Conil wrapping his arm around Jason's body is persuasive. As the couple becomes closer, I feel my heartbeat jumping faster. This BL series can be enchanting, capturing the essence of a growing attraction.

The Heartbeat only highlights the early stages of a relationship. Compared to lengthier BL dramas, it doesn't deliver a complex or fully developed love story. Also, the romance feels too tame. The couple's mild-mannered interactions only make a faint impact instead of a lasting impression. This series would benefit from emphasizing more physical and emotional intimacy. While there is a so-called kissing scene, the circumstances are unappealing. I doubt any BL fan would be satisfied with the first kiss, which involves the characters being peer-pressured into the encounter.

When the story began, the leads were reluctant to portray a gay couple. I assumed their journey would involve them overcoming these homophobic views. Instead, the series continues reiterating their uneasiness. After the first kiss, Jason makes a vomiting noise to express his displeasure. Likewise, Conil pictures his male costar in drag while filming a romantic scene. These dubious interactions and uncomfortable remarks trouble me. I want to watch a progressive BL drama instead of one that perpetuates offensive cliches or outdated stereotypes.

Aided by their background as YouTubers, both performers appear confident on screen. Their casual line delivery and relaxed body language seem easygoing. However, they still display some inexperience in their portrayals, unable to shake off their amateurishness. The actor playing Jason (Jason Loi) is a cutie who looks sharp on camera. However, he behaves too deliberately and doesn't feel fully immersed in the role. His costar (Conil Lei) seems slightly more natural, but he also has room for improvement. As far as acting goes, their performances are just average for me.

The Heartbeat has a happy ending in the beautifully filmed finale. I'm glad the couple reaffirms their feelings, although I wish they shared more fireworks in the final scene. Nonetheless, this series is a decent first attempt at a BL drama. It earns points for the production team's sincerity. You can observe the care and effort poured into polishing this project, from the opening song to the cinematography. Also, I appreciate seeing a rare gay love story from Macau, which needs more LGBT representation. Overall, The Heartbeat deserves kudos and encouragement.