The On1y One – Series Review & Episode Guide

Sheng Wang is a new transfer student at Tamying High School, a prestigious academy with a long history of academic excellence. He is placed in Class A of the second year, a program for gifted students in math and science. The accelerated curriculum is demanding, and the weekly exams overwhelm Sheng Wang. He previously attended an international school in China. After moving to the country of Taiwan, Sheng Wang is behind on the school's teaching material. His teacher, Mr. He, urges him to work hard to catch up with his classmates.

Due to his easygoing nature, Sheng Wang quickly befriends his classmates in 2A. He gets along well with the outgoing Gao Tian Yang, who sits in front of him in class. Sheng Wang also meets Little Mouth Xu, the son of the school director, Big Mouth Xu. Other classmates include Little Pepper, her best friend Li Yu, Song Si Rui, and Qi Jia Ho. Like Sheng Wang, Qi Jia Ho is a transfer student who recently arrived at the school. Their friends often compare the two, praising Sheng Wang for being smarter, which annoys Qi Jia Ho.

Despite fitting in well with his classmates, Sheng Wang clashes with Jiang Tian, the serious student who sits behind him. Jiang Tian is the school's top student. This academically gifted teenager studies hard and always gets excellent grades. Naturally, Sheng Wang sees him as a competitor. Jiang Tian also has a standoffish personality, rarely showing emotion on his poker face. His seemingly arrogant attitude toward Sheng Wang leaves a poor first impression, so the two quickly become rivals.

Sheng Wang lives with his father, who frequently travels abroad for work. When Sheng Wang was a child, his mother passed away from a sudden illness. He was close to her and still misses her deeply. His father, Sheng Ming Yang, eventually starts dating a woman named Jiang Ou. Out of loyalty to his mother, Sheng Wang strongly opposes the relationship. He sees Jiang Ou as a threat to his mother's memory and dislikes her from the start. His frustration grows even more when his father asks Jiang Ou to move in with them.

Jiang Ou is a single parent raising a teenager. She and her son, Jiang Tian, move in with Sheng Wang and his father, shocking both boys when they realize their parents are dating. Besides clashing at school, they now have to live under the same roof. Their bedrooms are on the second floor, directly across from each other. At first, they try to avoid each other as much as possible. However, Sheng Wang struggles with his studies and feels conflicted about asking Jiang Tian for help. Despite his cold demeanour, Jiang Tian may not be as unfriendly as he seems.

The On1y One is a beloved BL drama that has captured the hearts of many fans. There are many reasons for its popularity, but one of the most enjoyable aspects is the rivalry at the beginning. The two teenage leads clash fiercely at school. From playful arguments to cheeky mischief, their lighthearted conflict is entertaining. It feels just as exciting to watch their feud turn into a friendship. With a mix of humour, tension, and heartfelt moments, The On1y One delivers a compelling enemies-to-lovers journey.

Besides the romantic arc, The On1y One focuses on many storylines about adolescence. It explores relatable topics like academic pressure, school friendships, and the complicated bond between teenagers and their parents. The family drama resonates with me the most, and some moments strike an emotional chord. Since the series is eleven hours long, it has plenty of time to develop each plot meaningfully. It also builds two well-rounded protagonists, giving them rich backstories and layered personalities. I grow attached to the characters because I understand their struggles, experiences, and personal growth.

Since their parents are dating, Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian must live in the same house. I like how they have a more intimate relationship than regular classmates. From family meals to late-night study sessions, they share many bonding moments on a personal level. Both characters are used to guarding their emotions, so it feels meaningful that they trust each other enough to become confidantes. They also inspire their partners to step outside their comfort zones. Both learn to relax and have fun together instead of always focusing on school or responsibilities.

Benjamin Tsang portrays Jiang Tian's brooding personality smoothly. Beneath his stoic persona, he lets subtle emotions reveal themselves in understated ways. His co-star (Liu Dong Qin) seems youthful despite being almost twice the age of Sheng Zhang. Unfortunately, the actor's support for police violence during the 2019 Hong Kong protests is an ugly detail that makes me hate him. Among the supporting cast, I'm fond of Gao Tian Yang's vivacious performer (Andy Chen), who steals every scene. He commands attention with his infectious enthusiasm.

Although I enjoyed The On1y One when it started, the quality drops toward the end. As the writing gets sloppier, the lack of realism breaks my immersion in the story, like a random abduction on the school campus. Dull subplots have too much focus, such as the love triangle with the teachers. Also, the series stalls Sheng Zhang and Jiang Tian's romance on purpose. It drags out their relationship drama by holding back storylines for a possible Season 2. The last four episodes feel a lot like filler, packed with obvious fluff compared to the tighter narrative previously.

Worst of all, The On1y One ends without finishing the love story. After hours of building up Sheng Wang and Jiang Tian's relationship, it stops before reaching a meaningful climax. Unless we get a second season, this ending seems awkward and unsatisfying. One of the things I love about BL dramas is that they offer a definite conclusion instead of leaving me with no closure for years. I hate waiting for an unannounced sequel that may never come in the future. Regrettably, my enthusiasm for The On1y One is limited since the romance feels incomplete.