The Promise – Series Review & Episode Guide

Tan is a high school student. After his father remarries, Tan and his older stepbrother Vu live in the same house. However, the two siblings don't get along. Tan resents Vu and clashes with him frequently. They have a hostile relationship despite being brothers. Even though Tan gets poor grades in school, he won't ask his scholarly older brother for mentoring help.

Recently, Tan was caught cheating on a school test. His classmate Dong tries persuading the teacher to give a lenient punishment. However, Ms. Nuong still demands a parent's signature on a report of what Tan did in class. Her request has troubled Tan, who doesn't want his father to know about the cheating. Tan conspires with his friends, Bich and Loc, to forge a signature. Yet, he can't copy his father's complex signature successfully.

Even though the stepbrothers are in different grades, Dong knows about Tan's cheating. Tan's classmate, Tuyet, has a crush on Dong. She tells her senior about everything that happened in class. During a heated exchange, Dong teases his younger sibling and calls him a cheater. The insult triggers a physical brawl between them. Dong overpowers Tan and almost punches him, but he stops just in time. Afterwards, Dong quietly contemplates his actions.

During dinner, Tan and his dad disagree over his academic performance. Tan's father wants to chat with Ms. Nuong, which worries Tan because of his cheating secret. Surprisingly, Dong helps him cover up the truth and even offers to mentor his little brother. This response appeases Tan's father, so the situation doesn't escalate. Tan is shocked his stepbrother stepped in to help. Reluctantly, he thanks Dong for supporting him.

Later, Tan still tries to forge his father's signature with little success. Dong helps him by recreating the exact signature perfectly. Once again, Tan is grateful for his stepbrother's unexpected kindness. Dong takes one of Tan's miniature toys as payment, joking that the Psyduck looks like his brother. Afterwards, the relationship between the two characters improves. Dong even gives Tan a ride to school every morning. They spend much time bonding and growing closer, unlike before.

The Promise is a decent BL drama with engaging scenes and boisterous characters. Most episodes are enjoyable, taking the viewers on a wild journey with emotional ups and downs. Often, I feel entertained by the steady stream of fights, flirting, and family tensions. The narrative has some clunky moments, particularly the multiple love triangles and contrived conflicts. It also indulges excessively in cliches and coincidences. Despite these hiccups, The Promise remains a fun, thrilling experience.

However, The Promise has an uninspired concept. I'm just not fond of stepbrother romances in BL. These love stories carry icky implications, blurring the lines between family bonds and romantic attraction. Plus, they follow similar narrative structures and have predictable plot points. The Promise doesn't deviate much from the standard formula, delivering another reiteration of the tired old trope. This series lacks originality, especially in an era when the BL genre is experimenting with new, innovative ideas.

Maybe it's my bias speaking, but I never warmed to the stepbrother romance. As Tan and Vu become closer, I am not persuaded by their romantic feelings for each other. The characters transition from animosity to attraction inorganically. Episode 4 features a controversial encounter, adding to the griminess of their relationship. The only time I feel swayed is Tan and Vu's steamy kissing scene near the end. The actors are surprisingly comfortable with their physical affection. Nevertheless, this couple doesn't appeal to me. I see them as brothers and not lovers.

The Promise is elevated significantly by its elegant artistry. It's a well-produced series with cozy, dreamlike visuals. Even if the filming locations aren't diverse, the cinematography captures an understated beauty in each setting. The best shots are the outdoor scenes, especially as the leads ride the bicycle along the beautiful coastal route. Furthermore, The Promise has a majestic soundtrack that complements its graceful aesthetic. The sentimental music works exceptionally well during the story's climaxes, accentuating the sensitive emotions.

In addition, The Promise has vibrant performances from the leads. Tan's actor (Hoang Cong Dat) is an impressive talent with a spunky demeanour. He immerses himself into the character, embodying all the quirks and mannerisms. Likewise, his costar (Vo Tran Song Duy) gives a solid showcase, albeit he must overcome a pretty unflattering hairstyle. The shallow part of me must admit that Dong's actor (Le Dinh Ha) is better looking. Initially, I wondered why he wasn't picked as the lead. Then, I witnessed his stiff acting and realized they cast everyone in the right roles. 😓

The Promise dips in quality midway as some conflicts become increasingly unpleasant to watch. The series rebounds with an entertaining finale, from the passionate kisses to the poignant exchanges. Plus, it saves the best cinematography until the last few scenes. While the ending is satisfying, it can't compensate for my apathy toward the stepbrother couple. This love story has been done before, like repeating old footsteps instead of venturing on a new road. The Promise rehashes familiar plots and stale romances, evoking only a middling review score from me.