Unknown – Series Review & Ending Explained

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 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.