Midnight Series: Moonlight Chicken Review
If you're like me, you like to put on your pair of broken glasses and analyze each character in a show you're watching. The latest cause of my insomnia is Moonlight Chicken. Honestly, I wish I had watched this show sooner, but at the same time, it was the perfect time. When I first heard of the premise, aka something considered “heartbreaking,” I never looked twice at it, but after some actual digging and asking questions, I gave it a shot, and BOOM, it hit the target first try.
Moonlight Chicken was released in February 2023, containing 8 episodes and starring(not like anyone asked) three of my favorite BL couples. First & Khaotung, Earth & Mix, and Gemini & Fourth. (Guess which one is my fav hehe). Anyways, this show is healing, introspective, emotional, and heartwarming. I highly recommend this series when you’re in the mood to think because you won’t fully understand the show. Instead of themes, I’m going to go over why I love this series and what I picked up.
Story:
Honestly, not what I expected. The show begins with strong tension right off the bat. Wen and Jim have amazing chemistry; their first meeting in the beginning was my favorite, and it made me realize I was gonna love this series. The story follows Wen after having a one-night stand with Jim after getting drunk at Jim’s restaurant. What was going to be a one-time encounter turns into Wen showing up here and there and eventually getting a job at Jim’s restaurant. Not only is this a romantic story, but it’s also about family love. Jim is the guardian of his nephew, Li Ming, whom he dotes on but can be overbearing, causing Li Ming to act out and cause disputes. There is romantic love, family love, platonic love, and past love, which play a significant role in half the series. Overall, the types of love in this show make it emotionally connecting, and it shows love as a spectrum.
Characters:
Li Ming
I’ll admit there were some punchable moments (ahem Li Ming), but I tried to understand every character’s POV. A difficult character for me was Li Ming; he is a stubborn, hot-tempered, and angsty teenager who has to deal with life. His mom abandoned him with his uncle, so he grew up suffering from poverty. Although he loved Jim, he felt suffocated and unworthy in his presence. Jim didn’t trust him enough to back off, so I could understand where Li Ming was coming from. In the show, he wanted to be treated like an adult and be independent like every teenager wants, but this is where I disagree a bit; he hasn’t shown himself to be responsible or mature enough to be treated as such, but later on, I do take his side since Jim can be overbearing to the point it’s exhausting. Another reason why I had difficulty with him is that I see a part of myself in him, the troubled teen who wants freedom but ends up acting like a child anyway. I can understand 100% but would I do the things he did? HELL NO, but I get it. Towards the end, I am satisfied with him choosing his life and finally being independent while fixing his relationship with Jim. The scene where Li Ming apologized for the cigarette incident and Jim communicated his frustration with himself was a major step up in their relationship and showed that Li Ming has matured. I think their story hits home for many people who wanted love and understanding from their families but didn’t get it.
Alan
Oh boy, this is gonna expose me. When I knew First was gonna play Alan, the boy “left aside” and who got cheated on, I was screaming at my TV: “ALANNNNN NOOOOOOO LET HIM GET UP PLEASE ALANNNNN NOOOOOO” only for him to show up episodes later and actually be an asshole. LOL. This is where it gets real. Alan’s character represents what people don’t often talk about: hurting the other person and becoming the “villain”. Alan is severely distraught after Wen broke off their 5th-year relationship, leaving Alan to spiral into full self-destruction. Throughout the show, he often self-sabotages and makes the issue worse for both of them. The show does a really good job of showing both their pain and misery; their shared apartment stays dark and gloomy for most, if not the whole time they’re there, even if Alan never paid the electricity bill, it was still a smart idea from the writers. Wen is seen exhausted and emotionally drained after every fight; he is practically pleading to end it and willing to stay as friends, but Alan doesn’t budge. Wen also still staying didn’t help either, enabling Alan by saying they could be friends and delaying moving out, which kept Alan hoping. They were used to this toxic dynamic that when Wen came back one more time to make sure Alan was okay after his accident, Alan reassured him he didn’t have to anymore and both parted ways one final time, the show giving us one last bullet in the heart as Alan is being driven away watching his past love be with someone else. OH THE PAIN HE MUST FEEL.
Now, none of his actions are excusable but you can see the pain and misery he feels, it wasn’t an easy one shot breakup and they had to go reunite multiple times to end it but that’s what makes it realistic, He didn’t want to let Wen go, and to see him fall in love with another is so heartbreaking. I can understand him because I been in his shoes before, being so heartbroken to the point of hurting myself and the other person, it’s not something I’m proud of but when you feel rock bottom, you’ll do stupid things for the sake of “love” but really you’re just hurting and you’re hurting DEEP. First did an amazing job playing this complicated character. Their breakup scene is both heartbreaking and bittersweet, and the dialogue is AMAZING.
Kaipa
I don’t have much to say about this character, but my love for Khaotung makes me inclined to talk about him any chance I get. Kaipa is shown to be a good friend to Jim, despite his feelings for him; they share a beautiful friendship that I think everyone needs at least once in their life. Not only does he represent platonic love but familial love, moments with his mom were so real and raw that it made me think about my mom, although Kaipa’s mom had issues that caused her to pass away at an early age, it reminded me that there will come a day where my mom will no longer be here and I’ll be a full on adult having to take care of myself and the things she left behind.it’s a pain that no one can prepare for but most have to face, it represents a very realistic moment, friends comforting you, crying alone, and attending the funeral. Khaotung, once again, you played this character well. Slightly broke my heart, but did it give me a new song to obsess over? Absolutely. Listen to “The Moon Represents My Heart” PLEASE.
Li Ming & Heart
Besides My School President, I think this is my favorite work by Gemini & Fourth. Despite wanting to punch both of their characters in the beginning, I fell in love with their love story. It was a beautiful, touching story about young love and finding comfort in one another. They started as enemies with petty moments and banter, to going on mini-adventures around the city and sharing vulnerable moments. We get to see a different side of Li Ming, a caring and spirited kid willing to help someone live their life and feel comfortable, and in this case, it’s Heart. They were able to find peace within each other, and they both navigate the world as teens, while adults constantly downplay and dismiss them. Their love is a bit of a slow build-up but it’s so worth it. My favorite scene is when they lie in bed together and play with each other’s hands. It’s not emotional in context, but you can feel the vulnerability between them, and with it being nighttime, it felt quietly intimate.
The scenery:
This series was beautiful both in storytelling and production, each scene captured the emotions and beauty of the place. The cinematography was on another level, the color grade scale made the show more impactful, I seriously love how it looks.
Conclusion:
Honestly, a worth watching slow burn, you’re getting more than just a love story but about life and it’s ups and downs, complicated relationships, honest and raw conversations, that’s why when you watch this show you NEED to pay attention, the dialogue is amazing and I haven’t ever complimented a show for its dialogue before. The show leaves a satisfying ending for everyone, even for Alan, Jim, and Wen finally get together, and Li Ming and Heart go off to start their lives as fresh adults. What more could you ask for? It’s like the writers neatly tied this show in a pink, pretty bow and gently presented it to me while kissing me on my forehead. I wish I had more thoughts on this show, but I’m very satisfied with what it left me. It was both entertaining and enlightening to watch. I’ll say it again, I highly recommend watching this show, it’s a hidden gem in BL, and I need more people to talk about it. Thank you for your time. PRINCE IS OUT.