I love how Chinese BL is serving us mature adult drama without holding back on the toxicity! The messy power dynamics, emotional chaos, and deeply flawed characters make this story hit in a way few shows do.
To My Shore has become one of my favorite Chinese BL series with its messy power dynamics and emotional chaos. I even heard that special episodes might be filmed, and I truly hope it’s true because I just couldn’t get enough of them.
However, be warned; this is not a sweet love story. It contains non-con elements, heavy manipulation, and a “red flag” lead with deep psychological issues. If these kinds of scenes and toxic relationships are dealbreakers for you, you might want to think twice before watching.
In short, if you say, “I love dark romance, and I’m interested in characters no matter how toxic or manipulative they are,” then give it a chance.
To My Shore Information
- Native Title: 吾岸
- Also Known As: Si Mian Fu , Tai Yang Zhi Cheng , 四面佛 , 太陽之城 , City of the Sun , 太阳之城
- Country: China
- Episodes: 15
- Aired: Nov 15, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026
- Aired On: Saturday, Sunday
- Duration: 40 min.
Watch on Gagaoolala, Viki
To My Shore Synopsis
Shu Lang, a director at a pharmaceutical company, lives a stable and ordinary life until a car accident with Fan Xiao, the heir to a Thai conglomerate, turns his world upside down. Unlike Shu Lang, Fan Xiao has grown up in an unstable environment, which has led him to develop a manipulative and twisted worldview.
When Fan Xiao discovers that Shu Lang is interested in men, he treats it like a game and devises a plan to lure him into a relationship. His original goal is to make Shu Lang fall for him just to ruin his life, but as he dives deeper into his own trap, he unexpectedly starts falling for Shu Lang for real. Shu Lang, on the other hand, is completely blindsided when he finally uncovers Fan Xiao’s true colors and the web of lies he’s built.
The big question is: Will Fan Xiao destroy the only genuine love he’s ever had, or can he find a way to move past his “red flag” ways and truly win Shu Lang’s heart? This is exactly where the heavy toxicity and the intense psychological struggle we’ve been talking about really take center stage.
Adapted from the novel “Four Faced Buddha” (四面佛) by Su Erliang (苏二两). You can read the novel here. Note: This is a fan translation, not an official licensed version.
To My Shore Trailer
To My Shore My Review (8/10)
Looking back at 2025, I can easily say that To My Shore was one of the best BL series I’ve watched. The chemistry between the actors, the plot, the dark theme, and the complex characters were absolutely exquisite. However, a fair warning: don’t start this show without reading the warnings first. If you know exactly what you’re getting into and just let yourself sink into the atmosphere, you’ll enjoy it immensely.
One of the things I loved most is that there are no side couples; the story stays strictly focused on the intense and dangerous dynamic of the main pair.
As for the characters; Yes, Fan Xiao (ML) is the ultimate “red flag”—he’s manipulative and, frankly, a bad person. But he’s not facing a weak or helpless MC. Shu Lang is one of the best protagonists I’ve ever seen.
He’s selfless and gives his all when he loves, but he is also fully aware of his own self-worth and dignity. He’s kind to everyone, but he definitely knows how to stand his ground against someone toxic. Watching Fan Xiao trigger the suppressed, dangerous desires and hidden darkness within Shu Lang was a remarkable experience.
If you’re looking for a dark romance where two powerful characters clash, this is it.
