BL SHIP THAT BECOMES REAL LIFE
📖 Name of the Book: I Ship My Rival x Me Volume 1
📄 Plot: Wei Yanzi and Gu Yiliang are rival actors but not enemies. They have a shared debut and the public makes note of their very different acting skills. Wei Yanzi with the looks of an idol and Yiliang with the acting skills. Yanzi being tired of reading his negative comments is recommended by his manager to view his rival's socials instead. It's at this point that Yanzi stumbles upon the fan-base that ships the two of them together. He dives headfirst almost believing it's real himself. So when he gets caught watching a video of Yiliang by Yiliang himself…lets just say through that awkward encounter they become close and Yanzi has steel his heart whenever Yiliang does something that will make the fan-base (including himself) think they are actually really close~
📖 Genre: BL, Lighthearted, Celebrity Romance
💭 My Thoughts: We get dual pov! The story first starts out with Yanzi's pov but intermixed we get diary entries from Yiliang and how he is interpreting the day and honestly, so refreshing! I wish more stories did this instead of having me try to guess what the top is thinking.
From the two meeting up because Yiliang wanted to scope out Yanzi due to receiving multiple messages about Yanzi being trouble and he should stay away from him turns into the cutest little friendship. Yanzi of course, embarrasses himself at first by offering to share the topping of their boba drinks and then asks to add Yiliang to his WeChat.
Yiliang's first impression of Yanzi, according to his diary is that Yanzi is so cute. Literally mentions it five times. He sees Yanzi spark or passion for acting so he ends his diary wanting to get closer to Yanzi by offering tips on acting.
The most fun sequence in the volume is when Yiliang and Yanzi go to meet the fans before filming and exchange snacks and autographs. There is a small representation of the fans who ship the two together and when Yiliang asks for a photo together with Yanzi everyone is swooning…well the two girls and Yanzi who are there anyway. There is even a scene where Yanzi sees the theories the fanclub does when he reposts an image that Yiliang posts-lets just say the repost happened so soon after the original post that the fanclub can only assume that Yiliang and Yanzi spent the night together.
The volume ends with Yanzi being protective friend while still claiming to be Yiliang's rival. Yanzi really needs to figure out the definition of rival. But either way, Yiliang's mom is seen asking for money, a huge amount of money, to the point of threatening Yiliang with baseless rumors that Yanzi refutes holds no bearing and the mom should leave.
The two are just so adorable, the art is just as cute and the representation of shippers cause lets face it, I can't really be a bl reader if I wasn't also watching a show and thinking 2 characters should get together…relatable.
#celebrityromance #blmanhua #mangareview #manhua #blrecommendations
Okay, so after devouring 'I Ship My Rival x Me, Volume 1,' I just had to share more of my thoughts, especially for those of you diving into the world of BL manhua! The original review covered the basics, but let's talk about why this particular series is just so captivating and what makes Wei Yanzi and Gu Yiliang such a perfect BL ship. First off, the characters! Wei Yanzi, the idol with the dazzling looks but less refined acting skills, is such a relatable character. He's trying his best, struggling with negative comments, and then completely falls into the rabbit hole of his own fan-shippers. His internal monologue is gold – you can feel his embarrassment and his growing affection for Yiliang, even when he tries to deny it. Then there's Gu Yiliang, the talented actor, who seems so stoic but actually has this super soft spot for Yanzi, evident in those adorable diary entries. Seeing him initially cautious about Yanzi, then quickly charmed, made my heart melt. Their dynamic isn't just "enemies to lovers"; it's more like "rivals who secretly admire each other to lovers." This nuanced approach is what makes their bond feel so genuine. Speaking of rivals-to-lovers, this trope is a personal favorite, and 'I Ship My Rival x Me' executes it flawlessly. It’s not about intense hatred; it's about competitive respect that slowly blossoms into something deeper. You know, like in some of those fantastic 'enemies-to-lovers' Thai dramas or even classic high school rivalry stories. The thrill comes from watching these characters navigate their professional lives while their personal feelings get tangled up. The celebrity setting adds another layer, showing how public perception and shipping culture can ironically push two people closer. It makes you wonder, are the fans just seeing what they want, or are they actually onto something? Another thing that hooked me was learning this manhua is based on a Danmei Novel by Pepa, with art by Qualia. Knowing it has a novel origin makes me appreciate the adaptation even more. The manhua art is absolutely stunning, capturing every subtle expression and heartfelt glance between Yanzi and Yiliang. That cover art for Volume 1, with the two of them looking at each other, perfectly encapsulates their budding connection. The dual POV, especially Yiliang's diary entries, is a stroke of genius. It gives us insight into his thoughts without breaking the flow, adding so much depth to his character that might otherwise be missed. For those wondering about the future, while my review only covers Volume 1, the ending definitely leaves you on the edge of your seat! The introduction of Yiliang's challenging family situation promises a more dramatic turn, which I'm both excited and nervous about. It shows that beneath the lighthearted fluff, there are real-world stakes for our beloved characters. I’m eager to see how Yanzi steps up to protect Yiliang and how their bond deepens further. If you're looking for a BL manhua that combines celebrity shenanigans, an adorable rivals-to-lovers dynamic, and genuinely sweet characters, then 'I Ship My Rival x Me' is absolutely worth picking up. It's quickly become one of my top recommendations!
