Skip to content
MovieCove

Addicted

2016Miniseries1 season15 episodes~25 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

Two high school students become entangled in a wildly conflicting emotional relationship that erupts when they discover they are now step-brothers.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Addicted?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Addicted streaming on Cineverse via Prime Video.

Subscription

via Prime Video

Highlights

What stands out about Addicted?

Addicted earns 3 badges, led by Universally Loved and Standout acting.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Addicted worth watching?

Addicted's Midcredits score is the 87th percentile of all shows, from 2.5K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

87th percentile

Better received than 87% of shows

86th percentile among Comedy86th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)84th
Approval (how many liked it)85th

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

79 /100

84th percentile of all shows

85th percentile among Comedy83rd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85th percentile of all shows

82nd percentile among Comedy84th percentile among 2010s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

65th percentile

2.4K ratings across platforms

49th percentile among Comedy68th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 2% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A groundbreaking Chinese BL web series that was canceled mid-story due to government censorship.

Fans praised

  • Lead actors' electric chemistry and committed performances
  • Heartfelt romance and emotional depth in a challenging societal context
  • Authentic visual style and nostalgic production design

Detractors panned

  • Unhealthy relationship dynamics including coercion and forceful advances
  • Weak fight choreography and occasional illogical scenes
  • Intrusive or mismatched music selection

What stands out

Acting85

Lead duo Johnny Huang and Timmy Xu deliver magnetic, emotionally nuanced performances

Emotional impact80

Deeply moving romance with tearful cancellation disappointment

CharactersDivisive70

Rich characterization of leads as obsessed rich boy and guarded poor student, but side plots feel irrelevant

Sound and musicDivisive60

Emotional OST with Timmy Xu's compositions but sometimes intrusive or mismatched

Pacing60

Slow first episode then addictive binge-worthy momentum

Plot and storyDivisive55

Compelling core romance but loose structure with irrelevant subplots and unhealthy tropes

Originality50

Derivative BL tropes but pioneering within China's censored landscape

Ending20

Abrupt cliffhanger with no resolution due to ban

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 21 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2016 · 15 episodes

  • S1E1

    New Start

    Jan 29, 201622 min
  • S1E2

    Misunderstanding

    Jan 29, 201624 min
  • S1E3

    Tricks

    Jan 29, 201625 min
  • S1E4

    Rage

    Feb 3, 201624 min
  • S1E5

    Rare Friendship

    Feb 5, 201624 min
  • S1E6

    Jealousy

    Feb 6, 201625 min

Watch experience

What is Addicted like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you bittersweet.

Setting

  • Contemporary
  • Realistic
  • Urban
  • Domestic

Story

  • Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.

Style

  • Melodramatic: Heightened emotion, played large.
  • Romantic

What it asks of you

  • Even-paced
  • Casual
  • Heavy
  • Resolved

How it leaves you

  • Bittersweet
  • Hopeful

Themes

  • Family bonds
  • Forgiveness
  • Identity

Feelings

  • Tense
  • Romantic
  • Melancholic
exact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Heaviest: middle
Told as
SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series presents its intense emotional and romantic conflicts with earnest sincerity, taking its characters' feelings seriously despite the melodramatic premise.
The rideThe series likely builds tension around the taboo relationship, with romantic highs and melancholic lows, peaking in emotional conflict during the middle stretch.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward linear progression across episodes, with no unusual structural devices.
Episode formatThe synopsis points to a continuous story about the evolving relationship of two characters, suggesting episodes are chapters in a single narrative.
Season formatThe series has one season and is concluded, and the synopsis implies a complete story arc.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers with the ache of an unresolved cliffhanger but also the warmth of a bond that defied odds.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7% (this title): Redemption 1% · Healing 3% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

7% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series focuses on two emotionally wounded high school students who gradually heal through their relationship, fitting a rebirth/healing pattern across its serialized arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% (this title) · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsForgiveness · under 1% of showsIdentity
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores the tension between a new family bond and a romantic relationship, along with the need for acceptance and self-understanding.
StanceThe series questions the boundaries of family and romantic love when they collide, focusing on the personal struggle of the two protagonists.

The world

Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · original score
SettingA contemporary Chinese high school and the shared home of two step-brothers.

Content guide

Is Addicted okay for kids?

TV-14

Addicted is rated TV-14. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at intense (73/100), language at moderate (50/100), drug and alcohol content at minimal (13/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • South Korea19
  • BrazilL
  • Taiwan12+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (17 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Addicted have?

MovieCove's classifier found 2 depicted content warnings in Addicted, all withheld here because they would spoil the plot. Each is backed by a verbatim quote from the parents' guide notes or plot synopsis; a missing warning is not a guarantee of absence.

Screened from limited information, so some warnings may be missing.

Cast and crew

Who is in Addicted?

Cast

Timmy Xu
as Bai Luoyin
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Johnny Huang
as Gu Hai
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Tao Song
as Bai Hanqi
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Fengsong Lin
as You Qi
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Wen Chen
as Yang Meng
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Li Su
as Zou Shen'er
Shaoxiong Kong
as Li Shuo (Gu Hai's friend)
Wenshuo Zhu
as Zhou Si Hu (Gu Hai's friend)
Xiaoye Liu
as Jiang Yuan
Dong Wang
as Gu Weiting

Crew

Directed by

Wei Ding

Written by

Cu WuJidan Chai

More like this

What are shows like Addicted?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Addicted include Heartstopper (2022), The Fosters (2013) and Dawson's Creek (1998).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Addicted?

83 other shows share the rarest tag below, relationship: captor and captive. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.