‘Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island’ Review: Summer Love in 7 Soft Slices
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
In a beautiful little island where litchis grow in abundance, Nie Xiao Zhi arrives to spend his summer break with his older brother, a teacher running a summer camp for kids. There, Xiao Zhi falls for his brother’s friend Chen Li, first a doting older friend, and then maybe more. Romance blooms as they splash in swimming pools, pluck fruits from farms, cycle along nature trails, and watch stunning sunsets in the 2025 mini-series Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island. It is a breezy summer romance that’s inspired by , with a bonus episode featuring the leads reading out of the book by André Aciman.
Actor Hu Yi Chen plays the young, playful, vulnerable Nie Xiao Zhi, while Liu Yi He portrays the older Chen Li, a nurturing, cheerful, laid-back teacher. Spanning just seven episodes, ‘Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island‘ first focuses on the simple charms of holidaying at a small, lush green island. Nie Xiao Zhi and Chen Li become instant friends, with Chen Li serving as a gracious host, happily taking the visitor everywhere. When Xiao Zhi’s brother Xiao Long (actor He Kun) notices Zhi’s visible crush on Chen Li, he warns Zhi that he might only be setting himself up for heartbreak. So will the two end up together or drift apart as soon as Zhi’s break is over? It’s all about young love, scenic trails, flirting, longing, pining, and hurting until things get better.
Each episode is less than 15 minutes long, so ‘Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island‘ is fast-paced, yet deliciously relaxed in its storytelling, letting its leads frolic around the island. The cinematography is charming, dreamy, with several beautiful outdoor shots dominating the screenplay. What heightens the visual experience of the series is the fact that it’s complemented by a rich ambient score: sounds of the rain pattering, wind swooshing, cycle bells ringing, and such. But even the musical score dreamily matches the romantic mood of the tale. It features several piano scores, some of which clearly sound inspired by Sufjan Stevens‘ sound, who composed the music for ‘Call Me By Your Name‘.
The only thing that didn’t make sense in the story is the fact that Xiao Zhi and Chen Li become estranged for a while over a misunderstanding, the kind that could’ve simply been clarified over a phone call. In fact, in an ironic scene towards the climax, Xiao Zhi rushes over to meet Chen Li to ask something and Li tells him, “You could’ve just called.” Exactly! Zhi’s elder brother unwittingly plays mischief-maker in their relationship, leading to a lot of unwanted heartache. It didn’t seem characteristic of Chen Li to not make more effort in clearing the air between him and Zhi. The writers should’ve given a stronger emotional conflict in the tale, instead of relying on a simplistic ‘misunderstanding’ trope.
The onscreen chemistry between Hu Yi Chen and Liu Yi He is quite electric, their ease around each other palpable on the screen. Hu Yi Chen shoulders the different moods of the young Xiao Zhi with grace, from just having fun around the island to breaking down emotionally when he thinks his love might be unrequited. He Kun as his brother wasn’t very convincing, although maybe some more screen time between the brothers would’ve helped, because they are clearly close, but their sibling bond doesn’t get enough space. The climactic episode swiftly resolves the conflict between the leads, delivering a heartwarming ending that’s sealed with a kiss.
If not for the ‘misunderstanding’ misfire, Secrets Happened on the Litchi Island is a lovely little summer romance. Those who like soft summer romances like ‘Call Me By Your Name’ will definitely enjoy this surprisingly sweet Chinese coming-of-age love story.
Rating: 4 stars on 5. Watch the series on YouTube.
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