You know, I've seen a lot of reactions as well as comments people have made about Moonlight Chicken, and one thing that always rubs me the wrong way is when people try to blame either Jim or Li Ming alone for their strained relationship throughout the series.
I don't know why it's so hard for some people to see that both of them are in the right and in the wrong in multiple ways! They both needed to be better at respecting and communicating with one another!
(The only thing I find unacceptable is when Jim yells at Li Ming when he finds out Li Ming is gay. I know that Jim was just worried, but that was wrong in so many ways, like I can't imagine the consequences it could've had if Li Ming wasn't so strong-minded. I also don't like the way Jim reacted after the bike crash but that's a little more understandable.)
But, back to the point, I mainly see people say that the way Li Ming talks to Jim is unacceptable, and while I do agree that the way he speaks to him is not good, it's usually because Jim is trying to get him to do something he doesn't want to do. And at times when Li Ming was obviously very stressed already. Plus, as many have said, and we've all been there, teens will be teens. And Li Ming is a teen in a not-so-favorable situation with trying to figure out his future, so I feel that's why is attitude is not the greatest.
Now, I will admit that I am biased towards Li Ming bc he is my fav character (& Fourth one of my fav actors), but I'm also not trying to say that Li Ming is in the right either. He definitely should not have spent the night at Heart's without letting Jim know, and in general he could've been more understanding of where Jim was coming from during their fights, and tried to communicate better (as well as been more respectful). On the other hand, Jim should've respected Li Ming as a blooming adult instead of a child, as well as let him feel safe enough to communicate what he wanted. Respect is a two-way street, and when Li Ming felt Jim wasn't respecting his decisions, he started being less respectful towards Jim. The reason Li Ming didn't want to communicate his plans to Jim is because he didn't make him feel like he would be supported.
Anyways, I feel like I'm repeating myself now so I'll stop, but the fact that these characters are not so black and white is what makes Moonlight Chicken such a great, realistic, show.
