Formula 17 poster
#11043 This Week

Formula 17

Formula 17  ·  2004, Taiwan
6.6
2,268 ratings
1
Film
0
Watchlisted
● Completed 🕑 2004

Cradling his lucky condom, naive country boy Tien goes to Taipei to meet an internet friend. Being a romantic and believing only in true love, he is sorely disappointed when his internet friend, Kevin, suggests they…

Synopsis
Cast & Crew
Episodes
Reviews (5)

In the sun-drenched streets of Taipei, wide-eyed country boy Tien arrives clutching his lucky condom, a romantic idealist on a quest for true love. He’s come to meet Kevin, an internet friend, but is quickly disappointed when Kevin suggests a casual hookup. Their disastrous date sends Tien into the arms of a quirky group of new friends—including the flamboyant Yu and his two sidekicks—who introduce him to the city's vibrant gay scene. There, he crosses paths with the handsome but emotionally guarded playboy, Bai Ti. Bai Ti, nursing a personal trauma that makes him swear off commitment, finds himself drawn to Tien’s earnest innocence. As Tien navigates first love, Bai Ti confronts his own fears, and their connection blossoms amidst laugh-out-loud mishaps and heartfelt moments. A joyful, feel-good romp through the late-night food stalls and neon-lit clubs of Taipei, *Formula 17* is a groundbreaking Taiwanese gay romantic comedy that proves love—and friendship—can be both hilarious and healing.

Episode data is coming soon.

6.6
out of 10
10
378
9
284
8
662
7
567
6
227
BB
bubblegum_bl_forever
February 2025
9/10
I absolutely adored this movie! Tien and Bai Ti have the cutest dynamic—I literally squealed during the business card scene. The way Bai Ti's walls come down around Tien's earnestness is pure magic. Plus, the friends are hilarious. This is exactly the kind of happy, fluffy romance I live for.
PP
plot_point_picker
December 2024
6/10
I get why people like it, but the plot is pretty thin and wanders a lot. The editing feels choppy, and we don't spend nearly enough time with the main couple to really believe their love story. The supporting characters are fun, but they take up too much screentime. It's a decent time capsule, but not a great film.
LA
lens_and_light
October 2024
7/10
Visually, this film oozes early-2000s charm with its bright color palette and warm golden-hour shots of Taipei. The director uses playful compositions that match the comedic tone, though some scenes feel overexposed or have strange audio mixing. Still, there's a nostalgic DIY quality that makes it endearing. The wardrobe is pure time capsule fun.
QE
queer_eye_for_bl
March 2025
8/10
For 2004, this film was a breath of fresh air—showing gay men as just normal guys looking for love and friendship, without tragedy or fetishization. It handles consent well (the lucky condom gag is cheeky but respectful) and celebrates queer community. Sure, the 'gay only' world is unrealistic, but as a utopian fantasy, it's empowering and joyful.
MI
melody_in_motion
January 2025
7/10
The soundtrack is a delightful mix of upbeat pop and cheesy love ballads that perfectly capture the early-2000s vibe. The music cues during romantic montages are infectiously happy. My only complaint is that the background score sometimes overpowers the dialogue, but the songs themselves are earworms I still hum weeks later.