This review may contain spoilers
Delightful romp
RATING: B+GENERAL
These 8-episodes are not really a “series”, but feel more like a short movie. Perhaps a student film, at that. But only because it’s a very simple, straightforward story with one minor subplot. However, it’s all done so well that it is wholly satisfying and I truly wished there was more going on, so I could spend more time with these characters and watch them navigate the typical conflicts of a BL series.
The love story is sweet, their growing friendship and attraction was believable and grew naturally. The loan shark subplot, while contrived, also worked fairly well and made sense in this fantasy world. The silly comedy sprinkled throughout was actually quite charming. It set the tone for the whole series and let you know what to expect til the end. When Sang Ha repositions the two snowmen so they are kissing it was such a cute moment, I couldn’t help by smile. The milk gifts, Sang Ha’s sparkly shirt encouraging Jin Won, the goofy coach, even the villain’s henchman crying when the debt is repaid, were all moments that added to the overall charm of the series.
There are a few deeper moments, where we get more insight into the characters. Not enough time was given to really delve deep, but that was clearly not the intent here, so it’s easy to overlook the limitations. However, those moments are still handled fairly well.
ACTING AND DIRECTION
Neither actor is asked to do much here, but they both do it all quite well. Sang Ha’s quirky grin really sold his character’s personality, with little need for more. Cheong Seung Ho managed to make Jin Won’s slow transformation entirely believable. When Sang Ha explains his history, you could truly get a sense that Jin Won’s spoiled rich kid started to understand and appreciate him, and even a sense that it made his feelings of attraction grow. As an aside, Cheong Seung Ho’s lips may be the most perfect lips I have ever seen. So kissable!
The direction delivered all that was required to make the elements come together well, especially those comedic moments mentioned above.
KISSING/INTIMACY
There are a few chaste kisses, but that’s all the story requires. Since we don’t delve into a real BL relationship, but only the beginnings of their story together, it was entirely appropriate. The first kiss was so spontaneous that it felt entirely natural. I will admit, the glimpses of skin in the shower and sauna were a nice bonus.
THE DOWNSIDE
My only real complaint was the first time the boys wind up in bed together. I bought into the whole “shared password”, but no matter how tired you are, when you go to bed and there is another person there, you would know it.
There was one other moment I did not understand. At the celebration dinner, when Jin Won pays the bill, he shares a glance with another “blonde” runner. I didn’t know if that was meant to imply a past relationship, a rivalry, something about money and status? This may be a recall from the prequel “Where Your Eyes Linger”, which I have not yet viewed.
What’s with Jin Won’s “Mr. Spock” haircut?
SUMMARY
A delightful little romp. The only reason my rating is not higher is due to the brevity and surface level of the story. Well worth a quick binge. Enjoy!
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I was hoping for something more on this show, but I love how they executed it though. I enjoyed watching it because it has freshness and it was warm to the heart to take. it was cute and very pleasant. i just wish that the story could have been more emphasized because I wanted to go in depths of their story that is related to their plot which is running a marathon. Their are some points in some scenes that had holes that beeded to be stitched up.
For the acting part, they could have been more into it if only they did more workshop but theg did well though. I like theor acting but I was hoping for more. I love Se-jin’s acting a lot though because he was portraying an optimistic guy in a world where it may crumble at any period of time. I like how he handled everything with optimism with less drama.
Overall, I gues i did enjoy watching this show and I hope you will too if you want something warm and a mellow romantic story with not much drama on it.
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so cute!!
i loved loved LOVED this!!!! it was so cute and made me smile so much!!! some people are criticizing the plot a little bit but while it was, maybe, a little out of place, sangha was just so adorable he made up for all the flaws the plot coudve had. i rewatched it twice already and i can definitely see myself watching it again <3333................................................................................................................................................................................
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Read my review pls
I dont usually do this but I was saddened by the many bad reviews I just HAD to write my own :(<<8 episodes and each being about 10mins each>>
I genuinly enjoyed this drama I found myself fully immersed in each episode. If you're looking for a short lighthearted BL drama full of fluff and heaps of cute funny scenes to cheer u up after watching a tragic one (Bcs theres SO MANY of those -_-), this is the one for you! The acting as well as the chemistry between the leads was good, i found both characters extremely lovable...also the music was pleasing. Although the storyline with the loan sharks was a bit too much, i didn't find it bothersome at all as they were all good characters (as in the other two guys showed they kinda cared for Sang Ha so that was cute-ish and their acting wasnt too bad as well,, even though they and that whole loan part of the drama was sorta unnecessary) and the main focus was on the romance anyway- im glad they actually showed cute kiss scenes (not to sound perverted, its just most korean BL dont end well and some dont have kiss scenes at all so for the leads to actually agree to do it knowing full well their country finds such issues taboo and rather shameful, my heart goes out to them. Theres progress and hope for Korea ^_^). Who are we to complain about the storyline not making much sense? 😅We didnt ask for this but im sure as hell glad they made it! We need more Korean BL in this world and kudos to the actors, directors and everyone involved for making such sweet short drama.
I understand everyone has their own opinion and some can be quite critical,, but thats okay cs everyones opinion is valid. I enjoyed the drama and hope u all do too <3
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Very cute, very short, nothing too serious.
I found this while roaming through Korean BL web series. I really liked it.The story is nothing too deep or serious, there are a lot of elements which sometimes made things feel kind of random. Obstacles were tackled quite easily and in a fun rather than a Dramatic way.
I liked both actors especially the one that acted the younger one, since in my opinion he did a really good job at portraying is rather positive character in the face of a rather “dramatic” fate.
I Can’t really say more about this, it’s just a short light hearted thing with some very sweet moments, some points didn’t really make sense, but when did a Drama ever fully make sense.
There was not much of a climax or anything, but it was just fine without it, I for one did not get bored.
If you’re looking for a short and sweet BL definitely give this one a go.
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A fun and soft BL
I have a real soft spot for this show. I think it's easy to overlook some of the older Korean BL's given how popular the genre has become since. Sure, this BL isn't breaking any new ground, but it's really cute and well done. The actors have good chemistry, the story is fairly tight and I just really like it.Was this review helpful to you?
"Holmes has Watson, Woody has Buzz, and Jin Won has Sang Ha."
"Do you know the similarity between a marathon and Love? That once you start, you can't stop?"This was a wonderful show. It was somehow better than the previous installment of the anthology "Where Your Eyes Linger" and I found myself somehow laughing out loud at their interactions despite how short the show was.
There was chemistry, there was development, there was an actual conversation between the leads that led to a believable romance. There was even a *plot*, which is shockingly hard to find in BL drama lately.
And the weirdest part was that the relationship was *healthy*.
"Love only works when you're on equal footing."
Neither followed the toxic tropes of BL leads seen in so many shows and manga, and they genuinely cared for the other, even when the other was too thick-skulled to listen.
Man, I even loved the antagonists of the series - seriously, those loan sharks had me smiling like crazy at the end. They had their motives and their reasons, but they weren't cruel. And it made perfect sense how it all ended. I truly enjoyed this entire series, to the point I'm debating going outside at 5 am after binge-watching this and doing some running of my own.
This show will always have a fondness in my heart.
"Quit being my pacemaker, and be my rival."
As a note: Watch up to episode 5 before you drop it.
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It's great!
This was my first ever BL drama and I rlly loved it. I remember how much I enjoyed watching this. Its also partially the reason I figured out my sexuality. It made me want to watch more LGBTQ+ dramas and movies and it rlly helped me realize that I'm bi. The storyline is cute and interesting. I loved almost everything about this drama. The acting was great too, especially Han Sejin. I definitely recommend that you watch it. It's short and simple. I loved it and I'm hoping other people did too haha.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I wish they had more FUCKING time together
I wish they had more FUCKING time togetherI doubt you have seen any of my reviews on other shows, but something that makes me very upset with shows is when the couple only has like 5 minutes together as an actual couple. I need at least 1-3 EPISODES OF THEM TOGETHER WITH NOTHING GOING WRONG. And this show didn't suffice, they deadass spent 45 seconds as a couple and then the credits started rolling like wtfffff.
First off the theme song is mad catchy. When I first heard it I was like damn this shit is so catchy. Now i have added it to my main playlist and I listen to it almost every day.
So I don't read the descriptions of shows before I watch them so when I found out that it was a marathon training/running BL I almost cried. I wrote in my notes, "marathons hit too close to home and I don't know how to feel." I run (not for fun) track and cross country and to say I was conflicted by this BL is an understatement. Also, the training shit was not realistic at all and you should NOT be running that fast in a 26k with no training. So the realistic factor is thrown out the window. But I won't take any stars off, I just need to rant.
When Jin Won said he wanted him to be his peacemaker and Sang Ha jumped into his arms my heart smiled. It was the cutest thing ever. Jin Won was telling Sang Ha to get off and he didn't which added to the cuteness factor.
The forced kiss was a 10/10. And I loved the creepy fanboy plot.
Sang Ha's tragic backstory also felt inevitable, but I still feel like it played a very important role in shaping this BL.
The loan sharks that were harassing Sang Ha for like half the show about not paying off his debt literally were cheering him on so much during the race. That was so cute. At first, it was a bit threatening, but when they were so proud of him and actually got rid of his debt once he paid it off instead of holding it above him was adorable.
The ending line was cheesy, but I loved it.
YOU KNOW WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE? THE FACT THAT THEY STARTED RUNNING AT THE END OF THE DATE? LIKE EW GROSS. A RUNNING DATE SOUNDS LIKE THE WORSTTTTTTT FUCKING IDEA (just kidding it was cute).
Final verdict 8/10. Their chemistry was awkward but I still loved it. I also WISH they had more time together.
Sorry about any grammar issues. English is my first language I just suck at it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Funny but surprisingly deep as well
For me a must watch, mini series joyride that contains allot of wisdom.It's concise, gave out all the necessary context, depicts all of life's trails & tribulations, in a YA school setting.
A young sweet guy who's life has been mostly set backs and hardships yet manages to find motivation and happiness to keep going with a smile through it all. While the slightly older guy who has lost his motivation recently and is overall quite fed up with his life even though he seems to have all the tools needed for an easy ride.
Hang Sa is unrestrained and openly charges forward confessing his crush and part of his life story which overwhelms the introverted Jin Won who reluctantly accepts that Hang Sa's presence in his life is a blessing.
There are some cliche trope plots such as the dept collector, poor parentless child sob story, display of physical violence, which is quite common for dramas from Asia, so I personally wasn't much fazed by it anymore, but for someone who is not yet used to it it could be quite triggering.
In this case I feel it made sense for the story, to show the stark contrast and pressure Hang Sa is facing yet he still manages to keep the severity of his situation a secret from the people around him. The moral of the story here is you never know what someone is gong through in their life, so always be as kind and considerate as you can manage.
Also don't be too proud to accept help or and ask for help from others, don't stubbornly try to silently solve problems for yourself, if your life is in danger.
Both actors were very good in showing the necessary depth and emotional state of the characters. The dialogue and chemistry were good, both characters have their own flaws and misunderstandings to overcome before they can find one another and be happy together. One of the best lines in this show is "to love you have to be equal". This line could easily be understood out of context as in status, wealth etc.
When in reality it is perspective, if you love someone you will always see them as an equal. Love is selfless and unconditional. All the societal structures mean nothing when it comes to love. Hence Jin Won was never angry that Hang Sa took the opportunity and won the race, He respected him for it and was happy for him albeit being surprised. What made him angry was that afterward he just disappeared and changed his Passcode.
While being so funny and cute the drama is also highly mature in context of dialogue and thought process of the characters.
Hence the mixed revives and ratings imo.
I really enjoyed it and can recommend it.
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Standard series with standard chemistry
The storyline is so-so, I don't get invested so much in the story, characters, and everything that happened in this drama. There is no characters progress whatsoever, and I don't think the have great chemistry. Something's just feels off. Sometimes they are cute, but most of the times it's just bland. The acting is good tho, but of course they still can improve their acting skills.I don't really remember the soundtracks, that's maybe because I don't like it very much.
Overall this series is okay, you watch it when you feel bored. But for me, I definitely won't rewatch this.
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Fluffy nonsense
This series was just so bad all around. It really felt like the lowest budget series I have ever watched. There is zero continuity in this drama. One of the leads got punched several times but we see him in the next scene on the same day and he has zero bruises.This “I am so poor and struggling so hard financially but won’t take your money because I love you or hate you” only happens in dramas and movies lemme tell you. IRL that shit won’t happen. You need money so badly to pay off debtors that are goons but you won’t agree to get paid doing a job you are already doing because you are doing it for love, that is such BS and they need to stop portraying this martyr act BS in dramas. It’s not like it’s free money or hand me downs. I don’t even know what the hell is wrong with free money as long as it was giving to you and not stolen. Most of the so called rich people do so many shady things to make their money and get good lawyers/accountants to evade taxes and pocket more money and they don’t feel an atom of shame, why then should anyone who is struggling financially with no fault of theirs feel ashamed to receive free financial help. I’m not struggling financially but best believe if anyone was to give me free money right now, I would very gladly take it and say thank you. IMO, There will never be anything wrong or awkward with receiving money legally and honorably through gifts or menial jobs especially when the money is severely needed.
Back to the review, I actually really liked the main characters, they were very cute and i especially liked how Sangha was sassy and spunky, he always spoke his mind. I am so over how majority of one of the leads in BL drama being extremely/painfully timid almost to the point of stupid and fearing their own shadows because the writers wants to portray them as being cute.
I really wanted to rate this higher because of how cute the main leads were but I just cannot justify giving this anything more than 4/10.
Rewatch Value 1/10
Overall Value 4/10
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