MUST WATCH
Overall: This was the first BL drama I ever watched so this drama is very special to me. This was the start to my love for BL dramas lol. It has grumpy/sunshine aspect that I love.Story: I love the whole acting and chef careers that they are in. Their careers are quite prominent to the storyline. The connection between the MLS were so cute. Especially the ending (will not spoil). Their chemistry is just adorable.
Actors: The actors did such a great job with these characters. I can’t tell you how much I love Kangmin now after watching this drama. He’s just so good at acting and so adorable. There were so many scenes where both MLS had to really project their characters and they did amazing.
Music: This soundtrack is my favorite soundtrack. “I’ll Be There” is literally such a good song for their intro and outro. The way it was one of my top 3 most played songs of 2022 on Spotify says it all.
Rewatch Value: 100% will rewatch it again. I would be lying if I said I haven’t rewatched it at least seven times already.
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Average Series, don't see the HYPE
I can't see anything that particularly stood out, other than Kang Seo Joon. He was kind, loveable and genuine, I don't understand how or why he would fall for someone like Han Ji Woo who is almost his polar opposite. I would get the relationship if more time was spent establishing the connection, but due to the short run-time of the series, the characters were simply too complex to fall in love that quickly. I wanted more romance, I wanted more backstory for the leads. The narrative was needlessly confusing, not sure if its a direction choice or bad editing, but the screenplay looked disjointed at times and some characters or plot threads that appear random. Lots of Chekov's Gun but none be smoking. Nothing was developed- neither romance nor their backstory, definitely not any of the sub-plots, everything was half-baked. I heard there is another season, maybe that fills in some of the plot holes, but I am not vested in any of this to go watch it yet.I might have have rated it higher if I went it blind without all the hype about 4 years ago, but its 2025 now and these days there are so many BLs with better fleshed out and unique plots, heck even Chinese BLs are back with a bang that I just couldn't get the appeal for this one.
For other KBL recs that uses the shorter run-time wisely (imo): The Eighth Sense, Love For Love's Sake, Our Dating Sim, Semantic Error.
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it makes me feel so happy
here's a tl;dr: short and sweet little gem of a show. a must watch if you like bl or just need sweet romantic drama to watch. also the music is god-tier.story: polar opposites attract. seo jun is like a puppy. ji woo is like a grumpy cat lol. very good characters but some parts of their reactions to things isn't explained whatsoever (hopefully s2 will explain). its a "and they were roomates!" situation lmao. seo jun is famous, scandal happens and he hides with a very annoyed ji woo. good easy plot.
acting: yooo chemistry is off the charts. the damn kissing scene was wow. just wow. are you gonna actually eat his lips or smth? son woo-hyun is an incredible actor. he really shines in this role. kim kang-min is really good too. he has a really sweet smile. the cooking scenes are *chef's kisses*. supporting actors were good too.
music: the osts for this show are so good. i listen to them daily. i fall asleep to it, my alarm is the ost, my study playlist is the ost, my cooking playlist is the ost. what im saying is, the osts are seriously so good. i'll be there (the one that was played during the basketball scene) is god-tier.
rewatch: i resisted rewatching the day after i finished it. but i ended up watching the movie ver which is basically the drama in a movie form so yeah. i also rewatched it again today. yeah i really like this drama. it's my favourite drama now lol.
overall? a must watch. very sweet and it'll leave you feeling warm and happy but also lonely. after watching i was like wow, i want a girlfriend now :'). very easy plot to follow. the characters are great. the music is (im saying this for the 3rd time damn) god-tier. it's a really good drama so give it a watch.
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What A Great Show!
This was a relatively short series, but wow! The series is so wonderfully told and executed; I couldn't ask for anything better! I love the two main characters, however, all of the characters in this show were perfect.This show proves you do not need a long, drawn-out series to tell a good story. Everything was perfect, and I felt exhilarated through most of it and happy and content when it ended. I will definitely watch this series again, maybe when I need uplifted.
When I watch a series like this one, where i don't feel the need to fast forward through parts, I am so grateful. Too many of the BL Series that are about High School, or College have way too much going on with way too much "noise" that I skip through.
I can't say enough about the two main leads, they were so perfect! Give this one a try, definitely.
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Amazing KBL
To me this is the best KBL out there so far. I loved Where Your Eyes Linger and I thought it was the best until I watched TMS. The story was very well constructed, the plot was properly developed and resolved, acting was great and chemistry had no comparison; actually better than most major channel romcoms.The way the characters developed each other, got into each other and actually grew together in only 9x15 eps is something absolutely worth mentioning because there are whole 20 1-hr long eps dramas where you don't see anyone getting better or a plot getting resolved or handled the way this one was.
The concept was much more mature than most KBLs as they focus on high school love, which often ends up mediocre or sexualized, but this one was adult and mature love even with a bed scene that isn't even common in straight kdramas. I loved how they acted like normal people and how their reactions and actions were actually natural (unlike Color Rush). My only complaint is the restaurant owner story as there seems to be a loose string, but I can live with that.
Overall, this was an amazing short series and totally recommended.
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good soup
it is i, the niel.this is one of the few times where i genuinely agree with the rating on here, lol. this was a very short series, but they were able to effectively make it seem worthwhile. it's a very simple story, and i largely enjoyed all of the characters/the dynamic between the main couple.
i honestly think that the acting was the best part of this show. there genuinely weren't any moments while watching when i felt as if an actor was too stiff or not comfortable in their role. the writers/producers/directors did a great job building up the supporting characters so that we, as an audience, came to like them individually. i really do appreciate when characters in bls are given actual time dedicated to them, so that the main couple's interactions don't feel suffocated/forced. additionally, the cast wasn't too complex. i didn't feel the need for there to be any other people involved, though they could've explored their personal backgrounds a little more. the random characters thrown in at the end were sort of goofy, but in a good way.
would i rewatch it? sure. i can see this being someone's comfort show because of how simple the plot is, and the conflict generally gets resolved for the most part. i'm a sucker for these character archetypes, so i really enjoyed seeing the leads on screen. i don't think it's super unique, but it's well-done, the dialogue is solid, and overall, it's something pleasant to get through. there were definitely some cheesy moments, but they were cute. the development was casual and subtle, but not to the point where i'd question "why do they even like each other?" it was natural. bye-bye!!
best,
the niel.
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If you are undecided, Just Watch It, you cannot miss it!
Are you looking for something short, but really enjoiable? This Is for you. I was searching for a series that It was "not too much", for example without too many fights and quarrels. Something cozy and, overall, simple. "To my star " Is special exactly for this reason. The two main characters are very different, not only for their different Jobs, but olso for their distinct personalities. One Is outgoing while the other one Is reserved. However they manage to make It work, probably the fact that they are so differt make It possible.I really appreciated the cast, I love them!
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Korean BL's....We Need To Talk. This Was A Joy
I continue to have a bone to pick with Korean BL's or LGBTQ content. IT'S NOT LONG ENOUGH!!! Why dude, why you gotta dangle this stuff in front of our faces for literally 15 minute episodes!? That's not okay and it needs to change. These series are worth it! However, a slight solution to this is that they also released it in film version. Which is 2 hours long all together, so it actually works better as the film! Totally recommend watching it that way instead of being broken up.Moving on. This didn't feel cheaply done at all. Sometimes you can tell BL's or lgbtq stories aren't done with much of a budget. This was shot nicely and has a lot of scenic shots of Seoul. The couple we get is a case of opposites attract, which is funny to watch and interesting. I liked their back and forth a lot! We see them start to bond more, where Ji Woo even starts to get protective over Seo Joon. I find it funny too that both these actors were in "Tale of the Nine Tailed", one as a supporting role and the other occasional cameo.
I liked seeing Seo Joon's struggle with losing fame. You can tell he's kinda lost, but still trying to keep up the luxurious happy persona. I wish we would've gotten even more of that to be fleshed out, because you can go so far with that alone. We got some of the drawbacks on screen of fame, but not enough! I also appreciated his characters confidence in himself. There's no question whom he's attracted to and he's not afraid of showing it. Though he will protect Ji Woo's privacy if needed, which I also appreciated seeing. Ji Woo was an interesting character. He's actually quite cruel with his words at certain parts of this series/film. To where you really feel bad for Seo Joon! However, he does it because he's so walled up emotionally and used to being alone. Literally doesn't know how to communicate with people very well, its totally understandable and he grows so much! Seeing him at the end, I felt so proud of him and happy that he finally had things to smile about in his life.
The whole plot with the controversy (like I briefly mentioned) was so Korea. Meaning that Korea specifically tends to take controversies (big or small) and run with them, potentially ruining reputations. It was done really well and when you find out the cafe owner was also a betrayer, it hurts! The price of fame is very large. I liked watching it all play out. Finally, hello last episode/end scene chemistry! Like dang lol but I wish it wasn't held off until literally the last part of this and especially during the last like 5 minutes! That whole couple exchange was so good and I was holding my breath. I think that might be the most I've seen from a Korean drama series thus far, let alone a BL concerning real sexual intimacy ("You Make Me Dance" was another one that showed more). Even if it was just some rolling around and flirtatious discussion about things. I know this probably won't get another season...but please give it another season/film! XD
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one of the best goddamn romances to exist.
to be honest, i still don't think i can quite put a finger on why exactly to my star hits so different, but it really does. there's something about how lovingly the show is shot, about how irreversibly in love jiwoo and seojoon are, and about how soft they are with every word and every touch.there's something about the fact that when these characters are in pain, you really come to love them enough to cry right alongside with them, and when they're happy, you find yourself kicking your goddamn blankets in happiness and smiling till your cheeks hurt.
at the end of the day, i think the best way to put it is this: to my star is a show that will make you fall into it so effortlessly that you won't even realize how deeply you've fallen into love with these characters and their story until it's too late to back out.
(also, just as a sidenote: i fucking ADORE that film effect they've given this season so freaking much!!! it really brings out a sentimental sorta vibe that matches perfectly with the story and gives it a gorgeous timeless look. the visuals are just taken to the next level this time 'round <3)
tl;dr? GO WATCH THE SHOW OH MY GOD I SWEAR YOU WON'T REGRET IT
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This review may contain spoilers
A beautiful love story
Just finished ep3 and again another perfect 10 for Korean b/L. They don't overdue it and have great storyline and what a amazing cast they had A+. It was about an actor seo Joon that was accused of fighting someone and this bought negative attention to him. So he goes to the ceo rental and meets ji woo who is a chef, and accidentally met him earlier. So as they get to know each other feeling start to bloom for them. Seo Joon finds who really was part of the fight and clears his name, but at the same time Hyung ki owner of restaurant gets ahold of a picture of them kissing he show ji woo who then moves out. Seo Joon learns that Hyung family is in need of money and so blackmail him for 100million won($90,000 US) and so seo Joon pays him in front of ji woo. They sort of fight over that, there feeling and relationship, so seo Joon leaves and Ji woo gets upset and then he comes back and agree to be together. A beautiful storyWas this review helpful to you?
Simply Beautiful and Captivating!
Extremely beautiful and compelling!! Simple plotline yet portrayed so well! The chemistry between the leads felt so connected and real! Everything was produced extremely well. The cinematography and visuals were top notch, the locations were enthralling! The pacing of the show was perfect, never felt it was stretched or rushed, considering the tight time frame it was packed in.The OST are gonna be on my loop for a long time in my playlist, especially the opening track. The show indeed raised bars! The show is a must watch not just for a BL but as a regular show well! ❤️❤️
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Opposites attract and create very deep love stories
Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a series becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that audience that occupies their armchairs in front of the television to enjoy it. With '나의 별에게' ('Naui Byeolege, Na-ui Byeol-e-ge, Naui byeorege'), English title 'To My Star The Series I', from 2021, which has only already been seen by millions of viewers in everyone, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The Korean BL drama, in 9 episodes, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who goes into hiding after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The series, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail about a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two other dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the series immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially builds a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon in the first episodes, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon He moves around her, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes her. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The series challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to the artistic and visually appealing quality of the series. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.
Note: The review of the film of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.
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