Blueming

Not bad, but a bit stereotyped.

I won't say i didn't like it, it's cute, but i found a lot of stereotypes in the character personality that made the drama irrealistic and because of that you don' really empatize well with them. The love story is a bit fast, i'm more for the slowburn, but that's a personal preference. a thing that i don't like it, it's the over stereotyped characters. They basically gave them a stereotyped character and run with it for the whole drama, there isn't a lot of character development and you forget them really easliy, since you don't really have the time and the ways to appreciate the characters. I loved the acting tho. Overall i didn't hated it, but i would have appreciated it more if it went slower.

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Beautiful, in an understated way

The cliché "deceptively simple" comes to mind as I thought about this series after watching several episodes. On the surface, the story is simple: Si Won, an attractive guy who is too eager to be popular because of his insecurities, meets Da Woon, who seems to be effortlessly perfect and popular (but who, quite clearly faces issues too). Si Won feels threatened by Da Woon in a way, but the tensions between them is not exaggerated in the way one would expect in some enemies-to-lovers plot. In fact, there is a hint of mutual attraction the first time the two guys meet each other, and Da Woon clearly harbors no hostility towards Si Won.

It is not the first time that we see a BL couple who are film students, but it is one of the times when this fact is used well. Scenes from the film that Si Won makes, with just a few snippets as a film-within-a-film, effectively and economically reveals something about his relationship with his mother--the viewer may not have expected the revelation, but when it is revealed, the viewer may just go, "Oh yeah, why didn't I see it?" The mother, and not just the bullies Si Won encounters as a child, may have contributed to Si Won's insecurities by emphasizing to him as a child that people judge others by their looks and indirectly but frequently reminding him that people may look at their family differently because it's a single-parent family (the father having left the family when Si Won is a kid).

What is also hinted at is the relationship Si Won's sister has with both her parents as her mother accusingly talks (off screen) about how she isn't sufficiently against her father. Yet, even if the family is somewhat dysfunctional, it isn't a stereotypically dysfunctional family. Like every family, it may have its problems. However, the members of the family also do care about one another and do things for one another. The portrayal of the characters' relationships is, thus, sensitive and nuanced. This is quite rare for BL series, which often focus on the relationship of the BL couple at the expense of making other relationships simplistic. I guess this also enhances the so-called rewatch value of the series because there is a lot we can get with an additional viewing.

There is also much to like about the story of the BL couple. Many will appreciate how the main problem in their relationship isn't the fact that they are both men, a third party or some silly misunderstanding. There is growth in the characters, forgiveness and a happy ending that isn't plain fluff.

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Great Adaptation of Who Can Define Popularity? with a Film School Twist

Blueming is an adaptation of the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" but it strays quite far from the source material that it has become it's own story.

As a BL drama, it is an amazing example of a textbook BL drama. However, because it is too perfect and is an idealistic BL, it loses some points in the realm of realism. Still a must watch BL.


STORY:

When Si Won was a child, he has a tough childhood. He was teased for being fat and his home life wasn't stable. His father cheated on his mother and left. Since then, his mother has forced her views of being in shape and looking beautify onto her children. As an adult, Si Won is no longer fat and very self conscious. He is also quite popular due to his good looks.

During Si Won's first year of film school, he meets Da Un, who is perfect in every way. Da Un is handsome, smart, rich, and is nice to everyone. Si Won hates Da Un because he finds Da Un to be the perfect person that he strives to be, but will never achieve. Si Won tries to stay away from Da Un, but that proves impossible when they are paired to work with each other in ever class. Da Un also seems to have taken a liking to Si Won and follows him everywhere.

As I stated earlier, Blueming is a textbook BL. Every plot point, character, and scene has meaning to the drama; and there is no fillers. There is also no plot holes. Every question we have is answered. However, whether the answer the drama has given us can be up for debate. For example, when Si Won gets upset at Da Un for having his mother give him the grand prize for his script, Da Un says he's sorry, but he just wanted to be perfect. What does being perfect have to do with helping Si Won win the grand prize? If he said he just wanted to help get Si Won's name out there, or something like that I'd get it, but what does perfect have to do with it? I was so confused that I decided to read the webtoon and that's where I learned where Da Un's answer of being perfect came from. In the webtoon Da Un struggles with good child syndrome, so he struggles to be perfect. In this BL adaptation, however, Da Un's struggles with good child syndrome are not touched upon, so his answer made no sense. Other than that this drama is a must watch. It's not as overly dramatic as your typical Korean drama, but it's a nice drama nevertheless.

Si Won x Da Un

Si Won and Da Un have really good chemistry together. Si Won is very high strung and narcissist, but he knows that and isn't afraid to admit his shortcomings. In front of others he tries to maintain a good image. Da Un, on the other hand, is kind, caring, and a people-pleaser. He's understanding of Si Won's short comings, but seems to have a hard time opening up to anyone about his problems. He knows he is rich and more blessed than others around him, so he forces himself to swallow his own pain and pretend he doesn't feel it.

Si Won and Da Un are really great together. They balance each other out and talk through everything. They have the best communication skills out of any couple (BL and non-BL combined.) They help each other through their problems and support each other. They really are relationship goals.


BLUEMING vs WHO CAN DEFINE POPULARITY?

As I stated earlier, Blueming is an adaptation of the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" but it strays quite far from the source material that it has become it's own story. While the drama does follow the same plot of the webtoon, the situations, motivations, and scene are completely different.

For example:

Blueming
- Characters are all in Film School
- Da Un's family are famous in the film industry, directors etc.
- Da Un's mother and father seems to ignore Da Un's existence
- Si Won's mother is self-centered and cares about her kids' superficial beauty
- Si Won's storyline is the focus
- Da Un's storyline is cut. He doesn't really open up to Si Won.
- Ba Woo & Hoon's storyline is cut. Ba Woo is just a small side character that's barely memorable. Hoon makes a small cameo in the last episode.
- Yun Jeong and Si Won's sister's storyline is significantly cut. Seems like this could is queer baiting with their love storyline. Si Won's sister has a very small role in the drama. Yun Jeong is also a side character.


Who Can Define Popularity?
- Characters are all in the Student Council in University
- Da Un's family is Chaebol and Da Un is heir to his father's business
- Da Un's family really care for him, especially his mother, who is concerned about Da Un's good child syndrome.
- Si Won's mom is supportive of her family and doesn't care much about superficial beauty.
- Si Won's storyline is expanded, especially about being bullied in elementary school and later again in college.
- Da Un has a storyline about his narcissism and his good child syndrome. He opens up to Si Won.
- Ba Woo & Hoon are the secondary couple with lots of interactions with both Da Un and Si Won.
- Yun Jeong and Si Won's sister a small storyline. Both characters play a bigger role in the webtoon.
- Yun Jeong has a big love triangle with Si Won and Da Un.

Blueming still follows the main storyline of Si Won, but just changes a few things around. While a great adaptation, Who Can Define Popularity? is still the superior story as the audience is able to gain a better understanding behind the motivations of all the characters. Maybe if Blueming's episodes were longer than 14 minutes, the drama could have expanded the storylines and become the perfect BL that it was striving to be. I really wanted to see Da Un's struggle with good child syndrome on screen, but it was not covered at all. I hope to see it one day.

OVERALL:

Blueming is a must watch BL, but I still recommend watching Who Can Define Popularity? before or after. I think that Blueming is a great adaptation that can also be considered a stand alone BL.

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i cried LOL

holy fucking shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this kdrama was so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. as the mains are film students, the visual appearance of the drama was very romanticized and pretty, whether it be the silhouette of siwon and daun as they kissed or the warm lighting whenever they were together. the insecurities of siwon are so similar to mine, and i feel that daun was very supporting and kind as he made sure to comfort and reassure him no matter what.

the scene on the beach where siwon is explaining that daun's pain is valid no matter what is so gorgeous and paired with the soft sounds of waves hitting the shore, it was perfect. the chemistry between both actors is unbelievable and the casting was great.

siwon's sister, no matter how bitchy she was at times, was still obviously important to him and their relationship was similar to many siblings around the world. his mother, although she was a but toxic, she still cared about him a lot and i love how they showed the struggles of being a single mom.

i wish we could've gone into more detail about daun's family, but hopefully we will get a season two and their story can continue.

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It took KBL genre to whole another level!

I watched this show with no high expectation since i haven't seen many people talking about it. But let me tell this series took my breath away! It left with such a good feelings and a thinking mind. Its simple but not so it convey the right amount of everything in such a short time. The actors did a phenomenal job portraying their characters. The storyline is perfect, the cinematograohy in this one is so aesthetically pleasing. It deserve so much more recognition i wish more and more people would watch it and support the actors and the show. Blueming is perfection 💙✨

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Some of the BEST chemistry in the industry!

My heart is still on the floor after this one, I just finished this masterpiece all in one go. It's hard to articulate exactly what made this to my instant top 5, but it just did. The actors are beyond my expectations for most shows. Every smile, glance or word uttered by either to other had me melting. They did such a fantastic job casting these two and the side characters were on point as well. It may be short, but it's a complete show and it feels so worthwhile. It's one of the most rewatchable shows I've seen in BL to date and I hope everyone promotes this show to the max. It had everything I could ever want in a BL. Vanilla moments, drama, angst, awkwardness, empathy, sexiness, etc. All my boxes were check and I pray they cast these two mains again! There wasn't a single episode I wasn't squealing or rolling around like a lunatic. Please give this a full watch and see what you think. I've watched a silly amount of BL at this point, but this is one of the rarest gems there is right now.

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heart fluttering happiness

i can't even explain how much i enjoyed this short kdrama, i'm just absolutely devastated that it was short and i can't watch more of it. the chemistry between the main leads is so beautiful and the cinematography of the show is breath taking. it's a show that enlightens the reality of growing up, it sends a clear message to us that no one can be perfect in life and that everyone makes mistakes. it's a great slice of life show and just overall tells us the story of a loving couple that tries to get through hardships together and that is the beauty of this show; the love, the the friendship, the communication.
my honest review is that it's genuinely one of the best bl's i've ever watched, it just makes my heart happy and i think that's what we all want in a drama.

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Cinephiles would love this underrated Korean BL series!

An overflowing chemistry between the actors, a very pleasing cinematography, and the simplicity of a slice-of-life story; this is my cup of tea. Never did I expect to see a BL series, a Korean BL specifically, to deliver such beautiful queer romance that I know most queer kids are looking for. Not only that, but they were also able to showcase a healthy queer relationship that is ideal, and how different queer relationship struggles are compared to straight (heterosexual) relationships. To sum it all up, I just love how great the MLM representation this show has, its beautiful and cool cinematography, and the amazing chemistry between these actors; they are just amazing and natural.

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Can you imagine if this series had more duration than it was? Gosh, it would be perfect and might become my most favorite bl series of this year.

With this short duration, this show perfectly lifted my mood of korean bl series for the very first time in 2022. I haven’t felt this great since Bad Buddy ended in January.

From my perspective, all of actors really did their job flawlessly good. Even their side characters were beyond than mediocre.

I didn’t expect much of this series on pilot episode, I even thinking to dropped this series early. But the story look right on more interesting than I expected.

However, there are some things that bugged me and affected me to gave this series only for this rate:

First, I really want to see the connection between his sister (Si Yeong) and his friend (Yun Jeong). Second, Is there any story between Ba Woo and Yun Jeong?. And last, I really wish that they solved their last argument more intense than it was. It really feel easy to me and I believe that conflict was more hurtful than it looks.

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Je suis passée à côté

Au vu de la note globale donnée à la série, je crois que je suis un peu passée à côté. Je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher aux personnages et c'est je crois bien le problème.

Il y a bien des côtés positifs à cette série.
Le sujet déjà : les complexes, les douleurs d'un jeune adulte traumatisé par l'attitude de la société et la différence de traitement entre les personnes considérées comme belles et celles considérées comme pas belles. Sa souffrance, son anxiété sont bien dépeintes et communiquées, et sont une vitrine, difficile par moments, pour ceux qui auraient eu à faire face à cette angoisse. On peut rajouter l'absence de représentation parentale positive et la solitude de l'enfant, puis de l'adulte, et la possible découverte d'une personne qui comprendra et comblera potentiellement le vide.
La cinématographie : c'est assez rare dans une série si courte mais il y a un essai réel de présenter un drama travaillé, de qualité. Le travail de photographie est à souligner. C'est plus particulièrement intéressant quand on sait que les personnages sont étudiants en cinéma.
Les acteurs : j'ai eu un peu de mal au départ mais leur jeu correspond bien à leur personnage et ils dépeignent bien la réserve, la méfiance et la douleur de leurs personnages. Leur complicité est difficile à appréhender par contre et j'ai du mal à savoir si le couple est peu chaleureux dans l'histoire elle-même ou si les acteurs ont du mal à représenter leur alchimie.

Un certain nombre de choses ne m'ont pas convaincue par contre.
Les personnages : comme j'ai déjà pu le dire, je n'ai pas réussi à m'y attacher. Les problématiques abordées me touchent pourtant mais il m'a finalement été difficile de ressentir de l'empathie pour les deux protagonistes, malgré leur histoire difficile. J'ai néanmoins beaucoup aimé le côté adulte de leur relation, vraiment appréciable.
Le montage : je ne sais pas bien si c'est le montage ou le scénario, mais le déroulement de l'histoire est par moment vraiment obscur et compliqué à suivre. J'avais décidé de revoir le drama car j'étais un peu frustrée des zones d'ombre du scénario et si certaines ont pu être levées, d'autres n'ont toujours pas de réponse. Peut-être tout s'éclaircira si je re-revois le drama ou si je lis le webtoon ?

En définitive, un drama intéressant, à voir, mais apparemment assez clivant pour avoir des réactions soit modérées, soit dithyrambiques.

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Un Coup de Coeur

Etant une grande fan de BL, j'en ai vu une grande partie.
Je n'avais pas encore été convaincue par les BL coréens depuis les massives déceptions qu'on été "Cherry Blossoms After Winter" et "Semantic Error".
Je suis donc allée plutôt septique sur "Blueming" en ne m'attendant à rien du tout sachant, qui plus est, la longueur de ce drama qui est très court même pour un BL.

Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise! J'ai réellement adoré mon visionnage. J'ai trouvé que la réalisation/production était plutôt brute/réelle, elle m'a beaucoup fait penser à celle de "I Told Sunset About You". J'ai trouvé qu'ils ont essayé de traiter des sujets qui nous touchent tous de manière subtile et bien faite.

Les personnages étaient attachants, la relation se développe de manière très naturelle. Rien de spectaculaire ou d'extraordinaire. Tout est pure et brut. C'était touchant.

Le jeu d'acteur était vraiment pas mal! En soi, j'ai vraiment aimé parce que ça change énormément du type de BL qu'on peut trouver en ce moment. C'était rafraichissant et les personnages ont vraiment su porter l'ensemble.

Je recommande vivement !

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