My Sweet Dear

Had a good start and somehow went downhill?

For those who are wondering, this short serie has a *happy ending*

Okay, I love the premise. I love how it is about cooking and rivalry and they are both handsome actors. However, they are only great at acting angry. At the start, it was great. It was as if I was watching a vlog of a budding couple, but I think the actors are too subpar when it comes to romance acting. They don't look in love enough especially at the kiss scene. That was one of the most dead fish kiss I have ever seen. They are better off fighting and bickering more.

Next, I hoped they left Laura and her restaurant. She is just too selfish and ungrateful. I hoped Jung Woo also left her. There are some choices of Jung woo that made me question if he really liked Do Gun.

Do gun on the other hand, fell hard for Jung woo. I hoped he had kept that tsundere feel more. But I am glad that he became independent. He is too good for that restaurant.

All in all, this show had a sweet premise but ended up acting like just friends. Which killed my enthusiasm to watch. They dont look in love enough and I think that is important when acting on a romance series like this one. Still, if you want to watch a relaxing show without heavy conflict, this is for you.

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Something was just not right

I really really liked the overall idea of the drama and the acting was perfect, I loved it very much. However, it just did not make sense after a certain moment. I don't want to spoil anything so I will try to keep this part pretty dry, but at a certain point, which was supposed to be the "turning point" or idk how to call it, things went south and I felt like I was watching a wattpad story but in video. Maybe it was because it was very short and there was not enough time for the story to be developed properly. Other than that, I don't really have something more to say about it. It was a short, sweet drama and great for people who just start watching BLs. Maybe it did not look good to me also because of the fact that I've spent more days watching bls and reading wattpad than I'm comfortable sharing and I am expecting certain things to happen that are quite predictable.

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Why isn't this better?

I enjoy watching KBL, and I might have a slight crush on Eui Soo… so why didn’t this one quite hit the mark for me?
I watched it once and couldn't figure out if it felt subpar or if it actually stood out to me. It’s almost as if it stood out because it felt subpar. So here I am, rewatching it. And this time, I actually understand where it went wrong.

The production is good. I like the plot, I like the actors, and the chemistry is there (except during that scene where they feed the seagulls). I love that both leads are mature actors portraying mature characters. There are no theatrics—nothing feels cringe (but i'll admit the kiss could have been better).
I like the flashy/cocky temperament of Jung Woo that hides a very romantic core, against the coldness of Do Gun who is in fact really gentle and forgiving.

BUT… episode 7 is a mess.
1/ Jung Woo seems like a real chef, or at least a real cook with a wide range of self-taught knowledge. So why does Laura say he’s a paid actor who never went abroad? If he’s not even a chef but still manages to surpass Do Gun’s cooking skills, then it really highlights how average Do Gun is… and that hurts the plot itself. And if he never went abroad, why was he smooth talking Do Gun about the "sonrisa of albondigas"?? Was that a lie ? If yes, then he's a walking red flag. So really, why did the writers include that line?
2/ The "fight" scene between the leads was poorly written, but I can overlook it because it felt realistic. But Eui Soo’s acting? Nah. He dropped the ball—both in the apartment scene and outside on the bench. That was NOT good acting.
3/ The last scene in the kitchen doesn’t make sense. The dynamics are odd, for one (Jung Woo trying to act angry?? Nah bro, you have no right). But Do Gun’s logic is just baffling. The tasting is rigged, and no matter what, Jung Woo will be the winner. So what’s Do Gun’s point when he says he’ll forgive Jung Woo if he wins, given that the outcome is already decided before the tasting?!
That episode sets up the finale (which is the most important part) for failure. At that point, you can't recoup the time already lost, so the only way to retaliate is by dropping a low rating.
Also, in that episode, Jung Woo deciding to stay and work for Laura is insane. He just saw how crooked she was, yet he stays?? At this point, I can’t take him seriously. I almost wished Do Gun had left the country to open a restaurant elsewhere and never crossed paths with Jung Woo again.
Or, i would have loved to see a twist where they either cook both dishes together or cook each other's dish, so that when the result comes out in favour of Jung Woo, they can throw it in Laura's face that they played her and that she unknowingly picked Do Gun's dish...
Thank god the last scene (the very last one) is sweet. It put a smile on my face and made me forget the mess of the final two episodes.

So overall, i liked this one but i can also pin point why i disliked it at the same time, which gives me peace.

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um... average for a KBL I suppose...

mini series, short time frame, and low budget aside... the plotholes in everything goes crazy. the chemistry in the outtakes seemed more realistic than in the show itself. many questionable things... the awkwardness, like if some stranger acted like that, the police/HR would be called. finally, who are these people? like really? why bother hinting at a backstory if you're not going to go into it? ML2 got so many unnecessary details compared to ML1. and I'm left with so many questions... but it was a decently fun watch, if you're into super mega fantasy relationships that personal space doesn't exist and you go 0-100 with your enemy within the span of <1hr.

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So close and yet so far

This show was so close to being actually good and enjoyable but then it tripped and fell flat on its face just before the finish line.
To be clear: I didn't expect this show to be a masterpiece by any means, but I was hoping for a romance drama that, while shallow, would be just charming and self-aware enough to spark my interest. And for the first few episodes that's what I thought I was getting. Sure, there are some fairly obvious flaws with the series even early on, but all in all the first half of the show is still entirely watchable.
But then, instead of slowly improving on the main characters' dynamic, the show inexplicably starts spiraling, sidelining its lovable supporting cast, introducing strange conflicts that go nowhere and an antagonist who sees zero consequences for her actions, before ending on an incredibly strange note that feels nothing like the satisfying happy ending it presents itself as.
I admit I'm being fairly harsh here, but I suppose I'm just annoyed at the wasted potential. This didn't have to be some queer epic, but it could have at least been a pleasant, if slightly silly, food romance. It's just a shame, is all.
If you're just looking for a show that's easy on the eyes and requires absolutely zero brain cells to follow you might like this fine. But even as far as mindless entertainment goes, there's better series out there, in my opinion, and you'd probably be a lot better off watching one of them.

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This time, I'll probably go against the flow, even the enthusiasm of the duo ŠK+Susannah, who translated the series superbly into Slovak. The story is appalling, out of control, illogical to the point of embarrassment. And the entire series was built on it, which was saved by other aspects of the evaluation. It wasn't enough for the owner of the restaurant that they have such success and chef Yoon Do Gun with a Michelin star, and she tried to trip him up with the help of an uneducated amateur Choi Jung Woo (actor Jang Eu Soo, who we know here from the series Where Your Eyes Linger or Nobleman). . Besides, the ending of the story didn't appeal to me either (forgiveness, final contest). The actors played it well, but I didn't believe their relationship one iota. Everything seemed forced to me, and the one kiss at the end and the fake hug didn't make much sense to me that these were adult characters and not schoolboys in knee socks and shorts, which is the most common form of BL series.

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Sweet but too short

The base plot of the script is the same old story, enemies to lovers where there is a charming handsome guy who makes the cute one fall in love with him.
The story is a bit realistic, unlike most BLs but at the same time need to explore the depth.
The acting was pretty good according to the simple series but I believer the series could have been better if emotions were shown in a bit more intense way.
Woud recommend to watch if you are in mood of something sweet, simple and quick.
The relationship between the leads were handled in a very matuered way wich is the part I really liked in the series.

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good simple drama

I started this drama around midnight and finish it in one laying. I think that this show if a create show to just watch in a one sitting, almost like a filler show or a break show between the other dramas you may be watching.

I really like the simple confession, "i like you" "i like you too" *clink wine glasses* and then after that they really didn't do a "are we together" type of thing, they kind a just got together after that. I also like how there was any homophobia in here or any type of scenes or moment that made this be like a bl, even though it is. (does that make sense?) I am also just a sucker for parallel or when things connect, so the beginning of the series and the ending of the series was very satisfying for me because of the parallel.

DISLIKE:
The fight scene was so weird to me personally just a bit. Like they were yelling at each other then hugging each other. For the pace it was I understand, but I think that could've been done a little better just a bit. They had pretty decent chemistry I felt like it was a very neutral, friendly chemistry and for the amount of "romance" scenes we got I say it was enough.

COMMENTS:
I think if the chemistry between the actors were a little higher this plot and idea, along with change of length can be an even better bl.

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I would have like to give it a higher score. But I felt that the ending was being rushed instead of being allowed to be told. The producer should have budgeted 10 episodes instead of 8 - this needed 1 to 2 more episodes that better prepare viewers for the climax.

One other minor point... I find it not very believable to see how a "tasting menu" involves only 1 dish for each contestant - a single dish item is not a menu. It is a dish. A menu involves more than 1 dish.

But overall still, this is a pleasant series that is worth watching, or re-watching. I think some viewers might even say this is a "cute" series.

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Cute but could use some help

Jung Woo's eyes, like fiery flames of amber, so freaking pretty!!!

I like how casual and relaxed this felt. Even though the series is so short there was still a nice gradual progression in Do Gun and Jung Woo's relationship. It reminded me of a far more interesting version of Be Loved In House. While I did like this BL it definitely has a few heavy flaws.

The Laura character was very poorly written. It seems as though she was only there to create unnecessary conflict. You're the owner, communicate your frustrations with your chef and or give them an ultimatum. All this illogical sneaky backstabbing crap felt like lazy writing. What type of restaurant owner wants to do everything in their power to create division amongst their workers and risk ruining everything they've created? Makes little sense.

I usually complain about how short Korean BL's are compared to Thai and Japanese BL's but I think the length was perfect here. With that being said if we're getting a short series then the writing/plot needs to be clear, strong and concise. The plot felt a little shallow and again could've easily been strengthened if the protagonists were given a more solid conflict.
The ending really irritated me. No one in their right mind should stick around after they've witnessed how manipulative and dishonest their manager was to the person they love. Both should have walked out together and not entertain her silly food competition. Again incompetent writing that doesn't make sense. Which brings me to my next issue. If you're doing a BL do it right. Your actors should be trained on how to properly kiss and not just press their closed lips together like two rocks. Also we could've used at least 1 more kiss.

I do tend to nitpick on BL's these days because it feels as though these producers are just pumping them out by the second as money grabs and not as quality entertainment. It's not 2016 anymore, we deserve better and I will fight for our rights lmaoo.
Anyway that's all I wanted to get off my chest. Despite it's flaws My Sweetest Dear was super cute and whenever Woo and Gun were on screen it gave off the most tranquil and sweet vibes. I would definitely recommend.

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