Business as Usual (2025)

Nonsense As Usual

So did Min Jun smile in this drama? Mfker walked around like he was allergic to happiness, like he loved being miserable and having a sad background story about his first love. Dude was out there acting like woe is him and heart break was made specifically for him. Give it a rest, Susan. Cuz what even was his problem towards the end? Jin Hwan a better person than me though, I'd have gotten on that plane. Go be incompatible in the corner with your foolishness.

And was I supposed to be happy for that airport scene? Literally this is what happened word-for-word. No, really, come see nonsense.

Min Joon: "You know, too. You and I are really incompatible. We will fight and get tired again. And we'd be worn out each time. You think everything would be possible now. But what if, I keep bringing up the past and ask why you acted that way angrily? Similar things keep happening. No one would be okay with that. And what if you keep doing that to me? I know myself well. I won't be able to stand it. You know how it'd end. And I know, too. Choi Jin Hwan. First love needs to be left as a memory. Stop. Please let me be free now. Please, just get out of my sight."

Jin Hwan: *confessing his love, begging, trying to reason, pleading.* Nothing works, he gets dumped, heart broken, he packed his suitcase, quit his job and decided to leave the country.

*Min Joon hears about it and runs to him at the airport. Cue a montage of their moments together and a sad song.*

Min Joon: "Choi Jin Hwan, what's with you? You changed your number and tried to disappear? You bastard. You and I are really incompatible. That is why I'll fight as many times as it takes. Even if you get tired, and beg me to let you go, I won't let go of you, okay? I know everything and I'm mad at you. I know things would get boring and obvious, but I like you so much that I'm going mad. I like you. So, don't go. As long as I am with you, everything is fine. I still like you."

Me: Thunder fire you and your ancestors' goat.

Cuz was that supposed to be romantic? I was making a face the whole time, rolling my eyes and just... why child, what even? Nonsense dey for some peoples backyard. Make someone's son come disturb my peace with this kind behaviour, na slap he go chop. Fool.

Listen, I liked the overall drama. Misunderstanding like this can happen, so I was enjoying the plot when the misunderstanding happened in ep1, I was like, oooh drama, sign me up. I was happy when they both found out that they've simply misunderstood each other. Enjoyed the in-between of getting to know how they got together, how they both loved but were shy, scared and didn't communicate enough so their first loved ended miserably for them both. Nice plot and drama, give me two more.

So yeah, after everything was cleared up between them, I was ready for these two to handle things as the adults they were, instead Min Joon acted like a broken spoon and decided to go with the annoying, childish, approach. Wth is your problem Susan? Like, why you causing unnecessary drama, Bob? So you got dumped one time, so what? Dude let his 2am thoughts won over his rational thoughts, and decided to frustrate us with his nonsense. Child if you don't go sit somewhere.

And, is the theme for this year's k-bl dramas misunderstandings? I wonder if the writers had a meeting and decided to frustrate us, while they laughed over soju. Cuz, again, why?

Anyway, a decent drama, give it a watch, it had its charm, but overall, the ending could have been done better, instead of whatever that was.

Once again, I say, k-bls needs to step up this year, like, why are you on the floor? It's only May.

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watch at least thru episode 3 (watch suggestions)

Overall: I was not impressed with the plot or characters in episode 1, but I enjoyed seeing their different perspectives and them struggling with what was holding them back. Unfortunately, the ending felt rushed. The special episode didn't change my thoughts on this series in either direction. This is based on "Eul's Love" which I haven't read and I reviewed this series on its own merits. 6 episodes about 25 minutes each. Note there are sometimes important extra scenes after the initial end credits. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/41031c-business-as-usual ; GagaOOLala (not in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, Japan or South Korea) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5233/business-as-usual-2025-e01 ; iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/tt9j6o0418 ; Line TV in Taiwan ; Rakuten TV in Japan ; Heavenly in South Korea

Watch Suggestions (to skip a lot of poor communication, have it be in chronological order and focus more on the leads' sweet moments)
- episode 2 watch 6:30-20:30 (past)
- episode 3 watch 4:15-16:25 (past)
- episode 1 watch beginning-4:45 (past)
- episode 3 watch 22-2nd (present)
- episode 4 watch 3:30-4:10 and 11-end (present)
- episode 5 watch 9:40-13:35 and 15-22:40 (present)
- episode 6 watch 21-end (present)

What I Liked
- intimacy in episodes 1 and 5
- sweet moments/their relationship development in the past
- how they each saw the same situations very differently, I don't think that a character saying he couldn't remember a phone call was gaslighting, sometimes we don't remember things the same or remember them at all compared to another person, this isn't always intentionally malicious/gaslighting
- appreciated the realistic bed head in episode 5
- production value

Room For Improvement
- disliked plot drama where a 5 minute conversation would have cleared everything up, very cliche plot point in episode 1
- what happened around 11-12 min in episode 1 was too long (keeping this spoiler free for now), should have been 1/4th of that
- episode 6 was extremely rushed, wish they actually hadn't shown the final scene because going into my next point...
- I am not convinced that they will be in a long term happy relationship, though Kim Min Jun recognized his insecurity, he basically admitted that it would cause problems in their relationship in the future. I think his insecurity will destroy their relationship at some point.

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Chemistry at work, but angst and real growth is on break!

Have we seen the story of ex- lovers parting ways due to misunderstanding and reuniting in the workspace? Yes and honestly, maybe a better version does exist for the second chance love trope. So, while the premise is not new, the execution was just above the line. (Maybe subpar if I am being too critical)

This drama runs high on miscommunication and lack of communication simultaneously. It feels like two sides of the same coin.

Side A - Team Jin Hwan : Assuming others know what you mean and feel without stating your expectations clearly.
Side B - Team Min Jun : Hearing something and jumping to conclusions rather than giving a benefit of doubt and actually trying to sit and clarify the situation.

Starting with the positives, the chemistry between leads was the highlight for me. It was really good and evident from the start to finish. When they look at each other, I could sense all the hurt, the love and the weight of unfinished conversation between them!

Time alone doesn't heal everything unless you sit, communicate and truly process it all out. I am glad the drama didn't take the route of a fairytale reconciliation. While it was frustrating to watch at times, the back and forth between Minjun and Jin Hwan added the realistic layer of being too cautious and hesitant to re-enter into the same waters where both of them once almost drowned and barely survived in their own ways.

And a lot of people were mad at Minjun for not communicating and being as reciprocative as Jin Hwan when they met again after years but I believe that during those eight years apart, he was still struggling and had not fully accepted what exactly happened to him or why it happened. He actually never really had the opportunity to process it or work on his insecurities because technically, he never moved on. He was always under the impression that he was used and I do not think anyone can heal from something like that overnight.

Also the switch between past and present and vice versa was done well and very cohesively without being too messy or confusing. It gave a proper run down of what happened between them and why we are here right now. While in the past timeline, we get to see both the perspectives and it was interesting to see how the same situation can be interpreted in poles apart ways when communication takes a back seat.

Where this drama falters is the present day storyline that seemed rushed and underdeveloped. The emotional depth was missing and conflicts were left till the last minute to be resolved and honestly that is not my favourite kind of storytelling.

Don't get me wrong, it's not the worst second chance drama out there or it's not that the story didn't have potential. It did, but it just didn't dig deeper and enough to stir something inside me. I expected more believable character development where we could actually see them navigate their doubts, fear and misunderstandings together.
The angst between them felt lukewarm. Yes, there was tension and chemistry, no doubt, but it just simmered below the surface.
The short run time didn't help either. Maybe instead of 6 , 8 episodes could have made their journey and the ending more believable.

Clearly, the ending seemed rushed and very theatrical. It felt like we were robbed of the slow burn payoff. I still don't think either of them actually addressed their issues and if the drama existed in parallel universe and they are still together, I could see them making the same mistakes again. Again, I do believe in second chance romance but can it really happen if the people involve don't really change or atleast try to deal with their insecurities. Well, Minjun and Jin Hwan would never know because the writing didn't give them that chance.

Acting-wise both the new actors did a good job and their chemistry did all the heavy lifting here. I do feel with a better and strong script, we could have gotten something more because their performance does have potential.

Coming to OSTs, they were decent. I did like in a few scenes how they incorporated between dialogues without distracting from the delivery but nothing too memorable.

Overall, this drama isn't without flaws but the chemistry between them makes it a decent one time watch. I wouldn't say I dislike it but the pace and exploring their characters individually and then their dynamics together would have made this better.
Recommended if you are looking for something short filler like and wouldn't mind surface level writing.

Favourite Line from the Drama :
"I was stupid back then so I lost you,
If I have the chance, I want to do my best!"

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Frustrating

Another depressing absurd Korean BL where they shove a forced conflict in there to create angst for the sake of angst.. Apparently it’s an epidemic lately. Yesterday I had to suffer through another ridiculous episode of “Something is not right” and today the sixth ep of Business as usual pissed me off to no end. Why do we have to root for that spineless, stuck up Kim Min Jun who was in a continuous self-centered pity party “woe is me” and treated the other guy like a toy he took and set down whenever he felt like it? Always running, always hiding and always in a bad mood. By the end of the series I hated his guts and didn’t really care about his happy ending. And no, the seventh ep doesn’t save it. That forced and hard-to-believe love and marriage doesn’t really redeem the relationship because we don’t really see a growth. What kind of life will they have together when KMJ will always be with a foot out the door because of his insecurities? JH would have to always sleep with an eye open. How can I believe their happy ending? Jin Hwan deserved better.

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Another misunderstanding trope

Airing at the same time as "Something's Not Right" this is the more mature version of quite the same story. A misunderstanding kept the two men not to connect with each other. While the plot is not as interesting they struggle less with communicating and they frustrate me way less.

Overall a good show with at least a story easy to follow, good acting, good production quality, good theme but nothing stellar. It's qute nice to watch but it will not leave a strong impression. It also seems to have less budget but they used it well with some side characters and even a company floor.

Again, worlds better compared to most thai shows, so it may be a palate cleanser after you watch something heavy or want to take your mind off to relax after a stressful work-week.

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Misunderstandings turned into second chances and the possibility of healing emotional wounds

Based on Moscareto's web novel of the same name, 'Business as Usual' revolves around Chae Jin Hwan (Seong Seung Ha, in his professional debut) and Kim Min Jun (Chae Jong Hyeok, 'My Dearest Nemesis' - 2025) in two different timelines.
In one, we see Min Jun, an introverted and insecure college student with self-esteem issues, communication difficulties, a tendency to overthink, jump to conclusions, and misinterpret situations, fall in love with an extroverted, popular, and naturally cheerful boy, with whom he will experience, in their first relationship, a brief, bittersweet, and self-destructive romance.
In the other, unexpectedly, eight years after a tumultuous breakup marked by insecurities, misunderstandings, and lack of communication, and without any contact with each other during that time, fate brings them together again when they unexpectedly end up working at the same publishing company, creating an atmosphere fraught with tension, both professional and personal.
Female director Min Chae Yeon, who with 'Happy Merry Ending' (2023) had ventured for the first time into LGBT+ dramas, and screenwriter Kang Rim, mix the two stages throughout the series, giving the viewer the possibility of comparing and appreciating the evolution of the relationship between the two protagonists when they met while they were university students, and how in the present day their still unresolved feelings complicate their working relationship, in a more powerful way than if they had presented the story in a normal, linear way.
In this way, the director and screenwriter better exploit the story, depicting in consecutive scenes how two lovers, for the wrong reasons, had to end their relationship in the past and were able to rekindle their love story. Jealousy, fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, insecure attachment, and early insecurities are transformed into second chances and the possibility of healing emotional wounds. The death of love and its subsequent rebirth.
The original poster for the series, which shows the two protagonists in a warm and homey setting, their faces just seconds away from a kiss. The phrase "A clumsy first love, where we were each other's 'smaller half'" informs the viewer of the complex relationship between the two and the impact of their reunion. It is striking, perhaps because we have been spoiled by countless romantic films from Hollywood (and the rest of the world, really; the structure and characters are boringly similar), the realistic and imperfect drawing of the two protagonists, who constantly make mistakes and who have very defined personalities. As the minutes go by, you get to know them as if they were two close friends.
Kim Min Jun and Chae Jin Hwan are looking for love, and they meet at the perfect moment, when the former needs someone loving and attentive to pamper him and treat him like a prince in a fairy tale. Jin Hwan is the perfect fit, a romantic waiting for the opportunity to prove his commitment in a serious relationship. Or at least that's what Min Jun thinks. And he's Seong Seung Ha at his most seductive. Kim Min Jun can't resist.
But then (from Min Jun’s perspective) comes the phone conversation in which he can’t quite hear what it’s about or if it’s about himself, the other’s hurried departure from the house because something unexpected and urgent has come up, following his steps down the street to see where he’s going, discovering who he’s meeting, seeing from a distance how his beloved hugs another man, how it seems to him to see them kiss, the jealousy that grows, the insecurity that always existed now reaches the size of a skyscraper, the conversation that should happen but never comes because he doesn’t wait for his return, because he doesn’t answer his calls, because he gets rid of his cell phone… and the relationship collapses.
Beyond the physical change—which can be interpreted in various ways (representation of the passage of time, life's hardships, the monotonous life, the 9-to-5 office job, a faded love, never having experienced love again, returning home, alone, every night...)—it's interesting how, approaching 30, Min Jun feels the weight of societal expectations to achieve more in life, yet feels trapped and dissatisfied, both in his work and his love life.
And suddenly, the man of his dreams reappears before him. He still looks as attractive, charismatic, and charming as ever, and this reminds him how different they are, while feeling like he hasn't made any progress since their breakup eight years earlier. Determined to keep his past from interfering with his work life, Min Jun tries to maintain his usual routine, keeping it strictly professional... and move on. After all, he's one of those who believes that "First loves should stay in the past; that's the point." However, Jin Hwan remains determined to rekindle their romance, responding, "I was looking for something more than friendship. I want something with real potential".
And now I wonder: Will things be different this time, or is it better to leave the past behind? Will they be able to overcome the misunderstandings of the past?
With a plot that explores the deepest emotions and the complexities of unresolved love, 'Business as Usual', less so in the reason why the two leads broke up in the past, reminds me of Lim Hyun Hee's fellow South Korean drama 'Our Dating Sim' (2023).
To work, 'Business as Usual' needed two actors fully committed to the project, dedicated to creating and developing the characters. Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok accepted the commitment and give their all on screen. They are formidable in both timelines; no one could have better embodied Chae Jin Hwan and Kim Min Jun.
Both draw on the strength of their characters to create memorable performances. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable. The work of Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok is mainly observed in the knowing glances they give each other. It is clear that there is a lot of work put into the two actors behind each scene.
I like how Min Jun's character evolves over time. Reuniting with Chae Jin Hwan makes him bolder, more open, and more confident. I have no doubt he's ready for a healthy relationship.
Min Chae Yeon worked on the script with Kang Rim for years, but when it came time to film, she asked the actors to improvise and find the most natural way for them to behave and interact with each other. In statements on social media, she has stated that she tried to finish the scenes in a single take, with the aim of capturing the spontaneity of the performances, and she also had Seong Seung Ha and Chae Jong Hyeok spend time together before filming, so they would be more believable as a couple and rehearse ways to start and continue conversations, especially moments of intimacy. These series of decisions are risky; it is safer to stick to the script and plan every detail, but with luck and talent, the result is worth it.
The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, The work of the protagonists is joined by a supporting cast, made up of, among other actors and actresses,Jung Do Myung as Chae U Hyeok (college classmate), Lee Sang Won as AR Publication director, and Lee Ui Seop as Kim Geon Ju, the college classmate, is also a strong presence in the BL world after starring in the dramas "Summer Indigo" (2025) and "Taming the Bad Boy" (2024), and the film "My Idol" (2024).
Great photography, cool colors, and a pleasant soundtrack add a lot of depth to the story.

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Exhaustion was the only take away for both viewers and the MC

Watching 6 eps has never been this tiresome and exhausting. I understood what happened in the past but what in the world is the problem for Min Jun in the present. He really took the soul outta me the whole time. He made chae ji hwan tired as well. Like no one can love back such a tiresome character tbh. After all he did When MJ came to airport, CJH accepted and decided not to leave abroad??? where does the practicality go?. MJ just does whatever he wants in this series and he has no idea what he is really doing. He is like a wandering soul, tiring everyone out.
CJH was the only one who made me to finish this. he is freaking handsome and It was good as a rookie. But MJ woah I lost words. Very poor storyline, I think the author misunderstood the word " Misunderstanding" itself. At the end of the it's the worst BL I've ever seen

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Great Chemistry, but would've Like Another Ending

Okay, so. I’ve been eyeing this drama for a while, finally gave in when only four episodes were out, and now I’ve finished the whole thing. Whew. I have thoughts. Let’s dive in.

First Impressions:
They sold the chemistry in literally two minutes. I was shocked when they kissed in the first five — like hello? That was fast. But it worked. Somehow, it worked. I was immediately curious — what’s their deal? Why are they making out already? Turns out, there’s a whole history, and it’s messy in the best possible way.

The Plot:
So we’ve got Min Jun and Jin Hwan. College friends. Min Jun’s first love. Jin Hwan’s "he might be into me but I’m not sure so let’s just kiss him" moment. Except that moment ruins everything.
Because — plot twist — Min Jun overhears Jin Hwan saying something that sounds like he's about to dump him, sees him with another guy (U Hyeok), and decides to nope out of the entire relationship and city. Ghosts him. Poof.

Fast forward 8 years, these two end up coworkers. Of course. Min Jun is guarded, mature, all “I’m here to work, not relive my emotional damage,” while Jin Hwan is over here like, “I still want you and I’ve been lowkey pining this whole time.”

And the kicker? The whole misunderstanding was... exactly that. A tragic misread that could’ve been avoided if they had just talked for literally 30 seconds. But hey, they were 20. Youth. Mistakes. Drama.

Characters & Acting:
The acting wasgood. Genuinely. These actors gave it depth. Every side-eye, every hesitant smile, every pause in the middle of a sentence — it meant something.

Min Jun: King of Emotional Repression. But like, you get it. His first love blew up in his face and haunted him for eight years. He’s not cold — he’s just scared. The vulnerability behind his walls? Painful. Beautiful. Real.

Jin Hwan: Smooth, charming, way too attractive for my mental peace. He’s sincere though, you feel it. But he’s also kind of impulsive. Kisses first, explains later. A vibe. But sometimes I did want to shake him a little.

And U Hyeok? Surprisingly grounded for the role he had. Iconic best friend. Gave advice that may have wrecked a relationship but hey — he meant well.

OST & Cinematography:
The OST carried so much emotional weight. Soft piano, warm tones, and melancholy in all the right places. And the cinematography? Gorgeous. Lighting, framing, mood — chef’s kiss. Even the most casual scenes felt like poetry.

Top Scenes:
That Intimate Scene in Episode 5? One of the best in BL. Ever. Not just because of the physicality — but the emotion.
Jinhwan kisses him there on the street, it's a little one, a romantic one for the missing and yearning of all the years. And then it's bigger as they let go of what they were holding back.
They go inside, and can't stop touching each other, kissing and holding hands as they slowly undress each other. The kiss on the forehead, the affection.
This might be one of the best intimate scene in a BL tbh. The lighting, the soft music. It was raw.
When minjun stops to remind they'd how to shower and jinhwan says but ‘I like it like this,’ and the smile on minjun!”

The Morning After 2.0: Jin Hwan stays, makes breakfast, lends clothes. A quiet redo of their past. No drama, just domestic softness. Redemption, in the form of eggs and toast.

The Ending (Spoilers ahead):
Okay. Let’s talk.
On paper, it’s a happy ending. They get back together. Jin Hwan doesn’t go abroad. There’s a cute post-credit wedding suit fantasy scene.

But if you really think about it… Min Jun was right. They’re not that compatible. They love each other, sure, but they keep crashing — after a night together, after every attempt at something real. Love alone isn’t enough. They’re too different. They don’t communicate naturally. So as romantic as it was, it also felt… forced? Like the show wanted a soft ending, but the buildup didn’t quite earn it.

Still, I get it. If you turn your brain off and ignore the past two heartbreaks, that last scene is sweet. And I’ll admit — I did smile. But also? I kinda wish they didn’t get back together. Sometimes walking away is the mature, healthier ending. But I’ll just pretend the post-credit was a dream sequence and call it a day.
Final Thoughts:
Great acting.
Beautiful cinematography.
Emotional, sometimes frustrating story.
Best intimate scene I’ve seen in a while.
The airport scene trope needs to retire, thanks.

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Cute show but nothing outstanding

This show had so much potential to be great. The leads have incredible chemistry, and the visuals are top-tier, making every scene between them captivating. However, it started to lose its momentum for me after episode 6. With a few more episodes and a more developed plot, it might have become one of the standout BLs of the year. That said, I still enjoyed it for what it was, even though Minjoon really tested my patience in every single episode. He put Jinhwan through so much – the poor guy just couldn't catch a break. Minjoon’s insecurities kept holding him back, and it felt like he barely had any character growth, which made the ending feel rushed. I just wanted a bit more from his arc. Still, it’s a fun watch with some genuinely heart-fluttering moments, and the leads’ chemistry and visuals alone make it worth a try.

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Give the credit where it's due

I have been seeing many comments about the prolonged misunderstanding which continued to be drawled all through out the drama and how tiresome it is. But what they fail to understand is that there are many relationships which broke up bcz of just these misunderstandings.

To some the story seems to be shallow but in my pov, it is fully drawn put and complete. The way this series depicts the miscommunication and the struggle to overcome it is insanely good. Tho I'm bummed with just 6 eps cz this SERIES DESERVES AT LEAST A STANDARD 8 !!!!!!!

The cinematography is excellent. Though the acting in the initial ep seems to be quite awkward but the main characters pulled it off in the next eps with their eye-catching and heartpulling chemistry.

Also, let me tell y'all, THIS IS THE KOREAN BL WHICH GAVE US THE BEST JUICY SCENES. My goodness, all the kisses and the nc scenes, mind-blowing. It's a 10 out of 10 from me. *Clapping all the way to moon*

So, if you're into a painful, loving short story for your free time, this series is for you. Furthermore, the rating is not giving justice to it. It should be atleast an 8 for minimum!!!!!

Lastly, the special episode came out recently and all I can say is that I'm so in love with the characters and the actors who played their part. This series is the best for me among Korean BLs till now.

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Not what i was hoping for

I started watching Business as Usual because I saw an edit on TikTok and thought it might be something I’d like. But honestly, it didn’t really pull me in. Even though the last episode isn’t out yet, I already feel like it’s not for me.

The whole series is really short—it only has six episodes, and they’re not even that long. Because of that, everything feels super rushed. Things happen so fast that there’s no time to really get to know the characters or feel connected to the story. Right at the beginning, there’s a scene that seems really serious, but then it turns out to be a misunderstanding. That was kind of disappointing. And later on, there’s another moment where the characters misunderstand each other again. It all felt a bit messy and too quick.

The story is about a guy who runs into his ex-boyfriend at work after ten years. That idea could’ve been interesting, but for me, it just didn’t hit. I’m still watching it just because I’ve already started, but I’m not really enjoying it. It’s not the worst thing ever, but definitely not something I’d watch again.

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Not Doing Too Much—and That’s the Charm

I accidentally stumbled upon Business as Usual, and in my opinion, it’s so simple—I love the concept. It’s one of those easy watches, but not in a bad way. They’re not doing too much, and it flows really well.

What most shows would’ve dragged out for episodes, this one clears up almost immediately—and I really respect that. It doesn’t waste time, and it still feels emotionally grounded.

I opened the comments and read reviews, and I’m genuinely baffled—because it’s not a bad series at all. Maybe that’s just me. I recently watched a lot of heavier themed shows, so this feels like a refreshingly easy-going change.

In my opinion, the chemistry and tension are very cute and natural. The acting isn’t exceptional, but it’s better than average and absolutely worth the watch.

What most people are calling issues—I honestly don’t see them. But of course, that might just be me

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