Business as Usual

Slightly Above Average

Overall, this was an ok series with a just above average script. I liked how it gave each lead’s perspective on what happened in the past and how it related to their present-day actions. I also liked the epilogue at the end of each episode because it gave much needed information about the past. The script was good in that it made me care about the characters which is the only reason I kept watching. Well, the fact that it was only 6-episodes helped too. The main problem is this took the misunderstanding story element to a somewhat ridiculous level. There was also a lot of wasted screen time. For example, they give us a long flashback within the first episode for no reason. I thought the cast did a wonderful job considering what they had to work with.

Random Notes:

This is one of those series you can wait to watch until you have some time to kill and have nothing better on your must watch list.

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Not bad but acceptable

Personal Review – Confusing but Thought-Provoking Drama

The story isn’t bad, but it’s definitely strange. It raises a lot of questions while watching, mostly because the sequence of events feels disconnected. This might be due to how each episode reveals parts of the characters’ pasts, but not in a clear or structured way. As a result, the viewer is often left confused—unsure of when something happened or in what context.

What makes it even more confusing is that many important details are simply not explained, possibly due to the limited number of episodes. I’m not criticizing it because I disliked it, but because I found myself lost, unsure how to connect the dots or understand the nature of the characters’ relationship.

I feel like the director had a stronger concept in mind, but it wasn’t fully realized. As for the actors—they weren’t bad. In fact, I appreciated how they conveyed deep emotions. I could feel their confusion, fear, and the pain of losing something they loved. They also did a good job portraying the misunderstanding and emotional tension between them.

However, what truly bothered me was how the relationship between the two main characters was left vague. Maybe I misunderstood, but I felt there was some level of emotional manipulation. I don’t enjoy watching a drama that fails to clearly define the bond between characters.

One moment, in particular, stood out: the friend chose to express his feelings with a kiss while they were drunk, which led them to sleep together—and then the relationship just ended. It made me wonder: is the director suggesting that you shouldn’t follow certain rules in relationships? If so, I think the execution didn’t match the idea.

Also, even though the story is set in 2025, it didn’t feel modern. It reminded me of dramas from 2020, both in storytelling and concept. I’m still left confused, with many unanswered questions. The ending seemed happy, but I would call it an “open ending” because nothing was clearly explained.

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The Usual

Lately, I want to cry every time I watch a South Korean BL. Why? Because I am always feeling as if I am intruding where I do not belong. Everything feels so inconvenient, dark, depressing, angsty, and most of all invasive. And no one, and I mean no one, is ever happy, smiling, or appears to be human. I KNOW that is a sweeping generalization, but I feel it deep down to my core. They are seem so repressed and unwilling, or more aptly, unable to truly be themselves. Everyone and subsequently everything feels suppressed and gets repressed. A certain righteous order and decorum must be maintained at all costs. I am not judging, honestly; merely observing. From an outsider looking in. I am frankly not sure how they define happiness or even if they could (especially sexual fulfillment). This is your traditional tropey love story. I wish I could be more creative describing it, but I simply cannot. It all wallows in the same tired old tropey trite theme of no communication and/or miscommunication. Isn't this getting old?

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Business as Usual but Not Much Else

Business as Usual is exactly what the title suggests: predictable, safe, and serviceable. It doesn’t try to be revolutionary, and frankly, it doesn’t come close. But it’s not a total flop either. It gives you just enough to sit through it, but not enough to leave a lasting impression.

It started off with promise. The setup was intriguing enough to catch attention, but as the episodes progressed, it became clear the drama was stretching out a storyline that could’ve been resolved in a single conversation. What could’ve been a more emotionally rich and tightly written series ended up being padded with avoidable miscommunication and narrative stalling.

Chemistry-wise, the leads had something, but just barely. You won’t swoon, but you’ll acknowledge it's there. With more training and time, I can see both actors evolving into roles that ask for deeper emotional work. Jin Hwan’s character carried a quiet emotional burden that resonated, while Minjun’s arc lacked growth, he stayed in the same emotional place for most of the drama. Even by episode 7, he was still whining. There was potential for a redemptive arc, but it never came.

One of the more disappointing aspects was the present-day storyline. While the past/present structure made sense conceptually, the execution was clunky. The present scenes felt shallow and rushed, making it hard to connect. It’s like they had all the right ingredients but cooked the dish on low heat and served it half-baked.

Romantic scenes? Decent. Korea continues to improve in portraying BL intimacy, though still somewhat restrained.

Speaking of clichés, the airport scene made me groan. That trope has been played out enough. Unless you're giving us a Call Me by Your Name level of heartbreak or Your Name Engraved Herein depth, maybe it’s time to leave that in 2024.

The ending? Rushed, disconnected, but at least not tragic. There's some satisfaction in the closure, though it felt more like a sigh than a moment of impact. The familial storyline felt like an afterthought tossed in for some emotional seasoning.

While Thai and Taiwanese BLs continue to push the envelope in plot, performance, and emotional weight, Korean BLs seem to be stuck in a cycle of safety and hesitation. Yes, restrictions may still exist, but if a story can’t be told with full commitment, perhaps it’s better left on the drawing board. Especially with rising actors, a BL role can either build a career or bury it.

The standout elements? Cinematography and OST, both top-tier, as expected of Korean production teams.

And as a side note, I couldn’t help but notice the office setup looked awfully familiar. Turns out, it's the same one from The New Employee. I guess I’ve officially watched too many BLs.

Overall, watchable, but ultimately forgettable.

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much ado about nothing

Listen we all love our miscommunication dramas... I mean hell we eat it up every single time (if the story is well written). But even I have my limits . The conflict between the central characters seem so childish, trivial and pointless. While as a viewer you breath a sigh of relief whenever the characters sort out through their issue/issues , you are the mercy of another miscommunication.
Nevertheless the drama was made bearable (barely) with the two MLs, who unfortunatley were saddled with a wafer thin plot . The story doesnt give much space for the actors showcase their acting abilities. It's not that they’re bad actors—far from it—but the material simply doesn’t give them much to work with. So we end up bouncing between Jin Hwa’s "yearning look" and Kim Min Jun’s "deadpan stare.
There isnt much to talk about the drama , its forgetful and okayish.
But credit where credit's due. hats off to the lead actors for the chemistry and intimacy scenes. Hope to see both of them in better dramas soon.

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What the hell is wrong with Min Joon?

At first I was super confused about whether it was really the first episode because it already starts off spicy, I never expect that from a KOREAN BL, at that, LOL. But then more context came in, although I found the choice of timeline complex and confusing, but I got used to it. Now, about the characters. Jin Hwan is a character who was put in a position of being a player from the beginning by Min Joon, but he never actually gave any indication of it; he was just affectionate with his friends (and very handsome). Now about Min Joon. Simply the MOST unbearable character I've ever seen in my life. From the beginning, he let his insecurities get the better of him and never bothered with communication. After 8 years, the disagreements were explained, and EVEN THEN, despite him repeatedly saying he wasn't the same, that he had changed, blah blah blah, he still acted like a jerk. After sleeping with the boy again, as soon as Jin Hwan answered Woo Hyeok's call, he started acting all fussy again??? And this was ON THE WAY TO WOO HYEOK'S WEDDING, like??????? What the hell is wrong with him? Then after all that, he got worried about Jin Hwan, and then when he saw him, he told him to get lost????????? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HIM? After he finally got some shame and went after Jin Hwan, guess what? Again, he's creating problems where THERE ARE NONE. Damn, how I hate him. He is super aggressive, rude, and toxic towards Jin Hwan, I hate him SO MUCH.

AT LEAST the acting was good.


a/n: I wrote this after watching just the first few minutes of the last episode, and I initially gave it 4 stars. However, Min Joon was talking about how he bought a cake that you can put other things on like cheese and sausage in, and Jin Hwan simply replied: "We already have it here" (while looking down, referring to his genitals... 😨).... I'm changing it to 3 stars.

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cute drama

I didn’t expect to fall so fast for "Business as Usual", but here I am—completely hooked after just five episodes. This BL drama has already proven that sometimes chemistry speaks louder than words, and these characters? They’ve got it in spades.

The dynamic between the two leads is electric, filled with that perfect mix of tension, banter, and emotional vulnerability. Their personalities clash just enough to create drama, but there's a quiet softness underneath it all that hints at something deeper. Every glance and every moment they share feels intentional—and it’s making me root for them harder with each scene.

The pacing is tight, the writing is sharp, and the cinematography? Surprisingly beautiful. There’s a raw charm in the way this show is shot—like we’re watching something intimate unfold in real time. Even with just five episodes, the story has depth and direction, and it’s clear that it’s building toward something emotional and powerful.

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Story focuses on one of my pet peeves

Disclaimer

What I am writing here are my views and thoughts about this movie. Some of you may not like it. That does not give you the right to try to come at me with your opinions on why this series should get a better score and why it is better than I think it is. You have your own opinions, and I have mine. Kindly respect that.

This story can solely be said to come about due to a misunderstanding between the two men – Kim Min Jun and Jin Hwan. And I can say that I get the misunderstanding from when they were younger (22 years), but to have it still EIGHT YEARS LATER – yeah, that is going to annoy me. And before people ask – no, I did not check the tags out to know that misunderstanding was there.

This misunderstanding theme was predominant throughout the six episodes, as I guess it helped to prolong the storyline of the MC. I understand the need for it, but there were times I wanted to kick, if not one of them, both of them due to this little misunderstanding. While it is a quick watch, there were times I had to watch over certain parts, as I did lose interest in between episodes. But I will say this: after rewatching those parts, at the end of the six episodes, we the viewers were able to see that love and common sense were able to prevail, and that is truly all that we wanted.

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When it's no longer fun being alone

There is good. There is bad. Then there is this. It just is. The only name that this wears is called life. It's the conversations too difficult to have but must be done to move forward. To feel as close to whole as you think you can be. The thing is, both Min Jun and Jin Hwan couldn't have those conversations in university. They were both inexperienced at it. Rather than find the truth in what was between them, the both took the hard way out. Misconceptions abound, they retreated and disappeared into their safe worlds.

Min Jun is stuck in a holding pattern as life moves on around him. He has changed with the passing of years but he hasn't lived either. Jin Hwan assertiveness has grown and in this he resolves to make Min Jun his. Unfortunately there are three obstacles to face. Min Jun's truth. Jin Hwan's truth. Which one is the truth. In the past, each in their safe cocoon, they deconstructed the events that separated them and their views were sadly very different.

Min Jun assumed that Jin Hwan was playing a game with him and held onto the hurt. Jin Hwan believing Min Jun to be an indecisive coward, never made the situation clear. Now working together, their daily interactions unavoidable, they have the difficult conversations. Ultimately one thing between them is true, they still have great love for the other.

This is life. No one is right or wrong. They're just two people dealing with their emotions, expectations and pain. They have to decide if it's worth it. They do.

As much as I loved the lessons taught it was not as engaging as it could have been. There were moments of good writing but the majority were just words to keep the vehicle mooving. Min Jun's depressive state from university to present weighed too heavy at times. Jin Hwan attitude seems a bit too bright in his fight to get through to him. A homophobic father and depressive ex lover, he had to be. The biggest drawback was the monotone through out. A flat line running straight through with no real spark of emotion to make the drama between them life effecting. Each episode a repeat of the other.

What's to like: It's a realistic take on two people with contrasting personalities, vowing to stick together. It's shows what can happen when lack of communication is left to it's own device. Lost years. It's two people ensuring that the past will not repeat itself. What's not to like: It can be sleep inducing. Don't raise you expectations too high and you won't be disappointed.
At other times a nice surprise.

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