Secret Relationships (2025)

A Tale of Three Suitors

The drama, "Secret Relationships," plunges viewers into a world of passion as three suitors vie for the heart of a man named Jun Seo (Da On)

Of Jun Seo (Da On)'s suitors, two display red flag behaviors that worsen over time. Sun Hyung (Seong Hyeon) distinguishes himself as the sole suitor genuinely committed to Jun Seo (Da On)'s well-being. He watches over Jun Seo (Da On), ever-ready to come to his aid and catch him before he can fall and hit the ground

A standout feature of this drama is its thoughtful examination of trauma and love's therapeutic power in mending emotional scars

"I don't deserve to love or be loved, everyone around me ends up miserable" (episode 7, 13:29)

We see the traumatized Da On in a mindset where he deems himself unworthy of experiencing love. However, he deserves to be loved and the possibility of a healthy relationship with Seong Hyeon is what he needs to rediscover his worth and find happiness. "You can't keep hiding forever, please, stop running away," drama Seong Hyeon says (episode 7, 21:04), encouraging drama Da On to confront his demons. Just like in the manhwa, drama Seong Hyeon is a turning point for drama Da On and the best thing that's ever happened to him: https://imgur.com/a/13vcR6T

Brilliantly written and executed, "Secret Relationships" is a must-watch for everyone. The four male leads have taken BL/gay Kdramas to new heights with their performances, and I, for one, crave more of their talent in the genre

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“You can always be on the receiving end.”

To say I was impressed is an understatement. I am honestly shocked how well this story was presented, acted and developed for how short it was. It was engaging from the beginning till the end. It completely took over my life for a month. I am not ashamed to admit, this will be a full on positive analysis of the unforgettable story. I will point out some minor flaws I have seen, but for making me this obsessed, I cannot care for them too much.

This is a great presentation of how external circumstances can shape a person. How one can be a perpetrator without being a victim first, be a victim and become the perpetrator, and sometimes just be the victim who tries to free themselves out of the abuse. How one cannot be saved from toxic relationships, they need to leave them willingly. How our current situation is not always our fault, but it is our responsibility.

I appreciate so much that Da On did not fall under either a submissive shy mouse, nor a chaotic victim who acts with no reason. I loved how he did try to set boundaries, sometimes he managed to, sometimes he failed. He knew the limits of how much he can do without putting himself in harm's way. There was a clear pattern to his behavior - he was more willing to say no to Su Hyeon in public, than in private. He set boundaries and when the situation escalated, he gave in. Yes, him not being straightforward was frustrating to watch, but that’s life. Su Hyeon had too much power over Da On’s life. There was too much trauma associated with his aggressive behavior to move past it quickly. Leaving an abusive relationship takes time, learning how to set boundaries has to be learned. It’s a process.

Even with limited length, they were able to explain the context of Da On’s life. Being neglected, living in a toxic environment, feeling like he has to carry too much responsibility from a young age, being ridiculed for being poor, isolated from others by Jae Min, attacked and abused, and on top of that abandoned by the person he liked. He did not know what it means to be in a healthy relationship. Or what is an appropriate behavior. He was simply groomed by Jae Min - to trust him only, alone with no other relations. Being groomed for 11 years has a massive impact on you, and you cannot just cut these people off like it’s not a big deal. Even if they do something awful, traumatic, scary - they have been part of you and your life. Da On acting like that was annoying, but it was not lazy writing. People wanted him to go from victim to a completely healthy person with proper coping mechanisms right away, and were frustrated when it did not happen.

Out of all the scenes, the one that truly got me a bit confused was when Da On willingly left the building and got into Su Hyeon’s car just to avoid Seong Hyeon. This scene was weirdly constructed and contradictory. They were really clear Da On wanted to have nothing to do with Su Hyeon… but then he put himself in the position to be with him alone with no valid external reason.

I also lowered my rating from a perfect 10 to 9.5 because of that presentation. That scene was more psychotic than anything Jae Min did in the whole show. After being kidnapped and almost killed, witnessing the man he loves stabbed, having his face smeared with blood… He went and did the presentation. What the actual fuck.

That said, except for these two moments, while his actions were frustrating, they were cohesive, they made sense in the context of the show and who he was as a character, they were believable. I will die on this hill if needed, but I do believe Da On was not a weak person nor weak character. And here comes the compliments for Kim Jun Seo’s acting. I cannot believe this was his first role. To be able to present so much vulnerability and deep emotions, while also showing determination and strength. The duality!

Then we have the toxic and the psycho - Su Hyeon and Jae Min. Can we appreciate that we got two completely different and distinctive versions of different abusive relationships thanks to these characters? We really got a deep dive on what can go wrong between two people. Be it constant criticism and belittlement, psychical violence and intimidation, excessive jealousy and controlling behavior, lack of respect and boundaries that Su Hyeon presented, or lies and deception, emotional manipulation and gaslighting, unhealthy dependence and isolation that we saw with Jae Min. They are both toxic, they are both unhealthy, even if they are vastly different.

I know people love to have a soft spot for Su Hyeon, mostly because of his rather tough upbringing in a psychotic family and how he was not as aggressive in the flashbacks. I get it. But the fact is - there is nothing redeemable about him in the present timeline and I strongly believe even without Jae Min in the picture, he would still turn violent at some point. Why? Because from the start the issue was not Jae Min, but Su Hyeon’s complete lack of emotional maturity and emotional regulation. If it’s not Jae Min, he would snap because of his family. If not the family, he would snap if Da On would not be able to handle the constant micromanagement, jealousy and possessiveness. Su Hyeon does not know how to deal with negative emotions and frustration, they always lead to anger and aggression.

Yes, the flashbacks were great. I agree that the library scene with him pinning Da On on the desk and the chat about the ring was great. But putting it into the context of who his character is and how he behaved - this is way too little for me to see him as a right person for Da On. Or anyone if I must be honest. Maybe a “hot date” with a psychiatrist. Can he get better? Yes. But that would require a lot of work. To be honest, I did not want him to be redeemable, but the last episode changed my mind a little bit. I struggled with seeing what could possibly happen for me to believe he might change. But with how psychopathic Jae Min became, I think the shock of that situation could potentially be enough to make Su Hyeon do 180.

On the other hand I believe Jae Min cannot get better. The difference for me between Su Hyeon and Jae Min is why they act the way they do. Su Hyeon had bad tendencies that were reinforced by his environment - he learned a lot of negative actions from his aggressive father. As far as I see it, Jae Min’s natural negative tendencies were actually held back by his environment. The advantages of acting good and not going full psycho were strong enough to keep him in check. Let’s be honest, if he grew up in the same environment that Su Hyeon did, by university age he would be a serial killer.

And that’s when I knew the one that kidnapped Da On was Jae Min. Because it’s not something Su Hyeon would be capable of doing. Not that he wouldn’t want to, he just couldn’t. Su Hyeon would never go full psycho, because he still has many things that limit him and things he fears - especially his family and his father. He acted out as much as he could with the external restrictions he had.

On the other hand the only restrictions Jae Min had were the ones he placed on himself. He acted as this model teacher, great friend, cool hyung - perfect man, because it was advantageous for him. He controlled himself, because it was worth it. But when he lost control over Da On, keeping that perfect persona was useless, he let go of all the restrictions he placed on himself, and now nothing was stopping him from going full loco.

And when Jae Min went full loco, he truly did not hold back. What glorious moments these were. I am amazed with Kim Ho Young’s acting. You watch him act and you understand why people believed his fake personality. But you also truly see how out of control he is when the hell breaks loose. Whenever it was his nice act, or the chaotic outburst - they were acted perfectly.

Cha Jung Woo did not do worse. Truth to be told, the whole cast did an amazing job. Kim Su Hyeon was such an annoying character, and yet even I saw the charm he had during some scenes. I could understand why Da On fell for him. And the last episode? Outstanding.

While these character had many differences there was one thing that they had in common - they wanted to own Da On, claiming they love him. Love and obsession are different though. Neither of them truly cared about Da On, his feelings, happiness, life, well-being. All that mattered was to possess him. They both believed it would be better to have him in their life broken (or dead), than set him free. From the start they kept using terms like “What I want”, “What I lost” - indicating they saw Da On not as a person, but as a thing they wanted to possess.

And that’s when Seong Hyeon shows up. And you know what I love about this character? That he makes mistakes. That he is not in fact this perfect green flag with no flaws. He is a human being with his own feelings that also get hurt. He sometimes reacted emotionally, childish even. And that’s what made him real. Because of these moments when he acted more selfish, when he did something without thinking - that’s what made his character more interesting.

While he had a lot of great personality traits like being helpful, kind, patient, mature when dealing with setting boundaries, and confident, he also had many relatable flaws. He was childish and pity when he thought someone was not following certain social norms he deemed important. Sometimes he regretted saying something, sometimes he regretted taking actions. And then at times he regretted backing off.

One of the aspects of his character I found the most fascinating was his ability to be really flexible in his reactions and behaviors. Depending on the external context, he reacted differently to the situation, but it was all consistent with his motivations and goals. He was more straightforward with Da On when he saw he was in a good “state”, he tried to distract Da On instead if he saw he was exhausted. Even without understanding the reasons behind Da On’s state, he was really good at reading his emotions and acting accordingly.

What separates him from Jae Min and Su Hyeon is the fact he knows how to love and how to receive love. How to care for people and receive that help. How to view relationships as mutual support and not transactions. For Seong Hyeon it is not “I want”, but “Can I?”. Can I stay with you? Can I hold your hand? While Jae Min and Su Hyeon try to control Da On, Seong Hyeon gives Da On the choice. He asks instead of stating. While Jae Min and Su Hyeon said they want to be with Da On, Seong Hyeon asks if he can stay with Da On. Yes, he is persistent in his approach, but there is something gentle about it. Rather than forcing himself and his presence, it seems more like a reassurance that he is willing to wait, to fight for Da On, to be there for him. Reminder that he is waiting and still there, whenever Da On is ready.

One thing I feel like Seong Hyeon and Su Hyeon share is the fact they are rather emotionally expressive. The difference? Seong Hyeon is expressive, but in control of his emotions and how he expresses them, while Su Hyeon is completely lost in his emotions and has no control over them. Then Jae Min is not expressive, but also in control of his emotions (until he is not… oops).

Here sadly comes one issue I had writing wise - the non-consensual kiss between him and Da On, and the aftermath of it. Truth to be told, I was not even “angry” at the writer for including the kiss. As I said, I love the fact that Seong Hyeon fucks up from time to time, and this was one of these cases. There was no excuse for that kiss to happen and then continue with Da On being this drunk. But while I can understand what led to it happening, the fact that it was not once addressed later on kind of annoyed me. He apologized for wrong things. It’s less a character fault, but more cultural norm fault though.

Now, Cha Sun Hyung’s acting. I still cannot get over how he switched from Puppy to Guard Dog depending on the scene. The way he was able to present that golden retriever energy, but without looking dumb and silly that often happens with characters like him. He still looked mature, strong and confident.

For the general writing, directing and editing:

I really liked the structure. I think the placement of the flashbacks was perfect. The way they were cut in just the right places to give some information, but also mislead us as viewers. The way they made it seem like Da On liked Jae Min in the past, just to reveal it was Su Hyeon. Or who Su Hyeon attacked and why. They just cut the scenes smartly. How much we want to show, how much we want to confuse the viewers - all seemed like deliberate choices, carefully crafted.

Was the “borderline childhood connection” needed? No. I honestly dislike that so much. This was just… unnecessary and added nothing to the show for me.

I’m not going to lie, I am more of the internal analyzer of the bigger picture and the context, than someone who looks for details and symbolism. So to truly appreciate the production, I had to do some research, because I simply do not pay that much attention to things that are in fact important.

Let’s start with the fact the drama was more or less color coded for specific characters (Da On - yellow, Su Hyeon - green, Jae Min - pink, Seong Hyeon - blue). The scenes for the characters were actually often light in a specific color hue. Even in the intro scene with Da On and Jae Min they used this peach pinkish hue, the scene where Su Hyeon attacked the guy with the bottle was yellowish-green. The color flipped only between Da On and Seong Hyeon. Da On’s narration had a blue background, and the scene between Seong Hyeon and Da On had the yellow/orange warm tone from the setting sun. Am I reading too much, or was it a deliberate choice to hint who the end game is? Who knows, I like to pretend it was all planned and hype myself more about why I love this drama.

Colors aside, they also really did a good job with just the lights and the warmth of it. Perfect example - the scene when Su Hyeon dragged Da On away to his apartment, leaving Seong Hyeon behind. The part of the corridor with Su Hyeon and Da On is cold and dark, while where Seong Hyeon is staning it has this warm orange light.

Then we have the symbolism of chess connected to Jae Min - how from the start it was hinted (for some less, for some more obvious), how he was the mastermind behind it all, how he manipulated both Su Hyeon and Da On for years. How he was the one controlling the situation.

Also, extremely random thought, but white is such a psychopath color, so the fact Jae Min was the only one wearing the white outfit in the intro is just cherry on top. And how it had a comeback when he completely lost his marbles in the last episode. Greatly appreciated.

Overall, what a fucking ride. I get it. This drama had flaws. It was not some high budget production, but the way it won my heart is illogical. One could say I was in a completely toxic and dependent relationship with it for the past month. I’m Da On - blind to flaws the same way he was blind to all these red flags.

If you want to tell me that I’m reading too much into it, overanalyzing things that make no sense. How there was no logic behind the characters behavior and it was all ridiculous - you are free to do so, I might even entertain you with a few replies. But I am not changing my mind. I’m annoyingly stubborn.

Added characters' analysis in comments under spoiler. Written them after episode 6, and damn Jae Min's one had to be quite tweaked - I overestimated how loco he was.

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May This Level of Love Never Locate Me

SU HYEON is dumb as rocks. No really, he’s a stupid-head. Knowledge was chasing this fool but he was faster. Cuz what the eff you mean you made a contract with some dude that forbid you from dating the guy you’re in love with, who btw likes you back?? Make it make sense Sharon. Then this doo-doo head honoured the contract for 11 years. Eleven effing years!!! Like?? WHY Bob? WHY? I legit thought he was gonna be a smart villain cuz dude showed up in ep1 already mad like the audience owed him money, with anger issues the size of Antarctica, only for him to be two feathers short of becoming a chicken nugget.

Anywho, what do you think happens when a psychotic professor, a bad-tempered rich boss and a persistent, loving co-worker falls in love with a hard working and charming boy-next-door fella? TOXIC CHAOS. There’s stabbing, manipulation, horror movies, attempted murder, abuse, threats, stupidity, kidnapping, forced marriage, did I mention the bread knife? Oh and a very cute photo booth date. This drama was an absolute, complete and utter shit-show, and I enjoyed every single moment of it. Let me explain.

SEONG HYEON is lovely, yes, but at what point does the embarrassment reach your ancestors and brings shame to you and your family's goat? That co-worker was so sad to look at, worrying, crying, begging and still Daon refused to date him and kept pushing him away. Even so, this dude kept coming back like a puppy playing fetch until he got stabbed and almost died. Susan, do you have a humiliation kink, is that it?

JAE MIN is a manipulative psycho and needs rewiring, yes. But he’s also a pathetic sore loser. Dude kept Daon on the hook for 11 years, only to lose him to a guy who wears couple outfit to work, and then for sympathy points, this loser went and stab himself with a bread knife. And of course when his arse was rejected, this mfker kidnapped Daon and forced a ring on his finger to marry him, then tried to burn himself and Daon alive so they could die together. His reason? He saw Daon first during break at school at Tuesday so he belongs to him. Bitch ass!

DA-ON. I mean what was the appeal? The poor-ness? He was like a lighthouse, attracting every boy in a five meter radius to him. No, really, why everyone and their mama wanted him? Sure he’s hard working, sweet doe eyes dude, knows how to ignore calls he don’t want to answer and stand up for himself-ish, but literally the only thing interesting about him was that he was a poor person who wore expensive cloths. Plus he was also sort of dumb with some of the decision he made. Or was it that his face gave off protect me vibes? What was it? He couldn’t possible be the only Mary Sue these dudes came across in that country.

Listen, the short end of the matter is, 3/4 of these people are crazy, dumb and psychotic. And the last one has a humiliation kick and seems to be immune to rejection, together they make one heck of a dramatic, enjoyable show, so you know me, I was sat. As always, I went into this show knowing nothing. In the first episode I was like, so love triangle got too boring huh? now we having a love square, alright sign me the eff up, I am ready for some drama. And drama I got.

Before we go further, 3 things...
Seong Hyeon = Puppy Co-Worker
Jaemin = Professor Psycho
Su Hyeon = Angry Director-nim

THINGS I LIKED:
- When Angry Director-nim punched Professor Psycho. Wished he'd have added four more during the finale.
- That sweet movie date and photo booth scene... so cute.
- Every time Puppy Co-Worker stood up for Daon.
- Every time Daon stood up for himself.
- When Daon rejected Angry Director-nim
- When Daon left Professor Psycho's arse at the hospital after he stabbed himself.
- When the ring Professor Psycho forced on Daon's finger didn't fit during that insane wedding/marriage. Dude wore white and everything. Psycho.
- When after Angry Director-nim apologised for everything he did to Daon, Daon didn't say one single word back to him and left. Yes, Daon did not owe him even a word or a second more of his life, my man left his arse immediately and I clapped.
- That one year gap between Puppy Co-Worker and Daon while he was in Dubai. Thank you for that, Daon needed some alone time from all three men to be with himself for a bit, and I think he might have gotten that in that year, which was good for him,

That being said, you know me, I've always got my rubber chicken ready to slap some folks, so, imma say it...

EVERYONE ON THIS SHOW HAD THE IQ OF AN UGLY POTATO
Yes everyone was crazy, toxic and giant red flags in their own way, we've established that, no need to get into it. instead, let's talk about the decisions they made that made me feel like they really really not smart enough for the Hunger Games. Cuz:

DAON:
- He allowed himself to be tossed around by Professor Psycho and Angry Director-nim for ELEVEN YEARS during their sick games. 11! Boy? Professor Psycho kept him on the hook and he seemed all too happy to be dangling there when we met him.
- Yes, Daon was poor and needed the money, but staying in a work where the boss constantly harass you is a choice, even if said job was your dream. Sure he stood up for himself, but really, all that hand pulling couldn't have been healthy. And at what point does the threats and angry outburst that leaves you injured become too much? Quit Sharon, quit. Find a new dream,
- And how the hell is him putting yourself up to be forcedly kissed the right choice to saving Puppy Co-Worker? I'm still going WTF at the kissing scene. Like? Sure he needed to get Angry Director-nim away from Puppy Co-Worker so he doesn’t crack his skull with a beer bottle, but what was the need for that effing kiss? They couldn't talk? What gives?
- Literally, Daon is an adult, he could have Communicated the situation with Angry Director-nim to Puppy Co-Worker and both could have come up with a solution, instead of trying to play some sort of unnecessary hero. That decision vex me pass.
- I get that Professor Psycho hid his claws very well, but why the eff did Daon rushed over to Professor Psycho’s house when he found out he’d been manipulating and hurting him this whole time? And that too ALONE? Child? I’d have changed my number and blocked him everywhere. Heck, I’d have moved to a different city, but no no, not our mary sue, he wanted face-to-face answers cuz he trusted the psycho, so he matched in there and almost got assaulted. Child use that coconut head of yours would you? This dude literally put your sister in the hospital like three seconds ago.
- I feel so sorry for Daon especially when he was ready to open up to Puppy Co-Worker and got shut down, but dude speak. Open your mouth and say your peace, the worse he can do is put his fingers in his ears or still ignore you after he hears it, but really, SPEAK.
- Letting himself get kidnap: Sure he didn't ask for it, but even me who didn't spend over 11 years with these dudes knew something like this was gonna happen. I wasn't even shocked he was kidnapped, though I was that it took that long for one of them to do it. Daon is too trusting and forgiven cuz I'd have told Professor Psycho to burn whatever he had for me instead of meeting him in that underground garage.
- Not seeing that none of these 3 boys deserved him. Like, dude, let them go and heal then start over. Edit: Alright, in the finale after the stabbing and telling him to go to Dubai at least Puppy Co-Worker earned his place by Daon's side.

PROFESSOR PSYCHO
- His first mistake was manipulating a dumb dude who was unstable and had a short temper, really did he think he could keep it up for forever? I'm shock Angry Director-nim didn't snitch like a day later.
- Dude had Daon to himself for eleven years and didn't make a move. Sure he said he didn't want to date him and then lose him if they broke up. Then what was the point of liking him at all? Like did he want to put Daon in a glass case and stare at him? How is you hiring people to get him drunk, take compromising pictures and then to hurt his sister something you do to the person you love? He wanted Daon to learn his place, and this was his way of punishing him, and then being the one to be there for him at the same time. The asylum is too good for him.
- And did he seriously think Daon would forgive and still like him after he learned everything and his answers to everything was 'Cuz I love you?' idiot.
- Trying to assault the man he claims to love right after shouting 'I love you.'
- Stabbing himself. Like? Who was that supposed to hurt? No really, what was the play here? Let us be serious in this life peoples. Then of course he had the audacity to blame Daon cuz apparently he'd done so much for him and he wasn't allowed to leave him. Child if you don't go sit down! And why the hell did the hospital let him go after that? Dude should have been in the psych ward.
- Thinking the audience a fool and saying he's given up Daon. LMAO, you is the devil, aint no way I'm believing that. I don't know who kidnapped Daon, but I won't be surprised one bit if it was him. Heck, I'd be surprised if it's not him. Edit: Was right, it was his crazy arse that kidnapped Daon. Loser.
- His reasons for all the bad things he did being because he saw Daon first. HAHAHA if that's how it works then someone owes me a man cuz I saw some of these people first. Then it turns out he didn't even met Daon first, it was Puppy Co-Worker, so I guess his reasoning was right... cuz Puppy Co-Worker did end up with Daon. Oh well, his arse is in jail so...

ANGRY DIRECTOR-NIM
- Sabotaging his own company because of the guy who didn't even want to breathe the same air as him. Again how was this the solution?
- Making that contract with Professor Psycho. Even if that psycho had something on him, it was still dumb as hell to say yes and then honour it for 11 years. 11!
- Pulling out a ring the night after forcefully kissing the boy who can't stand him. LMAO. Brotha go sit down.
- Again: Saying yes to that contract. He must have been feed stupid pills since elementary school, cuz ain't no way.
- Only punching Professor Psycho once and not shoving him out that nice window behind them. Wasted opportunity if you ask me.
- Using threats and violence to try and win Daon's love. Bish are you new to this whole love and romance nonsense?
- Whatever the hell deal he made with the mother.
- Trying to form another alliance with Professor Psycho. Like that 11 years contract wasn't enough? dumb as dirt that one.
- Again trying to ruin the repetition of his company for someone that didn't want him. He should have went to work on Professor Psycho when he got him away from the cops, few punches and slaps, what good did talking do?

PUPPY CO-WORKER
- Kept coming back to be hurt: He kept saying I just want to stay beside you, and then expected more. Sure they both knew that was his end game, but really after the 100 rejection dude should have taking a hint. At what point does the hand pulling stop being romantic?
- Tirelessly fighting to be together with Daon, a broken guy who clearly have emotional issues, family issues, trust issues and too much pride and didn't really accept help. Sometimes we need to forget love for a second and think about the end prize, cuz...
- Letting Daon go when the dude was finally ready to love him back. Yes, I understand the hickey was suggestive, but he waited all those time, and couldn't spare Daon like 3mins for him to explain? See nonsense. Watching himself be heart broken when he didn't have to vexed me. All he had to do was listen to what Daon had to say.
- Looking at it, Puppy Co-Worker might just be the smartest of the bunch, at least all he did wrong was humiliate himself by falling in love with an emotionally unstable cute co-worker, and got stabbed. At least he didn't waste 11 years of his life like those three fools. Plus in the end he got the guy, so...

PLOT:
The premise of this drama wasn’t anything new, we’ve seen plots of everyone being in love with that one special lead, so basic at best. What made this good was the execution. This drama was good at confusing us for a while. In the beginning I thought Professor Psycho was the knight in shining armor. Sure I knew he was cray-cray the moment he switched up and rejected Daon like he was a last week's meatloaf. Still, I thought he was the good guy and that love letter and gift was for him, but as it turned out, Daon had a thing for Angry Director-nim all along, was honestly shocked at that. The little reveals in this drama made it interesting and kept me watching. I enjoyed the plot cuz although it wasn’t new they added elements that entertained and held my interest every episode.

DAON NEEDS TO BE ALONE
Up until the finale of this show, I believed Daon needed to be alone. These three stressed him out so much, our boy was on those stairs at work having a panic attack, then he got kidnapped on one of the most important days of his life. None of these boys deserved him. Yes, we can argue about Puppy Co-Worker but think about it, isn't his constant persistent a problem of his own, his stressing our boy who have enough problems of his own out. He means well, but he needs to take a chill pill, like stop saying you want to just be by his side and then lowkey pressuring him. Edit: But in the finale they had me with the cake to the nose and the saving him by getting stabbed, and then I'll wait 100 years for you so go live your life scene. So I guess, if one person could end up with Daon, I'm glad it was Puppy Co-Worker .

No, I will not be shipping Daon and Angry Director-nim, Sure he was a fool and got himself manipulated by Professor Psycho and his mother, which made him hurt the boy he loved and then lost him, so yeah, poor loser, but his personality is not one to cheer for. He’s a giant red-flag and our poor Daon has been through enough, both with his family and Professor Psycho, so I won't come add this abusive dude to the list. Let us be serious in this life peoples! Sure in the finale he came to his senses, but after everything I am so very very glad he did not end up with Daon.

As for Professor Psycho, yeah, imma need him to take a drive off a cliff, dude is doing too much all in the name of love. That's not love, that's craziness, get professional help or like therapy. Or even better, join an asylum. Glad his crazy arse ended up in prison in the finale, he deserved it and so much more.

So yes, before the finale I thought Daon would be better off single, cuz what he had was not love. The manipulative psycho wasted 11 years of his life, the foolish angry boss caused him his first love, and the persistent love puppy needed to take a breather. To me, Daon needed time to himself until he truly learnt to trust again. He needed to find himself after the 11 years of mind-eff the two guys put him through. But after everything that happened in the finale, and that one year gap where he was apart from Puppy Co-Worker, I am okay he ended up with Puppy Co-Worker cuz they both deserves to be happy, but really, if he'd ended up alone, I wouldn't have complained either. Though I legit thought they were gonna surprised us by going off the predictable plot and killing Puppy Co-Worker, you know, give us something different, but no such luck. At least they happy, so yaay?

Overall, a very enjoyable drama, the best bl out of SK this year. Highly recommends to all bl lovers looking for some toxic drama with lots of headache, you won't be disappointed. One of my favs this year.

Anywho, I hope to see the cast in more work in the future.

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Korea is now progressing in BL dramas

Why is this drama giving me 16 episodes high quality straight drama vibes ? Yes , finally a Korean BL series with excellent cinematography .Except " Semantic Error "( Masterpiece) , all of those dramas from Korea, were " good " ( not best ) for me , so I had not that much high expectations but " Secret Relationship " is really better 😉

Disclaimer- If you don't like Love Triangles and messy plotlines then this is not for you.

POSITIVE-
1 . Adaptation of a very popular Manhwa " Secret Relationship " , this is a +1 point for this drama.

2. Excellent cinematography ( Rare in most of the KBL )

3. Handsome actors with great acting skills.

4. Green Flag ML .

5 . Beautiful Soundtracks .

NEGATIVE-

Messy story plotline with full of toxicity,

Overall -
8.5 / 10 , their visuals are eye catching, Manhwa lovers will definitely like this drama.

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Secrets we keep, hearts we break!!

Some stories thrive on a well-crafted plot and others are driven by the complexity of their imperfect characters. This is one of those stories that fit the second category. The characters aren’t flawless heroes or simple villains - they are messy, flawed and deeply humane. Their struggles aren’t always clear-cut and their growth isn’t easy or linear. In fact, it’s their imperfections, their emotional baggage and their internal conflicts that make the story stand out. These kinds of characters don’t always give you the answers you want, but they challenge you to think deeper and understand that growth isn’t always pretty.

Characters & Analysis :

Jung Daon, our tragic hero: Daon’s journey is far from perfect. He has been battling this constant feeling of being worthless for as long as he can remember. He is emotionally distant, always believing he’s “good for no one” and his past experiences have only reinforced this idea. His choices along the way aren’t always the best and sometimes they left me questioning his decisions. His growth isn’t linear or clean, it’s messy, real, and sometimes even frustrating. Yet, there’s something so human about it. As Daon begins to open up, he starts realizing his worth and how much of an impact he actually has on the people around him. Watching him go through it, even when he’s stumbling is what makes his journey so heartwarming.

Kim Su Hyeon, the toxic oppa: He is a complete emotional wreck defined by chaos, obsession and serious anger issues. The guy just can’t tell the difference between love and possession, constantly crossing boundaries and trying to control everyone around him. Instead of being caring or respectful, he’s driven by this constant need to manipulate and control.
At the start, I honestly couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for him. It was pretty obvious that his anger and possessiveness came from a place of deep hurt. But here’s the thing - his past doesn’t give him the right to act however he wants and hurt the people around him. His anger issues are a huge red flag and no matter how messy his past might be, it doesn’t justify how toxic he is.
By the end, it’s clear that Su Hyeon needs help. He was/is drowning in his emotions and has no clue how to deal with them in a healthy way. He is definitely a character who’s deeply flawed, but that doesn’t make it okay for him to manipulate or hurt others.

Ju Seong Hyeon, The sunflower oppa: He is just so sweet and caring. He is always putting others first and trying to make everyone happy, even if it means sacrificing himself in the process sometimes. It’s honestly hard not to like him because he genuinely wants to help. He’s selfless, empathetic, and really tries to be there for people when they need him. But the thing is, he gets so caught up in pleasing everyone that he loses himself along the way.
But what I really appreciate about his journey is that he does eventually learn. Over time, he starts realizing that it’s okay to put himself first once in a while. He figures out that his worth isn’t based on how much he can do for others and learns to set healthier boundaries.

Jaemin, the master manipulator: His character arc is one of the hardest and most complicated to pin down. He is the ultimate manipulator, playing the game like a pro, at least tries to and somehow succeeds. He knows exactly how to control people's emotions to get what he wants and he doesn't actually care about the fallout. His arrogance and total lack of empathy make him one of the most unsettling characters in the show. He doesn’t just use manipulation for love or affection, it's all about power for him. When he's caught in a lie, his complete lack of remorse shows just how emotionally detached he really is. His character shows just how dangerous emotional detachment and manipulation can be and it makes you question if someone like him could ever break free from those toxic patterns.

The casting? Honestly, it was a chef's kiss. Every actor nailed their role, like they were those characters. You could feel their emotions so real and raw. Yes, It’s not perfect but sometimes it’s the impact that matters more than perfection.

I am not going to talk about romance and chemistry because that is the heart of the drama and the fun lies in figuring it out as you go but rest assured, you won't be disappointed.

Even though this story might not be a perfect 10/10, the way it had me fully invested for 4 weeks and got me thinking so much about the characters totally makes it an almost 10/10 in my book. Though I have rated this 9.5 , but it's 10 in my heart.
In just 25 minutes, they managed to show everything so well. Nothing felt rushed and the pacing was spot on.

At the end of the day, I would definitely recommend it and let you decide if it’s your vibe because it definitely serves up some tea in the most messed-up but oddly satisfying way.

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abusive relationships (watch suggestions)

Overall: I have conflicting thoughts on this that I'll try to describe below. Based on a webtoon that I haven't read and will review the series based on its own merits. 8 episodes about 30 minutes each, 2 episodes per week. Aired on GagaOOLala (not available in U.S., Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, U.K., Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5149/secret-relationships-2025 and iQIYI (assuming for countries not covered by Gaga) https://www.iq.com/play/1f4631z99hw?lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4

Content Warnings: implied rape (coercing someone is not consent freely given), sexual assault, non con kissing, self harm, blood, stalking, manhandling, punch, past non con touching, past violence/blood, harassment, manipulation, coercion, cyber bullying, kidnapping, near muder-suicide

Watch Suggestions (to take the abuse out and turn it into a love story of two people)
- episode 1 watch 7-11 and 21:20-29:20
- episode 2 watch 4-5:30, 19-22 and 30-33:50
- episode 3 watch 6:10-7:35, 9:30-10, 13:30-16:25 and 18:10-22.25
- episode 4 watch 11:30-14:40 and 29:20-30:20
- episode 5 watch 11-12:05, 13:15-17:40 and 25-26:45
- episode 6 watch 20:30-22:45
- episode 7 watch 21-22:15 and 26-27
- episode 8 watch 23-35:45 or all the way to the end for a flashback from 12 years ago


What I Liked
- visuals
- the tie tying/sweet moments
- a character recognized his feelings fairly quickly and expressed them
- twists as the viewer learned more about what happened in the past
- showed how emotional abuse is also horrible, interesting as a viewer to see a character more outwardly abusive cast as the villain but then another character is also terrible and does his abuse more covertly
- the grandma
- in episode 8 that a character was able to do his original plan/what he wanted and his love interest didn't hold him back
- production value* (I especially liked in episode 8 how the light changed around 27 minutes)

Room For Improvement
- voice over start
- multiple flashbacks, I appreciate that they were clear and in the beginning it lent to the twistiness of the plot but later it felt like the flashbacks dragged the plot in the present, also the sweet flashbacks at the end were extremely jarring
- nonsense stuff: even though the initial "plan" was stupid and likely not one that anyone has ever made/for that long, a character not telling another character the truth about what happened in the past until the end of episode 6 was infuriating/unrealistic, no one covering a wound in episode 8 in the ambulance, how a character was not immediately in police custody
- not enjoyable to watch 2 abusers fight over Daon, I don't blame Daon, he's been abused and not sure he even recognizes the extent of it, I think the writers made Daon a bit too doe-eyed/naive and was unbelievable like his actions at the end of episode 7
- a character who is supposedly a green flag: kissed Daon back when Daon was extremely drunk/unable to consent, repeatedly ignored Daon's boundaries, borderline lovebombed him and felt obsessive in a unhealthy way, in episode 7 he refused to let Daon explain, he did have some redemption in episode 8 but it wasn't enough for me to fully support/feel confident that they would have a long lasting/healthy relationship
- too much time is spent with the dad and two characters instead of focusing on the main romance/relationship development, a 5 minute montage in episode 8 didn't make this a romance series
- cliche time gap in the final episode (but at least it wasn't too long)
- a 5 minute conversation and 1 action as the redemption arc for a character
- no consequences are mentioned in the finale for a character
- flashback with a cliche at the very end of episode 8
- *some scenes were too dark and needed more light on the actors' faces/bodies

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The Fine Line Between Love And Obssetion

Okay, let me just say, this show was like a rollercoaster of emotions from the very first episode, and I am still processing everything that happened. The characters are wild, the drama is next level, and let’s be honest — I couldn’t stop watching. It’s honestly like an addiction; I didn’t know if I was watching for the romance, the suspense, or just for the pure chaos of it all. Let’s break it down, character by character.


Daon
Daon is probably one of the most complex characters I've ever seen in a KBL. From the very beginning, you feel his vulnerability. He's trying to find his way in a world where he's constantly manipulated by people he cares about. The whole situation with Jaemin, Suhyeon, and Seong Hyeon just traps him in this toxic cycle, and it’s brutal to watch. Yet, the thing that makes Daon such a relatable and well-written character is that he isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, he’s naive at times, and he falls for people who are clearly bad for him, but you can’t help but root for him.

Daon is caught between two worlds: the manipulation of Jaemin and the toxicity of Suhyeon, with Seong Hyeon being a much-needed anchor in his life. His relationship with Seong Hyeon was the only place where he could find peace, but it was also the place where he had to face his own trauma. Daon didn’t have a clear sense of what he wanted for a while because of all the chaos in his life, but once he started realizing what really mattered to him, he stepped up and fought for himself and for Seong Hyeon.

By the end, Daon chooses to live for himself, and the development is so satisfying. He moves beyond the toxic love Jaemin forced on him, rejects Suhyeon’s obsessive behavior, and starts to heal. He grows so much, and it’s honestly a beautiful moment when he realizes that he deserves better than all the manipulative crap he had to deal with. The final scenes with Seong Hyeon? Absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. It was everything he deserved after all the pain.


Jaemin
Jaemin is insane. No, seriously, I don’t know how anyone can watch his descent into madness and not be slightly terrified. At first, he seems like the perfect, charming person — the guy who has your back and is always there to help. But when you look closer, the truth starts to seep through, and it’s dark. His obsession with Daon is palpable from the very beginning. He manipulates Daon’s life, giving him money, tutoring him, and even going so far as to buy off Daon’s family — all in an attempt to control him. Jaemin doesn’t just want Daon; he needs him to stay under his thumb. It’s disturbing, but so well done as a character arc.

As the show progresses, Jaemin becomes more and more twisted, especially after he starts playing mind games with Daon, making him feel guilty, using his manipulative skills to control Daon’s feelings. He has this whole “I love you so much that I’ll do anything for you” mentality, but what he’s really doing is controlling Daon’s life and trapping him in a cycle of emotional abuse. The scene where Jaemin literally stabs himself to get Daon’s attention? Yeah, that's the point where I knew he was beyond help. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings — he just wants to possess Daon at any cost.

Jaemin’s final breakdown was a mix of regret and rage, and it’s honestly chilling how far he’s willing to go to keep Daon close. The whole “if I can’t have you, no one can” vibe was real. His final moments, when he’s arrested in that wedding suit and laughing like a maniac, were the perfect ending for such a manipulative, obsessive character. You almost pity him for how broken he is, but then you remember everything he did, and it’s impossible to sympathize with him. He’s a master manipulator, and it was satisfying to see him lose everything in the end.


Suhyeon
Suhyeon is a more interesting character than I expected him to be. He's just as messed up as Jaemin, just in a different way. Suhyeon is emotionally driven, and while he might have had Daon’s best interests at heart at times, he’s also selfish and manipulative. His jealousy and desire to control Daon is just as toxic as Jaemin’s, though his methods are different.

What I found most frustrating about Suhyeon is that he constantly thinks he knows what’s best for Daon, even when it’s clear he doesn’t. He tries to push Daon away from Seong Hyeon, even though the bond between the two is genuine and healthy. His whole mindset is, “I know what you need, so let me take control,” and honestly? That gets old real fast.

However, I have to give Suhyeon some credit for the way he does eventually come around. In the end, he realizes the damage he’s caused and tries to make amends. He helps Daon, even though it’s too little, too late. He knows he can't control Daon’s life anymore and admits that he was wrong. But honestly, by the end, I was just ready for Daon to let him go for good and move on with Seong Hyeon.


Seong Hyeon
Seong Hyeon is everything. He’s the literal light in Daon’s life and the one person who never pushed Daon into anything he wasn’t ready for. He’s patient, kind, and so emotionally intelligent, it’s crazy. The fact that Seong Hyeon sees Daon’s pain and doesn’t force him to make decisions before he’s ready is one of the most mature and respectful things we see in the whole show. He’s the rock Daon needed to survive all the drama surrounding him.

What I love about Seong Hyeon is that he’s not perfect. He makes mistakes, he gets jealous, and he misjudges things at times (like the whole hickey situation), but his growth throughout the series is real. He learns to communicate, to trust Daon, and to support him through the trauma. His willingness to wait for Daon and understand that it’s not an easy path is really what makes him so lovable.

The relationship between Seong Hyeon and Daon is a beautiful evolution. They go from being two people with a shared history to two people who genuinely love and care for each other. It’s not rushed, and it’s not forced; it’s gradual, like two souls learning to be together. By the end of the show, Seong Hyeon and Daon have the kind of relationship that you can’t help but root for — two people who can truly heal and grow together.


Daon’s sister was honestly one of the highlights for me, and I can’t believe how underappreciated she is. She’s the only one in the show with any sense at all. Her role is crucial in calling out the emotional manipulation from Jaemin and Suhyeon. She’s the first one who saw through all the nonsense and even pushed Daon to stop feeling guilty for choosing his own happiness. It’s not easy being in Daon’s shoes, and she’s there for him without any strings attached. Her advice and care are a steadying force, and I loved the moments when she had to step in and remind Daon that he deserved to make choices that were right for him.

Cinematography and Visuals
The cinematography in this show deserves a standing ovation. From the very first scene, you can tell that this isn’t just your average KBL. The color palette is gorgeous, with muted tones that perfectly match the somber and emotional tone of the drama. There’s a lot of focus on shadows and contrasts, which really adds to the intensity of the emotional moments.

The lighting is so effective in setting the mood. The dark, moody lighting during the more tense scenes, like when Jaemin goes full psycho or when Daon is struggling, creates a sense of unease and anticipation. On the flip side, when Daon and Seong Hyeon are together, the lighting softens, and the colors brighten up, reflecting the warmth and comfort they bring to each other. The stark contrast between the cold, harsh lighting in the scenes with Jaemin and the cozy, intimate moments between Daon and Seong Hyeon really highlights the emotional differences between these relationships.

The camera work also deserves praise. The close-ups on Daon’s face when he’s torn between his emotions, or the lingering shots on his expressions when he’s confronted with Jaemin’s madness, really let you feel everything he’s going through. The slow transitions between scenes and the occasional flashbacks help convey the passage of time and show the depth of Daon’s internal struggle.

The entire cast did an incredible job. Each of them brought their character to life—whether it was Jaemin’s chilling manipulation, Suhyeon’s obsession, Daon’s struggle, or Puppy’s warmth. Their performances made every moment hit even harder. The four of them were not in the same room for many scenes but the chemistry was just there!


Let’s talk about the kisses. These weren’t just any KBL kisses. The chemistry, the passion, and the emotional depth were all there. The kisses between Daon and Seong Hyeon were genuine, tender, and full of love. But there’s also a darker side to this story.
There’s an instance of sexual assault (SA) with Jaemin forcing a kiss on Daon. It's a deeply uncomfortable and disturbing scene that highlights Jaemin’s possessive and toxic love. Daon’s inability to reject Jaemin in that moment shows how trapped he feels, unable to break free due to fear and manipulation.
Similarly, Suhyeon also crosses boundaries with Daon, in a way that feels like another form of manipulation. Daon doesn’t fully reject Suhyeon either, because he’s scared of the consequences and doesn't know how to stand up for himself. These moments are crucial in showing the emotional and psychological struggles Daon faces as he navigates these toxic relationships.

Final Thoughts This show was wild from start to finish. It had so many twists, so much tension, and so much emotional depth. The characters — even the toxic ones — were so well-developed and complex that I couldn’t help but feel invested in each of them. Jaemin was terrifyingly fascinating as a manipulator, Suhyeon was equally toxic in his own way, and Seong Hyeon? Seong Hyeon was the kind of partner Daon needed. He didn’t force Daon to choose between him and the others; he gave him the space to figure it out.

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kbl is back!

After some months of not watching kbl shows, I finally got the same feeling as I started watching kbls. Its actualy improving and I hope we can see more of this.

I admit that there are some lapses but I really enjoyed this. Its like a breath of fresh air to have this kind of plot that we only see on mainstream media. I think its good to have this too though some may not like or fond of it but there are really many stories to show and their definition of love. For this we are aware that this kind of story and many more, are existing in this world. And its up to us on how we will dwell it, hoping in the right way.

So much to talk about, but I enjoyed it, liked it and thats it.

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3 Guys, 3 Rings, 3 Sizes but only 1 Specially Chosen

Korean BLs surprise me again with a dark BL in “Secret Relationships”. I heard nothing about this drama until Feeds posts started popping up. I thought this was a typical reverse-harem type drama with a few red flags MLs. Little did I know it was in for a crazy ride in these short 8 episodes.

I am very surprised that the four main leads are pretty new to acting and they all did a pretty well. For his first acting gig, Kim Jun Seo did a pretty good job as the really good-looking center of all the attention. Aside from the very last scene of the drama which the acting of two of the leads seem very uncomfortable and fake, I really could not have asked for a better first drama for all of them as the main leads.

The unveiling of the secret relationships and hidden secrets for the first 5 episodes of the drama is done really well. You thought you knew exactly what’s going on in the first couple episodes, and then the drama surprises you with new plot twists here and there. Unfortunately, I found ep 6-8 dipped into makjang territory and things got a little out-of-hand. The excellent writing of these secrets and manipulation gave way to over-the-top craziness.

Nevertheless, I enjoy learning about the four main characters. Our guy-magnet ML is sweet and gentle. He attracted ML#2, who appears caring, but turned out to be manipulative and psycho. Then we have ML#3, the obvious Mr. Red Flag of the bunch, who is violent and obsessive. Adding to the harem is ML#4, Mr. Green Flag, to mellow out the bunch with his puppy adorableness with a dash of clinginess and persistence.

I wish the writing of the last few episodes were better because the acting is so good. I would bump my rating to 8.75 or 9. But I had a good time watching “Secret Relationships”. I am really happy about the recent KBLs, e.g. “Gray Shelter”, “Love for Love’s Sake” and “Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo”. I think Korea found its niche in BL dramas. The aforementioned dramas, including “Secret Relationships” are well-made, well-acted and very interesting. I recommend “Secret Relationships” if you the other KBLs I listed and are in the mood for something darker and psychological.


Completed: 3/20/2025 - Review #557

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Best BL I had ever watched

I stayed up until 2 a.m., despite having work at 8 a.m., just to watch the final episode, and it did not disappoint. The TV adaptation surpasses the 120-chapter Manhwa I read, offering a darker, more thrilling experience.

For those who complain about toxic characters, I would argue that without them, the story would lack depth and excitement. I recently finished Heart Stain (Korean) and Impression of Youth (Taiwan), both of which did not feature any toxic characters or villains, and I found them to be quite dull and simplistic to watch.

In contrast, Secret Relationship kept me engaged throughout. Every episode was thrilling, exciting, and filled with cliffhangers, and the flashbacks made perfect sense. The actors delivered exceptional performances, the male leads were captivating, the cinematography was outstanding, and the plot was gripping.

This is one of the best BL series I have ever watched. I would rate it a solid 10/10.

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Emerging from Darkness

From this drama's intro, the tone was set. This wasn't going to be some simple romance with a love square.

It was an intricately tangled, suffocating spider's web with Da On at the center of it all, fighting to free himself, all the while twisting into it more and more.

His all-consuming fear, confusion, indecision, heartbreak, anger, strength, and hope were portrayed as such visceral and vivid emotions I felt I was right there frozen, shaking, crying, screaming, and smiling with him.

With nothing more than the look in their eyes, I understood every character's motivation.

The attention to detail in this was striking.

And it dared to be more.

It unapologetically dove into physical and emotional abuse, manipulation, trauma, codependency, and self-blame. It framed the toxicity and harm our main ML experienced/was experiencing as horrifying as it is in reality. While others in the drama pointed accusing fingers at Da On, Secret Relationships didn't.

We heard his story from his perspective and got to see him slowly find it within himself to save and value himself and go after his own happiness.

It is a thoroughly engaging but not generally pleasant watch. If you are in a good place, I more than recommend it.

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Love, Lies & Manipulation – Welcome to Secret Relationship

Wow. I don’t even know where to start with this one. Being my first-ever Korean BL, I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster this drama threw me on. But I do know one thing— it set the bar ridiculously high.

For a drama with only 8 episodes, each around 30 minutes, it never once felt rushed or incomplete. The pacing was so well done. Every single episode left me wanting more, and somehow, they managed to pack in all the tension, angst, and emotional wreckage without making anything feel forced. It’s rare for a short-format drama to feel this full, but Secret Relationship nailed it.

The Plot – A Toxic, Twisted Love Web
Jung Daon is caught in a very complicated situation—stuck between a controlling toxic oppa, a sweet sunshine who deserves the world, and an absolute devil who enjoys playing with people's emotions like it’s a sport. It's messy, so messy, and that’s what makes it so damn addictive.

Characters – A Messy, Flawed, and Completely Addictive Bunch
One of the biggest strengths of this drama is its characters. They are not simple, one-dimensional tropes. They are deeply flawed, frustrating at times, and painfully real.

Jung Daon – Walking Emotional Damage
– If "walking heartbreak" was a person, it would be him. The poor guy has been stuck in this cycle of self-doubt and emotional torment for so long that he genuinely believes he’s not worthy of happiness. Watching him struggle, make questionable choices, and slowly fight to break free was one of the most compelling parts of this drama.

Seong Hyeon – The Ball of Sunshine
–This man? Too pure for this drama. The absolute sweetheart of the show, My precious, soft-hearted, warm-as-the-sun baby.. He’s the kind of person who puts everyone else first, even at his own expense. He’s pure, kind, and incredibly loyal, which makes it even more painful to watch him get dragged into this emotional battlefield. He deserved all the happiness in the world, and honestly, I just wanted to protect him.

Kim Su Hyeon – TOXIC Hot Oppa™
– Where do I even start? Sir, you need therapy. Immediately. This guy is toxic, obsessive, abusive and emotionally unstable and unavailable in the most frustrating way possible.
You are toxic and I hate you. And you are HOT

Jaemin – The Devil in Disguise
–If there’s a character that deserves an award for mind games, it’s Jaemin. A psychopath. A master manipulator. This man plays chess while everyone else is struggling with tic-tac-toe. Every action, every word, every little gesture—it’s all calculated. He smiles like an angel but manipulates like a devil, twisting people’s emotions and pulling the strings behind the scenes; he’s always one step ahead. And the worst part? Jaemin, you are a menace. He was just that terrifyingly good.

Brilliant performances – These actors delivered— They nailed it.

Music & Atmosphere - The background music? Perfectly placed. won’t say it was the most memorable OST ever, but it did its job so well that I can’t complain.

Final Thoughts –
If you want a soft, healing romance, this is NOT it. But if you’re looking for a dark, twisted, emotionally charged love story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s messy, it’s intense, and it will ruin your peace of mind—but you’ll love every second of it.
For my first Korean BL, I don’t think I could’ve picked a wilder, more gripping watch. It was toxic, dramatic, intense, and utterly unforgettable. If you’re looking for a romance with real emotional depth and a chaotic love square that’ll have you screaming at the screen, this is it.

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