Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (2024)

Just finished, and wow—Hwang Daseul did not disappoint 👏🏻 It actually reminded me a lot of TMS2 🥹🥹🫶🏻🫶🏻 especially with some of those fight scenes and heavy dialogues. It’s only 8 episodes, 30 mins each, but it covers so much. The storyline flows really well, from the conflict to the resolution. Honestly, it pulls you in from start to finish, and the flashbacks add a whole new depth.

They went all out with the topics too, touching on stuff like child abuse, imposter syndrome, and fake identities. You can see the higher budget in the cinematography and production quality, and the cast did a solid job. Definitely worth watching 💗

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Another Masterpiece from Hwang Da Seul!

In life, we’re all searching for a lifeline—a smile, a sunrise, a reason to keep going each day. For those who know only pain, that lifeline becomes even more vital.

The Korean BL Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo offers just that. It brings together two young men—abused high schooler Lee Do Hoe (Kim Nu Rim) and the equally abused but cheerful Sin Ju Yeong (Lee Seon) who are both desperate for a glimmer of light in a world filled with shadows.

From the moment Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo was announced, I knew I’d fall in love with it. I’m no stranger to director Hwang Da Seul’s work, and I admire how her dramas delve beyond romance to explore the psychology shaping relationships and how people process trauma in their own unique ways, both on-screen and off.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/11/09/let-free-the-curse-of-taekwondo-series-review-ep-3-to-8/

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Realistic consequences: This is NOT your typical High school BL Drama.

The only regret that I have is I started watching when only 6 episodes are aired. I should have waited for the whole series to be released. The story telling drives me crazy because it will leave out some details that you can only see in to the next episode. I liked how the characters developed and the outcomes of their lives because of their past trauma. The story reveals 2 realistic outcomes of what will happen to you living in those situations at home. I love that the director sets an accountability for the characters' actions. Bullying is never glorified. Lying will do no good either.

For the overall rating, I had to deduct points because of the technical aspects. The wardrobe and makeup team should have changed their hairstyle for the highschool years. The makeup should be more on the fresh eyes, more yellows and reds. It should be far from what they look when they became adults.

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Kicks and Quirks: A Drama that Lands the Right Punch

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo is another refreshing addition to the scarce list of Korean BLs this year, a category that has increasingly leaned toward coming-of-age narratives with romantic undertones. Much like its contemporaries (The Trainee and The On1y One), the story remains impactful even when the romantic elements are secondary, proving that a well-crafted journey can stand on its own.

The drama’s simplicity makes it easy to consume, yet it never sacrifices depth. Starting with familial conflicts and transitioning to themes of personal, societal, and romantic growth, it delivers a balanced narrative arc. It does not overwhelm but rather harmonizes these elements beautifully, leading to an emotional and satisfying conclusion.

After Do Hoi left, the plot seemed to focus on Ju Yeong’s personal growth, but as the story unfolded, it shifted toward Do Hoi’s personal baggage and the complexities of their relationship, including the involvement of Hyeon Ho. While handled lightly, these arcs still packed a solid emotional punch.

The scriptwriting particularly stood out, with lines that resonated deeply. For example, Do Hoi’s emotionally charged exchanges with Ju Yeong — including the unforgettable “We’ve found love that others take a lifetime to find. That’s a big deal” — showcased the strength of the writing, evoking genuine responses from viewers.

The directing, helmed by the genius behind To My Star, Blueming, and Where Your Eyes Linger, elevated the material to artful levels. Combined with Korea’s trademark for excellent cinematography in BL dramas, the visual presentation was nothing short of breathtaking.

However, there were some shortcomings. Certain scenes lacked emotional weight, undercutting their potential impact. The editing was uneven at times, with abrupt cuts and poorly-timed transitions disrupting the narrative flow. Familiar tropes, such as the stereotypical “abusive father” and the overused “I bullied you because I like you” antagonist, felt predictable and underwhelming. Additionally, the Taekwondo element, while relevant to the characters’ growth, was somewhat scattered in execution.

On the brighter side, the romance was delicately and genuinely portrayed, with intimate moments that felt both authentic and moving. The leads, who communicated profound emotions through their eyes alone, delivered stellar performances. Their chemistry was palpable, particularly in their non-verbal exchanges, exemplified by lines like “Everything that was obscure is now clear to me.” Small Easter eggs, such as the reappearance of To My Star 2’s Ti Aspetto location, added a nostalgic charm.

One criticism raised by some viewers is the seemingly anticlimactic ending. While it might feel understated, not every drama aims for a sequel-worthy cliffhanger. This series chooses to conclude on a sweet and genuine note, encapsulated beautifully when Do Hoi sees Ju Yeong’s search history as they begin opening up to one another. It’s a tender moment that speaks volumes, perfectly summarizing their journey of understanding and connection.

Ultimately, the story’s most resonant theme was the idea of having someone who supports and celebrates your growth as their own. It’s this deeply human connection that elevates the drama beyond a simple BL romance, making it a heartfelt watch. While not overly complex, Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo delivers an emotional payoff that lingers long after the final scene.

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I Finally Finished This Masterpiece!

Whelp, I started watching LFTCOTT about six months ago and was totally sideswiped by the jarring time-jump that happens less than midway through. I was really put off by the time-skip and the change in the nature of the relationship between the two leads. I stopped watching, realizing that it was good enough that I would probably go back and finish it one day but feeling a bit peeved by what felt like a betrayal by the writer/director.

Finally this week I started it again at episode 6. And boy am I glad I gave it another chance. Having some distance from the pure sweetness and tragedy of the earlier episodes I was able to fully appreciate the complexity and depth of the relationship in the later episodes. And episode 7 had me in tears for almost the whole watch.

In truth, I should have known better and trusted in Hwang Da-seul. She's never let me down and she didn't with Let Free The Curse of the Taekwondo. The acting, the soundtrack the cinematography were all signature Da-seul and it was unbearably lovely. I highly recommend watching this and not letting the jarring time-jump stop you from finishing it. I still think the length of time was a mistake but it is minor at the end of the day and the show as a whole is wonderful and filled with sweetness.

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Finally a Korean Adult BL

Wow, Korea has stepped up the game. Although it starts in high school it quickly becomes an adult BL. I love that it doesn't shy away from skinship, whether it be kissing , or just an open knowledge that these characters are having sex. It is real Finally, it showcases the complexity of not only being gay but how to navigate life with dealing with pretty much abuse from all angles. Not only does it show how different each character deals with abuse, it also shows how you can adjust and overcome just about anything. Lee Soon s character upbeat, fun but emotionally available & willing to accept people for who they are no matter the circumstances. Jang Yeon Woo beautiful to look at but played such a flawed character. Kim Nu Rim the centre figure of the drama , was just beautifully played in every aspect. It really showed how a child is affected by continued abuse . He was such closed off character. This will not be a forgotten Drama. Beautiful written directed with the correct actors able to convey the amazing range of emotion in the drama A must see for sure

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A Gay Love Story Treated with Respect

Intro:
I'm so glad I gave this a try. I honestly didn't care for the premise, but when I saw the first half of the first episode, I got hooked. It's been many lists of dropped BL's till I was actually compelled to finish something.

Story:
The thing I like about it is it's story-centric. As much as I like cuteness and comedy, I'd love to see BL's treated with as much respect as straight love stories as realistically as they can. By that I mean that it feels natural how the MC's ended up liking each other and not feel forced like a lot of others. Also, they're treated as human beings with their own issues that isn't always connected to their sexuality.

I also liked that it did not lean too heavily on usual tropes like forced misunderstandings (e.g. overhearing a conversation). Although there are misunderstandings, it still fits into the character of Do Hoe who is deeply self-loathing. They weren't at a point where they trust each other so much then one misheard convo ruins everything just for drama. The actions they took, though not wise or rational, made sense for who they were as people. Though tbf only Do Hoe's background was actually delved into. Even Ju Yeong was barely scratched. Still how they acted didn't seem plot for plot's sake, at least as opposed to some other BL's.

I liked how they made use of the little run time they had with the show to focus on what was actually important to show us. In relation to time, I loved the bold move of 12 years time skip. Usually, it's usually 1-5 yrs. Even though they were young (19 yrs old) at the start, 12 years was still a big amount of time to be a part, to not move on. And they actually, somewhat, dove into Ju Yeong not moving on. Even I, who is highly empathetic and clingy, found 12 years to be quite long to still be hung up on someone you probably knew for a month to idk maybe 2 months. Do Hoe confronted him about that. Still weird why it wasn't given much of a justification. That's a part I will admit to be forced to an extent. It doesn't feel as forced as others I will say. Or maybe he felt sorry for him, I'm realizing right now that he knew that Do Hoe kept failing.

I really wasn't completely appalled by how Doe Hoe acted when things finally came to light. Sure I was annoyed with how he was and how Ju Yeong was still pursuing him (being treated poorly and all), but it actually made sense. He hated his past and he wanted to distance himself from it as much as he could, so even if his new lifestyle wasn't exactly who he was, he forced himself into it just to escape his pain. It made sense when you look at it in a storytelling way even it (as an outsider) it seemed silly or stupid.

Ultimately, I think the main point of the story was said outright: you can try again. The time skip really helps with this because when you think about it they could have done more in 12 yrs according to their high standards. Tbh, it really hits home and although I wish nobody can relate to this story of being unloved (by family), self-loathing and insecurities, and mistakes because it is a painful experience. Still, I wish people gain strength to try again despite the odds.

Also, to add to the main point, this story is an illustration of how abuse and neglect can have a carry-over effect on even someone as promising as Do Hoe. This effect lasting years.

Acting:
Simply superb. Idk why but Koreans tend to be such good actors. They really get into the character not matter how serious or absurd the story is and this time it's no different. One is a rookie and the other with fee experiences, yet they were able to convey a plethora of emotions excellently. Do Hoe's actor was able to convey the effect the 12 years had on him quite well as well as the effect of Ju Yeong coming to his life.

All the actors were cast quite well. They really fit their roles, even the supportiny characters. Do Hoe being timid yet cold, Ju Yeong being the doe-eyed golden retriever he is.

Music:
It was good. It fit the mood well.

Rewatch Value:
Not very high I'd say. While it is a good show, it can be very stressful. There were cute and wholesome moments but their in the very beginning (ep 2 and 3) and even then it was mixed in with all the stressful parts. Still, those parts are what I consider essential for telling a human story.

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Amazingly confusing lol

I think the story is good but the execution is far from good, the actors are so great, but i'm quite confusing with the story, so many plot holes, 8 episodes is too short

The story begin with sweetness and joy typical of highschool romance, when you watch episode 3 and the time leap begin, it makes me headache lol, there's something missing, the story is kinda fast, so many questions. Why Dohoe act so weird, what happened to him and juyeong, and why dohoe can be together with his bully, we don't get the story what happened in the past 12 years, between all of them, the trauma that haunted dohoe, it seems so rush, but after all it's so unfortunate, the story is great also the actor, but the producing is so messed up

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