Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo

The Past Never Remains In The Past

This was an extremely enjoyable series to watch, but I must say, it seemed like it was divided into three different parts. The first few episodes are perfectly moving along, Do Hoe & Ju Jeong experience the beginning of a relationship. It is done with such innocence, you can't help but feel how adorable the two of these people are. Not even knowing where to put their noses when they kiss. It's really was great to watch.
Rather quickly in the middle of these episodes, you can't help but feel the darkness and drama take over. The acting is great during this period, but even with all the despair and negativity happening on screen, you just know that somehow Ju Yeong is somehow going to correct this ship into the right direction. He never gives up. Lee Sun is great performing this character.
In the end it shows how powerful this first love was, able to withstand the test of time and all the obstacles that were put in their way.
The very end, as Do Hoe is reading all the entries on the computer screen of Ju Jeong, it made for a fantastic finish to a great story.
All in all, very enjoyable.

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Story Can get confusing at times, but man everything else is top notch.

This drama was so cute. It has some pacing issues, and sometimes it felt like it was going too fast and the story was hard to follow at times, but I do like the concept of it for the most part. I don’t like it when shows have someone fall in love and then they leave for a long time and magically find each other again and fall in love again, it’s just not a realistic trope but nonetheless it’s fine, but what really made me give this series such a high rating was the portrayal of these characters that are gay. In today’s world gay people are associated with so much hate and such misinformation and it was really touching to see how nurturing these characters were written because you don’t see gay characters often portrayed like this so seeing this made me shed so many tears and it really got in touch with my emotions which is one of this show’s biggest strengths. Furthermore the soundtrack was phenomenal, I have the main song in my Apple Music Libary and I just listened to it like 10 times on repeat because of how beautiful and touching it was, everything was on par. the cinematography, the music, the characters, THE ACTORS!!! the acting was AMAZING, they had me FULLY immersed. I loved everything about them, and their natures. the character Lee Dohoe pissed me off at times, and was super toxic but honestly it’s realistic. Nobody has ever not been toxic, and it’s real asf😭. The ending of this show was almost the best ending possible for this show. I wish they would’ve showed Dohoe finally passing his exams, but how they ended it with him reading the old posts was so beautiful and I loved it. This show was everything, and I’m honestly about to cry at 3:36 AM because of how touched I am.

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It did not go the way that I expected. And for that, it made me enjoy this series more

So, I started this series, and while the storyline was lovely, I thought that it was going the way that I expected it to go. But this was not the case, as we are informed of what Do Hoe went through to become so successful in life.

And because of this change, we see Do Hoe fess up to what he has done and is now living with Ju Yeong, no longer rich, but seems to be happier when we see him again. And I love that for this series—because of this route that they have taken.

So, with an excellent storyline, good actors who are able to portray these characters so well, their emotions, and their beautiful music, this story was able to resonate with me that I am able to give it a 9 for its end product.

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it is a nice story that could have been beautiful

It's sooo good, I fell for them after the second episode. I love how they try to protect each other, especially from the abusive father. And it's nice to see Do Hoe smile when he is with Yu Young, as his life was so hard and he had to endure a lot.
I wish that the drama had stuck to the story in their teenage years, as the 10-year later jump is not that interesting and it doesn't have the same charm. It's a real shame, as the first two episodes were perfect.
In the end, I understand why Do Hoe behaved terribly, and we got a lively last episode, but it does not compensate for the middle part.
Overall, it's a nice story that could have been beautiful.

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Please dont skip this BL!

I was really excited for this drop, and despite it having only 8 episodes, it did not disappoint. The storyline is truly compelling, complex yet relatable and the main leads have amazing chemistry. The entire cast is a visual delight.

I’ll admit, Episode 7 left me a bit confused. It feels like the show leaves certain elements up to the viewer to interpret, particularly regarding the characters' past issues. For example, why does Ju Yeong put on and take off his cross necklace? Or what happend to his mom?

Do Hoe frustrated me at times, especially with how harsh he was to Ju Yeong. However, once he admitted his flaws and opened up about what truly scares him, I started seeing him differently. The show does a great job portraying family love, friendship, and the challenges adults face. There’s an easy flow to the series, balanced with plenty of humor, mostly thanks to Ju Yeong. His character is so bubbly and lovable that you can’t help but giggle when he’s on screen.

On the other hand, Hyeon Ho (aka “Mr. Walden”) has this “I hurt you because I like you” attitude that’s an absolutely no for me. However, that one call (no spoilers!) really showed how much Do Hoe truly means to him; despite everything, they are best friends, and Do Hoe knows it too.

Overall, I really enjoyed the series but wish they had included a few more details. For instance, Ju Yeong’s religious backstory could have been a major element, but the show focused so heavily on Do Hoe’s issues and traumas that Ju Yeong’s story felt a bit overlooked. But, again it's a really good series.

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The man who makes you cry and the man who makes you smile

Being completely honest, I thought I would end up rating this a 10/10 however, really the first three episodes are the 10/10.
Something about the younger versions of these characters hit so hard that each moment felt meaningful and dazzling. I admittedly cried the most at the beginning.
The later episodes were good but I felt a bit of emptiness toward the end/middle, it was also a bit confusing (however, the details clear up as you go on). Despite this, I have no regrets watching the series. This is one of the most beautiful things I've spent my time on and I think I'll always miss it.
A good show makes you contemplate life a bit I think, and honestly, I'm left wondering and reflecting on a lot now. There was such a unique beauty to this show that I won't be able to forget.

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We all need Ju Yeong

Ju Yeong made me believe. Smiling bright eyes coupled with an open smile, he made me believe in love. Real unapologetic love. Imperfect love. Ride or die, no matter what, I'm never going to leave you kind of love. The - I will wait patiently in my hurt, while I fight to save you from your hurt - kind of love. From the moment, he bared his soul on the opposite side of the wall, freely letting Do Hoe know, "I like you." I knew he was the real deal. Without fear, he spoke. When he hugged him after sparing and and giddly exploded "Yes, I'm crazy. I live with the person I like and always train together". Blissfully happy just to be with him, no matter the circumstances. He was the one. He would do it all just to be with him.

Do Hoe lived in pain. Abusive muted pain that pressed against him, no matter the direction he took. He breathed in hate and let out despair. In his solitude, his only solace was that he would leave. Though, with the arrival of Ju Yeong his dream began to change. They would leave together. In their dream, they would create acceptance and warmth in each other's arms. Do Hoe for a brief moment dared to believe in his dream beyond the pain and loved Ju Yeong deeply.

But the pain wouldn't let him go. It held on, railing at any given opportunity to remind him that he was useless. The pain squeezed tightly to extinguish any flicker of hope to be better than his surrounding and ultimately better than himself. On the final day, the day of exams, the pain won. Traumatized by the frantic beating Ju Yeong endured because he dared to defend him, he failed his exams. Pride and a need to feel worthy, he lies. A lie that would trap him for 12 years in a different type of pain. Self loathing. Hyeon Ho, the only person who knew and he could depend on, became an ally. Only an ally. In Do Hoe's heart of hearts only one could exhist. Unknowingly, a death would bring back the past, a reckoning to survive and the truth to lay bare for all to see. Do Hoe looks over at Ju Yeong and keeps repeating, "Shin Ju Yeong, Why do you keep crying?" He knows. Sometimes, everything has to burn to ash for clarity to occur and the dream to take root and grow. Hyeon Ho, forever on the outside looking in, craved what he lost 12 years ago. He has also existed within his pain.

Every titbit of storytelling was beautifully and artistically laid out leaving the viewer both satisfied and aware. Satisfied that all that needed to be told, was captured and skillfully portrayed by excellent actors. Even the ones that were hated were eventually understood. Aware that if perchance a love like this fortunately enters your life, hold on and fight for it. Ju Yeong will make you believe.

Must see. Rewatch every chance you get.

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To My Star (Taekwondo Version)

Hwang Da Seul is undoubtedly one of the best directors of BL series. And here is yet another proof of her competence and talent in creating such captivating stories with impeccable production, acting and cinematography.

However, I feel that this is a series that ends up repeating many of the arcs and narratives used in To My Star (also directed by her). It is the story of a witty, lively man who refuses to succumb to his problems and ends up moving in with a serious, bad-tempered and cold man. Little by little, he manages to break down the walls of this cold man and they fall in love. Until this man disappears without much explanation and years later they meet again because the cheerful man never forgot or stopped loving the cold man who begins to treat him in an indifferent and cruel way.

And that is where the problem lies. I feel like the first 3 episodes are perfect and contain such a unique and well-constructed narrative about two abandoned, lonely, and pain-filled boys who build a friendship and love that can withstand the pain and give hope about a better future.

That's the best part of the series. But they decide to do a 12-year time jump and the reason why it happens is the worst possible. I would understand if Ju Yeong had killed DoHoe's father and spent that time in prison. Or if they had met in college and the story focused on DoHoe trying to get into college and having to maintain a lie so that Ju Yeong wouldn't feel guilty.

But the story of their adult life is so weak and even boring. The dialogues are excellent, the acting is very good, but all this drama and DoHoe's distant and cruel behavior simply hurts the narrative much more.

I understand that the series tries to create this more complex, adult and conflict-filled plot, but the reality is that none of these conflicts really work. The whole issue of DoHoe forging his diploma or the problem with his mother who mistreated her son has little impact on the story.

The ending fixes a lot of things and manages to bring a resolution that warms the heart. But the series is too confined in the same space, repeating the same fights and this ends up greatly impacting what could be one of the best BL series of 2024.

It's an excellent series and gives a show in the technical aspects, but I really wish they had kept and explored the story of these characters' adolescence. The formula for a perfect story was all there.

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Life

First of all, let me say that the acting and the story itself are at the highest level, the actors did an excellent job. I really enjoy watching the series exactly when someone is telling their life story.

we have a life story between two completely different characters. A do ho who is unhappy is somewhat negative and endures everything only to one day disappear from an unhappy environment.
Yeong, who has a dysfunctional family, but is always positive, willing to help everyone. he always looks at everything around him with a big smile.
Do Hoa just needed someone like Yeong. To give him some joy and positivity of a track of hope in the blackness in which he found himself. and Yeong succeeded. Do hoe finally got the light he needed in his life with someone he can rely on who is there for him whenever he needs it. Until the day he had the exam to get revenge for Yeon, he thought of hurting his father. Yeon was picked up by his family and no matter how hard he tried to get to Do hoe, he couldn't. Do Hoa left him. Yeong came back not only to take care of the coach but because he was waiting for Do Hoe to come back the whole time. 12 years later I know they still love each other but to leave someone for so long without a word. to hurt a person who has never hurt you. I know they still have feelings for each other, but I can't get over it. In all of this we have the proud and arrogant Hyeon who was either in love with Do hoe who bullied him throughout high school and you become friends with him. Do Hoe is a bird with broken wings and Yeong is a bird whose wings have been broken. Do Hoa said that he is finally free, maybe he is free, but he still has a noose around his neck.
you can't run away from problems and the past, they will catch up with you when then. I think that when Do Ho arrived, he couldn't believe that Yeon had been waiting for him in the same place for 12 years.that he took care of his father. not only that Yeong lost his love, his coach, but he also lost a home and a job. I honestly don't know how the story will unfold, but honestly I couldn't get over everything. if I don't know what was in the story, one sorry is not enough

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it's so warming

It was a total Rollercoaster like the starting got me giggling and kicking air - the innocemt romance and their playfullness made my heart flutter too
and then after timeskip i was like pissed at mc and their poor communication it'd have been great if they got together back quickly
- but then it got bit emotional and I had a good cry. The ml was such a good character I smiled whenever his face was up and cried with him.
i really liked his acting.
the ending was so warm I really love how shin communicates so well. the ending was satisfying I really loved the couple.
truly the masterpiece I'm sad that it's underrated.
I'd surely rewatch it again though I'm sure Noone will read this but eh the ml ,I forgot the name , the shin guy - he's my type I want him so bad imma cry after looking him up on Google and discovering the drastic age gap.

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