This review may contain spoilers
Head 2 Head? More Like Living Rent-Free in My Head
This series honestly sneaks up on you. What starts off feeling like sharp banter, rivalry, and chaos slowly turns into something way heavier and endearing. I didn't even realize when it happened- one moment I was entertained, the next I was deeply and emotionally invested. My only complaint is how short the episodes are and the occasional abrupt scene cuts which actually did not bother me as much, because JeromeJinn, they make it completely worth it.Jerome and Jinn are pure chaos in the best way. They started off as rivals who were constantly at each other's throats- insults, glares, nonstop competition but let's be real, that was just them flirting in denial. Every argument, every petty moment, every attempt to one-up the other was just unresolved feelings screaming for attention. Their chemistry is insane. The trailer calls them each other's nightmare, but all I see is them being each other's world. These two walk into a room and the gravity literally shifts. Their entire world just... orbits around each other. Unintentionally, intentionally- doesn't matter. Whether they are racing, arguing, or simply existing in the same space, it's always them against each other and them with each other, basically always them together.
Spoilers Alert!!
What really elevates the story is how it handles the darker elements. The dreams, visions, and accidents don't exist just for shock value, they slowly change the tone of everything. There's this constant sense that something bad is coming, and J's decision to not tell Jinn becomes its own source of tension. I understand why he does it, but watching him carry that weight alone is painful. The fear is quiet, personal, and suffocating, which makes it hit harder than any dramatic twist. Also, I get why some people feel the dreams are repetitive but isn't that the entire point of the series? Every dream sequence builds on the last. They're not just repeating for the sake of it; they're accumulating. Each one adds a new layer, getting heavier, more serious, and disturbingly real.
I have a lot of favorite moments- like a lot, every episode it just adds up. If I had to mention one of my absolute top favorite then one is Jerome's realization. J admitting he never hated Jinn and that he does not want to forget about the diary- oh my god, that whole scene. The way it played out, the atmosphere, the tension, the way they looked at each other, every word he spoke... and especially the vision of the future that followed, where they softly held each other's hand in the air as they looked at each other- that felt like a promise, like something they didn't have to say out loud because it was already written between them and to top it all off, "Not a Crush?" playing in the background blended so perfectly with the moment- it was perfect. My heart genuinely could not handle it. It was raw, it was beautiful, it was them. Every single second of that moment just cemented why I am completely, hopelessly obsessed with this series.
Also, I cannot not mention the hospital scene after Jinn's head injury. It's painfully beautiful. J is drowning in guilt, convinced the accident is his fault, while Jinn sees it as life being unpredictable and refuses to let J carry the weight of fate itself. What breaks me is realizing Jinn’s biggest fear isn't death- it's J slowly destroying himself with guilt. Even the suggestion of breaking up isn't cruelty; it's desperation. And that kiss? Not romantic... pure panic. A wordless don't say that. Then the line, "But if something happens to me one day, I'll believe you did your best."
This... this has my heart. Jinn isn't asking J to stop caring- he's asking him to stop hurting himself. I have so many more favorite moments and scenes that if I start listing them, I might actually fill every single page of that diary- you know the one that was first Jinn’s and now belongs to Jerome >_<
And then there's FarmVan- a whole different flavor of emotional chaos. Van hijacks Farm's space, steals his snacks, takes his bed like it's his own. And Farm, my sweet, soft, painfully in love Farm. He lets him. Every. Single. Time. Their chemistry is explosive and so is the tension between them. Every glance, every touch, every little flirt makes my heart do somersaults. But here's the thing- Van's insecurity is real, and he's constantly sabotaging himself. He tries, at least with Farm but it's never enough to stop him from hurting Farm in the process. And Farm... my sweet, soft, endlessly patient Farm. He loves Van so fully it hurts.
Also, I never could hate Van. He made me furious, but he also made me care, and that balance is hard to pull off. I understood what he was doing and why he was doing it, even when I couldn't agree with his choices. And honestly, that's what makes this series so strong- it's incredibly consistent with its characters. No one suddenly acts a certain way just to push the plot forward. Every messy decision, every bad call, still feels rooted in who they are. Nothing feels out of character, and that's what makes all the emotional beats hit so much harder.
Also, shout out to Mai who has been third wheeling, actually no fifth wheeling so hard I am convinced he deserves financial compensation and also a partner at this point. He has really suffered enough. I adore his friendship with them. And while we're at it, I absolutely love the mums and their friendship too- warm, grounding, and quietly perfect.
And I am in love with the OST, especially "Turns Out It's You". I have had it on loop for days. The lines- "I told myself no, but turns out it's you. I told myself don't, but you are the one." that is literally J and Jinn in TWO LINES. It screams them. In fact the song bleeds them. Also, "Secret Crush" is just as good and this is J's POV. And "Not a Crush?" is Jinn's POV. I love all the osts including Friend Next Door and all those unknown background music which I still don't know the names of.
This series might not be perfect, and I am sure it has it's flaws, but for me, it's nothing short of perfect. It has a way of pulling me in and making every moment feel unforgettable. I'm so damn in love with this series. Highly Recommended!!
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Heartfelt Slice-of-Life Drama with Charming Characters and Supernatural Twists
Head 2 Head is an emotionally charged slice-of-life drama that blends supernatural elements with raw storytelling and deeply grounded characters. It balances its heavier themes with thoughtful character exploration and heartfelt moments, never losing its light and fun tone. As the series progresses, the stakes gradually rise and the story shifts toward darker themes, adding depth to the narrative while still preserving the sweetness of the romance.Character Depth: The Heart of the Show
Jay and Jinn are the heart of the story, and they are such lovable characters that it is very easy to root for them and their relationship. Their evolution from bickering frenemies to a deeply caring couple feels earned and natural. I loved that from the very beginning, the attraction between them is palpable, even in their constant bickering. As their relationship develops, they never lose the teasing nature of their dynamic. It simply becomes more playful and affectionate, perfectly reflecting the progression of their feelings. It is one of the sweetest and most satisfying relationship progressions, and I felt so connected to both of them that the emotional gut punches in the second half of the show truly hit me.
The second couple, Van and Farm, while seemingly secondary at first, brings an unexpected depth to the story. Van’s self-sabotaging tendencies and emotional baggage create a complicated but compelling dynamic, and I appreciate that they were brave enough to give us such an easily misunderstood character like Van and took us on quite the emotional rollercoaster with these two.
The Emotional Core: Themes of Loss, Fate, and Fear
At its core, Head 2 Head is about the fear of losing those we love, and how that fear can either drive us to action or paralyze us with inaction. The series poignantly explores grief and love from two complementary angles, making the emotional stakes for both couples feel richer and more real. What makes this show stand out is how it takes its time with these emotional beats. The characters don’t just move from one conflict to another; they struggle, reflect, and grow. There’s a genuine sense of emotional progress, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them every step of the way.
The Acting: Solid across the board with Keen and Java delivering stand-out performances
I’ve been a fan of Sea and Keen’s work for a while now, so I’m slightly biased, but these two are incredibly charming together and have undeniable chemistry. Keen was a natural since his Only Boo performance, and he just keeps getting better with each project. I’m genuinely impressed by the way he expresses emotions, as it always feels like he is living through them rather than simply acting them out. He effortlessly switches between emotions in scenes and convincingly conveys underlying feelings through his eyes and microexpressions. Sea has also improved a lot, and it was refreshing to see him play such a vastly different character this time around. His teasing and joking were entertaining but also carried an underlying tension that only intensified as Jay’s feelings for Jinn grew stronger. I really loved seeing him play such an animated and open character, and I thought he did a great job balancing the playful and emotional moments.
Surf and Java showed great chemistry and tension while portraying the nuances and unspoken feelings of their complex relationship arc. Java played Van with just the right amount of vulnerability and charm, keeping the audience engaged even when Van frustrated you. I also enjoyed all the scenes with the parents and Mai. They were hilarious, added depth, and some heartfelt moments. The cast had amazing chemistry, and the comedic timing was excellent.
Visuals and Direction: A Mixed Bag
There is a lot to like about the visuals of Head 2 Head, such as the vibrant and warm color palette that captures the essence of its settings and characters. The cinematography creates atmospheric shots, and I enjoyed the music choices, both the instrumental tracks and the OSTs. That said, the editing can be quite jarring at times, with some scenes feeling too choppy, especially in the second half of the series. These transitions occasionally pull you out of emotional moments, which was a shame.
While this is not a plot-heavy show, and the supernatural elements primarily serve as a catalyst for character and relationship growth, I wish the vision plot had been incorporated more smoothly. At times it felt slightly repetitive or forgotten. With a few tweaks, such as resolving conflicts slightly earlier, some pacing issues could have been avoided. I understand the tension was intentional, but it occasionally left viewers in the dark for too long and slightly rushed the final conflict in the last episode.
Final Thoughts: They Have My Heart
Head 2 Head is a genuinely entertaining show that blends romance, supernatural elements, and deeply emotional storytelling. The series does an excellent job of exploring its characters and their relationships while balancing its more serious themes with a sweet college romance. It’s a show that takes its time, allowing its characters to grow and evolve in meaningful ways, and I’ve grown incredibly attached to them because of this.
The aspects I would criticize never took away from my personal enjoyment since the emotional core of the series keeps you engaged from start to finish. If you’re a fan of character-driven dramas that tackle heavier themes with sensitivity and empathy, Head 2 Head is a show you won’t want to miss. It’s a comfort show for me, one I’ll keep coming back to whenever I miss these characters.
Spoiler Review in the Comments
If you want to read some of my more in-depth thoughts on the show’s themes and the love between Jay and Jinn, you can find them in the comments of this review. I’ve put them under a spoiler tag because they literally spoil the entire plot. 🤣
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Cute, adorable romance with few question marks included!
This drama was low-key a catfish. Hear me out... I went in fully expecting a light, sweet, fluffy romance with cute bickering, unresolved tension doing the absolute most, and nonstop soft vibes. And yes it is all of that, but then it randomly hits you with grief, regret and an existential crisis you did not see coming. It tries to unpack all of that through a fantasy lens and that’s where things start getting a little shaky.At its heart, it is cute, romantic in a fluffy sense but it's not just that. It's also about timing being terrible and fear absolutely ruining the party. The whole idea of romance is constantly competing with "what ifs", which gave a little emotional bite to the story.
The story runs in two tracks- The present or the fluff where the feelings are finally being named out loud, and another shaped by fragmented, anxiety-induced visions. The rules of how the second world works aren't exactly clear though.
At the centre of the drama is the relationship between Jerome aka "J" and Jinn, our classic rivals-to-lovers trope. Their relationship has been marked by years of unresolved tension from childhood.
J is the definition of realising things too late and then spiralling about it. While his heart was in the right place, sometimes the lack of commutation trope was stretched too thin considering how understanding and accommodating his partner was. I understand the decisions were driven by fear and it took a while for him to figure it himself but the writing could have cut it short.
Jinn, on the other hand, was not here for instantly rewarding apologies. And I was glad because years of emotions being side-lined don't magically disappear because J got self-aware. He was genuine, funny and cute as a button. I enjoyed their bickering, affection and chemistry between them. Cute, comforting but not boring.
Coming to the second couple, Van and Farm. This is also the opposites attract trope (more on the friends-to-lovers side). While I sympathise and sort of understand Van's emotional distance stemming from unresolved grief and fear of attachment, the way he treated Farm at times pissed me off. I was glad Farm took a stand for himself. But I did like their story too and was glad as the second couple, they had their own storyline with themes of troubled love different from mains but still cohesive to the overall storytelling and were not there just for decoration or filler scenes.
The drama's strength lies in romance and emotions but where it stumbles and fumbles is in its final stretch. The pacing becomes uneven in the later episodes, with certain conflicts lingering longer than necessary while key explanations never arrive. The supernatural element, though thematically effective at the start, felt like a gimmick rather than a logical subplot. These choices don't derail the whole story but they definitely softened its impact on me.
Visually, the production is polished. They managed to portray the difference in timelines well, considering I wasn't confused between them. Though it was hard to believe they were 31, at least they tried.
Acting also elevated the material when plot holes tried tanking it. Sea and Keen continue to impress me. I know they are cute and everything, but they can definitely act and deliver when asked. There were a few emotional scenes where I felt Sea was a bit stiff, but nothing too distracting. Surf and Java were adorable too. I will definitely look up to their new projects.
Overall, even if my thoughts above makes it sound like I didn’t enjoy it, I really did. It’s one of those dramas you watch to destress, even though it might low-key stress you out but it’s wrapped in the cutest fluff, which somehow balances it out... I digress, but yeah, I liked it. I would recommend it just with the expectation that the fantasy element isn’t meant to be taken too seriously. You will likely be left with a few questions, but also be fed with cute romance.
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Not as cute as Only Boo and a red-flag character...
As always when "New" Sijaw is directing, most series glide into childishness and cringe. In this case it was more subdued then in most other series (Fourever You Part 1, Perfect 10 Liners) but it's still there especially in the first two episodes. There are times when childish beheaviour is appropiate but in most cases it's not.The script is a mixed bag. The solution of the time-travel was a bit weak and Mr. Redflag (Van) side-couple felt a bit unrealistic. How he handles the situation is dispicable but also the script was quite lazy depicting it. Also there was not the budget to "age" the actors to make them distinguishable from now and the future selfs. So the production is ok, but it looks constraint by the few locations they had.
So overall it's on the "good" side of BLs we had last year. At least Sea "Junior" did improve a lot with his acting which is also a plus for me. Keen has the talent, it looks like it's easy for him. I will not criticize too much in this case, it's pleasant enough to watch and many will have fun with it.
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It's really so interesting
This is one of the cutest series I have ever seen , the characters are so cute their action are driving me crazy , I don't just understand why it have to be this much cute , well I thought I don't like university love so much but after watching it I realised I really love this kind of story lines . And the second couple also are way too cute , I love the story so much , and am so excited to watch the upcoming episodes. At the ending they concluded the story pretty well .... Both the couples were so cutee and loving I am going to miss it , I used to wait for it every sunday now I don't have something like this to watchWas this review helpful to you?
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Head 2 pillow
This is what happened. Usually, watched at night. Yes, for me it was that uneventful and bordering on boring. There was nothing about the story or the acting that screamed must see. It dragged along three couples and a spare to the most obvious ending. Albeit, the second couple, Farm and Van did have a more realistic problem than the first. Why does someone keep sabotaging the most loving relationship he's ever had? Walls built by insecurity, lonliness and fear of wanting someone who may eventually leave due to his bad habits. Fears realized, faced and attitudes changed. Though the change had no impact whatsoever. Everyone's acting was just above surface but not stellar. Even the spare. I would love to see a more mature role for JJ to stretch his acting skills beyond being a filler.The father makes a decision to protect his family the best way he knows. Acceptable. What is not acceptable is why did they keep it from Jinn. Jinn who has suffered the loss for so long accepts with a simple explanation and support from J. Hmmm, that's my response to that situation.
Jinn and J are arch enemies though with Jinn harboring a secret crush for J. J begins to have premonitions of Jinn's future. They ultimately clash, resolve and mature over 12 episodes. It just feels like there weren't any crisis moments that felt like an actual crisis.
Overall it did not have an impact as much as I Saw You In My Dream (similar premise), Boys In Love and Gelboys. If Head 2 Head is your first bl, it is a gentle entry and should be viewed as such. A serene piece that never gallops but ripples to the end.
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One of the Most Disappointing GMMTV 2025 BL So Far
Sigh. This series gave me everything… and then completely fell on its face. Head 2 Head was my third most anticipated BL from the 2025 GMMTV lineup, and it has quickly become one of the most disappointing shows I’ve watched.Let’s dive in.
This series was rushed. Rushed to the gods. Not only did they air it while it was still filming, but they also seemed incapable of coming up with anything new for the leads to do besides repeating the same conflict over and over again. There’s an episode where the leads go to the hospital not once, not twice, but three separate times for entirely different reasons. That’s not drama, that’s diabolical.
What started as something I was genuinely enjoying quickly turned sour. Sea delivers a much stronger performance here than he did in Only Boo!, which actually gives me hope that he’s growing as an actor. I’m now even more excited to see him in my most anticipated 2026 series, Weirdo 101. Unfortunately, his character here is absolutely beaten to death by the dream mechanic. I understood that Jerome could see the future, but I did not realize he was apparently seeing a decade ahead. The show makes no effort to age the characters convincingly. We’re meant to believe they’re in their 30s, yet they look exactly the same, not ten years older, not even ten days older.
The story becomes a constant loop: Jerome dreams something, debates whether to interpret it, decides whether or not to tell Jinn, then it either happens or doesn’t. Rinse. Repeat. By episodes eight or nine, it becomes painfully repetitive and earns nothing more than an eye roll.
The side couples start off as a nice addition before becoming unbearable themselves. Surf and Java land comfortably in my “oh, I like these two” category, which makes me more excited for Roommate Chaos. Van, however, is awful. The series makes no real attempt to redeem him beyond “my parents are dead, feel bad for me,” while he continues being a lousy sleazebag dragging Farm along. The only interesting thing about his arc was the idea that he might have only loved Farm as a friend and felt obligated to feel more because of what Farm had done for him. That could’ve been compelling. But this is GMMTV, where happy endings are almost always mandatory.
The show does work on a comedic level at times, and I enjoyed the dynamics between the leads and their moms. SeaKeen in the physical romance department is… weary. Not terrible, but undeniably awkward. SurfJava do fine. Overall, though, this is a rushed, sloppy series that’s boring in most moments and ridiculous in others. And please, for the love of everything, stop casting the twins as the lonely comedic friend. It’s tired. It’s repetitive. Let it rest.
Ratings:
Story: 6/10 - Fun at the start, but like many GMMTV series, it completely collapses by the end.
Acting: 8.5/10 - Sea has improved immensely. He still has room to grow, but the progress is obvious. Standouts were Keen and Java.
Music: 5/10 - didn't pay attention to it.
Recommendation Value: 2/10 - skippable. Unless you really liked the actors, this does not warrant a watch. Save your time.
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Was it the director's fault or the actors
This show was okay. The main problem is the lack of chemistry between the leads. Honestly, if you are going to star in a BL and there are intimate scenes, the kisses really need to look real. If this show was made 10 years ago or longer then chemistry might have been acceptable, but with so many LGBTQ shows and movies out there where actors/actresses are not inhibited by kissing/intimate scenes and they understand their assignments when hired for the job, these lead actors in this show are sorely lacking in understanding their roles of being in love and it shows when it comes to their chemistry. I would rather there were no intimate/kiss scenes than the ones we got, cause it was super uncomfortable and a cringe to watch how uncomfortable they were with each other. Lips barely touching or clenched tight is a total turn off. GMMTV is like the Hallmark movie channel, where everything and everyone is sanitized to the point of being sexless with just a few exceptions. If you are going to have couples like this in series, then the story itself needs to be exceptional and I am sorry to say this story lost steam half way through and never recovered.Was this review helpful to you?
Nothing special...just a cute , fluffy , slow burn romance
Honestly I expected something NEW from GMMTV. They never try to make something unique. Few days ago I watched the Japanese movie ' 10 Dance ' & and right that moment I was thinking about the carelessness of GMMTV. They are wasting the actors' talents. If the actors are given good scripts then definitely they will SHINE like a moon .Sea & Keen are extremely talented. Though the script is nothing new , still only for them I was watching this series. The starting of this drama was good but few episodes later, it started to become boring. The story was giving ' My Magic Prophecy ' & ' Bad Buddy ' vibes at the same time . We wanted something unique but guess it's GMMTV so that's probably not possible.
I hope in the future SeaKeen will get something new , something better. Overall I will give this drama a solid 8/10 just for the actors.
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I Live For SeaKeen's Chemistry
SeaKeen never fails to make me giggle every time they release a new BL series. I’ve been a fan since their first project, Only Boo, and their chemistry has always been electric. The way they look at each other says everything—you feel it.Head 2 Head is another win for me, especially because it has the enemies-to-lovers trope, which I’m a total sucker for. SeaKeen + enemies to lovers? Absolute perfection. I also love that the characters are fashion design students instead of the usual engineering or medical students we’ve seen a hundred times in university-themed BLs. It feels refreshing.
The vibe reminds me a bit of Bad Buddy mixed with Magic Prophecy, but it’s not an exact copy. This series is also noticeably more mature than Only Boo—there are more kisses and even NC scenes, which makes sense since they’re older now.
Even though it’s classified as supernatural, the sweet moments between the main characters really stand out. Honestly, the supernatural is a vague aspect for me, but it was overshadowed by all the soft, romantic scenes and their undeniable chemistry.
SeaKeen just looks so good together—especially Keen. He's so cute. 🥺
As for the side couple, Van and Farm, they definitely have great chemistry, but their storyline feels kind of toxic. Farm is always jealous and sulky, though I can’t fully blame him since he saw Van kissing a girl at the bar. Still, if he can’t trust Van, maybe he should just walk away. Van, on the other hand, seems confused about his feelings—does he really love Farm, or is he just attached because Farm is always there? Those two things are very different.
Overall, the story isn’t a masterpiece, but I honestly don’t care. The main actors are my favorites, I love the enemies-to-lovers trope, and yes—I’m biased. And I’m completely okay with that 😌💙
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H2H The Serie in my opinion
Although the serie havent finished airing, still on episode 3, personally, the acting, the story, everything matches well. In my opinion, I didn't really like the first serie of SeaKeen (Only Boo), it wasn't really the type of series that I like making me drop it but this one fits them well. The enemies-to-lovers story match them perfectly. For SurfJava, they're kinda new to me although Java acted in Summer Night while Surf acted in I Saw you in my dream. I never watched those and I can see they're pretty new to the acting industry same as SeaKeen, but they fit their role well in H2H, all 4 of them. I would highly recommend this story to everyone who like the enemies-to-lovers, school concept. 10/10!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Had to Drop This One
I had so much hope for SeaKeen and was looking forward to this series. Fresh and fun in Only Boo. Good in MeTuLuv. Totally bombed in Head 2 Head. It wasn't their fault. Unfortunately, they were handed such a lame script and story line in this low-budget, high school production of a series that there was no chance of success. I suppose they did their best but there wasn't much opportunity to present any emotional depth or develop even a quirky interest in their characters given the shallow and repetitive plot. Wait, did I say plot? Was there one? Bad dream. Bad accident. Band-aid on the forehead. Rinse and repeat. And too bad for the new couple, JavaSurf. Good-looking guys, potential for great chemistry but like SeaKeen, they were handed an amateurish and predictable screenplay that precluded any chance to gain some real acting chops. Their side story was boring and standard stock . Maybe GMMTV will give both couples a better project next time.Was this review helpful to you?
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