makes no sense
It is like they filmed a series, took out all of the "sexy" (I use that term very loosely) scenes and then made this series with the scenes they pulled out. I am not even sure what they were trying to go for with this series. Episode one is basically the entire story and every episode afterward has nothing to add. This is not a series to watch if you want an actual story. This isn't even a series to watch if you just want NC scenes.The narration and sound overlay is horrid and takes away from the music which is honestly the best part of the show.Was this review helpful to you?
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Smut for Smuts sake
Smut (obnoxious sexual) scenes for the sake of cheap thrills is not what a true movie watcher is after. Sex with no substance or in this case plot is not erotic or entertaining It's cheap!!!! I feel sorry for these actors cause they are beautiful to look at but this series is doing them no favors. I am not impressed by tongue action I have to have a story to follow and appreciate otherwise it's just cheap Porn & no one wants that Sorry will not be watching the series at this point time is too precious to waste onthis nonsenseWas this review helpful to you?
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A Bold and Steamy Step for Korean BL
Tide of Love is our first Korean BL that leans into BDSM and while it is not as explicit as Thai or Japanese BLs, I still really enjoyed it. I already love both main leads from Sweetheart Service and Myeong continues to impress me with every role. He is tall, handsome and incredibly attractive which makes every scene with him even more captivating.The kiss scenes and the erotic moments are definitely the highlights. They are intimate, well shot and full of chemistry.
My only criticisms are the very weak plot and the editing issues. Some scenes feel mismatched with the audio and the pacing suffers because each episode is only around ten minutes. I wish it were longer because the potential is there.
Despite its flaws, Tide of Love is still a fun, hot and refreshing BL to watch and a bold step for Korean BL content.
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Makes no sense
Episodes are way too short, 3 are out by this point and nothing happenes.Its starts with 2 random guys who are somehow forming, i guess, a s*x contract. 3 episodes in and nothing else happened, theres literally no dialogue in this show.
Editing and scenes cuts are weird af and theres no plot
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Absolutely NO STORY
I would have given up on this, already, if the brevity of each episode wasn’t a PLUS!The lack of storyline, the overabundance of kissing scenes, which lack any, and all, eroticism, or give any feelz; all add up to a huge “nothing burger” of a “series,” if you want to call it that. I doubt the last 5 episodes will help redeem itself, but I’ll stay, anyway.
I’m sad that a Korean BL production decided to give us, the fans, nothing of value, here. Highly disappointing.
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it's not sexy
Overall: I was trying not to view this thru the real life lens of sane, safe and consensual (what I would do to get a m/m romance series that follows this!), but the plot doesn't make sense. 11 episodes about 10 minutes each. Airing on the app Shortime (my invite link is https://playground.shortime.app/en/invite/NKNIWI - the code is NKNIWI (those are all capital letters, that's the capital letter i) and it should get you a bonus); GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5972/tide-of-love-2025 (not in Korea) and SEEKmeda for channel members https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwfmKArt9EtWOQm5LiWg9mKzvMpkpPCHe&si=ZRyYUHDRbQjrlHHh and iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/tide-of-love-episode-1-24f4ukbxh0g?lang=en_usWhat I Liked
- visuals
Room For Improvement
- started with a voice over exposition dump
- it wasn't enjoyable to watch 1 person being scared/reluctant
- it made no sense in episode 2 that a character had plenty of money but continue when he doesn't seem to enjoy it, what is his motivation for staying? and then in episode 3 he's suddenly in love but disgusted during their NC scenes???
- I normally give indie productions a pass with editing/production value but SEEKMedia had extra time after they sold it to streaming platforms and needed to work on the editing which is terrible
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What a mess
I don't know who was the genius editing this series, it's just a mess. Haphazardly put together story line. Makes no sense at all. I don't get the point of these 10 min episodes in Korean BL world lately. They are just mishmashes of little glimpses into the BL world. Ep 1 starts off with a little back story of the characters, but then just slams into the sloppiest forced kiss where only one party is enjoying themselves. ep 2 is even more chopped up than last episode.Was this review helpful to you?
entertaining without the quality
Look I’m not a fan of BDSM when it comes to BL at all (no hate to anyone who is) and I was bored and decided to give this a shot because why not??BOY maybe because I am not too critical or phased about things but this was entertainment - the acting is good, the characters are good, the ML Jaehoon is crazy and controlling but I was just surprised at the scenes!!! Like damn!! Jaehoon’s actor is so good!!
If you watch this, please do not expect a quality production (especially the audio and camera work), I’m pretty sure it’s low budget and some edits were awkward but I like it enough to see to the end.
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Tide of Love promised depth, but never quite learned how to swim.
Felt like a BL Workshop videos, no feelings!!“Tide of Love” arrives as one of 2025’s most anticipated Korean BL dramas, but unfortunately, it struggles to rise above its own hype. What should have been a sweeping emotional romance ends up feeling oddly hollow, weighed down by inconsistent storytelling and character arcs that never fully take shape.
The biggest flaw lies in the pacing. Scenes that should carry emotional weight feel rushed, while unimportant moments drag on endlessly. Instead of building tension, the drama often slips into repetition—similar arguments, recycled misunderstandings, and dramatic pauses that feel forced rather than meaningful.
The leads, despite having notable chemistry in certain moments, are often trapped in poorly written dialogue. Their motivations shift abruptly from episode to episode, making it difficult to connect with them or root for their relationship. What should have been a slow-burn romance turns into a cycle of possessiveness, jealousy, and emotional whiplash that doesn’t offer much payoff.
Supporting characters fare even worse, existing mostly as plot devices rather than fully realized individuals. Their actions feel random, included only to push the story forward or manufacture drama rather than contribute naturally to the narrative.
Visually, the show attempts a moody, oceanic aesthetic, but the heavy blue filters and dim lighting become tiring quickly. Instead of enhancing the emotional tone, the visuals make the drama feel monotonous and lifeless. Even the OST—usually a highlight in Korean BLs—fails to leave a lasting impression.
Ultimately, “Tide of Love” is a drama with potential but lacks the emotional depth and cohesive storytelling needed to make it memorable. For viewers expecting a heartfelt, well-crafted BL romance, this one might feel more like being pulled into shallow waters than experiencing the tide of love it promised.
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Please stop
I'm asking all BL makers to stop plots with "you must pay with your body" themes. Stop plots where the bottoms are childlike losers who pay for stuff with their bodies (it's always paying for a sick person to justify it ).Seriously, make some quality shows with real stories.
I dropped this series.
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