This review may contain spoilers
Lightning in a bottle.
The greatest romcom for me. This show has so much heart to it. Though there is a plethora of TV shows with noteworthy character arcs and multilayered plotlines, Bad Buddy - with its fairly simplistic premise - hit my heart hard. Binging this show was an unforgettable and heartwarming experience. I don't think I'll ever be able to get over Pat and Pran the way I have over all the shows that I have binged and loved so far (including those high-budget big name shows that have topped IMDB and kisskh!).The reason why BBS is memorable is because of how real both the main leads feel — like they are actual people I am friends with. Their chemistry was electric.
Bad Buddy is lightning in a bottle - the director, cast, plot, OST and everything else made THE perfect blend. Usually, with the dramas I watch, I end up disliking an element or two. This wasn't the case with BBS. This is THE BL - wait, scratch that, THE romance that puts most other romance stories to shame. BBS is what I had craved for years as a hopeless romantic.
I had all but given up on BLs for forced kisses, unconvincing acting, etc., but Bad Buddy...I can't stress enough how great it is as a romcom, BL or otherwise. I wouldn't just call it BL - P'Aof and the cast have created a beautiful romantic dramedy with the perfect proportion of angst and fluff. Everything is genuine about Pat and Pran's relationship and life; they are destined to be together. They exemplify what it means to be a healthy couple.
I understood Pran's sadness and loneliness as he pined for Pat. I FELT Pat's frustration and determination as he pursued Pran for answers with the hope that it wasn't too late to get to be with him. I felt Pran's love. I felt Pat's dedication FOR his love. The star-crossed lovers theme is strong with these two, I'll say!
The courting, and yes, I'll call it courting, was truly jaw-dropping. It was heart-warming, hilarious and just so fulfilling. Never in a million years did I expect a BL drama to go in such a creative, wholesome direction with the way it shows how the characters get together. The university setting feels fresh though its been done so many times before - BBS makes it fresh. The side characters help in elevating the stakes and they support the main duo well. I can't emphasize enough how PatPran make for the heart and soul of the show.
We even have GL rep. We have a healthy sibling bond. We have great friends, and some bad ones too. We have family, We have heart wrenching confrontations. We get forgiveness, tears, smiles and the whole package with Bad Buddy, really!
Let's talk versatility.
I've craved for verse rep in BL that just subverts the standard top/bottom tropes in BL for so long. While I can see why many enjoy it and how tops and bottoms do exist in many queer relationships, I want to see couples in BL where they go beyond the norm and are shown to be equals both in and out of bed.
When P'Aof, the director of BBS, said he wanted to abolish the seme/uke stereotypes for this story of rivals falling for each other, I felt so happy. I felt seen. I was taken aback and over the moon when I saw the giant BBS fandom support PatPran's lack of fixed top/bottom roles. I read comments of people who said they learned about versatility just because of BBS. This show has educated people and broken multiple stereotypes, and I am so grateful for that.
This is truly one of the few gems in the romance genre that I'll hold dear to my heart. The 12 hours I spent on this show were some of the most emotional and fun-filled. I totally recommend calling a bunch of friends who appreciate a good romance and settling down with snacks plus drinks to binge this on a weekend.
Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful Story
No words, really.These days, I don’t watch BL all that much. Call it growing older, call it cynicism, or maybe just losing some color—but I had started to feel bored with the same old saccharine storylines. Even the ones that leaned serious, spooky, or crime-driven seemed to lack something crucial: **heart**.
I haven’t been truly impressed since *Bad Buddy*, which I finished back in 2022. That series left a deep mark on me. Though its storyline was simple, it had **heart**. It had **soul**. Since then, whatever I watch, I always measure it against the benchmark set by *Bad Buddy*.
That was until March 2025, when I watched *The Only One* for the first time.
Oh. My. God.
This series is **phenomenal**. I love them. I love their chemistry. The "opposites attract" dynamic, the doomed romance, the *star-crossed lovers* trope—the **taboo** of being stepbrothers. The **pining**, the **angst**, the **acting**—so **subtle**, yet deeply affecting. Every little moment matters, even the seemingly insignificant ones that later come back in such a powerful way. This series delivers all of it **in spades**.
The longing looks! The drama! The side characters are **outstanding**. Special shoutout to Gao Tianyang’s actor—he absolutely **nailed** his performance. He’s so lovable, such a comedic genius, and genuinely one of the best supporting characters I’ve seen in BL. And, of course, a special mention to the **first cutest het couple in BL media** (not saying who they are, but I am **fully rooting for them**).
As for the main leads? Their chemistry is **unreal**.
The **skinship** is abundant, but it’s never meaningless. Their **love language is acts of love**, and it is **breathtaking** to watch. Someone once said that Jiang Tian teaches Shen Wang that love is **difficult**, not easy, but **worth it**—that you have to push through the ugly parts of love to truly reach the other person. That lesson is **so profound**.
We see Shen Wang being polite, distant, and mechanically affectionate—good at faking friendliness to keep everyone happy. But Jiang Tian? **He sees through him**. He **knows** when Shen Wang is being inauthentic, and when that false politeness is directed at him, he **calls him out on his bullshit immediately**. It’s such a rare and beautiful lesson to explore in a BL drama. **Chef’s kiss.**
Now, the story isn’t complete. *The Only One* is adapted from a novel (a **very** faithful 1:1 adaptation, with only minor changes), and so far, we’ve only covered **60 chapters**. There are **50 more chapters** left for Season 2. When Season 1 ended where it did, I **literally rolled around screaming,** *“No, this can’t be it!”* But I quickly calmed down, read the novel, and now… I’m **eagerly waiting** for the rest to be adapted.
Bring on Season 2. I need it. Now.
Was this review helpful to you?
