NLE

JJ was supposed to be higher but the special episode left me in tears for a few day 😭

Thank you for your detailed response. I will begin this evening and am truly excited to get started. I will be sure to update you on my progress once I have completed it.

Wow we are so similar, I watched most of your recommended shows.
Most of your recommendation are my favourites.

My ratings

-The Sign 10/10

-Love in The Big City 10/10

-Traige 10/10

-Manner of Death 10/10

-Spare Me Mercy 9.5/10

-Jack and Joker 8.5/10

-Law of Attraction 8.5/10

ThamePo is on next on my watch list, in fact I will start episode 1 tonight, thank you for recommending

I enjoy all genres; however, I am currently somewhat tired of themes centered around high school or university.

It seems we have similar tastes. Could you share some other dramas you enjoy so that I can add them to my watchlist? 🥳

For me, best series for 2025 is Secret Relationship (Korean)

Sing My Crush (Korean) is the cutest couple ever 10/10

Could anyone please advise me on whether this series is worth starting? I’m starting to tire of the high school/university BL theme. Also, I’d be interested to know which shows it is similar to.

I have watched over 100 BL series, primarily from Thailand, Korea, and Taiwan. This is my second Japanese BL, and I would highly recommend it.

While the production quality—such as the graphics, color, and cinematography—may not be as high as that of Korean dramas, I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I binge-watched all 11 episodes in one sitting. The chemistry between the two male leads was captivating, evolving from friendship to a deeper connection, progressing to their first kiss, and ultimately culminating in them falling in love with each other. I felt a sense of relief when Haruki's father passed away, as he was portrayed as an abusive alcoholic. It was difficult to believe that Japanese law does not provide more protection for children in such situations. Had this been in Australia, Haruki would have received extensive support, including free accommodation, food, and a safe home. I am, however, grateful that Jin was there to support him.

My only criticism is that it seems unrealistic that, after loving each other and being separated for over five years, they could not contact each other through platforms like Instagram or Facebook. While Jin lost his phone in America, in reality, they could easily have reached out to one another if they truly wanted to.

Overall, I would rate this drama 9 out of 10. I appreciated how each episode beautifully developed their relationship, from high school to adulthood, allowing us to see their love grow with each passing moment. My favorite part was the ending, where Haruki mentions that, although Japan does not have legal gay marriage, he will always be there for Jin. This was a deeply realistic and emotional sentiment, and I could see myself in Haruki's position one day.

I look forward to watching more Japanese BL series in the future.

I wouldn't describe SuHyeon as a coward. If it weren't for him finding the house, DaOn's life would have been at risk. He was the first to enter and immediately told JaeMin to drop the knife. In high-pressure, life-or-death situations, it's natural for the body to freeze, and it's often difficult to know how to respond.

I stayed up until 2 a.m., despite having work at 8 a.m., just to watch the final episode, and it did not disappoint. The TV adaptation surpasses the 120-chapter Manhwa I read, offering a darker, more thrilling experience.

For those who complain about toxic characters, I would argue that without them, the story would lack depth and excitement. I recently finished Heart Stain (Korean) and Impression of Youth (Taiwan), both of which did not feature any toxic characters or villains, and I found them to be quite dull and simplistic to watch.

In contrast, Secret Relationship kept me engaged throughout. Every episode was thrilling, exciting, and filled with cliffhangers, and the flashbacks made perfect sense. The actors delivered exceptional performances, the male leads were captivating, the cinematography was outstanding, and the plot was gripping.

This is one of the best BL series I have ever watched. I would rate it a solid 10/10.

For your information, I have read all 115 chapters, along with the 5 special chapters of the Manhwa, and it differs significantly from the television adaptation.

https://xbato.com/title/84677-secret-relationships/1968056-ch_80?marg=2

If DaOn had been easily won over, it would have held little amusement for a psychopath. A challenge that is too simple or a solution that is too obvious loses its allure—what is effortlessly obtained is rarely cherished. If you have not yet noticed, a chessboard sits in JaeMin’s living room, an unassuming detail. Yet, to him, it is far more than a mere game; it embodies his philosophy, a reflection of his nature. He manipulates people as one would maneuver chess pieces, relishing the art of control and deception.

For someone like JaeMin, life itself is a game of chess—each move meticulously calculated, each opponent unknowingly drawn into play. Had he accepted DaOn’s confession too easily in the episode 3, it would have robbed him of the thrill of the game. A psychopath does not simply accept love; they toy with it, drawing their target deeper into their web. For JaeMin, the real satisfaction lies in making DaOn fall for him gradually, ensuring that the attachment is cultivated on his terms. An example of this is when he orchestrates a situation to terrify DaOn’s sister, only to swoop in as the hero, reinforcing the illusion that he is always there for DaOn—when, in reality, he was the mastermind behind it all.

I believe it may be too soon to judge harshly, as there are a total of 12 episodes, and only 2 have been released so far—meaning we have only seen 16% of the series. There is still potential for chemistry to develop as the story progresses.

If DaOn had been easily won over, it would have held little amusement for a psychopath. A challenge that is too simple or a solution that is too obvious loses its allure—what is effortlessly obtained is rarely cherished. If you have not yet noticed, a chessboard sits in JaeMin’s living room, an unassuming detail. Yet, to him, it is far more than a mere game; it embodies his philosophy, a reflection of his nature. He manipulates people as one would maneuver chess pieces, relishing the art of control and deception.

For someone like JaeMin, life itself is a game of chess—each move meticulously calculated, each opponent unknowingly drawn into play. Had he accepted DaOn’s confession too easily in the episode 3, it would have robbed him of the thrill of the game. A psychopath does not simply accept love; they toy with it, drawing their target deeper into their web. For JaeMin, the real satisfaction lies in making DaOn fall for him gradually, ensuring that the attachment is cultivated on his terms. An example of this is when he orchestrates a situation to terrify DaOn’s sister, only to swoop in as the hero, reinforcing the illusion that he is always there for DaOn—when, in reality, he was the mastermind behind it all.

I have three potential theories regarding who might have kidnapped DaOn:

SuHuyeon
SuHuyeon seems like the most obvious suspect. In Episode 7 at 23:59, he says, “Get ready. Do as planned,” and at 29:33, he says, “All set.” However, it is unclear why he would do this. If DaOn missed the presentation, it would jeopardize his position as CEO and harm his company. Moreover, this scenario seems too obvious. Given that the TV series does not strictly follow the manhwa and often includes plot twists and cliffhangers, I personally don’t think SuHuyeon is the kidnapper.

JaeMin
JaeMin quit his job as a teacher, packed his clothes, and mentioned that he wanted to move far away. However, he also packed a photo of himself with DaOn, suggesting that he still has feelings for him and possibly wants to be with him. While it appeared that he wanted to distance himself from DaOn, bringing the photo indicates otherwise. Additionally, before the presentation, JaeMin was supposed to meet with DaOn, and the kidnapping occurred shortly after, which makes him seem like a potential suspect. Again, this scenario feels too obvious.


Park Jeonghun
In Episode 4 at 24:36, Park Jeonghun tells SuHuyeon, “Please help me this once; if this collaboration fails, I’m done for.” Later, in Episode 7, it is revealed that Park Jeonghun was the one posting the comments online. He likely became frustrated when SuHuyeon didn’t sign the contract, which led to his career being ruined. In a fit of revenge, Park Jeonghun may have kidnapped DaOn.
I am inclined to believe that Park Jeonghun is the most likely suspect, as it is the least obvious option.
Considering the screenwriter's penchant for plot twists, this theory seems plausible.

https://xbato.com/title/84677-secret-relationships/1968056-ch_80?marg=2

Thank you but I’m still lost ahaha

Maybe the special episode will clear things up

I have watched all 10 episodes carefully and observed all the details. There is no parallel world involved.
Cir has been in love with Phu since high school. He befriended Phu’s friend in order to get closer to him and determine which university he attended so that he could follow him there.
In other words, Cir has been stalking Phu for the past five years. Cir was involved in a car accident while trying to prevent thieves from breaking into Phu's car. When he regained consciousness, he rushed to Phu and fabricated a story, claiming to be from a parallel world.
The reason Cir knows so much about Phu is that he has been observing him closely for the last five years. For instance, Cir knew about Phu's mole because he had seen him change clothes during sports day.
However, I have two remaining doubts. Firstly, during Cir’s second car accident, when he woke up, his scar had disappeared, and he seemed to have lost his memory of Phu. Then, at the crossing, there was a flashback of Cir being locked in a time dimension. Somehow, he regained his memory, and his scar reappeared. How is this possible?