NLE

I am not going to lie, I have always been interested in BL dramas that explore forbidden relationships between teachers and students. I know this is completely fictional and that such relationships would be inappropriate in real life, but as a fictional storyline, I find the complicated emotions, tension and moral conflicts fascinating to watch. So when I first came across this Korean BL, Boy, With Caution, I immediately added it to my watchlist!

And OMG, after watching the first four episodes, I can confidently say that it has NOT disappointed me!

What makes this BL so interesting is that both main characters are struggling with their own personal lives, and neither seems to be receiving the love and affection they desperately need.

We have Jang Gi U, a 32 year old high school teacher who is married but appears to have very little affection or emotional connection with his wife. Despite having a wife and a seemingly normal life, he comes across as lonely and emotionally unfulfilled. You can sense that something is missing from his life, and deep down, he wants to feel loved and appreciated.

Then we have Lee Hyeon Jae, a high school student whose home life is heartbreaking. Instead of receiving love and support from his father, he experiences hatred, physical abuse and constant emotional pain. Watching how his father treats him genuinely makes me feel sorry for him. Home should be somewhere a child feels safe and loved, but for Hyeon Jae, it is the complete opposite.

What I find particularly interesting is how these two characters, despite being at completely different stages of their lives, are both dealing with loneliness and a lack of affection. As their connection develops, we begin to see how their emotional struggles bring them closer together, even though the teacher and student relationship creates serious complications.

And this is exactly what makes the storyline so intriguing to me!

Unlike many high school BL dramas that focus on cute moments, innocent crushes and fluffy romance, Boy, With Caution takes a much darker and more emotional approach. This is definitely NOT your typical sweet school romance!

The drama explores difficult subjects such as childhood trauma, abusive parenting, loneliness, emotional neglect and forbidden attraction. I really appreciate that this Korean BL is willing to explore uncomfortable and complicated themes rather than following the usual predictable romance formula.

Another thing I love is how different the storyline feels compared to other BL dramas I have watched. There is a sense of sadness surrounding both characters, and I find myself wanting to understand them more with every episode. Their circumstances are far from simple, and that emotional complexity is what keeps me interested.

I am already halfway through the series, and I am genuinely loving it so far! Four episodes in, the story has kept my attention, and I am curious to see how their relationship develops and what consequences their feelings might bring.

Overall, Boy, With Caution has been an excellent watch so far. It is dark, emotional, mature and filled with complicated characters who are searching for something missing in their lives. It certainly will not appeal to everyone because of its sensitive subject matter, but that is also what makes it stand out from the usual BL dramas.

If you enjoy darker Korean BL dramas with unique storylines, complicated relationships, emotional trauma and characters who are struggling to find love and acceptance, this is definitely one to consider adding to your watchlist! ❤️