Bittersweet &Funny Coming of Age
I truly respect fans of the source material and it’s always difficult to watch your beloved source material be adapted to the screen: which is why I think the ratings here don’t reflect the work as its own independent story.
While superficially the narrative seems like pretty well-worn territory (first crushes- both same and opposite sex) what this drama is doing beautifully is simply reflecting life the way it is: some kids in class are straight, some are gay, some aren’t even sure yet, but at the end of the day, there is both a common humanity in the first love “rite of passage”, as well as differences unique to your sexual orientation. While there is a commonality of emotional experience, respect is given with regards to the intersectionality of sexual identity and how that identity may make the rite of passage a much different journey than the journey of your straight counterparts.
The acting is not always subtle which is fine- these are high school kids and teenagers tend to react with much broader strokes than adults.
The drama explores an interesting romantic quadrangle and gives equal weight and respect to the varying combinations. The effect on the MLs’ friendship is quiet and understated (although at some point, I am anticipating a direct confrontation).
I can’t give a complete review as episodes are still dropping. But seeing the “front-facing” reviews, I felt compelled to throw an initial review together- it would be a shame to miss such a mature and honest look at the rite of passage known as your first crush- especially since it honors the reality that is often underrepresented in drama, or represented in a very narrow definition. I truly appreciate that both gay and straight identities are given space to coexist in one drama.
While superficially the narrative seems like pretty well-worn territory (first crushes- both same and opposite sex) what this drama is doing beautifully is simply reflecting life the way it is: some kids in class are straight, some are gay, some aren’t even sure yet, but at the end of the day, there is both a common humanity in the first love “rite of passage”, as well as differences unique to your sexual orientation. While there is a commonality of emotional experience, respect is given with regards to the intersectionality of sexual identity and how that identity may make the rite of passage a much different journey than the journey of your straight counterparts.
The acting is not always subtle which is fine- these are high school kids and teenagers tend to react with much broader strokes than adults.
The drama explores an interesting romantic quadrangle and gives equal weight and respect to the varying combinations. The effect on the MLs’ friendship is quiet and understated (although at some point, I am anticipating a direct confrontation).
I can’t give a complete review as episodes are still dropping. But seeing the “front-facing” reviews, I felt compelled to throw an initial review together- it would be a shame to miss such a mature and honest look at the rite of passage known as your first crush- especially since it honors the reality that is often underrepresented in drama, or represented in a very narrow definition. I truly appreciate that both gay and straight identities are given space to coexist in one drama.
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