ume-san

I can definitely see why this BL series causes a lot of complicated feelings for everyone so I want to share some of my own mixed feelings. For me, after finishing it I couldn't stop thinking about it and was so captivated. I was initially uneasy about how dark this BL became, since darker themes often mean discomfort, toxic dynamics, and a cycle of abuse...which is very painful to watch.My 'overall' review of this is that while many actions are absolutely inexcusable, the nuance in this series lies in how love is portrayed and its complexity. The connection is depicted as something all-consuming, where devotion can blur into obsession and control...but then you sit there wondering how that can be love. Is it even love?

The acting and chemistry in this are outstanding, and the story itself captures the messiness and danger of love with an interesting redemption arc that I think a lot of dark BL series don't touch. I think this exploration of the characters, their own desires, fears, shortcomings, and battle in understanding what love means to them is something I could not take my eyes away from even as it crashed and became a mess. The fact this show made me reflect, question characters’ motives, and lose my mind over decisions I strongly disagreed with speaks to how immerse I was in the world and story. Because this is fiction, I personally view the series as using these elements to examine the nuance and complexity of human love, not to glamorize it. Despite the serious pacing issues at the end, I really do believe the show left a lasting impression, which is why I still rate it highly overall.

This needs to be rated higher...these first two episodes are so good!

I really love the chemistry between this couple. It's so hard to look away from how great they are together and I'm just so thankful this series exist and we get to experience this T_T

Same same! The awkwardness is so endearing to watch and they seem more comfortable and true to themselves. Though AE is so def very captivating I can't keep my eyes off him

Honestly, I felt this too however you must remember that Japan is a society that currently doesn't fully accept homosexuality. While it is gradually becoming more open, in a culture where you would risk your job, your family, your friends it’s safer to either follow social norms or stay quiet. This is a real pressure that Minase is perhaps not ready to confront at this time, and Haruki respected this. His friends, after all, in that moment showed that they do not understand or cannot even conceptualize their relationship as even being a possibility.

In the end, though, it raises an important question: Is it necessary for others to accept your love? Does marriage truly symbolize the ultimate goal of love? Their conversation was beautiful since it highlighted that what matters most to them is their own understanding and connection, even in a society that may not accept or comprehend their love. And perhaps, that is all that truly matters. Of course, they would both love to live in a society that recognizes their love and celebrates it but that is not reality right now.

yup

I do think that with someone like Dohoe, no matter how much he holds onto the trauma, the abuse, the pain...it's not fair for him to yell at Juyeong and literally attack his character and entire being like that while Juyeong is trying his best to make their relationship work. It just pains me to see Juyeong treated like that because I don't think that's how you treat someone you cherish and care deeply about. I know many people would come to Dohoe's defense and maybe argue his past has a big part in this. I won't deny that but that doesn't excuse the pain you cause and inflict on others.

You can call the lack of communication, honesty, and transparency trauma but he can't expect someone to help him or support him to heal that all. He holds onto too much and truly needs to do the work so he can at the basic level provide those in a relationship.

Y'all...I'm feel pretty emotional with the release of the new episodes and conflicted. It's becoming frustrating to watch and it breaks my heart how much they are hurting one another by leaving so many things unresolved. Like many people, I feel like an ending where they aren't together might even make me feel better because they don't seem compatible at all and it seems hard for the both of them to reach this realization and accept this as a reality after like 12 years....it's sad because they really want to make it work.

THANK YOU!! Someone else is speaking their truth and I'm so here for it. I do feel quite insulted as well and the fact that we are on episode 3 with this many plot holes and people are rating it 8.8 is crazy. I just about lost it and my body physically reacted to the scene where frowny face symbol changed into smiley. It's SO HARD to fully immerse or seriously buy into the plot when you feel like the show is always trolling you.

I really feel like there's a bias for thai bl dramas on this website like I've seen so many other countries' bl series with great acting and a plot but they are rated 7 or less...

the acting was SOO GOOD!! Some of the best acting I've seen. I really enjoyed this watch I wish it was longer but as a prequel I think it was absolutely amazing

This show is too cute and wholesome I literally bawl every episode friends T_T

Now that I'm learning that one of the directors has a lot of experience in working on action films, I can definitely see this reflected in the series. I'm deciding to put a hold on finishing this (if ever) because honestly, I feel quite conflicted about the relationship between the main leads and some of the side stories.

Speaking honestly, the way this show depicts and handles sexual assault and violence is very concerning to me, and the way it's portrayed makes me question whether this story features genuine relationships or if it's just romanticizing abusive dynamics. This type of representation in BL, I believe, feels like a disservice to the genre and is harmful. I think my critique may be more about the source material itself (against the author) with examples of 'romance' being synonymous or confused for symptoms of stockholm syndrome. Now that I’m near the end of the show...this is why I don't know if I'll finish it.

And to clarify... I don’t think there’s anything wrong with telling a ‘darker romance’ story, but I personally think the way these issues are handled is dismissive. These are just my personal thoughts.

I didn't like Maya in the manga and seeing her in the drama is making me remember the dislike :D

I'm literally bawling I never thought that my favorite BL manga would be adapted into a series and I am cherishing every second of this masterpiece T_T

HAHAHA gurl same I was laughing to death too omg

I love the way you phrased that haha his 'shady ways'. So true though!

Just wanted to come in here and acknowledge & say how the acting in this series is so incredible and definitely some of the best I've ever seen. Every word that Ritsu said pulled me into what his character was feeling and experiencing in that exact moment. It sent shivers down my spine how much he conveys through his acting. Masumi's actor also did a fantastic job showing his pain and desire especially through his eyes.

On a completely unrelated side note...the cinematography and color grading in these shots have been so beautiful so far I love the way they've been playing with colors, especially in dark lighting such as during the bar and partying scenes. I also love the episode with the casino and the use of colors it really gives the vibe and familiarity of those old hong kong action movies where they depict these gambling/casino scenes. Green is a color that I've seen come up a lot as well as red which really match the mood of these scenes.

What in the thai bl drama O M G I WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE SCENES!! I'm speechless...O_O I'm currently gathering my thoughts and still in shock- I've seen sexuality expressed this way in japanese movies/dramas and always found it fascinating but never thai.

My personal thoughts, so far, are that if media normalizes sex scenes for heterosexual relationships in film and in tv for adult audiences then homosexual sex scenes should be normalized as well. I think expression of human sexuality and sexual desires should not be looked down upon although I do recognize their relationship itself is questionable. Sexuality is not 'wrong' or 'disgusting' it's normal and it's a desire that some people really feel. What I do think is worth discussing and having a conversation about is the nature of their relationship which I guess I need to watch more to understand.

I can't stop thinking about certain scenes in this movie; it was incredibly moving. I'm amazed at how the film tackles so many topics while beautifully weaving themes and messages to create a cohesive piece of artwork. The actors were incredibly talented, conveying emotions with just their expressions, and the brilliant directing and cinematography was absolutely breath taking. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did, but I greatly enjoyed it despite its painful moments, as it realistically depicts the struggles of love and relationships.

The characters were likable and at the same time unlikable, showcasing the complexity of human nature. This duality highlights the different dimensions of a human being and I think that the psychological elements made the movie even more compelling to watch.