Stefania

It was so fun when he talked back to Day in the first episode xD

Another thing: We never know what Joke and Zo are thinking, which is a problem, especially in Joke's case. What he did is wrong and creepy for a love interest in a romantic comedy. Why could he not approach Zo like a normal person? How did he come up with his plan, and why did he think that it was a good idea? Did he take Zo's feelings into consideration? We don't know, and this makes him more sinister than likeable.

JoongDunk is my favorite GMMTV ship, and I really wanted Hidden Agenda to succeed, but this series is just not it. It has a great premise, but, for some reason, the plot has been written to avoid this premise as much as possible. The story goes through an identity crisis in every episode, as it keeps pursuing "side quests" instead of focusing on the primary storyline.

Joke is a dark character. Why introduce a stalker out of nowhere and resolve the situation in one underwhelming episode, when there already is a character, and a main one at that, who is manipulative, stalkerish, and controlling? Why try to keep Joke in fluffy territory when letting him show his dangerous side more would have made him way more entertaining?

Other things that are part of the premise and have great potential to make interesting conflict, but have not been explored at all: Jeng and Pok's toxic relationship, Pat's motivations, the rivalry between Joke and Zo's friend groups, and Joke and Zo's past [that they had a conflict in the past was shown in a brief scene in the first episode].

I feel like the production team have planned to surprise us in one of the next episodes, but they have approached this the wrong way. Keeping the plot bland for the better part of the series is not how you lead the story toward a big twist.

In episodes seven and eight, the plot went through an identity crisis, but JoongDunk's romantic scenes made them worth the watch. I lost count of how many times I have rewatched the bed scene -- it stands out from all other bed scenes that I have seen. Both Joong and Dunk were incredibly convincing, and the scene itself had a gentleness to it that I usually do not see in other BL series.

Another thing: Is it only me or are almost none of the characters likeable? Pok, Kot, Nita, and Wave are actually the only ones whom I like, and the story does not revolve around them.

Joke? I liked him until he got pushy and overly possessive in episode six. When I considered that he is also manipulating Zo since the first episode, he started to seem creepy to me. The user who called him Ted Bundy without the serial killing mindset is spot-on.

Zo? Although he is our main character, I have no idea what he is feeling or thinking. Other viewers are blaming Dunk's acting for that, but it is not only his fault -- this is how the character is written. How does he feel about Joke? Why is he hesitating? Because he is trying to come to terms with his sexuality? Because he is not sure about his feelings for Joke? Because he is not ready for a relationship? We don't know! How am I supposed to sympathize with him if I don't know what he is struggling with?

Jeng? I always thought that Pok deserves better, but after Jeng told those girls that he is single, I stopped rooting for their relationship. He will need a serious redemption ark for me to warm up to him again, and I don't know how this will happen when this couple has almost no screentime.

Pat? He is one of Zo's closest friends, but he is in cahoots with Joke. Who am I even supposed to root for in this series?

Okay, I was defending this series, but now that I have watched episode five and six, I see where the other viewers are coming from. Every character in Hidden Agenda is supposed to have a hidden agenda, but the story does not do a good job at showing this at all. It should have been building up toward the big reveal, not hiding everything behind a bland plot.
I also agree with everybody who says that something is off about this series. I am feeling the sinister vibes, and I am pretty sure that this was not what the production team was aiming for.

The more I watch this series, the more I like it. JokeZo's interactions are so natural, so human. Although the plot is light-hearted, the progression of their relationship adds depth to it. JoongDunk's chemistry -- what can I even say? They are on fire in episode four.

Oh, the sweet, sweet tension between them... *heart eyes* I loved episode three. JokeZo have a great dynamic, and the plot is getting more interesting. This series is for those of us who want to watch something cute, funny, and romantic.

I liked the previous episode, but this one is underwhelming. Except for the debate club scene, the plot is a whole lotta nothin', especially in the first two parts. The series has the potential to improve, though. JoongDunk are really cute together and have great chemistry, Joke is charming, and some interesting things are suggested about the different characters' connections to each other.

I do not think that it is nearly as bad as the viewers here are saying. Yes, Dunk's acting is subpar, and the story isn't winning any awards for uniqueness, but the rest of the cast are good, JoongDunk's chemistry is entertaining, and the episode balances non-cringy humor, drama, and romantic tension really well.

Google Suzuran or Oya High! You will see what I am talking about. :)

Great review, Kate! Your thoughts about Beom Seok match mine. Somewhere along the way, after episode five, I think, I started feeling like Shi Eun is not the main character. The focus was on Beom Seok and his daddy issues all the time, which was a little underwhelming, considering that I was also not interested in him as much as in the other two guys.

Thank you, Kate! :)

Now that you mentioned the bats and the pens, I realized that the fighting in the Japanese movies might be on another level of unrealistic because I did not even raise an eyebrow when Shi Eun's blunt pen pierced a bully's hand like a knife. xD

It is difficult to explain, but let's say that the strength and abilities of some of the Japanese delinquents exceed not only what is possible for a high school student, but what is possible for a human in general. Not to mention that the schools look like they had survived a bombing, an earthquake, and a foreign invasion. There are no teachers to be seen, and the guys go to school specifically to fight. It is wild.

Yes! I was just thinking that Shi Eun had a psychotic side. I like it. It adds flavor to his character. Since I was not familiar with the web toon, I was worried that he would be cold and calculating from start to finish. It was interesting to see that he is actually a kind, patient person who becomes scary when he has had enough.

Thank you. :)

Well said!

Thank you! :) I would like to hear your thoughts, though. Your reviews are on-point.

Listen to the hype! This series is incredibly good. Deliciously dark, addictively homoerotic, and twisty, it entertains brilliantly. You will not be bored. Only episodes thirteen and fourteen are underwhelming. Everything else is great. The ending was magnificent.

Yes, I watched it with English subtitles. It is on YouTube.

You are right! Mark Twain said it: fiction, unlike real life, has to make sense. :) The villains in this series do not, although I see in them the politicians of today.

I have still not finished watching it. I will tell you if she committed suicide. :)
Yes, I understand what you mean, but I think that Sun Ah is great at manipulating others. She succeeds most of the time not because she herself is capable of outsmarting Yo Han, but because she gets powerful, or capable, people to help her, such as the corrupt rich men and the girl in black. She is cunning in the most mean, lowly way possible.