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Non-descript BL series
This is a pretty standard BL that is fluffy, cutely predictable, only so-so entertaining, and fast becoming too common. What made it thus is that there is really no drama here to bring you down (or up) and the characters are endlessly consistent. They are, how to put this, rather ordinary. It is not that the leads are not cute; they are. But the characters are so mundane, leading ordinary lives and facing the same issues the rest of us do. Overworked, with little time to eat or sleep, no social life. This series has no depth to it. The characters are there. The plot is boring, characters are mundane, any reference to love is barely visible, and the acting is modicum.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the Best!
This I would not call a ‘BL’. Perhaps it should be labeled more of an elegy about a deep personal connection. It is a story of two men smitten with each other but calling it love may be on a higher plane than actually exists for either of them. If anything, this is a toxic love story. Not pretty and not meant to be. Criticisms of this series are all valid but that does not take away from its validity. Nor its brilliance. This series is real, honest, brutal, and contemporary. It is a middle-class love story about two rather baneful individuals who found each other at the wrong time in the right place. There is great sadness in this series but also hope. Despite everything, this is a story of human tenacity and fortitude. It is not splashy, cute, or pretty but oh God it is real. Especially living in the City of Angels. Therefore, one of the best series, hesitatingly calling it a BL, for this year of 2023.Was this review helpful to you?
My Friendship Season 2: Before the Rainbow
2 people found this review helpful
Just Brilliant in its Simplicity
While it may not be necessary to watch 1 before 2, it might make more sense since 2 is the prequel to 1. However, I watched 2 before the first series and for me, it was not necessarily the smoothest of transitions. But the story is simple, basic, yet conveys a sense of life as it really exists. One comes to terms with who he is and the other does not. There are only two characters in these series and so the whole story is shouldered on the strength and conviction of these two young men. Mon and Oak are the powerhouse couple in BL today but are not recognized as so. Just brilliant acting.See my full review at BLBliss.com.
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No Emotional Connections
This is noteworthy in the sense that it is not your typical BL involving college boys. It is esoteric and creative but is so lacking in emotional connections. The irony of it is, is that this whole series is one big continuous emotional journey, mostly about death. If you have a series like this, you have to make it relatable to the audience to make it believable. If not, then it lacks a connection to the audience. I simply never felt a connection to any of the characters in this series. It is not bad acting as much as it lacks a coherent and flowing screenplay.Was this review helpful to you?
Yawn
This is a very disappointing BL series, surprisingly form Japan. Normally, Japanese BL are edgy and provocative and interesting. This is flat, boring and completely lifeless. They acted more like children in love than adults in love. I get that there are cultural and societal differences about how to express love, but honestly at some point, someone has to be grown-up enough to at least hint that the love the other person. It also seemed obvious to me that the actors were either given poor directions or simply were not going to give any hint of a connection with the other. If you are going to play a gay part, then try and pretend at least that you are.Was this review helpful to you?
Great Moral Arc
There is a great moral arc to this story but the characters were simply not real. If you are looking for any sense of deep connection with the main characters, then move in. It is NOT bad acting; just a bad script. You have a main couple who lack any kind of deep connection to each other. Sure there are cute stares, and magical moonbeams but no hint of any real attraction to each other. There was not even a kiss so therefore how can there be love. This story could have been a good one but fell short. But there is a support role here that is just phenomenal. You can read my full review at BLBliss.com. She was simply brilliant.Was this review helpful to you?
Mr. Unlucky Has No Choice but to Kiss!
2 people found this review helpful
Quirky but Sad
I think this is supposed to sort of be a rom-com and parts of it are quite funny. The Japanese have a real eye for self-depreciating humor in the first person. And the physical comedy that goes with that. Unquestionably the two main protagonists are quite quirky and real misfits, which made them very likeable. The first half is much better than the second half. The last half just turned into a silly cat-and-mouse game of playing with emotions with neither one wanting to make any type of a commitment to have a relationship. I found that patently silly and absurd. I was very disappointed overall with this series and found it to be formulaic. In the end, I found them to be way more sad figures than happy ones. Ironically.Was this review helpful to you?
Awkward but It Works!
This is a complete mish-mash of characters that honestly should not work. They are awkward and seem awkward in their own skins. But weirdly, it all works and turns out to be a charming and engaging series. It grabbed my attention and never let go. There are some hidden meanings in this series and that is captured very well. An awkward happenstance that turns charming and you end up rooting for them. Physically, these two actors seem out-of-place, not compatible with each other, and awkwardly clumsy. Yet, it all worked. There is such good chemistry between them that appears to be genuine, even if it is unorthodox. Just enjoy this charmer.You can read my full review at BLBliss.com.
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Semantic Error: Clear
This is a very good Korean BL series that got a bit archetypical in the end but it is still one of the better ones out there. The main couple was cute and had some great kissing scenes. However, I watched this series through rose-colored glasses as I had a different twist as to who Sangchu really was. Thinking of him the way I did put this series in a broader perspective for me. But no matter how you see these guys, it is still one of the better BLs out there. I am an avid fan of Korean drama. Indeed, they are the new "Hollywood".Was this review helpful to you?
I wanted to like this....
Honestly, I really wanted to like this series. The actors are stunningly handsome and are very good actors, really. But this story had so man logical flaws in it, that it was hard to really like. Also, I never bought their relationship as I did not see much chemistry between the two main actors. If you are going to have young guys supposedly in love, show us. Give us something relatable and understandable so we can see they are is something related to romance. There is also no need for side-stories that frankly go nowhere and are meant to pull at heartstrings. The premise of this story is good; it is just executed with too much meandering with no clear focus.Was this review helpful to you?
Lives Up to Its Name - TOXIC!
Dear God, this is so bad. Everything about this is bad. Acting, production, editing, sound, and story. The story is disjointed with self-indulgent characters that bully and intimidate others around them. Filled also with over-the-top gay characters who portray 'gay' behavior in the worst possible way. I really enjoyed Aki in MY DAY but this is just awful. Everyone’s acting was at best amateurish and at worst, looking like they were all ‘winging it’ on their own. There was no sense of direction, no help with timing or delivering lines, or rehearsal, for that matter. Honestly, I could not believe how badly this series was acted throughout.Skip it at all cost,
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Profoundly Moving Sometimes while Mundane Overall
This was a hard series for me to get through. Let me just say upfront that it is one of the best acted Thai BL series to come along in a long time. And they actually tackled some interesting real-life situations not in the usual manner but with some realistic approaches. Yet, the story all seemed so ordinary to me and I just did not buy the relationship between the two leading actors. In order for me to accept it, it has to look real and feel real but I just did not see that. However, who really 'stole' this series are the incredible supporting roles. These actors and actresses were unbelievably good and did a way more convincing job than than the main characters. I cannot say enough about how good these people were. Please do not misunderstand; no one did a bad job in acting. I just did not buy the relationship. If it were not for the supporting characters, this series would have been rather dull. I loved them a lot and they carried this series. There is also such a glaring flaw in logic in this story that is just not handled well at all. It will hit you in the face when you realize what it is. It simply made no sense. If you want to read my full review of this series (where I name specific individuals and how they 'stole' this series, go to BLBliss.com.Was this review helpful to you?
A Wonderful Non-BLthat is BL
I do not care what anyone else wrote about this series, but it is a very good love story. No, not in the BL sense of the word, but it brought love into the forefront of this amazingly good narrative about mental illness and compassion. It is quite a beautiful journey in which there parts that made me cry and at other times, made me bust out laughing. It is one of the most human stories out there and show how deeply you can love someone in other ways besides physically. I know that sounds odd but it is a deeply intense series and I for one appreciated its message of companionship, friendship, understanding, and yes love. I hope people watch it,But can understand why they would not The production is just awful. Disjointed and poor editing. PLEASE, PLEASE do something about translating these series into English with some sophistication. It was just awful. In one case, they had a translation that was not for that episode. I get that these series are not perhaps made for English speaking countries, but if you want to widen the audience, do SOMETHING about making the translations better. These series and actors are so good but it is cheapened by bad translations. I for one deeply appreciate the efforts that are being done in this genre. God, knows, the USA will not likely ever get on board of doing these kinds of series. (Ok, Love Victor, as one exception).
If you want to read my full review of this outstanding series, please go to BLBliss.com
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Phenomenal and Profound Work of Art
I watched this series quite serendipitously and was so moved by its message and acting that I can not stop thinking about it. It is soulful, profoundly sad, and a masterpiece of acting. The singing by Jeff Satur is excellent and is also profoundly moving. This is not your typical BL series and I know that it might not appeal to a lot of fans but this series is ACTING at its finest with a story that is as interpretative as you want it to be. YOU draw your own conclusions. You experience its emotions on your own. While short in duration (about 45 minutes in total), it will leave you questioning what happened before, during, and after.I am trying to write in greater detail the review of this series on my website but need time to process its complete impact on me. Please go to see it at BLBliss.com. I shall post it soon.
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A Classic
I transported myself back to that time and found the film to be remarkable. This story is deeply, deeply moving. Funny at times. A coming-of-age essay also. It is also profoundly sad reaching the core of one’s inner being. It grabs you and shakes you and tells you clearly that your life will never be the same and a small hole will exist where the heart is. But you still go on. The acting in this series is profoundly moving and is elevated by the supporting characters as well. While this movie may now be ‘older’, it is still relevant today as we all know that families can not and will not accept gay relationships or even recognize love between two persons of the same sex.Was this review helpful to you?
