This review may contain spoilers
Charming, if not a little flawed.
Okay. I really loved this drama. The wit was next level in the beginning. The banter when they were ‘enemies’ was everything I hoped it would be and more. It was super fun and entertaining. I loved how J and Jinn’s personalities really shined through their interactions with each other. The snide remarks, the facial expressions. They had me rolling those first couple episodes. The entire time I kept thinking ‘there’s no way they can keep up this momentum’ and while that was somewhat true, I love that neither lost their playful banter with each other, even after getting together. Even when lovey-dovey, the wit and humor was still there and I love that as it usually goes away completely with a premise like this.
The relationship J and Jinn had with their moms was beautiful. They were so supportive and wonderful. The moms weren't just there, they were part of the story and I loved seeing that. It was like a breath of fresh air honestly…and when they came out to the parents and the parents were basically like ‘okay, and this is news how? Anyway…” I laughed my ass off. It was just…so them. Very wholesome and amazing to watch. We need more parents like this.
I really loved how the drama mentioned Jinn having a crush on J since they were kids, J’s reaction to it, and Jinn later confronting J about how his reaction affected him. It was very thoughtful and well done. I have to give credit to the actors on this. They knew the assignment and gave it their A game. Okay….they MOSTLY gave it their A game. I can’t remember their kissing scenes from Only Boo! But uh…my dudes…what? You gave your all in every scene but when intimacy rolled in they were like ‘uh, what do we do?’ It was awkward. They looked uncomfortable, to be honest. They sold me on literally everything except desire/passion. You’re seriously telling me you love each other, want each other, but going to kiss like unsure middle schoolers trying it for the first time? Nah, bro. Still, they tried so…I can be nice and ignore that because one issue doesn’t override how great they were overall.
As for the side couple, I felt they had the same kissing problem, but still did it way better. Makes me wonder if it was a director issue more than an acting issue. I’ll be fair, I wasn’t really into the second couple. Van was…a bit of a dick, and I really like how the characters kept calling him out on it. He seriously annoyed me…but he was also very real-coded. People like him are everywhere I get it. I can also admit that I like how he tried to change. Do I think they’d work long term? Probably not, but this is fantasy so why not believe they will?
For the most part, the plot landed, though it did have some tropes that are often overused. Gay for you? J probably is for Jinn. Accidental kiss? Right on the cheek, my guy, but hey no mouths magnetically finding each other, so win? Random illness from nowhere? Who knows? I don’t. The future J saw wasn’t really clear on that. Episode 11 breakup curse? You got it, but hey, it only lasts like five minutes. Good job, drama. You were so close to not doing it at all. A for effort. Bad communication? A bit, yeah…to the point it was frustrating at times, but I also get why they did it. It went on too long and could have been tightened, but hey, it didn’t kill my enjoyment, so no harm done in the long run. Same with Jinn and his dad. More time could have been spent on that, but whatever. It is what it is and I still loved what it delivered. Not every gift needs perfect wrapping.
The only thing I can truly say bothered me in this drama was the editing. Who’s bright idea was it to pivot between couples in what often felt mid-scene? Just when things were getting good they’d change couples. Like, what? Wait, no – go back, they weren’t done yet, wtf?! It was grating. I get why for pacing reasons. They only had so much time, but wow was it jarring. Talk about whiplash. Despite that though, I loved the drama and can’t wait to see more from SeaKeen.
The relationship J and Jinn had with their moms was beautiful. They were so supportive and wonderful. The moms weren't just there, they were part of the story and I loved seeing that. It was like a breath of fresh air honestly…and when they came out to the parents and the parents were basically like ‘okay, and this is news how? Anyway…” I laughed my ass off. It was just…so them. Very wholesome and amazing to watch. We need more parents like this.
I really loved how the drama mentioned Jinn having a crush on J since they were kids, J’s reaction to it, and Jinn later confronting J about how his reaction affected him. It was very thoughtful and well done. I have to give credit to the actors on this. They knew the assignment and gave it their A game. Okay….they MOSTLY gave it their A game. I can’t remember their kissing scenes from Only Boo! But uh…my dudes…what? You gave your all in every scene but when intimacy rolled in they were like ‘uh, what do we do?’ It was awkward. They looked uncomfortable, to be honest. They sold me on literally everything except desire/passion. You’re seriously telling me you love each other, want each other, but going to kiss like unsure middle schoolers trying it for the first time? Nah, bro. Still, they tried so…I can be nice and ignore that because one issue doesn’t override how great they were overall.
As for the side couple, I felt they had the same kissing problem, but still did it way better. Makes me wonder if it was a director issue more than an acting issue. I’ll be fair, I wasn’t really into the second couple. Van was…a bit of a dick, and I really like how the characters kept calling him out on it. He seriously annoyed me…but he was also very real-coded. People like him are everywhere I get it. I can also admit that I like how he tried to change. Do I think they’d work long term? Probably not, but this is fantasy so why not believe they will?
For the most part, the plot landed, though it did have some tropes that are often overused. Gay for you? J probably is for Jinn. Accidental kiss? Right on the cheek, my guy, but hey no mouths magnetically finding each other, so win? Random illness from nowhere? Who knows? I don’t. The future J saw wasn’t really clear on that. Episode 11 breakup curse? You got it, but hey, it only lasts like five minutes. Good job, drama. You were so close to not doing it at all. A for effort. Bad communication? A bit, yeah…to the point it was frustrating at times, but I also get why they did it. It went on too long and could have been tightened, but hey, it didn’t kill my enjoyment, so no harm done in the long run. Same with Jinn and his dad. More time could have been spent on that, but whatever. It is what it is and I still loved what it delivered. Not every gift needs perfect wrapping.
The only thing I can truly say bothered me in this drama was the editing. Who’s bright idea was it to pivot between couples in what often felt mid-scene? Just when things were getting good they’d change couples. Like, what? Wait, no – go back, they weren’t done yet, wtf?! It was grating. I get why for pacing reasons. They only had so much time, but wow was it jarring. Talk about whiplash. Despite that though, I loved the drama and can’t wait to see more from SeaKeen.
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