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Great Chemistry, Strong Acting, and Every Shippers Nightmare
Mr. Fanboy hooked me very quickly because it has much more going on than a simple celebrity/fan romance. Wan enters the entertainment industry almost by accident, already carrying a complicated relationship with fame and fandom, and immediately finds himself surrounded by people who are judging whether he belongs there. Third starts out openly antagonistic toward him, but that hostility gradually shifts into reluctant support, then friendship, and by episode 3 there are already some very sweet glimpses that this relationship is heading somewhere beyond friendship.
Auau and Save have fantastic chemistry. Their antagonistic scenes work, their banter works, and once Third starts quietly helping and supporting Wan, the chemistry becomes even better. The small moments between them are especially effective because the relationship develops gradually rather than suddenly flipping from dislike to romance. Save is clearly the stronger actor of the two leads at this point, but Auau holds his own very well, and together they are extremely watchable.
The supporting cast is strong too. Ryujin apparently could have chemistry with a wall, because once again he immediately brings energy to every interaction he has. I’m especially excited to see more of him with Patji as the series develops. And James is doing an excellent job as Nine. Nine initially presents himself as warm and supportive, but Wan’s growing popularity—and particularly the attention Wan receives from both Third and the fans—brings out a much more jealous and threatening side of him. He is becoming a very effective antagonist.
One of the most entertaining parts of the story is that it is basically every shipper’s nightmare. Third and Nine are the established CP the fans expect to be affectionate, close, and happily feeding the ship, but behind the scenes they are anything but the lovey-dovey pair people imagine. That makes the fanservice side of the drama especially fun because it quietly raises an uncomfortable question: how many of our own favorite ships are nowhere near as smooth behind the scenes as fans assume?
Wan’s success also creates conflict far beyond the romance. Multiple people have reasons for wanting him brought down or removed from the production, while Wan himself remains largely unaware of how much resentment his growing popularity is creating. That gives the story real momentum and makes the entertainment-industry setting feel integral to the plot rather than simply background scenery.
Overall, the story is great, the acting is strong, and the chemistry is excellent—not only between Auau and Save, but throughout the cast. The sweeter Third/Wan moments beginning to emerge in episode 3 are particularly lovely, and the show has already given me enough character and industry drama to keep me thoroughly invested.
My only complaint?
One episode a week is cruel.
Auau and Save have fantastic chemistry. Their antagonistic scenes work, their banter works, and once Third starts quietly helping and supporting Wan, the chemistry becomes even better. The small moments between them are especially effective because the relationship develops gradually rather than suddenly flipping from dislike to romance. Save is clearly the stronger actor of the two leads at this point, but Auau holds his own very well, and together they are extremely watchable.
The supporting cast is strong too. Ryujin apparently could have chemistry with a wall, because once again he immediately brings energy to every interaction he has. I’m especially excited to see more of him with Patji as the series develops. And James is doing an excellent job as Nine. Nine initially presents himself as warm and supportive, but Wan’s growing popularity—and particularly the attention Wan receives from both Third and the fans—brings out a much more jealous and threatening side of him. He is becoming a very effective antagonist.
One of the most entertaining parts of the story is that it is basically every shipper’s nightmare. Third and Nine are the established CP the fans expect to be affectionate, close, and happily feeding the ship, but behind the scenes they are anything but the lovey-dovey pair people imagine. That makes the fanservice side of the drama especially fun because it quietly raises an uncomfortable question: how many of our own favorite ships are nowhere near as smooth behind the scenes as fans assume?
Wan’s success also creates conflict far beyond the romance. Multiple people have reasons for wanting him brought down or removed from the production, while Wan himself remains largely unaware of how much resentment his growing popularity is creating. That gives the story real momentum and makes the entertainment-industry setting feel integral to the plot rather than simply background scenery.
Overall, the story is great, the acting is strong, and the chemistry is excellent—not only between Auau and Save, but throughout the cast. The sweeter Third/Wan moments beginning to emerge in episode 3 are particularly lovely, and the show has already given me enough character and industry drama to keep me thoroughly invested.
My only complaint?
One episode a week is cruel.
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