Lorenzo

Definitely one of the better short dramas to be released. Amazing acting from the leads and the supporting characters were hilarious! My favorite was the observant glasses wingman. The story has some pacing issues but overall was enjoyable and engaging! I especially liked how they didn’t go with the stereotypical dynamics with the height difference between the leads. I hope to see Shimamura in more projects soon! Maybe with more short co stars

Very cute and lighthearted enemies to lovers story. Both leads were charming and the chemistry was good. Even the supporting characters were likeable and interesting. Also, I first watched the original version and now after seeing the re-edited version I understand why people dislike the reel format. I can’t pin it down but the re-edited version gives it a certain something. Although the editing and cuts are awkward in the beginning it became much smoother as the episodes went on. I hope to see other reel series re-edited into a traditional format.

Refreshing! it’s very cute and the acting is really good. I like the premise and overall vibe I also love how you can already tell by the impressive acting that the popular guy has feelings for Asahi. After all the incredible but heavy dramas released this year it’s nice to see so many lighthearted and cute ones.

wow… what an amazing first episode! The cinematography, acting, and even soundtrack was so good. I am hopeful for it and Takuma’s character is getting second couple plot line! I can’t wait!

Exactly! I can’t tell you how many people give bad comments over just the kiss scene or even if they don’t like how one of the actors look. I mainly look for Happy or sad ending now.

Where to begin…

Another amazing BL drama from Japan!

A very mature and lovely love story between two men who reunite in adulthood.

The acting was very good and emotionally charged. The two leads did very well portraying these angsty young men. I especially liked the little physical tells that the actors did as it really made these characters feel real. Also, they are both incredibly funny and cute!

The chemistry between the leads is so obviously present although it may be more restrained than some people would like. I do prefer the longing looks, acts of love through real action, and growth of the relationship through communication any day over the fetishized and overtly sexualized depiction of gay men in other dramas.

The overall story was very cute and emotionally driven. I didn’t expect it to go into heavy topics especially with the leads' families but it was a welcome surprise over the typical love rival or misunderstanding. Both leads had their own demons to overcome and I love how they portray that communication is important and not just with your romantic partner but even with family!

I enjoyed the quality of all the characters and how they all had their own character arcs. From the main leads, to the coworkers, and to family members, they all felt like real three-dimensional characters with their own character developments. I especially liked the cafe owner!

Looks like it’ll be another underrated Japanese gem but I’ll encourage everyone to give this drama a watch! Especially if you want a character-driven emotional journey with a fulfilling resolution.

Also, Happy Ending!

It was pretty good! Very fun, cute, and lighthearted.

Kim Kang Min did an amazing job as the idol. Truly believable and man he is such a good crier. I felt bad for his character towards the end even though I despised him at first. Great redemption arc even though it felt somewhat rushed.

Kevin also did an amazing job as the teacher and while I dislike the overtly cutesy and infantilizing direction they took with his character he eventually grew on me.

The chemistry between them is great! You can feel the teacher’s nervousness and love for the idol while the idol slowly realizes his true feelings for the teacher. However, I wished they kept some of the heavier themes (not the rapey and creepy Choi Si Yeol) in the adaptation and the nephew character.

Also, the resolution with the second couple was rushed and I felt like key scenes of theirs were cut. I understand they had only so much time to adapt the story but I just can’t help the feeling that the overall show was off in the pacing.

Overall it’s an enjoyable show and definitely worth watching for the fluff. Also, it has a happy ending.

It seems many are forgetting that crucial part of the episode. Like bro was using the teacher for revenge and unknowningly developed feelings which is why he was too stunned to speak when the crap hit the fan. I do not want the forgiveness to come easy for him and the preview for next week gives me some hope

Well it looks like he’ll get a wake up call from Jooha in the next episodes. I hope they put him through to earn the reconciliation. I just hope it’s not too quick like the Manhwa but they’ve done an amazing job adapting the creepy parts out and streamlining the story. Although it does feel a bit off pace

Well that’s interesting because I have the exact opposite perspective of Choi si yeol. The adaptation version to me is a much a more like able character than the creepy/rapey original. Eye of the beholder, I guess. Also, i believe his regret doesn’t show until the end of episode eight because he is first realizing his feelings. Hopefully they will do a good job portraying the regret in the final episodes to make the reconciliation pay off but yeah the episodes are definitely too short. Felt like much of it was rushed which is surprising because the other adaptations from this production team were good with the pacing.

yo I was thinking the same thing but the next episode preview gave me some hope

Yup… it was a major criticism some people had with the Semantic Error drama that they didn’t adapt any of the NC scenes. Specifically, a car scene from the original that was extremely dubcon. If I recall correctly the shorter lead was flat out refusing and was intoxicated but the other guy forced himself on him. It was a such a hard read that I forced myself to forget it and pretend that the drama only exists.

I find it extremely concerning how many people so desperately wanted those scenes and I’m glad they didn’t adapt them. They made one of my all time favorite BL drama. I actually love how almost all Korean BLs dramas remove those disturbing aspects from their adaptations and make changes that enhances the narrative.

Also, the scene between XZF and GRQ reaffirms this in the finale confirms this. They were compatible in the wrong ways and didn’t truly love each other.

Having the finale be in the intro is diabolical work 😭Absolutely a best of 2025 drama! I hope they do one with Guan RiQing because I need him to be happy which I did not see coming. They did an amazing job with his character. Also, the side couple was so cute.

Yeah its just that one scene with the comically large jacket that took me out. Thankfully that’s the only time they play into the height difference. I also just came off another drama with major infantilization and that’s probably influencing my perspective on the teacher.

The dubcon was just one scene but it definitely ruined the original for me. Especially when the teacher has an idea of what happened but doesn’t care since its his bias and a later reveal made it even more creepy. It does seem like Manhwa writers love that rapey vibe. I noticed it after watching the Semantic Error adaptation and I made the mistake of listening to the comments to read the Manhwa.

Drama Adaptation of an 18+ Manhwa? Major Red flag to not read the source material. I have been fooled twice, there is not gonna be a third time!

Yo… that was probably one of the worst scenes to adapt from the Manhwa. I’m glad they didn’t and are going for a different direction because of the whole rapey dubious consent of that situation is definitely not it. Especially when that extra scene for it was revealed in later chapters it was just way too creepy for me.

From what I have watched I would say it was only that one scene I mentioned where the size difference was comically focused on. But the Manhwa definitely played on that more especially since it’s just smut but the drama thankfully is making great changes from that. After reading it, I was worried that I would have to drop the show! Fortunately, they didn't adapt a rather gross scene with dubious consent.

However, they do play up the teacher’s fanboying that it borderlines on infantilization rather than cute. I realized this aspect of dramas after watching a review of a “found family” drama. It's very common in those adopted/stepsibling tropes to have one act more like a child to be cute and to me it just comes off as weird. Hence why I avoid those types of dramas like the plague and I am considering dropping Secret Lover because of that. I also notice this issue in Thai dramas or the over-feminization of the “bottom” lead.

I love the “taking care of” trope but when its gets to them being overtly childlike I have to take a step back and add it to my drop list lol.

Yeah that opening is not good. I honestly started skipping after the first episode. It does explain that change to the bad poster

FR I had to fast forward through that scene from second hand embarrassment. Fortunately it played a part in the flirting plot but they could have at least used a less ridiculous looking jacket especially when the director character was all against him wearing that really good outfit he had on. Like b are you blind? I hope they ease up on that stuff later.

You know now that you have said it I totally agree with you on the size difference. They also played into it on the third episode which really made me 2x through those scenes because of how cringy it was. It’s a good show but I am also getting thrown off by the infantilization of the teacher but I guess it could be them over doing the “fanboying” aspect. Hopefully they ease up on it later in the story.