This review may contain spoilers
A Standard Romcom Experience!
This is a show that repeatedly had me second guessing all my theories regarding it.
I loved the story and pacing the most. It stays lighthearted throughout even when talking about real world dating dynamics and past hurt. But this drama takes a unique concept like VR dating and makes it even more unique with it's quirky plot twists and enjoyable character dynamics.
For eg. Making a character like Gu Yeongil who resembles Park Kyeongnam was a genius plot point. Not only does it reveal Mirae's inner feelings for Kyeongnam without excessive telling and without her even realizing it because she made Yeongil, it also gives the story the necessary conflict to progress Kyeongnam and Mirae's relationship further in her real world. Likewise, having other supporting characters also use the game made it feel much more realistic and the world of BoD more lived in other than a simple plot device. Also loved how the VR game itself helps Mirae learn and grow and complete her character arc from being heartbroken and fearful to healed and brave.
I also loved Jisoo as Seo Mirae and Seo In Guk as Park Kyeongnam's chemistry. They naturally formed a team and their dating era was very easy to watch and follow. I loved the reciprocity in their relationship even though Mirae was infuriatingly prickly at points in the beginning as well as childish. Once they started dating, she became the sweetest to Kyeongnam and very involved which was refreshing to watch. I especially enjoyed all the gentle and tender physical touches in this show, from the loving way Mirae cradles Kyeongnam's face to their easy hugs and cuddles.
This drama shows real world love surprisingly realistically making the VR game a central part of the story but always in tandem with the development and progress of the lead's relationship. Also must mention the obvious thought and effort put info fhe VR game concept itself, from the packaging that looked creepily realistic, to the ads on deatures like texts and calls from the VR boyfriends, the safiricalway the show mocks capitalistic culture with endless subscriptions and how every VR BF is trained to keep customers hooked to the actual product which is at the end of the day, a plain business. It got me wondsring how a drastically different show coukdvebeen possible with this same concept, one that was much darker dwelling in on tbe parasitic nature of a game like this if it really existed in our lives, a reality we kight be heading to much sooner than later!
This drama on the other hand thankfully ends on a beautiful note encouraging bravery even when we know things can inevitably get scary such as finally allowing oneself to open to another relationship after the bittersweet end of an old one.
Seo In Guk is one of my all time favorites and he shines in this drama in every frame, both as Kyeongnam and Gu Yeongil. The vulnerability he brought to Kyeongnam and the heartbreaking way in which he delivered that love confession in ep 8 particularly standout and has gone staright to my top 10 favorite confession scenes of all time and my favorite scene in this entire show. Big props to the writer for the perfect dialogues too.
Jisoo is truly the star of the show both role wise and in execution. She brings life and color to Mirae and the drama as a whole and shines most in the lighthearted moments and with comedy. She struggles a bit evidently in emotional scenes, especially with crying, particularly obvious when opposite an actor like Seo In Guk in the confession scene in ep 8 and other sadder moments.
The supporting cast makes the world of BoD feel warmer and the cameos are perfectly placed. From Seo Kang Joon and his incredibly expressive eyes who plays Seonho who is a highlight to Lee Soo Hyuk, Lee Jae Wook. Ong Seong Wu, Kim Young Dae and all the others, the show creates a perfect balance between the VR subplot as well as Mirae's real world relationships.
My only complains were that I wish Kyeongnam's character had more depth written for him, a short backstory or something exploring his talent in drawing, and that I wish the drama relied more on showing rather than telling in revealing Kyeongnam's feelings from the first moment they began instead of a rushed montage limited to one episode. Both Mirae and Kyeongnam keep saying things without the drama showing them which was pretty frustrating. I think this has more to do with choosing to begin the story right in the middle of Mirae and Kyeongnam's established office dynamics which in my opinion, should've begun from the first moment they met as strangers to how they became rivals up to the present. This seems to be an unfortunate trend these days with dramas choosing to show thos natural progression of feelings and the "falling in love" part which should be the hgihlight of romance stories anyway, and instead rushing this most importsnt aspect into a preinstalled formula of characters already having feelings from the first episode.
But none of these flaws are gaping holes considering the tone of show remains consistently lighthearted. Other than the slightly rushed pacing between Mirae's initial reluctance to give love a chance again with Kyeongnam and her immediately throwing in all the enthusiasm into beginning a relationship with him one kiss later between ep 8 and 9, the show has a consistently solid pace and tone.
To end with: this is a thorough romcom meant to be enjoyed without too much analysis. I would recommend it for those who enjoyed shows like Business Proposal and Spring Fever.
I loved the story and pacing the most. It stays lighthearted throughout even when talking about real world dating dynamics and past hurt. But this drama takes a unique concept like VR dating and makes it even more unique with it's quirky plot twists and enjoyable character dynamics.
For eg. Making a character like Gu Yeongil who resembles Park Kyeongnam was a genius plot point. Not only does it reveal Mirae's inner feelings for Kyeongnam without excessive telling and without her even realizing it because she made Yeongil, it also gives the story the necessary conflict to progress Kyeongnam and Mirae's relationship further in her real world. Likewise, having other supporting characters also use the game made it feel much more realistic and the world of BoD more lived in other than a simple plot device. Also loved how the VR game itself helps Mirae learn and grow and complete her character arc from being heartbroken and fearful to healed and brave.
I also loved Jisoo as Seo Mirae and Seo In Guk as Park Kyeongnam's chemistry. They naturally formed a team and their dating era was very easy to watch and follow. I loved the reciprocity in their relationship even though Mirae was infuriatingly prickly at points in the beginning as well as childish. Once they started dating, she became the sweetest to Kyeongnam and very involved which was refreshing to watch. I especially enjoyed all the gentle and tender physical touches in this show, from the loving way Mirae cradles Kyeongnam's face to their easy hugs and cuddles.
This drama shows real world love surprisingly realistically making the VR game a central part of the story but always in tandem with the development and progress of the lead's relationship. Also must mention the obvious thought and effort put info fhe VR game concept itself, from the packaging that looked creepily realistic, to the ads on deatures like texts and calls from the VR boyfriends, the safiricalway the show mocks capitalistic culture with endless subscriptions and how every VR BF is trained to keep customers hooked to the actual product which is at the end of the day, a plain business. It got me wondsring how a drastically different show coukdvebeen possible with this same concept, one that was much darker dwelling in on tbe parasitic nature of a game like this if it really existed in our lives, a reality we kight be heading to much sooner than later!
This drama on the other hand thankfully ends on a beautiful note encouraging bravery even when we know things can inevitably get scary such as finally allowing oneself to open to another relationship after the bittersweet end of an old one.
Seo In Guk is one of my all time favorites and he shines in this drama in every frame, both as Kyeongnam and Gu Yeongil. The vulnerability he brought to Kyeongnam and the heartbreaking way in which he delivered that love confession in ep 8 particularly standout and has gone staright to my top 10 favorite confession scenes of all time and my favorite scene in this entire show. Big props to the writer for the perfect dialogues too.
Jisoo is truly the star of the show both role wise and in execution. She brings life and color to Mirae and the drama as a whole and shines most in the lighthearted moments and with comedy. She struggles a bit evidently in emotional scenes, especially with crying, particularly obvious when opposite an actor like Seo In Guk in the confession scene in ep 8 and other sadder moments.
The supporting cast makes the world of BoD feel warmer and the cameos are perfectly placed. From Seo Kang Joon and his incredibly expressive eyes who plays Seonho who is a highlight to Lee Soo Hyuk, Lee Jae Wook. Ong Seong Wu, Kim Young Dae and all the others, the show creates a perfect balance between the VR subplot as well as Mirae's real world relationships.
My only complains were that I wish Kyeongnam's character had more depth written for him, a short backstory or something exploring his talent in drawing, and that I wish the drama relied more on showing rather than telling in revealing Kyeongnam's feelings from the first moment they began instead of a rushed montage limited to one episode. Both Mirae and Kyeongnam keep saying things without the drama showing them which was pretty frustrating. I think this has more to do with choosing to begin the story right in the middle of Mirae and Kyeongnam's established office dynamics which in my opinion, should've begun from the first moment they met as strangers to how they became rivals up to the present. This seems to be an unfortunate trend these days with dramas choosing to show thos natural progression of feelings and the "falling in love" part which should be the hgihlight of romance stories anyway, and instead rushing this most importsnt aspect into a preinstalled formula of characters already having feelings from the first episode.
But none of these flaws are gaping holes considering the tone of show remains consistently lighthearted. Other than the slightly rushed pacing between Mirae's initial reluctance to give love a chance again with Kyeongnam and her immediately throwing in all the enthusiasm into beginning a relationship with him one kiss later between ep 8 and 9, the show has a consistently solid pace and tone.
To end with: this is a thorough romcom meant to be enjoyed without too much analysis. I would recommend it for those who enjoyed shows like Business Proposal and Spring Fever.
Was this review helpful to you?
