Maggi64

It already IS my fav BL. Up there with My Beautiful Man and Blueming. MBM is about two fucked up teens who are, somehow, perfect together. Blueming is about 20' somethings and self-love and good mental health. This one is about 30-40 year olds and 2nd chances. They are each about a different phase of life and a different kind of love. Each is short, and each is perfection.

And then he gets even more tongue tied and says, "I have to do that.... that thing." He doesn't even know what thing! lol

LIKE VERSUS LOVE FOR ASIANS

The subtitles of Asian shows always mistake that Asians say "I like you" in the context that Westerners say "I love you." It means the same thing and the difference depends on both the context and the inflexion of the speaker. If we had pro translators instead of fansubbers (whom I appreciate), we'd have known exactly what Togawa meant, which was "I love you," not "I like you." Some shows, such as My Beautiful Man got this right, but most don't.

This episode packed in 10 powerful plot-points, which is about 1 every 2 minutes for its 24 minute duration.

1) We had Nozue acting out and angry cuz he was jealous.

2) We had Togawa getting drunk and petulant cuz it was now his turn to be jealous.

3) We had Nozue reach for Togawa's head, yearning to caress him when Togawa passed out on that bench.

4) We had Togawa shirtless and Nozue flat out say to him, "You have a nice body. Do you work out?" Translation, "Can I lick your abs?"

5) We had the sexual tension of that post-massage staring into each others' eyes.

6) We had Togawa show he'd remembered words Nozue said years ago, clearly having fallen in love with Nozue right there and then on the day Nozue had hired him.

7) We had Nozue say, "You're the only one who makes me glad I'm alive," which translates to, "I am in love with you."

8) We had Togawa plant a kiss and stick his finger in Nozue's mouth.

9) We had the ordinarily reserved Togawa flat-out say, "I love you." No translation needed. Dude finally just put it out there.

10) Finally, we got a preview showing us that it all ends well.


But wait, I don't WANT it to end! Give me more!

LOL, Tim, you fucking nailed it! Thanks for also pointing out that it's not just Seo Joon who's chasing this loser, but two women as well! Why are all these characters chasing a nasty depressive with nothing emotional, spiritual or material to offer? Well, because their script told them to. It's truly bad writing where all the characters' motives and actions defy belief. This show exemplifies bad writing and bad direction with lousy pacing. I mean, nothing has happened for 8 episodes that did not already transpire in the 1st episode. In episode 1, Ji Woo was an asshole who split for no reason, and Seo Joon chased him like a masochist. Fast forward 8 episodes and we're still at this exact same point with the masochist chasing the asshole.

Finally, I must tell you that I laughed out loud at your line, "The only happy ending that would make sense is for cloud-man to voluntarily enter into a high-quality, in-patient, mental health facility where his degree of illness can be treated. For example, electric shock treatments."

Best assessment I have read so far. It's a pretentious, facile script. And the directing is bad too with too many filler scenes and poor pacing. I also worked at restaurants and no way would he be able to handle overhead when he's been empty for a year. He also can't be too talented if he still hasn't figured out the palette of the local clientele. I thought they'd at least muster some big explanation for his asshole behavior. Nope, after 8 eps all we got is that Seo Joon did nothing wrong but he just wasn't into it. That's a show? This is a freaking zero. I am baffled it has an 8 Rating here. People are giving it the rating based on season one. BTW, I also liked Firebird.

Here are our characters:

*an asshole chef
*a masochistic actor
*an obnoxious kid
*an intrusive ex-girlfriend
*a bevy of stereotypical simpleton villagers.

The show has only one character whom we can like. Yep, that's Pil Hyun.

Beautifully put. I am appalled that the director of the wonderful BL's Blueming and Where Your Eyes Linger put out this dreadful show. The writing is bad. The direction and pacing is bad. What the hell happened to her?

Seriously, nothing happened since episode one when we found out that JiWoo is an asshole who left for no reason, and that Seo Joon is a masochist. All the ensuing 8 episodes did was reiterate those two points: JiWoo is an asshole who left for no reason, and Seo Joon is a masochist.

I don't think it's sexual harassment. He only lightly kissed Nazue's cheek while he was sleeping. The guy in Semantic Error kissed the guy full on the mouth while he slept. Also, in the preview for ep 4, Nazue just confessed that Togawa is the only one in the world who makes him happy -- tantamount to saying "I am in love with you" -- and then tried to run away. Nazue simply grabbed him to prevent him from running off. Hell, I'm a hetero woman and I've grabbed other hetero women to prevent them from running off for this reason or that. In short, I fear our definitions of sexual harassment have slid so far down the slippery slope with the Me Too movement, that's it's hard for us to detect genuine harassment. Otherwise, I hope you're enjoying the show. It's my new fav BL. I am so impressed with the acting and the theme about 2nd chances late in life.

I heard there'd be v/p series as there's a v/p book in the works. But who knows.

Agreed, but I was afraid to say that when there are such rabid fans here. The thing is, their story was tied up episodes ago. Now it's just scene after scene of them being cute and cuddly. We get it, they are in love. Meanwhile, there's a truly compelling couple for whom we waited 12 episodes and who have lots of story to unfold, but who can't get the time because there are only 2 episodes left. It's a shame.

I know there will be a show devoted all to Vegas/Pete alone, but that won't address the crucial developmental phase of their relationship. I mean, that torture dungeon is where the shit all happened. We needed to spend more time there and to see the slow, but powerful incremental changes in both guys as their feelings for one another transformed. That takes more than the 30 minutes they got the last 2 episodes and the 15 minutes I'm guessing they'll get over the next 2 episodes. So far, that relationship has been rushed. Indeed, my only criticism is that it's been rushed.

Yep, you and I are both all about Pete/Vegas. A lot of it is because of how well Bible plays Vegas. He is inspired. But the funny thing is, I wasn't kidding when I said above that side couples steal so many BL's. Look at "You're My Sky." I fast-forwarded through the dull lead couple. They were overshadowed by not one, but 2 side couples.

To be clear, Kinn and Porsche are not dull, and have great chemistry; it's just that Vegas/Pete are so compelling. I mean, how do you compete with a storyline containing kidnapping, torture, and S&M sex? And to have it all end up with true love because one is a nurturer and the other is wounded inside and needs love?

Once again, a BL side couple stole the show.

I read the chaps you sent, but was it really 10? It seemed like less. I agree that the show is rushing it. I want more time cuz they are the best thing. Hell, I fastforwarded today just to see their scenes. I'm gonna re-watch to see the whole show, but first I had to see them, because I simply could not wait. I also think that the show improved on certain things that were not in the book. For instance, that story Pete tells about his dad and boxing is a perfect metaphor for Vegas. Moreover, portraying Vegas as grieving for a pet shows that he truly is vulnerable inside. I liked what they added, but they could have added this while keeping other stuff from the book. In short, just give us more Vegas/Pete. They stole the show!

What neck lick in ep 11? You're the 2nd person to mention that I watched looking for it but did not see it. There's a part where he's grabbing Pete's ass and his dad walks in. Was that it?

This show achieved that rare thing of being sweet without being saccharine, and fluffy without being facile. It held my interest every step of the way largely because the two performances were solid. The boy who'd been in His shows how good an actor he is by how different his character is in this one. In His, his character was subdued, hesitant and fearful of his homosexuality being detected. In this show, the boy created a character who's more confident and playful. He takes charge -- and it pays off. The other actor is a delight as well. He's what I call a "manic pixie" in that he's got this hyper energy and jokes like a sweet little sprite!

All in all, this is worth watching. The Japanese know how to do BL's. Even when they are less than stellar, they never feel manufactured off an assembly line like those dreadful Thai BL's do. Nor are they chock-a-block with product placement, hence needing 14 episodes to pack in more products. The Japanese (and the likewise excellent Korean BLs) are short, effective and all about the story and characters. As it should be.

If you liked those, add Old Fashioned Cupcake to the list. It's actually my #1 BL of all. It's smart, sexy and lean. No filler or side couples. No college or high school kids. Just two grown men who fall in love. It's got a serious theme the way Blueming does, which is why you'll like it.

THE VEIL WILL BE TORN AWAY!

Based on the preview, the veil will be torn away in ep 4 and all the feelings will be out there exposed, pulsing and raw! I love that point in a relationship. You never know when it will happen, or what will cause it to happen (in this case, it's Nazue telling Togawa, "You are the only one who makes me feel glad I'm alive"). But mostly, it's powerful because nothing will ever be the same afterward.

I got the sense he allowed himself to open up and feel for Kaneda when Kaneda praised him at the restaurant. Then he went for the kiss, and it evolved from there. Sometimes, falling in love is just a matter of allowing the thought to enter your mind. Once it does, well, it can just take off!