Flawed but with some potential
Possible spoilers, but not for everyoneI think other reviewers have hinted that 6 episodes was too short a timescale to tie up the loose threads. I certainly felt that as well.
The comments section suggests that despite the low scores some reviewers have given, the series generated quite a lot of continuing interest. There was obviously something a bit difficult to define that made some people come back episode after episode.
I fully respect the objections some viewers had to Jorn's humiliation of Chain. (Tbh, I could only watch the uncut version) I can completely understand that behaviour of that kind going unchallenged came across as very unsatisfactory.
Having said that, the complex Jorn/Chain relationship was probably the most psychologically interesting aspect of the whole series. It's a shame and a failing in terms of the production that there wasn't time to explore this further, It was fairly obvious that those two were into each other in a big way, but could only express it in a very awkward and negative manner. In contrast, Lin and Ploy managed to resolve the tension between themselves in a much more positive way.
I suppose the cliff hanger ending in Episode 6 might have been dealt with if Episode 7 had appeared. The high school sub plot was yet another example of unresolved plot strands.
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This review may contain spoilers
Before watching, I had already noticed the low overall rating but decided to give the series a try anyway. Overall, I'm glad I did as by the end I realized that despite some flaws this show had several positive aspects that meant something to meFirst of all, from time to time it's a refreshing change to have a story that focuses on the lives of relatively ordinary people. For me, Remember Me was a good example of this. I certainly enjoy watching shows that depict the lives of spoilt rich boys driving around in expensive cars, but sometimes a change in social context can be equally engaging.
I felt that another strong point was giving equal weight to developing the story of the secondary couples. In fact, we could probably have had a bit more with Ryu and Arm after they first got together. So often viewers of Bl/GL series complain that there hasn't been enough about the side couples: that's not the case with this series.
Finally, I personally liked how in Ryu's case the BL element was just one more important strand in a series of significant events that had shaped his life in a rather sad and impactful way.
The story had a bit of a retro vibe to it that reminded you of some series from the mid to late 2010s. This was partly due to the incidental music (not the theme songs), which was a brave attempt that didn't quite come off.
I can only speak for myself, but I think that while it had its flaws this was an underrated series that needs to be given a second chance.
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A kind of A-Z of different possible BL themes
I watched most of these stories towards the end of the period in which the show aired, so I can't voice the criticism that the series was too long and drawn out.To be honest, I wasn't expecting a lot. However, by the end of the series I was suitably impressed by the range of plots and themes. There was also a nice mixture of comedy and pathos from the comedy of errors in Marry Go Round to the shocking denouement in Friends Forever, as well as the knotty ethical dimension to a story like (1626). And in between we had the understated and very relatable tension of Right Place, Right You, Lucky Love and Fake Love, for example. Those last three, in particular, were good examples of how situations do not have to be particularly dramatic to hit home.
Although there is often an expectation that series of this kind should be perfect, rounded products that are aesthetically and emotionally satisfying, I think there is also a place for productions that are innovative and engaging without quite overcoming a sense that they are 'a work in progress'. My Universe is not perfect by any means, but you got the impression it was trying to bring a nuanced approach to a number of classic tropes and to some extent it achieved that aim.
Another highlight for me was the haunting beauty of the little musical interlude that marked breaks within individual episodes, as well as appearing at certain moments to highlight emotional realisation. There was a nice example of this in Lucky Love.
Overall, I found quite a lot to like in this series despite some weaknesses. It had an individual feel to it and the fact that things were not always sorted out neatly at the end of every story added a certain realism too. Conversely, the twist at the end of Refund Love seemed somehow to fit as well.
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