meaghen

This is just my opinion, but I think it's important to take into consideration that Korean BL's are still in their beginning stages in a still relatively conservative country, considering being LGBTQ+ (even if publicly there is more acceptance, there is still a stigma). I don't know why the director wanted to do so, but it could be for some of those reasons, and from what I understood it was supposed to have a 'K-Drama' vibe entirely, and even up until recently, hetero couples don't kiss in every episode or sometimes only until the last. Yes, they have great chemistry, and you can argue with the way the direction went with the kisses, no doubt. But I don't think it took away from the quality of the drama, given we got so much more gentle and sweet moments -eye dazes and gazes, meaningful touches (like when their hands were together during their pottery 'lessons'), in addition to the hugging, which I thought was comforting and warm to see. I don't define how good a drama is (generally speaking) by kisses alone because that's one form of intimate expression. I have watched so many Thai lakorns where the leads don't kiss (and maybe we have a hug) -that has changed a bit in current dramas, but the one's pre-2014 are very low on the PDA. That was a rant, my apologies. I obviously have a different opinion, as you are entitled to yours, but Unintetional Love Story turned out (unintentionally) to be one of my favourite BL's this year so far.

Someone said here that the director wanted it to be VERY 'PG,' so that's why the kisses were toned down a lot. If you look at the behind the scenes and overall the chemistry between the leads (plus, they're professionals), the kissing would have definitely been intenser if they could have I'm sure. The series is still a 10, for many reasons (I spoke about why in another comment I made) -it's just a phenomenally well-done drama. A definite comfort BL drama, as you said, and is one of the best.

No worries! The OP said that the editing was a little 'off,' from time to time and it felt like things were cut too short (so they said based on the first 2 episodes, the series was doing much better -like the infamous scene when Jaewon chooses the zip-up wet suit, that wasn't in the film). Based on what OP said, they didn't like the fact that Jaewon went back to his ex -they said the reasons behind that weren't explored (perhaps his grief/guilt? OP wasn't sure). It seemed like it happened all at once towards the end, but there was a time skip (I think 2-3 months if I'm remembering correctly? When Jihyun wakes up). I wish I remembered how they got back together, but I don't think Jaewon was with his ex a lot. Since we only have 4 episodes more to go, I don't think they'll give the ex a lot of screen time. I'm just hoping we get that explanation for why Jaewon goes back to his ex. But I know what you mean lol that's why I'm waiting to see, I just don't want to feel too heartbroken so I'm seeing what happens.

I think it's the same title? I'm not quite sure, I think someone posted it on a reddit thread.

No worries!! I'm glad it offered a bit of clarity for some folks here :) I was also super worried because of the trailer, so I did a lot of scrolling lol and an OP who watched it basically did an entire plot reveal and everything they have said has happened so far. I saw the theories too, which if we didn't have the film to reference, that could have been a possibility. But he's definitely a real person in the film. The accident does happen, I am just not sure if that was Jaewon having a flashback/memory to the event so that by next episode we might see the build up to what happened, but I'm not quite sure. But based on the editing alone it could definitely feel like he's dreaming or recalling what happened after it did or maybe they thought filming it like that would be unique, given the indie vibe of the series, that could have been the case.

No worries!! Yes, Jihyun is real. What I think we saw was a glimpse of the accident that was portrayed that landed him in a coma or maybe a nightmare that Jaewon has before it actually happens (or him remembering what happened if the timeline is him reflecting about Jihyun while he's been in a coma?) since there's still a handful of episodes left. I don't know what they plan on adding since the reason behind his accident, according to OP wasn't covered or talked about as much, but there are hints as to what happened. So maybe they'll explore that. I can't see them pulling a 180 and being like 'Jihyun is an illusion,' when the film ends with them together. So ISTG we better get a happy ending like the film.

I also highly doubt they will change anything either, it doesn't make sense to, especially since they included parts of what they filmed so far. I will wait until this upcoming week's episodes to catch up, though.

***MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW***

I'm waiting for next week's episode to catch up because my heart won't be able to take a potentially tragic story, but everything about this series (because yes, I'm still shamelessly keeping up to date here), is pretty much what they included in the film. I saw an OP post about having watched the film in S.Korea here and everything so far seems to be on par with how things unfolded in the movie, with of course added details since the film was 2 hours compared to this 10 episode series.

Just to quell some of the worry from people who think Jaewon has been dreaming/hallucinating this entire time (and Ji Hyun doesn't exist/is a figment he created to ease the tragedy of losing his brother), or worse that this is going to end with Ji Hyun being unalived towards or at the end. I can't see the writers of this series do a complete 180 from the original film and decide on more of a tragic ending (considering Jaewon did lose his brother), and that the film itself ended with them being together because why of all things. If they do, that just wouldn't make sense to me.

OP did talk about how Ji Hyun ends up in a coma for a period of time, hence with Jaewon's 'friend,' talks poorly about him, and Jaewon hits him and ends up getting in trouble with his father. I hope, unlike in the film, Jaewon doesn't 'go back' to his ex-girlfriend because of the trauma he's experiencing and instead they go a different direction on that (that's the only change I'd be super happy with).

But in any case, for those watching this, The Eighth Sense SHOULD end with a happy ending because that's how the film ended. I know I'm waiting to see how things unfold next week before I catch up, but this is all I know from reading through comments weeks ago here.

This ENTIRE story made my heart go pitter-patter every single week, and I can't begin to tell you, as someone who started watching K-Dramas back in 2012/2013, how much this series means to me as a queer person. There is so much to love about each and every one of these characters, but the story, the ambiance, the cinematography, the cheesy lines, it's all just so endearing. People who care/cared more about the kissing in this series compared to the QUALITY that Unintentional Love Story is, genuinely breaks my heart because I am sure if they were allowed to we would have gotten those intenser moments, but also because there is so much about this series that is golden. That includes those hugs, gentle touches, eye daze and gaze moments, on top of the progression of emotions. A 10/10 for me in so many ways, and I can't wait to re-watch this series again and again.

I put this on hold for SO long and I finally finished it. I have some thoughts (spoilers for those interested in watching will be below, so just a head's up; also CW for brief mention of SA):

The premise COULD have been interesting -a one sided love turned into a romance (with that enemies to lovers vibe) after a series of misunderstandings (minus the blatant blackmailing and SA), they get together, but instead we got a hot pile of a mess of a story line that felt like it wanted to dance between being dark/intense and then light-hearted/emotional at the same time, which was a bit difficult to watch, given the context of the series.

I have so much love for IsBanky and Mos as people with great chemistry, they carried their connection throughout this show, and it was the only reason why I kept watching to be honest. At the heart of it, so much could have been better, and I think if the writers of this story had been consistent with the progression of their romance then it would have been so much better. I'm not going to be super critical of the hot/cold attitude they gave each other (because that's human nature, and as revealed about Mangkorn's family background), but it was frustrating to see the lack of communication linger for so long in this already short series.

Then we have the final episode, which confused me. I did understand Yai's fear of abandonment, given the flashback scene with his mother, who sadly passed away. I just couldn't understand why they didn't come to a mutual agreement on something like a long-distance relationship, especially since Yai heard Mangkorn say he applied to the Master's program in the US when he was pretending to be asleep. You'd think that Yai would have made peace with Mangkorn leaving or staying, considering he kept emphasizing that he wouldn't 'be here,' essentially if he had a problem with it. I seriously wonder if the writers were high writing a lot of this, but especially the last episode. Yes, they're upset they have to part but there's so many alternatives (like they end up doing anyway), it just baffles me they made it into something so melodramatic when it wasn't -even if Yai's abandonment trauma effected him, it just... it was frustrating to watch, needless to say.

Final thoughts: a season 2 isn't needed. It really isn't. They should have wrapped this series up with a bow at the end and said goodbye. Would I love to see IsBanky and Mos in another series together? ABSOLUTELY! Do I want to see them in another I'm sure will be another train wreck of a show because of the way they left things off just like in the first season (such as a heavy emphasis on jealously) -no.

For those who are thinking of watching this series, a part from my CW above, please be prepared for a 'what just happened,' and 'they really did this?,' and 'he really said that?' moments because it's never-ending.

Everything about this! I agree. I've been watching BL's since the time when we barely had any to watch (Takumi-kun the series, for those who remember :). I feel like there's certainly going to be one's we like, are neutral towards, or end up not liking, but no matter what, within the sea of BL's we have now, there's always different reasons to love the hidden gems not as hyped up, like this one. I also think, personally, this series has been refreshing (like the pottery storytelling is just so cool). Maybe it's because I've watched so many dramas and I have elements I like (like the slow development one's), so long as the plot keeps moving and it's enjoyable.

I was just writing about this in another comment, I 100% agree!! I'm personally enjoying the ambiance and pace of this series. KBL's are really coming through with unique concepts and storytelling. This is one of my favourite dramas this year, even more than some of the one's that are currently hyped up more than this. Their behind the scenes moments are also super sweet.

A part of me understands, mostly because in the manhwa (from what I understand) Tae Joon is Won Young's first male romantic interest, so a part from being unsure that he (Tae Joon) would be receptive to it, maybe he was also nervous. I know there are a lot of KBL's guilty of this (those passionate-less kisses), but I do think that there is still enough time in the drama to see how this develops. I'm personally enjoying the ambiance/slow development in this series and I find their moments together (like that growing attraction to one another) as sweet. So we shall see. I highly recommend watching the behind the scenes, they're really cute together.

Yes, based on what I understand so far. Won Young's manager is trying to get a contract with Tae Joon because of his artistry/notoriety, but his father is the chairman of the company that Tae Joon used to work for and then left for reasons not yet explored in the drama (but I suppose are kind of hinted?). I believe the first confirmation was when Won Young's manager said 'you're responsible for watching over the chairman's son' and getting the contract essentially. I'm not sure if it's different in the manhwa, but here it is.

Oh! I was actually thinking they might re-release it as a film and that they might add a little scene here and there just for a smoother watching experience (so I totally agree with you -it must have been created like a film). I am enjoying the story, but if it was pieced together a bit more succinctly I could appreciate it some more. I really hope, as you said, they do this because I think it would be so much better that way.

You know I can't help but feel like this would have had greater potential as a long film. If only the episodes were slightly longer and sometimes a bit more fleshed out, I wouldn't have minded, but there's just so much story and so little time to explore and expand. This definitely stands out, creatively speaking (I like the themes) but I wish these production companies had more budgeting available to them.

And I know we have a few more episodes to go, and maybe I'll change my mind but for now, this is something I can't help but think of.

Yes :)

Ohh I see, and yes, I like how we're getting an actual plot line with events that drive the story line. It honestly doesn't feel like 30 minutes pass by so slowly either, which is impressive (also happy we got longer episodes, considering it's only 8 episodes).

Jung Hyun... has such audacity. I am so grateful Jung Woo has Tae Young in his life now and I truly hope they have the happiest of endings/beginnings together. What little sympathy I had for Jung Hyun at the start almost completely diminished because of his selfishness and possessiveness (like it's been years and he still doesn't get it? He still doesn't see how much of a shadow Jung Woo became despite being his 'number one supporter' and telling everyone how traumatized he was/is without even actively doing much to help him find his spark again, the way Tae Young effortlessly did by just being a beam of sunlight to remind him that his writing matters). Like my goodness...

Also, as a side note, I wanted to say that I appreciate the fact that we're getting a fully fleshed out plot, even though it's not bluntly BL, I like how this series has depth and is mature. There's only a handful BL's like this and I appreciate the flow and unique plot line. I can't wait for the final episodes, although I know some of it will be heart wrenching to watch!!

So technically yes there's a divide (first half to first couple and the last half for the next couple), but their stories intersect.