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Fluffy and cute
I started watching this drama because I needed a break from all the crime and drama shows I was watching. If you want something that's just pure fluff, then this is for you. However, if you're expecting an intense or interesting plot line, you should probably look for something else. This is just 100% fluff with barely any storyline.PROS
-Great music
- Does not require you do focus too much - As said earlier, this show has barely any plotline, so you can easily watch this if you just want to relax and chill.
-Full of fluff and happiness
-Good side characters - I really love how both the main side characters were written in this show.
I would be so happy if I had a friend like Katori. He's kind, supportive, protective, and not judgemental. I also liked Tanaka, who is quite different compared to Katori. I initially disliked Tanaka's character and wished he would go away, but as the episodes progressed I could see that he has a much deeper character compared to the rest and I loved that his character had development within the amount of screen time he was given. I honestly wish I could see Tanaka as a main character.
CONS
-Awkward acting from the main characters. The acting was quite stiff and awkward throughout the show (though it got better in the second half). To be honest, I liked the actors who played Tanaka and Katori better. They felt more natural to watch.
-Same problem in almost every episode. I don't know why, but BL's love having miscommunication tropes and unfortunately this show is no different. I'm okay with seeing that trope once or twice, but this show kept bringing it up so often that I got irritated.
-Face filters - This isn't a really big con, but the filters applied on Amagi's face really bothered me. I don't understand the purpose of the filter, but for me it just makes the actor 's face look weird and distracting.
Overall, this is still a good watch because it's stress-free and happy. This is a good option if you're tired of watching drama or intense storylines.
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A Unique BL Drama with K-Drama Level Production!
This drama adaptation is phenomenal! It has a unique plotline, stunning scenes, and incredible acting from the actors. The production value, the storyline, and the cinematography honestly match the hetero K-dramas. Most k-dramas we see are often lower budget and have a simples storyline, so this show is a huge step for the K-BL industry!PROS
1. Unlike the normal K-BL dramas, Secret Relationship really goes deep into psychological manipulation, obsession, and power struggles between people, which made this show unpredictable and exciting. The chemistry between the characters/actors is amazing. It was so interesting to see the twisted dynamics of between the characters.
2. The acting is spectacular. Even though most of them are rookies. the actors portrayed the roles so well.. Their acting felt very real and intense. It defo touched my emotions.
3. Very K-drama like production. It's very obvious this is a higher-budget production, which makes this very visually appealing to watch!
4. Very complex characters. There is so much dimension and depth to the characters.
CONS
1. I personally like Seonghyeon's character, but I'd find it understandable if people found his character a bit one-dimensional since all the other characters are so complex and exciting.
Other than that!!! Absolutely NO OTHER CONS FROM MY POV!
Overall, Secret Relationships is defo a must-watch for fans of darker BL dramas. It’s sooo refreshing and a nice break from the predictable sweet romance tropes we often see in Korean BL's. This show is thrilling and made me feel a lot of emotions. It kept me on the edge the whole time, so if you’re looking for a drama that gives k-drama like productions, stunning visuals, complex characters, and an exciting storyline, then this is IT!!! I would defo recommend giving this a try!.
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Another Fun Adventure by the Duo/Trio
I have to admit that I did not have high expectations going into this show. I did not think that I would connect with nor enjoy the story and the relationships in this drama, so color me surprised. This was pretty well-done despite the fact that multiple episodes were cut off by the censor board.PROS
-The writing of the characters: It mostly matched the actual characters in the novel unlike some other sequels (cough cough Explore with the Note cough cough). I have to admit that it was definitely weird (but, not bad) to see Xiao Ge talk so much. I enjoyed how a lot of characters were not written as neither completely good or completely bad. It made the characters more humane and understandable. My fav was defo Pangzi though. His character has been so consistent and pangzhi-like. It also helps that the actor was also in Reunion, but the character feels and acts so familiar, which I can appreciate.
-Acting : The acting is this drama is pretty amazing. I didn't see any actors who removed my attention from the actual story, so that in itself tells you how good the actors were.
-Foreigners are not only bad! : As much as I enjoy the dmbj series, we have to admit, there's always the "foreigners are evil and selfish" propaganda in every single sequel. Now, I initially did not mind this, since every country does this, but it obviously gets tiring when you have to see it in every single sequel. That is where this drama differs. I love the fact the foreign characters here have a "redemption" arc and shows us there are good foreign people too. Obviously, there are also evil ones in this drama, but the way their characters are written makes them understandable. I can understand why they're feeling/acting the way they are, unlike some of the other sequels.
-Tight plot: starting is a bit slow, but once you get into the actual story, it gets intense and exciting (which made me binge this drama in about a week).
CONS
-Now, the actor who plays Wu Xie (Edward Zhang) is a brilliant actor. We cannot deny that, but we have to consider the fact that this show takes place only 5 years after Ultimate Note. So, I was expecting an actor who still had that youthfulness. The production did their very best to make Zhang look younger and it did work to some extent, but I have to admit that it was jarring to watch after watching Reunion (where the actor playing Wu Xie is younger/more youthful than Edward Zhang). It also doesn't help that they made the Wu Xie in this drama act a but older than the character's age.
-Lack of human needs during the adventure: I do know that we don't need see scenes of the characters eating, resting, or washing their faces, but to me personally, tiny snippets of those add a sense of realness and time to dramas. Throughout the adventure, we barely see them eat or sleep, which removes the element of realness. They seem like robots.
-Disjointed continuation in certain areas due to episode cut.
Overall, this still was a very enjoyable adaptation of the dmbj series. I personally would say it's on par with Ultimate Note and Reunion, so I recommend giving this show a try even if you have some reservations. Happy Watching!
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Started great, but ended up in a crash
I wasn't expecting much when I started watching this, I was surprisingly into it.PROS
•Chemistry - I personally thought that Kevin and Pleum had really good chemistry together. It was very cute and there wasn't any awkward moments for me.
•Acting - Everyone in this show has done a good job acting. Special recognition for the actor who played See-foon. I loved how the portrayed his sadness and acceptance!
•Excellent communication most of the time. I was happy to see the main couple talk through their problems and fights. It's really refreshing to not see any misunderstandings.
•Proper Consent!!! - I loved how Pleum backed off whenever Kevin looked like he was getting uncomfortable. He made sure that Kevin was into whatever they were doing. Some dramas could use this as a lesson 👀
•The stylist who styled Kevin deserves a raise. His entire outfit looks really good. His hairstyle, costumes, and jewelry were all perfect.
CONS
•It crashed and burned from halfway of episode 7. I honestly don't what the director or the writers were thinking . They suddenly completely changed Kevin's character. They turned him from a sweet and understanding guy into a selfish and self-absorbed person. I hated everything they did after the half of episode 7. It felt like they suddenly felt like adding more drama for the sake of it. It was a big disappointment compared to the previous episodes.
•Too many plot holes - There was just so many things that were left unexplained. No matter how the good the main couple is, it cannot be a good drama if there's so many plot holes!!!!
•American guy?? - This is not a very major thing, but it bugged me a lot. Kevin does not look like a guy who has lived abroad for a long time at all. His "American accent" does not convince me at all. He doesn't act like someone who coming back to a different country after a long time. I honestly wish they spent more time with this part of his characterization.
Overall - The exact rating I have in mind 7.8. It's a pretty sweet and adorable show. It had great start and it was going well until it suddenly deviated from it's storyline. It had potential to make some great angsty scenes, but unfortunately it missed the mark. If I ever rewatch this, I might only watch it until the first half of episode 7. I think I'm going to just pretend that the rest did not happen because it makes no sense. T
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Beautiful!!!
I've seen multiple BL's recently and this one has taken a special place in my heart. Reasons why I love this show so much:1. It's not your usual university/school story line
2. It's a story about self-growth and this drama shows us how much the main character 'Tian' grows throughout the whole story.
3. Does not contain non-consentual scenes (has mutual respect and it's frankly adorable)
4. Shows that a BL drama doesn't have to have sexual scenes in order to make a beautiful story.
5. No jealous ex, crazy fangirls or homophobia.
6. The acting was really good with both the characters (even though it's Mix's first time acting).
7. The whole story doesn't just revolve around romance. It's about self-growth, forgiveness and a learning journey.
To me this show was PERFECT! And I would definitely rewatch it again.
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A really interesting watch
As someone who loves crime shows without romance, this is perfect for me. I really enjoyed watching this show. I couldn't wait to watch the next episode after I finish the airing one.PROS
1. Character Development - Through the course of the show, we can see how Wenjie's character grows as he experiences different things.
2. Acting - All the actors did a brilliant job portraying their characters.
3. The mysteries - They crimes and investigations were gripping and fast-paced. It was not dragged out.
4. The crimes and character development is the main focus of show. There is virtually no romance, except of hinted lines.
5. The contrast of characters - The characters are different in their morals, decisions, and thoughts. This made the show more contrasting and interesting. It was much better than having all the people on one side think similarly.
Cons
The only thing I disliked about this is predictability of the villain. It was really obvious who the villain was. It was weird that the ultra-smart and attentive Wenjie didn't notice anything or get suspicious.
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Imperfect and Messy, but a fun ride!
Wow, what a journey! I have to say that I surprisingly enjoyed the hell out of this show. Is it an amazing story? No, not really. But, there's just something about this show that makes it really fun to watch despite having many illogical things within it.PROS
Characters - All the characters were just so interesting to watch! None of them were the classic perfect goody shoes main characters, which I really appreciated. They all had their own issues and flaws, which made them feel more real and relatable. Each main character's actions were understandable, even when they made stupid decisions that made me want to bang my head and their heads against the wall. I especially liked how their personalities clashed and complemented each other. This is specifically true for Fadel and Style, who had some really interesting dynamics.
Chemistry - Off the charts. I came into this already knowing how well KhaoFirst's chemistry is, but what took me by surprise was JoongDunk. I admit, I did not know anything about these two before watching this show, but I was pleasantly surprised how awesome they were together. In fact, I have become total fans of these two and am planning on watching all of their shows together. I just couldn't remove my eyes off the them and their story AT ALL!!
Comedy - If you're expecting an action-packed show like KinnPorsche, then this is defo not for you. This is more of a romantic-comedy (as also said by the actors), so make sure to keep your expectations checked! The comedy was definitely a highlight for me. Style aka Dunk was such an amazing comic relief who also had so many iconic lines. I couldn't stop getting amused, even in serious situations.
Spicy Scenes - Do I need to say more? Now, I'm not the kind of person who just watches BL dramas for spicy scenes, but I will say that it was quite well-done in this show. It's not the classic "top person does all the work" kinda thing (which is completely unrealistic). All the main characters actively engage and do their parts well.
CONS
Illogical moments - I have to say that this drama had multiple plot holes. Some character decisions felt very out of character, like they were made just to push the plot forward rather than matching their personalities. We also did not get proper closure for soo many things. The truth of many things that the audiences were curious about were not told at all.... and don’t even get me started on some of the coincidences! Certain events lined up so conveniently that it felt almost lazy from a writing viewpoint.
Villain characterization - I'm sorry, but this is the lamest villain I've seen in a while!!! The villain was just sooo useless and weak, to the point that it was quite frustrating. I kept thinking "damn, even I can do better than this and I'm no villain". I don't understand how the director managed to give all the mc's has such awesome personalities, but made the antagonists soo freaking stupid and weak.
Acting - Ik that I just proclaimed my love for JoongDunk the pros section above. They're very good, but both of them defo need some more acting lessons. Both of them did good in the comedy, romance, and action bits, but it was obvious how much they struggled with some scenes that require showing a lot of emotions. Those scenes were a hit or miss. They did really good in some emotional scenes, but some also made me go "huh?". However, Ik these two have improved a lot compared to their previous dramas together, so I know that they will just keep getting better. They also matched their characters very well, which I liked a lot.
First's character AKA Kant - I'm not too sure if this is a character problem, actor problem, a director problem, or just a me problem. I just couldn't care about Kant's character AT ALL. He did not feel genuine for about the first 7ish episodes. He did not feel genuine when he "really fell in love". His character just felt really fake for half the show. His character felt better in the second half though..
Overall, this is just a messy, but fun watch. Don't have high expectations about the assassins plot and the action, then you just might enjoy this ridiculous show like I did lol. GOOD LUCK IF YOU PTW THIS!
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Disappointing
I was really excited about watching this show. The whole concept of a mysterious friend and feelings among friends interested me a lot, so I'm a bit upset about giving such a rating for this show. It had a few great moments and many disappointing moments.PROS
1. Many cute moments with all the actors.
2. Akk's little sister - Her character was so sassy and fun to watch.
3. Brings in some realistic messages in the beginning (such as don't criticize how a girl dresses, instead teach people not to stare or harass) (not all relationships are like fairy tales that end happily) (people aren't perfect even if they look like it)
4. Akk - Akk's character was so funny and relatable. I was able sympathize with his character and root for him.
5. Music - I really like the show's music. It's so beautiful!
CONS
1. Awkward acting - The acting felt really stiff. The chemistry between the main leads was okay in the beginning, but it was completely missing in the later episodes. The moments that needed great reactions, instead had a wierdly calm reaction; however, it's understandable since they're new actors.
2. Many illogical moments ( such as how does Akk get convinced that Theo somehow seems to love Enchante just after exchanging a couple of lines?)
3. Theo's character - While the reasons above aren't big enough to warrant such a rating from me, the worst part about this show is Theo. This show completely butchered Theo's character and made him a selfish and ungrateful bitch by the end of the show. There was not character growth whatsoever. He started of as self-absorbed and still is selfish and self-absorbed by the end of the show. The last two episodes made me drop the rating from a 7.5 or 8 to a 6.5. I hated how Theo always forced Akk to make the first moves and sacrifices (such as leaving his family, feeling not good enough). It seemed like Theo really didn't care about Akk even though Akk did so much for him. This made me wish that show had followed more of the book's version.
Overall, would I recommend this to people? No, however, it's watchable if you have nothing else to watch and if you're completely bored.
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BL Punk Perfection
I don't know what I was expecting when I went into this drama, but all I know is that this drama has exceeded all possible expectations I could have possibly had for this drama.What I Loved:
Fantastic music choices - Every single piece of music for this drama was thoughtfully chosen and used, which only made me appreciate this drama even more. It really matched the aesthetics of this drama.
Acting - The acting and chemistry between the main leads was fabulous. Special appreciated for AE's actor, because the way he managed to portray Enaga and AE so differently was amazing. They really looked and felt like two different people for me. Chiaki actor's acting wasn't any less either. The way he portrayed the awkward and introverted fanboy was very convincing. The tension and chemistry between the two leads were insane. Every time I saw them together, I couldn't help but blush.
Adaptation of the Manga - As someone who has read the manga, I can say that this is a fantastic adaption. 95% of the scenes were followed faithfully, with the exception of the explicit scenes, which is totally understandable.
Punk Aesthetics, Fashion, and a Unique Storyline - The punk vibe of this drama was honestly one of its strongest charms. From the color palette to the bold fashion choices, everything felt bold and intentional. The styling perfectly embodied the spirit of the original manga while giving the live-action its own personality. It never felt like the show was trying too hard. Most importantly, the storyline is refreshingly different from the usual BL tropes. It wasn’t afraid to be weird, messy, and unique. It balanced the fluff, tension, and vulnerability scenes in such a good way that I found myself completely obsessed with Chiaki and Enaga/AE world. The drama took creative risks, and every single one of them paid off.
Character Growth - Chiaki and Enaga/AE were compelling characters, and their growth was one of my fav parts of the drama. Chiaki started off as an awkward, introverted fanboy, but you can see him slowly gain confidence and learn to express himself as he spends more time with Enaga. Meanwhile, with Enaga/AE, watching him open up and let someone see the vulnerable parts of him (that are unlike his model persona) was very touching. Their development felt natural, and the way they helped each other grow made their relationship feel emotionally satisfying.
Overall, I would highly, highly recommend giving this drama a chance.
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Disappointing and Disastrous
For context, I've been waiting for this drama with high anticipation ever since it was first announced. When it was confirmed to be releasing this year, I was even more excited. I haven't watched any of ZN's previous dramas (except that one horror movie they did), but I was genuinely on my way to becoming a fan purely from the hype of The Next Prince. I was so sure this would be one of my top BLs of all time.But unfortunately… this turned out to be such a disastrous and disappointing experience for me.
PROS
1. Gorgeous visuals - It was easy to tell this was a high-budget production with all the sets, costumes, and props. It was visually extremely appealing,
2. Unique trope with a royal-political story setup.
3. Interesting characterization and storyline for the second couple. Honestly, they were the only interesting part of this show and I wish we had gotten more background info about them.
CONS
1. Weak script with shallow writing - The writing just feels really undercooked, like they can't decide what they want the genre to be. The story seemed more focused on looking good than saying anything meaningful. There were so many gorgeous shots and dramatic moments that could’ve hit harder if the script actually had any real emotional weight behind it. But nope, we got nothing,
2. Emotionless Charan aka the stoic Seme - Charan is the definition of emotionless robot. He was literally just a cardboard cutout with a handsome face and 3 other expressions. I kept waiting to see emotions from that face, but all we got was the stoic seme look with an occasional half-smile. It’s really hard to invest in a relationship when one half of the couple acts like he’s allergic to human emotions.
3. Khanin - Khanin started off so promising! He was bold, sassy, grumpy, and confident. But then suddenly, out of nowhere, he turned into this desperate, lovesick puppy, hopelessly chasing after Charan with no self-respect. Like??? What happened to the London boy had a strong personality?? Once he fell for Charan, it’s like he forgot his whole life, including his adopted father, and just zeroed in on this emotionless guard as his entire personality.
4. Fast Romance, Lazy Plot - This is probably one of the biggest problems I had with this drama. The romance between Khanin and Charan moved way too fast. I just genuinely couldn't understand why or how they were even falling for each other. Meanwhile, the main storyline about the whole royal succession thing and all the palace politics was crawling at a snail’s pace. It was such a weird imbalance. I kept thinking, “Wait… we’re already here in the romance?? But still here in the plot??”
5. Styling Choices and the message it sends - This is also one that really rubbed me the wrong way. After Khanin moved into the palace and started romantically pursuing Charan, his wardrobe suddenly did a complete 180. He went from comfy, practical clothes to ultra-feminine, hyper-stylized outfits that none of the other princes were wearing. Don't get me wrong, I’m all for gender non-conforming fashion, and I know the actor enjoys that style IRL, which is great. But I’m talking about Khanin the character, not NN. The problem is that there was no reason for the change. It felt like they were trying to visually code him as the “pretty boy uke” now that he was paired with the stoic, manly seme. It felt tropey and lazy. It felt like the costume team went, “Oh, he’s in love now, better throw some pearls and ruffles on him.” If he had always dressed that way from the start, I wouldn’t have had a problem. But this sudden shift just made his character make less sense.
6. Chemistry - Before this drama started airing, I have watched ZNN in lots of different programs and interviews. That was how I became convinced that this show would have fantastic chemistry; however, this drama had none of it. I honestly couldn’t feel the love. I wanted to. I tried. But it just wasn’t there. There was no emotional depth between Khanin and Charan. They had a few intense eye contacts, some savior moments, some dramatic palace run-ins, and fell in love, but no real development. Their storyline felt hollow, and the romance felt unearned. I didn't even want to watch their NC scenes. I had to fast-forward them because those did nothing for me. I felt nothing other than the fact that the company added spicy scenes to get more views/watchers. I didn't feel their love or feelings. It just felt like a random soft-core porno.
7. Extremely underdeveloped 3rd couple - Oof, where do I even start? I don't understand why this drama even had a third couple. They barely had a storyline together. Like, we don't know when the started liking each other, why they started liking each other..We just see them having a few moments together in the drama, and then they suddenly confess. That's it. Honestly, I would've been okay just seeing these two characters separately than seeing them as a couple. That would have made more sense.
Overall, I went into The Next Prince ready to fall in love. The budget, the visuals, the setting.. Everything about this drama screamed potential. But what we got was a half-baked story with beautiful aesthetics and no emotional depth. The characters were inconsistent, the romance was rushed, the plot was dragging, and everything felt like a checklist of BL tropes without any real feelings. Disappointing and sad is all I have to say. I initially wanted to rate this lower, but the second couple were interesting enough that I gave it a higher score than what I had initially planned.
SIDE NOTE: This is just my perspective and opinion. If you're interested in watching this, then please go ahead and do so. Don't let my review bother you :) My score also has a lot to do with the high expectations I had for this drama, so the disappointment just hit me really hard.
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PERFECT
I admit, I didn't have much expectations when I started this. I expected it to be yet another plain K-BL with a lot of awkwardness, but this show completely proved be wrong. It's so adorable start to finish. It's not the cringy kind of fluff either.PROS
1. Excellent acting - ESG(Eddy )portrayed his character's emotions and worries so well. I was able to understand what he was feeling even when he didn't speak. LJH (did) did a great job as well. He did especially well when portraying his confusion and hesitation. I didn't get any hint of stiffness, awkwardness, and hesitation from either one of them. I have to say that all the other actors also did well in this.
2. Realistic - I loved how easily I was able to empathize with the characters. Their thoughts and actions totally made sense to me. It's wasn't overdramatic nor robotic. Ian and Eddy's relationship was portrayed very naturally. I loved the playfulness, the casualness, and skinship they had with each other.This is what relationships are like. It's not always intense and dramatic nor shy and blushy. I also enjoyed the type of angst they brought into this drama. It isn't a sudden shock; it doesn't come out of nowhere. It is understandable and normal.
3. Heart melting - The amount of fluff this show had almost gave me a heart attack. It's so sweet and relaxing to watch compared to more intense storylines. I especially loved the little titbits at the end of each episode.
4. No dead fish kisses - I hate it when people who are supposed to be a couple act awkward with each other. It's always looks like they're threatened into doing it, but that's not the case here. Even the kisses are so natural and good. They look really comfortable with each other.
CONS
None. Nada.
OVERALL
I definitely recommend giving this a try!!! It's so simple, yet extremely well-done. If you want a drama that's fluffy and not too intense, then this is a perfect choice. I truly believe that this show has set a standard of K-BL's.
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Definitely an Underated Drama
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Given the 7.7 rating, I had my expectations low for this; however, I was pleasantly surprised. It has really good plot twists, different kinds of characters, and good acting.Characters
I have to say that I definitely enjoyed the slightly antihero-like ML. It was refreshing to see a character who wasn't the typical epitome of justice character.
Of course, there was also more justice focused characters such as Date and Sanemura, but even they have their own struggles over question of 'What is justice?' They do sufficiently contrast the ml's thoughts and ideas.
Female characters Akatsu and Minamoto
Both the female characters in this drama were enjoyable to watch. Neither of them were the weak character who needed help. Both of them were strong and very capable. Other dramas honestly need to learn from this 👀
There was some problems with the characterization of a couple of minor characters, but those can be overlooked. For example, how do characters like Kagami and Endo manage to even exist in the workforce?
The acting of the cast members did justice to all the characters.
CONS
- The length of the drama - The length of drama made it hard to see much character development. I would have also liked to see the ML's past more fleshed out, so that we could understand him more. I also wish I could have seen more interactions between Sanerma, Date, Hyogo, and the rest of the d- squad.
Overall, I would definitely recommend giving this a try. Don't let the 7.7 rating bother you!
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Junkyouju Takatsuki Akira no Suisatsu Season 2
2 people found this review helpful
CONS
1. The ending is too abrupt/fast for my liking. I wish they had expanded the climax to make it more interesting because the ending disappointed me a bit.
2. So many unanswered questions! (I don't know if this is getting another season) The show doesn't tell us anything about why Akira's eyes turn blue, where he got the scars on the back, what happened to him when he went missing, if he really met with the supernatural (Tengu), and why he's scared of birds. This was really frustrating for me because I've been curious about it since watching season 1.
Overall, I would definitely recommend watching this because it's really interesting. It's refreshing to focus on mysteries and not get tangled with romance.
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A Classic Fluffy Japanese BL Drama
Honestly, this is a perfect show to watch when you're tired from watching plot-heavy and intense dramas. It's just so light and fluffy (like cotton candy) that it calms you down. It also doesn't require you to pay too much attention. It has all the aspects of a Japanese fluffy bl, which is = food, age gap, one terribly clumsy cook + one wonderful cook, a simple story, adorable music, supportive friends, and tiny bit of parental problems. The way the main characters process their feelings is just so mature and well-done that you don't get to have any moments of frustration. This show might seem cliche and boring to some people since the story is so simple. However, the execution is done so perfectly that even this simple story seems so beautiful.To the people who plan to watch this, the only thing I'd say is "expect a simple story and that's what you'll get". If you go in with high expectations about the plot, then you're bound to get disappointed. Happy watching!
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A Good Storyline With a Somewhat Dull Romance Line
Let me start by saying that I genuinely enjoyed the overall concept of this drama. It tackles burnout from work, how even small, everyday situations can spiral into overthinking, and highlights the importance of communication and mental health. Those themes felt realand relatable, which is something I really appreciated.PROS
1. Unique Storyline - If you’re in the mood for something that isn’t cutesy and instead leans into more realistic, adult issues, this drama is worth checking out. It doesn’t shy away from showing emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and the messiness of navigating life when you’re already worn down. That alone makes this stand out.
2. Acting - While I wouldn’t say the acting across the board was perfect, credit definitely needs to be given where it’s due. Kano’s actor did a very strong job portraying grief, anxiety, stress, and relief. His performance was very good, and it made it easy to empathize with his character and understand where he was coming from at every stage.
CONS
1. Romance and Intimacy - Sigh… I really thought we were past the era of dead-fish kisses and painfully awkward NC scenes in JBLs, but unfortunately, this drama proved otherwise. Even during their supposed intimate scene, it felt like someone physically pushed their lips together and called it a kiss. Ogami’s actor clearly tried to sell the chemistry and intimacy, but the issue is that scenes like this require both actors to be equally engaged. Kano’s actor was stiff and uncomfortable the entire time. It was obvious there were no proper workshops or rehearsals to help improve this, and as a result, the scene came off less like mutual affection and more like Kano was being coerced into it. It had no chemistry whatsoever. That completely killed the romantic impact any of the previous scenes had. Honestly, I would've just preferred seeing a forehead kiss. That could've still kept up the romantic vibe for me.
2. Lack of Character Depth for One of the Main Leads - Kano, as a character, had fantastic depth. I understood who he was, what motivated him, and why he reacted the way he did. His journey was clear and well-developed. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Ogami. We barely got anything about him aside from a small POV toward the end. Because of that, I honestly don’t understand why he likes Kano in the first place. The lack of development made his feelings feel a bit unconvincing.
OVERALL - Love Begins in the Word of If is excellent as a character-driven drama that explores mental health and emotional burnout, but it fails when it comes to romance. The strong themes of the drama carry the show. However, the weak chemistry and lack of character depth for one of the MLs . I still really enjoyed this for the main theme of the drama. If you're expecting something super romantic, then this is not for you. However, if you're interested in watching something that's focused more on the character growth with a side of BL, then I would highly recommend giving this drama a go.
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