This review may contain spoilers
Trauma Overcome by Personal Growth and External Comfort
My absolute favourite part of this drama that I MUST stress here: Typhoon begins to overcome his trauma because of his FRIENDS, not because Tonfah was a "knight in shining armour"(expanded upon later in the actual review). I will open by admitting that my review may be slightly skewed due to my personal love for traumatised, sad characters as well as fluffy, light-hearted plots. But what is a review if not a subjective opinion right? Despite the fact that I have watched more than 100 BLs at this point, I genuinely think this has taken the spot as my new all-time favourite.
1. Characters 10/10
I think the portrayal of Typhoon is so important and precious. Some people may get fed-up with the "misunderstanding" trope but I think this is one of the only instances it makes sense. Less of it being a misunderstanding, we really see how Typhoon - having grown up in a toxic environment, would make the choice to leave Tonfah in pursuit of parental love. Although we are well-aware that this judgement is misguided, the story does well in establishing why Typhoon thinks this may be the "right" decision - especially when he's still reliant on his father financially.
Another reason why I think the conflict actually works is due to the way they write Tonfah. Rather than making Tonfah a flat "nice guy" character, showing him internalise Typhoon's words and doubt himself makes his distancing from Typhoon less of a "he hurt me" misunderstanding, but a genuine concern/insecurity that he is deficient in some way. When we combine this with the manner in which he holds absolutely nothing against Typhoon, I feel like they've successfully written a nice guy character that feels authentic.
2. Shipability 10/10
The characters very much felt like they were written for one another in the sense that no one other than Tonfah could have matched Typhoon. Regardless of their childhood history, Typhoon is such a hurting character that his match had to be someone patient, mature but not passive. The fact that Tonfah, time and time again, is the one who reaches out first had to be the case in order for a relationship to form considering how broken Typhoon was. The fact that Tonfah never pushed too hard, yet never turned his back either felt extremely necessary.
I also thoroughly enjoy how Tonfah fell for Typhoon through the letters. The fact that Tonfah has lived his life being overly pressured to be "perfect", it makes a lot of sense that he falls for someone steady who loves him without expectations or demands. Additionally, this idea that Tonfah genuinely only saw Typhoon as a "younger brother" at first, not only makes their initial interactions less weird/lack of progress made sense, but also makes the romance itself more sweet in that Tonfah could fall in love without actually knowing the person. As someone who doesn't necessarily believe in longtime-friends to lovers, him "discovering a new side of someone" and falling in love feels a lot more authentic and believable to me.
Also added side note, the size difference is adorable. And I love that Tonfah teases just the right amount - makes for good actual chemistry.
3. Plot 9/10
The plot gets marked down for me mostly due to the weirdly-peaceful way everything was resolved. I felt like with how much they stressed Typhoon's pain and worry in the early episodes, I was expecting a much more explosive climax. Yet, I almost find that it hard to hold against the drama as it seems oddly well-suited for its characters. Nothing is made a larger deal than it has to be and there isn't really drama for the sake of drama. However, I have to admit I personally was uninterested in the Japan arc due to my complete lack of curiosity about his mother.
My absolute favourite part of this drama that I MUST stress here: Typhoon begins to overcome his trauma because of his FRIENDS, not because Tonfah was a "knight in shining armour". I cannot express how appreciative I am of this healthy portrayal of mental health and relationships. I think it was extremely important that his friends taught him to appreciate life and cherish himself. And it is only AFTER he has grown as a person and begun to prioritise himself that he ends up romantically involved with Tonfah. I felt that this was the point where the drama was truly elevated to be my favourite.
4. Quality 5/5
I have to give it up for the casting and acting for this show. Tonliew's (Typhoon) acting was truly next level. Being able to portray someone who is clinging onto life - yet trying to present as happy, is extremely tall of a task. Tonliew not only lived up to the role, but surpassed all expectations. Every single time I saw Tonliew cry (and even when he smiles in early scenes), I genuinely SOBBED. I not only cried with his anguish, but could completely identify and relate with the way he hid behind smiles.
Although Bever (Tonfah) had much less demanding of a role, I do still think he did a fantastic job. The fact that you could actually see a difference in the way he looks at Typhoon from the initial "I am endeared by my nong" to "I love this person romantically" was so important and done splendidly. It was also good that Bever could show the "hunger" required of Tonfah.
Ultimately, if you're looking for something that will temporarily rip your heart out, only to soothe you with adorable fluff - please give this show a try.
1. Characters 10/10
I think the portrayal of Typhoon is so important and precious. Some people may get fed-up with the "misunderstanding" trope but I think this is one of the only instances it makes sense. Less of it being a misunderstanding, we really see how Typhoon - having grown up in a toxic environment, would make the choice to leave Tonfah in pursuit of parental love. Although we are well-aware that this judgement is misguided, the story does well in establishing why Typhoon thinks this may be the "right" decision - especially when he's still reliant on his father financially.
Another reason why I think the conflict actually works is due to the way they write Tonfah. Rather than making Tonfah a flat "nice guy" character, showing him internalise Typhoon's words and doubt himself makes his distancing from Typhoon less of a "he hurt me" misunderstanding, but a genuine concern/insecurity that he is deficient in some way. When we combine this with the manner in which he holds absolutely nothing against Typhoon, I feel like they've successfully written a nice guy character that feels authentic.
2. Shipability 10/10
The characters very much felt like they were written for one another in the sense that no one other than Tonfah could have matched Typhoon. Regardless of their childhood history, Typhoon is such a hurting character that his match had to be someone patient, mature but not passive. The fact that Tonfah, time and time again, is the one who reaches out first had to be the case in order for a relationship to form considering how broken Typhoon was. The fact that Tonfah never pushed too hard, yet never turned his back either felt extremely necessary.
I also thoroughly enjoy how Tonfah fell for Typhoon through the letters. The fact that Tonfah has lived his life being overly pressured to be "perfect", it makes a lot of sense that he falls for someone steady who loves him without expectations or demands. Additionally, this idea that Tonfah genuinely only saw Typhoon as a "younger brother" at first, not only makes their initial interactions less weird/lack of progress made sense, but also makes the romance itself more sweet in that Tonfah could fall in love without actually knowing the person. As someone who doesn't necessarily believe in longtime-friends to lovers, him "discovering a new side of someone" and falling in love feels a lot more authentic and believable to me.
Also added side note, the size difference is adorable. And I love that Tonfah teases just the right amount - makes for good actual chemistry.
3. Plot 9/10
The plot gets marked down for me mostly due to the weirdly-peaceful way everything was resolved. I felt like with how much they stressed Typhoon's pain and worry in the early episodes, I was expecting a much more explosive climax. Yet, I almost find that it hard to hold against the drama as it seems oddly well-suited for its characters. Nothing is made a larger deal than it has to be and there isn't really drama for the sake of drama. However, I have to admit I personally was uninterested in the Japan arc due to my complete lack of curiosity about his mother.
My absolute favourite part of this drama that I MUST stress here: Typhoon begins to overcome his trauma because of his FRIENDS, not because Tonfah was a "knight in shining armour". I cannot express how appreciative I am of this healthy portrayal of mental health and relationships. I think it was extremely important that his friends taught him to appreciate life and cherish himself. And it is only AFTER he has grown as a person and begun to prioritise himself that he ends up romantically involved with Tonfah. I felt that this was the point where the drama was truly elevated to be my favourite.
4. Quality 5/5
I have to give it up for the casting and acting for this show. Tonliew's (Typhoon) acting was truly next level. Being able to portray someone who is clinging onto life - yet trying to present as happy, is extremely tall of a task. Tonliew not only lived up to the role, but surpassed all expectations. Every single time I saw Tonliew cry (and even when he smiles in early scenes), I genuinely SOBBED. I not only cried with his anguish, but could completely identify and relate with the way he hid behind smiles.
Although Bever (Tonfah) had much less demanding of a role, I do still think he did a fantastic job. The fact that you could actually see a difference in the way he looks at Typhoon from the initial "I am endeared by my nong" to "I love this person romantically" was so important and done splendidly. It was also good that Bever could show the "hunger" required of Tonfah.
Ultimately, if you're looking for something that will temporarily rip your heart out, only to soothe you with adorable fluff - please give this show a try.
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