1
A Hidden Underrated Gem
I didn’t know what to expect when I started Dating Game so I kept my expectations low — but I was wrong. After watching the first episode, I realized the concept was actually really cool, and the vibe of the show felt fun and lively.
The story follows Hill, a nerdy-looking, chubby guy who was badly bullied back in high school. A girl pretended to like him and humiliated him in front of everyone. That experience crushed him — until he discovered Yuka, a female romance simulation game. With Yuka’s help, he started taking care of himself, gained confidence, and eventually lost weight. After college, he ended up getting hired as a programmer at the same company that created Yuka. That’s where he met his boss, Junji — and the rest is history.
I actually liked the storyline a lot. Most office-set dramas tend to feel boring to me, but not this one. The concept was refreshing and interesting. The show feels relatable — from creating a simulation game, to catching real feelings, to facing the reality of being in a long-distance relationship.
I also love that the plot twist wasn’t predictable at all. The airport scene hit hard emotionally, and the rooftop scene? That was a rollercoaster. March did such a great job. Both main characters are green flags — even if they've both been hurt before. The side couple was interesting too. Bay is a playboy who eventually finds true love with Phat, who’s Junji’s friend.
This was actually March and Mukai’s first time starring as leads in a BL series — and surprisingly, they had amazing chemistry. In terms of acting, March nailed the emotional scenes. Mukai can act too, but there’s still room to grow with certain emotions. As for the second couple, they seemed more comfortable with each other, especially during the NC scenes. The main couple had one too, but it was cut quickly — maybe because they’re still new to BL and it depends on their comfort level.
I really hope March and Mukai get to star in another BL together — they look so good as a pair.
The only downside? The English subs in episode 3 were a mess. But overall, Dating Game is a well-produced and well-written BL series with great characters — especially Hill, who has such a high emotional intelligence.
Highly recommend this one! 🙌
The story follows Hill, a nerdy-looking, chubby guy who was badly bullied back in high school. A girl pretended to like him and humiliated him in front of everyone. That experience crushed him — until he discovered Yuka, a female romance simulation game. With Yuka’s help, he started taking care of himself, gained confidence, and eventually lost weight. After college, he ended up getting hired as a programmer at the same company that created Yuka. That’s where he met his boss, Junji — and the rest is history.
I actually liked the storyline a lot. Most office-set dramas tend to feel boring to me, but not this one. The concept was refreshing and interesting. The show feels relatable — from creating a simulation game, to catching real feelings, to facing the reality of being in a long-distance relationship.
I also love that the plot twist wasn’t predictable at all. The airport scene hit hard emotionally, and the rooftop scene? That was a rollercoaster. March did such a great job. Both main characters are green flags — even if they've both been hurt before. The side couple was interesting too. Bay is a playboy who eventually finds true love with Phat, who’s Junji’s friend.
This was actually March and Mukai’s first time starring as leads in a BL series — and surprisingly, they had amazing chemistry. In terms of acting, March nailed the emotional scenes. Mukai can act too, but there’s still room to grow with certain emotions. As for the second couple, they seemed more comfortable with each other, especially during the NC scenes. The main couple had one too, but it was cut quickly — maybe because they’re still new to BL and it depends on their comfort level.
I really hope March and Mukai get to star in another BL together — they look so good as a pair.
The only downside? The English subs in episode 3 were a mess. But overall, Dating Game is a well-produced and well-written BL series with great characters — especially Hill, who has such a high emotional intelligence.
Highly recommend this one! 🙌
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