Love's Tangled Threads
Secret Relationships was one of my most anticipated Korean BLs this year. After a quiet 2024 for full-length KBL dramas, it felt refreshing to see companies still investing in a complete narrative rather than just quick reel-type content. I did not watch any teasers or read the plot beforehand because I prefer to experience the full drama once it is released. The series has 8 episodes with a runtime of about 30 minutes each, and I must say they made excellent use of that time. Every episode felt essential to the development of the plot, and I appreciated how the backstories, conflicts, characters, and romance unfolded gradually.
The plot is strong overall, and I believe it handled the romantic conflict better than my favorite 2024 drama, Love for Love's Sake. The story gave balanced screen time to Songhyeon, Jaemin, and Suhyeon, allowing their love conflicts to simmer instead of resolving too quickly. One aspect that could have been improved is the handling of emotional scenes, which sometimes lacked the depth I hoped for. I must admit that the title, Secret Relationships, was a bit misleading because there were only a few true secrets. In fact, Jaemin and Suhyeon’s plotline could have been explored more. The introduction of the masochistic side of Jaemin felt rushed; I understand the runtime limitations, but it left me wanting more clarity.
There were also moments that felt clichéd and predictable. Despite these issues, the drama was a solid representation of different types of love. Jaemin’s love was obsessive and unhealthy, Suhyeon’s was self-sacrificing, and Songhyeon’s was unconditional. Initially, I found myself rooting for Jaemin because his intensity seemed like what Da On needed. However, as the story unfolded, I grew to despise the harmful side of his obsession. On the other hand, Suhyeon’s motivations were initially confusing, but it later became clear that no matter how protective he was, his love was not what Da On needed. And then there is Songhyeon—his patience, perseverance, and genuine affection make his love the kind many people dream of.
On the acting front, I was thoroughly impressed. Junseo, in his likely first major project, truly embodied Da On. I was both compelled and pleasantly surprised by his performance, especially when I learned he is also from a K-pop group. He managed to handle both the sensual and emotional aspects of his role with confidence and charm. Hoyoung impressed me with his blend of innocent vibes and deeper emotional acting, while Jungwoo, though his character was less appealing, was an undeniable eye candy with a mesmerizing performance. Sunhyung, too, delivered a strong performance in the emotionally charged scenes. The cinematography was exactly what one would expect from a Korean production, and although the OST was good, it did not leave a lasting impression.
Overall, Secret Relationships is a testament to how Korean BLs have evolved over time. It demands some mental engagement, but for someone who has watched over a hundred BLs and numerous Korean dramas, it is neither intimidating nor overly complex. It remains entertaining, engaging, and primarily focuses on character development with minimal filler. I may even find myself binge-watching WEI's releases after this one.
PS. I find it funny in the last scene where Junseo raised his eyebrow to signal Sunhyung to kiss him. I am not sure if that's intentional but they could've cut it better.
The plot is strong overall, and I believe it handled the romantic conflict better than my favorite 2024 drama, Love for Love's Sake. The story gave balanced screen time to Songhyeon, Jaemin, and Suhyeon, allowing their love conflicts to simmer instead of resolving too quickly. One aspect that could have been improved is the handling of emotional scenes, which sometimes lacked the depth I hoped for. I must admit that the title, Secret Relationships, was a bit misleading because there were only a few true secrets. In fact, Jaemin and Suhyeon’s plotline could have been explored more. The introduction of the masochistic side of Jaemin felt rushed; I understand the runtime limitations, but it left me wanting more clarity.
There were also moments that felt clichéd and predictable. Despite these issues, the drama was a solid representation of different types of love. Jaemin’s love was obsessive and unhealthy, Suhyeon’s was self-sacrificing, and Songhyeon’s was unconditional. Initially, I found myself rooting for Jaemin because his intensity seemed like what Da On needed. However, as the story unfolded, I grew to despise the harmful side of his obsession. On the other hand, Suhyeon’s motivations were initially confusing, but it later became clear that no matter how protective he was, his love was not what Da On needed. And then there is Songhyeon—his patience, perseverance, and genuine affection make his love the kind many people dream of.
On the acting front, I was thoroughly impressed. Junseo, in his likely first major project, truly embodied Da On. I was both compelled and pleasantly surprised by his performance, especially when I learned he is also from a K-pop group. He managed to handle both the sensual and emotional aspects of his role with confidence and charm. Hoyoung impressed me with his blend of innocent vibes and deeper emotional acting, while Jungwoo, though his character was less appealing, was an undeniable eye candy with a mesmerizing performance. Sunhyung, too, delivered a strong performance in the emotionally charged scenes. The cinematography was exactly what one would expect from a Korean production, and although the OST was good, it did not leave a lasting impression.
Overall, Secret Relationships is a testament to how Korean BLs have evolved over time. It demands some mental engagement, but for someone who has watched over a hundred BLs and numerous Korean dramas, it is neither intimidating nor overly complex. It remains entertaining, engaging, and primarily focuses on character development with minimal filler. I may even find myself binge-watching WEI's releases after this one.
PS. I find it funny in the last scene where Junseo raised his eyebrow to signal Sunhyung to kiss him. I am not sure if that's intentional but they could've cut it better.
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