Kyubin

"SK homophobia is no joke, trust me." At some point all the "Korea homophobia bashing" because their culture and society are not the way you want must stop. Nobody will kill you for being homosexual in South Korea. I lived there, I have family in friends there, I know what I'm talking about. So it's not because homosexuality is not welcomed with open arms by everybody that it's a hell either. That doesn't mean it's easy for everyone, for sure, but I'm really annoyed but the constant comments like yours here. When it comes from people that seem to not have real experience of living in South Korea as a gay man, that's the joke to me.

Every single word.

Also, Yeom Min Hyeok has the sex appeal of a hermit crab while Choi Jae Hyeok is the epitome of sex appeal (I'd prefer watch him do things actually to be honest ^^).

The last two episodes were a proper fall down, even the bold intimate scene and the sexy body and glare of Choi Jae Hyeok can't save that unfortunately. I'm just looking forward to him in a new role now.

Much better than what I expected. And much more deep and thoughtful despite the funny (and welcomed) parts too. I'm glad. By the end of episode 2 I'm hooked. To be honest, I still can't really see Choo Young Woo as a realistic high schooler, the man is too charismatic, sexy and has portrayed too more mature characters for that, at least for me, so I'm more watching this thinking he is a college student, despite the high school set up. But aside that, his acting is perfect for me. And for all the cast too.

Light-hearted drama ? You obviously haven't watched it if you think the subjects that are portrayed in this drama are "light-hearted". Or people suffering in their lives are just a joke for you maybe.
No facts in your comments, just boasting. It's your personal opinion only, that has nothing to do with objective facts.

Zi Yu right ? You and I, same. He was cast perfectly for this role, of course Chi Cheng wants to mess up that boy Wu Suo Wei so bad. ^^

The second couple, as often, is unnecessary in that form, and that's one thing that actually bother me a lot in BLs. Of course it might come from my personal experiences, but these stories with all the main characters who are acquaintances (men or women) are all homosexuals is really stupid for me. Also because it just shows the lack of originality. Usual rom-coms have a second couple, so of course BLs must have their second couple too ! But to be honest they don't bother me neither so far in "Revenged Love" so it's okay.

I am genuinely quite happy (and a little proud ^^) my comment encouraged you a little to give it a try one more time, and even more that you enjoyed it.

I totally agree with your point regarding the opening scene in that kind of story. Honestly I think I disregarded it quickly because I don't take that kind of drama as seriously as a film. I saw it as just a way to set up the background of the character and really forgot it after watching the next episodes. Chi Cheng is very forceful, and clearly wants to have his way with Wu Suo Wei, but he still stop, show some restrain and don't go till the end. I guess I like this restrain Chi Cheng shows because of his feelings for Wu Suo Wei too. That kind of "sinful" character who kinda tries to redeem himself because of love is my thing. ^^

Thank you for the reminder of these two great movies that I will happily rewatch now !

Your point regarding Thai BLs is very interesting, that's something to think about indeed. One of main problems I have with Thai BLs is that they almost always try to go into a "sensationalist" vein rather than a realistic one when it comes to the stories they tell.

I never tried to understand the majority of the audience here, we just don't have compatible brains.

But I love this "Revenged Love" a lot to be honest. I guess it comes mainly from the bold acting. Not that it is something new for this genre. But for some reason that I can't really figure out for now, even if there are many little things to criticise, it doesn't seems as messed up as Thai characters and stories to me. I don't think it's the scenario that is brilliant because there are some really silly stuff in there. The production has much ways to improved too. So in the end it's probably because of Tian Xu Ning and Zi Yu, their chemistry, and, yes, their bold acting that does the trick.

"Fellow Travelers" ? Eight episodes, touching on similar subjects, and I don't think it lacked depth, so "Shine" could maybe be very similar to it.

When they are in Wu Suo Wei's room it's fake. It's filmed either from the back of Zi Yu's head or from the back of Tian Xu Ning's head, so we never see their lips touch, which means it's a fake kiss. It's the oldest "trick" in filming kiss scenes.

This is great, for sure. I really didn't expected that. And 24 episodes of over 40 minutes ? A true blessing, no doubt. But China or not China, fake kisses filmed in a certain way so that we don't see the actors lips touch is a big no for me (it kinf of baffles me that it's okay to show all these butt and body grapplings, but two men's lips touching must be censored...). It doesn't ruin the drama of course, Tian Xu Ning and Zi Yu are too good and charming for that, but it still prevent it from being a really good one. Let's hope the next (many !) episodes will redeem this little disappointment.

That wasn't my point. I was just giving my honest feedback as a French speaker because I saw your comment and got curious about it.

I'm French (and teached French in Korea), and for a character that is supposed to have been away for 20 years, he doesn't sound natural when speaking French (which should be the case for a kid growing and living in France during 20 years at that times). The work the actor put in mastering the language is noticeable, and contrary to other Korean or Japanese dramas I have seen where actors speak French, he is understandable when speaking, but it's still not very convincing considering the character background.

Edit : I probably haven't emphasised this enough, but the actor does a very good job at speaking French, I'm not criticising him. It's just that considering the character background, a more natural French would be expected when the character speak French. Compared to Park Min Young trying to speak French (whom I love nonetheless), my ears were not bleeding here. ^^

It's like I'm under a spell every time Choi Jae Hyeok is on screen. I hope this role will bring him many casting offers, I want to see him more in the future.

I haven't read the webtoon so I don't have the original work as reference, but still, that's exactly how I feel and think too. It's a shame because it's been a while since a Korean BL had so much potential to be excellent for me, but it's unfortunately lacking on the points you mentioned very well.

That's really funny how we can see things very differently depending on our own perspectives. ^^

Yes our perception is different depending on our age and experiences. Personally, having had a younger brother in high school and teaching in Korea, I just can't see these actors as high schoolers. And as I wrote, it's also because it's not like it is their first roles. If that was the case, it could maybe pass, but after playing different mature roles, I find it even more weird and totally unrealistic to see them portray high schoolers.

I know of course, but personally it's not my thing seeing adults play kids. People want to see high-profile actors okay, but in befitting roles too. I don't think they cast young actors to play elderly people... That's just too weird for me that both actors and the general public like to watch adults play kids when there are great kids actors that could do the job instead.

I'm looking forward to it but, to be honest, as much as I love Young Woo, neither him or Cho Yi Hyun pass as high schoolers to me. Especially after his last roles and in particular Lee Geum Son in "Mercy for None". ^^

I don't think I will be disappointed by the drama though, it should be fun, and their acting will sure be good, but for me their appearances don't match the characters.

I thought the same for the last drama of Seo Kang Jun. They should really stop using grown up adults to play high schoolers, in terms of realism it doesn't work at all.

Is that man a favourite of the writer ? Every little news about him is always shared here on MDL when real actors news don't make the news list... I find it strange, it's not like he is a big shot.

The making of is definitely worth watching too. 😏 => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maft3ljlBNo