kruppe92

Started strong, snail pased middle, rushed ending

Likes:
+ Mix was great in his role and the support characters were wonderful
+ Plot was extremely interesting and heartwarming at the start, I genuinely felt like I needed to see the next few epi asap
+ cinematography

Dislikes:
- Earth was weird; his acting imo was the weakest and he looked like a model and not a forest ranger.
- Slowburn romance, which I usually love but here it was non-sensical since they acknowledged their attraction under the blanket with finger action 80% before they confessed. Its a BL and BL is a sub-genre for romance, but here it was conveniently forgotten for most of the show.
- What was interesting about the plot was forgotten in the middle and instead we get repetitive scenes with villagers. Though there was some character growth for our protag, Mix so its not all bad. This part of the slice of life scenes could have had more variety and depth in story-telling.
- Dislike Mix's character's lie in the end. Was this supposed to be a melodrama?

A rich brat going to live out his life in the village/countryside is not an untold story. The novelty of the plot is why he goes there, so I wished the script focused more on that aspect. Nevertheless, I connected with the story emotionally.

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Complex and thus Confusing

For starters, I want to emphasize that I really appreciate BLs with sci-fi/fantasy plots like this one; we have come so far from uni rom-coms. That said the storytelling was needlessly confusing though some might think its a genius way to keep us engaged and gripping, but sadly when you understand the full picture you feel massively underwhelmed and disappointed. What we've known and who we've rooted for 90% of the show, we didn't know anything about anyone by the end. The lead characters I liked turned out to be unlikeable for what they did and the support characters I hated on in the beginning, well nothing changed about them. Acting was decent, good enough for a BL and despite the confusing plot, this was a solid 9 in my BL book for how refreshing it is.

But why did I rate it 7.5? For using "minor" character in NSFW scenes. For even having NSFW scenes for the sake of it. Build a relationship and show these scenes; if I wanted to watch porn I'd go to pornhub.

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Very slow Paced with some excellent acting

A lot of reviews here saying this is one of the best written thrillers, but I have to hard disagree. This is not a thriller, more of a character driven murder mystery. And it feels well-written but its not. The plot drags and there is simply not enough story to tell between its large cast and huge number of episodes. The reveals at the end of each episode feels gimmicky purely for the shock factor because it doesn't quite match the pace set at the beginning of the episode. The show is so slow and the characters talk a lot. The plot is simple but narrated in a convoluted way to look like a thriller. A big chunk of the mystery was solved before the halfway point of the show, the rest of the show dragged a lot and I frankly lost interest. The first half was a solid 9, even if it was draggy, the mystery was there that made me want to keep watching. The second half barring the last episode was too slow, maybe 6. All the main characters were single, I feel like this was one of those dramas that could have been benefitted by some romance (though this wont be necessary if the plot was gripping).

I think it wouldnt feel as boring if I watched it while it was airing, because there is a lot of repetitive dialogues and scenes and the acting is good that an hour just flies by. However, while binging the show feels very slow. Its also hard to skip scenes/FF so as to not miss any detail pertaining the case.

Biggest positives: Acting (by all, especially Shin Ha Kyun), OST and cinematography

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How to rate this show?

I just finished watching this in 2025 and its one of the most unique BL I've watched. I don't even know how to rate it. I absolutely disliked the start. I hated how the ML was treated (I acknowledge he was creepy). No, I did not hate the script, I did not hate the actors, I loved the OST, I was glued to my screen the whole time, but I hated it. Call it anti-shipping, but I vehemently hoped the ML ended up with the second lead despite the foreboding.

However, when the POV switched, my ship switched too. I saw what Kiyoi saw. Honestly we cant blame him for falling in love. For all his flaws Hira was cutie and needs to be protected at all costs. Its truly magical to be seen, to be loved, to be the only one. Thats what they are to eachother.

The show is not fluffy, despite the hip OST. It is dark. Their relationship can be perceived as toxic, but its not, you'll see why if you stick with the show. They are just bad at communicating. The characters are flawed, they needed to be in therapy like yesterday. For Hira it is to help his stutter, to increase his confidence, to reduce his obsessiveness and most importantly to get rid of his imaginary gun violence. For Kiyoi it is to improve his communication.

100% recommend. My beautiful man Kiyoi is indeed the most beautiful man I've seen, but it was Hira who shone bright.

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Not recommended

I am being generous today and giving it 6 stars for the actors sake, but its below average in every other way.

Screenplay: The story had significant pacing issues (very slow in the beginning to everything moved too fast near the end). The story didnt make much sense whatsoever. Like when did Tae Seong start liking Hae Bom? He says 12 years, but how is that even possible? They are only 18 now.. So essentially they were each other's best and first friends but they stopped communicating at some point and grew apart even though they lived together? How did the mom feel about this? The reason for the lack of communication is also pretty stupid imo: I liked you, so I didnt want to be near you. What?? If you love somebody as much as Tae Seong loved Hae Bom, you would want to be around him every waking minute. Hae Bom was so awkward and uncomfortable around Tae Seong it was super hard to watch the beginning and kinda confusing why he would act that way since they live together. Hereon the plot moved quite fast and I completely detest the non-con scene that came soon after. There was no excuse for that and I also didnt like the follow up: "Is liking me too much to ask?" Yes, it is. This dialogue was essentially forcing our already weak ML into being forced into a relationship out of misplaced sense of friendship and loyalty. At this point even us viewers are unclear if Hae Bom has romantic feelings for Tae Seong which would bring the non-con scene look more like assault than momentary passion. The mom sees this and does nothing, thats so weird. I am not sure if its the bad editing or bad story telling, but what parent witnesses the assault and just does nothing about it? They are both your sons, ma'am. Further down the line, the mom becomes alcoholic somehow and starts having a strained relationship with her own son (is this because of the assault? is this because he took help from her ex-husband? is this because she saw the leads kiss? none of this is clearly explained). I am at least happy Tae Seong regretted his actions and Hae Bom confessed he truly loves Tae Seong between all this mess. 2/10

Production: extremely bad camera work (shaky, blair witch angles) and editing was so bad that makes scene transitions seem very choppy and not smooth. There were some scenes that didnt make any sense at all and doesnt contribute to the story. Like why did Hae Bom randomly enter the bathroom where Tae Seong was showering? The sets and scenary was quite good. Many low budget Korean BLs just takes place in a single bedroom apartment or a park, but this one had multiple settings and a beautiful house & apartment. 2/10

Acting: Not bad. Either the actors were extremely uncomfortable with each other in the beginning or it was just them acting that way for their roles, it was clear their "relationship" became comfortable as the series progressed. Still not the best acting, but I loved how much they grew during the series. I could believe they were a couple by the end of the show, considering how awkward they were initially. 8/10

OST: Lots of english songs, prefer Korean ones. I didnt care for it much, average, nothing memorable. 5/10

Overall: 6/10, but should be 4/10. There are better BLs out there and I wish these actors got a better script.

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7/8 episodes were great

Issues:

- Finale was problematic, did not like how they handled mental health issue. This was a blemish to an otherwise beautiful story. Luckily the acting and plot was extremely enjoyable for the most part, so I didnt think I should dock a lot of points. I wish they gave a happy ending for the poor kid Song Yi Heon, that would have been truly life changing for him, since the story was all about second chances.
- Deducted points for casting a rapist. He seemed important to Duek Pal, but I skipped all his scenes anyway since I cant bear the sight of that guy.
- I am a BL aficionado, but I was okay with this adaptation being straight-washed, I do enjoy all sorts of dramas. However, the affection between Yi Heon and Se Kyung appeared to be more than friends, like a crush. I doubt any teenager would write "I wish I could be friends with xyz" like it was the only good thing in his life, especially considering they weren't even all that close when Yi Heon was alive. There was also suggestive jealousy from Se Kyung when they girls were flirting with Deuk Pal. IDK, unnecessary vibes, imo like the show wanted to queer bait. Either give me BL or bromance, none of this wishy washy BS.
- Need bad things to happen to Se Kyung's Prosecutor father.

The positives of the show is one too many to list. I would recommend watching it.

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Cute in Parts

The show was definitely entertaining, I was able to get through the end, though not without some massive skipping.

Pros:
1. Unique premise. I love a BL arranged marriage trope, so unique and open minded by the families + the secret identity (Kuea's duality) trope.
2. Speaks about LGBTQ+ rights and Equality, wonderful stuff.
3. Comedy. Especially between Kuea and his friends + the wonderful secretaries of Liam and Yi.
4. Yim. And Tutor.
5. Loved the relationship between Nuea and his friends. They supported each other but also established clear boundaries.

Cons:
1. Constant lying and manipulation by the leads.
2. Kuea and Diao were both kinda immature and acted their age. Their partners were unfortunately way older and controlling such that their "romance" was abusive and toxic. The relationship was giving me parent-child vibe more so than lovers. Kuea and Diao were actually fearing their partners at some point and the relationship only gets slightly better towards the end; its still massively imbalanced.
3. Acting. Most of them were passable or good, except Lian and Nat. Lian's expression makes me want to punch his face. He was a bit stiff or was made to pretend he didnt love Kuea for the most part, while Kuea was very open about his feelings for him. Idk if its the acting or the directing, either way that chemistry was weird in the beginning. Nat was acting like an immature puppy/child, just like Kuea. Atleast Kuea had some bad ass side gigs that showcased the duality in acting.

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WHY are you kissing or being intimate with your sick partner? Is that supposed to be romantic?
WHY are you stalking someone you like instead of confessing and asking them out. Is that supposed to be romantic?
WHY does Mame only write toxic and pitiable relationships? Is that supposed to be romantic?

I'll confess, the first 3 episodes were really fun trying to understand this parallel universe concept, but things started going downhill soonafter. The writing is cringe, even in the first 3 episodes. Noeul's character, Phu was portrayed as extremely naive and childish, like which uni kid throws a tantrum over underwear colors? Thankfully his interactions with Boss made it more tolerable since it bought some seriousness to the "plot". Speaking of the plot, I understand this is fiction and toxic characters exist irl and easier to accept when not grounded in reality, but are we supposed to empathize with Cir, really? He cares only abt Phu and nobody else, not his brother, not his friends, no one. Phu is too naive, forget calling the police on this stalker, you apologized to him and tell him what he did was acceptable because its for LOVE?? Too creepy, stalkery, cant even relate to these characters who are completely one dimensional. There was chemistry between the main leads thankfully, but here's hoping Noeul could improve on his acting a tad bit more and choose better roles for his next project, something that is more mature and outside of school/uni setting and not written by Mame (I think she needs psych help). Didnt care for side characters other that Ozone and Jin, even their acting can do better.

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Prefer if Max was paired with someone else

I can't watch Nat, he's not a very good actor. I skipped his scenes in cutie pie but I hoped it was because I didnt like the dynamics of his relationship, so I wanted to give this series a chance. Even when delivering emotional scenes, like in ep 2 where he says he has no house, no friends in this world, he appears to be smiling and happy saying it. Too off-putting when delivering sad lines. Tai and Phupha on the other hand were gorgeous and good. Didn't care for the side couple. The plot was too cheesy and I hate that Kram keeps falling on Tai every episode and that he's a damsel that needed constant rescuing. I also don't get the setting of the world they live in. Some people walk around well-dressed, driving fancy cars, busy playing a President/Heir of a large company or what not while his love interest, Kram lives in the middle of a Jungle dressed in rags, so where is this place? The back and forth flashbacks and non-linear story-telling is also unnecessarily confusing. Its too bad that the plot had so much potential, but turned out to be another mess like || 4 minutes ||

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It was slow-burn, but slow-burn romance it was not

Only watched 6 episodes and FF the remaining at 3x speed. Initially I liked the story because of awesome cinematography and good acting by the leads, not to mention I am a sucker for a good step brother romance story. However, the plot meandered too much because of all the side characters and plots. I can't really tell if the leads are attracted to each other or just affectionate and heal each other's trauma. There was a kiss scene but it was too premature and didnt feel right. It was not a kiss of love, but rather a kiss to make a point. The ending didnt satisfy me either and I am left just as confused as I was in the beginning. Heard season 2 isnt happening, so I won't be recommending this show to anyone.

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cute, but why the hype?

Full disclaimer: I watched it in 2025. It was one my first watched thai Bls, after Laws of Attraction and Until We Meet Again.

I am an Asian, so this type of enemies to lovers story is not new in this part of the world, its been done so many times. Heck, its Romeo and Juliet minus the tragedy. To me this story wasn't novel, the uni scenes were standard college interaction, the romance wasn't heated, I felt bored mid-way and skipped some scenes, yet I persevered through to understand what the hype was all about. And.. I just don't get it. It was by no means bad, pretty decent for BL standards, but it didnt meet the expectation I had for this BL. The actors looked great but their acting left much to be desired. UWMA on the other hand is older and the story was much more impactful than this one.
This show feels dated, but even for 2021. I remember watching this type of family enemies to lovers concept in the 90s television.

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