JoongDunk is a very cute couple, and this show's not boring.
Forewarning: I've started to discover that I don't like slice of life dramas. I want some intensity, maybe even supernatural events. This show is not a boring slice of life drama.While it's grounded in reality, Hidden Agenda has some juicy storylines and emotional turmoil for their characters to go through. While it's not perfect at pacing and timing, I was very happy with every episode's plot. I felt that the characters acted reasonably, but there was also room for growth, and I love that.
There's stories about family, stories about criminals and danger, a blink-and-you-miss-it story about not being homophobic. It was really a solid meal, especially if you're just getting into BL.
But beyond the writing, I've gone and become a shipper of JoongDunk, our main couple. After watching them in The Heart Killers, I was smartly recommended Hidden Agenda, and I was not disappointed. I could watch them kiss for hours, and the show complied with a few wonderfully long scenes of them making out. You know the actors are good when they can really kiss in-character.
I'm especially into Joong, who manages to make being emotionally-constipated an interesting character trait. And he's so good to his fans! They're both wonderful, but I'll probably follow Joong in whatever he does for a while.
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If you can manage to like Kawi, you'll love this drama!
Honestly, the writing of this story is top-notch. It's a slow but steady story, constantly propelling you forward and giving you the time to enjoy every step of the action. I cared a great deal about the characters and their reveals. Even as I rooted for the two male leads, I was also cheering on the side characters.The only issue with this show is the lead, Kawi. While I love his story, he's incredibly annoying as a personality. You find yourself wondering, "What is Pisaeng getting out of this?" Even when Kawi does show positive sides of him, I'm still so mad at him for his other behaviors that it seems fake. Have you ever disliked a character so much that you start feeling actual anger when they succeed?
So as the title says, if you don't feel annoyed by Kawi, then you will absolutely love this show. Maybe he's your cup of tea! I wish you all the best together.
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This review may contain spoilers
Bait and Switch
I was promised BDSM, and I didn't get it. Actually, I was promised a lot of things that I didn't get. This story had potential, but someone basically had a list of BL tropes, and the crew decided to just half-ass them all instead of pick a few to focus on.I'm sorry, but it's really freaking weird how he had that giant back tattoo of a tiger.
And I waited so patiently for Kim's love for Day to pay off, because they kept showing up Day & Itt hanging out. At one point, Kim called Itt his brother, and I thought, oh my god, that's it. The tragedy of this is that Day chose Kim's own brother over him. But then I remembered how they repeat that Kim's the only son of his family, so fuck it. No point to anything.
Also, what was the point of Khom's relationship with Baiboon? They couldn't even kiss.
However, the Danil story played out and paid off perfectly. I really loved how Kim handled it. It actually made me feel better right before the finale, where they finally did a cute handcuff thing... Which only served to reminded me of how much I'd wanted this to be a bdsm love story, and how I didn't get that.
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Come for the stalker story, stay for the supporting cast!
I adored this drama, and it might be the one I'd recommend to people for their first BL drama.I *felt* things about everyone in this show. It's so warm, so full of love and chemistry and charm. And the show moves at such a happy speed! Don't worry, we're going places, we're not going to waste our time. And when they have a vacation episode, it feels perfectly natural for these school kids to be doing. Everyone has great vibes and you absolutely get the feeling that they've been friends forever, and that you could be friends with them too.
The A-plot couple is really good. I love that this show didn't shy away from the cringe of what he was doing. Toh is insane, but I think this show plays it well. Well, I think it treats him kindly, and is very humanistic in its approach for most of the characters.
But the B-Plot... EVERYBODY COME SEE THIS B-PLOT! Heng is an amazing actor as Sky, and I think I'll track down everything he's ever done soon. I drank up every scene between these two, then thirsted every time they were off-screen. They're everything that feels good and snuggly in this world. Sky is determined but not forceful, and it just feels like the most green flags there could be in a relationship.
But honestly, everyone in the cast is amazing. It's a cozy watch. I highly recommend.
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