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This review may contain spoilers
The unexpected charm of a sweet story
Only Boo arrived quietly, almost as if asking for permission before stepping in, but it quickly became one of GMMTV’s most talked-about and beloved BLs of 2024. What seemed at first like just another school romance turned into a surprisingly mature series, balancing lightness and sensitivity with themes that go far beyond the usual teenage clichés. There’s something honest in the way the story deals with love, dreams, and responsibility, and maybe that’s why it resonated so strongly with viewers.
The strongest part of the show is the main couple. Moo and Kang are opposites that simply work: Moo is outgoing, sweet, and determined, while Kang is shy, reserved, and realistic. Their dynamic never feels forced. The show builds their relationship in an organic, almost everyday way that makes every gesture meaningful. Moo lights up the screen with his effortless charm, and Kang brings balance with his quiet steadiness. They complement each other in a simple but remarkably effective way.
Throughout the episodes, Only Boo manages to evoke that same warm, comforting feeling that shows like My School President delivered so well. It’s the kind of story that hugs you, makes you smile without realizing it, and turns romance into something genuinely tender. It’s not a copy, far from it, but it shares the same heart: a narrative that feels good, which is rare.
The series also shines by avoiding the typical rush into romance. Kang refusing to date Moo right away so he could prioritize school is a rare decision in this genre and shows how much care went into the characters’ growth. The breakup, which divided a lot of fans, follows that same logic. It’s painful, yes, but coherent for where both of them were in life. Moo needed to stand on his own without relying on Kang’s approval for everything, and Kang needed to realize he wasn’t responsible for every choice Moo made.
The time apart works as a turning point, even if some plot decisions stretched the drama a bit more than necessary. This is actually the biggest flaw of the final stretch. Episodes that could have deepened the conflicts end up stuck in the usual BL slow-burn tropes, only to be resolved in a rush in the finale. It’s nothing that ruins the experience, but it’s enough to leave the sense that certain elements deserved more space, especially the secondary couples, who only get to breathe near the end.
Even so, the young cast carries the show with freshness. Sea and Keen are one of GMMTV’s best recent pairings, delivering chemistry, naturalness, and surprisingly solid performances. Moo in particular stands out, vulnerable without losing his sparkle and sweet without being infantilized. Kang grows at the right pace, finding a balance between caring and respecting boundaries. Among the supporting cast, Potae and Payos are charismatic, and TaeYos works well as a quieter counterpoint, even if underused.
The OST adds to the atmosphere beautifully, soft, warm, and comforting, helping shape that cozy Sunday vibe that so many viewers mentioned. Only Boo is the kind of series that softens your week, turning small moments into scenes full of affection and creating a sweet little universe even when the plot leans into hurt and growth.
In the end, Only Boo stands as one of 2024’s nicest surprises. It isn’t a perfect series, but it’s sincere, charming, and heartfelt enough to secure a special place among the year’s releases. It’s the kind of BL you finish with a gentle smile and a sting of longing, wishing for just a few more episodes with these characters.
GMMTV nailed the casting, the chemistry, and the overall tone. And if there is one certainty after the final scene, it’s that Sea and Keen still have a lot of great work ahead of them. Until then, Only Boo remains a little refuge, a story that doesn’t try to reinvent the genre but delivers beautifully on its promise to enchant and remind us that sometimes that is exactly what we need.
The strongest part of the show is the main couple. Moo and Kang are opposites that simply work: Moo is outgoing, sweet, and determined, while Kang is shy, reserved, and realistic. Their dynamic never feels forced. The show builds their relationship in an organic, almost everyday way that makes every gesture meaningful. Moo lights up the screen with his effortless charm, and Kang brings balance with his quiet steadiness. They complement each other in a simple but remarkably effective way.
Throughout the episodes, Only Boo manages to evoke that same warm, comforting feeling that shows like My School President delivered so well. It’s the kind of story that hugs you, makes you smile without realizing it, and turns romance into something genuinely tender. It’s not a copy, far from it, but it shares the same heart: a narrative that feels good, which is rare.
The series also shines by avoiding the typical rush into romance. Kang refusing to date Moo right away so he could prioritize school is a rare decision in this genre and shows how much care went into the characters’ growth. The breakup, which divided a lot of fans, follows that same logic. It’s painful, yes, but coherent for where both of them were in life. Moo needed to stand on his own without relying on Kang’s approval for everything, and Kang needed to realize he wasn’t responsible for every choice Moo made.
The time apart works as a turning point, even if some plot decisions stretched the drama a bit more than necessary. This is actually the biggest flaw of the final stretch. Episodes that could have deepened the conflicts end up stuck in the usual BL slow-burn tropes, only to be resolved in a rush in the finale. It’s nothing that ruins the experience, but it’s enough to leave the sense that certain elements deserved more space, especially the secondary couples, who only get to breathe near the end.
Even so, the young cast carries the show with freshness. Sea and Keen are one of GMMTV’s best recent pairings, delivering chemistry, naturalness, and surprisingly solid performances. Moo in particular stands out, vulnerable without losing his sparkle and sweet without being infantilized. Kang grows at the right pace, finding a balance between caring and respecting boundaries. Among the supporting cast, Potae and Payos are charismatic, and TaeYos works well as a quieter counterpoint, even if underused.
The OST adds to the atmosphere beautifully, soft, warm, and comforting, helping shape that cozy Sunday vibe that so many viewers mentioned. Only Boo is the kind of series that softens your week, turning small moments into scenes full of affection and creating a sweet little universe even when the plot leans into hurt and growth.
In the end, Only Boo stands as one of 2024’s nicest surprises. It isn’t a perfect series, but it’s sincere, charming, and heartfelt enough to secure a special place among the year’s releases. It’s the kind of BL you finish with a gentle smile and a sting of longing, wishing for just a few more episodes with these characters.
GMMTV nailed the casting, the chemistry, and the overall tone. And if there is one certainty after the final scene, it’s that Sea and Keen still have a lot of great work ahead of them. Until then, Only Boo remains a little refuge, a story that doesn’t try to reinvent the genre but delivers beautifully on its promise to enchant and remind us that sometimes that is exactly what we need.
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