plottwist

I rewatched the lunch scene they had together, the dad brings up that JY hit him and was "immoral", guilt tripping him and emotionally manipulating him to take over his shop even though JY was the victim. Nothing about that scene communicated to me they had a good relationship or motivate JY going to the dad for help. Also JY had his own family that he loved and wasn't adopted. I understand JY being with the dad as him being brainwashed, sure, but in terms of storytelling JY must take action onto his goal to find DH but he doesn't in that scene, and the dad is an obstacle (I get that) but its just really the motivation that brings us to that scene on part of JY that is ultimately confusing. Also the rule "show, don't tell" in terms of backstory applies, where if we were shown how they bonded it would've been more effect and clear, at least to me. For some, dialogue is enough but I don't accept simple answers when the plot is not simple (episode 3 was convoluted). I am going to overlook this flaw because the show still has opportunity to explain and get back to how great it was like in episode 1 & 2.

Okay so from what I can parse out, the father was saying he thinks of JY as his son even though JY hit him (referring to JY as the culprit not DH). I could be wrong.

While reading this comment you may have sparked a solution to the issue, which is: maybe HHH told DH that JY started the fight or was made to believe JY was to blame for the fight with DH's father. This could be the only redeeming quality for Do Hoe, for him to believe the lie that JY choose to sort out his issues with violence (something DH asked JY to promise he'd never do in previous episodes) instead of it being self defense. This seems to be a fundamental moral issue for DH, but again his choice to reconcile with HHH and give him forgiveness (and not JY) makes this null. I think HHH's words to DH during the entrance exam was intentionally muted because its suppose to be mysterious, but as for the translations I do agree there are some liberties with the interpretations (with the little Korean I know). I think Do Hoe's flaw to be unwavering/stubborn is interesting (though its execution is weak) but I don't think its a tragic flaw that he can never come back from. I just expect there to be an apology to JY which will hopefully happen, we will see. All of your points are valid and I agree with. I think part of it is that there are many moments where information is said in dialogue but not shown with action happening in too fast of a pace that makes things feel (1) unbelievable and (2) too confusing or convoluted. Now, I enjoyed episode 1 & 2, so I am not as disheartened and I am still invested to see how this show pans out. Also, DH and HHH's relationship is intriguing to me still because I'm messy but I can see how it puts people off.

I don't remember To My Star, but I do dislike this trope. It was in the show's description so I knew this was going to be the case, so I can't fault the show but only myself. Except here there are many loose ends beyond misunderstandings that will hopefully be answered in episodes 5 and 6, but it will take a lot of explaining to do. I also don't mind the stuff that happened after the time skip like the last half of episode 4 as it started to pick up again, but the last half of episode 3 and beginning of 4 was a little messy in terms of storytelling.

Do Hoe was about to take the knife and use it on his father, but thought better of it and decided not to when he looked in the mirror. Instead, he choose to run away (aka applied to a school far away) and severed ties with his father instead of use violence.

I think your last theory would be the most logical but hopefully these loose ends get answered. I think its understandable DH sever ties with the past to make sure he becomes a better person but why is he with his ex-bully if that is the case? Things are not adding up...

Its the catch 22 or paradoxical situation that makes it harder to believe. JY is hanging on to DH's father cause its the last bit of connection to DH; however, JY knows DH hated his father, he is who drove wedge between them, and was still driving a wedge between them. Its bizarre that JY'd also formed a friendly father/son relationship to DH's father considering the little screen time they had together as well as their time together being toxic/abusive. During their meeting for lunch, there was barely any effort on JY's part to get information out of the father on DH. I'd understand if DH's father was more like father figure to JY before the time jump because JY forgives parental figures (like his mother), but there was no such bond shown. There is a cultural element as well that could explain this behavior but his goal to reunite with DH should have been more important, no?

Welp this show is unpredictable (I don't know if its in a good way). I will wait patiently for answers before forming an opinion but I felt like a little more of their story could have been explored before the time jump to better understand character decisions.

yumeno

I can't believe such a high profile actor like Ok Taec Yoen is in a BL, I grew up watching him and listening to his music. The fact that he is also trilingual and speaks Japanese is also impressive and promising for this project. Is this solely a Japanese production, will it air just on Japan's Netflix? This is an amazing progression (the premise and collaboration is nothing new but the casting is impressive in combination with the platform behind it).

Your last point is why I understand fans love this drama, and I also agree its tone (along with the actors who sell it) is the best feature of this show.
I also like dramas that experiment and have an "indie" quality about them. In terms of the indie tone, they nailed it, but as you said the jumping stood out to me, and I don't think it was intentional or in the spirit of indie filmmaking but actual mistakes (either in its editing or the transitions between scenes weren't covered on the day of shooting, where I understand its extremely hard to get all your coverage in one day if you don't have that much financial backing or much time, for which I will give this show grace). Some imperfections I liked even.
I think we are seeing more KBL shows that resonate with imperfections, experimental filmmaking, or execute a cinematic feel like their movie counterparts.
Edit: actually I do think some of the jumping was creatively intentional but I couldn't see the reasoning for it in terms of story telling purposes, then some moments also felt unintentional too (I have a bad memory, sorry lol).

You created that building and jumping man? i love it

Its definitely a complicated relationship between Sin Ju and his mother, who is a pastor. Its something I think they foreshadowed with him when he decides to wear and take off his cross, like when he kisses Do Hee or watches porn (you can hear the same sfx through the walls at one point). I bet they will go into more detail as the story progresses, we will see, but all signs are pointing to the "why" being his sexuality versus his mother's religious beliefs. His mother probably believes sending him to this taekwando is a way to cure him and make him a man, another form of conversion therapy. There is still love but no acceptance. It happens a lot. That is something Sin Ju (with his mother) has to wrestle with.
Do Hee is taking a stance and he comes off to me as principled, not even wanting to participate in the fight with his bullies. His bully is also his ex best friend which complicate matters. It didn't come off as trauma for me, but his showcase of principals. I'll have to see where the story goes, maybe he does freeze up because of his dad.

This is shaping up to be the ultimate BL. The first two episodes were solid, pretty much transcendent, and I feel for both boys. I'm excited but also hate that I have wait week to week for more 😅.

Your copy pasta is sending me 🤣

I feel sorry that my first comment rubbed people the wrong way because a 7/10, to me, is good, like a fresh tomato and a "A-" cinema score. I don't go by MDL rating systems and sometimes its a matter of personal preference (I may pay a little more attention to technical things than the average joe and I critique dramas a little more than comedies because my brain is switched on).
I feel if the scenes with the lead's trauma was more consistently structured in each episode and further explored in the crisis it could've been stronger and felt complete but I do think it still has enough substance to warrant it in being in the story and contributes to their relationship. I think his ex wasn't really contributing anything to the story and didn't add any nuance to the trope. Lets just say, the trauma felt like the c-plot and the ex felt like the b-plot, and I would swapped the two. You may have the exact opposite opinion, and thats fine.

I have a degree in it and its my job irl, so its my unique point of view. Its not a nitpick if half of the scenes are raw and have half have different hues. I had issues with the story as well but I gave it praise where its due. I also don't put my review in the reviews section because I know I have specific tastes.

why are you on my page looool and i have preferences that i like in love tractor jeez

You're willingness to patiently wait and explain is appreciated. Its also helps cause I'm watching this raw rn and can't make out everything they are saying.
I think this show is more explicit than the manga in identifying Kirino's gender identity too. I have a bad memory, but the trip they will go on later I think now has even more special meaning for Kirino because of this exchange of dialogue (because it articulates their/her decision to not go as staying in the closet even more whereas before the trip was more ambiguous/their goals were not totally clear). So this slight change I think adds greater emotional depth.
"It was heartwarming to see them discuss the spectrum of gender identity and sexuality between cross-dressing and reassignment, and the possibilities in between." - I agree completely, couldn't have said it better. It just adds more nuance for us as an audience. Plus, I can also relate to Kirino's plight too as someone still in the closet and I think their/her reasonings/decisions are very relatable when she talks about her mother.

Yes, I'm not familiar with source material (I hear it is GL?). I don't know who is paired up with who, but personally I gravitate towards Jeong Nyeon and Han Joo Ran. I love supportive "friends". 😉