plottwist

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". 😉

Every where I go, you are in the comment section. Good taste recognizes good taste. This is the best ost for a jdrama, I still listen to it all these years later.

This is giving glass mask vibes, I put it in the recommends as well. I love this trope. I'm so excited to see where this story goes! And I ship everyone with everyone 🤭

Yeah, there is a possibility that in future episodes they could say a few words in each others' languages (like you said, just simply use one word like "ice" in thai or vise versa). I think it'd be cute and add greater emotional depth (I wouldn't even care if it they have to read it off a cue card lol). I don't mind so much the multiple languages being spoken cause its unique but in terms of building a relationship, maybe it factors in? (I've never been in a multilingual relationship so maybe it does work out just fine)

I can imagine your first scenario, I've studied Spanish and Italian which are so similar and both romance languages that I mix them up in my head (I know Italian and French share similar vocabulary too), then considering its family I'm sure growing up and hearing both languages helps a ton too. I've also studied Korean and Japanese but I don't mix them in my head like Spanish/Italian, because they are so dissimilar. I'm more prone to blend them with English.
Thai is super tonal which Korean is not and they belong to different classes of language, and I'd assume if you are fluent enough to understand a language you could attempt to speak it, like I do. So, I wish there was an attempt to blend the languages (like first note of love) or cast one bilingual actor. I'm disappointed to hear. I'll wait until this production is done airing to try it.

This drama would be so much better if the ex was out of the picture and it just focused on the main couple and the subplot with the brother. The FL also has no agency or personality, barely developing as a character in terms of plot. 5.5/10, just for its unique gender fluid love interest that holds this show together.

9.5/10. I've rewatched this maybe 3 times over the years. This is such a hidden gem. My favorite part is the parents, their unique lavender marriage (shedding light on the complicated side of homosexuality in SK) as well as how supportive they are as adoptive parents and with raising an intersex child. Also this is an exploration of gender and sexuality that is portrayed so candidly. It's refreshing, even groundbreaking. There is an absence of this kind of representation, even in western media. The only thing is that it is short (and its open ending?), which keeps it from being perfect. Regardless, I want to see more of this representation going forward.

The manga is pretty quick and easy to read. It was easy to access on google too. This show has been pretty faithful to the manga so far. Its clear that
Mishima is a fem gay dude (he outright says it and makes the distinction between gender and his sexuality at the end), but for Kirino, the manga is slightly more ambiguous about gender. They say "I'm gay" but also they prefer feminine pronouns (in chapters 4-5).
Kirino never gets the chance to live their authentic life so its never fully confirmed. You can come to your own conclusion. To me, I welcome trans representation if the show decides to go that route and those who are trans and see themselves represented have a fair amount to conclude from. The show is tagged LGBTQ+ after all, not just gay.

series to be released on youtube, released on GND Studio channel oct 5, probably approx. 5 min an episode web series with around 7 episodes (judging based off past release strategy from this small independent production co). Date and channel is all that is confirmed so far on yt.

Great music on that show

7/10. I dropped this drama back when it first aired because of its random editing and its still true after rewatching. The poor editing/filmmaking and style gets in the way of the story rather than having an indie quality that enhances the overall experience (in particular the color grading jumps out as all over the place and unfinished). There are some plot lines that also feel unfinished or underdeveloped like Jae Won's trauma, but there is still enough substance and the main storyline between the couple feels emotionally complete. The candid tone in particular is the best quality of this drama. The two main actors are brilliant as well, and there is sexual chemistry portrayed accurately.

6.5/10. The FL is plain in personality, she states so in the beginning but in the end there is a lack of character development for her character and because of this, the story becomes stagnant and fatigues you by the end too. Her relationship to her boss is the most compelling aspect and is what drives the story at first (the premise promises to go in more depth than the Devil Wears Prada), but Reiko's character gets put on the back burner which is exactly when the story loses steam. The romance is cute enough, it feels like a 2010s drama which can be nostalgic (and the side romances are non intrusive and interesting as well). The supporting cast are interesting as well, which is why I gave it an extra 0.5. The main fault is the main character and her lack of development.

7/10. I appreciate queer storytelling that highlights issues within the community, such as hustling and homelessness. To me there was a thin plot with some plot holes and lose ends, a little repetitive in its settings, and the characters' goals to escape their past or move on from it was rushed. I didn't emotionally connect with the actors either, but I commend them for their work nonetheless. As a BL its leagues above the rest because of its interesting and nuanced themes, but ultimately its plot has a few misgivings to keep it from being perfect (I also took a long pause in between watching, maybe my opinion will change if I ever rewatch it as a binge).