plottwist

Not me being messy and shipping Ji Hun and Yu Ri… 😭 The transformation won't be permanent, and I will have to mourn the loss of Ji Hun. I'm not ready for that.

The circus music playing in the bg of the hospital scene took me out 💀 🤣

yes, tbh, i'd watch that lol

I think it's cute, nothing spectacular. Not a lot of romance, it's more of a comedy of errors playing upon gender roles—which is probably why I'm liking it so far. I don't know how much longer I'll keep watching, but I like what Yoo Jung Hoo is giving to his role as a male counterpart. The only eye roll is the absolute panic about kissing a "man", even if the BF is a straight man—it's just a tired comedic trope that is 2000s pilled; however, Ji Hun's character is respectable, and balances out the gender-bender tropes with some nuance. It reminds me of "A Good Day to Be a Dog", a little.

I'm kind of hoping for more plot, and for Ji Hun/Ji Eun to continue to out-stage her boyfriend. Tbh, I wouldn't call this a bromance/bl, it's squarely in the gender-bender genre. If this wasn't a romance, and the plot just centered on Ji Hun/Ji Eun navigating their curse, this would be so much better, imo. Sorry, Yun Jae. He's the weakest link for me. But, not totally bad that I'd write him off just yet.

It was when Wu Qi cried in his arms about the ex before having sex "then don't sleep with him"…he says "I won't…" then Wu Qi goes on and on about the ex to his face and Chi Cheng doesn't tell the truth of what is happening, he rolls with the doctor's lie. Go back and watch at minute 22;22 in episode 11. Chi Cheng was aware, and he doesn't deny it again when in the scene I pointed out previously in episode 12. This is a fact I would not make up lightly, I swear. This is the very complex issue that they these two overcome in episode 12, and what brings Wu Qi to consider telling the truth about his own lie. It was in fact his business, and that is why he admits guilt. Otherwise, he could've used that as an excuse.

The entirety of episode 11 is a result of Chi Cheng forcing the doctor to lie to Wu Qi, or else. Wu Qi was panicking about Chi Cheng's ex coming back because he was lead to believe that was the case, and Chi Cheng went with it. He reveals this plan at the end of episode 12, and admits fault. Rewatch from minute 34:43 in episode 12. (My use of "hypocrite" is literally quoting Wu Qi's dialogue in that scene). He explains Chi Cheng's ruse about the ex succinctly. Chi Cheng literally says "I admit it" (well, with my subtitles anyway). I didn't fabricate hypocrite or karma, those are direct quotes from the show 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Both of these characters are lying to each other so I don't feel sorry for either one. I don't necessarily think they're even, but it offers an easier path towards reconciliation because of Chi Cheng lying, too (it's a classic storytelling tactic to give Wu Qi more empathy for how he plotted "revenge"). They are both hypocrites about not wanting to be lied to but lying themselves, and that's their flaws. It's make them complex characters (well, in the grand schemes of things. They are both tropes heavily inspired by fan-fiction). Maybe you misunderstood me, because when I say hypocrite and flaws, it's in storytelling terms. Not criticism—I've checked my brain at the door for this show.

lol, I was wondering why he was unblinking during that scene…it was kind of unnerving and it made him seem more of a freak without this context, imo.

It's far from NC-17 rating, if that's what you mean. I don't know if it ever was going to be (this show is light-hearted despite some subject matter). It's barely PG-13 with an American rating system. Making out then a cutaway, where the sex is implied. It's a little kinky, but that's about it.

You don't know how confused I was watching episodes 11-12…the release schedule fucked me up and I forgot the plot. I was confused about what the ex-boyfriend had to do with anything and why all the characters were blowing hot and cold. Finally at the end of episode 12, it's because Chi Cheng was using mind games and the lie about his ex to get Wu Qi to sleep with him sooner. I also accidentally skipped 11 because I forgot where I left off (episode 11 looked so similar to episode 10 while scrubbing through, and there are no recaps). Anyways, I digress. Chi Cheng is a hypocrite tbh, and he deserves to be lied to (get a taste of his medicine). Wu Qi do not feel sorry at all for this fool… Karma is right, lol. (<<< tone indicator: sarcasm and jokes, not being serious ya'll).

Ugh… can't reply to the comment below so I'll do it here… I have a very dry sense of humor, I know. This, "Anyways, I digress. Chi Cheng is a hypocrite tbh, and he deserves to be lied to (get a taste of his medicine). Wu Qi do not feel sorry at all for this fool… Karma is right, lol." Is literally the dark humor and plot of this show, and I've only pointed it out as a "haha, I'm seeing what you're doing here" even when they had a reflexive conversation about it in the car talking about "karma". The situation is humorously ironic. I find it funny every time when characters get a taste of their own medicine. I use the term "fool" lovingly, because I'm a fan of the show and Chi Cheng is funny. I would not be here 12 episodes in if I wasn't… (Pick your battles, istg, smh).

After being on a long break from k-dramas since liking and finishing Lovely Runner, this premise seemed very interesting/promising. Yet, it doesn't translate. The production isn't up to par. Disappointing. My search continues.

Queerbaiting as in trans in addition to gay, since its a gender swap. Though, this isn't anything new. In fact, gender swaps were/are a gateway to BL. So I can't say the concept is 100% hetero because of how it genuinely ends up making people more open-minded. Still, it's queerbaiting. I might give it a whirl, too. As long as it's not phobic with it's humor.

The sly smile on onii-chan's face the entire time is hilarious. Devious. Also, drag queen Akafuji ❤️ 😭

I'm giving this a higher rating to put this above the reeds. I genuinely think this is one of the best BLs. It's one of the best acted with gorgeous cinematography. The journey to acceptance and queer themes are resonant and subtly weaved into a musical allegory. Not only does it have original music, but it's mixed throughout the story well. As an adaption, it is extremely faithful as well, still following the same BL trappings so its fans can still enjoy despite a slightly more mature interpretation (barring the omitted sex scene). Above all, again, I have to mention the acting… Usa Takuma and Hirano Koshu's captivating performances are what really elevate this mini-series. They are experts at externalizing their characters' feelings—what a difference the right kind of casting makes. In the end, I totally saw Hayakawa's transformation from a kid who used toxic coping skills into a more healthy individual (the subversion of that one particular kiss trope is subtle but done so effectively to outline his growth and illuminate what healthy looks like, imo). 😭 Anyways, don't mind me, I'mma go cry now that it's over.

The way you are wording your ideas comes off as extremely exclusionary with words like "our". I didn't interpret their original comment the same way as you did. They're talking about their opinion, but you are talking about things as if they're absolute fact. Did I ignore the first part of the sentence when I said "majority of audiences are female"? Work on your reading comprehension skills. We both are saying BL is made by all genders, all genders can enjoy, but you are going a step further by telling others "it's not for you" like a hypocrite. Female audiences also have the same exact criticism as this person does, too. Reality/realistic doesn't automatically equate to "anatomy and gay sex". It is a criticism of the writing not following a logical flow of events and disregard of character motivations that do not make sense even within the realm of this high-fantasy romance that still requires plot logic.

The dialogue about being gay does indicate that this show is at times wanting to be grounded and offer the experience of what its like to be a gay man, but contradicts itself through action. That is fair criticism to point that out. A gay man has a right to say that comes off as inauthentic since that particular scene was meant to resonate with his experiences.

"…Though BL does also attract a male audience and can be produced by male creators." You caught yourself, lol. How about look at all the directors and writers of BL shows, you'll find it's split evenly between genders (and accounting for sexuality, not all of them are straight). It's designed for all audiences, yes majority of the audience is women, but you can't exclude other people. A show's queer subjects target a queer audience. Stop saying "our genre" like you own it. And I'm exactly the target audience. Do straight people demand realism with their heteronormative romance genres? No. You're researching wikipedia, too. My almost two decades in this space is what I rely on. I don't need to go searching for answers to support a confirmation bias.

Absolutely NOT a feminist genre, though. There is a running trope imbedded into this genre that all women are cockblockers, or even bitches. It's gotten better in the past five years, but this idea is still foundational to BL. Yes, genders are equal, which can offer escapism from gender (same goes for GL). You also must not be familiar with gay western content, like boys on film, etc., because casting beefcake is it's bread and butter.

You're talking about Fujoshis. There are Fundanshis out there, and regular queer people like me who also enjoy BL. Not just straight women.

interesting it looks like a french new wave/andy warhol film. i'll check it out

Last week, I almost saw the promise to be like cute version of OFC, but episode two depreciated in quality because now that I see them interacting together rather than from afar… it's evident. If we get more scenes like Tanaka Kohei talking about being gay, spotting other gays, and navigating the workplace, than, hmm, maybe I'll stick around. That was the only bit of writing that jumped out at me in episode 2.

Yes, Tanaka is pure wish-fulfillment. Kazauma's list is very Sixteen Candles-coded, which was created by a superficial teenage girl with no freedoms. A balls-out bucket list of interesting things is not in the production's budget, so he must be made boring 🤣. Tanaka must also feel extremely isolated and lonely, that's why he joins in on the list. Otherwise I don't see why else these two would end up together. It really feels like they have no other option rather than attraction or love. One day jbls will discover the gay scene in Tokyo… I haven't seen it featured in one yet.