sayratial

Okay, let me just say, this show was like a rollercoaster of emotions from the very first episode, and I am still processing everything that happened. The characters are wild, the drama is next level, and let’s be honest — I couldn’t stop watching. It’s honestly like an addiction; I didn’t know if I was watching for the romance, the suspense, or just for the pure chaos of it all. Let’s break it down, character by character.


Daon
Daon is probably one of the most complex characters I've ever seen in a KBL. From the very beginning, you feel his vulnerability. He's trying to find his way in a world where he's constantly manipulated by people he cares about. The whole situation with Jaemin, Suhyeon, and Seong Hyeon just traps him in this toxic cycle, and it’s brutal to watch. Yet, the thing that makes Daon such a relatable and well-written character is that he isn’t perfect. He makes mistakes, he’s naive at times, and he falls for people who are clearly bad for him, but you can’t help but root for him.

Daon is caught between two worlds: the manipulation of Jaemin and the toxicity of Suhyeon, with Seong Hyeon being a much-needed anchor in his life. His relationship with Seong Hyeon was the only place where he could find peace, but it was also the place where he had to face his own trauma. Daon didn’t have a clear sense of what he wanted for a while because of all the chaos in his life, but once he started realizing what really mattered to him, he stepped up and fought for himself and for Seong Hyeon.

By the end, Daon chooses to live for himself, and the development is so satisfying. He moves beyond the toxic love Jaemin forced on him, rejects Suhyeon’s obsessive behavior, and starts to heal. He grows so much, and it’s honestly a beautiful moment when he realizes that he deserves better than all the manipulative crap he had to deal with. The final scenes with Seong Hyeon? Absolutely beautiful and heartfelt. It was everything he deserved after all the pain.


Jaemin
Jaemin is insane. No, seriously, I don’t know how anyone can watch his descent into madness and not be slightly terrified. At first, he seems like the perfect, charming person — the guy who has your back and is always there to help. But when you look closer, the truth starts to seep through, and it’s dark. His obsession with Daon is palpable from the very beginning. He manipulates Daon’s life, giving him money, tutoring him, and even going so far as to buy off Daon’s family — all in an attempt to control him. Jaemin doesn’t just want Daon; he needs him to stay under his thumb. It’s disturbing, but so well done as a character arc.

As the show progresses, Jaemin becomes more and more twisted, especially after he starts playing mind games with Daon, making him feel guilty, using his manipulative skills to control Daon’s feelings. He has this whole “I love you so much that I’ll do anything for you” mentality, but what he’s really doing is controlling Daon’s life and trapping him in a cycle of emotional abuse. The scene where Jaemin literally stabs himself to get Daon’s attention? Yeah, that's the point where I knew he was beyond help. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s feelings — he just wants to possess Daon at any cost.

Jaemin’s final breakdown was a mix of regret and rage, and it’s honestly chilling how far he’s willing to go to keep Daon close. The whole “if I can’t have you, no one can” vibe was real. His final moments, when he’s arrested in that wedding suit and laughing like a maniac, were the perfect ending for such a manipulative, obsessive character. You almost pity him for how broken he is, but then you remember everything he did, and it’s impossible to sympathize with him. He’s a master manipulator, and it was satisfying to see him lose everything in the end.


Suhyeon
Suhyeon is a more interesting character than I expected him to be. He's just as messed up as Jaemin, just in a different way. Suhyeon is emotionally driven, and while he might have had Daon’s best interests at heart at times, he’s also selfish and manipulative. His jealousy and desire to control Daon is just as toxic as Jaemin’s, though his methods are different.

What I found most frustrating about Suhyeon is that he constantly thinks he knows what’s best for Daon, even when it’s clear he doesn’t. He tries to push Daon away from Seong Hyeon, even though the bond between the two is genuine and healthy. His whole mindset is, “I know what you need, so let me take control,” and honestly? That gets old real fast.

However, I have to give Suhyeon some credit for the way he does eventually come around. In the end, he realizes the damage he’s caused and tries to make amends. He helps Daon, even though it’s too little, too late. He knows he can't control Daon’s life anymore and admits that he was wrong. But honestly, by the end, I was just ready for Daon to let him go for good and move on with Seong Hyeon.


Seong Hyeon
Seong Hyeon is everything. He’s the literal light in Daon’s life and the one person who never pushed Daon into anything he wasn’t ready for. He’s patient, kind, and so emotionally intelligent, it’s crazy. The fact that Seong Hyeon sees Daon’s pain and doesn’t force him to make decisions before he’s ready is one of the most mature and respectful things we see in the whole show. He’s the rock Daon needed to survive all the drama surrounding him.

What I love about Seong Hyeon is that he’s not perfect. He makes mistakes, he gets jealous, and he misjudges things at times (like the whole hickey situation), but his growth throughout the series is real. He learns to communicate, to trust Daon, and to support him through the trauma. His willingness to wait for Daon and understand that it’s not an easy path is really what makes him so lovable.

The relationship between Seong Hyeon and Daon is a beautiful evolution. They go from being two people with a shared history to two people who genuinely love and care for each other. It’s not rushed, and it’s not forced; it’s gradual, like two souls learning to be together. By the end of the show, Seong Hyeon and Daon have the kind of relationship that you can’t help but root for — two people who can truly heal and grow together.


Daon’s sister was honestly one of the highlights for me, and I can’t believe how underappreciated she is. She’s the only one in the show with any sense at all. Her role is crucial in calling out the emotional manipulation from Jaemin and Suhyeon. She’s the first one who saw through all the nonsense and even pushed Daon to stop feeling guilty for choosing his own happiness. It’s not easy being in Daon’s shoes, and she’s there for him without any strings attached. Her advice and care are a steadying force, and I loved the moments when she had to step in and remind Daon that he deserved to make choices that were right for him.

Cinematography and Visuals
The cinematography in this show deserves a standing ovation. From the very first scene, you can tell that this isn’t just your average KBL. The color palette is gorgeous, with muted tones that perfectly match the somber and emotional tone of the drama. There’s a lot of focus on shadows and contrasts, which really adds to the intensity of the emotional moments.

The lighting is so effective in setting the mood. The dark, moody lighting during the more tense scenes, like when Jaemin goes full psycho or when Daon is struggling, creates a sense of unease and anticipation. On the flip side, when Daon and Seong Hyeon are together, the lighting softens, and the colors brighten up, reflecting the warmth and comfort they bring to each other. The stark contrast between the cold, harsh lighting in the scenes with Jaemin and the cozy, intimate moments between Daon and Seong Hyeon really highlights the emotional differences between these relationships.

The camera work also deserves praise. The close-ups on Daon’s face when he’s torn between his emotions, or the lingering shots on his expressions when he’s confronted with Jaemin’s madness, really let you feel everything he’s going through. The slow transitions between scenes and the occasional flashbacks help convey the passage of time and show the depth of Daon’s internal struggle.

The entire cast did an incredible job. Each of them brought their character to life—whether it was Jaemin’s chilling manipulation, Suhyeon’s obsession, Daon’s struggle, or Puppy’s warmth. Their performances made every moment hit even harder. The four of them were not in the same room for many scenes but the chemistry was just there!


Let’s talk about the kisses. These weren’t just any KBL kisses. The chemistry, the passion, and the emotional depth were all there. The kisses between Daon and Seong Hyeon were genuine, tender, and full of love. But there’s also a darker side to this story.
There’s an instance of sexual assault (SA) with Jaemin forcing a kiss on Daon. It's a deeply uncomfortable and disturbing scene that highlights Jaemin’s possessive and toxic love. Daon’s inability to reject Jaemin in that moment shows how trapped he feels, unable to break free due to fear and manipulation.
Similarly, Suhyeon also crosses boundaries with Daon, in a way that feels like another form of manipulation. Daon doesn’t fully reject Suhyeon either, because he’s scared of the consequences and doesn't know how to stand up for himself. These moments are crucial in showing the emotional and psychological struggles Daon faces as he navigates these toxic relationships.

Final Thoughts This show was wild from start to finish. It had so many twists, so much tension, and so much emotional depth. The characters — even the toxic ones — were so well-developed and complex that I couldn’t help but feel invested in each of them. Jaemin was terrifyingly fascinating as a manipulator, Suhyeon was equally toxic in his own way, and Seong Hyeon? Seong Hyeon was the kind of partner Daon needed. He didn’t force Daon to choose between him and the others; he gave him the space to figure it out.