Two episodes in and they've killed Yeong Hoon, who I thought, I'd get to watch reconnect with his class mates, and now the teacher, who's one of the leads? This and those Aliens/facehugger things being all over the place is SO stressful.
I need the ending to episode 1 rewritten STAT! ...oh, but I'm going to enjoy the H out of watching Shin Hyun Soo in full action mode, barking out orders in his uniform, while looking like Park Seo Joon in Itaewon Class' long lost brother.
These two adorable souls came out of nowhere and clocked in as one of my favourite BL couples - no, correction: couples. What an absolute treat to see them communicate so efficiently & openly. They'd already wasted too many years apart, which worked in our favour and finally theirs as well.
Conflict? It lasted seconds. Was it even there? Other shows should seriously take note.
I cried in the last episodes and was surprised by, how these two (and let's be honest - very simple story) were able to move me. You could tell me, they're a couple in real life, and my response would be "of course they are". I'm amazed by how comfortable and natural they looked together. Well done, guys.
I love everything about your comment, especially the part about the Mr. Darcy vibes ("Pride and Prejudice" is…
Youāre of course right. There is only one adaptation, and it has Colin Firth. Iāve only seen the movie version for that fight scene in the rain, honestly.
And I agree on the tattoos as well. Letās see them.
Honestly, I wasn't feeling this one up until episode 4. That episode had some emotional substance though. There…
It's the secret looks, hyper awareness (I mean, that zooming in on the sweat dripping from his neck!), being near each other, eye contact, maybe saying hello and just fantasizing 24/7 about, what might happen. Everything can be supercharged and intense without even touching. Da Yeol isn't daydreaming about ripping Tae Hyuns clothes off and pinning him against the wall. No, he's exploring how he smells and analyzes every interaction they have, while Tae Hyun is all about the long gazes and playful flirting (yes, that leaning in for a "kiss" to me was flirting and trying to figure out/test, if Da Yeol is crushing on him too).
Da Yeol has seen Tae Hyun at his most vulnerable more than once already. Tae Hyun has even told him his most painful memory. On the other hand Da Yeol has opened up about his doubts and struggles as a top level athlete. We haven't seen them share these thoughts with anyone else. It can hardly become more intimate than this. Even adults are rarely this raw and open.
Honestly, I wasn't feeling this one up until episode 4. That episode had some emotional substance though. There are simply other stronger BL's from Japan & Korea currently airing/released. I do want to see how the story develops and ends. Not amazing, but definitely not horrible either. I'm so ready to be proven wrong in the remaining episodes.
I don't understand why this is the KBL, where the comment section blows up due to the lack of skinship/kisses. This is a pretty typical KBL. At best I expect we get a slight kiss in the last episode (I haven't read the webtoon, so I don't know, if there's supposed to be more physical affection).
These are high school kids. I didn't go to high school yesterday, so I don't know if high schoolers these days are just going at it in any empty locker room available, but at my school making out with anyone, let alone a crush, wasn't a typical event. Hell, holding hands wasn't either unless you were officially dating. These ML's are not. They're hardly even friends. Basically both are acting according to their age, character and level of experience. I'll move the rest of this part to a spoiler comment.
I enjoy watching a nice kiss or a hug as much as anyone, but if that was the sole draw of BL's, I'd be watching Cutie Pie in a loop on Youtube. The BL's I enjoy have an interesting story, growth or emotional gravity. Even if this one isn't my favourite BL at this point, it still has two characters with very different personalities, daily struggles and backgrounds, who are connecting, falling in love and may end up healing each other in the process. Something I'd like to watch. Any fluffy scenes with a hug or a kiss, I'd consider a bonus and not the main event. And while it doesn't get a lot of screen time, watching the archery scenes is pretty interesting. What a cool sport.
In terms of acting these guys are obviously rookies, but I think they're doing just fine. The fact that they know each other off screen definitely works in their favour. Jae Han may look more stiff and expressionless, but it's very much also in line with the personality of his character. I like him.
Big shoutout to Kim Dong Won who plays Min Young. He has some solid, interesting scenes. And with his whole look and demeanour, he's a tsundere CEO ML in an enemies to lovers romcom waiting to happen.
Finally, show added some substance to Jung Shik instead of him mostly hanging around like some third wheel with horrible fashion sense.
Here I thought, the one to hate would be either Park Yu-Seok or Ma Geum-Hee. But in came Jin Young Joo and knocked it right out of the park! I can't get a grip on Ma Geum-Hee, but I appreciate her greyness.
My favourite thing in this show (besides Clown Boy), is watching the friendship of our Trot Trio. How they close ranks every time one guy is down. Most of the time it really looks like two of them are just teleported to the scene of where the third one is hurting. They don't know why they're there, but they instantly set their specific role in the friendship into motion and I LOVE seeing them do it. Even if they mostly end up bickering.
Hell, I'm even sold on all the cringy singing now. I'll probably have added 1-2 trot bangers to my Spotify playlist before this show ends.
Cho Seung Woo is destroying me in this role. The range of this guy.
This should be longer! I'm so invested, the thought of having just more one episode left is lowkey stressful. I'm actually mostly pleased, they make us wait a little extra for the finale. I was expecting this to be good, when I read the synopsis, but I'm still surprised by, how good it turned out to be.
I'm kinda reminded of To My Star 2 sans most of the angst, but in terms of how completely zoomed in on the relationship it is. The way it's shot too - it's SO intimate, you constantly feel like, you're invading their personal space and should take a step back. Watching is like pressing your face against their little glass bubble. You know you shouldn't look, but you simply can't help yourself either. Plus I dig the whole indie feel. The cinematopgraphy has texture.
Both actors are doing great. Honda is breathtakingly beautiful, and I think, if his performance leans a bit weaker than Suzukis it's mostly due to the role/character. I like their chemistry and how comfortable their interactions are (.....those hugs!).
I love the themes. And I'm debating how I'd react/handle the situation, if I was either Ritsu or Fumiya in the relationship. There are no quick, easy fixes here and I'm pleased to see, show doesn't gloss over their issues and attempts to convey both sides of them. That flashback to the birthday celebration was high quality in every way, and it tore me up. BL's don't have to be either fluffy cuteness or heavy angst. A show can balance both and work wonders. To My Star 2 did just that and this show is doing it too. What an absolute gem! JBL's are on a roll!
Shoutout to Mori Shuuto. I liked him a lot in Kimi no Hana ni Naru, I like him here too. His emotional acting shows promise and I hope for more and bigger roles in his future. I want to see, what he can really do if given the chance.
As much as I hate HJ, I love the actor as he has playing jerk/villain roles with utmost sincerely. I hated him…
For me it's the total opposite. I've previously seen him in "Prison Playbook", "Go Ho's Starry Night" and "My Unfamiliar Family", where he's the bright, innocent, sunny dude, I've always seen him as. So "Crash Course.." was a huge surprise for me. And now here. But I'm quite into his duality, bc him shifting between bright & bouncy to dark & psycho here, makes the whole deal way more unsettling. I may however never trust his face again.
I legit couldnāt agree more on the Sunny comment of yours. I was so happy with that small interaction. Like…
Exactly. Of course it's also in general how her character is - unbothered. But I loved, how her reaction was more a "oh, two of my co-workers are hooking up" slight suprise (which would be the natural reaction for most), not "OMG, two dudes in front of my eyes are hooking up!". This show is doing a lot of things right.
I'm relishing these longer episode runtimes. And I'm mesmerized by the styling of Yoon Tae Joon. Dude is literally floating through every scene in his expensive wardrobe oozing past hurt and distrust. He gives off intense Mr. Darcy/Colin Firth vibes and I'm loving every second of it. Not to forget the heavy Park Seo Joon/Fight For My Way vibes from Go Ho Tae. I hope he gets more screen time, because he's quite the scene stealer. I didn't remember much of Adamas, but I remember Special Agent Mr. Han.
I'm not too sure how clueless Yoon Tae Joon really is at this point in terms of Ji Won Young. How much did he hear on that roof? It could be a nice twist, so we don't have to see him suffer through a 100% repeating of his past.
I don't really have issues with Ji Won Young. He's so harmless. He doesn't throw his limbs around or scream/talk very loudly, which is a huge plus. Yes, he's the typical labrador puppy character, we've seen countless actresses play through the years. All bright & bouncy. If he in later episodes whips out some fullblown aegyo, I wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. Hell, he's borderline already doing it. He's the complete opposite to Yoon Tae Joon, and it'll be just what he needs to heal. I do think Gongchan handles the quiet, more serious scenes way better, so here's hoping we'll get more of these, as his character goes through his own development/growing up.
But....I just can't get over how GOOD the styling of Yoon Tae Joon is and how Cha Seo Won & the show milks it for all itās worth. The man is sizzling. And his house is amazing! That house should be on the cast list.
Show has no business having our One Dollar Lawyer waltz into this episode, tease a possible partnership with Kim Do Gi, and then waltz right out again as if we didn't miss his swagger like crazy!! Now I have to sit through 8 more episodes imagining a show where these two clown gangs team up. No fair!
Right now Bad Santa and his past connection to ML is what interests me most. I'm disappointed, that Santa isn't the top dog, because I'm enjoying the hell out of seeing him go dark and intense. Him cranking his sunny brightness up to eleven one scene and then throwing on that dark suit and slicking his hair back the next is my new favourite thing to watch. Bad Santa is hot!
It's strange though how Kim Do Gi knows Santa is bad, and how Santa is aware of him knowing. Yet neither of them act on it.
And when the drunk doctor lady took off ML's glasses with her gloves on in the operating room all 300 seasons of Greys Anatomy exploded in my brain and I almost yelled out loud "NO! LEAVE THE OR AND RESCRUB, YOU FOOL!"
I'd also like way more screen time for our two mechanic bros.
ML smacking his lips on (in his mind still) a ghost, after spitting out a swoony, romantic line not even men twice his age could dream up without a little help from the internet........and his assessment of the whole thing is: "that was too normal!" š Sweetie, you're doing just fine.
Coming straight from a lacklustre "All the liquors" to episode 5 + 6 of these guys being too adorable for words? Thank you, universe for restoring my faith in KBL's not taking a turn for the worse again.
Ki Tae is so whipped for Wan and doesn't hide it. He's confident, but still respectful towards Wan. Wan on the other end is basking in the attention and enjoying having the upper hand. They balance each other out, and it's a joy to watch them in this playful newness phase. Their chemistry is solid and natural. I'm impressed.
It's time for the "conflict" and angst now, but I hope show doesn't waste more than half an episode on it. The whole "let's introduce a girl and some misunderstanding" was dealt with in a blink of an eye - and it actually was realistic. Of course Ki Tae can be jealous - he just got his man and they've only crossed their starting line. But true to his character he confronted it right away and was honest about his feelings. And true to his character Wan didn't make it into a huge deal, but diffused the situation so quickly (while visibly still enjoying his upper hand), I'm already forgetting it was there. Nicely done.
Shoutout to Sunny who couldn't have been less bothered by seeing these two lovebirds not being able to keep their hands off each other. It was so.....undramatic.
Oh, and I just realized, Wan/Lee Jong Hyuk in some scenes kiiiiinda looks like Ha Hyunsang. It's his eyes, I think.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything here. This film was so rich in symbolism and spot on in performance.Peter…
Oh, thank you, this was an interesting read.
The Peter Pan reference/symbolism. I've thought about (if the MDL info is correct) the movie also being known as "Peter Pan's Dream" and how that would make sense in terms of the story and the Peter Pan character. Peter Pan refused to grow up, he symbolizes eternal youth by choice, while I don't see Min Ha as someone, who's not responsible or shy away from it. I think he wants to grow up, but just doesn't have any fight left in him. So is that his dream then? Iāve also seen Peter Pan interpreted as a symbol of striving for or obtaining the impossible. Either Iām overanalyzing, or that reading only adds to how impressed I am by how much the movie manages to convey in such a short runtime.
There's also the theme of school bullying, and usually we see little intervening from adults, but here there are no adults present whatsoever. I wonder, if this was a choice or if adults just weren't relevant for the story or cut due to the short running time. If Min Ha truly doesn't have anyone in his corner, then his situation and way out hurts even more.
Now I have to rewatch the movie again with your inputs/takes in mind. š
I just gave up on getting attached to anyone.
...oh, but I'm going to enjoy the H out of watching Shin Hyun Soo in full action mode, barking out orders in his uniform, while looking like Park Seo Joon in Itaewon Class' long lost brother.
Conflict? It lasted seconds. Was it even there? Other shows should seriously take note.
I cried in the last episodes and was surprised by, how these two (and let's be honest - very simple story) were able to move me. You could tell me, they're a couple in real life, and my response would be "of course they are". I'm amazed by how comfortable and natural they looked together. Well done, guys.
And let's not forget Sunny. š!
And I agree on the tattoos as well. Letās see them.
Da Yeol has seen Tae Hyun at his most vulnerable more than once already. Tae Hyun has even told him his most painful memory. On the other hand Da Yeol has opened up about his doubts and struggles as a top level athlete. We haven't seen them share these thoughts with anyone else. It can hardly become more intimate than this. Even adults are rarely this raw and open.
I don't understand why this is the KBL, where the comment section blows up due to the lack of skinship/kisses. This is a pretty typical KBL. At best I expect we get a slight kiss in the last episode (I haven't read the webtoon, so I don't know, if there's supposed to be more physical affection).
These are high school kids. I didn't go to high school yesterday, so I don't know if high schoolers these days are just going at it in any empty locker room available, but at my school making out with anyone, let alone a crush, wasn't a typical event. Hell, holding hands wasn't either unless you were officially dating. These ML's are not. They're hardly even friends. Basically both are acting according to their age, character and level of experience. I'll move the rest of this part to a spoiler comment.
I enjoy watching a nice kiss or a hug as much as anyone, but if that was the sole draw of BL's, I'd be watching Cutie Pie in a loop on Youtube. The BL's I enjoy have an interesting story, growth or emotional gravity. Even if this one isn't my favourite BL at this point, it still has two characters with very different personalities, daily struggles and backgrounds, who are connecting, falling in love and may end up healing each other in the process. Something I'd like to watch. Any fluffy scenes with a hug or a kiss, I'd consider a bonus and not the main event. And while it doesn't get a lot of screen time, watching the archery scenes is pretty interesting. What a cool sport.
In terms of acting these guys are obviously rookies, but I think they're doing just fine. The fact that they know each other off screen definitely works in their favour. Jae Han may look more stiff and expressionless, but it's very much also in line with the personality of his character. I like him.
Big shoutout to Kim Dong Won who plays Min Young. He has some solid, interesting scenes. And with his whole look and demeanour, he's a tsundere CEO ML in an enemies to lovers romcom waiting to happen.
Here I thought, the one to hate would be either Park Yu-Seok or Ma Geum-Hee. But in came Jin Young Joo and knocked it right out of the park! I can't get a grip on Ma Geum-Hee, but I appreciate her greyness.
My favourite thing in this show (besides Clown Boy), is watching the friendship of our Trot Trio. How they close ranks every time one guy is down. Most of the time it really looks like two of them are just teleported to the scene of where the third one is hurting. They don't know why they're there, but they instantly set their specific role in the friendship into motion and I LOVE seeing them do it. Even if they mostly end up bickering.
Hell, I'm even sold on all the cringy singing now. I'll probably have added 1-2 trot bangers to my Spotify playlist before this show ends.
Cho Seung Woo is destroying me in this role. The range of this guy.
I'm kinda reminded of To My Star 2 sans most of the angst, but in terms of how completely zoomed in on the relationship it is. The way it's shot too - it's SO intimate, you constantly feel like, you're invading their personal space and should take a step back. Watching is like pressing your face against their little glass bubble. You know you shouldn't look, but you simply can't help yourself either. Plus I dig the whole indie feel. The cinematopgraphy has texture.
Both actors are doing great. Honda is breathtakingly beautiful, and I think, if his performance leans a bit weaker than Suzukis it's mostly due to the role/character. I like their chemistry and how comfortable their interactions are (.....those hugs!).
I love the themes. And I'm debating how I'd react/handle the situation, if I was either Ritsu or Fumiya in the relationship. There are no quick, easy fixes here and I'm pleased to see, show doesn't gloss over their issues and attempts to convey both sides of them. That flashback to the birthday celebration was high quality in every way, and it tore me up. BL's don't have to be either fluffy cuteness or heavy angst. A show can balance both and work wonders. To My Star 2 did just that and this show is doing it too. What an absolute gem! JBL's are on a roll!
Shoutout to Mori Shuuto. I liked him a lot in Kimi no Hana ni Naru, I like him here too. His emotional acting shows promise and I hope for more and bigger roles in his future. I want to see, what he can really do if given the chance.
I'm not too sure how clueless Yoon Tae Joon really is at this point in terms of Ji Won Young. How much did he hear on that roof? It could be a nice twist, so we don't have to see him suffer through a 100% repeating of his past.
I don't really have issues with Ji Won Young. He's so harmless. He doesn't throw his limbs around or scream/talk very loudly, which is a huge plus. Yes, he's the typical labrador puppy character, we've seen countless actresses play through the years. All bright & bouncy. If he in later episodes whips out some fullblown aegyo, I wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. Hell, he's borderline already doing it. He's the complete opposite to Yoon Tae Joon, and it'll be just what he needs to heal. I do think Gongchan handles the quiet, more serious scenes way better, so here's hoping we'll get more of these, as his character goes through his own development/growing up.
But....I just can't get over how GOOD the styling of Yoon Tae Joon is and how Cha Seo Won & the show milks it for all itās worth. The man is sizzling. And his house is amazing! That house should be on the cast list.
Right now Bad Santa and his past connection to ML is what interests me most. I'm disappointed, that Santa isn't the top dog, because I'm enjoying the hell out of seeing him go dark and intense. Him cranking his sunny brightness up to eleven one scene and then throwing on that dark suit and slicking his hair back the next is my new favourite thing to watch. Bad Santa is hot!
It's strange though how Kim Do Gi knows Santa is bad, and how Santa is aware of him knowing. Yet neither of them act on it.
And when the drunk doctor lady took off ML's glasses with her gloves on in the operating room all 300 seasons of Greys Anatomy exploded in my brain and I almost yelled out loud "NO! LEAVE THE OR AND RESCRUB, YOU FOOL!"
I'd also like way more screen time for our two mechanic bros.
https://youtu.be/1MF5vl0_16k
Ki Tae is so whipped for Wan and doesn't hide it. He's confident, but still respectful towards Wan. Wan on the other end is basking in the attention and enjoying having the upper hand. They balance each other out, and it's a joy to watch them in this playful newness phase. Their chemistry is solid and natural. I'm impressed.
It's time for the "conflict" and angst now, but I hope show doesn't waste more than half an episode on it. The whole "let's introduce a girl and some misunderstanding" was dealt with in a blink of an eye - and it actually was realistic. Of course Ki Tae can be jealous - he just got his man and they've only crossed their starting line. But true to his character he confronted it right away and was honest about his feelings. And true to his character Wan didn't make it into a huge deal, but diffused the situation so quickly (while visibly still enjoying his upper hand), I'm already forgetting it was there. Nicely done.
Shoutout to Sunny who couldn't have been less bothered by seeing these two lovebirds not being able to keep their hands off each other. It was so.....undramatic.
Oh, and I just realized, Wan/Lee Jong Hyuk in some scenes kiiiiinda looks like Ha Hyunsang. It's his eyes, I think.
The Peter Pan reference/symbolism. I've thought about (if the MDL info is correct) the movie also being known as "Peter Pan's Dream" and how that would make sense in terms of the story and the Peter Pan character. Peter Pan refused to grow up, he symbolizes eternal youth by choice, while I don't see Min Ha as someone, who's not responsible or shy away from it. I think he wants to grow up, but just doesn't have any fight left in him. So is that his dream then? Iāve also seen Peter Pan interpreted as a symbol of striving for or obtaining the impossible. Either Iām overanalyzing, or that reading only adds to how impressed I am by how much the movie manages to convey in such a short runtime.
There's also the theme of school bullying, and usually we see little intervening from adults, but here there are no adults present whatsoever. I wonder, if this was a choice or if adults just weren't relevant for the story or cut due to the short running time. If Min Ha truly doesn't have anyone in his corner, then his situation and way out hurts even more.
Now I have to rewatch the movie again with your inputs/takes in mind. š