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This review may contain spoilers
I stayed for the soundtrack, not the stunts
I’m trying to figure out how to review a touching drama with subpar acting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed this show immensely, with its message of going after your dreams and never giving up. What detracted me from the show is the contrived conflict that they produced, as an excuse to dismantle the band.
The start was encouraging, especially given Bloom’s supposedly low popularity as a boy group, so it makes absolute sense if their performances were lack luster. By the show’s end, I thought they would have improved, but they flashed the same old choreo and some of the wardrobe choices that should have been left inside the closet.
The friendly family feel between Asuka and the group was nice, but I’m unsure how Yuri living in the dorm advanced the story. Is that even allowed? What gives Asuka the right to let her sister stay on company property without prior consent from the boys or management? Why even bother adding the sister’s backstory? It served no purpose, just as the last-minute addition of an ex-member did to the plot.
I think it’s the ear-worm soundtrack that saved this drama. The songs were stuck in my head for weeks. I also appreciated how delicately the drama handled the age-gap and teacher-student relationship. It was sweet and not bordering on creepy or icky territory. One might even call it understated romance, as Dan clearly felt stronger romantic feelings for Asuka, but it’s unclear if Asuka reciprocated those feelings to the same degree. Her feelings for Dan might simply be those of a mentor towards a mentee. It was very vague, and perhaps Asuka’s fondness had no further meaning beyond encouragement. While some people were clamoring for a kiss between Dan and Asuka, I’m content with a hug as a conclusion to their relationship.
The start was encouraging, especially given Bloom’s supposedly low popularity as a boy group, so it makes absolute sense if their performances were lack luster. By the show’s end, I thought they would have improved, but they flashed the same old choreo and some of the wardrobe choices that should have been left inside the closet.
The friendly family feel between Asuka and the group was nice, but I’m unsure how Yuri living in the dorm advanced the story. Is that even allowed? What gives Asuka the right to let her sister stay on company property without prior consent from the boys or management? Why even bother adding the sister’s backstory? It served no purpose, just as the last-minute addition of an ex-member did to the plot.
I think it’s the ear-worm soundtrack that saved this drama. The songs were stuck in my head for weeks. I also appreciated how delicately the drama handled the age-gap and teacher-student relationship. It was sweet and not bordering on creepy or icky territory. One might even call it understated romance, as Dan clearly felt stronger romantic feelings for Asuka, but it’s unclear if Asuka reciprocated those feelings to the same degree. Her feelings for Dan might simply be those of a mentor towards a mentee. It was very vague, and perhaps Asuka’s fondness had no further meaning beyond encouragement. While some people were clamoring for a kiss between Dan and Asuka, I’m content with a hug as a conclusion to their relationship.
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