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Pond is worth watching and Wang deserves more
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25
When “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us’ was aired, it created a little stir on the feeds due to his melodramatic storyline and the age gap. The age gap was what gave me pause and not watching it.
Despite a sea of BLs, 180 Degree is a unique drama that I think is worth watching and I am in the mood for something more melo. That is not to say this is a pleasant watch because I was so mad at Uncle In in the end, so much more than the Drama Queen Mother.
There’s a lot to like in this drama:
1. Pond/Wang - He is the star of the show and makes this drama worth watching. Because Wang is such a mature 20-year old, it makes the age gap feel a little less yucky. Pond exudes that young playfulness in earlier episodes especially during the fun mother-son interaction and banter. As he falls in love, you can see the feelings and longing coming out of his eyes. The last episode when he let it all out and told everyone off, I was cheering for him. Wang deserves so much more than what Uncle In can give him. I want him to go out and find someone as brave as he is, someone who can be by his side for good and bad.
2. Feel of the drama - I’m searching for something melodramatic and I get that here. Despite some yelling and screaming, the drama has all the elements that I am searching for - cinematography, the general slowness (for the most part), philosophical conversations all and especially Pond’s beautiful voice when the theme song is played. They all work very well together that makes 180 Degree a very unique drama.
3. Chemistry - The chemistry is definitely there when Wang and In first laid eyes on each other. They haven’t even talked much at that point, but I can see tension in their gazes. All of their interactions and conversations up to ep 6 feel so intimate. This is the In that I like as well - thoughtful, caring and understanding mentor for Wang. The one that validates Wang’s feelings and encourages him to pursue what he wants in life. Whenever the mother shows up in the first 6 episodes, she feels like a third wheel!
What I don’t like or have mixed feelings:
1. Mother - Gosh, she is so over-the-top. Mom is a drama queen and the center of all the attention. She’s loud and bossy. What is up with that birthday party celebration? I was so embarrassed for Wang. She should have known that’s not what her son wants. I don’t question her love for her son, but she needs to find more appropriate ways of showing it. She always blames others and it’s never her fault. But in the end, Mom is right in pointing out and asking Wang whether Uncle In has directly expressed his feelings.
2. Uncle In - He does not deserve Wang. This coward makes my blood boil in the last couple episodes. After all that he has gone through in the past and knowing pushing people away may not bring them happiness, he still doesn’t change. He doesn’t flat out tell you how he feels but his inaction speaks louder than words. It feels like the mature, thoughtful and caring In that Wang fell in love with in the first 6 episodes disappears in the last 2. I wonder if that bar-like divider screen in his bedroom is a symbolism of how he imprisons himself and stay away from the world, and be the lonely 52-Hertz whale.
3. Slowness - For the most part, I enjoy the slow pacing of the drama as it complements well with everything. But the only part I dislike is how the drama unveils the dead father’s story. It took forever! I feel like Uncle In took 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back, and all I want is for him to just tell me what happened (even though it’s not hard to guess).
If you are looking for a different kind of BL, I would recommend this. It’s not fluffy with tons of passionate kisses, but angsty in a way that you want to punch a couple of the characters in the face. But Pond is worth it.
Completed: 5/24/2025 - Review #581
When “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us’ was aired, it created a little stir on the feeds due to his melodramatic storyline and the age gap. The age gap was what gave me pause and not watching it.
Despite a sea of BLs, 180 Degree is a unique drama that I think is worth watching and I am in the mood for something more melo. That is not to say this is a pleasant watch because I was so mad at Uncle In in the end, so much more than the Drama Queen Mother.
There’s a lot to like in this drama:
1. Pond/Wang - He is the star of the show and makes this drama worth watching. Because Wang is such a mature 20-year old, it makes the age gap feel a little less yucky. Pond exudes that young playfulness in earlier episodes especially during the fun mother-son interaction and banter. As he falls in love, you can see the feelings and longing coming out of his eyes. The last episode when he let it all out and told everyone off, I was cheering for him. Wang deserves so much more than what Uncle In can give him. I want him to go out and find someone as brave as he is, someone who can be by his side for good and bad.
2. Feel of the drama - I’m searching for something melodramatic and I get that here. Despite some yelling and screaming, the drama has all the elements that I am searching for - cinematography, the general slowness (for the most part), philosophical conversations all and especially Pond’s beautiful voice when the theme song is played. They all work very well together that makes 180 Degree a very unique drama.
3. Chemistry - The chemistry is definitely there when Wang and In first laid eyes on each other. They haven’t even talked much at that point, but I can see tension in their gazes. All of their interactions and conversations up to ep 6 feel so intimate. This is the In that I like as well - thoughtful, caring and understanding mentor for Wang. The one that validates Wang’s feelings and encourages him to pursue what he wants in life. Whenever the mother shows up in the first 6 episodes, she feels like a third wheel!
What I don’t like or have mixed feelings:
1. Mother - Gosh, she is so over-the-top. Mom is a drama queen and the center of all the attention. She’s loud and bossy. What is up with that birthday party celebration? I was so embarrassed for Wang. She should have known that’s not what her son wants. I don’t question her love for her son, but she needs to find more appropriate ways of showing it. She always blames others and it’s never her fault. But in the end, Mom is right in pointing out and asking Wang whether Uncle In has directly expressed his feelings.
2. Uncle In - He does not deserve Wang. This coward makes my blood boil in the last couple episodes. After all that he has gone through in the past and knowing pushing people away may not bring them happiness, he still doesn’t change. He doesn’t flat out tell you how he feels but his inaction speaks louder than words. It feels like the mature, thoughtful and caring In that Wang fell in love with in the first 6 episodes disappears in the last 2. I wonder if that bar-like divider screen in his bedroom is a symbolism of how he imprisons himself and stay away from the world, and be the lonely 52-Hertz whale.
3. Slowness - For the most part, I enjoy the slow pacing of the drama as it complements well with everything. But the only part I dislike is how the drama unveils the dead father’s story. It took forever! I feel like Uncle In took 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back, and all I want is for him to just tell me what happened (even though it’s not hard to guess).
If you are looking for a different kind of BL, I would recommend this. It’s not fluffy with tons of passionate kisses, but angsty in a way that you want to punch a couple of the characters in the face. But Pond is worth it.
Completed: 5/24/2025 - Review #581
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