So… it’s been clear some of the actors aren’t as strong as others since episode 1… but some reason in this episode (8)… I just felt like a lot of the acting was especially painful to watch lol. That aside… Boom (Lue) was the absolute highlight with that crying scene. I played it over and over. Just. Chef’s. Kiss. Someone give this man a lead role and good script. I am dying to see his full potential.
I know y’all are done with Ken crying and some of y’all sick of the Din flashbacks/Din himself lol but I wanted to say shout out to Haii for the crying scene in last week’s episode (7). It actually touched me a lot. I felt his heartbreak and sorrow deeply as he cried alone in the hall. The scene of him watching over Din sleeping – he really made me feel that he loved Din and that Din was the most precious thing to him in the world.
(I’d recently seen the TV show the cast did where Haii pretty much said he’s straight, so I think that scene just impressed me more with how believably he’s stepped into his role. Yes, I know he is an actor. But I have to admit there was something (surprisingly, and disappointingly) stiff about the beginning scene with him and Boom in episode 7.)
And when he’s helping to undress Din and then just lays his head on his chest… Painfully sweet. It just reminded me of something I’ve felt before… Of just wanting to be so near someone. Bury yourself under their skin.
But they look and vibe soo different, i cannot see them as the same person. And I'm really unsatisfied with the…
Yes, his whole vibe is different. Obviously - we have to overlook the fact that the people playing these characters are two very different people in real life. So perhaps things like different height/body builds and lack of similar voice just has to be chalked up to – it’s television. Some suspension of disbelief is required. And I won’t even call out the casting directors because no one could have played Lue better than Boom. A “miscast” is the last thing he is.
But in the reel world - Boom has proven himself to be a strong actor with this show - so I'm pretty confident in his ability to "exude" Din more than what we've seen. IF - Lue is in fact supposed to be Din, that is.
So I say it's intentional. That Din (in his new body as Lue) has just completely stepped into the "role" of Lue so thoroughly and convincingly that there doesn't seem to be a trace of Din at all. It makes sense. If he's trying to keep his identity concealed - it's not enough to simply adopt someone's looks. Mannerisms, etc. - pretty much everything about you that could potentially give you away would have to change. And it's especially important for Lue who is constantly in close proximity to the people who were closest to Din. They are the ones who would recognize him the easiest.
On the other hand… there are the other significant things commentators have pointed out – such as the lack of a shot wound scar on Lue’s chest, the possibility for previews to be misleading, etc…that keeps the small hope in my heart that Lue may not be Din kindling.
* Went back to watch some scenes from ep. 6 and was reminded how much I liked that OST during Ken x Lue's meeting on Ken's jog. If I recall correctly, it's always just been the instrumental up till now, so it was nice hearing the vocals to it. I liked it a lot.
* Maybe I missed it but I'm surprised no one mentioned the opening scene for this episode yet.. I was really touched by Lue's response to the tender finger kiss Ken gave him. I've been impressed (and honestly taken) with the actor since episode 1. Eye acting is next level for me lol. Yet seeing the tears well in his eyes unbeknownst to Ken when he hugged him, that little hitch of breath, it really got to me. I maybe replayed it too many times.
* Also, I haven't read the novel but I have seen it said in many comments. Despite that - I'm one of those viewers who wishes Lue wasn't Din either. I'm having trouble accepting I (most likely) won't get my way. And I'll probably never get over it.
Episode 6: OK I am in total confusion. I was able to wing it up until this episode. ~Sooooo, the whole fight in…
Love Ken's relationship with his dad. Ep. 6's phone scene and the previous phone scene where he called to give him his number was super touching. The acting, the music, everything about those two moments were perfect.
According to this article, season 2 is not a confirmed thing. Director says they haven't even discussed a season 2 😭. I am crushed.. Can't stop thinking about this drama right now.
Same as the manga this is a smut story that barely has a plot, we watch for the naughty but the problem is the…
***First off - sorry for this ESSAY - I'm just REALLY obsessed with this show and need to discuss it somewhere lol. A response is not expected.***
I'm a bit conflicted about the male lead's acting. I had so much unexpected fun with the first episode, and after later checking out the first few chapters of the manga - I decided I liked his portrayal. I'm used to the wackiness that is trademark for many Jdramas so it felt sort of expected, and I also think it set the live action apart from the manga with its own charm. I definitely feel his take on the character makes the drama more suitable for something that is airing on Disney Plus of all places lol. Without the cheese - it would personally enter into that uncomfortable territory for me - the way the manga makes me cringe lol. (It is absolute smut.)
Watched episode 2 last night and not sure how I feel now. Basically the whole first half had a "sex scene" and I agree with you that it was not sexy at all. And I'm pretty sure the intention was for something hot and steamy. But the male lead's acting was just so...his facial expressions (especially that quirking brow), his line delivery - it was just hammy for me in a really bad way. I really was cringing.
I find myself wanting more from him - especially when I feel his co-star is doing such a solid job. I couldn't be sure at first whether it was 100% intentional, or if he's just not that strong an actor... leaning towards the latter after ep.2. (I admit I haven't seen him in anything else except an MV with poor lip-syncing and acting that reminds me of his role here; and some musical clips which did impress me.)
But then there were moments in the second half when he surprised me with his acting. Suddenly he was serious and commanding and sexy. Finally everything happening on the screen felt believable. He was finally giving me a glimmer of what I wanted to see. (I didn't have subs either so that says a lot.) So now - I know he is capable of that kind of acting. Maybe what I want is more...balance? The hamm n' cheese is okay - but at the appropriate moments. I am hopeful he will be able to calibrate his performance going forward. Honestly, something about the guy just really makes me want to like him and root for him - so I feel bad to critique him so harshly lol.
On a positive note -- I do appreciate how they're managing to give us some hot moments - that nipple? nip, the reach below his belt - I wasn't expecting it but they went there and I thought it was tastefully done.
(Ep. 2 didn't seem to progress the story much - but judging by how much I've read of the manga thus far, I'm not sure there really is much to begin with. Ep. 3 preview suggests they're taking a detour too.)
Chef’s.
Kiss.
Someone give this man a lead role and good script. I am dying to see his full potential.
(I’d recently seen the TV show the cast did where Haii pretty much said he’s straight, so I think that scene just impressed me more with how believably he’s stepped into his role. Yes, I know he is an actor. But I have to admit there was something (surprisingly, and disappointingly) stiff about the beginning scene with him and Boom in episode 7.)
And when he’s helping to undress Din and then just lays his head on his chest… Painfully sweet. It just reminded me of something I’ve felt before… Of just wanting to be so near someone. Bury yourself under their skin.
But in the reel world - Boom has proven himself to be a strong actor with this show - so I'm pretty confident in his ability to "exude" Din more than what we've seen. IF - Lue is in fact supposed to be Din, that is.
So I say it's intentional. That Din (in his new body as Lue) has just completely stepped into the "role" of Lue so thoroughly and convincingly that there doesn't seem to be a trace of Din at all. It makes sense. If he's trying to keep his identity concealed - it's not enough to simply adopt someone's looks. Mannerisms, etc. - pretty much everything about you that could potentially give you away would have to change. And it's especially important for Lue who is constantly in close proximity to the people who were closest to Din. They are the ones who would recognize him the easiest.
On the other hand… there are the other significant things commentators have pointed out – such as the lack of a shot wound scar on Lue’s chest, the possibility for previews to be misleading, etc…that keeps the small hope in my heart that Lue may not be Din kindling.
* Maybe I missed it but I'm surprised no one mentioned the opening scene for this episode yet.. I was really touched by Lue's response to the tender finger kiss Ken gave him. I've been impressed (and honestly taken) with the actor since episode 1. Eye acting is next level for me lol. Yet seeing the tears well in his eyes unbeknownst to Ken when he hugged him, that little hitch of breath, it really got to me. I maybe replayed it too many times.
* Also, I haven't read the novel but I have seen it said in many comments. Despite that - I'm one of those viewers who wishes Lue wasn't Din either. I'm having trouble accepting I (most likely) won't get my way. And I'll probably never get over it.
https://www.kdramastars.com/amp/articles/127476/20221121/weak-hero-class-1-produce-season-2-what-director-says.htm
I'm a bit conflicted about the male lead's acting. I had so much unexpected fun with the first episode, and after later checking out the first few chapters of the manga - I decided I liked his portrayal. I'm used to the wackiness that is trademark for many Jdramas so it felt sort of expected, and I also think it set the live action apart from the manga with its own charm. I definitely feel his take on the character makes the drama more suitable for something that is airing on Disney Plus of all places lol. Without the cheese - it would personally enter into that uncomfortable territory for me - the way the manga makes me cringe lol. (It is absolute smut.)
Watched episode 2 last night and not sure how I feel now. Basically the whole first half had a "sex scene" and I agree with you that it was not sexy at all. And I'm pretty sure the intention was for something hot and steamy. But the male lead's acting was just so...his facial expressions (especially that quirking brow), his line delivery - it was just hammy for me in a really bad way. I really was cringing.
I find myself wanting more from him - especially when I feel his co-star is doing such a solid job. I couldn't be sure at first whether it was 100% intentional, or if he's just not that strong an actor... leaning towards the latter after ep.2. (I admit I haven't seen him in anything else except an MV with poor lip-syncing and acting that reminds me of his role here; and some musical clips which did impress me.)
But then there were moments in the second half when he surprised me with his acting. Suddenly he was serious and commanding and sexy. Finally everything happening on the screen felt believable. He was finally giving me a glimmer of what I wanted to see. (I didn't have subs either so that says a lot.) So now - I know he is capable of that kind of acting. Maybe what I want is more...balance? The hamm n' cheese is okay - but at the appropriate moments. I am hopeful he will be able to calibrate his performance going forward. Honestly, something about the guy just really makes me want to like him and root for him - so I feel bad to critique him so harshly lol.
On a positive note -- I do appreciate how they're managing to give us some hot moments - that nipple? nip, the reach below his belt - I wasn't expecting it but they went there and I thought it was tastefully done.
(Ep. 2 didn't seem to progress the story much - but judging by how much I've read of the manga thus far, I'm not sure there really is much to begin with. Ep. 3 preview suggests they're taking a detour too.)
(Shared by t3n5h1k015h173 further below in the comments.)
Since I checked out the manga previously, I had a good idea of the dialogue.
Sorry - just created my account and can't post links yet. Remove the ().