Reviews

Hometown disappointment (Tl; dr at the end)

If you liked this drama, keep scrolling, because this rant might break your heart. Hop onto the disappointment train of Kdramas, where originally great ideas get stacked up with clichés until you don't recognize their originality anymore.

Frankly, the only thing I liked here were the seaside settings and landscapes, the implicit deeper meanings and overall village atmosphere.
As for the rest, I got gradually more disappointed the longer I watched, but let's start with the smaller issues you might easily overlook.

The professionalism: Please don't ever think what FL did as a "dentist" was remotely medically accurate. Not to mention none of the businesses in town could survive with this few customers, but whatever, it's a drama, right?

The comedy: If you find enjoyment in watching things go terribly wrong, misunderstandings and smaller mishaps, the humour will totally get you. The only comedy trope I hate more than this is play with embarassment and disgust, hence I wasn't amused at all by the comedy here.

The screaming: Why, for the love of the Kdrama Gods, do people in a lovely seaside village have to scream all the time? Is the wind too loud? Have they not heard of telephones and communicate through town by yelling? It will have to stay a mystery, but as someone who hates loud noise, this drama was about as healing as grating cheese without protecting your fingernails.

The setting: The setting was super closed off. Everybody knew everybody, had some kind of connection to each other and only talked to other people in the setting. We have two restaurant owners, yet barely see them interact with people other than the selected few presented as the village community. Even if you forget about the fact Gongjin has to be bigger than these few people to survive as a town, when the characters leave town to go to bigger cities, it's just the same. Unless a character has relevance for the plot, they don't exist in this drama. We don't even see a single waitress in the restaurants or a cashier at the checkout, and if you have watched this drama and can tell me exactly at which occasion you did see someone else - congratulations, you noticed too and it was so prevalent you still remember the few times you saw someone different.

On the positive side, that makes it feel homey, getting close to the villagers who are almost like a big family. On the down side, it means the characters are reduced to their role in that family. The longer I watched, the more the things that used to feel comfortable felt forced.

The plot: For a slice of life drama, there was an awful lot of plot, especially in the last episodes. I didn't particularily enjoy it. The things that happened were either not my cup of tea, misplaced in their (often nonexistent) foreshadowing or simply unrealistically big and dramatic. I didn't mind the series to have some heavier bits in general, but the way it was designed and dealt with felt over the top.
The more the series progressed, the more it had to rely on clichés to keep the plot going and I hated it. There's some tropes that we should have ended years ago unless it's used for self-criticism.
All this one-upping itself and its clichés made any of the truly beautiful, inspiring messages feel dull and meaningless. I did see them, please don't get me wrong despite all the rant - I did rate this a 7 after all. But with what it had to work with, this easily could have become a 9.5 for me, yet like so many other Kdramas, it didn't dare to actually deal with these topics in depth.
Like so many others, they couldn't decide whether to do fluff or falter, so they failed at both.

The relationships: The platonic relationships developing between the characters were wholesome to watch and I enjoyed watching friendships form and everyone getting to know each other. The romantic ones tho... There is not a single healthy romantic relationship in this series, and we get a whole lot of couples.

Now, from a Western point of view, I understand that directly talking it out isn't the preferred way in Korean culture, and sometimes, you got to appreciate the gesture instead of waiting for words that will never come.
But I wasn't so much bothered by the words unsaid but by the way characters treated each other.
How the husband of his pregnant wife dismissed her needs, put himself first all the time and complained more than anyone else in that family, promising to do better but never doing so. How harsh words that killed any love between another couple were redempted by pretty words just two episodes later. I can't believe the only healthy and mature people in this series were the kids.
I also know that in Korea, especially in small communities, you rely on each other's help in emergencies, so it's easier to forgive and forget than be angry with someone who might one day save your life. But there's got to be limits to what someone can get away with without at least facing some consequences for it and having to prove themselves again?
However, I was most annoyed with the leads. They had chemistry, as bantering village neighbours as well as an established couple. The steps in-between though? What was that pacing? Their relationship happened so suddenly and it was so unbalanced and stiff all the time. For good reason, but those were only properly mentioned in the last episodes which was way too late for me. FL kept pulling ML into things he didn't want to do, told her he didn't want to do yet still did for her because he's a people pleaser. No matter how hesitant he was, she kept insisting.

The characters:
You know you're in trouble when the only characters you like are a little boy and a grandma.
FL was difficult to like. Not because she was a bad person. She cared for her friend and, once she settled in, also visibly cared for the villagers. She was hard-working and diligent.
At the same time, she was and stayed superficial, printing her own beliefs on everyone else, holding high expectations without ever reflecting on whether that was feasible. She had a backstory, a past and things to overcome, but they weren't considered nearly deeply enough to give her a personality beyond dentistry, her friend and loving ML.
Now, I am a bit biased here, but her way of insisting to do things for others even after they told her her help was unwanted is one of my pet peeves. From my experience, people do that because they know exactly they have nothing else to offer but would rather look helpful and genuinely caring on the outside than deal with what's wrong on the inside.

ML in contrast was perfect, someone who's able to do everything and who's a people pleaser to the extent the village can't run without him. What he truly liked and what was part of his care for the villagers? It didn't show. Why he liked FL? Probably bc she kept telling him what to do. I don't know. He existed to prove FL wrong, to initiate her character growth by helping her get rid of part of her attitude. On that regard, when did she ever push him about his own beliefs? When did she ever challenge him on whether he really needed to be everyone's spokesperson and handyman?
I'm tired of the "flawed chaotic FL, perfect ML" trope, and in a drama marketed as healing? Oh, come on, what century is this?

I could see some character development with them both, but it didn't come from true understanding of their past, their flaws and the way it impacted themselves and others, it was simply a way to fit in with the village people. And while I don't expect to see the character development completed when the series is over, the progress here didn't match the time I invested.
Each episode had 1.5h of screentime and yet close to the end, FL was still insisting ML throws away everything he stands for just to please people that never really cared for her.
Never in this drama did anyone become aware of the less than ideal dynamics they were dealing with, and neither were they presented in a way that would allow the viewer a more critical perspective, learning the lessons the characters couldn't.

Tl; dr:
This was a drama with a nice and cute setting, a variety of diverse characters and deep messages for anyone ready to hear them. If you want to follow various characters as they develop romantic feelings, experience some feelings of found family and belonging and enjoy seaside settings, you might really love this drama. Be prepared for it to lend its ideas from generic romcoms and don't expect too much originality and you might be surprised.
However, if you're looking for healing, healthy relationships, true deep character growth, original ideas or calm seaside atmosphere - nothing to see here, keep looking.

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Just not my cup of tea.

This felt more like a stage play (live theatrical performance). It had very few locations/set pieces, and they were very cheap, obviously fake. It was boring. There was no substance, no deep connections, and I had to watch a lot of this at 2X speed. This show is what it is; it was a slapstick comedy with very little substance. If that is what you like, then this is the show for you. If not, watch it out of curiosity, but you may come out a little disappointed.

Cast ... They acted very over the top (I am assuming this was just the style of show).
Characters ... Absolutely no depth and I felt nothing and had no connection with any of them. Little to no romance/chemistry.
OST ... It was obscure, I can't even remember.
Set design/quality of props etc. ... Poor, very, very poor.
CGI ... So bad it was funny.
Storyline ... This show was so poorly written that the story was secondary to the actors. This is something I very rarely come across which made it hard to enjoy.

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JBL versus Thai BL:

I liked both versions of this story, they both have their pros and cons. The Japanese version is shorter which means the amount of time spent on the island is nearly the same as the time spent in the city. This creates a more balanced story in comparison to the Thai version imo, but also the shorter run time means that there's a lot of dialogue cut from the story. The Thai version spent a fair amount of time building the characters and exploring their backstories which is lost in the Japanese version. We are at best shown a brief snippet, given a few words of explanation, and then the story moves on. It's not bad, it's typical JBL storytelling, but if you're used to watching Thai BLs and aren't familiar with the the way JBLs are filmed than you probably won't like it as much the original.
One thing I really did like about the Japanese version more than the Thai version was the music selection (which no one seems to be talking about). The song that stood out to me the most was I Want You to Stay by Victor Lundberg. There were a few other decent tracks which added a nice ambiance to the scenes, but I wasn't enamored enough with them to hunt down the titles and artists for them.

General info for anyone wanting to know:
• Is the series spicy/nsfw? Yes, the full sex scenes are shown and there are a few of them throughout.
• Is there noncon or violence? Yes, there are a few fight scenes which lead to blood shed and depictions of child abuse.
• Is there a love triangle? Nope.
• Should you watch the special episodes? Yes, they're cute.
• Should you watch the Thai version before watching this one? Actually no. I'd recommend watching the Japanese version first and then watching the Thai version. It's like the equivalent of reading a summary of the book before reading the book.

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Backstreet Rookie vibes .. loving it

Its good , there is a flow like water is flowing without obstacles.

Story is nothing new

But the treatment makes it good

When i saw trailer , didnt want to watch it.

JCW is fantastic when he play characters like backstreet rookie type characters, he always keep a line between romance and comedy . Because in some dramas, actors who play romcom characters, after a point they will fully turn into rom-melodrama vibe . But this guy (JCW) is balancing it beautifully.

Yeah ,u know in japanese drama , some comedy works , some wont . Same in this drama as well.

Still its enjoyable.

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A heartbreaking story of two souls who never stopped loving each other

I think the first thing I have to praise about this drama is its characters. They’re so rich, complex, and interesting... Especially Cheon Sang Yeon, probably one of the most memorable characters I’ve seen in a long time. I can understand her pain, her personality, and the reasons behind her actions. Even when she does horrible things I disagree with, I can understand where they come from. And I think that’s exactly what makes this story so profound, with such unforgettable characters.

The love and hatred between the two of them is both beautiful and heartbreaking. My only criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed. I wish we’d had at least one more episode to see them together, genuinely loving each other, like the great friends they’ve always been.

**SPOILERS**

There are things in this melodrama that genuinely broke me, and that’s why I can understand Cheon Sang Yeon so well.

Believing that her own mother loved Eun Jung more than her, combined with the way Mrs. Yoon changed after her son’s death, is devastating. Sang Yeon grew up carrying pain that eventually fueled her self-destructive personality. Her difficulty with giving and receiving affection is portrayed so subtly that I can understand why so many people failed to understand her character.

The codependency she develops toward Kim Sang-hak is also understandable. She feels that he was the only person who helped her get back on her feet during the darkest moments of her life. Through him, she discovered the truth about her brother and finally found some peace. It’s heartbreaking to see how she turns her own pain into suffering for others, even though she knows it only leaves her feeling more and more alone.

The scene where Sang Yeon calls Eun Jung after finding out about her mother’s cancer absolutely broke me. I keep thinking about how differently things could have turned out if Eun Jung had answered that call. She had always been hurt by Sang Yeon’s inability to open up, and just when Sang Yeon discovers her mother has cancer and needs her friend the most, she ends up being ignored. Of course, Eun Jung had no way of knowing what was happening, but it’s heartbreaking to see how this missed connection pushed them even further apart.

It’s a friendship that manages to be both tragic and beautiful. Even if Ryu Eun Jung had never forgiven Sang Yeon, I would have understood. Her personality and tragic past don’t justify how much she hurt her friend. But Eun Jung would never let Sang Yeon leave this world alone.

And the final episode was perfect! Just the two of them, no intruding characters, no drama, no complications. Just the two of them together in the end. After everything they went through, seeing them like that was so emotional. I just wish we’d had more time with them, watching them enjoy each other’s company like the friends they’ve always been.

I’m emotionally destroyed, but it was wonderful...


PT BR

Uma história dolorosa de duas almas que nunca deixaram de se amar

Acho que a primeira coisa que preciso elogiar nesse drama são seus personagens. Tão ricos, complexos e interessantes... Principalmente Cheon Sang Yeon, provavelmente uma das personagens mais memoráveis que vi nos últimos tempos. Consigo compreender suas dores, sua personalidade e as razões por trás de suas atitudes. Mesmo quando ela faz coisas horríveis, com as quais não concordo, consigo entender de onde tudo isso vem. E acho que é justamente isso que torna essa história tão profunda, com personagens tão marcantes.

O amor e o ódio entre as duas é lindo e doloroso. Minha única crítica é que o final foi um pouco acelerado. Eu queria pelo menos mais um episódio para vê-las juntas, se amando de verdade, como as grandes amigas que sempre foram.

**SPOILERS**

Existem coisas nesse melodrama que realmente me quebraram, e é por isso que consigo entender tanto a Cheon Sang Yeon.

Acreditar que a própria mãe amava Eun Jung mais do que ela, somado à maneira como a Sra. Yoon mudou após a morte do filho, é algo devastador. Sang Yeon cresceu carregando dores que acabaram alimentando sua personalidade autodestrutiva. Sua dificuldade em dar e receber afeto é retratada de maneira tão sutil que consigo entender por que tantas pessoas não compreenderam sua personagem.

A codependência que ela desenvolve em relação a Kim Sang-hak também é compreensível. Ela sente que ele foi a única pessoa que a ajudou a se reerguer nos piores momentos de sua vida. Foi através dele que descobriu a verdade sobre o irmão e conseguiu encontrar alguma paz. É triste ver como ela transforma a própria dor em sofrimento para os outros, mesmo sabendo que isso só a deixa cada vez mais sozinha.

A cena em que Sang Yeon liga para Eun Jung apoós descobrir o cancer da mãe, me destruiu. Fico pensando em como tudo poderia ter sido diferente se Eun Jung tivesse atendido aquela ligação. Ela sempre sofreu com a incapacidade de Sang Yeon de se abrir, e justamente quando Sang Yeon descobre o câncer da mãe e mais precisa da amiga, acaba sendo ignorada. Claro que Eun Jung não tinha como saber o que estava acontecendo, mas é doloroso ver como esse desencontro contribuiu para afastar ainda mais as duas.

É uma amizade trágica e bonita ao mesmo tempo. Mesmo que Ryu Eun Jung não perdoasse Sang Yeon, eu entenderia. Sua personalidade e sua história não justificam o quanto ela machucou a amiga. Mas Eun Jung jamais deixaria Sang Yeon partir sozinha.

E o último episódio foi perfeito! Apenas as duas, sem personagens intrusos, sem intrigas, sem nada. Apenas elas juntas no fim. Depois de tudo o que viveram, poder vê-las assim foi emocionante. Eu só queria ter tido mais tempo com elas, vê-las aproveitando a companhia uma da outra como as amigas que sempre foram.

Estou acabada, mas foi maravilhoso...

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Wow I was yearning for this season, and I wasn't disappointed. I can tell it wasn't the same director as season 1, but I still enjoy it a lot.

First half of the season, Fourmod wasn't understandable. If I was chian, I would have leave him. But to be fair, I forgive him the second he was silly in the car.
Chian is the best written character. A great friend, always here for his bestie, always patient with his lovers and a good dad and uncle. He was crazy with Fourmod in a good way.

Bua, my daughter. I love her character developement (sad that we don't adress the elephant in the room aka her gender identity) but she deserve much developpement on how she should love herself more (because all she live for is her boyfriend then her son).
Baabin.. Wtf was that. The writing was wierd??? I kinda understand that he want to support his bestie and boyfriend at the same time. But getting a job to sold out your bestie show wtf??? And tbh I understand going to your bestie when they are at their lowest but please bring Bua with you???

Gelbabyz were a great add to the show. They are so cute. I'm happy for the end but still bitter about them. I wish we could have see them more.

I do understand what they wanted to adress in the industry: fan hardcore, hating lovers of your favs... But some part were not well done.

I still got gender euphoria becaus of Bua. I still find Gelboys' soul in this season 2: colourfull, a lot of messiness and love triangle.

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this is not a story of lightheartedness and romance.

this also is the best korean BL i have seen this year and maybe to date. unfortunately, there is no happy ending for the main leads. given the premise, i figured an ending of love was never going to be in the cards. i still had hope of otherwise.

every storyteller who had lines contributing to the plot sold to me, with unshakeable faith, that this story was real. i could almost envision it all transpiring as if i was standing there on set. there was not a singular actor who lacked talent / skill in this and i am so shocked by this revelation. this could almost be called a masterpiece.

the ethical misgivings, in this story, between an ambiguous turned inappropriate student - teacher relationship were something of a generic plotline but the execution did not miss at all. the teacher, han jiwoo, struggled with "wavering" in crossing the boundaries with his student and eventually did. however, he could never fully commit to letting himself develop anything further with said student and i love that this path was taken. despite cheating on his sham of a marriage, jiwoo otherwise seemed to be a person of good heart who took to the underserved, overlooked, and abused. it was made evidently clear that the teachers there did not give a damn about the children they oversaw and the conditions they lived in. jiwoo was the only exception seemingly wherever he went. hyeonjae's age was never revealed so his actions were not his fault, per say. the only to be held accountable was his teacher and his teacher strongly resisted up until the very end.

i think this is a work that could be used as a device to discuss the social climate, traditions, culture, and workplace culture of south korea. as mentioned, the teachers do not care about their students. it made me ponder on whether this is an accurate reflection of reality in korea. someone's status is more important than anything and that seems to be true in real life when it comes to the asian continent. when it comes to suicide, there are three asian countries in the top thirty. south korea is the third out of all of the countries in the world and i can see why. the stifling, suffocating, and boxing nature of prioritizing one's face over well-being, desire, and health [until no longer able to be ignored] is a testament of south korea's regressive society. the way a stranger looks at and sees another stranger is korea is more important than that individuals comfort, which is outrageously ridiculous. in this BL, the teachers overlooked an openly abused student and his behaviors as a result due to the position of this student's father. all of the adults around him were in the know of his situation and did nothing to aid him except jiwoo. they did not even have the decency to look after him at school and ensure he was fed, groomed, and had a safe place to sleep. so, it was only natural that he fell in love with the ONE person who treated him like a human individual and not token property.

the second coupling deserve their own show. i wish viewers would have gotten to see just bit of intimacy from them or at least a two-sided confession. everything about the execution of their relationship path was perfectly delivered. thankfully, their conclusion was on the rise.

i basically had zero notes for this show as i documented nothing to talk about. the only critique i have, from my head, regards the abuse inflicted upon hyeonjae. the way his father beat him and ordered him to be treated did not seem to align with what was showcased on his body, but i could be wrong. two things to consider are that, it may be a bit slow of a watch at times and the dialogue is quite calmly delivered regularly. otherwise, there was nothing else of note that i want to bring up.

overall, this BL is not one of happiness but still one with a logical + satisfying ending. proceed, with caution.

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