Reviews

Gelboys — Style Over Substance, and I Never Understood the Hype

I honestly don't understand why Gelboys became such a critical darling. After finishing the series, I wasn't impressed, emotionally moved, or even entertained. I was simply bored. And that's probably the worst thing a drama can be. It isn't offensively bad because of one particular scene or one terrible performance. It just keeps telling a story that, for me, never justifies why it needed seven episodes—let alone a second season.

The premise revolves around teenage crushes, jealousy, situationships, and emotional uncertainty. None of those themes are new. In fact, we've seen them countless times in BL over the past decade. The difference is that most dramas treat them as a starting point before developing their characters or introducing stronger emotional conflicts. Gelboys never really moves beyond that initial idea. It spends episode after episode watching teenagers hesitate, misunderstand each other, scroll through social media, and avoid honest conversations. By the end, I felt like I had watched seven hours of emotional indecision without much actual progression.

I understand what director Boss Naruebet Kuno was trying to do. After I Told Sunset About You, he clearly wanted to create another coming-of-age story rooted in realism rather than fantasy. The heavy use of smartphones, social media, playlists, nail art, and the streets of Siam Square creates a portrait of modern Gen Z life that feels authentic. Visually, the series has its own identity, and I can appreciate the artistic ambition behind it. But beautiful cinematography alone cannot make me care about characters I never became emotionally invested in.

That is where the series completely lost me.

I didn't like the characters.

Not because they were flawed—flawed characters are often the most interesting—but because I found most of them exhausting. They spend so much time avoiding direct communication that every conflict feels self-inflicted. Instead of making me sympathize with their confusion, it made me question why anyone would want to be around them in the first place. The emotional immaturity may be realistic for teenagers, but realism alone doesn't automatically create compelling television.

The acting also left me unconvinced. The cast certainly has potential, and some performances improve as the series progresses, but I never felt that any of the actors truly elevated the material. Too many emotional scenes rely on awkward silences and lingering close-ups rather than genuine emotional intensity. The chemistry between the different pairings also felt inconsistent. I understood who the script wanted me to support, but I rarely felt emotionally involved enough to care who ended up with whom.

Ironically, what many people praised ended up being exactly what pushed me away. The series is intentionally quiet, observational, and almost documentary-like in the way it follows everyday teenage life. That's a perfectly valid artistic choice, but it also means very little actually happens for long stretches of time. If I'm investing several hours in a drama, I need more than atmosphere. I need characters whose journey feels meaningful. Here, I kept waiting for the story to become more interesting, and it never did.

Perhaps my biggest surprise came after finishing the last episode.

When I heard there would be a second season, my first reaction wasn't excitement—it was confusion.

Why?

The first season already stretched a relatively small story over seven episodes. I genuinely struggle to see what justifies continuing it. Unless the writers take the characters in a completely different direction and introduce stronger dramatic stakes, I honestly don't know what another season can add that wasn't already attempted here.

Final Thought

I respect what Gelboys tried to do. It wanted to portray modern teenage relationships with realism, subtlety, and a distinctive visual identity. Unfortunately, none of those qualities were enough to make me care about the story or its characters. For me, style completely overshadowed substance, leaving behind a series that looked unique but felt emotionally empty. Sometimes being different isn't enough. A drama also has to make me want to keep watching—and Gelboys never managed to do that.

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Secret Relationships — A Mystery You'll Never Experience the Same Way Twice

Some dramas are built to be rewatched because you notice new details every time. Secret Relationships isn't one of them. This is what I call a "one-shot drama." The first watch is absolutely addictive because you're constantly trying to understand everyone's motives, guessing who is telling the truth, who is manipulating whom, and who genuinely deserves Da-on's trust. Once you know the ending, however, a large part of that suspense disappears. The story is still excellent, but the emotional roller coaster can never hit quite the same way again.

Adapted from McQueen Studio's popular Kakao webtoon, the series keeps what made the original so compelling: it isn't really a love triangle—or even a love square—but a psychological drama disguised as a BL. Every man surrounding Da-on represents a different form of love. One is possessive, one is manipulative, one is selfless, and one forces him to question what he truly wants. Rather than asking "Who will he choose?", the drama asks a far more interesting question: "What kind of love actually allows someone to heal?" That is where the series shines, and director Yang Kyung-hee wisely leans into the psychological tension instead of turning the story into a conventional romance.

The acting is what elevates the entire production. Kim Jun Seo carries an emotionally demanding role with surprising confidence, especially considering this is his first leading acting role after his idol career. Da-on never feels like a passive victim. Instead, you can see years of trauma shaping every decision he makes, even when those decisions frustrate you. Cha Sun Hyung, Kim Ho Young and Cha Jung Woo are equally convincing because none of them play simple heroes or villains. Every character believes he loves Da-on, but each expresses that love in a completely different—and sometimes deeply unhealthy—way. That ambiguity is what kept me invested until the very end.

What impressed me most is that the series refuses to romanticize toxic behaviour. It certainly portrays obsession, emotional manipulation and dependency, but it never pretends those things are healthy expressions of love. As the mystery unfolds, you slowly realize that the safest relationship isn't necessarily the most passionate one. The final choice feels earned because the story carefully dismantles the illusion that intense love automatically means genuine love. That's a much more mature message than many BLs attempt to deliver.

My only real criticism has nothing to do with the drama itself but with a broader trend in the Korean BL industry. Korea continues to produce excellent BLs, yet they often feel like launching pads for promising young actors before agencies move them into mainstream television. Once an actor gains recognition, returning to BL still seems to be the exception rather than the norm. Compared to Thailand or Taiwan, where many performers continue building long-term careers within the genre, Korea often treats BL as a stepping stone instead of a legitimate destination. It's frustrating because productions like Secret Relationships prove that Korean creators are perfectly capable of delivering sophisticated queer stories. What the industry still lacks is long-term commitment to the genre and the actors who help build it.

The production quality is also worth mentioning. The office setting gives the story a welcome sense of maturity, while the cinematography frequently uses tight framing and muted colours to reinforce Da-on's emotional isolation. The series rarely wastes time with unnecessary subplots, making every episode feel purposeful. If anything, I actually wished it had been longer. With only eight episodes, some emotional transitions happen faster than they probably should, and a few supporting relationships could have benefited from more development. Even so, the pacing never loses sight of the central mystery, which is what keeps the series so engaging.

Final Thought

Secret Relationships is one of the strongest Korean BLs of 2025 because it understands that romance alone isn't enough. It builds suspense, explores trauma, and forces its characters to confront unhealthy forms of love before they can recognise a healthy one. It's not the kind of drama I'll revisit often because so much of its brilliance depends on discovering the truth alongside the characters. But for that first watch, it's almost impossible to stop pressing "Next Episode"—and sometimes, that's exactly what great storytelling is supposed to do.

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Why do you use Anglo-Saxon names in the series, when you have beautiful Thai names? If you really want to know Jane is a female name, I don't see such a stupidity in using it as a male name!
AHahahhahaha
King is also a MALE title how do you call a girl King? Why didn't you name her Queen, if you really wanted an Anglo-Saxon name????

And in almost every series you use football as a basis, and I'm really interested, a country of over 70 million inhabitants, you have never made it to the finals of the World Cup? Change it up a bit.

It's as if parts of the shots in the series are missing...suddenly, after the game, they are in the garage practicing dancing, then Jane is looking for a jacket, and the next scene is Jane scratching and entering the room shirtless?!??!?! As if the director missed some agreements between the two of them, we don't read minds, we watch the show.

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I got through it barely

To be honest if I've never watched it, I really wouldn't be missing much.

The actual story, I was more invested in the police investigation of the kidnappings and murders of hosts so were vulnerable. The whole informant idea fell through pretty quick where Krit only allowed it when he didn't have feelings for Wayu which doesn't usually work like that.

I'm sorry but I really didn't like Up's acting, like seriously, I preferred it in "My Stand-in." His scenes I wanted to end so quickly too bad he was one of the ML so had the most screen time. None of his scenes have stuck with me. At times, I felt Krit was immature and didn't fully listen to Wayu.
On the other hand, Poom can act with just his eyes and body language and really knows how to deliver a powerful performance. My favourite scene is when he called Krit so he and Singto can sleep in a safe environment. You can feel the hopelessness and uncertainty in his voice when he was unsure who to call that he can depend on as his first priority was making sure Singto was safe. He showed he cared for Singto throughout the drama and took the responsibility when his sister ran away. He could've just said no or do the bare miniumum but he never and did the best he could. He is the one I got emotionally connected with.

I did skip half of the last episode but at times it was too slow and at times it was too fast. There was no in-between for this so sometimes you were stuck behind someone walking so slow and you can't past them or on the fastest roller-coaster.

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Times and Places

1. ArthitDao - Had the most depth and bluntness which worked in their favor.
2. JoNorth - Best strangers to lovers. Funniest.
3. FahPhoon - Pure innocence with a deep love.
4. SueaNao - I believe their story could have been much better had it happened entirely on the same level as the others and not high school. It lacked the sweetness that the others intrinsically held.
5. HillTer - Hill needed a hot Ter not a juvenile Ter. Tepid.

Overall it was a nice compilation and each different. Actors were good, some stories could have been better directed and the dialogue at times was repetitive and banal. Still worthy of a view.

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A Missed Opportunity

I admire Yang Zi very much and I think she is one of the most versatile young actresses , but I don't think this role was written in a particularly outstanding way for her; she has excelled in many other roles. In this drama, the grandfather, played by Tian Xiao, stole the show; he delivered a touching performance. All other performances were also great except Elvis Han's, which I didn't particularly enjoy. I also think there was virtually no chemistry between Yang Zi and Elvis, even though there is little romance anyway, and just a brief brush of the lips in a single scene in ep 31.

I would have liked the story to focus much more on the art of ink making and to eplore it in greater depth. Instead, the drama turned into a family drama, with one family conflict after another, which eventually became repetitive and tiring, without adding any real substance to the plot other than filling the story. And what to say about the last episodes, where the Japanese suddenly appear? It left me puzzled.

I was expecting to learn much more about the fascinating art of ink making, consideraing the original premise of the story. Instead, the drama became filled with implausible conspiracies against the female lead, family disputes, and constant family conflicts , which in my opinion, had very little relevance to what could have been a fascinating and unique story.

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Good acting and plotline but not enough time for it to be followed through fully

With a similar storyline to Descendants of the Sun, this story switched it up by having the FL being an absolute brave badass. The ML is brave and clearly with a lot of inner-dialogue going on. She chooses him and keeps choosing him the whole series. I was glad he didnt go in that night. It would have ended their relationship. Instead they were able to connect on a deeper level and eventually get married. While I enjoyed the show, I felt they tried to put too much into a short drama. There wasnt time for the plot and character development. In the end they sacrificed a proper ending but at least there was good plot.

Also, the amount of smoking in this drama is staggering. Smoking kills and impressionable younger people are watching.

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A perfect 10. Nothing less than that!!! It's amazing

I absolutely loved this series. Probably more than "My Stand In" (you can judge me for this) that's cz i am not a huge fan of red flags and stressful dramas. Out of all the dramas airing now. This is my favorite and it stayed my favorite. I think i am gonna be back for KritWayu again🤭🤭.

I laughed, i cried and celebrated with the characters. Although the drama did seem like it'd be sultry but for me it came out more artsy. Yeah Wayu looked amazing during his host era but all i saw was poom's hard work. You could see the effort he put in during every choreography. I loved the balance the series maintained towards the romance, case and personal problems. That is something that is hard to maintain and I've seen many dramas fail to do it.

I also have to say. They did a great job casting our munchkin singto🥺🥺🥺 baby stole my heart everytime he appeared onscreen.

This is one of the shows where i loved every character including some of the kinda negative characters like sky❤️❤️ i literary cried for him. Except the Dad i think i loved all the characters. Loved the whole host gang like that's the definition of friendship. Foei was such a parent figure for everyone including krit.

Idk what to say. It's just that good. Totally rewatchable, right about of romance, stress, tears and anger. Just perfect.

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A Novel Way to Ruin a Life

I went into Notes from the Last Row completely blind. All I knew was that it revolved around a mentor and his protégé in the world of literature. That premise alone did not exactly grab me, and I even considered skipping it altogether. Thankfully, curiosity got the better of me. Before long, I found myself pulled into a story that thrives less on shocking twists and more on the unsettling feeling of knowing something is wrong without fully understanding why. Every episode left me eager to uncover the next page, even when I could already see where the story was heading.

At its heart, Notes from the Last Row is less about writing and more about the price of genius. It follows Heo Mun Oh, a washed up novelist turned Korean literature professor, whose stagnant life is upended when he notices Lee Kang, the quiet student tucked away in the last row with a gift for storytelling that borders on the sublime. Seeing a spark he believes he can nurture, Mun Oh takes Lee Kang under his wing. But what begins as mentorship soon becomes a Faustian bargain, as admiration curdles into obsession and the pursuit of literary greatness blurs the line between creator and creation. In this psychological tug of war, ambition becomes both muse and monster, proving that some stories are powerful enough to rewrite the people who tell them.

The drama wastes little time setting this dynamic in motion. Mun Oh spends his days trapped in creative paralysis, unable to write his long awaited second novel and taking out his frustrations by harshly criticizing his students' work. Then comes Lee Kang, who quietly stands out by correcting Mun Oh during class and submitting a story assignment that immediately catches his attention. From that point onward, the mentor and protégé relationship begins. Yet it is obvious almost from the start that Lee Kang has motives beyond simply learning from Mun Oh. The more he subtly manipulates Mun Oh into helping him, the more the narrative shifts from asking what is happening to asking why.

That "why" is what kept me watching. The mystery itself is fairly predictable. It does not take long to distinguish reality from fiction or to understand the direction of the major twists. Instead, the real hook lies in how the story chooses to reveal those truths. It constantly teases the possibility that another twist might be hiding around the corner, making you second guess whether what seems obvious is actually the full picture. It is less about solving the puzzle and more about watching the dominoes fall.

As Lee Kang continues writing and Mun Oh eagerly reads, the story inside the story starts bleeding into reality. Characters like Mun Oh's longtime rival Kim Su Hun and his first love Ahn Eun Ju begin appearing in Lee Kang's narrative, each one carefully crafted to poke at Mun Oh's deepest regrets and insecurities. What starts as Lee Kang's fictional story gradually becomes Mun Oh's own imagination taking over. Mun Oh unknowingly begins directing where the story should go, while Lee Kang happily follows along, quietly steering him further into obsession. Watching Mun Oh slowly lose his grip on reality while Lee Kang calmly pulls the strings is where the drama is at its strongest. It almost feels like watching someone willingly walk into quicksand because they are too fascinated to notice themselves sinking.

By the end, the inevitable finally arrives. Reality and fiction completely blur for Mun Oh, while Lee Kang succeeds in dismantling his career, marriage, and sense of self through the very thing Mun Oh once loved most: stories. Even though I could predict most of the major developments, I still found myself constantly wondering if the drama had one more trick hidden up its sleeve.

My biggest issue, however, lies with Lee Kang's motivation. We eventually learn that twelve years earlier, when Lee Kang was an orphaned child, Mun Oh visited his orphanage. The two briefly bonded over storytelling, leaving young Lee Kang inspired and eager for more. Unfortunately, for Mun Oh, it was nothing more than a fleeting encounter he had no intention of continuing. That rejection left a lasting scar on Lee Kang, motivating him to spend the next twelve years orchestrating an elaborate plan to feed Mun Oh stories until they ultimately destroyed him.

I understand what the writers were aiming for. A single encounter can absolutely shape someone's future, especially a lonely child searching for connection. It is also clear that Lee Kang has psychological issues that amplify his obsession. Still, for a plan that took twelve years to execute, the emotional foundation felt surprisingly brief and underdeveloped. I wanted a stronger buildup that truly sold the weight of his resentment. As it stands, his backstory explains his actions, but it never fully convinces me that it justifies such an extreme level of planning. It is one of those moments where the ingredients are there, but the dish could have used a little more time in the oven.

Thankfully, the performances carry much of that emotional weight. Choi Min Sik is phenomenal as Heo Mun Oh. He perfectly captures a man who has long lost his creative spark, from his lifeless eyes to his sluggish posture. Then, as obsession slowly takes hold, every subtle shift in his expression and body language makes the transformation believable. It is the kind of performance that reminds you why he is considered one of Korea's finest actors.

Choi Hyun Wook is equally impressive as Lee Kang. What makes Lee Kang fascinating is not that he is outwardly dangerous, but that he is terrifyingly good at manipulating people while maintaining the image of an ordinary, talented student. Depending on whose perspective we are seeing, Lee Kang almost feels like two completely different people. Choi Hyun Wook navigates both sides effortlessly, making the psychological battle between mentor and protégé consistently engaging. Their chemistry is easily the drama's biggest strength.

The supporting cast also deserves plenty of praise. With so many seasoned actors and actresses involved, nearly every character feels convincing and grounded. My only complaint would be the younger versions of some characters. The child actors neither resembled their adult counterparts particularly well nor delivered performances that matched the rest of the cast. It is understandable, but noticeable enough to mention.

Visually, the drama does not rely on flashy cinematography. Nothing particularly stood out besides Mun Oh's distinctive bluish gray hair. Surprisingly, what stayed with me more was the soundtrack. The playful, Pink Panther-esque background music often lightened the atmosphere just enough to make the psychological tension feel oddly entertaining. It created an amusing contrast that somehow worked better than I expected.

Overall, Notes from the Last Row is a story that succeeds not because it constantly surprises you, but because it keeps making you question whether your predictions are complete. While I was disappointed by the underwhelming payoff behind Lee Kang's motivations, I was thoroughly entertained by the psychological tug of war between him and Mun Oh. It is an engaging, suspenseful, and easy binge that explores obsession, creativity, and the dangerous power stories can hold over both their readers and their writers. Sometimes, knowing the ending is not what matters. The fun comes from watching how the author chooses to write the final chapter.

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Mh

Devo dire che questa (voi per il format o vuoi per la storia) è stata la storia che meno mi è piaciuta della cinque. Sono onesta nel dire che anche se la storia di Tiger e Nao era carina, probabilmente sono stata più interessata alla storia di Leo e Ben e in generele ad alcune delle storie secondarie. Detto ciò, hjo già detto alcune delle modifiche che avrei fatto quando ho commentato la storia completa (per come sono state divise e tutto). Detto ciò, parlando nello specifico di questa storia, devo dire che avrei preferito di parecchio che questa si concentrasse un pelino meno sulla parte delle superiori e un po' di più su quella dell'università. Questo più che altro perché la seconda parte di questa storia mi è sembrata un pelo troppo velocizzata, invece avrei fatto o 4 e 4 o 3 e 5 sempre rispetto all'univerisità. Detto qyesto la storia è carina, pesante, però forse meno rispetto alle altre (dal punto di vista dei traumi, anche se anche qui non è che ce ne scampiamo) e la ho trovata comunque per l'appunto molto piacevole. Detto questo leggetevi l'altra per completare la recensione.

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The hate that drives us

Hating someone so much that the idea of their downfall injects life into you. That sums up our main character, played by Choi Min Sik (Oldboy). Playing alongside him is Choi Hyun Wook (D.P. 2), the cunning student who schemes beyond what ordinary minds can fathom........a puppet master, if you will.

The acting is nothing short of amazing. Should we have doubted that in the first place, given the actors behind this? It's also great that the script didn't let them down. The dialogue was fun to watch, and the characters feel lived-in and real. These are complicated people. You feel pity for them, but never quite enough to support the actions they take.

The story was solid. Albeit slow, but there was never any filler. So, I recommend this. It's very bingeable.

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Heart Stain — Sometimes Love Hurts More Than Rejection

There are dramas you watch because they're entertaining. Others because they're comforting. Heart Stain belongs to neither category. It's the kind of series that quietly sits with you, making you think about your own experiences long after the credits roll. I didn't necessarily enjoy every minute of it, but I couldn't stop watching because I needed to know how these characters would deal with emotions that felt painfully real.

At its core, Heart Stain is about something almost everyone has experienced at least once: loving someone who doesn't love you back. Or perhaps loving someone who isn't emotionally ready to love anyone at all. It isn't a story about villains or dramatic betrayals. It's about timing, insecurity, emotional dependence, and the painful reality that love alone doesn't always solve everything.

That's what I appreciated the most.

The writing doesn't create unnecessary drama just to keep the audience entertained. Instead, it focuses on internal conflicts. The characters spend more time fighting themselves than fighting each other, and that makes the story surprisingly mature. Every hesitation, every misunderstanding, every missed opportunity feels believable because they're driven by fear rather than by plot convenience.

The acting follows the same philosophy.

The performances are subtle, almost restrained. Korean BL has become known for this style over the past few years, choosing silence over melodrama and facial expressions over long emotional speeches. The cast understands that perfectly. There are scenes where almost nothing is said, yet you still understand exactly what each character is feeling.

The chemistry between the leads also works for me. It's quiet rather than explosive, which suits the story. You believe they care about each other deeply, even when they're making each other miserable.

But here's where the drama becomes difficult to recommend.

It's emotionally exhausting.

Not because it's badly written.

Because it's too honest.

Like many Korean BLs, Heart Stain refuses to give the audience easy emotional relief. It keeps asking uncomfortable questions. How long should you wait for someone? Are you really in love, or are you simply afraid of letting go? Can loving someone eventually become selfish? Is moving on a betrayal?

Those questions don't disappear once the episode ends.

They stay with you.

And that's exactly why I don't think I'll ever rewatch it.

Some dramas become even better on a second viewing because you notice new details. Heart Stain is the opposite. Its greatest strength is the emotional uncertainty it creates. Once you know where the story is going, a large part of that emotional tension disappears. What's left is the same uncomfortable feeling that made the first watch so memorable.

The production itself reflects that emotional restraint. The cinematography is minimalist and intimate, often relying on close-ups and natural lighting instead of dramatic visual effects. The soundtrack is equally understated, allowing silence to carry many of the most emotional scenes. Nothing feels exaggerated, and I think that's exactly the point.

Interestingly, that's also what divided viewers. Some praised the realism and psychological depth, while others found the pacing too slow and wished for a more traditionally romantic BL. I understand both reactions. This isn't a series trying to make you fall in love with the couple. It's trying to make you understand them.

Final Thought

Heart Stain isn't a drama I would recommend to someone looking for butterflies and comfort. It's thoughtful, emotionally mature, and sometimes painfully relatable. It asks difficult questions without pretending to have easy answers, and that's precisely what makes it memorable. I don't think I'll ever watch it again—not because I didn't like it, but because once was enough to feel everything it wanted me to feel.

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