This review may contain spoilers
So much chemistry they could teach AP classes
omg, ok so I'm only 6 episodes in and I can get over the chemistry between the two male leads. The way JiHyun just becomes a total safe place for JaeWon where he doesn't have to be anyone but himself, a person he can go to when he needs genuine comfort and care not just the lip service and thinly veiled jealousy his so called "best friend" provides.....don't get me started on him, ?.And for JieHyun, JaeWon helps him find the confidence to face his fears and try new things. They truly compliment and enrich each other the way partners are supposed to. I can't wait to see where the last four episodes take us.
As for the music, so many amazing songs that capture and enhance the mood and the moments that are being played out on the screen. I can't wait to get my hands on the OST! ??
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The Quality of this amazing masterpiece
When the poster came out, I didn't expect much. After watching ep 1, I became completely obsessed. The chemistry between the two male protagonists is so deadly. The casting choice is very good, especially Jaewon's character. Lim Jisub's voice, his look..overall, he is Jaewon himself .Thecinematography, sound, editing (although there was a little loose (cut)in some places but still ok)It's really cool, and the bgm are also masterpiece , especially op song (wetter's who)
The tension between the two main characters is the main reason for watching this movie. It's different from any other story, any other BLS.I haven't seen this kind of tention since ITSAY & TNEIYH. It has been only the beginning of 2023, but among all the bls currently released, The Eight Sense is the 1st also have high expectations for the remaining 4eps.
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wow
wwwwwwwooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwWas this review helpful to you?
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Just....wow,,,,!!!!!!!!!!
At the time of writing, I've watched this series start-to-end three times, with some extra repeats of my favorite scenes.This was such a phenomal show that I'm truly struggling for words to describe everything I'm thinking and feeling.
To deal with the easier items first:
1) Music: Fantastic. Mix of English and Korean songs. Poignant when needed, and hyped up when required. The cherry on top of an amazing show.
2) Acting: Top notch. Each and every actor brought their character to life. I believed them all. Kudos, congrats, and THANK YOU!!
3) Cinematography: In a word? Beautiful. Watch it and see for yourself ;)
4) Story.....
So!
This is where I hit the -.50 in my rating.
The first few episodes leave you interpreting a lot of what you see.
You need to guess, infer, and make intuitive leaps. Normally that's fine, we don't need to be spoon-fed everything, but in this case the show took it a bit too far. Making the audience think is one thing, but leaving them confused is another. And while the confusion did not turn me off the story, (I pushed through it), I'd have much rather preferred some clarity over making my own conclusions - which I was forced to do in order to continue watching, otherwise nothing would've made sense. (Meaning, you can't leave those moments hanging in the air; you need to come to some conclusion in your mind regarding what they mean and how they happened because otherwise the story literally can't be continued.)
That's my one and only complaint on the entire show, and my reason for the 9.5 rating.
As for everything else?
OH MY GAWWWWWWDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you hear my screaming? Because I am!!!! That's how amazing, terrific, insightful, and engaging this story is.
The connection between the two ml's is on another level, physically and emotionally.
The subtlety of the acting- a glance, a fleeting touch...wow...
The nuances of the characters, what they think, how they behave, what they chose to do and why...I've never seen anything like it and I'm addicted!!! Storytelling at its finest.
What's your cup of tea? Emotional connection? Physical intimacy? Well, you get them both in spades.
I don't think I'll ever get over this story, or ever get bored of watching it again.
Okay, so...let me see if I can summarize the story itself.
(**Spoilers ahead!!**)
1) A rich, popular senior dealing with depression and long-buried trauma.
Family pressure issues.
Cheating ex-girlfriend.
A jealous 'frenemy' whom I wanted to strangle through my screen on multiple occasions.
Meets a shy freshman and takes him under his wing.
Feelings develop.
Tragedy occurs, leading to trauma being triggered.
Major free-fall.
Avoidance + relationship breakdown.
Healing.
Reconciliation.
2) Painfully shy and introverted freshman.
From a small town, dropped into the vast ocean of Seoul, struggling to find his way.
Approached by a kind senior and falls at first sight? Fascinated at first sight? IDK, watch and draw your own conclusion lol.
Starts feeling comfortable, happy, safe, around Senior.
Catches feelings.
Tragedy occurs, leading to an unwanted relationship breakdown.
Steadfast with silent support and active encouragement throughout time apart. Respectful of boundaries, and patient. Consistent with support.
Reconciliation. Communication. 'Happy for now' / HEA ending.
3) I love the friends. Shout out to Ae Ri and Joon Pyo.
I hate Park Tae Hyung. It's one thing to appreciate honesty after dealing with two-facers but this guy is an entirely different matter. You should expect basic respect and support from your friends. See Yoon Won. This guy ain't it. (Watch to understand my rant lol).
4) The evil ex-girlfriend...a bit over-the-top sometimes. But not too much/often? Idk...I lived through those moments without rolling my eyes too much so I'll rate it "ok".
Which leads me to the combined acting + storyline.
Nothing was overdone or overdramatized.
You know how you can watch a show where everything is a caricature ? Either the acting is overdone (no one has those expressions or reactions in real life) or the story is overly dramatic (ie completely unrealistic)?
Well, aside from the ex-gf on a few (minor) occasions, this show was perfect in its execution of reality. Acting was real. Story was realistic. This could happen IRL. Everything was so natural. The flow was amazing.
Overall, a masterpiece.
If you've read this far, congrats and thank you !! LOL.
Now go watch the show (pleaseeeee!!!)!!!!! It's fantastic and you won't regret it <3
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Dived right in
After watching the 1st two episodes:This is something that triggers all the most intriguing feelings in me. After watching these episodes I am all mushy in a billion different ways. But I will try to sum it up as short as possible:
Length - so we will probably have a bit more time for character development which is not so often in Korean BLs
Plot - I just find military comeback stories very interesting. Characters are mostly full of melancholy, or if I put it plainly, they are mostly depressed. So, starting all over again with a changed mindset sounds promising…
Characters - Full of insecurities and yet so brave…
After finishing it:
I loved the pace of the story, the music, the chemistry...
I did not adore the extreme mood change of the main lead because it seemed a bit rushed. However, I really love the way it ended. If it were me, I would make this into at least 12 – 50-minute episodes (like Koreans do with they romances) so nothing would seem sudden and rushed, and I would be able to enjoy it to the fullest.
Overall:
I am all ⭐️10/10⭐️ because my heart was in the right place, and the anticipation for every Wednesday was just fine by me. It made me excited and I am all about emotions that raise the heart rate!
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A classic series for sure!
Has to be this series will be a classic that is watched for many years to come if not for eternity. I was moved, engaged and totally with this series. Congratulations to the staff and the actors. It was awesome to see someone with mental health issues from a trauma appear as normal as anyone else. Also, to share their therapy experience is a break thru in my opinion. Done with grace compassion and integrity. The cast was probably the strongest I can think of. The leads (Im and Oh) were amazing, Yeong Woon and Jung (Boss) were the most excellent females. So where the 2 freshman friends especially Ae RI. The roommate/childhood friend was amazing too. The music was top notch and was noticeably great many times. Cinematography, setting, pacing....The only thing is I'm wondering if Ep 10 was an add-on. I at frist thought the end of episode 9 would have been a more complete and dramatic ending. Awesome, experience and enlightening series. Again, congratulations to all involved.Was this review helpful to you?
The Eight Sense is a strong 9+
South Korean BL shows have been impressive lately, and 'The Eighth Sense' is no exception. It excels at delivering emotion and depth that sets it apart from the rest. Im Ji Sub (Seo Jae Won) and Oh Jun Tae (Kim Ji Hyun) make a stunning on-screen couple, exuding a natural chemistry that's truly captivating.What sets this series apart is its exceptional storytelling. The romance unfolds organically, without any forced elements. In addition, 'The Eighth Sense' sensitively highlights the importance of mental health, which is seamlessly woven into the narrative. Credit goes to Inu Baek, one of the creators, whose track record includes such notable works as 'To My Star' and 'Where Your Eyes Linger'. His talent for creating compelling love stories shines through.
Overall, 'The Eighth Sense' is a masterfully crafted show that's a must-see for BL drama enthusiasts, and even rivals 'Semantic Error' for the title of best Korean BL drama in recent memory.
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A Story About Freedom
I must say I was a bit skeptical about this. With the amount of dramas recently getting 40 minutes to 1 hour long runs each episode who struggled to maintain a storyline cohesive and engaging, you do get a little aprehensive. The Eighth Sense shows up and tells you that, yes, the episodes are long, but you are going to be so enthralled you will be begging for more. I mean it. I felt like time simply slipped through my hands every single time I watched this show. How did it manage to go by so fast?The Eighth Sense is one of those projects that stand out because of how clear it is that it's a labor of love. It is a thrilling and passionate story of pain, drama, romance, yearning, and a deep and beautiful portrayal of serious and important themes like trauma, mental health and so much more.
But most of all it is a story about freedom. We follow two characters who yearn for it. Jaewon, who struggles to forgive himself and move on from past traumas, which in turn makes him take cover and shut himself off from the world and Jihyun, who struggled how expansive the world in front of him could be and struggled to break free from his own fear. The characters are full of depth, multifaceted, and most of all, HUMAN.
Combine that with oustanding acting not only from the main couple, who can communicate such raw emotion and chemistry with each other without even speaking a word, but side characters as well (Yes, I am looking at you Lee Mira as Yoonwon), an incredible and unique OST (Which, by the way, introduced me to the incredible korean band Wetter, which i've been listening to everyday for the past 5 weeks) and a superb work from the directors, who brought a distinct storytelling method and editing style to the korean BL industry.
Ok, I know I'm doing too much praising this show, but seriously! It's completed deserved.
Now I'm going to get a little personal here and tell of the impact this show can have on a person. As someone who's on an ongoing battle with mental illness and who's recently went off meds (Yay! Victory) this January after years of feeling numb and not like herself, I was, for a very long time, pretty apathetic and not exactly connected to the whole spectrum of human emotion due to some long term side effects.
Now, when I tell you, this effing show. Because of this effing show, for the first time in so long I felt literally everything rush back to me at once. I went through the whole emotion wheel, spectrum, 5 stages of grief, EVERYTHING. I finally felt like a functional human being, but also a complete MESS. Werner du Plessis and Inu Baek, I'm coming for you!
This show is a must watch, even if you don't care about the genre. I'll say it again, great acting, great sountrack, great use of symbolism, great directors.
Also, it's about surfing as well.
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Best BL korea ever made
I have so many things to talk about this masterpiece. This was so real. Everything was so well put together and REAL. I just finished watching it and went running to write a review because it deserves all the appreciation. First: IT LASTED. 40 minute long episodes for a korean BL? They finally did it and I am so happy. Second: The actors were great. Not only they were cute and handsome but their acting was impecable, since there was a lot of emotions and I got really involved. Third: It was so well written. I loved how everything the boys did was so natural and realistic. The way they protrayed depression, trauma and therapy made me really, really satisfied. I loved how patient Ji Hyun was with Jae Won, someone who suffered so much and was trying to deal with his emotions and protect others. About the soundtrack: I thought the songs were fine, I guess it went well with the surfing theme. But when they played Conan Gray I cried soooo hard.Something very common in BLs is that women are often just there to be the ex or the girl who will be heartbroken. This one portrays women in all kinds of ways, making them very nice and supportive friends and I couldn't be more happy with Ji Hyun's friends in general.
I also liked a lot how even though some characters were completely disgusting the whole show (and I don't forgive them yet) they were able to have a fresh start in the ending. They suck but they seem to be willing to try and change. It's part of our reality to change and not be the villain forever.
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A real explosion of emotions, a true masterpiece
I don't even have the words to express how much this series made my heart beat, stumble, fall, shiver,... The production is obviously amazing, and the work in each scene is phenomenal. The colors, the sceneries, the dialogues, the acting, everything took its own place and made it beautiful. It's heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time a real piece of moving art. The actors gave so much depth to their characters, the storyline served them well. This is truly a masterpiece and one of the best series I have ever seen.I also have to talk about the last scene of episode 9, a work of art, one of my favorite songs from my favorite artist perfectly depicting their relationship and the way they evolved together. The music did serve perfectly the intent and I won't exaggerate to say it was the best bl moment I've seen on screen.
Overall this was everything I could search for in a piece of art, a real, raw love story with heavy subjects but with a line of healing. There are so many things to say about the details and how the whole series was thought that a review might be too short to talk about everything.
I would like to thank everyone who worked on this amazing series and encourage anyone reading this review to watch it because it really deserves a lot of support.
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This review may contain spoilers
Not your usual happy kind of bl series ,touches important topics like depression
Words aren't enough to express how much I loved this series ,the trailer itself caught my eye so I was very much excited to watch the series .What I loved the most about this drama was that it was realistic and not some happy fictional story .The cast were perfect ,they played their characters so well ,it's like the characters were made for them . Being in love while dealing with depression isn't easy at all ,I was totally screaming when Jaewon came back to senses and went in search of Jihyun . I could relate to his avoiding tendencies after that kiss happened between him and Jihyun . The gazes that both of them shared ,the details were small but enough to catch our eyes and it just gave me butterflies . I wasn't expecting such a passionate kissing scene between them ,it didn't feel like they were acting ,hats off to the team of The eight sense .Not only they have us scene that dealt with depression, to let us know a glimpse of it .Was this review helpful to you?
