could this be the best k-bl of 2023 ?
Don't get deterred by the relatively low rating, if you love classic k-drama romance, this will be your thing!Finally, we got a longer running time per episode which is a huge step forwards for the Korean BL shows that are usually simple and short ^^ The Korean BLs did not come to play around this year and I'm so happy for that !!!!! <3 I honestly think that this k-bl is THE BEST k-bl currently out! The cast and crew clearly care about the show so much and promote it really well. If you love classic k-drama plots, romantic cliches and tropes, you'll fall in love with the two couples. If not..well, you might get bored, since the relationships are developing slowly and gradually. The episodes are accompanied by a wonderful soundtrack and a beautiful scenery set in a beach town, and the chemistry between the actors is 10 out 10.
The only downsides are the dead-fish kiss scenes, but oh well, we are used to that by this point, not only in the k-bl industry but in Korean drama overall, so I wasn't surprised and didn't have any hopes for the kisses. Regardless, there are many other scenes that radiate super intense chemistry of the couples so I was satisfied with the series. I cannot express how overjoyed I felt after I found out the show is getting a spin-off/season 2, so do not worry if you liked the second couple more than the main couple ;) they'll get their turn, I'm sure!
My favourite character in this show was Won Young. The actor is extremely cute and his eyes are unusually expressive, so I could not help falling in love with him alongside Tae Joon.
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Lack of intimacy, but did not disappoint
This was legendary. It was a cute, romantic, funny and packed with tons of scenes that will leave u feeling more single than u felt before (TT).The cinematography and camerawork were both in high quality, and I loved both the acting and castings.
The scenery and unique settings were very nice. I especially liked Taejoon’s house, which was a very nice touch that helped set the mood in the scenes that were shot in the location.
The script and OSTs were both very good. The characters were all unique and had great dynamics between them.
I wish we could have seen more of the second couple. We never really got to know how their relationship turned out in the end. There was also a disappointing lack of intimacy especially with the main couple. For instance, they hugged a lot in scenes where a kiss would have felt more natural. In addition, all the so-called kisses were simply “pecks” with zero movement. All the hugging also made many of the scenes awkward and stiff.
Nevertheless, it's still one of the best Korean BL's out there. So go give it a watch, because I know I will be watching it again soon.
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One of the best korean BLs i've ever seen!
This one was good, like really good and I will for sre be rewatching soon.I'm so glad we finally got korean BL with 30+ minutes long episodes and with more than just 5 of them.
The story was good! Finally something we're not used to see in literally every BL. The chemistry between all characters was also really good so it made everything feel more realistic.
What I'm mad about is the short screen time for the second couple. They were so cute and their story was so beautiful. I really wish at least half of the last episode was dedicated to them and their story. I'm also kinda sad about Taejoong's ex. Like I wanted to see more of their story. I know it's not series about them but it would make us understand Taejoong's feelings more...
And propably the most disappointing thing is the intimacy between the main couple. Like I'm sorry but what was that? I can literally do that with my friend. If you haven't watched it yet (do so!!), you don't know what I'm talking about but you'll know. I don't seek intimacy, kisses and stuff when it comes to any series/couples but please, when it'a there, make it look real and like the characters actually want to do it.
Other than that, I love it! They're also all cute off camera!!
Definitely going on my top bl list!<3
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Original to an extent...extent sufficient to warrant disruption in emotions
Original story. Handsome leads. Quite good acting. But what mattered the most is the chemistry made sense.Thank the Lord (!) that they were attentive to the build up, so their relationship was believable outcome. You can feel in the first couple of episode that nothing was hurried and it paid off.
Utterly enjoyable watch up to the confession episode and then it kind of drags into kind of unnecessary drama.
I was hoping to get healthy response from both leads to tribulations but they went the trope way and did not exhibit much new.
Not many hot scenarios but the tension was so palpable that it could be cut through the air with a knife. Love that. I felt emotions and it is immediate rewatch because of it. Shows both leads did a wonderful job at their characters.
Here the second couple just did not click for me. I can see they were trying to explore the bad boy trope who is also an uneducated man who follows his heart instead all of them educated bunch overthinking everything. However, ring ring, you do not have to be (un)educated to have exclusive access to any of those two mind states. Anyways, I could not feel chemistry from them.
The somewhat of antagonist, the ex, did a great job at his character. Zero cringe from his side. He should have been given more screen time.
The cast was very good and pleasant to watch. I think the key here is that they BOTH acted well, and looked good. It raised the bar and high-brow feel despite the budget. The atmosphere of drama was very expensive, for the lack of better words.
Overall,
Definitely not a skip. Wonderful backbone story that powers more than half of total episodes to be a delight without plot holes. They abandoned the backstory and did not develop its potential fully. Instead they imbued the story with meaningless office drama, in latter eps. However, the build up to them coming together was done brilliantly. Then the last episode seemed pointless. I felt a large decline in meaning of what I am watching in the last two episodes. So you see, up and down. I was surprised at high score output for this drama but I did enjoy how genuine it was. So do not let yourself skip it. It will move you. The attention they paid to the backbone story at the beginning is certainly something refreshing that I hope to see more of in bl.
Enjoy and thanks for reading.
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Kdrama tropes galore, but still liked it
to be honest they pulled all the drama tropes in this drama but I still liked it - minus the kisses lolso we had the angry driving then pulling to the side of the road - one of my favs lol
we had the looking after the sick person and the wipe down ofc
we had the moving in together for some unavoidable reason
one lead is rich the other one is full with debt
we had the evil ex,
oh yeah the toxic office workplace too
I surely missed a few more
I mean it is from a manhwa so the tropes are almost always there, we eat them up tho every time lol I am also totally guilty in that!
I feel like Cha Seo Won really liked the character, the brooding artist but was a bit butthurt about having to do it in a BL, I think that explains the kisses lol
I actually found the 2nd couple's story quite interesting, I am looking forward to their series that was announced! I loved Won Tae Min's acting in You make me dance as well and I feel like he had good chemistry with the actor there and here too!
All in all I was still really entertained
Love me some kpop boys in BLs!
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Good characters, enjoyable story line
I really enjoyed watching this bl. The characters are written to fall in love with them while watching this series. These are also couples that you root you for, really enjoyable. I just wished for a better ending scene (it was just that back hug at the end but donghee never really answered hotaes question, that annoyed me a bit) of hotae and donghee since I rlly loved them as a side couple. The kissing scenes were a bit awkward to watch since they basically and barely really kissed but just pressed each others lips onto another, but we're quite used to that in korean bls. But other than that, it was good watch. I can recommend it to everyone since its also a good story plot.Was this review helpful to you?
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Very good BL with lovely main characters
Love everything out of it. The main characters too. ML like Wonyoung is one in a million too. Strong, independent, he just knows when to stop and choose to love himself more (when he thought Taejoon truly hated him). I love that Wonyoung has got a backbone and in no way a weakling. Taejoon too, knows when it's time to admit his fault and apologize to Wonyoung. One of the healthiest relationship I've ever seen in series.The scene where the two of them walk together into the sunset was just... wow ?
Loving that progression from "sajangnim" (사장님) to "hyung" (형) too ? About time they get more comfortable with each other.
Like other, I wish for second season with Hotae-Donghee story too. I just can't move on from them yet. This BL drama would forever hold a very special place in my heart. Kudos to the team, you made it ????? I'll surely rewatch this again when I miss them (already missing them as I write this).
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Better than I expected
I definitely would recommend this to anyone who enjoys BL.The story line is extremely well done and all of the actors did a fantastic job.
While I enjoy some of the school bl's, my taste runs more to the stories that are not school related, this being one of those.
While this show won't make my top five, it will make my top ten. However, the rewatch value might be low as I don't think I will watch this again for a long time.
It's a good show, don't get me wrong, but it's not a heavy drama and I prefer those, although there are not many out there.
My biggest complaint is the "touch your lips" kisses. While the story line and actors are quite good, I just don't get the same feel when a couple is supposed to be in love, but there is only a "comfortable and sentimental" type of feeling from them. Couples falling in love is when passion typically comes into play the most. This show is more like a bromance.
Also, although hurt feelings and tears are good, without a touch of anger in some of the scenes, something is a bit lacking, I think.
The landscape is beautiful, as is the OST, Overall, I think this show does deserve a 9 rating.
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Very Wholesome, a Very Enjoyable Watching Experience.
Unintentional Love Story was a very lovely story to watch unfold.The music was otherworldly in how good it was at expressing the emotion of the scenes.
The acting by the leads Cha Seo Won and Gongchan was honestly breath taking. Whether it was new love, heartbreak, betrayal, or just not feeling the vibe they were able to deliver it in a very profound and nuanced way.
The supporting actors of Han Do Woo and Won Tae Min were also entertaining and quirky adding a breath of comedy.
My biggest problem with this drama was it did not give itself an adequate number of episodes to properly pace out its complex narrative. This show would have been far better served as a 12 episode series, allowing for a full rounding off and complete deep dive of all its moving parts.
The lead relationship when depicted as functioning needed more action time before things went south in my opinion.
And the supporting relationship never was given the time to fully come to fruition on screen leaving one to wonder what is going to happen next.
Other than that I would recommend this show to anyone who enjoys a good drama. It has a lot of heavy elements making it less of an easy watch, but nothing that detracts from its enjoyment. Great acting, great emotion, interesting premise, and lovely music.
P.S. Be prepared for a lot of pausing because the close captions move very fast.
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Quite lovable, but one support character could have been fleshed out more
I love both the main couple and the side couple in this BL. I wonder, though, if it might be better to make the side couple the main couple instead.The main couple, Tae Joon and Won Young, have a rather solid if predictable story. I think much of the credit goes to the development of Tae Joon's character. I can understand how he has trust issues after being betrayed by his ex-boyfriend, so I can empathize with him when he finds it very difficult to simply forgive and make up with Won Young after he finds out that Won Young has been originally tasked to try to persuade him to come out of hiding and exhibit his works. Won Young is, on the other hand, also in a predicament we can sympathize with--he is suspended from his job through no fault of his own and can be in serious debt (also not really his own fault) if he does not get back his job. (It's unfortunate that the series seems to neglect the serious problems Won Young is facing after the initial exposition. Some timely reminders would perhaps have been good.)
The side couple, Dong Hee and Ho Tae, are quite economically portrayed. There is so much potential for fleshing out Dong Hee's back story. From the start, we are given hints that Dong Hee is in love with Ho Tae, but when the latter (who keeps changing girlfriends) shows an interest in him, he refuses to accept the love. Dong Hee's main explanation is that Ho Tae is the son of his mother's friend, but one wonders why. This is revealed later in the series in a flashback with Dong Hee suffering from abuse from his parents because of his sexuality and Ho Tae's mother being the only one who comforts him. Why Dong Hee does not accept Ho Tae's courtship because of Ho Tae's mother is less clear. Is he afraid that Ho Tae's mother might blame him if she is unable to accept it if her own son is gay--and she is someone he owes something to? Has he internalized homophobia in some way and thinks that Ho Tae and his family will be better of if Ho Tae goes on dating women? In some ways, Dong Hee can make for a more compelling main character than Tae Joon. The abuse he has suffered and the years of quiet one-sided love for Ho Tae make him the most emotionally complex character in the series. If only he were a more fleshed out side character or the main character!
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Worth Watching
It is true that the show had many flaws, but I would say it is worth watching. Yes, they had a strong build up for the second couple, but we are left unsatisfied as we are unsure if they end up together. As for the main couple, the kiss scenes were indeed lacking passion. However, since the story builds into this stressful scenario where all the worst things that could happen do, seeing the efforts of Ji Won Young to attempt to save the relationship was very touching. Even though there aren't a lot of romantic scenes, it does make me admire the small things they do for each other, and the hugs that Yoon gives to Ji was the most comforting and warm-hearting scenes that I have seen.Was this review helpful to you?
