angelchrome
Mid down the line
They clearly had a bit of money so some aspects were well formed, but:- the pacing was chaotic,
- the B plot felt very tacked on,
- the chemistry was lukewarm
- they should have had some budget for background artists, consulting from people who run dog cafés or work in veterinary clinics, and more multilingual cast/crew to smooth out the oddities around characters who don't speak the other's language. Earpieces don't really cover that gap.
There is some great fashion though.
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Where everything is beautiful but no one talks to each other
I'll be intentionally vague so as not to spoil anything but the upshot is: A little money smooths the rough edges. They clearly had a decent budget as the locations are gorgeous, the music is pretty good, and the racing action is filmed to feel properly heart pounding. Pavel as Babe really showcases his talent, and I hope season 2 has a bit less angst and gives him something to sink his teeth into. I'm ambivalent about omegaverse in general, but I think that aspect actually made real space for some great twists. I'd recommend this series, and I don't say that lightly.Was this review helpful to you?
Like a perfect postprandial drink
The series itself suffered from some of the pitfalls that catch BL fans, such as source material that isn't very nuanced when it comes to MLM relationships, and budget probably could've been spent more judiciously. That said, this did return to the couples after they'd been established long enough to mean the commitment is real, but not so mature as to have real strategies for dealing with conflict.If you enjoyed the series, this is a must watch.
I'll put a couple of further notes in a spoiler marked reply below.
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Women? In my BL? It's more likely than you think
The family dynamics are the making of this. Tai and Thian being so attached and facing similar personal issues gave us really lovely contrasts in their characters and growth. Tai's parents demonstrating their way of being soulmates, and how being both forever linked by fate but also deserving of a life that isn't solely tied to that aspect of their lives, was so beautiful and important.The friendship dynamics are properly considered as well, which is a much better way to make space for character growth. Each lead had meaningful connections with other people and love in their life that wasn't just romantic love. Including women! I'd love a Nara and Dream spinoff.
And, possibly controversially, I really liked Lomfon. He was young, and lonely, and had no idea what to do with big feelings and philosophical questions, which is kind of what your early 20s are about. So hoping for a second season to follow Lom and Thian.
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They're all idiots, your honor
This so clearly needs a second season.I'll keep things vague but maybe add a reply with hidden spoilers below, but in general the comparison to The L Word is spot on. I love overly dramatic soapy shows, and this brings the DRAMA. The music is outstanding, everyone is beautiful and impulsive, the production values are pretty good but not perfect, and the connection to real world things like jobs and how many stripey shirts any one individual should own are tenuous at best.
AND. I finally get why some of the popular pairings appeal to fans, which I didn't before. I might even give A Boss and a Babe another chance based on watching this. I am now officially a Mark fan. I see you, GMMTV.
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I need you to understand what level the acting is on here
This is the purest Enemies to Friends to Lovers arc I've seen in a drama. The fact that both leads have ride-or-die friends at uni indicates early that neither is fundamentally toxic. They're just young and newly moved away from home and figuring themselves out. But then, as they stop looking at each other through the lens of their families, they absolutely bloom under the other's regard. By the time they are head over heels... I can't think of another first kiss on this level. They kiss like it's a confession. No words, just a tidal wave of emotion and complete openness between them. Every acting choice tells a story on multiple levels, down to the final episode. A must see.Was this review helpful to you?
I don't know why this isn't more beloved
It's so soapy! This show has everything:- a female protagonist who is almost always dressed like she's going to bed, or just got out of bed
- extremely Japanese comedy sensibilities
- funerals and weddings
- Machida Keita (OK, so that might be a me problem)
- beautiful men cooking elaborate meals
- stabbing and betrayal
- crying into your spaghetti
- an uncle dispensing advice out of a Mexican restaurant (all advice should come with a side of guacamole)
Let's gooooooooo
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Perfectly calibrated, except pacing
This is exactly what you expect from a production with this type of budget, so lots of cute and fun rom com moments with some dramatic B plot stuff. They did draw out the chaebol drama, then rushed other more rich storyline, which is why I say the pacing needed improvement.I'd love a spin off on Gwang Nam's next adventures, preferably rom com for him too.
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Perfect pacing and full of light
I often get frustrated with dramas, especially BL storylines, that depend on toxic behaviours or situations to create tension or move the plot forward, and this has none of that. Even a plot line that is tense and has high stakes has a resolution that reflects kindness and cleverness as valuable. The leads have very natural chemistry, and in particular Yang is the very definition of heart eyes. They lean on lots of classic rom coms tropes but they feel cute and fresh rather than forced. Check this series out.Was this review helpful to you?
30-sai made Dotei Da to Mahotsukai ni Nareru rashii
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The platonic ideal of fantasy-tinged rom com
They get every single aspect right.Cast flawlessly, beautifully executed both on screen and behind the camera, and packed with moments of beauty and heartbreak and growth and friendship and heart pounding romance. If you watch no other dramas, watch this.
I would die for Fujisaki. Kurosawa's huge fragile heart destroys me. Adachi slowly waking up to the world is the very definition of hope. Seriously, this is the one. Look no further.
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