Completed
St Yoongi
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 30, 2021
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5

A Funny Slice-of-Life Series

I truly love this series and it has a special place in my drama heart!

I'd be lying if I said I didn't come for the bl. But I stayed for the absolutely hilarious and sweet moments between them and the other couples, too. Many moments are either absolutely hilarious or heartwarming. Another perfect aspect of this series was the beautiful and hilarious soundtrack. The names of the songs and the songs themselves perfectly fit the vibes of their scenes (pay attention to their titles, you won't regret it). It has such a wonderfully nostalgic playlist of Korean songs, so even if nothing else, stay for the soundtrack!!

One of the few cons about this series is that the 4th couple (aka the young fiances) drag the show down. They have barely any moments together, and the few that they do have are boring at best. I also really wish less time was focused on the main couple and more time was focused on the gay couple.

If you want a lighthearted, hilarious, nostalgic, slice-of-life type of drama, then I thoroughly recommend this series!!

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Completed
Megan
1 people found this review helpful
Jun 2, 2017
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 10
Very thoughtful depiction of a variety of couples. the writing really gets you to appreciate all the aspects of a relationship, even the bad ones. Thoughtful is a perfect depiction. And I was very happy to see a sensitive portrayal of a gay couple they addressed the societal issues that come with those and the other relationships in a beautiful, thought provoking way. As if that wasn't enough, it was a freaking hilarious show. I loved it so much, I thought about rewatching it when I was done and am considering buying it.
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Completed
kadie890
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 22, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Queer story. From 2015. WITH A HAPPY ENDING

Let me start out by letting you know, I only watched Takuya and Joon Jae's storyline. But this makes it one of the most groundbreaking dramas of its time, and by extension, history. Takuya and Joon Jae's story is beautiful and realistic. It shows what someone in their situation would be feeling without getting too grim, but not reaching the surreality of BL (homophobia doesn't exist). I loved it. The acting was fantastic, and the actors didn't have the holdups that actors seem to today acting in BL. I'm not sure I'd even qualify this as BL. Maybe the forebearer of Korean BL simply by virtue of having a story where two men fall in love, but BL has the purpose of making the audience feel happy and to enjoy a relationship that is outside the standard rigidity of modern-day society. This was just a story among other stories where people explore their sexualities and preferences. And I love it. Oh, and also let me repeat THEY HAVE A HAPPY ENDING!!! Like what? This makes me almost proud of Korea (if I didn't know what the current homophobia people in Korea face today. Actually, that makes this show even more incredible. How did they get this past the Christian hardliners!? And everyone else? Why isn't this lauded on every site and list devoted to BL and queer media?! UGH, the travesty! But it exists! And people have watched it! ANd I have watched it, so all is good now in the world)

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Completed
Namjoonoodles
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 19, 2016
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 10
This show was honestly so fun to watch and it was great seeing the lives and different perspectives of each couple and in one way or another there was always something or someone you could relate to when watching this drama which made it even more enjoyable. It was fun to follow the daily lives of each person and to watch how they developed over the series.

This show points out some major problems in South Korean society and I really like and also respect this show for being supportive of all different life choices and sharing positive messages to those who are watching.

In my opinion the only problem about this show was there were multiple scenes in which the jokes often go too far to the point where they are not entirely funny and just come across as rude which did make the show fairly awkward at times but other than that I can say that I immensely enjoyed this show and what it had to offer hence why it is and will most likely remain as one of my all time favourites.

I would definitely rewatch this show as it hugely entertaining whilst also having some really beautiful and thoughtful moments throughout the series. The show only has 12 episodes so there are no filler episodes throughout and it also quick and easy to watch.

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Completed
iriichan
0 people found this review helpful
Apr 28, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 7.0
I love how this drama is trying to break perceptions by showing couples regarded 'odd' in the korean society. We have a long term couple who doesn't want to get married but they happily cohabit together, another with an age gap of 12 years where the female is much older, a confusing same-sex friendship, and a couple who got engaged too early and is unclear about a lot things.
Shines lights on subjects that aren't generally covered in fairy tales or romcom films. Love isn't always easy, or pretty. You either make it work, or you leave. I'd recommend watching just because it's so unusual.

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Completed
bluebells
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 23, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I honestly loved this drama. Having started it because I had been told the BL couple was lovely, but ended up loving it for all the couples.

I found the story easy to follow, the acting on point and overall hilarious most of the time.
Each episode is 24 hours split on the four couples, showing struggles, insecurities and how they cope in their every day life.
It's a show you just have to start watching, as it's difficult to convince during a review, it's worth anyone's time to start this and go through the roller coaster of emotions it brings.

My only complaint would be that the BL couple should have had more screentime during each episode, as their story progresses a bit slowly.

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Completed
beatriz
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 28, 2018
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
(HEART)

I have to admit I started watching it because of T & LJJ. But I ended up falling in love with every single character on the show. The storylines are all interesting because they're all dealing with different things. I thought I would be bored while waiting for the boys' scenes but I was wrong. It totally surpassed my expectations. That made me love this drama even more. The actors are amazing, their chemistry is so natural and real, it was like I was watching people in real life! The concept is soooo original and interesting because they all live in the same building and interact with each other but their struggles are different. I want to rewatch this drama as soon as I have time.
If you're like me (someone who adores bl dramas) then you'll enjoy this one, even the straight couples.
This is my strongest recommendation for a drama!

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Completed
WonByungHoon
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 8, 2015
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Can you say raunchy, the first 3 minutes just blows your mind i mean in korean standards. The first couple are so freaking funny and touchy feely. Before i get any further, i just have to mention that i dont care im shipping takuya and joon jae. What the heck was that bromance. They dint have to do anything but the tension and chemistry made you wish they could do something. The other couple is noona and the boy, they were just something cray and entertaining to watch. The last couple was plain weird i mean how did they handle each other. The girl is super crazy just coz she dont want to show him her real self.
the music fit perfectly with each situation or episode.
p.s the car saga in the parking lot was super hilarious

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Completed
rachso
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 28, 2015
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
Okay, you know all those things korea hides and pretends that they dont exist. This drama is like a bomb,no a tsunami that came with all the controversies and hit korea. i did not expect this at all. (not that am complaining) infact i salute the writer. if such dramas continue the next korea generation may be freer, e.g less anti-LGBT . more feminists. But why 12 eps seriously? The cast was too hudge for just 12eps. by the time it ended. Thanks to Takuya and joon jae i now know what jaji means in both Japanese and Korean. mmm...cough...
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Completed
hyungwonie
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 3, 2019
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers
This is my favorite Korean drama of all time. I only watched room 709's storyline, so this review will be for that. It was so beautiful to see their relationship blossom into love, and how it created conflicts between the two. The ending made me BAWL my eyes out. Yes, it was that sad and I really loved it. I didn't watch any other room's story, so this isn't a total review on the whole show, but on one storyline. If you are into basic BL with no kissing, I recommend room 709 in The Lover. That whole thing shaped BL in Korea and I have to give all my respect to both of those actors. Even though there is no kiss, it has an amazing story and to be honest doesn't even need a kiss. It just shows the relationship between Joonjae and Takuya. Takuya is a very friendly person who moved into this shared apartment with Joonjae, after coming from Japan. There are funny little interactions between them and even a sexual one? Yeah, it's confusing to explain. But, later Joonjae starts feeling things from this attractive, cute, and funny Japanese man. That's where it all goes downhill. Joonjae is actually dating someone and has been the entire storyline. Joonjae and his girlfriend have a fight, the girlfriend figuring out Joonjae has feelings for Takuya. *Here is a little insight on how he realized his feelings. Takuya invited a friend he had in Korea, but Joonjae becomes very jealous, ending him up to lock himself in the bathroom, throwing all of the items on the counter, off.* Takuya has always had feelings for Joonjae as well, but as we all know, Korea isn't a big fan of gay people. So, Takuya decides it's best off if he leaves Korea all together and goes back to Japan, thinking his crush on Joonjae will stop. This is where I then cry because the screen goes black and I thought that's where it ends. I then went to the comments to only found out there is more. I press play. It turns out someone is knocking on Takuya's door, remember he is in Japan. He opens to door to see Joonjae with luggage by his side saying, "Good afternoon, my name is Joonjae. I came," in Japanese. He basically reenacts the entire scene where Joonjae and Takuya first met (which I think is so beautiful). If you can't tell, I love this storyline so much, and I do recommend to watch every storyline, but The Lover is more known for this beautiful BL part. I have watched many BL, even ones with many kisses and ending up together, but I love how this BL shows the side of being judged for your sexuality and the build-up of a relationship. Overall, this will maintain is my favorite BL drama, even though it isn't even the main focus.

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Completed
princesshazzaaw
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 26, 2015
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 9.0
Hilarious show with amazing drama! I specially love how most problems with the couples were humourous, although my definate favorite couple is Takuya and Joonjae.
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Completed
Apaixonada por BL
0 people found this review helpful
Sep 10, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

Grata surpresa

Muito interessante ver um drama de 2015 que saiu do lugar comum de conservadorismo coreano e nos trouxe essa obra tão maravilhosa, onde podemos rir, nos emocionar e também refletir.

De minha parte, sempre terei mais interesse pelo casal gay, mas confesso que me apaixonei pelos outros também. Nenhuma história foi negligenciada, não tenho certeza se é uma obra com pouco orçamento, já que praticamente não existem locações fora do prédio e os atores são apenas os principais e poucos figurantes, mas é inegável que são ótimos atores, que desempenharam seus papéis com destreza e entregaram o que foi prometido

Foi uma grata surpresa, pois no início eu achei que seria uma daquelas comédias pastelão (não gosto), mas mergulhar nessa série foi uma experiência incrível. Um bom enredo, um bom desenvolvimento de todas as histórias e ótima atuação. Senti falta de uma ost marcante, mas de forma geral eu recomendo essa série.

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The Lover (2015) poster

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