The Eighth Sense (2023)

The Eighth Sense

When i saw the trailer i was very intrigued. The fist episode droped and i was immediately hooked. Dont know if anyone watched Shelter from many years ago, but it was giving me a little of that vibe.
The actors completely nailed their roles. To think the actor who plays Jihyunbwas street casted and it is his first role. Jisub killed as Jaewon. I cannot five enough compliments to the actors the directors, producers and the entire crew. Forgot to mention that the soundtrack is top teir as well.
Another special mention to the directors as they have been very involved with interacting with the fans (Freebirds).
It was simply just a fantastic project

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had potiential but didn't hit for me

Everyone says the same thing about how great this is, and only one thing that I can agree on is that the cinematography is great and the actors did their thing with the script they were given. I personally found the story confusing at best and poor/lacking at worst. It was around like 4/5 where I was like wait do these characters know they're gay? Like the whole show is about subtly and realism but for the couple I just don't find it realistic to be romantic with one another and like be portrayed as like acquaintances?? I'm not sure, it felt gaslighty to the audience and didn't add any intimacy to the main couple. Like yk the flirty looks and stuff work and the intimate touches work in the beginning but if there's something there and theirs like weird cuts idk. I wish they delved into jae wons brother/depression also there's like a lot that can cause depth to the show, but it felt underwhelming which was disappointing. The therapist could have gotten some great lines but her character was a flop so was that ex gf. Some shit is stupid as well
I know it's like one of those creative projects that is like greatly praised for it's story and cine, so I kinda hate y'all for this. If the purpose was to be pretty it did that but don't expect to much like I did

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Jigsaw Storytelling- The BL Genre announces its glowing future in KDrama

One of the most poignant BL to hit us from Korea. Beautifully shot and rendered. And like a jigsaw the writer pulls together all the strings in the end to create a harmonious thing of beauty and symmetry. This story is about how asymmetries fit together to form a symmetry.

One of the great things about this story was that it caught the school/college life right. Older students scared of the world they are about to step into, worried about employment, resentful about privilege and trying to boss over the juniors. The insecurities of the older students and the fear of the students from rural areas is captured very well. At the end, the juniors have all come into their own and ready to take on the baton from the seniors. These are universal themes-no wonder the international audience is so pleased with this.

Another wonderfully executed theme is the love story and how it yo-yos between the two men. The older, confident, more mature Jae Won is smitten by the younger, inexperienced Ji Hyun. For both this is the awakening of unknown emotions as both come to terms with their sexuality. But in the process of fighting their internal demons, the younger man clearly becomes the stronger anchor of that relationship.

Ji Hyun starts off in the story as a somewhat simple boy, but he has surprising insight into the older man's behavior. In fact the younger bunch, Ae Ri, the room mate, Bit Na are all extremely sorted and they basically save the older bunch from themselves. You would have expected the older bunch to be more mature but the younger lot is more mature, more accepting and better able to deal with life. This theme of the new generation taking over is actually a very interesting part of the story.

The theme of yin and yang is referenced plenty of times-- in the conversation of JaeWon with the bar lady, the explanation of the cocktail in a special glass where the two liquors dont mix yet create fireworks in the mouth, the last episode game of "one step forward, two steps backward"- basically the insight of how it is not necessary to look for identical similitude in love or relationship but look to fit together like a jigsaw, yield when needed and stand firm when the other sways.

The tonality of the screenplay is beautifully captured by the color palette used, the water motif used in all the key scenes.
The undertone of sadness that is felt all through the story because of Jae Won's backstory is never fully explained and finally lifts at the end of 9th episode as Jae Won finally decides to step forward and runs to Ji Hyun. And that is the beauty of this story, it doesnt go into backstories , it just explores the present emotions of the characters and the choices made by them. Yes the backstory of Jae Won could have been milked to increase the pathos, but kudos to the director who instead choses to focus on the steadfastness and love of Ji Hyun.

I find this cinematic choice of saying in the present fascinating. Given a chance Kdramas, Cdramas would NEVER let a chance of milking the past grievances go, whether the story needs it or not... But here the writer/director goes with the flow of present events. Not just for the main couple but even all the side characters, everyone goes with the flow, allowing the present to look towards the glowing future career, job, love and not just the pains and grievances of the past.

Well done and more power to all the actors and writer/director. This is the true rise of the BL genre in Kdrama space and from Bluenming, to Semantic Error, To my Star, to The Eighth Sense, this space can only grow! Go watch it!

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JOINING MY TOP 3 KBL

Every year there is this one BL that gets my heart like crazyyyy, last year it was BLUEMING and this year it's THE EIGHTH SENSE!

Everything feels so natural and real, both of their characters are so interesting!!! The complexity of Jaewon's character and the growing character of Jihyun, everything was so well portrayed by both actors.
Great actors really are the essence of a serie/drama/movie/.... I prefer this than celebrities/singers that not necessarily know that job.
All the side characters did so well too especially the one for YoonWon.

Also the co-production between a korean producer and South African producer !!!!!!!
All the best from the korean producing style and a more westernised one, just reunited in one short and beautiful drama.

The music choice was BRILLANT and yes i am talking about The Story - Conan Gray! That suited this one scene so so well i am still speechless... All the BGM were used well, the only reason why I only put 9.5 is because i don't have a particular OST I will or want to replay on loop this time but it's fine :)

Anyways THANK YOU for doing such a great scenario
THANK YOU for choosing actors that are not afraid of playing their dmn characters
THANK YOU for bringing such beautiful stories in our screen<3

Hoping for a season 2 with Jaewon facing his family and fighting for his dreams, hand in hand with Jihyun<3

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Not perfect, but it gets so many things right.

This BL isn't perfect, but it's really wonderful and tries a lot of really interesting things. It's more like watching an indie movie than a Kdrama.

The art direction had some big hits and big misses. I appreciate they took risks, but some of the risks just muddied the water.

- Use of color - between Ji Hyun and Jae Won. Ji Hyun is often dressed in and surrounded by soft and bright colors, while Jae won is surrounded by dark colors and blackness, signifying his mental health struggles.

- Sometimes the cinematography, lighting and use of color was SO good, like in the climax of episode 9. It took my breath away. And sometimes it was so bad and jarring that I had to rewind a few seconds to make sure I hadn't missed anything between the awkward cuts and fades.

-Lighting sometimes was perfect and impactful, and sometimes you could barely see the actor's faces or make out what was happening.

- The music score was PERFECT, no notes, loved it to bits

- Acting was fantastic on all points.

As for the story -

- I really enjoyed that this series attempted to address issues surrounding mental health, and that you cannot judge what is going on in someone's life based on the outward appearance. I loved that one of the main characters not only had depression, but was in therapy and medicated. I've almost never seen this portrayed in Asian media and it was extremely refreshing.

- I love that Ji Hyun and Jae Won legitimately complement each other and the characters actually grow and learn. I love that Ji Hyun is shy and reserved, but comes out of his shell and is always direct and honest. I love that Jae Won initially seems perfect but is deeply flawed, and finds refuge in Ji Hyun, who does not allow him to wear his "mask". It's great storytelling of a couple that actually fit together and make each other better, rather than just two characters smashed together that don't really work.

- I really dislike female characters being used as a plot device for jealousy or competition - I don't think Eun Ji was necessary at all. There are so many other unexplained bits I would have rather had resolved than all the time spent on her. I understand having unlikeable characters, but we already got that in Tae Hyung. Other than that, the female characters were their own people and were not just comic relief.

- I also have an issue with Jae Won's ghosting - I don't think it was really addressed or made up for enough how harmful and toxic it is to ghost someone like that. Especially after being intimate with someone for the first time and experiencing shared trauma. I know that these characters are imperfect, and that Ji Hyun is a sweet angel baby who didn't let the ghosting get him down, but I feel like it was glossed over how incredibly painful and shitty that is to do to another person.

- The ending was perfect in my opinion - I know it has been said that it's a "love fixes everything" ending, but I don't agree. The ending scene shows the characters discussing that they don't know what will happen, but they will try together, whether it be Jae Won's mental health problems or anything else life can bring them. They know that struggles will still happen and that Jae Won is not "healed", but they are ready to take them on together.

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Is This Open Ended For Season 2?

The Eighth Sense" is a binge-worthy series that had me glued to the screen, and I'm grateful for that. The show delves into some traumatic arcs, which I'm relieved I could handle better by watching it in one go..

The story follows Ji Hyun, a new student from a peaceful rural town, as he navigates the bustling city life of Seoul. At university, he meets Jae Won, who has just completed military service. Ji Hyun joins the surf club to get closer to Jae Won. Their shared love for surfing brings them together, and as they spend time in the surf club, their feelings for each other deepen. However, after a shared kiss during a surfing trip, Jae Won acts distant, leaving Ji Hyun puzzled about their connection. We soon learn about the trauma Jae Won is coping with through glimpses of his therapy sessions. As their friendship grows, Jae Won opens up his heart to Ji Hyun, and they start a relationship. But a surfing accident triggers Jae Won's regression into his trauma, and he ends up ghosting Ji Hyun. The series takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions as we witness their journey to reconcile and get back together.

What sets "The Eighth Sense" apart is that it is its portrayal of flawed characters, depicting the complexities without relying on major redemption arcs. Instead, it shows us how people deal with their imperfections in a realistic and manageable way, reflecting real-life struggles. The ending is semi-happy, steering away from unrealistic rainbows and unicorns, leaving room for interpretation and a potential season 2. "The Eighth Sense" captivates with its heartfelt storytelling and a touch of authenticity that keeps you emotionally invested until the very end.

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a toucher of all the senses

This drama really pulled at my heart. The emotions and feelings of the characters, especially the main leads were so real that as the viewer I was also affected by the intensity of those emotions. It really brings out the rawmess of crossing the uncharted territory of love both the good parts and the hard parts together, not leaving one out or overportraying one over the other.

I honestly don't know where too start with this review. I just finished watching this show and i'm still very much stuck in the whirlpool of the story and the emotions....

I guess I'll start with the cast and crew first. Amazing job to both the main leads because they really drew me as the audience into the world of Ji Hyun and Jae Won. The crew and the overall shooting of the film really highlighted and had a huge emphasis on the story and I felt this especially with the lighting and close-ups that were done in the film. At times, the bleak and stark lighting seen in some of the episodes later on really portrayed the raw emotions of pain that Ji Hyun and Jae Won were feeling and the scenes that had a warmer and full lighting really emphasized the closeness and warmth of the characters. I thought this was brilliant because even though nothing was said by the characters during this scenes, the other cinematic elements really drove the story home to me as the viewer.

Music.... it was beautiful and as the undertone I found that it grounded and gave a good base for the rest of the story. I am very picky about the kinds of background music that i hear when i watch something because music as a cinematic element can really shape how the story progresses. The music i heard as I was watching spoke up and also really added flavour to other cinematic elements I mentioned before. I have never given music a 10/10 rating before but I feel like this show deserved it.

I would really rewatch this but to be honest I wish i could go back in time to relive the moment of watching this show for the first time. I was really caught up in the story and I honestly don't know what to say because that's how much I enjoyed it. 10/10 would definitely recommend this to a friend and without a doubt I bet that I will find myself rewatching this drama more than once or twice before this year ends! Its a master piece on a level of its own.

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Bitter and sweet

Just the right amount of sweetness with a little angst and lots and lots of kisses. This was the first BL drama in which I enjoyed watching the acting of the main actors, as well as the supporting characters who fit perfectly into the plot. Unlike the other BL dramas I watched, the acting in this one was excellent, completely smooth and not at all stiff. Interactions and actions between the characters have charm and seem natural, without being overly forced.

With the right person, everything will be okay.

Long story short because wow, this was such a refreshing drama.

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Contrived but also refreshing and satisfying

“The Eighth Sense” succeeds despite its drawbacks; the happy ending of the two main characters, Jae Won (Im Ji Sub) and Ji Hyun (Oh Jun Taek), feels right, even if the steps to get there carry contrivance in script and direction. But the two leads are overwhelmingly convincing in their performances and interactions to sweep nitpicking aside.

Joint Directors Werner du Plessis and Inu Baek have delivered a soft surfing tale, from the opening credits which hark back to films from decades ago, to scenes of sea, sand and surf, bestowing an ambience of young vigour and first-time love. We may not be on the surf beaches of South Africa, Hawaii or Australia, but as the camera lovingly explores the collection of surfboards in the surf shop, and lingers over the body-hugging wetsuits, all that is missing is the burning summer sun and suntan lotion. The music soundtrack is also especially worthy of note and adds to the series’ appeal.

A highlight of “The Eighth Sense” is the satisfying arc of the relationship between the two main characters. Im Ji Sub and Oh Jun Taek are especially good in their scenes together, awkward at the start despite or even because of their mutual attraction, wholehearted in their giving into their desire, and increasingly open and honest in their understanding and commitment to their affection.

A feature of this series is the depressing depiction of corrosive behaviour amongst the characters’ peer groups. Jan Young-joon as Tae Hyung is Jae Won’s thoughtless and manipulative “best friend”; Park Hae In as Eun Ji is Jae Won’s scheming and caustic ex-girlfriend; Bang Jin Won, as Ji Hyun’s childhood friend Joon Pyo, is self-serving in being both physically gluttonous and emotionally clinging. Worse, Jae Won’s therapist is both accusatory and unprofessional, chiding Jae Won for her inability to pay her rent because she didn’t get the fee for an appointment he missed.

There is a brief nod towards the issue of social disapproval of open gay relationships in South Korea, but overall the creators’ drive is towards the goal of Love Conquers All, and the final two episodes are well crafted towards that end.

Acknowledgment should be given also to the three supportive female characters: Jung Seo In as the owner of the restaurant where Ji Hyun works, Seo Ji An as the intuitive Ae Ri and Lee Mi Ra as Yoon Won, the mother figure of both the surf club and its family of members. Amidst trouble and taboos, these characters at a personal level redeem somewhat the social difficulties faced by Jae Won and Ji Hyun in the broader scheme.

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the uneasy vibe of the series is the problem.

I would give it a 9.5 but it has this dark theme similar on tragic love story, I was traumatized by its vibes, it has this bitter element may be because it is realistic but too bitter, the narrative and the way the story is tell is telling that there no happy ending, it is an open ending and it is not but it just that people watch to be entertained and look back to love with romantic excitement, yes it has this romantic excitement but in every scene I feel uneasy at all like there always something bad gonna happen, it can go with the level of semantic error but its vibe is the problem, the uneasy vibe, good thing the kiss scene aren't homophobic or awkward/fake. its good overall but its not the type that i will watch again and again.

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Everything I've ever wanted

Firstly, this review might seem unfinished and not satisfying enough since this is just the raw feelings I've typed in, this is what i feel and I'm just thinking of it as instead of talking to myself am just typing it out. that's all :))

Story :
I absolutely love the way it focuses on everything and not just romance. The story was so well written, everything was portrayed so well. The concept is overall very good, i especially love how mental health is considered the most important in this, in most of the series I've seen I've never really seen anyone struggling with mental health actually reaching out for therapy but in this Jae-Won is not someone who just whines about being depressed but he actually find ways to help himself, i appreciate that. i love all of the different concepts and scenarios this story has such as life of a countryside boy in Seoul, college life, life of a freshman, surfing, making new friends and anything and everything. The smooth flow of the story was very satisfying and it never failed to make me feel all the emotions the characters are having. I also loved how in the ending everyone was just happy, Jae-Won resolved everything with his friends and his ex, Ji-hyun also resolved everything with the seniors and also i felt like no character was just left as if they were only there to carry on the show, everyone got what they deserved whether its good or bad and its just the necessary feelings lingering. The story had so much depth and each character was explored so well. Overall this has set my standards so up high and as a bl fan who is overly fond of Korean bls, I'm so proud of how far we've come.

Acting / Casting :
I could go on for years about how their chemistry was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. You could feel the raw emotions and pure love through the screen. Every emotion they felt is automatically what we felt too. The way their eyes speak louder than any word could ever do and how they are so damn good at expressing everything on their faces. gosh I'm really going crazy rn i could never put it into words about how beautiful of an acting they did right there. It was truly mesmerising. Hats off to the cast fr I freaking love you.

music :
This is the part where i start crying. I'm usually not someone who notices the music while watching something but for this i could swear on my life the music did such impact its literally not explainable. the music did such great work in conveying many emotions and overall always worked in setting the mood right. Of course the conan grey reference had me rolling on the floor with tears streaming down my face. I'm a huge conan grey fan and this felt as if my two worlds have collided. Thank you so much for that.

Rewatch Value :
I personally would need 1 sit watch to grab myself together. since, for the most part, i watched it while it was ongoing, i feel like i missed out here and there so a quick 1 sit Rewatch would be the best option for me. I'd recommend you to do the same as well.

overall:
I knew it from the first episode this series would shake up my whole world and just as i thought, it did. I would NEVER be able to put into words how much of a masterpiece this is but lemme just say I absolutely love this so damn much. It was absolutely perfect and beautiful to every bit.

although I wished for 2 more things, i hoped that there would be a scene where Ji-hyun tells his boss about his boyfriend but I think I'm quite satisfied with her and Jae-Won's meeting, second is I hoped there was a scene where Jae-Won let's his therapist know that Ji-hyun was not in fact just a friend and how he is finally happy. Other than these I'm very very happy with this.

lemme just list the things i loved about this real quick,
i loved their chemistry, how their eyes spoke, the whole sea related set up, Ji-hyun's friends, Jae-Won and Yoon-Won's friendship, the way Ji-hyun turned into a sarcastic till sass-ball after the accident, how in the end everyone got what they deserved and everything was sorted out, the pure aesthetics and the filmings, the simple details they focused on, the holding hands, the hugs, the way Jae-Won went "I'm happy because I finally have someone whom i can call my boyfriend", how Jae-Won wanted to be absolutely clear that they were now dating to avoid any confusion for anyone, how both of their real friends knew what was up with them, I never expected Ji-hyun's best friend and yoon-won will end up making out but i was so happy for them, how Jae-Won and Ji-hyun didn't mind being obvious, the amount of support, the conan grey reference omfg I'm crying and basically just every bits and pieces of this had me in love.

Overall the eight sense has officially made it into my top 3!!
thank you so much and i love you <33

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