Boys Be Brave! (2024)

Lovable Characters

Another great kbl for 2024. Lets go over what i liked and what i didnt rlly like.

Liked:
· Giseops terminal illness was not the forfront of his character, it was in tje background and motivated his decisions but wasnt given an indepth medical history montage which i appreciate. People with terminal illnesses can live the same life as one without!
·Characters as a whole were really fleshed out.
·Couples didnt always end up together, and thats okay! not every couple needs a happy ending right this second.
·Jinus hair?? like weirdly enougg throughout the whole series i was just admiring his cute hair and fringe.
·canonically bi and maybe aro characters? I'm headcanoning giseop as aro IDC!! or at least demiromantic

ok things i wasnt so happy about:
·the plot was a bit.. skew wif? like i felt a little lost at times but hey thats me.
·I feel like the side couple could have been fleshed out a little more
·MORE OF THE BACKGROUND WLW ROMANCE PLEASE????? HELLO??

Overall i think a rlly good watch, something i might go back to if i feel a little down, but a staple of kbls? no. But it doesnt have to be revolutionary to be good. Not every bl can be eighth sense sadly.

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I might have found a new favorite

So, as one might expect, my reviews tend to be extremely subjective. I've noticed that some things that irk me in one series, I don't mind so much in another -and the other way around. Therefore, even though I've read other reviews with some complaints, I just dfc.
I loved this.
There's very few series that get a physical reaction out of me (as in, laughing, getting flustered, etc etc), but this one did it. I had so much fun watching this.

(the very long list of) what I liked:

- Main couple. Shut the hell up with the "They're annoying", "They're silly", yeah they are but who cares? Their dynamic is just so cute. And their storyline isn't that common, either - how many couples start off with one of them already knowing the other likes them? I found that so interesting. And, as I've said, the "I'll sweep you off your feet" premise is very promising, if done in a respectful manner (obviously). I think Gi Seop did that quite well (the tattoo was unhinged though lmao). Gi Seop is a goofball all around, completely clueless, people pleaser to the point of it actually coming back to bite him in the ass, and Jinwoo is methodical, withdrawn, and reserved. I just love this dynamic, and the character evolution it allows (Gi Seop learning to say no and find what motivates him, and Jinwoo becoming more relaxed and open).
- The music is great, honestly. The emotional scenes were often highlighted by the tracks playing in the background, and it really enhanced the feeling they were trying to convey.
- It's just funny! I'm so annoyed at silly characters in other series but idk what's with this one that really got me. Maybe I do like slapstick comedy after all (now that I think about it, I love the Marx brothers and the Blues Brothers and those are both quite slapstick-y lmao), in this case I didn't mind it at all.
- I liked the girl and Jinwoo's friendship a lot :) I'm all for that kind of pairing (kind of like Hashimoto and Aoki from My Love Mix-Up), and I also wouldn't have minded if they had actually liked each other at some point.
- The secondary couple is interesting. The "I'm too poor" argument I've seen in other pieces of media and it always intrigues me, it's such a fascinating premise - the pride, the angst, just aghh. Yeah. They balanced out the MC's corniness lmao

Some things to note? I guess?

- I don't really know why Gi Seop cared so much about Jinwoo liking him right off the bat. I get that he's not used to people not being attracted to him, but it felt very extreme how he was changing his legal name and getting a tattoo to impress this random guy who (allegedly) doesn't even like him?? Idk
- Similarly to that, I wasn't a fan of his "clueless womanizer" persona at the beginning of the story. Like yeah, he's a people pleaser, but doesn't he see what's wrong with his approach to dating? Not even when confronted with twenty-something angry girls? He should have realized that he was being a jerk, even if he didn't mean to. Not being attracted to someone shouldn't mean you treat them worse. Have some respect.
- This is just my personal taste, but the secondary couple was exhausting to watch at some points. The back and forth was too much. Like you kissed in middle school, now you're beating the shit out of each other (why? idk), now you're fine and going on a date, now he's mad, now we're all crying, just kidding it's fine we're going on another date. I guess it's more realistic but damn, I think *I* might need a therapist after watching them
- I saw many people complaining about Jinwoo going on a date with the girl but I didn't mind it, in fact I would've preferred if he was portrayed as bi. We're seriously lacking on that front in BLs, I think I've seen like two bi protagonists (actually bi, not that "I like girls and only one guy, you" bullshit) total.

But yeah, none of these things bothered me that much. If anything, this was the best series I've watched these past months, it has the best first kiss scene ever in a BL right after the one in Bad Buddy, and I'm in love. That's all Your Honor.

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What a waste of time

There's little to say about this bl: it's ugly! I didn't like anything, from the story to the characters I found everything handled very badly. It's the first Korean bl to which I give such a low rating, but here they really produced a flop series. I feel like I wasted my time on a story that's leaking all over the place, and I'm talking about the one involving the main couple. Their story makes no sense, the two of them are awkward and I didn't like the actors even a little. Maybe I'll save the second couple who had potential but... never mind! The Koreans with this bl, for the first time, got everything wrong and created a cringe series regarding the main couple and an inconclusive one for the second couple.

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Surprisingly good!

Our KBL is getting better! Really proud of this one!

At beginning, it appears that the storyline is simple and somewhat shallow, but towards the end, boy, it delivers! It ends up to be pretty touching and meaningful. Of course, it's so cute and fluffy throughout.

I also love that there are two couples and I love the ending for both. I wish there's a spin-off for the other couple, just to see their progress!

I really enjoy this lighthearted, simple and sweet BL! It's pretty great given it's only 8 episodes. Not too draggy, but not too rush either. Actors are really good looking toO!

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Short and sweet drama

Without giving any spoilers, if you're looking for a drama with both a cute storyline and two cute couples, this one is it. It's nothing super dramatic or suspenseful but I think it's quite well produced. I also really liked the two pairings and their dynamics.
Considering the short length with 8 episodes at 30 minutes each, I still had enough time to get invested in the two couples, although the plot doesn't go too much into depth. In this case, I think that's a good thing because it doesn't start any major plot lines without finishing them which often frustrates me with other dramas. The ending ties mostly everything together nicely, though I could see some opportunities for a second season or a spin-off.

Overall a good watch and I would totally watch it again.

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Fell short of potential

I liked this drama at first, but by the second episode I found myself skipping the main couple’s scenes, which meant i was skipping through the entire show, essentially. they had a nice first kiss scene, but other than that, they were so boring to me and I found Giseop super strange. the plot about him dressing like a girl and getting a tattoo just to be Jin Woo’s type was just random and very weird and he just gave me weird vibes, i did not like him at all and he actually made me sort of uncomfortable. i felt like their chemistry was forced and Jin Woo’s characterisation wasn’t consistent. i also didn’t like the token female character common in BL dramas, i could’ve done without that.

i enjoyed the second couple way, way more, and thought there story was more interesting and their chemistry felt more natural, but unfortunately they had criminally few scenes and very little development when they were shown, and didn’t even end up together, the way i understood it. but i also felt like their story was a bit cliché and the soured relationship could’ve been redeemed if it was handled better, especially when the actors had chemistry and potential.

the main couple ate up 98% of the screen time, which wouldn’t be a problem if the series was all about them, but if a second couple is gonna be included and have a storyline, they need to have equal or at least sufficient screen time. the second couple got so little scenes they may as well have not even been there, which is a shame, but korean BL dramas are so short compared to typical k-dramas, they really don’t have room for a second couple most times. 20-30 minutes per episode doesn’t leave a lot of room for complex development.

Also, on Viki this is rated R for some reason? i struggle to see why, as there’s really nothing explicit or mature in it.

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Really meh in my opinion

*April 28th. It aired 3 days ago ! Never started a series so early. Almost right after its release lol*

The series is super cute and funny. Many parts were so amusing. It’s suoer interesting. I loved most characters and the OST were just…INCREDIBLE and matched perfectly !
Now to be honest irl some things would have been a huge NO for me. Even in the series, it’s still borderline.
Let’s start with Gi seop because he’s the one I’m actually targetting with this one.
He was being a huge red flag the moment Jin woo said he was a two-timer and then explained how he litteraly would be cheating on his girlfriends and blatantly. Like who tf would give their number to someone clearly interested in them and in front of your partner ???
Then I was triggered when he started being really intrusive like at the beginning maybe it was funny but not when you are rummaging into people lives and things !
When he said he would leave a week to jin woo for him to ask him out or else he would leave.
First you shouldn’t pressure someone into asking you out especially when you know you say ´yes’ to litteraly everyone.
Second, you shouldn’t follow them around and then refusing being rejected when they keep saying ´no’.
Like what kind of people are you to litteraly wants someone to aks you out because you are used to it and can’t stand them saying no.
Also when he said no, you pulled out a contract stating you would get out as soon as he would say you failed eventhough he just told you that a few seconds ago and you said you won’t leave ?…
I think it’s also super messed up to want someone to ask you out just for you to say ´yes ´ because ´you have to’ and not because you would actually like them. It’s super twisted because the person could end up destroyed at that…Especially if you are two-timing or worse ten-timing them as Gi seop did numerous times…

Other than that he is a cute and funny character..?Also why is the boy everywhere else but the school/part-time job lol ? Btw he is so whipped for jin woo that he got a mole tattooed ?. Hope they couple will last long !

Then another red flag of this series is that public confession lol. I would be seriously throwing a tantrum if someone was asking me out PUBLICLY, in front of tons of people especially if they are pressuring me into accepting. I mean they should not pressure someone into dating another person because it could have serious consequences !

Jin Woo is super funny and was being so real from ep 1. Single-since-birth team lol ! But that one line in which he litteraly described himself as the type of girl he would like to date, I was kinda triggered tbh. But other than that, he’s being pretty realistic!

I LOVE Baelgeum’s character so much ! He is so cute and realistic ! I’m so excited to see more about the side couple because they seem to have some background.

Those crosses in jin woo’s note (next to gi seop) are prolly to mark how many times he got Gi seop’s attention (?) That would explain their small amount. But this is just my attention.

kudos to the actor for not pulling off the floating kiss !!!

I love how Gi seop might be the most dense person but he knows how to read the room sometimes and avoids us so many miscommunication clichés.

I felt bad for baelgeum because when he was down Gi seop was halfy there for him bug ig at least he tried !

2nd couple is so good like they have a strong background. I love both of them and their relationship is so wholesome (and realistic !)

About the girl that appeared (forgot her name) she’s so cute and funny. She has the bestie material he needs ngl. also if they were going to end up together i would root for them but its a bl so they obviously wont but she so cute. They are
cute together.
Hope writers won't make her look toxic or smth.

I love the music though ! Shazam isn’t shazaming rn tho 😭

*11/05/24
EDIT : I’m dropping this because I’ve lost interest in this. I still love the second couple but it isn’t strong enough to keep me on in this show.*

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pretty cute! ...but..the tattoo though?!?

This is essentially a Korean version of 10 Things I Hate About You, it's a pretty cute series that leaves you with a nice fuzzy feeling and a satisfied smile...
..well except for one teeny tiny detail.

Boys be brave is a sweet youre-really-not-my-type-but-for-some-reason-i-love-you story. Jinwoo is particular about everything, and he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to-- that includes asking Kisub, the guy he likes, to date him. It's clear that Kisub isn't cut out for a monogamous relationship, he's a carefree guy who dates whoever he wants, and though he likes his girlfriends, he's never been in love. But things are different when he's around Jinwoo, and we watch their story evolve from tart bickering to sweet kisses.

While the story itself isn't terribly original and feels a bit thrown together at times, its good enough to keep you interested. They did throw in a confusing health complication in which never really fully resolved or addressed, but it didn't make much of a difference to the story. There was the tiniest detail that felt wildly unresolved at the end, as Kisub is vying for Jinwoo's attention, he ends up GETTING A TATTOO FRECKLE RIGHT UNDER HIS EYE TO MATCH JINWOO'S-- this was done in order to become more of Jinwoo's type, but the fact that he actually got the tattoo and it was literally never brought up again was like WHAAATT?!

Overall this was a cute watch though, the characters are sweet and the scenes are well done, production quality is high too. Its a nice easy watch to binge on a day off.

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So Many Tropes So Little Time

I tend to write notes as reminders so I can come back to write a review. I wrote so much for this one I decided it was long enough for a review.
Story: "Oh, My Trope" should be the title of this series.
1. Co-habitation
2. Love contract
3. Change yourself to catch a love interest
4. Perfect romantic love interest list
All that & it was the lead couple.
The 2nd pairing:
1. Family bankruptcy
2. Income gap - inferiority complex
3. Excessive delivery jobs as fodder [1-2: Ok. This kid had 5.]

The tropes are on overkill.
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Acting/Cast: Overall, the actors were pretty good. They conveyed the story well. I felt that the one playing Jung Ki Sub (2nd MC) needed a touch up, but then I found out this was his 1st job; kudos to him for holding his own.

Jung Yoo Hyeon, was a star. She played Kang Hye Jin, only significant female presence. If only there were more episodes b/c her story is great. She's the first bisexual/would be lesbian storytelling in a Korean series & there was nothing. I would like to have seen the girl's face.

I feel Choi Balg Eum & Ji In Ho could have made a great story & far more interesting story than the MCs. I was left upset, wanting & dissatisfied. These two were matched so well & I felt their chemistry but their story had no cohesion & felt so sloppy. I know what they might have wanted to do but the beginning, middle, or end didn't match. You really sat there thinking it was the ex who was the problem, then you find out it was MC2's friend all along who was the jerk.

I really wished the story was 16 eps so the writer could have given justice to Kang Hye Jin, Choi Balg Eum, & Ji In Ho. The second pairing in particular.
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Production: Horrible shaky cams - I'm not sure if they were trying to be artistic w/ the coloring but they would do beauty effects from soft to sharp - be inconsistent w/ focus, lighting; in appropriate usage of these elements.
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Music: Not much in their arsenal. They had about two REAL songs & I only liked one of them. So....yeah. I believe that song is called Silent & was only played for the Lead Couples having an intense moment.
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Rewatch Value: None whatsoever.

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