To My Star (2021)

I loved it! Very sweet series. Very well made.
The story was a bit plain and I would have loved for the characters to be a little more developed.... but for the length of it, it was good enough. This needs to be a full series. We need some more depth into the side stories as well. I mean there are characters in there that make absolutely no sense. What's going on with Kang Seo Joon's parents? Where's the backstory about his fear? What happens to Kim Hyung Ki? What happens to Yang In Woo? Give me some more information! Please!!!

I have to say though... I was very impressed by the acting, especially by Son Woo Hyun.

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Opposites attract and create very deep love stories

Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.
But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a series becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that audience that occupies their armchairs in front of the television to enjoy it. With '나의 별에게' ('Naui Byeolege, Na-ui Byeol-e-ge, Naui byeorege'), English title 'To My Star The Series I', from 2021, which has only already been seen by millions of viewers in everyone, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The Korean BL drama, in 9 episodes, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who goes into hiding after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The series, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail about a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two other dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the series immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially builds a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon in the first episodes, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon He moves around her, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes her. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The series challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to the artistic and visually appealing quality of the series. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.
Note: The review of the film of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.

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I am meeting the director Hwang Da-Seul for the second time in a short time (the first time was the series Where Your Eyes Linger) and she did not disappoint me again. A beautiful, magical appetizer among BL series will captivate the viewer right from the first episode. It's just that everything is "done" completely differently than the usual scheme. The characters are perfectly written and even better acted, especially the excellent acting performance of the two main representatives in civilian age of 31 and 22 years stands out.

Actor Kang Seo Joon is in trouble because he beat up his best friend, also an actor, in one of the bars. But in reality it was different and Kang doesn't remember much because he was drunk, only his friend got into a fight with a bar guest and blamed it on Kang to hurt him in public opinion and climb the popularity ladder ahead of him. The owner of the agency Kim Pil Hyun, who represents Kang, has to quickly "clean up" him from his luxury apartment to one of his rental houses in the suburbs of Seoul due to intrusive journalists for a while, and pushes him to the young tenant, an introverted, modest and order-loving chef from a bistro Han Ji Woo, who is waiting for a roommate so he doesn't have to pay such a high rent himself.

It's rare for me to look at how much is left until the end, because I wish there were many more episodes ahead of me (I have the opposite tendency with most other BL series). No unnecessary detours and running the story into curls that only delay and lead nowhere, an excellent contrast of the silent and wall-building Han and the chatty Kang with an often magical smile, who always says what he thinks and most importantly - these two beings are hit by the arrow of the most beautiful feeling in the world, what anyone and anywhere could wish for. How will they deal with it when the circumstances of each of them are completely different and public opinion in South Korea is not in favor of such relationships, especially when one of them is a famous actor?

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When Two Worlds Collide

This is one of those shows that have a very feel-good atmosphere - from the chemistry, to the character interactions, to the music and overall story.
My only issue lies with several stems of previous shows in that the length is just too short. Some of the conflicts are either rushed or completely forgotten about. Again, as I and many others have stated, there needs to be a change in the length of these series. Eight/nine episode dramas, ten-to-twelve minute long episodes are just never enough.
With that out of the way, the acting and chemistry are some of the strongest I've seen in a show, and that's saying a lot. If you enjoy really soft intimate scenes, To My Star has it all and you will be surprised how they lead it all up to the end.
The romance, again, is one of the strongest. Really feel-good interactions that, despite the short length, are well worth watching. Regardless of their opposite professions, there are wonderful surprises.
The dialogue, again, is a nice touch. There may or may not be scenes that are cheesy, corny, cringy, etc. but that's up for you to decide. I for one enjoyed them.
Cinematography is another great plus. There's a lot of warmth put into the scenes. And hard work. So really well done!
The music compliments every scene, whether serious or soft.
All in all, really enjoyable to watch.

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:)

this series will always hold such a special spot in my heart. i remember watching it for the first time, and i fell in love with seojoon and jiwoo. they are polar opposites, and i loved it.
seojoon was extroverted and carefree, while jiwoo was introverted and particular. this is an enemies-to-lovers trope, which is one of my favorites.
i cant even count how many times i’ve rewatched it. it’s such a cute and heartwarming series. i love the plot so much, and i love the characters. not even just the main couple, but also the manager and ceo, i love them all so dearly.
woohyeon and kangmin have amazing chemistry. i could never get tired or bored of watching them. no matter how many times i rewatch this series, i still love it so much.
i liked the pacing. it wasn’t too fast, and it wasn’t too slow. whenever i rewatch this series, i usually watch the movie. the movie version makes the pacing feel more normal for some reason.
the director did a great job with this series. the ost is amazing too. “to my star” ost is by far the best bl ost i’ve ever heard, and i’m not being biased. i can feel all of the emotions. the love, the longing. and not to mention, it just reminds me of the series and seojoon and jinwoo, which makes my heart ache even more. it’s a very emotional ost.
i especially loved how jiwoo has gradually warmed up to seojoon. cold tsundere characters turning into sweet affectionate kind are always my favorite. i love him so dearly.
this is such an amazing series. i will always love it so much. this really set the standard for me.

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I enjoy everything. The chemistry between those two characters is amazing. I don’t feel cringe watching these two characters play together in the movie the ost were so good too. In season two the story were a little too complicated but still they have a happy ending so it’s was perfect. I hope I get to see them again with a movie………………..I never expected to see such a good movie like this I hope I get to see more movies like this especially with those two actors.. the story get a little sad sometimes but they are happy when they were together and that I enjoyed watching them

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They're my star.

I love them. Ji Woo and Seo Joon are my new comfort couple. They're cute, wholesome and heartwarming. They'd do anything for each other and I'm certain of that, I mean we're talking about Seo Joon who wanted to open a restaurant just for his chef and Ji Woo who was ready to loose Seo Joon just for him to not pay for the debts and wanted to solve the problem by himself. The story is simple but I think that's it's charm, there's no big plot for you to focus on, just two boys falling in love with each other and developing. I just wish we saw them being more lovey dovey.

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