Light on Me (2021)

This is definitely one of the better Korean BL dramas I’ve seen. The storyline is interesting and it shows a love triangle in a realistic way. The main actor is sadly one of the weaker actors in the drama, for this reason i lowered my score of the acting to a 9. the side characters, including the two love interests were very good at the roles and gave a lot of energy to their characters. This made the poorer acting skills by the main actor more noticeable in comparison. He is still very handsome and young so I am sure with more practice he can grow to be a better actor, but it was a bit noticeable in this role.

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wholesome <3

High school dramas are usually a hit or miss for me. They're either not relatable enough (feels unrealistic or overexaggerated) or wind up being too cheesy (and thus, cringe). But Light on Me is different.

It has all the classic tropes from bullies to love triangle to monumental school trip, etc. Yet, I believe what's so special about it is that the show uses them in a damn near perfect way. It all flows pretty well. The characters are also extremely lovable, which helps. These themes also act as a catalyst to break down stereotypes/stigma around LGBT+ relationships, a very controversial and sensitive topic in a conservative country like Korea. Especially, Daon's character arc allows this to be done in a direct yet gentle way. The actors are great at handling their character's emotions with such loving care. You can tell a lot of thought went into the facial expressions and body language, which is beautiful to watch unfold.

While this series is extensive for a web drama (which is great), I would've preferred more time spent on Taegyeong and Shinwoo's relationship. Shinwoo feels rather complete. However, Taegyeong feels a bit empty at times. I can see how that would be intentional considering his attitude toward socializing has only changed recently and therefore, he needs time to figure out how to express himself. I feel as though adding one more piece to their story wouldn't hurt the development of this couple, but they did just fine without it too. Not really any plot holes in my mind, just some stuff I wish was wrapped up neater.

Overall, it's a cute drama that keeps you hooked in! All the characters grow in a nice, wholesome way, together. If you like something short & sweet, this will be the show for you.

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Engaging story smolders but never bursts into flame

This is a beautiful story and the production values are top notch. The characters and actors are appealing and the 16 episodes never felt padded just to fill time, yet "Light on Me" sort of smolders but never bursts into flame as a bromance. This may be a cultural thing, because this seems to be common to the Korean BL dramas when compared to the gold standard of Thailand. The plot is your basic love triangle. Woo Tae Kyung, who has always been a loner, makes his first friend in Shin Da On, which evolves into a romantic interest. Meanwhile, Noh Shin Woo has fallen in love with Woo Tae Kyung at first sight, but he is sort of invisible to our hero for the first half of the drama. In fact, they are enemies for the first half due to the fact that Noh Shin Woo is forcing himself not to get attached to Tae. The series peaks at mid-point when Tae and Shin Woo have a sleepover, but Tae falls asleep on Shin Woo's shoulder -- that's as bromantic as it gets. Shin Da On rejects Tae for reasons that are not exactly clear -- it's suggested he's from a prominent family where a same sex relationship would impair his career or disappoint his parents. There's a scandal at school about a rather innocuous picture of two guys with hands outstretched, as if shaking hands. Certainly a photo that tame could be written off as hand shaking -- the boys were 3 feet apart. The central plot of Tae realizing that Noh Shin Woo has been there all the time, sort of in the background, never quite delivers the impact it should after 16 episodes. We finally get a kiss at the end, but even that is far too subtle -- and, frankly, too late in the drama. That should have occurred about episode 13 with more romantic scenes taking us to the conclusion. Meanwhile, the storyline for Shin Da On feels unresolved.. So, as much as I loved this drama, I'm left feeling a bit underwhelmed. The real oddity here is why was the first episode incorporates graphic gay sexual references (apparently visual aids for a high school sex education class) but the rest of the drama is strictly a G-rated, almost asexual story about ordinary friendship.

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My first BL drama!

This was my first BL drama in general! I loved it so much and I really hope there is a season 2!

But I really did wish there were more episodes as them both ML's acknowledging their love for one another came in too late towards the end of the drama. But they were so cute even in their awkward moments and the comedy was great too!

I love that spinoff they had from another kdrama (I forgot the name), but they were so cute still! I was so hoping we would get another season in their senior year of high school, or beginning of uni/college life and just more couple scenes!

I feel like we also got a cliffhanger ending with the teacher's past love appeared (I'm guessing it is his past love), whose feet we could only see lol. But we're missing something and we need more! I can't emphasize this enough.

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Enjoyable watch but not the most riveting story

At the beginning of the first episode, the protagonist says that one of the three people he is photographing is his first love. That's a nice introduction to the series because it is all about who the "first love" is--and since there is a "first love," is there also a second one?

The one who the protagonist will end up with becomes rather easy to guess quite early on (even if one is really unable to guess, one could just look at the list of actors and make a guess). And yet, the story quite deftly maintains the possibility that it's possible for the first love to be the other person.

Yes, there is a love triangle, but I'm glad it's hard to simply hate one of the three guys in the love triangle. The four main male characters are each lovable in his own way, and the main source of tension comes from, what else but a jealous girl. Then again, the girl doesn't turn out to be that bad. In fact, no one turns out to be that bad, which is either good or bad for the story, depending on whether you prefer fluff or a more realistic storyline.

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Best Tsundere Ever!!!

Re-watched this today and got reminded of why I loved this show in the first place ...It's such a breath of fresh air with great writing, really likeable characters and a swoon-worthy ML in the form of Shin woo!!!
I also got to appreciate Namgoong and Da On much better than the first time I watched as that time I was too busy being smitten by Shin Woo!!
Da on is a representation of everyone who had to give up on something they really loved and cared for because they didn't have the courage to openly accept it in front of others at that time!! It's a struggle most closeted people go through and is heartbreaking to see him lose the one person who really loved him!!
Namgoong is just a sweetheart!! A friend that you need by your side in both happy and sad times....a friend that would do anything for you...he is a pretty jolly person in general but becomes a fierce force who is ready to take down anyone who dares to hurt his friends !!
Coming back to one of my all time fav character ....other shows should really take note on how to create a non-toxic tsundere so efficiently!! he is one of the most likeable and well written characters I have ever come across...he loves deeply but is not possessive and for him the happiness of the person he loves is more important even if it means losing that person to someone else. He is a great friend visible from the fact that he helps Da-on figure out his feelings of liking someone from the same gender as he knows how confusing it can get and he doesn't want Da-On to suffer the way he did and though this means that he might lose Taekyung he is ready to do that as long as Takeyung finds happiness with the person he likes...where do you find such rare gems in real life ? the fact that he sent so many messages to Taekyung showing his concern despite knowing that Takeyung might probably never read them just shows that for him Taekyung's well being matters more than him actively flirting or courting Takeyung !! get yourself a man who is ready to dive into a pile of trash for you !!! I can go on and on about Shin woo!! Boy you have my heart!!
Also another wonderful aspect of the show is the OST!! The 2 songs just highlight the emotions of every scene that they are played in !!
This is definitely a must must-watch!!!

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I had a rough start with the show and didn't get over it

Somehow I felt not really exited when I started to watch this drama. I don't know why, but it just feels a bit off. Right after the beginning I knew with whom he would end up, so I basically sit through 16 episodes, being 100% sure to know who will be the endgame - and I was right. So the whole show was really predictable for me, which..of course.. minimized the fun for me.

There were some things I appreciated, but I feel like, these things I pointed out in my episode reviews are the same things again and again:

+ Namgoong is a really great friend. Loyal, wise, gives good advices, acts like he doesn't know something to make the other person not uncomfortable, but gives still the right advice and he's funny!
+ The teacher is a gem! I think there were hints to his story for a second season? But..honestly..I am not really interested, unfortunately. (By the way: if someone remembers seeing this actor in another drama: please tell me! It's driving me nuts, because I am sure I saw him somewhere else, but I can't find any information on this, lmao)
+ The show brings some important topics on the table, just like being ready to coming out, being a pushover, first love, unrequited love etc. etc.
+ The soundtrack is great!
+ Character development is definitely present. I like.

But I feel like the flaws overshadow the little good feelings the show gave me. I'm sure I will remember this show, because the soundtrack found it's way in my playlist, but overall I don't feel the need to rewatch any scene of this. Some scenes were really awkward, so it was hard to watch, even when they made me laugh (but I'm also a person who laughs when something is uncomfortable, so..nevermind, lol)

- In my opinion, they spent way too much time with TK and Daon.
- Because of that, it feels weird that TK switches so fast to Shinwoo. Dude looks like he's just the second choice, because Daon can't stand up for himself and Shinwoo is there for him. Especially in the last episode..I don't really understand what this one scene in the beginning is supposed to mean. It makes it even more looking like TK isn't really over Daon. (Am I the only one who thinks that it's weird they keep wearing their partner-bracelets?!)
- TKs monotone acting was really hard to sit out. I love dry humor and straightforward characters, but after a few episodes it's really hard to endure.
- Imho this crashed the whole chemistry. I saw similar characters in other dramas, but they had great chemistry with their partners because they could act really well and adapt to show feelings and a reaction when it was needed. But here..idk how to explain it. It just kills every spark that could have lighten up, because TK looks zoomed out most of the time. He doesn't use a lot of face expressions, his eyes are nearly dead, so hooooow tf should I be able to tell any chemistry in there. T_T
- Wtf was this disappointing kiss in the end? Shinwoo did great!!! But again, TK looks so distant, it feels like Shinwoo is harassing him. x.x

I feel so burned out that I can't handle my disappointment any further, lmao. At this point, I will just say, this wasn't my kind of drama and I agree to the other critical reviews and just spare any more words to not waste more your time reading things other explained way better than me. :'D

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Made me happy, made me laugh, made me anxious

The pace isn't fast, there is only mild unpleasantness, no action and the acting is sometimes short of totally natural...
But...
It is one of the best dramas of this type I've watched for quite a while. I fell in love with it.
I always moan that BL dramas out of S.Korea are not long enough and it feels like the genre isn't taken seriously, but seen as popular and therefore shows should be produced. This changed that completely.
The characters are so likeable and the actors came across as genuine friends.
Their different personalities were realistic, as were the problems some faced.
A lesson in fitting in, being different, learning to be true to ones self, taking responsibility for our own actions, forgiving and mending fences.
The cast fit their roles and I loved them. Lee Sae On played Woo Tae Kyung, so well; a loner by choice, socially awkward, disarmingly honest and (as described in one very funny scene), pretty. He was also strangely confident in who he was and I thought showed courage on several occasions.
I also thought Kang Yoo Seok made Noh Shin Woo into a character whose brusque personality was understood immediately; I liked him and wasn't put off by his behaviour.
In fact every main actor made me feel invested in the characters they portrayed so well.
My personal favourite was Namgoong Shiwoon (Go Woo Jin), whose effervescent, slightly crazy, yet actually mature outlook on things, was the glue that kept their student council group together and helped his friends to develop.
The teacher in charge of the Student Council was a model for real teachers ~ supportive, non-judgemental and frank.
Some might feel that it was too fluffy to seriously portray life in an all boys' school and tackling issues of coming out, being harassed for being gay and online bullying. However, whilst there are extreme cases of that in real life, I also believe it happens on a more low key scale too and those instances shouldn't be ignored or undermined because of it.
I laughed a lot and found scenes that were emotional and heart warming too. I also had no idea who Tae Kyung would choose to be with, until he did.
Would it win awards? No. Could it make you happy you watched? I hope so... it did me.

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