totally waste of time
If i can say that's probabily the worst drama i've ever seen in my entire life. As a fan of romance dramas this one is so disappointing. I really was excited before watching it, but it was delusional. Extremely toxic couple portrayed like it's normal romance, clichè story that i saw a million times, irrealistic, superficial, toxic and difficult to even watch. It was a total waste of my time and i think this drama is too much overrated. Just a random red flag, coedipendent, obne sided, toxic story with literally no characterization, that makes you have second hand embarassment in the first five minutes.Was this review helpful to you?
Some clichés stories are worth a try this one, so not
I mean it did have a cliché plot and I am all about watching cliché but it depends on the way that the storyline is executed. I have also watched a lot of BL dramas through the years and this drama is the only one I have ever wanted to drop (except for A chance to love but I recontinued it).Like the story is borderline terrible, most of the acting is weird and you don't really feel anything, the only reason I even got till episode 3 is that the main characters are pretty. Their are are a lot of weird things in the plot including a lot of plot-holes. The main characters habits encourage stalking and it also explains the meaning of unhealthy, obsessive love. The only good thing was the music which is totally worth listening to I mean follow has such a catchy beat. I don't think I am ever going to want to continue this series or rewatch it. It's just terrible in a way. Everything go's real slow and the first kiss scene is too awful like I don't even know what they were thinking while shooting it.
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I ENJOYED IT A LOT!
I've seen a lot of reviews saying how the relationship is toxic. But, whethere BL or not, most dramas are done that way as it depicts reality.It doesn't mean I support toxic behavior at all. It just mean it's reflecting the imperfect reality of the world.
I dropped this drama the 1st time round too, because I can't stand how there's bullying involved
But, I'm glad I gave it a 2nd try, because...the story actually developed pretty fast. So, we are able to see the progress and see how things are getting better, even though it isn't perfect
What I wanna say is not to judge a relationship too early. It might started toxic, but the more important part is whether it stays this way, which I honestly won't know till I watch S2 and more
But again, I don't really see people commenting toxic relationship in non-BL show. Somehow, this has been a trend in BL community.
If you're uncomfortable, drop the show, but I feel there is no need to backlash it so much, especially if you didn't finish watching it
Don't we watch BL to enjoy anyway? That's why I give my rating not necessarily on any critical factors than the fact that I enjoyed it. Because, I don't care how "pefect" s a show is, it's pointless if I don't enjoy it
Verdict of this BL?
I really enjoyed it. I love the ending a lot.
The chemistry, the sexual tension building up is so well-done.
I wish they have more hot scenes coz I can imagine how hot it'd be, given the passion!
And I'm glad that they FINALLY communicate (what's new lol)
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A Masterpiece of Toxic Devotion and Beautifully Twisted Romance
Story: 9/10 My Beautiful Man completely shatters the cliché of sweet, innocent high school BLs. It explores a deeply unequal, obsessive dynamic between Hira, a stuttering loner, and Kiyoi, the school’s beautiful "king" who later becomes a model and actor. Hira’s love isn't romantic—it is a religious devotion. He views himself as trash and Kiyoi as a god. This psychological depth and dark undertone make the plot incredibly gripping and unique.Acting/Cast: 10/10Riku Hagiwara played Hira’s creepy, awkward, and submissive nature flawlessly. It takes massive skill to make such a weird character sympathetic. Yusei Yagi as Kiyoi was perfectly cast—he completely embodied the arrogant, "alpha" ice king aura on the outside, while secretly craving the very attention Hira was giving him. The tension between them is absolutely magnetic.Music/Rewatch Value: 9/10The cinematography is gorgeous, contrasting Hira’s dull world with the radiant beauty of Kiyoi. The soundtrack enhances the intense, poetic, and slightly suffocating atmosphere of their relationship. It is a series that gets better on rewatches because you start to understand Kiyoi's hidden perspective sooner.Overall: 9.3/10If you are tired of generic romances and want something deeply psychological, dark, and beautifully strange, this is a must-watch. It’s a brilliant study of how two broken, toxic mindsets can somehow lock together perfectly.Was this review helpful to you?
It's amazing, I definitely reccomend
I love the stuff they portrayed, it makes it feel so realistic. I love how koyoi being confused and panicing in high school was shown perfectly, how it shows him realizing how it was later and a lot of daily problems that seem okay on paper (like changing your number) but in reality it's not okay at all if you don't think of the other party (partner, friend, family etc).btw AMAZING acting. you could see their personalities and how some problems came through from every scene. as if they literally became the character.
things I disliked:
- the camera was a but shaky at times
- koyoi kicking hitos leg when he got mad (I know it was very light and it shows some character in him on why he keeps doing it, it was just a but excessive. they could've at least make him change after high school)
- the way that college classmate was introduced, it made me very frustrated
-lack of boundaries on hitos part
most of my critique was just the character, so don't let ur demotivate you to watch it
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Beautiful men and a beautiful story
I LOVED this story so much! The chemistry between the actors is really good. I think they did really well with autism as well as being with someone who has autism. Kiyoi had me so smitten throughout this series. I loved seeing the relationship between him and Hira grow throughout the show. The spice is pretty good too!Was this review helpful to you?
This has to be my favorite BL!
Its such a close, almost tie between My Beautiful Man & Minato's Laundromat because they're so close to my heart, but I think this one takes the #1 spot.I binge watched this show. Then S2 came out and I binge watched S1 & S2. Now the movie is out and I'm binge watching all 3. This is such a comfort show for me. I have no idea what they laced this show with, but it's AMAZING!
They pack so much into 20 minutes I'm convinced the time stamp is lying to me. I've never experienced such a successful story telling. Bravo to everyone involved in this show. It's truly one of a kind!
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What I loved most about this series is how the characters are unapologetically imperfect and they own it. That’s exactly what made me fall for them. It’s not some sugar-coated story; quite the opposite. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply fascinating. Riku Hagiwara (Hira) and Yagi Yusei (Kiyoi) brought these layered, complex characters to life so beautifully. Their expressions say so much, especially Kiyoi. He communicates so much through just his eyes. A lot of the story is about what’s left unsaid. Definitely adding this one to my list of all-time favorites.
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This review may contain spoilers
Controversial for some, but Not for MEEEEE!!!!
Listen, before you go any further... I will not discredit and say that the issues of this BL aren't real. They are. I am not romanticizing it nor do I condone it. However, I am someone who can separate reality and fiction, which it hard for many in this niche. That said, if you do suffer/had issues with bullying/toxic relationships, please look elsewhere.Yes, the story is about another introverted high school and the so-called cool guy that sucks at school. But, that's where it gets you; that's the surface. You watch a bit more and you realize that Hira (the introvert) has had problems integrating himself with society. Not so much an introvert, but embarrassingly awkward (the first 10 minutes make that known). He is often creepy, desperate, and devastatingly lonely. You feel for him, but it is hard to watch him in situations. He doesn't fit back. Kiyoi is the "badster" of the class, who is often thought of the rebel who acts like a king at his school. Deep down, he has frivolous and laughable dreams and he knows that they don't mend with his persona. So he hides them deep enough to avoid possible ridicule. When these two meet, the impact is undeniable. It's a blue flame that doesn't look dangerous, but deep down, you know its going to burn.
Hira's deep obsession with Kiyoi is creepy and unhealthy. He's the embodiment of people's obsession with what they can't have but continue to get as close to it as they want. When they have a taste of that forbidden fruit, that introverted persona melts away and the true obsessive self surfaces. He endures humiliation, and physical/emotional/mental hits, he lets his desires consume him (sucking the blood off a cut and them going sexually feral?), and allows himself to be little. He never sees himself as an equal; he is always below. He is happy like some puppy in some domination kink. Is it dangerous? Incredibly. But, he just doesn't stop.
Kiyoi's fluctuating emotions lead him to be aggressive, polite, loving, and protective. He allows Kiyoi to act the way he does as it allows him to feel like he is actually worth something. He knows, deep down, that his dreams require him to be confident in himself and his dreams. Acting and dancing are often seen as dreams of those who are loud and vocal, something which is his not. He hides his dancing and threatens Hira is he tells others. He smashes things out of anger, insinuates problems to gather attention, and make things about himself. Hira knows and continues to play the fool. He will do anything for his king.
What I really love about this story is that it is dreamy but in the wrong sense. The introverted character is always seen as relatable but here, many would be embarrassed to say they see themselves in Hira. Some of you exist but know that saying it out loud sounds...weird. And I think that's what this story does: expose an inner truth to some that many are embarrassed to admit. Many grow up being shy and lacking connections that we often latch to the thing we most desire. While the ending is sweet, one can't help but wonder why we don't choose what is right and honest. Hira had that opportunity, but choose what hurt him.
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This review may contain spoilers
I always come back
The 1st time I watched this was in April 2023, now in Oct 2025, I cannot count how many times I've rewatched this - which is a big deal in my world since I don't reread books and neither do I rewatch showsWhat I love about this show (plus the 2nd season and the movie) is the complexity of the characters. What at 1st looks like a toxic bully romance, overtime (basically after ep 3) reveals itself to be more complex than that. It is a story about 2 layered characters. Both of them feel like they don't quite belong in their respective worlds and somehow fit in each others'.
Hira has been bullied for most of his life because of his stuttering. He also doesn't like or find anything beautiful, and also feels like he doesn't belong in the world, so he withdraws from it, hiding behind his camera. Till Kyoi casually strolls into his life and upends it. Makes him find the one beautiful thing in this life and want to be more than he's ever been. He doesn't know what do to with all that other than the fact that he wants to be near Kyoi, but also that being near Kyoi and trying to reach him hurts.
Kyoi, on the other hand, comes off as cold and dismissive, but that's because he felt rejected by his immediate family. Even the people/friends who flock to him always want to use him. He is beautiful, and people are drawn to beautiful things. That's until he meets Hira, and for once, he finds someone who seems to see him. He looks at him with this revelence he's never experienced before and somehow just wants him for him, and our Kyoi -who's always wanted that thus why he wanted to be a celebrity- has no idea what to do/make of that.
Now take these two characters, throw in a whole lot of ego, emotional immaturity, miscommunication, and time and you get this incredible story that draws you in - just like how they are drwan to each other depsite their best efforts. The pacing and acting are also top-notch, which is why I always and will always come back
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One of my favorite BL's
Watched so many times. A beautiful, quiet, slow story with lovely scenery and visual symbolism. I continue to notice new things each time I watch. I love the representation of their relationship through color and height difference [from kneeling and idolization to facing each other and being equal partners]. I appreciate that the main focus of the show is on our two main characters. There's no side plots, no second leads or other couples.Was this review helpful to you?
unpleasant watch in all the wrong ways
i see the appeal. trust me, i'm all for flawed characters and realistic relationships, but we need to draw a line between realistic, flawed relationships and abuse. the way kiyoi treated hira isn't excused by the fact that he "liked" him. this show was an agony to sit through. i kept wishing that they just went seperate ways and maybe sought professional help, but that would probably be too much to ask of the show. i would've accepted it if they both made efforts to grow as people and be better. but by the end of it, kiyoi was still an abuser, and hira was still a weirdo.i'm not gonna be watching s2. i didn't like this. it's okay if you did, and i'm not criticizing you for liking it. i'm only stating my own reasons for disliking it.
👍
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