Art House BL
The Artsiest of Art House Films and the Sliciest of Slice Of Life Dramas had a BL baby. Every other BL I’ve watched has been a happy (for the most part) RomCom, dispensed in 10-20 minutes episodes full of seratonin. The longer episodes here intrigued me, and they were definitely needed for the deeper story. While there is a “happy ending”, I would absolutely not call this a happy drama. I appreciate what this Drama was trying to do. I just don’t know if, for me, it quite achieved. There were 2 characters that I found absolutley unlikable, and they tried to “redeem” them in the last 10 minutes which was just - Uhg. I do have to say- The OST is outstanding. Bottom Line: give this a try if you’re looking for a Korean BL that isn’t all sunshine.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A SURF WORTHWHILE!
This is my first ever review.. Not because I never felt like writing one.. but cause this the first show that made me want to pick my laptop up as I just couldn't contain the happiness after finishing it, that I just wanted to share this!!!Where do I even begin?
The storyline was about two university students falling in love; simple, realistic and at times a little cheesy (minus the part where there is a SURF CLUB?! in a college at all) . They have their ups and downs; enough to give you a whiplash, while also being oh-so comforting.
But what makes it stand out for me, is it being paired it with an amazing screenplay, cinematography and acting. This show is just high up in terms of standards set by Korean BLs.
THE GOOD:
ACTING:
Except the psychiatrist's character (who I am not sure knew what she was talking about?!), all the characters were realistic, well layered, relatable.
The actor who played Jaewon did an amazing job with his portrayal of a young man in his mid 20's, anxious about his future, bound by unsettling relationships, full on sexuality crisis and a past trauma. The highs and lows of the character's emotions were reflected so well on the actor's face, that by the end of the show, I could personally feel the happiness and relief in his eyes now that he gets to be a little bit himself with Jihyun atleast.
'Jihyun' was an equally well written and well played character. The actors' chemistry was a treat to watch, that by the end you will end up wanting more of them. One of the highlights of the show for me though, was definitely his character development. From a scared country mouse to gradually a confident person.. a treat to watch. I love that he was strong enough for the both of them when needed, stuck by Jaewon at his lowest.. while also putting his feelings out there. Loved that confidence for him. The showdown between Eun ji and him is definitely worth mentioning.
Joonpyo, Yoonwon and Ae ri are the supportive friends we stan (Joon pyo and Yoonwon were not a couple I saw coming to be fair). Although, Joonpyo and Aeri being there forJihyun was amazingly depicted, it was Yoonwon's potrayal of a happy go lucky woman on the outside.. while being so helpless on the inside that hit me right in the feels. It was one scene.. but she partly stole the show for me.
While Eunji was still a character I could understand, Tae Hyung can go **** himself. (No hate to the actors though. amazingly played).
CINEMATOGRAPHY AND SCREENPLAY:
The whole indie vibe to the show, while every scene reflected the emotions of the characters with an amazing cinematography. I have nothing more to say.. But PERFECT! They set the standards too high.
THE NOT SO GOOD:
UNRESOLVED ISSUES: Although the patch up scene is one of THE most beautifully shot and acted scenes EVER, it was too rushed. There is a lot of pent up issues specially on Jaewon's end, to be sorted. Be it his past trauma or the fact that he ran away from Jihyun EVERYTIME there was a problem. The guy needs to speak more about what he feels.. a character development needed.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, it was an AMAZING WATCH for me.. and a MUST WATCH to those who haven't. Though I am HOPING FOR A SEASON 2 ,to explore more of Jaewon's acceptance of his feelings, a realistic coming out and the issues the LGBTQ+ community face on a daily basis, Joon Pyo's relationship with the senior, Taehyung's character development...so on and so forth.
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Not a comfort watch – but brilliantly acted.
Perhaps I'm unable to appreciate it like other reviewers, as I didn't find it to be the masterpiece many claim.
While the acting was spot on by the main leads, the plot didn’t give me a moment of relaxation.
In every episode, I anticipated the ending to be a K-trauma!
The depression aspect was handled well, but I did wish for a better ending that felt well rounded and satisfying. I could say it had a HFN (happy for now) finish. I’m one of the few that don’t want a season 2 for this show, if there was a chance of it. The writer would only throw more angst at another season, and I don’t think my little snowflake heart could take it. lol.
It was a very deep, moving show, and I really enjoyed how the male leads depicted their roles.
And what absolute cuties they were!
Though, I’m positive the writer and director collected the most irritating, punchable support characters. Every episode, I was more irked by those secondary characters than ever before. And why must a writer redeem the most prickish character in the finale? It’s not needed. Don't try to alter my perception of him with a brief, insignificant comment at the end after making me hate him all series. Allow the antagonists to remain unappealing.
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THIS SHOW BETTER GET AN OST ALBUM
The music. Fire.The actors. Fire.
The story. Absolute fire.
I would rewatch this ten times over, as a matter of fact I have it replaying right now while I’m reviewing it. I really hope we get merchandise!!! I’m an international fan and whenever a show makes such an impact like this, I instantly head to google to start trying to find merchandise. I know a lot of people wait til the series is completed to binge it, but I went through the agony of waiting every Wednesday morning at 9am to watch this show because it was that good. it was the best part of my week. I’m sad to not have that anymore but it’s fine. I do hope to see more from either the actors or the series, maybe a season 2?
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This review may contain spoilers
BL of 2023
It’s only April, but I don’t see a scenario where any BL captures to magic and poignancy of this series this year.The Eighth Sense is an emotional and thematically rich tale of healing and overcoming trauma under the guise of a simple love story between our two leads. The writing is top notch, direction and cinematography is beautiful, soundtrack is one of the best I’ve ever heard from a BL, and the whole thing is anchored by two incredible performances. This is a Don’t miss series.
Even though the show has a melancholy tone, I hope that doesn’t discourage potential watchers who look to BLs for fluff and escapism — I promise you will be rewarded for the journey.
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Best KBL to grace us!!!
As everyone should know this is the best KBL to come out!! This is not an opinion these are straight facts. Ask any BL girlie out there. The story was amazing. The acting was beyond anything we've seen from any KBL. Props go out to the entire team that worked on this. The movie was released in Korea before a lot of other counties got the show so we did get a different version to knowledge. Even though we didn't have the normal fanservice that you've come to expect from BL the show held it's own. There were BL fans crying on every social platform thanks to this show. The show doesn't just give you a love story, It give you a look into the pressure of society and the way that those with mental illness handle those pressures. It takes you on a journey of friendship and the bond you choose to build outside of blood family that can really make or break you. Sidenote: Let's give praise to the bffs in this show because they really did holds it down like REAL friends should. Overall I say it was the best show to come out this year so far. Im Ji Sub and Oh Jun Taek deserve an award for being able to push us to the edge only to drag us back with what feels like the warmest hug known to men, women, and non-binary people alike.Was this review helpful to you?
excellent series, both intimate and realistic
The only reason I don't put 10 is because that rating is reserved for I TOLD SUNSET ABOUT YOU & UNCONTROLLED LOVE.By the way, it has some of the vibes as ITSAY, in that the story is approached in an intimate and modest way. The scenes are beautiful, everything is projected with a light sometimes raw, sometimes poetic.
The actors are very convincing, we believe in them from beginning to end. The secondary characters are all useful to the story.
The problems are approached in a realistic way without doing too much: guilt, depression, job search, ... The life in Korea is shown without filter. We are far from the colorful world of Kpop - and somehow, it's better.
To see without hesitation.
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just must have to watch. Im waiting for 2nd season!!❤️❤️bdbdjaiakkaoqeieuduzhJavu vgugugguvuggvtvugvguvygfycyfcfvgvugvugvguvugvugvugvgvugvugvugvugvug ug yg u ygyf tfdxdsessbsbbdhdusuaususuddudiaiiaiaooskxkckmfmdndndndbbdbshsusudusususususuusususususuusuaiaoaoqopqpqpqpslxxldksjsnsnnsbdjxjsuauayyayatatsyzyuzxuuxuxzuzsuusjsjssnxnxnxjjsjsususus
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An Unique Korean BL Drama
As the title mentioned, this drama is awesome. The storyline and music are unique.Jihyun doesn’t know how to surfing or swimming, he still joining the surfing society to learn to surf and meet his love, Jaewon. I think the drama compared surfing to boys’ love, both of them need to overcome difficulties. It is the first time they fall in love with a boy, and they are so confused to confess their love to each other. Luckily, they confirmed the feeling towards each other!
Also, the dialogue is really meaningful to the audiences, which inspire me to think about life.
In conclusion, I really love their interaction in the drama, they are so cute! I’m looking forward to the second season of “The Eighth Sense”. I hope the two main characters are willing to be cast for the second season. Keep it up! Thanks for giving us a masterpiece to us!
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This review may contain spoilers
The first 6 episodes are the best
The first 6 episodes are my absolute favourite, I absolutely love the slow pacing and how Jae won looks at Ji Hyeon is absolutely beautiful. I absolutely loved everything about these episodesBut then in the 7th episode they hinted at Ji Hyeon dying and that left a bad taste that lasted till the end. It was absolutely unnecessary and honestly, was only there to build up drama. How Jae won dealt with the accident was also weirdly described. As someone who has been through something similar to Jae Won, I understand him distancing himself from everyone. But other than that, him getting back with Eun Ji is something that completely contradicts his character.
And how everyone dealt with Jae Won shutting down, including Ji Hyeon was so damn weird. Which btw was again a contradiction to Ji Hyeon's character. Everybody talking about how Jae Won didn't look okay but not a single made enough effort to actually talk to him. I understand it's a drama. The entire character of Jae Won hits too close to home, maybe that's why I feel like how Ji Hyeon dealt with his response to the accident was too lightly.
Also Jae Won recovered wayyyyy too quickly, there was no mention of his initial dilemma which was about his future. He just suddenly went from being depressed to a ray of sunshine in 1 episode. Also everyone forgiving everyone at the end is so cliche and uncalled for. Tae hyeong and Eun Ji were bitched who only made Jae Won miserable for a long time. The first step towards recovery would've been cutting these toxic people out of his life. But damn, they gave it a Disney ending.
But then again, I liked the first 6 episodes were so good, I just can't hate this drama.
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A must watch ❤️
Loved everything about it,no doubt this is the best Korean BL series . ...♥️♥️♥️Starting from the storyline, acting to music . I am in love . Already watched it so many times... ... ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️A must watch . Story is beautiful, sweet, romantic everything . If you are a looking for something that will calm you this is the one . you'll laugh,cry and feel loved at the same time . ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️I hope there will be a 2nd season can't wait for it . Lot's of love 💕💕 ❤️❤️❤️ ......,...... ♥️♥️♥️♥️
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