This review may contain spoilers
TL;dr: I started this show and dropped it after like 2 minutes, because I was so annoyed by the style and biased by the negative opinions of others. But then I saw an edit and wanted to give the show another try... and I fell in love! We really need to care less about other's opinions when it comes to shows, because I watched so many shows that a lot of people dislike, while I enjoyed them. What a pity, when I would have missed all those gems!My Love Letter to Bed Friend, lmao:
I'm a huge huge huge fan of expressed consent, because this topic is really important to me. I also don't like to be touched without permission, so shows who tackle this topic are kinda special to me, because it's not often addressed. I just feel seen when this topic comes up, and I really really LOVE it. Furthermore, I giggle and smile like an idiot whenever this topic comes up in a show.
King absolutely respects Ueas boundaries with no doubt. He asks for permission and takes him seriously. He isn't frustrated or annoyed by Uea stating his boundaries and saying "No". Not only that, but he gives Uea the time Uea needs to open up. That made me so happy and I smiled every time. But King also doesn't shy away to vocalize very clearly what he wants and needs. But he also makes clear, that he doesn't want to pressure Uea and respects any decision Uea would make, he is endlessly caring, patient and understanding. Nonetheless: It's not like King is only simping for Uea. But he gives him safety, and that's what Uea needs after all he went through. At the first look, it seems like King puts more effort in it, but he is just the more (talk)active part, who takes the initiative, because Uea is really careful and cautious, what is totally understandable.
The respect they have for each other is just so nice to see, especially since consent is still a topic that many people don't take seriously and belittle it/laugh about. So seeing a show portraying it that way made me really excited, glad and happy, because I can relate so much to Uea.
Good communication: Both leads reflect and apologize! Not one-sided attraction or love. That's often missing in other shows, but here it's stated as mutual in so many scenes, and I love it. They both see when they made mistakes and both take responsibility for it and don't expect the other one to apologize or take the blame. You can absolutely see that they BOTH want to be together and how they put effort into it, to make things work, to understand each other, listen to each other and support each other. It's healthy, mutual, full of respect, dignity and effort and I. Am. Whipped.
King literally devours Uea with his looks in every scene, and I love it. He looks so proud, attracted and whipped for Uea in every shot and I. Am. Melting. Get yourself someone who looks at you the same way King looks at Uea. That's so heartwarming. Overall, King's acting is just really impressive to me. There are scenes where he only breathes in a specific way, and I'm like "Damn, he expresses so much right now" I could totally see and feel every emotion that both of them wanted to convey.
The acting could be a tiny little bit better here and there, because sometimes it felt a little bit off/stiff. That's also because the pauses between the lines, when they talk to each other, are sometimes unnecessarily long…but that's so little, that it didn't take away from my excitement and love for this show.
Also: Important topics get addressed, just as safer sex, STDs and testing, boundaries. Overall, their communication is just really wholesome, like I explained already.
Ultimate Plus point: No "love fixes all" trope. Yeah, King supports Uea all the way, but Uea puts work in it himself in order to get better! He works for the processing and healing of his trauma! Again: wholesome. He doesn't rely only on King. He doesn't think, just because King accepts and likes him the way he is, he doesn't have to change anything anymore. Furthermore, he works constantly on different things, he grows and he opens up, step by step. The development is great to see!
Likeable support characters: Jade and Gun are great friends, especially Jade. What a cutie patootie! I know…a lot of people dislike characters like him and I can totally understand this, but I love Yim (I fell for him in Cutie Pie) and maybe that's why I have a soft spot for Jade too. I knew that Tutor will appear in the last episode, and I still smiled from ear to ear when he was finally there, because I am just abnormally whipped for them, and I am really excited to watch their story in Middleman's Love, even though I heard a lot of negative things about the show. The other people in the office are also funny and entertaining, and I laughed multiple times when Faii and Muay appeared. You really have to like characters like them to find them funny, and I am surprised by myself that I wasn't annoyed by them.
Funfact; I started Bed Friend a while ago, to get a quick look how the vibe is, and I didn't even make it through the introduction, because I was so annoyed, LOL. And now, I am absolutely in love with the show, the cast and everything. x)
Low angst: Obstacles get solved pretty quickly. It's not dragged, it's not getting boring. I love that! The pacing is absolutely to my taste. Every time when I watched a preview that shows some drama/obstacles, I was afraid. "Okay, that's the moment, where the show will f*ck it up. Now there's drama incoming, and they will drag it :(" but nope, every episode I got surprised again. The problems were solved quickly and nicely. Maybe for other people, too fast and unproblematic, but I absolutely loved this.
Lovely Soundtrack: The lyrics for the OSTs are very fitting, what I also like. It's great to think back to a show, when I listen to the OSTs afterward and the lyrics tell the story again.
Relatable characters: The characters make sense. Their behavior is understandable. Uea is absolutely not annoying! If you understand trauma, you also understand him. People who say he's annoying just don't understand what trauma does to someone. I can absolutely relate to him, and he is probably my favorite character ever. I love how he teases King and how King loves every second of it. But I also see the little moments, where Uea steps over his shadow and pushes himself out of his comfort zone, to open up to King and give him something back. To show him that he trusts King and wants this thing between them just as much as King wants it. They also share some lovey-dovey moments, where Uea doesn't joke around, just to tease King, but gives him serious the confirmation King asks for. It's a great balance of teasing, but making clear that he wants him too. Bratty characters are often written in a frustrating way, because either they never admit that they like the other person, or they take too long to admit it. So it can get annoying pretty easily. Characters like this have a high chance to frustrate me, because I want to see a relationship that shows me a mutual love story. I'm not interested in one-sided love, but shows with bratty characters have a high tendency to fail to deliver this, because it's easy to miss the chance to turn the characters' behavior just slightly, so they don't fail to sell me their love. But yeah, like I said, Uea nails this balance and his teasing always comes off as very loveable, without the intention to hurt King or make fun of him in a disrespectful way and the serious moments always come off as very sincere and lovely.
The Ending: Usually I don't like time skips at the end, because I feel disconnected from the story. It is just not connected to the rest and the smooth flow is lost. But in Bed Friend, I didn't mind them much. Maybe because they happen on a casual basis, so it was kind of part of the whole vibe. I also don't like it much when they pack the last episode full of sudden happy events. Like wedding, Pregnancy (well, more in straight dramas, but if you know, you know) etc. It just feels kinda off. I know that dramas don't need to be realistic, and I don't have this standard either, but somehow it often feels like too much and not fitting to the rest of the story. It feels like the writers try to use everything to push the happiness to the maximum level. But here again, I didn't mind it at all. I am so in love with KingUea, that it really made me happy, that they got the full package of a happy ever after in the end, because - especially Uea - they went through so much shit, that they just deserve every inch of happiness they can get.
Bed friend became an absolute comfort show for me. I enjoyed every second and I love love love it. I felt so relaxed, watching the show. KingUea are both freaking attractive, cute, adorable and sweet characters. The show gave me so many tropes that I just LOVE and adore (and don't find often in other shows, so I was even more excited). I was glued to my screen, devouring the show just like King devoured Uea and I definitely don't regret it.
Kudos to everyone who actually read all of this. I don't even know how this could happen. That's for sure my longest review ever. :'D
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something so special
This is one the very few drama that Im giving a 10 solely because this drama made me feel things that no other drama did/could/will.Maybe it was me relating to Uea's charecter, or me falling head over heels for King or just Netjames insane chemistry idk what it was but it definitely left a huge impression on me.
it became my comfort show despite the heavy themes.
Net's eyes are so expressive, the love and adoration King had for Uea was so clearly visible. They also had a very healthy and understanding relationship.
Considering there's most likely no more netjames in future, maybe this is all I'll have left as a wonderful memory of them both together.
May king and Uea live happily ever after ❤
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it is really that good
WATCH IT, GO RIGHT NOW AND WATCH IT!!!!!!!!I don't usually go out of my way to write reviews unless a series really impresses me or doesn't meet my expectations. For this series, it has really impressed me. Being open about trauma and pain is something new I have seen in a drama, and it is so well done. There are no unnecessary cliche tropes where love heals all trauma or anything like that. Watch the series to figure out how they fix all this (lolz, is this a spoiler? I hope not).
It contains NSFW scenes, but none of them are awkward or unnecessary. A lot of BL series add NSFW scenes just to boost views, but in this one, it felt natural. I'm a sucker for the storyline this series follows, so I might be biased, but I enjoyed the series. I just finished watching it for the third time just minutes ago.
Non-CNC: Yes... not more than once.
NSFW: Hell yeah!
Tugs your heartstrings: TUGGED!
Brings up sensitive topics: Really well done.
Overall: Really well-made and deserving of a 10/10 rating. Also, both the main actors and even the side actors are eye candies. I was drooling over them for the entirety of the series.
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JUST LOVED IT.....
Don't judge the book by it's coverAnd Don't judge the story by reading the negative reviews..
Just go for it.... It's a lovely and wonderful story...And you will surely love it..
Uea and King are so sweet...King is probably the mature one because he understands Uea's problems very well and he comforts Uea as much as he can... Since they are in Friends with Benifits relationship, throughout the story we can see Uea and King love each other from the bottom of their hearts...
There are no major misunderstandings between the couple and they are sorting out all the things very quickly.. Just loved the series..
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This review may contain spoilers
MAGNÍFICO E SURPREENDENTE
Assisti essa série com a versão original primeiro e depois conheci essa perfeição que é a versão sem cortes.Como eu disse na resenha anterior desse mesmo drama a história é perfeita e tem a dose certa de humor e profundidade, existem muitos momentos leves e gostosos de se acompanhar e também tem seu lado sensível por conta de todos os traumas do Uea.
A amizade com benefícios funciona muito bem e tem cenas eróticas excelentes nos primeiros episódios (e no último episódio também), tudo cria um clima perfeito pra cena, a música, as cores, o jeito que é filmado. É muito bom, sério.
As atuações são excelentes, as cenas são bem dirigidas, os diálogos são maravilhosos independente de ser uma cena fofa, engraçada ou triste.
A trama é fluida e você nunca quer que acabe, quando acaba você fica triste e quer mais. Espero ver mais romances nessa pegada pois ele tem um toque muito diferente que me fez amar desde o primeiro episódio.
Se fosse pra fazer algum tipo de ressalva eu só diria que o King poderia ser um personagem mais trabalhado e que no final a relação deles deu uma regredida a pedido do Uea (senti um pouquinho de sadismo da parte dele querendo que o King se humilhasse por ele sem poder encostar), foi um pouco contraditório levando em conta o ponto do relacionamento deles, mas não apaga o brilho de todas as outras coisas presentes na trama.
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