Cyril-H

I am very open minded concerning reality TV today. I grew up with Big Brother, so this is very, very soft compare to the beginning of reality shows. Many compare a Hong Kong show to a Korean show. You have to remember that Hong Kong was, until 1997, under the British Empire. Protected to keep their way for 50 years (until 2047), they can do like they use to under the British, without the restriction of the Chinese. It feels more like a talk show where they try to convince people that LGBTQA are just like other people. Even if dating is part of the show, it is not the focus they wanted. BUT, shipping each other, is also part of any reality shows.
In the other hand, His Man IS a dating show. The first Gay program in Korea, which is a big deal in a strict, conservative country. Korea is a republic, but also a new rich country. That mean, they are still stuck with many traditions, and are very resentful to foreigners. The help of Americans to bring Korea to be one of the fourth Asia Tigers between 1980 and 1990. Yet, last may 2022, it is still Yoon Suk-yeol, candidate of conservative opposition People Power Party (PPP), won a close election over Democratic Party candidate by the narrowest margin ever. As a Right Wings Party, they try to show a libertarianism but it is mainly confined to the economic sphere (especially with the Kpop movement). In 2022, Yoon Suk-Yeol's government changed the term "democracy" to "liberal democracy" in the new textbook, but at the same time removed all the terms "LGBT".
So, as you can see, Korea has a long way to go before their gay reality shows became as open as we see in other countries, even Hong-Kong. And remember that LGBTQA are not protected in many countries, even in Asia. Taïwan is the only country in Asia to have gay marriage. Japan is very close to changing its policy with 78% supporting gay marriage. Only 54% in South Korea.
I know you want to watch something entertaining. But I think we should judge a show for what it is from where it comes from. Not between two countries with different culture.

I am sooooo disappointed. Yes, it's good, but they cut so much from the original webtoon it hurts the story. The love of his best friend, the slow relationship and more misunderstanding between the two main characters. And they don't talk about why the assistant is rich (his grandmother own the biggest kimchi company) and the fact that she wants her grandson to take over...
I love the webtoon, and I am very upset they didn't even extend the drama to fit all of it. 12 episodes would have been enough.

I never heard of this, but I don't know. My research says that the plan of those season was to change the cast every season by new actors for experience as it is full of actors. Also, after the first season, the actors were already on other projects, so the had to recast. But, you know, it's always a war on Y dramas. The actors are very much mistreated. Like prostitute in some companies.

Again My Life and Reborn Rich are very different. First, the protagonist become part of the main family, not an enemy. That mean, he has to change things from the inside. He cannot be an enemy, after all, they became blood. It will also be his reputation on the line. He also gonna have enemies that will just hate him because of who he is, and his family. It is an other challenge that Again My Life didn't use. The other thing is, it's not about the law. Of course, it's implied, but it is about family business. It's very much real. Rich people gets married to one another to keep the business. They have a patriarchal way of life and that is how they roll. They make the laws, and play with them by having people in high position within the government, and that's true in every countries. So that is why I love Reborn Rich. Of course, similarities exist with any "back to the past" dramas. But it is the story that is captivating. And yes, also the acting. Song Joong Ki is, to me, one of the best actors. Between Descendants of the Sun (2016), Arthdal Chronicles series (2019) or Vincenzo (2021), brings him on the top of the charts. Thanks to Netflix broadcasting his talent.
The other thing is the director Jeong Dae Yun who has done two of my favourite dramas : W (2016) and I'm Not a Robot (2017), so I expect a great cinematography from him, and not disappointed so far.

As much as I appreciate a good critic, I don't like when people don't even refer to the source material. I would have loved that you talked about the ending cut short compared to the manga, especially the love interest of the other characters, and the fact than Sato is a music genius, like Murata (Kaji's hidden boyfriend and violinist prodigy), which will bring Sato to write music and be free from the past. And I am sorry, but the final song gave me goosebumps, because it was perfect for Sanari's voice, who's a rapper originally. So yes, the series was, until the end, very close to the manga. Too bad they cut it at 6 episodes when they could have done 10 and be like the manga, or at least the anime.
Manga online: https://fanfox.net/manga/given

I am totally shocked by the industry in Korea, but also in the US. I mean Taylor Swift had problem with HER agency. But Korea is a country with a lot of bad people doing anything for money and profit. As a growing country, we all been through this. Now that it is in the open, it is the responsibility of the government and the UN to settle the problem of child labor (because it is, after all, child labour or even slavery). A reminder, if someone do a job, any job, without getting any money, it is Slavery, in ANY countries. Hope he win this war, and please, even if you are not a fan, support him as he will need it in this difficult time. Any artists or bands going against their boss will have a difficult time in Korea.

I watch all of them. My favourite is now Reborn Rich, but it's new compared to the other two.

Agreed !!!

When I saw "Close Friend 2", I didn't realise they were actually close to this drama. did they change their names to avoid the family and flew to South Korea? So much could be imagined from this. Can't wait for it.

We are talking about drama. It's different in real life. Actually, bromance is seen as "close to gay" to many straight people. And I don't really agree with the "non-sexual" part. I grew up in an orphanage, and "bromance" existed while taboo. As a gay man, I could see those straight guys doing stuff that people would see as gay. However, it was limited to closiness, more than real sexual relation (I can't go into details her, but maybe you will understand). So I don't think its cut and dry as you want to believe. It's like a behind close door kind of thing.

There is a difference. Bromance has a sexual tension that doesn't have friendship. The characters may be bisexual, or just a big flirt with everyone, even his friends. Friendship is very dry. The line is clear, and they barely touch. In Asia especialy, it's very clear.

Son Woo Hyun is very cute. Not only his acting is fantastic, but you can see that even with his young age, he already has the capacity to be a great actor.