PPBongi
California, USA
What Was Its Point?
This is a prime example of how to turn a bad series into an even worse one by not knowing what your direction is. And we can see it slipping away because of the lack of perspective. If this series had some sort of direction, it could have been good. If they were going for comedy, they failed miserably. If they were going for some sort of mystery, it also bombed. However, in my opinion and why I think this series worked a little is that they (I think, or I hope) were going for a ‘tongue-and-cheek’ approach to humor. But never went far enough with what they were doing to make that work.Was this review helpful to you?
Profoundly Sad Tale
This is a difficult series to review. It is NOT entertaining and at times gets tripped up in its own minutia. There is no real love in this series. It is more pretend or school-boy fantasies of love. The main protagonist is unlikeable. The reason for my anxiety about this series is because of its glorification of abuse for the sake of love. No one is worthy of love who is abusive and to make matters worse, this series paints a picture that the victim is the one who is wrong. I know what it was trying to say but for me, it failed and I wept at all the overt and covert signs of emotional, physical and psychological abuse dispensed like candy in this series. Production is excellent and by no means am I implying the the actors/actress were bad. They were not and in fact there is some very good acting in this series. Its the message and how it was presented that is bothersome.I could not re-watch this series again.
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On My Must See List!
This is an astonishingly funny yet poignant series completed a number of years ago that is just awesome. Funny, cute, and filled with real human characters that are relatable, charming, and individuals i would want as friends. It is a story of friendship and of life and how in life there are always challenges to relationships that must be resolved by ending them. The timing of the humor is shear perfection and the whole series just has a certain 'lived in' feeling about it that is so relatable. I loved this series a lotIf you want to see my full review, read it at BLBliss.com.
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Pain! Pain! Pain!
This is a story of pain. Sometime unimaginable and incalculable pain. Pain that for both these protagonists centered and defined their lives. Additionally, it presents, whether we like it or not, the ugly side of culture. The side of culture we accept as parenting, even though it is abusive, reprehensible, and evil. No one starts out to be such but acceptance of the nonsensical notion of making your children fit to some type of conformity is so strong that reasoning and common sense and standards of decency are thrown out the window. All to make your kid stronger; only in the end to make them weaker internally and vulnerable to doubt as to who they are. This is a story of lost souls. Astonishingly sad and told in muted tones filmed in dark hues as if to signify the total depression of the two of them. There are magical scenes in this series that will make you weep. Not from sadness but from remembrance. Remembrances of the happier times they had together.Was this review helpful to you?
It Is What It Is! Nothing More! I LOVED it!
Frankly, I am astonished this series has gotten such poor to mediocre reviews. I loved it. I loved it for two reasons. First, it tells a full story, albeit short and sweet but to the point. Sure, its brevity is both a hinderance and an asset. I wish there would have been greater character development. Nonetheless, this mini-BL accomplished more in a short period of time than most droning on-and-on BLs characteristically do. It had a beginning, middle, and a fine end. Secondly, we saw flawed characters. These are not individuals who are straight from the trope play book. In some sense, they are not at all likeable individuals, yet they are so relatable to who we are as people. In other words, they are untruthful, blemished, and maybe disingenuous. Traits, I am afraid, we all share at one time or another in our lives.Was this review helpful to you?
A Brilliant Character Study! Phenomenal!!
This is one of those breathtaking series that come along every once in a while, that when you begin to watch it, you know you will be profoundly affected by it. This is a remarkable story of two of the saddest figures in a BL I have ever seen. Yet, there is something magical and mystical about their fate together. Almost from the beginning, you knew they would be together, but you also sensed that the price they would pay for that to happen would be heavy and ladened with sadness. This is an astonishing character study of two flawed individuals who were marginalized, each for different reasons but faced the same outcome. A life of degradation and despair. But they found each other, loved each other, and grew. They had to sacrifice so much. Much more than most of us could or would have possibly been able to bear to do. A phenomenal and brilliant series! Completely character driven.Was this review helpful to you?
This Is Almost A Guilty Pleasure!
No matter how hard I tried, however, I simply could not dislike this series. Perhaps I became enamored with the two main protagonists’ love story and conveniently then ignored the rest of it. Honestly, this could have been a great series and to some extent, it showed promise. But then there was always something that made it crash and burn. This series is unnecessarily complicated when it did not need to be. It would have worked softly, gently as a BL and GL simply at the Sky Valley Resort. There are too many characters acting like buffoons with no sense of direction or purpose. I know this series has received poor reviews and honestly, I understand the sentiment. However, I liked it. It is an adult-themed series which was refreshing. It is an LGBTQIA+ series and not a BL/GL (as in a standard defining way) since this deals with more adult situations and adult sexual circumstances. That part I appreciated as most BLs tend to gloss over that sex, especially more lustful expressions, is part of developing a (BL) relationship. They made that a major focus in their relationship, which is so accurate and honest in the augmentation of a new relationship.Was this review helpful to you?
A Gentle & Genteel Romantic BL
Undoubtedly, this series is one of the warmest and most genuine stories to come out of Japan in a long time. And unique. Not only in its storytelling, but in its overall presentation. And, for once, it was not afraid to show affection. They kissed - frequently. More importantly, it looked like it was authentic and genuine. How refreshing. This is an intensely beautiful love story concentrating more on their weakness and how that helps them see each other’s strengths. What makes it so meaningful is that they were not afraid to show the other what hurts. At the same time, they always take fulfillment in the most basic of human experiences as a joyful pleasure. Eating is not just functional; it is a celebration of the two being together. Sleeping together is the joy of holding each other and being in the presence of one another; not just carnal pleasures. They make being together – a gratifying celebration on so many different levels. And they made the simple act of kissing feel sensual. Without wanting to sound trite, they redefine the term soulmates not in any metaphysical sense but simply as life companions.This is a great series! You can read my full review of this awesome saga at BLBliss.com.
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Titanically fun series to watch
I love history-period pieces, especially Asian ones since I know so little about Asian cultures and customs in general. For me, I romanticize the story even more and thus, it becomes pure escapism. I confess that I got completely lost in the complexities of the story and with the names and who is kindred to whom. I had a hard time following the lineage of who is related to whom and therefore the story for me got a shade complicated. However, I got the gist of the story and all I was interested in really were the main characters. They were not just entertaining. They were tantalizing. For some reason, decidedly handsome men in exotic period costumes add a greater dimension to the level of the portrayals of their characters they are playing. While at first the story seemed a bit juvenile, once it starts to evolve, it becomes an epic love saga, albeit a painful one. While this series has a swashbuckling feel about it, it is deeper than what it is given credit for. To be sure, there are some inane moments, and superficial scenes, but it never loses its mythos about the power of love.Was this review helpful to you?
It tells an LGBTQIA+ Story Brilliantly
The beauty of series like these, especially coming from the Philippines, is that they not only evoke a story with intensity, they bind it with a background history as to why. In other words, it explains how things are the way they are. More importantly, you get to feel that why and also be entertained. That is what gives them uniqueness and depth. For those of us who are not Filipino/Filipina, the characters are generally over-the-top with singularity and distinctiveness. So, we see clearly what has come about. It is far from formulaic. One of the best for this year!Was this review helpful to you?
Good Series But Poorly Titled
This story, series, and production would not have worked without the two main characters. While I truly detest the concept of ‘shipping’, these two have such remarkable chemistry together that I was mesmerized by both. They captured me from the beginning. They played right to the camera as if it was not there. They were natural, real, genuine, honest, and projected a close physical connection to one another rarely seen for me in Thai BLs of late. When they say they ‘loved’ each other, I believed it because they made me believe it. That is rare for two actors so young and frankly with not much acting experience to portray with such depthness the meaning and sincerity of the abstraction of ‘love’. The secondary couple, however, is disappointing and written with standard clichés .Was this review helpful to you?
A soulful BL and GL
The discourse about whether this series is a BL or not is asinine. Of course it is. Male-male love does not have to be consummated to be a BL; it merely has to be perceived. At its core, this series is that. Most assuredly, it is a love story of unrequited love. In addition, this series is certainly a GL. More overt but never fully realized.The story is a deeply reflective, pensive at times, coming-of-age narration of four inquisitive high schoolers. Each is hiding an inner secret not atypical of individuals of their age. But for all, it seems crushing and perhaps overwhelming. That is the burden of youth they must carry - until their next quest.
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Quirky And Very Entertaining!
I loved this series! It is funny, cute, creative, and has a warmth about it that is rare especially for a South Korean BL series. Plus, I found the acting surprisingly and sublimely effective. Perhaps because of the quirky, if not weird, ambience about this series. Somehow, it all worked! This whole series is filled with singular and peculiar individuals. Perhaps that is what absorbed me into this series. It also has an exceptional screenplay and its acting is topnotch. One of my favorites for this year.Was this review helpful to you?
An Exceptional & Phenomenal Series!
It is contradictory, oxymoronic, yet completely genuine in its absurdity. If you seek answers to questions from and about this series, you will not find them. Is this a Theater of the Absurd performance? Perhaps so. All I know is that it is brilliant, a mastery of cinematic artistry, and one of the finest acted series I have seen this year. In order to appreciate this series, you must suspend your idealized notions about BLs and all comforts about conformity or logic, and simply go with what is presented to you. This is a remarkably fervent series to watch. The acting goes deep emotionally without ever explaining why, however. Everything about this series is pure artistry. This is an exceptional BL series with no answers and no real point. It is what it is. You will get it, or you will not. One of the best series in 2024. Completely under the radar but should not be.Was this review helpful to you?
