Low Budget, But Addicting!

I was excited to watch this BL as it has been marketed as the first Chinese BL in a while due to the ban on gay content in the country. It was also the most anticipated series on MyDramaList for awhile before it started to air! I watched the first episode as it was free on GaGaOoLaLa. This BL is quite low-budget with weird camera angles, off-putting background music and cheap sound effects. The sound editing is also a bit unclear. However, the story is quite promising as it sets up the cat-and-mouse relationship between a company executive and a lazy employee. I'm excited to see the next episodes and to see where the story goes from here.

On a side note, I don't think that one of the leads is going to die (which many people have joked about since it is a Chinese BL). Since funding for this project was from outside China and I don't think that this series is airing in China, I think that it could circumvent the ban (hopefully)...

Upon watching episodes 2 and 3, it is clear that the production is very low quality. The sound editing and cinematography are both quite poor. The acting of the side characters are quite atrocious. This series feels like a school project to be honest. The only good thing about this series so far is the chemistry between the two leads which is clearly palpable and the character of Ying Jia Ming who injects some life and excitement into this low-budget production with his charisma and free-range spirit. I doubt that the production will get better but hopefully, by concentrating on the central relationship, this series can become something good...

Episodes 3 to 6 were decent. I enjoyed how the two leads' relationship began to build as they got closer. I look forward to seeing how their relationship will progress...

Episodes 7 and 8 were quite good! Fantastic chemistry between the two leads. My heart broke when Ding Jun Jie chose to stay with Mengyao instead of going home with Ying Jia Ming, but they quickly reconciled! Yes, the series is low-budget but the story works. You feel invested in their relationship. It's funny and heart-warming! I absolutely adored that interactions between Ding's mother and Ying, especially how she treats him like a son-in-law!

Upon watching the last two episodes of the series, i was so disappointed that Ding's mother forced Ding to break up with Ying. I thought that she would have been accepting. How upsetting! Though they do keep seeing each other on the DL, so there's a sliver of a silver lining. I would have liked a better ending though where Ding and Ying are able to actually be together in the open, though it wouldn't have been very realistic, especially with Ding's mother's heart condition. It sucks how she shames/guilts him into choosing her over Ying. I hope in the hypothetical future that Ding and Ying are able to be together, whether that means that the mother died or accepts her son, at least they would be together...

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3 STARS FOR ZONSAIFAH ONLY!

I was excited to watch this series due to it being one of the latest popular BL's along with 2gether, My Engineer and YYY. I was surprised to see Saint star in a lead role in this series. It's impressive seeing him star in two popular BL roles: PerthSaint in Love By Chance and ZeeSaint in Why R U?

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed and liked this series (at first)! Slightly over-the-top and campy. Interesting stylistic choice with the animated sequences and blurring of fiction and reality. How ironic. His name is Tutor and he works as a tutor. Lol. Pretty cool seeing a half-black actor in Kae, but he is a comic relief role though.

The first episode was interesting as it introduced the story and the characters. However, the second and third episodes dragged a bit as the excessive dialogue scenes don't actually serve a purpose and there is no actual progress in the story. However, the series picked up on episode 4. Episodes 4-8 were exciting and compelling, Unfortunately, the series lost steam in its later episodes where I didn't really care for Tutor and Fighter's relationship anymore (and yet the series gives them so much, like so much screen time).

Rivals becoming lovers is always an interesting story. There's a lot that you can do with the tension between two people. At first, I liked Zon and Sai Fah's story more than Tutor and Fighter's to be honest. Their origin story of stealing a girlfriend makes more sense than mistaking the spelling of a name. Their relationships was SO CUTE! Like puppy love! However, I felt that Zon and Saifah's relationship is a bit too quick (which the series actually addresses a few times lol). Like one guitar session where they almost kiss and then, they are on a date where they just so happened to be at the same time at the same time. I grew to like Fighter and Tutor's story, which was filled with sexual tension. I did like how the series portrayed Fighter struggling with his sexuality and fears being outed and Tutor struggling to pay off a debt (something that the wealthy Fighter can help with). Their transition from friends who secretly liked/hated on another to acting like a couple, being jealous of and acting cute with one another, is a bit sudden though. Going on a lavish couple vacation at the beach just to see if they want to be in a relationship is a bit much and doesn't make much sense to be honest. And it's most likely Fighter's father who is funding the trip and the fact that the father didn't ask who Fighter was going with or anything doesn't make sense. The vacation scenes were so dull, excluding the love-making scene ;). I was literally waiting for something, anything to happen.

Both main couples get together like episode 9, but there are still several episodes left. There's nothing to build to. Even when Fighter's father caught him making out with Tutor, they kept on being all lovey-dovey, which doesn't make sense as his father could hear them. And why would Tutor leave his phone when he went to the bathroom or talk to Fighter all lovey-dovey in front of his student, which doesn't make sense. I do like how Fighter's father was not accepting of his son's sexuality as it provides a different viewpoint that is equally valid (and more realistic) than the other BL's with parents who accept their children right away. I also liked how he stated the importance of the happiness of the family, not the individual, which is a common Asian cultural value, and how he knew what made his son happy because he raised him, which is a common (albeit false) belief among parents. Anyways, why didn't Tutor tell fight that his father wanted them to break up. It's not like he blackmailed him. He's not losing anything by telling Fighter that. However, it is poignant having the father see how unhappy his son is due to his beliefs. More parents should see these scenes in my opinion. Seeing how their decisions and actions can affect their children. Seeing if it is actually worth it. It's kinda weird towards the end where Zon acts like Tutor's close friend when it should be Saifah who should be acting like a close friend to be honest.

It is unfortunate that ZonSaifah scenes were unable to be filmed due to COVID 19 since they are my most favourite couple in the show. I wonder how much effect the COVID crisis had on filming though. Would the side couples like Japan/Tanthai and Blue/Dew have gotten more screen time? Anyways, those side couples were completely useless and had no purpose in the series.

The skinship and make-out scenes are nicely shot though. This series probably has the most intimate scenes from a BL that I've seen thus far. However, Fightor had too much intimate scenes and ZonSaifah didn't have enough.

A few trivial things here and there like how Fighter was able to use the koala mascot since he didn't work there and how Tutor didn't know that it was Fighter. The sister (Tony) subplot was kinda random and felt shoe-horned into the story to have someone for Tutor to come out to and to bridge the silence between Tutor and Fighter.

It may not have many moments that make your heart flutter or legs quiver like 2gether, but those moments that do feel natural and organic, unlike 2gether's which feel manipulative. Your hearts flutters when you see the couples learn about each other and support each other and love each other.

It is also interesting that a lot of the cast are from the YouTube group, DomundiTV, which is pretty cool to be honest.

The product placement in this series is so shameless. Usually, I enjoy product placement in BL series as it's generally cute and funny, but this series takes it to another level, kinda shoving it in your face.

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Watching SOTUS Felt Like Falling In Love

Watching this show, I had a similar experience with Carol, where I felt like I was experiencing a deep, profound love. Watching SOTUS felt like falling in love, being loved, realizing that you are worthy of love, that love is worth fighting for, the pain of having your heart broken and sharing your life with someone. The writing is oh so good. The performances are wonderful. I love how grounded and real this show is (like when compared to 2gether). The chemistry between Krist and Singto is electric (as can be seen in their live appearances). I was introduced to SOTUS after doing some research about more popular BL series after binging 2gether. I simply adored this season though I felt that there wasn't enough scenes between Arthit and Kongpob. There was too much filler with the secondary characters in my opinion. I still absolutely loved this season though.

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I absolutely loved this series. It was the perfect introduction to K-dramas. I have been meaning to watch Korean dramas for awhile but never did until I read about the raves for this series which happened to be on Netflix so why not? Not what I was expecting from a K-drama (I was expecting something more along the lines of 2gether), but it was so cute and sentimental and touching. I cried so many times watching this show. I haven't cried this much watching anything, which shows how good this shows is (it also shows how manipulative this show is, but it works). Far better than the overrated Itaewon Class in my opinion.

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A Riveting Indictment of Tiger Parenting...

As someone who was forced to go to dental school by his doctor and dentist parents, the plotline and trailer for this K-drama immediately captured my attention. Melodramatic and manipulative though also exciting and engaging, I can see why this drama is the second-highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history. Topical and relatable, this series showcases the detrimental effects of strict tiger parenting. 'Sky Castle' should be seen by all parents who push their dreams on their children, viewing him as trophies to brag about rather than as human beings with their own dreams and goals.

On a side note, it's hilarious how the parents were so obsessed with their children getting into medical school, but not finishing it. I absolutely ADORED Professor Cha's and Soo Han's families! They were easily my favourites out of all of the families at Sky Castle.

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Suspenseful...

I've heard a lot about Method with many people recommending it as a "must-watch" for BL films. Though the story did feel rushed and was a tad too melodramatic at times, especially in its thrilling last act, I absolutely was enthralled with this story of art imitating life and the lines that blurs the two distinctions. The acting of the two leads were great and really pulled me into this forbidden love story. There were a few unresolved moments that were questionable though such as why Young Woo's demeanor changed so quickly from being reluctant to participate in the play to going the extra mile and who the stranger was who broke into Jaeha's house, who I'm guessing was Young Woo but what happened after the statue fell down? Did Jaeha's wife call the police? Did Young Woo appear? How did he appear? Did he do anything to the wife? This major plot point was kinda skimmed over to amp up the tension in the last act. And let's be honest, if Jaeha truly thought that Young Woo killed his wife, he wouldn't continue to act on stage but rather rushing to his house to save her. All in all, an entertaining and suspenseful story that is unique in the world of BL. Anyone looking to see something different, I highly recommend watching this film!

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Entertaining Fluff...

Entertaining though a bit too fluffy with a story that was a bit messy. I was a bit unsure why Min Soo married Hyo Jin in the first place. Was it to get his mother off his back? For money? Neither reason was substantial enough to warrant faking a marriage. His mother was barely in the picture and money didn't seem that important. And he was a doctor anyways. He was sure to make good money.

The film was entertaining until its last third which was too melodramatic, random and rushed. Did Tina really have to die? No. Did the cast really have to do a campy dance in front of their disapproving parents at the chapel? No. And what is up with that random animated sequences at the end, which was completely unnecessary.

On a positive note, I loved the portrayal of different type of gay people without reducing any of them into caricatures! I LOVED that!

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Engagina and Compelling

I've seen several people recommend this film when people asked for BL film recommendations. And I'm glad that I watched it! An engaging, compelling, subtle film about unconditional love, acceptance and time. Seeing Mi Kyung learn to accept Yong Joon's homosexuality was touching. Exposure leads to acceptance. Like many others, I am slightly disappointed by the ending in which Yong Joon and Soo Hyun are not together, but it is understandable. Feelings change. Time goes on. I do hope that Yong Joon and Soo Hyun will learn to love one another again though. *fingers crossed*

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A Genre Yet to Be Explored In BL...

I first heard about this short film from a BL Instagram account that I follow. And I enjoyed it! I liked how they explored the genre of webcam porn, which has hasn't been touched by any BL series so far. I liked how they mentioned the hardship and unemployment that the COVID crisis befell on them, which many viewers can relate to, causing them to explore trying to make money online, which many people in real life also did with the surge of new OnlyFans accounts being created. I would love to see this short film expanded into a full-length series. I would 100% watch it as it brings someone new to the BL world.

It is surprising that there has yet to be a BL that focuses on webcam star, especially during the COVID crisis which provides the perfect opportunity to explore that genre. But I guess that topic is too adult whereas BL is more innocent and targeted towards fangirls.

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Nice Rapport Between Leads, But Interactive Component Hinders...

Another pinocy BL with virtual calls that is heavily inspired by GameBoys with its characters being quite similar. The bashful with the player. Kumusta Bro? literally began the same way with someone livestreaming and bringing on a guest to co-host or to challenge and the guest turns out to be a pretty blunt flirter. I do must sat that the two leads, Thirdy and Bench are both quite attractive though, especially Bench! However, the interactive component of the series does hinder the series as whenever Thirdy or Bench refer to the viewers, it interrupts the flow of the story and bloats the running time. All in all, the first episode was quite dull. Though there were some good moments in the middle where Thirdy and Bench were just talking to one another, joking around with one another and insulting one another. It is clear that they do have a nice rapport going on. I hope that the challenge will help to further their relationship as it seems like Bench will fall for Thirdy hard and hopefully, Thirdy will fall back...

I actually quite liked Episode 2, which was far better than the first episode. There were several moments of kilig and the interactive component felt more natural and less forced. I LOVE Thirdy and Bench together. Their chemistry is on point and they look great together. The game of Spit or Strip was highly entertaining (seeing Bench shirtless was :P lol) and propelled the story along, revealing a bit more about each of the ML's. I am intrigued about the cliffhanger which seemed to show the possibility of another former classmate who will try to pursue Thirdy, which will make Bench jealous and I am here for that!

I actually enjoyed the first two episodes, but Episode 3 was quite a bore. Even the introduction of a love triangle with the character of Dean didn't really interest me. I'll continue to watch though to see if (hopefully) the next episode will be better.

Episode 4 started off with a conversation between Thirdy and Dean, which although enlightening as we get to know more about Dean, was ultimately too overlong and a bit dull. However, when Bench came into the livestream, the pacing quickly picked up as there was immediate tension between Bench and Dean, both vying for the affections of Thirdy. Of course, I am Team Bench. I absolutely LOVE him! He was the first one and he's just so emotional with his heart on the line, not being afraid to show his feelings and love for Thirdy. I LOVE that! It's unfortunate for Dean because he is also a good guy who just wants a chance to fulfill his years-long dream of getting with Thirdy, but he did come later and his chemistry with Thirdy isn't as kilig. I'm excited for the next episode to see how Thirdy will respond to Bench's confession!

Episode 5 was a bit slow as Bench kinda disappeared though the conversation between Thirdy and Dean was nice. It seemed like Thirdy was really liking Dean. What Bench did, by inviting Dean's ex into the livestream was an *sshole move though. I didn't like that.

Episode 6 was quite dull and overlong to be honest. The conversation with Dean was unnecessary but at least Dean confessed that he's loved Thirdy since high school. Hopefully, the next episode is better.

Disappointed that Thirdy didn't end up choosing anyone to be with at the end. I was rooting for him to get together with Bench (even Dean would've been nice). What's the point of calling it a BL if there is no actual boys love? And what's up with Cerwin? Why is he so popular? He's so dull like watching paint dry. He can't even act and doesn't even try to act, unlike Thirdy, Dean and Bench who all give their best.

All in all, Kumusta Bro was a decent BL. It showed promise in the beginning but had too much filler in its episodes and the interactive component hindered the storyline. The actors who played Thirdy, Dean and Bench all did a good job though and I would love to see him in actual BL productions!

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Highly Entertaining Though Rushed...

Never heard of this film before, but its title card on Netflix with the image of a good-looking Asian warrior piqued my interest. My interest was further piqued when I saw that the film starred Henry Lau, who I was first introduced to when I saw a thumbnail of him in a Buzzfeed YouTube video.

Highly entertaining and engaging, I was completely invested in the story and the characters. However, the film felt very rushed. It was like pedal to the metal right from the start. The film tried to cram the content of a series into a 2 hour film. Within the first 15 minutes, the main characters are already on their trek for a warrior competition and one person has already died. And there were a few questionable plot points such as the Martial Combat, which though exciting, doesn't make any sense at all. Why would you send your best fighters to die just so that one of them can lead an army? Like what?

This story would have been better suited as a series to be honest. There is still way too much material to unpack and so many story threads that still need to be explored. I truly hope that there will be several sequels, which will help flesh out the story and the background of its characters, bringing justice to this fascinating story.

On a side note, Henry Lau's so hot! I loved how the producers/director pandered to the audience by serving us some Henry Lau shirtless scenes! Bless them! His acting could've been better though. To be honest, the acting all across the board could have been better, but that could be a script/genre issue where overacting is the norm/expected. Still highly entertaining though.

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Pretty Good Until the Middle When Story Started to Make No Sense...

Overlong. Messy. Nonsensical especially in its last 10 episodes. Like there's literally no logic. It felt like the writer was just trying to throw random plot points at the wall and see which ones sticks. Props to China for using unique concepts in their BL's like Advance Bravely, The Untamed and Guardian, unlike Thailand which are always set in university. Though I do immensely love Thai BL's, it would be nice to have some different settings and concepts. It is unfortunate about China's censorship on LGBT relationships in films and TV shows though. They are censoring great works of art that could be immensely better if it weren't for the ban. I'm really surprised that this series passed the sensors to be honest. It's quite homoerotic and blatant in its portrayal of gay love, unlike say like The Untamed who is more subtle. A coming out scene to the parents would have been nice at the end but that would mean being blatantly gay, thus not passing the sensors.

Yuan Zong is literally the perfect boyfriend and the interactions between the two main leads were quite cute and adorable. However, The series does drag a bit in the middle though as nothing important happens. Even though the series is 30 episodes long, their relationship seemed a bit quick. Xia Yao went from being nervous around Yuan Zong to staying with him overnight, wanting him to scratch his back in like the span of a few episodes.

A few questionable plot points throughout the series though like why Da Yu would not know that he was carrying a stranger and why he would let the random stranger sleep over. It does provide comic relief though. And why is Da Yu so obsessed with Wang Zhi Shui. Or Da Yu being extra when an instructor kicked Xia Yao. Or Xia Yao being held against his will because the sister wanted to treat his 'premature ejaculation.' WTF?! And all the people helping her?! It makes no sense at all! Or when and why Yuan Zong and Xia Yao started to live together all of a sudden? There was zero talking about this. They just randomly started to live together and sleep on the same bed shirtless. This show is more light-hearted than I was expecting. The poster promotes a very different type of series; one that is more epic and wuxia.

Random plot points that don't make any sense like the random charity towards the end, a movie being shot where Wang Zhi Shui is the star. Xia Yao's random trauma of guy legs. Like wtf?! And it never got resolved. Or Xia Yao helping children cross the street in an inch-long flood. Or utterly stupid life-and-death scenario at the end when the construction workers asked random people in cars to help try to rescue a worker who fell down a well and the 'super selfless' Xia Yao decided to help them and then got stuck down there. Uh what?! Like could the construction worker like throw down the rope to him after pulling up the worker who initially fell down the well? And how the eff did Yuan Zong and the other bodyguard members get there before the firefighters? It makes no sense at all! And that animated ending which was literally one of the worst ending that I've ever seen in my entire life!

Even at 30 episodes, the story felt incomplete. Literally Nothing was resolved! None of the characters’ stories were complete! I've read that the original version of Advance Bravely had 35 episodes but the BL scenes were cut due to the broadcasting restrictions. I wonder how the censorship affected this show’s production. The censorship was implemented December 2015. I'm guessing that this show was filmed before the restriction. But does it take 1.5 years to edit since it began to air August 2017? Still, even with the restriction, the story could have been so much better and the animated ending could have easily been scrapped. Another series ruined by China censorship. Addicted Heroin. Advance Bravely. The Untamed. Ugh, China...

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BEAUTIFUL IN ITS PORTRAYAL OF THE ORDINARY...

Though I do hate medical-related stuff, I am fascinated by the lives of doctors and residents working in a hospital and have never have watched a medical drama before though I have always been interested. Due to the rave reviews of Hospital Playlist on social media, I decided to check it out since it is on Netflix anyways.

Relaxing and comforting. Just regular people living their everyday lives. And that's what makes it beautiful. I get the same feeling when I watch Terrace House. It's beautiful seeing the deep relationships that form between medical students, residents, doctors and professors all working towards the same goal, to help better the lives of others. I cannot wait to see the second season!

I can see why some people were unsure to continue watching as this drama throws you right in the middle of the character lives, so you are kinda disoriented and confused, especially when so many names of people you don't know gets dropped. However, you quickly get used to it and are exposed to something ordinarily beautiful. You feel like you are a part of these character lives.

On a side note, it's an interesting dichotomy. Doctors are highly respected in society, but they can also be treated quite poorly, being at the mercy of their patients and their families, often getting yelled at and harassed by them. Sometimes, even having to profusely apologize for unintentional oversights or being unable to save a patient. This series shows both aspects.

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Boring but Interesting...

I first came across You Who Came from the Stars from seeing the 'Most Popular Shows' list on MDL. The premise intrigued me so I had to watch it. While being on my watchlist, I watched It's Okay to Not be Okay and fell in love with Kim Soo Hyun, who starred in You Who Came from the Stars! Another reason to watch this K-drama!

This series was entertaining though a bit fluffy, cliched and drags at times. There wasn't much substance but that is alright as it works for what it is, a form of romantic escapism. However, it quickly becomes stale as it drags a lot to the point where I am bored watching the drama. However, it is also able to keep me interested with its cliffhangers. It's a weird dichotomy of being both boring and interesting at the same time. I know that if I was watching this drama as it was airing like one or two episodes weekly, I would definitely be able to finish it. However, since I am binging, I am unsure if I want to even finish it when I could be spending my time watching something that I like better.

The story is a bit messy with a lot of plot point that didn't make much sense. Characters hold back knowledge that could easily save them or help find the culprit, but they don't divulge for the sake of prolonging the story, which is bad writing in my opinion. Like why is Song Yi so dumb? She knows that Han Yoo Ra didn't commit suicide so it must have been murder. And who could have killed her? Uh... how about the person who was arguing with her before her death? An argument that Song Yi eavesdropped. But that never came into her mind. She even revealed to Jae Kyung that she heard their argument. This is bad writing. There's no way that she would be that dumb. In addition, Min Joon knew that Jae Kyung killed Yoo Ra but didn't tell anyone for some reason, not even Song Yi whose career is being affected by Yoo Ra's death.

On a side note, It's pretty cool seeing how Kim Soo Hyun changed in the 7 years between YWCFTS and IOTNBO though he was still beautiful then and still is beautiful now. It's interesting to note that both of his roles in both dramas are quite similar as he plays the stoic ML opposite an over-the-top FL.

It's nice seeing that Kim Chang Wan and Kim Soo Hyun acted alongside one another in this drama 7 years before IOTNBO. I love their dynamic!

On another side note, why does Min Joon shower with a towel on? Lol. Couldn't they just show the waist up if they wanted to show him showering?

On a somewhat related note, Is the Korean entertainment industry this ruthless when it comes to rumours and portraying the perfect image? I know that the Kpop industry is ruthless, not wanting their idols to be in relationships and whatnot, but can something like what happened to Song Yi actually occur? Can a top celebrity be blacklisted for 'causing' the suicide of a fellow celebrity?

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Cute and Amiable

I learned about this series from a BL Instagram page and was happy to have a new BL to watch! It's not bad so far. The production is low-budget, but the foundation of two best friends having feeling for one another is laid out nicely though their confession was quite quick and rushed. I wonder how many episodes this series will be as MDL lists that it's only two episodes, which wouldn't be enough. If it actually is only two episodes or just a few episodes, then the rushed confession is understandable. It's a promising start. I'll see where it goes from here.

Episode 2 was fine. Not particularly interesting but not boring either. The music in this series is quite beautiful, I must say. It was cute when Tan confessed to Sine about his feelings and sad when Sine rejected him, but at least there was an almost-kiss at the end. I guess that there will be more episodes than just 2.

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