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Love Mate korean drama review
Completed
Love Mate
1 people found this review helpful
by IncorrigibleMe
Jul 9, 2023
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Missed Opportunities and Familiar Tropes

his series falls short of leaving a lasting impression, as it relies on the familiar clichés and tropes seen in many average BL series. It's high time for producers to take more creative risks and offer unique storylines that set them apart. Iconic BL series like "The Eighth Sense" and "DNA Says Love You" come to mind as examples of pushing boundaries and delivering fresh narratives.

The story follows Lee Jun, a team leader in a media company who is disillusioned with love due to a past failed relationship. He becomes the target of relentless pursuit by a new employee named Jeong Ha Ram, who falls head over heels at first sight. Exhausted by Ha Ram's persistent advances, Lee Jun reluctantly decides to give him a chance, embarking on a month-long trial period to determine their compatibility. However, as Lee Jun finds himself drawn to Ha Ram, his unresolved past resurfaces, posing a threat to their budding relationship.

Regrettably, this series is saturated with clichés and predictable tropes. Ha Ram's persistent pursuit and borderline stalker-like behavior raise red flags rather than romantic intrigue. Despite Lee Jun's initial reservations, he succumbs to Ha Ram's advances, only to have his trust broken when Ha Ram disregards their agreed-upon boundaries. This lack of character growth and reliance on stagnant dynamics becomes a hindrance to the overall narrative. Ha Ram remains infatuated with Lee Jun throughout, while Lee Jun's growth is not thanks to Ha Ram, but rather his personal journey of letting go of the past.

The series falls short in character development, particularly with Ha Ram. We are left with unanswered questions about his background, profession, and the true motivation behind his instant infatuation with Lee Jun. Strong character development is crucial in any series, even in a mini-series like this, as it helps viewers relate to and understand the characters' actions and choices. Without this connection, the audience's interest wanes.

In conclusion, this series offers nothing new to viewers who have already experienced the typical romantic love story formula. While the cast is visually appealing, that alone cannot salvage a series lacking fresh ideas. With a wealth of impressive BL series released in 2023, I recommend exploring those and giving this one a pass.
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