InkedBark

Some of my thoughts:
I don't mind the reshooting, and it was for the better anyways. Others have mentioned that it would have been choppy editing having to cut out the problematic contestant in the production process, which I agree with. TBH, a reshoot is great because it gives the other returning men more of a chance to go for someone they had their eyes on in the first place, and the new men bumps up the ante and "competition" for attention and affection.

Elimination:
yeah-no. I hate it. It's a reality dating show, not a dating survival show like The Bachelor or Bachelorette. It's such a drastic deviation from Season 2 and 3 (I didn't watch S1), and I don't like it. I guess I understand very little bit as to why the producers went this route in this season, but I still don't like it. So far, no one has been "eliminated" and I'm grateful for that. But if elimination is a feature this season, that means there's a good chance someone will get eliminated.

Park Jaeha and Lee Hyeong Jun:
Oof, knowing their history made me instantly dislike Jaeha. I understand wanting to publicly come out and all, but at the cost of a relationship just to get on a DATING show when a relationship was already established? h*ll no. It's such a messy thing on Jaeha's end to do when Hyeong Jun was really into him. I hope Hyeong Jun finds someone else that is worthy of his attention and affection, and that Jaeha moves on. Hyeong Jun is obviously hurt by Jaeha's move.

Oh Seungmin:
yeeeaa-no. I didn't like him at the end of season 2, and I immediately didn't like him when he kicked out Han Gyeol. I just want Han Gyeol and Taichi to be together, both romantically and as roommates.

For me, it seems I dislike exactly two men every season, and this season is no exception.

Triple Date: I think it was too early for a triple date for this season, and both triple dates felt so awkward. Good thing I was crocheting when they were happening because, dear god... I had a hard time getting through them but I didn't want to skip any minute since this is my first time watching a His Man season while it airs.

As for the other men, I am super excited and stoked for how things progress throughout the season. So far, it feels slow but I hope it picks up this week.

Couples I hope are endgame:
Taichi and Han Gyeol.
Hyeon Jun and Yun Jae.
I almost screamed in my hotel room when I saw that each couple called each other.

That part really caught me off guard, and I still don't understand why they HAD to include it in the first place. Truthfully, I am almost primarily watching this to the end because genuine Chinese BLs (not censored bromances, I don't watch those) are rare to come by. If it was from any other region, I would have immediately dropped it. IDC that "it's fictional." I'll never excuse any BL (or any other media) that includes stuff like that and gloss over, romanticize, normalize, or mishandles it.

With that said, some information I came across recently stated that the author told people to not read the book because of how problematic many parts were when she first wrote the book 10+ years ago, which is a major thing in my honest opinion. Regardless, I still believe that production could've just implied severe physical and psychological torture, not gang rape.

This BL is very interesting and captivating one and I will be watching it until it ends, but that part will always be a tainted and unnecessary scene in my eyes.

I seriously hope they don’t go for a second season of this series. If there is one, the director will most likely be the same one and we all saw how much they butchered this series. In addition, BLs from any region rarely ever get a continuation, so a second season for Heesu is very very unlikely.
To be honest, the only thing I would accept is if they completely remake this series, either with a completely new cast or returning ones, and turn it into one that is actually a BL (with some queer elements) and follows MOSTLY the original plot from the manhwa.

"The correct title" is throwing me off because, dear god, is it so damn true. I often called this... bl?... "Tennis Friend and Heesu in Class 2." But your title is so much more accurate. I have yet to watch the last two episodes but, from what I can tell, I won't be missing out on a lot. I really want to like this show, I just can't because of how much they butchered it into something that doesn't even create anything that resembles the original source, except the names of the characters and the title of the show.

If the adaptation did stick closer to the original source, this show could have been one of the best BLs out there, both in the KBL realm and in the BL genre as a whole.

I agree, 3 episodes at most. If filler scenes are absolutely necessary and wanted on the production side of things, FOUR episodes but that's my personal limit. I came for BL and Heesu and Seungwon, not the straight side couple

Ok so it wasn't just me that think Ho Sik and Knitting Girl were kinda cute in this episode.

The sisters are the real side character MVPs in this series. They're entertaining and are able to push Heesu, in some way, forward and move on. If there's ever a side story or spin-off of this... show, it better be of them and their chaotic slice of life.

Ji Yu now being reduced as "The Girlfriend" rather than "Ji Yu" does suck. I do, however, like she's getting on Seungwon's case about the whole "Heesu thinks Seungwon likes Ji Yu" situation. I just don't like it's on the basis of Ji Yu being annoyed she has to (supposedly) keep her relationship with Chan Yeong a secret, and not on the basis of "I don't want to help you keep lying." This was an opportunity to keep Ji Yu's individuality and not tie her existence to being Chan Yeong's girlfriend.

Also, the final line is honestly taking me out, omg genuinely love it haha

Yeah, it is best to prepare for disappointment rather than for the best. I never had to feel this way about any BLs I watched, both completed and ones I watched while they were airing.

I don't really care for straight romance nowadays since I came across BL late last year, but even I could tell the side romance is lacking and bland, or I wouldn't have skipped their parts.

All of that time getting hogged by the side romance would have been better allocated for Heesu's inner turmoil, as well as him gravitating towards Seung Won. But the people behind the show thought it was better for a side romance no one asked for.

This show did have a very strong potential to be one of the best BLs out there, and one of the best adaptations as well, but it just failed in so many ways that it will just be a decent BL at best, very bad BL at worst.

I do agree with you on the last point, all of those features and aspects are quite strong for the show, but that's all about it for this show and that really isn't a good thing for this show (or shows in general). Seung Won being a rebound would honestly anger me because that one thing that should NOT happen in the show, because that isn't what happened in the manhwa. Heesu naturally being drawn to Seung Won is one of the major key factors that resulted in them being together and, if that is replaced by being rebounded, there might be a huge fiasco about it.
Chan Yeong is a bland character (I thought he was interesting a couple episodes ago), and his relationship with Ji Yu isn't interesting in the slightest (yet Ji Yu herself is a cool and interesting person).

TBH, this show might be a 6/10 to 7/10 by the end of it. I'm only continuing to watch it solely for Seungwon and Heesu, but that isn't looking all that promising considering there are 4 episodes left.

The only prominent thought that I have so far is this: I'm glad I didn't have high hopes after last episode.

We did see more screentime between Heesu and Seung Won, and it was quite cute. The grocery shopping scenario was my favorite part throughout the entire episodes. It showcases the differences between the two. Heesu is a bit more impulsive (an entire rice bag????) whereas Seung Won is a bit more logical (putting things back and getting things that make sense for a one-night trip).

Seung Won just needs to confess already at this point. 4 episodes left and they might just get officially together on the final episode, and we will possibly not see the aftermath of them being together. People say they are more public about their relationship in the second book/season of the manhwa. Truthfully, we're not going to get a second season of Heesu in Class 2. BL shows rarely ever get a second season and, considering the reception of implementing an originally non-existent straight pairing into the show, I won't count on a second season to be filmed.

In my honest opinion, it might have been possible to have both seasons/books of the manhwa in one season... If they stayed mostly true to the original source and didn't change a significant relationship, while still keeping the 10 episodes, 40-minutes each format. Yes, not all parts of a written source can be adapted, and that would require a little of clever planning and all, but that doesn't call for making drastic changes that significantly alters and changes the plot and flow of the story. (I am STILL mad about the impromptu fried chicken date not being shown, not even as a flashback.)

I do have some fear that Live-Action Heesu will actually see Seung Won has a replacement to receive attention, now that he knows Chan Yeong is (ridiculously) dating Ji Yu, and Heesu will no longer get plenty of attention from Chan Yeong anymore. The very least that could have kept the same, is keep the part that Heesu naturally gravitates towards Seung Won. In my perspective, he started to gravitate towards him because of how nonchalant and positive Seung Won is about his moms. I only hope Heesu will go to Seung Won to because of genuine attraction, and not for receiving attention he no longer gets from Chan Yeong. I really don't want their dynamic to become unhealthy in that regards.

Worth noting, the part about Heesu being slightly disappointed that Chan Yeong came rather than Seung Won was a nice touch. It shows he's slowly is gravitating towards Seung Won but not entirely just yet.

Manhwa Chan Yeong sounds like a great character and the small arc that he had in the manhwa could have been PERFECT for this adaptation. Instead, we have Live-Action Chan Yeong.

I still like Ji Yu, and getting on Seung Won's case/situation with the lying and all is what is needed for Seung Won to be honest about everything.

If the straight pairing didn't exist, episode 6 could have been episode 3 or 4, or even 5 at the latest if filler scenes were done in a hypothetical scenario that kept mostly-true to the manhwa.

Just gonna be shameless about it: I still skipped any scenes that solely pertained to Chan Yeong, and pairing scenes of Chan Yeong and Ji Yu.

I'm.... Content with this episode, to put it lightly, it's a good thing I didn't get my hopes up after last episode, since I am still wanting more scenes and progress of the true main couple. 60% done and still no confession. I still don't like the unnecessary straight pairing. This week wasn't as intense as last week's fiasco, but just barely, tbh.

I watched Love in the Big City, Unknown, and My Love Mix Up. I didn't complain about them for a few reasons:
- they didn't overshadow the main couple of the series (to the best of my recollection). If there was a focus for a good portion of a single episode, there was already good progress of the main couple, with maybe the exception of LitBC in which Go Yeong wasn't in a relationship when Mi Ae had a boyfriend she eventually married, I think. In regards to Heesu in Class 2, the first 4 episodes had quite a bit of progress for the (originally non-existent) straight pairing with little to no progress for the actual main canonical BL pairing until the 5th episode. That was my main issue (and I'll forever be salty about the impromptu chicken date not being shown).
- each of those relationships existed in the original works they were adapted from. The relationship between Chan Yeong and Ji Yu were written as purely platonic in the original work (and working together to support and get the actual main couple to get together), but it was changed to romantic for the adaptation for literally no reason (except maybe to draw in the "mainstream" audience that was possibly never going to watch it anyways).
- I'm not at all opposed to a straight pairing in a BL. Actually, the straight pairing in My Love Mix Up is one of my most favorites in live-action media. My complaint is switching up a significant relationship that heavily changes the flow of the story and plot. Not only that, Chan Yeong and Ji Yu as a pairing is just boring. But I really do like Ji Yu as a standalone character though.

To those people, being rightfully critical about an adaptation not sticking to the original plot is the same as being negative.

Literally, the criticism was because of the literal made-for-TV straight pairing that never existed in the first place and taking up precious screentime away from the true main canonical couple, so people were justifiably agitated about that. It seems like those people don't realize the criticism the straight pairing at all, and this is more annoying than those actually being negative about the adaptation.

Again, I'll still keep my hopes low because of last week. We'll see how this goes after episode 6 airs soon. I just hope there won't be a back and forth situation, one week is progressing Heesu and Seung Won's canonical relationship, one week focused on the boring straight romance, and back to Heesu and Seung Won again the next week. There's only two weeks left so 90% of that time better focus on Heesu and Seung Won.

Omg I knew I would be in for a treat today when I skipped Chan Yeong's part at some point in the first half, and realized I didn't skip 80% of the episode like last time. Granted, I'll still skip over the straight romance parts because they don't interest me in the slightest.

It's so so great to see the development of a canonical relationship now. I was giggling every other minute because of how adorable and cute it was.

Ji Yu has easily become one of my most favorite characters now. The little schemes she comes up with are great, and genuinely gives me a good laugh (in a good way).

When Seung Won's mom came up for the first time, I was a bit scared they straight-washed her because the father appeared. The relief I had when I was proven wrong was exhilarating. In regards to Seung Won's moms, this shows that Heesu is naturally gravitating towards him because, at the very least, Heesu can slowly be himself around someone for the first time ever, his true gay self. The internalized and externalized homophobia Heesu has within himself reminds me of my younger queer years, and how, overtime, I overcame my internalized homophobia. Glad that this was depicted in some way.

This episode genuinely was a fresh breath of air. The lack of focus on the straight pairing and the ongoing development of Heesu and Seung Won, and the character development and backstory were ones I was very content with.

I still won't have high hopes after last week's fiasco, though. I hope there won't be any made-for-TV straight pairing hogging the screentime again. I came for Heesu and Seung Won and the adorable awkwardness of their blossoming relationship, and only for them. Heesu just needs to looks at all of the very not-so subtle hints Seung Won has been giving him and stop being oblivious ("I wore this for you"? SEUNG WON, MY BOY), but the obliviousness is just the joy of being a teenager.

Edit: fixed some minor errors

I haven't read the manhwa, and I am taking the word from those who read it as truth because of how fervently protective they are about it in regards to the adaptation.
Someone in the comments said it was Chapter 16! I checked it myself online and it is that chapter. And dear god it is so cute omg. The defenders of the manhwa, and chapter 16 might pull me into reading the manhwa!

Oh it's 100% homophobia, and I'm willing to call it as it is. To them, it's totally A-OK to change the entire plot and flow of things to accommodate a newly created, made-for-TV straight pairing that never existed at all in the original source. But the moment a straight character in another media is changed to queer, or a queer relationship (that never existed before) was added to the story and changed the flow of things, it's the worst thing in the world and armageddon is upon us.

If the reverse DID happen, people would be getting angry about how the directors and producers are changing the original story.

But since it is a happening to a BL, it's TOTALLY fine to do so and we DEFINITELY shouldn't complain AT ALL that a straight pairing is overshadowing the true BL couple *sarcasm*

I find it weird that people are actually and totally fine with the main BL couple to be heavily overshadowed by the (originally non-existent) straight pairing in a BL show. Like, the entire point of a BL is to show the BL pairing (or pairings) getting together, not heavily showcasing a straight romance.

Here is the situation from my personal viewpoint:
- It's not necessarily the fact that there IS a straight pairing in this adaptation (I will say, it's very ridiculous that they changed the relationship between Chan Yeong and Ji Yu from platonic to romantic). It's primarily the fact that this show was marketed as a BL since it is an adaptation of a BL manhwa, but there is a focus on the straight pairing (that never existed in the original manhwa) than the CANONICAL gay relationship between Heesu and Seongwon.
- The focus and quality of progress on straight pairing was for a considerable amount of the 40% of the series so far (currently 4 out of 10 episodes). They have had more progress and meaningful interactions than the true main couple. The series nonchalantly skipped out on the impromptu fried chicken date OF THE TRUE MAIN COUPLE, but finds it totally acceptable to include Ji Yu getting her guitar and romantically frolicking down the sidewalk with Chan Yeong...? It's HEESU in Class 2. Not The Tennis Friend and Heesu in Class 2.
- Ok, now back to the 40%/4 episodes of 10: If this "BL" was 12-16 episodes each being 40 minutes long (similar to typical Kdramas), I personally wouldn't have mind if THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES were a bit focused on the straight pairing. Granted, I would STILL skip their parts because I came for Heesu and Seongwon, not Ji Yu and Chan Yeong. If it was a longer episode run of 12 to 16 episodes , only 1/4 to 1/3 of the current progress of the series would be focusing on the straight pairing (again, one that never existed in the first place). The hypothetically remaining episodes could primarily focus on Heesu and Seongwon, not Chan Yeong and Ji Yu. But that isn't the case here.
- The fact that a good chunk of the actual 40% (four episodes out of ten) were mostly focused on progressing the straight pairing is part of the problem. We see Chan Yeong developing an attraction to Ji Yu and trying to get close to her, figuring out she is Summer, coming up to her to confirm if she is Summer, and they both get closer from there. With Heesu and Seongwon, it feels like there is almost no progress; Seongwon is trying to pull moves on Heesu, but Heesu (being the both adorably and irritably oblivious teen he is) constantly rebuffs him and turns him down, and ignores any and all (not-so) subtle hints of Seongwon is giving him, AND not showing the impromptu fried chicken date in an episode where there IS relationship progress being shown. The actual remaining episodes could/would/SHOULD focus more on progressing Heesu and Seongwon relationship (preferably with little to no screen time of the straight pairing).
- Supposedly, the manhwa is a slow burn romance, and I expected the slow burn to start from episode 1 or 2 (episode 3 at the latest), not almost halfway through the show's runtime, and it feels like it barely started. I'm afraid the relationship between Heesu and Seongwon will be rushed, unsatisfactory, and anticlimactic.
- PERSONALLY, I am not against straight pairings in BLs. Hell, one of my most favorite pairings in live-action media so far is the straight pairing from My Love Mix-Up (Japan). That couple did have screen time and good progress, but they did not severely overshadow the main couple in that series, and that show has a much shorter run time than this one. In regards to Heesu in Class 2, I would have honestly preferred to completely remove the straight pairing and reduce the run time of this "BL" from 10, 40-minute episodes to the typical KBL of 8, 20-to-30-minute episodes. At least, this route would have a stronger focus on Heesu and Seongwon, and did what it can to actually follow or be reminiscent to the original plot.
- I do not hate Chan Yeong and Ji Yu as characters at all. They're both very interesting characters, IMO. Chan Yeong is showing that, for the time being, he sort of disregards Heesu, despite being friends for a decade (showing that Chan Yeong isn't all that great even though Heesu is trying to tell the audience that he is). Ji Yu being secretive about being a musical artist shows that she values her solitude, anonymity, and prefers to lay low, and the fact that she is very open-minded about Seongwon liking another guy shows that Ji Yu doesn't care about the sexuality of people, she just finds it hilarious that Seongwon is receiving dating advice from the same guy he likes. I just find it ridiculous that the directors/producers changed Chan Yeong and Ji Yu's connection from platonic to romantic and heavily focused on progressing that instead of Heesu and Seongwon's relationship.
- I'll be paraphrasing a portion of this part: Someone mentioned in the comment section that Heesu naturally gravitates towards Seongwon in the manhwa. Another person (might have been the same one) stated that, in this adaptation, Heesu might only go to Seongwon because Chan Yeong is preoccupied pursuing Ji Yu. Let's say both of these statements are correct: That would only mean Heesu will find Seongwon as another person to give him attention because his other source of attention is busy, and this could foster an unhealthy dynamic between the two in the adaptation, rather than writing Live-Action Heesu as naturally gravitating towards Seongwon. Live-Action Heesu needs to move on from Chan Yeong, but not on the condition that Chan Yeong is seeing someone, but because Heesu naturally gravitates towards Seongwon overtime and naturally shifts his affection and attraction from Chan Yeong to Seongwon.
- TBH, I don't think this entire situation wouldn't have gone as far as it did if they actually showed the impromptu fried chicken date in episode 4, and showed a bit more progress of Heesu and Seongwon, rather than immediately sidelining it as an off-screen moment and mostly focus on the straight pairing. At the very least, it would physically/visually show the audience that Heesu is warming up to Seongwon and that they're getting closer, but it was more important to show Chan Yeong hitting a ball and Ji Yu getting a guitar? I still fail to see the importance of how the straight romance (again, that never existed) is important to the plot of Heesu and Seongwon getting together. At the end of the day, I still would have preferred Heesu and Seongwon progressing their relationship over a made-for-TV straight pairing.
- I blame the writing, direction, and pacing on the directors/producers, not the actors at all. In fact, the actors are doing a pretty solid job in their characters... for the most part.
- I didn't complain when I watched the first 3 episodes, because I kept in mind that things are still building up. But my thoughts have changed after watching episode 4.
- Also, I recently learned that this show as made with cabled TV in mind. That would explain A LOT. So now, I am heavily debating on dropping this "BL" until all episodes have aired, or continue watching it every week for the painfully tiny breadcrumb moments between Heesu and Seongwon that the producers/directors might (or might not) give us. This is a BL, so it should be treated as such. (Yes, I know the difference between BL and queer media, I like both and consume both).

Not only just more screentime, but also a better way on handling their screentime. Even if they take up 80% of the screentime, their time spent together means almost nothing if significant progress is not done or shown. We've seen more progress between the second pairing than we did on the main pairing. We saw the second pairing run down a sidewalk after a tense situation, but we didn't see a single second of the impromptu date of the main pairing.

Also, yeah, the fact they mentioned violence or sex in attempt to disregard our criticism of the series so far is extremely telling. Hell, some of my most favorite BL shows don't even have either (Love for Love's Sake, Semantic Error, Cherry Magic Japan).

Edit: forgot an important word in the second sentence.

Yeah, you really don't understand where Rus7y is getting at.
1. Rus7y is not my "buddy." Rus7y a fellow queer person, and I understand what they commented, so I had to say something.
2. Again, it's common for straight people to disregard queer people, and it's a common occurrence for us queer people to expect and experience from straight people. But I will agree with them on one thing, I too don't take straight people's opinions and thoughts on queer media and shows into consideration.
3. Even IF many LGBTQ+ people in the US are well off, that isn't the reality everywhere else, such as South Korea. I'm unsure as to why that had to be brought up.
4. Lol. I am not even going to touch on last few parts because it's not even worth dissecting at all.

You seem to be missing out on a few key things in my response.
1. I explicitly said "all-queer world in FICTIONAL media." Not once did I ever say we don't live in a mixed world at all in real life. But us BL lovers and queer people consume BL and queer media to take a break from the literally hetero-DOMINANT world we live in, and see ourselves in these medias. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

2. Lol not once did I ever say "my people" rule the world in the fantasy land. Many of my favorite media has straight people, they just aren't the main focus in said-media. I, as a queer man, love to see people like me in media.

3. Not once did I ever say that there is no gay romance in this adaptation. All I'm saying is that the producers and directors are struggling to even depict that. There is gay romance, Seong-won yearning and pining for Heesu and trying to get close to him. But the fact that there is more progress and quality for the hetero pairing than the gay couple is where the problem lies in this series.

At no point did Rus7y insulted you at all. One of the many experiences that queer people experience (even today, literally) IS being disregarded by straight people. That's a fact of queer life, not an insult at all.

As for Love in the Big City, no, it is not pornographic at all, it does get steamy but definitely not pornographic or explicit. But it IS a mature series that tackles and discusses many obstacles and struggles queer people endure and face. The fact you immediately disregard Love in the Big City based on a couple of stills or snippets really does say a lot.