Rivals to/and lovers
Hilarious and hot, but the story eventually became repetitive.
I had been excited about this BL ever since it was announced that Kaito and Yusuke would be playing the main couple. As expected, neither of them disappointed. They also constantly promoted the series through their social media accounts, fully embracing the boyfriend agenda, and it definitely worked in generating the hype for the show.
The childish competitive dynamic between the two leads may seem silly for salary men, but it served as a solid foundation for the story. As their rivalry gradually turned into attraction and intimacy, the series became even more engaging. Their chemistry was intense, and some of the love scenes genuinely caught me off guard.
The backstory segments effectively captured both the contrasts and the similarities between the characters’ nostalgic pasts and their present lives. I especially appreciated how well the younger actors resembled their adult counterparts, particularly young Ryo. The romance felt like a slow burn, with Ryo repeatedly struggling to confess his feelings to Zen. The Osaka episode was especially adorable and marked the beginning of them starting to be honest with each other.
Unfortunately, even after they officially became boyfriends, their relationship often felt stagnant. They continued to struggle with expressing their true feelings and thoughts, which affected my overall enjoyment of the series. The constant lack of communication became a repetitive obstacle that dragged the plot down and made the later episodes less exciting.
Thankfully, I enjoyed the introduction of the new character, whom many viewers nicknamed “the bowl cut guy.” He was incredibly handsome, and I came across a comment saying that the hairstyle was intentionally chosen so he wouldn’t visually overlap with the main characters, which I found hilarious. Regardless, his arrival added more tension and excitement to the story by challenging the main couple’s relationship.
I really enjoyed this show, especially during the first half. However, the last few episodes, particularly the finale, were somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for more sweet and romantic moments that would make the ending feel truly satisfying. Even so, the drama still succeeds in portraying a loving couple and delivering a familiar, cliche storyline in a way that leaves an impact on the audience.
It may not be a perfect 10, but it is still a very enjoyable BL worth watching.
I had been excited about this BL ever since it was announced that Kaito and Yusuke would be playing the main couple. As expected, neither of them disappointed. They also constantly promoted the series through their social media accounts, fully embracing the boyfriend agenda, and it definitely worked in generating the hype for the show.
The childish competitive dynamic between the two leads may seem silly for salary men, but it served as a solid foundation for the story. As their rivalry gradually turned into attraction and intimacy, the series became even more engaging. Their chemistry was intense, and some of the love scenes genuinely caught me off guard.
The backstory segments effectively captured both the contrasts and the similarities between the characters’ nostalgic pasts and their present lives. I especially appreciated how well the younger actors resembled their adult counterparts, particularly young Ryo. The romance felt like a slow burn, with Ryo repeatedly struggling to confess his feelings to Zen. The Osaka episode was especially adorable and marked the beginning of them starting to be honest with each other.
Unfortunately, even after they officially became boyfriends, their relationship often felt stagnant. They continued to struggle with expressing their true feelings and thoughts, which affected my overall enjoyment of the series. The constant lack of communication became a repetitive obstacle that dragged the plot down and made the later episodes less exciting.
Thankfully, I enjoyed the introduction of the new character, whom many viewers nicknamed “the bowl cut guy.” He was incredibly handsome, and I came across a comment saying that the hairstyle was intentionally chosen so he wouldn’t visually overlap with the main characters, which I found hilarious. Regardless, his arrival added more tension and excitement to the story by challenging the main couple’s relationship.
I really enjoyed this show, especially during the first half. However, the last few episodes, particularly the finale, were somewhat disappointing. I was hoping for more sweet and romantic moments that would make the ending feel truly satisfying. Even so, the drama still succeeds in portraying a loving couple and delivering a familiar, cliche storyline in a way that leaves an impact on the audience.
It may not be a perfect 10, but it is still a very enjoyable BL worth watching.
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