Yumi

Why so ambiguous

You know when you start a thought provoking book or series and you started connecting the dots to reach the final conclusion or see the bigger picture... this was meant to be one of those movies but apparently they hid too many puzzle parts that you don't know what is the picture you are trying to see.

I loved this short movie, however, I don't know why did they made it so ambiguous, what's so secretive about it, would a small hint here and there hurts??

Also I see everyone keep writing their take on SungKyu while all the mystery IMO revolves around SungWoo, he isn't a simple gay guy, there is something about his identity that would "chase his BF away if known" I don't think a family secret would need this much seriousness.

It could be but how would I know for sure? That's the problem with this movie, if you are an overthinker then my dear you will suffer trying to make sense of it all.

It's pretty clear story on the outside but the more you look into the details aka hints that the director thought needed to be shown in this micro 21 mins only movie, the more confused you get, like young SungWoo photo in a karate/taekwondo uniform and the trophy. The conversation between SungWoo and his BF before they breakup and so on...

My take on all that -which gave me peace - the dysfunctional family needed a child, and SungKyu needed a stable home away from his past, as the father has hinted that his group of friends he used to hang around them are probably in trouble, he played his role fitting in to all of the family needs, the dad wanted peace for his wife, the mother got her child back, and SungWoo got the person that won't ever leave him like his father or his brother.

What I wanted to know is, SungKyu past he's been running from, SungWoo secret, and how did SungKyu knew about SungWoo sexuality ...

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In another life, I'll choose you again

I loved it, it's so sweet and lovely.

It's a simple love story about choices, if you choose the right person, you will do that again and again no matter how your story ends nor how painful it gets, because that's what true love is.

It's bittersweet end makes it even more perfect and heartwarming, I love the whole cast they were great, and their performance was nice.

The ML was soooo adorable, the fact that he at 28 is exactly the same as 18 is sliiiiiightly odd, I'd prefer a different hair style of any significant changes because it kinda has to be the same actor as this matter is significant for the story, but I'd appreciate aby type of change to distinguish the difference between him in both ages.

But, it's totally unnecessary and doesn't change the fact that this was spectacular and very enjoyable
Highly recommended ~~

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Pretty disastrous in a good way

I really really like the first few episodes of this, it gave a big "first note at love" vibes also same concept and sadly it was as bad.

Generally speaking it was well acted, story was solid and with good concept, the main problem was with the question that left answered, and the unrealistic turn of events, I know this is low budget but the negative points are completely about the script.

1- The drama within the drama: I understand the idea of the sponsor or the producer controlling the whole project, but if he was so against everything in this drama, why agreeing to it in the first place, that was weird, I mean if I have a fallen star I want him to gain his reputation so I push him into a simple low production movie with a rookie director and a child actor, I guess I'll be more thankful to them than controlling, and vise versa if he is still famous with paparazzi everywhere following him like Hawks then maybe this level of mediocrity isn't for him.

2- the whole tumor thing: if you have a ticking bomb inside your head, it's pretty unrealistic to stay for over a year after diagnosis living normally as if there is nothing wrong, they shows the guy getting dizzy and fainting once and that's it, them once everything is settled they have to fill the rest of the episodes (the totally unnecessary ones) with him in the hospital, I'd rather see him getting diagnosed during the filming instead of a year before, because he could have just lived the same way he did the whole year and he'd still have his eyes.

3- why did he want to be an actor? Out of no where once he knew about his sickness he decided he wanted people to see him, he even dropped out of school and worked as a bartender for a year then suddenly he wanted to be an actor! I mean I get it but maybe make it his dream job or something, a single line would be appreciated, since they only showed him getting into this whole thing because of Pei Jia.

4- what does that end means? I see it as a happy end but what happened to his eyes did he have the surgery? did he stay blind? I mean an answer would be nice, since they showed nothing but him and his sickness for the last 4 episodes or so.

5- second leads story: I didn't like that director at all, sometimes they shows him as an important person and sometimes he is just a rookie, also his indecisiveness and cowardness is slightly annoying, I mean I understand the way he has to compromise but he was a mob.

6- very long miscommunication arc: almost half of it has a miscommunication problem between the leads that lasted more than necessary and the whole "misfortune" that happened to the MC could have been easily avoided had Pei Jia been more open and told him about everything and properly warmed him, instead he just let him sign the contract because he is sick.

I believe it need more polishing in the script, this had a great potential even the weird kisses were not a problem but those illogical things did bother me, if you want to add a medical issue at least respect the audience's mind.

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Pretty decent

I didn't know that they are making vertical BLs so this is probably my first.

And for a vertical drama and a BL this was not bad, pretty much enjoyable even.

The story is very much like all vertical dramas with the revenge idea all over again, they added the gay dad part in a very convincing way, I hate when they just turn a normal straight guy into a gay man just to fit the plot but here it actually makes sense.

The only thing I found really confusing was the whole corporate thing from this chess man who helps them then be against their business or whatever, I didn't get that part I even skipped the confrontation at the end because I wasn't really interested lol

But generally speaking it's only one hour and it's even a good series compared to some other short Chinese Bls I've watched ~

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Messy

I understand the concept and the overall idea, the execution however, is just messy, also the end doesn't really answer the question of What's going to happen to them now?

İt didn't reach a conclusion, it left everything to our imagination and that's probably what I didn't like the most.

Another thing that was unnecessarily annoying was the tiny distinction between the drama, and the movie within... And the whole concept of the movie itself.

I blame the very short duration of the series for these things but still, the chemistry is good, acting is nice, hot intimate scenes, so it satisfied an interest but overall lacks the factors that makes it enjoyable watch.

I don't recommend this short one, I've seen better ~

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Chemistry? ... Where

I knew this would lack some development, Story-wise and the reason I started it was ... Well, it's available and everyone is complementing the two guys' "chemistry" together.

İt was quite the opposite for me.
I liked the story, I guess they show enough of everything to give us an idea about what is going on... İs it a good story however?? Nope, completely ridiculous, yes, quite unrealistic.

Why would you leave a whole country because your filthy rich papa and grandpa are forcing you to marry your childhood friend!? Mate, they can easily bring you back, you are not even hiding somewhere you just having a break in Japan, also they gave us an idea about what is going on without saying much which is good but at least give us some development in their relationship, like, you've been straight your whole freakin life to easily switch sides because of ...??? What? What did the other guy do exactly? Hug you while crying watching a sad movie? Cook for you? You didn't even include a scene where he'd maybe listen to him complain, or cheer him up, instead you added a scene where he agree to sleep in his room FOR MONEY, and you are telling me I'm supposed to believe in a strong love between two straight guys, with money involved, and no intimacy happened between them ... At least make one of them gay! And who are you trying to cheat or trick by hiring someone to act as your lover lol, your closest friend since childhood? They didn't even give us a reason why he didn't want to marry her, because "my dad is forcing me" reason is just too lame, if you like the girl, even slightly, then it's a win, mate.

I'm not asking for anything big, a couple of scenes would solve those problems easily...

Also acting is good, great even ... But where is the chemistry everyone keep talking about!? Mate, even some straight dramas have 1st and 2nd male leads with more chemistry, and they are supposed to be straight guys and enemies/rivals ... All I'm saying is any two guy friends could give more gay vibes than the two leads.
Their interaction was the bare minimum for a BL İMO, less than that and it's not even bromance.

Now the end, I know they want to go for HE, but it didn't make sense
Definitely, not recommended ~~

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Good enough to entertain

It's too short to shape an opinion about it, they want to represent an idea in only 4 very short episodes.

Did they succeed? Well, kinda~
It feels like it was cut from a proper longer movie or something, I can't seem to understand the speed here, you want to squeeze too much in too little time, I guess. If it was slightly longer it would make a difference, but for those short independent shows you can just accept what they give you, because I'm sure if they could do more, they would have done it.

For the chemistry and acting, it was good, nice kisses and intimate scenes were lovely, the first episode was funny and probably the only one that make sense, they rest as I said felt choppy a little.

I don't know if I would recommend it, it's fun and entertaining so if you can spare a couple of minutes waiting for something you can pick it up ~

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The best

I remember watching this for the first time about 3 years ago, I totally missed it during my 00s JBL era, and I'm glad I stumbled upon it even if late.

And I'm rewatching it again in Dec.2025 along with old Japanese BLs from the late 00s.

Very lovely and simple story, flawed for sure but it's a 2007 movie, compared to the ones made in this era, it has everything.

Also Ryunosuke Kawai has one of the most beautiful/handsome faces I've ever layed eyes on, probably second to Park Yong Ha, I'm surprised that he has never been in a Main role in a series before, and me being a HUGE fan of Takumi Saitoh, this movie is simply one of my favourite comfort BLs ever ~~

Highly recommended, probably one of the best of it's genre ~~

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Nice surprise

Do you know when you feel bored so you pick a random movie to watch and it surprises you...

That's one of them, I didn't know what to expect really, I felt sorry for everyone and all the characters are really pitiful tbh.

I can't really say it's a slice of life movie, that's a hell of a life, but it generally gives this vibes.
It's very Melo and dramatic but in a light way, you won't bawl your eyes out or anything but you will feel some sadness.

I don't know how to explain it but it ended with good terms, at least at the best scenario possible for everyone ~

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Best nostalgic remedy

Whenever I'm depressed or feeling the blues I go back to old Asian movies specifically Japanese BLs, because some of them are done very well even better some nowadays ones, and considering the era they are well made and acted, so I kinda travel back in time when I watch them and satisfy this nostalgic craving, this movie checks all the boxes.

It's so beautiful, calm and healing.
Story is really simple and easy to follow, the vibes are relaxing and the end is just lovely, the cast are all great and their act and chemistry is ok considering this is 2014 movie, you can't ask for more.

Just I have nothing to say, if you love BL just watch it, it worths every minute ~

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No matter what everyone say, I loved it.
I have to admit that I'm completely and utterly prejudiced 😂 because takumi kun is literally my first BL ever, it marks my falling into the rabbit hole of the magical BL wonderland, so can't give it less than a 6 ( I actually rated it higher mainly because of the epic slap lol) but my point is, this movie is special.

Now if I have to say how good or bad it is ... It's bad ... Like really bad... Which is why it's actually perfect. lol ... Nope I didn't go crazy just hear me out!... The first takumi kun was out in 2007, and to give the same vibes of the original it has to mimic the old BL style, the slow scenes, the long pauses, the odd story like a puzzle that doesn't fit, the long stares, and of course the kabedon moment... this movie checks all these boxes, making it the perfect nostalgic shitty BL we used to watch and enjoy.

Be that as it may, the movie has a freshness in it, it doesn't look old despite all the similarities I mentioned, I can't put my finger on what exactly gives it this modern feeling but it was good enough to make me enjoy it more.

I know many would disagree, but if you are like me, started BL too early and have good old memories with takumi kun series, you are going to love it.

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Better than expected

I kept my expectations very low when I started this, mainly because i can't seem to remember anything I watched for the main couple, and basically Mond was what had pulled me in to start it.

so I didn't know what to expect tbh~
That's why I enjoyed it despite being really slow burn with nothing going on and a very rushed end.

Story is nice, kinda expected but still the main couple were great, Lava had some character development that was enjoyable to watch, Wave on the other hand, despite being really nice characters, the whole memory loss thing is a bit too much, I think WaveXDavin should have a slight difference in character, like to have the same soul but slightly different, I don't know how to explain it in words but I couldn't believe the whole amnesia since I couldn't see any difference in behaviour, be that as it may, I loved Satang's performance.

What I didn't like is actually the pace, it was slow with literally just day to day life of the cast with things happening in the background, ignoring the main story or the main focus of it which is Wave's family and amnesia and what actually happened to him, still they had a fair amount of time showing their relationship in a slow burn way which - surprisingly - not boring at all.

But I wish they would include them in a scene or two showing what is happening with his family, to show that they are concerning about their child or at least searching for him, he is a prince for goodness sake, he is much important than they showed us, and that wouldn't necessarily be a problem, hadn't they show us the whole "you are the future of our family" sh!t at the last ep, and that he must gain people's trust and bla bla bla.

Another thing was how they squeezed everything in the last ep as if they didn't have a whole 9 episodes full of nothing to expand the last ep through.

Generally speaking, it was good drama, but if we looks into the details, this failed to show the whole potential of the very simple and predictable story that doesn't even require much thinking ~

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Good action, bad story

Same as Kill boksoon it's a very entertaining action movie but also same as it, the story is the weakest part of it.

I believe you have to watch the first part to fully understand the plot and the characters as some from the previous one are mentioned here and mantis himself was hinted at in the first one so to get the whole picture, watch the first movie before this one~

Now the story is all over the place because it's not very consistent, and generally not that interesting, the characters are just too humbled considering they are killers, sometimes they show them as emotional and sometimes devoid of any feelings Mantis himself was a bit obnoxious to some extent so no interesting characters, and no well-written story, this is only saved by good action sequences, aside from that I wouldn't recommend this at all ~

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Watch it for Gil Dal

The first episode was so much fun to watch which made me binge watch the whole thing in one setting, the first couple of episodes were the best IMO, they were funny and lovely, the cast was fine and the story has potential.
I don't know what went wrong through the script but I had a few moments of scratching my head while watching wondering why did they go this way with the story.

What I liked about the drama
1- Gil Dal
This adorkable hulk is such a cutie, I paused a few times squealing in my seat because of how adorable and innocent he is, he is super adorable, and the actor did great in his role, I loved his chemistry with JiGwe too, I somehow wished they had an intimate scene or two, which is something I don't often look for when watching BL, I seriously wanted to see their love.

2- second couple story
I mentioned the second couple chemistry, but their story is also more interesting than the first, the bad flirty fox and the innocent huge muscular goblin are much more interesting couple than a simple human X goblin one that doesn't have anything going on tbh~

3- the cast chemistry together was good, even great, I loved that all character has a scene or two with eachother we had too many ghost ships too lol
SamShin character too was adorable, the actress looks so young and she didn't really show that halmoni inner heart but nonetheless the whole cast were very childish in a refreshing way.

4- this may sound weird but the intros
The animated intros were amazing, I wish they had them for all episodes to give us a better understanding for the story and tbh once they skipped them the story started to feel very confusing, for example, till the end we don't even know how exactly the gumiho betrayed the bihyung and nothing explained that.

What I didn't like
1-the main leads story
It started off well, then I don't know what happened, according to the contract they should have physical interaction every now and then and the whole ghost thing was so overlooked, and the two leads didn't even have a proper interaction till ep8 maybe when they started to have something actually going on.

2- the ML
I have seen this country bumpkin character in a billion BL before and they literally all the same, innocent and inexperienced and all that, but the actor didn't really convince me tbh, he needs a few acting lessons maybe, not saying he is bad actor, he is fine but I don't know, some scenes were just off.

3- many unanswered question
I liked the twist in ep9 which was really smart idea tbh, the writer deserves a slow clapping moment because it tied a few ends HOWEVER, it wasn't executed well, it opened a door to some questions, like how did he become his master exactly??? And why? And how by travelling back, he was able to make him wake up in the present!!
I didn't even mention the animosity between the bihyung and the mysterious guy and JiGwe, what happened? Who exactly are they? Also the second lead ending, how?? Are they together, what happened after their huge fight?? How did they get back together??? Too many loose ends.

4- the ending in general
As I said the second couple story was under developed despite being more interesting than the main lead's, but also the main story end was weird, so he left and then came back... Why? 😂 Guys why so mysterious? The last ep is a bunch of scenes that are totally unrelated to the whole 11 episodes before it. Making everything confusing unnecessarily.

In general, it was cute and I believe Gil Dal worth every second I spend watching this, he was a breath of fresh air, and I'd rewatch this drama for him~
I would definitely recommend it, but a piece of advice, try to turn a blind eye to the story because it lacks a lot, and the ending is happy but in a very forced way so just take it with a grain of salt, and lower your expectations ~~

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