rhidawn

To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often

AHHHHHHHHH this was a ride it was a treat it I loved it SO MUCH.

Acting:

I was pretty darn blown away in every way. I LOVE A GOOD CRIER. You HAVE to be a good crier to get me to really appreciate a performance, and these boys delivered me my meal fr. I enjoyed every minute. The silliness, the cockiness, the anger, the pain, the sadness, the love. Just so goooooood. Barely any notes to be made here.

Writing:

Well, it’s a drama, so I’m giving it some liberties because like I enjoyed it overall. But there were some interesting choices here. I understand that we need to move the plot forward and all, but like… I’d much rather go into medical debt than be indebted with my life and money to Boss fr… But okay, let’s go with it. I still loved this shit tbh. So dramatic, so wild, so fun!

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

Chemistry was solid all the way through. From strangers to flirtatious heartfelt moments together, to enemies, to friends, to lovers, to a heartbroken pair, to lovers. SO GOOOOOD. This was alvoely romance even if it was a background plot to the story. SO GOOD. The kissing was good, fittingly frantic and passionate. Good work, good work.

NC Scene:

Wasn’t sure if we would get one in this series, but it was lovely. I LIVE for a “I need you now, we’ve been waiting for this for sooooo long” moment and they DELIVERED. So good, WELL DONE. Loved everything about it. 10/10 and VERY fitting to the story.

Music/SFX:

Music was pretty damn good throughout. The dubstep was jarring and fitting at the same time, somehow. Some corny drama music, but that’s alright.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH I don’t know why I have put this off for so long. It had it’s questionable moments, so I want to give it a 9-9.5, but I loved it so much it’s gonna get thatf 10 overall no matter what. FIGHT ME.

Now, for some highlights form my notes:

- Pops gotta chill tf out
- We’re all going through it, huh
- Quite the time skip
- *Hate your face, hate your lies, hate the blank look in your eyes. Hate your needs, hate your wants, hate the way you love to taunt. Hate your voice, makes me cringe every time I hear you speak. It's uncomfortable to know you share the same air as me*
- God, I love a good crier
- Ooooooh boy looking clean in that tux
- My good boys
- Not the teaseeee love confess and promise just get married already
- Kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss we all chant in unison
- Do these ladies not have a soul? Give the dudes the necklace that belongs to their deceased loved one wtf
- Nvm, keep the necklace, girly. This asshat doesn’t deserve shit
- HE FUCKING DIDN’T THIS LITTLE FUCK NO NO NO NO NO NO
- My boy TRUSTED you he THOUGHT you were a GOOD person I am livid
- WHAT?? Just take on some medical debt and pay it off later what are we talking about?
- NOT ONLY DID HE TAKE THE MONEY BUT HE WAS THE ONE WHO HELPED POISON GRANDMA
- OHHHHH FUCKING HELL YOU’RE DEAD YOU LITTLE TWINK
- *I hope you can't sleep and you dream about it. And when you dream I hope you can't sleep and you scream about it. I hope your conscience eats at you and you can't breathe*
- Baby would be a damn good bartender
- Hey, Boss. Real easy way out of this just -REDACTED-
- I feel empty
- Wow… He really just said that, huh
- I hate it here
- *I tried but, I don't think so. Maybe it was me who was fucking up. I gave all I could give but. It seems like it never really was enough*
- “We” hurt the ones we love the most??? WE???? Who is this we?? Because right now it’s just Jack and Pops, don’t put my baby Joke in that WE
- I’m still mad that talk wasn’t nearly enough to quell the burning anger I feel towards Jack rn
- Jack gonna be so mad at Joke for this
- It’s just a ring tho..? Is it like magic?
- A KISSSS???
- *Finally it has happened to me, right in front of my face. My feelings can't describe it. Finally it has happened to me, right in front of my face and. I just can not hide it*
- Ooooooh love an “I need you right here right now” moment EEEEE
- Your first step after getting a ring that supposedly makes you a major power of the country is to… kidnap and round up poor debtors who can’t pay you…?
- Girly dancing through the pain too cuuute
- Starting off math class for like 10-year-olds with GCD is kinda wild lol
- Pops in the schoolhouse, check the sky for pigs, bro
- You lost me with this whole one (of four) ring to rules them all
- But like… Homeboy doesn’t have the funds even if he has the ring so…?
- Ayooooo we got a plannnn huhh
- Pretty accurate to how real Monopoly feels at family game night tbh
- Oh my heartbroken baby boy
- MY SWEET BOY IT’S GONNA BE OKAY
- YESSS a LOTR REFERENCE
- I’m still crying
- SOBPLL SAVE OUR BOYYSSSS and PRETTY LITTLE LADY
- Again… Just a ring…
- AN AXE???? Okay babe
- The dubstep in this series always catches me off guard lol
- *Is it too late now to say ZORRY*
- Boss man finally doing the -REDACTED- as I previously suggested
- Boss sent straight to the void in the QuinDecim fr
- Ugh, he lives
- THIS LIL GUY IS BOSS NOW????????????????????
- K, ig
- Bossfailure fr
- Rose my giiiirlll
- THE RIIIINGSSSSSSSS
- Music a little loud rn
- CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE

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The Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day

This was so soft. I needed that. Should’ve brought this sunshine into my life earlier.

Acting:

This cast did a damn good job with this silly little romcom with a dash of angst here and there. My first time seeing any of the main actors in the main couples and loved them. But, to my newly dear and beloved Book and Force, I send my heart and soul. YA’LL WERE TOO GOOD. So cute, kept a smile on my face every time I saw them on screen. Force got a smirk for every occasion and Book got a smile that could put an end to the polar night in Svalbard. Perth and Santa were also fantastic. Perth was a great soft-hearted/broken-hearted badboy type and Santa was such a good crier which I love to see. Loved my Force, Sea, and Aun in the supporting cast.

Writing:

Adorable and genuinely funny with enough realism to keep you from getting lost. I loved the stories in this. I want to read the novel for at least Arm and Arc too because I want to relive it.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

They all had good chemistry together. I think Force and Book take the cake in the end for chemistry and best romcom, though. Things got a bit more hurt/comfort with Perth and Santa which I also enjoyed, solid romance there too and their chemistry was also good. Didn’t love the romance between Mark and Junior as much but that may be only because I binged this when I should have watched them a but more separately. I didn’t love Faifa or Wine as much as the other characters; they gave side pairing energy but not in a bad way, just in a there’s not enough flavor in their story/interactions in scenes to get me as involved if that makes sense. The kissing was cute and fitting for the show. Love to see a forehead kiss and a cheek peck regularly given and received. Very sweet.

Music/SFX:

Music was cute and fitting to the story. SFX were a 10/10 in this. They did silly goofy SO RIGHT in this show. BRAVO.

Production/Cinematography:

Didn’t expect such good work from a romcom. They did so well with how this was shot and edited throughout the whole show. Love to see it.

This was a TREAT. I ate this up. I just want more. Gimme a Arc and Arm proposal, engagement, marriage, and beyond and make it 24 more episodes. SO CUTE.

Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- The INTROOO cuuuuuuuute
- Book is so CUTEEEE
- I love a boyfailure
- “Chihuahua with no filter” lmaoo
- Arc got me gigglin teehee
- I thought my road rage was bad
- Arc so smooth with it eeee
- We got feisty x forward over here
- It’s gonna be really hard for ya’ll to get me to care about any other pairing than Arm and Arc as of this point bc I’m locked tf into their love story
- Holy shit baby took a bottle to the back of the head what the hellyyyy
- *Presses play on No Pressure by Justin Bieber*
- Baby is stresssssing
- SEEEEAAAA
- Boy is sulking
- I’m kinda sulking with boy
- Arc is so cuuuute too they are PRECIOUS
- Why do we keep putting the words “I think” in front of “he likes you”??? Whattaya mean you think???
- WHAT do you MEAN he hasn’t officially said yes yet??? Baby pleaseeeee what are we doinnggg
- YAYYY CUTE FINALLY
- Now gimme 50 more hours of them together
- I usually hate the innocent, oblivious, and sort of childish dumbass character type but they are stealing my heart a lil bit Arm and Gun are just SO CUTE I love a boyfailure
- Okay, you’re slowly getting me invested in this Gun and Yotha situation
- Is that my boy, Ford??? Ford in the house??
- Panic of the gay variety
- A DOUBLE DATE EEEEEEEEEE
- Supportive older brothers Arm and Arc have my heart and soul
- *Presses play on Dazed & Confused by Ruel*
- Is that mama Lookwa I seeeeeeeeeYEESSSAAA
- Yohta, brother… What are you doinggggg
- My poor baabbbyyy
- Big brother Arm is about to infect Yohta with his boyfailure, isn’t he
- Big brother Arrrrrmmmm my love
- *Now talk it out (now talk it out) Now talk it out (now talk it out) Now talk it out (now talk it out) Now talk it out (now talk it out) Now West side talk it out (now West side talk it out) Now South side talk it out (now South side talk it out) East side talk it out (East side talk it out) North side talk it out (North side talk it out)*
- BROTHER. Read a book. Watch a movie. Listen to a song. Go look at some art. Stop being ridiculous. My parents are divorced and my first relationship was with someone who full on did not love me but like you grow up and see what’s around you outside of your inner world to find what things like love are. Pissing me off fr.
- *Presses play on Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys*
- *Switches to the Hozier cover just for the added angst*
- Gun, you’re doing everything you can, sweetie
- Yohta is over here shedding tears over someone he’s “not sure” he loves…?
- So bro really did need a good beating up to get there
- Cuuute but I lowkey still miss my Arm and Arc shenanigans
- Marraige may not be the end game but boy would I love to see Arm and Arc at the altar
- Wine going through it fr
- Arm and Gun teaming up cute
- *I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me. I wanna feel what love is. I know you can show me*
- My boy Arc is looking sharp
- I LOVE ARC he is so bad at being normal
- Uh oh the Tor reveal
- The backstage crew keeping things moving
- Cute and all but this should’ve been the Arc and Arm almost-disaster proposal of my dreams but like I get it, baby wants to graduate first or whatever
- PRECIOUS

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The thing that is important is the thing that is not seen

That was so soft and lovely and warm with a side of ouchie.

Acting:

Everyone did such a damn good job in their roles. Jimmy was the perfect softhearted badboy. Such a damn good performance in this series. Same with Sea, he was amazing in this. The supporting cast was fantastic as well. Just, braavoooo all round. No notes.

Writing:

I love a story that follows literary parallels. Art imitates life imitates art type beat I eat it up every time. I can’t speak for the blind community on the accuracy of the portrayal of going/living blind, but damn this show did a great job in portraying what it’s like to try to understand others and their different ways of living alongside the delicate balance of how/how much to help. This was a beautiful story all around even if it had that fuckass 3rd act breakup + years-long timeskip evil trope. And the second I saw The Little Prince on that screen I knew this was gonna be good.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

Loved the chemistry between these two. They worked well in every part of their relationship from two rude young dudes to caretaker/client to friends to something more to lovers to exes to lovers. SO GOOD. This is a great romance story; I loved it despite the pain it put me through. The kissing was cute and plentiful. A couple of slightly clumsy moments in there but not in like a what are you guys doing kind of way.

Production/Cinematography:

They did such a great job throughout this series. The perspective changes were well placed and executed. It came together to be a very beautiful end product.

NC Scene:

Took me by surprise there, wasn’t expecting that. They did a great job with it though. It was tender and intimate, very lovely.

Music/SFX:

I enjoyed the music throughout the show; it fit well. SFX were pretty solid, nothing stood out as jarring or off.

Side Couple:

So cute so so so so so so so cute I loved them lovely work making them a couple.

I loved this so much. Casually cried for approximately 50 minutes straight during the last episode, though, which I DIDN’T appreciate, but also I DO appreciate. So lovely.

Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- Okay, shot segway. I see you
- Oh he’s a bad boy
- Moms truly hate to see a drama coming
- Two angry boys
- Day and Night wah wah wah
- THE LITTLE PRINCE
- Boy really just shoved his whole hand in that fishtank
- SO SOFT
- Not the fart loudly t-shirt lmao GMMtv always got them wild t-shirts
- PRECIOUSS
- Day’s phone looks like mine lmao but I’m just mentally ill
- They’re so embarrassing 10/10
- The prolonged hand caress ooooh
- A love rival emerges
- Good GOD they’re CUTE
- My little sunflower boy what a love
- We’re all a little heartbroken tonight
- The shoelacesss the charms so thoughtful, my babyyy
- My heeeart it achessss
- Not the perfume gifting complete with such lovely words 10000/10
- Whelp… Sorry, gotta go jump off a bridge real quick, see ya later
- Oh no… My heart I hate it here
- WHAT A DICK GO FUCK YOURSELF
- Interesting choice in timing
- Cuuuuuuuuuute a sunrise smooooch
- Baby must be feeling a lot of complicated emotions rn
- Ouch I didn’t like that
- How could you not fall for Mhok??????
- YAAYYYY
- Sandy kisses cuuute
- What dapper young gentlemen eeeeeeeeee
- Dayyyy, quite the bold one
- I love them sooooo much
- “That’s my child” OOOOOOHHHHH Niiiight smooth with it
- My face hurts from smiling so much
- I’m praying for your happiness no matter what, baby
- Not the 3rd act breakup…
- This shit is getting to me bro
- THREE YEARS
- I can’t stop crying bro, I hate a 3rd act breakup followed by a year-long time skip ouchiiee
- He’s had you blocked for THREE YEARS
- Why can’t I stop crying
- Night x Pohjai so precious 10/10
- Bro I was able to stop crying for like 5 minutes gimme fucking break my eyes hurt
- SOOOFT FLUFFFYYY YAYYY

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Left lingering in the air

Hey uhh.. So what did they put in this? You could not have ripped me away from that first episode if you tied me to the back of an F1 car. Didn’t have the time for notes in the beginning. Didn’t really have the time to function. That was actually insane. Why have I never heard of this show?


Production/Cinematography:

Obviously takes the cake. No, no. The whole fucking bakery. Holy shit, my guy, that was amazing. The first episode was just such a masterpiece. An absolute work of art. Then of course the color choices in the filter for the past was utter perfection. I was blown away entirely by both the production and the choices made in the cinematography of this show. BRAVO.


Acting:


I’ll start with my main issue and that was I shouldn’t be crying THAT much more than the actors when their characters are the ones going through it. That applies less to Nonkul than it does to Bright, but there was an overall lack of proper portrayal of devastation that the situations faced by many of the characters were lacking. That being said, I don’t think the acting overall was horrendous or anything like that. I just think that they could have been directed to do a bit more in acting out some of the scenes. Guide was so good as Ming and I think the women, Alee, June, and Tian, and Pure, did a great job with their roles. Nonkul was fantastic in acting out his confusion and Bright really became a clueless little young master struggling with having to hide who he is and wants.


Writing:


It was a damn good story overall. I really want to read the novel now like sooo bad to see what was left out because I definitely was left wanting more. The ending was… well… it was an ending and also not? I really did not like the reunion between our Jom and young master Yai. I was expecting something far different. Like, what do you mean “Are you calling for me, Jom? I’ve always been here waiting.” Like huh? So many questions. And who owns the house? Why did she give you the key? Where has Yai been all this time? Did he like wake up one day and was like, I gotta go to that house? Did he always have that feeling/the knowledge of the past? Why was the chest in that beat up house? Why was the house so old and beat up? Is this like a long line of Yais or is it (a much better imo) story of amore random reincarnation? I needed much more than what they gave. I was looking at that dwindling run time with tears streaming down my face asking, “huh?”.


Chemsitry/Romance/Kissing:


Pretty good chemistry, not off the charts or anything though. They were cute and portrayed love and affection together quite well, but it didn’t blow me away. This is an amazing romance story, I love a bittersweet time travel story and reincarnation adds a cherry on top of that angsty sundae. The kissing was very well done. They were chaste when it called for it and devouring each other in a realistic, not overly frantic manner when it called for it. Some actors go a little too fast and frantic to the point where I’m questioning if they’ve ever made out with someone before, but these two did a lovely job with it. Love a good kiss in the rain, too.


NC Scenes:


They were all very intimate and emotional which fit the mood with the story well. I loved how Nonkul portrayed how Jom was grappling with having desire for another person after all that time apart-but-together with the same person alongside his obvious desire for release in the moment after the oil scene. And it was all without any dialogue, really impressive to see. The last NC scene was really beautifully done and I think we got the best portrayal of Yai struggling with his emotions from Bright in that scene as well.


Music/SFX:


Instrumentals were fantastic throughout. The first episode was just such a masterpiece in every way and the music is a huge part of that. However, the show would have had more impact if they stuck to instrumentals instead of adding the corny lyric songs. SFX were great for the most part. Only thing I will note is the bird sounds in like two of the scenes were super distracting because they somehow matched the timing of when the characters were talking for some reason and that felt both unnatural and off.


Definitely would have been better with a better, more understandable reunion. It was giving the reunion between Chi Cheng and Wei Wei from Revenged Love… Like WHERE IS MY DIET DR KELP sort of situation. I still want more though. Like give me everything you have and more right now or so help me. How are you gonna leave me with that ending??? WAAHHHH


Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- If Robert is unscathed at the end of this show I’m deducting at least 3 stars
- A lot of plot setup going on here
- Not the dandy men conversing in some proper english lmao
- Much to do about pigs
- James needs to step off
- Ms. Mama’s servant lady is stressing over this gay boy rn
- Oh my god more plot setup happening, is this One Piece?
- Damn caddy bitches everywhere around here huh
- Lmao @ that e-girl blush on Ming
- Bro is testing the gay waters lol
- Idk why but I’m suddenly smelling an arranged marriage. There’s a stench of fiancée in the air
- No shot that kid is theirs tho he’s like 8, unless Ma was real late with her menopause
- “Not a drop of liquor to interferer, drunk on love’s celestial bliss. I’ve tried to resist this sweet intoxication. No matter how drunk I am, sobriety comes with the morning light. Drunk on love, my heart undone every night.”
- Babygirl SNOOPING?? Tsk tsk
- Babygirl misunderstanding
- Babygirl sulking
- “I’m a lone wolf” he says. Okay, young master. Whatever you say, young master.
- Ep 06 - 00:39:23 what is that little snack I am so curious so cute
- Sorry I doubted you, Mr. James… What a gem
- *Kiss me beneath the milky twilight*
- Jom got that natural aegyo going on
- Collecting all the letters of the LGBTQs-type drama that’s what I like to SEE
- Young master looks so dapper in that clean tux
- Ming’s e-girl blush returnsss
- Ming, buddy. That’s the wrong tree. But hey, it’s a big forest…
- That smell is back… Looks like they call is Bussabong around here
- Really thought we were gonna get a touching serenade there for a minute
- *I’d like to make myself believe*
- Unc been sus since day 1
- Lmao not the hoop and stick
- Ming e-girl blush pt III
- Mr. James on the sceneeee
- I just know that green diva queen is gonna step on the mf scene
- Bro this dinner party is so dramatic but you bet your ass imma still eat it up
- Noooo you’re jooooking she’s nooot nooo pleeeease this poor woman has been through enough
- “I’ll only be gone for a few years” is WILD. Young master is way too chill about this situation for me. A FEW YEARS? No shot, my guy.
- I’m getting flashbacks to when my mom showed me Somewhere in Time (1980)...
- *We're goin' down. And you know that we're doomed. My dear, we're slow dancin' in a burnin' room. I was the one you always dreamed of, you were the one I tried to draw. How dare you say it's nothin' to me? Baby, you're the only light I ever saw. I'll make the most of all the sadness*
- It’s the STACHE MUSTACHIO YOUNG MASTER
- Lmao at the english translation being Bon Voyage and not like “safe travels”
- The spidey senses… They’re tingling…
- It would be p funny if there was 40 minutes of credits instead of them reuniting
- Oof now you gotta deal with totalling your car and the city damages from that bridge which may lead to some issues with the law and definitely will lead to your insurance getting slammed and on top of that I sure hope you’ve sobered up bc you absolutely want to avoid that potential dui charge and let’s hope you got rid of that head wound
- Bro if Ming isn’t at the door rn I’m gonna be very upset with you
- Eww, I’m upset and grossed out fr why are you guys here
- “With the matter of time, I might already be your past. But, for me, you are my future.” STOOP I can’t DO IT
- Ngl not the reunion I was looking for
- I have so many questions and there is not enough run time left to answer them
- A tid bit befuddled, I must admit
- Now hold on
- Huh?

Every reincarnation of Yai has a short time with the love of their life, only to lose them and have to live and die alone. Making a playlist sobbing rn. Reincarnation trope always hurts so good.

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That good good hurt/comfort type beat

Having trouble putting my feelings and thoughts into words for this one tbh in a good way though for sure for sure.

Production/Cinematography:

They killed that fr. It was amazing, I don’t typically comment on this aspect of a drama unless it’s noteworthy, and it definitely is in this case. Really captivating.

Acting:

No notes, so good what the hell. Lee Tae Vin and Cha Joo Wan really had me going through that roller coaster with them. Everyone else in the cast did amazing too, really great performances all around. Protect Cha Yeo Woon forever, that little happy wave and jog he does when he sees Tae Myung Ha had me giggling fr.

Writing:

Haven’t read the webtoon, so I’m not sure how it shapes up as an adaptation. That being said, the story in the drama was so good. Despite the fact that I ended up predicting a decent bit of the story, it still impacted me like I hadn’t even tried to do so. Everything up until that last bit at the end was super easy to follow and understand but like I enjoyed the story so much idc if I left a little confused lol. Part of me does like to idea of a bittersweet ending instead, but most of me will die without a happy one, so I am content knowing that my boys are happy.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

Chemistry was clear and present. Definitely a good romance story. Kissing was fitting and realistic/believable. Great work from the actors/writers/directors.

Music/SFX:

No notes at all. Didn’t even have that cheesy drama bs where they put in a loud corny song with lyrics spelling out the feelings of the characters lmaoo. So 10/10. SFX were perfect too.

Damn… this was a treat. Definitely writing this review with swollen eyes rn but that’s my business. Some seriously good work all around here, damn damn damn.

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Mad cuteness aggression from all angles

This was too cute I malfunctioned more than a couple times. AHHHHHH I love a reencounter.

Acting:

So good I don’t have much of anything to say critique-wise. They did a great job, no notes just praise and gratitude. Lee Seung Gyu had me giggling, who gave him the permission to use that face card. And Lee Jong Hyuk was such a cutie. Good banter too all around vibes.

Writing:

Despite it being so darn short, it didn’t feel overly rushed and there was enough depth to give the story a sense of meaning without anything grand. I’m a bit of a sucker for a good reencounter story though so… Overall well written I enjoyed it even if it could have been even better with more time and longer conflict.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

The chemistry was clearly present, they did such a good job story and acting-wise. It obviously works as a romance. Kissing was cute, realistic/believable, and was executed in a way that made me believe that the characters wanted to kiss and were comfortable with each other.

Music/SFX:

Still can’t escape the use of songs with corny lyrics in these darn K/J/T Dramas… I’ll get used to it one day maybe idk. Other than that music was good and SFX was solid, nothing jarring.

This was so cute I had to pause to let out some cuteness aggression multiple times. I’ll take 50 more please and thank youuu!

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One of the best adaptations of a manga/webtoon I've ever seen

Eeeeeeeeh I loved reading this so I was both excited and worried about the drama adaptation but THEY DID SUCH A GOOD JOB ahhhh.

Production/Cinematography:

Obviously high quality, but there was a lack of something I don’t know whether it’s a filter, lens type, or post-editing element but it took a few minutes to adjust to. Definitely not the end of the world, just something I wanted to note.

Acting:

Oh my GOOOOOD everyone did so well!! I loved every character and the actors/actresses brought them to life straight off the page it was such a delight to see. I was so worried that the actors just wouldn’t be able to come close to the original characters but I’m so glad I was worried for nothing. Amazing, stupendous, truly a delight.

Writing:

I will say it has been quite a while since I read the webtoon, but from what I remember, they didn’t seem to have changed much of anything. With a story like this that has a realistic setting, situation, characters, and whatnot there isn’t any need to adapt much to make a drama seem more realistic. So, overall great writing.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

The chemistry was present and again, it really felt the same as reading the original did so kudos bravo. Interestingly enough, I think I actually felt that the romance maybe worked slightly better as a live action than in the webtoon but maybe that’s because I haven’t read it in a minute. Kissing was realistic, nothing seemed off about it the actors did a good job.

Music/SFX:

Nothing too jarring with the music, just the typical questionable music choice once or twice. Once again, we can’t escape those cheesy ass songs with lyrics that blatantly state the feelings being portrayed for some reason. SFX were good, nothing stood out as odd.

Soooo good overall. Kept me locked into the story the whole time and I am blown away by how well it compares to the webtoon.

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Join me in the Akin protection squad

This is only my second live-action Bl drama, but I have been reading BL/queer stories for like a decade and I read Dakaichi when it came out so I’m familiar with the genre and story.

Acting:
Ho-ho-ho-ho-holy shit.. Boom. BOOM. BOOOOOOOOOM. My god, man. I was blown away. I did not expect to be so moved by this man; no one spoke to me of his power. Good god, episodes 6-7?? His reaction the morning after the assault. That car scene was so insane. His reaction in the elevator. Like every other damn scene. I just… wow.
Smart left a lot to be desired. He was so expressionless, and I felt little to nothing from him aside from the anger/frustration/hurt he expressed in the elevator. I needed him to have more depth, move his face, and fit his expressions and body language to the scene better. Boom might as well have been acting out most of these scenes with a mannequin.

Characters:
Akin deserves all the happiness and success in the world. Jin was kind and loving, but a bit too boring and forgettable, like there was no depth to his character.

Writing/Inconsistencies:
Love the direction they went in as an adaptation with this for the most part. Wish there was a bit more of a rivalry vibe to it in the beginning, but overall I’m just glad they strayed pretty far from the original story and made this a far more wholesome story. There weren’t too many inconsistencies that stood out to me. The first 7 or so episodes were very well done. Loved the story, besides the very odd decision to have Jin drive an unconscious Akin on his MOTORCYCLE instead of doing like anything else.
However, things get a little wonky when they started making this the “let’s make Akin’s life a living hell” story, where bad things happen to him and we don’t communicate properly with him just so the audience can see him suffer for a little longer. There were also a couple of plot points that felt off or didn’t make as much sense as the rest of the story.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:
Chemistry was alright, not bad overall. However, Boom’s acting skills brought Akin’s emotions to life. I believed that Akin was frustrated, angry, apathetic, sad, confused, happy, in love, ect. But I don’t think Smart’s portrayal of Jin brought the same to the story. There were a handful of scenes throughout that I felt a spark from him in a scene with Boom, but for the most part, he just didn’t express much of anything. The story as a romance was good.
Nothing big stood out as odd about the kissing.

NC scenes:
RIP that rug frfr. Honey scene truly iconic. Loved the black honey cut or whatever it was called, it was very pretty. Besides the obvious insanity that is not only inserting honey into the booty and dealing with the consequences of that action alone, but also following that up with intercourse using said honey as lube… like, besides all that… The thing that gets me is that these two love birds doused themselves in honey and got freaky with it, then proceeded to take a shower in what I am assuming is the ensuite to the main bedroom. And instead of going to bed in the bedroom they are presumably already in, they grab a comforter and return to the scene of the crime, which, mind you, must be absolutely covered in honey. I mean, the rug is obviously a goner, but there is just no way the couch came out unscathed. And then there is the shower scene. There was just no reason for Jin to pull them into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and direct the showerhead at their faces. Wild. And I think they also ended up sleeping on the couch a couple of other times and not in very comfortable positions either. My man is over 30 and let me tell you, we gotta start protecting our backs. Can't be sleeping on the couch all the damn time.

Music/SFX:
One very positive thing I would like to note was the decision to not have any background music when Akin got home the morning after his assault. That was haunting. Just raw emotion depicted so well by Boom. Nothing about the music stood out to me as horrendous or anything. I don’t recall any issues with SFX either.

I am so shocked that I saw absolutely no one talking about Boom’s acting in this or the portrayal of what happened in episodes 6-7. I saw plenty of posts about the honey scene and whatnot, so I was entirely unprepared.
This storyline hit home because I went through a similar situation.
Akin had no memory. He didn’t know whether he was assaulted or if he had consented to sleeping with Johnny. (WE saw that he was too intoxicated, but he didn’t know if he could have seemed coherent enough to consent) Because it’s harder to accept that you were assaulted, he decided he must have slept with Johnny, and Jin’s reaction solidified that further in Akin’s mind. Not that it mattered, he was just so messed up by the whole situation that thinking clearly was obviously difficult.
There were definitely issues with the writing decisions after the devastating car scene. I think that if they wanted to go the no-punishment route, they should have made it more realistic with having Akin say he just wants it to go away and he doesn’t want to deal with it or something like that. I also think they should not have portrayed the aftermath between the characters and Johnny as cordial at all. He should not have been involved in the story past the play he was in if they wanted to move past the incident.
Idk man, Boom just really blew me away with being able to portray the complex emotions that come with such a complex scenario without any words.

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