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This review may contain spoilers
Unfulfilled Promises - I Wish They Kept the OG Dynamic
There is such power and expectation in a title such as 'The Servant Prince'. Even the synopsis itself puts weight on the master-servant dynamic introduced in the 1st episode.
Takaaki is rather interesting. While it looked like he was being bullied by Naoya back in high school, it is revealed (pretty quickly at that) that he enjoys this dynamic. He loves being at Naoya's feet, looking up at him. He enjoys this dynamic so much so that when their outward power balance shifts, i.e Naoya falls to the bottom of the social ladder, losing his standing and money, and Takaaki makes it big, becoming nouveau riche, he still wants to be at the bottom of his 'boyfriend's-but not really boyfriend's' feet. Taking orders and serving him when told to. The man literally tells us that he believes he was born to serve Naoya. It's an intrinsic part of him.
That was such a good setup to me. I wanted to see how they'd navigate learning and understanding each other, growing and building a stronger relationship with better communication, while balancing this delicate dom-sub dynamic that one of them is said to crave and thrive in. Unfortunately, this dynamic is kicked to the curb by the end of the 1st episode.
From there onwards, they become just a normal couple. We watch them struggle to better understand each other, grow closer (past just hooking up), navigate Naoya's atrocious father, Takaaki's insecurities, and Naoya getting out of his shell and choosing how to live his life despite his past and his father. It's nice, but it's not quite what I was promised, now is it?
I remember watching Takaaki confronting Naoya's father in ep 8, and thinking to myself, 'Can you imagine if the drama showed us the contrast between this commanding Takaaki and the version that took joy, pride, and satisfaction in worshipping and serving Naoya? Being at his beck and call? How fucking hot and interesting could that have been?'
Sigh. I cannot help but lament my expectations of what this drama could have been.
Final Thoughts
The JBLs 'My Beautiful Man' and 'My Personal Weatherman' appear in the recommendations section for a reason. This drama promised us something similar to what is seen in those dramas - and eventually failed to deliver on it. Had this promise not been made, had this dynamic not been introduced, I think I'd have had a decent time watching this. Sadly, while the show has some positives, I spent most of my watch time feeling frustrated because of the broken promise.
Takaaki is rather interesting. While it looked like he was being bullied by Naoya back in high school, it is revealed (pretty quickly at that) that he enjoys this dynamic. He loves being at Naoya's feet, looking up at him. He enjoys this dynamic so much so that when their outward power balance shifts, i.e Naoya falls to the bottom of the social ladder, losing his standing and money, and Takaaki makes it big, becoming nouveau riche, he still wants to be at the bottom of his 'boyfriend's-but not really boyfriend's' feet. Taking orders and serving him when told to. The man literally tells us that he believes he was born to serve Naoya. It's an intrinsic part of him.
That was such a good setup to me. I wanted to see how they'd navigate learning and understanding each other, growing and building a stronger relationship with better communication, while balancing this delicate dom-sub dynamic that one of them is said to crave and thrive in. Unfortunately, this dynamic is kicked to the curb by the end of the 1st episode.
From there onwards, they become just a normal couple. We watch them struggle to better understand each other, grow closer (past just hooking up), navigate Naoya's atrocious father, Takaaki's insecurities, and Naoya getting out of his shell and choosing how to live his life despite his past and his father. It's nice, but it's not quite what I was promised, now is it?
I remember watching Takaaki confronting Naoya's father in ep 8, and thinking to myself, 'Can you imagine if the drama showed us the contrast between this commanding Takaaki and the version that took joy, pride, and satisfaction in worshipping and serving Naoya? Being at his beck and call? How fucking hot and interesting could that have been?'
Sigh. I cannot help but lament my expectations of what this drama could have been.
Final Thoughts
The JBLs 'My Beautiful Man' and 'My Personal Weatherman' appear in the recommendations section for a reason. This drama promised us something similar to what is seen in those dramas - and eventually failed to deliver on it. Had this promise not been made, had this dynamic not been introduced, I think I'd have had a decent time watching this. Sadly, while the show has some positives, I spent most of my watch time feeling frustrated because of the broken promise.
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