100k Slow Burn Angst
Let me just start by saying that I’ve watched this twice now. Not because I loved it, but because the first time I watched I really wasn’t impressed at all. I’ve heard so many great things and so I honestly just decided to give it another chance.Needless to say, I liked it much better the second time, though it does still have some flaws that will keep it from ever becoming a favorite of mine.
The story itself is fine, I even like a good angsty unrequited love story when done right. Frankly, I think this would have been a pretty good title for this genre if the drama ended after the first time they got together. Unfortunately, there was a lot of needless drama that detracted from the initial feel good feelings that are much needed after all the angst. I think that was definitely my biggest complaint in the first watch.
An element of the plot that I felt was refreshing was the film student theme. While a college setting is pretty standard for BL, I don’t believe I’ve seen one with a focus on film students. I loved all the references to films and how their passions influenced their day-to-day. The promo pictures for each episode were also fantastic. Recreating iconic romance films with Third and Khai? Genuinely Brilliant.
The acting was great, especially from Gun. He really put in his all and man can that boy CRY. He’s great at evoking all those raw emotions, you really feel them. The rest of the cast was also pretty good, so literally no complaints there.
Third and Khai also had good chemistry, the show definitely benefitted from that fact that Off and Gun have worked together previously on Puppy Honey. It’s clear that they were comfortable acting together which removed the general awkwardness that sometimes arises in BL.
I think if you’re the type that can read 100k slow burn unrequited love stories, you’ll probably eat this up. I probably won’t watch again, but I don’t regret the second viewing.
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How do you flop a romcom motif?
I’m just baffled at how you reference so many romcoms (ie, have posters that reference iconic romcom posters, have episode titles that are iconic romcom tropes) and STILL create such a mid series. OffGun’s chemistry is fine enough but KhaiThird? Absolutely not!! How do you create a romcom where you are yelling at the screen every chance you get foe the main characters NOT to end up together? I sometimes felt I was in the wrong for judging Khai so harshly when we are viewing the series from Third’s POV. But then he would do something on screen that is terrible regardless the POV! Anyway, cool concept, unlikeable characters.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
"Now I know that love is not beautiful flowers, not luxurious locations, but the sincerity you've given me."Let me start off by saying that I went into this knowing that Khai was a complete asshole, and that somehow helped me keep an open mind about his character. I do wish we had delved more into his character as to why he didn't believe in love, but they never really touched on that.
What I do appreciate about this drama is the topics of love it touched on.
You have Khai and Third, the latter of which is in love with his best friend Khai for with no real reasons given. To be blunt Khai is a player and a jackass and throughout the first half of the story, I felt that Third deserved someone a lot better. Third even acknowledges that he hates being in love with his best friend because it consistently hurts him. But this a real situation and people don't always choose who they love. I appreciate the growth between these two and that Third does actually stand up for himself several times, eventually leading to him doing his best to get over Khai. I do wish Khai's character had realized and tried to change his ways before he fell in love with Third, but I guess better late than never. The growth of his character is sweet, and he does get his comeuppance several times, eventually realizing exactly how Third felt all the times Khai had been an ass.
I really liked Two and Lynn together, they were sweet and fresh. I wouldn't have minded those two becoming a couple, but Two falling in love with P'un along the way added something nice as well. I would have liked to see more of them on screen, but they were obviously put second to the other drama going on.
I could have completely skipped past the teacher and student relationship, but I think they put that in to show the watcher that sometimes if you love someone, you let them go for their happiness. (Maybe I'm just reading into it, lol) Bone did get his happiness at the last second which was nice.
The friendship between the four of these guys was honestly the best. Two and Bone, even though they had their own drama going on, still weighed in and were supportive of the two. They obviously wanted the two to be happy, whether apart or together, and were just good friends. They also acknowledge that Khai is the jackass. It is never ignored in this series that Khai's habits are awful.
I enjoyed this drama for what it was trying to convey and liked the relationships between the characters even if they themselves were annoying at times. People aren't perfect, but sometimes they deserve another chance. The chemistry is what I stayed for in this drama.
"I used to think that we were born alone so we shall die alone. Because we can't choose, we have to learn to live alone. But now I know, while we're still alive, we can choose whom to be with."
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At first i thought it will be a boring there's a time that i really want to drop this show but i always finish what i started. It was so sad that is how i like this series because i felt the sadness that this series want to gave to me. The train scene got me cried i felt the sadness of Khai even though he's the one who disregard the love that Third gives. But this series keep strong till the end but it feels like heavy drama is the theme of this series. The student and teacher relationship was one of the worse ideas i have encountered on this genre but it's good that they ditched it.
Acting/Cast - 9/10
I don't think that Gun was really good at this making people feel sad he really pull it over. Off was really good at this series because he transform from a chickboy to a loyal partner the acting was so precise and on point but there where some cringey parts but i think it's supposed to be there.
Music - 7/10
I think the music is good but i cant remember what is the tune because it is rarely use at this series.
Rewatch Value --5/10
It is only one usage because it's kinda boring when i first watch it. But it's kinda good just make your own review.
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This review may contain spoilers
OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT!!!! The angst and pain is so fucking real that i never encounter with one-sided love, i could feel the pain. Off's acting is 10/10 and Gun! Hats off to him! He is like the perfect bottom in this bl series that portrays the perfect closet guy who love his own best friend. The part where Gun was heartbroken and always cry in the shower hits me so hard that i don't know if i ever miss one episode without crying. This is like 10/10 (as you can see in my review gurl ) .
But i kinda have love-hate relationship with Third. Because it seems like he is so stubborn. Like gurl if Khai have show his true interest to me ( the part where he waits for the Gangsta group for road trip ), i already on my knees for him. I swear, if you are going to watch this episode, you need to prepare a lot of tissue because- oh god! WHYYYY!! but i am glad that the ending ends well and im so happy to see Third's smile when he is with Khai because all this time, it's hard for me to see his smile.
What i suggest for you if you are new to BL, you have to watch these; Love By Chance, Sotus, Theory Of Love & 2 Moons
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It is pretty typical GMMTV BL fare. If you love OffGun you will probably enjoy it very well.
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For my Drama Kings and Queens
I have never related more on a spiritual level.I have never downloaded a soundtrack so fast (Getsunova really said "I'm going to hurt you in Thai AND English, so buckle up buttercup).
I have never cried and laughed so much in an individual episode.
I have never rooted so hard for the shitty MLI to get their sh!t together and dive head first into their redemption arc so he can be worthy of the soft, pjnkng, deserved-better-from-the-start MC.
I have never had so many relatable moments of Dramatic B!tch™ to feel called out over.
I have never made up so many memes and in-jokes with my bestie over ONE show and friend group of characters.
I have never had an instant favourite show 2 episodes in like this.
I will never recommend anything this strongly.
Besties that want to gush or do a rewatch together, please, reach out. I still have so feelings so many years later.
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This review may contain spoilers
I was really looking forward to this! I love this mainly because of the acting especialy Gun blew me away and made me cry and feel for him multiple times! But I kinda think that the plot was a little bit overdone with the tsundere shit at first from Kai and later on from Third, but I´m glad they keep putting Off and Gun together, they have a really good chemistry and I´m glad for the more mature kisses though there could´ve been more of them and also a kiss from Two and Un would be good. But overall I really enjoyed this drama and every week I was exited to watch the next episode. Was this review helpful to you?
AMAZING CAST could be better story
StoryThis is the main problem for this show for me. I really HATE the way Khai was acting and I hate that Third wasn't like throwing his love in the "no" bucket. I think it would have been better if he treated him more human and friendly but just didn't do anything extra. Also low key wanted a different love story for Bone.
Acting/Cast
My gosh I do love OffGun and I really wanted to see more especially after Puppy Honey however the whole story just doesn't do it for me. However the cast is fine wine. The acting great!!! I loved Gun's crying scenes. He is really good at crying on demand (flashback to The Gifted).
Music
Honestly not really feeling their OST. I don't feel the emotion of the show from the OST. However the song itself is good. I just don't picture the show when I hear it.
Overall
I think it is a great show but my dear Third is driving me crazy!!!!!!!!!! Please watch to support another OffGun drama lol.
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Bone is great. I think he showed the most maturity in his part of love. I really cried for him in the end. But he deserved a better and got better.
Two is such a good friend. I think his character was perfectly portrayed as a friend, and a lover.
Overall, I liked 4 of them and their friendship. Truly worth it.
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This review may contain spoilers
Unrequited? More like Unrealistic.
StoryUnrequited love is nothing new in the BL genre. In point of fact, it shouldn’t even be called unrequited, as at some point it always ends up requited. Theory of Love falls into that exact category—unrealistically so. In any world adjacent to the real one, Third and Khai wouldn’t have ended up together. But since this a BL, of course they do, because the plot said they had to. If there were ever a series where we needed to use the word “gay” this would have been it. Why is it never brought up as a possibility that Khai wouldn’t be interested in Third because he’s not gay? That would have been the most obvious reason. “Not wanting to ruin their friendship” would have only worked as the main reason if Khai were a gay man, dating multiple guys at once. In fact, that would have made the entire story work a lot better. But no, we barely touch upon the idea of sexual preference here. As in most BLs, there was some desperate need to make it look like two straight boys fell in love, and it came at the expense of the story.
Another failing of the story: Why on earth was Third in love with Khai to begin with? Khai was not a good friend, or even a good person. Sure, he’s good looking, and sometimes they had a laugh, but that was it. The show leaned way to hard into the whole “the heart wants what it wants,” aspect. I was told that Third was in love with Khai, but never shown why throughout their relationship or interactions. Without really understanding why Third was so head over heels, it made it very hard to get invested in his plight.
On the plus side, tone-wise, I thought the show often balanced drama and light-hearted well. Not all the time, mind you. Third’s habit of crying in the shower while fully clothed and pouring water bottles on himself was silly. It could have worked, had he cried during a regular shower once or twice. Not everything needs a comedic undertone—these moments certainly didn’t.
I actually liked the voiceovers, from both Third and Khai’s perspectives. I thought the perspective shift (from Third to Khai) about half-way through would weaken the show, but it actually held up fairly well. There were a few really cringe-worthy scenes, Khai’s first and final confession being good examples. Just way too many people present and involved in those scenes. Some scenes were cut/edited weird, like the bedroom scene, where Khai said sleeping over was different now, then the opening credits played, and then after that suddenly they were on the train. Where was the rest of the scene?
As stated in the opening paragraph, I think the biggest strike against the story is Khai falling in love with Third. He was never presented as gay, or even bisexual, so the only reason I can think of for his sudden love is “the script said so.” That isn’t good story writing. The story would have been better served by either Khai not being presented as straight to begin with, or the two of them not getting together in the end. But then I guess we’d stray into realism and away from BL.
*Side note: The product placements were egregious.
Acting/Characterization
Acting was probably the strongest aspect Theory of Love. I thought the group of four male friends felt very real, and the cast in general was well-rounded. But this, again, is brought down by the characterization of the characters.
Third: No question about it, Gun killed this role. I didn’t particularly like Third, but I found him to be a real character, and that’s more important to me. A lot of BL actors come across extremely awkward or even laughable when attempting to cry and do sad scenes—Gun is the king of crying. Nothing seemed staged in those scenes, though there might have been one too many of them. Though he’s a really small guy, his size never affected his character. He wasn’t weak or wimpy, or cute. He went from angsty and depressed to super jaded. I liked his introspective side. That’s different for a BL character. Again, I did not understand why he was in love with someone who treated him so poorly, but since he was so obsessed in the beginning, it made it hard to believe he’d make Khai jump through so many hoops at the end. Some, sure, but Khai having to prove his love really dragged on.
Khai: Off held his own here. Prior, I’d only seen him in comedic roles, but when it was Khai’s turn to be sad and pine, he pulled it off. Again, I didn’t like Khai as a character—he was a thoughtless friend and a womanizer—but for the most part, I believed him. He was a real character. A lot of people probably know or have encountered a Khai. And I did like when he made an effort to be a better friend, but the biggest problem is that I don’t buy, for one second, that Khai would fall in love with Third. It happened for no reason. He went from only being into girls (very into girls) to suddenly being madly in love with Third for no reason other than he found out about Third’s feeling. That doesn’t happen, and I don’t understand why they didn’t just make Khai gay or bi to being with. The story would have been better for it.
Two: I’ve liked White since I saw him in Love Sick, and it was nice to see him in a more mature role. While I liked his relationship with Un, it wasn’t explored enough to be really satisfying. It was so brief that some parts had me scratching my head. I couldn’t figure out how Un had known to go to the beach that one night, or why he’d decided to stay without actually knowing if Two was into him or not. They just didn’t cover any of that. Two being torn between a girl and a boy would have worked better had they actually shown us some sort of struggle with his sexuality, but sexuality is again a non-existent non-issue. The twist of Un having actually been into Two the whole time and not Third was neat, though I didn’t think it needed to be back-dated to freshman orientation. Unfortunately, White got stuck with that horrible, horrible colorism line, directed at Un, who is beautiful. That line was so bad and so uncalled for, I had to pause and seriously consider whether I wanted to keep watching or not. Clearly, this demonstrates a much deeper industry problem, where fair=attractive and desired, and anything else is ridiculed. I can't imagine anyone thinking that it's okay to include a line like that without calling out the character who said it as awful.
Bone: Sorry to say, but I didn’t watch the hetero storyline. That’s not what I watch BLs for. In what I did watch of Bone, I liked him. I’ve seen Mike in other series, and he always seems to play the same buddy character. Not much innovation here, but he was fine.
Female Characters: Oh dear. From crazy women to women as two-dimensional plot devices meant to bring male couples together, Theory of Love is not good at female representation. The worst I’ve seen, I’d say.
Intimacy/Heat Level
Quite low. Not all series need to be risqué, but after all the angst and pining, Theory of Love would have benefited greatly from some heat and passion at the end, or at least a bit of intimacy or romance. Off & Gun complement one another pretty well, in a physical sense. What kisses were shown were really good—they clearly had no qualms about this, so it was a shame they didn’t have more couple scenes. The most passionate kiss ended up being the one in the bathroom, in which Third didn’t participate, so that was weird.
The dock scene between Un and Two sorely needed a kiss—impossible to think they wouldn’t have kissed there, but just hugged awkwardly. There was a later scene where Two is dodging Un’s attempt to kiss him, after they are a couple. Why? At least it came across more as playful then as gay panic—something BLs really like, though I can’t imagine why.
All in all, too tame in this department for such a heavy-handed drama.
Music
I don’t care about this music. As long as it’s not disruptive, I don't even notice it. No affect on overall score for me.
Re-watch Value
I don’t understand why this is one of the criteria. Some people don’t re-watch series even if they liked them, so I don’t like rating anything based on this. No affect on overall score for me.
Summary
In summation, the need to have the majority of BLs show two “straight” boys falling in love really brought this series down. While the show runners could have made a statement about unrequited love for a straight guy, and learning to move on and stand up for yourself, they instead strayed into the realm of unrealistic fangirl fantasy. It’s too bad, because some excellent acting talents were wasted here.
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