Semantic Error (2022)

Semantic Error Review

A very cute show. Simple writing and plot, but it worked and never got boring. story was well paced and everything resolved pretty well and made sense. Easily rewatchable.

I really liked the real world tie-ins to the main characters' personalities changing over time (like how Sangwoo stops drinking the vending machine coffee to show that he is becoming a less "bitter" person). I love the acting, I thought the characters were portrayed really nicely. I really loved the side characters as well. The use of classic BL tropes were definitely there, but nothing ever felt too forced or cringey.

Overall very cute and enjoyable, and easy to digest!

8.5/10.

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A perfect, concise must-watch BL. The new standard for BL

Stop reading this review right now and just go ahead and watch it. At 20 minutes and only 8 episodes you could finish the series quicker than reading this full review.

I think what makes this show so great is that they basically don't do anything new, all the same old BL ploys are utilized sure but they simply use the ploys correctly. And we have all sat through too many terrible BL series to know what I'm talking about. Enemies to friends - Check, Is he or isn't he gay - check, Random fight 2/3rds of the way in - check, Randomly sexually ambiguous friend - check (shout out to the girl best friend in the series she is actually one of the best characters!), random hurdle at the end preventing the Bs from getting their L on - check. Yes this is exactly what happens in every BL series .....but fear not! Semantic Error takes a fairly refreshing approach to all of these common ploys and a I dear say you'll not be disappointed!!

One ploy not utilized in this series (thank god!) is the random secondary BL couple whose relationship progresses at lighting speed and seemingly exists to show the audience what the main couples romance could be like if they just got their act together.

Ok so lets get into it, first of all can we talk about hot hot hot! The ultimate ship to set sail on! Not inventing the wheel here very clearly/ typically seme and uke archetypes used in this series (which in 2022 can be a little tired at this point....)but I don't care...their chemistry could set a science lab on fire. By Kdrama standards....those boys over delivered in the kissing department and I'm not mad.

Refreshingly older characters - university aged. Meanwhile can we have more adult-ages BL ...let's not pretend most of us watching are already over 30 and live in the real world. If you're watching BL...you're probably a low-key perv...and if you're a low-key perv you wanna see the business...none of this high-school level angst...wow they held hands....anyway I digress. The point being...thank thr BL gods these boys are not in high school ...snore ...save it for anime...

The acting is great. The series is chic and stylish. The timing is perfect. The music is decent. The side characters are lovable. 10/10. In true BL style...please make a sequel that is terrible and all fan service and nobody likes just coz $$ I'll watch it.

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I LOVED THIS ABSOLUTELY

THE POTENTIAL KOREAN BLs HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have greatly improved and this one did not DISAPPOINT!!

“Semantic Error” is the most outstanding turning point in this year so far. Alongside "History 3: Trapped", this series would be my first choice to recommend to somebody if they asked me about good series including the love of two men. The story is quite interesting and cool, I like how it wasn't focused on a guy struggling with his sexuality or any of that drama, but they knew what they wanted, and they went for it straight.

We kind OF went with the popular trope of bad boy and rebel who falls in love with the upright, top of the class, quiet kid. And I am not opposed to it because they executed it and I think part of it is tied down to the acting and the actors who really had great chemistry together. Loved the pacing of the series because it didn’t feel too rushed, While one of them is a famous and Wandered extrovert, the other one is an anti-social and overseen introvert who cares a lot about a systematic and calm daily routine. Jang Jae Young‬ and Chu Sang Woo‬ are as different as one can be. They are incomparable but still such an exciting match. The gradual change in Jae Young and Sang Woo relationship was simply delightful to watch. We could see what moments were the turning points, what led to them, how they influenced the main characters. It was a well written and presented progression, and while the characters were falling in love with each other, I was falling in love with the show itself.

The strongest aspect of Semantic Error are the characters and the palpable chemistry between the lead actors. Both Jaeyoung and Sangwoo are incredibly likeable characters, which is always a good thing in a romance drama. If I don't like one of the leads, it's just hard to get invested and root for their relationship. Our lead actors seemed to have fun playing these roles, and it felt like they genuinely wanted to tell this story. I also particular loved the friends and they stood by him, especially the chick her comebacks were always on point. The supporting cast may have not been fleshed out like our leads, but we got some memorable additions to the cast. for Semantic Error, since we usually got fun banter or meaningful conversations whenever one of the side characters showed up. Apart from the characters, I really enjoyed the dialogues and humor in this show. It never felt forced and enhanced the lighthearted and fun atmosphere.

Overall: This is a really good BL Drama and a quick binge watch, so I would definitely highly recommend this one to any one who enjoys a BL, and the fact that its Korean is a good plus for me!!

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Addictive like a gameplay

Semantic Error's strongest forte is the insane chemistry that Park Seo Ham and Jaechan have on screen ( maybe it is thanks to offscreen chemistry too?). It almost feels too addictive as if you are obsessed with something, but it is a good kind of obsession.

Even though it uses the most repetitive tropes of college dramas, the romantic duo suck you right in with how much tension, angst and even cutesy love you see between them.

The only regret you would be left with is that you hope for the episodes to be even longer and the overall series to be more mainscale production. With a meagre set scale and lesser production value ( a fact well known as major production companies in Korea still don't want to focus on funding for BL series ), Semantic Error has proven that the audience is attracted to not star power or grandeur but to how well the series for its value is.

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So good!

I've watched this 3 or 4 times already, and more when you consider how many times I rewatched scenes and clips. I absolutely love this series! Idk why I haven't reviewed it yet....but the more I watch it, the more I like it. The music has me bopping along to it without me realizing it. The sweet kisses makes me smile. I love that there is growth within both the main characters. All the characters are portrayed really well in my opinion.

I swear, my favorite scene is when Jae Young walks around the corner in a leather biker jacket and winks at Ryu Ji Hye. I think I'd have had the same stunned reaction that the 2 girls did! LOL

So lets talk about what I don't like. Park Seo Ham has a really good complexion. So why do they have to put so much makeup on him?? As good looking as he is, there are times when he reminds me of a corpse because of the heavy makeup they use. That's not cool. Also, the last episode is a little rushed in my opinion. They could have given it 5 more minutes and it would have been fine. And...um....I think that's about it. I think there's nothing else I disliked.

If you haven't seen it yet, it's definitely worth watching.

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Cute & Short BL Romance

When computer science major Choo Sang-woo calls out Department of Design's Jang Jae-young for not helping him with a class project, Jae-young decides to get even by making his life a living hell. This was a really cute and short LGBTQ romance - 30 minutes long with eight episodes total. The actors had a ton of chemistry with plenty of fun banter and sweet romantic moments. They have their fair share of miscommunication, like any other show in the romance genre, but it never detracted from their story. I adored the friendships they have (or develop) throughout the story. While I would have liked it to be a tad longer to flesh out some of the story or characterization, I do appreciate that it didn’t overstay its welcome. If you ever have an afternoon free and you are looking for an opposites-attract romance with semi-steamy skinship, this show may just be what you ordered!

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best korean bl ever

this drama is so so good- i watched it in one sitting. 22:00 to 1:16- i watched it all. this bl is so good, it has the perfect balance of romance and plot- it correctly uses the plot to build the couples relationship and gives the perfect fluff to plot ratio. the main couple’s chemistry is AMAZING- and their relationship dynamic is to die for. they’re so adorable together and the way that this drama allows the mc to come out of his shell and begin to feel real emotion is so amazing. i also love how at the beginning he compares his feelings to the functions of a computer but at the end he abandons the analogy and accepts his feelings as they are- i love the small details of development. this director needs a raise because this plot was beautifully written and executed. every detail was perfect. i love this drama sm and the acting was amazing. best bl i’ve watched ever. watch it !!

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Second tme was even better

I originally watched this as the episodes came out. I realy enjoyed it then. I just re-watched it straight thru and enjoyed it even more. Are the usual tropes there? Yes but something about this story just feels different to me. It is now one of my comfort go to's. I love the actors and their chemisty. My only problem is (as it is with all 10 episode Korean BL's) I wish they would add 2 more episodes so it doesn't feel quite so rushed. I can accept how quickly they go from enemies to lovers because as I re-watched it I got the feeling that they really do like each other almost from the start. I will definately be re-watching this one again!

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Fun & heart-fluttering

This show seriously shot its way up my list of favorite web dramas so fast. It's a travesty this couldn't go on for longer because I'm such a huge fan of this enemies-to-lovers (or more specifically annoyer & annoyee relationship) trope and I feel like this drama did it absolutely flawlessly.

The plot was straightforward and it had its cliches, but the drama didn't feel recycled at all — it was so refreshing, the leads absolutely killed their roles, and I just really loved how the story and relationship developed between the characters, who were simultaneously polar opposites and like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together.

The cinematography was also really good; it's not high production by any means but I really loved the symbolism of different colors as well as how the show edited SW and JY's scenes to parallel or contrast them.

It's also rare we get to see side characters get their due in these short shows, but Semantic Error really did an amazing job on the minor characters revolving around the leads; they not only had their own personalities and lives either, but I also just felt like their scenes were just as interesting and fun.

Overall, such a good drama with the perfect balance of fluff and tension. Definitely one I would return to watch.

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Not perfect but still loved it!

I've never seen anyone make all red outfits look sexier than Jae-young. Standing ovation for my king!!!!

Semantic Error is like the family member that's riddled with flaws but you love them despite all of their issues. The plot could've been a lot stronger, the acting came off a little monotone and lacked range, and for most of the series the script felt too fluffy and unrealistic. These are pretty much the same issues I have with most Korean BL's, but as I said despite all this I really grew to love Semantic Error with each passing episode. It started off a bit slow and shaky but progressed nicely into it's conclusion. The chemistry between Jae-young and Sang-woo was great and the kissing scenes were a far improvement from other K BL's. I actually felt something each time they kissed. I know it's literally like asking for diamonds to fall from the sky but I'm hoping for a second season. It would be nice to see Jae and Sang establish their own successful gaming business and subsequently experience strains on their relationship, putting their love for each other to the test (cliche and cheesy I know but it would be cute lol).

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