This review may contain spoilers
Mess outside the fence
Jung Woo who is the center of the story that's just thrust into the story with nothing to show who he is as a person. We never see the conviction he had that caused him to be exiled from the writing world. We only see the vitriol against him. We never saw any romance of Jung Woo and Jung Hyun as a couple from any point present or flashback of the three years they were together. The drama kickstarts with a fade to black almost kiss, TWO episodes in a row between them, which is such an awful decision on top of awful decisions because they should not have cast an actor to play a gay role with a kiss scene if they were against doing so. They should have hired someone that was professionally on board to play this role in the first place. We never see much of Jung Woo's personality outside of just being miserable until mid way in the series when he finally meets Tae Yong.I like Tae Yong's enthusiasm and positive energy that he has especially for Jung Woo, but when I he said "I like you", there was zero romance energy to the point it looked so ambiguously platonic up until they do a dumb third almost kiss scene where they move in such slow motion, they are clearly waiting for someone to knock and interrupt them. This is more than half way through the series and it looks like that none of the actors were going to do a kiss scene until Tae Yong and Jung Woo finally make contact and they have a few more kisses including where they actually have a bed scene, going from -100 to 1000 in intimacy between the two. It's so jarring, it made me laugh lol. Kudos at the very least to these two actors for actually being professional. Aside from the physical parts, the two characters don't really act very in love in all the other scenes.
I enjoyed Yeong Seon's character, she has the guts to take the gamble and say what's on her mind. And I do appreciate the attempt to make a complicated antagonist that actually meant well but his one sided actions that disregarded the agency of the one he loves brought so much pain to the person he meant to protect and himself. Jung Woo chose to sign with Tae Yong, so that's nice he freely makes this decision for himself, but then the show just skips over the consequences and aftermath of his decision even though there was a whole big deal made about it. Just a time skip to sometime in the future when it's all good and all three of them work together. For a show about good writing, they never showed an example of it in world from the characters or much of it in real life with this show itself. What a mess.
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Okay For A Rainy Day!
It's Just Okay....One Happy, Positive Person Who Lights Up The Sky With His Smile
One Dark, Brooking, Selfish Guy Who Darkens the Sky and Everyone Around Him
One Shy, Naive, Crybaby Who Needs Someone to Look After Him
A plot that is subpar; music that is just ok
A romance that feels rushed - with no heat
It's not a hot mess like some 2022 bl's though, I guess that's something, but I prefer bl's with more going on, like suspense or action or yelling & jealousy or something that moves the story along at a fast pace.
It works, sort of. But it is lacking something, maybe some humor or action or real emotion, I don't really know.
I'm not sorry I watched it, but I couldn't sit through it again
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THIS DESERVES A LOT MORE LOVE
Hmm i was just really frustrated with the comments and reviews of the other people here. Like if you don't like or get something, just drop it. There's no need to leave negative reviews. We all have series we drop or don't get or make us feel frustrated, but not necessarily share the negative thoughts. We just drop and move on.So it's my second time re-watching this one, and i have to say it is totally a 10. Of course there is room for improvement, but still the last result is on top. The story is not for everyone one. Those who have been in at least 1 toxic relationship know how it is ,what it means to be in the endless darkness, and not being able to move on from it. But even if you haven't, you know at least one person who has, so the characters are really well written. The toxic relationship between the mains is something that happens in almost 55% of the people nowadays.*I wish when i was going through those times, i had someone like HTYto put me back on my feet. *
AS FOR THE CHEMISTRY I DON'T F@@KING UNDERSTEAND WHAT YOU ALL WANT.
They have such amazing chemistry together that they make your heart flutter. I don't know there are a lot of stupid dramas, not only BL that have no chemistry at all and you all leaving positive comments for no reason. As for the kiss i loved it even tho it wasn't a 'Real Kiss' like the ones y'all want as in Kissable lips or idk, BUT IT WAS FUCKING NICE, the mood before the kiss and atmosphere and the way everything led there. Not to mention the last episode that the setting was so friggin awsome and cute. All three of them did a wonderful job portraying the character given. I couldn't ask for more
And i really don't understand those saying oh there wasn't love triangle here or idk things like that. The point of this series is HEALING. WITH THE HELP OF SOMEONE WHO TRULY CHERISHES YOU, YOU CAN MOVE FROM THAT TOXIC RELATIONSHIP AND MAKE YOURSELF A BETTER YOU AND ALSO GIVE THE OTHER PERSON PEACE OF MIND.
The ending was also clear EVERYONE MOVED ON FROM THE TOXICITY AND MADE PEACE DOING WHAT MADE THEM HAPPY.
AGH, I'm so frustrated with all the negativity in the comments. I feel really bad for the actors who made such an amazing job not getting the love they deserve. I wish i could just delete them all.
??
My first and last time I left a review, and also, THIS WAS MY LAST TIME GOING NEAR THE COMMENTS .
I HOPE MY OPPAS WILL DO MORE AMAZING THINGS IN THE FUTURE, WITH MORE LOVE AND PASSION!
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Not every drama is for every taste, so some might love it some might hate it, some might be meh.
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Happy Ending Romance... but where was the romance?
I honestly don't know where to start. The (very slightly) above average rating is mostly due to the acting and general K-drama feel of the show. That being said...1. None of the characters had any chemistry whatsoever. I didn't believe that Jungwoo had feelings for either of them but at least he and Taeyoung actually had kiss scenes (if you could even call them that, it was more like they were kissing a wall)
2. The storyline had potential, but was ruined by the omittance of major plot points
3. There was really no need for there to be a different conflict every episode. It was so hard to follow
Personally, this would have been better as a bromance/friendship drama. The 'romance' didn't necessarily take away from it, but it also didn't add anything. At least it did have a happy ending and, of course, stellar OSTs (thanks to Leo and Karam)
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This review may contain spoilers
So insanely dull
This is the only BL I've watched where I had to fast forward through massive chunks just to get through it. It's so so soooo boring - the plot is really dull and takes ages to go anywhere, there's no chemistry between the leads, and I have no idea why it's rated 15 as there's only two or three very bad, passionless kisses (if you consider putting your lips on someone else's and not moving them at all as kissing) and one scene where they're in bed together and literally nothing happens. I mean LITERALLY nothing - they just look at each other with their shoulders exposed. The acting isn't bad exactly but it's so low key that you're in very real danger of slipping into a coma while watching it. Ha Jong Woo is the only good thing in it - he has beautiful lips. That's it. Don't waste your time.Was this review helpful to you?
Ain’t that happy and ain’t romantic at all
I get the way that they’re trying to show us some artistic vibes through literature, but obviously, they failed to give us a better execution of the concept. This is too average to become a hit and I don’t follow the angst as it was messy from the very beginning.Kim Jung Hyun is an annoying character who has an annoying attitude. Han Tae Young’s positive vibes somehow lighten up the mood but still not enough to save the entire show. The conflict presented in the story was not properly concluded in good shape. They just became co-workers in one company, sunset viewing on the rooftop while holding mugs. Ain’t a happy ending at all.
Yet, despite the huge amount of flaws and criticism, the show itself is not as bad and just plainly an average one. I don’t have any high hopes since the start but I’m hoping for at least having a nice conclusion towards the life of the main characters and not just by simply having them romanticize the present.
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If you love somebody, set them free
This drama is about what kind of love and life do you want? Which is kind of a deep theme for the lenght of this drama. It seems they bit off s bit more than they could chew, but they try there hardest to make due with nwhat they have and in thet resoect, they did quite well.The main characters are a love triangle, one current relationship and one (possible) future romance. The current boyfriend is a protective and somewhat cold man, who schemes and plots to keep the status quo, under the pretence of protecting his lover. He never asks him though as if he thinks his boyfriend is a child or stupid. Only at the last second does he come to realize he should be helping instesd of controlling. The new love is 100% support and positivity.. This boy adores him so much he cant stop staring. He builds him up and makes him face the world without force, but while completely having his back.
Other characters play their part around those three, and they are all complex characters, that do not get the screentime they deserve at all. I needed some more back story and more explanation. What exactly happened that waqs so bad that got this writer completely cancelled? How did that book get printed from first just being on a laptop and why is writer Cha ok with that? Who lives where? Whats going on? I could have done with 4 more episodes and make it a nice 12 eps one. But this is a SKBL, and that just hardly ever happens. Too bad. So sad.
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So REALISTIC and beautiful
I have not written a review in a long time because there wasn't really a series i desperately, I mean so desparately want to tell to people but here i got one. Happy ending romance. This is the most realistic (along with some other but you understand what I mean) series i have ever watched. It was not at all lovey-dovey, all enthusiasm, happy characters,nope. It had all the seriousness when it comes to working in industry though it be a literature industry. There were so many factors and sides were shown of Industry ; good and bad. So many sides of people were shown. So many sides of self was shown. The acting was all fine n good, not at all overly done. There were many characters and all did there roles profoundly, whether it be a small role or bad role. It had happy and sweet scenes which does not seemed forced. All in place.so good it was. So real it was . Well portrayed. I loved all the characters. Ahhhh this was so good. A new try and good try of Korean BLS.Was this review helpful to you?
I mean...
Not this mofos doing a manage de troi right by the fucking end!? SPOILER ALERT, the series does live by its name
I... liked it, I didn't love it, it was messy at first but I liked it by the time I finally finished it. I think you will too if you can by past the holes in it
? Ha Jong Woo's lips (Han Tae Young), are far too appealing to skip them my friends.
✨ Jung Ji Yeon (Yeong Seon), is so enticing, I loved her character, I couldn't stop watching her!
? I say YES to the soundtrack, those songs do have a replay value but the series on the other hand, not that much.
I'll give it a 6.5 just because of those damned lips!
Cheer, A!
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A complex, incisive story well worth watching
I absolutely adore this drama, it's one of my new favourites for sure.I understand the general frustration of people who were expecting a more conventional romance drama (the misleading summary does not help here), but let me assure you if you know what you're getting into when you start watching, you'll find a lot to value and love about the show just as it is.
The acting and writing are absolutely incredible, the dialogues flow naturally and all the characters just feel deeply real, hell I even think the editing is very well done and effectively underscores a lot of impactful emotional moments.
The show doesn't really coddle its viewers with spelling things out for them, but I found the plot very easy to follow and the character motivations understandable and often relatable.
Rather than introducing a main villain the characters have to go up against, the show explores concepts of freedom, self-determination, art, and love from various different angles with the publishing industry and its shady politics serving as the backdrop.
While romance may not be the major focus of the story, love is very much an important theme - what does loving someone mean? What is the difference between love and possession, where does selfless love end and selfish love begin? Is love always enough or can relationships built on it still become twisted and harmful? These are all questions the show poses and expertly analyses.
Another important theme, if not the main theme, of the story is fear and how to overcome it. There is great importance placed on the idea that failure should not mean giving up, that there is value to be found even in defeat, and that stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking risks is vital. Failure happens, that's just how life goes, but failing at something doesn't have to mean the end of happiness, hell it doesn't even have to mean really losing anything at all. Things happen, both good and bad, and happiness and joy are found in the simple willingness to try.
This is an incredible message and it is woven into the series so seamlessly, communicated so succinctly that I was left a little in awe.
So no, this may not be a traditional romance, but it is, at its core, a love story. Love of people, love of art, love of the self, and love of life; universal themes, in other words, that everyone can relate to in one way or another.
Give this show a shot, I really believe there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
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Idol Romance et ses vieux (et récurrents) travers
Après visionnage de la scène d'introduction de ce drama, je me suis emballée. La scène était parfaite et j'ai pensé que ce BL serait ma réconciliation finale avec Idol Romance. Bon, ce n'est pas arrivé et en réalité, la scène d'introduction est le meilleur moment de tout le drama...Comme je l'avais déjà mentionné par le passé, Idol Romance possède de bonnes idées, mais une fois en production ça ne fonctionne pas. Trop gourmand sur de nombreux plans (scénario inexistant ou incohérent, trop de sous-intrigues ou de personnages, manque de développement...).
Bref, les défauts sont là, bien qu'après Kissable Lips, j'avais eu l'envie de croire qu'ils avaient appris de leur erreur.
Alors, pourquoi ça n'a pas marché ? Des émotions absentes et un développement des personnages inexistant.
À aucun moment, le drama n'a fait s'emballer mon cœur. Pire encore, il n'a rien provoqué. Émotionnellement, Happy Ending Romance est une coquille vide. Les choses arrivent parce qu'elles doivent arriver, point. C'est un enchaînement de causes qui ont des conséquences.
Ce qui vient également impacter les personnages qui n'ont aucune profondeur. Derrière la belle apparence de Leo, son personnage reste détaché et fade. Karam était celui avec le plus d'opportunités, mais là aussi, il ne dégage rien. Quant à Ha Joong Woo, on ne peut nier qu'il est très chou à sourire, mais cela fini par le faire passer pour un chiot.
Il n'existe aucune réelle connexion entre les personnages, aucun lien vivant.
Pour finir sur la romance, elle n'existe tout simplement pas.
En bref, il me faudra encore patienter pour ma réconciliation avec Idol Romance. Tant pis.
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