Taming the Bad Boy (2024)

Overall: I really wanted to like this 1 hour movie but it didn't quite work for me. Watched on the Flying Penguin YouTube Channel (I bought a month membership, they also have Twins and .avi) https://youtu.be/rYCcDRIB1TU?si=Xq93Mf7Li0oKjbC0

Content Warnings: bullying, homophobia, slap, choke, fight, non con video recording, blackmail

What I Liked
- great to see Holland and the cameo with Hong Seok-Cheon
- attempt at sex education though it felt a bit preachy
- non dead fish lip press kisses (though there was some camera blocks)

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward and voice over
- they tried to have too many characters/cover too much and so the main pair felt underdeveloped, not totally sold on the redemption arc
- lack of satisfying consequences for the main bully
- there was an extra scene after the end credits which I did not understand
- subtitles were pretty rough but I understood the overall gist (did not take off points)

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True

If you don't want to read further because it might have spoilers then just know, I definitely recommend you to watch this series. It's not your typical bl and i found that refreshing.

So first of all, I want more series like this one. It felt real, the bullying, the hate against gay people and the story overal. But also the simple and (after they start dating) non problematic love between Jin U and Tae Seop.
Could it been better if the series was longer? Yes definitely, some parts felt a little rushed like the relationship between Jin U and Tae Seop. One moment they were fighting and the next they kissed. But i also felt like Tae Seop was interested from the beginning. Like putting money in Jin U's locker was a nice detail.

I liked how it showed the real problem about not being educated about things like aids. The assumption that only homoseksuele people can get it because the internet says so. And the thought that gay people are filthy.
In a way it was hurtfull to watch since for a very long time I thought that most people had the same opinion. Being gay isn't easy and being out can be hard, especially when you are outed by people you thought you could trust.

The after credist scene made me hope for a second movie or series 🙏

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