1
Fondueforkharpoon
On a little rock somewhere, looking at the stars
An Actual Masterpiece
This one is an absolute classic for a very good reason.
The setting and plot may be nothing new, but the show makes full use of them and breathes new life into well-established tropes until it all comes together to create something truly unique.
The music and camera work fit the story perfectly, the acting is excellent, the script is tight, and the clever writing infuses the whole story with a dry, understated humour which suits the characters perfectly.
In short - the show is technically excellent.
But it's not just the fact that the show is objectively good that has so successfully endeared it to viewers.
It's how lovable and relatable the characters are. They are all clearly their own people with their own unique personalities which clash often, but also often mesh together very well, allowing for interesting friendships to form.
They feel incredibly true to life and frankly, seem to me like the exact type of unusual yet charming weirdos you'd find at any university or college campus.
Another strong suit of the show is its depiction of queer people and friendships. You won't find any stale romance tropes here, no queer relationships forced into weird, heterosexual dynamics. The characters respect each other's boundaries and take care not to overstep them, even when they're actively making a nuisance of themselves.
Sangwoo asks Jaeyoung to warn him in advance before touching him, so Jaeyoung does. Jaeyoung asks Sangwoo to not completely push him away and Sangwoo agrees to take some time to think about their relationship going forward.
They both try their best to stick together and make things work between them, yet never fall into a co-dependent "I'd sacrifice everything to be with you" dynamic.
Add to that some stand-out supporting characters (Yu Na, my absolute favourite), healthy male-female friendships, and some truly wonderful casual queer representation, and you've got an undeniable recipe for success.
If you haven't seen this show yet, I highly recommend that you do. I envy anyone who gets to experience watching it for the first time.
The setting and plot may be nothing new, but the show makes full use of them and breathes new life into well-established tropes until it all comes together to create something truly unique.
The music and camera work fit the story perfectly, the acting is excellent, the script is tight, and the clever writing infuses the whole story with a dry, understated humour which suits the characters perfectly.
In short - the show is technically excellent.
But it's not just the fact that the show is objectively good that has so successfully endeared it to viewers.
It's how lovable and relatable the characters are. They are all clearly their own people with their own unique personalities which clash often, but also often mesh together very well, allowing for interesting friendships to form.
They feel incredibly true to life and frankly, seem to me like the exact type of unusual yet charming weirdos you'd find at any university or college campus.
Another strong suit of the show is its depiction of queer people and friendships. You won't find any stale romance tropes here, no queer relationships forced into weird, heterosexual dynamics. The characters respect each other's boundaries and take care not to overstep them, even when they're actively making a nuisance of themselves.
Sangwoo asks Jaeyoung to warn him in advance before touching him, so Jaeyoung does. Jaeyoung asks Sangwoo to not completely push him away and Sangwoo agrees to take some time to think about their relationship going forward.
They both try their best to stick together and make things work between them, yet never fall into a co-dependent "I'd sacrifice everything to be with you" dynamic.
Add to that some stand-out supporting characters (Yu Na, my absolute favourite), healthy male-female friendships, and some truly wonderful casual queer representation, and you've got an undeniable recipe for success.
If you haven't seen this show yet, I highly recommend that you do. I envy anyone who gets to experience watching it for the first time.
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