This Show contains one of those rare and unique storylines that are linked to the most powerful emotions: Friendship, Love, Success and Desire.
These essentials are transformed into a story about a group of young men who not only hold a dear friendship but also a deep love for music. Making it believable, the Cast did an amazing job showing a character development throughout all the 16 episodes. The performances felt very true and natural. Even for me – a foreign watcher – the motives behind every action were clear and did not feel like “the Korean way” of solving a problem. The actors are barely known (yet) and gave the show a fresh look without appearing amateurishly.
Secondly the storyline was able to combine the successful trends of the last month in international television: Musical themes, pretty boys and tension. Since the huge international success of shows like “Glee” or “Dream High” it has been a lot easier for those shows to be broadcasted. E.g. "Dream High 2", "What’s up" (although it was actually produced at the same time as Dream High it was put on hold for about a year) and "K-POP The Ultimate Audition".
Until then music was merely used as a means to the end – namely reflecting the mostly romantic emotions on screen and being a good twist to fill the episodes, as it happened in "You’re beautiful" or "Mary Stayed Out All Night". "Dream High" and "What’s up" already took a closer look to the industry itself. And while both shows did a very good job, "Shut up Flower Boy Band" puts all this to another level by adding the pure love for music itself to it.
There is also another aspect why Shut up Flower Boy Band turned out to be utterly satisfying: SUFFB got balls. It is not usual to build up a certain group dynamic and tearing it down again in order to rebuild the band, their friends and their dynamics and personal intentions. This huge risks that were taken to create a storyline far different from what might have been expected in the first episode, is the main point of why SUFFB is so unique.
Last but not least the soundtrack is a mix of powerful rocksongs and ballads and refrains itself from audio pitched pop music and gigantic performances. Instead the performances are energetic and filled with a vibrating stage presence.
Overall I enjoyed Shut up Flower Boy Band from episode 1 to 16. I liked the characters and I was able to empathise with them through their ups and downs. And I am definitely looking forward to rewatch the show again and listen to the soundtrack on repeat. Or in the words of the show itself: “Be it love or music, you just fall in love with it at first. But if that becomes real in your heart it’s insufferable afterwards, like how falling in love is easy but keeping that heart going is hard.”
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