brutality on a stick
This review may contain spoilers
An Easy? 6 Episodes
LONG REVIEW AHEAD BC I'M DRAMATIC :)
----------
First of all, y'all are regarding this show too highly... in my opinion.
Was it easy to watch? Eh. Did it have a sweet message? Sure. Did it make any sense at all? Hardly.
Now hear me out. This story was fed to us as two male college students in a marriage&family class who reluctantly become partners for a dating assignment (Gagaoolala). That sounded pretty average to me (in the scope of BL's that I've watched), and it was only going to be 6 episodes, so I picked up the show as soon as it aired. However, it was very clear after the second episode that this storyline was not headed in the direction I had assumed it would. In fact, I think the train this show and its viewers were riding switched its course twice, teleported to another dimension, and then pulled into its final destination upside down.
SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW!!!
Why do I feel that way, you may ask? Well, let's start with the stalker.
This show is literally 6 episodes long. SIX. Why did the writers waste 30% of this show on a stalker that is practically forgotten about after the fourth episode when he's caught? It was irrelevant and time consuming--even as a trope to bring our main protagonist (Ji-woo) and his two love interests (Ro-A and Yu-Na) together. This scenario in six episodes would have only worked had the stalker been stalking Ji-woo, not Yu-Na, and if the setting was more thriller-like than soft and romantic. 4/10
Now, let's talk about Ro-A's roommate (Nam-Jun).
Was he hot? Yes. Do I just have a thing for bald men? Maybe. But I digress. What the hell was that? Did y'all see what I saw? I was all for the beginning premise of this show: guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes girl. I was not prepared for guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes other guy that likes girl. Now we have a jealous best friend harassing Ji-woo and kicking over tennis balls...... While I don't mind a love triangle, I cannot emphasize enough that this drama is ONLY 6 EPISODES. Thus, Nam-Jun's character felt 2 dimensional and as ridiculously placed as the stalker. 6/10 (higher score bc he's hot).
Finally, let's get into the topic of that one student and her teacher.
Why? 1/10
Now for my ratings! If you're still here...
Story? 7/10.
Honestly, it wasn't bad. But, it wasn't good. The only reason I found myself coming back for each episode was in hopes to see progression between Ji-woo and Ro-A's relationship. Yes, their story ended up progressing. Yes, we even got a kiss. No, I was not satisfied.
In every way, their story feels unfinished. I mean.. it kind of is unfinished.. and not in a way that I'd like to see a season two between these characters (and whichever other characters the writers will drop in). We see nothing build between them, unless you count a drenched Ro-A reciting a poem to Ji-woo through a locked door. And even that didn't do it for me, as the scene that ensues (where they're in the bed) only lasts for a minute or two, and there's nothing romantic about it. And now that we're talking about romance, I will die on any hill as I say that there is no genuine romance in this show. Ro-A kind of just stays by Ji-woo's side until Ji-woo realizes that his feelings for Ro-A are more than he thought. But we don't even get to see that shift. It kind of just happens, and then they're together and happily holding hands after the longest 20 minutes of my life.
Acting/Cast? 8/10.
I don't have much to say, honestly. Ji-woo (Han Hyun Jun) and Nam-Jun (Yoo Hyuk Jae) were my favorite actors/characters. They really encompassed their roles as the men who pine after their unrequited love, and I was able to feel their hurt, anger, confusion, and passion. Everyone else was just okay. Nothing spectacular, but nothing terrible. Honorable mention to the stalker: great performance, but you run weird.
Music? 6/10.
Can't recall a single song in this show, and OST's are my favorite. That should say enough.
Rewatch Value? 7.5/10.
I'll tell you what. I do see myself watching this drama again, but it won't be my first choice when I have nothing else to watch. It's just light, quick, and there's a kiss at the end to seal the deal.
Overall? 7/10.
I really wish Korea would stop releasing less than average BL's, because we all know how well done their hetero drama's are; a low budget does not equate to a poorly written script. I want heart. I want reality. I want ROMANCE. I want to see a relationship between two male characters feel natural, and I want their story to make sense! BUT, we can't all have what we want, so I will settle at a 7 for this rating. Just know that you have been warned of the mediocrity of this drama.
----------
First of all, y'all are regarding this show too highly... in my opinion.
Was it easy to watch? Eh. Did it have a sweet message? Sure. Did it make any sense at all? Hardly.
Now hear me out. This story was fed to us as two male college students in a marriage&family class who reluctantly become partners for a dating assignment (Gagaoolala). That sounded pretty average to me (in the scope of BL's that I've watched), and it was only going to be 6 episodes, so I picked up the show as soon as it aired. However, it was very clear after the second episode that this storyline was not headed in the direction I had assumed it would. In fact, I think the train this show and its viewers were riding switched its course twice, teleported to another dimension, and then pulled into its final destination upside down.
SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW!!!
Why do I feel that way, you may ask? Well, let's start with the stalker.
This show is literally 6 episodes long. SIX. Why did the writers waste 30% of this show on a stalker that is practically forgotten about after the fourth episode when he's caught? It was irrelevant and time consuming--even as a trope to bring our main protagonist (Ji-woo) and his two love interests (Ro-A and Yu-Na) together. This scenario in six episodes would have only worked had the stalker been stalking Ji-woo, not Yu-Na, and if the setting was more thriller-like than soft and romantic. 4/10
Now, let's talk about Ro-A's roommate (Nam-Jun).
Was he hot? Yes. Do I just have a thing for bald men? Maybe. But I digress. What the hell was that? Did y'all see what I saw? I was all for the beginning premise of this show: guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes girl. I was not prepared for guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes other guy that likes girl. Now we have a jealous best friend harassing Ji-woo and kicking over tennis balls...... While I don't mind a love triangle, I cannot emphasize enough that this drama is ONLY 6 EPISODES. Thus, Nam-Jun's character felt 2 dimensional and as ridiculously placed as the stalker. 6/10 (higher score bc he's hot).
Finally, let's get into the topic of that one student and her teacher.
Why? 1/10
Now for my ratings! If you're still here...
Story? 7/10.
Honestly, it wasn't bad. But, it wasn't good. The only reason I found myself coming back for each episode was in hopes to see progression between Ji-woo and Ro-A's relationship. Yes, their story ended up progressing. Yes, we even got a kiss. No, I was not satisfied.
In every way, their story feels unfinished. I mean.. it kind of is unfinished.. and not in a way that I'd like to see a season two between these characters (and whichever other characters the writers will drop in). We see nothing build between them, unless you count a drenched Ro-A reciting a poem to Ji-woo through a locked door. And even that didn't do it for me, as the scene that ensues (where they're in the bed) only lasts for a minute or two, and there's nothing romantic about it. And now that we're talking about romance, I will die on any hill as I say that there is no genuine romance in this show. Ro-A kind of just stays by Ji-woo's side until Ji-woo realizes that his feelings for Ro-A are more than he thought. But we don't even get to see that shift. It kind of just happens, and then they're together and happily holding hands after the longest 20 minutes of my life.
Acting/Cast? 8/10.
I don't have much to say, honestly. Ji-woo (Han Hyun Jun) and Nam-Jun (Yoo Hyuk Jae) were my favorite actors/characters. They really encompassed their roles as the men who pine after their unrequited love, and I was able to feel their hurt, anger, confusion, and passion. Everyone else was just okay. Nothing spectacular, but nothing terrible. Honorable mention to the stalker: great performance, but you run weird.
Music? 6/10.
Can't recall a single song in this show, and OST's are my favorite. That should say enough.
Rewatch Value? 7.5/10.
I'll tell you what. I do see myself watching this drama again, but it won't be my first choice when I have nothing else to watch. It's just light, quick, and there's a kiss at the end to seal the deal.
Overall? 7/10.
I really wish Korea would stop releasing less than average BL's, because we all know how well done their hetero drama's are; a low budget does not equate to a poorly written script. I want heart. I want reality. I want ROMANCE. I want to see a relationship between two male characters feel natural, and I want their story to make sense! BUT, we can't all have what we want, so I will settle at a 7 for this rating. Just know that you have been warned of the mediocrity of this drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
