okay hear me out bc the first 6 or so episodes are very slow and somewhat background fodder but I also really do appreciate the way they built the characters and the story up.

I will say the number one plus and negative for this show is that it's perhaps TOO realistic. everything moved at about the pace of real life and was filled with just as much stupid decisions and long contemplations.

but in many ways that's where it also excelled, bc despite everything I really felt like they portrayed a realistic gay (or not gay) relationship. feom beginning to end it felt very realistic to me.

and especially from episode 8 on it really paid off but the build up was pretty crucial. I don't understand why people say there was no character growth when I feel like the whole story hinged on that and made it very clear that it happened. I also didn't really hate any characters which is a plus.

both the leads I liked. and people can complain about the crying but it was mostly while he was drunk which is also very believable. again, I think this show was incredibly honest and that probably annoys people who either haven't lived that reality, hate that stuff, or would like to pretend it doesn't exist.

do I need this level of real life realism in my dramas? probably not. but I really did end up liking it. mostly because the acting was solid, especially from keng. and the chemistry and intimacy felt very real. like even the awkward getting back together conversation felt genuinely like one I have had before.

overall it does not deserve as bad of a rep as it has on this site but I recommend skimming past a lot of the first 6 episodes to save time