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MJ Koontz
Back to being lost in America
A strong cast trapped inside a low-budgeted banal story equals mediocrity.
Oh! Boarding House is carried by its cast. Episode one made this apparent, something previously stated in the comments section after the first viewing. However, as the series progressed even the acting faltered at times. Still, it was a simple easy experience. As humdrum unoriginal the plot is, it doesn't serve up any disappointments, "from left-field" moments or plot twists, nor does it manufacture fake moments or head-scratching plot forced reconciliations simply to make a happy ending. Everything here is very safe plotting using point A to B to C movement and development, which works, but also bores.
Our two leads, handsome and kind boarding house runner Seol Won played by an up-to-task Shin Yong Seok, and physically dominant sports coach Kim Cheol Soo played by the sexy and effective Im Sung Kyun look like a natural paring. Seeing these two men fall for each other is NOT a stretch of the imagination because they carry equal footing in appeal and attractiveness. The chemistry between them never explodes however, it exists and it putters sparks here and there, but it isn't exactly swoon worthy nor weak-at-the-knees inducing. Like most of everything here, it is just simply functional and fine with a kissing scene that gives at lest some realistic oomph before it finishes.
Many have commented on how the emotions of Cheol Soo seem to come out of nowhere when they start to develop. But, the story tries to let you know ahead of time what is actually happening. Using a gym workout sequence with a girl hitting on him, and focusing on his reaction to it, without plain stating it out-loud infers that Cheol Soo is simply gay and has been interested in men from the get go. This is further reaffirmed later in conversations when he states its normal for him but understands that Seol Won may need time, as Seol Won seems to not understand his attraction and thus it is also inferred it is his first time liking a male.
The rest of the cast is mainly comic relief. We do get a straight possible couple pairing using one of the tenants, but it is severely underdeveloped. Also Seol Won's best friend Cha Bong Deok, played geek sheik by Shin Ki Hwan, has an unrequited love that forms a love triangle that wasn't. just because love triangles are always required. But otherwise, there is not really any use for the side pieces, except to have other bodies on film and fill the house.
Be prepared for rough edges here, from lighting, overall finish and look, to sets and settings. The budget here was very very small, and yes it shows, sometimes blaringly. There are some poor directing choices along the way too, but also some pretty good ones as well. Again, showing that everything here is simply an average undertaking. You do get the feeling that this story and production might have fared better if they would have just made it a very intimate story between just the two main characters in a house with no other settings or characters. That is the story of a male owning his apartment and renting out a room and the attraction and story that develops from there. It would have saved money on cast and multiple settings while still being able to tell the exact same main story. Thus, possibly raising the overall quality on display. But, they didn't choose this (It was adapted from a Webtoon and so they tried to keep some of what was there, though still changed a lot I am told) and so the production is what it is. BUT THEY STILL MANAGED FULL 20 minute + episodes.which, again, makes it feel more like an actual television show and NOT just another chopped up movie. Good work here and take the props.
In the end it is a simply okay, fine, not-bad, mediocre, gets-the-job done, affair. For many that is good enough. For eye candy this is very strong, the leads are at the top of the BL Korean heap on looks and carry the most "main stream" appeal, and both will likely be coming to hetero Korean love stories soon. But, what this is not, is anything close to great, a must watch, or even I just have to finish it type story. It is what it is, and it is fine.
6.0 = C, 3-Stars. Average in every way. 50/50 shot of liking it due to viewer taste.
Our two leads, handsome and kind boarding house runner Seol Won played by an up-to-task Shin Yong Seok, and physically dominant sports coach Kim Cheol Soo played by the sexy and effective Im Sung Kyun look like a natural paring. Seeing these two men fall for each other is NOT a stretch of the imagination because they carry equal footing in appeal and attractiveness. The chemistry between them never explodes however, it exists and it putters sparks here and there, but it isn't exactly swoon worthy nor weak-at-the-knees inducing. Like most of everything here, it is just simply functional and fine with a kissing scene that gives at lest some realistic oomph before it finishes.
Many have commented on how the emotions of Cheol Soo seem to come out of nowhere when they start to develop. But, the story tries to let you know ahead of time what is actually happening. Using a gym workout sequence with a girl hitting on him, and focusing on his reaction to it, without plain stating it out-loud infers that Cheol Soo is simply gay and has been interested in men from the get go. This is further reaffirmed later in conversations when he states its normal for him but understands that Seol Won may need time, as Seol Won seems to not understand his attraction and thus it is also inferred it is his first time liking a male.
The rest of the cast is mainly comic relief. We do get a straight possible couple pairing using one of the tenants, but it is severely underdeveloped. Also Seol Won's best friend Cha Bong Deok, played geek sheik by Shin Ki Hwan, has an unrequited love that forms a love triangle that wasn't. just because love triangles are always required. But otherwise, there is not really any use for the side pieces, except to have other bodies on film and fill the house.
Be prepared for rough edges here, from lighting, overall finish and look, to sets and settings. The budget here was very very small, and yes it shows, sometimes blaringly. There are some poor directing choices along the way too, but also some pretty good ones as well. Again, showing that everything here is simply an average undertaking. You do get the feeling that this story and production might have fared better if they would have just made it a very intimate story between just the two main characters in a house with no other settings or characters. That is the story of a male owning his apartment and renting out a room and the attraction and story that develops from there. It would have saved money on cast and multiple settings while still being able to tell the exact same main story. Thus, possibly raising the overall quality on display. But, they didn't choose this (It was adapted from a Webtoon and so they tried to keep some of what was there, though still changed a lot I am told) and so the production is what it is. BUT THEY STILL MANAGED FULL 20 minute + episodes.which, again, makes it feel more like an actual television show and NOT just another chopped up movie. Good work here and take the props.
In the end it is a simply okay, fine, not-bad, mediocre, gets-the-job done, affair. For many that is good enough. For eye candy this is very strong, the leads are at the top of the BL Korean heap on looks and carry the most "main stream" appeal, and both will likely be coming to hetero Korean love stories soon. But, what this is not, is anything close to great, a must watch, or even I just have to finish it type story. It is what it is, and it is fine.
6.0 = C, 3-Stars. Average in every way. 50/50 shot of liking it due to viewer taste.
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