The Boy Next Door (2017)

Warnings: Features smoking and drinking, though not heavily. (Mostly accidental) violence, though not graphic.

STORY
Incredibly funny and got me in stitches the whole time! I have no regrets in watching this all in one go -- it's a light and fluffy watch and each episode has its own arc. The ending is a bit open ended but I'm not unsatisfied.

ACTING/CAST
Couldn't find fault with it at all.

MUSIC
It wasn't intrusive, which I guess is kind of the point of OSTs. There was a random TT and Russian Roulette there, but it didn't bother me that much (though I guess it was kind of funny).

REWATCH VALUE
10/10 would rewatch with a friend.

OVERALL
You have nothing to worry about watching this.

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to enjoy the KD BL clichés

Watching this series is like reading a yaoi manhua but closer to bromance than BL. It is very visual and light, with magnificent actors. Fun because it also uses all the clichés and resources of Kdramas to generate chance encounters and fuel romance. The approach of the story is the typical one of two boys who meet by chance (neighbors) and how fate intervenes with those Kdrama and BL clichés to bring them closer in friendship and generating confusion in the people around them who see romance where they just friendship. Very good to spend a while and recreate ourselves in those common places of so many stories in a serious plan that we have seen and read. The music fits perfectly and underlines hilarious moments like the races in the rain or under the coat or the scene in the shower. The actors and actress who are great interpreters of great successes stand out. And the slow cameras, which allow us to see it coming and in slow motion. Screenwriter Choi Woo Joo builds the plot excellently. Really, the cast is luxurious, which can make us think that they recorded this series for pure enjoyment. just remember that Jang Ki Yong is the 999-year-old gumiho from the hit kdrama My Roommate Is a Gumiho; and Choi Woo Shik l Prince Yi Gak of the Joseon era in Rooftop Prince; to name two great series, it's like laughing at themselves with us. Funny and very nice to watch.

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Uma excelente comédia românrica

Apesar de existir uma discordância sobre essa série ser BL ou bromance, eu aposto no BL. Ela é muito boa, eu ri muito mesmo, e posso reclamar apenas de seus episódios curtíssimos, claramente em 2017 a Coréia do Sul ainda não tinha se encontrado num formato de BL que agradasse aos fãs.

O roteiro é interessante demais, hilário e imprevisível. Dois jovens acabam sendo vizinhos de quarto em uma pensão, sendo que eles não tem nada em comum, a começar pela personalidade. Eles tentam alguma convivência e são obrigados por um incêndio a morarem um tempo juntos, e mesmo aparentando não gostar dessa situação, eles acabam se apaixonando.

Sobre a atuação, apesar de muito afetada, eu gostei muito. Aparenta ser uma série de baixo orçamento, mas com bom roteiro e direção esse detalhe não fez tanta diferença. Senti falta de uma boa ost.

A série é excelente para quem gosta de comédias românticas, com certeza pretendo assistir de novo e indicá-la.

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This is the story of two neighbors who end up in awkward situations that leads their common friend (and common love interest) to think they are gay.

It is hilarious, and cute. And you kind of end up shipping the two because they are like an old-married couple. And they do really honestly care a lot about each other - enough that they're both willing to give up on the girl that they like because the other likes her.

The actors are really cute and good. Everyone did a fantastic job.

There are a few problematic moments, for me personally, but its a Korean show dealing with gay themes. So I don't expect it to be smooth sailing. >_< But that being said, it was really more progressive than anything else I have seen that is a straight comedy dealing with gay themes.

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story: I really loved the story of this drama mostly because it was SO FUNNY I was laughing out loud the whole time.
The only thing I was kind of sad about is that they don’t become a couple in the end... that kind of ruined it. But it was so funny anyway.

Rewatch value: I think because it is so short I’ll defiantly take the time to watch it again one day, it’s really funny and I’m sure I’ll love rewatching it.

Music: I really liked the songs.

Acting: I don’t know anything about acting, but I think it was really good, but don’t trust me to much on this because I’m no expert.

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This short drama is so funny and works on so many levels

When it says its 15 eps, they are short, it takes about 90mins in total, so there is no waiting for things to happen, there are no filler side plots. It's like a good play. The story works because the basic setting is based in reality, if you have seen student housing, it is normally small, with paper thin walls, and irregular plumbing and electric to match.

The comedy not on comes from the actual situations, but highlighting k-drama tropes in the best possible humorous way. If you like situation comedy where people will do anything not to ask a direct question and that leads to ambiguity . I thought only the British did that level of embarrassment humour,
The physical comedy is well done, even the set karaoke scene looked fresh, and of course with acting was excellent. The tease at the start of the episode to lead the audience on very cleaver.
The overall joke that two now established romantic ML behaving like geeks, in roles they would probably never be cast in now, gives you a sly smile.
I am giving 9.5 because it would be viewed as a whole. The best k-drama for comedy I have seen, it's going to be a cheer me up rewatch.

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Hilariously Unique with an (Un)finished Ending

*outline*
Honestly, out of all the Korean BLs I've watched, there's never been a cliche plot that directors go for. There's been a celebrityxbarista BL I've watched, an assassinator BL, a highschool BL, etc. And majority of these are low budget, short dramas without a fixed ending. I guess this was one of those. The ending is left to the audience's imagination. The focus wasn't solely on the romance, per se, it was a little more on the comedy and the gay hints but it's still amazing.


*analysis*
STORY : Since I watched the movie version of the drama, I watched it all in one go and it really felt like a movie for me. The story line was unique and different from the other Korean BLs out there. This added the comedy factor to the romance and this is probably the reason the character development was quite fast. There was no confession or rejection as such, but it's a good thing in a sense because the ending - as I mentioned earlier - could be left to our imagination. Usually when I watch a drama and the couple get together, I always want to know the continuation of the story to see what else happens. Although, I know that the whole story's purpose is over so even a season 2 would be unreasonable. However, this time I'm quite satisfied with the ending. It wasn't too abrupt either; it was left on a positive note. And the pacing was okay, in my perspective.

ACTING/CAST : Yeah, the actors had to be in weird positions with each other but because they didn't have to actually act out extravagantly, it was also profitable to the actors. If they're straight, I mean. I think it might've made them become a little more comfortable with each other to some extent. If you watch the bloopers you'll know what I'm talking about. BTS of the series was quite sweet to watch too. Every actor did amazing. I'm surprised with how well the drama came out to be and there weren't many awkward scenes which made me feel like "oh my god, what was the director thinking".

MUSIC : I liked every track played throughout the whole drama, including the small themes that were played to set the mood. Some Guys by Choi Woo Sik and Jang Ki Yong is my favorite track out of them all. If you're looking for a particular OST, this one might be the one. It's the most popular OST out of the whole album.

REWATCH VALUE : I definitely see myself revisiting this, even with a friend. The gay jokes aren't so bad despite the mature theme to it so it wouldn't be uncomfortable to watch with a friend either.


*recommendations*
I would recommend this to everyone, even people who only watch straight dramas. The comedy in this drama would totally distract them from the not-so-straightness of the drama.
'Wish You: Your Melody In My Heart' and 'Mr. Heart' have a similar take on the relationship development, except in these dramas the main couple's actually end up together.

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STORY:
The story is a rollercoaster of funny series of events which really made me laugh almost every second that I was watching it. The story is very light, almost like a skit, but very enjoyable

ACTORS:
Really, the reason why I watched this was because of Choi Woosik. He became a fave of mine after watching him in Special Affairs TEN, Pride and Preudice, and other dramas/movies. Of course, I also like Chang Ki-Yong as I remember him from The Liar and his Lover. Both are good actors and they were able to portray their roles well.

MUSIC:
The BGM was not so phenomenal enough to really take my attention away from the story, except for the one in the first episode, but that is because that's one of my fave songs from Urban Zakapa.

REWATCH VALUE:
I might rewatch it just so I can let my friends watch it. Episodes are so short anyway, we can sit this through probably in less than 2hrs.

OVERALL:
If you are somehow tired of watching heart-heavy dramas, then this is a good break for you! Watch and laugh as both the boys go through a series of unfortunate, but really funny, circumstances.

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I've seriously NEVER laughed so hard in my life!

This mini series was one punch after another, with laughter that is. I think I last laughed this hard when I watched Kang Ha Neul-Kim Woo Bin starrer Twenty. Actually, I laughed even harder at THIS. I've rewatched it at least seven times, if not more. If you need something to laugh with, and to tickle your funny bone. THIS IS IT!

Honestly, I've never seen a misunderstanding go so RIGHT! I know people have MANY interpretations of the ending. In my personal (!!!!!) opinion, I think they realized they actually started having feelings for each other, and wanted to stay together. Although, I would still love the platonic ending. Also, the last scene is like himbo + nerd = forever
EITHER WAY. This is a beautiful piece of work! Please, spare an hour and thirty six minutes. I threw my neck out laughing. You can do it too! hahahaha

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Hilarious Short Drama

This drama was short and hilarious. It gave me so many laughs and I noticed one of the main characters was from Parasite. The story was so cheesy but that is what made it so comical. I really enjoyed that they also just didn't completely make the plot between them two accidentally being a couple but added other aspects to make the plot more complex. I would rewatch this and show my friends because of how comedic it is. I also like how it is making fun of BLs but not in an offensive way. The music was phenomenal and made me laugh even more when a typical drama song would come up during a scene. Overall if you want a good laugh, highly recommend. If you want an actual romance drama between two men, then this ain't it.

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It’s ok and was funny at first but then got boring

When it comes to two main characters living together in a very confined place, I'm probably one of those people who prefers the romantic side of things. While it was nice to see two characters being friends and have everyone keep misunderstanding that they are a couple, I just felt it needed more spice to actually see the two boys “romance blossoming” in a very unique way that you hardly see in the boys love genre. Unfortunately it just didn’t make it into this story which is a pity.. That’s pretty much I can say about it to be honest with you, the actors were good in their roles btw especially their singing but the whole misunderstanding on the drama is overused…

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They're not gay :(

How do I say this? They were so cute and they had such a chemistry. And the whole story was so funny.
And I know, they already say it's all a misunderstanding. But I was waiting for them to fall in love near the final episodes. That didn't happen. I know that they're not gay and people think they're gay. But I was really waiting for them to reveal their 'love' to each other.
Besides that, everything was great. It was so fun, the acting was great and even the visual effects were good. And the episodes are like 10 minutes and it's really easy to finish it.
I highly recommend it.

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