The Eighth Sense (2023)

Just watch it my guy

Let’s talk about the obvious first. The cinematography is beautiful, Thea acting is superior and the storyline is not your usual run in the mill bl trope. I found this on the day it was released and I’m so excited because I had heard nothing about the series before hand. To my pleasant surprise the episodes were almost 40 minutes long. This was perfect for this story in particular because one of our main leads has unresolved trauma. We get to have snippets of his therapy sessions which gives us an insight of what he’s feeling and what he’s been through. The length of the drama is perfect because normally traumatic events in BLs are usually rushed to push foreword the story. Having the “conflict”start with our two main leads and then resolving it in the second to last episode is perfect because we get the last episode as a fluff. More dramas should do this in general because it’s obviously more satisfying to have the last episode with them being secure and loving than just say the last 10 minutes. Now the actors as individually. Oh Jun Taek did great ofcourse. He really played Ji Hyun perfectly. Im Ji Sub now is just wow. The way he was able to capture Jae Won and display a character with trauma and depression is top tier acting. Not once did his performance fall flat. And together their chemistry!?!?!?!?! Yea overall it’s something new and fresh and you should watch it because I have superior taste when it comes to dramas and if I say it’s good then the source is trust me bro. Watch it.

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The Five Senses Aren't Everything

This drama is quite simply beautiful in pretty much every way possible. The cinematography, the story, the characters, the acting, all of it comes together to create something truly enchanting. It's authenticity is breathtaking. It tells a story that is real and raw, touching on subjects that many BLs and Asian dramas in general avoid. The Eighth Sense is honestly the best BL drama I've seen in a while and it is well worth the time to watch it.

The story is amazing for all it's simplicity. This is not a big and bold drama filled with pomp and drama. It is wonderfully subtle and realistic. Every part of it feels natural, organic. It's well paced and the delivery is exceptional. Yes, it's a romance, but it's also about two people helping and healing each other. Jae Won gives Ji Hyun the courage to step outside his comfort zone and Ji Hyun helps Jae Won begin to heal from the trauma of his past. And I appreciated that it didn't feel like the pair of them getting together magically fixed everything for Jae Won. It felt like a combination of his therapist's and Ji Hyun's boss's words that finally got through to him and helped him take that first step forward. Sure, Ji Hyun is there to help and support him, but he also has to put in the work himself to continue to heal.

While the first few episodes focus more on Ji Hyun and his growth as he learns to step out of his shell and begin to interact with other people and the world around him, the latter part of the drama focuses on Jae Won as he begins to face the trauma from his past and take steps to move forward. Both characters experience huge amounts of growth in a very short time and it's done so well. They grow both together and separately. And that's part of what was so great. Instead of the pair of them existing in their own world surrounded by barely there supporting characters, they had a life outside of each other. In fact, I think they had more scenes with their friends than they did with each other. But I loved that because it added depth and meaning to both them and the supporting characters who are so often only there to move the plot forward. Here though they're fully developed characters and amazing ones at that.

The acting was fantastic all around. Im Ji Sub and Oh Jun Taek were nearly flawless in their roles. Their chemistry was just so natural and believable. The supporting actors were equally fantastic. Lee Mi Ra and Seo Ji An as Yoon Won and Ae Ri respectively were both fun and insightful as the male leads' friends. I really loved the relationship they had with the two of them and the way that Yoon Won and Jae Won supported and loved each other. Lee Mi Ra and Im Ji Sub just had a very natural chemistry that was great to watch. Jung Seo In was fabulous as Ji Hyun's boss. She was equal parts funny and the deliverer of sage advice. I loved her. Park Hae In as Eun Ji and Jang Young Joon as Tae Hyung were believably villainous. I couldn't stand either character, so kudos to their acting prowess.

One of my absolute favorite things about this drama was how mental health was addressed. The fact that we actually got to see Jae Won going to therapy, the knowledge that he was taking medication for his mental health, and that he even admitted himself that he had depression was huge. Most Asian dramas downplay mental health issues or just ignore them completely. That it was so openly addressed and delved into was gratifying and I hope more dramas do the same.

The cinematography was truly stunning. It had a very stylistic feel to it that I appreciated as well as the fact that it was maintained pretty much throughout. My only complaint was that some of the night scenes were a bit too dark which made it difficult to tell what was going on. That may have also been a stylistic choice but it wasn't one that I felt worked well.

I loved the music. It all worked very well with the drama and felt like actual effort was put in to finding songs that fit with what was going on and they really did enhance the mood for those scenes.

I did have a few things that prevented me from giving this a perfect 10. The main one was the "twist" in Episode 7. I don't know if it was a subbing issue or if it was deliberate, but either way, I really don't like having my emotions played with and that's exactly what it felt like they were doing. It seemed like they went for shock value and then jumped out and yelled, "Psych!" It really killed the mood for me and made me question why I had started this drama. The other part was the handling of Eun Ji and Tae Hyung. Both were terrible, manipulative people, so the fact that they got a happyish ending didn't sit quite well for me. Considering the way mental health was addressed, I feel like dealing with the two of them could have been a good continuation of that because Jae Won did not need such toxic people in his life, particularly Tae Hyung. I would have preferred to see something where they cleared the air between them, but Jae Won made it clear that he could no longer have Tae Hyung in his life. Actions have consequences and I don't feel like either character really experienced any kind of meaningful consequence.

I truly cannot recommend this drama enough, particularly to people who enjoy dramas that are more than just the romance. With a meaningful story and characters, you really have nothing to lose.

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Uma história mal contada

Comecei a ver esse bl por causa do hype e inicialmente estava colocando fé que seria bom mas a partir do terceiro episódio já fui desanimando. Não digo que é um drama ruim, tem uma boa história mas não acho que foi contada da melhor maneira.

Ao msm tempo que o drama tem um ritmo lento ele tbm é muito apressado e acaba deixando muitas coisas abertas a interpretação do telespectador, alguns dialogos tentam ser profundos mas acabam sendo sem sentido, um exemplo é todas as conversas do Jae Won com a psicóloga que parece muita mais uma conversa que ele teria com a avó que uma sessão de terapia. O trauma e a depressão dele tbm foi muito mal desenvolvida e o que era pra ser algo sério acabou sendo só um mero detalhe na história.

Sobre o relacionamento dos dois, eu já não esperava grandes desenvolvimentos levando em conta que é uma série de 10 episódios só, mas conseguiu ser muito mais raso do que achei que seria, sim eles fomam um casal fofo mas é notável que não tem uma profundidade, ficou um pouco superficial, os atores entregam química mas o roteiro deixa a desejar no desenvolvimento.

Não é um drama ruim, tem seus pontos fortes e talvez se um dia eu assistir ele dnv perceba mais pontos positivos mas no momento atual só consegui focar nos ponto negativos.

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The most majestic BL Korea has ever released

April 26, 2023

The Eighth Sense has been a drama that caught my eye ever since the first episode. As I was watching this and waiting for the episodes to roll out. I can feel and connect with the reality of what this drama entail. There are obvious plot cliches used but it was done well in my opinion.

There hasn't been a single episode where I felt like it was a filler episode. The rollercoaster of emotions I have felt is amazing. As a melodrama KBL, this was fantastic. It checks off all the things that makes a melodrama good! The pacing, the angst, the slow burn, the tension, it was so damn fucking good. The cinematography and the choices of music that they use is just so fitting for the storyline.

The storyline is not super complicated and pretty straightforward. However, the execution of the cast and the directors to tell this motherfucking story is so put together. Like this is just way too fucking good. Up to date, this has been Korea's best BL that they have ever released.

It is so genuinely raw and filled with emotions that plays with our heart.

The Eighth Sense has jumped to my top 5 BLs ever. I have so much respect fo Jae Won overcoming his trauma and for Ji Hyun being there to support him. I must say, this has tug my heart string because their story is very realistic towards my personal life story.

So I hope everyone gives The Eight Sense, the love it fucking deserves.


S-tier KBL for sure! It is a fucking masterpiece.

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Maybe my favourite characters in BL

I loved these characters, I think they were all so well written, and for the most part extremely well acted as well, especially the main boys. Jihyun is a innocent country bumpkin but he's got sass and bite and he is confident in himself. Jaewon has so many problems but he seems indefinitely patient and kind. Aeri is a treasure, and Joopyu is probably the best "best friend" character I've seen in a while, it's all very believable.

And ah the acting, when things get dark you can see how shut off from the world Jaewon is, how his eyes are so lifeless, how he's just going through the motions. Until he sees Jihyun. It's 10/10 from me. Their relationship was so tender and even before they got together, you could clearly see the attraction in the looks, small gestures.

Editing in this show gets a little wild at times with some confusing cuts but some scenes hit you SO HARD. One I need to highlight is in the episode after Jihyun's accident, when the opening credits play completely silent, it set's the mood so well and feels really intense. Or when the scene gets dark and colourless when Jaewon is deep in his depression. It's all so so good and people much smarter and more eloquent have talked about it at leght - I can just say I loved it.

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One word: Cinematography

This show is without a doubt amazing, a couple of things in the middle confused me a bit, and the lack of inner monologue made some things a bit complicated, but other than that, I have little negative to say about it. Now with that said, this is without a doubt the MOST BEAUTIFUL kbls I've ever seen, all the colors are gorgeous and the filming is creative and not messy in the slighest. Many kbls have this where problem that the filming and angles are often very lackluster, but this show really took the time to get nice and well-thought-out shots and scenes that make watching the program more satisfying. All scenes filmed with jaewon's psychologist are magnificent, with creative angles, use of color and props. The first scene in epsidoe 10 is also pure cinematic art, the simplicity of the use of color and the angle, the different patterns, it reminded me a lot of Nevertheless, a series that also have amazing cinematography and probably a higher budget. Both jihyun and jaewon's acting is amazing and their dynamic and chemistry is amazing and incredibly natural.
Aeri and joonpyo are fun side characters with distinctive personalities that are both interesting to watch, and that don't overshadow Jihyun and Jaewon's story. Eunji is a bitch and I don't want to talk about her.
The music is great, the characters are realistic, the main issue makes sense, there are stakes, there is character development, and the ending is satisfying and everything just clicks.
Also they play Conan Gray so-

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The Eighth Sense

When i saw the trailer i was very intrigued. The fist episode droped and i was immediately hooked. Dont know if anyone watched Shelter from many years ago, but it was giving me a little of that vibe.
The actors completely nailed their roles. To think the actor who plays Jihyunbwas street casted and it is his first role. Jisub killed as Jaewon. I cannot five enough compliments to the actors the directors, producers and the entire crew. Forgot to mention that the soundtrack is top teir as well.
Another special mention to the directors as they have been very involved with interacting with the fans (Freebirds).
It was simply just a fantastic project

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had potiential but didn't hit for me

Everyone says the same thing about how great this is, and only one thing that I can agree on is that the cinematography is great and the actors did their thing with the script they were given. I personally found the story confusing at best and poor/lacking at worst. It was around like 4/5 where I was like wait do these characters know they're gay? Like the whole show is about subtly and realism but for the couple I just don't find it realistic to be romantic with one another and like be portrayed as like acquaintances?? I'm not sure, it felt gaslighty to the audience and didn't add any intimacy to the main couple. Like yk the flirty looks and stuff work and the intimate touches work in the beginning but if there's something there and theirs like weird cuts idk. I wish they delved into jae wons brother/depression also there's like a lot that can cause depth to the show, but it felt underwhelming which was disappointing. The therapist could have gotten some great lines but her character was a flop so was that ex gf. Some shit is stupid as well
I know it's like one of those creative projects that is like greatly praised for it's story and cine, so I kinda hate y'all for this. If the purpose was to be pretty it did that but don't expect to much like I did

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Jigsaw Storytelling- The BL Genre announces its glowing future in KDrama

One of the most poignant BL to hit us from Korea. Beautifully shot and rendered. And like a jigsaw the writer pulls together all the strings in the end to create a harmonious thing of beauty and symmetry. This story is about how asymmetries fit together to form a symmetry.

One of the great things about this story was that it caught the school/college life right. Older students scared of the world they are about to step into, worried about employment, resentful about privilege and trying to boss over the juniors. The insecurities of the older students and the fear of the students from rural areas is captured very well. At the end, the juniors have all come into their own and ready to take on the baton from the seniors. These are universal themes-no wonder the international audience is so pleased with this.

Another wonderfully executed theme is the love story and how it yo-yos between the two men. The older, confident, more mature Jae Won is smitten by the younger, inexperienced Ji Hyun. For both this is the awakening of unknown emotions as both come to terms with their sexuality. But in the process of fighting their internal demons, the younger man clearly becomes the stronger anchor of that relationship.

Ji Hyun starts off in the story as a somewhat simple boy, but he has surprising insight into the older man's behavior. In fact the younger bunch, Ae Ri, the room mate, Bit Na are all extremely sorted and they basically save the older bunch from themselves. You would have expected the older bunch to be more mature but the younger lot is more mature, more accepting and better able to deal with life. This theme of the new generation taking over is actually a very interesting part of the story.

The theme of yin and yang is referenced plenty of times-- in the conversation of JaeWon with the bar lady, the explanation of the cocktail in a special glass where the two liquors dont mix yet create fireworks in the mouth, the last episode game of "one step forward, two steps backward"- basically the insight of how it is not necessary to look for identical similitude in love or relationship but look to fit together like a jigsaw, yield when needed and stand firm when the other sways.

The tonality of the screenplay is beautifully captured by the color palette used, the water motif used in all the key scenes.
The undertone of sadness that is felt all through the story because of Jae Won's backstory is never fully explained and finally lifts at the end of 9th episode as Jae Won finally decides to step forward and runs to Ji Hyun. And that is the beauty of this story, it doesnt go into backstories , it just explores the present emotions of the characters and the choices made by them. Yes the backstory of Jae Won could have been milked to increase the pathos, but kudos to the director who instead choses to focus on the steadfastness and love of Ji Hyun.

I find this cinematic choice of saying in the present fascinating. Given a chance Kdramas, Cdramas would NEVER let a chance of milking the past grievances go, whether the story needs it or not... But here the writer/director goes with the flow of present events. Not just for the main couple but even all the side characters, everyone goes with the flow, allowing the present to look towards the glowing future career, job, love and not just the pains and grievances of the past.

Well done and more power to all the actors and writer/director. This is the true rise of the BL genre in Kdrama space and from Bluenming, to Semantic Error, To my Star, to The Eighth Sense, this space can only grow! Go watch it!

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JOINING MY TOP 3 KBL

Every year there is this one BL that gets my heart like crazyyyy, last year it was BLUEMING and this year it's THE EIGHTH SENSE!

Everything feels so natural and real, both of their characters are so interesting!!! The complexity of Jaewon's character and the growing character of Jihyun, everything was so well portrayed by both actors.
Great actors really are the essence of a serie/drama/movie/.... I prefer this than celebrities/singers that not necessarily know that job.
All the side characters did so well too especially the one for YoonWon.

Also the co-production between a korean producer and South African producer !!!!!!!
All the best from the korean producing style and a more westernised one, just reunited in one short and beautiful drama.

The music choice was BRILLANT and yes i am talking about The Story - Conan Gray! That suited this one scene so so well i am still speechless... All the BGM were used well, the only reason why I only put 9.5 is because i don't have a particular OST I will or want to replay on loop this time but it's fine :)

Anyways THANK YOU for doing such a great scenario
THANK YOU for choosing actors that are not afraid of playing their dmn characters
THANK YOU for bringing such beautiful stories in our screen<3

Hoping for a season 2 with Jaewon facing his family and fighting for his dreams, hand in hand with Jihyun<3

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Not perfect, but it gets so many things right.

This BL isn't perfect, but it's really wonderful and tries a lot of really interesting things. It's more like watching an indie movie than a Kdrama.

The art direction had some big hits and big misses. I appreciate they took risks, but some of the risks just muddied the water.

- Use of color - between Ji Hyun and Jae Won. Ji Hyun is often dressed in and surrounded by soft and bright colors, while Jae won is surrounded by dark colors and blackness, signifying his mental health struggles.

- Sometimes the cinematography, lighting and use of color was SO good, like in the climax of episode 9. It took my breath away. And sometimes it was so bad and jarring that I had to rewind a few seconds to make sure I hadn't missed anything between the awkward cuts and fades.

-Lighting sometimes was perfect and impactful, and sometimes you could barely see the actor's faces or make out what was happening.

- The music score was PERFECT, no notes, loved it to bits

- Acting was fantastic on all points.

As for the story -

- I really enjoyed that this series attempted to address issues surrounding mental health, and that you cannot judge what is going on in someone's life based on the outward appearance. I loved that one of the main characters not only had depression, but was in therapy and medicated. I've almost never seen this portrayed in Asian media and it was extremely refreshing.

- I love that Ji Hyun and Jae Won legitimately complement each other and the characters actually grow and learn. I love that Ji Hyun is shy and reserved, but comes out of his shell and is always direct and honest. I love that Jae Won initially seems perfect but is deeply flawed, and finds refuge in Ji Hyun, who does not allow him to wear his "mask". It's great storytelling of a couple that actually fit together and make each other better, rather than just two characters smashed together that don't really work.

- I really dislike female characters being used as a plot device for jealousy or competition - I don't think Eun Ji was necessary at all. There are so many other unexplained bits I would have rather had resolved than all the time spent on her. I understand having unlikeable characters, but we already got that in Tae Hyung. Other than that, the female characters were their own people and were not just comic relief.

- I also have an issue with Jae Won's ghosting - I don't think it was really addressed or made up for enough how harmful and toxic it is to ghost someone like that. Especially after being intimate with someone for the first time and experiencing shared trauma. I know that these characters are imperfect, and that Ji Hyun is a sweet angel baby who didn't let the ghosting get him down, but I feel like it was glossed over how incredibly painful and shitty that is to do to another person.

- The ending was perfect in my opinion - I know it has been said that it's a "love fixes everything" ending, but I don't agree. The ending scene shows the characters discussing that they don't know what will happen, but they will try together, whether it be Jae Won's mental health problems or anything else life can bring them. They know that struggles will still happen and that Jae Won is not "healed", but they are ready to take them on together.

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