Our Dating Sim (2023)

Sweet former besties to romance story

I really enjoy the cozy look of the show from the color grading, cinematography, sets, and costume. The show utilizes the short run time well with the supporting cast being used in just the right amount to build the world, while most of it is rightly focused on the main leads. I like the recurring funny bit of artists finding their reason to draw being Ahn PD's enemy to his goal of filling the webtoon development abroad trip program. The characters are lovely and gentle hearted, particularly Ki Tae, who has good reason to be angry at Wan, but doesn't lash out, partly because he tries to shut it down on the inside like he had for the past seven years. I do like that show delved a bit into the mental trauma that resulted from Wan suddenly cutting off all contact. It's especially cruel after each cute high school flashback segment showing how close they actually already were before Wan confessed/kissed and ran assuming the feeling wasn't mutual when Ki Tae pulled back from shock. It would have been good if they had a conversation about Wan's offer to go abroad rather than Wan just deciding all by himself that he'll ditch that opportunity to tie up that part of the storyline more neatly. It also seems like a missing scene at the end when he suddenly announces the company counteroffered to make a webtoon of the game he's been working on instead. I like how Ki Tae was absolutely prepared to kiss Wan properly when he gets the chance to and how Wan and Ki Tae are mutually affectionate and genuinely enjoy each other's presence and time. The high school ending flashbacks at the end of every episode is a brilliant way of the show to give context of their past within their limited runtime and I love how they use it to show an alternate path if their high school selves were able to confess to each other sooner, they already had mutual feelings that whole time.

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Love-Game concept wins, simultaneously playful and delightful

It was one of those short yet enjoyable K-BLs who did a great job of establishing a savory story using appealing visuals and charming chemistry. The beginning isn’t as cliche in contrast to the norms of using high school memories as the roots of romance. Yet, the show began with the same kind of setup but exceptional since they directly told us the feeling that the main characters had just right at the start.

Those seven years of losing each other are indeed painful. In Shin Ki Tae's shoes, I can feel how upsetting it is to lose Lee Wan without confirming their mutual feelings. Lee Wan also suffers and misses Ki Tae after running away. He slowly moves on not until the man shows himself again after all those years.

The reconnection after seeing each other again and being oblivious at work has gratifying progress in the story. Their acting was genuine along those kissing scenes that were truly sensational. The actor starts to release their characters’ excitement of being in love in terms of a smooch.

I would also like to cheer for the connectivity of the plot to the timespan of seven years. Ki Tae has anxiety that Wan may disappear again from his life without any trace left. It is a reasonable emotion since it is hard for someone you like to vanish eventually. The birthday present Wan prepares for Ki Tae was so damn cute. Drawing all those memories he failed to share with him during the separation is priceless.

Sticking to the whole game-and-love concept is the best asset of the show. Those special epilogues on each episode are just as beautiful as the overall impact of the drama. Incorporating gaming designs as their visual attacks are commendable.

Our Dating Sim is the kind of feel-good BL that tops the list of similar genres by showcasing a clean narrative of the script as well as presenting catchy visuals.

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Love this one!

Loved this one start to finish. And, I have watched it several more times since.

What did it for me, along with the great cast - was the writing. This could have gone very wrong if they handled the progression in any different way. The key to holding it all together is when Shin says out loud that he rejected Lee but, he was the one left all alone. If he wouldn't have said that, him pursuing Lee wouldn't have made any sense and would have required more backstory.

Loved the wrap up with Lee finishing what he started with the webtoon. Loved that they also, ended the series/show with a different ending as if life allowed you a second chance.

This should get a better audience beyond the BL crowd - it is that well done.

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The chemistry is exploding, the kissing scenes are....arrrrhh

The kissing scene in the Korean bl series has improved, it is not just a peek but a kiss. ahhhhh

First of all the actors are really good and they really portrayed a beautiful chemistry between the characters. the eyes tell everything. I love their chemistry.
When it comes to the story I think it can be improved, I'm looking for more drama and a story to tell. I thought that lee wan will leave again and come back after a year and they would reunite again, and I'm glad they didn't use this plot because I've seen it a lot in other Korean bl series.

Ki tae is very cute and charming I love his acting, his eyes and smile make everything irresistible if I were lee wan id probably answered him immediately hahaha.

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So cute!!

A lot of Korean BLs fall into the unfortunate issue of not having enough time to develop their characters but Our Dating Sim found the perfect way to show characters who have grown and changed in just 8 15-min episodes. Plus, the main actors do a great job and have great chemistry. Super cute and fun show to watch.

I'm a sucker for the "right person wrong time" trope, and seeing that play out in these characters was fantastic. You get to see the high school embarrassment of a (seemingly) one-sided love turn into a relationship years down the line in adulthood. Super well done and well paced without any unnecessary conflicts or that horrible second-to-last episode breakup trope. Biggest complaint is that it isn't long enough!

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Obviously the best bl series come from Thailand however Korea is really stepping up their game with bl's like Our Dating Sim. Similar to Semantic Error this series revolves around the design of an online game. However, the love story is entirely different and unique. I went through several different emotions over the course of the eight short episodes including a few tears. I was very thankful that these actors were not afraid to actually get in a real kiss, as too often we see our guys clam up and deliver passionless romantic scenes. Very happy with this one overall.

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Short Yet Sweet and Wholesome

I AM LOVIN' IT!!!

Usually I don't have too much hopes high for Korean BL since most of them only has lots of cute moments but mediocre story or good story but not much skinships with each other. But this story has it all! Good story, good amount of interactions with each other, added with lots of small cute moments and a good enough acting!

One of the thing that I like from the story is it does not include unnecessary drama (but maybe that is because they do not have too much of screen time anyway). The premise is about those two boys following a long separation and how they finally realize each others feeling (well, more Wan than Ki-Tae). The dilemma each character are having is solved quickly because they know about their own feeling and can communicate it well with each other. No long drawn misunderstanding because they did not hesitate to let their own feeling known to their partner.

Personally, although I wish I can watch their interaction more, I think this story is enough. Making longer duration can impact unnecessary conflict to be added which can lower the healing and excitement value of this series.

Acting are okay from both the MC ML and the other side characters. Music are okay too and if I was bored and have time to spend I would definitely rewatch this.

P.S. Never ghost anyone. Even if the other person is a total jerk, say it to them before you disappear from their lives.

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Simple drama done right, executed well

Both actors are doing a very good job at showing on-screen how their relationship and their feelings are evolving.
My heart ached for Gi Tae when he panicked for fearing Wan had disappeared once again off the face of the earth. I could feel the emotions that he was going through – the anxiety, the fear, the anger, and even the despair after he ran through the streets screaming out for Wan-ah. And at that point, he was really breaking inside, and his fear did not immediately translate into relief upon finding herself standing beside Wan. He was still reeling and if anything even more broken in spirit as he pulled Wan close- as if he needed to physically hold him there and as if he himself needed comfort from the other’s company.

That was one of those scenes that really knocked my socks off and was executed commendably well. It was very realistic how Wan reacted too. He has just returned from handling an emergency and is rather occupied for the time being. It is just him walking home like it is any other day but when he sees Gi Tae crying there is something wrong, he does not know what. It was evident that one could see the helpless confusion and distress in his eyes and then the gradual dawn of understanding about how deep-seated Gi Tae’s fear of abandonment is, and the remorse felt by the latter for the fact that he is the cause of such fear. In the first waves of the drama, Gi Tae has depicted himself to be a cool office senior who could hardly bat an eyelash at seeing his would-be lover for the first time after 7 long years, who showed no fear, and least of all, would likely to let his guard down pouring and sobbing into the arms of Wan. It should be no surprise that this show is highly recommended. Like its characters, plot and relationships, everything was lovable, especially the chemistry between the main characters and the efficient dealing of the misunderstandings in terms of confrontation.

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"나는 도망 대신 사랑을 선택할 거다."

🔸️The debut mini-drama of the director Lim Hyeon Hee is an incredibly lovely piece that made me smile all the way through it. It definitely doesn't fall into the category of "Competition for the most cringey skinship" but it feels that a lot of thought has been put into the making of the drama.

The metaphor and the premise - video game format to reimagine one's relationship + learning to not run away from your problems - make the drama stand out. But the viewers' love it earns thanks to the good chemistry between the actors and the gentle directing.

🔸️Originally, it was planned to be longer, and the director says in her interview that she has regrets about not being able to tell more about Wan and Ki Tae's past due to the nature of the short form. I personally think that the background could still be successfully incorporated, e.g. showing more by telling less, but what has been done is pretty solid already. Fun fact: Ki Tae only wears shorts because it matched the character so well.

I hope Lim Hyeon Hee will join Hwang Da Seul and other famous BL directors in this Korean BL Renaissance and bring more joy to the viewers, especially considering that her favorite genre is melodrama. 응원합니다, 감독님!

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Soft and lighthearted story

This jumped into this drama expecting nothing but the usual clichés and tropes, and that's what I got... Except is executed in a pleasant and enjoyable way, which makes this one of the few Korean BLs I actually enjoyed watching.
It comes with it's flaws and it isn't perfect, but it really surprised me with how good the chemistry is and how the story comes together even though is really short.
I like how it approaches a topic like fear of separation, and it made me feel close to the characters.
Overall this kdrama is worth your time, so don't hesitate watching it!

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