This show surprised me. It's wonderfully heavy and complex, with many underlying themes and important messages. It's definitely a favorite, and I'd rate the main story 10/10. It's rare to find a bl series that explores the kinds of problems long-established and cohabitating couples face. It's even more rare to find a bl (or any show) that explores age-gaps seriously, and doesn't try to minimize the struggles couples face when they're at different stages of life. This show reflects the chaos of life in such a refreshing way, and does so with realistically unreliable narrators. I highly recommend watching it all the way through with an open mind, before coming to a conclusion (and remember it uses unreliable narrators, that's important!).

Essentially, this series starts with two established couples who are having serious issues. The series follows them as they try to figure out life, grow as people, and repair their relationships. It's heavy stuff. Both couples have a significant age-gap, so that's an overarching theme. But a lot of other issues are explored, too. The nature of marriage, love languages, maturity, coming-of-age, social hierarchies, economic hierarchies, discrimination, equal rights, respect, miscommunication, secrets, guilt...

I adore this show. I find the many layers fascinating. Essential parts of the story are told through expressions and body language, and it's hard to pick up on it all while reading subtitles, so I get more out of it every time I watch it.

After watching it so many times, there are a few things I thought it might be helpful for people to know going in, so they can make the most of this show.

Firstly, it's important to know that a lot of the story is told through expressions and body language, so it's hard to understand what's really going on unless you can read micro-expressions and subtitles at the same time. I can't, so I have to pause A LOT. But it's worth it. I love that it's done this way. The acting is phenomenal and adds so much richness to the story.

Second, even though the show seems simple, the heavy issues the couples face are not being minimized or romanticized. There are layers. Some layers are told slowly, some are only told through facial expressions... it takes time to piece the story together, and while I absolutely love that method of story telling, it can be risky (particularly in bl, where it's not done often so can surprise people). But I promise you, when the whole story is pieced together, it's a really beautiful and inspiring story, and it's beautifully told.

Lastly, it's important to know both couples have a significant age-gap, and that plays a central role in the story. The MCs are in very different stages of life, and that makes things very complicated. And society is super judgey. But I promise, all romantic relationships are between consenting adults. And the exploration of the complicated nature of age-gaps is actually really sensitively and wonderfully done.

Honestly, though, in hindsight I think the beginning actually does a pretty good job of warning the audience that this story isn't a simple fairytale. The couples have to fight really hard to stay together. The characters are flawed. They make mistakes. Their relationships are messy. But the important thing is that they know what they want, and they put in the work to achieve it, and that's super admirable. The character growth in this show is impressive. The ending is beautiful. And I do really think the show conveys an important message.

Anyway, I know I've focused on the heavy stuff, but I really find this show very heartwarming and lovely. The characters are wonderful and adorable. The music is great. The ending is happy. And seriously, the acting is phenomenal (particularly Zee. But everyone else too).

One last thing: while the main story can be watched over and over and over, and never gets old or boring, I readily admit the side-stories don't have the same level of rewatch value, and I have started to skip those on rewatch.