Let me just start by saying that I’ve watched this twice now. Not because I loved it, but because the first time I watched I really wasn’t impressed at all. I’ve heard so many great things and so I honestly just decided to give it another chance.
Needless to say, I liked it much better the second time, though it does still have some flaws that will keep it from ever becoming a favorite of mine.
The story itself is fine, I even like a good angsty unrequited love story when done right. Frankly, I think this would have been a pretty good title for this genre if the drama ended after the first time they got together. Unfortunately, there was a lot of needless drama that detracted from the initial feel good feelings that are much needed after all the angst. I think that was definitely my biggest complaint in the first watch.
An element of the plot that I felt was refreshing was the film student theme. While a college setting is pretty standard for BL, I don’t believe I’ve seen one with a focus on film students. I loved all the references to films and how their passions influenced their day-to-day. The promo pictures for each episode were also fantastic. Recreating iconic romance films with Third and Khai? Genuinely Brilliant.
The acting was great, especially from Gun. He really put in his all and man can that boy CRY. He’s great at evoking all those raw emotions, you really feel them. The rest of the cast was also pretty good, so literally no complaints there.
Third and Khai also had good chemistry, the show definitely benefitted from that fact that Off and Gun have worked together previously on Puppy Honey. It’s clear that they were comfortable acting together which removed the general awkwardness that sometimes arises in BL.
I think if you’re the type that can read 100k slow burn unrequited love stories, you’ll probably eat this up. I probably won’t watch again, but I don’t regret the second viewing.