I actually really love it!

I put off watching this show for quite some time because of how thoroughly mid the ratings and reviews are. Imagine my surprise when I fell completely head over heels for this series after the very first episode.

It's a very quiet, slow story with a lot of lingering shots and silent moments which in a lesser show could very easily have become boring and repetitive, but here, thanks to fantastic acting performances by the entire cast as well as the precise editing, serves to build atmosphere and tension expertly.
Which is not to say the entire show is tense and dramatic, oh no there is plenty of charming, understated humour as well as some perfectly timed non-verbal comedy which genuinely made me laugh out loud.
Through most of the story the characters talk to each other fairly little; instead, the writers take the show-not-tell approach and let the audience get to know the characters through flash-backs and small, silent interactions. This not only serves to highlight the acting prowess of the cast, it also helps build a certain level of suspense as well as drive the plot - the main characters are two people who are, understandably, hesitant to be open and direct with one another and their small, increasingly intimate quiet exchanges eventually culminate in a highly emotional conversation when the two are finally able to communicate clearly with one another. In fact, they talk specifically about what led to their miscommunications and reflect on what they should have done differently so as to avoid further problems and give their relationship a real chance to succeed. This scene is a great release of tension and, in my opinion, a very satisfying pay-off.
One of the biggest complaints people have about the show seems to be the big kiss that happens here and I agree, it's bad.
But personally I don't think it spoils anything. These two are not afraid to get close to each other, we see them get physically close and touch casually repeatedly during the show and there is a clear intimacy and palpable romantic tension between them.
It is also neither the first nor the last kiss the two of them share and I feel their final kiss specifically is incredibly sweet, so I honestly don't think the "big bad kiss" is nearly as much of an issue as people make it out to be.

In short, if you want a highly character-driven story with great acting, solid visuals, lots of subtle (and some not so subtle) humour, and an incredibly charming slow-burn romance, then this show is for you!
It's obviously not perfect, but it's clever, sweet, and fun so give it a go, I honestly don't think you'll regret it.

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My beautiful, messy ocean

Who needs a plot when you've got a Holland? Seriously I could watch that man in anything, he's just such a damn engaging screen presence.
But even my obvious bias aside, this show is alright! Yes, it's messy, that's undeniable, but it's damn charming.
The relationship progression and overall pacing of the show are very well executed and the leads' chemistry is fantastic.
I suppose there's just something about stories full of strange little guys (gender neutral) that really appeals to me - I absolutely adore all the characters here, odd ducks the lot of them.
The series is wonderfully calm and, inhabited exclusively by weirdos though it is, feels fairly grounded. At the same time it never strives to take itself all too seriously which strangely enough gives the emotional scenes more room to breathe and make an impact. I don't know, something about it all just worked for me.
The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic as well and perfectly underscores the story's tone.
It may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it perfectly accomplishes what it set out to do - tell a gentle, refreshing story about a genuine queer romance.
I highly recommend you give it a go and see for yourself, you might just end up loving it.

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A thoughtful, realistic queer drama that is most definitely worth your time

This show is a masterpiece. That much cannot be denied. It is visually gorgeous, has an amazing soundtrack, fantastic acting, incredible writing, and one of the most realistic portrayal of queer experiences and relationships I have ever seen in a TV show.
The fact that this is not your average 8, 10-minute episodes K-drama is frankly nothing short of a miracle and if this is the level of quality we can expect from Korean film makers if they are given the resources they need to tell the stories they want to tell, then we can only hope and pray that this show is just a forerunner and that there is more to come.

I will admit, however, that this is a melancholy show. It feels gritty and real and just a little bit heartbreaking.
Now, I don't personally enjoy shows like that and I did have some significant trouble getting into this one, not matter how technically excellent it is on every level.
If you are someone like me, someone who prefers a lighter, more humorous approach to serious topics you might also have some difficulties with this. But I truly believe it's worth watching anyway.
Not only do I think this show is something so unique and well-put together that it has to be experienced at least once, it also has a wonderful, fiercely joyful happy ending. I found it so satisfying, in fact, that I was tempted to go and rewatch the entire thing immediately just to experience it all over again.
I promise you this show will not break your heart, at least not without putting it back together again.
Give it a shot, this story is very much worthy of your attention.

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Poongduck Villa Really Is Special

One of my all-time favourites that I just can't help but keep returning to.
This is a truly excellent rom-com which walks some classic beats but also brings a lot of new ideas to the table.
It's got nice visuals, fantastic acting, a great supporting cast (looking at you Holland, truly noone steals the show like that man does), some great physical comedy, and authentic queer characters with real depth.

This show first won me over with the aforementioned physical comedy, however small a part it may play in the story. It's rare to see a rom-com incorporate a tangible, physical aspect into its humour without it being overly cartoon-y slapstick.
I mean when was the last time you saw one romantic lead deliver a round-house kick to the other romantic lead's face?

Then the show intrigued me with how realistic its characters feel. They all just seem like real, actual people, the main characters especially. Sure, they are both strange in their own ways and completely and utterly fail to be normal about anything at all, but thanks to the clever writing all their silliness feels like the respective idiosyncrasies of two oddly charming and deeply likeable people.
So much so that the two leads felt immediately and startlingly familiar to me. I kept thinking to myself "I know these gays, I have met them before, I know actual people like this"

All of the above are great points in the show's favour, but what really cemented its status as one of the all time greats to me is the deeply realistic and thoughtfully handled portrayal of queerness and queer experience that it depicts.
It explores the disbelief, curiosity, and relief of discovering your sexuality, the continuous heartbreak of pining for someone you can't have and the line between secret love and unhealthy devotion, the all-encompassing, giddy joy of experiencing a true romantic connection for the first time in your 30ish years of life, the way shame and repression affect queer people's lives and relationships, and the happiness and security that come from finding people who are just like you, who care for you, and who accept you.
And that dedication to depicting authentic queer experiences is what elevates the story as a whole and makes every familiar trope seem fresh and new. Take the show's climactic conflict for instance - this is an integral part of the standard rom-com formula which can easily become contrived and off-putting if a show includes it just for the sake of sticking to the format.
But here that conflict doesn't just serve to add drama for drama's sake. It stems directly from both characters' internal issues and insecurities and feels like a perfect culmination of something the show has been building up to from the beginning.
The entire thing is as painfully, achingly inevitable as it is necessary for the characters to progress, both as people and in their relationship. Rarely have I seen story with a romantic core woven together so perfectly and a relationship arc pulled off so masterfully.

I highly recommend this show to all rom-com fans, queer viewers looking for a believable queer romance with excellent representation which notably does not end in tragedy, and anyone in search of a solid romantic romp with great writing and acting and a fantastic wardrobe, that has some real bite and intelligence to it and is, most importantly, just plain fun to watch.

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Much deeper than anyone's giving it credit for

This show is one of my all-time favourite queer TV shows and I don't say that lightly.
The story starts off with the classic character tropes of "big manly jock guy whom everyone fawns over" and "timid, heartwarming orphan who wants nothing more in life than to repay the kindness of the people who took him in" - and then it flips the whole thing on its head.

From the very beginning Haebom is not your typical, heteronormative damsel-in-distress archetype. He is fairly introverted and clearly very conflict-avoidant, but he has boundaries that he enforces and defends uncompromisingly from the start.
Over the course of the show, as he gets more and more confident, he starts sticking up for himself slightly more often, but he is not and never has been a pushover.
Taesung, in turn, is far removed from the strong, protective hero stereotype. While he genuinely wishes to help Haebom and does occasionally actively confronts his bullies, he stays mindful of Haebom's wishes for him to not interfere and never tries to swoop in heroically during a conflict, he always lets Haebom handle it himself first.
This puts the two on a fairly even footing with each other and as the story progresses they begin to balance out each others' strengths and weaknesses exceedingly well - Taesung is good at confronting problems head-on and facing people directly, Haebom knows how to elegantly solve and de-escalate precarious situations.
The fact that Haebom at one point calls himself Taesung's "knight in shining armour" and Taesung agrees, is a further subversion of tired old tropes and showcases their deeply loving and respectful "Lean on me if you need to, I'll lean on you in turn" dynamic perfectly.

Another thing the show handles wonderfully is jealousy and insecurity in relationships. Between the two of them Taesung is the touchier, clingier partner while Haebom is more reserved and independent. However the two of them are always on the same page about these issues. They openly acknowledge Taesung's occasional jealousy (which, by the way, never stems from any fear of infidelity or a desire to control Haebom's actions) and find workable compromises.
It's okay to want to spend time with your partner, it's okay to be clingy sometimes. Just as long as all parties involved are happy with their situation and other important aspects of their lives, such as work or social connections, aren't negatively impacted.
From the first episode onwards these two continuously check in with each other to make sure they aren't overstepping any boundaries and that they are both happy in their current situation.
In fact, when Taesung does become insecure in their relationship, and when he does become overly clingy, Haebom immediately recognises this as odd and unhealthy behaviour and sets out to find the cause of the issue.
Furthermore, as an added bonus, we get to see two romantic partners directly asking each other for affection; "Can I have a hug please?" "Can I lay on your arm?" "Please just hold me for a minute". Depictions like this are as incredibly rare as they are wonderful, and I very much appreciate that the creators of the show chose to portray the characters like this.
All of the above then adds up to a nuanced and realistic portrayal of a healthy relationship that honestly made me want to weep with joy a little bit.

Lastly I want to mention one more great strength this show has - its cast of deeply likeable yet complex supporting characters.
From Taesung's mother and Haebom's complicated relationship with her, to Jin Ah and Yong Hee who frequently act entirely independently from the main characters rather than serving as nothing more than a duo of backup yes-men, all these characters are unique and their stories compelling. They bring some interesting depth to what could otherwise have been a fairly shallow, fluffy story and round out the show perfectly in my opinion.

This show isn't perfect, it does have its flaws, but it is so much more than what it appears to be on the surface.
So if you are looking for a low-angst show with truly interesting queer characters and a story with much more complexity than anyone seems to be giving it credit for, then this is very much the series for you.

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Disco Mob

From the moment the intro song started playing, I was hooked.
The whole show just oozes with an incomparable style and charm that really sets it apart from any other show I've ever watched. Its makers had a clear vision of what they wanted to create and they just went for it. Never have I seen a show so utterly committed to the bit.
Every single segment is a masterclass in trope subversion, which, combined with the often tongue-in-cheek humour and some truly stellar performances from the main cast, results in a uniquely hilarious and entertaining final product.

Now I will say that if you are looking for something that is romance heavy or that goes in-depth in its critique and dismantling of the genre, then you won't enjoy this. The point of this show is to make fun - make fun of its viewers, make fun of the genre, and most importantly make fun of itself. There are a couple of digs made at some slightly more serious problems of the genre, but nothing weightier than that.

So if you're in search of a comedy that really knows what it's doing, has a few light sprinklings of genuinely emotional moments, and is just plain fun to watch then you will certainly find it in this show.
I've also re-watched the intro at least a dozen times by now, so I'd say for that absolute masterpiece of an opener alone it's worth giving this show a shot.

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I Cherish It

This show was so wonderfully easy to fall in love with.
It tells the story of two best friends who happen to fall in love with each other and the journey that love takes them on.
What kind of love are they feeling? Is it really romantic? And if they really are in love, shouldn't something between them have changed? Whatever the answers may be, they'll figure it out together!

The deeply lovable cast of characters (I especially adored some of the side characters, such as the two teachers), solid writing, and realistic, yet truly charming and funny dialogue all work together to create that inimitable warm summer feeling of days gone by. This show teaches us the importance of cherishing the things and people you love. It will gently take you by the hand and take you on a slow, nostalgic trip down memory lane until there's nothing left in your heart but a vaguely gooey warmth.
It made my life slightly better for having watched it and I think it might just do the same for you if you give it a shot.
Go watch it.

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A Beautiful Ending

Once again Utsukushii Kare has surpassed my expectations. Yeah, I don't know how they keep doing that either.
Hira and Kiyoi have grown significantly since the previous season and their relationship is a far cry from its unstable beginnings in the first season.
The movie focuses on two things: Firstly, Kiyoi's acting career and all the pitfalls that come with it, including rabid fans (and oh the juxtaposition here absolutely destroyed me in the best way, this was a brilliant story-telling device) and prying tabloids (which it tackles very deftly through Anna's character and her relationships which I thought was a perfect balance to the direction Hira and Kiyoi's relationship takes over the course of the film).
Secondly, Hira's difficult journey of reconciling his deep-rooted insecurities both in himself and his relationships, with his secret belief in his own superiority, and learning to finally, finally meet Kiyoi as an equal in their partnership. The last line specifically really hit me like a truck, it was absolutely perfect.
This movie is beautiful, poignant, deeply charming and provides the perfect ending to a brilliant series.

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A rare gem that even surpasses its predecessor

Where the first season showcased the slow buildup of the character's connection and culminated in them embarking on a tentative relationship with each other, this season explores Hira and Kioyi's slow-changing relationship as they work on building a life together and figuring out what it means to be happy, not just with each other, but with themselves.
I was already very fond of both characters after the first season, but through watching this I grew to love them more and more. Both of them have grown quite a bit since the end of the last season and as the story dives deeper into their thoughts and motivations, they start to feel more and more like real, flawed people in search of and deserving of love.
Kioyi specifically finally starts to show more of that fierce vulnerability we got to see glimpses of at the end of the last season and it both makes him a perfect instigator for Hira's deeply needed character growth, and serves to deeply endear him to the audience (or at least to me, although I don't think I'm alone in this).
I also highly appreciate how all the conflicts develop realistically and resolve satisfactorily while neither being drawn out unnecessarily to fuel the angst and drama, nor getting wrapped up too quickly or neatly in order to just get to the happy ending already.
In short: This season continues the well-paced, well-balanced, and beautifully portrayed story of two slightly strange but sincerely lovable characters as they continue to face life's challenges together and figure out how to keep changing and growing for and with each other. An actual masterpiece of a sequel.

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The Most Beautiful

First of all I have to admit I went into watching this show with mixed feelings. I absolutely cannot stand relationships with unbalanced power dynamics and consent issues between characters I'm supposed to be rooting for will send me running for the hills faster than you can say "But it's just fiction"; so you can see why I'd be hesitant to watch this show.
If that's what worries you about this show, if those are the reasons you are hesitating to watch it, you have nothing to worry about.
This is not a show about a master/slave relationship, this is not a show glorifying abuse, this is not a show that treats issues of consent and power dynamics lightly. This is a show about two lonely people who find themselves unexpectedly gravitating towards each other, who clash and bring out the worst in each other at first and slowly learn to fit together, to help each other grow, and to reach for what they want rather than keeping their dreams and desires at arm's length.

The pacing is incredibly well done, especially considering the short runtime of the series, and fully allows the characters to grow and evolve and gives the audience enough time to let each scene really sink in and linger.
Both leads, strange and wonderful people that they are, are given clear motivations for their actions, the choices they make, although they may not always be the best, are inarguably fitting for the characters, and their chemistry is undeniable.
From the beginning both of them recognise something of themselves in the other, they are kindred spirits of a sort, and their complete inability to express or make sense of this connection is what leads to the perpetual push and pull dynamic between them. Nothing they do comes (at least in my opinion) from a place of malice or a wish to do each other harm, they are both just desperate people who are so trapped in their own preconceptions of the world and each other that it takes several years and many incendiary clashes before they manage to claw their way through those constraints and towards each other.
This whole story is underscored by an absolutely masterful combination of visuals and sound that bring the characters to life in a way that I can only describe as genuinely breathtaking and the entire show culminates in an explosive climax that ties everything together so perfectly it left me in awe.
As intense as all this sounds, there is also a fierce charm to this show, a warm sincerity and even humour that serves to humanise the characters and to ground them in a way that makes even to most dramatic scenes and actions feel believable and real. Here's to you, little rubber duck.

In short: It's a slow journey full of twists and turns that is utterly captivating to watch. If you give it a chance to tell its story, you will find something entirely unique and compelling in this show, an irresistible draw that grabs you by the collar and pulls you in whether you like it or not and takes you for a wild and beautiful ride.

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Truly an (almost) perfect proposal

I wasn't too sure what I was in for when I started this series and you cannot imagine my delight at realising what an absolute gem this little show is.
The cinematography, editing, pacing, and performances are all stellar and create the perfect atmosphere for the somber but sincere tone the script strikes.
For such a short runtime, the story masterfully addresses topics of burn-out, workplace abuse, and even the meaning of life, in a way.
Its central message revolves around reaching for happiness despite life's apparent pointlessness as well as how relationships connect us as humans and tie us together for better or for worse.
Its critique of exploitative workplace culture (specifically in Japan) is perfect in its simplicity and there are several moments in the show which are so genuinely touching and meaningful I found myself tearing up multiple times.

The one thing I dislike about the show are its brief but inexplicable detours into tired BL cliches which happen repeatedly (although thankfully not all *that* often) over the course of the story. Presumably this is due to the source material, but that still doesn't change how uncomfortable and out of place these moments are.
The main instance of course being the scene in which one character forcibly gives the other a hand-job despite repeatedly being told "no" and "stop". Even putting aside how harmful the "predatory gay man" stereotype is, this scene just feels jarring and superfluous. I understand the intent behind it, but this is certainly the wrong approach.

Despite this flaw I cannot deny how wonderful this show is on the whole and how incredibly touching I find its quiet sincerity.
So if you are looking for short, highly character-driven slice of life drama about two people figuring out what's important in life and finding happiness in one another, then I'd highly recommend giving this a go.
Do beware of the SA trigger warnings though.

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Incredibly torn about this one

It's been difficult to sort out my exact feelings about this show but if I had to pick out the most prevalent one it'd be "visceral disappointment".
I went into watching the series fully aware that it's a satire (which I'm generally quite a big fan of) and absolutely loved it in the beginning. I mean the setup is absolutely fantastic, there's just no two ways about it.
A Buddhist vampire with recessive genes? Excellent.
He's got a cat he takes everywhere, a coffin with no lid, and a vast collection of umbrellas he colour coordinates with his outfits? Showstopping, absolutely spectacular.
Add a cast of charming weirdos, a blood pork soup cart, and a very self-aware type of humour, and you've got a clear recipe for success in my book. Hell, I kind of thought this was going to be Thailand's answer to What We Do In The Shadows.
Whoever was responsible for sets and wardrobe absolutely went above and beyond and there are so many fun little unexplained oddities sprinkled through the story (looking at you, Yoh's haunted room) that clearly show a lot of love and effort was put into this production.

But unfortunately, that's where the good ends and the problems begin. For this type of story and style to work you need solid performances, precise comedic timing, and tight editing, none of which the show delivers.
A lot of the acting is quite stiff (I feel very mean coming after someone's performance like this but it really is a big issue here), the dialogue can be incredibly awkward, and the pacing is painfully slow. I don't mind a lack of plot and generally enjoy little more than watching a bunch of interesting characters just existing and living their lives, but I truly cannot overstate just how much time the show wastes with needless filler scenes, it genuinely put me in a sort of bored fugue state.
Towards the end the plot does pick up a bit but the show completely wastes the potential there too.
The concept of Pun being an unreliable narrator (or, more accurately, a lying liar who lies) could have worked so well if the writing had been slightly more consistent and if the whole "dramatic, blood-drinking vampires" part of his backstory had been woven into the plot from the beginning.
If we, as the audience, had had some indication of how limited Pun's time with his friends was supposed to be, if we'd seen him struggle with breaking away from his responsibilities to his "vampire family", how much more impactful would the sweet and emotional moments have been? A lot, in my opinion.
Even the "find each other in every life-time" cliche could have worked here if, once again, it had been woven into the story a bit more and if the romantic connection between Yoh and Pun had been given a bigger focus. I don't even mean NC scenes, hell just having them hold hands occasionally, or cuddle, or display any other type of non-sexual intimacy would have been enough. Or having Yoh engage with Pun's clear adoration of him more openly and acknowledging his own feelings earlier.
There are so many ways in which this show could have been great and so many ways in which it isn't.

So, on the whole, would I recommend watching this show? I honestly don't know. On the one hand I personally would rather watch a weird, off-beat, low-budget story with unique ideas than some milque-toast, cookie-cutter show with high production value that brings nothing new to the table any day. On the other hand, does it really matter how good a story's ideas are if the execution is this poor?
Since I can't figure out a clear answer to that for the life of me, you'll probably just have to decide for yourself.

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Nothing can erase my love for this show

The show starts off by informing the viewer they're about to watch a "slightly silly love story about good natured, hard-working high school kids" and I think that's probably when I fell head-over-heels into crazy, stupid love, because boy oh boy does the series ever live up to its promise!
Everything about it is excellent, from the writing, to the acting, to music... it's all spot-on.
The humour is genuinely clever, often a lot subtler than you'd expect, and had me gleefully cackling more times than I'd care to admit. The plot may be nothing new but it depicts young love in general and young queer love specifically with such care and respect I was genuinely blown away by it.
And that's the magic of this drama, I think, the sheer amount of love so obviously put into it.
Not only are the characters deeply lovable, but their relationships to one another - romantic, platonic, or otherwise - are also incredibly healthy and there is huge focus placed on the importance of open communication and being honest about your feelings both with yourself and with others.
This portrayal of deeply earnest kids learning who they are, what they want in life, and how to speak to the people they love is hugely impactful in its simplicity and, quite frankly, offers some valuable life lessons which are important and relevant to audiences of all ages.
Furthermore, the show skillfully addresses more serious topics and issues facing young queer people every day such as prejudices, outward pressures to conform, and even internalised homophobia. None of these things are used for shock value, nor do they skew the lighthearted tone of the show towards the me angsty, but they aren't trivialised either, far from it.
This story may be very tame and PG but you can tell the show-runners wanted to create something truly worth while - a genuinely good piece of queer media for young people to watch and feel seen by - and they absolutely outdid themselves in every single aspect of that endeavour.
This show is an absolute triumph and a beloved classic for a reason. It will always be very near and dear to my heart and, I suspect, once you've seen it it will quickly claim a spot in your heart as well - just go watch it already.

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Empty with a side of cute

I was really excited for this drama to start airing and I'm honestly pretty disappointed with what we ended up getting. There was so much potential there and yet...
But I am still a sucker for sapphic romances and for cute girls in general and this show delivers on both.
It may be shallow and somewhat rushed, but the story does feature several such genuinely sweet moments that I couldn't quite convince myself the show wasn't worth my time.
Hopefully this is just a forerunner for better future projects - I'm looking forward to a time where I can enjoy my lesbian content without bad scripts, short runtimes, or offensive trans stereotypes (seriously, what's up with those? neither trans women nor effeminate men exist solely for comic relief in other people's stories and it is insanely harmful so many shows insist on reducing them to these poorly written running gags) ruining the experience.

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A joyous roller-coaster ride

Oh but I adore this little indie production.
I have a weak spot for that inimitable shoe-string budget charm a lot of these small projects bring to the table and this film is an excellent example of why that's the case. You can tell how much love and effort was put into every single aspect of the movie and that passion is what makes it shine.
The story covers more ground than quite a few full-length shows do but the pacing is well done and the individual performances are all so excellent they lend a feeling of authenticity to the story that I greatly enjoyed.
I hope to see more from these film-makers in the future but for now I am more than happy to simply watch and rewatch this little gem ad nauseum.

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