Fascinating with lots of room for interpretation

This was an interesting movie because although it had gay/bi themes, it wasn't entirely clear if the characters actually had those orientations. The story is about method acting, which if you don't know, it's a style of acting in which you try to become the character *even when you are not performing.* There's a lot of room for interpretation in this one.

For example, we might wonder if Lee Jae Ha was homophobic, which is why he could not connect as well to his stage-character. Unlike most of his play works, he also doesn't write in his method acting journal, as if he is afraid to connect to his character. So can we interpret this as he is afraid of the gay feelings awakening in him? Is he just homophobic?

Young Woo on the other hand at one point says he's not gay, but he is only attracted to Lee Jae Ha, which we could interpret as him fully immersing himself in his role instead of being bisexual. However, it could also be that he is just demisexual towards men, and Lee Jae Ha happens to be someone he could connect to. So then was his kiss scene with Lee Jae Ha because he was method acting, or because he was actually attracted to Lee Jae Ha?

It's implied that Young Woo was secretly the better and more immersive actor. Another interpretation then is that Lee Jae Ha actually fell for Young Woo, while Young Woo was only method acting. Lee Jae Ha had a harder time making a distinction between the play and real life, while Young Woo seems to have a better understanding of those boundaries. At first we might wonder if Young Woo is the one who can't separate the play from reality once he sneaks into Lee Jae Ha's house in the end. He seems like he is hunting for Hee Won in the same way his character hunts for Claire. But when she's safe at the end, we realize Young Woo was in fact the better method actor, the one who could become his character off stage, while still maintaining the boundary between reality and fiction. He even arrogantly thinks of himself as better than Lee Jae Ha by the end. Lee Jae Ha thought he was mentoring Young Woo, but it was Young Woo who surpassed him.

The writer/director of the play says, "I named the play 'Unchained' because I think human love is individual. They're connected but the link can be broken." And then we get the following scene where both Young Woo and Lee Jae Ha seems to be sentimental about the play, and perhaps their feelings? Lee Jae Ha seems defeated, and he returns to his girlfriend (wife? can't remember), a woman who (from the beach scene) we might think is used to her boyfriend's infidelity through his method acting. And Young Woo's smile as he settles into the car is not that of an arrogant pupil overcoming his teacher. He seems disappointed that its over. Whether he is sad about the play ending, or his relationship with Lee Jae Ha ending, we aren't sure. Maybe both?

But if we think about that director's line again, "human love is individual. They're connect but the link can be broken." We might wonder, if we are supposed to interpret the story as the two had fall in love with each other, but once the play is over, so is their relationship, even if they still have feelings for each other. The play ends in a suicide-murder with Walter seemingly in love with both Claire and Singer. If the stories are meant to parallel each other, then we could interpret Lee Jae Ha was in love with both Hee Won and Young Woo. But, its also made clear that Young Woo has a better separation from fiction and reality, so we can't say for sure if Young Woo also felt the same way.

In my personal interpretation, I think Lee Jae Ha actually fell for Young Woo, and we are supposed to be unsure if Young Woo loved him back.

But what is the truth of the story? Lee Jae Ha was a homophobic actor who had trouble connecting to his character and was straight? Lee Jae Ha was a homophobic actor who had trouble connecting to his character as was bi? Young Woo immersed himself in his character, but never fell for Lee Jae Ha? Young Woo immersed himself in his character and actually had feelings for Lee Jae Ha? Did neither of them fall for each other? Was it one-sided? Did they both become infatuated with the other? When were the two method acting as their stage characters, and when were they being their true selves? So much is left unsaid that we can't really say for sure.

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Heartfelt but Needed a Bigger Budget

I think the writing for this is sweet. The dialogue is believable and personal. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I also liked it more than what I was expecting. I liked the message of coming to terms with oneself and growth.

But the delivery of those lines? Sheesh! The acting was not good. Sometimes the actors seemed to be performing as if the other person was in front of them. It didn't feel natural at all, especially since the characters are supposed to be on the phone the whole time.

The production quality is pretty low. I understand this was filmed during Covid, but they must have had almost nothing for the budget. The camera crew are obviously untrained, and the camera quality is pretty bad as well. Sometimes the characters aren't fully in focus.

If you're looking for a story about a bisexual character, and enjoy tales of personal growth, I say watch it anyway. These aren't very common stories in television, so there aren't a lot of options right now. But, don't go in with high expectations. I started watching it at 2x speed by the third episode.

Did I enjoy it? Meh. I liked most of the writing, and I enjoyed the ending.

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If you like a really well made story with developed characters then this is it. If you want high quality suspense, enjoy a psychological thriller, and don't mind a bit of blood then this is the drama for you. If you like stories that ask you a haunting question, this is it.

I started and finished the drama in one day. It's only 8 episodes, but I'm still in a bit of shock. The pacing was perfect, the progression of the story was well done, even though it was only 8 episodes. Nothing felt rushed to too long. It was truly a well done and suspenseful story. The acting was on point. There were a few little moments where I could scrutinize, but nothing cringe worthy and nothing that was too bad (honestly, compared to some korean dramas, even the famous ones, the acting was perfect). Sometimes the sound was a bit echoey because of the set (I think they chose it because they wanted to show a big and powerful school. It makes sense but it's a pity sometimes. However, there are some moments where the echoes give a certain power to some scenes in which case the set was beneficial). The characters... wow the characters were pretty well made, especially those of the students. I really don't know how to convey how this drama was so... good. I'm a bit mad that it wasn't on dramafever or viki, but I'm glad I was able to find it.

I watched it because I was looking for Bang Sung Joon. I like him a lot and decided, why not pick up another one of his things? I found this drama and decided to check it out. The story sounded interesting but... well I didn't expect it to be what I ended up finishing. It truly leaves you wondering about what is right and what is wrong, about what is natural and what is nurtured. I'm still a bit unsure how they made the story get to the point it did so... perfectly I guess. Pay attention to names in the beginning, it makes it much easier to grasp the story.

I want more people to watch this, to be grabbed by this. I want others to understand what this drama is and what it does. However, this drama isn't for everyone. I had a friend who walked out several times because the story moved her so much in frustration and disgust, upset by what the story decided to do. This is a story that moves viewers like her so powerfully. If you have a high sense of morals and are easily disgusted in the wrongdoings of others and evil intentions, this might not be for you (unless despite yourself, you find yourself drawn to those kind of stories anyway). But consider how strong of an affect it had on her.

I think the part that impressed me most was the acting of the main character in the end. His character development is... well when you consider it from beginning to end, it has the heaviest effect on the story... Really, that second to last scene was amazing. ugh okay I don't want to give anything away. If you're curious or you're even thinking about watching it, then do it! I found it completely worth it. I've said a couple of things in here that might dissuade people, but honestly I found this story very well done and very well worth watching. I want others to watch and appreciate this beautiful and twisted gift the creators of this show gave us.

Watch it!!!!

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:(((

I loved how natural the dialogue was. They were cute angsty boys that really gave a young adult feel, classic college kids. This felt very queer because it touched on so many aspects of queer life. Gay bars, a flamboyantly gay character, conversion therapy, like the kinds of things that don't really get explored in BL dramas in meaningful ways.

The characters are flawed, which makes them feel more human. But what bothered me was the biphobia. Sure, some people might use the term bisexual before they're ready to come out as gay. I'm sure it's happened before. But what gave Judah the right to assume that was the case for Rocky? I hated how much he kept pressuring Rocky to come out, and how he kept trying to convince Rocky to do it "for his mom" when really Judah just wanted Rocky to come out for himself. Judah constantly pressured Rocky into situations he wasn't comfortable with.

It was a happy ending, and it felt realistic, but when I finished I felt kind of frustrated. Judah's actions really rubbed me the wrong way.

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:(((((((

This movie has a documentary feel. It's unique lens acting as social commentary on beauty, trans culture, and illegal activity has a "real" feel to it thanks to the use of hand held shaky camera work. The story is a sad tale of a crumbling sense of self worth. It makes the world feel somewhat helpless, watching cycles continue that hurt even when we know their dangers. Hiro was a sweet ray of light in the whole story, the one precious thing in the main character's life who she eventually hides from her work as she lowers her standards for herself. It was really such a sad story.

I watched the movie with zero expectations, knowing barely anything about it. Somehow, its made in a way that feels both intimate and distant, somewhat like her relationship with her boyfriend, someone she lives with but who no longer loves her.

As she walks into the dark, entering the darkest moment of her life, calling for a cab to help her escape, we see the next scene continue the dangerous cycle she's running from. Who is there to help? Who is there to give drive them into a better light? Alone, she waits in the darkness of her own making, wanting a way out, but feeling trapped by these circumstances. Ah so sad. So hopeless. I hope that one day this character finds a better life somewhere. I hope she moves back to Japan with Hiro and finds someone who truly loves her. But even if she leaves, what would that mean for the women left behind who continue these dangerous practices? And now I'm crying again T_T So sad

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Meh

There are two very good things about this drama. The first is the production quality. It's pretty good. Most kdramas, even webseries, usually are. The other great thing was Ryo Ho Sun's hat with the pink beads. I loved that hat. Such a good hat.

The story... ehh it was kind of lame. It followed many drama formats before it, so it had a basic level of good. But... how to explain... it's like there is a lack of depth there. The writing feels superficial, like it wasn't made to be taken seriously. In this way, it felt disappointing. There's a plot hole concerning the sister/brother switch. We never see the family's reaction to it, which just makes the story feel hollow and not thought out. Also, the development of the relationship between the main leads was so... empty. They didn't really have much to bond over. I think it would have been great if they committed to the whole, "this is my sister's marriage" and grown unexpected feelings while trying to convince each other that they could not be in love. It's a great premise, I just wish they actually supported that premise with an equally great script. The script was weak, but it could had been salvaged if the actors breathed some life into their characters. Which brings us to....

The acting... It was decent acting. They're not bad actors. But, they also didn't really think deeply about their characters. The kiss scene was so cringe. There was almost no chemistry between the leads throughout the whole show. It almost felt homophobic to watch if I may be so overdramatic. With a script like this, it really needed actors that added something to their characters. But these were actors that were just delivering lines in a way that felt human. Good eye contact, shifting gazes, etc. It was more, "by the rules" of acting and less *feeling* who their characters were.

Honestly, the whole thing is disappointing. I powered through to the ending because it was so short. This drama felt half-hearted in many ways. It kind of felt like an assignment. Like it was made just because someone wanted it to be made, but not because anyone actually cared about it. I don't know. Am I being too harsh? Do you agree?

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