Underwhelming for actors with great chemistry...

**spoilers ahead**

This is my first JoongDunk series - I watched this the while I excitedly waited for their new series "Hidden Agenda". I honestly expected a lot more since my last watch was "Bad Buddy". Needless to say, this was not as good. I understand it's not a fair thing to compare to but the disappointment after watching such a good series and then this. I point this out to give a context on my mindset while I was watching this. The thing that bugged me the most was that there were a lot of irritating plot points and if there was anything that could sum up the plot it’s one word: miscommunication. Because Kluen doesn't know how to communicate. Or DaoNuea didn’t say how he felt and lied to himself about how he felt. Or WHATEVER. This series made me realize I loathe miscommunication tropes. While it's understandable that Kluen may have valid issues about communicating (something we never got a reason to, were we to assume it's just something he had from birth? Literally all his close friends and Nuea were frustrated at him constantly for this), it was so exasperating to see him navigate through situations that could have been easily resolved with him just saying what he fucking needs to. It was more frustrating that he also knew this about himself but until someone he cared about (DaoNuea) was hurt was when he finally did something about it. He had plenty of time to work on it and get better but didn't do anything about it.

I understand that this is a short series, but "Bad Buddy" was able to captivate and made me feel for the characters just from 5 episodes, something Star in My Mind failed to do so through all 8 episodes. I feel like we barely got to meet each character so it makes it hard to understand their actions too - especially when we don't really have a true understanding of who they are and what they're like.

The acting also took me out in most aspects. While I love and respect both actors, it’s not difficult to see that they are novice actors as some scenes felt awkward and forced- something I personally think they can definitely improve on as I believe they have the true potential to be amazing actors. I can't fault the actors for this alone though, as I feel like the director could have put in more effort on directing and guiding the actors. Their plot and idea were good but the implementation is truly lacking.

Overall - as a series, it was underwhelming as JoongDunk have amazing chemistry. Though I still have my reservations about their next series “Hidden Agenda”, seeing as it's the same director as the travesty that is "Step By Step", I am enthusiastic that since it's been over a year, "Hidden Agenda" will be both an improvement from this.

Satang/Sean was the perfect comic relief!
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10/10 aggressively competitive and comedic yet sweet way only Bad Buddy knows best how to

Basic synopsis: Two kids who grew up with families that hate each other are forbidden to be friends end up realizing they can’t be just friends.....


[[**this review contains spoilers**]]
This is a series that really surprised me seeing as I had zero expectations. Nevertheless, I never expected to love this series as much as I did. As a new BL fan, I was on a mission to watch the classics. I’ve heard everywhere how much people loved this series, and after finally finishing - I can’t help but agree. As a fan of My School President (of which is under the same network-GMMTV), Bad Buddy gave me the same indescribable wholesome and “pulling at the heartstrings” feeling I loved from MSP but with so much more angst and yearning.

What I love in a haphazard order ( apologies, this is my first public review):
-Fast-paced, pacing is immaculate - every scene felt necessary
-No problem or plot point felt stupid/unnecessary
-None if few scenes were cringy
-As an avid “scene forwarder” (I’m looking at the travesty that is “Step by Step” (2023)), I instead found myself repeating scenes because they’re just that GOOD! I found myself absolutely CHEESIN’ over how cute they are / how sweet the moment is. We get them early on and consistently in the series, keeping each episode engaging
-Even for sadder scenes, each were achingly beautiful / well-written dialogue / both Ohm and Nanon’s eyes and facial expressions were so much LOUDER than any of the yelling / screaming they do (see: iconic ending of ep 4 / their first sleepover)
-I’m here for the slowburn and the absolutely well-executed ANGST. I also love the tropes where one is sulking and the other is doing everything in their power to have the other talk to them which not only increases the tension but helps you understand the character even better. These are tropes are something Bad Buddy have made me realize that I love across all media platforms whether they be books or series/movies
-The characters are so well done. I’ve seen many other reviewers point this out:
--Pat as an architecture major is an over-thinker and catastrophizer, a bit of a neat freak
--Pran is an engineering major, a “go with the flow” kind of guy, a bit impulsive, and kind of adorably annoying
--So the way they both reacted at the viral ending of EP 5 was so true to their character and inevitably foreshadows the future episodes
-The unexpected first kiss scene very early on in the series was a cinematic masterpiece, I can't even describe how much I loved it
-Every time the actor was emotional, I find myself aching and laughing along with them. I don’t even realize it - it just hits me straight in the feels without trying
-Overall, I think there is a genuine love and chemistry there that other series find difficult to capture AND successfully execute. Bad Buddy is able to do so flawlessly.
-I know this is a low bar - but I never felt for a moment that any of these actors were acting. Every scene immersed and surprised me from beginning to end
-I have NEVER EVER laughed my ass of at an ENDING of a series before. It encapsulated the dynamic of their relationship and this series as a whole - the aggressively competitive and comedic yet sweet way only Bad Buddy knows best how to

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