These are a few of the KBLs I’ve watched and reviewed; naturally, I intend to watch more.
1. Light On Me/ 10/10/ 2021
The first on the list is Light On Me that takes place in an all-boys high school.
It follows Tae Kyung (Lee Sae On) who is a quiet student attending an all-boys school; he is shy, lonely, and doesn’t have any friends at school. Following his teacher’s advice, Tae Kyung musters up the confidence to apply for the student council mainly run by three key figures. The president is Da On (Choe Chan Yi), a popular high school senior known for his kindness, Namgung (Go Woo Jin); a bubbly and goofy student with lots of vibrant energy alongside Shin Woo (Kang Yoo Seok), the vice president, who has a cool and aloof personality.
Unfortunately, Tae Kyung makes a terrible first impression on Shin Woo, due to a careless accident, Shin Woo doesn’t take to Tae Kyung immediately and holds an irrational grudge. As a compromise, Tae Kyung is given a one-month probation period to prove his worth to the student council. Unlike Shin Woo, Da On has welcomed Tae Kyung and made him feel included and so Tae Kyung is won over by Da On’s warmth, developing a friendship with him. He is however intimidated by So Hee (Yang Seo Hyun), the student council president at the nearby all-girls school because she has a massive crush on Da On, she acts hostile towards anyone too close to him. With both Shin Woo and So Hee as his enemies, Tae Kyung finds it challenging to adapt to his student council life comfortably.
My thoughts: 16 episodes. I was rooting for Shin Woo and Tae Kyung’s relationship to succeed, and I was thoroughly impressed with the way this unrequited love story was produced. I went in expecting nothing and left with everything. I had a great time watching and I know you would too.
2. Blueming/ 10/10/ 2022
Si Won (Kang Eun Bin) is popular among people wherever he goes; when he was a child he was teased because he was ugly. Since then, Si Won has put a lot of effort into becoming handsome and he has succeeded. Being in college, he didn’t doubt that he would be the most beloved guy on campus however there is a guy called Da Un(Jo Hyuk Joon) who has the perfect look, gets straight A’s, comes from a great family and has a great personality. The two men spend time together and they develop feelings for each other.
My Thoughts: 11 episodes. Because of how much the series spoke to me, Blueming is the first KBL I thoroughly reviewed on the site (read the review if you haven’t). It has a particular place in my heart, and I will always spread the word about it. I also hope that the production company will consider doing a sequel or something similar.
3. The Eighth Sense/ 9.5/10 /2023
Ji Hyun (Oh Jun Taek), a new student from a peaceful rural town, struggles to adjust to the bustling city life of Seoul. While at university, he meets Jae Won(Im Ji Sub) who has just completed military service. As they share a love of surfing, they begin to develop feelings for each other. During a surfing trip, they share a kiss, but Jae Won acts as if nothing happened, leaving Ji Hyun confused about their connection.
My thoughts: 10 episodes. It was evident that this was directed by a foreigner due to the noticeable difference in quality. The two protagonists had incredible chemistry, which meant that even if the script was good, the actors really elevated the drama. Along with the athletics angle, I really liked the mental health angle. I’m delighted the production company made this lovely show, even though they encountered some problems after it aired. Because of how stunning it is, it quickly gained popularity as a spectacle.
4. Semantic Error /10/10 /2022
Sang Woo (Park Jae Chan) is a smart and serious programming student with a peculiar personality but he is unusually antisocial and prioritizes rational logic over human emotions, has a rigid sense of what is right above all else . Nobody dares to approach the surly programmer. As part of his university work, he is told to work on a group project for the liberal arts, whereby the group is required to make a final presentation in order to pass the module. But as the rest of the group – whom he knows nothing about – have decided to leave him to do all the work on his own, he decides to remove their names, and make the presentation in his name.
But little did he know that when he did this, he would have to deal a heavy blow to the academic prospects of a senior student, Jae Young (Park Seo Ham). The latter, a design major, is Sang Woo’s polar opposite. He is stylish, fun-loving, and – above all – extraordinarily popular. He is the closest thing the college has to a superstar! But when his credit for the liberal arts project is taken away, his grand plans to study abroad are suddenly thrown up in the air. He seeks out Sang Woo and is of a mind to torment him. In the following days, Jae Young pulls various pranks to disrupt Sang Woo’s daily habits; from stealing his classroom seat to moving in next door. Slowly but surely, Jae Young’s annoying stunts have shaken Sang Woo, who can’t get rid of this nuisance in his life. But when the duo is forced to work together, a strange attraction starts to develop between them. As the two students continue their ongoing feud, their feelings for each other grow heated and complicated.
My Thoughts: It has 8 episodes and a movie. It features the tired clichés that are present in most Korean dramas: a college setting, a hate-to-love story, opposite attraction, a dubious straight guy who unexpectedly falls in love with another presumably straight guy, excellent acting, exceptional chemistry between the major protagonists, and striking cinematography. If you enjoy lighthearted romance with overdone clichés, this is a good choice because the tempo wasn’t hurried like in most KBL releases. It’s worth seeing again.
5. To My Star 1 /9/10 /2021 & To My Star 2 9.5/10/ 2022
Part One: Actor Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyeon) was once one of South Korea’s biggest and most popular stars, but his career is now in decline. Despite his fall in popularity, he believes he has had a change of fortune when he meets and falls for a dashing young chef named Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min). Despite having wildly different personalities, the two enter a relationship. However, their love comes under threat when the more conservative Han Ji Woo and the free-spirited Kang Seo Joon realize that their outlooks on life, love and everything else appear irrevocably different.
My Thoughts: 9 episodes. From a romantic comedy short story, this was everything I could have imagined; great acting, excellent chemistry, a terrific soundtrack, beautiful shots, and a straightforward plot that connects all the characters are all present. The show demonstrates that having intricate, extravagant, dramatic, and absurd subplots is not necessary for a successful television program. It’s worth mentioning the fantastic chemistry that existed between the supporting cast as well as the leads. I loved the show, it quickly became one of my favorites, and not a single scene felt monotonous. That there would be a part two made me very delighted. There’s a movie on it too.
Part Two is set a year later after Seo Joon and Ji Woo have broken up. Without warning, Ji Woo suddenly packed his bags and moved out of the apartment, breaking off their relationship, with only a vague note as his farewell message. Seo Joon had no idea what he did wrong and couldn’t find his missing ex-boyfriend for answers.
Seo Joon later finds his ex-boyfriend in a small town, he visits his ex-boyfriend’s new home and confronts him about their breakup. Ji Woo’s response is chilly, and he doesn’t seem remorseful about abandoning his boyfriend. He deliberately makes unkind remarks that leave Seo Joon heartbroken. Nonetheless, Seo Joon doesn’t give up on their relationship. Their potential reconciliation is also disrupted by another recent arrival. The mysterious Sung Yoon has also moved back to her hometown, and she shares a deep relationship history with Ji Woo.
My Thoughts: 10 episodes. The sequel was even more excellent. Though this second season may not be a feel-good one, it did evoke strong feelings in me, most of them positive ones. The show’s well-balanced tale of love, regret, development, and loss is enhanced by well timed flashbacks, music, and lighting. They do an excellent job of providing additional context and nuance by depicting the happily ever after that followed the first season. I’m glad I got to see two seasons of my favorite KBL since the main leads’ relationship was so realistic to witness, even though other viewers might have preferred the first season.
6. Our Dating Sim/ 9/10 /2023
Lee Wan (Lee Jong Hyuk) is an illustrator who has gained an online following for the beautiful webtoon drawings on his blog. Recently, he was recruited to work for RE: TRY, a gaming start-up who wants to hire him as an artist for their upcoming dating simulation game. Upon arrival at the new company, Wan is startled when he meets one of the workers turns out to be Ki Tae (Lee Seung Gyu), who introduces himself as Eddy, who used to be Wan’s high school crush.
They were friends with a close relationship, bonding over comics and video games. On a fateful graduation day, Wan confessed his feelings and initiated a kiss. However, Ki Tae was taken by surprise and dodged the exchange. Wan was so embarrassed that he immediately ran away. Subsequently, he moved away and didn’t remain in touch with Ki Tae. Initially, Wan planned to reject the job offer due to the awkwardness of working with Ki Tae but because he doesn’t have any other career opportunities, he accepted hesitantly. Soon, Wan settles into his role, adopting the nickname Ian, however he remains awkward around Ki Tae. As the leads continue working together to create a dating simulation game, their unspoken past takes an emotional toll. Wan struggles to cope with their hazy personal and professional boundaries.
My Thoughts: They spent every second of the eight episodes crafting their plot. The clever and well-paced storytelling, coupled with just the appropriate amount of angst, was one of this show’s best qualities. Gi Tae is an incredible character that exudes confidence, a happy vibe, and the ideal amount of lighthearted banter. BL history’s greatest kiss was given by the actors themselves, who gave it their everything on screen. The fact that each episode ends with a miniature dating simulation that offers a glimpse into what a more daring Lee Wan might have done during his school years, is another aspect of the show’s appeal. Other shows couldn’t have done it like Our Dating Sim.
7. Unintentional Love Story/ 9/10/2023
When Won Young’s (Gongchan) direct superior at work is fired due to a corruption scandal, Won Young – in spite of being innocent of any wrongdoing – finds himself unceremoniously discharged from the company as well. Desperate to get his job back, Won Young tries to curry favor by tracking down the chairman’s favorite artist. He finds the missing man running a pottery shop in a remote town, but it’s clear that Tae Joon (Cha Seo Won) has no desire to be found. Won Young decides to hang around town and secretly report whatever he can learn about Tae Joon’s self-imposed exile, but when feelings begin to develop between the two, Won Young starts to question his sexuality, his motivations, and whether he even wants to go back to his old life in Seoul. But what will happen when Tae Joon learns Won Young has been spying on him this entire time?
My Thoughts: 10 episodes. My favorite 2023 KBL is underappreciated. The “dead fish kiss” was the subject of numerous bad reviews for this show. In my opinion, the incident shouldn’t have had an impact on the show’s rating, but people are people! Every character did a wonderful job of portraying every feeling present, and the tempo was solid. There was also no ridiculous drama, dull narrative, or reckless male protagonists. You will laugh at so many of the scenes, and the bit about heartbreak was so masterfully done that it slightly broke my heart. There were multiple hug situations, and there was a really personal vibe to the performance and connection. The series also suffered from the second lead syndrome as they practically stole the show. The primary leads sung the show’s OSTs, which astonished me much. the series was really fantastic.
8. Cherry Blossoms After Winter /8.5/10/ 2022
Hae Bom (Ok Jin Uk) is an orphan whose parents died in his childhood. After their death, his mom’s best friend adopted him into her family as a divorced single mother; she has a son around Hae Bom’s age. Hae Bom and Tae Seong (Kang Hui) grew up together, forming a close bond. However, the two childhood friends have drifted apart over the years. Tae Seong is a handsome and popular high school senior, whereas Hae Bom is a timid wallflower who gets bullied by the other students. Their social circles don’t mix together. As they begin their senior years in high school, Tae Seong and Hae Bom are in the same class for the first time. Tae Seong observes firsthand the severity of Hae Bom’s bullying problem. Tae Seong still defends Hae Bom from the bullies. Hae Bom is grateful for his help. Eventually, the two boys warm up to each other again. Tae Seong introduces Hae Bom to his friends, welcoming him into their social circle. Hae Bom and Tae Seong rekindle their friendship, spending more time together in school and at home. Everyone believes their relationship is platonic but Tae Seong and Hae Bom struggle to admit their real feelings for each other.
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. It was quite exciting to watching the concept of a secret romance, and there were some really cute moments. It’s advised as a light watch.
9. Sing My Crush/ 8.5/10 /2023
Sing My Crush follows Baram (Jang Do Yoon) who is a young aspiring musician. He harbors a secret crush on his instructor, Sangin and he promises to tell his crush if he succeeds at an audition. On audition day, Baram makes his way to the stage. However, another candidate; Hantae (Son Hyun Woo) suddenly collides with him, causing both to fall. Baram is devastated to discover that his guitar broke during the tumble. The timing couldn’t be worse since his performance is coming up. Hantae apologizes for the careless accident and offers his own instrument as repayment. Baram reluctantly takes it to his audition. After failing to perform at the audition due to a series of unfortunate events; Baram blames Hantae. Sangin gives his student a healthy dose of encouragement after he feels defeated, after Baram performs his song for him, one thing leads to another and Baram initiates a kiss, Sangin however pulls back rejecting Baram’s feelings.
Feeling embarrassed, Baram runs away and cries to himself. Just then, Hantae approaches him to return something he lost. Hantae comforts his sad acquaintance, offering him a shoulder to cry on.
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. This is a story of first love innocence that will stick with you, of honesty in deeds, words, and music, and of disputes that arose but were resolved amicably. The two major stars have connection with one another, and love moments aren’t glossed over. This duo steals the show and keeps you cheering for them the entire time. I even have the series’ soundtrack on my playlist because I adored it. It is, in my opinion, among the greatest BLs to emerge from 2023.
10. Colour Rush 1 /9/10 /2020
Yeon Soo (Yoo Jun) is a high school student with a rare disability that affects his vision. He has a unique form of colour blindness, known as “mono” as Yeon Soo can see colour only when he is around his soulmate, also known as a “probe”. The colour restoration is temporary, lasting only as long as the probe and mono are near each other. In society, monos have gotten a negative stigma since they tend to develop an obsessive codependency with their probes. News reports have portrayed monos as psychologically dangerous individuals who hurt their probes. For this reason, Yeon Soo is often lonely and misunderstood. He even got kicked out of his last school after fighting someone who made fun of his illness. Yeon Soo begins the first day at his new school. He is overwhelmed upon meeting his classmate Yoo Han (Hur Hyun Jun), who just happens to be his probe. When Yoo Han appears around him, Yeon Soo experiences a “colour rush” phenomenon. He sees all the vivid and vibrant colours in his surroundings. Unfortunately, the colours fade away as soon as Yoo Han is gone. His vision instantly returns to a bleak monochromatic palette. Yeon Soo’s first colour rush experience causes him to lose consciousness afterwards. Besides being physically uncomfortable, it is also emotionally exhausting. Yeon Soo’s world is filled with hope and excitement every time the colours appear. However, he also experiences loss and despair, watching them fade away soon afterwards. Yeon Soo tries to avoid Yoo Han, fearing the psychological repercussions of getting too attached to his probe. However, the flirtatious Yoo Han develops a curious interest in his new classmate, finding him handsome and intriguing. Yoo Han is determined to spend time with Yeon Soo, showing him different facets of the colourful world around him.
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. The concept is unique, which I find appealing. I really liked this show’s general plot, which was presented in a nice way. It should be a little bit longer, in my opinion, as there are several issues that need to be addressed and clarified rather than left unanswered. The plot moved along at a good clip, and the poignant conclusion was excellent. The show is adorable and lighthearted, yet in the later episodes, there are some somber elements.I read that they split the actors apart in the second season which made me disinterested a bit, but I would still watch to see what it is all about.
11. Where your eyes linger /8.5/10/ 2020
Meet Tae Joo (Han Gi Chan), the 18 year-old student and successor to the TB Group. Blessed with a wealthy family, good looks and popularity, he has few worries. He is also very cheeky with a knack for getting into trouble at school. As a notorious flirt, he has a loose and casual dating history, especially when it comes to stealing other people’s girlfriends.
Kang Gook (Jung Eui Soo), his thoughtful childhood friend who doubles as his bodyguard, is physically strong and is trained in different martial arts disciplines. Tae Joo is Kang Gook’s only friend, they live together in the same house all by themselves and Tae Joo trusts Kang Gook, feeling at ease around him. Tension erupts between them when a new female student, Hye Mi, shows interest in Kang Gook. As the two go on a date, Han Tae Joo becomes irritated, and soon after, long-suppressed emotions start surfacing. Could there be more to their platonic friendship?
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. It was the ideal angst story, which made it a really enjoyable watch. The tale is endearing and delightful. The chemistry between Tae Joo and Kang Gook is great. The plot is very easy to follow, but the actors once again performed a fantastic job. It comes highly recommended.
12. Choco Milk Shake/ 9/10/ 2022
Jung Woo(Ko Ho Jung), Choco (Lee Jae Bin)and Milk (Kim Seong Hyuk) share a bed together.
Jungwoo is a single man who lives alone. He works at his uncle’s cafe as a waiter. One day, Jungwoo arrives home to discover two unfamiliar men at his doorstep. They introduce themselves as the humanoid forms of his pets, Choco and Milk. Choco, his dog, is now a hyperactive young man bursting with puppylike enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Milk has become a moody, skittish guy with feline qualities. Initially, Jungwoo doesn’t believe his animals have transformed themselves. Choco and Milk prove their identities by sharing memories only Jungwoo remembers as a pet owner. He realizes these humans are indeed his animals. Although surprised, Jungwoo gets used to the idea and accommodates his companions. The three begin living together as roommates. Despite their human forms, Choco and Milk still display some animalistic characteristics. Choco loves taking walks and follows Jungwoo everywhere. Likewise, Milk plays with yarn and gets distracted by shiny items. Jungwoo is occasionally exasperated with their behaviour. Nonetheless, he appreciates their presence, adding liveliness and delight to his everyday routine. Each episode follows a slice-of-life story with Jungwoo, Choco, and Milk. Jungwoo’s animal companions get involved in various hijinks and misadventures, often revolving around his work life or love life. Choco and Milk also meet Uncle, the owner of the cafe. Although Uncle doesn’t know their real identities, he becomes fond of his new guests. Choco and Milk even become employees of the business.
My Thoughts: 11 episodes. I saw it since it was unexpectedly entertaining and had a humorous storyline. You really want to watch more because of the excellent casting, which gave the characters of Milk and Choco a genuine sense of animal resemblance. Their tale and relationship were fascinating to witness, but this drama also suffers from the second lead syndrome. It comes highly recommended if you like weirdness.
13. Mignon/ 8.5/10 /2023
Mignon is a gritty and sexy anime that follows daft but lovable Mignon, a mechanic moonlighting as a boxer in an illegal arena, and the lengths he goes to in his loving devotion to Young-One, the arena’s resident doctor, who himself harbors a dark secret.
My Thoughts: 12 episodes. My first anime BL and I loved it. Here to watching more like this.
14. Roommates of Poongduck Villa/ 8/10 /2022
This workplace romance follows Ho Jun (Kim Ji Woong), a happy-go-lucky third-generation chaebol of Guemman Group, receives an ultimatum from his father to shape his life and is kicked out and moved to Villa. When he arrives, Jae Yoon (Yoon Seo Bin) the owner of the villa, ignores and treats him as a swampy man who drives a luxury car penniless. However, it turns out they work in the same company when they meet as a team leader and subordinate. What will happen between them?
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. I first became aware of Kim Ji Woong and Yoon Seo Bin through this series, and I enjoy their friendship and eagerly anticipate anything they do.
15. Love Class 1 /7.5/10 /2022 & Love Class 2 /8/10 /2023
Part One: Ji Woo (Han Hyun Jun) is a second-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism. He is short in stature and very gentle in nature. He is also besotted with Yoo Na (Ryu In Ah), one of his classmates. However, she is being stalked by a mysterious individual and is afraid of all men as a result – except the kind-hearted and non-threatening Ji Woo. The problem is she doesn’t really see him as a man, and this doesn’t help Ji Woo’s cause, although he will stop at nothing to protect her. But one day, a university class requires that students all pair up in “couples” to complete a project about love. Everyone forms heterosexual “couples.” However, Yu Na and a female classmate who is in love with her professor decide to team up as a same-sex “couple.” That means Ji Woo must form a “couple” with a tall, confident senior student he’s never met before named Ro Ah (Kim Tae Hwan). After they begin working together, Ji Woo starts to wonder if Ro Ah likes him. And if that is the case, could his feelings for Yu Na be misplaced? And could he, too, develop affection for Ro Ah?
My Thoughts: 6 episodes. Though the same-sex couple and Love Class concept appealed to me, the plot was a bit jumbled and the romance lacked depth. Despite this, it’s still a light and fluffy college-based BL; the drama has great potential but fell short of a plausible plot.
Part Two: Lee Hyun (J-Min), Min Woo(Woo Hyo Won), and Ma Roo (Lee Kwang Hee) are friends who attend the same university. They have known each other since adolescence. Despite their busy schedules with school and part-time work, the trio finds time to hang out. Lee Hyun and Min Woo get along because both have quiet, gentle demeanours. Meanwhile, Ma Roo is energetic and extroverted. He likes to make new friends and flock to different social circles. Despite having opposite personalities, Ma Roo is close to Lee Hyun and Min Woo.
Lee Hyun is a university freshman. He is cheerful, and optimistic, and has never really experienced any form of emotional hurt or heartbreak. His university days start with a bang when he sees and immediately falls for Kim An(Kim Yong Seok) , a young tutor in the same department where Lee Hyun is studying. Lee Hyun starts following Kim An around like a puppy, pestering the cold and aloof young tutor with questions. Meanwhile, Joo Hyuk(An Jeong Gyun) is a student who is returning to campus after a break. He meets and has a fling with a man named Sung Min (Jung Woo Jae) after they meet by chance, but the latter vanishes without a trace the morning after. Joo Hyuk is shocked to later discover that Sung Min is actually his new class’s teaching assistant. And fellow student Min Woo is also stuck in a confusing romantic situation: He has a secret crush on his unemployed best friend Ma Roo. Will Cupid help sort out the love chaos as these six young men strive for academic – and romantic – success?
My Thoughts: 10 episode. It is still worthwhile to watch the tenth episode even though it wasn’t essential. Not even the first installment is necessary to enjoy this one, thus it comes highly recommended.
16. Bon Appetit/ 7.5/10/2023
Do Hoon (Yoo Jung Hun) is a dedicated office worker who immerses himself in his job, shuttling between home and the office day in and day out. His life seems monotonous, filled with loneliness and sadness. However, one day, his life is completely turned upside down by his neighbor, Yoon Soo. Yoon Soo is Do Hoon’s junior in college, a young man who suddenly dropped out of school. One day, Yoon Soo (Lee Ki Taek) appears in front of Do Hoon, holding a bowl of sweet rice soup as a housewarming gift. Do Hoon accepts, and suddenly, his world brightens as the sweetness warms his weary soul. Yoon Soo confesses that he once lacked the courage to confess his feelings to Do Hoon and chose to avoid him. However, over the years, Yoon Soo has put this past behind him, while Do Hoon begins to unconsciously care about Yoon Soo from that moment on. From that day forward, Yoon Soo and Do Hoon’s lives undergo a transformation. After work, they spontaneously become a perfect pair for sharing meals, and every meal becomes precious quality time for them. Do Hoon even realizes that his feelings for Yoon Soo are growing warmer and deeper with each passing day.
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. The primary leads in this fast-paced but not rushed food romance gave excellent performances, making it a delightful watch. In the series, I especially liked the cooking. Very watchable in one sitting.
17. A shoulder to cry on /7.5/10 /2023
Da Yeol (Kim Jae Han) is a high school athlete. He is the star of the archery club with a diligent work ethic and a talent for the sport. Da Yeol will secure a spot on the national team if he wins an upcoming competition. His athletic achievements are a source of pride for his father, who constantly pushes him to train and compete. At school, Da Yeol spends most of his time living as an outsider. Not popular by any stretch of the imagination, Da Yeol’s only real joy comes from his time spent with the archery club. A talented archer whose skills have earned him a scholarship to the school, Da Yeol doesn’t mind being an outsider, so long as he’s free to pursue his greatest passion. But an ill-timed run-in with a devilishly handsome classmate lands him in trouble and places his precious scholarship in jeopardy. One of the school’s most popular students, Tae Hyun(Shin Ye Chan) has always enjoyed a level of freedom that very few high school students have ever attained. Able to get away with practically anything, the entire school has no problem believing his side of the story when he’s caught fooling around in the nurse’s office with another student and Da Yeol. Claiming Da Yeol was trying to make out with him, Tae Hyun thoughtlessly puts the archer’s scholarship at risk. Desperate to correct the misunderstanding, Da Yeol does everything he can to try to quell the rumors but no matter how hard he tries, it’s just not enough. Completely unremorseful about what he’s done, Tae Hyun seems to take a wicked sort of delight in doing everything he can to make Da Yeol’s life miserable; his favorite method being to follow Da Yeol everywhere. Unable to shake Tae Hyun, Da Yeol spends his days loathing his shadow but the more time he spends with him, the more conflicted his feelings become; leaving him to wonder, where exactly does the line between hate and love end?
My Thoughts: 7 episodes. The beginning truly annoyed me because I don’t like the bully to lover cliché. While the show does explore some serious subjects, such as repressed emotions, lack of emotional support, childhood trauma, shame, resentment, and forgiveness, all of these were only briefly touched on. Character development occurred, although I found it more of a bromance than a romance because I couldn’t perceive any spark of passion between them. I honestly didn’t get the hype of the show.
18. Love Mate /7.5/10 /2023
As a team leader, Lee Joon (Cho Hyun Min) is anything but soft. A leader at So What Media, Lee Joon’s content production team is one of the company’s best but by demanding the best from his team, he’s developed a reputation as the company’s toughest team leader. Seen by all as an iron-clad man who’s set in his ways, everyone is surprised when it becomes apparent that the company’s new employee, Ha Ram (Cho Han Gyeol), has started to get under his skin. A very straightforward type of person, Ha Ram hides nothing about himself, including his sincere beliefs about love. Skeptical of love himself, Lee Joon has a hard time understanding how Ha Ram can be so open about love. Even more confusing for Lee Joon is trying to understand the feelings that he seems to be developing for the company’s newest employee. Finding themselves in a bit of a push-and-pull relationship, Lee Joon and Ha Ram begin to understand each other better, as they slowly learn about each other’s past and present struggles. Drawing ever closer, will this unlikely pair learn to let go of the past and allow themselves the freedom to experience true love?
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. Particularly at the end, I adored their chemistry as well as Ha Ram’s concern and support for Lee Joon. I only wish it had been longer, but most Korean BL dramas that are underfunded have this same issue. I don’t hold it against the show that they weren’t able to spend more time developing their connection. There was some nice chemistry and kissing between them, but it becomes a little too theatrical at times. It is a charming tale of office romance that is highly recommended.
19. The director who buys me dinner/ 6.5/10 /2022
Dongbaek (Park Jeong Woo) is a 27-year-old office employee starting the first day of his new job. He is supposed to work in the performance planning department for a celebrity agency, Min Entertainment. However, Dongbaek transfers to another position unexpectedly. Director Min; Yudam (Park Young Woon) , the company’s CEO, has instructed Dongbaek to be his assistant. Although confused, the subordinate must follow orders and accept this surprising career change. Upon meeting, Yudam reveals they knew each other in the past. Dongbaek feels confused and doesn’t remember him, he further tells him that they should start dating. Dongbaek is astonished by this request. He thinks his new boss is just being “eccentric” and chooses to ignore his sketchy behaviour. Dongbaek doesn’t enjoy working for his boss, who gives him weird tasks. He has considered quitting his job. However, Dongbaek remains at the company for various reasons. One day, Yudam invites Dongbaek for dinner after work. During the meal, Yudam mentions dating again, he then shares a colourful history with Dongbaek, and their fates are closely intertwined. Yudam’s revelation sounds outrageous to Dongbaek, who leaves the dinner in disbelief. That night, he experienced sudden chest pains and random nightmares. Dongbaek confronts his boss the next day, demanding an explanation, he suddenly feels an ache in his chest again that only goes away with Yudam kissing his body. Yudam speculates that Dongbaek’s pain may worsen over time and the only way to heal his condition is if they start dating. Reluctantly, Dongbaek accepts that Yudam’s wild claims may be valid. Even so, he feels nervous around his boss and skips their next dinner date. As they continue working side by side, Yudam hopes to win over his subordinate’s heart.
My Thoughts: 10 episodes. Though it sounds like it has potential, the comic adaptation was completely underutilized in the series, and I now feel compelled to read it. The deceptive plot of this show is not unique, and I found the excessively brief episodes to be unsatisfactory. Though I wish the program had been longer, the plot wasn’t as well developed.
20. Individual Circumstances / 6.5/10/ 2023
Individual Circumstances follows an author, Woo Jae (Jun.Q), working on his romance novel. A struggling director, Yeon Woo (Han Jung Wan) gets in touch with him, hoping to adapt his work into a movie. Despite being rejected, the filmmaker camps outside the writer’s home, hoping to change his mind. Although their current relationship seems frosty, the two characters knew each other in the past and shared an intriguing history. Their meeting also ignites a passionate romance that burns as bright as the flames of war. Will this relationship heal Woo Jae’s wounds – and lift Yeon Woo out of his slump?
My thoughts: 8 episodes. I felt that the last two episodes really redeemed the show, since it began off pretty slow but improved throughout. The actors didn’t seem to have much chemistry, which I felt would have made the show fantastic.
21. All the Liquors / 6/10/ 2023
Ji Yu (Kim Jun Hyung) is an employee on the marketing team of a liquor company while Ki Hoon(Won Do Hyun) , on the other hand, is a devilishly charming, skilful chef of a famous restaurant. When Ji Yu is asked to contact Ki Hoon’s restaurant in search of potential collaboration, he runs up against a few walls—namely, Ki Hoon’s flat-out refusal to sell any alcoholic drinks in his restaurant. But Ji Yu is not ready to just give up. What will he do to break the stubborn chef?
My thoughts: 8 episodes. The title is really deceptive since, to be honest, I honestly assumed it would be exclusively about liquors. They had too many issues that were addressed too quickly, and Ki Hoon’s lack of a precise reason for not enjoying alcohol and his easy surrender at the end were both very foolish. All in all, I found it very boring.
22. Ocean likes me /5/10 /2022
This is a healing food romance between Ba da (Han Gi Chan), a young entrepreneur who used to work as a professional chef, but quit his job and relocated to a small beachside community to follow his dream of starting his own udon shop, carrying out the recipes inherited from his father but finds serving customers difficult. Ba Da then meets Tommy (Holland), a failed musician who returns to his hometown after wandering and has a new dream. Ba Da and Tommy make a good team working together to make the udon shop more popular, stepping towards their dreams.
My Thoughts: 8 episodes. Given that Holland, one of the main leads, is openly gay, I was drawn to the film and chose to watch it right away in order to show my support. That being said, nothing about the show is really noteworthy; the acting was mediocre and the plot was weak. Though I think the performance has its own audience and charm, I didn’t really appreciate it.
Let me know what you think about the shows
euphoria 
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