Individual Circumstances (2023)

Avoid Under Most Circumstances

I never know what to expect with Korean BLs. They're hits just as often as they're misses. The one good, or bad, thing about them, is that they're always short so I don't feel like I've wasted a huge amount of time if they're a bust. This one, while not a total bust, was just lackluster. I didn't really feel anything while watching, nothing bad or good, which isn't desirable when it comes to entertainment. You want your audience to feel something and I got nothing here. Suffice to say, this isn't one that I would waste your time on.

The story itself isn't horrible, just a bit weak. Two separated friends who never had the cajones to put their feelings into words years earlier meet again. Woo Jae, who did make some effort to make his feelings known, has become a web novelist and he is not pleased to have director Yeon Woo back in his life. It turns into a back and forth of Yeon Woo trying to win Woo Jae's favor in order to turn his web novel into a movie in an effort to revive his directing career and Woo Jae resisting his efforts. In some instances, it was moderately entertaining, but not enough to draw me in. And Woo Jae's standoffish, jerkish behaviour toward everyone, not just Yeon Woo, was excessive and off putting, especially since it was explained far too late in the game and the explanation was frankly pathetic. "My love wasn't instantly reciprocated so now I'm going to turn into a raging ass for the rest of my life." Not a valid excuse, honey. Yeon Woo, I could sympathize with a lot more. He had a lot going on in his life and he was never even given the chance to voice his feelings for Woo Jae before he just disappeared. However, I don't condone his actions in hunting down Woo Jae and then setting up camp in his front yard uninvited. So basically neither character is without his faults, but Yeon Woo is the lesser of two evils by far.

The pacing is slow. There's a lot of repetition of Yeon Woo trying to "help" Woo Jae, Woo Jae getting cranky, things backfiring on Yeon Woo and repeat. That time could have much more effectively been used exploring their background together more in depth, having them actually communicate and have a conversation about what happened in the past and where things went wrong. They spent a decent amount of time focusing on that stupid hoodie and then never cleared that up which was so frustrating. I know that was back in their college days but there was enough of a focus on it that I felt it should have tied in somehow to when they were adults especially since Woo Jae wears that same hoodie at one point. As a side note, the scene with the police was weird and, I would hope, completely unrealistic.

The acting left a lot to be desired. Jun.Q as Woo Jae was just boring. He basically spent 90% of the drama brooding and had one expression. I'm exaggerating, but I really did find his performance underwhelming. He just felt repetitive to me. Jung Wan was an improvement, he definitely knows how to work a smile, but he also felt a bit note. There just wasn't a whole lot of nuance to their performances. And these guys had zero romantic chemistry. Their buddy chemistry was okay, not great, but okay, but their romantic chemistry was less than zero. I felt nothing, no sparks, zip zilch nada. And as others have commented, we get treated to the dead fish lip presses that some may call a kiss. I wouldn't.

The only positives in this debacle are the production and the OST. The cinematography is well done. The scenic shots in particular are my favorite. And I did like the OST. Nothing that really jumped out and grabbed me, but it was pleasant and not distracting.

Generally speaking, I say with dramas as short as this one to just go for it. It's only two hours, what the heck. But with this one, I would really say don't waste your time. At least with those other ones, they left me with some kind of emotional fulfillment and this one didn't. So I would say save your time and find something else to watch. This isn't one I'll ever come back to.

Leia Mais

Light and Worth the time

I watch series and dramas without expectation so I can write a review after without bias.

Story wise, it's good and light, no heavy drama for a 8 episode-17 minute each series.
Acting and Cast was good but some scenes are lacking chemistry.
I would rewatch maybe some episode for the scenery and moments of the leads but not all.

This drama suits people who are new to watching BLs, it's light and a good introduction to BL genre compared to most BL with explicit scenes, heavy touching and sensitive topic that is too shocking and heavy for a beginner in BL genre.

I recommend 2gether the series too for beginners.

Leia Mais

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.

Leia Mais

Too Little Too Late

With 8 episodes, it's kind of awful to wait 6 episodes to get past Woo Jae being cold and not communicating. The show is based on the idea of a series of circumstances in college that led to misunderstandings and then the two of them never seeing each other again. When Yeon Woo finds Woo Jae, he does everything to try and get on his good side and Woo Jae scoffs in his face for 5.5 episodes. They finally talk in episodes 7 and 8, but by then it feels like too little too late. They get closure, which is great, but it felt unsatisfying after wanting to shake Woo Jae for the past four episodes. Even at the end, Woo Jae is treating their relationship like inspiration or a simple crush and not like they're together. He's still being coy and a little hard to be near. He's smiling more and teasing, but it doesn't feel like he's as committed as Yeon Woo.

The actors weren't bad, but their chemistry was a bit lacking. The writing wasn't bad but it wasn't great. The music was nice but unmemorable. The chance of me watching the series again is minimal since it's such a drag at the beginning and no scenes stand out until episode 7 and 8, and even then it's only like two scenes.

Leia Mais

This should have been 2 episodes of an 8 part series

Good points:

It is translated quickly and the production quality is high. It's a small but good looking and well acting casts.

Points for consideration:

Having finished it I can say that whilst it was cute it should have been 2 episodes of a much wider programme. There was a lot of empty spaces and scenes that didn't add much to the storyline

It is very slow moving and a lot of it is happening in the characters' heads. So far the most exciting thing in this has been a couple of 'trip and falls' into each other (classic BL) and the OST which is really carrying the show.

The show has flashbacks showing their friendship prior to the writer disappearing 4 years ago. So it's a kind of mystery as to why he disappeared. At the same time he's writing a novel series in which a straight couple seem to mirror the event and his feelings. We are slowly starting to see what MAY have happened to make him end the friendship.

It's great if you like cute Korean guys and not a lot of talking but half way through and I'm not sure that it's going to really compete with other KBLs which have captured audiences. January Korean releases were weak last year as well so it may be a scheduling thing? Just a theory.

I'll update when it's complete but my advice would be to wait on this one and binge watch it after the 9th Feb when it has finished airing

Enjoy!

Chelsea

Leia Mais

Decent. Chemistry Could Be Better

Easily the best Korean BL I’ve watched. Though this is only the seventh one I've seen.

The story set up is interesting
The story telling is *chef’s kiss*
None of the exposition is explained to us. It’s all showing without telling.
Somehow I’m always drawn to these childhood romance reunite as scorned adults. Just like Sekaichi Hatsukoi.

The one thing I wish was different is the whole comedic “straight man/funny man” dynamic between the leads. Why do so many romances have the super serious character with no humor and the other character is always the carefree and joking around.

I feel like a strong story could have both characters alternate instead of going heavy handed with that single dynamic to create tension.

SLIGHT SPOILER:
The only real disappointment was the kiss was very dead-fish. I feel like a good editor and director could make the kiss seem better than the actors performed it. But the long shot of them staying perfectly still with their lips pressed together was just…awkward and flat.

And I wish there was more skin-ship throughout the buildup.

Leia Mais

I Really Want To Like This....

STORY:
============================================
The concept of this show was so promising but what happened? The overall idea of two people who had feelings for each other but due to misunderstandings ended up parting only to meet years later was interesting. Especially when add in the idea they met due to one writing about their love story. The only issue is...they took too long to get to the point of the story. For an 8 episode drama we don't get to the root cause of the show until episode 6. Which normally I'd be okay with but since the show is only 15 minute episodes everything at the end feels rushed while the beginning drags on forever.

ACTING/CAST
============================================
Jun.Q as Seong Woo Jae - Woo Jae's character made me depressed honestly. It felt like he was stuck in his college days unable to let go of his past. So instead he became a successful web novelist writing about his first love. Overall his character didn't inspire me but made me frustrated. Instead of tackling his issues head on he chose to run away for 6 episodes.

Han Jung Wan as Ha Yeon Woo - Yeon Woo is very honest to himself as an adult. When he was in college he kept his feelings to himself and realized that caused misunderstandings that lead to his first love leaving him. When he got the chance to meet up with his first love again he did everything in his power to show his true feelings.

RELATIONSHIPS
============================================
Yeon Woo/Woo Jae - This relationship could have been amazing but because of the lack of communication they became annoying instead. Honestly, if they had sat down and hashed out their communication issues in the first 3 episodes I feel like the rest of the show could have been stronger.

REWATCH VALUE
============================================
I probably won't rewatch this mini series. While there is nothing innately wrong with the show the pacing and frustration I had with the plot will probably keep me from watching it again.

Leia Mais

An interesting premise that failed to deliver

Nicely shot with an engaging musical soundtrack, this low-budget Korean BL suffers from being low ideas as well.
Two film major students fall in love with each other at university without confessing it to each other, and later, as professionals in the industry, link up on a love story project whose subject mirrors their own experience. This premise ought to provide an engaging dynamic of characters learning about themselves and each other, but it is hampered by the limitations of a small cast, no subplot worthy of mention and overuse of the main location.

“Individual Circumstances” turns itself into a two-hander which would be fine if the individuals were fully fleshed out; they emerge instead as thin, without much in the way of endearing characteristics on which to explain their attraction to each other. The Director and his cameraman strike me as being aware of how thin is the script by shooting the house location more than the characters and at one point, in an effort to mix things up, crossing the line in one of their numerous sit-down static exchanges. The cast themselves do an admirable job: Kang Jun Kyu is the more experienced of the leads and it shows in his efforts to project Woo Jae’s inner turmoil; Han Jung Wan handles his debut role with confidence.

Ultimately, though, a drama in which there is so little physical action requires a concentration on the characters’ internal conflicts which underlie so much of the best Kdrama. Here, it’s hard to know what motivated either of these two guys to be drawn towards each other, other than the daily ritual of going with someone to grab a bite to eat.

Leia Mais

Mediocre 2.0

Once upon a time I wrote a review about a drama and used the word mediocre 10 times out of 100 words... And I guess I was reminded of that in this drama as this was pretty much as mediocre as it gets... Except for maybe the kissing who took a step back and ended up as dead fish... but that was evened out by the use of water, rain and people getting out of the shower. So at the end of the day I guess this is just one of those dramas you can watch because it is short and will keep you occupied or it could actually help you fall a sleep as nothing really exiting happens in it at all.

Leia Mais

Not Much to the story. The first three episodes

basically go nowhere and almost made me drop this. It's just one of the ML basically stalking the other and being overly annoying for 17+ minutes. We do get some flashbacks to their past but it's not enough to push the bad story telling aside .If the first 3 awful episodes can get past then the story finally finds it's footing aroung episode 4. At its core it's a typical story of misunderstandings and non communication that makes the audience want to slap both of these characters upside the head, sit them down and get them to talk without any pettiness or anger. I mean most of their problems would be solved with communication no? Still underneath that it tells a relatable story of feelings developing between two friends. How those feelings can change everything causing misunderstandings and fear that leads to a break in the relationship. For that reason I gave it a 6 because I can relate. I've been there and I thought that was told well.
I think the cast did a good job for what they were given. And I loved the music and the locations. Plus. the last scene was pure cuteness and whole some if not my rating would have been lower than a 6.
I think Korean BL's are still finding their footing which is why I have a hard time finding one that I really love. Although. I think with some of these stories they are on the right track.

Leia Mais

Another series completed

And...that's the wnd of the series 'Individual Circumstances.' It's a quick watch for anyone who wants to give it a go.

What I like about it:
☆ the acting was actually okay
☆ the music was okay
☆ guess that I'm immune to kissing scenes because I don't have anything bad to say about thier kisses as it's neither here or there to me.

What I didn't like about it:
☆ I have come to the conclusion that I don't like miscommunication between the main leads. And this miscommunication has lasted them for YEARS and has lated this series for nearly the whole of the series. That didn't sit right with me and annoyed me.

So! Story is a 6. Acting is a 7. Music is a 7 and rewatch is a 4 as I was very annoyed with the synopsis of this series and how it was developed. This in the end not giving me any motivation to consider rewatching it. Overall I give it a 6/10

Leia Mais

Weak At Best!

Who writes this stuff?

Who agrees that it makes a good enough story to become a show?

This is a story that goes nowhere. The type of story you canot even evaluate the actors because not enough actually happens for them to have to do more than say a few lines and in general just either look serious or smile.

While it's not a story you can actually say you hate, there also is nothing about it you can say you like. Also I personally hate it when a bl has kiss scenes where the actorslook like they were forced to kiss, so they just press and hold their lips together. I always imagine them sighing a big sigh of relief when those scenes are finished.

Absolutely no rewatch vale, I barely made it through the first time

Leia Mais