Liberte a Maldição do Taekwondo (2024)

Refreshing plot twist and some suprisingly good acting

The story is believable for the most part. The character development for the mains was solid; and for 8 episodes, I was also happy with development of the side antagonist. I find his story quite appealing and refreshing. Also the twist was quite unexpected. This drama has a lot going for it. And in 2024, I cannot say it is just enjoyable, it actually has something to add in the oversaturated field of bl dramas.

I did learn to appreciate when a relationship has a consistent character whose actions make sense on a larger scale.
We have Ju Yeong who is consistent and stable in his beliefs and truly, as Do Hoe points out, he indeed remains same after all the timetime. Then we have Do Hoe who is volatile and influenced by his upbringing.

I have to say it was an enjoyable watch. The actors were confident when the scenes demanded it and awkward when it was necessary, but their acting itself was never awkward or rookie-like. I think that made for the overall enjoyment and my forgetting of the plot holes.

The issues of the drama in regards to violence in family, the hardship as prerequisite for the success, betraying the ones you love in order to escape it -- these all are important topics and interesting questions to be raised to a viewer. And while I cannot say the drama went too deep to explore or justify them, it also did not do it injustice in sense they made it feel irrelevant. I think what saved them was clear focus on the relationship between Ju Yeong and Do Hoe. I was relieved by the confirmation that what they choose is each other at all times.

Twisty with a happy ending.

You should def watch it.

Thank you for reading,

Leia Mais

Breaking the Cycle

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo does a fantastic job portraying both of the main characters as complex and flawed individuals, emphasizing the role that trauma plays in the victim's life. While I do think that the time skip was a bit early and that I would have loved to see more of the high school days of the characters, I think that for the time they had in this show it was absolutely beautifully done and worth watching.

Juyeong is sent by his parents to study taekwondo in the countryside, where he lives with his instructor and the instructor's son, Dohwe. While Dohwe is very closed off at first, he slowly warms up to Juyeong. However, the abuse that Dohwe has suffered at the hands of his father quickly become apparent to Juyeong, and Juyeong is unlikely to escape the house unscathed either. The two boys start to develop feelings for each other while trapped in an abusive household, which leads to complications as things escalate. This story also explores the lasting effects of this trauma in both characters - where one is determined to run away and forget the past, while the other tries to cling to it.

This show manages to address two vastly different ways of dealing with traumatic events, and instead of portraying one as right and one as wrong, shows them as simply to different methods of dealing with the past. I found that both of the characters felt justified in their actions the entire time, even if it wasn't what I wanted them to do. The misunderstandings between the leads didn't feel like poor communication, but rather both of them trying to protect the other in the only way they knew how, which made the relationship much more interesting. I thought the chemistry of the main actors was wonderful. My only complaint was that it felt like some parts of the show were a bit rushed - I really wish we could have spent more time with them before the time skip. Otherwise, this show was absolutely worth the watch and the heartbreak is worth it in the end.

Leia Mais

It did not go the way that I expected. And for that, it made me enjoy this series more

So, I started this series, and while the storyline was lovely, I thought that it was going the way that I expected it to go. But this was not the case, as we are informed of what Do Hoe went through to become so successful in life.

And because of this change, we see Do Hoe fess up to what he has done and is now living with Ju Yeong, no longer rich, but seems to be happier when we see him again. And I love that for this series—because of this route that they have taken.

So, with an excellent storyline, good actors who are able to portray these characters so well, their emotions, and their beautiful music, this story was able to resonate with me that I am able to give it a 9 for its end product.

Leia Mais

it is a nice story that could have been beautiful

It's sooo good, I fell for them after the second episode. I love how they try to protect each other, especially from the abusive father. And it's nice to see Do Hoe smile when he is with Yu Young, as his life was so hard and he had to endure a lot.
I wish that the drama had stuck to the story in their teenage years, as the 10-year later jump is not that interesting and it doesn't have the same charm. It's a real shame, as the first two episodes were perfect.
In the end, I understand why Do Hoe behaved terribly, and we got a lively last episode, but it does not compensate for the middle part.
Overall, it's a nice story that could have been beautiful.

Leia Mais

Please dont skip this BL!

I was really excited for this drop, and despite it having only 8 episodes, it did not disappoint. The storyline is truly compelling, complex yet relatable and the main leads have amazing chemistry. The entire cast is a visual delight.

I’ll admit, Episode 7 left me a bit confused. It feels like the show leaves certain elements up to the viewer to interpret, particularly regarding the characters' past issues. For example, why does Ju Yeong put on and take off his cross necklace? Or what happend to his mom?

Do Hoe frustrated me at times, especially with how harsh he was to Ju Yeong. However, once he admitted his flaws and opened up about what truly scares him, I started seeing him differently. The show does a great job portraying family love, friendship, and the challenges adults face. There’s an easy flow to the series, balanced with plenty of humor, mostly thanks to Ju Yeong. His character is so bubbly and lovable that you can’t help but giggle when he’s on screen.

On the other hand, Hyeon Ho (aka “Mr. Walden”) has this “I hurt you because I like you” attitude that’s an absolutely no for me. However, that one call (no spoilers!) really showed how much Do Hoe truly means to him; despite everything, they are best friends, and Do Hoe knows it too.

Overall, I really enjoyed the series but wish they had included a few more details. For instance, Ju Yeong’s religious backstory could have been a major element, but the show focused so heavily on Do Hoe’s issues and traumas that Ju Yeong’s story felt a bit overlooked. But, again it's a really good series.

Leia Mais

The man who makes you cry and the man who makes you smile

Being completely honest, I thought I would end up rating this a 10/10 however, really the first three episodes are the 10/10.
Something about the younger versions of these characters hit so hard that each moment felt meaningful and dazzling. I admittedly cried the most at the beginning.
The later episodes were good but I felt a bit of emptiness toward the end/middle, it was also a bit confusing (however, the details clear up as you go on). Despite this, I have no regrets watching the series. This is one of the most beautiful things I've spent my time on and I think I'll always miss it.
A good show makes you contemplate life a bit I think, and honestly, I'm left wondering and reflecting on a lot now. There was such a unique beauty to this show that I won't be able to forget.

Leia Mais

We all need Ju Yeong

Ju Yeong made me believe. Smiling bright eyes coupled with an open smile, he made me believe in love. Real unapologetic love. Imperfect love. Ride or die, no matter what, I'm never going to leave you kind of love. The - I will wait patiently in my hurt, while I fight to save you from your hurt - kind of love. From the moment, he bared his soul on the opposite side of the wall, freely letting Do Hoe know, "I like you." I knew he was the real deal. Without fear, he spoke. When he hugged him after sparing and and giddly exploded "Yes, I'm crazy. I live with the person I like and always train together". Blissfully happy just to be with him, no matter the circumstances. He was the one. He would do it all just to be with him.

Do Hoe lived in pain. Abusive muted pain that pressed against him, no matter the direction he took. He breathed in hate and let out despair. In his solitude, his only solace was that he would leave. Though, with the arrival of Ju Yeong his dream began to change. They would leave together. In their dream, they would create acceptance and warmth in each other's arms. Do Hoe for a brief moment dared to believe in his dream beyond the pain and loved Ju Yeong deeply.

But the pain wouldn't let him go. It held on, railing at any given opportunity to remind him that he was useless. The pain squeezed tightly to extinguish any flicker of hope to be better than his surrounding and ultimately better than himself. On the final day, the day of exams, the pain won. Traumatized by the frantic beating Ju Yeong endured because he dared to defend him, he failed his exams. Pride and a need to feel worthy, he lies. A lie that would trap him for 12 years in a different type of pain. Self loathing. Hyeon Ho, the only person who knew and he could depend on, became an ally. Only an ally. In Do Hoe's heart of hearts only one could exhist. Unknowingly, a death would bring back the past, a reckoning to survive and the truth to lay bare for all to see. Do Hoe looks over at Ju Yeong and keeps repeating, "Shin Ju Yeong, Why do you keep crying?" He knows. Sometimes, everything has to burn to ash for clarity to occur and the dream to take root and grow. Hyeon Ho, forever on the outside looking in, craved what he lost 12 years ago. He has also existed within his pain.

Every titbit of storytelling was beautifully and artistically laid out leaving the viewer both satisfied and aware. Satisfied that all that needed to be told, was captured and skillfully portrayed by excellent actors. Even the ones that were hated were eventually understood. Aware that if perchance a love like this fortunately enters your life, hold on and fight for it. Ju Yeong will make you believe.

Must see. Rewatch every chance you get.

Leia Mais

To My Star (Taekwondo Version)

Hwang Da Seul is undoubtedly one of the best directors of BL series. And here is yet another proof of her competence and talent in creating such captivating stories with impeccable production, acting and cinematography.

However, I feel that this is a series that ends up repeating many of the arcs and narratives used in To My Star (also directed by her). It is the story of a witty, lively man who refuses to succumb to his problems and ends up moving in with a serious, bad-tempered and cold man. Little by little, he manages to break down the walls of this cold man and they fall in love. Until this man disappears without much explanation and years later they meet again because the cheerful man never forgot or stopped loving the cold man who begins to treat him in an indifferent and cruel way.

And that is where the problem lies. I feel like the first 3 episodes are perfect and contain such a unique and well-constructed narrative about two abandoned, lonely, and pain-filled boys who build a friendship and love that can withstand the pain and give hope about a better future.

That's the best part of the series. But they decide to do a 12-year time jump and the reason why it happens is the worst possible. I would understand if Ju Yeong had killed DoHoe's father and spent that time in prison. Or if they had met in college and the story focused on DoHoe trying to get into college and having to maintain a lie so that Ju Yeong wouldn't feel guilty.

But the story of their adult life is so weak and even boring. The dialogues are excellent, the acting is very good, but all this drama and DoHoe's distant and cruel behavior simply hurts the narrative much more.

I understand that the series tries to create this more complex, adult and conflict-filled plot, but the reality is that none of these conflicts really work. The whole issue of DoHoe forging his diploma or the problem with his mother who mistreated her son has little impact on the story.

The ending fixes a lot of things and manages to bring a resolution that warms the heart. But the series is too confined in the same space, repeating the same fights and this ends up greatly impacting what could be one of the best BL series of 2024.

It's an excellent series and gives a show in the technical aspects, but I really wish they had kept and explored the story of these characters' adolescence. The formula for a perfect story was all there.

Leia Mais