Korean BL, but this time with higher production

The popularity of BL dramas has been growing in Korea. As a result, we now get to enjoy this 16 episode, half hour per episode run-time drama with a higher production value. And like the Thai BLs that came before it, with added runtime we get added story. This drama feels superior to most other KBLs for this reason, and for other reasons as well.

STORY: Well, this is a high school drama. So go into it expecting exactly that. We see many cliches and tropes, but we also see plenty of unique and interesting content as well. This story is overall very fluffy, though it has serious moments as well. It portrays a very innocent kind of love, the kind lots of high schoolers would expect to be involved in. The love triangle is fully believable and done excellently. We get to see some typical moments like wiping frosting from a lip, catching a falling love interest, and a pesky evil female character. We get to see harder hitting moments like rumors, bullying, homophobia, the pressures of high school and what it means to always be the best and act the best while looking the best and the pressure that puts on a person. We get to see someone win the big competition despite the fact that they absolutely should not have by any metric. You know how it goes. Overall, this story was able to pull me in despite its flaws and I love it.

ACTING: Kang Yoo Suk as Shin Woo manages to show a good emotional range in his character as he struggles with his feelings and how to express them. In a character that is chronically unable to say how he actually feels, being able to deliver believable nonverbal emotion is key, and Kang Yoo Suk does this well.

Choe Chan Yi as Da On stole the show for me. Dealing with new developing romantic feelings, the struggle of coming out to himself, the pressure he is under as the sweet and kind student body president, the emptiness of absent parents, and the turmoil of rumors and homophobia, Choe Chan Yi was able to express all of the feelings that come with these issues with a smile on his face (mostly). Brilliant acting. I will follow his career closely moving forward.

Go Woo Jin as Nam Goong Shi Woon was a great choice in casting. He is able to seemingly effortlessly switch from the goofy, loud comedic relief wingman to the serious and often wise (or good at pretending to be wise, at times), caring friend who makes sure everyone's emotional needs are being met and sees all the sides of disagreements. Like Kang Yoo Suk, I enjoyed seeing this actor's range.

Lee Sae On as Tae Kyung... you will read plenty of reviews that strongly dislike his acting and call him robotic. He isn't as bad as many people seem to think - a lot of it is due to him playing a character that is a "self-imposed loner" and therefore lacks friends and social skills - but I do think this actor has a bit of a way to go to catch up with his peers from this drama. There is a ton of potential in him, though. Despite the odds, I didn't hate him or his character. It all just ended up feeling a bit flat, unfortunately.

Remaining cast seem overall fairly suitable without anything standing out in particular.

MUSIC: The OST is enjoyable. The music seemed consistently fitting and not overwhelming in any scenes. I often forgot to listen to it, and that's great. It helped set the moods in various scenes without pulling focus away.

The Korean boyband A.C.E, already well known for speaking out on LGBT issues and breaking gender norms through their various styles over the last handful of years since their debut in booty shorts, recorded the track SPARK for this OST. The song is beautiful in sound and message, and was used fittingly throughout the show. A.C.E's leader, Jun, has stated that this track and project were important to the group as they want to promote the idea to their fans that there are many kinds of love that are just as beautiful as the expected norm, and that they accept their fans no matter who or how they love. Stan A.C.E.

REWATCH VALUE: I would watch this drama again in the future. I found it enjoyable enough to enjoy it again, and would like to look for any moments I may have missed in the first half that gave more of Shin Woo's feelings away.

OVERALL: This drama isn't what I would ever call "groundbreaking" but it is sweet, somewhat sad, fluffy, and entertaining. Most of the acting was on point. The camera angles and lighting were usually very good. The message wasn't profound but it did have a message to tell, and it delivered on it.

Very much looking forward to more work from this director and several cast members.

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