RAW. REAL. UNFILTERED. GAY LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, and LIFE in the BIG CITY
This kdrama is unfiltered, raw, and completely genuine. It conveys the feeling of being broken, mended, and then broken again. Each emotion resonates deeply, capturing the full spectrum of human experience.
The narrative is lyrical and brutally honest, drifting through life's different moments to intimately depict emotional peaks and valleys. At its heart, this is a profound exploration of love, identity, and perseverance in a world that often enforces strict limitations on personal freedom. It examines what it truly means to love and be loved while grappling with the difficult reality of being gay in Korea. There's no sugarcoating, no idealized portrayal-it's just reality, presented boldly.
Go Young's journey is full of hardships, and like many, we rooted for him to have the happy ending he deserved. However, life isn't always kind, especially for women or gay men. The fact that the Korean culture ministry invested public funds in this production is commendable; it's more than just entertainment-it's a form of education. And because this isn't a typical BL drama, there is no neatly packaged happy ending for Go Young, though he undoubtedly deserves one.
Despite some flaws in the storytelling-certain subplots, like the relationship between Go Young and his mother, could have been expanded-the show remains one of the best gay dramas ever made. The performances, especially by the lead actors who had never portrayed gay characters before, were outstanding. The visual direction was stunning, and without question, this is the most realistic K-drama portrayal of gay life I've seen in a long time. It authentically depicts the relationships, friendships, and struggles within the queer community.
Go Young's life was a whirlwind, always in search of lasting love. The series covers four significant relationships in his life, two more casual, and two serious. He even found his soulmate in one of them, making it all the more heartbreaking when they had to part. Life, however, goes on, and so does Go Young's quest for love. While I hoped he would reunite with Gyu Ho in the end, we were at least given beautiful moments between them in the final episode.
Nam Yoon Su's portrayal of Go Young was exceptional, making his character feel authentic and relatable. The series struck a fine balance between light and heavy themes, with emotional moments giving way to lighter tones in the following episodes, crafting a complex emotional experience. What I admired most about Go Young was his resilience. Despite the loneliness and longing he faced, he remained hopeful, always searching for genuine love. While he found that love with Gyu Ho, their relationship was not destined to last. Their chemistry was undeniable, and they both lived life fully, overcoming obstacles together until Gyu Ho eventually left for Shanghai.
Apart from his romance with Gyu Ho, Go Young's friendship with Mi Ae and his close-knit group of gay friends stood out. I was disappointed that Mi Ae disappeared after the first two episodes, especially since her absence was felt during key moments, such as when Go Young's mother passed away. Their bond felt so deep that I wished she had been there for both his highs and lows. His three gay best friends were among the most memorable characters in the show. They supported him through everything, and one of my favorite scenes was when they caused a playful commotion at the hospital during his recovery. The show captured the reality of gay life in Seoul with a lot of authenticity.
I hope this series isn't reduced to being categorized as just a BL, it is a GAY series, It's so much more-a narrative about growth, loneliness, and the complexities of life. Even those who might not typically be drawn to the genre should give it a chance.
