Color Rush (2020)

Beautiful

I really loved the originality of this story, it was also so poetic and romantic. The actor playing Go Yoo Han was so magnetic and attractive and Choi Yeon Woo's actor played so good, he can really make us feel his emotions. Both incarnated their characters so well and at some moments the atmosphere just went magical.
Some people thought the effects added were too much but I actually liked it, it is part of the charm I think.
The only bad point is the fact that episode 5 and 6 (I think?) were rushed and skipped important parts, I had to read the comments explaining some points to realize it made sense. After that, they managed to get back to a good rythme but because of that there was some inconsistencies.
Not all the story have been developed so I hope their will be a second season !

PS: It is so good to see korean industry getting interested in this genra because it is qualitative. Luckily, the episodes were longer than usually because it would have been impossible to keep fluidity otherwise.

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Obsession

I haven't read the book so this review is only based on the drama. TW's for attempted suicide.

The premise is captivating right off the bat. This is set in a world where there are Mono's, which are people that can only see the world in shades of grey. Then there are Probes, who can make their Mono see colors. This leads to an obsession in which the Probe are in danger. The whole world is built on fear of Mono's and really just paints them in an awful light. Enter our main couple, who are of course are a mono and a probe. This is really their story and how they overcome the stereotypes related to their labels. The main couple has good chemistry in my opinion, and there are light moments and fun moments. The cinematography in this is really quite beautiful. They captured colors in a way that magnifies their qualities and I honestly found it quite beautiful to watch. The music is lovely and fits the drama well. The acting is done well, and I appreciated the two main character's scenes. There is a lot going on with this series and a lot of deeper meanings/questions lurking beneath the surface.

Where this fell short is the length. This is the curse of Korean BL's at present, so I'm used to it, but as always I wanted more. There's so much to delve into here with the mystery and the obsession between the boys. The length doesn't really allow for too much depth unfortunately. The story itself was great and the actors brought it to life, but the bones behind the story were missing and so it lacked some of the meatiness it needed. However, I did enjoy it for what it was and don't regret watching it.

All in all, a good and intriguing short BL, but it may leave you unsatisfied and wanting more. The cinematography was worth the watch and the chemistry was good too. I'm already ready for season 2.

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10++++ what a web drama. The acting done by the cast show us such a mature side. I hope besides singing that they do more acting as they have mad skills in both. I was sad that this was only 8ep 15min,But just finished and the writers did a great job. The storyline was a 1st for me.
It's about Mono's who can only see shades of grey, but once they find and meet there probe for the 1st time it's overwhelming and they passout. As they connect with there Probs over time it gets easier to experience colors in there proper form. The only problem is mono get greedy and possessive of the probe and it can become deadly. Here we have Choi yeon woo(mono) and Go yoo han(probe) yeon woo has transf to a new school again, but here he is accept for who he is and finally makes friends. As yeonwoo and yoohan start spending time together learning about each other world they become closer. Yeonwoo realizes that he's being more processes of yoohan and doesn't want to hurt him. So instead hurts himself, his sister friends him and takes him to psychiatric hosp. and arranges to move again he agrees. That night he hears tap on window and yoohan climb up building to kidnapp him. They go to the beach and yoohan explains that he has facial blindness and can only see him. So they realize they need each other in more way then one. They admit there feeling and connect on a special relationship.just finished and out of any drama or movie this is #1. A MUST SEE BY ALL?❤️?❤️

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?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

METAPHOR! METAPHOR METAPHOR!. The show is a metaphor. See, he sees in gray! Except for his love, oh, I mean probe. Word of advice, don’t call one half of a gay relationship the “probe”, you might as well have called him the “pitcher.”

Do you SEE THE METAPHOR. Its right there. See, his world is sad and grey, and then LOVE brings COLOR to his world. Love in the form of a stalker who won’t leave him alone even when he asks. LOVE who he considers kidnapping and killing, then hangs himself, LOVE that still will not go away.

ITS A METAPHOR! DO YOU SEE IT! I HOPE IT IS NOT TOO SUBTLE FOR YOU. YOU SEE, LOVE MEANS COLOR! HE’S SAD, then an unwanted manic pixie dream guy pesters him until they have long monotone conversations full of nothing and lists, colors, and more nothing. Nothing is happening...NOTHING IS HAPPENING! NOTHING HAS HAPPENED FOR ninety minutes. Please, I beg of you, let something happen...LET SOMETHING HAPPEN!!!

(Quiet sobbing) please, just one plot point would be nice...please.

ARE YOU UNDERSTANDING THE METAPHOR!! BECAUSE I CAN MAKE IT MORE OBVIOUS IF YOU WANT.

no thank you I get it.

METAPHOR!

also, I would like to have had more kidnapping and cannibalism.

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An intriguing and cute drama that leaves us wanting more.

THE GOOD. - Cool story.

What makes Color Rush stand out is the premise. The universe is unique and interesting. Opening with a brief overview of Mono and Probe dynamics, the viewer is strapped in for something that sets itself apart from slice of life dramas out there. You quickly learn how Monos function in the world and how the presence of a Probe affects them.

The story progresses fast (out of necessity, of course), and, thankfully, that time really isn't wasted. They do pack quite a bit in there, and I never felt like "ugh, this is such a waste of screentime" like I have with other shows. The characters are pretty straightforward and honest, too, which I find refreshing. Neither beats around the bush too much

The characters are few, and the side characters aren't seen often, but they're still loveable. What we do see of them establishes them each as unique with distinct quirks. The visuals of the cast are definitely a treat, too. It's easy to fall in love with forthright Yoohan right along with Yeonwoo.

There's no question that the production is great. In line with many Kdramas, even as a short web series on a budget, Color Rush looks pretty. I've seen different comments on the editing, but overall I found it easy to follow and pleasing aesthetically. The OST is nice; the songs that play set the tone pleasantly and appropriately. (Which sounds bare minimum but I'm sure lots of seasoned BL watchers know how common awkward music can be.)

THE BAD. - Its length.

The episodes are short. Initially, you can see the groundwork for something really great being set out. You're introduced to Monos and Probes, see the tense dynamics between the two, and, on top of that, are handed a mystery regarding Yeonwoo's missing mother. Then come the characters. Even during their brief time on screen, you manage to get enough of an impression of the cast that you start to care. However, with a mere 8 episodes - most of which are 12-15 minutes - there's unfortunately very little time to unpack all of this.

Hence the part of my tagline: it leaves us wanting more. A lot of people feel a bit unsatisfied with the ending, and I think that's completely reasonable! The series just barely scratches the surface of the mysterious aspects of the plot. Heavier topics that come up later in the series are sort of resolved and tossed aside just as quickly as they arise.

The lead actors are young and new which shows at some times. While many scenes are delivered nicely, others feel robotic, forced, and awkward.

The plot and premise are cool, but certain points - like specifics of how Monos function and Mono/Probe dynamics - were touched on briefly. Though I didn't find it too hard to follow, from other comments I saw, a lot of people did. You might find yourself confused as well.

While I think they worked pretty well within their limits, those limits are still jarringly apparent.

THE UGLY.

I can't think of anything offensively ugly in this series except maybe how little time we were given. If your expectations of physical affection come from Thai or Taiwanese dramas (thank you HIStory), then this series will definitely remind you how conservative SK's culture is.

THE CONCLUSION.

In mere minutes, Color Rush sunk its claws into me. If you are on the fence about this series, I urge you: WATCH IT. The episodes are so short. You can even fit one or two in during your lunch at work! So, really, what've you got to lose?

Though short, I ultimately am happy with the little journey I took alongside our characters. It hits a lot of points: lighthearted moments, silliness, internal conflict, doubt, and even grief. I know I've said it a lot, but I'll say it again! This series suffers most from lack of time. If they had the ability to really protract and flesh out what they had going on, it would have felt so much better. Things would have made a lot more sense, and people wouldn't have been scrambling to wikis to understand the lore.

That being said, I still felt excited and happy to watch what they did accomplish. The lighthearted, lovey parts make your heart melt, while the heavier scenes tug your heart strings. The ending concluded the sort of contained storyline well enough that it's satisfying in its own rite.

I got sucked in and felt thoroughly entertained throughout the entire thing. Honestly, what more can you ask?

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Needs to be longer (but it's great still)

Okay, so my review will be relatively short because I pretty much agree with the masses: unique story concept, well presented relationship development, cute, aesthetically pleasing, but needs to be longer to explore all the storylines and characters more.

Story: I only gave this a 7 because like I said, the length of this series really hinders it. The concept is amazing, the writing is amazing, and so is the cinematography. But the lack of storyline explorations frustrates me because there's so much potential there. This really should have been a full length drama . BUT, for a mini series, this is still amazing, unique, and very interesting. Despite the short runtime overall, the story is decently placed (except for the last couple eps which felt rushed) and the way their friendship/relationship grows is natural and well done. I loved the twist at the end with Yoo Han's confession about faces because it put them on an equal playing field; they both need each other. And I especially love that the story never took the 'psychotic' route and let obsession take over. When it comes down to it, Yeon Woo wasn't unhealthily obsessed - he was just scared of becoming that way since it was drilled into his mind that that's how it ends for monos and probes. If he really was in that condition, he never would have attempted what he did. He was showing that he desperately wanted Yoo Han to be safe and never be in danger.

Acting/Cast: Amazing and great chemistry.

Music: Also amazing.

Rewatch value: High because it's hella cute and would be quick to watch.

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This is not so much a review of Colour Rush so much as a repository for me to put my confused meandering thoughts about it somewhere. Hopefully it'll then the basis for a more coherent blog post.

This has to be the most unusual BL I've seen. If you told me it was Japanese I'd have believed you and yet its sensibility is completely Korean.

Set in an alt-Korea where there is widespread prevalence of a neurological form of Monochromacy (the eye functions perfectly but the brain cannot process colour), 'monos' cannot see colour unless they find their 'probe'. How and why looking at the face of your 'probe' enables your brain to process colour temporarily is not explained, nor is it the point really. Monos dwell in a grey and shapeless world until their Probe brings it to life for them. It's questionable science but the metaphor is pretty obvious.

Yeon Woo (Yoo Jun) is a 'Mono' who never wants to find his 'Probe'. The television news is filled with scary reports of Monos going crazy and kidnapping or murdering their Probes due to their intense desire to possess them. Yeon Woo has no interest in becoming that kind of crazy. He's happy to dwell in darkness if seeing the light makes him a statistic. But when Yeon Woo meets his probe, Yoo Han (Heo Hyun Jun), he finds himself unable to stop himself from craving what Yoo Han is selling. And 'selling' is the closest word I can find to what Yoo Han seems to be doing for the first few episodes. He comes across almost as a drug dealer, giving Yeon Woo a taste of his product to get him hooked and then manipulating him into a more intimate relationship.

It's admittedly sensual and intense - or at least as sensual and intense as two moderately-uncomfortable teens can be in a narrative tradition known for its stylistic and often antiseptic portrayals of romance. And it's a pretty good metaphor for the confused and intense emergence of adolescent sexuality. But that doesn't meant that Yoo Han doesn't come across as a pusher who is slowly and deliberately building up to asking for sexual favours in exchange for a hit. It's a little uncomfortable. Before Yeon Woo knows it, and despite his best intentions, he's completely hooked on Yoo Han, although how Yoo Han feels and why he's so aggressive about being Yeon Woo's Probe is not immediately clear. And yes, that feeling of being out of control and completely at the mercy of another person is possibly also a great metaphor for first love. Yeon Woo is as unsure of Yoo Han's motives as we are but also keenly aware of just how destructive his own obsession can be.

Either way, Korea has produced a pretty deft portrayal of a first love so intense that it feels almost illicit. The two boys creep around as though they're doing something wrong, a sense not helped by Yeon Woo's Aunt who's scared of losing her nephew like she did her sister. Yeon Woo's mother - also a Mono - disappeared four years ago. His Aunt is trying to find her and keeps Yeon Woo on the move so he doesn't risk the emotional attachment that might lead him to do something crazy. In a way, though, his Aunt's determination to keep him safe and at home with her is the reason that Yeon Woo is so scared of his own emotions and his relationship with his probe. It's a fear that eventually leads him to do something drastic.

I honestly can't say how I feel about Colour Rush overall. The camera work and direction feels surreal and disjointed, lingering almost fetishistically on the faces of our two boys. The soundtrack is minimalist in a way that works perfectly but doesn't mean the soundtrack stands out. Unfortunately Yoo Han's idol actor, Heo Hyun Jun (while admittedly playing an idol) is not just wooden but hindered by his no-doubt contractual obligation to be perceived as homoerotic rather than gay. Idols barely kiss each other in mainstream Korean dramas, there's no way their management is going to let him be perceived as happy and comfortable in a gay role. Yet that's no doubt only part of the reason he's so flat.

And yet the show creates the perfect sense of a bubble world created by two people whose feelings for each other are bordering on obsession, an addiction even. In that respect, it's the sexless and more intelligent version of Addicted/Heroin and one that shows that these feelings don't have to be a destructive force. The bubble the two boys live in comes more from implicit bias in how Monos and Probes are portrayed in society and from the way in which their families treat them than from the reality of their relationship. And there's no greater metaphor than that for being gay in a world that wants to paint you as unstable and in need of psychiatric help because of it.

So I guess in the end I have to conclude that I kind of love this. Aside from constructing a perfect and fascinating metaphor both for homosexuality and for first love, some of the dialogue is particularly beautiful. It shows once again that Korean writers treat BL far more seriously than either Thailand or Taiwan and if they keep at it they'll rival even the Phillipines.

It would have been nice for the mother mystery to go somewhere, especially since the show hints that more Monos than her have disappeared. It's a mystery component that's raised and then mostly ignored except as an impetus to his Aunt's fears about him being "just like his mother". It's possible the show is angling for a season 2 and I'm not sure how I feel about that.

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