Semantic Error (2022)

Started Strong…….

This series is an overall good watch. It was a really strong start but the last couple of episodes really fell flat story wise and felt really rushed due to it being only 8 ep 20 min (avg) long series. The confession scene was great and had me in my fells and seeing the dramatic difference in sangwoo in that scene. If it was longer with a more fleshed out story, I would def give it a bit of a higher rating. Music was great, acting was great and the two leads did an amazing job. Imo their chemistry was good. Not the best I’ve seen but it was good enough. Sure, not the bl of the year but surely a bl to watch because it was a good time. I just really wish we had more longer K-BLs, like LOM.

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Credible Piece of K-BL

I won't spend much time on this since there are plenty of other reviews, but I do have a few things to say. It's nice to see for once a K-BL that has a decent run-time. No quick romances, no rushed plots, and some very nice character development. While this was just another ordinary college love story, Semantic Error did one heck of a job at getting it right.

Let's Dive In.

Semantic Error is a Korean college-based love story about a stoic uke and his bubbly seme (a dynamic I always love). They end up meeting on not-so-good terms, but through some trials and tribulations, their relationship starts to bloom. The plot is as basic as it can get; throw in a little enemies to lovers, and you've got yourself the formula for a simple BL drama. However, with a great cast and a crew that had a good clue about what they were doing, SE came out to be way better than I expected. With something that gains a lot of hype, I tend not to be able to watch it for what it is, and instead for what others want me to see it as. While I really did like SE, it was very far from perfect.

For one, I'm not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, so the first few episodes were quite annoying with Jae Young going around and intruding into Sang Woo's personal space after he's explained multiple times to leave him alone. Same can kind of go with Sang Woo with his tendency to be just a little too stoic at times, and dismissing Jae Young's feelings about not being able to go on his trip. Once we hit the middle mark, things start to get better. Their build-up was fantastic. My favorite part of a BL is watching their feelings for one another blossom, which this series does a perfect job at. However, there was a nonconsent kiss that was thrown in, and it's so left-field. You would never guess that something like that would happen when the plot was running so gracefully, but as soon as that happen, I was pretty much confused. Jae Young would've been so willing to kiss Sang Woo if he were awake, why do it when he's asleep? The ending was pretty good, and I wouldn't have expected anything different.

One thing that for sure caught my eye was the beautiful height difference. I'm so weak for that shit. So when Sang Woo gets on his tiptoes to kiss Jae Young, yep, that was the moment.

Ratings:

Story: 7.5 - as basic as it could get, but it still was entertaining and enjoyable. With a good cast and a decent script, this simplicity and overused story arc worked. The main pairing also had a really good build-up that was the highlight of my watch.

Acting: 8.5 - Everyone's acting was really good. I think there were times when Jae Chan (Sang Woo) should've put on a stronger performance, or not just have one facial expression for the first four episodes, but that might've been more of a director's choice. Everyone else was decent, including the supporting characters.

Music: 6 - Again, I don't really pay attention to that type of stuff, but it wasn't disturbing to the series, so I'll give it a 6.

Rewatch value: 1 - I did really like it, but this is very far from my taste of rewatching material.

I do recommend this BL for anyone just entering the BL scene. It was pretty lighthearted for the most part, it could be funny at times when it wanted to be, and if the simple plot doesn't do it for you, then the beauty of the leads will.

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Cute and nicely made with a bit of unfulfilled potential

Semantic Error is nicely produced. There isn't much that is original about this BL, be it the enemies-to-lovers plot, the 'opposites attract' sort of romance or the problem that one party is going overseas. However, the production value is high and the computing metaphor is nicely sustained throughout.

There is nice attention to detail. I like how Sang Woo's costume changes reflect the changes in his personality, like how he stops wearing checkered shirts and then stops wearing a cap everywhere. And while the enemies-to-lovers plot may have at least one party being rather toxic, in this case, they are mostly just being childish.

While the series has been very well received, I somehow find that an additional something could have brought it to greater heights. The BL couple is likable; they look cute together and the kissing scenes are nicely shot. Yet, I can't help but feel that something more could be done about the depth of their love. We see them thinking about each other and pining for each other after they have a fight, but perhaps the complexity of each of their feelings could have been more strongly depicted. And I'm not talking about the introduction of passionate sex scenes or things like that. But when Jae Young gives Sang Woo a birthday present, for instance, perhaps the process of how he prepares the present could have been shown to show how much he really cares. Sometimes the scenes that do help to show their feelings are a little too brief. The symbolic significance of the scene in which Sang Woo looks at a picture Jae Young has drawn on his hand could have been explored more deeply. It could show Sang Woo's sadness when he thinks that Jae Young is disappearing from his life. It could also show how Sang Woo is being wistful thinking about how quickly the time he spends with Jae Young has passed although Jae Young has been a nuisance to him at first. Of course, it can also show that he is thinking of how they won't last long as a couple even if they start a relationship. Unfortunately, the scene is a little too brief to really help explore Sang Woo's thoughts and emotions fully.

The characters are people who are easy to like and care about, which is always a good thing for a BL series. However, I think I could have felt more for them if the full potential of the scenes had been fulfilled.

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it was ok

i am rewatching it now to see if i missed anything to make me think it was just okay-to-bland and no i feel the same. it was fine, it was cute but that's it...it was just ...ok? the more i sit with it the more flat i think about it while knowing in my brain it was cute but not feeling it the way i want nor what others do.

imo what the show lacks is heart and a sense of true intimacy. of friends, of space, of romance, of life. it's evident even the way the scenes are set up. i understand that they were in higher alert for covid when this was filmed but that's the reality of all productions from here on out until the world gets its shit together. additionally, though i do not think that it is as high as people think, if the budget for production WAS high then it absolutely should have been better! we should have been able to see it with thoughtful production, editing, shot choices. and i'm sorry but it was shot very perfunctorily and that was evident. but the whole thing is so sterile /and/ perfunctory so it makes sense.

i don't care for nor notice patterns of supposed cross-gender norms (miscategorized as heteronormativity) placed on these relationships or characters and i do not think that is the issue since BL is definitively and staunchly dedicated to masculinity even when it tries to imply some type of 'female' in more feminine characteristics. i mention this because the issue with them wasn't the tall/short thing but there was 1) a difference in caliber of acting 2) very obviously that other kid is young and he is very very small so it is kind of jarring to see one, who is very much not college aged anymore, and someone else who graduated high school 2 years ago (and is very much college age!)

what's most shocking to me is the reception of the show. i have noooo idea how it got so popular or even exactly why like what kind of contagious feelings that people caught for this show. i know there must be people who are pretty ambivalent towards it like i am. i wish it had more oomph or pizzaz or something. i have seen and watched way worse but i have also seen, watched, and /enjoyed/ the way worse and that's the biggest bummer for me. it doesn't have to be special but it could be something eye-catching, or really funny, or something to just stand out or makes you want to latch on to it except for the red clothing or the BLK coffee shots but that's about it and that's not enough. even his fake tattoo was boring and so new (hello! makeup!)

i didn't care for the manhua but they're so different that it doesnt really matter anyways. maybe the story from conception wasn't that interesting anyway? who knows but this one had no ambiance (literally with the way it was edited and no audio tracks of ambiance but also figuratively)

i don't remember the music (and i am literally rewatching it) and usually i hate music in these shows anyway so let's just say it was fine. would i rewatch? well i am now so.


the girl was hot and i love plurisexuals and that's about all i have to say now

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Short but sweet

For being the third Korean drama I've watched I really enjoyed it. I liked the "anime-episode"-length of the episodes. They were short and sweet and I can see myself rewatching this in the future if I want to watch something that's "easy to digest".

Since the major part of the live action BL:s I've watched are Thai and Japanese I can't say I have any expectations on how a K-drama ought to be but this sure did not disappoint! As being a drama based on a manwha you can feel that through how the story is displayed. It has a type of format that is hard to get away from. Don't know how to explain it better rather than hoping you who reads this has read enough bl manga/manwha to understand what I mean. But I don't really see it as something negative in this case. The production team did a great job and the story had a nice flow.

The best part about the series is the cast. The main characters has great chemistry on screen and you just wanted to see more of it. I hope to see more of the main actors acting together in the future.

After watching this I think I have to explore the Korean side of the BL-world more.

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Love as an Error in the System?

This BL was really good! Korea is really stepping up their game in BLs and I seriously enjoyed this one! This BL is a hit for good reason because it’s cute and has just enough plot with a nice pacing for the 8 episodes. It was an overall great watch!

Seoham and Jaechan’s chemistry was so on point! Their dynamic worked great and their acting was pretty good. They fit their roles well and did a great job at portraying Jaeyoung and Sangwoo. Loved the fact that their friendship in real life is so cute too and that even before Semantic Error, Seoham already talked about in his v-live in wanting to treat the Dongkiz (Jaechan’s group) to some milkis back in 2020.
Side note: THEIR KISS IN EPISODE 7 WAS EVERYTHING. DAMN. THE CHEMISTRY AND THE TENSION WAS SIZZLING.
Another side note: I didn’t know at first that Seoham was 6’3!? I just thought Jaechan was on the shorter side, but he really isn’t (at 5’10) and Seoham is just a giant!!

Jaeyoung was such a walking green flag. He was mischievous at first, but he is really respectful and not the typical cocky popular guy on campus. I loved his flirtatiousness, playful nature, and his visuals were just freaking amazing (especially in his all black server uniform!!!!). The tension between him and Sangwoo was so entertaining to watch. I’m happy he accepted and was real with his feelings from the beginning. He wasn’t scared of being him and accepting what his heart really wanted. He was so bold with his feelings too when he told Ryu Ji Hye about liking Sangwoo and him bullying her to stay away from Sangwoo was so funny. His “If you’re thinking of being around him, you have to be ready to go against me” line was EPIC.
Side note: Jaeyoung wanting to give up going to France and his dream for Sangwoo was so touching

Sangwoo may have been someone who is calculating and aloof but he was also so adorable! His reaction to his growing feelings for Jaeyoung was both cute and funny. ESPECIALLY THE SHIBAL SCENE IN THE BATHROOM LOL. I also loved that though he’s more quiet and introverted, he wasn’t afraid to stand up for himself which led to his relationship with Jaeyoung. He and Jaeyoung really balance each other out with their personalities and their chemistry was just spot on. He was so adorable when he walked away after kissing Jaeyoung. Also, him saying “I’d die if it didn’t” when Jaeyoung asked him if his heart beat when seeing him was such a typical Sangwoo response that made me laugh so hard. His frankness was just hilarious. He took a bit longer to accept his feelings and be real with himself, but it’s to be expected given his personality.
Side note: the way he was willing to give up on his love and game just so Jaeyoung would go to DEX is so selfless of him :,)

Yuna and Hyeongtak were great friends to Jaeyoung and were fun to watch. Yuna being bi was a nice touch too (yes for more diversity in Korean BLs!)

Also thought that the whole preview, 2 week trial, and subscription thing that Jaeyoung did for a relationship with him was so funny. Really fits the theme of this drama. I like how he knows how to handle Sangwoo and that Sangwoo needs to do things a little differently.

Overall I loved this BL drama and enjoyed every bit of it! Even without a real antagonist, it was an entertaining watch. Hoping for a season 2 when Seoham gets discharged :-)

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Pleasantly surprised

As someone who was a fan of the manhwa for quite some time now, I was actually scared when they green lit it for a bl drama but when I saw the cast I was genuinely surprised and excited. Both of the main leads are perfect for their roles and I couldn't see anyone else playing them. They also have really good chemistry which makes it even better. I'm also quite happy that they stayed relatively close to the manhwa and the changes they did make did not take away from the story. Usually I am quite on guard when it comes to Korean bls as I usually find them lackluster but this really changed my mind for the better. I know Park Seoham is going off to the military but I do hope for a season 2 when he does come back.

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review from a manhwa reader (includes a manhwa spoiler! but it happens at the first few chapters)

ok let me be honest. i LOVEDDDD the way the actors portrayed jaewoo! and yuna! i didn't like how they changed a lot from the manhwa tho, and how they didn't include that part where sangwoo totally didn't recognize jaeyoung three? or four times and even called him by the wrong name bc i think that played a big part in showing his character. their first meeting after the freeloading fiasco was also a bit disappointing bc,,, okay i'm not going to spoil this as the experience will be so much better if you read the manhwa without knowing. also, is it just me or did they really change ryu jihye's characterization a bit? it wasn't a good change, and i frankly got pissed when she and jaeyoung talked like that at the cafeteria bc that's not how she is in the manhwa, but i still liked what she did in the last episode. i just hoped they stayed a bit more loyal to the manhwa but oh well.

THE ENDING WAS EVERYTHING! it was beautiful, i legit teared up at sangwoo's confession and at jaeyoung teasing him for his ppt making skills. overall the drama is worth watching! and hello??? even though the plot and setting is something cliche, HOW IS THIS STILL SO ADDICTING???

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a little gem

Honestly! I didn't expect much from such a short webdrama (just 8 episodes like what) but it's so good!!! The acting wasn't awkward at all, the chemistry between the main leads is INSANE I really felt like i was intruding in some of the scenes lmao and even the other actors, even tho they're rookies too, they did /so/ well (Song Ji Oh my beloved). One thing that really surprised me was the cinematography, the way they used colors and props to emphasize the feelings of the characters is such a nice touch, I'm such a nerd for these things so I appreciated it a lot! And also, the dialogues and the story felt very natural to me and as everyone is saying in the comments/reviews it didn't feel rushed at all which was my main worry when I saw that there were going to be just 8 episodes. Special mention to the OST, Romantic Devil is just so good lmao Let's hope we'll get a season 2 when Seo Ham returns!! Until then *kiss to the sky* for Choi Yu Na

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This drama gave me the same emotions as To My Star, it's a real gem in the stream of gay romance that Korea has been providing lately.

What I like: the story isn't focused on the homosexuality but on human relationships. And for this aspect, thanks to the scriptwriters because it's exactly what I've been waiting for ages.

Sang Woo's character is one of the best written I've seen in a long time, he's really rooted in reality, some of us can relate to him. Most of the time he's unconcerned of his fellow man feeling, he's gauche in his actions and reactions and yet everything he does makes sense. I like his rationality, I like how he's confused by what he doesn't control and in the other hand he accepted to take measured risks to make room for his feelings . As for Jang Jae Young, he's the perfect match. The fact that he accepts Sang Woo idiosyncrasies and at the same time helps him open up is what we want from a partner. He's straightforward, stubborn when he needs to be and knows how to withdraw when necessary.

The writer really knew how to highlight the complementarity in their difference. This drama is the good definition of the word "normalization" if that word should be used in romanceland.

PS: The nod to Jang Jae Young and Choi Yu Na's exes is my favorite part.

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Just so you know, there's a bonus scene after the credits of the finale ep

Watching BL dramas (I've only watched Korean ones) has been a never-ending source of disappointment. Even shows that are loved by regular watchers of the genre were merely average for me. I never connect with the characters. I find the plots to be lazy, the acting is subpar and the chemistry is mostly nonexistent despite what fans insist. In general, the directing and cinematography are immature like the creators are students still learning to make films, and the production quality is without fail really low. So I started Semantic Error with absolutely no positive expectations. I was ready to be disappointed, once again. So it was an absolute delight when Semantic Error turned out to be an exception to what has come to be a rule for me.

Plot: Simple, sweet, and straightforward, there is not much complexity to the story. It follows an enemies-to-lovers story and since romance is the main incentive of the show, it was important that the development of the plot and the characters' interactions be in service of that end. Which they were. Most of the time, these BL shorts fail to have a plausible or compelling romance built up. It just feels like the mains get together because that's the genre. Here, however, the romance is really well-thought-out and it feels authentic that they are put together.

Acting: I believe this show was the roaring success that it was thanks to good directing and good acting. The main actors were a rare treat with truly good, sizzling chemistry and performances that were not wooden or too obviously scripted. Park Seo Ham, in particular, shines. In addition, the supporting cast, Kim Noh Jin and Song Ji Oh, were also good. They animated these characters with some level of finesse and it just made the whole show feel real and alive.

Music: The end credit song is really good and the background music is not overwhelming or irritating, which is always a blessing.
Production: This show actually has a production worth talking about. It's clear that the creators cared and put a lot of thought into set, light, and costume design. The rooms are not miserably empty or filled with mismatched and random garbage. Each character has a space that defines and highlights their character. The play with light was symbolic of the character arcs, and the cinematography was more complex than setting a digital camera on a table and filming two actors talking at each other. We had close-ups and angles and everything. I was so impressed.

Rewatch value: Yes! It does have a rewatch value. It's short, enjoyable, and complex enough to have something to offer through a rewatch.

Negatives and Overall: So why is this not a 10/10? Well, because there's still so much room left for improvement. I would love to someday see a queer drama with a full-hour template and 16 episodes. A show with complex plots and a few subplots, and more than the bare minimum of supporting characters. Just a proper show. Semantic Error shows that with more dedication and care, it's possible to have BL dramas that are not just hyped because viewers are settling for them and that there is room for us to demand good quality productions. I really liked this show, despite the fact that the beginning didn't immediately impress me. It was a show with creators who cared and that caring came to fruition because they strived for perfection. I hope in the future we will get more shows that follow in Semantic Error's footsteps.

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