A Shoulder to Cry On (2023)

A love story of two people who find their other half which they can call home.

After months of waiting, I was finally able to complete this show. Been waiting since its announcement day as the fact that both actors playing the main characters are members of an established Korean boy group, plus the poster is indeed captivating. All I can say is that the wait is all worth it. High-quality production with beautiful transitioning and story setups.

The pilot episode isn’t as impactful due to the mixed emotions that I felt. The beginning of their love story is somehow annoying, as the way the class president and his mini-gang bully the poor archer athlete. I am a fan of the enemy-turn-to-lovers trope but not as much of letting the other party at a disadvantage to the point that he was being misunderstood by the teachers. Anyways, the good looks of the cast tend to lighten up my emotion. The great thing is that I enjoyed watching the remaining episodes after this one.

EP2 is when the butterflies in my stomach started to grow. I love that they are getting involved with each other. The execution of every romantic scene was gorgeous. One of my favorite parts of the drama is when Lee Da Yeol was fascinated by the good smell of Jo Tae Hyun’s body scent; that was alluring.

Jo Tae Hyun’s post-traumatic experience during his childhood is something understandable in the way the past keeps eating him alive. The title “A Shoulder to Cry On” is Lee Da Yeol’s POV of Tae Hyun. As we can see during the EP4 bus scene; after comfortably opening his past to Da Yeol, Tae Hyun peacefully sleep on Da Yeol’s shoulder. I am loving that moment when Da Yeol told Tae Hyun that it wasn’t his fault and that all the things that happened in the past are just an accident. Words that Tae Hyun wanted to hear for almost a decade. This also helps him to release his emotions and speaks up against her aunt, who solely blames him for everything.

A youthful love story that has several memorable scenes that are relatable and charming to the viewers who also had their high school crush during their teenage years. Some of these are: changing seats to be seatmates and spending time with one another, becoming too comfortable with each other that it is okay to share the same drinking cup, etc.

Lee Da Yeol’s bravery in confessing his feelings to Tae Hyun is deserving of applause. He was scared and even hate himself for having such emotions toward his first friend, yet, he was able to deliver his feeling to the person despite knowing the consequences it may have. I was hurt by Jo Tae Hyun’s killing words of rejection of Da Yeol’s confession. But I understand that the boy has his past and he was afraid that he might lose Da Yeol too. Their breakup scene teared me up and made me cry. Thankful that the show inserted a flashback memory during this episode in which Tae Hyun pinch Da Yeol out of jealousy.

Two years of time skip is painful for both but I am happy that they still reconcile with already being mature and considerate so that they will not hurt each other again in the future. That couple's lock screen wallpaper shocked me, they’re so in love with each other. They manage to retrieve all of the butterflies and the romantic excitement inside me is kicking too much after they confirmed that they’re already dating. Jo Tae Hyun’s preparation for their sea getaway was so cute. His making up all of the wasted time from the past and knowing that his first relationship is Da Yeol, I can assure you that his love never really faded away.

They didn’t give us an on-screen kissing scene but that exchange of used lollipops surprised me. It is not as gross as I think it was haha I love that scene! And Tae Hyun’s like Yu-Gi-Oh too, likewise!

I love that the OSTs have both Korean and English versions which are all sung by the couple’s boy group, OMEGA X. All songs sounded cool and emotional which fits the whole vibes of the show.

A Shoulder to Cry On is a drama that tells that someone can be our version of HOME. A person where we can be at peace, calm, and have some fun. I love that they took the story in a childish yet mature sense of storytelling since the characters are still in their adolescent period of life. Ending the review by quoting what Jo Tae Hyun says to Lee Da Yeol, ”It is not hard if you like it.” This is a statement that brings too much motivation in my life to keep on pursuing the things I liked, and so do you too.

Lire davantage

worth watching once but uneven

each aspect of the series had good and bad moments. The actress who played Shin Ye Chan's aunt certainly won't be winning a drama award anytime soon. Shin Ye Chan's performance had a lot nuance and depth, and in my opinion is one of the better performances in a Korean BL series thus far. I'm looking forward to his future performances on screen. The overall vibe created by the screenplay, directing, and performances naturally moves toward the lead characters inevitably kissing at some point, and that moment would be a pivotal part of the story. The end result felt like reading a book with a handful of pages torn out -- its omission broke the fourth wall and completely ruined any suspension of disbelief. If a kissing scene needed to be cut, then the screenplay either needed to be rewritten, or produced by a team comfortable including it.

Lire davantage

short and sweet

my opinion on the series (written at 2am)

overall it was nice even though it has a lot of room for improvement.

first of all i will rightfully be side eyeing everyone who's calling this a bromance and different weird stuff just because there wasn't a kiss scene like, just because it has romance and because it's a bl series doesn't mean it has to include a kiss for it to be properly done (this goes to all of you being mad esp on twt because it doesn't have a kiss like bffr).

imo it's a short but sweet series and it touches on some more serious topics such as sh, childhood trauma, lack of emotional support etc.. and I've seen people complaining on how the series started after completely ignoring the psychological tag. taehyun has sustained psychological damage and trauma as a child and it followed him through the teenage years which is definitely to be taken into consideration as we can see he has trouble expressing himself because of what had happened with his parents and aunt.

i specifically like this drama also because it shows that you do not need kissing and cuddling scenes for it to be romantic. their relationship is understandable when you look at how they started off and when you take into consideration their personalities and other stuff. it's a slow developing relationship built on trying to understand each other, giving each other space until both of them are completely comfortable and sure of what they want, you can't just expect them to completely be all over each other in a span of a week.

the drama did follow the manhwa up until some point and yes the ending was way different with the ep7 but to me it was a great ending. it might be confusing because of time skips but it's good to end it on a sweet ending, because even though it feels like it lacks something (with it going too fast with so many time skips which confused the viewers), we're assured that both characters are on good terms/in a relationship.

good job to both yechan and jaehan <3

Lire davantage

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN - ranting incoming

* MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW *

OKAY boy, do I have a lot to say. This would be a straight-up 10/10 if the last two episodes didn't end how they ended. For me, I don't know what it was, and I don't know how behind the scenes of making a show goes, but I would imagine if this show was on a deadline and they were reaching it, this is how a show would end. The ending was so rushed. I don't know if it was the adrenaline of finishing the show, or the fact that viki says there's still two episodes left yet when I reached episode 7 everyone was mentioning how this was the last episode and it even said "epilogue" but I hated it. And it's not even because of the no kiss. Like yes, I would have appreciated a kiss scene because there was so many moments that felt like they were going to kiss, but I don't watch shows with a kiss scene moment in mind. The chemistry simply was enough for me, but they could have at least gave us a hug scene? In the end it felt like a bromance because you're telling me two people, who have had the idea of dating for the last four years aren't yearning for at least some skinship? Of course, I understand that theyre two idols in a group together so it might make things around them weird if they kiss but like,, dont star in a BL together? I loved their acting and how comfortable they were around each other, I think they did a fantastic job but the lack of skinship in a show that has a lot of teasing felt a bit weird. Like the ending didn't even feel like they were dating yet, like they were still having a crush on each other and were unable to act on it. I loved the pacing of the whole show don't get me wrong, but the ending made no sense. And also we never got clarification on some things and were just left with so many plot holes. I would like to have seen how Tae Hyun was over the past four years. Like he was basically suicidal in high school, then this whole-time jump? I would have liked to see how he worked on himself and got psychological help. I would also like to see his aunt at least apologize and talk through his trauma with his dad. I would have liked to see how Da Yeol's dad felt after finding out about him quitting archery and school. I would have also liked to see how and why Da Yeol came into the police force and if it was his passion. I would like to have more clarification on why Won kyung was so bothered by their relationship? Would also liked to have seen him put in his place. I would also like to know if Da yeol knew about So-yeong's crush on him and I would to have liked him to tell her so she could move on rather than waste her time waiting on him. Also I absolutely hated those unnecessary time jumps as the audience didnt get to see the character developments. Like I understand still liking each other after years, but they met up again at the weirdest times and also didnt talk over their feelings or problems, just sort of skipped around it. BUT overall I loved, LOVED this BL kdrama, I even recommended it to a friend halfway through because it was so beautiful, but the ending really got to me and I don't know if I would have recommended it had I known the ending. The ending was just bittersweet to me and felt a bit weird. I felt like they had enough plot for a few more episodes but thats just my opinion. I had to rant my frustration and opinion somewhere and now that I've let it all out I feel calmer now haha.

Lire davantage

Platonic BL story: archery, trauma and friendship. Sweet but quite forgettable ^^

The story is quite simple and straightforward witch each protagonist dealing with his specific challenges and growing a friendship together. There is not a lot happening but it is never boring.

The casting was ok: the two main leads are really handsome idols which makes the show a very charming ride to follow. Acting-wise, I did not feel totally the romantic chemistry that was supposed to be portrayed. For me, the actors' performances were more featuring a strong friendship (quite similar to the ones in some K-pop boyband groups) than a sizzling romance.

I liked a lot the OST of this drama. Especially the opening which is such a cute pop song with an old school vibe: it was un-skippable! The production was quite good with a lot of pretty scenes showcasing the actors: it almost looked like they were producing a MV rather than a series. I particularly enjoyed the archery scenes as well, those were particularly soothing.

I would recommend this to people looking for a sweet bingeable BL drama in a school setting. It might be triggering because of some traumatic experience depicted in the show but it is mostly a very pleasant watch not that memorable.

Lire davantage

We need more developed BL Korean.

This kind of series makes me impatient for the BL industry in South Korea. The characters have so much chemistry, and there could be a real in-depth story and relationship with more long lasting episodes.

I'll make it short, it's a cute series that would have been perfect with more time, the themes could have been more developed but I think for the time and budget it had, it's nice.

The only downside is that obviously it's a bit cliché with the characters who dare to be together only years later when they meet again, and we didn't even had a kiss — which is terrible because the characters had really chemistry.

Anyway, good mini BL series.

Lire davantage

Maybe everyone agrees with me that an a shoulder to cry on is an extraordinary work from South Korea. from all aspects of this drama is superior when compared to other dramas in terms of story? extraordinary with a duration of up to 30 minutes per episode, in terms of acting from the actors? There is no doubt about the chemistry of the main actors in this drama, in terms of cinematography? you can judge if you have watched this drama. highly recommended to watch. but in terms of ost, I'm not interested in listening to the song, but that's just a personal opinion. I am very grateful to the hard work of the entire staff from the actors, director, and all those who played an important role in the success of this drama

Lire davantage

if every tear we dropped for them was money they'd be swimming in a diamond pool

The first episodes were so chill, like there were funny sounds and comic scenes so I completely forgot the word "cry" in the title. Before I talk about the BL itself: SHOUT OUT to Omega X boys who did a great job as actors.
Ok, moving on: they were so fricking cute. Yechan's character is EVERYTHING to me. I wasn't ready for all the trauma and shit that happened to him, so I kinda felt like k*lling ms at first lol, but since I couldn't stop watching, I got over it. I mean, I didn't. But I started to appreciate the fact that there was an actual realistic story in a korean drama and I do like sad stuff at the end of the day. I just started liking that there was something serious going on and they protraited and dealt with it really well.
Honestly I recommend it because it's really good (not sure if it's a high rewatch value since that are very upsetting scenes) and Yechan is so damn fine. Also, crazy traumatized mean but sweet looks good on him. I wanna put him into a jar.

Lire davantage

It's an amazing bl drama but there wasn't any kiss scene which I understand since there members in the same group but I really want a season 2 the ending was great but I think if they did a season 2 it would be great so put this to mind and make us happy please and I loved how da eol cared so much for tae Hyun I really loved that the whole story is amazing I've watched a few bl dramas but I've never wanted to watch something this much I wish da eol confessed earlier so we could've gotten more than 2 episodes of them dating and the last 2 episodes of them dating was adorable the beach scene,the pool scene just everything it's a amazing drama and the cast are so cute and their acting is on top especially when tae Hyun breaks the pot on his head

Lire davantage

amazing i love it so much

okay so im not gonna get into a deep study of this BL because i dont have time for that+ that’s unnecessary its just a show.
okay first- acting
yechan and jaehan did such an amazing job and i am insanely proud of them. dayeol and taehyun were really great/perfect roles for them because i felt like it fit their personalities very well.
story- i love it so much. this drama is so cute and i love it. the time skip kinda threw me off but in the end it was really cute and i wish there was more of their ending music- amazing of course stan omega x, vocals devoured as always
but overall i really love it. 10/10 for me
im probably gonna rewatch it lmao

Lire davantage

It was good...until it wasn't

I am amazed by some of the high ratings tbh, and also a little angry at some of the wording used. Here me out - I loved it too in the beginning, the build-up was beautiful, the story captivating, the actors did well....but that last episode? Sorry, did you watch a different drama to give it a 10? I don't mean any disrespect, each their own, but that ending was confusing and uncomfortable to watch.

And I am not talking about the no-kissing-part. Listen, to all those talking sh*t and something about "hot-flashed girls with an erotic addiction"...seriously? I am a 30-year old woman in happy relationship. If I wanted to get some fire, I'd talk to my girlfriend. But you just don't build-up a story of two young boys with a lot of unresolved trauma trying to find their place in life and apparently falling in love for 6 episodes, to just completely ambush it in the last one! I have rarely seen a drama that hurt so much while watching, didn't know if I should cry or laugh or scream or just cringe, but that last episode was not enjoyable. What makes me more angry is that now it seems like the 6 episodes before where just fake and I as a viewer am delusional for thinking they could be a couple. Yeah, why would you go on a trip together after 2 years of being in a relationship? No, of course, I get it, the thought of spending time together as a couple really is that disgusting. Honestly, who writes stuff like that - and why??

I do not care if there is no kissing or any other form of physical touch, but what I need is pure emotions and a whole bunch of feelings. And that series was able to destroy all these honest feelings in one episode. Please do better....if The Eighth Sense ends in a similar way, I'll give up, I swear 😅 So far so good though :)

Lire davantage

The ending explained and likely, why they didn't kiss on the lips...

I, too, was initially confused by this lack of a lip-to-lip kiss, which is present in virtually every other BL. I kept waiting and waiting for one, but it never happened, which struck me as very odd.

And then it dawned on me that this must have likely been made during the height of the CoVID pandemic, which is why they didn't kiss, probably. I remember reading on some other shows, even in the US, which took CoVID less seriously than South Korea, that at the time, writers of shows were trying to figure out how to do a romance without a kissing scene.

Or perhaps, it is as others suggested that they weren't quite in a relationship, which wasn't made clear as it could. They looked like there were in the process of getting into one. Still, given the one's fear of commitment, it wasn't going to happen until he was absolutely certain he wouldn't be abandoned, so for him, a kiss on the lips was taking that very last step, which he wasn't quite ready to make on their first vacation of away together. So when the other kissed him on the ear when he was sleeping, it was like him saying that he could wait. So in that way, the writers had them taking their commitment to each other seriously.

When they were on the bed at the end, they spent most of their time learning more about each other, which also goes to indicate that they were still building the foundation of that last step. The pajamas were the commitment-phobes protection trying to take the relationship one step at a time rather than rushing into it. I don't believe for one minute it is because the writers themselves were homophobic. But rather, they followed what the characters would actually do, rather than forcing the two to kiss, just to kiss.

So then the question becomes, why didn't they take that last step before the show ended? Why go for an open ending where the viewer has to assume they would? I blame that more on South Korean BLs not being very long in general. I've read the webtoon on when the show is based, and yes, they kiss there, and even at the very end, hint at having sex, but this only happens once they are living together. However, even though that webtoon is only 30 episodes, it still covers more territory than this show could in the 3.5 hours. They went for quality over quantity focusing on scenes and letting them develop rather than trying to cover everything from the webtoon to the point the two were living together.

These two had a complicated relationship, and I think the writers did a good job conveying that, for them, a kiss was more than just a normal kiss. It was a deeper commitment. I believe if they had more episodes, they could have explored the second half of their relationship rather than relegating it to a single episode that flew by.

So I think given the likely restrictions of CoVID, even preventing the classic accidental kiss you sometimes see in BL, and the character's motivations, it's not unreasonable we didn't get the ending kiss we hoped.

Given that, I rate the series as a 10/10 since it's better than most other BLs of comparable length for South Korea. Though it's not on the level of "Semantic Error" or "The Eighth Sense," which both blow away almost any other BL stories, this is still quite good. It definitely is within the top ten of all South Korean BLs. I don't compare it to either Japanese or Thailand BLs since those have different feels and are often longer, especially Thai BL that can go on for 12 episodes, over an hour long each.

If these BLs could be broadcast on regular TV as they are in Thailand, then we could have much longer BLs from South Korea, and we wouldn't have to be stuck with relatively short ones for the amount of source material they are trying to cover when based on webtoons. This BL does better than most in hitting the essential scenes but not having enough time for quite enough to conclude their relationship, leaving a more open ending.

I also wish to say that I found a lot of the romantic lines between the two males lead much truer to life than most other BL. They kept their semi-antagonist dialog throughout, partially as a defense mechanism and partially due to their general inability to handle intense emotions, relying on humor instead.

So, in conclusion, I hope that others that read these reviews will understand that this BL is still very much worth watching. Don't let all the other negatives review, mainly due to people's issues with the ending, prevent you from watching this BL that gets a lot more right than wrong.

Lire davantage