Once Upon a Boyhood (2023)

Welcome to Yim Si Wan’s masterclass in acting where he shows all of you how it’s done.

Boyhood is a painfully real, hopelessly endearing, frustratingly hilarious and achingly sad but hopeful story of a chronically bullied underdog who has finally had enough.

Right off the bat, I am going to get the show's obvious flaws out of the way. You have to know that this drama is directed by the makers of The Fiery Priest and Backstreet Rookie. So, it’s already a double edged sword because it has elements of both one of the most loved (TFP) and most hated (BR) dramas.

The director’s signature is strong in this one and you can see it in the slapstick, cringe worthy comedy. Think: poop jokes, nosebleeds and awkward dancing. The secondhand embarrassment with the characters is through the roof and there is so much cringe that sometimes it’s hard to watch. Moreover, the entire drama is helmed by an extremely flawed, tragically loser, weak male lead.

Byung Tae is all over the place all the time: a scrawny cry baby, who has no pride, no self-respect- he lacks in both brains and brawn and starts off as being quite pathetic. Other than that, the show doesn’t have a super out of the box story. It’s the same bullying trope - underdog defeating the one at the top which basically means there’s a lot of pointless violence and blood involved.

To make matters even more interesting, some characters switch up mid way in the show in a way that shocks you and where you thought there would be bromance, you get bitter, blood boiling enmity.

So, considering all the flaws I just mentioned, why then should you even watch this show?

✔️ Number one reason is of course Yim Si Wan. He is an absolute powerhouse of an actor. Somehow, he was able to play this extremely complicated role of a loser and switch it up so that you start to root for his character. The acting is raw, real and absolutely riveting. There were so many times where our hero Byung Tae made me cry, laugh my ass off and hurt because I just wanted the bad things happening to him to stop. He is no way a perfect character or even likable most of the time but at the end of the day, he is the only one who has your heart.

✔️The next reason is the emotions. Surprisingly, while the in your face bits can get irritating, most of the show is actual comedy gold. It makes you laugh so hard, you’ll get abs sitting in your bed but at the same time, it hits you with all the feels too. You feel anger, pain and sadness while watching these characters go through teenage love, heartbreak, rejection and sorrow.

✔️The third reason is the female lead and the romantic potential. The female lead in this drama is an absolute boss. She is a rowdy, foul mouthed, cigarette smoking badass who can seriously whoop some ass. She is also definitely not the one who the hero is crushing on. However, she is the one who he ultimately loves (though he really does make it hard to believe). She teaches him how to stand up for himself. She teaches him his own worth. Most importantly, she makes him want to be a better person and value his life like she does. Their friendship is one of the best things of the show because of how heart warming it is.

✔️Other than that, the drama has a great music score and execution of a tried and tested story. It’s the perfect balance between light-hearted comedy, melodrama, action and slice of life.

✔️ The best thing, however, is the character development. Ultimately, the payoff is so good because Byung tae’s final victory is realistic and so incredibly satisfying. He never really changes as a person and yet, he is able to show his strength by hammering down the message that sometimes the strongest person is really the one who has been hurt the most.

Overall, the one hour episodes fly by, making it a highly entertaining watch. So, let go of your edginess, let loose your hair and bring that “singing badly in the shower” energy to watch this show.

Enjoy!

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Boyhood takes you on a nostalgic trip to the 1980s, unraveling the lives of students at an agricultural high school in Chungcheong Province. Jang Byung Tae, a small and seemingly powerless kid, decides to change his luck by switching to Buyeo Agricultural High School. The top-notch cast, led by Jang Byung Tae, delivers performances that hit you right in the feels. The drama unfolds with unexpected turns, and a pivotal incident becomes a game-changer for our protagonist. For me, Boyhood is like a comfy blanket, weaving a narrative that feels familiar and comforting. The cast's stellar performances and engaging cameos add depth to the storyline. While I might have imagined a different ending, the finale, albeit a tad rushed, was still well-executed and made sense. Boyhood is a heartwarming journey that resonates with anyone who appreciates relatable stories and a bit of '80s flair.

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Im-Siwan giving another iconic character: Jang Byung Tae, the dogged warrior against bullying!

After the iconic Jang Gu-Rae (Misaeng), Si-wan has given us another legendary character as Jang Byung Tae. Words would not be enough to praise this idol-turned-actor for every diverse role he undertakes. At 35 years of age, he plays a high-school boy with such finesse which I doubt actors of that actual age would be able to deliver. His latest work, Boyhood, deserves to be added into his ever-growing list of amazing works & personally for me it has wrapped up my 2023 Drama-Year beautifully!

⭐ STORY SUMMARY:
In first half - we meet Jang Byung Tae, a meek school-boy, oppressed all his life by bullies, no matter how many school he changes. He has been "whooped" so much that he and his family assume it to be his destiny & he has no other meaning/dreams from his life. By a comedic chain of events - in his new school he is mistaken to be renowned bully/fighter than being someone who is bullied. He gets to live life on the other side - but all good things must come to an end, right?

The second half - reveals the truth & once again Byung Tae is miserable as bullies oppress him and his friends. He reaches his breaking point & when his friends/family make Jang Byung Tae realize that his life is meaningful & he is not someone that should just be bullied. He vows to fight the bullies to end this cycle of violence so that one day he and others can wake up to enjoy life as they should. But in face of the oppressor, can Byung Tae emerge victorious as a true Dragon Warrior?

❤️ BEST PARTS OF THIS DRAMA
In short - EVERYTHING! But let me break it into main TOP 3 (rest under detailed review)

1. Hitting the right notes of nostalgia through the music, cinematography, story & acting by all that made me experience 1989!
2. Balancing the serious issue of bullying with apt comedy, action, cute romance & friendship of youth!
3. Im-Siwan: he proves his acting chops again. Dialogue, face expressions, dancing - is there anything this man is not good at?

OVERALL:

Very rarely you come across dramas that remains true to its premise & expectations. Boyhood manages to deliver it through the acting, action, music, story, friendship and romance - making it one of the best dramas of 2023 for me! It wrapped up neatly in 10 episodes, which ensured no dull moments, even pace & satisfactory conclusion. While Si-wan is the highlight for me but the above factors intertwined with his character's journey beautifully making this a delight to watch.

Would highly recommend to watch, it would be worth your time & I am confident land up as a drama high-rated on your individual lists.

Im-Siwan, yet again has all my heart ❤️ what a talent! He already has recognition for his work, cannot wait for it to go to another level/global in his future work (especially counting it for Squid Games 2)

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❤️ DETAILED REVIEW - of parts that I loved in this drama

• The Dogged Spirit: Laughing in the face of bullies
Throughout the series, it delves on bullying & it's effects which we face head-on with Byung Tae & his friends. The gravity of the bullying will make you somber & is more prominent in the second half of the show. The seriousness is cut through with apt comedic situations, dialogues & acting - making it a perfect blend of comedy . The show will give a lump in our throats, misty eyes but loads of laughter!

• Im-Siwan as Jang Byung Tae:
In his role as Jang Byung Tae, Siwan is exemplary right from his dialogue delivery, his stances (as the bullied guy & then the change as he learns to fight), the pouting, the crying, the cute dances. Literally everything this man does is par excellence & a delight to watch. TBH, I would just ask the readers to simply go & watch the show only for Im Si-wan. He is one of those few talents that are rare and needs to be watched, re-watched, recommended at every opportunity we have.

• Soundtracks, Cinematography & Acting:
Without downplaying anyone - I consider Byung Tae as the only main cast & rest support him in his journey. The story of Byung Tae & his youth cannot be told unless sharing about the bullies, families & friends. The actors in these roles all bring in their A Game in execution, making us relive the 1989 rural life of Korea through their adventures. Their unique stories & characteristic quirks blend seamlessly in Byung Tae's personal journey from being bullied to fighting for justice! Aiding the acting is the right location, make-up, fashion, camerawork & props that is sure to hit the nostalgia button - as you watch their school life, places the gang hangs out in and the awesome fights!

The music is diverse: tracks that are plain fun, soulful renditions that define our relations of our youth - friendships & romance, & dance hits of 1980s K-POP. All the tracks may not be memorable, but each of them fits perfectly into the scene that is playing.

DOWNSIDE:

1. I wanted more romance between Byung Tae and Ji-Yeong:
They have a lot of sweet moments which are cute & so wholesome. But since we are used to K-dramas having a confession/kiss scene initiated by the ML, I blame this unconscious bias of mine for finding fault here. Right from the start we know they are tight & even without the drama explicitly showing it - I know where these two are headed in future, in terms of romance. But human me is unable to overlook this minor thing.

2, What is the ending for Jung Gyeong-Tae and Kang Seon-Hwa?
Given the evil forces they are - again I know where they could be headed, but I guess I would have liked it to be shown that being implicit/open-ended.

The above issues are very minor, personal opinions and it does not impact the overall magnificence of this drama. It still remains as one of the best dramas of 2023 for me! This drama had everything - good storyline, great acting, fitting soundtrack, beautiful cinematography - truly a hidden gem of this year & I cannot wait for more people to discover & enjoy it! ❤️

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The best part for me: the comedy and the chemistry

Set in the small village in 1989, Byung Tae, who was formerly bullied, transfers to a new school. He is somehow mistaken as the school's best fighter, White Tiger. He happily takes on this identity, as he is determined not to be bullied again. However, when the real White Tiger moves to this school, can he handles his daily life with him, bullies, all while he start developing crushes?

It's a unique premise regarding mistaken identity. The retro set was very well designed as it looks charming and vibrant. The first half of the series is just full of ridiculous goodness, slap-sticky comical action scenes that reminds me of watching those old Jackie Chan classics. It’s a coming of age story, with many day-to-day schoolboys activities at school and after school. There is a romance subplot with a sparkling chemistry and it’s the most memorable part for me. However, it gets heavy on the bullying main story towards the ending and the twist towards that turn felt jarring and kind of nasty, personally. Although I get that it gives a decent arc for Byung Tae.

I enjoyed the fun cast interacting together. Obviously, I love Im Si Wan as Byung Tae. Not only he's excellent at being dorky, when he falls in love, his expressions are priceless. He has played a lot of different roles and always nails it.

-Dec 2023, Yovita
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge

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The Journey of a Weak student.

I watched this one solely for Im Si-wan because he never fails me as an actor. Im Si-wan never compromises on his dramas, no matter how much appreciation his works get in return. As a professional actor, his work is outstanding, including this one. It's been a long time since I watched a pure comedy drama. Byung-Tae (Im Si-wan) calls himself White Tiger (the strongest and most powerful student who actually transferred to his school) and takes that false identity to his advantage in order to avoid bullying and change his life.

Each episode is amazing and makes me laugh at every moment. The first half of the story is totally hilarious, filled with humour and fun. At the same time, a dark event makes this drama more interesting in the second half. Ep 06 and 07 are great. They are worth mentioning as I admired Im Si-wan’s outstanding acting here. Overall, it gives a rollercoaster of emotions and every cast member acts very well. I think the drama succeeded in providing a good balance of humour and dark elements.

review by;- Sinnosuke_Lee
edited by:- Kdrama_Judge ( https://mydramalist.com/profile/10910079 )

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Hoseok is so pookie

I honestly didn't expect Gyeongtae to be that bad of a person. I was thinking he only beat up people when he had to and not for fun?? Honestly when he lost his memory, he was kinda cute. I also expected Seonhwa or Seonghwa to be a better person, actually thinking he would fall for Byeongtae after several events. I don't understand how the "losers" chose to forgive those who whooped them so easily. And the bonus scene irritates me, how could Byeongtae look at Seonhwa when Jiyoung is waiting for him like. Everything is done well though, from acting to production. I also like the cinematography and it's actually funny.

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Glad i watched this! 100% recommend watching!

I absolutely loved this drama so much! There are just minor things that I would change the only things being how much seonwha appeared in the drama, and the rest of the bullies being welcomed back as if they didn’t participate I think the bullies should’ve gotten more punishments than just a beating of their own but I mean even in real life perpetrators often just get away with a slap on the hand so its not an unbelievable ending.

I usually can’t stomach drama’s with so much bullying but even though they were doing a drama with such heavy topic as bullying you also get your moments of comedy relief. Still they did it so well because it doesn’t take away from the actual problem and you still think about what the victims are going through.

The fight he had with his friend you can see the desperation the mc felt as well as the other guy. You can tell how hopeless he felt all while his bully just found everything so amusing.

*wish byongtae would’ve beaten that bully more and actually broken his wrist so he could never use it to hurt others again*

Overall great story loved it very much!

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Set in the 1980's, this Korean drama was a breath of fresh air for me watching 2023 Korean Dramas launched at the same time. It was not so hyped up but I'm glad I saw this on some list in tiktok and got intrigued. This drama did take a long time for me to find subs since it is not that popular with the others, but I would it was worth the wait. The first episodes were really hilarious and fun. Male lead Si Wan delivered so well. My favorite character would be the female lead Sun Bin playing Black Widow, she is great. I think this drama really shows how the male lead grow into a man. I was a bit hoping for the antagonist to have a change of heart and attitude because of the backstory they have presented and I think it was a waste of potential but still I like the drama and how it turned out. The ending was a bit disappointing since I think it was rushed but I would say it is still a good end.

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