A nice break from the hustle and bustle of it all

Whilst most BL's focus on the falling in love and all the intense emotions connected, What Did You Eat Yesterday, allows us to just relax and take a break with some wonderful characters living their low-stakes lives. You won't get the tearful love confession in the rain, but you will get some sweet moments and great recipes. It's just overall a lovely show you can relax to, it's sincere and you can just feel the steadiness of the relationship between Kenji and Shiro, which makes it non-stressful when they bicker at times. If you're looking for some more 'grown up' queer centric stories this is a great one (and might just give you some inspiration for what to cook next).

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I think the reason this show ended up falling flat for me, was perhaps due to the stellar reviews I read on MDL - which set my expectations very high. So if like me, you're coming into this thinking it's going to be a psychological thrill ride, like none you've ever seen before, it will probably end up disappointing you.

The first six episodes (so almost all of the show) are all very slow, and the character building feels un-organic and added on. I can not stress how slow this show moves, even in the more 'thriller' like scenes, the editing cuts down the pace.

I will say that the last two episodes, the last one especially, were the highlight of the show. Finally bringing some of the psychological thriller elements that I had been waiting for - especially the ending was a highlight for me.

Another issue I found, was that the characters weren't likable, especially the main character Moo Yul, who was like watching a wall act. I don't think the problem there was Baek Sung Hyun's performance, instead the character Moo Yul was just incredibly boring.

Some things I did like about the show: The story line/idea of it all, though it wasn't executed as well as it could have. The soundtrack was amazing and really fit the vibe of the show. The cast really did their best with the material especially Kim Sang Kyung. And the visuals were great as well.

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That hurt

Rarely has a piece of media stuck to my brain in the way that Journey to the Shore has.

From the very get go I was invested in these two's relationship and their dynamic. How had they first fallen for each other? When did they start dating? You are immediately put into an established dynamic that only grows clearer by the minute. I truly felt for Ming Ha, wanting to rally around him whenever the world and the bullies around him put him down for being gay. He seemed so strong and ready to stand up for himself and his identity, so surely the world will respond positively to that? Right? But I was constantly reminded of the truth of the situation by way of Sang Bum, as well as the scars on Ming Ha.
Just because someone seems strong and keeps their head up, does not mean that they don't feel pain, even if we don't see it.

Sang Bum was not ready to be an out gay/queer teenager and thus feels stuck in between his love for Ming Ha and the desire to keep his head down and go through school life not being a target for bullying. So even though it breaks his heart he needs to break up with Ming Ha to avoid the homophobia of the school. And the way Ming Ha keeps his head up, holds Sang Bum as he cries, and even makes jokes - just twisted the knife in my heart even deeper.

I truly commend these two actors, they really put in a great performance.

The ending... oh god the ending. To the very end I was holding out for a happy end. I was biting my nails hoping for a 'Ten years later' and the two are happily married and everything is great. But that's not the story being told. The story being told was about two kids facing bullying, and each just trying to survive and holding onto their identity. Sang Bum got out, Ming Ha didn't.

The choice of not directly telling the audience what happened to Ming Ha, does not stop one from putting the pieces together.

It's a beautifully shot, wonderfully acted film, that tells a pretty painful story but remains impactful.

(also want to add that right after this 'the one that got away' by Katy Perry came up on shuffle and I cried like a baby)

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