Should've been a film

180 degree longitude is the slowest slowburn that has ever burnt. It certainly has some exceptional aspects that I cannot fault, however, it has some glaring issues. The cinematography is gorgeous, but it's basically the exact same shot throughout the entire series (with the same colour grading and atmospheric noise). The dialogues are too long and a bit repetitive at times, though the things they talk about are nuanced, interesting, and culturally relevant.

There are serious issues with the pacing- while they catch feelings very quickly, it takes forever for anything to actually happen, and when things happen, its bound to happen like 5 more times because the plot goes around in circles. I also understand this is kind of the point though: the conflict and the motives behind the repetitive plot help us to understand the backstory and the characters, which are largely shrouded in mystery. But overall, the information given about backstory and characters is told through spoken dialogue and is as such very hard to follow. If they were a bit more creative with how they told these plot points (eg using flashbacks, analogies, dramatic reveals), then it would be a lot easier and more interesting to follow. There is also no distinction between the episodes: while other series have small plot arcs that are sometimes concluded in a single episode, this series only really has 1 plot arc that lasts the whole series. I liked the ending, though I understand why others would hate it.

The cast of 3 people was chosen very well, and they match the characters they're supposed to portray very well. The acting was good, though perhaps lacked dynamics at points. The chemistry between the two leads is fantastic and is helped greatly by their good looks and the direction of the more sexual scenes.

Overall, its a series that requires a lot of patience, but if you do watch it all, you are rewarded with a BL that provides new ideas and insights into the genre.

Perhaps the best way to sum it up is that it would've worked better as a film. If it was, having the same cinematography/ editing throughout all of it would actually be a positive, the dialogue and plot would have to be more concise and less repetitive, and the whole production could have 1 beginning, middle, and ending, instead of requiring 8 different, smaller beginnings, middles, and endings for each episode.

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A hollow show where nothing ever happens.

What I liked: The love triangle was well done, quite heartwarming, and somewhat realistic. Didn't fill me with frustration like the trope often does.

Why is it a 5: I feel this show is somewhat a compilation of all the worst aspects of K-Drama.
It does the weird thing of making you feel like the story is progressing, the characters evolving, and the plotlines thickening. And then, after finishing the episode, you look back and you realize absolutely nothing has happened. The story is stuck in the same mud. The characters are the same depressed ghosts.
The whole show feels completely hollow. I do not believe for a second that this is a real group of friends, they quite simply never seem to be having fun with each other. For the entire first half of the season, the entire friend group is convinced the MC and ML hate each other and the whole atmosphere is decidedly bleak. Yet they act like they're having fun, and continuously force the two characters to make up. They were never friends in the first place, just stop trying so hard - noone is having fun!
The characters are all far too well-behaved. They speak only when spoken to, never interrupting each other. They all have incredible posture, not moving or fidgeting even slightly. They keep to their timelines impeccably and do all their chores. They even volunteer to do many extra chores. And when teased, or pushed to do something against their will, they all just resign to their fate.
And then of course, when they finally get together, they are together for about half an episode. The kissing is fake, the chemistry is non-existent, and the whole show has been for nothing. What a waste of time.

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