A story of love, discovery, acceptance and second chances

With the speed of survival we have insisted on forgetting the pandemic, focused on the new challenges that life imposes, day by day.
And there is the art to bear witness to how Covid-19 changed the world as we knew it until then, and among these changes stands out the way in which human beings manage to communicate and establish diverse relationships, including romantic ones, amid limitations of not being able to interact face to face with others.
'In a Relationship', the romantic series with an LGBTIQ+ theme, directed and produced by Napat Worakitpunya, allows us to appreciate the emergence of a love relationship between two teenagers, against the backdrop of social networks and the period of incidence of the pandemic in our lives.
This is one of the BL series produced by Jinloe Media Work, the studio that has also made 'Hit Bite Love' (2023), 'What the Duck' (2018) and its sequel 'What the Duck 2: Final Call' (2019 ).
Starring Nine Trin Summasub, as Tono, and Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta, in the role of Boss, the 2022 Thai drama takes us into characters whose existences are affected by the circumstances of a pandemic that disrupts everything in its path. However, in an indistinct manner, but at the same time in close union, each of them manages to recognize in the sad event the possibility of loving each other, growing as people, the power of forgiveness and second chances.
With a script by Chim Sedthawut Inboon, Tono, a teenager with a growing reputation among online video game players, is presented as the central axis of the plot. One day, while he is live streaming and recording one of his videos, a user he later identifies as Boss criticizes his gaming skills in a chat room. Annoyed, Tono confronts him and they both agree to participate in a video game competition to see who is the best.
After losing the game, Tono must fulfill the winner's three demands: The last request is that Tono become her boyfriend! Reluctant to comply with this demand, Tono will be forced to listen to the constant flirting of the person who claims to have been in love with him for some time.
Will Boss manage to change his social media status to "in a relationship"? Will love arise between these two teenagers? Will they manage to nurture a loving bond beyond any screen? Will they be aware that the true essence of a relationship lies in the mutual understanding, support and love that is built day by day, surpassing virtual scenarios?
The truth is that this is how Boss and Tono begin a relationship, friendly first, romantic later, thanks to cultivating meaningful conversations every day, like those of any teenager of our days, building memories and strengthening emotional bonds.
Boss is a well-defined character. For some time now he has been aware of his sexual identity, and he finds himself caught between the desire to be honest with himself and with the boy he loves, as he fears suffering a new love rejection for having his face marked by youthful acne. That is why he has communicated through a filter and hides his true identity from Tono.
But despite this dark side, the character created by Pea Pearanut Athicomnanta turns out to be more than the simple playboy he can seem every time he flirts. He understands when Tono needs space and backs away, but he still shows his love and sends constant signals of support to the teenager in difficult times, such as during Tono's illness, or when he is upset because his friend Jade has decided not to play with him.
Knowing and loving Tono will make him grow as a person and trust in himself.
For his part, Tono is a boy without major conflicts in his life. Busy with video games and virtual classes due to the pandemic, he has only suffered from his parents' divorce. His character goes through several very different moments throughout the series. She experiences intense feelings when Boss confesses his love for her, and emotional stress when she suspects that the young man she loves has been playing with her feelings.
Tono shows maturity when he forgives Boss and by encouraging him to be himself and grow as a person. Through her relationship with Boss, Tono will discover not only her sexual identity, but also her true feelings and first love.
At first, I find his performance a little uncomfortable, but as the episodes progress, we can see an actor who takes on the role of a typical teenager of our days, giving it his own interpretation and meaning, as he focuses on his goal and fight for what he wants.
Isolated from everything and everyone, even his family members, who are never shown on screen nor are there any references to them, Tono navigates between doubts and insecurities, while trying to understand his own feelings. Can a boy fall in love with another boy?
Although sometimes a certain lack of rhythm is felt in the progression, the best moments of 'In a Relationship' are reserved for the final episodes, when the story gains in maturity and complexity by deepening the plot in the themes addressed, managing to enrich the dynamics of the love relationship and add a fascinating growing tension between the characters.
Intimately and emotionally, 'In a Relationship' addresses universal themes such as the search for authenticity, discovery, personal acceptance, second chances, identity, friendship and love, with a refreshing and sensitive narrative. Along the way, both young people discover much more about themselves and what love and friendship really mean.
The two boys will begin a journey that will change their lives forever. During it, Boss and Tono develop an unexpected and deep connection as they share their personal stories, fears, preferences and dreams.
The music of TheMoonwillalwaysbewithme, Foam and Boxx Music Team helps capture the beauty of first love and self-discovery in adolescence, with totally recognizable boys, but at the same time with the pain of lying.
With evocative cinematography limited by the pandemic scenario, the series immerses us in a crucial moment in the lives of its protagonists where emotions are on the surface.
The series explores many of the challenges that we can encounter every day on social networks and messaging applications, such as the possibility of someone lying or hiding their true identity because they feel ashamed of their own life or body, the prospect of closing distances with people who are far from us; the way to understand, approach and expose our personal life and our relationships, or suffer from the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) syndrome caused by dependence on social networks.
Likewise, 'In a Relationship' portrays other of the daily challenges faced by people on social networks, who may feel that they are constantly in contact, but the quality and depth of their conversations may decrease. Or what is related to the emotional tone, which is often misinterpreted in texts and messages, which can generate unnecessary conflicts, due to the lack of eye contact and body language, essential for effective communication.
That is the reason why Tono frequently demands the need to complement digital communication through real, in-person connection. That is, being able to see yourself outside of virtual spaces, to be able to openly communicate your feelings, concerns, doubts and insecurities... in short, give free rein to love.
For this reason, I applaud that final scene in which the empty chairs that have always been occupied by our two protagonists prevail, because finally both, after the dangers of the pandemic have disappeared, have met outside the screens of their digital devices.

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Love overcomes misunderstandings, rivalries, differences and ghosts

A love that overcomes misunderstandings, rivalries, personality differences and ghosts

'Stay by My Side' begins with an unexpected and involuntary collision between Gu Bu Xia, the Anthropology student and owner of a sports scholarship as he is one of the best players on the university basketball team, and Jiang Chi, the future lawyer and son from a famous family of doctors who has just been transferred to Yong Yu University.
After several setbacks, these two young people, soon declared enemies, begin to live in the bedroom occupied by Bu Xia, since Jiang Chi has been forced to make a living by his own means after defying his parents, who want the boy to continue his steps in the career of Medicine.
Starring Isaac Yang as Jiang Chi, and Hong Wei Zhe as Bu Xia, the romantic and supernatural comedy with an LGBTIQ+ theme revolves around the unlikely romance between these two young college students with major personality differences, marked by paranormal ability of one of the protagonists, which provides a pleasant and fun novelty to the audiovisual product.
Soon the tender, light and happy series will introduce us to the lives of both characters. While Jiang Chi is an excellent basketball player, he does not seem interested in joining the varsity team, not wanting anything to distract him from his studies. Additionally, he works several part-time jobs to avoid being financially dependent on his parents.
For his part, the orphan Bu Xia has been raised by his grandfather, a spiritual medium, in a temple run by his sister Gu Bu Tao (Jin Cheng). After the death of the old man, the shy and insecure Bu Xia hears ghost voices murmuring in his ears, a circumstance that will worsen just as the new roommate enters his life.
Bu Xia, who has lived alone in his bedroom until Jiang Chi's arrival, will soon come to a conclusion: being close to the boy who now sleeps a few meters from his bed brings him peace, as the ghosts feel self-conscious and flee before him. Your presence. The more he interacts with Jiang Chi, the less he hears the voice of those who "pull the chain." That is why he will try to always have him around him..., but he hides the reason from him.
For his part, the law student mistakes Bu Xia's camaraderie as if the boy was flirting with him. "Could it be that Bu Xia has fallen in love with me?" he will ask himself. Jiang Chi comes to think that he is the object of his dormmate's love interest.
As a result, the supernatural element spices up a series with greater originality than the classic college romances, while the relationship between the two boys takes us on a journey surrounded by mystery and intrigue and in which love can overcome misunderstandings, differences in personalities and even outwit the ghost chase.
Likewise, the series will allow us to appreciate how two rivals can come to love each other with such madness and passion, to the point of one of them accepting the transfer of the uncomfortable ability to hear ghost voices that the other suffers.
Vidol, the Taiwanese streaming platform that makes BL series such as 'VIP Only' (2023), 'Anti-Reset' (2024) and 'You Are Mine' (2023), commissions Cai Fei Qiao, known for being the screenwriter of the acclaimed drama 'Unknown', 2024, the executive producer of another classic of the genre: 'We Best Love: No. 1 For You' and 'We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd', and for playing Mrs. Yao, Shun Yu's mother, in 'You Are Mine Special', released in May 2024.
Lovers of the genre will be pleased with 'Stay by Me Side' for its strong BL content, for the tender and constant romantic interaction of the protagonists, for portraying two college sweethearts living the fullness of romantic happiness, for exploring the bond of the physical, emotional and spiritual couple, for their happy ending.
Likewise, fans of BL series will like the complicity of Bu Xia's sister and Jiang Chi, both interested in the young man's well-being and happiness.
I like the character played by Hong Wei Zhe: a boy who shows traits of insecurity and cowardice in the face of paranormal phenomena, who doesn't? But he leaves us with a memorable memory, especially when he discovers that he has fallen in love with another boy, and there he acts not infrequently in a childish and insecure way as well. What sometimes overreacts? His contagious laugh, his innocent eyes, his angelic face redeem him from excesses.
The mysterious and reserved character played by Isaac Yang is equally convincing, especially when he seeks to protect Bu Xia from ghosts and everything that could affect him. He is a lover who gives himself completely to the loved one.
I would have liked the series to delve deeper into the denunciation of possible homophobia (the reasons are not clear), perceived when Bu Xia and Jiang Chi's relationship becomes gossip among the other university students, who will try to obtain invasive photos of the loving couple, or make annoying comments in physical and virtual settings.
Isn't Taiwan the only Asian territory where Equal Marriage or Homosexual Marriage has been approved? Is sexual diversity not widely accepted by the Taiwanese population? Are same-sex sexual relations not legal? Why then consider the fact that two boys holding hands and attracting each other on a university campus or on the street in Taipei a public spectacle?

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Relatable teenagers discovering sexuality in a fairy tale with LGBT+ characters

With a police investigation for the possible murder of a "Rose Garden College" student, 'Hit Bite Love' introduces the viewer to a story that follows six teenagers who decide to break all the taboos and learn the real truth about love, pain and growth.
Directed by Jakkaphong Pachara (Yuan), the daring series adorned with sexual scenes revolves around three couples with Shokun (Woraphon Charoensuk - Bigboss) as the protagonist and main narrator.
The plot of the Thai romantic school drama comedy could be described as a modern, youthful fairy tale with LGBT+ characters, although in this case, the prince has been replaced by an attractive student council president of a high society high school named Matteo (Alan Campana), who likes to enjoy the pleasures and dangers of BDSM, and Cinderella is played by a music-loving boy who has just broken up with his partner, because he wants to have a romantic relationship that is not secret, like the one you have experienced until now.
After experiencing a tumultuous romance with Ken (Napolpong Sooksombut – Pure), a star player on the basketball team, Shokun decides to put an end to the toxic relationship because he does not feel satisfied: Ken is afraid to publicly acknowledge his sexuality and has condemned him to only having sex secret and hot in the locker room, while appearing to be heterosexual.
Shokun will be captivated by the attractive, seductive and also very intimidating Matteo, a young man with a strong narcissistic personality, who will take advantage of Shokun's innocence, candor, broken heart and desire to be part of the music club, to force him to participate. with him in his erotic games or else he would expose his sexual encounters in the showers.
The scriptwriter Orachat Brahmasreni (Poy) has created a narrative text that, in addition to faithfully portraying the concerns of adolescents in any current society, with their fears, their dreams and their lack of experience with life, also represents some of the elements of the usual love fables, but with an impressive change: it proposes a world that is more than a story, but a nightmare, with regard to the affectivity and sexuality of its protagonists.
The image of the attractive and lucky prince will soon crack when we learn, at the same time as Shokun, about Matteo's sexual tendencies, dominated by sadism, submission and violence (controlled, of course) and his inability to maintain a "normal" relationship with other people. All of this is enhanced by Shokun's doubts and insecurities, who has not yet maintained a full loving relationship, despite having had sex with another boy, which makes the difference between the two more extreme.
Obviously there is attraction between the two, but Matteo has a secret that Shokun is not prepared for: he wants Shokun to be his submissive, while he would be his dominant.
Shokun's innocent and infatuated world will be shattered when he discovers that he is blackmailed by someone who hides a dark and shadowy face, sexual inclinations dominated by sadism and submission. Matteo will try to introduce Shokun to his sexual and emotional reality, while Shokun, surprised by Matteo's peculiar erotic practices, will seek to find out the reason for his tastes and his way of being. But what they both don't know is that the descent into hell that involves immersing themselves in rough and sadistic sex will make love emerge.
The story of Shokun and Matteo could be considered a "sui generis" homosexual urban fable in which some of its most sordid elements are enhanced. But don't be scared..., in addition to whips, handcuffs and other instruments of domination-submission typical of BDSM, 'Hit Bite Love' demonstrates how love can change people by making them grow spiritually.
As he develops feelings for Shokun, Matteo will not hesitate to stop being dominant and become submissive, fearing that Shokun is not ready. And Shokun agrees to be subdued by Matteo because he prefers pain and even humiliation before leaving his world. Until finally, Matteo chooses to give up BDSM, because all he wants is to be Shokun's boyfriend and have him forever by his side. Don't you think this is a beautiful declaration of love?
The series also manages to narrate some scenes that undoubtedly trigger the lividity of the person who watches its six episodes.
That the script is not perfect, that the performances are not perfect. It is true, but the series aims to explore various concepts associated with teenage dramas, such as sexual diversity, sex, the power of friendship, forgiveness, understanding, personal growth and the transition to the adult world.
And not from the perspective of millionaires and heterosexual college girls in liberal and cold Manhattan, as 'Fifty Shades of Grey' proposes, but from the perspective of homosexual teenagers from a country where homosexuality is considered taboo and the marriage between people of the same sex.
With a plot thread similar to that of the Spanish series Élite, created by Carlos Montero Castiñeira and Darío Madrona, 'Hit Bite Love' shows other important elements, such as betrayals, revenge, double standards, family violence, gender violence, homophobia, internalized homophobia, toxic relationships, teenage sex, feelings of guilt, attempted suicide, seeking refuge in social networks or the interest in exposing people's privacy to public ridicule, among others. Is any of this foreign to today's teenagers?
The other couple is King, Shogun's friend and president of the drama club, and Burger (Vasin Traiprakhong – Jur), a transfer student at the school, who will find themselves immersed in a tender and fun relationship based on a misunderstanding.
And finally, we have the couple made up of Saint (Natthapat Meesuk - Tae), Matteo's friend and vice president of the student council, and Hida (Vittawin Panichtamrong - Vic), who have become brothers not related by blood, when the former's mother gets married. with the second's father. They will both be united by a relationship that goes beyond these family ties.
The breakup of Shokun and Ken, the arrival at Burger's school as a transfer student or the strengthening of the bond between the stepbrothers Hida and Saint will end up causing a series of events that, with a police investigation as a backdrop, will shake everyone's lives those involved.
Another element to highlight is the music. The cast itself is the one who sings the songs that make up the soundtrack of the series. In this way, we will enjoy Jur, Tae, Newyear, Pure, Bigboss, Vic and Alan, who perform "Hit Me Bite Me", a song composed by Alan Campana, and Vic and Tae singing "Oxigen", a song written and scored by Vic Vittawin Panichtamrong.
The photography, by Suchart Makhawimarn, helps make the three romantic stories believable. For its part, Suriya Kaewkrong's editing achieves a fast and quite adequate narrative.
Sympathizing with Shogun is easy. Wanting to protect and love him would be anyone's wish. I found Matteo attractive and the most interesting character. He is a seducer and that is transmitted beyond the series itself. There are many points in your way of thinking that I do not share. but that has not been an obstacle for me to identify with him. Alan Campana manages to show two faces with his character, a more tender and romantic one that manages to win our affection, and another more cynical one, in which his dark secret is revealed, but he achieves a sincere and complete transformation when he falls in love.
The rest of the secondary characters appear poorly developed, their only function is to help the development of the plot but they are not important and in that sense I would also have liked them to be given a little more relevance or to delve deeper into the parallel stories, especially in the case of the three girls in love, one with Ken, one with Burger and one with Saint.
It is regrettable that, seeking to visualize diversity on screens, the series portrays queer characters in a stereotypical way, due to their continuous shouting, arrogant and uneducational acts, and mood swings. I am referring, obviously, to the character played by Bookko Thanatchaphan. At https://mydramalist.com/756465-firstly-like-you I publish a review of 'Firstly Like You', a film that addresses the romance of Burger and King, and in which I expand on the topic discussed in this paragraph.
I suppose this is a matter of taste, but from my point of view the erotic scenes are treated very well, they are explicit and descriptive, and they leave little to the public's imagination, but the creators do it in a wise and restrained way, and They do not use indiscreet, foul-mouthed or ordinary gestures, actions or words that may be unpleasant and annoying.
The limits to which Shokun accesses in Matteo's sexual games are at a low level and this results in the scenes not being very strong within what they could have been, which on the other hand the viewer can appreciate if he does not share this point of view.
This is a series that you either love or hate. In my case, I love it, because I consider that 'Hit Bite Love' is an addictive fiction, full of life, rhythm and color, that fulfills its central objective: to entertain in a big way while making us reflect. The Thai drama neither has nor understands taboos. Novel and transgressive, in its frames you can find sex, nudity, very crazy scenes, a truly explosive level, but nothing is gratuitous or obscene.

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A deep connection that transcends the social differences and prejudices of an era

'Suunjapbang', whose official title is 'KBS Drama Special 2023: TV Cinema: Suunjapbang / Joseon Chefs (KBS 드라마 스페셜 2023 - TV시네마 - 수운잡방 | KBS Deurama Seupesyeol 2023 - TV Sinema - Suunjapbang)' tells the story of the noble Kim Yoo (Yoon San Ha), a scholar belonging to the nobility who during the Joseon Dynasty writes the ancient manuscript of traditional recipes "Suunjapbang", a text passed down as a family heirloom by the noble and exalted family of the Andong Gwangsan Kim clan, which contains culinary secrets ranging from exquisite liquors to gastronomic delights.
Known for directing 'Drama Special Season 12: Between' and 'Drama Special Season 12: Oddinary Goods', as well as the series 'Into the Ring' and 'Bad Prosecutor', filmmaker Choi Yeon Soo brings us a story that recreates how it comes about. This legendary recipe book, which with 121 types of foods and drinks is not only a culinary gem, but also a Korean national treasure that has stood the test of centuries.
To bring the story to life in images, the South Korean director has a script written by Jo Soo Yeong ('Drama Special Season 3: My Wife Natree's First Love') and Kim Ik Hyun in his debut as a screenwriter.
In this way, we will follow in the footsteps of the noble Kim Yoo, whose only ambition is to keep alive the family tradition of passing the national civil service examination. However, his path takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with those of Gye Am (Kim Kang Min), a passionate chef who calls himself the best cook in all of Joseon. This charismatic and energetic character will challenge the deepest convictions of Kim Yoo, who at the risk of his own life will not be afraid to confront his brother or the emperor himself when he has to protect his Master in the kitchen.
Initially surprised to learn that the cook at the memorial service at Amchungsa Temple where he arrives to concentrate on his studies is none other than Gye Am, soon Kim Yoo begins to search for the life he truly wants as he immerses himself in the world of gastronomy.
'Suunjapbang' (by its romanized name) explores how the passion for culinary art can transform lives and awaken forgotten dreams. The bond that develops between the noble family's second son and the wandering food enthusiast in charge of the Buddhist temple kitchen unfolds amid the culinary intrigue and challenges of a traditional society.
As the two young people immerse themselves in the search for exquisite flavors and innovative dishes, they also discover a deep connection that transcends social differences and the prejudices of an era.
Set in the majestic Joseon dynasty, this historical drama transports audiences to a world where gastronomy and love are surprisingly intertwined.
'Suunjapbang', which adds ingenious imagination to historical events, wins the Best Film award at the 13th Gyeongsangbuk-do Video Content Scenario Competition. The film is also intended to mark the grand finale of KBS' film project 'Drama Special 2023-TV Cinema'.
Kim Kang Min, who I absolutely admire after meeting him in both seasons of the LGBT+-themed romantic drama 'To My Star' and their respective films, adds dramatic fun to the film as a lower-class person with a passion for cooking.
For his part, thanks to the special appearance as Kim Yeon, Kim Yoo's older brother, actor Baek Sung Hyun, with a soft but strong charisma, brings depth to the team of actors while unleashing a series of events that will test the family ties.
I like how the film hints at a possible romantic relationship between Kim Yoo and Gye Am. From the very beginning of the film, the viewer is able to understand that the character played by San Ha is different from the others. Since childhood, Kim Yoo prefers to enter the kitchen of her parents' home before engaging in age-appropriate games.
Likewise, the discussions with his father and, above all, with his older brother, give the audience room to perceive how homosexuality in the young man can be very real. Kim Yoo has always been seen as "the weak link", the "fragile child" who had to "accept your defects", reproducing many of the stereotypes and prejudices wrongly assigned to homosexuals throughout the history of Humanity.
On the other hand, the relationship between the two protagonists, their meetings in the temple kitchen late at night, their night walks near the river, their tender and suspicious interactions, give rise to comments among the other young people residing in the temple. buddhist. For everyone else, Kim Yoo "is in love with a man."
I understand the alarm and concern among the other characters, if we take into account that the Goryeo Dynasty, of Buddhist tradition, focused more on the glorification of the individual, and there are many records that recognize that members of Buddhist orders, nobility and even royalty expressed their attraction to people of the same sex.
An example of the above can be found in King Mokjong (980-1009) and King Gongmin (1325-1374), who had male lovers called chajewhi at their service. The latter, after the death of his wife, created a state body dedicated to recruiting young boys from all over the country to serve in his court.
However, with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, the situation of homosexuality changes. This dynasty adopted Neo-Confucianism, a much more conservative tradition, which exalted the importance of family and community, so homosexuality, as today, was considered taboo, especially among the nobility. In the historical aspect, it is worth highlighting the fundamental ideological points of Confucianism in terms of gender, which still has an important weight in Korean society. These are gender hierarchy, marked sexual roles and sex segregation.
It would be healthy to point out that during the Joseon era in rural areas homosexuality existed. This is recognized by historical documents that record, for example, how popular music and show companies, known by the word namsadang, were made up exclusively of young men, even minors, who toured the towns, markets and special festivals to put on shows. full of acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking, masked dance theater, music and other circus games.
Because artists such as singers or actors were often looked down upon at that time, namsadang troupes recruited their members from orphans, children of poor farmers, and sometimes even through kidnapping. Since they were not well paid and were often offered only food and lodging, and a small amount of money, these boys and young men, on many occasions, had to earn a living through male prostitution.
In short, the troupe of young actors, musicians and puppeteers could have functioned as a homosexual community, with each member taking the role of Sutdongmo, "tomboy", or Yodongmo, "queen", as Stephen O. Murray recognizes in "Homosexualities" , published in 2000 by the University of Chicago Press.
Although with other objectives, 'The King and the Clown', by Lee Joon Ik and filmed in 2005, portrays the relationship between two popular street clowns: the boisterous and manly Jang Seng (Kam Woo-sung) and the calm and feminine Gong Gil (Lee Joon-gi), and how jealousy and anger well up in the king's mistress, the palace ministers, and Jang Seng himself when the famously hedonistic emperor of the Joseon dynasty turns his full attention to Gong Gil.

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The profound loneliness that homosexuals experience in heteronormative societies

'Sad Temptation' (슬픈 유혹 / Seulpeun Yuhok) reflects on the deep loneliness that homosexuals experience in conservative and heteronormative societies, through the extreme disconnection with another society, the homosexual one, and seeks to find a way to communicate beyond that disconnection. Likewise, it explores the breakdown of communication.
Its plot takes us to South Korea in 1999 and follows a middle-aged man named Jung Moon Gi (Kim Gab Soo), who has distanced himself from Suh Jung Hye (Kim Mi Sook), his wife, and meets a young man. homosexual employee, Shin Joon Young (Joo Jin Mo), with whom he falls in love. Both are victims of the lack of understanding of their families and the violent and discriminatory society that excludes homosexuals. Although the two men try to take refuge in their own world, They inevitably end up falling in love with each other.
Aware that film and television content reproduces the socially and culturally idealized sexual and gender approach and that these are aimed at the consumption of the heterosexual community, Pyo Min Soo, the director, seeks with 'Sad Temptation' to make a society in need reflect. to advance against heteropatriarchal logic.
To film the first South Korean public television drama that profoundly depicted love between men, the filmmaker relied on the script by Noh Hee Kyung, a television scriptwriter and essayist, who has earned a solid reputation for his realistic, visceral portraits. and profound insights into the lives and relationships of ordinary people, captured in many family dramas and urban melodramas that have received critical acclaim and won many awards for Best Screenplay and Best Drama Writer, such as the Baeksang Arts Awards, Korean Drama Awards, MBC and KBS Drama Awards.
From the KBS network, and the third time in which the director and screenwriter work together, the audiovisual breaks with the patriarchal approach of society that still today permeates the scripts of the majority of films, series and television programs, aimed at the consumption of the heterosexual community and, in which LGBT+ people remain in the background, and are generally stigmatized and stereotyped.
Its protagonists are three people who live in solitude. The loneliness of Jung Moon Gi, a precarious man in his 40s who worked to achieve success all his life but has now been expelled from the company's management, comes from the fact that he will never be able to tell his family that he is homosexual and has to carry this burden alone.
Shin Joon Young, a man in his 20s who seems confident and ambitious in the eyes of everyone, feels the loneliness that comes with living as a homosexual in a society dominated by heterosexuals and suffering from the lack of understanding from everyone, even his family. Joon Young was hurt by all the men he loved, but they didn't love him just because he was a man.
His loneliness is contained in these heartbreaking words, addressed to Jung Moon Gi: "Coward! Men like you have no right to love or be comforted! Do you know what love is? If you feel alone, say that you are alone , and if you are going through a difficult time, say that you are having a hard time! Love is trusting and hugging each other! Like you, like my brother, suffering alone, not talking, separating from everything is not love. I wanted to touch you! I didn't ask you to have sex! I just wanted to love you! To comfort each other when we feel alone! I wanted to comfort you. If I could, I wanted to help you. live in this difficult world?"
For her part, Suh Jung Hye is the wife who, despite being a professional and with a university degree, which would give her economic independence, has been forced to spend 20 years of her life in a failed marriage watching her husband's back. . That is why he will ask you: "We are one as a couple. Isn't it true that we are separated as husband and wife?"
Why is the connection established between the man who little by little is losing his place in the world after a business failure and estrangement from his wife, and the young man who dances and drinks in bars, and in the street shouts without paying attention? pay attention to the glances of passers-by? What are the reasons for the connection between the somewhat elderly manager whom Jung Yong calls frustrated, and the free-spirited worker?
Moon Gi can see himself in his youth while looking at Jung Young, and Jung Young discovers in Moon Gi the lonely support of his older brother who, like Moon Gi, is selfish and only thinks of himself, even in the moment. of his death, or of Moon Gi's dismissal after his failure at work, which in this case would be the same, since he does not tell his wife what happened.
Jun Yuong, who enters Moon Gi's empty, routine and disconnected life with an irresistible attraction, and whether out of love or pity, falls in love with him. Moon Gi also has feelings that he cannot admit to himself, but one day he discovers himself when he sees Jun Yuong's naked torso, drunk, on his bed, and reacts by fleeing from his presence. But he is surprised when, without stopping thinking about the young man, he finds himself, the next day, wandering in front of his house.
And how does Jeong Hye come into this equation? She is curious about the worker who frequently, in her presence, names her husband, who is not interested in anything but the company. When Jun Yuong visits the couple's house and drinks tea with her, in the absence of Moon Gi, the wife discovers in the handsome young man an image of her husband of two decades.
The simple writing, but with a strong and direct tone, and the delicate and calm direction, are a perfect combination to tell the internal struggle that the two men are experiencing and the relationship between them.
In the one-act play, Moon Gi asks Jun Young, "Why did you become homosexual?" and Jun Young responds, "Why did you become heterosexual?" He then explains, "It's a question I can't answer, any more than you can answer it."
In a society that at the end of the 20th century was as homophobic and intolerant as it continues to be today, the phrase that contains the essence of the film is: "Did you marry your wife because she was a woman? It's not that I loved a man. It's just that the person I loved was a man."
With a photograph marked with dark tones that tries to demonstrate the state of mind of young homosexual love in times of so many conflicts and denials, a pertinent use of the camera and movements that accompany its intensity, make this drama a must-see for story lovers. deep and heartbreaking.
For years before, the idea of ​​filming 'Sad Temptation' had been in the minds of Noh Hee-kyung and Pyo Min-soo. After finishing 'Lies', putting the project into action gained momentum, but they encountered numerous obstacles in translating the text on such a transgressive and unconventional topic into images. From homophobic attacks with hate speech in digital chats and messaging groups, mostly directed at the two male protagonists; Calls for censorship and non-commercialization of the audiovisual product by conservative elements of the South Korean Catholic Church, refusals by cultural institutions to grant monetary funds for the process of writing, filming, post-production and exhibition, marked the work from its beginning.
It was even difficult for the casting, as it was not easy for the actors to accept the emotions of the script, which includes a kiss between Moon Gi and Jun Young.
Pyo Min-soo later acknowledged that in particular, "the entire staff had to take a short break before filming the kiss scene. However, the actors, who were worried before filming, thinking: "Can't the kiss be given a little on the forehead or cheeks?", when the signal was given, they were caught up in the emotion and acted naturally. . Furthermore, the effort put into preparing in a short period of time is evident throughout the work.
The pressures and obstacles could not prevent the viewer from enjoying one of the most tormented passions between two men, nor could they prevent the yellow ginkgo leaves from decorating the path of the Seosamneung stud farm, where Moon Gi and Jun Young, while they walk hand in hand, they give us, at the end of the film, one of the most beautiful romantic breakups in the history of film and television.
In addition to the bittersweet taste, 'Sad Temptation' leaves us with hope, as the creators emphasize throughout the entire film that instead of suffering alone, human beings must work together to overcome loneliness, sweeping away everything that promotes it, thus denouncing to heteronormative, patriarchal and conservative societies. Not turning our backs and fleeing by withdrawing into ourselves, but defending the right to live in accordance with our dreams and passions, the sexual and loving among them, as long as they do not harm others.

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With a personal look, the Thai actor, director, screenwriter and assistant director Aum Natthaphong Aroonnet, known for the BL dramas 'Triage' (2022) and 'Manner of Death' (2021), the film 'Dew' (2019) or His role in 'The Love of Siam (207), among many other dramatized ones, gives us the romantic drama 'Beating Again', in which, in addition to addressing the boys' passion for dance, he portrays several stories of characters belonging to the LGBT+ community, its coming out and the challenges that come with being queer in today's world.
With great camera skill, sequential games and visual seduction, the director explores, among other topics, the search for one's own identity and the realization of dreams as the core of a drama that explores, as if that were not enough, many other issues such as family relationships, sexuality, love, pain, living with fear of being judged, past traumas, loss, acceptance, overcoming obstacles, the need for physical and emotional connection with other human beings, gender identity, discovery or passion for art.
Since before the first episode was broadcast, the audiovisual has awakened different emotions, especially on social networks, by inviting the audience to reflect on ourselves and on current societies, in addition to the topics represented, confront stereotypes and show human beings with their nuances and in various circumstances.
«I have been a lucky director. Since we published the trailer for 'Beating Again' and the actors and others involved in the project began to give statements to the press or through writings on social networks, there are those who say that the series is going to be liked and will positively attract the public's attention. ; Other people say that there are topics that they do not like. It is still early to predict if it will work or not. I think it is a series that is very well written. My staging, and that of the actors, was constantly trying to live up to the scripts,” said Aum Natthaphong Aroonnet.
«After editing, I liked how the chapters turned out. I have no doubt that they will move people and involve audiences. Let's let the series progress a little, to make conclusive judgments. Our goal is that the audience is not disappointed, that they remain hooked, that they have a closing that lives up to their expectations. We work for that, whether we achieve it or not. The arc of the characters is very coherent, as well as the development of the characters and the conflicts,” adds the director.
At first glance it might be easy to understand that the desire of young men to dance was not hindered by any reason, or at least human. However, 'Beating Again' reflects the incessant struggle of several boys to achieve a dream and thus fulfill a vocation regardless of the discrepancies to which they may be subjected during the process of achieving it, including the homophobic gazes of several of them. the secondary characters.
And even if your environment does not understand you, you cannot give up your passion, your talent and your vocation. The internal talent of each person must be firmly exploited regardless of the consequences that may arise for it.
Of the work, it is worth highlighting its transgressive capacity to break clichés and prejudices for a single but consistent reason: the firm attitude of young people to pursue their dream and illusion, that of being dancers and dedicating their lives to underground dance. In this way, a small group of people can have the power to create great change for the entire world through the love and passion for dance. The series is an example and a tribute to the triumph of perseverance, dedication and conviction.
In addition, it seeks to send other messages, such as respect and acceptance of sexual diversities, the spirit of coexistence between people who are initially strangers or unknown to each other, and honesty and sincerity as human values.
The attention to detail to be as realistic as possible, the convincing performances of a cast made up of established and young actors and actresses, some with experience in the BL genre, the depth of the themes it addresses, and the aesthetics with which it presents them , determine, among other elements, the quality of the series.
Scripted by Visuttchai Boonyakarnjawa ('The Iron Ladies', 2000), the Thai drama, in four episodes, presents its protagonists immersed in the world of dance in a sincere, lyrical and emotional way. While Dindaen (Oh Anuchit Sapunpohng) long ago achieved glory by becoming a dance champion, the young dancer Nai (Kang Korn Sirisorn) has a paradigm to follow in the now volunteer teacher. The character must face a conflict from 10 years ago that still haunts him.
For her part, Focus (Sophie Marguerite Indracusin), the self-confident young woman who loves dancing, after much effort, has managed to materialize her dreams of being an idol, but now she has been involved in a professional scandal and has had to return to his hometown where he will be part of a dance group with Tawan, Fae, Kai and Jidrid. To move forward, Focus will have to face his past.
If dance united Focus, Nai and Dindaen since they were children, love, friendship and passion for dance today continue to be the strong ties that unite them. The characters, like so many other young people in real life, have as their highest aspiration to be able to manage their own talents, believe in and become owners of their virtues and manage each of their potentials to achieve the goals set.
In addition to the conflicts of the three main characters, other problems will add complexity to the plot. I am specifically referring to the story of a girl trapped in a male body who, despite being overweight, likes to dance, the story of the teenager who juggles her life to balance high school studies and her passion for dancing. , and the love between two boys: Kai (Kaownah Kittipat Kaewcharoen) and Famous (Earth Katsamonnat Namwirote).
Love and dance will unite Kai and Fae, young people who also like to dance alternative dance (also known as indie dance or underground dance, the musical genre that fuses elements of alternative and indie rock with those of electronic dance music.
The public will enjoy young people while they dance to music that fuses new wave, "eurosynth" and postmodern technopop, as well as those arising from the indietronica or indie electronic movement, which is nothing more than a subgenre of alternative dance but more oriented towards indie. with great synth pop influences.
Among former member of boy group KLIMAXX and best known for his role as Long in the hit BL drama 'TharnType', Turbo Chanokchon in the Thai adaptation of 'Love Stage!!' and Talay in 'My Universe: The Camp Fire', in the latter two as the protagonist, and the actor identified for his roles as Tar in 'Love By Chance', Intouch in 'Until We Meet Again' and Seeiw in 'My Only 12' %', also in main roles, a passionate romance will emerge.
How I enjoyed, in episode 3, the scene in which Tawan, Fae, Kai and Jidrid have lunch in temple areas. At one point, Kai (Kaownah) and Famous (Earth) exchange pieces of the fish they eat and Tawan says, "So sweet!" And they try the fish and answer: "It's not sweet. It's salty," and she laughs mischievously because she was not referring to the food, but to the budding relationship between the two boys.
Jidrid suffers rejection from homophobes for being transsexual. These two are one of the topics addressed in the series, that is, homophobia and transsexuality.
I like the dynamics of the group, how the seven protagonists integrate into the community that they themselves have created, how setbacks are turned into victories, like when Famous accidentally spills a container of paint on the floor and the others, instead After reproaching him for the destruction, they pour other containers with paint and turn the place into a stage to practice dancing.
Does the theme of the series revolve around homosexual characters and their relationships with others, or LGBTI characters in secondary roles and whose sexuality does not influence the plot of the audiovisual? To know this and other conflicts we will have to watch the series until the end.

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Loss and acceptance of it, themes of the series

Imagine that you have a dog and a cat as pets that have accompanied you since you were a child. Suppose that one day they return to the world of the living, in human forms, after having died, along with your parents, in an accident, with the purpose of giving you company and making you happy. Imagine that you only have a hundred days to spend with them before they must leave again. Suppose that during that period you fall in love with your human-dog. Represent yourself that you will surely have to wait two years for a new reunion, due to the difficulty of traveling between the afterlife and the world of the living.
From this premise, Ahn Ji Hee, the South Korean film director, creates, in 'Choco Milk Shake', the miniseries of 11 episodes of about 15 minutes each, a magical story with a dreamlike aura that creates a moving and pleasant visual experience.
It all begins when a cat and a dog cross the Rainbow Bridge and return to the world of the living in human forms. They go in search of Jung Woo (Go Ho Jung), their owner, a young bachelor who lives alone. When he was twenty years old, a fatal accident took away everything he loved: he lost not only his parents, but also his dog and cat, Choco (Lee Jae Bin) and Milk (Kim Seong Hyuk), respectively.
One night, after returning home from a long day of work at her uncle's (Park Seung Bin) cafe, two handsome strangers knock on her door. To your disbelief, they claim to be Choco and Milk! He doesn't believe them, but Choco and Milk prove their identities by sharing memories that only Jung Woo can know as the pets' owner. This is how Jung Woo realizes that the strange visitors are indeed his two beloved companions from childhood and youth, reincarnated in human form.
A question arises in the viewer from the moment they understand what the series is about: Will Choco and Milk manage to develop human feelings and emotions?
With the cute and clingy dog-human Choco and the more restrained cat-human Milk settled comfortably in Jung Woo's house, the three will once again enjoy the warmth and affection that united them in the past. However, the clash between these four beings will bring new dimensions to the resumption of their life together and surprising discoveries in the areas of friendship and love.
Despite his surprise and confusion, Jung Woo quickly and easily adapts to a warm and cozy lifestyle with his inseparable friends. They bond, create memories and happy moments, and in the process develop feelings that go beyond friendship.
I will answer the question: The story will take legitimately dramatic turns when love and friendship take center stage. The series makes the most of the affection and affection established from the beginning, to legitimize the emotional and romantic twists that appear later.
Choco will be for Jung Woo and Milk for Uncle, the perfect couples, achieving vibrant chemistry between them. Don't forget: The adorable characters and their endearing personalities are the strong points of Choco Milk Shake.
Although the events, romances and stories (for example, how pets become humans or Jung Woo's past), are not developed in depth, this fantasy drama surprises because it is much more than it appears. What begins as a light, fun and adorable story becomes an emotional love letter to pets, their role in our lives and, above all, the importance of saying goodbye in order to continue.
Had the details been developed, 'Choco Milk Shake' would be a more finished, polished series, with a more convincing story.
Rather than focusing on the romantic aspect, 'Choco Milk Shake' deals with the topic of loss and acceptance of the same in a warm way.
With a cast possessing individual charms and wonderful chemistry, the direction, cinematography and writing transport the viewer to a dream and fairy tale universe. The narrative, hinting at the continuation of the series in the future, maintains a good rhythm that enhances the emotionally bittersweet closure, due to the new separation, but the hope of a new reunion.
Jung Woo, the sensitive, soft-spoken boy with a kind heart, who after the tragedy has lost the joy of living, regains his joy and happiness after his reunion with Choco and Milk. But soon his heart will tremble again when he discovers that they both have a limited time on earth. But this will only serve as an excuse for a second season.
And it is there, in the moments of transition from happiness to sadness in the face of the imminent new loss due to the inevitable separation, piercing the most sensitive fiber, when 'Choco Milk Shake' shows its strength and the beauty of the work, thanks to the performances.
STRONGBERRY's first fantasy romance web drama series BL web drama won several awards at the first K-Web Drama Award (KWDA) in Dangjin. At the event, which seeks to celebrate the excellence of Korean web dramas and highlight the unique storytelling and creativity of each creator, director Ann Ji Hee won the Culture of Odyssey award, and production company Matchbox was selected as a of the 12 best winners of the Spotlight selection. For their part, the lead actors also won an acting award.

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Declaration of love in times of pandemic

Cinema has always managed to create wonderful worlds, fantastic scenes and perfect dialogues where feelings and words combine in an ideal way to express the very essence of love.
Each couple in their personal history has a movie, a scene or a soundtrack that is part of their memory, moves them or makes them exchange knowing glances because it evokes special and unique memories.
There is nothing more powerful than a good love story brought to film or television, and a script full of witty and emotional phrases that support it. Whether they are spontaneous gestures, proposals for a hand, or cathartic moments that change everything, declarations of love are the best way to consolidate a romance on the big or small screen, and to bring the audience to the brink of tears.
Written and directed by Jose Jeffrey Camañag, the Filipino short film 'Taguan, A Quickie Musical' presents us with a declaration of love between two boys in the midst of the pandemic caused by Covid-19.
Also known as 'Taguan, Secrets Kept' and released on May 30, 2020, the audiovisual, of the Romance, Yaoi, Comedy and Musical genre, shows us the telephone communication between the two best friends Tristan (Jayson Santos) and Chris ( Vince Conrad) who, forced into social isolation or home quarantine, are locked in the confines of their homes.
Between drinks of alcohol and tears, Tristan calls his best friend by video call to confess a secret that he has kept deep in his being for years. This is how the musical narrates that very special online video chat of two teenagers who, during quarantine, realized that they wanted to end their friendship... to be more than just friends.
The protagonists perform three songs in the almost 15 minutes of their magical transition from friendship to something deeper. The songs are "Ganito Pala", "Munting Ala-ala" and the title song of the short film: "Taguan".
With spoken lines and Filipino music in the voices of the two protagonists, 'Taguan, A Quickie Musical' was created through a novel program from the Artist Playground company, called Artist Playground Theatrix, a new form of visual and auditory performance art that uses the latest in technology that combines musical theater and film in its final production.
The team behind the audiovisual is made up of award-winning creatives and entertainment industry experts. The narrative, script and lyrics of the songs were created by José Jeffrey Camañag, filmmaker who won the Live Entertainment Awards and festivals as Best Director.
The music is by multi-award-winning maestro Jesse Lucas, while the editing is by Carl Santos, the artistic direction is by Roeder Camañag and the project director is Paul Jake Paule.
In the midst of such a long pause that led to the cancellation of premieres and filming and the confinement of actors and film production experts to preserve their lives, short films like this came to experience new concepts and executions never before made.
Challenging themselves to do something new, they managed to create and produce virtually so that the cast and crew could stay healthy and safe amid the pandemic. The writer and director never physically met the rest of the creators and artists during the filming process. Camañag managed the talent remotely. The two protagonists not only act, but are also filmed at home.
In this way, the project is one of the highest-profile cases of a filmmaker seeking to adapt production to the demands of the global health crisis. While hundreds, perhaps thousands of films and television shows in the Philippines and around the world saw production halted to protect actors and crew during the pandemic, Camañag produced and gave us 'Taguan, A Quickie Musical', a play simple, but with an intelligent and timely dialogue, marked by the circumstances that humanity was experiencing at that time.
Jayson Santos and Vince Conrad are a revelation, two incredible actors and singers that I hope to see again on other shows.

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A series that leaves more questions than answers

'Bro and Me' (家教哥哥來我家) is a Taiwanese BL and LGBT+ themed miniseries of 8 episodes each lasting about 5 minutes on average. Starring in its main roles JN Yu as Jie En and Xie Yi Hong as Ye Hong, the plot shows the romantic relationship that arises between two heterosexual boys, one a high school student and the other, his tutor, whose lives will be altered once begin to live together under the same roof and in the same bed, after the second is hired by the first's mother. Filmed in 2019, in locations in Taipei, the series, of the comedy, romance and yaoi genre, was broadcast between September and December 2019 on Vidol TV, obtaining a notable commercial impact.
Argument
This sweet story of love and friendship introduces us to Jie En, who since he was a child dreamed of being as cool as Ye Hong, the boy 5 years older who lives next door. Immersed in his own routine, Ye Hong pays attention to Jie En just to have fun by teasing him from time to time.
As he grows up, the innocent and sweet-tempered Jie En sees in the cheeky and daring young man everything he has always wanted to be and secretly admires his neighbor as if he were his older brother.
In this romantic drama directed by Chen Mengwei we see how after Ye Hong leaves to study abroad, Jie En is devastated. He has lost the person who served as a reference in his life. However, you will soon have other reasons to occupy your thoughts: the pressure of getting into a good university forces you to focus solely on your studies.
Wanting only for her son to be able to study for a career, Jie En's mother, now 17 years old, announces that she has hired a tutor who, after graduating abroad, has returned and will move in with him to dedicate all his time. time and effort to ensure that his disciple obtains a good result in the exams.
If at first Jie En was insecure and even upset at having to share his house with a stranger, he will soon be furious when he realizes that the tutor is none other than the boy who has always made fun of him. However, both will live pleasant and happy moments under the same roof.
Living with Ye Hong brings joy to Jie En, at least until he discovers that Jing Han, the girl he has befriended in Ye Hong's absence, is actually Ye Hong's first love.
When Ye Hong's bed breaks, Jie En is forced to share his own with his tutor. One night, while the student is dreaming about Jing Han, he caresses Ye Hong's face, who, confused, believes that the boy has feelings for him. From this moment on, he changes his attitude towards Jie En and instead of mocking him, he will show unexpected affection.
This is how, suddenly, Jie En's life is altered again, now involved in a tangle of complicated relationships, misunderstandings and confusing emotions. Will the world make sense to him again?
Jing Han, who has understood the feelings between the two boys, acts like a fujoshi determined to match friends, and, to top it all off, adds a third to the already hectic dynamic between Jie En and Ye Hong, after proposing that they receive each other. his handsome friend, Xu Shaoyu, who has nowhere to sleep as his apartment is being renovated.
Will he come with the intention of breaking up the relationship in the event that Jie En falls in love with him?
From Jie En's perspective, will the unexpected visit be used to make Ye Hong jealous so that he decides to declare his love for her? Why does she accept the new guy's flirtation? Doesn't he seem to be very happy in Xu Shaoyu's presence?
That night the three boys must share the same bed. Waking up in the early morning, He Yong pulls back the covers and sees Jie En hugging Xu Shaoyu. Has he dreamed about Jing Han again and that's why he hugs him like he caressed him some time ago? Has he lost the affection of the young student? Have you ever loved him? Has it all been a product of your imagination?
The next day, after the visitor leaves, He Yong tries to talk to Jie En, but at the last minute he stops the impulse and remains silent. In the morning, Jie En discovers that the tutor has abandoned him.
In a series that leaves more questions than answers, it concludes as it begins, with the arrival of someone at Jie En's house and he, on the threshold, smiles and asks with disbelief, but marked surprise and undeniable joy: "So... you're the new tutor my mom mentioned?"
Although it is true that it is not shown who the tutor is, everything seems to indicate that it is none other than Ye Hong, who returns after abandoning Jie En. The long, thin, bony fingers are the same ones that ring the doorbell in the first episode. Furthermore, the newcomer drags the suitcase, as Ye Hong did upon his arrival, and not the backpack hanging on his back in which Xu Shaoyu usually carries his belongings.
The story is solid and the protagonists play their roles well and have the potential to act in BL series, as can be verified in their respective filmographies. With well-developed characters and events, a good boy love series could be achieved.

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A couple that conquers and falls in love

Food, pranks, love play, sexual tension, music and love are the ingredients of 'Ingredients', the Thai BL series starring Jeff Satur as Marwin (Win) and Gameplay Garnpaphon Laolerkiat as Tops, two college students who are also roommates. From the first moment, we see them already living together under the same roof. And yes, you may think at the beginning that there is already a romance between them, but no... this one is on the way. And you will witness it firsthand.
Win is a charming and confident young man, romantic and playful. He loves music and dreams of becoming a world-class musician. Away from his family and immersed in the world of concerts and tours, but suspended for the moment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has not taken good care of himself until he comes to live with Tops.
Gentle and sensitive, Tops has been fascinated by cooking since he was little. An aspiring chef, he finds happiness in cooking delicious, tasty food and giving it to Win to try. When the difference between the two becomes the perfect match, chaos ensues, and the two find themselves deciding between their dreams and each other.
While Marwin writes and sings his own songs and plays the guitar beautifully, Tops, the Food Science student, dreams of opening his own restaurant one day and creates many dishes that have Win as his taster par excellence. He, amazed, will help him with the ingredients and in the kitchen itself, in addition to creating a vlog for Tops to promote his elaborate recipes.
There's no drama. There is no complex and elaborate language. There are no dramatic twists. And is this a problem? In another series, I would surely demand it... and I would even complain about the tropes and the toxicity and the jealous boyfriend and the homewrecker that I have questioned on other occasions, but no, it will not be necessary..., the same with the guys from 'Ingredients' and what happens before your eyes, they will steal your heart and conquer you, well shhhh, total silence, you haven't realized yet that you will only need two people who are happy to be in each other's presence.
Other of its peculiarities lie in the fact that the series has as its background the cruel stage of Covid-19, and with only two or three outdoor scenes, all the action takes place inside the home shared by the protagonists. It is therefore striking how they promote health and safety in times of pandemic, as well as the interest in raising awareness about the necessary hygiene habits.
This drama, which highlights the many cute interactions between the couple as they go about their daily lives, doesn't have a big budget or a complex narrative. With two charismatic protagonists, a cozy atmosphere, simple but honest dialogues, and a romance that is based on the platonic and the playful, 'Ingredients' shows that a love story can be created, even between two people with different personalities, but They have a close relationship and complement each other well.
In a kind of sitcom, although its objective is not to provoke laughter itself, with independent episodes that address a given situation that finds its conclusion in it, but slightly connected by brief references to previous chapters, Win and Tops invite the viewer to penetrate in the privacy of your home so that we can discover your daily life. Between songs, plates of food, jokes, games, looks, silences and small everyday actions, such as calling each other to dinner, playing with a cat, insisting to each other that they stink and have to go take a shower, or decorating the Christmas tree, The friends look at each other and are silent about the love they have for each other.
It is evident that the characters are in their own world and it is the audience, an accomplice, who, already inside the home, bursts into the lives of Win and Tops to witness how one character will take a small step to get closer to the other, and how the other will be happy to take his step forward as well.
The director masterfully directs a visually striking and emotionally charged series that captures the essence of the complexities of human connection, self-discovery, acceptance and personal, spiritual and professional improvement, and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy, thanks to meticulous attention to every detail.
The camera does not leave the faces of the two young people, and scans the attractive surroundings, especially the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom, now from one, now from the other, as if it wanted to appropriate it. This is how the house becomes another character in the work. In this way, the viewer is guided by the creators through the always beautiful, emotional and at the same time complicated process of falling in love.
As the 21 episodes of an average length of 10-15 minutes progress, the series captures the intimate moments of the two characters. Through conversation, games, music, the preparation of food dishes or their tasting, but without forgetting the silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Win and Tops is transmitted in a visually shocking.
The absence, at times, of a traditional script, letting the character act, allowing the character to flow freely and spontaneously, allows for improvisation, which results in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with the audience.
The series explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, sitting at the table or on the couch to share one of the delicious but easy-to-make dishes, or being a part of the friendly chat while strumming the guitar, transcending the physical act of sex.
With its unique narrative approach and powerful performances, we can't forget the chemistry between Jeff Satur and Gameplay. Simply put, one feels very comfortable with the other. Since 'He She It', both shared leading roles and this allows them to establish very good vibes. The looks they give each other, especially the first to the second, convey happiness and affection. They are both happy, and excited to be in the other person's presence.
For most of the series, Marwin and Tops play the role of a cute couple of platonic friends, but their relationship almost feels like that of a couple of lovers. In those moments, a solid foundation for their future love relationship is built, while Jeff's voice lets us hear his song 'Moment', which will accompany us throughout the series.
Already at the end, the drama introduces more romance and, if it were not for the kisses, although there are not many, in truth, the viewer practically does not perceive that a natural transition from friends to lovers has occurred.
In addition to the moments in which they already act as boyfriend and girlfriend, it attracts moments such as the tension when Win's family comes to visit to ask him to abandon his dreams and dedicate himself to the family business, the way in which Tops will calm him down in this and in others occasions, the obvious jealousy in Jeff when the neighbor interacts with Tops, the aspiring musician's concern about the thesis that the chef must present to graduate...
Don't turn off the television thinking that it is a simple story, that its episodes are short, that it serves as an advertisement for a supermarket chain (hence the name of one of the characters) or that it will not keep your interest. Don't make the same mistake when for the first, second and even third time I tried to view 'Ingredient' and left it thinking it wasn't worth it. Precisely, there is the hook to seduce you, to conquer you. Don't underestimate the series for these or other reasons.
Tops and Marwin have the power to conquer you as a couple. Jeff and Gameplay are two charismatic actors who make you want to share the fate of their characters. The initial dynamic of the relationship will stop being cordial, brotherly, with large doses of sexual tension here and hints of affection there, until it becomes a true romance in which, as I said, you are an accomplice par excellence.
And yes... why won't I tell you about the ending? Do you want him happy? Do you want the couple to live locked in that house, as if the new coronavirus lurked forever on the outskirts? No, at some point, the doors will open, the masks will be forgotten, those who are no longer with us will be remembered, but life goes on.
At those times, Tops and Win will continue with their careers. The two couples will leave to restart their professional lives where they were stranded after the arrival of the deadly disease. One will invite the other to follow him, but... why do long-distance relationships exist? Can't they stay connected by video calls? Is it not possible to succeed in your respective fields while waiting to meet again? They are not boyfriends? Don't you love each other? Who says that all is lost, that love has an expiration date?
As the final credits roll, I am convinced that always, always, Tops will hear Win's voice, and Win will continue trying Tops' delicious dishes, because love persists, and the hope of reunion also beats.

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Singing an out of tune 'Beautiful'

There are relationships that are not worth fighting for. There are others whose members may not have said goodbye forever. But there are other broken relationships that still have a solution.
Sometimes you do everything right in a relationship, and yet love can abandon you, leaving only paralyzing pain and a ton of questions behind. Among these the "why?" It will drag you to the bottom of the abyss.
In this case, when he (or she) is gone, you can follow him or her. You can still convince him that you love each other, that you are perfect for each other, sing him an out-of-tune 'Beautiful', by Baekhyun, and make sure he doesn't get on the plane at the last minute and leave forever. You can also crash their wedding just before they say their final "I do", so that they run away with you to the astonishment of each other's family, while mutual friends scream with joy. Or get into your car with a trailer caravan where you will live you don't know how many days, months or years, travel the distance that separates you from your loved one, stand conveniently under his window, a few meters from his bed, waiting for him to At some point I will allow you to enter it.
Or in the face of a cold and disconsolate response, you could very well be a regular at their restaurant with a name that hurts the insides and you, because you are clueless, because you don't know the reason why they abandoned you, you don't know its meaning.
What if you decided to collaborate in making the menu of said restaurant, become friends with the villagers, help clear up misunderstandings that involve your loved one's family, which is why he is not popular among the locals and why his humble business is going down the drain, and, between filming sessions and road trips, will you adapt and integrate into the quiet and simple life of the person you want to win back?
I would suggest that after reading the vague goodbye note and discovering that your lover has packed his bags and left the apartment you have shared, you put strong pressure on your agency, and tell your representative and his subordinate that you will jump out of the car in leave if they don't locate him.
Or when you can't explain to yourself what you did wrong and you can't find answers to the cause of the breakup, you choose to win the affection of the best friend of the person who has put your life in check and her small and precocious daughter, knowing that every step In this sense, it will allow you to create new opportunities to reconnect with your ex.
Precisely the latter was what Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun) did when Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min) broke his heart in the second season of 'To My Star 2: Our Untold Stories'. Yes, I am referring to those two young people, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, from two different worlds, with little in common, whose lives were shaken when they met and fell in love.
Well, it seemed like both boys would be together forever, but fate had other plans. After giving us some of the most romantic moments in Korean BL, they also filled us with sadness. But there the actor goes in search of his chef to continue enjoying, among other things, his delicious food.
And Hwang Da Seul, the director, took very seriously that no one is saved from death and a broken heart and that we must all face, throughout our lives, several different types of goodbyes. Knowing that every breakup has its reasons, its consequences and its bitter, and sometimes bloody, extensions, that life is not always laughter, love and joy, he summoned screenwriter Park Young to take up the story and develop a second season to imitate , very well filmically speaking, the breakdown of the relationship of that couple so beloved by fans of the genre, and then reconciling them, because otherwise it could not be, since, otherwise, as an audience, we would not forgive them.
I imagine Da Seul digging through the films and television series of yesteryear and today to revisit those that deal with breakups and narratives that address every cliché about love and its components, always with a similar structure and, above all, with a happy ending, a sung ending, that is, "from a movie". And all in order to promote significant topics, such as the couple's commitment and communication.
And it does so with incredible bravery, taking the flaws of the first season, especially that of a pleasant but substanceless original story, to make a sequel with greater development of the characters, expanding the dynamics of their relationships and amplifying the emotions.
While it is true that it suffers from a saturated melodrama at times, with artificial conflicts that could have been polished or not incorporated, what is also real is the achievement of the elegant arcs of the characters, which highlight growth, maturity and redemption .
I know that many BL fans will not like what is related to the breakup and the subsequent suffering of the members of their favorite ships, but a work that shows deep conflicts and characters with greater psychological complexities is appreciated.
Without giving any type of spoiler, I will ask you the same question that comes into play during the first minutes of the story: what is the reason for Jin Woo and Seo Joon's breakup?
With this fuse that is lit at the beginning of the series, the characters develop in a narrative with which they will manage to improve the original series, with richer backstories, more character development and complex relationship dynamics, allowing 'To My Star matures, comes of age and becomes a sophisticated BL drama that unfolds in a fascinating journey, seeking and fulfilling the objectives of unraveling a failed relationship, while the protagonists and the audience wonder if they would have a second one. opportunity to reconnect and be happy.
What BL lover wouldn't be surprised by the breakup of their idealized perfect lovers? Seo Joon experiences the same anxiety when faced with Ji Woo's inexplicable departure after leaving a vague message containing a single word: "Let's leave him."
So, the series is aimed at exploring why the breakup and, as I said, reconciliation. But now everything will happen far from the big city, as the cameras will focus on a small town several hours from Seoul, in Ji Woo's hometown and where he went after the breakup, and while he struggles to move his business forward in an Italian restaurant, Seo Joo continues to face problems in his acting career.
And if the proposal alone still doesn't catch your attention, I'll give you another colorful fact: through the experience of the two protagonists, the sequel explores the moving breakup of a couple with intrigue, intimacy and intense emotions. But it doesn't do so by adding a dramatic twist behind the breakup or an infamous evil destroyer of loves and homes.
No, the creators will pleasantly surprise us by letting us know that the reason for the discord is much more personal, simple but complex at the same time: Ji Woo has always preferred to repress his feelings and alienate those who care about him. Yes, it is not easy to live with him, and the series, through flashbacks, will make us understand why he is the way he is. In his case, he is not the typical individual that we see in other audiovisuals that explain his misunderstood actions, such as abandoning a person he loves and from whom he receives love, using the handy excuse of "suffering from childhood trauma." Ji Woo doesn't do anything wrong, he just stays away from Seo Joon and other people in his life to avoid being hurt.
Woo Hyun continues to show the same charm as his persistent Seo Joon. He continually and without hesitation expresses his feelings, says what he thinks and leaves no room for misunderstandings. He goes for it.
For his part, Kang Min continues to play his role as the grumpy but cute Ji Woo, but towards the end you will see him grow wings, all thanks to the persistence and love of Seo Joon.
If many BL sequels have disappointed for various reasons, 'To My Star 2' does the opposite, transforming a simple love story, but without much substance, into a moving saga of breakup and reconciliation. The maturity in the team, both acting and technical, is evident to deliver an ambitious product, the result of hard work and experience.
At this point in the note, you can already imagine what happens with Ji Woo and Seo Joon... But in case you weren't paying much attention, I can confirm that yes, they fight! However, in this case, new characters and new conflicts are added to the dynamic. With longer chapters, with diversification of filming settings and an increased supporting cast, with their plots, traumas and life stories, complex events and characters were developed that will enrich the main story through a compelling narrative.
And I leave for last, precisely because of its importance, an issue that is striking to me: it seems very light that in a country as conservative as South Korea where discrimination against members of the LGBT+ community still persists, marriage between people of the same sex, and homosexuals have difficulty fitting into society, since coming out is not welcomed in most families who consider homosexuality as something similar to a crime, show a rural community, generally defenders of patriarchal and heteronormative traditions, without its inhabitants ever questioning the "friendship" of the two protagonists when the type of relationship they maintain is evident and even trying to influence it so that it is fostered.

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Opposites attract and create very deep love stories

Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.
But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a film becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that public that goes to the cinemas to enjoy it. 'To My Star The Movies', from 2021, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The film, a compilation of the Korean BL drama of the same name, with some scenes added and others deleted or moved in the new editing, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who hides after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The film, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail on a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star The Movie' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the film immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially puts up a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon moves next to him. around him, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes it. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The film challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to its artistic and visually appealing quality. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.

Note: The review of the series of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.

Lire davantage

Opposites attract and create very deep love stories

Strange strength is that of love that transcends the barrier of distance and time, mocks prejudices of all kinds and also manages to perpetuate itself in art as an inspiring paradigm for future generations.
But there are loves that break, in addition to social and temporal molds, those of carnality and logic. How, why, for what, are just the first questions in the face of the inevitable evidence of these powerful attractions.
We don't know if it's because of something in physics or chemistry, but it's no lie that opposites attract and create very deep love stories. Perhaps it is these differences that make them feel a strong attraction towards each other and, what's more, if they complement each other healthily, they will be able to have an almost perfect relationship for life.
However, patiently overcoming obstacles to get to that point will not be an easy task!
When a series becomes a mass phenomenon, regardless of whether or not it has its cinematographic values, it is because it touches some intimate fiber of that audience that occupies their armchairs in front of the television to enjoy it. With '나의 별에게' ('Naui Byeolege, Na-ui Byeol-e-ge, Naui byeorege'), English title 'To My Star The Series I', from 2021, which has only already been seen by millions of viewers in everyone, proves the axiom.
Because? Its theme, which was evidently the driving force behind its success: the differences between the two characters, one of them a famous celebrity and the other an ordinary chef, in addition to telling about a homosexual relationship. Their lives will be shaken when one of them, who flees from the press and his followers after being involved in a media scandal, is forced to leave his comfort zone and will cross paths with someone who does not want to leave it.
The Korean BL drama, in 9 episodes, revolves around Kang Seo Joon (Son Woo Hyun), a famous free-spirited film and television celebrity who goes into hiding after being implicated in a public scandal. At his hideout he meets Han Ji Woo (Kim Kang Min), his new roommate, an introverted and conservative man who leads a modest and unpretentious life.
Forced into an uncomfortable situation, they begin to share their personal stories, fears, and dreams. Despite his fall from grace and not having started the relationship on the right foot, Seo Joon believes that his luck changes when he meets and falls in love with the boy who represents his antithesis. While they spend time together, between the actor and the chef, who move in two very different social spheres, a romance arises,
Seo Joon is not only famous at the peak of his career, playing the leads in hit dramas and television variety shows, as well as high-profile advertisements, he is also outgoing, extravagant and very charismatic. Accustomed to being the center of attention, his personality is pure magnetism that attracts other people to his presence; while Ji Woo, who always tries to go unnoticed and not experience any upheavals in his life, represents the humility and simplicity of a down-to-earth boy who prefers a quiet lifestyle with simple pleasures, such as cooking or hiking.
And against everything predictable, one falls in love with the other and what is worse... it is reciprocated.
The series, by director Hwang Da Seul, who took her time to weave the story, with the meticulousness that characterizes her, worked like a craftsman in her eagerness to recreate every detail about a topic that she is passionate about: boy love, as he did with two other dramas: 'Where Your Eyes Linger' (2020) and 'Blueming' (2022), and the short film 'Inner Me'.
With a simple, but captivating and visually emotional plot, the novice filmmaker, recognized for her creative abilities, shows that it was no coincidence that she won the Award of Excellence at the V Catholic Film Festival for her 2018 short film 'Spring That Summer' .
To do so, it was based on Park Young's script about a romantic relationship between two initially heterosexual boys. The film exposes prejudices about homosexuality in Korean society and, above all, in the world of arts and culture, reflected by Jeon Jae Yeong (Kim Pil Hyun), Seo Joon's crisis and talent manager. , upon discovering the budding romance between the two protagonists, but later he will become an accomplice of the two lovers. The series also reflects the role of the media and social networks in the public's perception of youth idols.
Emotionally charged, 'To My Star' captures the essence of intimacy, vulnerability and unconditional solidarity within the queer community, with two young people navigating their gender identity and cultural background as its narrative heroes. Through an under-researched focus on BL storytelling and powerful performances, the series explores the complexities of human connection and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy.
The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the depth of their relationship to shine on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in their emotional journey of self-discovery and acceptance.
With good intentions, successful gags and sharp dialogues, the series immerses us in the relationship between two young people that, due to misunderstandings, does not start well, but as they live in the same apartment and enjoy cozy and intimate moments together, they will open their hearts.
Since Freud we know that sexuality develops together with subjectivity. It has to do with the pleasure that can be experienced in the body from the bonds built with another.
This reality does not escape the director. While they got to know each other, See Joon and Ji Woo began to learn to enjoy themselves and each other, that experience that shapes our relationship with pleasure, that of each one of them and that which we share.
Soon Woo-Hyun, the actor who plays See Joon, and who worked with the director in the short 'You Ghosted Me for a Week', from 2021, is usually worried about work and the mess in which he finds himself involved, But he tries his best to spend time with Ji Woo.
This, despite the seriousness of his character and overwhelmed by the presence of a being as overwhelming as his roommate, is the first to fall in love. The way he initially builds a wall of protection around himself in front of the other, the glances he steals from Seo Joon in the first episodes, the intonation of his voice and the strange blink when he doesn't quite know how to act when Seo Joon He moves around her, his facial expressions, his gestures, his entire body, express that he likes her. However, he is cautious, as he suffers from disappointment in love in the past and does not want to be hurt again.
Kim Kang Min, the actor who plays the character of Ji Woo, and whom we know from his debut in 2019 with the SBS series 'Stove League', unlike the famous Seo Joon, lives with his back to the world of celebrities. Employed in his friend's cafe, he is actually a talented chef, but his culinary skills are not shown to the public of large hotels and luxury restaurants.
Pretending to get along with the roommate, Seo Joon insists on befriending Ji Woo and spending time together. Those beings with two very different personalities will little by little get to know each other and enjoy each other's company.
As the days go by, the camera captures the moments of the two boys getting closer. Through silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Seo Joon and Ji Woo is conveyed in a visually striking way, resulting in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with audiences.
Although it does nothing new or innovative with the premise, the diversity of conflicts they face, their psychological complexities, and the emotional evolution of the characters, add layers to the narrative and weave an intriguing web that keeps viewers in suspense.
'To My Star' explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, in sharing those small moments and spaces of everyday life, transcending the physical act of sex, even if it is artistically fine. recreated, shown.
The series challenges social norms and invites the viewer to question their own perceptions of intimacy and love, while presenting a snapshot of the complexity, tenderness and vulnerability that people experience in unconventional circumstances, such as living together and the relationship between people from two different worlds.
The direction and cinematography contribute to the artistic and visually appealing quality of the series. The deliberate use of images and narrative style create an atmosphere that demands the viewer's attention and encourages introspection and invites reflection.
With a fairy tale ending and a clear resolution for its characters, 'To My Star' successfully captures the beauty and power of love, and serves as a reminder that true intimacy can be found in unexpected places and that love transcends social expectations.
With the final credits, I was able to conclude that I was looking at an audiovisual full of conceptual proposals related to gender identity, personal and social psychology, and the configuration of individual and collective destinies, in a country where today LGBT+ people continue to be discriminated against, and whose paths today, in the 21st century, cannot end up united in a marital alliance, as the refusal to legalize marriage between people of the same sex by a conservative society persists.
In this sense, the series contributes to the struggle of the members of that community in the defense of their trampled rights.
Note: The review of the film of the same name can be found, in MDL, on the page dedicated to the series on the platform.

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Otomo Kyoichi (Okura Tadayoshi- '100 Times of Crying',) works at an advertising company. He has an indecisive personality. Despite being married, he repeatedly has affairs. After seven years, he meets his college freshman classmate, Imagase Wataru (Narita Ryo- 'Katsuben!'), who reveals that he was hired by Otomo Chikako (Sakihi Miyu- 'The Man Who Can') , his wife, to investigate his infidelity, but also confesses that he is gay and has been in love with Kyouichi since the first day he met him.
Given the confusion created in Kyoichi, Imagase promises not to reveal his infidelities in exchange for a kiss. Kyouichi accepts the proposal, hoping it will save his marriage, but their secret relationship begins to escalate and eventually becomes sexual.
Isao Yukisada's 2020 live-action film 'Kyuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru' (窮鼠はチーズの夢を見る) is based on a Japanese manga series 'The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese', written and illustrated by Setona Mizushiro, serialized in the josei manga magazine Judy from 2005 to 2006. The book was followed by a one-volume sequel titled 'The Carp on the Chopping Block Jumps Twice' (俎上の鯉は二度跳ねる, Sōjo no Koi wa Nido Haneru).
This is a fascinating and heartbreaking film that deserves much more than being classified as BL, as well as better attention from the public.
The two protagonists are joined by Yoshida Shiori ('Chihuahua-chan') as Okamura Tamaki, Sato Honami ('Lupin's Daughter') as Natsuo, and Ohara Noriko ('Disturbed by Gymnopedie') as Ide Ruriko, whose characters they vividly embody. and compelling the idea that no matter who you are, once you fall in love with someone, your world will be turned upside down and there is nothing you can do about it.
The acting of the actresses allows human relationships to be more interesting than in a typical romantic film.
Tadayoshi Okura as Kyoicho shows talent and instincts, while Ryo Narita brilliantly plays the role he has been waiting for for a long time. The looks, gestures, words and silences of the two actors, sometimes playful and sometimes passionate, make this work even more realistic. The performances of the protagonists are especially good and indisputably express the heartbreaking but endearing love story.
The character played by Ryo Narita portrays with grace, naturalness and a certain sexual appeal the subtle changes in his emotions, which oscillate between arrogance, vulnerability and impatience on the screen.
Imagase transmits power and shows beautiful gestures that I have never seen before, but also despair and suffering. It's painful to be with him, just as painful to be away from him. His raw emotions make the viewer feel suffocated. He achieves the audience's empathy, and at times they forget the other characters present. He is the person who leaves the audience spellbound. His charm could perfectly work in the world of Wong Kar-wai or Lou Ye.
For his part, Tadayoshi Okura, with his passivity, boredom and rootlessness, also contributes to the creation of the atmosphere that the film tries to convey. Although natural, it exudes a certain air with elegance and seductive charm.
In particular, the scene in which while Kyoichi claims to be planning to marry a woman, Imagase begs him to allow her to continue seeing him, whether once a month or every six months, just to see his face, is very heartbreaking. At that moment I thought of the main characters of the American movie "Brokeback Mountain."
In this triumph of compatibility between director Yukisada and the actors, phrases said by Imagase will resonate over time, such as "When you fall in love with someone from the bottom of your heart, that person is the only one in everything", or "You have a weakness for the people who love you, but in the end, you don't trust that love and you keep sniffing out the feelings of the people who get close to you. Because of their power, these words impact and move.
Although Isao Yukisada set the standard within the Japanese and world seventh art with films such as 'Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World' (2004) and 'Year One In The North' (2005), creating an aura of mysticism, there came a period of stagnation from which only minor works emerged. But for the good of his followers, it also meant a time of meditation and intellectual growth.
We see the result in 'Kyuso wa Cheese no Yume wo Miru', a film with which Isao Yukisada returns to the path of success and expectations surrounding his productions, bringing us solid visual expression and human representation, making his narrative heroes play ruthlessly and skillfully.
The above is demonstrated when it seemed that the film was running out of breath after the first 40 minutes of its more than two hours of duration, Yukisada's virtuosity and professionalism refloated to achieve a convincing work.
While the two main characters cannot be happy, neither can the women around them. The four women who have been interfering in Wataru and Hyoishi's romance end up acting in a resigned or useful way for the development of the plot, which is probably why the director and screenwriter criticizes their characters from a feminist perspective.
In this kind of unrequited love, the film has the fascination of surpassing the original work. When one finishes watching it, one is impressed by its beauty and the helplessness it leaves in the viewer.
I leave for last my impression of the final scene of the film. When filming began, the two characters are on the shore of a calm, serene sea, but suddenly the wind blew and became intense. Someone asked to stop filming, but Okura Tadayoshi, Narita Ryo and Isao Yukisada, some in front of the cameras and the other behind it, stood firm, giving us a pulsating scene that leaves us with a lasting impression for life.

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A torrid sex scene is not enough fuel to get a plane or a car off the ground

The University of Technology and Innovation (UIT) opens its doors to receive new entrants every year. Its strict rules establish that future graduates, all male and interested in engineering careers, have to live on campus. It is divided into six buildings, and each one represents a group, according to the intellectual and physical qualities of its occupants.
Ai (Nuttawatt Thanathaveeprasert - Bank) and Songkhram (Chitsanupong Soeksiri -Earth) are two of the first-year students who will have to participate in multiple tests in an initial day of university orientation.
The striking physical challenges and artistic and mental competitions that they will undergo during the official reception ceremony provide a score that will define which dormitory building they will live in for the next four years.
By being elected leaders of university residences that have historically been involved in a continuous dispute, exacerbated each year with the arrival of new tenants, the two protagonists, without intending it, will end up being rivals, since each one will have to defend the interests of their respective campuses. .
While Ai, the automotive engineering student and car lover, commands building number 3, where the "handsome ones" live, Songkhram, the future aerospace engineer, who dreams of being an aviation pilot, is the guide of dormitory 2, where The "strong and athletic" ones are grouped together.
Bank, who we already saw in the drama 'Friend Forever', but with Ai makes the leap to the leading role in his first BL project, is a reliable boy who is always willing to help others, and shares a room with Touch, his best friend since the day he entered university.
This last character is played by Supanut Sudjinda (Tong), who we saw in the 2022 BL 'Unforgotten Night' in a supporting role.
For his part, Earth, also in his first leading role in BL, but with demonstrated artistic qualities appreciated in the series 'That's My Candy' and 'Even Sun', both from 2022, plays an intelligent and self-confident young man, who enters into frequent pungas with Ohm, (Bhurichon Khumsiri - Neptune), one of the occupants of bedroom 4, who has a close relationship with Ai as he is her cousin and childhood friend.
This is the fertile ground for the relationship between Ai and Songkhram, two “sworn enemies”, to flourish in the last year of their studies. The bitter conflicts and friction accumulated during the race will cause these two people, so different from each other, to first begin a friendship relationship that will soon become love.
To the aid of the two young people, indirectly, will come an assignment that they must present before graduating. They will have to form a team, along with other students, to prepare a project proposal to present to a panel of investors. This task, in addition to uniting them in complicity and romance, will also serve as a pretext to try to deceive their friends.
Despite having treated each other as adversaries, both will admit their secret feelings for each other. Songkhram is the one who will little by little stop fighting with his rival, after confirming that his suspicions that Ai is interested in Meen (Nattapat Suwanich - Pre-Saint) are not true. He will lose his fear and will be forced to reveal his love, realizing that his best friend, the athletic basketball player Bright (Natthaphon Musikanan - Boss), also loves Ai and tries to win him over.
Meen, one of the characters to take into account, is Ai's friend and has problems with class attendance and academic performance, since, along with his studies, he works as an actor in a popular television drama.
Meen and Bright used to be high school friends. However, they have grown apart and barely speak to each other at university.
Pluster (Chawanakorn Donmongkol – Po Te), and Nano (Sarin Rungkiatwong – Rim), are two first-year students who will bring new conflicts and tensions when they join the cast late in the series.
When love surprises the two main boys, they will have to contrive in front of the rest of the students to try to hide the fact that they are no longer rivals, but lovers.
In a script that reflects a weak and boring love story, Songkhram and Ai cannot show off their potential as a BL couple, despite their attractive looks and charming smiles. Embodying well-developed characters, I have no doubt they can become one of the most seductive couples within the genre.
Both the romance of the main couple and that of the secondary couples simmer and take time to develop, causing misunderstandings between them, and annoyance in the public, eager for the timid sighs of adults who act like teenagers to become hoarse. grunts of sexual enjoyment.
The adaptation of the novel "ราชาวิหค" (Racha Wihok) by Chiffon Cake lacks a compelling plot and shows little imagination. The only incentive we have, as the public, is to wait for the octane rating, that scale that allows us to rate the anti-knock power of a fuel when the latter is compressed in the cylinder of an engine, to be higher, and so on, Ai and Songkhram, like combustion generated, start flirting and kissing and thinking about a life together.
While the viewer waits for the couple to begin their journey in a stagnant plot, the repeated clichés, boring scenes and the actions of the characters, a kind of meaningless childish pranks, populate the episodes of 'Destiny Seeker'.
Only after the protagonists become adorable boyfriends with cute flirtations and romantic scenes in which there is no shortage of fun teasing and erotic games, while they hide their love from their friends and other students, the hitherto hidden BL material gains intensity and explodes with the essential fuel to get both cars and airplanes off the ground.
With a narrative that finally takes shape in the bodies of the two boys, the series enters, with plenty of momentum, into the last episodes, allowing visibility to a tender romance between two attractive young people who flirt deliciously.
The climax is reached in the passionate encounter of the young people in the final episode, in an act that borders on wild eroticism, but artistically polished like an exquisite jewel.
A hot sex scene will make even the viewer most accustomed to strong erotic images blush, due to how few they are in BL genre series.

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