Cette critique peut contenir des spoilers
I find this a really watchable BL drama although the story could have been stronger. There is enough to get us to like and care about the characters, but not enough to make the story strong and unforgettable.
The Characters and Story
The main couple, Fighter and Tutor, have interesting personalities. They are similar in some ways, which make them an interesting match. Fighter appears to be the one who is more aloof and even domineering, but he is in fact rather insecure and lacks the confidence to be honest about his feelings for Tutor. Tutor outwardly seems gentler, but there is both a tough side to him and a vulnerable side to him. This may sound contradictory, but it makes sense: while Tutor is by no means a weakling, he often finds himself faced with situations in which he has to be stronger than he really is and has to force himself to act as though he can handle the situations.
The similarity in their personalities is perhaps also what makes them keep their attraction to each other for so long, apart from how Fighter's father is trying to make him date a girl (Hwahwa, Tutor's friend) for the sake of business. In fact, Fighter and Tutor are attracted to each other the first time (or soon after) they meet. Fighter admits it towards the end of the series, and Tutor is shown to have kept the piece of paper on which Fighter has written his name. On Tutor's part, this is already quite strongly suggested from the time Fighter brings him and drink and he tries to get Fighter to say so--his disappointment when Fighter later gives the drink to Hwahwa instead is telling. On Fighter's part, it less obvious, which may cause his behaviour to seem rather bewildering. I think the story would have been more engaging if their mutual attraction had been clear early on, with misunderstandings occurring to prevent them from knowing each other's feelings.
The side couple, Saifah and Zon, is cuteness overload although their story isn't really a strong point in the series. I like the way Zon starts from being shocked by how his sister's BL story is coming true but becomes more open to being with Saifah and eventually fantasizes about it. The main couple naturally needs to have more drama because the side couple has so little drama. Unfortunately, the "drama" in Fighter and Tutor's relationship is one of the weaknesses of the series. The problem with Fighter's father is so easily and suddenly resolved that one may be left incredulous. The ending seems rushed although I believe no one really minds the happy ending.
Saint's Acting
One thing I liked about this series is Saint's acting. I thought it would be hard for me to imagine Saint as anything but Pete in Love by Chance. But it turns out that I didn't find myself sayng, "Go back to Ae, Pete!" It helps that Tutor has a very different personality from Pete, but I find that Saint has portrayed the gentle and vulnerable side of Tutor quite differently from the way he portrayed Pete. I think this isn't easy, and Saint has handled his role well. At times, I did find that the role stretched a young actor like him a little too much. The director has chosen to show Tutor's character in rather demanding ways early in the series, quite often having Tutor put on a strong front in front of others only to turn around and reveal his sadness and vulnerability when no one is looking. Saint handled these scenes fairly well although the transitions from the front Tutor puts on to the revelation of his true emotions could perhaps have been better.
The Male Characters
Another thing to like about this series is the range of masculinities portrayed. The series veers from extremes (as indicated by Fighter and Tutor's personalities), and has male characters who are more conventionally masculine as well as those who are more androgynous or even effeminate without negatively portraying those who are not conventionally masculine. The owner of the cafe Tutor works in may seem stereotypically effeminate at first, but there's more to him than just the usual ornamental effeminate character meant for laughs. Although the series is woke in this regard, some may feel uncomfortable about how Fighter almost forces himself on Tutor after Tutor breaks up with him and pretends to be intimate with another guy. At least, however, Fighter does not win Tutor back in this way.
The Subs
One thing that could have been better for international fans is the translation (though I'm really grateful there are even English subs). For example, the subtitles kept saying "cringy" instead of "clingy". I suspect the translation may affect how international viewers understand the dynamics in Fighter and Tutor's relationship. For example, the subs could be the reason I'm not sure why Fighter seems perturbed by the idea of having sex with Tutor a second time at the beach. They could also be why I'm unsure whether there was any intention to hint that they might reverse their top/bottom roles though maybe it's just me imagining things.
The Characters and Story
The main couple, Fighter and Tutor, have interesting personalities. They are similar in some ways, which make them an interesting match. Fighter appears to be the one who is more aloof and even domineering, but he is in fact rather insecure and lacks the confidence to be honest about his feelings for Tutor. Tutor outwardly seems gentler, but there is both a tough side to him and a vulnerable side to him. This may sound contradictory, but it makes sense: while Tutor is by no means a weakling, he often finds himself faced with situations in which he has to be stronger than he really is and has to force himself to act as though he can handle the situations.
The similarity in their personalities is perhaps also what makes them keep their attraction to each other for so long, apart from how Fighter's father is trying to make him date a girl (Hwahwa, Tutor's friend) for the sake of business. In fact, Fighter and Tutor are attracted to each other the first time (or soon after) they meet. Fighter admits it towards the end of the series, and Tutor is shown to have kept the piece of paper on which Fighter has written his name. On Tutor's part, this is already quite strongly suggested from the time Fighter brings him and drink and he tries to get Fighter to say so--his disappointment when Fighter later gives the drink to Hwahwa instead is telling. On Fighter's part, it less obvious, which may cause his behaviour to seem rather bewildering. I think the story would have been more engaging if their mutual attraction had been clear early on, with misunderstandings occurring to prevent them from knowing each other's feelings.
The side couple, Saifah and Zon, is cuteness overload although their story isn't really a strong point in the series. I like the way Zon starts from being shocked by how his sister's BL story is coming true but becomes more open to being with Saifah and eventually fantasizes about it. The main couple naturally needs to have more drama because the side couple has so little drama. Unfortunately, the "drama" in Fighter and Tutor's relationship is one of the weaknesses of the series. The problem with Fighter's father is so easily and suddenly resolved that one may be left incredulous. The ending seems rushed although I believe no one really minds the happy ending.
Saint's Acting
One thing I liked about this series is Saint's acting. I thought it would be hard for me to imagine Saint as anything but Pete in Love by Chance. But it turns out that I didn't find myself sayng, "Go back to Ae, Pete!" It helps that Tutor has a very different personality from Pete, but I find that Saint has portrayed the gentle and vulnerable side of Tutor quite differently from the way he portrayed Pete. I think this isn't easy, and Saint has handled his role well. At times, I did find that the role stretched a young actor like him a little too much. The director has chosen to show Tutor's character in rather demanding ways early in the series, quite often having Tutor put on a strong front in front of others only to turn around and reveal his sadness and vulnerability when no one is looking. Saint handled these scenes fairly well although the transitions from the front Tutor puts on to the revelation of his true emotions could perhaps have been better.
The Male Characters
Another thing to like about this series is the range of masculinities portrayed. The series veers from extremes (as indicated by Fighter and Tutor's personalities), and has male characters who are more conventionally masculine as well as those who are more androgynous or even effeminate without negatively portraying those who are not conventionally masculine. The owner of the cafe Tutor works in may seem stereotypically effeminate at first, but there's more to him than just the usual ornamental effeminate character meant for laughs. Although the series is woke in this regard, some may feel uncomfortable about how Fighter almost forces himself on Tutor after Tutor breaks up with him and pretends to be intimate with another guy. At least, however, Fighter does not win Tutor back in this way.
The Subs
One thing that could have been better for international fans is the translation (though I'm really grateful there are even English subs). For example, the subtitles kept saying "cringy" instead of "clingy". I suspect the translation may affect how international viewers understand the dynamics in Fighter and Tutor's relationship. For example, the subs could be the reason I'm not sure why Fighter seems perturbed by the idea of having sex with Tutor a second time at the beach. They could also be why I'm unsure whether there was any intention to hint that they might reverse their top/bottom roles though maybe it's just me imagining things.
Cet avis était-il utile?