Mate (2024)

A Rollercoaster of Emotions and Missed Opportunities (But A Great Ending)

Trigger Warning: One of the leads, Aoey, is a victim of SA and Cheating

If you’re not a fan of shows where one character repeatedly forgives another despite constant mistreatment, this might not be for you. Aoey endures a lot from Gen, tying into the show’s soulmate theme wherein no one else seems to understand or tolerate them as they do for each other.

The show has some notable flaws. The repetitive conflicts, unresolved issues, and mistakes made the story feel tedious over time. Dialogue often felt awkward and unengaging, which weakened the romanticization of darker themes that the show aimed to explore. Gen’s inability to learn from her mistakes, even after seeking advice, was particularly frustrating and made her character development feel stagnant. Additionally, the editing and coloring didn’t align with the melodramatic, angsty tone the show tried to achieve, making it harder to immerse in the emotional scenes.

Despite these drawbacks, there are several positives. Gen’s actress was stunning and perfectly embodied the role, particularly in the earlier episodes. It would be exciting to see her in a better-written but same premise GL show. The show’s emphasis on the importance of asking for help added meaningful moments, and the emotional childhood flashbacks helped foster empathy for the leads’ relationship. Gen’s protectiveness over Aoey was a charming sight, and the verbal accountability shown by those who influenced Gen’s actions was a refreshing take that stood out in the narrative. Lastly, the show's finale was extremely satisfying.

While watching, a few thoughts came to mind. Both Aoey and Gen clearly needed mental health support. Gen’s toxic perfectionism seemed rooted in unresolved trauma, but the lack of exploration into her backstory was a missed opportunity. Delving into her past would have added depth and made her character more relatable. The sudden addition of sound effects halfway through the series was unintentionally hilarious, disrupting the tone. When Aoey finally learned the truth about Gen leaving her, the moment lacked impact and became underwhelming. The show’s focus on repetitive and dragged out dialogues robbed critical scenes of emotional weight, especially in the final episodes.

However, all of this was made up for with that simple yet impactful and meaningful proposal scene. We rarely get proposal scenes in GLs and I'm so grateful they gave us one. The line "I figured that being just a mate isn't enough." followed by "How about a soulmate?" They absolutely did wonders with these lines. How I wish the rest of their dialogues had this kind of magic in them. Mate's final episode was a breath of fresh air from all the GLs I've watched which was a joy to witness, giving me the positive closure we desperately needed after that stressful ride. They did wonders with the last episode and I was gratefully fan serviced to the max.

Overall, this is a flawed but decent show. While the writing is weak, the performances and chemistry between the actresses are commendable. It has a fulfilling conclusion, so don’t let the negatives dissuade you from giving it a try, as it will definitely give you the feels in one way or another.

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Dare to say best GL I've ever seen

Brace yourself for drama, angst, and trauma because Mate the Series has it all—and it’s absolutely fantastic.
This is probably the best story I’ve ever seen in a GL. I was captivated from beginning to end.

The love story between Gen and Aoey, two childhood best friends who reconnect after years of separation, is a beautiful portrayal of friendship, love, longing, and heartbreak. Their relationship is not easy to navigate; it’s intense and raw, but ultimately filled with all the love and affection they have for one another.

I adore the two main characters so much. Gen is bossy and arrogant, but deep down, she is incredibly gentle, caring, and selfless. We see how much she grows and changes for the better throughout the series. Aoey, on the other hand, is such a pure soul—she deserves the world. Seeing her on screen made me smile every single time. Yet, she also has a mischievous side that was an absolute delight to watch.

The chemistry between them is undeniable right from their first meeting. It’s so strong that you can’t look away. They effortlessly deliver both the most dramatic and the sweetest moments, making every shared scene a joy to watch.

Speaking of acting, Grace and Oaey did a phenomenal job. Grace excels in using her facial expressions to convey Gen’s emotions, often expressing what Gen cannot say out loud with just her eyes. Oaey, meanwhile, had a particularly challenging role. Aoey goes through so much, yet Oaey’s performance always feels genuine, even in the most intense moments—it’s never cringe-worthy or overdone.

One of the reasons I love this story so much is that it’s not just about them. There are external factors that play a significant role in shaping and influencing their relationship. The story feels broader in scope, as they face challenges and obstacles that are complex and not always easy to overcome.

While Mate excels in storytelling, character development, and acting, it does fall short on a technical level. The production, directing, and especially editing could use improvement. The editing, in particular, sometimes makes the story feel disjointed, and the narrative doesn’t always flow smoothly. The cinematography is almost nonexistent, and visually, the series can feel a bit dry. Apart from two beautifully executed moments, there aren’t many memorable scenes in terms of visuals. The series relies heavily on its intense emotions and performances to carry its weight.

Overall, I loved this series so much that I’ve grown deeply attached to Gen and Aoey. It’s hard to say goodbye. Every single episode had me hooked, leaving me craving more. I laughed, cried, and felt their pain and joy. It was truly a rollercoaster of emotions. Though it’s bittersweet, I’ll send them back to the novel with so much love.

10/10 <3

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