Honestly, this series might rank as my top BL from any country, even though it completely broke me and my emotions. If you’re looking for an angsty BL — this BL is for you.

The story is almost a complete genre shift compared to Season 1 — which I pegged as more of a comedy with some drama. On the other hand, this season really brought the tragic emotions of the characters to the forefront, and really found the characters having to face their burdens head on. So if you’re expecting a funny story between a ‘top star’ and ‘top chef’, this season is not it.

I think the genre shift suited the story particularly well, and really fleshed out the characters quite a bit. Season 1 felt quite superficial in its narrative, but I’m glad we really got to understand the characters a lot more.

For most of the season, we don’t know why Ji Woo truly ended the relationship — initially giving superficial reasons about Seo Joon’s habits, but hinted that it was because Ji Woo felt lonely during the relationship. Seo Joon continuously tries to coax the real reason for why Ji Woo left him, but it left with very little answers.

I must admit, being on either side of this conflict would be awful — but I do understand both of their perspectives. Ji Woo felt like he was nothing without the relationship with Seo Joon, he would always be home waiting for him, and had no support structure in Seoul. So he ran away, to try and prove to himself that he can be happy by himself. Seo Joon from the shock of suddenly finding a note to tell him that the relationship is over, continuously tries to find and then persuade Ji Woo to come back, whilst also finding out what the real reason was for breaking up with him.

I think the fact the BL felt so real, made me actually feel frustrated with Ji Woo. Other BLs I watch, I can quite easily distance myself from the characters because of the unrealistic nature of quite a few series. But for this one, I felt upset and angry (as Seo Joon did) and it broke me. I have to commend the whole cast and crew for making such a beautiful story to watch.

The cinematography was interesting and unique — compared to other shows, it used a slightly different aspect ratio — as if you were almost looking through a camera. And considering that it was almost as if we were looking back on these moments, or as if they were being told as if they were in the past, made this aspect ratio really amazing and integrated well with the story.

I also loved the interspersed flashbacks — it feels rather disorientating initially to try and grasp what is a flashback and what was the ‘present’ moment for the characters, but I think this worked in its favour as almost capturing what Seo Joon was feeling about his life.

In terms of what I disliked — there isn’t too much to dislike in my opinion. I think it is too angsty for me to watch again completely, and obviously would have loved more of an episode 10 where we can see more of them as a loving couple. But as art, to me it was almost a masterpiece. It really changed my perspective on BL and also in my own life, and I really hope we get a similar standard of BLs in the future (like in the Eighth Sense as well). As much as I love this on-screen couple and the terrific work they both showed, I kinda wish we can end with Season 2 (but if there is a Season 3, I would like only happy things please!!!)

100% Recommend!!!