In BL world of cheesy romances and dramas fraught with sexual tension, this is a pure and real love story! I loved everything about it. Let's break it down...I'll try not to give spoilers but no guarantees...so read at your own risk!

The MAIN Romance:
I am someone who doesn't mind the whole 'domineering male with a slightly smaller weaker guy' thing that BLs have going for them. So when I saw clips from this I was not sure what to think, because it came off more as kdrama bromance style than romance. But I loved it. For once the leads don't have a guy who is the girl in the relationship. The story is about 2 boys who go from enemies who are not really sure they should be enemies to friends and then fall into love. It feels very real. Yes, they have the cliched falling on top of each other, getting into each other's personal spaces while hiding cliches but it doesn't appear like they are pushing for intense sexual tension in those scenes. The two characters give those scenes their own unique spin.

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They pass off scenes where they are in each other's spaces with little jokes, like in the bathroom scene where Pat has not washed his hands, or the scene in the music store where Pat sniffs Pran. They play off the scenes that could have gone the 'stare deeply into each other's eyes or be weirdly aroused' as comic and appear true to their personalities and their weird antagonist push-and-pull friendship. Even the scene in the elevator usually is a moment of awkwardness even for straight couples, but this comes as playful and the way Pran looks at Pat like he can't believe he is 'in like with this shithead'.

I also love that they don't change all that much once they are in a relationship or even if they do, it doesn't seem to change their dynamic. Usually, when a relationship goes from enemies to lovers, they become weirdly nice to each other, whether they be straight or gay couples. It usually kills the story because what was awesome to watch was their antagonism and when that dies, it sometimes ruins a drama. Some dramas do pull it off well enough or have other important plots that keep the intensity of the relationship. In Bad Buddy, there is no change, they challenge each other every step of the way. Maybe it was because their challenges all along were some weird courtship ritual that only they knew of. But either way, the scenes with them challenging each other to make the other say I like you first or where they are playful fighting while eating dinner with Ink and Pa, those scenes just keep the essence of who they are. They don't become weirdly awkward in front of their friends now that their relationship is out. They are not overly lovey-dovey, no that they are not sweet to each other. They are sweet in the playful way they goad each other into doing anything. They are just the same weird dorks they always were. I love all aspects of this dynamic.

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The one thing is there is very little sexual chemistry between the leads. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Even when they have made out or pre-/post-sex, the scenes are loving but it doesn't feel like there is a lot of heat between Pat and Pran. Instead, it does it in a very sweet way. I usually have issues when couples have chemistry but no heat - I always feel like something is missing. But that was not the case here. Here their dynamic is not about sexual attraction, I mean I am sure it is there but what the story is bout is how their relationship is built on challenging each other and protecting each other. I didn't feel that the lack of heat screwed the plot in any way. If anything it made the whole relationship real. A lot of times Asian dramas make it seem that there is intense heat between people in relationships, but that is not always true. With these two, it seemed like a warm relationship, like they have been together for years and didn't need the heat to keep it going. They had passion, just in a different way. I love the way Pat and Pran are with each other.

Also, no one is a clear top or bottom. They are true equals in the relationship and it is shown in all of their scenes.

Acting
The actors were so on point with the characters. They had great chemistry together. There was such a wonderful energy in each scene they were on screen. I especially loved Nanon's Pran. He portrayed his emotions so beautifully.

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The scenes where Pran recalls him moving away, his quiet moments with Pat in high school where he doesn't have to pretend to hate Pat, and his jealousy over Ink. Nanon was so emotive that you would feel those emotions with him. I especially loved the scene where Pat stays over after getting locked out and he asks Pran about his feelings for Ink. The quite tears on being reminded that his love was unrequited. I was weeping for him.

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Ohm is awesome as well. I also liked the acting of other actors and how well they all played off of each other.

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I loved the second couple Ink and Pa. I really didn't expect it when Ink first came on screen. I had expected her as causing more angst for the main couple. But the moment Pa and Pat go on the test date with Ink, I started getting vibes of who Ink was really into. The build-up to the relationship was slow but sweet. I also like that they teased us with Wai and Pa (one-sided as it ended up). I did think they would have been cute (but Wai didn't exist in Pa's world) but I love the chemistry between Ink and Pa more.

I also like they didn't make every semi-main character pair up with another in the show. I like that Wai and Korn didn't end up together as another enemies to lovers couple, they just had their weird friendship dynamic, running a bar together. They had their own off-screen lovers.

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Overall, I really enjoyed this drama. I loved everything about it. Especially the way they ended it.

This is definitely a great fun drama to watch and rewatch!!!