It’s easy to see why CBAW is so popular. No time is wasted on dumb bullsh*t like messy sideplots. This is all about Haebom and Taesung, and man, I have to say, they have a really cute relationship (and height difference).

The characters have really good chemistry (which makes the show worth watching), but while their insanely cute romance develops, a tiny voice in my head can’t help but yell: But wait! They’re still adopted brothers!!

The vibe of Haebom and Taesung is closer to childhood-friends-turned-lovers rather than siblings, even though they grew up in the same household. Haebom even addresses Taesung’s mother as “ma’am” rather than “mum”.

But something about their relationship still unsettles me. Haebom and Taesung’s love story, in all its warm, sappy, goodness, would make for an even more delightful watch if not for this uncomfortable detail.

If anything, this show makes me interrogate my beliefs on relationships that I can or cannot accept. Blood relations are out of the question. Adopted siblings or stepsiblings? Hmm, probably weird if they grew up together (exactly what happened in CBAW). How about discovering a long-lost half-sibling during adulthood? It gets iffier man, I don’t know.

My full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/04/27/cherry-blossoms-after-winter-2022-review-adopted-brother-bl-plot-makes-it-weird/