Un Coup de Coeur
Etant une grande fan de BL, j'en ai vu une grande partie.Je n'avais pas encore été convaincue par les BL coréens depuis les massives déceptions qu'on été "Cherry Blossoms After Winter" et "Semantic Error".
Je suis donc allée plutôt septique sur "Blueming" en ne m'attendant à rien du tout sachant, qui plus est, la longueur de ce drama qui est très court même pour un BL.
Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise! J'ai réellement adoré mon visionnage. J'ai trouvé que la réalisation/production était plutôt brute/réelle, elle m'a beaucoup fait penser à celle de "I Told Sunset About You". J'ai trouvé qu'ils ont essayé de traiter des sujets qui nous touchent tous de manière subtile et bien faite.
Les personnages étaient attachants, la relation se développe de manière très naturelle. Rien de spectaculaire ou d'extraordinaire. Tout est pure et brut. C'était touchant.
Le jeu d'acteur était vraiment pas mal! En soi, j'ai vraiment aimé parce que ça change énormément du type de BL qu'on peut trouver en ce moment. C'était rafraichissant et les personnages ont vraiment su porter l'ensemble.
Je recommande vivement !
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Be the best version of yourself that you can
Just completed this drama last night and loved it.The description 'charming' came to mind.
This BL manages to gender neutralise and focus on the sweet angst of a couple starting to love. What I mean by gender neutralise is there are no specific BL tropes the story could be about 2 boys, 2 girls or 1 of each it works because it is about the couple. The whole story focuses on their gradual coming together.
There is enough depth of character building, despite the shortness of the drama a lot is contained as the back story is revealed. Honestly the 11 episodes flew by and I watched from start to finish engaged all the way.
The actors are very natural in their responses and the 'human-ness' of their love is beautiful to watch at the end I sat for a while just recalling scenes. Kang Eun Bin and Jo Hyuk Joon did an incredible job depicting the leads in a realistic and restrained way that emphasised the naturalness of their portrayal. the OST and cinematography were lovely and added to the experience, especially the use of tinted lighting (blue for blueming).
XXX
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
A cinematic production.
Honestly the biggest point for this show is the production. It feels very cinematic and is less "happy sunshine rainbows" which I think matures it in a way I quite enjoy. I really appreciated the more ambiguous way that Si Won and his mothers' relationship was rather than tying it up in a neat bow. The main couple had many beautiful scenes, but I think more dialogue would have been beneficial along with more time. The ending feels a bit choppy and though I was pulled in by the beautiful way the show is shot, I am left a little empty handed with why I should care about the main couple.It feel more like we are kept at arms length by the show. Never truly pulled into any of the plot beats - other than perhaps Si Won's one conversation with his mother. It was a nice show, but I think that is what makes it fall short in the long term. Beautiful but lacking a little substance, which is an ironic thing when you take into context the themes that it was trying to portray.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
ITS AMAZING
This series is just beautiful!I love how it showcases real-world situations and fully describes how they can affect a person.
There were tears, laughter, anger, etc. when watching this show.
It went smoothly which is unusual/rare in a Korean BL series. Usually, it's either too fast or too slow, but Blueming went at a perfect pace.
The acting was incredible that I totally forgot this was even a show. The chemistry between the two characters also set this series on another level.
I enjoyed it so much, it is totally worth watching!!
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
You're Gonna Be Popular
Going into this drama, I don't know what exactly I was expecting from it. Maybe something sweet and lighthearted, relatively uncomplicated. Instead what I got was a story with real depth and heart, characters that came alive, excellent acting, and an overall good quality production value. It was a pleasant surprise. There is something very artistic about it that I really appreciated and enhanced the story for me. It is hands down one of my favorite Korean BLs.The story, at face value, is a simple enough slice of life focusing on two young college men, the challenges they face both together and as individuals. Alongside them are their friends and family who have their own trials from dealing with sexism and harassment to guilt tripping from parents to the pressures of needing to be successful. The pacing was well done. It didn't feel rushed nor did it feel too slow.
I loved the characters of Da Un and Si Won. They are such opposites and yet in some ways, they are so similar. They're a study in how our families shape us, for better or worse. Si Won's mother had good intentions, but her good intentions caused lasting trauma to her son, leaving him lacking confidence and feeling the need to pursue perfection. Da Un, on the other hand, contrary to Si Won's assumption, suffered neglect at the hands of his parents which led to a different kind of trauma, one that affected and almost destroyed his relationship with Si Won. It is both fascinating and painful to watch them, as well as beautiful as they start to help each other heal.
The acting is superb. Hyuk Joon and Eun Bin both do their characters proud. They were equally good with the more lighthearted scenes and the emotionally heavy scenes. They had phenomenal chemistry and played off of each other so well. It was such a pleasure to watch their interactions. I have absolutely no complaints. The supporting cast was also really good. There is one particular scene between Si Won and his mother that is just exceptional. Both actors killed it.
The production value was for the most part really good. The cinematography in particular was stunning. I loved their use of lighting and the fact that one of the techniques mentioned in class was actively utilized was very clever.
This drama was such an unexpected pleasure, I truly enjoyed every moment of it. It's a sweet romance between relatable characters and as a whole, it's just very well done. I highly recommend watching it and this is one that I think would improve repeated viewings.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
safe place
Allora…non so che dire di preciso ma una cosa è certa: QUESTO è ASSOLUTAMENTE UNO DEI MIEI COMFORT DRAMA.La trama è semplice e carina, entrambi hanno dietro di sé una storia complicata.
La storia di Si Woon è molto complicata e triste, tutto il suo passato ha determinato il preoccuparsi continuamente di come è esposto agli altri, non può fare qualcosa di sbagliato che subito comincia a pensarci troppo e a trovare una soluzione per far sì che non si sparli di lui e sta cosa fa ragionare, non si dovrebbe essere ossessionati da ciò perchè sennò non vivremmo appieno la nostra vita, dobbiamo imparare a preoccuparci di meno e ad essere noi stessi, nel bene e nel male.
La storia di Da Woon, invece, non è stata raccontata, sappiamo alcune cose ma non proprio cosa ha dovuto passare quindi non riesco ad avere un preciso pensiero.
Loro due sono veramente carini e soft, anche se hanno dovuto passare qualche litigio alla fine hanno parlato e si sono chiariti.
Diciamo che nel suo insieme questo bl è fatto bene, è veramente carino, loro li amo troppo, ma purtroppo alcune parti sono per me confuse help, dovevano spiegarci meglio alcune cose ma vabbè.
Dato che l’ho amato ne pretendo una seconda stagione.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
A great BL even if it's overshadowed by Semantic Error
Korea saw its first venture into worldwide popularity with Semantic Error. With it came the push for more Korean BL dramas that showed us that Korea had the ability to go against BL mega giant Thailand and its secondary rival with Japan. However, often times, these types of runaway hits causes some issues with others. Lost in the shadow of Semantic Error hides Blueming and To My Star 2, two dramas that take things back and return us to a sense of life.Blueming's biggest draw was their portrayal of "slice of life" in a fuzzy, warm tint that made you feel at ease. It was an easy love story, filled with characters that helped to deliver a sense of nostalgia and lost love. This pairing didnt make sense at first, but as time went on, you'd realized that the two fit each other quite well. The steady build up, the desire to try and get to know each other, up to the moment of their first touch felt right. Siwon's desire to fit in and be loved matches with Daun's ability to make you feel loved. Many can relate to Siwon and his massive FOMO. Daun is harder to relate to, as he can feel distant unless you udnerstand him.
The only issue I had with this is the actual story. Slice of life is easily digestible but can be clunky after a few episodes and slow pacing. While I understand the pacing is to help build the world around them, it can be a bit of a snoozefest. Nonethless, I felt the love and the connection.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Beautiful, in an understated way
The cliché "deceptively simple" comes to mind as I thought about this series after watching several episodes. On the surface, the story is simple: Si Won, an attractive guy who is too eager to be popular because of his insecurities, meets Da Woon, who seems to be effortlessly perfect and popular (but who, quite clearly faces issues too). Si Won feels threatened by Da Woon in a way, but the tensions between them is not exaggerated in the way one would expect in some enemies-to-lovers plot. In fact, there is a hint of mutual attraction the first time the two guys meet each other, and Da Woon clearly harbors no hostility towards Si Won.It is not the first time that we see a BL couple who are film students, but it is one of the times when this fact is used well. Scenes from the film that Si Won makes, with just a few snippets as a film-within-a-film, effectively and economically reveals something about his relationship with his mother--the viewer may not have expected the revelation, but when it is revealed, the viewer may just go, "Oh yeah, why didn't I see it?" The mother, and not just the bullies Si Won encounters as a child, may have contributed to Si Won's insecurities by emphasizing to him as a child that people judge others by their looks and indirectly but frequently reminding him that people may look at their family differently because it's a single-parent family (the father having left the family when Si Won is a kid).
What is also hinted at is the relationship Si Won's sister has with both her parents as her mother accusingly talks (off screen) about how she isn't sufficiently against her father. Yet, even if the family is somewhat dysfunctional, it isn't a stereotypically dysfunctional family. Like every family, it may have its problems. However, the members of the family also do care about one another and do things for one another. The portrayal of the characters' relationships is, thus, sensitive and nuanced. This is quite rare for BL series, which often focus on the relationship of the BL couple at the expense of making other relationships simplistic. I guess this also enhances the so-called rewatch value of the series because there is a lot we can get with an additional viewing.
There is also much to like about the story of the BL couple. Many will appreciate how the main problem in their relationship isn't the fact that they are both men, a third party or some silly misunderstanding. There is growth in the characters, forgiveness and a happy ending that isn't plain fluff.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Great Adaptation of Who Can Define Popularity? with a Film School Twist
Blueming is an adaptation of the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" but it strays quite far from the source material that it has become it's own story.As a BL drama, it is an amazing example of a textbook BL drama. However, because it is too perfect and is an idealistic BL, it loses some points in the realm of realism. Still a must watch BL.
STORY:
When Si Won was a child, he has a tough childhood. He was teased for being fat and his home life wasn't stable. His father cheated on his mother and left. Since then, his mother has forced her views of being in shape and looking beautify onto her children. As an adult, Si Won is no longer fat and very self conscious. He is also quite popular due to his good looks.
During Si Won's first year of film school, he meets Da Un, who is perfect in every way. Da Un is handsome, smart, rich, and is nice to everyone. Si Won hates Da Un because he finds Da Un to be the perfect person that he strives to be, but will never achieve. Si Won tries to stay away from Da Un, but that proves impossible when they are paired to work with each other in ever class. Da Un also seems to have taken a liking to Si Won and follows him everywhere.
As I stated earlier, Blueming is a textbook BL. Every plot point, character, and scene has meaning to the drama; and there is no fillers. There is also no plot holes. Every question we have is answered. However, whether the answer the drama has given us can be up for debate. For example, when Si Won gets upset at Da Un for having his mother give him the grand prize for his script, Da Un says he's sorry, but he just wanted to be perfect. What does being perfect have to do with helping Si Won win the grand prize? If he said he just wanted to help get Si Won's name out there, or something like that I'd get it, but what does perfect have to do with it? I was so confused that I decided to read the webtoon and that's where I learned where Da Un's answer of being perfect came from. In the webtoon Da Un struggles with good child syndrome, so he struggles to be perfect. In this BL adaptation, however, Da Un's struggles with good child syndrome are not touched upon, so his answer made no sense. Other than that this drama is a must watch. It's not as overly dramatic as your typical Korean drama, but it's a nice drama nevertheless.
Si Won x Da Un
Si Won and Da Un have really good chemistry together. Si Won is very high strung and narcissist, but he knows that and isn't afraid to admit his shortcomings. In front of others he tries to maintain a good image. Da Un, on the other hand, is kind, caring, and a people-pleaser. He's understanding of Si Won's short comings, but seems to have a hard time opening up to anyone about his problems. He knows he is rich and more blessed than others around him, so he forces himself to swallow his own pain and pretend he doesn't feel it.
Si Won and Da Un are really great together. They balance each other out and talk through everything. They have the best communication skills out of any couple (BL and non-BL combined.) They help each other through their problems and support each other. They really are relationship goals.
BLUEMING vs WHO CAN DEFINE POPULARITY?
As I stated earlier, Blueming is an adaptation of the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity?" but it strays quite far from the source material that it has become it's own story. While the drama does follow the same plot of the webtoon, the situations, motivations, and scene are completely different.
For example:
Blueming
- Characters are all in Film School
- Da Un's family are famous in the film industry, directors etc.
- Da Un's mother and father seems to ignore Da Un's existence
- Si Won's mother is self-centered and cares about her kids' superficial beauty
- Si Won's storyline is the focus
- Da Un's storyline is cut. He doesn't really open up to Si Won.
- Ba Woo & Hoon's storyline is cut. Ba Woo is just a small side character that's barely memorable. Hoon makes a small cameo in the last episode.
- Yun Jeong and Si Won's sister's storyline is significantly cut. Seems like this could is queer baiting with their love storyline. Si Won's sister has a very small role in the drama. Yun Jeong is also a side character.
Who Can Define Popularity?
- Characters are all in the Student Council in University
- Da Un's family is Chaebol and Da Un is heir to his father's business
- Da Un's family really care for him, especially his mother, who is concerned about Da Un's good child syndrome.
- Si Won's mom is supportive of her family and doesn't care much about superficial beauty.
- Si Won's storyline is expanded, especially about being bullied in elementary school and later again in college.
- Da Un has a storyline about his narcissism and his good child syndrome. He opens up to Si Won.
- Ba Woo & Hoon are the secondary couple with lots of interactions with both Da Un and Si Won.
- Yun Jeong and Si Won's sister a small storyline. Both characters play a bigger role in the webtoon.
- Yun Jeong has a big love triangle with Si Won and Da Un.
Blueming still follows the main storyline of Si Won, but just changes a few things around. While a great adaptation, Who Can Define Popularity? is still the superior story as the audience is able to gain a better understanding behind the motivations of all the characters. Maybe if Blueming's episodes were longer than 14 minutes, the drama could have expanded the storylines and become the perfect BL that it was striving to be. I really wanted to see Da Un's struggle with good child syndrome on screen, but it was not covered at all. I hope to see it one day.
OVERALL:
Blueming is a must watch BL, but I still recommend watching Who Can Define Popularity? before or after. I think that Blueming is a great adaptation that can also be considered a stand alone BL.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
i cried LOL
holy fucking shit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!this kdrama was so beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. as the mains are film students, the visual appearance of the drama was very romanticized and pretty, whether it be the silhouette of siwon and daun as they kissed or the warm lighting whenever they were together. the insecurities of siwon are so similar to mine, and i feel that daun was very supporting and kind as he made sure to comfort and reassure him no matter what.
the scene on the beach where siwon is explaining that daun's pain is valid no matter what is so gorgeous and paired with the soft sounds of waves hitting the shore, it was perfect. the chemistry between both actors is unbelievable and the casting was great.
siwon's sister, no matter how bitchy she was at times, was still obviously important to him and their relationship was similar to many siblings around the world. his mother, although she was a but toxic, she still cared about him a lot and i love how they showed the struggles of being a single mom.
i wish we could've gone into more detail about daun's family, but hopefully we will get a season two and their story can continue.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Just wow...
This serie is lovable, pure, suiting, honest, believable, touching... I loved it and i really recomend other people to watch it.The cast contains of very good actors who play their role very believable and pure. I felt their emotions myself and thats what i am looking for in a movie, this makes the difference between a excellent movie or just a good one.
This is also a short series so i never felt bored, every episode was worth watching.
This serie is definitely underrated, because i just found out about it and it tops so many other series that are more popular...
The only thing i have my toughts about is the fact that Woons life with his parents and his own problems are never outspoken. There are 2 lead actors but somethimes i felt there was only one and Da-Woon was a bit unimportant.
Also the sounds and music didnt alsways fit well.
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
there is so much attraction in subtlety
I just want to express how happy I was after finishing this series. For such a short drama it has such a beautiful storyline which can make mainland dramas fail. I was fully invested in the characters, main and side both. My favorite side character being the sister. I like how they gave depth even to the side characters. The story was a straight healing story where two people meet and figure out their emotions together. Both the leads had emotional depth to them. One could argue Da Un seemed more anchored and closed compared to Siwon in the earlier episodes but we get to learn about him slowly and steadily later on. I just loved how confident Siwon was in misunderstanding Da Un, which he took sportingly and used to flirt back haha. The kisses was satisfying for this lady writer and romance was ahh so heart wearming.Heard a Season 2 in progress, hope they don't mess that up. I just love the characters so much that I cant bear it to be spoiled.
I'll keep the review short. If you still haven't, go and watch this beautiful BL drama now!
Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
