The Eighth Sense (2023)

No doubt, one for the BL (LGBTQ+) books.

It may just be my opinion, but I've always felt there is a difference between BL shows and LGBTQ+ representative shows, and I feel like The Eighth Sense dipped into both genres, but definitely, and successfully, crossed the finish line in the latter.

It's been compared to SKAM in comments by many people, myself included, and as a fan of SKAM (multi), I can agree that 8th Sense resonates and has many parallels with it, but this show stands alone as well and had the grace to finish in a way that was satisfying as an ending, and yet leaves it open for a second season (if we should ever be so lucky).

As usual, I'll begin with the;

THE GOOD
- This show's story has RANGE, but not in that way where screen time is wasted taking us down deviating extra unnecessary character exploration which distracts from the point and causes frustration. Rather, we see many sides to many characters, and they all have a part to play toward the main story, but in a very succinct and definitive way, which adds perspective to the realistically unflowery plot; because life isn't all unicorns and cotton candy. However, the story remains focused on the developments and up and down romance of the leads, while also touching on the human condition and how difficult it can be to deal with and navigate and make sense of people, life and social norms. Even at the end of the last episode, we see the difference in temperament and personality between the entire group, but especially the two leads.

- The filming style is very much to my personal taste, and I'm not just talking about the use of angles, cuts and LUT, but the way the story is told in a way that keeps the viewer guessing about Jae Won and the state of his various relationships with the people around him. I also really appreciate the lack of suffocating music, in this show there is music where it should be, not all over the place, and the music is suitable. Additionally, there is also no obnoxiously, eye rolling and drawn out stares or lean ins between the two leads.

- I have zero complaints about the acting and certainly no complaints about the ML's chemistry with one another.

- The theme of surfing was utilized well, in that the show did not revolve around it, but instead we discovered Jae Won loves the ocean because it calms him, and the surfing theme was also used as a major plot device to develop the relationship between Jae Won and Ji Hyun. Very well executed in only 10 eps.

- This show has complicated but healthy conflict resolution relative to the circumstances, realistic problems between friends and non-friends, believable awkward, ugly, confusing and sad moments between people. Even the fact that Jae Won forgives Tae Hyung for the bullshit he pulled is believable, because people often struggle to cut bad people out of their lives, especially when they feel insecure about their own personalities, worth and feelings. And Jae Won's depression and hints of PTSD throughout was portrayed well without trying to overdo it, they introduced it with some mystery, and then even when it became clearer, it remained subtle but relevant. In fact, in all scenarios, I feel we saw and learned as much as we needed too to follow the story.

Honestly, I could say more, but really, the overall show was just fantastic in my opinion.

So there is no BAD or UGLY, but I will say;
People like Tae Hyung and Eun Ji are trash people, from the start they were jealous, rude, disrespectful, condescending, bitchy and self absorbed. Eventually Tae Hyung even became malicious in actively intending to get Jae Won suspended, and Eun Ji was revealed to be a flat out liar, clinging to Jae Won while blatantly lying about effing around on him just because she thought he didn't know. She was not sorry for being shitty, she was only sorry she was caught. Trash people my dudes. This show may depict the truth of how hard it is to shake them off, but honestly, trash people should be tossed out with the non-recyclables.

HIGHLIGHTS;
Jae Won and Ji Hyun's kiss in the ocean, a great depiction of how they were just looking for a reason to close that final distance between them.

Jae Won nervously joking when asking if Ji Hyun's boss would do something inappropriate to him.

JP and YW hooking up. I did not see that coming 😂


The Eighth Sense is something I would definitely recc watching, it's up there for me with SKAM (Norway/Belgium/France/DRUCK), Young Royals, Sense8, HIStory; Make Our Days Count, and Not Me in terms of shows that manage to touch on different issues and situations while still incorporating LGBTQ+ and great love stories that are well depicted.
I have no complaints about this show.

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