johnnyneedscash
Switzerland, yoo
Falling in Love with a Rival
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The story sounded really good at the beginning! And in my opinion, the drama really has potential to be a well-written and funny romance with lots of comical elements. But - and it's a but in capital letters - the potential has NOT been exploited. What I mean is, that there are only eight episodes à ~20min, therefore, the story develops way too fast, and I, personally, couldn't follow it. The whole story actually didn't make sense to me at all, even though I knew what it was about. Also, the subtitles really made it hard to understand (although I have to say, that I'm always really grateful when an Asian movie/drama/whatever is translated!).
But I'm also very conflicted, because I enjoyed the acting and the actors! They main actors have a really good dynamic, the series isn't afraid of skinship and the kisses were fantastic (I hate those series where the kissing-scenes are long and awkward, I mean, come on).
All in all, the series isn't bad! But it's very confusing, the storyline isn't really existent, and it's moving way too fast. I'd actually not recommend it, but maybe it's just my personal opinion!
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Let's start.
The storyline... well. I admit that there isn't a thrilling plot to follow. There aren't any mysteries, there isn't a complex story behind the whole series and it also doesn't develop like you may want it/expect it. BUT that's not the point of the drama at all, and you'll notice while watching. The whole series is meant to be funny and unexpected and humerous. And it is! It made me laugh really hard (and normally, I actually don't like the comedian parts in Asian dramas, maybe because I'm only used to Western humour). The characters are so fucking ridiculous, but in a cute and lovable way! (Especially Thor, you have to love him)
Yes, the series lacks a plot that's really intense and thrilling, but it doesn't need to have one, it really makes up for it with its humour, its point of view filming and the actors! I don't want to hype it because I know that the opinions drift far apart, but I guess it's worth watching when you're into cute, lovey-dovey behaviour and ridiculously funny characters. Yes, it's not as awesome as other dramas I've seen so far, but it's very sweet, authentic and just down-right laughable. I think it will be much fun when you try to watch it and when you forget every prejudice you have on Asian dramas. The humour is the key word in this drama! The director played with the filming, with the "daydream sequences", the puns and... everything. It's very thought-through and you'll enjoy it.
ALSO (but that's just for me): I really love Thor. And (I hope) you'll love him too. I also really adored the actors of Tee and Pond (probably because I loved their performance in "Love's Coming"), but, actually, every actor/actress did a very good job in being exaggerating and overdone and ridiculously funny.
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But let me review it from the start. The storyline. I actually watched Sotus rather reductantly, because I didn't really like the trailer. But when I started watching it, I got into it more and more. The story starts out like any highschool-love-comedy-show: it is light-hearted, the characters are introduced and there isn't going on much in the first episode. But the story develops really lovely! The main couple (I'm sorry, I'm a Swiss loser, I cannot remember all the names) has this kind of rivalry-but-somehow-sexual-tension-dynamic I really love! Especially Artith seems to be so harsh and unapproachable. But that's what makes it interesting. As a viewer, you can follow the storyline, you get to know so many different characters and you also can observe how the relationship between the characters change.
It's not a sudden "oh, it's love at first sight and we're gonna fuck in the next episode", but it's... so sweet. It's slow-built, but it also satisfies us with a bit of fanservice, but most importantly, the development in the relationships - whether it's in a friendship-kind-of-way or in a romantic-kind-of-way - is really portrayed realistically. What I also appreciate, is that Artith doesn't fall in love at first sight, that he struggles with his own feelings and his sexuality. This is a big topic, as Asia isn't that progressive yet (compared to Europe, at least).
Also, there actually IS a story to follow, not only about the relationship between two guys, but also about their life in university and friendship!
Also, it kind of introduces us into the world of Asian universities and culture. Everyone living in the West would agree with me - it's very different from our traditions and habits.
And now let me start on the characters! Oh, they are played so well, you won't believe it until you see it. All the characters (not only the main ones) are chosen carefully (at least it seems like it), and they play their roles so perfectly! All of the actors have got talent, you can feel it. Their facial expressions are gold, their voices sound like honey, and their gestures fit into their roles.
I really recommend this series, if you're into angsty teenager love, discovering about sexuality, but in a sweet and cute way.
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STORY: See, the story wasn't that.. original. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't actually a plot to follow. The whole drama is about those cute school boys who fall in love (maybe for the first time) and how they struggle with their relationships. The drama is actually very accurate, school life and friendships are portrayed realistically. But for the romance part in the series, there isn't really a story line. Which doesn't mean that the series is bad, because it's definitely not! Just. There could be more story/plot (but maybe I just expect too much).
Also, there are some things missing, I guess. There are many more characters (like the sister of Fuse and her best friend, Yok, etc.) which had some issues going on but it was never explained, and they were completely ignored by the main story (maybe there's more to watch in the second season, I'll have to find out)
ACTORS/CHARACTERS: Okay, listen up, the actors were so wonderfully cute! I really enjoyed watching them. The dynamic between the characters were really authentic, the friendships were believable and overall very interesting. Also the two main couples really brought across that they were in love but also struggling with their relationship at the same time. It's unfortunately still common for homosexual people in Asia to hide their sexual orientation and relationships from society, so the fear of being openly in a gay relationship (or being openly gay, that is) is present, but not depressingly. The actors also got the longing and/or loving staring going on, you won't believe it. The facial expressions and the gestures were really careful and soft, just like a highschool student would behave.
OVERALL: the story wasn't really... interesting, maybe because there wasn't a story to begin with. But the acting really made up to it, the actors were wonderful, but - I have to put it bluntly - the kissing scenes were SHIT. I mean, in asian dramas, the kissing scenes always differ from what western culture is used to (and I actually enjoy those slow and careful kisses in asian dramas), but in this series, the kissing scenes were really bad. Most of the times you could see that they didn't even come close to one another (even kisses on the cheeks were not acted out, I mean?).
All in all, the series is cute, but it would have had much more potential, and I probably won't re-watch it, because there isn't anything re-watch-able, but it was certainly not bad! I recommend it if you're searching something cute with minimal angst/drama, a believable dynamic between the friends and family members, and some cute characters!
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HIStory2: Boundary Crossing
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I admit, I let myself be clickbaited by the volleyball-theme. I really enjoyed Haikyuu!! and I kind of assumed that I would like real-live-action-Volleyball as well. Oh, I was so right about it.
The story isn't actually very original, but it's very well-done! The whole drama kind of reminds me of Haikyuu!! (not only because of the Volleyball-theme), but also because it's a series about sports, dreams, friendship, slice of life and love. There are many different topics mentioned in the series, and every one of them is carefully portrayed. The most important one, of course, is love. Love between two boys, that is. I admit (again) that I mainly watched Crossing the Line because of the tag BL, but I really don't regret it. It's the acting I fell in love with.
As I said, the storyline isn't that original, it isn't new or fresh (they even mention Haikyuu!! in the series!), but the acting is so perfect, you will definitely fall in love with the drama and the actors! All the actors are so energetic and so authentic, you just have to love it. Of course, it's a bit "overdone", I mean, it is a BL asian drama, the comical elements are maybe different from what I'm used to, and the characters are sometimes a bit too strictly "asian" (not tryna be racist ok, it's just as I see it).
But you will love it. The first episode is kind of the introduction (as it's usual with every show), but the development of the characters and the story itself will wrap you up in no time!
I totally recommend it. I've watched the whole drama in one go, and then I watched it a second time. Really. You won't regret it.
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First things first: the storyline is really sweet! If you want to see hot-heated grinding and dirty sex, this isn't the right series for you. It is rather sweetly built up, a bit of a slow-built drama, but it develops reasonably, and every touch is so sweet and careful - I love it.
What strikes me the most about this drama is that I learned many new things about the culture and their traditions, which cannot be expected automatically in an asian drama (as the main audience probably knows about all this stuff). It also helpes me to understand other dramas a bit better because here in Europe - it's very different.
Secondly, the characters. Where should I begin? The actors are just perfectly chosen for their respective roles. Their expression of feeling is fucking on point!
All in all, this drama is very cute, has funny elements in it and is very touching. I can only recommend it, if you're searching for cuteness, softness and slow-built romance!
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ACTING: the acting was the only good thing, which is why I start with it. The actors had an expressive way of showing their emotions without talking. And I really love those staring scenes, where the love is shown clearly on the character's face. Not everyone can act like being in love (like, seriously in love), so I guess it was a big bonus.
STORY: there was no story, period. One thing I enjoy while watching asian dramas is that there is often a plot line that's interesting to follow, maybe even a bit strange or new and thrilling because I, as a Swiss person, am not used to their traditions or their culture in general. But this series... hasn't got anything interesting, I have to put it bluntly. It's like one of those stupid american shows in which there are only horny teenagers and it's all about sex. That's it, basically. There is no plot that could catch your attention, let alone keep you watching the series until the end.
OVERALL: it's not good. The first season was bearable and cute, innocent and funny, but the second one was really unoriginal and kind of boring to watch. My opinion, you don't have to listen to me, though.
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