Bear with the cringe of the first couple episodes to enjoy nice drama

Let’s start with things that I actually liked about the series (it mainly applies to later episodes)

- Green flag bf
God (characters name) is a huuuge green flag when it comes to taking care about his partner’s comfort. He doesn’t push Diew’s boundaries, provides safe space for him, shuts down nasty comments about him and actually listens to his boyfriend, loved his confidence.

- Communication!!
Even though the last episodes’ drama basically revolves around miscommunication and lack of trust, i still love the fact that most of the times the show lets characters discuss things that are bothering them instead of making them suffer in silence and milking cheap drama out of it. Every other step this couple takes in their relationship is consensual and talked through. So refreshing to see!!!

- Drama
The drama here is just good.
The moment shows gets darker and more serious it gets much more entertaining. Diew’s backstory redeems his character a lot in my eyes. Having an overprotective, borderline controlling mother, being labelled as a weird kid his whole life, not having actual friends and finally being heartbroken by an abusive ex, now i see why he’s been struggling with being 100% open to God.
I also liked how Diew’s ex-boyfriend is portrayed. The show doesn’t try to justify his nasty behaviour towards Diew, but at the same time we get a good look on what toxic friend group could do to one’s self-esteem and how it affects person’s love live. It also depicts an unseen jealous and distrustful side of God’s character which gives him more depth, loved it!
Although i can already feel that we will get“happily ever after” ending anyway, i still very much enjoyed the execution of the drama here.


Well honestly speaking Monster Next Door doesn’t have that many flaws, but the things i listed lower made me cringe A LOT, so let’s get into it.

- Acting
Oh boy it was a hard watch in the beginning. You get to see two grown men in their mid 20s acting like middle schoolers for the first few episodes so just bear with it. They’re exchanging notes, drawing on tables, playing this silly hide n seek, speaking sweet nothings and overall acting so fckin childish, it was hard to take their relationship/struggles seriously.
I promise, their acting gets better and less childlike as the show progresses, just wait for it.


- Neurodivergent? Nah hes just an introvert.
Its happening again. Showing a character that has every single trait of a high functioning autistic person and calling him a bit weird introvert. The show could have been a great commentary on a romantic relationship between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals, yet again its all being downplayed to “shy boy/outgoing boy” cliche.
It could be me just misinterpreting things and putting labels on people, but bffr. Introverts do not have problems keeping an eye contact, don’t tend to have special interests, don’t get overstimulated by physical touch, the list can go on. So if you keep in mind that Diew’s character is probably autistic, the show will make much more sense.


- Start of the relationship
Im unsure about this myself but something just doesn’t sit right with me here. Two people falling in love without even seeing each other’s faces is not an uncommon thing, but the way the show executes this, feels at the same time both rushed and too slow paced. Like characters start dating blindly after a few conversations but then freak out and run from this topic as soon as they meet face to face? Make it make sense. It could’ve been way better if they just agreed on being friends first and then developed feelings of each other.


- University setting just for an aesthetic
Its pretty common cliche in school themed bls, but here… damn, the show has like two scenes where characters actually attend university because most of the time they just chill in the dorms, sleep in the library, walk around or do side quests like exhibition date, friends trip or whatever. Like i just finished watching the last aired episode and I can’t even tell what characters are majoring in.


- Save the turtle!!!
Sorry, had to put this in here. This tank is smaller than a fckin shoe box and every time we see characters holding it, the poor thing inside is scratching the glass trying to crawl out of it, just get the bigger tank for gods sake!!


Overall!
Monster Next Door not a bad show to binge watch when you want some fluff. That’s it. It’s nothing deep nor serious, its just a nice silly drama. A bit cringy, a bit serious, good written in some parts, lacks of depth in others. One time fun, won’t rewatch it again.

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