Basic synopsis: Two kids who grew up with families that hate each other are forbidden to be friends end up realizing they can’t be just friends.....


[[**this review contains spoilers**]]
This is a series that really surprised me seeing as I had zero expectations. Nevertheless, I never expected to love this series as much as I did. As a new BL fan, I was on a mission to watch the classics. I’ve heard everywhere how much people loved this series, and after finally finishing - I can’t help but agree. As a fan of My School President (of which is under the same network-GMMTV), Bad Buddy gave me the same indescribable wholesome and “pulling at the heartstrings” feeling I loved from MSP but with so much more angst and yearning.

What I love in a haphazard order ( apologies, this is my first public review):
-Fast-paced, pacing is immaculate - every scene felt necessary
-No problem or plot point felt stupid/unnecessary
-None if few scenes were cringy
-As an avid “scene forwarder” (I’m looking at the travesty that is “Step by Step” (2023)), I instead found myself repeating scenes because they’re just that GOOD! I found myself absolutely CHEESIN’ over how cute they are / how sweet the moment is. We get them early on and consistently in the series, keeping each episode engaging
-Even for sadder scenes, each were achingly beautiful / well-written dialogue / both Ohm and Nanon’s eyes and facial expressions were so much LOUDER than any of the yelling / screaming they do (see: iconic ending of ep 4 / their first sleepover)
-I’m here for the slowburn and the absolutely well-executed ANGST. I also love the tropes where one is sulking and the other is doing everything in their power to have the other talk to them which not only increases the tension but helps you understand the character even better. These are tropes are something Bad Buddy have made me realize that I love across all media platforms whether they be books or series/movies
-The characters are so well done. I’ve seen many other reviewers point this out:
--Pat as an architecture major is an over-thinker and catastrophizer, a bit of a neat freak
--Pran is an engineering major, a “go with the flow” kind of guy, a bit impulsive, and kind of adorably annoying
--So the way they both reacted at the viral ending of EP 5 was so true to their character and inevitably foreshadows the future episodes
-The unexpected first kiss scene very early on in the series was a cinematic masterpiece, I can't even describe how much I loved it
-Every time the actor was emotional, I find myself aching and laughing along with them. I don’t even realize it - it just hits me straight in the feels without trying
-Overall, I think there is a genuine love and chemistry there that other series find difficult to capture AND successfully execute. Bad Buddy is able to do so flawlessly.
-I know this is a low bar - but I never felt for a moment that any of these actors were acting. Every scene immersed and surprised me from beginning to end
-I have NEVER EVER laughed my ass of at an ENDING of a series before. It encapsulated the dynamic of their relationship and this series as a whole - the aggressively competitive and comedic yet sweet way only Bad Buddy knows best how to

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