Completed - 12/22/2021 - 7.5 (subjective); 8.0 (objective)

The general plot is nothing extraordinary. It's a typical teen first love drama started from 2nd year of high school to 1st of college. I was looking for a cute and fluffy drama, but I ended up being very emotional and cried more than I expect to (I am a crybaby). If this drama is a like a typical J-drama that is about 10 episodes long (60 minutes each), the pacing would have been a lot better. I would also give it a higher rating.

I was initially annoyed with the over-the-top acting in the first episode. It's really not my cup of tea, but after a couple episodes, I got used to it and was able to enjoy the drama better. I like that we are introduced to a strong and independent FL. She stands up to bullies and defends her friends. She is honest with her feelings and not afraid to be vulnerable and expresses them. I also like our ML initially and understand his background story that affected him tremendously. I really quite like this drama in the first 5 episodes. I would have given it a solid 8.0-8.25.

However, in the middle of the drama between ep 6-10, I became annoyed. Our FL suddenly cries all the time because of a boy. I understand her sadness, but this lasted way too long. I initially like the reasons why ML turned down FL's affection. After all that he went through, being cautious and serious about his feelings is very admirable and understandable. But his wishy-washy behavior becomes annoying and it drags on forever. This is when I thought, if the drama is shorter, we might not have this problem. I really like ML in the beginning as he's my favorite type of ML - quiet, caring and shows affection through actions without much fanfare. But towards the middle of the drama, I wish our FL would just go out with 2ML. Our 2ML is just as good a catch - outgoing, adorable and caring. Oh and Riley Wang (2ML) has a cute dimple! :) I love that 2ML uses the caricature drawing to comfort FL. That was a great scene.

The supporting cast also took me a little while to like them. 2FL is cute as a button and has decent character growth throughout the drama. FL's parents are over-the-top hilarious, but I needed their absurdity to lighten the mood. Same goes to the 3 color-coordinated high school girls. Basically, everyone except our ML and FL are funny and provide colorful humor throughout the drama. Though there are minor annoying characters, there isn't anyone that I hate.

I don't mean to sound like I hate the drama or ML. I do enjoy the drama's unique way of demonstrating ML's inner thoughts and inner world by using the black and white room. It comes full circle when ML and FL both leave this room together at the end. The leads got together pretty late in the drama. I would have loved to see more cutesy scenes between them to compensate for my patience.

Other observations:
1. Too many flashbacks
2. They overplayed the theme song - though it's a lovely song
3. Love the weird "Negative Energy" teacher
4. "We are Friends" means I like you but I can't tell you right now until I am 10000% sure I really like you, or 10000% sure I can stop liking you secretly and forget about you
5. Same writer for "Someday or One Day" and "Rainless Love in Godless Land" - no wonder we see so many guest starring roles in all 3 dramas.