Bump Up Business (Korean Series)

Bump Up Business dives into the nitty gritty reality of queer baiting, obsessiveness, and exhaustion inside the industry while exposing what being gay inside the industry can mean. How the scandal, exposure, and stigma of being gay can threaten a career. I personally do not understand or relate was idea of concepts attached to pop groups, but its ok. The idea of this show was interesting and if executed could have done really well, but I cant help but wonder at the amateurishness in the way it was shown. At 8 episodes of 16 minutes each, it's a quick easy watch, but how I wish in this case more emotional background story was established for the characters rather than rushing into everything thats being shown.

Eden and Jihoon are selected by a performance company as their two idols. The CEO comes up with the idea of  "Business Gay Performance", to describe this relationship dynamic. The company will promote them as a very much in love gay couple. Eden is new to the industry and naiive, while Jihoon had some bad publicity in the past and is getting a second chance at fame. Eden and Jihoon go on a publicity tour before their debut, from photoshoots to interviews. Jihoon takes the lead each time. Whenever Eden appears nervous, Jihoon helps his partner relax and ease up. He also initiates their physical affection in front of the cameras. Jihoon, for whatever inexplicable reasons has fallen for Eden and we see slowly that because of his caring nature, Eden I also starting to fall for him. Enter the ex's. Jihoon's ex is a TV presenter, an evil guy and wants him back because he doesn't like Jihoon's closeness with Eden. We also see a pianist enter the scene who happens to be childhood love of Eden. Together they try to create differences between the relationship but eventually sense prevails and the duo confess their love in a very disappointing finale.

The story invests so much time into the love rivals, even though I don't give a damn about them. The story is too preoccupied with the supporting characters when it should've focused on the protagonists and their relationship growth. A high profile romance between two Korean idols could have had many complications but the shallow screenplay never bothers to explore that. As most shows, the only sense of intimacy (best real or projected for fans) is the meek lip touch which is really starting to get on my nerves now. Show us how they fall in love while balancing their career ambitions and budding feelings. Instead, Eden and Jihoon's superficial romantic journey lacks complexity. The entry of evil ex doesn't help at all. This nosedives the series completely down. Likewise, the childhood friend is another pointless distraction, clogging the narrative with unnecessary filler. Rather than a grand display of love, the series just ends so sudden without any high on climax. It is extremely unsatisfying to watch the finale. This show really accomplishes nothing, and will easily be forgettable as many other shows coming out. From the insipid plots to the lacklustre romance, this BL drama is a big disappointment. Also, what's up with such a tardy title!! (3.5/10)