Right from the start, this show makes it clear that its name isn't just for show. Almost every person in the story is playing their own "wicked game," whether they’re doing it because they’re ambitious, traumatized, or just desperate for attention. The plot is packed with twists, and basically, everyone is busy stabbing everyone else in the back. Since it’s a BL, there is a gay love story, and it’s definitely important to the plot, but I honestly don't think it’s the main focus. It’s more of a messy web of family power struggles and danger. The series has 10 episodes, and each one is about an hour long. The story is a big power struggle between three siblings who have the same dad but different moms. Their father is a wealthy, powerful guy looking for someone to take over his empire. The oldest son, Chet, is hungry for power and thinks everything belongs to him. The daughter, Risa, is just as greedy, but her dad constantly ignores her because she’s a woman. Then there...
The series is based in a world where few people suffer from color luminance. Monos, as they are called, see only shades of gray, black, and white. The only way Monos can see color is if they come into contact with their Probe. Probes are soulmates who bring color into their Monos’ lives, often sparking a dangerous behavior or obsession. Yeon-woo is a Mono, whose mother was the same and is missing for a few years. He now lives with his aunt. When he joins his new school, his meeting with Yoo-han changes things. Yeon-woo is overwhelmed by the unexpected rush of emotions he feels every time Yoo-han is near. Since Yoo-han always wears a mask, the first time when his face is revealed, a sudden rush of colors washes over Yeon-woo therebyrevealzng that Yoo-han is his Probe. The next few episodes go back and forth on Yeon-woo trying to be close to yy to see colors but also being careful to not get obsessed by him. We are later revealed that Yoo-han also suffers from face blindness where he cannot clearly see anyone's face, except for Yeon-woo since he has met him. Are the two boys meant to be together?
I have a lot of issues with this series, like the constant mood change and where is the show trying to go. Sometimes it get very melodramatic and suddenly gags are. Thrown in by a few of their classmates. It becomes soppy when Yeon-woo thinks of his mother and suddenly becomes investigative when his aunt is trying to find out what happened to his mother. And none of these is actually taken to a completion. Yeon-woo wants to be close to Yoo-han but is afraid of historically what have monos done to probes. Attempting suicide to avoid that ones out of nowhere. And then suddenly Yoo-han show sup in hospital and takes him away. IT makes absolutely no sense. This entire plotline is unbelievably problematic, both minimizing mental health issues, and glorifying obsession as a form of love. Some 3-4 episodes are wasted in just Yeon-woo seeing different colors. The chemistry between the leads is strictly ok. Their bright red lipstick is very distracting. I am almost certain that was not natural. This story could easily have been a story friendship but culminates as BL love when the two boys feel they are meant to be together to overcomes each other's challenged and seal it with a kiss.
The show has good production value, average acting and disastrous narrative execution makes this series a very frustrating watch that I just wanted to finish asap. (4/10)
Comments
Can I strongly recommend you watch Kinou Nani Tabeta (what did you eat yesterday ?). Very good, more real, I found it had a very interesting look on homosexuality in Japan.