Skip to main content

Takumi-kun Series: Drama (Japanese Series)

So, about a decade ago, there were these five movies that made up the whole  Takumi-kun  series. Now, the creators have come back with a six-episode show, with each part running about 25 minutes. I'm guessing they wanted to introduce a newer generation of BL fans to this world, but honestly, it backfired. The whole thing feels incredibly dated, like it’s completely out of touch with how modern BL shows are made today. Between a cast that’s way too crowded and a mountain of different couples to keep track of, the storytelling is just a total train wreck that doesn't make a lick of sense. The whole thing takes place at an all-boys boarding school. You’ve got Gii, who just moved back from the States and is the son of a super wealthy CEO, and he's roommates with Takumi. Right from the very first episode, Gii is basically obsessed, taking every chance he gets to shout his feelings from the rooftops. Takumi is really shy and has no clue how to handle all that heat, so he just doe...

Individual Circumstances (Korean Series)

Honestly, this is the BL series that we did not need. With an extremely basic storyline, paper thin screenplay, this would hav been better off as a short story rather than stretching it for 8 episodes. Having said that, the duration of the episodes is just 15-18 minutes, so at least you don't feel you have wasted time. Also there are no unnecessary side stories, which I always always appreciate. Had this show come maybe come during Covid times, it would still have made sense, but everything is changing so fast, including audiences getting far more better content, there is little to no space for mediocre stuff.

A young famous director is going through a slump phase. Despite a hit behind his name, he is unsure of his next film a the production company is forcing him to direct a raunchy adult film. Then we meet this fiction writer, who has been writing a love story and our director is interested the story, even though it is not complete. Director tries his best to find contact of this writer and eventually camps put of his home, knowing very well that many production companies have tried to reach out to him , but he hasn't budged. Turns out that our director and writer have known each other from past in school days, but something went sour. Director decides that he will somehow win his friend's heart. We are told eventually that they got close in college, became friends and one day our writer kissed the director. But at the same time, the director's mother's health deteriorated and he had to take care of her. Somehow the two couldn't connect and the writer thought his fiend ditched him after the kiss. They eventually talk it all out, reconcile their differences and their love for one another and finally our man has the story which he will make into a beautiful film (which was apparently the real story of thee two lovers, turned into a straight world).

The start of the show itself poses a big problem. The characters are introduced very clumsily. It was one of the most awkward things honestly. A couple of episodes just go on about these introductions which lead you more confused IMO rather than feel excited and wanting to know more about these people. When finally we are told the reason for their alleged falling out, it is so lame, that you have to watch it to believe it. Also almost three-quarters of the story is about the director guy parking himself outside the writer's house, camping, staring him, disturbing him, hoping to get his attention and the series makes no sense. And man the kiss between the two guys that happens a couple of times. So lame plastic and zero chemistry. I tell you, 5 year olds could kiss with more passion, love and honesty than these two did in this series. What was the deal with the writer? Was he so much into the pity party thing, that he couldn't see anyone beyond himself. The way he treats his manager has no explanation. The acting is bad, the story is bad and the execution is most terrible. There is absolutely no flirtation or romance and suddenly you know they are back to kissing at the end. This pairing shares a weak rapport and can't convey an alluring bond in their romance. This is one of. The weaker BL series I have seen from Korea in a while and I hope it doesn't happen again. (3/10)

Comments

Sailor Maan said…
Unfotunately one of the flat, disspointing and forgettable one (I had to speedy rewatch it to actually remember any of it...).
My main problem was with the writer that was a jerk for a too long time. Which totally killed the chemistry. That got overkilled by those dead fish kisses anyway... "Hey, we're supposed to kiss here but let's barelly touch because, you know, no homo right?!"
The explanation behind all the hatred was just Meh too. Too many things were just absurd (the cops leaving, the fact the director never told the writer about his mom...)
Thankfully the last 2 episodes were better. But too late...
For another korean BL I'm watching "Jun & Jun" right now and the first half is deja vu, but really nice and fun. Fingers crossed it goes on like this and will make a strong recommandation!
Golu said…
Lovely about JnJ
. I am tying to slowly return to my return, but its harder than I thought
Miisu said…
This one was one big "seen it before". There was nothing new, although I hoped for something until the very end. I don't mind recurring tropes or storylines at all, when they're nice and pleasant, but the tropes this series used were too beige for me. The actors playing the main roles were good, but also just... beige.

"Jun & Jun" is a nice one indeed, good actors and locations.
Golu said…
I guess Jun is what I will be picking up next

Popular posts from this blog

Sei no Gekiyaku (Japanese) [Dangerous Drugs of Sex]

Every person has their own unique way of dealing with loss. This film is as much a psychological thriller as it is a soft porn BDSM portrayal of two young men that makes the film overall horrifying as well as humane. It is really hard to describe the genre of this film in one word. Its important not that the film has some really disturbing scenes so if you go into seeing this film, please proceed with caution. Although any sexual non-consensual activity is not ok, this film has its won strange way of showing that suicide is not the only solution to all life's problems. Makoto is a regular office goer, who just finds out that his girlfriend is probably cheating on him. ON top of it, his parents sudden death coming back from a trip that he forced them to take, he gets completely dejected and decides to commit suicide. Unknown to him, he is saved by mysterious man Yoda Ryoji, and he wakes up finding himself tied up in leather and belts in a very BDSM setting. This mysterious saver soo...

Drug Shore (Chinese)

Apparently tis film was adapted by a true story Well, true or not, movies/series about drugs are not easy to watch. I have always said that drugs is like the end of life for anyone. For those who sink into this sea of addiction, some manage to swim upstream to recovery, while others cannot make it to the shore. The film may not be the best, but it does have a noble intention to remind everyone of the evil affects of drugs and combining that with sex. Ah Zhe is in a happy relationship with his influencer boyfriend. On his partner's birthday, they end up going to a party, which interestingly is being hosted at a drug dealer's house and this is where for the first time he is exposed to the world of drugs. The duo somehow do it just enough and come back home but next day Ah She gets invited by the dealer Xiao Fei for a meal. The dealer has a soft corner for Ah Zhe, but before anyone realizes, Ah Zhe's life spirals out of control when slowly he starts doing more and more drugs, ...

The Shortest Distance is Round 3: Fallen Flowers

Continuing with the weird trilogy of "The Shortest Distance", I am so glad that finally I am done with part 3 and won't have to deal with this again in future. Thankfully, as of now the makers have not announced any further parts; which will save all of us on this earth from the embarrassment of watching this in near future. After the first 10 minutes are used in sort of recapping bits of first two parts, the story moves forward. Haruto is now starting to have feelings for Ruka, the mysterious pole dancer from second part. In a fit of rage, Ruka ends up killing the goat man and to save him and Haruto, Shibahara asks them to go underground. Meanwhile Shibahara continues the search for Seiya (the guy who had cut off Haruto's penis). It turns out Seiya is now also taking care of the original club owner from part 1. Both of them were released after they had informed Shibahara of Aoyama's secret location. Shibahara tortures Seiya's boyfriend leading to Seiya killin...