Welcome to my Saturday blog post, where I give thoughts on dramas I’m watching, whether at the beginning, middle, or end. Whatever I want, because I’m petty that way.
This week, I recapped episodes 29-30 of Love Game in Eastern Fantasy. Suddenly, we’re in the final boss battle, and things are moving fast. A bit too fast.
I also started recapping Reset with episodes 1-2. I know I’m behind, but our confused time-traveler Armin and his mysterious Tada are a lot of fun.
What did I watch this week? Now that I’m back in the States, I want to watch All The Dramas, but settled for finishing two:
Ball Boy Tactics – 볼보이 택틱스 – 2025
Recently aired Korean College BL with 8 episodes.
An introverted, retired gymnast meets an outgoing basketball player, and their unlikely friendship turns into something more.
Here’s a link to the trailer. (I could only find one in Korean.)
The plot, if you can’t tell from my short synopsis, isn’t going to change your worldview. It’s based on an ongoing manhwa and has the usual adaptation problems: Subplots pop up and disappear. There’s no real dramatic arc for the characters outside of their relationship. Nothing even a little surprising happens.
But this was the perfect, gentle, mellow watch for someone recovering from jet lag
There’s an electric spark from the moment our introvert embarrasses himself in front of the hot, extroverted basketball player. They’re mutually fascinated by each other and their differences, and thankfully, school exists to throw them together for some nameless project.
Probably, my favorite part of the drama is these early scenes as they get to know one another. Our introvert, so so shy, is nonetheless fascinated and drawn to the man he keeps embarrassing himself in front of. Our extrovert can’t stop teasing the introvert, and yet at the same time, is compelled to rescue him in small ways.
Their curiosity about each other is quiet, undramatic, and exciting.
This is not to discount the later parts of the show, when that curiosity turns to feelings and… Well, Korean BLs are notorious for being the more chaste BLs out there, but this is the most sensual one I’ve seen. It’s nothing even near My Stubborn, nor do I want it to be, but the physical component of their attraction is exciting to see.
Lately, I love opposites attract, and it’s perfect here
They are at the far ends of the spectrum. Our introvert is SO introverted, he starts the show with both his hoodie up and a hat on. Our extrovert is hot, experienced, and confident. Neither one of them wants to change the other. Rather, they’re excited by each other’s differences.
These differences do lead to conflicts, but thankfully, those conflicts fit the pacing and tone of the drama. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a drama where a simple conversation would fix everything, know that these two know how to have conversations.
It reminded me a lot of Monster Next Door. Our extrovert is smart, attractive, and talented, and likes being around people. Our introvert is smart, attractive, and talented, but not interested in being around people. Between the two shows, this is the better one.
This is not the drama for someone wanting something new, different, and dramatic
Two guys in school fall in love. That’s it. And that’s why it makes a great comfort watch for me. I don’t need anything else.
I also finished a drama that was supposed to be a nice, light-hearted watch:
Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist – แฟนที่ทันตแพทย์ส่วนใหญ่แนะนำ – 2025
Recently aired Thai Dentist BL with 12 episodes.
A young man who streams himself eating sweets is forced to see the dental student who paid him to go on a date.
In my initial review, I mentioned that these kinds of silly, unserious shows can be favorites when they go deeper into the characters.
They didn’t go deeper into the characters
Initially, I liked the characters. In the world of BL, with all the gorgeous, hottest guys on campus falling for the cutest guys on campus (see above), there was something very human about these two weirdos. Not that they aren’t attractive, but the focus was more on how often they were ridiculous, how petty their actions could be. After their strange first “date”, I was curious about why they behaved the way they did.
The disappointing answer seemed to be: for comedy. It created more conflict if they self-sabotaged their goals, and their absurd behavior was supposed to be funny. At times, this led to me being confused about what was actually happening. L
When we did get insight into their characters, it had a very “Special Moments” feeling at odds with the comedic tone of the show. Culminating in some bewildering, deeply tragic, and dramatic episodes at nearly the end of the series. The motivations and character arc for one of the characters became clear, but suddenly it was a soap opera instead of a rom-com.
For me, the show was frustrating and not funny
I like our leads. They have an interesting chemistry that feels more off-beat and fun than other Thai pairings. I wouldn’t be against seeing them together in something better written. For me, this isn’t it.
I could see this working for someone who more naturally relates to the leads and their characters, or who finds the comedy funny. Someone who likes their comedy and tragedy swirled together (I know you’re out there).
Unless you fall into that category, this is probably a skip for you, too.
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