Tag: Korean BL

This week, I just watched the last episode of the Korean BL Always Meet Again, and my heart has gone through an actual time loop. It is not a follow-up of A Breeze of Love, but we get to see our cuties sharing screen again in yet another BL, in a darker, more adult, and more tragic and disastrous form. I am glad they reunited with Shin Jeong-you and Woo Ji-han, since their chemistry is the lightning one catches only once in a lifetime.

The Art of the Regretful Return

I am immediately drawn into the mini-series because Jang Hye-seong (Woo Ji-Han) is a well-known painter who is evidently troubled by something. He goes to his former high school to lecture there and gets hold of his old sketchbook. He attracts his first love, Lee U-jin (Shin Jeong-You), on a whim, and as soon as the pencil gets out of the paper, the world changes. He found himself in 2008 as an 18-year-old.

The immediate feeling of dread, in the form of nostalgia, annoys me in the first two episodes. Hye-seong knows what happens. He is aware of the coming accident. I liked it when he tried to separate himself from U-jin at once to rescue him. But U-jin? U-jin is an absolute flirt. He is immoral, relentless, and his crooked smile is such that Hye-seong, and honestly, I, can’t stay defensive for long.

The Mid- Series Heartbreak (Episodes 3-4)

I am already completely engaged in their second chance dates by episode 3. The scene of the sketchbook is so tender that it is painfully so. They are cheerful, and it is at this point that I realized that the writers were going to turn the knife.

The breakdown began in episode 4. Hye-seong believes that the only possible solution to rescue U-jin is a clean break. He stands him up. He acts cold. He tells him he’s going abroad. The image of U-jin with his heartbroken face at the train station literally broke me. However, the show throws another huge plot twist: U-jin spotted Hye-seong glitch or vanish! It is even messier than I imagined that the current timeline is. The sister and his best friend Tae-jun have been secretly burying the truth about the memorial day. I am enraged with the characters who are on the side, yet I also recognize his wrongly placed motive to shield himself against his own culpability.

An Imagery and Sound Masterpiece

Last but not least, I need to discuss the value of production since it makes it feel like a high-end indie film. The use of color is genius. When Hye-seong touches U-jin, the color may fade, or there may be some immobility on the screen, which seems like the universe opposing their union. It reminds me of Color Rush with a much more grounded and melancholic performance.

Another perfection level is the OST. This hollow-echoing quality of the instrumental pieces in the art room scenes makes the silence seem heavy. I was already searching up the Spotify playlist even before the episode was over. Whenever the piano picks up on a staring match, I realize that I am losing yet another part of my soul to the bl.

The Climax and the Philosophy of Fate (Episodes 5-7)

The logic of time travel becomes somewhat confusing in the later episodes, yet I personally do not care. I am here because I want the emotions and not the physics. Hye-seong understands that he could be the very thing that drives U-jin to the tragedy that he is attempting to avoid. 

I do like the change in the story here. It does not matter whether it is changing the past or living the present to the full extent. It is the best angst to see them going through the fear of the accident that is about to happen, and yet they decide to love one another. In episode 6, they simply look at one another, and you can have a glimpse of the soul of 35-year-old Hye-seong through the eyes of his 18-year-old self. It is haunting.

A Bittersweet Exhale

I have only just watched episode 8, and I am still processing. It ends somewhat of an anti-climax as it lacks a big blast and a 20-minute wedding, but I believe it fits the introverted soul of the show. 

The resolution of the accident is silent. It is concerned with the internal transformation of the characters, not merely an outer plot to fill. The only fact I regret is that it was so sudden. The episodes are not longer than 30 minutes, and the finale seemed to deserve an additional 10 minutes so that we could sit with them and enjoy the silence. We should certainly have an episode special or an epilogue version, to give the after of it all.

This is like A Breeze of Love except that you will be bearing a much heavier emotional burden. It is a narrative of the burden of the unsaid and the horrific loveliness of the second chance. I am, in fact, a fanatic, and I shall be prescribing this to all who like a good soul-destroying romance. At this point, however, I will excuse myself and proceed to listen to the OST and weep into my pillow.

Drama Info & Ratings

• Title: Always Meet Again (2026)
• Episodes: 8
• Genre: Romance, Youth, Fantasy
• Main Cast: Woo Ji-Han, Shin Jeong-You
• Where to Watch: GagaOOLala

• Overall Score 8/10
• Story 8.5/10
• Acting 9.5/10
• Cinematography 10/10
• Rewatch Value: 8/10

Check Out: Korean BL “The Story of Bi Hyeong” Review

Skip this one if you’re in the mood for something intense, dramatic, or emotionally draining. The Story of Bi Hyeong is the definition of an “easy breezy” watch. It’s a Korean BL (Boys’ Love) that mixes urban fantasy with traditional folklore, and honestly? It’s just plain fun. In a sea of dramas that try too hard to be “gritty” or “transformative,” this one is content being a cutesy supernatural romp, and that’s exactly why it works.

A Refreshing Take on Korean Folklore

Here’s the thing: I’ve watched a bajillion K-dramas at this point, so I’m pretty used to seeing Gumiho (nine-tailed foxes) and Goblins popping up in modern Seoul. But if you aren’t familiar with the basics of Korean myths, this show might feel a little fast at first. It doesn’t hold your hand for very long. It drops you right into a world where mythical beings live among us, often hiding in plain sight.

The show does a great job of incorporating these folklore elements without making it feel like a history lesson. We get to see the classic “Dokkaebi” (goblin) traits, but with a modern twist. I loved seeing how these ancient beings navigate things like plastic surgery clinics and homelessness in the city. It’s a clever way to keep the fantasy grounded.

The Plot: No Harem, No Problem

At first, I was a little worried. The setup initially felt like it might turn into a “BL harem” show, with three different supernatural love interests all fighting over the male lead. Personally? Those are not my jam. They usually feel messy and forced.

Thankfully, the show avoids that trap. It’s pretty clear from the jump how the pairings are going to end up. The story follows Geum Bok, a naive village boy who comes to the city to be an actor but gets scammed and ends up living with Bi Hyeong, a 1,000-year-old goblin who is cynical, sarcastic, and constantly irritated by… well, everything.

The “forced cohabitation” trope is a staple for a reason—it’s great for building tension. Watching Geum Bok’s wide-eyed optimism clash with Bi Hyeong’s “I’ve seen it all” attitude provided some of the best comedic moments in the series.

The Characters: Charm Over “Oscar” Acting

Let’s be real: the acting here isn’t exactly “prestige TV” level, but it doesn’t need to be. The story is lighthearted, and the leads do a solid job of conveying exactly who their characters are.

• Geum Bok (Lee Cha Min): He brings so much natural charm and naivety to the role. You really believe he’s just a sweet kid who got in over his head.
• Bi Hyeong (Hwang Jae Wook): He nails the “grumpy old man in a young body” vibe. He spends 90% of the show looking annoyed, but those rare smiles he reserves for Geum Bok (and the audience) are what keep you watching.
• The Skinship: I have to give a shoutout to the production team here. Korean BLs are finally starting to embrace genuine skinship. Geum Bok and Bi Hyeong share a really good, passionate kiss that feels earned. It wasn’t one of those “accidental lip-presses” that look painful; it felt like a real romantic moment.

The Standout: Samshin Halmeoni

I have to talk about Halmeoni. She is a minor goddess who appears in the body of a schoolgirl, and she was easily my favorite part of the whole show. She acts as the voice of reason, dropping pearls of wisdom and trying to sort out the chaotic shenanigans of the goblins, foxes, and ghosts.

Female characters in BL dramas often feel like afterthoughts or “obstacles” for the main couple. But Halmeoni actually shines. She’s funny, wise, and has a presence that demands attention whenever she’s on screen. Seeing a “minor goddess” deal with the ego of a 1,000-year-old goblin was a highlight for me.

Final Thoughts: A Low-Stress Binge

Is the plot perfect? No. Some of the supernatural “rules” are a bit fuzzy, and the pacing in the middle episodes can feel a little rushed. But the show never takes itself too seriously, which makes it very easy to forgive its flaws.

If you want a show that feels like a warm hug, with a side of ghosts and grumpy goblins, The Story of Bi Hyeong is a great choice. It’s a fun, easy watch that I’d recommend to anyone who just wants to turn their brain off and enjoy a cute story.

Drama Info & Ratings

• Title: The Story of Bi Hyeong: Enchanted Master of the Goblin
• Episodes: 12
• Genre: Supernatural, Romance, BL
• Cast: Hwang Jae Wook, Lee Cha Min, Kang Chan Woo, Nam Taek Jun
• Where to Watch: iQIYI, GagaOOLala

• Overall Score: 8/10
• Story: 7.5/10
• Chemistry: 9/10
• Acting: 7.5/10
• Rewatch Value: 8/10

Check Out: Japanese BL “School Trip: Joined a Group” Review