Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo (2024)

Please dont skip this BL!

I was really excited for this drop, and despite it having only 8 episodes, it did not disappoint. The storyline is truly compelling, complex yet relatable and the main leads have amazing chemistry. The entire cast is a visual delight.

I’ll admit, Episode 7 left me a bit confused. It feels like the show leaves certain elements up to the viewer to interpret, particularly regarding the characters' past issues. For example, why does Ju Yeong put on and take off his cross necklace? Or what happend to his mom?

Do Hoe frustrated me at times, especially with how harsh he was to Ju Yeong. However, once he admitted his flaws and opened up about what truly scares him, I started seeing him differently. The show does a great job portraying family love, friendship, and the challenges adults face. There’s an easy flow to the series, balanced with plenty of humor, mostly thanks to Ju Yeong. His character is so bubbly and lovable that you can’t help but giggle when he’s on screen.

On the other hand, Hyeon Ho (aka “Mr. Walden”) has this “I hurt you because I like you” attitude that’s an absolutely no for me. However, that one call (no spoilers!) really showed how much Do Hoe truly means to him; despite everything, they are best friends, and Do Hoe knows it too.

Overall, I really enjoyed the series but wish they had included a few more details. For instance, Ju Yeong’s religious backstory could have been a major element, but the show focused so heavily on Do Hoe’s issues and traumas that Ju Yeong’s story felt a bit overlooked. But, again it's a really good series.

Read More

The man who makes you cry and the man who makes you smile

Being completely honest, I thought I would end up rating this a 10/10 however, really the first three episodes are the 10/10.
Something about the younger versions of these characters hit so hard that each moment felt meaningful and dazzling. I admittedly cried the most at the beginning.
The later episodes were good but I felt a bit of emptiness toward the end/middle, it was also a bit confusing (however, the details clear up as you go on). Despite this, I have no regrets watching the series. This is one of the most beautiful things I've spent my time on and I think I'll always miss it.
A good show makes you contemplate life a bit I think, and honestly, I'm left wondering and reflecting on a lot now. There was such a unique beauty to this show that I won't be able to forget.

Read More

We all need Ju Yeong

Ju Yeong made me believe. Smiling bright eyes coupled with an open smile, he made me believe in love. Real unapologetic love. Imperfect love. Ride or die, no matter what, I'm never going to leave you kind of love. The - I will wait patiently in my hurt, while I fight to save you from your hurt - kind of love. From the moment, he bared his soul on the opposite side of the wall, freely letting Do Hoe know, "I like you." I knew he was the real deal. Without fear, he spoke. When he hugged him after sparing and and giddly exploded "Yes, I'm crazy. I live with the person I like and always train together". Blissfully happy just to be with him, no matter the circumstances. He was the one. He would do it all just to be with him.

Do Hoe lived in pain. Abusive muted pain that pressed against him, no matter the direction he took. He breathed in hate and let out despair. In his solitude, his only solace was that he would leave. Though, with the arrival of Ju Yeong his dream began to change. They would leave together. In their dream, they would create acceptance and warmth in each other's arms. Do Hoe for a brief moment dared to believe in his dream beyond the pain and loved Ju Yeong deeply.

But the pain wouldn't let him go. It held on, railing at any given opportunity to remind him that he was useless. The pain squeezed tightly to extinguish any flicker of hope to be better than his surrounding and ultimately better than himself. On the final day, the day of exams, the pain won. Traumatized by the frantic beating Ju Yeong endured because he dared to defend him, he failed his exams. Pride and a need to feel worthy, he lies. A lie that would trap him for 12 years in a different type of pain. Self loathing. Hyeon Ho, the only person who knew and he could depend on, became an ally. Only an ally. In Do Hoe's heart of hearts only one could exhist. Unknowingly, a death would bring back the past, a reckoning to survive and the truth to lay bare for all to see. Do Hoe looks over at Ju Yeong and keeps repeating, "Shin Ju Yeong, Why do you keep crying?" He knows. Sometimes, everything has to burn to ash for clarity to occur and the dream to take root and grow. Hyeon Ho, forever on the outside looking in, craved what he lost 12 years ago. He has also existed within his pain.

Every titbit of storytelling was beautifully and artistically laid out leaving the viewer both satisfied and aware. Satisfied that all that needed to be told, was captured and skillfully portrayed by excellent actors. Even the ones that were hated were eventually understood. Aware that if perchance a love like this fortunately enters your life, hold on and fight for it. Ju Yeong will make you believe.

Must see. Rewatch every chance you get.

Read More

Life

First of all, let me say that the acting and the story itself are at the highest level, the actors did an excellent job. I really enjoy watching the series exactly when someone is telling their life story.

we have a life story between two completely different characters. A do ho who is unhappy is somewhat negative and endures everything only to one day disappear from an unhappy environment.
Yeong, who has a dysfunctional family, but is always positive, willing to help everyone. he always looks at everything around him with a big smile.
Do Hoa just needed someone like Yeong. To give him some joy and positivity of a track of hope in the blackness in which he found himself. and Yeong succeeded. Do hoe finally got the light he needed in his life with someone he can rely on who is there for him whenever he needs it. Until the day he had the exam to get revenge for Yeon, he thought of hurting his father. Yeon was picked up by his family and no matter how hard he tried to get to Do hoe, he couldn't. Do Hoa left him. Yeong came back not only to take care of the coach but because he was waiting for Do Hoe to come back the whole time. 12 years later I know they still love each other but to leave someone for so long without a word. to hurt a person who has never hurt you. I know they still have feelings for each other, but I can't get over it. In all of this we have the proud and arrogant Hyeon who was either in love with Do hoe who bullied him throughout high school and you become friends with him. Do Hoe is a bird with broken wings and Yeong is a bird whose wings have been broken. Do Hoa said that he is finally free, maybe he is free, but he still has a noose around his neck.
you can't run away from problems and the past, they will catch up with you when then. I think that when Do Ho arrived, he couldn't believe that Yeon had been waiting for him in the same place for 12 years.that he took care of his father. not only that Yeong lost his love, his coach, but he also lost a home and a job. I honestly don't know how the story will unfold, but honestly I couldn't get over everything. if I don't know what was in the story, one sorry is not enough

Read More

Do you need a heartfluttering kdrama? Then this is for you!

When I watched the first two episodes I was very pleasantly surprised (not that I expected less from director Hwang Daseul who brought us great short series like Blueming, to my star and where your eyes linger) but this drama is different it's really giving kdrama vibes for me similar to how love for love's sake felt like a kdrama from the 2015 era.

And the longer episodes definitely helped achieve this effect but also ofc the production, good acting and interesting plot came all to impress. In simple words it's a heartwrenching story about two taekwondo boys both from problematic households to say the least who grow fond of each other and take care of each other in their own ways. But of course it's not always rainbows and butterflies in life especially with an abusive dad and homophobia. So there is a conflict and darker themes like abuse and bullying which play a big role in the series.

For me the first two episodes of a drama are very important because they give you a thought of how the drama is going to progress. This drama's pace is definitely very enjoyable not too slow and not too fast. What makes the drama even more likeable are the characters contrasting personalities the golden retriever x black cat combo eats as always and so does the from strangers to friends to lovers trope.

I definitely recommend you to check this out if you need a feel good series with some angst.

Read More

Finally a Korean Adult BL

Wow, Korea has stepped up the game. Although it starts in high school it quickly becomes an adult BL. I love that it doesn't shy away from skinship, whether it be kissing , or just an open knowledge that these characters are having sex. It is real Finally, it showcases the complexity of not only being gay but how to navigate life with dealing with pretty much abuse from all angles. Not only does it show how different each character deals with abuse, it also shows how you can adjust and overcome just about anything. Lee Soon s character upbeat, fun but emotionally available & willing to accept people for who they are no matter the circumstances. Jang Yeon Woo beautiful to look at but played such a flawed character. Kim Nu Rim the centre figure of the drama , was just beautifully played in every aspect. It really showed how a child is affected by continued abuse . He was such closed off character. This will not be a forgotten Drama. Beautiful written directed with the correct actors able to convey the amazing range of emotion in the drama A must see for sure

Read More

Amazing Love Story!

One of the best BL series ever. Absolutely phenomenal. Such a sweet enduring love story. In a class by itself.

United States viewing options:
IQiIYI and Gagaoololo using a VPN

My favorite BL Storyline / Thorpe: Is a couple liking each other early in the series.

Because that leaves more time for the cute fluffy sweet moments.

This type of storyline requires great writing.

Some shows have that WOW factor, a show that manages to get everything right: Acting, Casting, Story, Writing, Pacing, Production, and OST.

Some shows just make you feel good ,right. This is one of those shows.

The two male leads are absolutely adorable together. Their chemistry is to the moon and back. So cute.

I could say more but I don't want to spoil your fun so just watch it and ENJOY!

Read More

First two episodes were great

(This review was written after watching the first two episodes only. I am a little disappointed after watching episodes 3 & 4)

One of the best Korean BLs so far.
I feel like I’ve been hit by a train, my emotions are going haywire ? I was laughing, crying, or enraged every other scene

Ju Yeong’s bruises were shown and my stomach fell, I just started crying because he was smiling and laughing the whole time enduring the pain, and was planning to say anything. I'm curious and want a deeper exploration of his family life and Taekwondo's role. Is the mistreatment and poor conditions worth it?

How could you beat up a kid like that much more than someone else’s child like that wtf ? And most of the kids in that neighborhood have been beaten by him before and nothing can be done about it?! I had to pause and sit in silence.

I can’t imagine what Do Hoe experienced for years living with him alone after his mom left, as well as the violent bullying from his classmates. Which I peeped the gay panic (14:38)

By the end I was LMAO because of their awkwardness but determination to have a proper kiss I think they’ll stay warm in the cold? They are so pure and my heart aches for them ?

I think this is just the beginning of injuries Ju Yeong will attain and with Savior Complex he’s gonna accumulate more until they can’t be hidden anymore or become detrimental to his health. His silence, and the lying about his injuries on top of to Do Hoe’s guilt because of his father will take a toll on their newly budding romance.

Read More

Montanha russa de emoções

Fico impressionada como conseguem te envolver tanto a ponto de sentir as emoções junto com os personagens. Você se apaixona pelo primeiro amor deles, a felicidade e inocência. Depois sofre com a separação, chora pela perda do relacionamento lindo deles. No reencontro sente uma confusão, a felicidade de terem se encontrado, mas a confusão pelo tratamento frio do Doehe e das palavras não ditas. Aí vem a reconciliação, eles voltam juntos, mas a sensação de vazio permanece, como se mesmo juntos, um muro entre eles permanece, não são mais os mesmos e o relacionamento também. Finamente chega à parte que o Doehe desenterra o seu passado e se liberta dele. Sinceramente fiquei muito incomodada como ele tratava o outro, mesmo entendo seus motivos. Por orgulho e culpa, tentando se provar para o pai e todos que ele podia ter sucesso, mas mesmo conseguindo isso não era feliz, por viver uma mentira e ser assombrado pelo passado. Achei interessante também o amigo dele, antes im0plicava por gostar dele e não entender seus sentimentos, mas passa os anos o apoiando e ao seu lado. Se não fosse pelo sol do Ju Young a vida dele seria sombria, tanto como no passado como no presente, ele chegou trazendo esperança de um futuro melhor e feliz. Mesmo com raiva do Doehe fiquei feliz quando ele conseguiu lidar com suas questões e mentiras, o final é simplesmente um dos melhores, um final simplesmente deles sendo felizes juntos e sendo família. Vou manter esse bl no coração por muito tempo, cheio de camadas e emoções. E QUE ATUAÇÕES MARAVILHOSAS

Read More