Boys Be Brave! (2024)

A drama sure to check off many people's boxes for their "ideal type" of drama

This was such a refreshing firework of a drama! The two leads, in particular, made it crazy fun to watch with their so-far-out-there-they-might-as-well-be-floating-in-space personalities that were only heightened when they shared the same air. And they were consistently predictable yet unpredictable, leaving me either correct in my predictions while also being pleasantly befuddled at the path taken or both puzzled beyond belief and amused. Meanwhile, the side couple offered something unique with the often overlooked issue of financial inequality in a relationship and the myriad of ways it can affect it, including self-inflicted shame, pressure, and guilt.

It was a true delight tuning into Boys Be Brave. I highly recommend giving it a go! Especially if you're into "quirky" characters and dramas.

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The perfect mildang: "The further I move away, the closer we get"

In the context of "tug-of-war" romantic relationships, in South Korea it is common to hear sentences like: "내 남자친구가 항상 나를 밀당하는 것 같아", which in English would be something like: "It seems that my boyfriend is always trying hard to be with me."
Is your crush acting cold one moment and hot the next? One minute does he pursue you and show his feelings, and the next, he suppresses his interest and distances himself?
It is precisely in these circumstances that Koreans use the phrase "acione Mildang." That is, this person is doing "mildang," a term used to describe someone's behavior when they intentionally create a "push and shove" dynamic with another person.
In the drama 'Boys Be Brave', directed by Lim Hyun Hee, the story revolves around the "mildang" of two couples who are stuck between confessing their feelings and holding back, portraying the cute and agonizing tug-of-war of unconfessed love.
We will see the story through the eyes of Jin Woo, a naive and insecure character with a perfectionist tendency who lives his life according to the plan he has drawn up. However, one day, she falls in love with Ki Sub, a determined and popular boy, owner of a relaxed and confident nature.
And this playful and daring push-pull dynamic begins when Jin Woo reveals that despite having a crush on Ki Sub, he's not her type at all.
The entrance of Jung Ki Sub (Nam Shi An) to Kim Jin Woo's (Kim Sung Hyun) apartment not only announces that the living room sofa will be occupied indefinitely by the visitor who was never invited, but also the beginning of a beautiful love story between two friends who have suddenly become roommates.
Despite being reluctant to share a roof, you will soon discover that this may be the ideal opportunity to be close to the person you love.
I find it interesting to see how between Jin Woo, a young perfectionist who dreams of having the perfect relationship with the perfect partner, so he even makes a checklist of the ideal lover, and Ki Sub, the type of person who can seem Just another attractive and popular guy who has to get what he wants, but is actually a gentle soul who wants to be loved, they manage to change for each other.
Likewise, I love how Ki Sub, who doesn't like complicated emotions and situations, so he often resorts to portraying a positive image, at first shows one-dimensional awkwardness, but as the story progresses, he learns to express his feelings. own emotions and find their identity.
The series allows us to see how the actions and emotions of the characters change, all thanks to an endless aegyo attack by Ki Sub against Jin Woo, which in turn brings fun and hilarious moments.
On the other hand, the narrative also explores the love relationship between Choi Balg-Eum (Jung Yeo Jun) and Ji In Ho (Ahn Se Min), who keep a secret from their high school days.
Adapted from Seok Young's webtoon "Roonmates," the LGBT+-themed youth romantic comedy showcases the unique images and charms of the main characters, each with distinct personalities. The free spirit Jung Ki Sub, the seemingly perfect Kim Jin Woo, the mysterious Ji In Ho with a hidden secret and the charming Choi Sunny will entertain the audience through a funny, charming but meaningful and touching drama as the four continually reflect: "Why doesn't the person who loves me confess to me?"
After the success of the acclaimed series 'Our Dating Sim', with which it won multiple awards at the "2023 Heavenly BL Awards", such as the "Grand Prize" and "Best Drama" sections, director Lim Hyun Hee teams up with music producer Hwang Sung Jin, known for producing popular songs like See Ya's "Lovely Sweet Heart" and Gummy's "We Should've Been Friends," to carry out this project that, in his own words, "captures so much eyes like ears." Because? Because stories like these not only entertain us, but also offer us valuable lessons and insights into life and human relationships.
With a solid plot and well-developed characters, the emerging writer Lee Sin Won manages to change conventions and break clichés, and delivers a narrative text on which the series is built, in which she gives substance to the conflicts and stories that intersect, Because the four boys are united by friendship.
I like Nam Shi An's performance in portraying a character who is popular and constantly receives love confessions from those around him. However, intrigued by Jin Woo, who likes him but has not confessed, he impulsively invades his house and begins living with him, determined to make him confess.
The viewer will love the character played by Kim Sung Hyun, a seemingly perfect and meticulous young man. However, her life begins to fall apart after her crush breaks into her apartment. Thanks to Ki Sub, Jin Woo discovers that he has been living a gray existence, without love and without dating experience.
Based on their friendly love-hate relationship, the romance between the two, which begins when the former literally knocks on the doors of the latter, will delight the public. He will be waiting for the moment when the bond between these young people crosses the thin and fragile line of friendship and gives way to love after a confession.
The film text explores how the empathy between Ki Sub and Jin Woo becomes the basis of a lasting romantic love, highlighting how the deepest relationships are often born from friendship.
On the other hand, Ji In Ho has not been able to forget the romantic relationship between him and Choi Sunny during high school. That is the reason why he abruptly returns from the United States where he is studying and introduces himself to Sunny, who rejects his advances. Undeterred, Ji In Ho asks her to go on three dates with him. We will soon learn the reason why Sunny decided three years ago to put things on the line, despite being in love. Could a true romance arise within the framework of these encounters?
Lastly, Jung Yeo Jun takes on the role of Choi Sunny, the extremely optimistic part-time worker. Choi Sunny, as brilliant as her name suggests, is a person who has also not been able to forget the boy she loves and whose memory she still keeps in her heart. His life is shaken when his friend shows up again.
The story of these two characters details how an event from the past tests the relationship of the two friends, but its resolution, which teaches us about forgiveness, understanding and personal growth, ends up strengthening the bond, demonstrating the resilience of friendship and How romantic love can arise from this.
As these young people navigate their feelings for each other and come to terms with their own hearts, a tender romance blossoms that will satisfy all of your BL needs.
Why do I recommend the series?:
- For its cast with its attractive visual effects and its visual chemistry.
- For being a fan of the webtoon on which it is based.
- For following the work of Lim Hyun Hee, who has captivated me since his previous drama, 'Our Dating Sim'.
- For the promise of combining stunning dramatic elements in the beloved original work and enhancing the immersive experience through a sophisticated visual style.
- For the guarantee of the entertainment factor.
- For bringing us credible and genuine characters, with human emotions and reactions that feel real and resonant.
- Because it allows me to follow the work of Ahn Se Min, an actor with a simple charisma and an air of mystery, who has caught my attention since his participation in 'Youth On The Road', 'The Red Sleeve', 'School 2021', among others dramatized. With his expressive eyes and pure appearance, I recommend following this actor.
- For the reappearance on screen of Kim Sung Hyen, a perfect boy who wins the hearts of fans with his unique charms. Those who have followed his artistic career will remember him for his roles in 'Love After School' (seasons 1 and 2), '100% Era', Hospital Playlist', 'Brain, Your Choice of Romance Season 2', and many other works that They leave a lasting impression on viewers, raising expectations about his future as a solid actor.
- For the possibility of reunion with rookie actor Nam Shi An who has gained a lot of attention for his attractive looks, outstanding physique, subtle sensuality and acting skills shown in KBS Joy's 'Love Naggers' and the web drama 'Woman Playbook', as well as the independent short film 'Mutation'.
- For having the possibility of seeing Jung Yeo Jun's work again, after discovering him in 'Like Flowers In Sand', 'Arthdal ​​Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun', 'Rookie Cops', among others, since this rookie actor has a distinctive and irresistible charm that captivates the hearts of viewers. With her imposing figure, I love her explosive chemistry with Ahn Se Min.
- Because the series exposes two stories of love and friendship that have the power to open doors to a world where emotional ties are intertwined with life lessons, leaving indelible marks on those who discover them.
- Because stories like these have the particularity of touching two of the purest and deepest feelings of human beings: romantic love and the selfless affection that characterizes true friendship. The mixture of these affects in a single narrative creates a rich and multidimensional film story that speaks directly to our hearts. That is, stories that weave love and friendship reflect the full spectrum of our emotions.
- Because it is a drama in which we will see our own triumphs and challenges in relationships reflected, which makes these stories so personal and moving.
- The conflicts represented are reflections of the complications of real life.
- Being able to witness the performances of four male actors, each with different and combined charms, taking on their first BL drama challenge.

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Simplicity with a twist that will keep you engaged.

Technically speaking it’s a really simple story with a simplistic presentation of complex issues, and yet it works so well and it does not feel boring thanks to the refreshing and fun characters.

What you think you’ll get is a shy nerd who does not care for romance and a confident playboy who will try to win him over. What you get is a confident and at times sassy nerd and socially awkward “playboy” psycho who cannot say no. These two gave me some of the most enjoyable and unexpected chemistry.

Personally I loved Kim Jin Woo from the start, but Jung Ki Sub is a sneaky one, slowly making me fall for the character more and more. There was something irresistible about this character, it does not matter how annoying he might have felt, you kind of craved more of his screen time.

While I understand the appeal of the supporting couple (who does not like some angst in their lives?), I was not quite sold on their journey. I really like Balgeum, I did not care much about In Ho. That said, even if I was not that into them, the couple did deliver one of my favorite scenes in the whole show.

Plot wise - simple is the best. Were the issues at times presented in a comically simple way? Yes. The message was clear though, the story was not confusing and all the aspects got a closure. With short dramas like that, I could not ask for more. I appreciate the introduction of the topics like unintentional neglect, trying to please people and losing yourself in the process, being scared of your own feelings/not understanding your own feelings. The shame one can feel about their economic situation and how it can affect all aspects of a person's life.

The acting… I’m definitely a can of both Kim Sung Hyun and Nam Shi An now. Kim Sung Hyun did great with presenting both being rather cheeky and confident, and completely vulnerable with his feelings. Nam Shi An just… what an emotional journey we witnessed with the character he was presenting and how he slowly put away the positive mask and started to show more and more real emotions - that progression was perfect.

What’s more? The ost is just amazing. Silent goes straight to my playlist and I’m gonna play it on repeat for quite some time. Do It Over? Fun song perfect to start your day on a good note. I Will delivers great vocals and Isolation the best melancholic vibe.

Overall, I kind of want to rewatch it right away. It was sweet, fun and really entertaining. The characters were great and I would not mind either second season or a longer version (with the same cast, obviously).

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a mixed bag.

I didn't like the forced living together in Episode 1. Where does something like this fly today? Even if you would like that person, you would not start living together out of the blue. The rest of the story for the main couple was ok-ish. The side-couple was more or less wasted with too little in depth storytelling. They should have the flashbacks for both couples in the beginning which would have helped tremendously. The drama of Kim Jin Woo daddy was there to support the point that he's afraid of not connecting with the people he loves. Contrary he did connect with the girl in Ep 4 which didn't make much sense to me. If you are a loner, reclusive you don't connect with people in no time.
I wish they would have just concentrated on the lead couple and had a series for the side couple, maybe with even only 6 episodes per series.
The friendship between Jung Ki Sub and Choi Balg Eum was the highlight of the series for me. Overall it was an ok-ish series, not earth-shattering story-wise with some fluffy moments, but also not bad.

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so much potential

Overall: this series could have been a 9.5 for me with the amount of potential but the writing didn't deliver. 8 episodes about 25 minutes each, 2 episodes per week. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40439c-boys-be-brave and on GagaOOLala (in Macau, Hong Kong & Taiwan) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4231/boys-be-brave-2024-e01

Content Warnings: harassment, punch/fight

Watch Suggestions (I will update tomorrow with a complete list)
episode 7 watch 3:40-5:40, 26:30-27:25
episode 8 watch 7-9 minutes, 24:30-25:25

What I Liked
- the friend relationship
- direct communication when it happened
- funny moments
- switching perspectives
- character growth with main couple
- end of episode 3
- one of the best hugs ever

Room For Improvement
- what we saw at the beginning of episode 5 needed to be shown much sooner so I could have rooted for the main couple's relationship, it felt like the 1 guy was playing games
- needed to get rid of the mostly cliched female character and family drama to focus more on the two couples
- the second couple had wasted screen time, also 1 character was cruel in the past and in the present and the other was content to be a doormat, needed a better explanation in the past and more/faster character growth in the present, then an unsatisfying ending
- 'because the writer said so' stuff, why would a character be so open to a woman he just met when his characterization up to that point has been more closed/prickly, why does a character go from punches/hate to being a simp
- most of episode 7 was wasted on family drama, episode 8 had a ton of wasted screen time too
- beginning of episode 8 was extremely choppy with a multitude of flash backs/forwards, characters in different locations

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Not a romantic comedy but has its cute and comedic moments

Subjective Gut Rating: 7.75

Even though “Boys Be Brave!” has a comedy tag, I would not classify this drama as a romantic comedy. There are supposedly comedic moments, but they are not my favorite moments. Instead, there are other deeper meanings regarding each character and their past. This drama is more than a crush moving into your house, and you can’t hide your feelings anymore.

Although I enjoy the general plot and a more mature tone, I think the acting and writing could be better. None of the characters are perfect and are actually flawed, and I like that. However, I also do not see why anyone would like Jin Woo. I personally do not like his personality and the actor’s portrayal of him. Kim Sung Hyun’s acting is the weakest of the four guys and he also has the worst styling (aside from Ki Sub’s hair extensions). I admit, I don’t find the actor attractive. Jung Ki Sub is supposedly the handsome one. He’s not bad looking, but his character is introduced as such a scatterbrain that he’s not attractive either. However, I can see how opposites attract.

On the other hand, I am far more interested in secondary romance. I wish the drama has spent a little more time on their story and a little less time on how ditzy Ki Sub is. We barely hit the surface of their romance with a couple dates yet they have much better chemistry than the main leads. I am not sure if it’s the translation, but I sure wish being a ‘better’ person is much more than being rich. I also think this pair is better looking. LOL

“Boys Be Brave!” is an easy and short watch with a predictable story, if you are looking for something not too fluffy but have cute moments. I like the songs and for a lower budget production, I don’t see any much product placement. I watch this on Viki and I am not sure why it’s rated R. Aside from a few kisses and maybe a more mature plot, this is not one to watch for sexy scenes.

Completed: 5/21/2024 - Review #442

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Misfits But Perfect Together!

This was thoroughly enjoyable with hilarious mix-ups and heartwarming moments causing the most unlikely couple to fall in love. 
The main leads provided comedic sparkle and delightful chaos to the story with their quirky personalities and adorable chemistry. 
Despite typically encountering pacing problems in short run-time BLs, this was perfectly balanced. 
The final 2 episodes are guaranteed to leave you smiling! *_*

The struggles faced by the second couple were highly relatable and handled with sensitivity. The angst was nothing new but their ending felt authentic, and not abrupt- out of a fairytale! 

Overall, it is a refreshing take on clichéd tropes, executed almost flawlessly. I would recommend this if you are looking for a light-hearted drama.

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Emotionally distant

Don't get me wrong, I love lighthearted shows where we sort of know what we are getting into in terms of story and episode length. However, this just didn't work out for me.
Usually I get into shows like these easily and enjoy them for what they are, however nothing drew me into the story or couples. If I were to describe what I felt about everything I'd use the word "shallow".
The second couple had me curious and I was really hoping to see and understand more about these two, but the episode length and lack of screen time caused a lot of drawbacks. The main couple was pretty cute and there were some well done scenes, however nothing really draws you into their story.
A good show to me is one that can draw me in and make me feel empathy for the characters, but I mostly felt nothing in terms of these ones. All in all, it's unfortunate to say that this show was overall quite boring and distant, I think it actually had a lot of potential. Either way, the actors did well with what they were given which is always commendable and appreciated.
*As a warning if you start watching for the second couple, I feel like you'll be really disappointed with the screen time and emotional connection if that's something you prioritize and enjoy.*

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A psychological drama about learning to love yourself first

A hoary aphorism declares, “You must love yourself before you can love another.” The makers of Boys Be Brave! attempted to build an entire BL series around this piece of wisdom. For the most part, they succeed. BBB is a character-centric tale. Internal worlds for the characters take precedence over action or story. The loose plot revolves around a trio of angsty young men, each battling his own unique demons. Each feels alienated from the world around him, and the series measures the steps each takes to repair the damage this self-imposed isolation has caused to their life and to their personality. The result is a series that prioritizes learning how to embrace one’s self in order to forge new connections with others. An emotionally intelligent script grounds the series, and the three lead actors convey these complex emotional beats efficaciously. Lacking any sensational plot developments or heavy skinship scenes, the series will likely fly under the radar of popular discourse. It is ideally suited for those who like introspective works heavy on character analysis and emotional complexity—and not, primarily, romantic emotion. Self-love is the main theme here. Romance flows from that.

Kim Jin Wu is an academic overachiever whose success has come at the price of isolation from an inattentive parent and any vestige of a social life. Jin Wu lives alone and prefers online tutorials to interactions with fellow students. He moves within and amidst the bustling student life of his university, but is not really a part of it. He has a crush on Jung Ki Sub, which might be fine except he loathes Ki Sub as a person. He avoids a personal life through the device of an Ideal Partner Checklist. Since almost no one conforms to the qualities on the list, he essentially suppresses this whole part of his life.

Jung Ki Sub lacks any strength of personality, conforming his own behavior to please whoever is around him. He cannot—or will not—say no to anyone on any subject. This has resulted in an entirely different alienation, as people misconstrue his “blowing in the wind” behavior as betrayal, indifference, or inconstancy. Ki Sub suffers from an unspecified heart condition, which causes his heart to race. Dangerously, we presume, but the series never explains what the issue is, what challenges it causes him, or even resolves it in the end. Ki Sub’s penchant to agree with everyone seems to be a defense mechanism from childhood, designed to keep him calm and even-keeled in moments of stress. Avoid conflict, and the heart never beats dangerously fast. From the beginning of the series, Ki Sub insists he is incapable of liking anyone, though the reason why this should be so is never clear. One can infer that since liking someone leads to increased heart rates, maybe he, too, has suppressed this part of his life.

Choi Bal Geum is Ki Sub’s best friend, confidante, and muse. Where Ki Sub and Jin Wu attend university, Bal Geum has chosen instead to flit between a series of part-time jobs. Work allows him to keep afloat financially, though he is keenly conscious of his penury. Well before the events of the series, Bal Geum’s family tumbled from prosperity into pauperism. This lack of worldly worth induced a lack of self-worth in Bal Geum. Shame about being poor even led him to sacrifice (pre-series) an actual suitor because he deemed himself unworthy to offer love to others. He, too, is suppressing this part of his life.

The series commences when Ki Sub decides to move into the house of Jin Wu. Without first consulting Jin Wu, who will not appreciate this disturbance to his isolation. (Implausible? Sure. But it makes for a comedic opening set piece.) For reasons he himself may not fully grasp (I certainly did not), Ki Sub insists on co-habitating. Why? He wants to make himself into Jin Wu’s ideal type by following the check-list. Since Ki Sub has little sense of his own personhood, effacing his own personality to match Jin Wu’s expectations seems to him a reasonable solution. Certainly, that tactic jibes with a series so overtly concerned with portraying characters unable to love themselves. That angle also introduces another recurring theme: the foolishness of adhering to preconceived notions of “ideal types.” Having raised this concept, I rather wish the series had played with the idea more, particularly to demonstrate how rigid adherence to such a list constrains one romantic choices. In the finale, Jin Wu disparages the whole concept, but one wishes that insight had arrived earlier.

Meanwhile, back in the debut episode, Jin Wu wishes to evict the invader, from both his home and his heart. Ki Sub wants Jin Wu to accept him. On some very flimsy grounds, Ki Sub manages to get Jin Wu to a one-week trial period as roommates. He can then extend their co-habitation if at the end of that week, Jin Su asks Ki Sub to date him. The irony here is that both boys like each other already. But with one having convinced himself of the virtues of splendid isolation and the other having convinced himself that he is incapable of liking someone else, neither will admit the truth to the other. The series is largely about the process by which each comes to understand first himself, and only then to acknowledge the other’s needs. Along the way, Ki Sub even manages to effect (inadvertently) a rapprochement between Jin Wu and his distant father.

With respect to the side couple, Bal Geum’s self-imposed isolation from his troubles is disrupted when Ji In Ho, the suitor he rejected years earlier, suddenly reappears hoping for reconciliation. Their endearing subplot also becomes grounded in the quest to accept one’s self, something the series leaves unfinished for Bal Geum. (Perhaps displaying a Korean cultural attitude that self-worth derives from wealth? Or at least a disdain for the poor?) Ultimately, however, I felt these two were underwritten. Too much story potential, insufficient episode minutes available to tell it.

At its best, the series conveys emotional intelligence and honesty. The writing resonates because the lads are easy to empathize with. That all four exercise initiative to overcome his own self-defined demons also makes them easy to root for. Their very agency helps defuse some of the self-loathing that permeates the plot. The weak points largely reflect the typical short-comings of K-BL series. In moments, the plot feels rushed and the character actions come from nowhere. Some resolutions come about too easily. Anyone accustomed to watching K-BL in eight-episode chunks under 30 minutes each will be familiar with that sensation. A subplot involving a female suitor for Jin Wu shifts from humorous (she appears to hit every characteristic on Jin Wu’s list just at the moment he opens himself to the possibility of pursuing Ki Sub) to stereotypical (for just a moment there, she comes across as the sort of conniving harpy standard in BL fare) to underwritten (turns out she was never evil, she’s just another in a long line of people disappointed by Ki Sub’s need to make himself desirable to everyone). She could have had a better arc (and a GL side-plot) by fleshing out how Ki Sub’s wavering loyalty to those interested in him affected others. Likewise, Jin Wu’s father exists only in flashbacks until suddenly dominating episode 7 in a way that makes one wish that dynamic had been better built up throughout the preceding episodes. On balance, however, the series works quite well. Boys Be Brave! will appeal especially to viewers who appreciate a series strong on emotion and short on story. Those with a strong empathetic caste to their own personality will revel in the swirling emotions of the tale. Viewers who prefer a story-driven series (action—in the bedroom or otherwise) may find the series tepid.

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It was ok, but could have been better

I placed a spoiler at the end of this review.

This was not a bad series, but had an odd mix of moments that ranged from cute to cringe. The script just needed a little more tweaking to help make it better. It did a good job introducing the characters, but not the setup of events and the main storyline. There were also aspects of the script that didn’t make sense. It introduced some key things too late that would have helped the likability level of the main couple storyline. Because of this, the character Jung Ki Sub comes across as a very unlikable person in the first few episodes. However, their storyline became better overtime. I continued watching this series due to the second couple storyline. For me, their storyline was better developed script wise with one exception. I just wish they had more screen time. The actors did a very good job with their characters considering the script was lacking in some areas.

Random Notes:

They could have tone down Kang Hye Jin’s character a bit. They gave good reasoning behind her actions, but went a little over the top with them.

I immediately developed second couple syndrome with this series. I just found their story more interesting.

This is one of those series you can wait to watch until you have some time to kill and have nothing better on your must watch list.




******Spoiler Alert******

The second couple received an unresolved ending which was annoying. However, they can make this up to me by doing a second season focusing on them. If this does happen, it better have a decent script.

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cute, but didn't get any emotional connection to it

Boys Be Brave! had the potential to be a sweet and heartwarming BL drama, but unfortunately, it falls short in a few key areas. While the concept of friends-to-lovers living together is cute, the execution feels lackluster. The pacing drags, with the story meandering instead of building emotional tension. The central conflict - Ki Sub moving in uninvited - feels contrived and frustrating, hindering any real connection between the leads.

Adding to this disconnect is a lack of emotional depth with the characters. Despite strong performances from the actors (especially the second lead couple), the main couple's chemistry feels forced. Their expressions often fall flat, failing to convey the genuine affection viewers crave. This is particularly evident in crucial scenes where their relationship takes a step forward.

However, the drama isn't a complete wash. The soundtrack is a bright spot, with catchy tunes that enhance the viewing experience. The cinematography is also well-done, creating a visually pleasing atmosphere. Finally, despite its shortcomings, Boys Be Brave! succeeds in delivering a light and feel-good vibe. If you're looking for a casual watch with no emotional heavy lifting, it might be worth checking out. But for those seeking a BL drama with a powerful emotional connection and well-developed characters, Boys Be Brave! might leave you wanting more.

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