TheFirstMichael2206
This review may contain spoilers
Maybe after you run out of all the other doctors, tutors, dentists and engineers.
This drama is so hard to rate for me, mostly because it feels like two different shows slapped on top of each other. One goes from episode 1 up to episode 8 (highschool drama), the second one goes from episode 8 onwards (university drama). It would be so much better if they went the route of "Star and Sky" and just gave each part ~8 episodes to develop.
The first part is pretty good. Conflicts are a bit rushed at times, but they aren't purely built on miscommunication or just randomly inserted to cause drama. Both MLs are imperfect, but relatable. Itt is kinda antagonistic, but he has his reasons and we're shown early on that he isn't actually a purely bad guy (This was my problem with Mek from My Secret Love. That guy has no redeeming quality shown in episode 1 whatsoever. None.) Pai is cute with his crush, but he can also stand up to Itt and won't let people walk all over him (that much). Waan and Pure are funny in their own way, and I shipped them hard (unsuccessfully). Later on, it's becoming more frustrating, the drive of main conflict is pretty one-sided and it doesn't get entirely resolved by the end of episode 7. So we're getting into the second part as a bit of a mess.
Second part is way worse. Way, way worse. It's shorter, which is probably one of its problems. But it's also kinda empty. It focuses more on the secondary couple (that is a tad problematic, but interesting), while the main couple makes zero sense. The ending is horrendously done. Really, the last 2 episodes were a pain to get through. It's so bad I might advise you to just stop after episode 10 and make up an ending of your own. Because I can't imagine anyone being happy with such resolution. My favorite thing about this part was Folk. He's precious and deserves the world.
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS (with minor spoilers included) :
Attempted sexual assault - it's pretty ugly, but it's short.
Emotional manipulation - one character is messing with another throughout a major part of the drama for their "own good". They admit to it at the end and even realize it wasn't a right thing to do. Also, I found it unnecessary in a way it was shown.
Predatory behaviour - distressed person is taken to their home and offered alcohol by someone they know a little. Afterwards, the two of them (most likely) have sex. There is no regret shown from either side and there was verbal confirmation of intent beforehand, but it felt kinda iffy and uncomfortable to me.
Homophobia - not overly aggressive. Frankly, it was only used as a plot device and didn't look genuine.
Cheating - implied for side characters.
Absentee parents - in the end, they intend to change.
Fake voice that sounds like from a ransom call.
MAJOR (?) SPOILERS FOR THIS PART
What I liked:
Waan's and Pai's friendship.
Itt's relationship with his mother.
Pai's smile. Pai's intent to confess. Basically a majority of Pai.
The existence of AIDS subplot - execution could have been better.
All of Folk. Even his stalkerish bits.
Banter between Pure and Folk.
The earring symbolism, though it became overdone later on.
What I disliked:
Itt thinking he's doing it all for Pai.
The entirety of ending, starting from the Mr. 950 reveal. It felt undeserved. Preachy. Disconnected from the rest of drama. It really felt like they just wanted such narrative for them, so they put it in even though it didn't make sense. That homophobia subplot is a joke. Needed way more time to be even a slightly believable.
How Pai was always the one on the passive end (forced to do stuff, always the one apologizing or trying to clear things...) They show he can stand up for himself at the start, but then they took away all his power.
The chemistry is just not there for the main couple from episode 6 or so? Like there is no way they could feel that way or switch their feelings as much as it was indicated. I didn't believe them a bit right from when Itt's ex tried to hit on Pai onwards.
Pure trying to touch Folk at the same time Folk was screaming at him not to. It was devastating.
END OF SPOILERS
Overall, I think it's a nice drama to binge. It has its great moments, it has its horrible moments. Most of the time it's just fine. There's not much skinship/fanservice, if you're looking for it. It feels like 2018 BL. It watches as one. And as one, it would have been pretty good. For 2020 BL, it's about average. In 2022, it's underwhelming. This is very much a "Star In My Mind" quality. I actually enjoyed first part of MGaYG more than SIMM, but then it went downhill and in the end, SIMM takes the crown for me. That said, SIMM had 2 more years to adapt and grow, so it got .5 worse score. For anynone getting into BLs, I recommend either starting with this one so you have low expectations, or ideally leaving it for when you're kinda bored and just want to binge something.
The first part is pretty good. Conflicts are a bit rushed at times, but they aren't purely built on miscommunication or just randomly inserted to cause drama. Both MLs are imperfect, but relatable. Itt is kinda antagonistic, but he has his reasons and we're shown early on that he isn't actually a purely bad guy (This was my problem with Mek from My Secret Love. That guy has no redeeming quality shown in episode 1 whatsoever. None.) Pai is cute with his crush, but he can also stand up to Itt and won't let people walk all over him (that much). Waan and Pure are funny in their own way, and I shipped them hard (unsuccessfully). Later on, it's becoming more frustrating, the drive of main conflict is pretty one-sided and it doesn't get entirely resolved by the end of episode 7. So we're getting into the second part as a bit of a mess.
Second part is way worse. Way, way worse. It's shorter, which is probably one of its problems. But it's also kinda empty. It focuses more on the secondary couple (that is a tad problematic, but interesting), while the main couple makes zero sense. The ending is horrendously done. Really, the last 2 episodes were a pain to get through. It's so bad I might advise you to just stop after episode 10 and make up an ending of your own. Because I can't imagine anyone being happy with such resolution. My favorite thing about this part was Folk. He's precious and deserves the world.
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS (with minor spoilers included) :
Attempted sexual assault - it's pretty ugly, but it's short.
Emotional manipulation - one character is messing with another throughout a major part of the drama for their "own good". They admit to it at the end and even realize it wasn't a right thing to do. Also, I found it unnecessary in a way it was shown.
Predatory behaviour - distressed person is taken to their home and offered alcohol by someone they know a little. Afterwards, the two of them (most likely) have sex. There is no regret shown from either side and there was verbal confirmation of intent beforehand, but it felt kinda iffy and uncomfortable to me.
Homophobia - not overly aggressive. Frankly, it was only used as a plot device and didn't look genuine.
Cheating - implied for side characters.
Absentee parents - in the end, they intend to change.
Fake voice that sounds like from a ransom call.
MAJOR (?) SPOILERS FOR THIS PART
What I liked:
Waan's and Pai's friendship.
Itt's relationship with his mother.
Pai's smile. Pai's intent to confess. Basically a majority of Pai.
The existence of AIDS subplot - execution could have been better.
All of Folk. Even his stalkerish bits.
Banter between Pure and Folk.
The earring symbolism, though it became overdone later on.
What I disliked:
Itt thinking he's doing it all for Pai.
The entirety of ending, starting from the Mr. 950 reveal. It felt undeserved. Preachy. Disconnected from the rest of drama. It really felt like they just wanted such narrative for them, so they put it in even though it didn't make sense. That homophobia subplot is a joke. Needed way more time to be even a slightly believable.
How Pai was always the one on the passive end (forced to do stuff, always the one apologizing or trying to clear things...) They show he can stand up for himself at the start, but then they took away all his power.
The chemistry is just not there for the main couple from episode 6 or so? Like there is no way they could feel that way or switch their feelings as much as it was indicated. I didn't believe them a bit right from when Itt's ex tried to hit on Pai onwards.
Pure trying to touch Folk at the same time Folk was screaming at him not to. It was devastating.
END OF SPOILERS
Overall, I think it's a nice drama to binge. It has its great moments, it has its horrible moments. Most of the time it's just fine. There's not much skinship/fanservice, if you're looking for it. It feels like 2018 BL. It watches as one. And as one, it would have been pretty good. For 2020 BL, it's about average. In 2022, it's underwhelming. This is very much a "Star In My Mind" quality. I actually enjoyed first part of MGaYG more than SIMM, but then it went downhill and in the end, SIMM takes the crown for me. That said, SIMM had 2 more years to adapt and grow, so it got .5 worse score. For anynone getting into BLs, I recommend either starting with this one so you have low expectations, or ideally leaving it for when you're kinda bored and just want to binge something.
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