Blueming (2022)

Comfortable watch

Completed - 5/10/2022 - 8.25

"Blueming", though I still don't understand what it means, is a short BL campus drama about two lost souls who found each other, accepted their true selves with the support of each other. It's a very light and comfortable watch. The relationship between the two male leads is healthy, and quite mature with honest conversations.

Our two male leads, Jo Hyuk Joon and Kang Eun Bin, are pretty new to the industry. I found the acting a little rough in the first couple episodes, especially for Kang Eun Bin, who played the main role of Cha Si Won. I think he found his groove in the latter episodes and is more comfortable in his character. Jo Hyuk Joon (who I think is the more handsome one ?) seems to be a little more comfortable and his acting is decent in the drama. The supporting cast is fine and luckily, there isn't anyone too annoying. I would say the acting on a whole is average and decent. I've definitely seen worse acting for new actors.

Because the drama is so short, only 11 episodes at about 10-15 minutes each, there are storylines that are not fully explored. But given the budget and time constraints, I am quite satisfied with the drama. If there's more time, I would like to know more about Da Un's story. As Si Won said, Da Un really didn't talk much about himself, and I would like to know more about his backstory and loneliness. I was hoping in the last episode when they had the heart-to-heart, Da Un would have opened up to Si Won a little bit more. "Blueming" focuses more on Si Won's growth - the reason for his perfect persona, his acceptance of who he really is, dealing with his insecurities, and being comfortable enough for Da Un to get to know the real Si Won.

The music and songs are not as memorable as the other Korean BLs. I do think some of the scenes are shot beautifully, given the drama is about film students.

There aren't many kiss scenes, but viewers are rewarded with a couple that are done romantically and passionately. It's nice to see real kisses when both leads did not shy away from the action.

Leer más

It's cute, but shallow

I saw some scenes on TikTok and thought it looked nice and the leads were handosme so I said, why not?

Gave the series a try and I like the scenes on TikTok, it was nice. The story is a cute romance, the leads are indeed handsome, and it does give us some interesting points that add layers and colour to the characters, like the family drama from Siwon, his concern over his appearance, etc. Dawon also gets some points of struggle to his back story but they aren't really developed and most of his struggles are inferred from his overall demeanor and way he acts around his parents, which the series fails to address to a point that you would believe that their absence was so major that caused such a rupture in the relationship. I mostly felt that they were busy but caring enough? It doesn't help that his character's personality apart from the drama is being handsome and rich. His awkward acting didn't really help in adding colour to the character so the biggest take of Dawon is his looks.

Siwon like I mentioned do received more layers and his acting is better, we have some interesting moments in the story that are good (like the couple's confrontation at the park, the confrontation with the mom) but the series is so short and the conflicts are introduced so late into the story (literally episode 9 is when the whole drama over the movie happens) that there's not really enough time for them to develop these plot lines.

We also have some plots that are added which are not relevant at all, like the minor plot involving the short haired girl who shows a love interest in Siwon and how she's not realizing the dude with glasses like her, or the whole plot involving these two and them busting the other student who was jealous of Siwon (and in the end he was actually right in saying Siwon would not have won without help). These plotlines among others felt expositional and pointless and likely worked much better if this was a long series where these events could have returned and played a significant part in the story. In the end their existence is moot to the story and aren't interesting on its own either.

Overall it's a nice and cute series, recommended for anyone who wants to watch fluff, but not recommended as a serious romantic story as it dips its feet into lots of themes but don't quite realise any of them.

Leer más

Je suis passée à côté

Au vu de la note globale donnée à la série, je crois que je suis un peu passée à côté. Je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher aux personnages et c'est je crois bien le problème.

Il y a bien des côtés positifs à cette série.
Le sujet déjà : les complexes, les douleurs d'un jeune adulte traumatisé par l'attitude de la société et la différence de traitement entre les personnes considérées comme belles et celles considérées comme pas belles. Sa souffrance, son anxiété sont bien dépeintes et communiquées, et sont une vitrine, difficile par moments, pour ceux qui auraient eu à faire face à cette angoisse. On peut rajouter l'absence de représentation parentale positive et la solitude de l'enfant, puis de l'adulte, et la possible découverte d'une personne qui comprendra et comblera potentiellement le vide.
La cinématographie : c'est assez rare dans une série si courte mais il y a un essai réel de présenter un drama travaillé, de qualité. Le travail de photographie est à souligner. C'est plus particulièrement intéressant quand on sait que les personnages sont étudiants en cinéma.
Les acteurs : j'ai eu un peu de mal au départ mais leur jeu correspond bien à leur personnage et ils dépeignent bien la réserve, la méfiance et la douleur de leurs personnages. Leur complicité est difficile à appréhender par contre et j'ai du mal à savoir si le couple est peu chaleureux dans l'histoire elle-même ou si les acteurs ont du mal à représenter leur alchimie.

Un certain nombre de choses ne m'ont pas convaincue par contre.
Les personnages : comme j'ai déjà pu le dire, je n'ai pas réussi à m'y attacher. Les problématiques abordées me touchent pourtant mais il m'a finalement été difficile de ressentir de l'empathie pour les deux protagonistes, malgré leur histoire difficile. J'ai néanmoins beaucoup aimé le côté adulte de leur relation, vraiment appréciable.
Le montage : je ne sais pas bien si c'est le montage ou le scénario, mais le déroulement de l'histoire est par moment vraiment obscur et compliqué à suivre. J'avais décidé de revoir le drama car j'étais un peu frustrée des zones d'ombre du scénario et si certaines ont pu être levées, d'autres n'ont toujours pas de réponse. Peut-être tout s'éclaircira si je re-revois le drama ou si je lis le webtoon ?

En définitive, un drama intéressant, à voir, mais apparemment assez clivant pour avoir des réactions soit modérées, soit dithyrambiques.

Leer más

Korean bl leading the way!!!!!

Omg omg omg!!!!!
I mean wow....simply wow.....this was so good and so cute ....i mean it had everything...such a sweet simple story of two guys who are trying to face the person who they really are......many comments said that this is not gonna be a good one because they realesed the whole story at one...but but but.......it was just way better than any other korean bl of 2021...2022 is actually giving real good bls

So te story was all about the two trying to open up to each other....trusting each other....stop trying to be perfect and all so issues what normally people face while trying to identify themselves

I loved the fact how both of them reconciled at the end.....that was so sweet.....i also liked the small gl kinda story between the other girl and so-win's sister.....everything in this story looked so perfect and beautiful....it was just so real....omg i can't i mean if i had to wait for an episode every week i would have probably gone nuts because this is so damn good.......idk what to say....all i know is i'm gonna rewatch this again and again until i'm satisfied which i won't be ig :))



I WOULD JUST SUGGEST EACH AND EVERYONE OUT THERE TO WATCH THIS ONCE....LIKE TRUST ME ITS JUST WORTH YOUR TIME....THE EPISODES ARE JUST SO FINE...I'M IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER KOREAN BL AFTER SEMANTIC ERROR AND THAT IS THIS ONE................<3 _ <3

Leer más

A Completely Lovely Time

I binged this entire show in one sitting and it felt like watching a beautiful movie. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the relationships between the characters grow and I particularly loved that not all relationships had a smooth, happy ending. I would love to see a sequel to this because I just didn't want to let go of the characters by the end. The only reason I didn't give it a 10/10 is because I would've loved more of the story told from Da Un's pov so we could get a better understanding of his motivations.

Also have to say, the music and the cinematography were exquisite. The directing was so well done and I will be looking for everything this director does for the rest of her career.

Leer más

I will be missing the characters

I didn’t believe it when i read people saying that this drama was ”up there with the top bl’s” and the best they’ve seen in a while, and so on. I should have, this is easily the best korean bl i’ve seen and it also made up on my top favorites ever i think. The only real complaint i would have is the length of this series, such shame it is to be so short.

However, where short dramas go, this one was paced perfectly. Never did i feel like stuff was rushed or would come out of nowhere and there was such well written character development happening in relatably short time too. Tbh, after finishing the series it felt like i just watched considerably longer series than this one.

To sum it up, i laughed, cried and watched what it felt like an enthralling movie about real feelings of life and love. I will miss these characters, as they really got to me during the couple of hours i spent with them.

Leer más

Youthful bloom of romance with an artistic and cinematic production quality

This is one of those BL shows that being gay isn’t included as the form of drama to the story. Although, sexuality is still an important topic to be addressed in showcasing a same gender romance. Hwang Da Seul, the director of this series, says that “The BL genre may have a sensitive part, but rather than narrowing it down to a specific genre, it is a ‘love story’. It’s easier if you look at it broadly and define just that a man loves a man, because you can write the romance you want to write.” We can see in the show itself how she was able to deliver the storyline focusing on two people who met and fell in love, regarding their gender identity.

The progression of Si Won’s story is an amazing portrayal of someone’s presence that may help you in facing your own insecurities. At first I thought he was a narcissist yet with the revelation of his background story, I understand that in order for him not to be looked down upon anymore, he needs to be flawless. Da Un’s introductory part was likable. Presenting such dubious treatments directly to Si Won which later on turned out to be a misinterpretation. The best thing about the couple is how they gave comfort to each other and were a foundation of support in their own dilemma in life. Those caressing strokes of Si Won’s hair is consoling to watch. Da Un’s deep voice and contagious smiles are sending me butterflies. I love their first kiss. Si Won aggressively kissed Da Un maybe because he lacks experience and the moment when Da Un interrupted him and told him to relax was so soothingly refreshing to see.

Excellent quality of production. This is such an artistic drama that emphasizes the power of filmmaking. Those details include a fascinating piece of art. The cinematic blue-silhouette bed scene that connects to the title ‘Blueming’ that also defines that the main couple finally colored each other's life. The consistent connection of the story to their college courses as students who majors in film and production. I can relate to them since I am also studying a course related to films. The pre-production process till the final outcome of Si Won’s short film ‘My Running Bike’ is so dramatically great. He was able to share his story by producing it into a film that also leads him to indirectly release his emotions that he keeps for so long. I love that it became the bridge for him and his mother to be connected without the hint of hiding a certain feeling behind them.

Si Yeong as the main character’s sister plays an important role to help his brother become freely peaceful in his past, by sending the autobiography he wrote when he was young. Si Yeong's lowkey efforts can also be seen in the girl she had a crush on. Another one of my favorite side characters from this show goes to the bestfriend of the year, the caring Do Ba Woo. He and his eyeglasses are a cute match. It shocked me to know that he is also one of the supporting cast from the teen drama ‘Love Revolution’ because his roles are significantly differ in terms of personality. I read a comment from somewhere that the guy who played a guitar at the beach was the person who Do Ba Woo refers to as the person he liked that is clueless about this. The guitar has a written initial of DBW. If a second season may happen, it is possible that the story may give us this explanation later on.

To be honest, they loose down during the ending. I didn’t particularly hate it but I was hoping for a more impactful ending. I am also curious about the thing Da Un whispered to Si Won when he realized that he likes to shoot people more than story now. My personal theory is something related to body profiles or underwear. Anyways, it's a good choice to drop all the episodes on a single day since each episode contains a cliffhangers ending that will later on explained in the next episode. It will be confusing, and waiting for days will test the patience of the viewers. The soundtracks were fantastic too and perfectly suits the melody of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this mini-series and I hope to see more in the future.

Leer más

so beautifully done .a great surprise

to keep it short i am a fan of happy endings .i mean the world is dark enough.great script,great acting, it does not hurt that its fully orchestrated with an obsessive attention to details.very well directed and the lighting,the scenery,cinematography is on point .the casting was done so well that at some point it feels real.a story very well told .the use of blues,the symbolism, the crescendo of emotions from longing to tension to freedom..tenderness and the purity of love .its fresh and raw i hope there will be a season 2 or will see the same team doing another project soon .

Leer más

Hey siri play "Blueming" by IU

April 11, 2022

HOLY CRAP, I AM BACK WITH WATCHING KDRAMAS JUST A WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL SEASONS AGAIN. Waw, this is such an occurring experience. Blueming is definitely up there with the Korean BLs that are released for this half of 2022. I really love how they paced the series in such a consistent manner. Although, each episode are about 10-15 minutes, the writers and directors were able to team up to execute the feeling, the story, and the progression so damn good.

I really love and fell in love with Da un, I love Siwon too. But Da un just sets up the standard out here. He is so caring and lovely, you can see how he never forced anything to Siwon and has always been respectful. Even when they have issues, Da un always assures Siwon that his feelings are valid and that he will always respect him. Da un asking for forgiveness is just too cute too like WTFFF I CANT-

I'VE BEEN SINGLE FOR WAY TOO LONG HOLY CRAP. SOMEONE PASS ME A DA UN PLEASEEEEE ?

As for other characters, they are all lovely except the parents and that one annoying jerk?

Leer más

Cute, Heart-warming and amazing! Slay

Blueming is such a beautiful Korean Drama. From episode one to episode 11, pure art! I love the color tones, acting, story, and music too. If I have to point out a few mistakes, I would say the editing! Like there were a few scenes where the cuts were abrupt. so that's one thing. Overall, it's such a feel-good drama! You can watch it anytime, and feel so good! This BL is going down to the BEST BLS OF THE Century. Hwang Da Seul is such an amazing director! got to admit that.

I wish the episodes were longer, and the side characters had more screentime, there was some sort of mystery in the side characters. Like the Cha Si Yeong (sister of Cha Si Won) and Do Ba Woo (the nerdy guy). I also wanted to see more of Hyeong Da Un's family story. Blueming could have been longer and I feel like there could be a season 2 to fill these gaps.

Leer más