Is this technically a gay show? Even after getting through the whole thing, that's still kind of tricky to answer. There's never any physical intimacy shown between the two leads, not even a single kiss. What it gives you instead is something that goes way deeper than that. It traces an emotional bond that spans a full decade between two guys who are both dealing with their own baggage, and what they share basically amounts to being soulmates. The story moves across Japan, South Korea, and Berlin. Honestly, whether people want to call what they have a romantic relationship or not doesn't really matter to me. A relationship doesn't need a label like boyfriends attached to it to actually mean something. And closeness doesn't need to be physical to feel genuine. What this show captures is something quieter but way more powerful, a bond rooted in understanding, respect, and just showing up for each other. Across eight episodes, each running 35 to 45 minutes, this is one...
Single, handsome and gay, Victor, who is his late 30s by chance meets his friend David on the streets. It has been 15 years since they met and clearly they have some history. David tells him that he has just moved in the neighborhood with his wife and they decide to meet for a dink in the evening. This clandestine invite starts a new journey. It turns out that when they were in their 20s, they had a worried love affair, secretly seeing each other back then without telling their mutual group of friends. David, however, had suddenly broken off the affair and blocked all contact with Victor without giving him any reasons. Victor had been heartbroken but unable to share his grief with anyone as their relationship had been secret. They talk about this a few times and against his better judgement Victor is ok to have David back in his life as an affair. David wants to keep his marriage while also having this parallel life. Victor knows he will not get anything more but his old love for David is so strong that he cannot see beyond anything and despite multiple conversations , including David talking about the guilt f hurting him all these years, continue for almost over a year. Things change when David comes up with the news that he is going to be a father. This is when David finally decides that it's time to cut things off. He would rather be alone than in a bad or complicated relationship that will never lead to anything meaningful. He makes David understand why he needs to be now faithful to his wife and look out for his upcoming family.
I am not one to make a comment on the nature of this relationship. Of course, most folks will say that this is a toxic relationship and not a good idea to rekindle old romance. Victor is hurt by the past, and not happy with David’s current married status, but he clearly loves David. David has a simpler attitude and is happy to just have uncomplicated sex on the side of his marriage. But they do talk about things that have hurt them in the past and try to get over it. I can understand Victor's point of view. He has loved David with all his heart and when such a person show sup again in your life, especially at a time when you are single, you are bound to get tempted o see if another chance is given, where will this lead to. So clearly Victor is in this, because part of him probably has a hope that he will get all of David at some point, but the final twist gives him a reality check and he takes the hard decision to move on. Things for David, even though may seem simpler, it's not. He has a family and loves his wife etc, but he also loves the one and only man he has ever loved and trying to balance his bisexuality and love between two people was never gonna be easy. But you don't think this when you are in love. And I get that. As much as this is not a situation anyone would wanna be in, sometimes life happens. And this is what is shown in the film.
The two actors do a decent job, although I do wish David performed with slightly more sincerity. If he truly was living with guilt for suddenly disappearing from Victor's life; it didn't come across very well. Actor playing Victor was much more sincere and someone you could connect to easily. The two men looked amazing together and did have good chemistry. Overall a decent attempt, despite it getting repetitive and very talky at times because you wanna shake these men and ask them to grow u and take a decision. (6/10)
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