True to its title, this show tries to capture burnout not as some big dramatic collapse but as this slow, draining exhaustion that quietly eats away at relationships and how you see yourself, and honestly it makes the characters feel really real. The pace is slow on purpose, and everyone here is flawed and full of contradictions, nobody's simple. It uses this messed up boss and employee dynamic to sneak in some pretty smart commentary on society. The story digs into toxic work culture, mental health struggles, and how money ends up running our lives whether we like it or not. And yeah, there's a love triangle thrown in too, because of course there is. This one runs ten episodes, each around 45-55 minutes. Jira's twenty eight, broke, and struggling to make it as a painter. Nothing's going right for him, his art isn't selling, he's got no steady job, and he's basically on the edge of falling apart. His best friend Ing does what she can, finding him odd jobs an...
Sebastian is befriended by fellow dancer Arsenio at ballet auditions. They initially laugh off their obvious mutual attraction, but soon become a fully loved-up couple, pushing each other as performers and even start living together. When the new choreographer Mikael arrives, demanding obedience and perfection; he starts to push everyone's boundaries and starts to make changes. He also has a reputation for liking young boys. The attention he pays to Sebastian begins to make Arsenio jealous, for good reason. Arsenio's close friend who also secretly liked him was the lead dancer whom Mikael fires. The duo decide to sleep with the teacher in hopes that maybe one of them can get the lead part. But the teacher has his eyes on Sebastian, maybe because of his talent or maybe looks. When Sebastian is announced as the lead dancer, limits are pushed where starting from his boyfriend Arsenio, every male dancer starts to get jealous of Sebastian, leading to badly beating him up just before opening night, so that Arsenio can take his position.
In the beginning, the two main characters play as a cute couple oblivious to the pressures around them and do a reasonable job. But its he arrival of new teacher creates this jealousy between them. As things heat up, Sebastian and Arsenio promise not to let things at work interfere with their relationship. But of course they do, in rather harrowing ways. This is an intriguing exploration of the tension between personal and professional lives, as well as more insidious things like abusive behaviour of people in power. You see how the new teacher totally uses his position of power to exploit young men. As Mikael mistreats Arsenio, and Arsenio alienates the company against Sebastián, Sebastián develops a kind of Stockholm Syndrome with Mikael and gives in into his sexual demands. As actors Sebastian stands out, covering both the innocence and ambition he harbors. He gazes intensely at Arsenio whom he alternately loves and loathes and looks at Mikael with puppy-dog eyes. And of course the dancing, which is true for Arsenio as well. Mikael as the lusty teacher does a good job for making audiences uncomfortable with his presence and gaze. Overall the film had a good subject, but at many places the execution felt amateurish. What this project needed was more depth and more connection of the characters with the audience which was solely missing for me. (4.5/10)
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