I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
1. Raise Me?
Since Seokmin is never home, he goes on an app and hires a freelancer named Jaeho for one specific job to look after 'Gamdong', his seven-year-old plant. Jaeho takes the gig even though he knows absolutely nothing about gardening. Before long, Seokmin starts getting annoyed because Jaeho won't stop blowing up his phone with endless questions and random updates about the plant's progress. The two leads don't know much about each other and they end up kissing which feels so not organic.
2. Folding? You!
Woonhee is a university student who falls for Jin, a member of the origami club. Woonhee really wants to ask him out, but he soon realizes Jin is a bit of a space cadet. Jin is so obsessed with paper folding that he misses every romantic vibe Woonhee sends his way. Woonhee figures his only option is to sit down and learn origami himself just to get Jin's attention. In this film, everything is so campy and ridiculous that I secretly enjoyed it. Imagine using lips to make origami just so that you can likely kiss.
3. Sweet Mischief
Sunhoo and Gihyeon are university students working on a project together. Recently, Sunhoo put himself out there and asked someone out, but he got shot down. Instead of being a supportive friend, Gihyeon decides to mess with him and even snaps a photo of the rejection. Gihyeon starts joking that he'll leak the picture unless Sunhoo does whatever he says for a week. Now, Sunhoo has to decide whether to play along or call Gihyens' bluff. More than mischief, it felt evil to harass your friend like this.
4. Sleep Around, Still Mine
Hajun is a webtoon artist who casually hooked up with his friend, Sunwoo. Since Sunwoo is a total playboy who loves the bachelor life, he only wants a friends-with-benefits deal. Hajun agrees to the terms and tries his best to keep things chill. Eventually, Hajun realizes he's catching real feelings for Sunwoo despite their arrangement. The whole "friends-with-benefits falling in love" plot feels rushed, but the leads have chemistry. This story had real potential.
5. Craving You
Jeha is an actor who has been crushing hard on his manager, Taeyoon, for a long time. They have worked together for seven years. By now, Jeha's feelings are well beyond professional. He flirts with Taeyoon in public and really wants to make things official. Taeyoon thinks a relationship between them is a bad idea. He denies having any feelings and even tries to set Jeha up with a new manager to create some distance. Jeha isn't giving up, mostly because he's convinced Taeyoon likes him back. This drama feels so unnecessary and much ado about nothing.
6. Not a BL
Jio just started a new job at a BL cafe, one of those places where customers pay to watch the staff flirt with each other. Minju is a veteran employee tasked with showing him the ropes. However, Jio is having a hard time with all the forced physical intimacy and wants to quit. Minju tries to talk him out of it. He argues that sticking with the job will actually help Jio, an aspiring actor, improve his skills. An extremely weird concept and a bit creepy to be honest.
7. Something Sweet
Hyunsoo is pretty miserable at his cram school. He has already failed the university entrance exam twice, so the pressure of a third attempt is really getting to him. His classmate, Sungyoon, keeps trying to cheer him up by offering a stash of candy and chocolate. Sungyoon insists the sugar will help his mood. Hyunsoo tries to ignore him and goes out to smoke instead, but Sungyoon won't take the hint and keeps pushing the sweets on him. There is zero chemistry or romance or absolutely anything to look forward to. This has to be one of the weakest in this anthology.
8. A Killer Recipe
Taerim is a secret assassin who has completed his final mission. When Taerim returns home, he's caught off guard by someone already inside. Jiwon, an employee from the housekeeping company that Taerim hired, was hiding out of panic. It turns out the two are actually exes. Taerim had ghosted Jiwon a while back because he didn't want to pull him into his dangerous lifestyle. Jiwon is stunned to find out what Taerim actually does for a living. Still, he insists on treating Taerim's injuries while they talk about their former relationship. Good production values, but honestly I was a bit confused in this one.
This anthology series is nothing worth remembering. You will likely forget all of these after watching it in just a couple of days. (3.5/10)
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