A Revry original, Unconventional is a really well-liked queer dramedy that feels totally different from the usual stuff. The heart of the story is about two pretty eccentric queer siblings and their partners trying to build a family that doesn't follow the traditional rules. It takes a super raw and unfiltered look at queer life, diving deep into things like mental health, addiction, and how complicated identity and relationships can get. It’s not afraid to get messy or show people at their most vulnerable, and it really pushes boundaries while showing a lot of different queer experiences. The first season has nine episodes, and each one is about a half-hour long. The story centers on Noah, a grad student who’s been struggling for years to wrap up his PhD. He’s been with his husband, Dan, for nine years, and they’ve recently gotten married and moved to Palm Springs. While they're trying to figure out how to start a family and have a baby, they decide to shake things up by in...
This Korean series is a really lighthearted and sweet story that manages to be both charming and surprisingly easy to relate to. On the surface, it’s about a high school teacher finally meeting his absolute favorite celebrity crush and seeing where that leads, but there’s actually a bit more going on under the hood. The show is a quick watch, made up of ten episodes that each run for about 25 minutes.
The plot centers on Aejoon, a contract high school teacher who is a massive fan of a singer named Siyeol. Siyeol’s music basically saved him during some of his darkest times, so Aejoon is totally obsessed, even though he keeps his poster-filled room a secret from his coworkers and students so they don't make fun of him. His life gets turned upside down when Siyeol actually shows up at his school to film a reality show called Go! School Teacher. The production team needs a real staff member to show Siyeol the ropes, and to everyone's shock, the idol handpicks Aejoon. Aejoon is incredibly flustered but agrees, later venting to his roommate, who just happens to be the manager of Siyeol's pop group. As they film, Siyeol starts flirting heavily with Aejoon, but it turns out there’s a messy backstory: Siyeol used to have a thing for a former group member named Jooha, but Jooha was secretly dating the manager until they had a nasty breakup. Seeing the manager living with Aejoon, Siyeol mistakenly thinks they’re a couple and decides to "steal" Aejoon just to break his heart and get revenge on the manager. Aejoon is initially walking on sunshine, but when the truth about this fake romance comes out, he’s crushed that his hero would use him like that. Eventually, Siyeol realizes he actually fell for Aejoon for real and spends the end of the show trying to win him back, while Jooha and the manager finally clear the air about their past and get back together.
I liked how the show juggled the romance and comedy with just enough drama to keep me hooked. Aejoon’s fanboy energy was actually really sweet and didn't feel over the top, which made Siyeol’s attention feel even more special, even knowing it started out as a revenge plot. Throwing in the former idol and the roommate's complicated history added a nice extra layer of tension to the whole thing. Even when things got emotional, the show kept its charm and never felt like it was leaning too hard into being a sob story. I thought it was a cool concept to have both main guys essentially hiding their true motives while secretly catching feelings—they’re kind of both deceiving each other in their own way.
That being said, I have to point out that Siyeol’s original plan was absolutely ridiculous. Like, what was he actually thinking? It was such a dumb idea that was obviously going to blow up in his face. I also wish we got a bit more detail on why the secondary couple broke up in the first place, as that fallout felt a little glossed over. But I get it, the side couple rarely gets the spotlight they deserve in these shorter series. The chemistry between the leads was solid, but the actor playing Aejoon really carried the show for me with his great energy and smile. It’s a light, fluffy drama that gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings, even if it’s the kind of thing you might forget after a few weeks. The misunderstandings don't drag on forever, thank god, and the final confessions felt really genuine. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece, but it’s definitely a fun, easy watch if you're in the mood for something sugary.
It’s a simple and sweet idol-themed romance that’s perfect for a quick binge when you just want something cute and uncomplicated. (6.5/10)
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