Drama Digest
Han Tae Joo and Kang Gook have been friends for fifteen years. Tae Joo is a member of a chaebol or a family-owned large business. His father is the chairman of the TB group.
Gook was originally meant to be his bodyguard, but the two have become close over time. As young adults, it becomes clear to them that their feelings for each other are far from platonic. They both sleep on the same bed. Gook hates to see Tae Joo touch someone else’s ears. There are little moments between them.
However, Tae Joo isn’t free to explore his feelings and leaves it to friendship. But when a new student, Hye Mi shows interest in Gook, everything changes for Tae Joo.
The Feel Good Part
The friendship and hidden feelings between Tae Joo and Gook are sweet as well as tense and it makes the viewer feel for them and their circumstances. Much of the comedy and soft moments are created by Tae Joo’s flirty carefree nature and Gook’s flustered reactions to them. And that is so cute to watch.
Besides that, Hye Mi’s mother’s excitement and understanding of their relationship are so refreshing to watch. Usually, most or all the adults in these types of dramas stand in the way of a pure-hearted relationship.
In-Depth Analysis
Friendship. Having someone always near you. Caring for that person beyond all odds. Falling in love.
What many series and movies have failed to show in hours, Where Your Eyes Linger captures all of that in ten minutes. It is an understatement to say that the show is a masterpiece.
Adolescence is a very confusing part of a person’s life. There are a lot of chemicals affecting the brain, so the person experiences a lot of new feelings and emotions. The two friends are clearly smitten with each other. Gook finds it hard to witness Tae Joo flirting with girls. He finds himself breathless each time Tae Joo touches his ears.
And Tae Joo is handicapped without Gook, even yelping at the idea of being apart from Gook. He tries to help him find a date, but it only makes him angry and jealous. They speak normally, like high school boys, but it’s the silence and stares between them that speak the loudest.
The weight of being part of a chaebol weighs down on both of them. As often the case with such families, being LGBTQ+ is simply shameful, which places a lot of expectations on them. And the seemingly master-servant relationship between them makes them insecure.
The pang of reality shown grounds this series. When Tae Joo makes a mistake, his father punishes Gook, knowing how much it will humiliate and hurt both the boys. For such a sunshine and rainbows series, it slaps us right into the reality faced by the boys. It is known that South Korea isn’t that socially sensitive to LGBTQ+ issues. But it also shows the change happening there through Hye Mi, her mother, and their loving and caring friends who create a safe environment for the two boys.
The Disappointing Factor
The plot, cast, and direction of this series have been flawless, although it might come off as slightly melodramatic for some people.
Star Power
All the actors in this drama have been selected wisely. Han Ji Chan and Jang Eui Soo play best friends Tae Joo and Gook with innocence and strength. Everything from their dialogues to their facial expressions to their eyes gives the viewer a peek into the hearts of the characters.
Choi Yeon Cheong, Jeon Jae Yeong, and Jung Seo In shine as the people around the main couple. Although supporting characters, they are well fleshed out in their limited screen presence and add spice to the sweet-and-sour dynamics of Tae Joo and Gook.
Overall Opinion
The series is a must-watch. Its short running time makes it easier for the viewer to watch it in an hour. I believe that in the future, it will be revered as a cult classic.
