Delivered – Series Review & Episode Guide

Yoonoh is a quiet young man who lives alone. He works from home and rarely needs to mingle with anybody else. This solitude suits him well, as Yoonoh is painfully shy and struggles to open up to others. Instead of going out, Yoonoh does most of his shopping online. Typically, he just waits for the packages to be left at his doorstep, minimizing face-to-face contact.

One day, Yoonoh is surprised when a delivery occurs differently. Instead of dropping off the package and leaving, the worker stays behind to ensure it arrives with the rightful recipient. The employee, Taein, goes above the usual scope of his job. Since it's his first time delivering to this address, Taein wants the homeowner to feel satisfied. Yoonoh hesitates before opening the door. He rarely speaks to delivery workers and tries to avoid these exchanges whenever possible. However, he makes an exception for Taein.

Taein hands over the package to Yoonoh in perfect condition. Yoonoh can barely remember the purchase, so the item holds little importance. Yet, he notices how tired Taein looks during the delivery. Taein explains he climbed five flights of stairs instead of using the elevator. He's also sweating under his uniform. Despite his discomfort, Taein maintains a cheerful demeanour. Yoonoh feels guilty for making the delivery guy work so hard. He invites Taein inside for hydration. Taein accepts the offer with appreciation.

During the first visit, Yoonoh gives Taein a glass of water. Taein does most of the talking while Yoonoh stays quiet. He isn't used to spending time with someone so outgoing. A day later, Taein returns with another delivery. Besides the package, he brings Yoonoh a drink, repaying him for the kindness from yesterday. Taein even remembers the brand that Yoonoh likes. As they chat casually, Yoonoh finds himself opening up more than usual. Although Taein still leads the conversation, Yoonoh feels at ease in his presence.

Later, Taein returns to Yoonoh's apartment. A mix-up with the orders has occurred, and Taein is anxious to retrieve the missing package. Thankfully, Yoonoh confirms he has the wrong item, which allows Taein to recover it without getting into trouble at work. As they talk some more, Yoonoh admits he's usually quiet around others and doesn't feel comfortable speaking. Taein offers him gentle reassurance. He asks Yoonoh about visiting again, even if there isn't another delivery. Yoonoh agrees and invites him to drop by next time, officially as a friend.

Initially, I saw some potential in Delivered. The lonely protagonist falls in love with a friendly delivery guy. As simple as that may sound, my mind is spinning with storytelling ideas. Yoonoh buys things online, Taein delivers them to his doorstep, and there are numerous opportunities for them to flirt. This plot also suits a small studio, which can't film in many locations. A love story built around home deliveries keeps everything in one place. The concept behind this BL drama is surprisingly decent. Yeah, it could work!

Sadly, Delivered does not deliver. I feel disappointed, like ordering something cool on Amazon, only to receive a cheap imitation of what I expected. One of the worst problems is the clunky dialogue. When the characters talk, they sound unnatural. Their conversations lack the smooth rhythm of real speech. Taein speaks too much, while Yoonoh says too little. The couple's one-on-ones are so awkward that I don't believe they're growing closer. They also like to get randomly philosophical, drifting into these pseudo-deep lines. Most of the time, I'm confused and can't understand them. What on earth are they saying!?

Yoonoh is an introvert who can't express himself around others. Each episode, Taein gently encourages him to come out of his shell. A part of me likes Yoonoh's character arc, since I relate to the moments when his social anxiety overwhelms him. Hey, me too! However, I also find the storyline lacklustre. The series could've explored this topic more meaningfully, digging deeper into his emotional turmoil. How does his shyness affect his daily life? What challenges does he face? Delivered keeps everything too simple, so his experiences don't feel memorable.

From the moment they meet, this couple seems soooo awkward together. Cringe alert! It's like watching two strangers forced to socialize, struggling to find something to say. I had hoped the uneasiness might fade after a few episodes. Sadly, I feel second-hand embarrassment from every interaction. I don't sense a romantic spark between them, yet the story pushes them together anyway. I must admit, Yoonoh and Taein do kiss with surprising intensity. They show plenty of physical affection, but the hanky-panky isn't enough to make me ship them as a couple.

Delivered's tiny cast only consists of the two leads. These poor guys must carry all eight episodes on their own. Taein's actor (Lee Jae Sung) tries his best to be as lively as possible. He talks! He smiles! But it's hard for him to keep up this energy for the whole series, especially when he has a weak rapport with his partner. His co-star (Kim Hangeul) plays a reserved character, yet his portrayal of Yoonoh is blah. Instead of appearing shy or self-conscious, he seems tired and low in energy. He only perks up during the kissing scenes and spends the rest of the time in a sleepy daze.

The first few episodes come and go without leaving an impression. There's little incentive to keep viewers watching. In Episode 5, Delivered tries its hardest. It puts more effort into meaningful dialogue! Character development! And a passionate kiss! Even at its best, the series still feels mediocre and pales in comparison to better BL dramas. Near the end, each episode contains only one or two dull conversations before the characters find a random reason to kiss. While Delivered ends happily, the story hasn't accomplished much. I'm left unimpressed by a boring romance.