What If – Series Review & Episode Guide

Smart and Peach are childhood best friends. These two neighbours first met as kids. Peach taught Smart how to play the guitar as they bonded over the music lessons. Over the years, they maintained a close platonic relationship and spent much time together.

Now, Peach is preparing to enroll in a university. He only cares about playing music with his band and hardly focuses on academics. Although Smart is a year younger, he is a bright student who helps his friend with studying. Even when Peach's bandmates ask him to hang out, he still prioritizes his time with Smart. Their platonic friendship strengthens as a result.

Smart has a secret crush on Peach. However, he's shy and hasn't confessed his feelings to his childhood friend. After Peach departs for university, Smart remains alone as he completes his final year of high school. They keep in touch over the occasional phone calls, but both have busy schedules. Peach is getting used to his new friends in college life, while Smart is busy studying for his exams. Their relationship is challenged as they spend a year apart from each other.

What If begins with two surprisingly good episodes. This series introduces the main characters charmingly, highlighting their personalities and shared interests. The early scenes nurture their cozy friendship, depicting a warm, genuine rapport between the leads. I'm invested in their sweet childhood bond and enjoy seeing them grow up together. What If appears to be on a positive trajectory, making me excited about the budding romance.

Although What If shows so much promise, all that potential never materializes. After a solid start, the plot never picks up the pace. The story loses momentum midway and ends abruptly before anything substantial happens. The leads don't grow their relationship meaningfully for the rest of the uneventful BL drama. Inexplicably, What If almost gives up on forging the romance and strays into aimlessness. This series is more preoccupied with trivial campus antics or random supporting characters than developing the star couple.

What If portrays a solid friendship between Smart and Peach, but where's the damn romance? The series starts creating a good love story and then forgets to finish half the assignment. The timid scenes and banal interactions are devoid of chemistry, desire, or intimacy. Any attraction is too implicit, hidden behind subtle hints and vague subtext. If you're going to market yourself as a BL drama, then spell out the romantic connection more clearly. Yet, there's a reluctance to confirm the characters' feelings or go beyond a platonic relationship.

Interestingly, What If begins the story with the child actors, who portray the junior versions of the main characters. These two performers (Pupa and Nobel) are naturals on screen and handle their roles persuasively. They're a huge reason why this adolescent friendship feels so authentic at the start. The series is wise to dedicate an entire episode to the talented child actors, who easily carry their scenes. In contrast, the grown-up leads (Smart and Peach) seem less impressive. I don't think they exude as much charisma or sincerity as their younger counterparts.

What If has a decent presentation. Each scene looks bright, vibrant, and gorgeous, accentuating the cozy atmosphere. I also appreciate the snazzy soundtrack, which has some enjoyable melodies throughout the series. Since music is a big part of the characters' hobbies, I'm glad the production team doesn't slack in this department. The visual and audio components elevate the BL drama, almost making the romance more special than it actually is. The couple has nonexistent chemistry, so it's impressive how What If can create an intimate vibe out of nothing.

What If has a happy ending, but the underwhelming conclusion lacks excitement. Half the finale involves singing and songwriting rather than exploring the couple's feelings. After completing the series, my first instinct is to give a low review score. Upon reflection, I realize the quality is more mediocre than unwatchable. The enchanting first half softens my disappointment with the later episodes. Unfortunately, What If can't turn a precious childhood friendship into a captivating romance. The vibe I'm getting is bromance instead of BL. I only see two buddies and not two lovers.