Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo – Series Review & Episode Guide

Dohoe is a high school student from a quiet town. His father runs a local taekwondo gym, while his mother is no longer with the family. Dohoe is a thoughtful teenager with a strong sense of responsibility. He helps with the business and gets excellent grades at school. Despite Dohoe's diligence, his abusive dad beats him whenever he drinks too much. Dohoe endures the suffering for now. He plans to move away and leave this town after graduation.

Juyeong is an aspiring taekwondo athlete who arrives in town. His parents have paid a hefty tuition for him to train and live at the gym. Ju Yeong becomes roommates with Dohoe and his father. However, Dohoe is still trying to understand why a city boy like Juyeong would choose this town for his athletic training. During their first sparring session, Dohoe throws the match on purpose. He noticed Juyong's injury and didn't want to push him too hard. However, Juyong is annoyed and wants Dohoe to fight him without holding back.

As the two teens live together, their different personalities stand out. Dohoe is quiet, reserved, and serious, whereas Juyeong is chatty, energetic, and playful. They don't get along initially due to their different habits. Juyeong likes to talk on the phone with friends and family. He calls his mom daily. However, Dohoe becomes annoyed with his roommate's noisiness, which causes him to lose sleep. One morning, Dohoe overslept and didn't open the gym on time. His father gives him a violent lashing, which Juyeong witnesses.

Juyeong is disturbed by Dohoe's abuse. After this incident, he goes out of his way to treat his roommate more nicely. The pair overcomes their initial hostility and gets along better, especially since Dohoe's friendliness is infectious. Soon, Dohoe's tough exterior begins to fade as he shares more about his life. Juyeong and Dohoe became close friends, spending lots of time together. Despite their bleak surroundings, they constantly find ways to make each other happy.

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo has an excellent start. Its first three episodes focus on a captivating teen romance. Viewers will enjoy watching the leads build their relationship, from awkward strangers to close confidantes. The couple shares ice cream on a spoon, escapes the town bullies, and has heartfelt chats during the night. Each moment feels intimate, like a personal memory that belongs only to them. As a BL fan, I was enchanted by every interaction. These two characters are precious to me. Protect them at all costs!

When we first meet our long-suffering protagonist, Dohoe conveys an air of sadness. Thankfully, his cheerful new roommate brings the warmth missing from Dohoe's life. With his kind spirit and boundless charm, Juyeong is a character that fans will adore. The romance feels meaningful due to his positive influence on Dohoe, helping him view the world less cynically. The first episode ends with Juyeong's umbrella on a rainy day, an elegant metaphor for how he protects Dohoe from the gloomy surroundings. Whenever they're together, Dohoe feels safer and happier. Aww, isn't that so sweet?

Dohoe and Juyeong's romance resonates because they are two teens fighting against the odds. While Dohoe is powerless to escape from his abusive home, at least he finds hope with Juyeong. The atmospheric visuals enrich their intimacy, particularly the nighttime scenes where the couple is illuminated by the street lamps. The performers add credibility to Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo, elevating its status as a sophisticated drama. For Dohoe's actor (Kim Nu Rim), he brings poise and emotional depth. Likewise, his costar (Lee Seon) makes Juyeong seem genuine.

Midway through the series, the plot suddenly jumps twelve years into the future. This time skip is a catastrophic storytelling decision that ruins the narrative momentum. Episode 3 ends with a dramatic event, but instead of exploring the immediate aftermath, Episode 4 launches into a disconnected timeline. We only piece together fragments of the missing years through vague flashbacks. Not only is it confusing to understand what happened, but it diminishes the emotional impact since we don't witness the characters go on their journeys.

The story omits many important moments due to the time skip. We don't see Dohoe's experiences after moving away or Juyeong's progress as a taekwondo athlete. Their twenties are shrouded in mystery for no reason. Instead of highlighting their growth, the story focuses on tedious conflicts. The characters constantly argue over dumb bullshit I don't care about. There's unresolved tension over the school exams, which drags on needlessly. There's also the messy love triangle drama with the annoying rival. I want to roll my eyes and tell all of them to get over it.

I hate the adult portion of the story and can't connect with the plot. All the emotional scenes feel theatrical, like when a tear trickles down Dohoe's cheek as he watches his ex from the window. At least the finale is better. As the characters gain closure and enjoy romantic encounters, it reminds me of what I liked in the earlier episodes before the series went downhill. I have mixed feelings about Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo, which has incredible highs and disappointing lows. Sadly, my fondness for the teenage love story is tarnished by the adult melodrama.