Ball Boy Tactics – Series Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

Early on, my intuition told me that Ball Boy Tactics would be a great BL drama. After watching too many poorly written and amateurishly made series, I can recognize a story of higher calibre. Everything in this first episode clicked for me. One of my favourite moments is when Jiwon and Jeongwu meet at the gym. The background music builds with intensity and gets my pulse going. I'm also drawn to Jeongwu's sharp eyes and cocky smirk. Oh, I'm already smitten with him. Like Jiwon, it was love at first sight for me too!

A memorable moment is when a drunken Jiwon wanders up to Jeongwu with his car keys. Earlier, Jiwon seemed so anxious around Jeongwu and could barely string a sentence together. While I'm not fond of using alcohol as a plot device, the burst of liquid courage brings Jiwon out of his shell. I laughed when he bossed Jeongwu around like an Uber driver lol. It's a funny way for them to break the ice and go from strangers to friends. Later on, I love how Jeongwu reminds Jiwon not to drink too much alcohol. When there's booze, Jeongwu stays on Jiwon's case. He hasn't forgotten the car incident!

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

I love how Jeoungwu's friends are the ones carrying the usual BL tropes. Eunoh is the Jiwon's elementary school classmate, reunited with him after years apart. Seungjin is Jiwon's long-time fan and has admired him from afar. Both relationship dynamics are common in love stories, and you'll find many couples with these classic cliches. Meanwhile, Jeongwu has no past connection to Jiwon. He's just a random guy who meets him for the first time. Yet, he becomes the love interest, overturning the expected narrative.

Initially, I was concerned that Jeongwu had a girlfriend. Oh no… Girlfriend drama can get notoriously messy in BL, dragging out conflicts that take ages to resolve. Would there be time to sort out The Girlfriend Problem and still build the romance? Thankfully, Jeongwu ditches her without fuss and redirects his energy into flirting with Jiwon. OK, crisis averted! *sighs in relief* We never learn the reason for their breakup, but an ex-girlfriend adds to Jeongwu's character lore. A failed relationship makes him slightly tragic and emotionally wounded, so here comes Jiwon to soothe his love interest's broken heart!

My favourite line is when Jiwon asks himself, "Am I a pervert who gets excited looking at other couples?" Honestly, that's my inner dialogue whenever I watch a BL drama lmao~ I don't blame Jiwon for feeling flustered. The scene where Jeongwu kisses his girlfriend is surprisingly hot. However, it's only sizzling because of Jeongwu. This man oozes pure sex appeal. He could kiss a girl, a guy, or even his own reflection in the mirror, and that scene would still be steamy. That said, I'm not here to watch him kiss his girlfriend. Alright, sir, let's aim those lips at a guy instead!

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

LMAO. The bedroom conversation is funny. Jeongwu jokingly asks whether Jiwon finds him attractive, not expecting a serious response. Yet, Jiwon does think his friend is hot and has no idea how to hide it. First, he denies everything: "YOU AREN'T ATTRACTIVE!!! AT ALL!!!" Then, he overcompensates: "I DON'T FIND YOU SEXUALLY ATTRACTIVE!!!" Jeongwu's stunned reaction is priceless. No one mentioned sexual attraction until Jiwon panicked and said the quiet part aloud. 😆

After his first social faux pas, Jiwon keeps stating awkward lines like, "I always date with marriage in mind." And then, he practically dies from embarrassment. While Jeongwu chuckles, he's sweet and says something supportive to his friend. There's also the search history fiasco. By accident, Jiwon reveals that he has been looking up stalker-ish information about Jeongwu online, including his love life, hobbies, and probably his underwear colour, too. Oh my god, it's so hilariously embarrassing for him. No matter what excuses Jiwon gives, there's no coming back from this self-own. LMAO. 😆

Jiwon's clothing is a subtle motif for his shyness around others. Early in the series, he buries himself under baseball caps & oversized hoodies, using them like armour. Whenever the hood is up, it's a protective shield he puts on when someone gets too close to his personal space. This is also why he tells little lies. He's hiding his insecurities. In this episode, Jeongwu encourages him to lower the hood. Coincidentally, Jiwon opens up and becomes more honest. The story shows how Jeongwu inspires Jiwon to drop his defences, letting others see his authentic self.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

This episode opens with Jeongwu's dream sequence, which is beautifully filmed. The visuals look ethereal with soft close-ups of the couple's faces. Also, the background music sounds delicate and sets an intimate mood. The camera follows Jiwon's hand as it caresses Jeongwu's face and slowly glides down his body. When he lifts Jeongwu's shirt, we get a glimpse of his abs. The scene only lasts 40 seconds, yet the director creates a rich romantic atmosphere. It's tasteful, sensual, and a perfect way to express Jeongwu's desire.

The highlight of this episode is the couple's first kiss. The series has been building the sexual tension for a while, and everything finally comes together. Before the kiss, I like how the story focuses on the emotional bond. Jiwon shares the photos on his camera, which is an intimate gesture since photography matters so much to him. Jeongwu also invites Jiwon to a basketball game. This sport is a key part of his identity, so it means a lot that Jiwon can enjoy it as well. Both characters seem compatible because they're interested in each other's passions. Their physical affection feels richer because of this connection.

Notice what Jiwon wears during the kiss scene: no hoodie, no baseball cap. With his usual shields gone, Jiwon isn't guarded anymore and wants to be honest with his feelings. Likewise, Jeongwu changes out of his basketball uniform and puts on a cozier outfit. He appears more down-to-earth instead of the star athlete everyone idolizes. The story uses these fashion choices to show how Jiwon isn't hiding himself and Jeongwu isn't putting on any airs. Both dress comfortably and reveal their true selves around each other before sharing the intimate moment.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

Coming out during a group selfie? Iconic. Or should I say bi-conic? I love how Jeongwu reveals his bisexuality so casually, dropping this bombshell on his friends and leaving them stunned. Jeongwu even says he'll hold a press conference to let everyone know about his attraction to men. I think he's joking, but I also believe he'll do it for real lol. Jeongwu's approach to his sexuality is refreshing. No drama, no tears, no lies, no self-doubt. It takes serious swagger to feel this secure about yourself. That's a confident king right there!

Jeongwu's self-confidence is amazing. Admirable. Absolutely the gold standard for coming out. However, Jiwon's anxiety is the familiar response. I aspire to be Jeongwu, but I relate more to Jiwon. Our shy protagonist is an overthinker who worries about public perception. Since both are famous athletes, their celebrity romance is bound to attract attention. While the series doesn't ruin its cozy vibes, homophobia is still out there. Judgment and stigma await this couple. My brain understands that Jiwon's fears make sense, but my heart is yelling, "Stop worrying! Just date the hot guy and kiss him!"

Our protagonists go to the cinema for their first date, but Jiwon invites their friends to tag along. Jeongwu is frustrated since he expected a romantic outing with just the two of them. When did this couple become a quadruple!? From Jiwon's POV, the situation is tricky. Going on a movie date with another guy makes him self-conscious, like everyone would notice. He invites Seungjin & Eunoh because a group of four seems less conspicuous in public. Sneaking around like this is awkward, but it's also understandable. Jiwon can't conquer his insecurities that easily.

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

My favourite line in this episode is when Jeongwu says, "I don't like laying my hands on someone drunk." Oh, that's a king right there! Your toxic BL faves could never be this respectful! Surprisingly, Jiwon's drinking is a recurring subplot in the series. He overindulges, likely because social situations stress him out. Each time, Jeongwu steps in to keep him in check. As a top athlete, it makes sense that Jeongwu has strong self-discipline. I like his cautious attitude toward the negative effects of alcohol.

One of Seungjin's funniest quirks is that he thinks he has a super close relationship with Jiwon. Sure, they get along, but Seungjin exaggerates their "special bond" and insists he knows Jiwon best as his biggest fan. The difference between reality and Seungjin's delusions always makes me laugh. Unfortunately, he slips into casual homophobia in this episode. He comments that Jeongwu is better suited for girls than guys, making Jiwon squirm. Seungjin doesn't realize how hurtful his words are. Hey, no homophobes allowed in Jiwon's fan club! We won't revoke Seungjin's membership, but it's on temporary suspension.

Early in this episode, we see Jiwon make progress with his self-confidence. Jeongwu encourages him to show affection in public, and Jiwon finds the courage to feed his boyfriend. Yessss, we cheered! Sadly, Jiwon's confidence takes a hit after Seungjin's comments. He slips back into old habits and grows insecure again. In the last scene, Jiwon admits he may never feel comfortable making their relationship public. Noooo, don't go back into the closet! Jeongwu responds kindly and stays patient, but watching Jiwon lose to his inner demons still upsets me. 😢

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

I actually see a lot of myself in Jiwon's character. I recognize the shyness, the anxieties, the constant overthinking, and the whole bundle of neuroses. So, I feel sorry for Jiwon and want to be understanding. That said, this storyline starts to get on my nerves. Jiwon's self-doubt keeps killing the romantic mood in every scene. Ugh, why does he seem so tormented? Look at his life right now. His boyfriend is a hot celebrity who has no qualms about dating him. Take the fucking win and stop moping around!

Jiwon faced psychological abuse during his gymnastic days, and that trauma helps explain his low self-confidence. While I appreciate this insight into Jiwon's character, the series doesn't handle the plot well. The revelation is far too significant to cram into a last-minute story arc. It needed to build up to this moment better, include more flashbacks, and help the audience understand the severity of Jiwon's struggles. At the same time, the topic is too dark and clashes with this drama's relaxing vibe. I'm okay with not exploring Jiwon's trauma, but I still acknowledge that the storyline is poorly executed.

Jiwon and Jeongwu's ongoing conflict has lowered my hype for their romance. I'm not as invested in this couple as I was a few episodes ago. Thankfully, Seongjin and Eunoh still interest me as a secondary pair. I adore them together! Seongjin is the goofy one, Eunoh is the snarky one, and they balance each other perfectly. The story drops plenty of hints to make Eunoh's secret crush obvious, yet Seongjin is too clueless to realize his best friend is in love with him. Their sexual tension is juicy, and I wishhhh we'd get Ball Boy Tactics 2 to continue their love story.

Episode 8

Ending Review

OMFG. Jiwon and Jeongwu's sex scene in the finale feels like it goes on foreverrrrr. Typically, we're lucky if Korean BL gives us a quick kiss or a few seconds of hanky panky. Thankfully, Ball Boy Tactics goes all-in on the physical affection! The series even slows down the footage to extend the moment, practically turning it into slow-motion sex. That's actually kinda genius? My feelings about this couple had cooled, but the gratuitous sex scenes pulled me back in. Okay, you have my attention again!

Jiwon comes out to his friends. Eunoh already figured it out earlier, but Seongjin is completely stunned. My favourite line in this episode is when Seongjin declares, "Half of us are gay!"  LMAO. I never thought of BL from a mathematical perspective, but I like the way he thinks. And you know what? 50% gay isn't enough for me. We need a 100% gay cast. One of the last scenes shows Seongjin and Eunoh having a heart-to-heart. I swore this was gonna be the moment: a confession, a kiss, or anything that confirms the side couple's feelings. BUT THE SERIES DENIED US. ohhh i'm mad!!! GIMME MY 100%!!! 🤬🤬🤬

The series finishes with Jiwon's growth. He overcomes his fears and chooses to go public with his relationship. Well, sorta. Jiwon only comes out to his inner circle, yet he keeps quiet around his other classmates. He's partly out of the closet, but it's a start. I like the scene where the couple kisses in the library aisle because it reflects the nature of their relationship. They're being private in a public space. Not fully hidden, but not fully exposed either. One day, I hope Jiwon feels confident enough to be totally open, but this first step is still worth celebrating.