Beside You – Series Review & Episode Guide

Nine lives in a house with his boyfriend, Tar. They enjoy simple domestic bliss, like cuddling in bed or eating a homemade meal. The couple raises a cat, Hope. Nine is a devoted pet owner. He likes pampering Hope, who demands constant attention.

Lately, Nine and Tar have drifted apart. Whenever Tar initiates physical intimacy, his boyfriend doesn't seem interested in reciprocating. Nine seems more preoccupied with the cat than paying attention to his relationship. Tar is annoyed by the neglect.

Beside You is a silly story about a love triangle with a cat. Our protagonist finds himself torn between his human boyfriend and his feline pet. Sorry, but LMAO. The plot is so hilariously absurd that it makes me laugh. Although the premise may seem dumb, the series shows a creative spark. I enjoy the quirky scenarios, especially after the fantasy twist at the end of the first episode. Beside You has its charms as long as you don't take anything too seriously.

Episode 1 focuses on the relationship between the boyfriends. Unfortunately, none of the scenes are memorable. The writing in this series seems too basic, almost like generic fluff. It misses the opportunity to include meaningful dialogue or nuanced interactions that would build character development. This episode's climax is a tense conversation as Nine and Tar confront their relationship troubles. However, the pivotal exchange isn't written well. Instead of a sophisticated drama, Beside You comes across as childish and shallow. It doesn't set the best first impression for viewers.

The series shows a cheeky sense of humour in Episode 2, livening the mood with some harmless comedy. There are several cute, lighthearted interactions between the protagonist and his cat. These goofy moments may be trivial, but they are delightful enough to entertain me for ten minutes. I like how Hope's actor (Chechin) portrays his role. He has an angelic expression and adorable mannerisms. His character's delightful presence is like a breath of fresh air that revitalizes the narrative. After dismissing Beside You earlier, it surprises me with an improved second episode.

Nine has a boyfriend at the start of the series. We see them cuddling in bed and come close to kissing, but the lovey-doveyness is short-lived. Relationship problems soon overcome the couple, diminishing the romantic atmosphere. Later, Nine spends time with Hope. Although their interactions are funny, I don't sense passion or desire. The only bond I can see is a pet owner looking after his cat's well-being. In both instances, Beside You has failed to establish genuine chemistry between the characters. The BL content feels like fanservice rather than a compelling love story.

Beside You is a low-budget drama, so its production values pale compared to professional standards. Most scenes are filmed inside a small house, offering little variety in the unremarkable visuals. Notably, this series contains an excessive amount of product placement. I understand that BL studios must make money and can tolerate some advertisements. Yet, Beside You goes overboard with its heavy-handed commercials. If you can't be subtle, at least be creative when inserting the promotions in the narrative. Don't make your marketing agenda so blatant to the viewers.

Beside You has a happy ending as Nine chooses between pursuing a relationship with his boyfriend or his cat. His final decision leaves me flabbergasted. I know it's only a silly story, but I can't wrap my head around the bizarre interspecies romance. My uneasiness increased after finishing the drama and putting my feelings into words. What am I doing with my life as I write a critical analysis of a furry love story!? My self-consciousness prevents me from giving a high review score. Despite a few amusing moments, Beside You is too embarrassing to recommend.