Blue of Winter – Series Review & Episode Guide

Hyun Woo is a high school student who trains as a judo athlete. He recently injured his knee in a competition, sustaining potentially long-term damages. The competition winner is Do Jin, a new junior student who transfers to Hyun Woo's school. Hyun Woo respects Do Jin's skills and hopes to compete against him after his recovery.

Do Jin is bashful whenever he interacts with Hyun Woo. He finally gathers the courage to ask Hyun Woo for his phone number. Do Jin seems to have a secret crush on his upperclassman. In fact, Hyun Woo might be why he chose to transfer to this school. However, Hyun Woo remains oblivious. He doesn't believe their relationship is anything but platonic.

Hyun Woo and Jae Ho are friends in the judo club. Jae Ho's best friend Ji Seok isn't an athlete, but he develops a crush on Hyun Woo. Ji Seok has a bold and outgoing personality. He quickly befriends Hyun Woo after introducing himself. They live nearby and have many chances to hang out. Do Jin notices their close bond, yet the shy athlete is too timid to join their social circle.

Ji Seok confesses his feelings for Hyun Woo. Ji Seok admits that he doesn't live nearby, but lied about his address for a chance to hang out with his crush. Hyun Woo is surprised and doesn't know how to respond to the love confession. Subsequently, the two teenagers grow closer and they continue spending time together. The other students notice their bond as gay rumours swerve around them. Ji Seok feels self-conscious about the gossip, which escalates into bullying.

I feel a heaviness in my heart giving low review scores to indie dramas like Blue of Winter. The harsh feedback seems discouraging to a small studio for their first official BL project. I appreciate the effort it takes to produce a web series with limited resources. There's an urge to soften my criticisms, excuse the imperfections, and focus on the sincerity of the work. Nonetheless, Blue of Winter has glaring flaws that I cannot overlook.

The storytelling is in shambles from the get-go. Beginning the series with webtoon panels is a terrible idea, which cannot substitute live-action scenes with actual actors. The confusing introduction leaves me unclear about who the characters are or how they meet. Also, significant events like the protagonist's injury are downplayed due to the weird format. Blue of Winter starts on the wrong foot, creating a shaky foundation for the rest of the story.

After a rocky premiere, the writing in Blue of Winter never gets much better. The narrative doesn't flow smoothly with awkward scenes, banal interactions, and clunky dialogue. The characters aren't properly established, defined by vague motivations and little personality. Their relationship dynamics are also incoherent. Ji Seok and Do Jin develop an inexplicable attraction for Hyun Woo based on nothing substantial. There isn't an organic romance that blossoms over time. Instead, they suddenly fall in love without a sensible explanation.

The love triangle doesn't capture my interest. Hyun Woo is a charmless lead, so I don't understand why these guys fawn over him. He shares no chemistry with the timid Do Jin. Their scenes together are trite, unmemorable, and devoid of passion. I prefer Ji Seok as a love interest, and he's the only character who intrigues me in this series. Although Ji Seok is riddled with insecurities and unappealing traits, I like the moral ambiguity around him. Despite exhibiting some nuance, I don't feel invested in his relationship with Hyun Woo.

While Blue of Winter has stripped-down production values, the technical shortcomings are forgivable for a low-budget project. Sometimes, it completely eliminates the soundtrack, using silence to accentuate dramatic moments. This technique works surprisingly well. It allows the viewers to pay attention to the dialogue and focus specifically on the acting. Fortunately, the series has a decent cast and all four young actors give authentic performances. My favourite is Ji Seok (Min In Gi), who exudes enthusiasm in his body language and facial expressions.

Blue of Winter transitions from high school into adulthood in the final episode. The unexpected time skip is handled clumsily, presenting even more gaps in an already patchy plot. However, I enjoy the emotional confrontation between Hyun Woo & Ji Seok, an immersive showcase of their acting talents. That poignant exchange reveals a faint glimmer of potential, like a rare breakthrough late in the series. Regrettably, a brilliant final scene cannot make up for the rest of the muddled narrative. Overall, Blue of Winter is an amateurish BL drama that leaves me unsatisfied.