Boys Be Brave! – Series Review & Episode Guide

Jin Woo is a top university student who has gotten excellent grades all his life. His father is a professor, although they don't have a close relationship. Jin Woo currently lives alone in a house. He considered getting a roommate, but he changed his mind afterwards. Nonetheless, his classmate Ki Sub shows up with all his packed belongings. Ki Sub assumes he can move in and start living together immediately. However, Jin Woo no longer wants a roommate, especially not Ki Sub.

Jin Woo and Ki Sub argue over the living arrangement. Ki Sub insists he needs a place to stay and would be a good roommate. However, Jin Woo gives him six hours to take his belongings away and leave his house. Instead of taking the warning seriously, Ki Sub believes he can change Jin Woo's mind after the deadline. That night, they argue again. Jin Woo is eager to keep this unwanted guest away from his house. However, Ki Sub insists he has nowhere else to go for the night. He jokingly calls himself a "cockroach" and asks Jin Woo to let him stay for one day. After much persuasion, Jin Woo relents.

Jin Woo and Ki Sub are classmates, although they don't have a close relationship. Jin Woo is a loner and doesn't have friends, while Ki Sub is popular on campus, especially with women. Due to Ki Sub's easygoing personality, he has trouble saying no to people. When multiple girls confess their feelings to him, he accepts all the offers simultaneously. After getting caught, he earned an infamous reputation. Jin Woo and other students criticize Ki Sub for being a playboy.

Jin Woo antagonizes Ki Sub, but he only acts this way to hide his secret crush. Jin Woo lacks the courage to confess to his classmate, especially after seeing how Ki Sub treats his other relationships. Jin Woo doesn't want Ki Sub to be his roommate because he fears exposing his hidden feelings. Nonetheless, Ki Sub seems determined to extend his stay at the house. Ki Sub also snoops around and discovers Jin Woo's secrets, including his desire for a relationship. Jin Woo even created a checklist of the qualities his ideal romantic partner should have.

Ki Sub's best friend is Balg Eum. They have been close since middle school, but Balg Eum doesn't attend university. Since Balg Eum's family is in poverty, he must work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. Balg Eum used to be in a relationship with In Ho during high school. However, Balg Eum broke up with his boyfriend and disappeared from his life. In Ho shows up one night and seems determined to reconcile with his ex. Although reluctant, Balg Eum gives In Ho three dates for them to spend time together.

I love the opening scene of Boys Be Brave. The main character sits in a room as the only single guy surrounded by lovey-dovey couples. He confidently states, "I'm 20 years old. I've never dated before. What of it?" The powerful introduction quickly establishes his defiant attitude and presents a strong-willed protagonist who won't conform to the norm. His independent streak continues throughout the series, earning my respect. I admire his courage in staying true to himself, even if he's different from everyone else.

Boys Be Brave is eccentric, from the quirky storylines to the offbeat humour. This series embraces the unconventional. It champions characters who do things differently and celebrates when they disobey rules or defy expectations. The bravery in its title refers to living fearlessly without caring about what others think. Many plots share similar themes about gaining self-assurance or finding personal autonomy. I adore the message in Boys Be Brave, which encourages viewers to learn from the protagonists and find comfort in their individuality. Be like them, be unique, be free-spirited.

While I enjoy some aspects of Boys Be Brave, I struggle with the romance. Ki Sub isn't merely an annoying love interest. His invasive behaviour makes me uneasy. He forces his way into Ji Woo's house, violating his personal boundaries and privacy. Also, Ki Sub obsesses over Ji Woo to an extreme and gets a face tattoo, even though they aren't dating. Ki Sub is a clingy stalker who reminds me of the infamous character from Baby Reindeer. At one point, Ji Woo feels so uncomfortable that he hides under his bed to avoid Ki Sub. Their unhealthy relationship is alarming!

Boys Be Brave wants to portray Ki Sub's actions as comedic. It uses a goofy soundtrack to downplay the severity, but I'm disturbed and can't picture Ki Sub and Ji Woo as a couple. Once they lost my interest, it was hard to care about how their romance developed in the later episodes. I prefer the other pair. Balg Eum and In Ho have a juicy dynamic as two former lovers reuniting after their break-up. Plus, In Ho's actor (Ahn Se Min) is super easy on the eyes! While there's potential, their love story gets treated as a side plot. They never receive enough focus to earn my fandom.

This series has lovely visuals. It often experiments with different angles and scene composition to create a distinct point of view. In addition, the acting is alright. Jin Woo's lead (Kim Sung Hyun) performs well, particularly in conveying the emotional drama. His costar (Nam Shi An) isn't too bad, but he lacks the charm to make Ki Sub likable. A more charismatic actor might've interpreted the role differently and added a comedic flair to soften the character's annoying qualities. Together, the two leads don't have the special spark of an iconic BL couple.

Boys Be Brave ends happily, as the finale reiterates the story's message about nonconformity. When Ki Sub shreds important documents for his future, it symbolizes his independence. Ki Sub does what he wants instead of pleasing his family. The other characters reach similar conclusions, all celebrating their free will. They find the courage to scrap their original plans and embark on a different path. Despite the meaningful themes, I'm still not interested in the iffy romance, which affects how much I enjoy a BL drama. Ultimately, Boys Be Brave hasn't captured my heart.