Boysmate – Series Review & Episode Guide

Ian has been searching for a place to live. After spending time in sharehouses and Airbnbs, he chooses to move in with a childhood friend. His buddy, Minwoo, has a younger brother who lives alone, and Jayden is glad to offer him a room. The two had known each other when Ian was in university and Jayden was still in high school. Since they drifted apart over the years, living together becomes their first chance to reconnect.

Jayden, now a graduate student, is a gracious host. He welcomes Ian cheerfully and helps him settle in. Ian is impressed by how clean the house looks, especially since Jayden had been living alone. Jayden admits he cleaned just for Ian and hoped to make a good impression. He also prepares a welcoming meal, which surprises Ian because the younger Jayden had never shown an interest in cooking. It's clear he has grown up and changed over the years.

Although the two roommates seem to get along, they share an awkward history. Years ago, when Jayden was still in high school, he confessed his feelings to Ian. Ian turned him down, and they stopped communicating without ever discussing what happened. Now that they live together, Jayden brings up the old confession. He wants to know if Ian's feelings have changed over the years.

Ian feels uneasy and doesn't know how to respond to his roommate's question. He has always viewed Jayden as his best friend's younger brother, so romance never entered his mind. Jayden says his feelings have stayed the same over the years. He still hopes they can become boyfriends. Ian now faces Jayden's second love confession and must consider whether he wants a romantic relationship with him.

Boysmate started okay. The story introduces two childhood friends who reconnect as adults, except there's a twist. Years ago, Jayden confessed his feelings to Ian, but he was rejected. You want that man? Sorry, he doesn't want you back! Although a failed confession isn't the most original idea, it adds delicious drama to the couple's relationship. Now that they must live together, I'm intrigued by the possibilities. Either Ian changes his mind, or Jayden is left heartbroken twice. Both scenarios seem juicy!

By the second episode, Boysmate loses momentum. My interest plummets because the leads constantly talk about their feelings. For most of the series, they have many repetitive chats that go nowhere. It's always the same pattern: Jayden declares his love, Ian responds indecisively, and their relationship remains stuck. As Elvis Presley once said, let's have a little less conversation! Instead, I wish we saw more bonding moments between the couple. Show us how these roommates spend time together and grow closer. Boysmate misses an easy opportunity to develop their romance through meaningful interactions.

Jayden fell in love with Ian years ago, yet the couple's history is frustratingly vague. We need those details! Why did Jayden fall for Ian? What was their dynamic when they were younger? Answering these questions would help us understand the origins of Jayden's feelings. Given how deeply rooted their relationship is in the past, Boysmate has surprisingly few flashbacks. They don't even show Jayden's high school love confession in full, so we never see Ian rejecting him. That could have been such an emotional scene, but the story baffles me by excluding it.

Jayden's crush is too intense. At times, he seems totally obsessed with his love interest. Ian doesn't even seem that into him. He's either not interested or unsure about his feelings. Yet Jayden still pressures him, making ridiculous claims about eternal devotion. MY LUV 4 U WILL NEVER CHANGE!!! Ugh, can he just back off? Give Ian some room to breathe! Ian admits that Jayden's remarks are stressful and messes with his emotions. Even so, Jayden keeps trying to force this relationship on him. No, sweetie. Persistence isn't romantic when you've overwhelmed your partner!

Jayden's actor (Shin Joon Hyung) has impressed me with his enthusiasm. Even if his character can be off-putting, the performer's likability softens the rough edges. He also appears genuine in emotional scenes. Despite working with a lousy script, he elevates the material. His co-star (Kim Chan Ho) is just so-so. He seems reserved, though it's hard to tell whether that's the actor's fault or if Ian's role is written too ambiguously. In Episode 5, there was a brief moment when his sincerity almost won me over. Sadly, the writing falls flat again, and I revert to feeling nothing.

After frustrating me for so long, Ian and Jayden move their relationship forward in the finale. We see a few pleasant moments of them hanging out together. Both leads seem sweet and doting, giving us a glimpse of what they're like as boyfriends. For the first time in this love story, my heart starts to feel something other than apathy. The last episode fills in the missing gaps, and I finally sense a tiny spark between the couple. Sadly, this revelation comes too late and can't redeem the series. Boysmate remains a flawed BL drama that delivers an underwhelming romance.