Buddy Boy – Series Review & Episode Guide

Yuho is a 19-year-old whose parents recently divorced. After his father's business failed, their family was broke and had to leave the city. They move to the countryside to stay at his grandparents' old house, although it isn't intended to be a permanent relocation. Since Yu Ho's father feels embarrassed about their situation, he warns his son not to share too much with the neighbours.

Yuho has a strained relationship with his father and blames him for his mother's departure. She left without taking Yuho, leaving him stuck with his father as his only legal guardian. "I couldn't run away from my father," he reflects in his inner monologue. Beom-jin, a prideful man with prejudiced views, frequently berates Yuho. He calls his son useless, weak, and a cold-hearted brat. His disdain for his son is evident, and Yuho endures the verbal abuse in silence.

Yuho is preparing for his GED and plans to attend university afterward. However, his father insists that he enroll in the local school to help him settle in better. At school, Yuho meets two teenagers: 17-year-old Rina and 18-year-old Jin-gu. The outgoing Rina quickly warms to Yuho, flirting with him and wondering why he doesn't return her interest. Meanwhile, Yuho is drawn to Jin-gu, whose mischievous charm captivates him. Rina notices their connection and becomes frustrated.

Yuho befriends Rina and Jin-gu, two playful teens who enjoy the simple pleasures of countryside life. They spend their time doing outdoor activities like swimming in the creek. One day, Jin-gu invites Yuho to swim alone with him. As they play in the water, Yuho laughs more than ever, shedding his usual brooding demeanour. He feels a growing attraction toward his new friend. Meanwhile, Rina notices their deepening bond and feels left out. She's frustrated by how close they've become.

Yuho arrives at school for class, only to be greeted by Rina, who quickly invites him for a walk. She's seemingly trying to get him to leave. Yuho ignores her and heads inside. He's stunned to see Jin-gu making out with their teacher. Heartbroken by the sight, he stands frozen in disbelief. Noticing his distress, Rina impulsively kisses him. Yuho is overwhelmed by a mix of emotions. He thinks to himself, "I felt jealous of Rina. She had the courage I never had."

I'm torn on my review of Buddy Boy. Everything I love about this series is paired with something I hate. The story is a melodramatic mess, the relationship feels incoherent and underdeveloped, and the vertical filming ruins the visuals. Yet, there are moments of brilliance that leave a lasting impression. Some scenes are emotionally gripping, rich with passion, and set against a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. There's a fierce battle between my inner critic and my hopeless romantic as I struggle to reach a final opinion.

My favourite part of Buddy Boy is the atmosphere. The countryside setting looks serene, especially as the characters swim in the creek or run through the meadows. The cinematography is also striking in romantic exchanges. Intimate close-ups, intuitive camera angles, and thoughtful imagery maximize the passion of each encounter. What a shame the vertical format limits the artistry, spoiling something so beautiful. The soundtrack is another highlight. Powerful ballads heighten the emotions, making every key moment in the story feel monumental, almost like an orchestra accompanies the drama.

I like listening to the protagonist's narration, which sets a sombre tone for the story. As Yuho delivers his quiet inner monologue, he reveals a cynical view of family, love, and self-worth. His vulnerability makes me sympathize with him deeply. While we don't hear Jin-gu or Rina's thoughts, their confident exteriors hide emotional wounds. Beneath the surface, all three teens are broken in different ways. Even with occasional moments of overacting from the cast, they express their anguish with rawness and intensity. I can feel their pain vividly through the screen.

Buddy Boy suffers from overambition, packing too much melodrama into a 70-minute narrative. None of the plots have time to develop, especially the romances. Yuho barely bonds with his love interests, so their intense feelings for each other seem unjustified. In particular, Yuho and Jin-gu's relationship lacks depth. The story pretends they share a meaningful connection, but it fails to convince me. The couple has a few passionate moments, including an iconic kiss at the church. Yet, their intimacy is like a random hook-up and doesn't come from a sophisticated journey.

Emotions erupt in the second half of Buddy Boy. Each episode piles on the conflicts, including angry outbursts, tearful confrontations, blackmail threats, and violent fights. Every situation escalates to an absurd degree. The more dramatic the plot gets, the less coherent it becomes. All the characters go berserk, taking extreme actions even if it doesn't make sense for them to be so hysterical. Rather than a logical sequence of events, the story loses control. Like a speeding vehicle about to drive off a cliff, Buddy Boy should step on the brakes and stop its recklessness.

Near the end, every scene turns distressing. An abusive father, a predatory teacher, and three distraught teens push the drama to its breaking point. The plot escalates too quickly without proper development, making the events feel like senseless chaos. While the series is overly theatrical, a few moments resonate poignantly. As the characters cry and the melancholic music swells, I get swept up by the sheer adrenaline. My heart is swayed by the story's atmosphere more than its logic. For all its faults, Buddy Boy can stir up a storm of emotions within me.