Bump Up Business – Series Review & Episode Guide

Eden is a 23-year-old trainee about to debut in the entertainment industry. He has lived abroad for a long time and speaks fluent English. He scores highly on many metrics, including singing, dancing, and popularity with the public. His agency introduces him to Jihoon, his new partner. Together, Eden and Jihoon will form a two-person boy group, Lion Heart. The company wants to promote them as a fake couple to appeal to fans.

Their manager, Dajung, presents the "Business Gay Performance" concept. The stars will perform to be gay for business reasons. According to their research, this marketing tactic is highly successful. Eden seems uncomfortable with faking a gay relationship for fame. In contrast, the company's CEO, Nicki, approves of the idea. She wants to confirm whether Eden is on board. If not, they can make other arrangements. Eden, who has been hoping to debut, weighs his options carefully. He agrees to go along with the agency's plans for him.

Eden meets his partner, Jihoon, for the first time. Jihoon is a 26-year-old idol who debuted a few years ago. His handsome looks and excellent vocals earned him many fans. However, he experienced several public scandals, which harmed his reputation. The company hopes Jihoon's existing fandom can carry over to Lion Heart. They want him to be a mentor and help Eden get used to his newfound fame. Jihoon accepts and seems eager to show Eden the ropes.

Eden and Jihoon go on a publicity tour before their debut, from photoshoots to interviews. Jihoon takes the lead each time. Whenever Eden appears nervous, Jihoon helps his partner relax and ease up. He also initiates their physical affection in front of the cameras. The response from fans has been positive. Many are excited about this pairing. However, there are negative comments about Jihoon's past. In addition, a few critics have doubted the authenticity of this relationship. They rightfully point out it's a publicity stunt, although Jihoon and Eden deny the allegations.

Although Lion Heart has gained traction, the company wants to push their image further. They suggest Eden and Jihoon should spend time together outside of work. The more they know each other, the more believable their chemistry will appear. The two celebrities begin to bond behind cameras, enjoying outings and activities. To their surprise, the relationship has developed more than the company anticipated. What started as a fake romance may become something more.

Bump Up Business has a juicy premise. A fake celebrity couple deliberately teases a romance to gain fame, only to develop genuine feelings over time. The first episode introduces a hilarious term, "Business Gay Performance", to describe this relationship dynamic. The series interests me whenever it highlights the deceptive nature of the entertainment industry. Bump Up Business unveils the scandalous truth behind fanservice, publicity stunts, and the commercialization of love.

A high-profile romance between two Korean idols should have many complications, from media scrutiny to an invasion of privacy. Yet, the shallow storylines never explore the topics deeply and fail to offer meaningful insights. The narrative also suffers from clunky exposition and bland dialogue. It doesn't know how to present information interestingly, resulting in awkward scenes with little subtlety. When the characters flirt, their contrived interactions don't seem genuine. Ironically, a BL drama mocking blatant fanservice contains many inauthentic romantic exchanges.

Both leads (Mill & Nine) have bright smiles and look like an appealing couple. However, don't expect much from their mild-mannered relationship. The characters have tame interactions that convey little passion or desire. Their lips brush against each other's, but that's the most physical intimacy you'll get. Otherwise, the generic bonding scenes are forgettable. The story could have elaborated on their attraction. Show us how they fall in love while balancing their career ambitions and budding feelings. Instead, Eden and Jihoon's superficial romantic journey lacks complexity.

In Episode 3, Eden and Jihoon film a short music video to promote their relationship. Shockingly, those thirty seconds of footage exude more romantic enchantment than the actual series. For the first and only time, I sense genuine sparks from Bump Up Business. This magic sadly disappears for the rest of the drama. None of the mundane relationship scenes show any personality from the couple. The actors hardly display chemistry in their platonic exchanges. Their dry, uninspiring love story never gains momentum and doesn't develop memorably.

Despite some clumsiness, the first four episodes are mildly compelling. Although the mediocre storylines don't excite me, I still care about the leads and their relationship. Unfortunately, the series collapses in the second half, shifting its focus to tedious plots. The protagonist's scheming ex is a particularly unwelcome addition. This pesky villain brings obnoxious drama and tiresome conflicts. Likewise, the childhood friend is another pointless distraction, clogging the narrative with unnecessary filler. Bump Up Business rapidly loses my attention with these irritating subplots.

Bump Up Business has a happy ending, but the last few episodes are dire and almost unwatchable. The story invests so much time into the love rivals, even though I don't give a damn about them. The story is too preoccupied with the supporting characters when it should've focused on the protagonists and their relationship growth. Rather than a grand display of love, the series concludes meekly and unsatisfyingly. Eight episodes later, Bump Up Business has accomplished nothing. From the insipid plots to the lacklustre romance, this BL drama is a big disappointment.