Deal Lover – Series Review & Ending Explained

Story

Rushed story

The story that Deal Lover wanted to tell is more suitable for a ten-episode series rather than its current five-episode structure. With a longer drama, I think the BG romance or the sister’s homophobia could’ve expanded into interesting storylines. However, these subplots feel crammed into the narrative when there’re only five episodes with more significant stories to tell. Something had to give, and I would’ve cut away the nonessential parts from Deal Lover.

Yes, I consider the BG romance completely unnecessary. Without the BL romance, I wouldn’t even be reviewing this series, so it’s clearly the more relevant storyline. 😗 Besides, was anyone really that chuffed about seeing the two straight protagonists get together? Like, I don’t think so. Give us more Tokyo x Tam development and scrap all of the Din x Milan scenes.

The most important storyline in Deal Lover is the homeownership competition. That’s the hook of the series and it should’ve been the driving force in the plot. Shockingly, Auntie Un kinda disappears from the story after inviting these four strangers to come in and out of her house. The characters should’ve interacted with her way more. Let’s see Din, Milan & Tokyo try to curry favour with conversations, chores, and constant flattery. Make Auntie Un the main focus, throw in a cute BL romance, and those are the only stories Deal Lover needed.

Romance

Tokyo and Tam

Deal Lover wasted no time pairing up Tokyo and Tam. The two of them developed a love-at-first-sight attraction from the moment they met. What followed was a flurry of cute and light romantic scenes between them. Tam would sneak a glance, Tokyo would smile back shyly, and it felt like a wholesome start to a BL romance.

Unfortunately, trouble was brewing. Milan can’t stand seeing her baby brother in a happy relationship ~WITH A MAN~, so she decides to wreck it! Milan emotionally blackmails Tam into keeping his distance away from Tokyo, because she doesn’t want her precious brother to be gay. While she successfully terminated her brother’s budding romance, Milan is getting cozy with a guy at the same time. Apparently, she’s allowed to fall in love, but not her gay little brother. Okay, hypocritical much? 🙄

To be honest, I thought this storyline had some intrigue. If handled carefully, it could’ve explored homophobic perceptions in an insightful way. However, Deal Lover didn’t have the time to develop the subplot in any meaningful capacity. It led to botched drama that made Milan’s character very unlikable. Plus, the Tokyo and Tam romance completely stopped in its tracks. The homophobic panic halted any momentum building in the first two episodes, resulting in a disappointing BL storyline.

Din and Milan

Ugh, fine. I guess I’ll talk about the straight couple too. 😞 The Din and Milan romance didn’t work for me, feeling too forced, too unbelievable, and too underdeveloped. The characters were better off as enemies, sniping at each other with insults and pranks. Once they warmed up to each other, the pair just lost that spark between them.

The two of them also don’t spend enough time together to make their romance substantial. Milan took care of Din when he was sick, they watched a movie together, and…that’s it? Not that I’m advocating for more Din and Milan scenes, because I’m not! They should’ve just never become a couple in the first place. For some reason, Deal Lover insisted on forcing a romance between their characters when there isn’t a need for one.

I get why Milan snitched on Din to win the competition over the house. What I don’t understand is why she felt so guilty afterwards. Hello, you just met this stranger seven days ago, the same guy who brokered a shady deal to make money. Who cares about hurting his feelings? Just take the house, sign the contract, and don’t forget to change the locks afterwards!

Acting

Okay acting

I thought most of the cast gave okay acting performances. The actor playing Tokyo is kinda adorable and embodies his role well. He also looks and behaves like someone’s younger brother, if that makes any sense?

The actress playing Milan is a bit weaker than the rest of the cast. Her performance is too dramatic and theatrical, especially during the more serious moments. In the episode where Milan had that one-on-one conversation with Tam, the scene needed more refined emotions and she couldn’t deliver them.

I low-key like Din’s actor as well. However, it has nothing to do with his acting and everything to do with superficial reasons. 😳 He caught my attention since the first episode, after filling a pair of jeans very nicely. 🍑

Ending

Happy ending

Deal Lover has a happy ending where Milan gets the house and the boyfriend both at the same time. At the start of the episode, Milan hits rock bottom when Tokyo discovers his sister’s homophobic meddling and runs away from home. Even though Milan bought the house of her dreams, she is miserable. Her character is completely alone and abandoned by everyone she loves.

However, the episode picks up when Tam and Tokyo reconcile, getting back together. They also help Din and Milan to reunite with a surprise birthday party. Milan has a sudden change of heart, welcoming her brother and his gay lover. In the final scene, Milan gets MARRIED to Din so that they can share the homeownership together. Tam also moves in as a roommate, so all four characters live in the same house together.

Ending explained

Deal Lover’s ending felt very contrived, resolving none of the previous conflicts satisfyingly. I get the need to rush towards a happy ending, but it wasn’t fun to watch. I wanted more meaningful scenes between Milan and Tokyo, addressing her homophobia in a heart-to-heart chat. Instead, the half-assed ending wasn’t interesting and didn’t provide adequate closure.

Din and Milan’s marriage is also a startling decision. It made sense for Din to move in with her, but getting hitched to him in a shotgun wedding is kinda extreme!? Didn’t you meet this stranger seven days ago and found out that he lied to you!? And now he’s your husband!? Girl, you need to CHILL.

Remember, Auntie Un specifically did NOT want to sell the house to Din. After finding out about his shady deal, she thought Din wasn’t a worthy successor to her beloved house. It’s kinda ironic that Milan betrayed the old woman’s trust once she bought the home, splitting the ownership with him anyway. She is literally going against Auntie Un’s original intentions. Milan turns out to be a con artist, just like her boyfriend!