Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend – Series Review & Episode Guide

Yun Ho used to be a famous musician. Now, he's financially struggling and overwhelmed by debt. One night, he crosses paths with Jae Ho, a wealthy gangster who takes an immediate interest in him. Jae Ho offers Yun Ho money to become his lover. However, Yun Ho is offended by the proposal and rejects Jae Ho with a middle finger.

Later, Yun Ho gets drunk at a bar, so Jae Ho takes him to his luxurious home for the night. When Yun Ho wakes up, he feels offended by what happened. Before Yun Ho can protest further, Jae Ho makes his offer again. Yun Ho reluctantly agrees since loan sharks are closing in, and he has no other options. They strike a deal. Yun Ho will live with Jae Ho for three months, pretending to be his secretary while secretly acting as his live-in lover.

Jae Ho has other lovers living with him, but his focus has shifted entirely to Yun Ho since his arrival. The two grow closer and share intimate moments. However, their dynamic changes when Yun Ho's brother suddenly arrives. Yun Ho befriends the brother, but Jae Ho harbours bad blood and unresolved issues from their past. He warns Yun Ho to stay away from his enemy. Yet, Yun Ho insists that Jae Ho is biased. Meanwhile, Jae Ho is attacked by a former employee who has received orders. He suspects someone is secretly scheming to harm him.

Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend is a dreadful BL drama. Its nonsensical story is filled with laughably dumb plot twists, while a sleazy romance forms between characters with no personalities. Also, the vertical format ruins the viewing experience since you must watch everything through a narrow box. Some fans have called Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend a knock-off of KinnPorsche, but that's like comparing a McDonald's takeout bag to a Gucci handbag. This garbage-tier series isn't even in the same league.

The story quickly loses my interest due to its unappealing premise. A gangster uses money to coerce a struggling musician into physical intimacy. While the agreement is mutual, selling your body out of desperation doesn't seem romantic. Jae Ho often flaunts his power over Yun Ho, making the relationship even ickier. Once Yun Ho becomes Jae Ho's concubine, he loses his identity. His entire existence revolves around his gangster boyfriend, consuming all interactions and thoughts. This dull protagonist has no character growth or defining traits. He's nothing more than a boy toy.

As a gangster, Yun Ho's life is in constant danger, and he must find the unknown enemy scheming against him. The storyline spirals into absurd events, including random assassination attempts, sudden abductions, and a bizarre twist near the end. These developments occur out of nowhere with little build-up. They also have ridiculous resolutions that are impossible to take seriously. Everything feels like one giant WTF, from the mind-boggling logic to the messy pacing. Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend gives the impression that it's written thoughtlessly.

Since the plot is so lacklustre, the romance needed to make up for its flaws. Jae Ho and Yun Ho share sensual moments, like kissing in the pool or sitting together in the tub. At least the series delivers the BL content! While the optics look sexy, the performers seem reserved in displaying passion. Their steamy exchanges are just mildly spicy and not sizzling hot. Jae Ho's iffy behaviour also bothers me, especially when he ignores Yun Ho's consent. The story frequently leans into this problematic trope, which leaves a bad taste in how I perceive the relationship.

Yun Ho's actor (Kim Dong Bin) can't emote convincingly, faltering in all the dramatic moments. He stands out as the most amateurish since the rest of the cast gives respectable performances. In contrast, his co-star (Kim Han Yeong) draws your attention as the sexy gangster. He exudes a natural swagger that makes every romantic encounter more enticing. The series wisely includes many shirtless scenes to showcase his gorgeous body, even when they serve little purpose. If there's any reason to watch Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend, it's the eye candy.

Sadly, not even Jae Ho's sexiness can save this series from its asinine plots. I hate the stupidly over-the-top gangster antics and random twists like the incest allegations. There's no character development to give the story depth or meaning. The romance feels unbelievable, especially when the playboy protagonist wants to settle down for no reason. Cheap production values make everything look tacky, while the vertical format is an eyesore. The finale only reinforces how bad Gangster Like Me Got a Boyfriend is, securing its spot as one of the worst BL dramas.