Love With Benefits – Series Review

Play and First are costars in an upcoming BL series. However, the production team doesn't think they have enough chemistry in their scenes together. They are instructed to live together in the same house for ten days. Their objective is to develop a closer bond before shooting the drama.

Initially, Play and First don't get along due to a personality clash. The two actors would bicker over their living arrangement, sharing little in common together. Play also has many quirks, such as his fondness for popsicles. His eccentric behaviour gets on First's nerves all the time.

On the first night, Play is disturbed by mysterious voices that he hears in his bedroom. The same phenomenon occurs for a second night, making him believe ghosts might haunt the house. He loses sleep, which affects his performances in the acting workshop. A frightened Play asks First if they can sleep together in the same room. As they spend more time together, their hostility begins to ease up.

Love With Benefits is a poorly executed BL drama with lousy storytelling, mediocre acting, and a juvenile romance. It starts out okay, but the quality steadily declines with each passing episode. Before the midway point, you realize the series is incapable of getting any better. The plots won't make sense, the romance won't turn interesting, and the characters won't become likable. There's little about Love With Benefits that seems particularly promising.

Maybe with a sharper script, Love With Benefits can be redeemed. The concept of two BL actors living together has potential and might lead to some fun scenarios. However, the events don't play out compellingly in the narrative. There are many generic tropes, which you've seen before from other series, except they're done worse in Love With Benefits. Any scene meant to be silly and comical comes across as dumb and immature instead. Every moment feels underwhelming, like it could be executed better with more talented writers.

Love With Benefits is missing many building blocks that form a meaningful BL relationship. Play and First have an okay dynamic as feuding costars, but their rapport lacks substance. The early scenes are frivolous and don't convey an amorous connection between the leads. It's odd the characters suddenly go from antagonistic to romantic when their bond hasn't developed to that stage. Later, the useless love triangle complicates a pairing that already seems flimsy. Despite the occasional displays of physical intimacy, I'm left unsatisfied by this lacklustre romance.

The leads are unremarkable in their roles. Play's actor (Gameplay) is decent but not charismatic enough to carry all the scenes. His screen partner First (Folk) lacks enthusiasm and doesn't give a memorable performance. Their rapport with each other is average at best. While the relationship isn't totally devoid of chemistry, the passion feels lukewarm instead of blazing hot. Also, there's an annoying comic relief character in the supporting cast. Penelope goes overboard with wacky antics and zany energy, which doesn't vibe with the other low-key performers.

As Love With Benefits progresses, I keep shaking my head in frustration. I'm upset by the boring storylines with generic tropes, an awkward romance that falls flat, and childish characters who have shallow personalities. My expectations keep lowering after each episode, but this underachieving series still manages to disappoint me. By the time I finish the finale, I don't care anymore. I've moved on to another BL drama that feels way more invigorating. Let's leave our memories of Love With Benefits in a neglected compartment and watch something better instead.