My Dear Gangster Oppa – Series Review & Episode Guide

Guy is a lonely student who has trouble socializing with others in school. His only friend is Wahl, a friendly classmate who keeps him company. They have known each other since high school and maintained a close relationship. Guy is grateful for Wahl's companionship and almost becomes codependent on him. Guy applies to the same university as Wahl, studying a subject he has no interest in.

Over time, Guy has developed a secret crush on his friend. On Wahl's birthday, they agreed to meet at the aquarium to hang out. Guy gathers the courage and decides to confess his feelings. Before he gets to do so, Wahl introduces him to his new girlfriend, Nami. They just started dating. Guy feels heartbroken as he becomes the third wheel.

Guy feels lonely again. He turns to an online video game to alleviate his misery. Adopting the alias "Idealize", he makes many new friends as they team up and defeat virtual monsters together. Guy logs in every day to play the game. His usual crew includes Doctor Strange, Insomnia, Tua Tung, and Yuri. The group leader, Doctor Strange, suggests they meet in real life. Everyone else agrees. However, the mysterious Yuri doesn't respond. Unlike the others, she has always protected her identity and never uses a microphone to speak. Still, the others want to meet her.

Guy has the closest relationship to Yuri. The other gamers ask him to convince her to attend the hangout. The event wouldn't be complete without her. After chatting for a while, Yuri finally agrees to go. Guy and Yuri arranged to meet up first. That way, they can get acquainted before meeting the others. To Guy's surprise, Yuri's real-life identity is a sophisticated man. He introduces himself as Tew. Initially, Tew is quiet and brooding. They don't talk much during their meet-up at the aquarium. Guy's social awkwardness alienates them further.

As they share a meal, Guy consumes lots of alcohol to loosen up and becomes intoxicated. Tew has no choice but to care for him, showing a surprisingly gentle side. Despite Tew's cold exterior, Guy realizes his new friend isn't as tough as he looks. They begin a cozy friendship, meeting outside the gaming world. Despite their bond, Tew has kept a significant secret about his identity. Tew works as a gangster. He's heavily involved in the world of crime. Guy remains oblivious to his friend's dangerous line of work, although Wahl becomes suspicious of Tew.

Early on, My Dear Gangster Oppa shows much promise. The first episode does an excellent job of introducing the storylines, characters, and relationships. There's sentimental drama as the protagonist gives his introspective thoughts on loneliness and heartbreak. There's also a cute yet awkward meeting between the leads, subtly hinting at their attraction. Plus, the aquarium scenes have a beautiful ambiance and add grandeur to the visuals. My Dear Gangster Oppa captivated me, at least in the beginning.

My Dear Gangster Oppa has a unique premise, focusing on the unlikely bond between a gamer and a gangster. The couple flirts cutely and shares passionate chemistry. Their sweet relationship scenes are on par with the romantic fluff you expect from BL dramas. However, the love triangle annoys me. Tew and Wahl's petty feud makes both characters unflattering. I'm also disappointed by the first kiss, which occurs at an odd point in the story. A few moments ago, Guy still pined after Wahl. Now, he makes out with Tew. His fickleness undermines the significance of the milestone.

There's a steady quality decline as the story progresses. Each episode reveals more aggravating flaws in the narrative. One of my frustrations is the flat characterizations. Guy's defining trait is that he has no friends, but can we learn other facets about him? My least favourite part is anything to do with Tew's gangster job. The chaotic crime drama overtakes the plot, consuming the second half of the series. From random abductions to senseless schemes, none of it is entertaining. I don't care about this ridiculous mobster nonsense that has nothing to do with BL.

The attractive leads are one of the biggest draws to My Dear Gangster Oppa. Oh my god, Tew's actor (Meen) looks so hot in this series! He dazzles in a sophisticated wardrobe, wearing dark colours that complement his complexion. He's also in peak physical shape and oozes sex appeal during the shirtless scenes. Every inch of this handsome BL star is camera-friendly, from styling to grooming. Likewise, his costar (Ping) appears adorable, especially when he flashes his beaming smile. The costume & make-up teams deserve credit for polishing both their images splendidly.

MeenPing charmed me in their previous BL series, Ai Long Nhai. Despite my soft spot for them, they underperform in My Dear Gangster Oppa. Ping's strength is being cheerful, charismatic, and comedic. However, he lacks a dramatic range and cannot express intense emotions convincingly. As the plot becomes more serious, it exposes his limitations. In contrast, Meen can handle the gritty material with an impressive gravitas. Yet, he seems wooden during lighthearted moments. Unlike his bubbly costar, Meen doesn't display much personality, swagger, or humour.

The story becomes derailed in the last three episodes. It wastes time on the outrageous mobster drama and tedious love triangle. To my exasperation, all the worst plots are annoyingly prominent. I also hate Tew's behaviour with Guy, from telling lies to breaking promises. His untrustworthy actions diminish their romance. Overall, I'm bitterly disappointed. I enjoyed the first half of the series, excusing hiccups here and there. Despite the early potential, My Dear Gangster Oppa goes downhill toward the end. The awful final stretch has destroyed any goodwill.