My Goofy Deskmate – Series Review & Episode Guide

Dieu Bong is a senior high school student. His best friend is Huu Bang, who sits beside him during classes. The two teens have known each other since childhood. They have a close rapport and know each other's unspeakable secrets. During a campus interview, Bang admits that he confides in Bong on everything. Their bond is unbreakable.

Due to their familarities, many students assume that Bong and Bang are dating. They tease the pair for behaving like a couple. The two teenagers admit they gave their first kiss to each other. However, their actual relationship status remains undefined. They call each other buddies without putting any labels. This ambiguity confuses Bang and Bong, who aren't sure how they feel about one another.

Binh An is another senior student who attends the same school as Bang and Bong. He has a crush on Bong. Binh An asked him out on a date. Unfortunately, he faced rejection. A heartbroken Binh An feels bitter about Bang and Bong's close relationship. Sometimes, he makes snide remarks or throws dramatic tantrums. The moody Binh An wears his heart on his sleeves. For better or for worse, he cannot contain his emotions.

After his rejection, Binh An befriends Thien Ly, Bong's younger brother. Thien Ly is a year younger than him. Despite his youth, he is intelligent and offers to mentor Binh An in his academic studies. Binh An, who doesn't like studying, often complains about the school work. Nonetheless, Bong is mature and patient as he teaches his acquaintance. Over time, they start developing romantic feelings for each other. Binh An's affection shifts from one brother to another.

My Goofy Deskmate follows a slice-of-life format. Each episode contains short segments about the protagonists and their delightful interactions. The series doesn't have an overarching plot, especially in the beginning. The early episodes consist of random scenes with little relation to each other. They fail to properly introduce the characters, flesh out their dynamics, or create narrative arcs. My Goofy Deskmate seems disjointed and aimless, focusing on scattered moments rather than a cohesive story.

I'm frustrated by the lack of progression in My Goofy Deskmate. Instead of meaningful plots, it's cluttered with frivolous filler. There's no strong incentive to continue watching since it's preoccupied with random silliness. Furthermore, the series struggles to create unique scenarios. More than a few scenes feel repetitive, like rewriting the same events in a different font. While the later episodes have more solid storylines, the ideas aren't original. The numerous cliches outweigh the glimmers of creativity. My Goofy Deskmate seems mundane and doesn't excite me as a viewer.

This series relies on many humorous exchanges, but the jokes are hit-and-miss. The childish comedy isn't sharp enough to be the main selling point. With that said, several funny moments have charmed me due to their goofiness. Even if some scenes don't make me laugh, I appreciate the perpetual energy and cheerfulness. The cast also delivers the sassy exchanges enthusiastically, maintaining the lively atmosphere of the drama. For all its faults, My Goofy Deskmate keeps a brisk pace and conveys positive vibes. This lighthearted BL drama puts me in a good mood.

The leads, Bang and Bong, have an ambiguous dynamic that may confuse you. These childhood best friends share an undeniably tight bond. Everyone acknowledges their romantic feelings for each other, including themselves. Yet, they won't define their relationship status. The series conveys the attraction clumsily when it should've provided more clarity and explored their emotions. Even though the story doesn't maximize their full potential, the couple still has cute, cheeky interactions. They also unleash their pent-up passion in an exhilarating dramatic climax.

Out of the four leads, Binh An is my favourite. His moodiness can be irritating, but I enjoy his colourful personality. He stands out compared to the other main characters, who are vaguely similar. Binh An's actor (Kai Bie) is expressive and portrays his role with a funny belligerence. I'm also fond of his nerd-chic aesthetic with the gelled hair and thick glasses. However, his romance with Thien Ly is lacklustre. While I like their amusing exchanges, the flirtation never culminates in a grand display of love. They have tame relationship growth after eighteen episodes of development.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, My Goofy Deskmate grew on me over time. I feel attached to the charming cast, playful antics, and quirky schoolboy romances. Although not well-written, this harmless comedy delivers cute relationship fluff and the occasional funny jokes. I do my best to overlook the flaws and enjoy the entertaining aspects. With that said, I hesitate to give the series a positive recommendation. My Goofy Deskmate may be endearing, but the story lacks nuance and substance. Ultimately, it isn't a noteworthy addition to the BL genre.