My Only 12% – Series Review & Ending Explained

Story

Unrequited love

Eik has a secret crush on Cake, his childhood friend. However, Eik only gives himself a 12% chance of Cake reciprocating his love. The number is pitifully low, showing he has little confidence in his success. Yet, the probability isn't zero. Eik doesn't think this romance is impossible. He maintains a glimmer of hope that Cake would feel the same way about him. Despite predicting an 88% chance of failure, Eik disregards his dismal odds and desperately wants to believe in the 12%. 

If Eik had a 0% chance of success, he wouldn't agonize over his secret crush. He'd give up on pining after Cake, knowing it was a lost cause. However, 12% is slightly more conceivable than 0%. The small percentage creates just enough plausibility for Eik to hold onto false hope. He can keep fantasizing about his best friend and interpret his camaraderie as a romantic interest. Deep down, Eik doesn't expect Cake to return his feelings. Cake acts like a straight guy who shows interest in girls. Nonetheless, Eik hears a voice in the back of his mind that asks, "But what if…?"

Describing your romantic success rate as 12% is a heartbreaking statistic. It's worse than a lower number in some ways. If your probability was in the single digits, you'd settle for more realistic expectations. A 2% likelihood means you pretty much know it isn't going to happen. However, 12% is just high enough to delude yourself that it might be a possibility. Eik gets his hopes up, thinking Cake could like him back. In every interaction, Eik remains wishful before he's crushed by Cake's nonchalance. 12% represents the tragic feeling of unrequited love. You long for someone unattainable despite understanding the odds are almost futile.

Friends to lovers

Eiw's love was not reciprocated at the start of My Only 12%. Early on, Cake viewed Eiw as a platonic childhood friend, treating him like a brother. Instead, Cake was preoccupied with Rin. He dedicated all his time to her, from long phone calls to frequent online messaging. Although it wasn't intentional, Cake prioritized his girlfriend and neglected his best bud. Eiw responded by alienating himself from Cake. Everyone noticed they weren't hanging out together anymore.

In Episode 5, Eiw came out to his sister. As Cake watched their tearful exchange from afar, he didn't know why his friend was upset. Typically, Eiw would confide in him. Now, they led separate lives and kept secrets. Cake realized they had grown apart. He didn't like their distant dynamic. Their separation made him discover how much he cherished Eiw's companionship. Subsequently, Cake cooled off around his girlfriend. He shifted his attention to preserving the bond with Eiw. Cake weighed his options and concluded that Eiw mattered more than Rin.

Suddenly, Cake must move away with his family. He struggles with his long-term separation away from Eiw. Notice how Cake doesn't react emotionally when breaking up with Rin or saying farewell to his school friends. His response is subdued. In contrast, he's distressed about leaving Eiw. Through self-reflection, Cake realizes he sees Eiw as more than just a friend. His attachment resembles a romantic love. Three years abroad strengthened his feelings and gave him clarity about their bond. At last, after conquering their self-doubt, these childhood friends finally become lovers.

Romance

Eiw and Cake

On top of his unrequited love, Eiw is conflicted about his sexuality. As this fifteen-year-old boy navigates a sensitive time of his adolescence, he struggles with his attraction to another guy. Eiw uses unkind words to describe his feelings for Cake: "abnormal", "wrong", and "stain". His vocabulary seems shockingly intense for an innocent teenage crush, right? Eiw's torment reflects what many LGBTQ youths (and adults) experience. He is confused and condemns his desires.

In Episode 4, Eiw has an emotional meltdown after watching Love of Siam. The classic gay film triggers him for several reasons. Firstly, he sees agonizing parallels between the movie characters and his personal situation, like a mirror of his unattainable love. Secondly, the story's sad ending reiterates Eiw's anxieties that he'd suffer a similar fate. And thirdly, Eiw must confront his same-sex attraction after watching the guys kiss. He can't deny his feelings and pretend to see Cake as a friend anymore. Eiw admits he wants romantic intimacy in their platonic relationship.

Cake confesses his love in Episode 12 and cheekily says, "I'll be gay with you because I love you so much." That's the defining line of the series. Although his words sound lighthearted, they come with powerful messaging. Eiw hated himself for being gay over the past eighteen years. He attached only negative sentiments to his attraction, which brought constant heartbreak. Yet, Cake associates warmth and positivity with Eiw's sexual identity for the first time in his life. Cake reassures Eiw that being gay isn't a burden. It's a celebrated connection that brings us together.

Pride

Once their relationship started, Cake wanted the world to know they were boyfriends. That Facebook couple status springs up almost right away! Cake never tries to hide their romance from friends or family. His candour leads to some funny scenes, especially with Eiw's friends. From Kung's nervous laughter to Fee's perplexed expression, they react in shock each time Cake and Eiw display public affection. 😅

Eiw is shy about these romantic exchanges. Although not in the closet, he isn't comfortable broadcasting their relationship publicly. Part of him still feels self-conscious about being gay, like it's a scandalous secret. However, Cake instills a sense of pride in his boyfriend, encouraging him to be open with their love. Cake teases Eiw around campus, such as announcing "I love you" very loudly. He also gives spontaneous kisses, no matter who sees them. The PDA is deliberate. Cake wants Eiw to be honest instead of feeling ashamed of his sexuality.

When Eiw insists on discretion, Cake replies cheekily, "If they don't wanna see, just close their eyes." Although this comment is spoken in jest, it represents a powerful mantra. It shows that Cake won't compromise himself to appease homophobic attitudes. If this romance makes others uncomfortable, that's their damn problem. They can close their eyes, live in denial, and pretend gay couples don't exist. Regardless, Cake will continue feeling proud of his boyfriend and flaunt their love everywhere.

Eiw and Kung

Although I like Eiw and Cake as a couple, I secretly supported another pairing throughout My Only 12%. Does anyone else think Kung is ~the one that got away~? Despite their platonic interactions, I still picked up romantic signals between Eiw and Kung. From their chats to their glances, every exchange fuelled my shipper's fantasies. In the early episodes, Kung did the friends-to-lovers trope better than Cake. In the later episodes, I got annoyed at Tal for flirting with Eiw because that should've been Kung!

Do you know who else I secretly shipped? Kung and Cake. I don't know if I can find the justification for this random fantasy pairing. It stems purely from my imagination. *lol* Kung and Cake share a few scenes together during My Only 12%, although there's nothing romantic in their conversations. Even so, I still sense a subtle energy between the two characters. Initially, I interpreted it as tension because Kung and Cake competed for Eiw's affection. Then, I realized it might have been sexual tension since Kung and Cake wanted each other instead. OMG!

I also ship Kung and Fee! Kung's character screams *perfect boyfriend material*, so I was determined to pair him off with any guy in proximity! I'm fascinated by the relationship dynamic between Eiw, Fee, and Kung. Although never explicitly stated, I know this friendship originated because they were the three non-athletic guys in school. Kung, a computer nerd, has little in common with theatre club gays like Fee or Eiw. Yet, Kung hangs out with them as the only alternative to the campus jocks. This social group formed because they didn't want to play basketball at lunch.

Hom and Peak

Hom and Peak's romantic subplot is the worst part of My Only 12%. This storyline represents everything I don't want to watch. First of all, why are we focusing on a BG pairing in a BL series? C'mon, know your viewership demographics and stop wasting time on straight romances. We could've used those scenes to give Kung a sweet, wholesome boyfriend. 😭 Or at least make it GL and pair Hom with her first girlfriend. Anything would've been better than another boy-girl love story.

Second of all, that age gap is uncomfortable. Hom, you're a 19-year-old adult woman! Stay away from that 15-year-old teenage boy. To be fair, she turned him down in the end, but it shouldn't have been an agonizing decision. Once Peak started flirting with her, tell that kid to scram! With that said, I snicker at how Hom's face darkens when she overhears someone condemning age gaps in relationships. Hom enters a store, and two strangers just happen to gossip about older women with younger men at that exact moment. The social commentary isn't subtle. LOL.

And third of all, the Hom and Peak scenes are BORING. This secondary romance is dull, repetitive, and obnoxious. Peak is an irrelevant supporting character who should've stayed in the background. He also lacks charm. I hate how Peak would pester her with his childish, overbearing advances. After the three-year time skip, Peak and Hom reunite at the hospital. He tears Hom away from her bedridden mother to recite his cheesy pick-up lines. Oh my god, give it a rest! Her mom is dying of cancer! She has more urgent priorities than paying attention to a twerp like you.

Ending

Sad ending

My Only 12% has a sad ending where Eiw's mom dies from cancer. Although Eiw's mother knew about her illness, she hid her diagnosis from the rest of her family. She didn't want to worry them. As her health deteriorated, she collapsed and became unconscious while alone. Eiw and his siblings discovered their mother's terminal illness almost too late. With little remaining time left, she spent her final days in the hospital and said her goodbyes before passing away.

The final episode begins at her funeral. Eiw and his siblings lean on each other for support. Their estranged father appears for the ceremony, but Eiw doesn't want to talk to him. Apparently, he was a heavy smoker. His thirdhand smoke may have contributed to her cancer, so Eiw blames his father. However, Pao and Hom don't want him to hold onto this vendetta. With Cake's gentle guidance, Eiw chats with his dad. Eiw lectures him for not quitting smoking, while the dad appears remorseful. After this breakthrough, they slowly repair their relationship.

Afterwards, the series jumps a year later. The characters resume their ordinary lives. Eiw is about to graduate from university. He's still in a stable relationship with his boyfriend Cake. Meanwhile, his sister Hom has agreed to date Peak. Eiw tells his mother not to worry about the family because they're all doing well. They also maintain regular communication with their father. The final scene is between Eiw and Cake, who references the 12% chance of a successful first love. Cake confirms that he loves Eiw 100% before showering his boyfriend with cheeky kisses.

Ending explained

My Only 12% began with dismal odds. Eiw was a tormented teen who felt deeply pessimistic about his future. He only gave himself a meagre chance of falling happily in love with his childhood crush. Not 50%, not even 25%, but a hopelessly bleak 12% possibility of mutual love. The low probability was tied to his lack of self-esteem. Growing up as a confused gay kid, Eiw didn't believe someone could love him romantically. At age fifteen, Eiw seemed resigned to living with loneliness and disappointment.

Yet, life was not as grim as Eiw had predicted. His childhood best friend defied expectations and felt the same way about him. Yes, it took a while for Cake to recognize these feelings. And yes, their confession only came after lots of emotional turmoil. Nonetheless, Cake reciprocated his attraction and wanted a relationship with him. Eiw slowly gains confidence, overcomes his self-doubt, and discovers he is lovable. Contrary to what he believed as a teenager, Eiw deserves more than a 12% chance of happiness. 

My Only 12% ends with a tragic probability. With nearly a 0% chance of surviving cancer, Eiw's mom passes away. This is one instance where Eiw doesn't defeat the odds. Life works in mysterious ways. Occasionally, you get lucky and overcome a 12% chance of success. Yet, miracles don't happen all the time, and you may lose to the 88% likelihood of failure. The moral of the story is that you can't predict your happiness. Even so, the series encourages you not to lose hope. Keep thinking optimistically, and the worst odds may fall in your favour someday.