My Secret Love – Series Review & Ending Explained

Story

Fake romance

The My Secret Love premiere is decent and establishes a fun campus rivalry between the leads. However, the series comes alive in Episode 2 after introducing an exciting storyline about Kim & Mek's fake relationship. The chancellor forces her students to be a BL couple for the university's promotional campaign. While the circumstances are unrealistic, the series injects enough zany humour to make this premise persuasive. The phony romance is a quirky & unique concept, distinguishing My Secret Love from other BL dramas.

Kim and Mek's fauxmance is entertaining for several reasons. Primarily, it creates a hilarious contrast between their public personas and private interactions. The leads pretend to have an amicable relationship in front of the cameras. In reality, they quarrel and antagonize each other with snappy banter. This amusing dynamic also highlights their characters' eccentric personalities. Kim is the funniest when he acts stuck-up and humourless, while Mek works best when displaying his annoyingly mischievous charm. As they clash, it creates compelling tension between the leads.

In addition, this fauxmance gives My Secret Love an excuse to include lots of cute romantic moments. Without the storyline, Kim & Mek's lovey-dovey exchanges would seem excessive. But now, the storyteller has a legitimate context to portray the (fake) couple in intimate scenarios. Plus, this series is adept at creating lighthearted relationship fluff, much better than they are with writing dramatic material. Kim and Mek's interactions are delightful, capturing the BL genre's appeal. My Secret Love showcases its best qualities and achieves many objectives with this plot.

BL culture

My Secret Love is very meta. It's completely aware of the irony in a fictional BL series portraying a fake BL romance. There are plenty of cheeky jokes that poke fun at this storyline. Early on, this series reminds me of Lovely Writer from last year. The two dramas are playful, witty, and genre-savvy. Both use lighthearted humour to highlight subtle commentary about the BL culture.  

In My Secret Love, its first critique is mocking the phoniness of these BL couples. The BL fangirls gush about Kim and Mek as a compatible pair, yet they secretly despise each other behind the scenes. This on-screen romance is fake as hell, a manipulative illusion to appease fans. Ironically, the fickle fans stopped being interested in Kim & Mek after they became real boyfriends. They've already moved on to another fake GL pairing instead.

Its second critique is the self-serving nature of the characters when reacting to their BL fame. Mek exploits this fake romance to gain new followers. He abandons Thunderous Sky and forgets about making plans with his friends. His mentality is BL fans before bros! Likewise, Tim sees the popularity of the phony couple and decides to join the bandwagon in a calculating move. Even Kim gets his ego stroked from reading flattering comments online.

The third critique is the commercialization of the BL genre. The Kim and Mek couple is treated like a commodity to make money. The university chancellor is a hilarious parody of these profit-driven BL creators. They shell out crappy products, brand them with a same-sex couple, and assume the fans will lap it up regardless. In the chancellor's defence, her product design is honestly not that bad. Hey, that shirt is cute for a low-budget effort! *lol*

Friendship

Besides the BL elements, My Secret Love touches upon the themes of friendship. The series emphasizes the brotherhood in the trio of Mek, Bear, and Park. These three buddies are part of the Thunderous Sky group, creating prank videos for multiple years. However, they encounter friction after Mek gains popularity as a BL couple. Bear believes Mek cares about his solo development more than the group's best interest.

This storyline is intriguing. Initially, I thought Bear seemed petty and jealous because he wasn't as popular as Mek. However, Mek also had questionable moments where he prioritized his self-interest over friendship. Typically, these two characters get along because they have very similar personalities. In the first episode, they even nicknamed each other B1 and B2. The strength of their bond raises the stakes of this conflict. In addition, Park is caught in the middle between two feuding friends, hesitant to take sides. There's a complex dynamic as they navigate their tensions.

Yet, the series doesn't focus on this storyline as much as it could have. More emphasis on the trio's friendship would make the reconciliation emotionally powerful. Likewise, Thunderous Sky disbands in Episode 8. It's supposed to be a sad moment, but I don't feel anything. The last episode had a flashback showing how the trio met each other. If they had included that scene earlier with extra memories, this friendship might resonate better. Nonetheless, I like how the trio worked together to film a zombie movie, highlighting their collaboration over their earlier conflict.

Growing up

Kim and Mek shared their first official kiss in Episode 6. At that point, it seemed like their relationship would progress with steady momentum. Instead, the couple gets dragged into tiresome relationship drama until the end. They acted childishly, didn't communicate with each other, and moped around with two sad sacks. The characters lose all their charms compared to the fun, breezy dynamic at the start. They finally reconcile in the last episode, but I've already lost interest in them.

Mek experiences an epiphany after his prank on Tim backfired, causing him to harm someone. Ridden with remorse, Mek grows up and doesn't want to create prank videos anymore. Instead, he turns to his childhood passion of landscape architecture. The caveat is he must study overseas in Australia, jeopardizing his romance with Kim. Moving abroad is a big life decision for a young adult, so I understand Mek's apprehension. However, he mishandles his dilemma. Instead of having thoughtful chats with his boyfriend, Mek acts immaturely and indecisively.

Episode 11 features a time skip to two years after Kim graduated. Although he was an ace student, Kim struggled to find work and ended up with an average job. He seemed like a man with a promising future, yet the reality was less than ideal. His messy bedroom symbolizes Kim's organized life thrown into disarray. Kim is disappointed in his failures, leading to hostility with his mother. This storyline sounds interesting in theory, but the series executes the plot unclearly. My Secret Love depicts Kim and Mek's journeys of personal growth with unsatisfying results.

Romance

Kim and Mek

I was into Kim and Mek as a couple from the first episode. Their fiery personality clash enthused me. Kim seems to have a stick up his butt, making him the perfect target for Mek's obnoxious antics. I love watching perfectly poised guys like Kim UNRAVEL, mwhahaha~ As the hostility softens, I enjoy the sweet, playful flirting that highlight the leads' budding attraction. It's exciting to watch the fake relationship transform into a real romance.

In Episode 5, Kim and Mek have a fallout after the prank on Tim goes horribly wrong. Kim has a legitimate reason to be angry at his love interest, so this conflict makes sense. The feud continues to Episode 6, leading to cute scenes where their sisters play matchmakers and help them reconcile. The tensions don't last for long, resolving promptly and reasonably. This episode ends with their first kiss, as the culmination of their sexual tension unleashes in a spectacular moment. 

Unfortunately, this fun, lighthearted romance goes downhill from here. Despite sharing an intimate moment in Episode 6, the series suddenly backtracks and insists the leads aren't a couple yet. WTF!? Just pair them up together already. Kim then gives a love confession, but Mek responds with anguished silence. Ugh, why is My Secret Love making it so hard to ship the leads together? As they spiralled near the end, I was fed up with their prolonged relationship drama. Why couldn't Kim & Mek be like the secondary couples with lovey-dovey relationship fluff?

Lee and Park

Lee and Park's romance is a mixed bag for me. I'll start with some of the positives:

In Episode 2, there's a sweet moment where Park showers Lee with quick kisses. My Secret Love overdoes this kissing style in later episodes, but it's cute initially.

In Episode 3, I love the amusing exchange where Bear and Bomb find evidence of Lee and Park's relationship in the car. Everyone's reactions are pretty funny.

Their high school flashbacks are lovely, highlighting how this teenage romance matured into a seven-year relationship.

Lee and Park probably have the most immersive intimacy scenes out of all the couples. The other pairs kiss forcefully, whereas these two actors seem more natural.

However, I'm annoyed by the dumb cheating allegations between this couple. Lee and Park have been together for seven years, yet their relationship gets undermined after a few instances of secretive behaviour. Maybe the paranoia would seem more understandable if they were newly dating. However, these suspicions are senseless from two high school sweethearts who have been together for so long. It's worse because the "signs" of cheating are laughably minor. Lee and Park should've sorted out their misunderstandings quickly without the contrived drama.

Another issue is their secret romance. I had my theories about why Lee & Park concealed their relationship status. Usually, there's a common reason gay couples hide their affections in public. Not everyone can afford the luxury of being out and proud in an intolerant society. My other guess is that Lee & Park had a scandalous past. Perhaps their romance started as an affair. Maybe they dated each other's ex, brother, or friend before getting together, creating hazy moral boundaries.

The real explanation is that Lee felt insecure since Park won a photography contest. Since then, he doesn't want others to compare him to his boyfriend. Umm… That's it? Is losing a high school photography competition so traumatic that you must hide your relationship for seven years? My brain can't accept the rationale, but my heart is like *lmao ok then~*. 😶 Instead of exploring Lee's inferiority complex further, My Secret Love does nothing else with this couple. They have no other subplots besides romantic fluff, cheating paranoia, and taking pictures.

Bomb and Bear

Bomb and Bear are my favourites in My Secret Love. This romance is predictable. Nonetheless, Bomb's secret crush unfolds sweetly, going through giddiness, nervousness, and a wide range of emotions. I like that Bear initiates the kiss in Episode 6 after picking up hints of a reciprocal attraction. Bear may act silly, but he isn't oblivious to his partner's feelings. He's aware enough to notice Bomb's crush on him and respond accordingly.

I really like Bear's personality. 🐻 He's funny, vivacious, and entertaining. I like that he's a straight shooter, speaking his mind and communicating his feelings honestly. Bear wears his heart on his sleeves, and his over-the-top crying is hilarious. Also, his content creator subplot fascinates me. It's great to see someone chase after his dreams with gusto. Yet, he has his vulnerable moments and gives an emotional spiel about feeling like a "failure". That self-deprecating introspection is so lovable, warming me to his character.

After getting together, Bear and Bomb have little storyline other than relationship fluff. Nonetheless, this couple is super cute with their affectionate nicknames: "Papa Bear", "Mama Bear", and their bear claw hand symbols. They also have the sweetest moment in Episode 12, where Bear appears in a bear costume and apologizes to his boyfriend. I gushed effusively when he showed the last sign, and it had a mirror reflection of Bomb. I absolutely love cute, creative gestures like this. Oh my gosh, you sweet gummy bear. Protect this adorable man at all costs!

With that said, I'd improve this couple in a few ways. I wish Bomb had more characterization. Give him more defining traits than *secret crush on Bear* and *works in Taco Bell*. Also, the kissing between this couple could use some work. Regardless, I love every Bomb x Bear scene, which lifts my mood delightfully throughout the series. I'm a shipper!

Tim and Mai

Tim is my least favourite character in My Secret Love. His behaviour towards Mai is awful. I was shocked after discovering he rejected Mai's confession in high school. Their history added a tricky dimension to every interaction between them. Tim knew his best friend had unrequited love, yet he still flirts aggressively with Kim in front of him. Tim's actions seem insensitive, if not cruel. I'm sympathetic to Mai, who must repress his feelings and look on with jealousy.

In addition, Tim gives confusing signals. He makes emotionally manipulative statements like "Never leave me." and "You're the most important person in my life." These declarations seem irresponsible when you already turned him down once. After their kiss in Episode 6, Tim remains indecisive around his friend. Yet, he throws tantrums and acts possessively over Mai, who tries moving on with another guy. Tim doesn't want to be in a relationship with Mai, yet he refuses to let his friend date anyone else. WTF!? Stop being a controlling freak! And stop playing games with him!

Tim and Mai's relationship dynamic seems increasingly toxic. They lack boundary issues, and Mai shouldn't work for him. You need distance to move on from your unrequited love. After much infuriating drama, Tim finally makes up his mind and wants to be with Mai. Instead of rooting for them, my prevailing opinion is that Mai deserves better. The last two episodes explore Tim's feud with his dad, a random subplot without enough development. Yet, Tim's dad makes a valid point. I'm sorry, but why are you prioritizing a YouTube channel over your family's hotel empire?

Kim and Tim

Kim and Tim frequently flirt throughout My Secret Love. Their rapport creates a source of tension in the storyline, leading to jealous reactions from Mek and Mai. Yet, Kim and Tim's characters never take their relationship beyond platonic friendship. They never initiate a romance. Whenever I thought these two might hook up, the series shows restraint by not opting for the obvious love triangle drama. I like that My Secret Love shows restraint and never escalates this potential romance.

I don't ship Kim and Tim. Firstly, I hate Tim's character. Not that I'm Team Mek or anything. I just don't like Tim as an individual and will root against him in any scenario. Secondly, the two characters share no chemistry. Their attraction to each other feels shallow. It doesn't make sense for them to be together. With that said, I find it funny Kim's two suitors both come from similar hospitality backgrounds. Mek is the heir to a vacation resort, while Kim is the heir to a hotel empire. Kim's love life is like a hilarious decision between choosing Hilton or Merriott. 😅

Acting

Mek

I like Mek's performer (Fluk), who's charismatic and exudes a goofy charm. It's a suitable role for the actor, who captures the playful mischief in his character's personality. In Episode 2, one of Mek's fangirls described him, "You have mischievous eyes. And you seem like a free-spirit, but a little bit grungy. Whenever you're around Kim, you become such a heartwarming guy." Oh my gosh, that's a spot-on assessment of Fluk! She articulated his appeal perfectly!

The other performer who catches my eye is Bear (Por). This actor has some comedic chops because I find him really funny. His goofy reactions, animated expressions, and over-the-top mannerisms crack me up. Bear doesn't have many dramatic moments, so I'm not sure about the actor's range. However, he succeeded in portraying a lovable character with a lively, endearing personality.

Style

NO SOTUS

Can we talk about the masterpiece that is the school's music video? That was a work of art, from the terrible lyrics to the low-effort choreography. I love how Lee and Park hold the "NO SOTUS" flag in the background, but you can't even see the words. Not that you'd forget the message because every other line in the lyrics is "NO SOTUS" on a loop. Everything about this video is hilariously bad. It captures the vibe of a cheesy music video from a university promotional campaign trying to be hip. Bonus points for Park ripping open his shirt! 😂

Besides the hilarious video, I appreciate the abundance of BL-friendly visuals in My Secret Love. This series is generous with the BL content, including many kisses and affectionate displays for all couples. I like Kim & Mek's relationship montages, which are packed with cute interactions. Seeing them live together and goof around enhances the authenticity of the couple. 

My favourite shot is in Episode 10. The context is that Kim enters Mek's bedroom and discovers the scholarship offer on the laptop. I hate the storyline, but I love the visual with the warm lighting falling onto Kim's side profile. This pretty imagery captures the actor's face at a flattering angle. Symbolically, I love how there's a bright lamp illuminating Kim as he discovers Mek's secret. Have you heard of the saying "lightbulb moment"? This clever shot is a literal interpretation. The cinematography emphasizes Kim's lightbulb moment as he learns his love interest's motivations.

Ending

Happy ending

My Secret Love has a happy ending where Kim and Mek reunite after spending two years apart. Mek returns to Thailand after completing his landscape architecture studies in Australia. He becomes Kim's client at his company, where sparks reignite between the former lovers. After a casual work hangout, the characters leave the bar and return home to hook up. Later, they have a heartfelt chat. Kim admits to breaking up with Mek to encourage him to study overseas. He says, "I didn't want you to hesitate for me."

Fortunately, Kim and Mek clear the air. The leads miss each other and promise not to leave anymore. After spending an intimate evening, Kim's mom accidentally walks into the bedroom, meeting Mek for the first time. She's a supportive parent who champions this romance. Kim chats with his mom, apologizing for treating her terribly. Kim behaved standoffishly because he felt like a disappointment around her. His mom gives comforting reassurance. She only wants her son to open up and share his thoughts more often. They hug it out and end the series on good terms.

The series ends with Lee and Park's wedding. They declare their vows, exchange rings, and kiss under the altar. Then, Kim & Mek have a sentimental conversation. Mek thanks his partner for helping him grow up and stop acting like a brat. Meanwhile, Kim also learned to let go and be easier on himself, thanks to his boyfriend's influence. Mek gives Kim a ring with the promise of being by his side forever. Nearby, Bear jokes Mek is upstaging the wedding. 😅 The final shot shows the leads sharing a blissful kiss, happily reassured about their honest love.

Ending explained

I don't have much to analyze about Kim and Mek's reconciliation. Their breakup is so BS, and it infuriates me to think how immaturely they handled their relationship. To be honest, I'm over this couple and their prolonged melodrama. I'm good as long as they get back together, no matter the circumstances. Please go back to having cute, lighthearted romantic exchanges. Kim and Mek work best when propelling that fun, zesty rapport.

Surprisingly, the compelling storyline in the finale is Kim's self-esteem issues. He admits to feeling like a failure for not living up to expectations. Kim's friends are successful at work and satisfied with their love lives. Yet, Kim is alone and stuck at a miserable job. He's a perfectionist who works hard at school and on the student council. He aspired to lead a fulfilled life after graduation. Instead, the reality is a setback. Kim feels defeated about not succeeding at the same pace as everyone else. Kim even avoids his mom, fearing that he has disappointed her.

Thematically, I like this storyline. In execution, the messaging falls short. This plot is unpolished and needs more clarity. My Secret Love could've written the scenes better to emphasize Kim's struggles. Nonetheless, I appreciate the attempts at expanding on his character development. Seeing Kim admit to his failures makes him vulnerable. He needed to open up emotionally before reconciling with Mek. Mek's return should have a positive influence on Kim's life. His happy-go-lucky boyfriend will take Kim out of his slump, reminding him to have fun and be lighthearted.