Rule #1: No Dating – Series Review & Episode Guide

Jung Woo and Jun Hee have been friends since high school. Jun Hee used to struggle with a troubled home life and an abusive uncle. He found comfort in Jung Woo's support. His friend's kindness made Jun Hee fall in love with Jung Woo. They eventually started a relationship. Both teenagers shared a passion for music and dreamed of achieving fame together.

Years later, an agency approaches Jung Woo and Jun Hee, eager to turn them into stars. The CEO offers them creative freedom. Jung Woo can write the songs, while Jun Hee will perform them. However, there's one more condition. The agency wants to add a third member to their group. The newcomer, Alex, is a rising star with striking looks, and the CEO believes he'll boost their popularity. While Jung Woo and Jun Hee prefer to remain a duo, they reluctantly agree to work with Alex.

Before signing the contract, the CEO informs them of a strict rule. All three members must adhere to a no-dating policy while in the group. This rule creates a dilemma for Jung Woo and Jun Hee, but they secretly agree to put their relationship on hold. The couple decides to break up to focus on their careers, although they remain close friends. However, Alex quickly picks up on their bond. He begins to suspect his group members may have shared a romantic past.

Jung Woo, Jun Hee, and Alex debut as the group Deep Blue. Their first song becomes an instant hit and launches them into fame. However, not everything goes smoothly. Jung Woo's overconfident remarks during interviews rub some fans the wrong way. Meanwhile, Alex becomes distracted by the temptations of fame, frequently flirting with girls and sneaking off to nightclubs despite being a rookie. Jung Woo grows frustrated with Alex's behaviour and insists the CEO take action to discipline him.

Alex flirts with more girls, further straining his relationship with Jung Woo, who grows increasingly annoyed. As the two clash, Alex is frustrated by Jung Woo's constant interference in his personal life. Jung Woo insists that Alex's behavior reflects on the entire group and could jeopardize their hard-earned fame. Feeling vindictive, Alex starts spying on Jung Woo and Jun Hee. He catches them flirting and sharing a kiss in secret. Seizing the opportunity, Alex films the moment and intends to use it as leverage.

Rule #1: No Dating feels amateurish in almost every aspect. Let's start with its poor production values. The series is filmed vertically, making it awkward to watch and stripping away the cinematic feel. In a story about an idol group, you expect glitz, glamour, energetic performances, and vibrant visuals. This BL drama completely misses the mark. Everything looks cheap, like it was made on a shoestring budget. Rule #1: No Dating can't create the sense of celebrity fame that the plot requires.

This story is so damn aggravating. It focuses too much on Alex, the antagonist who always clashes with the leads. Almost every episode is filled with arguments or provocations between Alex and Jung Woo. The constant hostility creates such a negative atmosphere that it kills the romantic vibe. As the plot progresses, Alex's behaviour becomes more reckless. He sabotages his group's success out of spite for Jung Woo. Um, are you dumb? A great villain should be complex and intriguing, not a shallow troublemaker who drags the series down with nonsensical conflicts.

Tension can make a story exciting, but too much of it becomes draining. Rule #1: No Dating lacks balance by overwhelming viewers with nonstop drama. It's only a one-hour narrative, yet the plot crams in endless arguments, homophobic slurs, sexual harassment, family abuse, and career-ending scandals. Can we please get a moment to breathe and enjoy some lighter moments? What about the perks of being famous? Instead, the series fixates on the negatives and barely touches on the positives. It's determined to make the characters suffer as often as possible.

A forbidden romance between two idols sounds juicy in theory. However, Rule #1: No Dating doesn't know how to lean into it. This series lacks the imagination to create sweet or flirty exchanges, so the couple's interactions are often bland. Their first kiss is the only scene that stands out, offering a brief spark of passion. However, it happens randomly during an argument, and the intimacy feels out of place. Afterwards, the moment is immediately overshadowed by another annoying conflict. Rule #1: No Dating needs more BL content and less toxic drama.

The problem with having too much conflict is that it places a heavy burden on the performers. Arguing convincingly on screen requires skill, from nailing the emotional intensity to perfecting the facial expressions. Unfortunately, the cast can't meet these demands. Jung Woo's lead (Byeon Jeong Hyeon) tends to overact, making his anger feel exaggerated. Each argument exposes his limitations as an actor. His co-star (Jo Ji Min) lacks the charisma to stand out. Playing a quieter character, he fades into the background, overshadowed by the louder personalities around him.

After frustrating me for nearly the whole series, Rule #1: No Dating shows slight improvement toward the end. As Jung Woo and Jun Hee resolve a central conflict, I respect how they handle their relationship maturely. The final episodes focus on their happiness together, a refreshing change from the relentless negativity earlier. While it doesn't redeem the drama, I finally found something to enjoy in those last few moments. Nonetheless, Rule #1: No Dating remains a poorly executed story. From the awful conflicts to the amateur acting, everything needs an overhaul.