Semantic Error – Drama Review & Ending Explained

Episode 1

Episode 1 Summary

Sang Woo and Jae Young are university students. They first meet at a school gallery, where Jae Young’s animation work is presented. Sang Woo seems interested in the project. Although Jae Young initiates a conversation with him, Sang Woo doesn’t realize he’s talking to the original designer and ignores him.

Later, Sang Woo makes a controversial decision by removing his team members from a group project. He calls them “freeloaders” for not contributing to the work. Jae Young happens to be one of those freeloaders. As a result, Jae Young faces academic consequences and can’t graduate from university anymore. He misses out on an overseas studying opportunity because of what Sang Woo did. Jae Young is furious, vowing to seek revenge on the junior student. Yet, Sang Woo simply blocks Jae Young’s number and continues his everyday routine.

Sang Woo is creating his own video game. His freelance designer suddenly quits because she has other commitments. Feeling guilty, she helps him find a replacement. She has arranged an interview with Jae Young, the animator Sang Woo was interested in earlier. However, Sang Woo doesn’t realize he has beef with Jae Young until they meet face-to-face. The episode ends with Jae Young revealing his identity, leading to a heated showdown between the university enemies.

Episode 1 Review

This premiere is a promising start, introducing the characters and setting up their relationship dynamics intriguingly. The conflict between the leads gets me excited. Prior to this drama, I have watched the anime. However, that remake didn’t explain the story too clearly, leaving me confused as a newcomer. This series has a much better beginning by comparison. I finally understand Semantic Error’s premise!

My first impression of Jaeyoung is very positive. I love his character’s cool, distinctive vibe with the lip piercing, the skateboard, the wardrobe, and the swagger. The actor looks great on camera, really catching my eye with his magnetic presence. I already feel charmed by him at the end of the first episode.

The final scene is filmed well. Jaeyoung and Sangwoo have a lengthy chat, which is super dialogue-heavy. However, their encounter doesn’t drag at all. Semantic Error knows how to use quick cuts, snappy music, and sassy banter to create a comfortable back-and-forth exchange. Overall, this whole episode flows smoothly with fun, easygoing, and vibrant energy. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the series develops.

Episode 2

Episode 2 Summary

Jae Young wants an apology from Sang Woo. However, Sang Woo refuses to admit he did anything wrong. In fact, he insults Jae Young’s low GPA and mocks him for failing to graduate. His stubborn response riles up Jae Young, solidifying a vendetta against the programming student. “You better brace yourself,” Jae Young whispers menacingly into Sang Woo’s ear.

After their confrontation, Jae Young begins pulling petty stunts to disturb Sang Woo’s day-to-day routine:

• He starts by buying up every coffee from the vending machine so that his enemy can’t enjoy his favourite drink.
• Next, he enrolls in Sang Woo’s classes, making sure to steal his preferred seat by the window. By coincidence, they get assigned to another group project together, exasperating Sang Woo.
• Jae Young also wears obnoxiously bright red outfits, his opponent’s most detested colour.
• Jae Young insists on sitting with Sang Woo at the cafeteria, pestering him during his mealtime.
• He deliberately moves in next-door to Sang Woo’s dorm room, a drastic move that has shaken his foe.

Jae Young’s antics annoy the typically calm and collected Sang Woo. Since Jae Young hasn’t broken any rules, Sang Woo doesn’t know how to stop his juvenile antics. This mental stress aggravates the serious engineering student, causing him to be irritable and have nosebleeds. Sang Woo also doesn’t get enough sleep and dozes off in class. After waking up, he discovers that Jae Young has drawn doodles on his face with a marker. Sang Woo is furious and confronts his bully, insisting that he has gone too far. Nonetheless, neither party is willing to back off.

Episode 2 Review

I like the psychological warfare that Jaeyoung launched against Sangwoo. When he said the “You better brace yourself~” line, my heart skipped a beat because I could feel a sense of danger. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was a bit tense and a lot excited about the upcoming feud. And then, Jaeyoung starts pulling his stunts…and they’re all so hilariously petty. Deliberately wearing red to annoy Sangwoo is some next-level trolling and I love every moment of it. 😅

It’s fascinating to watch Sangwoo slowly lose his composure throughout the episode. He gets a nosebleed, falls asleep in class, and thinks about his enemy all the time. Even though his character wouldn’t admit it, Jaeyoung has successfully gotten under his skin. Sangwoo pretends he’s mentally strong, but the poor kid is already cracking.

In the Sangwoo vs Jaeyoung dispute, I’m on Team Sangwoo. Although I wouldn’t have done what he did with the group project, it’s Jaeyoung’s own fault for being lazy and not maintaining good grades. With that said, Sangwoo is stubborn. He might’ve resolved the conflict with an insincere apology. Instead, he worsens the situation by insulting Jaeyoung and making an enemy in him. Sangwoo pours fuel over the fire and then wonders why Jaeyoung hates him so much lol.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Summary

In Episode 3, Sang Woo takes drastic measures to stop Jae Young from annoying him:

• First, he buys his favourite coffee in bulk to avoid the vending machine problem.
• Next, he shows up hours before class to secure his preferred seat by the window.
• When Jae Young sits beside him, Sang Woo puts up a tiny partition in between their desks to separate them.
• At lunch, Sang Woo deliberately sits in a crowded table with strangers to avoid sitting alone with his tormenter.

Jae Young is amused he caused these erratic changes in his enemy’s behaviour. However, Jae Young’s friend Yu Na feels perplexed. She doesn’t understand what her friend is trying to accomplish with these silly pranks. Yu Na wonders if Jae Young is picking on Sang Woo because of a crush.

Meanwhile, Sang Woo and his classmate Ji Hye grow closer. She gives him the pet nickname of “Sang Chu” (aka. Lettuce). Obviously, she has a crush on him, but Sang Woo doesn’t respond or reciprocate these feelings. Ji Hye mistakenly assumes that Jae Young is his friend. Sang Woo clarifies they don’t have any relationship.

Jae Young discovers that Sang Woo has signed up for a class, led by a notoriously awful lecturer. Jae Young tries to give a warning, which gets ignored. Later, Sang Woo’s new teacher takes his students to a bar. When Sang Woo wants to leave early, the drunken lecturer gives him a tough time. Their tension almost escalates to a physical brawl, but Jae Young steps in to protect Sang Woo from getting hurt.

Episode 3 Review

The theme of Semantic Error is about how Sangwoo, a very rational person, starts acting irrationally because of Jaeyoung. For example, Sangwoo shows up in an empty classroom at 6:30AM and feels delighted about “outsmarting” his enemy. He also puts up a divider in between their desks, even though it practically makes no difference at all. In programming terms, Jaeyoung is like a glitch in the system that causes Sangwoo to malfunction.

To be honest, I don’t really know why Jihye has a crush on Sangwoo? Her character shows up from Episode 1 and starts hitting on him out of the blue. Her scenes always feel a bit random and extraneous to the plot. With that said, I understand Jihye serves a purpose in the story, allowing Sangwoo to interact with another character besides Jaeyoung. We get to see him behave more naturally (or as natural as Sangwoo can be 😅) in his chats with Jihye.

Although I enjoyed the first three episodes, the BL content in Semantic Error has been pretty light so far. We’re almost halfway through the series, yet the two leads are still pretty much enemies. I have doubts whether this drama can turn their hostility into a persuasive romance with the remaining time left. As a BL watcher, I’m getting antsy around this point, knowing there are only 8 episodes. When will the relationship scenes start?

Episode 4

Episode 4 Summary

After the fight, Jae Young cannot return home since his keys & belongings are left at the bar. Surprisingly, Sang Woo allows him to enter his room and contact his friends with a laptop. Despite their animosity, he thanks Jae Young for defending him in the fight. Later, Sang Woo puts medicine treatment on Jae Young’s arm injury. Their amicable interactions are the first sign of a truce between the two former enemies.

This episode marks a turning point in Jae Young and Sang Woo’s relationship. Since then, Jae Young has stopped wearing red clothes and tormenting Sang Woo. Jae Young is remarkably friendlier as they work together on the group project for the French class. Sang Woo still doesn’t trust his former enemy, wondering if this fraternization is a new tactic. Jae Young insists he doesn’t have any strategy and only acts from his heart.

The two leads are in the library together, where Jae Young has fallen asleep. Suddenly, Sang Woo thinks of a naughty idea. He picks up a pen and wants to draw on Jae Young’s face as payback for his previous prank. However, Jae Young wakes up and catches him in the act. Sang Woo feels embarrassed, questioning why he did something so childish and out-of-character.

It’s the day of their class presentation. Jae Young has picked over-the-top costumes for them to wear. Sang Woo reluctantly goes along with the theatrics. They end up giving a successful presentation. Later, Sang Woo is mortified to learn that Jae Young stole their costumes from the drama club. They sneak into the clubroom to return the clothes, but almost get caught. The episode ends with their characters in hiding, standing very close to each other. Jae Young leans in, almost seemingly initiating a kiss.

Episode 4 Review

This episode looks pretty! The cinematography has taken a step up, producing even more gorgeous visuals than usual. I love that mesmerizing close-up shot of Jaeyoung’s face where he opens his eyes and flashes a smile. Be still, my heart. And did you see him strutting around campus in a black leather jacket? Woof. The Semantic Error styling team knows how to dress him up well. 😚

I like how the characters change their wardrobes to mark the evolution in their relationship. You’ll notice that Jaeyoung stops wearing obnoxiously red clothes since he doesn’t want to torment Sangwoo anymore. Likewise, Jaeyoung makes subtle changes to his fashion choices. This episode is the first time he doesn’t wear a cap after Jaeyoung complimented his hatless look. Plus, we see him wear brighter colours besides blacks and greys all the time. Sangwoo’s pastel blue sweater is a sign of Jaeyoung’s positive influence.

I enjoyed many of Jaeyoung and Sangwoo’s delightful interactions in this episode. Their arguments and pranks were amusing, but I’m glad that we’ve moved on to the next phase of their relationship. With that said, the change from their feud to their romance came suddenly. Just last episode, Sangwoo still hated his enemy with a passion. Now, we’re supposed to think he loves Jaeyoung? I feel like Semantic Error should’ve spent more time developing the feelings between these former enemies. The transition seems rushed and could be a lot smoother.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Summary

Sang Woo runs away from his close encounter with Jae Young in the clubroom. The programmer feels so tense that he doesn’t even show up for class, a rarity for him. Sang Woo searches online about a “biological disorder” that would explain why his nervousness. Jae Young is worried and wants to know what’s wrong. Sang Woo acts agitated and gives an aggressive response. They have a heated argument, concluding with Jae Young storming off angrily.

After their confrontation, Jae Young completely cuts himself out of Sang Woo’s life. He doesn’t show up for classes or return to his room. Sang Woo is bothered by Jae Young’s sudden absence. Ji Hye notes that he has acted spacey lately. She uses programming terms to give him advice on troubleshooting his problem.

Sang Woo stalks Jae Young’s Instagram page, secretly bookmarking all the attractive pictures. He discovers Jae Young has a new part-time job at a restaurant. When Ji Hye asks him out for lunch, he brings her there as an excuse to spy on his crush. Ji Hye is excited since she thinks they’re on a date. However, Sang Woo is preoccupied searching for Jae Young and demands a serious chat with him.

Episode 5 Review

My favourite moment of the episode is when Sangwoo saves Jaeyoung’s Instagram pictures and gives commentary. “He thinks he’s so cool, huh?” *saves pic* “How silly.” *saves pic* He says moodily while screencapping every adorable photo of Jaeyoung to store on his laptop. 😆 BTW, you can follow Jaeyoung (zzang_jae_0_0) and Sangwoo (choosangwoo_) on IG, bookmarking their pics on your computer too~

Oh my god, Sangwoo and Jaeyoung’s relationship is so up-and-down. These two were finally on friendlier terms in the last episode, but now they have gone back to feuding again. Like, I just got used to the idea that they aren’t enemies anymore. But oh wait, they hate each other once more. Their volatile relationship swings too much like a pendulum. I wish we could’ve seen them getting along for a while before they had another fight.

Is Jihye’s only role in this drama to flirt unsuccessfully with Sangwoo? He has given zero inclination about showing any romantic interest in her. I’m not sure why this girl is so adamant about forcing a relationship from start to finish. What is the basis of her attraction? Is it because he gave her change money that one time? It was so embarrassing when their characters went out for lunch and Sangwoo paid no attention to her. When will Jihye get a hint and realize she’s barking up the wrong tree?

Episode 6

Episode 6 Summary

The characters chat outside the restaurant, where Sang Woo asks Jae Young to work on his video game. Jae Young is still upset about their past argument, so he refuses the job offer. Sang Woo accidentally left behind documents related to his video game. Jae Young is surprised to see Sang Woo has kept his doodle from their first meeting. When they meet later that night, Sang Woo asks again whether Jae Young could be his game designer. This time, Jae Young agrees.

They begin working on the game. Sang Woo proves to be a tough employer, pushing tight deadlines for the art assets. Jae Young is sincere about his work, staying up overnight to revamp the character designs. Sang Woo is pleased with the art. As a reward, he pats Jae Young on the head, an affectionate gesture that takes the recipient by surprise. Afterwards, they continue working closely. Yu Na teases them when she overhears their banter, signifying they have grown their bond.

Jae Young is curious why a genius programmer wants to make a game instead of working at a company. Sang Woo likes the accomplishment that comes with creating a project from scratch and bringing his vision to life. The answer inspires Jae Young, who asks if he can pat Sang Woo’s head. His proposition is accepted. Earlier, Sang Woo stated he didn’t like being touched without warning, and Jae Young has respected his boundaries since then.

In the final scene, Jae Young takes a quick power nap from working. Sang Woo contemplates as he observes his sleeping colleague on the sofa. Impulsively, he plants a kiss on Jae Young’s lips before dashing out of the room in embarrassment. Sang Woo opens his eyes afterwards, shocked by what just happened.

Episode 6 Review

OMGGG THE FIRST KISS. Honestly, I was shocked and didn’t see this moment coming. 😲 That scene leading up to the kiss is visually enchanting. The close-up shot of Jaeyoung’s face looks so handsome with his long eyelashes, pink lips, and warm lighting on his face. Jaeyoung exudes an ethereal aura, almost like he’s Sleeping Beauty. Semantic Error is excellent at creating this lush ambiance to accentuate its love story.

What’s the standard reaction when someone pats you on your head for doing a good job? Personally, I screamed a little in excitement when Sangwoo touched Jaeyoung’s head. AHHH YESSS!!! 😆 The moment is surprisingly intimate and endearingly awkward. Sangwoo makes a clumsy attempt at human interaction, but he has no idea how and doesn’t quite hit the mark.

I like the height difference between Sangwoo and Jaeyoung. Sangwoo is smaller and shorter than his love interest, so his character looks up every time they interact face-to-face. This arrangement works because it makes him appear vulnerable. When Sangwoo stares upwards with those pleading eyes, he seems more delicate and sensitive. You can see through his bravado and reach the emotional side of him. Not wearing his cap also lets us view his eyes clearly, another defence mechanism removed.

This episode explores the power dynamics between the characters. Jaeyoung gets angry in an earlier scene when Sangwoo drops the honorifics around him. So, Sangwoo consciously makes an effort to use the terms again in their next exchange. This gesture emphasizes his character’s sincerity, as he’s willing to be respectful and defer to his senior. Earlier, Jaeyoung called him out for acting like an emotionless robot. Here’s Sangwoo now, trying his best to behave more sensitively and tactfully.

If Semantic Error had a longer length, I wish we could’ve seen more of the video game development. Sang Woo’s game is a significant part of the series, but the details are vague. I barely know anything about Veggie Venturer. I think it might be an action-adventure video game with vegetables as characters, but who knows? I want in-depth content related to making the game, or at least learn Sang Woo’s inspiration and thought processes.

Episode 7

Episode 7 Summary

The characters are alone in an empty bar, where Sang Woo has gotten drunk. He pretends their kiss from the last episode didn’t happen. Their chat shifts to Jae Young’s appearance, and Sang Woo admits to finding his colleague attractive. His reply prompts Jae Young to be daring. “Warning. I’m going to kiss you in one minute,” he whispers seductively. Surprisingly, Sang Woo’s response is to pull in Jae Young for a kiss.

After a short pause, the characters make out more passionately in their second attempt. Yet, Sang Woo feels insecure and thinks they made a mistake. He apologizes for kissing Jae Young the first time, but insists they shouldn’t get romantically involved. Sang Woo is worried about hindering their work on Veggie Venturer. Jae Young disagrees and believes they should start dating. He suggests they do a two-week trial for a romance. Sang Woo needs time to think before making a commitment.

As the characters spend time apart, they have various conversations:

• Jae Young and Ji Hye have a heated chat, addressing their rivalry over Sang Woo. Jae Young warns her to stop using the Sang Chu nickname, which feels too intimate.
• Sang Woo asks Yu Na about Jae Young’s romantic history. She emphasizes her friend dated many people, but his past relationships failed because Jae Young lost interest.

Sang Woo becomes curious about the tattoo on Jae Young’s arm. Jae Young uses the marker to draw a picture on Sang Woo’s arm. It’s the same video game mascot from their first meeting. Afterwards, they chat about the two-week trial. Jae Young teases him with a saucy preview, which includes holding hands & kissing. Finally, Sang Woo accepts the trial and wants to date Jae Young. However, the episode ends on a cliffhanger. Jae Young receives a job offer at an overseas company, which means their romance is disrupted before it could start.

Episode 7 Review

Sangwoo and Jaeyoung’s kiss in this episode is a showstopper, taking my breath away. I love the flirtation at the start, building up the sexual tension between the leads. The adrenaline is unleashed in a memorable kiss, like a powerful burst of desire. The chic and moody ambiance adds to the passion, particularly during the confrontation in the alleyway. Semantic Error has pulled off a divine BL moment where everything clicks together, from the artistry to the chemistry. WOW.

I enjoy the two other relationship moments in this episode, both powered by juicy BL material. When Jaeyoung draws a tattoo on Sangwoo’s arm, the gesture feels intimate, like a small imprint of his love. Initially, I couldn’t visualize a suitable tattoo for Sangwoo, but the video game mascot is a clever choice. The scene where Jaeyoung gives Sangwoo a relationship preview is also fantastic. “You get to hold my hand, we already kissed…” His voice drifts off as he pulls in Sangwoo for an embrace, leaving the rest to the viewers’ powerful imagination.

I love how Sangwoo speaks. Here’s what he says about starting a relationship with Jaeyoung: “I’ll announce the results of my analysis.” Why does Sangwoo talk about romance like he’s giving a lab report? 😅 After a moment of self-reflection, he corrects his phrasing to, “Was that too formal? I’ll accept your proposal, we can do a trial run.” Sangwoo looks satisfied after practicing this line, as if his new businesslike response is any better. Just say you want to date him using ordinary, everyday language! Stop acting like a robot! 😆

Episode 8

Ending Explained

Semantic Error has a happy ending where Sang Woo and Jae Young become a couple. Although Jae Young is recruited for a job in France, his first instinct is to turn down this opportunity. He chooses to stay committed to Sang Woo and finish their game together. However, Sang Woo isn’t happy about holding back his partner. He refuses to start a relationship with Jae Young and wants him to pick the job offer instead.

Sang Woo and Ji Hye meet up. She confesses her feelings, but already knows that he isn’t interested in her. Ji Hye isn’t devastated and feels proud of herself for being honest. When Sang Woo apologizes, Ji Hye is surprised by his empathetic response. She thinks falling in love has changed his personality, making him more attuned to people’s emotions.

Sang Woo has a change of heart and wants Jae Young to stay with him after all. They meet in the middle of the night, where Sang Woo initiates a spontaneous kiss. Jae Young reveals he never planned to leave right now. He already told the company about his commitments to Sang Woo’s video game. Ideally, they might defer the job offer until later. If not, Jae Young is still confident he’ll find a better job in the future. Now that Sang Woo and Jae Young are on the same page, they officially become a couple.

The final scene shows Sang Woo and Jae Young hanging out in the bedroom, flirting lightheartedly. Jae Young discovers his boyfriend keeps a secret folder of his photos on the laptop. This revelation embarrasses Sang Woo and the couple has a playful scuffle on the bed. Their exchange ends with Jae Young kissing his boyfriend tenderly. The last shot of the series is a tablet screen, which says the semantic “error” has been cleared.

Ending Review

The conflict over Jaeyoung’s job offer echoes the predominant themes in Semantic Error. Picking the corporate job seems like a rational decision since it offers higher pay & better opportunities. In contrast, working on an indie game is based on sentimentality. This smaller project is closer to your heart, something you sincerely believe in creating.

I like this storyline because it challenges Sangwoo’s core values, asking him to choose between logic versus emotions. His brain tells him that Jaeyoung should take the job offer, but his heart says otherwise. The old Sangwoo wouldn’t experience this struggle because he simply thought like a machine. After falling in love, his character becomes more sophisticated. Ultimately, Sangwoo learns to prioritize his personal feelings over what seems like the logical choice.

The post-credit scene has me in stitches when Jaeyoung discovers Sangwoo’s secret folder of photos. 😆 I also love their final kiss, a sweet and affectionate gesture that caps off the series endearingly. Yet, it’s a shame Semantic Error ends at this point because I’d love for the story to continue. I want more episodes, more storylines & more BL content between this couple. Let’s strike the iron while it’s hot! Unfortunately, we won’t get Semantic Error Season 2 in the near future. BL fans must wait until Jaeyoung’s actor finishes his military service. 😢