Senior Love Me? – Series Review & Episode Guide

Bam is a university student who recently started a new part-time job at a café. He is pleasantly surprised to meet Mike, his coworker. Bam had a secret crush on Mike, although they never interacted until now. This job allows them to bond, especially since they are often the only employees. After becoming acquainted, the two colleagues get along with each other splendidly.

Bam shows interest in Mike's writing career. Mike, an aspiring author, reveals that he's working on his next romance novel. However, he's still looking for inspiration. Mike suggests flirting with Bam in various intimate scenarios, which will spark his imagination. Bam is delighted to participate in this experiment. As they spend time together, his feelings for Mike intensify.

In Senior Love Me, the main characters flirt with each other under the pretense of writing a novel. They reenact intimate scenes to gather inspiration. However, their interactions go beyond what you'd do with a coworker. The exchanges have an exceedingly suggestive connotation, from nibbling on a Pocky stick to pressing your body against his. Nobody would behave this way around a colleague in real life and still consider their relationship platonic. Yet, Senior Love Me wants us to think the leads are oblivious to their feelings.

My issue is that I don't believe in the premise of the love story. The two employees just met, yet they pretend to act like a lovey-dovey couple for some flimsy reason. It's impossible to immerse myself in this implausible plot. Whenever Bam and Mike flirt with each other, all the romantic scenarios seem contrived. Every bonding scene comes across as blatant and heavy-handed fanservice. Instead of feeling invested in the couple, I'm left skeptical about their relationship. Senior Love Me doesn't seem genuine, which prevents me from connecting with this BL drama.

Another problem is that the romance has little depth. Upon the couple's first encounter, Bam immediately turns to the camera and declares his secret crush on Mike. His revelation seems rather anticlimactic. The joy of a love story is understanding how the characters cultivate feelings for each other. Yet, the series explains Bam's attraction through one measly line of dialogue. In addition, Bam and Mike's relationship develops superficially. They flirt relentlessly without much substance behind their interactions. These lovers barely have one meaningful conversation together.

Senior Love Me uses a distinct narrative style by breaking the fourth wall. Bam and Mike often speak candidly to the camera, expressing their inner thoughts at the moment. They give immediate reactions, share genuine feelings, and reveal candid confessions. I like this storytelling technique because it helps me understand the main characters better. The audience gains insights into both protagonists through their highs and lows, from excitement to self-doubt. Also, the contrast between their perceptions and reality leads to memorable moments.

Most of the series occurs inside the café, so there isn't much variety in the setting. It gets a bit old looking at the same interiors all the time. Nonetheless, the production values are polished. The cinematographer creates a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with clean, sleek visuals. Every scene looks flattering and carefully composed. Also, both leads (Boom and Tang-oh) do a decent job with their roles. They give solid performances, although the material is not particularly challenging. Outside of flirting, it's a pity that the actors never get to showcase their range. 

Senior Love Me remains cute and lighthearted from start to finish. It has a happy ending as the leads recognize their fondness for each other. The conclusion is sweet and simple, albeit not profound or impactful. This casual series may not satisfy those seeking a more thought-provoking plot. As the story wraps up, it comes and goes without making an impression on me. I am not emotionally attached to the forgettable couple or their flat interactions. Although not considered a bad BL drama, Senior Love Me is typical romantic fluff that doesn't rise above mediocrity.