Sweetheart Service – Series Review & Episode Guide

Yooha is a hardworking freelancer who takes on multiple gigs to earn a living. Firstly, he works part-time at a bar owned by his brother Taeha. Secondly, he also models nude for art classes. And finally, he picks up freelance gigs through an app. Some of these random errands include fixing toilets, feeding cats, or doing homework. The tasks are minor and not always glamorous, but they help him make quick cash.

Yooha has tried applying for traditional jobs at companies. However, he has no luck with interviews because his nerves get the best of him. For instance, one interviewer recognized him as a nude model. Yooha became so self-conscious that he stumbled over his answers. These rejections demoralize Yooha, who desperately wants financial independence. Taeha, his non-biological brother, doesn't mind taking care of him. Even so, Yooha still wants to earn enough money on his own without relying on anyone.

One of Yooha's recent gigs involves helping a girl escape an awkward first date. He decides to have fun with it. He shows up and causes a ruckus so the girl can leave Minwoo, her boring blind date. However, Yooha is mortified when Minwoo later appears at Taeha's bar. Yooha tries to hide, but Minwoo recognizes him. Reluctantly, Yooha confesses what happened and admits that he accepted money to end the date.

Minwoo works at a tech startup as an app developer. He is skilled at his job and loves discussing the technical aspects, but that doesn't always lead to good date conversations. Minwoo goes on this blind date to appease his parents, who have been pressuring him to get married. At work, his colleagues also gossip about his lack of a love life. Since Minwoo is shy and socially awkward, he struggles to go on dates or find a compatible partner.

After hearing Yooha's explanation and apology, Minwoo gets an idea. He wants to pay Yooha to pretend to be his boyfriend in public. This arrangement can ease the pressure from his parents, who will stop pushing him to date girls. He also wants to show off his fake boyfriend at work to stop the office gossip. Initially, Yooha is stunned by the request. Since Minwoo offers excellent compensation, Yooha accepts and becomes his make-believe boyfriend.

I have reservations about Sweetheart Service, namely the 'service' part of the love story. The series begins with Minwoo hiring Yooha to be his fake boyfriend. Whenever a romance involves payment, I grow cautious. My eyes narrow, my smile fades, and my optimism retreats. Money can be a sensitive topic in BL, creating uneven power dynamics between couples. I worry Yooha may be pressured to show affection for financial reasons. This drama must tread carefully to avoid making the relationship feel exploitative.

Minwoo comes across poorly when he offers the job in Episode 2. Oh, he isn't beating those allegations of a power imbalance! If the series had handled this scene better, the dynamic might feel less icky as the characters set clear boundaries. Yooha could share his concerns, Minwoo could respond, and they could agree on fair terms. I also wanted to explore Minwoo's reasons for hiring a boyfriend beyond parental pressure and office gossip. Why does he feel self-conscious about being single? Highlighting his insecurities would make him more sympathetic, but the story misses an opportunity for introspection.

After watching him for a while, Minwoo doesn't seem like a bad guy. My view shifts from 'evil rich bastard' to 'socially awkward nerd'. He isn't paying for companionship to take advantage of Yooha. He's just a lonely person trying to connect with someone. Once I see that his character is harmless, I warm up to his romance with Yooha. Their flirting is sweet and clumsy. These scenes feel like low-tier relationship fluff, so they don't excite me much. Nonetheless, the BL content is serviceable. They show that the couple is bonding and developing feelings for each other.

My favourite part of Sweetheart Service is the lead actor. The protagonist (Kim Hyun Seo) is a cutie who exudes an angelic aura. I'm fond of his fair skin, long eyelashes, the soft waves in his hair, and a smile so precious that it puts the 'sweet' in 'sweetheart'. And okay, I'll admit it… His openness to showing off his nice body is also appealing. The acting is alright, but mostly, I like him because I have a tiny crush. Yeah, I'm allowed to factor an actor's attractiveness into my review, hehe~ I don't have strong feelings about the rest of the cast, but their performances seem average.

As the story unfolds, there are a few interesting moments. I like that Yooha works as a nude model, not just because he gets naked, but it's a clever parallel to the main plot. He uses his body to earn money, similar to how he sells an intimate part of himself in his fake relationship. It invites viewers to think deeper about the nuances between the two situations. I also enjoy the twist where Minwoo's coworker pays for Yooha's relationship services. It explores the moral ambiguity of turning love into a commodity. Plus, the idea of Yooha going straight-for-pay is hilarious to me!

The coworker storyline ruins the last few episodes. As the drama escalates, it becomes too over-the-top. The subplot with Yooha's brother also feels like a waste of time. And does anyone find their relationship odd? Why do two non-biological brothers wear matching rings on their wedding fingers!? Anyway, I dislike the supporting cast for pulling us into their annoying drama. I wish the plot had focused solely on the leads, who needed more time to develop their romance. Sadly, the final stretch drags the whole series down, souring my overall opinion of Sweetheart Service.