Puff’s Review of “Where Your Eyes Linger”
Viki Original: Watch On Viki
Directed by: Hwang Da Seul
Soundtrack: [FULL ALBUM] Where Your Eyes Linger | 너의 시선이 머무는 곳에 OST
Puff’s Review: 9/10
Korea’s First BL Series
Korea has thrown it’s hat into the BL kingdom, with the popular, yet controversial “Where Your Eyes Linger” a Viki Original. Viki’s show is a miniseries – 8 episodes long, and about 15 minutes per episode. The show is fast paced, and needs to get a lot done in the amount of time available. The show is short, and makes you want more, but it accomplishes it’s goals and keeps your eyes glued (or lingering). The show was released before “Game Boys” from he Philippines, which is following the same format – Short 15 minute long episodes to tell the story. This week Hulu also released a show in the US (Love, Victor) but I will have to watch that before deciding if it is a BL.
We meet TaeJoo (Han Gi Chan) and Kang Gook (Jang Eui Soo) as they get into trouble at school. The two have known each other for 15 years, but their relationship isn’t exactly friends. Gook is TaeJoo’s bodyguard. TaeJoo is the son of a very powerful businessman who cares more about his reputation and standing in society than his sons happiness. We get a bit of the BL themes as his dad is quite like some other father figures we have seen: Fighter’s dad in Why R U cares more about his standing in society – Golf’s Dad in My Bromance Movie who wants to send his son away, and has henchmen like Shin’s dad in 3 Will Be Free. In fact, every time TaeJoo messes up in life, his father hits Gook. He’s really up there almost near Daddy Kao’s dad in Until We Meet Again for worst father of the year.
Each episode is also themed in a similar way to Theory of Love. The point of view is mainly Gook’s, and his one sided love, but we get to see TaeJoon’s point of view in a few parts, and it makes your heart shake, Oh my heart! It really reminded me of Khai’s point of view in Theory of Love. As TaeJoo’s feelings take hold and increase, a truly wonderful BL show emerges. It all happens very quickly since the whole show is less than 3 hours long, which is good, and bad. It’s bad because you want more! But with the limited amount of time, the stages of development are done remarkably well. But I watched it in one day.
A lot of the show is emotional as well (leave it to the Koreans!). You understand Gook’s feelings from the start, so everything just tugs at your heartstrings. All his pain as he’s trying to navigate his feelings and set them aside so that he can just be there for TaeJoo. So i just think of Wayo’s definition of love from 2 Moons –
“What does the word LOVE mean to you?” Love in my opinion, is the thing that is given without expecting anything in return.“
The shows finale gives us all that we would expect out of a K Drama – with everything we want in a Boys Love drama (more than a high five). Congrats to Viki for producing this show. Hope we get to see more out of Korea!
