For a change, this BL story feels surprisingly realistic, from the storyline to the way the characters speak and react. They’re messy and unpredictable, which gives viewers a roller coaster of emotions as the leads try to figure out themselves and their complicated relationship. I didn’t expect much from a BL series featuring a Filipino and a Korean guy set in LA, but it actually turned out to be quite enjoyable. With just seven episodes, each around 22-25 minutes long, it’s an easy and fun watch.
The story follows Filipino filmmaker Andre Lee, who wins the Grand Jury Award at a Los Angeles film festival for his short film. His celebration is short-lived, however, when he falls victim to a scammer who steals a large sum of his money with promises of big Hollywood dreams. Now in need of a place to stay, Andre also becomes determined to track down the thief. He finds Joshua, a hardworking Korean immigrant, online, who is looking for a roommate. As they share the space, Andre becomes drawn to Joshua, though Joshua is a reserved man who keeps his distance. Joshua secretly cares for Andre, finding him small jobs here and there, but there’s something holding him back. We eventually learn that one of Joshua’s exes, someone he deeply cared for, cheated on him for a green card, and his conservative father threw him out when he found out he was gay. Despite these challenges, the two develop a happy relationship, but Andre faces an obstacle—he doesn’t have the proper paperwork to stay in LA. Both men are unsure about the future of their long-distance relationship. The series ends with Andre returning to the Philippines, where he makes a new film, with the possibility of coming back to the US to showcase his work.
Both actors are absolutely gorgeous, especially Andre. The Filipino-Latin look is irresistible, and to top it off, both are fantastic actors, so there’s nothing cringe-worthy about the performances. The playful banter between the two roommates feels natural, and their chemistry is undeniable. This series is raw, honest, and contemporary. It’s a middle-class love story about two rather troubled individuals who find each other at the wrong time but in the right place. There’s a lot of sadness, but also hope. Despite the hardships, the story is ultimately about human resilience and strength. At times, it can feel dramatic, such as when Joshua’s sister shows up to share his backstory with Andre, but aside from a few minor hiccups, as an audience, you can’t help but be invested in where this evolving relationship between banter-filled roommates, who turn into friends and eventually lovers, will go. Overall, it’s a journey filled with laughter, tears, romance, and plenty of surprises, with the added bonus of some very good-looking leads. Andre’s drag queen best friend also provides a nice dose of humor.
