The Boy Next Door(literal title: Some Guy) is a fifteen episode South Korean drama that was inspired by a popular webtoon. Directed by Yoon II Han, The drama stars Choi Woo Shik(Set Me Free), Jang Ki Yong, and Jang Hee Ryung. Each episode of the drama was released on streaming sites and Dingo's official Youtube channel last year.
I don't want to give a lot of information away about The Boy Next Door. That would ruin the experience for people who haven't watch the drama yet. I will say that the anticipation of what will actually happen with the two male characters by the conclusion keeps you coming back for more. Most of the content of Next Door comes across as a "BL" or "Boy's Love" story on the surface. I think many viewers come to this drama wanting to see a Korean drama really explore the dirty fantasy between boys that we're all too ashamed to speak out loud. There's a huge comedic side of this drama that adds to the fun that makes viewers remember this drama months after you watch it. Even though all of the episodes except the last episode are under six or eight minutes. The two male characters are always put in awkward situations that are out of their control. They could try to go about their day in the normal fashion, however that awkward situation never fails to find the boys. When random people walk in on the two in these situations, the whole scene makes for the true golden moments that come from The Boy Next Door. Choi Woo Joo along with Wang Young Lee wrote a script that also addresses issues in the gay community such as coming out and acceptance in a settle way that's outside of the actions of the two main characters while still involving them directly. This was really enjoyable in my opinion. From lip singing musicals to cheesy effects, This drama never stops cranking out the funnies to the point that viewers won't want the stomach hurting laughs to end.
Woo Shik is still such an underrated actor to me. I was first introduced to him to when he starred in 2014's indie film called Set Me Free. He continues to shine here too. He let actor Ki Yong bounce off of his acting so much during their scenes. Ki Yong was the less dominate of both actors because Woo Shik was the better actor. He doesn't miss a beat jumping into his character as a guy who's nerdy but still forms a relationship with a neighbor(Ki Yong) who looks cooler and has a chill personality. That is until the two boys occupy the same space….. Both of them can't believe what happens when they are together[INSERT ME LAUGHING]. I wouldn't have enjoyed such short episodes if not for both actors's wacky performances. Hee Hyung's character was kind of the side character that gave the plot a reason to have more of a storyline. She added to the shenanigans perfectly.
The Boy Next Door is the perfect drama just because the script made super short episodes interesting. Then the script leaves the meaning of BL up in the air for all of us to grasp. Get ready to yell " 아 씨발!"(Oh Shit!) in unison with the characters at the end of each episode. Below is episode nine of the drama. I'm not sure if Dingo subtitled this drama or not. I didn't watch with subtitles so I wouldn't know.
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