Cityboy_Log (2023)

Volume 4: And all is well?

First of all, I'd like to acknowledge how difficult this format actually is. It brings a lot of freedom, and there's no comparison point. So different people will end up forming many different kind of expectations. Heck, I'm pretty sure some people don't even know what to expect. Like, they can tell whether they like this volume or not, but if you ask them to describe in detail what they want to see, many would probably come up blank. Exactly because there aren't much reference point to compare this work to.

With that said, I like this volume. Mostly because, to me, they're returning to the essence of this vlog format. In a typical series, the storytelling is akin to watching a CCTV recording; we get to see any relevant information, whether the characters "wanted" to be seen or not. But in a vlog, the storytelling is more like reading a diary; we only get to see what the characters have curated for us to see (in-universe).

And so that's why I think volume 3 was so janky. It was a vlog trying to be a typical series, and so it couldn't decide on a consistent mode of storytelling (as evidenced by the plenty use of "external" camera in that volume, i.e. "omniscient" camera that's not hold by the characters). Volume 4, meanwhile, is a vlog through and through, just one where the characters happen to kiss. Now, there might be many different reasons why someone likes or dislikes vlogs, but the identity is clear. This is a vlog, it's not trying to move beyond the realm of vlogs, and if you show it to a naive viewer, they might not even realise that it's "not just a typical vlog".

So yeah, I enjoyed this. Yes, there's basically no plot, but vlogs don't typically have a plot. Do I want a plot? Of course, but only if it fits the vlog format. Otherwise, they shouldn't force one in.

P.S. for the next volume: more kisses, more stares, more privacy, more intimacy. We don't exactly need fraternal bonding moments (notice that volume 1 & 2 didn't really have those, and they did just fine). After all, no one watch a dating show for the friendship.




Below is my previous review for volume 3:

Needless to say, everyone is giving them a lot of "strong feedbacks" after volume 3. But I don't want them to take the wrong message. Instead of jumping to thinking about "what BL fans like/dislike", I think there are some fundamental storytelling and character building issues that they need to sort out first. Hence, I wrote this review to rant and list out my grievances about volume 3.

1. The lack of explanations. They could get away with not explaining the bathroom thing back then because, in the grand scheme of things, it was just a small part of volume 1&2. But here, Jaejun-Yunje relationship is THE plot. Not explaining it is like a detective story that doesn't explain how the murder was done.

2. Related but slightly different to point #1. Jaejun's behaviors, frankly speaking, don't make sense. And in order to make sense of it, we need him to explain what he's thinking. But he doesn't. We know very little about his intention. Is he willfully cheating, or is he just that naive/dumb? Who knows?

Even if he's conflicted about his own thoughts, he could've said something like, "I know I love Jihan, but then, why does my heart skip a beat when Yunje got close?". See, that'd be an understandable confusion for someone new to love (though not necessarily justify what he did). When he did and said all that contradictory things, we need to know his state-of-mind, so that at least we could understand his humanness. Right now, all we could do is make assumptions about his character, without learning his perspective.

This is probably the biggest problem in this volume, and the one that makes me wonder whether the writer actually understood the characters, or just made them do whatever the drama needed them to do regardless of common sense.

3. Looking back, that forest not-kiss was... "clickbait-y", for a lack of better word. Not only unexplained, it was unnecessary too. We could tell that Yunje is attracted to Jaejun even without that. So what was that for?

4. Pacing issue. Things escalated and de-escalated way too quickly. Though I think that forest not-kiss shares the most blame for the quick escalation. That's the moment everyone went on high alert, and by then it was still episode 2. If Jaejun had just fallen asleep on Yunje's shoulder, for example, it would've been a smoother escalation toward the ice cream almost-kiss. As for the quick de-escalation, the not explaining things is to blame for that.

5. And finally, all that just to end up where they started. We don't know if Jaejun actually learned anything, because, again, he didn't explain anything. Some people think/wish that they would continue this storyline in vol 4, but I'm skeptical. It seems that Jaejun has moved on completely, and if he hasn't, it'd make his refusal to explain things even worse.


That's about everything. On the bright side, the sweet scenes are as good as ever. If you can ignore the newly-founded suspicion on Jaejun's state-of-mind, that is.

I still root for them and hope that the next volume will be better. I really want this project to be successful and long-lasting.

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"it is so bad I want to give you a 0, but that's not possible so I give you a 1"

volume 1 and 2 of this were great, minimal problems and issues with it. it got me excited and the wait for volume 3 was so long that I was so excited and full of expectations for how good it could have been...

only for volume 3 to feel like I had wasted those hours I spent watching it. it's honestly such a shame and I cannot understand how it went downhill so fast.

The cast completely changed, for seemingly no reason, so I can't even rank that high. the concept and idea for having it themed as a vlog is good, however it seems all the braincells went into that because the plot and storyline is non-existent.

the only reason the rewatch rating is a 1 is because MDL literally wouldn't let me put a 0. the first two volumes aren't exactly rewatchable in my opinion, but they are good. volume 3? absolutely not. 0. all the way.

I used to be such a big advocate for this series, and I usually like to preach about finishing a series all the way through before rating it (all seasons etc etc), but this is just ridiculous, especially the final episode of volume three. I truly cannot fathom how this has crumbled so badly. it makes sense that the writers aren't listed here otherwise they'd be getting so much backlash for this dumpster fire of a series. (MDL also doesn't have the full cast listed, no director, no nothing. honestly what is even going on?)

watch volume 1 and 2, but 3? absolutely not. dropping this because I see absolutely no future for this show. if volume 4/5 do come to fruition, and somehow manage to improve on volume 3, I may return to change my overall rating. but right now? with what we have seen? ridiculous.

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enjoyed volumes 1 & 2

Overall: I liked the first two volumes but the third is way too messy for me. 20 episodes about 10-20 minutes each. Airing on CityBoy Log YouTube Channel. Volume 1 playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ__edMZliXv2-pPOpBjz6_WOXOarSNhn&si=VWoqMbuFa6eZgH0F

Content Warning: kind of dub/non con kiss (someone was pretending to sleep but the other person didn't know they were awake)

What I Liked
- cute/sweet moments
- visuals
- production value/editing for a vlog style series

Room For Improvement
- that they dodged answering if it was scripted or not for awhile (it was scripted)
- volume 3 took a negative/serious turn
- the non/dub con kiss
- at times I was confused as to who was dating who/liked who

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absolutely amazing omg

This is like the best kbl ive ever seen omg, i know its not done yet but its just so good! i totally reccomend this if ur like new to bl! the acting is so natural, like im almost interrupting something lmao. Jaejun and jihan are such a good match for eachother esp the side couple! i also love that they put kisses/makeout scenes even when theirs an idol in the play! Please please please watch this!! I swear u wont be dissapointed in ur choice or yk.. ur a hater, i liked this especially since the acting seems so clean and fun! No cringey scenes at all just realistic touch of romance and life in the mix.

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VOL 3 RUINED IT

Vol 1? liked it. Vol 2? loved it. Vol 3? WTH??!!!
I honestly have no idea how to say this but I will try my best.
In the first and second Volumes I standed Jaejun and liked his relationship with Jihan. I even felt bad for JJ when he caught JH in the shower with someone else! But in volume 3... I HATED Jaejun. Who ever wrote it, sorry but I don't like you.
I felt SO bad for Jihan and thought that he deserved better, especially after what happened between JJ and the FD. WHO EVER WROTE THAT SCENE SUCKS. I felt so mad, I couldn't even think straight for days.
FD Yunje? He sucks a little bit. He knew that JJ and JH were in a lovely relationship but still decided to go after JJ. An FD or a PD should never get that close to the cast in the first place!
Did anyone else think there was going to be a slight love triangle between the FD, Jung Gyu and the other guy? (don't remeber his name).
I never knew that I needed a kiss scene between those two <3
In the end JJ and JH were ok but their relationship felt a little rocky which made me sad. I loved their relationship in Vol 2 so I'm going to try my best and pretend Vol 3 never happened.
I also missed the other couple from Vol 2, Byukjoon and Hyosang <333
If you know someone who plans to watch this, tell them to avoid volume 3! It made everything go down hill.

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charming and fun, but ultimately inconsistent series

I'm dropping this series. CityBoy_Log was such a fun and lighthearted show that when it first aired. I really enjoyed kind of goofy and dramatic tone of these characters and found the acting to be a lot better than expected! There was a delightful catch-and-release rhythm going on, where they would end on a very dramatic cliff hanger that would turn out to be nothing important in the next episode that always had me laughing. Unfortunately, with the change to volume 3, this lighthearted tone was dropped for a messier, darker story exploring that more seriously explores themes around infidelity and jealousy. It's just not what I was interested in this series for and not something I'm interested in continuing on with.

-The Full Review-
STORY:
CityBoy_Log is an interesting BL in how far it goes to obscure the fact that this is fiction. Having the characters use the actors real names, professions, and work experience may be off-putting to some viewers. This fact didn't really bother me, but I was aware of TAN and Jaejun before I started watching the show... so the fiction was pretty apparent. I like playing with these lines of reality, but I think it might be beneficial to have a bit more clarity on the channel page itself.
For the first two volumes, I thought the storytelling was really clever. Simple, mundane experiences of these people got heightened into melodrama in a way that pure fun and enjoyment. The constant cliffhanger approach I mentioned above was delightful tug making it easily bingeable and exciting to watch. I really do miss this format of low-stakes drama gone melodramatic, and especially mourn the dropped cliff-hanger from the end of the second volume.
The third volume is just.... different. A lot of the silly enjoyment of the earlier episodes are undercut by characters doing annoying and cruel things to each other. While I enjoy a dark and toxic romance, I don't enjoy the swap from something sweet and goofy to something darker within the same series. The first two volumes didn't differentiate themselves enough to support this shift in tone.

ACTING:
I was pleasantly surprised! Despite having a pretty amateur cast, this show had a natural chemistry and a decent amount of talent. While some of the most dramatic scenes ended up a little bit stilted, by and large the performances were believable and compelling. The format also works in their favor, as awkwardness comes across as "candidness" and supports the concept of an unscripted vlog very nicely.

PRODUCTION:
While the physical production is simple and realistic (though nicely done), what really stands out is the vlog editing. It really does feel like a celebrities vlog channel, and plays with those vlogging tropes to help tell the story in a unique way. I especially like the addition of the still shots at the end of every episode that frequently raised the stakes of the cliffhanger event. It's really well done.

INTIMACY:
Despite my issues with CityBoy_Log, I will always praise the lengths they went to in order to normalize queer relationships on screen. It's been a long year of faked kisses and passion-less BL staring kpop idols, and I truly support Jaejun and Jihan being willing to go there with each other. My favorite part of the third volume is the easy inclusion of realistic sexuality between couples. They've clearly worked on their chemistry and aren't afraid to push the envelope of what "idols" are allowed to portray on screen. I think CBL was definitely a step in the right direction for K-BL in this regard.

In all, I still recommend the first two parts of CBL easily. But the third isn't a genre or tone I'm interested in exploring with this story. I'll be keeping an eye on the weekly spoilers in hopes that this show returns to what it originally had to offer.

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