…..and I mean both the smiles that this series will bring to your face, and also the lovely smiles on the faces of the adorable lead actors.

Plot: This is definitely the opposite of an angst-filled LGBT drama. It is a lovely, light and more than a bit ribald BL rom-com with a straightforward storyline and super-appealing young actors. It doesn’t take itself too seriously (I mean really….the lead characters meet when they just happen to be wearing identical facemasks with a penis motif????) But that’s great as it leave you bemused and smiling – and that is the entire goal of this series!

There are also some serious laugh-out-loud scenes, such as:
-- The moment when the totally lovestruck and befuddled Key unconsciously wraps himself in the curtains while focusing entirely on his “confession” phone conversation with Chen. (Ali King is superb as the lovestruck teenager.)
-- The moment when Chen is having a video conversation with Key, and in the background the goofy security guard Whilce is using his temperature sensor gun to probe his scrotal warmth.
-- The moment when the shirtless (woof!) security volunteer Dicky, having worked up a sweat while learning to dance for Tik Tok vids, picks up his shirt and sniffs the armpits to see if he can put it back on.

There’s no homophobia in this world filled with young love – even the security guards are encouraging the two boys to get together. Chen feels no hesitation about consulting his sister (and guardian) about posting a vlog in which he declares how much he feels for Key.

So it’s all about love, love, love and how to deal with its onset. The only source of angst is the pandemic. The scene in which sister Libby breaks down because of the pandemic-induced stress on her is quite vivid, and you get the impression it was really heartfelt (including just a touch of political rant about poor national leadership). The people making this series were all heavily impacted by the pandemic, and their real feelings shine through in that scene. And the final scene is all about hope in the middle of the pandemic. That scene was memorable because of the build-up to the kiss, yes.....but even more because of the pandemic messaging. Chen and Key, beset by despair and uncertainty on all sides, make a choice for love and hope.

Acting: None of the actors have much experience. But they all had a lot of raw talent. The lead actors did a wonderful job of reflecting the emotions of the characters – even while wearing masks, their eyes did the smiling, and it was SUPER cute and appealing. The supporting actors were also great – Teetin Villanueva as sister Libby was superb in the breakdown scene. And Luis Padilla provided serious eye candy as Dicky.

Production: Very well done, with nice use of close-up shots. Lighting and color very bright, as suited the ambience of the story. Good choice of sets. Background music nicely integrated into the story-telling. I have to give particular tribute to the make-up artists who helped turn young actors with – in the case of Ali King – very prominent five o’clock shadows into fresh-faced youths. There was one scene which showed Ali’s hairy legs, and that’s what made me realize what a good job the makeup team did on the faces!)

But anyway, if you want to finish a series feeling good about life and love, watch this one. I think this series hasn’t gotten the applause it deserves.

P.S. After my third rewatch, I had to go back and upgrade my ratings. I've decided Ep 4 of this series is one of the best, happiest, most true-to-life reflections of awkward/intense young love I have ever seen. If I could bottle the essence of Ali King's smiles, I could cure the ills of humanity.....