I started watching this series out of my love for B1A4 and Gongchan, so I had no expectations at all. The MDL ratings didn't look promising but I was happy to see my maknae on screen again anyways. However, I am pleasantly surprised at how good this show is. It has been a week since I finished this show and although I usually review shows right after I finish them, it took me a whole week to do this because I have a hard time putting this show's charms into words. This show does not have explosive romance or dramatic confessions, but it captured my heart with its tenderness and that mature romance.

So let's get into the reasons why you should give this a watch (or even a rewatch if the first watch did not do it for you):
- Genuinely loveable main characters. All the characters are just so inherently good that you will root for them. Wonyoung is an absolute sweetheart who has a very strict moral code for himself, that even though circumstances forced him to do something that is in his personal moral grey zone, he still tried to be as genuine as possible. Taejoon is the more guarded and cynical older man (rightfully so) but he is so caring and is a genuinely kind person that it makes sense for Wonyoung to fall head over heels. He also totally abandons his grumpy old man exterior once he got together with Wonyoung and just embraced the loser in love personal which I LOVE.
- Understated chemistry. Yes, Taejoon and Wonyoung doesn't have intense sexual tension, but you can tell that they absolutely loves each other's company and enjoys more subtle showcase of affection. I do think the fact that the actor who plays Taejoon being married in real life affects people's perception of their chemistry, but I do think their chemistry is incredibly understated. This is a couple that I objectively think would last in the real world because their flame is just that comfortable heat that doesn't burn out quickly because they did start out with mutual respect and friendship which is the best foundation for a relationship.
- Realistic pacing. Personally I think the relationship progressed very naturally. They started out with a small one sided skepticism but you can see them gradually becoming more and more interested in each other. The relationship didn't stall at that point because both characters were in tune with their emotion and is mature enough to communicate their feelings. Even the breakup was realistic to me - reaction wasn't over the top, it happened after they have only been dating for a short while, and Wonyoung being the one who wants to reconcile is so realistic considering this is his first love.
- No internalized homophobia. I don't care if it's not realistic, I'm sick of watching series with too much internalized homophobia. It can be a good story telling vessel but for once I am glad that these people just care about their good feelings with one another and not genders. It's so refreshing to watch Wonyoung so easily embrace the fact that he likes a man.
- Side couple would make a really compelling sequel. They don't get as much screentime and relationship development as I would like, but they are interesting and knowing that there is going to be a sequel makes total sense.
- They didn't make the age gap weird. A lot of dramas with age gap is weird to me mostly because of the writing. In this one, you can see that age does affect their worldviews and attitude towards love and life, but it is written masterfully that you can see just how much Wonyoung renews Taejoon's faith in love. Wonyoung is not naive, he is just idealistic and positive which creates such an amazing influence on Taejoon who had spent two years in his "I don't trust anyone and anything" phase.
- The change from "I move away from civilization because someone I loved used me" to "Please use me whenever you need to" was an absolute chef's kiss. The acknowledgement that relationships can have some transactional element imbued but the basis can still be love is such an amazing takeaway message from this. I think it is beautiful to be able to find people in your life that you can do things for but having complete trust that they are not going to take your love and acts of service for granted. It is so lovely that Taejoon has the chance to experience that emotional vulnerability again in a heaps more positive space with Wonyoung.
- Acting is generally quite solid. My Chansik is still a developing actor but he performed really well in this. The other actors were absolutely amazing, especially the one playing Taejoon. His presence on the screen is magnetic and his micro-expressions are top notch.

There is a lot to love about this series. I'd like to be objective and list out the things I don't like but honestly I can't remember anything major that I don't like from this series. Maybe I'll edit my review after a rewatch if I can manage to be objective. One of these days I swear I'll stop wearing looking at this through my pink coloured gongchan lenses and give you guys an actual list of the things this drama can improve on.