Delivered

A fascinating BL chamber play

“A chamber play is a play ... which can be performed with a small cast and practically no sets or costumes in a small space“ (wikipedia.org), often focusing on the characters’ conversations. The Korean BL miniseries “Delivered“ matches this definition, which makes it a very unusual BL series.

The plot is a simple, typical “opposites attract“ coming-of-age story.

Taein (Lee Jae Sung), a delivery boy, knocks on Yoonoh’s (Kim Hangeul) door to give him a parcel. Yoonoh is an introverted freelance designer and is angry at talkative extrovert Taein who he regards as an intruder, if not a threat to his self-imposed seclusion. But deep down inside he feels attracted to Taein at first sight.

Taein immediately falls for Yoonoh, but he realizes that he has to be very cautious and sensitive or he would be rejected. After their first encounter, Taein comes to see Yoonoh every day, no matter if there is a package to deliver or not. Slowly, step by step, the boys get closer, as Yoonoh opens the shell he is hiding in bit by bit.

Their conversations get more frank, and in a shy way they confess to each other. Taein is the perfect green flag by asking Yoonoh when he wants to kiss him “If you don’t like it just say so“, and Yoonoh courageously replies “I didn’t say I didn’t like it“.

The next step is Yoonoh allowing Taein to stay over and sleep in one bed.The conversations become intimate in a touching way. Lying in bed side by side, and in pyjamas, there is a dialog of pure poetry, and at the same time natural honesty. Taein: “I think this moment will really stay in my mind for a long time. A night where everything is heard without saying a word.“ Yoonoh: “Surely, Taein came next to me for the first time. So it’s awkward. It’s awkward.“ Taein: “It’s awkward, isn’t it. Yoonoh (smiling): “Good.“

The next morning they discuss their inhibitions, fears, and weaknesses, and when Taein sets aside all caution and asks Yoonoh for an an...