Semantic Error features a geeky-nerdy uptight loner who decides to expel freeloaders from his class. Unbeknownst to him, an extremely popular senior, was part of his blacklist. Things turned out badly for him when the same guy happens to be the only person he can work with for a crucial school project.

This is about Semantic Error – 시맨틱 에러 BL series | movie details and review. Info on the anime version is here.


Synopsis

Computer science major Chu Sang-woo (Park Jae-chan) is the embodiment of an inflexible and strict rule-abiding person. While working on a liberal arts group project, he threw out freeloaders who have not contributed any effort to the undertaking.

One of these freeloaders is the popular campus star, the Department of Design’s Jang Jae-young (Park Seo-ham). He has everything from skills, looks, family background, and good relationships, except for one big problem, Chu Sang-woo. What happens when an engineer and an artist whose personalities are like oil and water, have to work together? Jae-young is like a semantic error in the perfect world of Sang-woo!

Semantic Error’s biggest strength is that the relationship between Sang-woo and Jae-young is not forced, but rather allows itself to flow freely. | Watcha

Review

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

I did not immediately warm up to both Parks. Maybe because they started with a certain animosity? I just felt antagonized by the uptight kid. Slowly the chemistry took over. Sparks did not fly yet, but I felt the insecurity in Sang-woo made his character vulnerable – someone people can be emphatic with. Episode 3 and further were already a series of wacky, comedic, and romantic adventures. Sparks did – indeed – fly and what a way to end the show – justifying the launch of a movie?

Park Jae chan’s naivete and clumsy ways go well with Park Seo-ham’s confident and outgoing characterization. The descriptive notion of oil and water applies to their initial dynamics. Semantic Error’s series director Kim Soo Jung should be credited for not going the sweet-sugary route but instead offering a variety of scenes that explore the developing relationship between Sang-woo and Jae-young without so much gloss.

Semantic Error’s biggest strength is that the relationship is not forced, but rather allows itself to flow freely. Both characters speak their minds and while that may not be the case every time, there is this sense of TLC between them – covertly and otherwise.


Our rating is on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the best. Criteria are based on (1) entertainment and re-watchable value, (2) story, (3) acting & character delineation, and (4) directing & technicalities (editing, music, cinematography, costume design, OST).

A full-length movie is released on 30 August 2022. Most people seem to agree that a movie complements a TV series and in this case, the goodies (never before seen clips, making-of) are valuable pieces of the puzzle for fans.

This is continuous coverage of the Semantic Error BL series. News and updates will be added as it becomes available.

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