Centered on individuals seeking to fulfill their desires through supernatural means, the anthology series MuTeLuv ensures that love intersects with every one of those paths. I am focusing my writing specifically on the two stories featuring gay plotlines, which are the only two within the entire series. This specific narrative spans four episodes, with each one lasting approximately 45 minutes.
In the first story, "Hi" By My Luck, we follow Err, a high school kid whose entire identity is built on being the academic golden boy, topping his class and winning olympiads. This status quo is threatened when Mawin transfers in; without even trying, the quiet new student begins to overshadow Err's achievements. Err views him as a dark horse, and the fact that Mawin is effortlessly brilliant drives Err absolutely crazy, even though Mawin is completely unaware of the effect he has. With a major scholarship exam on the horizon that offers the chance to study abroad, Err refuses to let his position slip. After a friend tells him about an app that provides guidance on how to handle various situations, Err begins using it obsessively to figure out how to beat Mawin and perform better. During a training camp with fifteen other students preparing for the scholarship exam, the two boys are placed in the same room. Following the advice of the app's fortune teller, Err tries to do everything possible to get the icy Mawin to warm up to him, and as he follows these instructions to keep the fortune teller happy, the two gradually grow closer and feelings begin to develop. The story reaches its peak when it is revealed that Mawin himself is the fortune teller, having created the persona to connect with people because he has been lonely at school.
The plot itself doesn't break new ground, as the trope of academic rivals developing feelings is quite well-trodden. However, I was struck by how well-constructed the entire production is; it offers a calm, clean, and pleasant vibe. Across the four episodes, the pacing feels just right, avoiding both dragging moments and rushed sequences. It is a refreshing, easy mix of comedy, light romance, and high school energy that manages to remember these characters are students who actually study. Err's attempts to follow the app's advice are funny, such as when he shows up using shampoo with a cat on the label because the fortune teller told him to. Cleverly, the story uses these lucky rituals as excuses for Err to keep approaching Mawin, which is how they actually start talking. While Mawin is written as a quiet, mysterious figure who never really engages with anyone and always has something in his ears, the show peels that back nicely to reveal he actually notices everything. He has been quietly listening to classroom conversations the whole time and had already been paying close attention to Err from day one. The two actors have real chemistry and come across as actual high schoolers—which, trust me, is not a low bar in this genre. Their relationship builds slowly and gradually until it just blooms, leaving you with a genuine understanding of both characters and why they work together.
Ultimately, the core message beneath the surface is that trusting oneself carries more weight than any superstition. While Err believes the app is altering his luck, the reality is that adhering to its guidance compels him to cease his spiraling, relax, and find a greater sense of self-trust. The four episodes are perfectly sized and fun. (7.5/10)
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