TYPE OF REVIEW 
: GOOD OL’ REVIEW
Very minor spoilers.
Not many Korean web series are able to properly manage the short time they have. Tinted With You (물들여) manages to be one of the few series that does. A great cast brings to life endearing characters in a simple, though engaging story of love, friendship and the power of art across time.
Tinted With You follows the journey of high school art student Eun Ho (A.C.E’s Park Jun Hee) as he mysteriously finds himself in the past where he meets exiled crown prince Lee Heon (Yoo Hyun Woo) and his loyal bodyguard Go Geum (Kim Tae Jung).
As Eun Ho tries to find his way back home in the present day, he also forms a close bond with Heon. Especially in a shared interest in art. But a deadly threat from the royal family that banished Eun Ho threatens their developing relationship and the lives of the three young men.
Tinted With You may have a relatively simple premise. But it is one that perfectly suits the web series format. Of course it would be much better to have a bit more depth and a bit more nuance. But the series knows exactly the limits of this format and how to best use it. They are able to craft a fully satisfying story in the space they have. And that is accomplished with its simple premise in which they avoid cluttering it with unnecessary things.
That focused narrative allows us the viewer to focus on the three characters and their story. And all three characters are well-realized individuals with an engaging dynamic. That’s really the biggest reason we might wish we were able to spend more time with them and get to know them more. They are already solid, if not strong characters on the surface. What more if we were to spend a longer period of time with them.
As the series explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice and the power of love and friendship in the face of adversity, Tinted With You manages to do just enough to help drive the narrative forward to what is ultimately a satisfying, even if somewhat rushed conclusion.
Park Jun Hee, Yoo Hyun Woo and Kim Tae Jung deliver strong performances. For the lack of nuance in the story itself, there is plenty of nuance in the performances of these three actors. They are able to elevate solid material into something more. And again, making us wish we had a longer time with them. Their chemistry fuels a captivating dynamic between the three of them.
The series also features stunning visuals of rural Korea stepping in as painting-worthy Joseon-era locations. Those visuals help to support a bit of dreamy and whimsical magic for the series’ overall aura.
And all these pieces come together for what is ultimately an emotionally affecting story. Tinted With You knows exactly what it has to and can do with its web series format. Even if we are left wishing to see more, the story and the characters’ journey is still thoroughly satisfying. And it ends up being one of the more memorable and unique entries in the Korean BL world.