TYPE OF REVIEW 
: GOOD OL’ REVIEW
Minor spoilers.
In my marathon viewing of Korean BL series, one common criticism I have found myself having is how much the length of time and the format of some of the productions holds back potentially great results. Happy Merry Ending (해피메리엔딩) is another example of that. A promising start gives way to underdeveloped characters and plot in a pace that is so fast, you won’t even realize you’ve reached the end. All while introducing legitimately interesting ideas, but never getting the chance to explore them with care and depth. A charming cast is unfortunately not enough to carry its shortcomings. Even if in the end, it is another easy, if slightly unsatisfying watch.
Happy Merry Ending tells the story of Seung Jun (KNK’s Lee Dong Won) a singing coach and part-time wedding singer. Due to lingering anxiety from an emotionally traumatic relationship from the past, Seung Jun lives with best friend Ho Yeon (Shin Myung Sung) who gives him unconditional support. But that traumatic past also keeps him from fully engaging in a new relationship with handsome pianist Jae Hyun (Byun Sung Tae) who immediately falls for him.
The series progresses as Jae Hyun is proactive in growing closer to Seung Jun. But when the aforementioned ex-boyfriend Kim Joo Won (SS501’s Kim Kyu Jong) suddenly appears once again, Seung Jun struggles to overcome the resurfacing pain and the fears that pain brings on.
Seung Jun’s relationship with Joo Won, an entertainment company CEO when Seung Jun was a trainee, presents issues of grooming and gaslighting. Especially in the entertainment industry where abuse of authority is sadly more commonplace than anyone would like to believe. The trauma and anxiety that Seung Jun develops because of that traumatic experience, both in love and career, is also a focal point of the series’ plot.
However, the series’ short runtime (around 15-20 minutes in each of the eight episodes) really does not provide for ample amount of time to carefully and deservedly explore the legitimately interesting and important topics.
The series feels again like one of those feature-length films that has been awkwardly chopped up for a web series format release. In essence, the overall execution of the story is too short for a series and too long for a feature-length package.
Instead of keeping a slimmer, more focused story that would fit neatly into a feature-length feature, the series teases several different themes and topics only to never provide the necessary depth to each one. But at the same time, that lack of depth makes the series rollout feel much more hollow. And again, it’s very much due to the limitations of the format. It almost feels like the finished product is actually just a summarized compilation of a longer series.
The series’ pacing is so rushed with important plot points and character development needing to be squeezed into such a short amount of time. It is difficult to really develop a good connection with the main couple when things move so fast. And at some points, feels superficial.
Despite its flaws, the series does have some bright spots. Not enough to make up for those flaws. But enjoyable aspects nonetheless.
Lee Dong Won and Byun Sung Tae deliver some wonderful musical performances that are the highlights of their characters’ relationship. The two have solid chemistry. But again, held back by the slim characterization of who they are portraying.
Kim Kyu Jong, meanwhile, does perhaps the best job of elevating that thin material into something bigger. As Joo Won, he is able to effectively bring to life this threatening character in a way that feels frighteningly realistic. While also still adding some soapy flair to his performance too.
Shin Myung Sung also does a great job as Ho Yeon who harbors unrequited feelings for best friend Seung Jun. This is probably the most heartbreaking example of Second Lead Syndrome in a Korean BL drama that I’ve seen. Especially when perhaps Ho Yeon and Seung Jun’s friendship and relationship is the only one that is anywhere close to being fully fleshed out and explored.
Ultimately, the solid cast and promising premise fails to live up to its full potential. Even if it is a quick and easy watch, it will leave you feeling unfulfilled by the end. But that unfortunately seems to be par for the course with Korean web series.