“You’re afraid of making mistakes, I can feel it, that you’re trying hard not to hit the wrong note”- Han Taeyi (Jazz for Two)
A jazz-loving, homeschooled classical piano player, a grief-stricken insomniac, a smiling, blue-haired friend who hides his pain, and an overprotective but impulsive elder brother come together, despite their differences, learning to heal and love through music.
Homeschooled his entire life by his classical piano professor father, transferring to an arts high school is a dream come true for the secret jazz enthusiast Yoon Se Heon (played by Kim Jin Kwon). He lives his dream of playing and practicing jazz by performing on the piano in an empty music room at his school. Meanwhile, haunted and traumatized by his brother’s untimely death, Han Taeyi (played by Ji Ho Geun) finds Se Heon a troublesome variable who reminds him of his brother through the music he plays.
Be it fate or the stubborn teenage mindset of never giving up that brings these two together, it results in something many won’t find: love. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, ‘Jazz for Two’ by Clarju, the story, through bickering, fights, and lots of stolen moments—both good and bad—plays a soft, jazzy rhythm, perfect for two.
Series: Jazz For Two
Where to watch: iQIYI, GagaOOLala, TVING, and Wavve
Cast: Ji Ho Geun, Kim Jin Kwon, Song Han Gyeom, Kim Jung Ha
Directed by: Kang Hye Rim, Song Soo Lim
The Plot
After the death of his older brother, Taeyi, a jazz prodigy gives up on music due to his unresolved grief. He blames his brother, who loved playing jazz, for leaving him alone. He doesn’t understand why his brother chose the irreversible step of ending his own life and is unable to accept his untimely demise.
Meanwhile, Se Heon has always been under the strict supervision of his father and homeschooled in classical piano according to his father’s wishes. He sees the chance to attend a formal arts high school as the break he needs to gain his freedom and pursue his love for jazz. Unaware that every path has its own hurdles, Se Heon uses the unmonitored piano room he discovers on his first day at school to practice jazz freely for the first time.
Seeing another person in the same room, playing the same piano and wearing a similar expression of reverie that his brother had once worn, doesn’t sit well with Taeyi. This encounter eventually leads him to threaten Se Heon, telling him to leave and not use the room ever again.
Whether through fate or their mutual love-hate relationship with jazz, Se Heon and Taeyi keep having repeated encounters—some mildly offensive in nature, and some almost escalating to aggravated sexual assault. With long-repressed emotions bursting forth between them, it becomes increasingly obvious that a rift has grown between Taeyi and Se Heon, one witnessed by their mutual friend Suh Do Yoon (played by Song Han Gyeom of OMEGAX).
But what is adolescence if not a flurry of ever-changing emotions and relationships? Se Heon is paired with Taeyi to perform in a group ensemble that could significantly affect their grades. Forced but unwilling, Taeyi resists and refuses to work with Se Heon’s group. Their dispute continues until the moment when Taeyi, moved by Se Heon’s passion, suddenly joins him and his teammates on stage. This encounter serves as a bridge for them to set aside their differences and call a truce. At home, Se Heon is confronted by his father for playing in a jazz ensemble instead of focusing on classical music. Unwilling to give up his passion, Se Heon leaves home to stay with Taeyi.
Finally at peace with each other, Taeyi and Se Heon slowly heal in one another’s presence, gradually redefining their relationship as it transitions from enemies to friends and, eventually, to lovers.
The Characters
Yoon Se Heon (played by Kim Jin Kwon)
A shy, homeschooled piano player, Se Heon loves playing jazz music but cannot do so because of his father’s constant presence. His father, a renowned professor of classical piano, despises jazz and therefore forbids him from playing. Constantly adhering to his father’s wishes while neglecting his own passion leaves Se Heon with many grievances—both with his father and with himself—for not being enough.
Han Taeyi (played by Ji Ho Geun)
A high school jazz prodigy who has given up on music after the death of his elder brother. Unable to accept the harsh truth of his brother’s untimely demise, he is often plagued by insomnia. He struggles to regulate his negative emotions, such as anger, and is frequently seen acting impulsively on them.
Suh Do Yoon (played by Song Han Gyeom)
A free-spirited yet loving high schooler, he is Taeyi’s friend, often seen supporting him through thick and thin. He plays the drums and actively works to make Se Heon feel included by befriending him. He is also one of the key characters who holds the group and their relationships together through his cheerful, optimistic attitude and charm.
Song Juha (played by Kim Jung Ha)
A high school junior and a protective older brother, he is almost always at odds with Taeyi. His volatile temperament stems from Taeyi being the object of his sister’s unrequited love. He is repeatedly seen intentionally hurting Do Yoon and Se Heon to take revenge for his younger sister’s unreturned feelings toward Taeyi. This tendency toward violence and misbehavior brands him as the school bully.
Reasons to watch ‘Jazz For Two’
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Short Viewing Time: The entire series consists of 8 episodes, each running 30–40 minutes. The short viewing time makes it a perfect drama to try when you’re busy but want something new to watch.
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Character Sketches: Each character in the series has a complex backstory. The series and its actors do a good job of portraying the awkward innocence of teenagers, especially when it comes to relationships with partners of the same gender.
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Mental Health Awareness: The show does a fabulous job of portraying mental health crises, especially among teenagers. It promotes healthy coping mechanisms, as seen when Taeyi seeks professional help to overcome his grief and trauma, while also healing through love and support rather than revenge.
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Relatable Struggles: The series not only excellently captures the indecisiveness of young adults and adolescents, but also emphasizes their unseen struggles with family, society, and, worst of all, their own minds. The way Se Heon struggles to follow his passion for jazz while conforming to his father’s expectations, the way Taeyi is unable to properly process his emotions and ends up hurting others, the way Juha internalizes homophobia due to societal stigma, and the way Do Yoon struggles to come to terms with his feelings while making excuses for the abuse he suffers are just a few of the many challenges faced by young adults portrayed in the drama.
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Unfiltered Emotions: Set in a high school, it’s no wonder the drama repeatedly explores the spontaneity that comes with being in the late teens. The emotional whiplash caused by sudden changes in the way characters approach situations often leaves viewers bewildered by both the characters and their actions.
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Swinging Jazzy OSTs: The story revolves around jazz music, so it’s safe to say that the swinging rhythms prominent in jazz are also reflected in the narrative. The OSTs incorporate this style, featuring various artists, including the K-Pop boy group OMEGAX. Each song in the OST has its own backstory, sure to mesmerize viewers.
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Gradual Transition: While the series depicts romantic relationships between the same gender, it doesn’t feel forced and still retains the usual K-Drama charm. The familiar clichés, with some added twists, leave viewers with the same frenzied giggles that any opposite-gender high school romance would inspire.
‘Jazz for Two’ is an evocative exploration of the struggles of youth, especially as artists. It presents a captivating tapestry of grief, spite, love, passion, acceptance, and ultimately, healing through the stories of four young jazz enthusiasts. Instances depicting self-harm, school violence, self-indignation, and discrimination may be triggering for some due to their brutally honest portrayal of real-life scenarios, but the characters’ redemption arcs bring forth the healing and happy endings that many crave.
The story is a reminder to never give up on your passion and to always stay true to your authentic self. While the short runtime and pacing of the story may feel rushed, it leaves viewers with thoughts to reflect on their own. This enemies-to-lovers musical BL drama is a perfect recommendation for viewers who want to step out of their comfort zone and try a new genre without making too drastic a change.
Written by: N.V.S. Akanksha
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