English Dub Review: Viral Hit “Friends”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Despite her impressive editing skills and everyone describing her as cute, first-year Gaeul isn’t immune to being bullied.  Will Hobin and Snapper leap to her aid?

Our Take:
Another heartless bully is down for the count, with Hobin and Snapper’s online popularity growing by the minute.  Of course, part of that success is due to Gaeul’s incredible editing for their videos.  Unfortunately, even talented people can be targeted for ruthless bullying, especially Gaeul. In the series, Gaeul is often portrayed as a character with impressive computer skills, self-proclaimed toughness, and beauty. However, when faced with a real threat, Gaeul responds with fear, like her new partners. This was evident in her experience with Taehun in the previous episodes. Additionally, she speaks like an elderly citizen, which is abnormal but admittedly charming.
This week’s episode shows that the hits keep coming for poor Gaeul, as she becomes a victim to another NewTube sensation, the Comedy Crew.  However, from my perspective, this “Comedy Crew” is far from comical.  This team of pranksters consists of multiple students who bully Gaeul for her personality.  Fortunately, Hobin and Snapper stepped in to help her, or at least try to, resulting in Moonseung finishing the job for them offscreen.  It also resulted in Gaeul seemingly having feelings for Hobin when Hobin promised to teach her to defend herself from bullies.  Afterward, Moonseung advises Hobin to reconnect with Bomi after ghosting her for months.  While challenging at first due to Gaeul’s unexpected arrival, Bomi manages to forgive and forget, especially since she feels guilty for abandoning Hobin in his time of need. But their reunion doesn’t last long, as the Comedy Crew’s latest prank lands Bomi in the hospital.  I’ve always known that pranks can lead to trouble, especially ones made for internet views.
The show constantly leans into the love triangle aspect for this episode with Hobin, Snapper, Gaeul, and even Bomi.  While it didn’t immediately fall into that aspect, it might play a role in the remaining episodes, where Hobin may have found his latest victim to fight for his channel, or should I say, victims? Seriously, where are the adults when this is all happening?