Synopsis

Cast & Crew

Episodes

Reviews (5)

In the sleek, sterile labs of a cutting-edge psychology research center, intern Jeong Yeon finds himself face-to-face with Ha Yu Geon—his brilliant but cold former private tutor. Seven years ago, Yu Geon was the one person who pushed the rebellious Yeon to change his life; now, he barely acknowledges his presence. Yeon is recruited as a test subject for Yu Geon’s mysterious emotion-mapping experiment, a series of intimate questions paired with biometric readings that force both men to confront buried feelings. As past memories flicker between awkward tutoring sessions and unresolved tension, the present-day experiment becomes a dangerous dance of manipulation and raw vulnerability. With only four short episodes, this Korean BL masterfully uses every minute to build an electric, slow-burn atmosphere. Is Yu Geon’s coldness a shield—or a calculated move? And is Yeon the intern, the subject, or something far more entangled? A taut, visually stunning story that asks whether love can bloom from coercion, or if the heart has a protocol of its own.

Lee Sang Min

Cast

Jeong Jae Jong

Cast

Kwak Geon Hee

Cast

Romance

Cast

LGBTQ+

Cast

E01

Love in Protocol Episode 1

Season 1 · Jan 17, 2026

~ min

E02

Love in Protocol Episode 2

Season 1 · Jan 24, 2026

~ min

E03

Love in Protocol Episode 3

Season 1 · Jan 31, 2026

~ min

E04

Love in Protocol Episode 4

Season 1 · Feb 07, 2026

~ min

6.6

out of 10

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k-drama_romance_addict

March 15, 2026

8/10

I went in expecting a short filler, but the chemistry between Lee Sang Min and Jeong Jae Jong completely swept me off my feet. Even with poker faces, you can feel every unspoken word and lingering glance. The final kiss felt earned and so satisfying.

logic_over_fluff

April 2, 2026

6/10

The story was predictable from the first flashback, and the emotionless acting made it hard to invest. The so-called 'experiment' felt like a gimmick to justify a cliché reunion. A one-sided kiss in the finale didn't help. Not terrible, but you won't miss much by skipping it.

ethics_first_watcher

March 28, 2026

3/10

I cannot overlook the grooming undertones and the fact that the so-called 'experiment' was conducted on a minor without consent. The whole relationship is built on manipulation, and the ending romanticizing that made my skin crawl. This isn't a love story—it's a red flag parade.

cinematic_lens

May 10, 2026

9/10

For a low-budget mini-series, the visual direction is stunning. The use of cold fluorescent lighting against warm flashbacks, the tight framing that mirrors the characters' emotional cage—every shot is deliberate. The editing is flawless, making 10-minute episodes feel like a full feature.

music_mood_curator

June 1, 2026

7/10

The whimsical, slightly off-kilter soundtrack perfectly captures the uneasy tension of the story. I found myself humming the main theme days later—it's that kind of lingering melody that amplifies every awkward silence and confession. The music is the unsung hero here.