It’s a Gender Switch in iRokoTV’s Losing Control. Read our review of Episode 1-5!

I recently started watching Korean Dramas – by “recently” I mean two months ago, and by “started watching” I mean I’ve currently seen about 5 or 6 series’ of approximately 20 episodes per series… but who’s counting? One of the kdramas that I loved the most was titled “Coffee Prince” about a waitress who looks like a guy falling in love with her boss who thinks she’s a guy and vice versa. So it’s no surprise that I jumped at it when I saw the trailer for “Losing Control”.

Losing Control is a story of a frustrated unemployed homeless lady called Uche who is currently bunking in her friend’s flat in Lekki. She is only allowed to stay for a while because this friend, Vanilla (yup, that’s really the name they are going with), has a flat mate who is out of town currently but who is also very crazy. This crazy flatmate is appropriately named Koko.

There are many stories and sub-stories that are revealed within these too few amount of episodes, so be warned that this review contains an ample amount of spoilers.

There is Kunle. A supposed-to-be-happily-married-man with a very pregnant wife at home. Kunle does not spend much time at home because he is “always working”. “Working on what?” you may ask. Our guy is working on Vanilla – remember Vanilla, not the ice cream flavor, the friend with the flat – all nights a week, like a full time job. He works on Vanilla so much that one night he is at this “work” and away from home when armed robbers come to his home and kill his wife. Then suddenly his sense returns from the vacation it was on, except that it is too late now. He is a widower.

Then there is Al. Al for some reason is head over heels in love with the crazy Koko. He stalks her. He ambushes her. He does it all. At least, that’s how Koko puts it. Regular folks just call it “a guy trying to get to know a girl” but you know, Koko be on some Kolo levels. Al meets Uche whilst she is still a girl and helps her to turn into a guy.

At first when Kunle’s wife dies, the logical progression of thoughts is “great! Now he can fall in love with and marry Uche” – yes, I know. That’s definitely the first thing people think of when a man becomes a widower. But then, Al enters the picture. For those who don’t know, Al is played by Michael Godson looking more suave than he has ever looked before – I tell you, this guy is the next Mike Ezuruonye – so when he walks in, we begin to experience some confusion. Will Uche end up with the widower Kunle? Or the forever suave Al?

Back to the main story. Uche goes to her lucky 25th interview only to find out that she’s not only an hour late but an hour and 24 hours late. That is to say that she came to her interview one day late (roflmao, that’s the stuff you put on resumes right there). She immediately faints on the spot as the realization dawns on her – she is still jobless and still homeless.

In her desperation she finds and applies to a job for males only. She cuts her hair off – and pulls it off beautifully – then goes to the interview. She ends up getting the job. As it turns out the job is as a personal assistant to who else but Kunle – how convenient. And then comes episode five.

Episode five was the pinnacle of hilarity as we watch other females lust after Uche – who we all know is a woman dressed as a guy. One particular lady would not stop gushing about Uche to her friend and how much she is convinced she has found love. At first I thought she was referring to Joseph Benjamin’s character, Kunle, so I hated her because I had already shipped Kunle with Uche and her character seemed to be trying to start drama. Then I find out that she is actually in love with Uche and at that point I fall out of my seat with laughter.

The show was just getting started when it ended and we are anxiously awaiting future episodes. The performances in this show, even when weak, were strong enough to carry it along. However, the real MVP is none other than Mary Lazarus. As you watch her transform from lady to lad, she brings the hilarity and the emotions. As you watch her denge-pose for the females in the office, knowing that she really is a female too, is both hilarious and impressive.

The show obviously isn’t without its flaws, the most obvious of which being the slap in episode five where the slap comes first and the sound later. However, flaws or no flaws I did not go in expecting to make it past episode 1 but I did not know when episode five concluded.

Some predictions going forward. We know that Kunle is going to fall for Uche. The question is whether he falls for her thinking she’s a guy or he finds out she’s a lady then falls for her. I am kind of rooting for the former because I want to see how the writers deal with the entire homosexuality angle. Losing Control is definitely worth the watch and we hope we don’t have to wait too long for episode 6!

In the meanwhile, let us know what you thought of these episodes by rating it on top and commenting below!