Faking it with the Hockey Captain

starring: CAILIN PELUSO & NOAH ANDRE

Scholarship girl Julie has one reckless, electric night with the irresistibly hot new hockey captain only to discover he's Liam, the childhood enemy she can't stand. To kill rumors and keep their exes away, they fake-date ... But the chemistry feels anything but fake, and the tension between them is getting dangerously hard to resist.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I appear to be on a YA run at the moment, partly because that is what is doing well on a lot of platforms.

And this is a great one from @dramabox_official that pitches it perfectly, you have some of the vertical tropes needed, we have the required baddies, but the focus is always on the two leads, and the biggest obstacle they have to overcome is their childhood feud, and then misunderstandings about how the other feels.

And @cailinpeluso and @noahandre_ have chemistry, vibe off each other and a good script. So this is a super watch. They have material to work with, and it is fun seeing Caitlin get to play spunky and scrappy, and Noah gets to play a character who both teases and yearns after Julie.

And there are just more ideas here, we have a pregnancy scare, the headteacher has a really honest moment about how much he needs the Cruz's money, a point is made about the abuse of AI for face swapping. Well done to the writers

X is super as spoilt Hazel, this time making the headband terrifying rather than a bow (help who plays Hazel?????)

@don.miroradoff Finn ends up being the good guy which is always a welcome twist. Not everyone has to be awful!

@diegoescobarhh does do a very good sleazy douchebag, his outrage about his designer top is something to be enjoyed

And always great seeing @rico.levitt

This is a really good YA vertical, that is a big positive step in the right direction for lots of reasons from script to ideas to casting.

More please @dramabox_official

Great work @naniliyang

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

Banter! And humour. This works so well because there is proper banter and affection between the two main characters. Plus there is enough steam for viewers who want that, and then we cut away. My fave bit is the very end, when you see the joshing with each other as they walk down the hill.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

In that wonderful vertical drama irony, Liam's parents who are so worried about class exhibit some of the worst behaviour, but at least apologise at the end. No coming back for Hazel Cruz who does not learn. And a bit of a point made about the issue of people having too much money and no accountability - good work writers.

😂 Comedy gold:

Julie and Liam's reactions when they realise who the other is, and then lots of other little details like Julie wiping her hand after shaking Liam's, Liam and his car. There is charm and fun here. Much needed in verticals.

🎺 Unsung hero:

RICO LEVITT! Who gets a bigger role here. It's not a decent YA vert if Rico isn't at your school. Finn - who does the bigger thing for Julie. Good man. Also casting, efforts made to ensure this school is not the standard caucasian affair appreciated. Longing for the day when I no longer have to talk about this.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Nani Li Yang | 2026

Available on DramaBox