A bit frustrating but enjoyable nonetheless
I'm not really sure what to make of this one, actually. I adored the premise, I just... I read it and thought "oh my god, yes please." After reading it, though, I wasn't expecting half the series to be about Third trying to get over Khai, I thought that would be one, maybe two episodes, so it felt long in the beginning. It's painful to watch Khai be an ass and even more painful to see Third go along with it all. However, it's not at all unbelievable and no one's acting like Khai isn't an ass so it works. I think what threw me off is Third and Khai keep referring to each other as best friends but once Third's worked on getting over Khai, it feels like he doesn't even want to be friends with him anymore.Some obvious pros are that the acting is quite good. Gun is really remarkable, and Off is quite surprising in the second part of the series. Mike is so good in this, too. He was the one I was maybe most familiar with out of the whole cast and yet he still managed to surprise me. I really like his story, too. It had a great start and such good plot twists. I do wish we got to see him talk through it with his friends rather than go through all that on his own.
I feel like it's the first BL I watch where even disclosing the couples would be a spoiler, which is kinda fun but was very confusing to watch unfold. However, it did contribute to a pretty cool climax.
I really liked the sad piano tune, though it's hilarious to listen to it over the ads.
I think I liked it- is my review.
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Gun hard carried
Short review:This used to be my top watched series when I first got into Thai BLs, but it has not hold up.
Good stuff: insane ost, cohesive theme throughout, Gun's acting, cinematography.
Needs improvement: fleshing out of the platonic relationships, characterisation, pacing, dynamics of side relationships.
The biggest kudos have to be given to the editing team and Gun. They really hard carried the show. When rewatching this, I'm just very captivated by Gun everytime he shows up on screen. He delivered an absolutely magnetic performance as Third and it's not just because he looks pretty while crying.
My biggest issue with this series, however, is how underdeveloped the characters are as people. They are so two dimensional - their identity is hugely centred around their love lives and not much else. I also don't understand how Third even developed a crush on Khai because this guy is an absolute ass who isn't even a good friend. I also am not bought on the side couples at all which sucks because they took up quite a bit of screentime.
This was a good series when it first came out and when we had no better Asian queer media options. Luckily, we now have tons of better options to choose from.
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This review may contain spoilers
This was one of the first Thai bl dramas that I watched. Mainly because of it´s popularity and I was just getting into bl series. That being said, I kind of questioned why it was peoples all time favorite. I have to say that the actors did a really good job at portraying their characters. I was even impressed.
If you put into a perspective Thirds´ and Khais´ story was heartbreaking. The love story was written over all pretty well, almost realistic even. I just personally don´t like the end game. It´s true that you start to really care about something when you lose. But even then it has to make sense. Khais´ feeling are the most confusing to me, because he sees Third as a friend this all time but just as Third is about to move one from his one sided love to Khai, Khai starts to chase him back. Just when Third is about to let go from all the pain that Khai has caused him, Khai wants him back.
I was so happy that Third was moving on letting go from him just to learn that he took Khai back. It was so upsetting to see. All this pain we went through with Third just to be slapped in the face. I just can´t help it. I see Khai´s feelings as he´s about to lose a friend and he doesn´t know what to do about it. That´s why I personally feel that this was heartbreaking story.
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Worth a watch
I think this drama is probably that one drama that everyone should watch. I loved the characters once again and I loved the way they had this feel to them and how they matured and changed throughout the series, the character development was seriously so good. However, at some points it was a little weird, an example is the shower crying scene thingy which was a little too dramatic but I let it slide because it made me laugh. The actors were again handsome and cute. I loved the sideship Untwo so much their parts were great and it didn't feel like they were wasting the screentime which I think happens a lot in *cough* some series *cough*. Also the respect bone had for Pan and how he made her reunite with the person she loved was amazing to see. I am tired of people in love being portrayed as toxic and yes because of not doing it this series has earned my respect. Mainly, I love the friendship they all have its one of the most precious things in here. Khai and Third were so cute I loved it when they finally excepted each others feelings, it was so heartwarming.Was this review helpful to you?
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Loved it!!!
Now this is what you call a perfect drama. Acting, Screenplay, Story, Direction, Music everything is just top notch... Any person who loves a good screenplay must watch this. It was a well portrayed drama. All the movie references got me. Coming to the story, loved how all the four friends have different stories. Shows how love isn't same for all. Read many reviews blaming Khai, well I wouldn't say he was good, but I wouldn't blame him either. Coz Third never confessed to Khai, so Khai never knew how he felt. And the thing about being a bad friend, yes Khai was a bad friend, but from the moment he knew Third liked him... there was a drastic change. And honestly I never cried once for Third, but whenever Khai cried I felt him... So yeah, I would definitely rewatch it for their acting and the screenplay..Was this review helpful to you?
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a record for portraying so many easy girls and boys
Though the dynamics of the main couple is pretty good - despite some dragging and some nonsensical moments - i'm totally in awe to see SO MANY easy people at once! Students too! The girls are pretty but they literally BEG the guys to bed them and keep changing partners over some concert tickets! The boys are no less - they pick up a girl every time they go out at the bar, proceed with kissing in the bathroom and soon they end up at his or her place. Just like that! Honestly, it's nothing realistic abt it. At this rate, everybody gets to sleep with everybody. Is this a hippy sex-liberation camp or something?The two ML's are off sync for most of the time. Either one or the other keeps chasing his partner without being reciprocated, then the roles are changed and this goes on almost till the end.
It could have been way better.
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This drama FLIPPED my expectations
This is a more personal review than I usually do, but if you're trying to decide whether to watch Theory of Love or not, I still recommend reading this!Okay, where to start... First of all, this show has great phasing. I loved the way how 6 episodes were from Third's point of view while the remaining other 6 episodes were from Khai's! That way we could see everything that happened and how it affected both of them with no biases. The depth in characters was also amazing to see, and their morals were realistic. Another realistic thing was the portrayal of love in different shapes, or should I say "genres".
This show had an interesting and unique touch on the romance genre, and it showed us how simple yet difficult love can be. While it's easy to fall in love, falling out of love is way harder.
The setting was original. Even though the trope "I fell in love with my best friend and kept it a secret because they're a player" might sound generic or disinteresting, this drama handled that concept beautifully; Especially the fact that Third didn't just give his heart to Khai when he asked for it, but rather wanted to make sure and be convinced that Khai knew what he was getting into and why- to ensure their bond wouldn't break completely just because of their hastiness.
I really enjoyed them being film students, and actually this drama was one of the reasons I came to be more interested in pursuing that career, realizing I might prefer to be a screenwriter instead of a novelist with how visually my mind works. The movie references were also a fun additional touch, although I didn't recognize them, the characters did and that's what made it special.
The character dynamics were also fun! I liked how none of them had a clear thought about everything, and how they showed that miscommunication is still common even between long-time close friends.
I'm comfortable with giving this a 9.0 score. For a Thai drama, this was extraordinarily great. I truly believe that every fan of romance dramas should watch this at some point to see different perspectives on the genre.
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Lack Of Communication
**Brief Synopsis**B (Student): Third
T (Student): Khai
- Beginning: T and B are students at the same school. T is a player, changing girlfriends quickly. B is in love with T and is used to T's antics and accepting to simply be a friend until T starts prioritizing girls over him, ditching him to go on dates. The first half of the show is B sad over T's actions.
- Middle: After a while, B bad enough and decides to distance himself from T. T realizes this and starts missing B's presence. Just as he thought he was only missing the friendship, he sees B with someone else and feels hurt and jealous. He then knew he liked B in that way. However B isn't that ready to accept him. T perseveres, slowly softening B.
End: Before they could have their happy ending, a misunderstanding undoes everything T has done up to this point to soften B. He tries to explain but B won't listen. Their friends takes B's side. This would have continued if it wasn't for the fact that B finds out that all their friends has ditched T for a trip related to their film project. Feeling bad that no one has told T, he immediately goes to find him, and they talk, explaining the misunderstanding. B finally decides to forgive him. The series ends with them together.
**My Opinion**
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT
- The acting is pretty okay from the main characters and the ensemble cast. It doesn't feel cringey or seem awkward.
WHAY I DIDNT LIKE ABOUT IT
- The plot is predictable and cliche and full of overused BL tropes. The writing is just boring, the whole store simply following a set formula. It's not a fluffy show; it's frustrating and annoying and should have been alot better if the main characters simply talked more invested of simply sitting there in silence with their mouth open. for example the misunderstanding at the end, when B have him the chance to explain clearly, he didn't. B had to hear the explanation from a common friend. It's frustrating seeing them not talking and end up fighting again.
- The characters aren't likable and the main couple shouldn't have gotten together. From what I can see, they don't fit with each other at all, and dating would certainly lead to more heartbreak in the future. T is a jackass and B is afraid to tell anyone how he is truly feeling. Together they will end up fighting again for some other misunderstanding.
- Its way too dramatic for my tastes and it's only drama. There isn't an underlying plot. Everything revolves around romance. Because nothing really happens to the characters, when the romance doesn't attract you, the show simple becomes boring. The drama is also boring and feels useless. Its always the same thing over and over again.
**Conclusion**
A series of angst stemming from a lack of communication. It's a show I won't be revisiting.
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Despise him so much. ....
I'm 3 episodes in and I cannot stand Khai. Not as a friend or a potential lover. Not even much as a person. ugh!!!!The actors are all good, they do good in their characters but man is the storyline and progression driving me nuts. I mean seriously, stop giving him chances. He just turns around and acts like a dick, even to his friends. And then magically does something nice to give Third hope again. I either want Third to leave or for him to confess/Khai get a clue. How stupid and blind do you have to be to be that self absorbed?
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First BL series
This was actually my first ever BL series. The very first time I watched it I loved everything about it and was obsessed. However, when I rewatched it, it didn't have the same impact anymore. Maybe it's because by that point I had watched many other great BLs which in turn had raised my expectations.Firstly, this series DRAGS for no reason. For more than half of the series, Third is mistreated by Khai who is supposed to be his best friend. Even if they were not lovers you still shouldn't be that shitty to your friends. Those episodes were hard for me to watch because I just wanted to shake Third and tell him that he deserved better. When Third was finally starting to move on I was very happy for him. Of course, that's when Khai starts to realise how much he values his friendship with Third. Not only that but he all of a sudden comes to terms with his feelings for Third too. This shift for me is the problem. It just felt unnatural and a little rushed. The screenwriters could have cut a portion of Third's heartache (which lasted for way too long anyway) and invested a few more episodes into actually developing their love story.
Other than that though the actors themselves were great. Gun is an incredible actor and Off's acting wasn't bad either though in their recent projects you can see how much he has improved. If you want to watch a series that will pull at your heartstrings, make you laugh out loud and scream internally from frustration then this series is for you.
Also sidenote, Un and Two were really cute but Bone's love story with his teacher was a miss. It was not only distasteful but very unnecessary too.
Overall this BL is better than most.
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It had it's elements of good and bad
A quite straightforward story with not so much of depth or twists but great acting and enjoyable. The connotation of films and how those were showcasing the emotions of the drama characters in that moment was my favorite part of the drama.Each characters felt quite typical. They had character developments but it was not explored in depth. But I liked how things never went too toxic. Some parts felt too mono but some left me surprised. However I liked how they didn't make it all happily ever after. It showed how life is unpredictable. The plot lacked depth and motives. I was more into the side characters than the main couple as I found their story quite unique.
The cinematography was pleasant to watch. The direction was smooth and not rushed. Acting wise it was great. They all embraced their characters.
It is definitely worth watching but at the same time might not be fully satisfying in the modern age of Thai BL. Overall I liked the cinema element. It was refreshing in the timeline this was made.
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