Let it serve as a reminder
I read the reviews and felt I needed to take a moment to defend the writing. BL dramas have their issues and this one is not an exception. I know many have taken issue with the content in episode 13. However, I think it was a much needed PSA to remind people that intimate partner violence is an issue that crosses communities and cultures. It is my just a cis issue and the memories of abuse don’t go away overnight. I felt the cast, director, and writers addressed it well. They used it to explain character motivations, not for salaciousness.Was this review helpful to you?
Nice plot ruined by bad production
The show is enjoyble, but poor quality spoils everything.Editing and sound are ridiculous, the direction is shameful.
They could have done better, since the plot is not bad and the actors are very nice.
Phayu/Rain’s story arc was handled better. I can't explain why the quality has dropped so much in the last few episodes. It’s shameful, because Prapai/Sky’s story is intense and deserved more. MeMindY and MAME still have a lot of work to do to meet the standards of other production companies. Although smaller companies have done better. The budget is important, but the ideas are more important.
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Can Payu and Prapai really be considered green flags?
I actually quite liked the series. I think the locations and production value are great, the OSTs are beautiful and catchy. The actors did an amazing job portraying their characters and the chemistry between all of them was amazing.We actually follow two almost separate stories that feel like spin offs of one another. I think we would all benefit from two separate series with an extra episode or two each, because things felt quite rushed at times. There often wasn’t a clear logic in the way scenes followed one another either. And quite a few plot holes or plot choices that make absolutely no sense. What do you mean Rain was afraid of telling Sky that he likes a guy? Sky literally helped him plan how to win over the guy!
Payu & Rain: where to even start? Payu seems to be a bit cold, but very confident and independent. He knows what he wants and goes for it. Rain is… annoying. I don’t know how else to describe him, but he is supposed to be this innocent and overly dumb character. There were a lot of scenes in which I just felt annoyed by him. But at the same, he felt very relatable. When his car breaks down in front of the bar and he is unsure how to react. Every new driver has probably felt that way at one point. Boss and Noeul have great chemistry, there is no denying that. Their NC scenes were done incredibly well and I think that them being comfortable with each other off screen really translated well into the series.
Prapai & Sky: Prapai is sweet, rich and caring. He seems to be less cold than Payu and tends to make his intentions clear early on. Sky is my spirit animal. I absolutely love his character. The sass, the constant snacking, the sarcasm and just generally being done with everyone. He has a horrible past which means he doesn’t really open easily though. Fort and Peat also have an amazing chemistry, they really did great in their NC scenes as well. With their first night together being a mess, I really appreciated how important consent was between the two going forward. Sky always either initiated things or gave consent clearly.
This is based on a MAME novel, so I should have known better than to hope everything will be great and that we will finally get some real green flag characters. Here’s the thing, I don’t mind red flag characters if that is shown clearly. Go be toxic, just be honest about it. We were gaslighted into thinking that both Payu and Prapai are walking green flags when the reality is far from that. From manipulation, stalking, sex coercion and non-consent, forced coming outs… and I could keep going. But most of these were very well hidden in the plot, so they can be easily missed or shown as something romantic. Which is also problematic.
I really want to take a moment to talk about Gun, Sky’s ex. I’m not going to go into what has happened with him as I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was so impressed with Dunk’s acting. It is very hard to make us hate a character as much as he made us hate Gun. And sure, Gun is the villain in the story, but if the villains are not well thought through or portrayed right, I don’t really care much about them. But Gun? I loathed him.
All of the side characters were a lot of fun actually. I really liked Sky’s and Rain’s university friend group. They were a lot of fun, and I was living for Sig doing his best to annoy poor Som. Payu’s boss in the office was interesting too and I really liked their relationship. Don’t even get me started on Chai, Pakin’s right hand man. There was just something about him that demanded attention when he appeared on screen.
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Better than Expected But Not Perfect
STORY:I went into this knowing it's source material and pretty much got everything I expected out of a Mame work. Surprised? No. Disappointed? Eh. I've accepted my fate with her works at this point.
The story has your classic Mame checklist of elements she seems to include in most of her works. Sexual harassment and assault disguised as tsundere kickstarting an OTP romance? Check. Sexual harassment and assault also (and perhaps confusedly, to the newcomers) being used to characterize an evil antagonist? Check. Unresolved trauma that can be healed by a handsome savior's kiss and warm smile? Check. Did I leave anything out?
The story is broken into two separate but interrelated arcs, with the first half of the show focusing on one couple (Payu and Rain) and the second half focusing on the other (Prapai and Sky). I enjoyed the latter more, though they weren't without their faults as well (mostly Sky acting far more cringey than he did in the beginning, when he only popped up every now and then). Payu and Rain just seemed purely like a fantasy played out in real life. There was no depth to the characters or plot, and the romantic set-up was laughably unrealistic. Further, the Rain and Payu at the end of the series would have never acted the way Rain and Payu at the beginning of the series acted, and vice versa. These two characters were inconsistent and had no individuality and persona outside of the two-dimensional tropes they were playing. As it was, this couple was bland and forgettable, not offering anything more than what we see all the time in your basic BL.
With Sky and Prapai, teenage me (who went through an ~eDgeLoRd~ phase) would have eaten their tragic, angsty love story up. Thirty-one year old me appreciated the darker tone, but also cringed from time to time at the melodrama of it all. I felt like the story was succinct enough and I liked that there wasn't a lot of filler, but this is also one where the antagonist just turned into a wimp when confronted by Prapai, and I feel like in real life, that wouldn't be the case. But again, I know that BLs don't often go for realism.
I think it also doesn't help that the "tops" (for lack of a better word) are supposed to be older and suave and charming. Self-assured and advanced in their careers and financially independent. The problem is that they cast baby-faced men in their early 20s (who quite frankly are rarely if ever at that stage in their lives), which causes me to suspend even more disbelief than I already do.
Other minor things that annoyed me was everyone referring to Rain as "Payu's boy" and the like (gag), the unnecessary dialogue where characters are literally just thinking out loud or telling us viewers what they are doing (which we can clearly see from watching the show), and the overall subpar writing quality.
ACTING/CAST:
Aside from what I noted above about casting actors who are probably too young for the types of characters they play, I thought overall the leads did well. Fort, who played Prapai, did the best in my opinion, followed by Peat (Sky) and/or Boss (Payu) (I can't decide who did better), with Noeul (Rain) coming in last. Fort was the most natural and consistent in his character (which could honestly be due in large part to writing or directing), and Noeul was a little bit too chaotic (but again, maybe it's the writing or directing).
The couples did all have good chemistry with one another. This was a series where the bed scenes were spicier, which is a plus, and there didn't seem to be any awkwardness between the pairings.
OVERALL:
Surprisingly, not a terribly offensive offering from Mame, but definitely includes her unrealistic yaoi fantasies coming to life. Breaking the series into two halves (essentially) kept it fresh and interesting and probably cut down on a lot of filler. It was an okay watch, and I'd recommend if you're looking for something with good smut. Definitely do not watch this for the plot or writing. At the end of the day, it's just another Thai BL that takes themes which could otherwise be interesting and different and cheapens them by turning them into fantasies rather than exploring them fully.
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Could have been a 9.5/10 without villians
It's so frustrating. You have an AMAZING show, with couples that have very good chemistry and overall their couple's lives are really interesting and character development is good. Not to mention it's all blazing hot.But then they go and ruin both arks with the most lazy, most problematic writing for villians. Eventhough absolutely 0 villians would have made the show fantastic. I had to lower my rating so much cause the poisonous stuff is really going extremely overboard. I can only be grateful that at least those parts ruined "only" 1 episode per arch.
Have absolutely all red flag trigger warnings for all the "romantic-heckin'-no-it's-just-plain-out-r-culture-tropes" prepared. Though thankfully the great majority of them is NOT between the couples! When you see those parts, skip over them for the sake of your sanity till you see the couples interact again, then it's basically over and you get all the lovely fluff again.
Why they did this to the show and the poor actors, I do not know! But if the ppl in charge make anything in future, they better cut it out. Noone, absolutely noone, will have take anything positive out of those scenes. By being that graphic, these scenes just trigger survivors and show the wrong ppl how to be particularly destructive!! Why promote that? Why not keep it down? People with empathy will get the horros without the visuals and ppl who don't get it, won't get it even if you show them! They learn from personal or close family&peer relationships only!!
- So, 70% really top!
- 10% dubious and "it's only not stalking cause they end up together". Can you plz stop promiting it these tropes. In real live the outcomes are mostly bad so do not sell to survivors & ppl unsure how to pursue a crush, that they could have had happy endings this way! Not happening!!! Don't do it! Bad messaging, bad behavioural modelling!!
- 20% are "r you kidding me? Where's the antidote to this toxic mind-broken stuff??
I can only recommend to watch the legit fluff, not normalise anything that doesn't fall under true consent (if saying no comes with negative consequences, then it's NOT consent), and really skip the r-culture stuff!
(If you do not know what r-culture is, then think 'making light of abuse in physically intimate context' and you'll probably figure it out)
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Love Really Is In The Air
One of the best BL's I've seen periodt. Imma have to add this to my list of favorites! Both couples are amazing and unique in their own ways. Payu and Rain are a lot more lighthearted and freaky in their storyline, which was a great start. Prapai and Sky were a lot more intense and I will give a trigger warning because there is talks/showing of assault and trauma from Sky's character. Their storyline made me want to cry and I also loved it. Both couples chemistry was spot on and the intimate scenes were...definitely a lot more than what we usually get in BL's. I will say some of the writing was not great towards the end of Payu and Rain's story, like the kidnapping was random as hell lol. It didn't ruin the story though at all! Pai and Sky's actually felt pretty seamless all throughout.I want a season 2 but I'm not sure if that will happen. We can only hope! Watch this series its very worth it.
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prapaisky.
1/10 for rainpayu's episodes. 100/10 for prapaisky. not a perfect drama in any way and didn't want to support it because it's by mame, who is a very problematic writer and director, but prapaisky's storyline hit me so deep inside and prapai and sky are characters that i grew to love so much, too much actually. they will always be one one of my favorite couples and i really wish this series wasn't directed by mame and that prapaisky had their own show without other characters so that i could give them a rating. all of that aside though, i love prapaisky a lot and give them a 100/10 in my head.Was this review helpful to you?
sweet!
The series as a whole, was very well filmed, well produced!They really thought about every detail, I really enjoyed the night scenes.
You can divide the series in to two parts: Rain and Payu and Sky and Prapai.
The first part: Rain and Payu
The chemistry between the actors was amazing, the acting of the actor who played Payu was very seducing.
I really like how their love story developed, Rain is such a silly and naive character. Payu on the other hand is very smart and calculating. This two really are polar opposites The story it self was very interesting. Sometimes it bothered me how dominating Payu could be but he always ment well. I wish they elaborated more on the past of Payu and why he is so "carefull or dangerous". Their story is probably my fave.
At the end I just fell in love with Payu.
The second part: Sky and Prapai
I was at first bothered by the acting it looked very awkward. I would say their chemistry increased the more you watched. By the last episode I was sold! The story of this part is more dramatic and serious than the first part so I expected more. Sadly it didn't give me more. But that's alright. The last episode was amazing! grate chemistry, finally all the questions where answered. And the ending was very wholesome.
I do recommend this series, you get a little bit attached to the characters. And charmed as well.
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This review may contain spoilers
if you like quick relationships, go for it
at first i was really hyped to look it, and i must admit i enjoyed the serie. but...first, the relationships go way too fast. Rain et Payu get together at like episode 5 ? and when they do we switch to Sky and Pai. for me they became the main couple of the story because we nearly never see the others after. their story is quite interesting but it can trigger a lot of people cuz it mentions r*pe, domestic ab*se...
second, it's a bit redundant. it's almost always the same tropes in each episode. Payu rides his motorbike, repairs cars, works and Rain goes to class. they never go out on a date, and when something happens they solve it quickly.
third, i'm sorry but the fighting scenes are ridiculous. when Payu goes to save Rain from the guys he beat during a race or when they go to save Sky from his ex... it honestly made me cringe and laugh at the same time.
but overall it's not the worst thing you could watch, just don't have high expectations.
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This review may contain spoilers
Very nice chemistry and acting but Mame as usual being "ugh"
Let's just agree with one thing first. They need to stop giving this woman anymore chances to spread and normalize her bs views on consent.The cast save the whole thing. We don't get to see BL actors being casually involved with each other when they are in a relationship. Usually it's one one stiff one who doesn't know what's happening and the other one carrying out the intimate scenes. But the actors in this series definitely knew what they were doing. When you are in a relationship you also adore the person. The affection, the love, the adoration they portrayed them really well. They even delivered the cringest dialogues smoothly. Which only says their quality and capability as actors. Really appreciation worthy. Hope they'll get to play series with better storylines.
Now coming to the storyline. WHY? JUST WHY? Mame needs to stop writing stories about things she doesn't understand. Not caring about consent is not sexy. Exploring sexuality is not a crime. You don't call someone stupid just because they are not gay. In Mame's universe everyone is gay. Even if they haven't figured out yet, they are supposed to return the feelings of the main lead. What a bs concept. She somehow wrote Sky's story less offensively. Or maybe the production changed it because knowing her she would have glorified it too.
In conclusion give the series chance for the actors. I have skipped multiple scenes because of the dialogues. Like I finished 13 episodes in 5 hours I guess.
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This review may contain spoilers
Love Sky!!!
1. PayuxRainHonestly, the first couple wasn't it for me. Aside from Boss looking godly in his ponytail, I loathed the character Rain as I couldn't bare how a 19-year-old acted like he was a day passing 6 or something. Their story was chopped, cringe, and most questionable with how Payu acted unrealistically domineering and Rain was an utterly helpless damsel-in-distress. What's with the waterworks????
I had originally given up on LITA right after finishing EP4 because it just didn't have any appeal nor those aspects that would rope whoever watches it in. My god, for me personally, I can handle no secondhand embarrassment without possibly popping a vein. I just recently gave it a shot because of the second story; SkyXPrapai.
2. SkyXPrapai
Alright, in my opinion, FortPeat did a job well done with what little they were given in terms of production and story. They were definitely worth the watch. I love Sky and his sassy yet capable personality, but how he immediately was reduced to just Prapai's boyfriend was kind of meh. I love Prapai too as their more consistent story developed his morally grey characteristics of not taking 'no' as an answer and pushing himself onto Sky subdued. He actually tried to change. (the bar is so low fuck it) Their 'soft' moments made me MELT X (i love their chemistry)
Given its MAME, sexual assault has been reduced to a mere plot device here too and it was overall hella red-flagish for both stories. But I like how Peat's portrayal did somewhat of a good job so it wasn't totally pulled in on the last episode but throughout their journey.
To summarize this up,
SkyXPrapai>>>>>>>>>> PayuXRain
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This review may contain spoilers
one of the worst dramas ive ever watched
This gonna trigger people but i don’t really care at this point. Love in the air is one of the worst dramas Ive ever watched. Almost all actors couldn’t play properly and some scenes were cringe AS FUCK. I’d like to mention the fact that the gr*pe scene was absolutely disgusting and how they’ve dealt with sky’s trauma was just funny. it wasn’t supposed to be funny. I can’t even find words to explain bc I know for everyone dealing with trauma is different but trust me u can’t deal with such a problem like gr*pe in two days bc you have your loved one’s 😉Only good thing about this drama is scenery, and the fact that it doesn’t has second season. Hoping actors will improve in the future cuz I already saw more works of Boss and Noel and I can proudly say they’ve improved a lot. I think main reason why people like this series is the fact that there’s a lot of sex scenes and that’s what they came here for.
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