Not Me

A group of social reformers but comes in gay

Before I say anything about the series I want to acknowledge their makeup team. That might be weird but it'll be a crime not to. Their whole makeup team did an amazing job on the whole cast. You can even see their pores and bumps and acnes which is not a common thing to see in Thai dramas even east Asians dramas in general which eventually made everything look way more realistic. Kudos to the whole team.
Then I'll come to the music. (I know I'm weird but it needs to be addressed) Every single song, music, tune they used for so perfectly to every single scene. The oyeoyeoye tune is still ringing in my ears. Again a 10 on 10 performance.
Then comes CHEMISTRYYYYY. OffGun have always had a great chemistry but in not me they outdid themselves. There wasn't a single awkward moment between them. Even between the second couple. It just happened so naturally. I hate to compare things but for sure it made me feel like watching western tv shows. No awkwardness and all. The straight couples were kinda off though. Black/Eugene and Gram/Eugene but I think it was tolerable somewhat. Usually it's opposite. The direction was so smooth that it made me feel I'm watching them in front of me.
The story was something new for a BL drama. Not an unique plot obviously but not "not enjoyable" as well. Who doesn't enjoy evil rich exploiters getting smashed. Overall it's 10 on 10.

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Not Me deserves its praise.

I waited a long time to watch this show when it first started airing, after watching the trailer etc it didn’t seem like a show I would be as invested in as I became. Everyone was blasting about how amazing it was and I completely caved shortly after episode 10 aired, and well…I was hooked after that!
As someone who is apart of the LGBTQ+ community and went through the struggle of dealing with gay marriage not being legal in my own country, I felt like the sentiment and conversation about that topic was realistic and held at a high standard. Finding a show that talks realistically about those topics is rare and refreshing. Not only was the depiction of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights realistic but the actual queer relationships shown were realistic. While I understand why this show is under the BL umbrella, it almost just falls under an LGBTQ+ label, and I find those to almost be separate genres. The lack of tropes and added realism really made me invested in the relationships between all the characters, and none of the drama felt unnecessary.
The acting in this show was phenomenal, while I’ve always loved Guns acting, his abilities really showed. When he was playing each twin, you could easily tell who he was, both twins were distinctly different. Major props to him for the fantastic performance. The rest of the cast really out did themselves, and those who I have seen be okay-ish in other series really gave their all in this one and it really shows. Props to everyone, genuinely.
My only issue with this series is how rushed the ending was, because it really felt like we were bolting to the finish line. After such a wonderfully paced show, the very last episode felt very fast paced and sorta like a scramble to tie up everything. In everyone’s defense, they had a TON of loose endings to tie up, but I wish we got to see more of the tie ups if that makes sense? I feel like maybe even making the last episode 15 minutes longer would have helped. Regardless, the ending was alright and I’m happy with it, just felt rushed and it threw off the pacing of the show.
Overall, Not Me has become one of my favorite shows of all time. From the soundtrack I can’t stop listening to, to the visuals and story I can’t stop thinking about, it will be a show I constantly revisit and enjoy.
If you are thinking about watching it, I recommend!

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Came for OffGun, stayed for everything else

I’ve seen quite a fair bit of Thai BLs, and Not Me definitely stands out.

Whether or not you agree with the methods used by the characters in furthering their cause is, in fact, irrelevant. The point is this: The world we inhabit doesn’t exist in absolute terms. No black or white, only varying shades of grey. And it is the portrayal of these uncomfortable moral ambiguities that makes Not Me so nuanced and unique.

Not Me shows that good things take time. And are most definitely worth the wait.

Gun is phenomenal as usual, playing two completely distinct roles within the same series must have been mentally wrecking. But of notable mention here is Off – if Theory of Love was Gun’s first BL series to shine, Not Me was a platform both both Gun and Off to display their acting chops. Together, they have outdone themselves.

No doubt I came for OffGun, but I actually stayed for everything else. The series is intensely cinematic. The story is well-paced, compelling and profound (some dialogue exchanges like “We can’t be brave without fear” were rather poetic).

And the romance. Goodness, the delicious tension that builds up to an explosive romance. The romance is always better with rebels. Living (and loving) like every day is going to be their last. In Not Me, it’s not just about two good looking people getting together. I love that the relationships are characterised by deep emotional connection and intensity, longing and togetherness.

BL aside, Not Me is a visually stunning, profoundly propulsive tale about the nexus of power in Thai society and the invisible forces that govern realities. Unlike other fluffy, wholesome BLs, the romance unfolds with the theatre of politics as a backdrop. It delves into thorny and highly political issues like rule of law and rule by law, corruption, inequalities and oppression of marginalised groups.

In essence, Not Me is highly political, reflecting the zeitgeist of the woke generation.

Read my review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/20/not-me-2021-review-among-the-best-thai-bls/
Read my elaboration on why Not Me is so much better than the usual BL: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/19/why-not-me-is-unlike-your-typical-bl-but-so-much-better/

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Worth Watching!

I'll state right up front that I see why other reviewers had issues with the way the politics came across and how some of the show was done. Could those areas be improved on? Yeah, probably. However, this is still a BL and they still had to focus on that aspect as a major plot point, and I think to completely nail everything story-wise it would've needed to be longer.

Now that we got that out of the way, I want to mention that the political and social issues that the show brought up are very important, especially to present day Thailand. The differences between upper, middle and lower classes, privilege, LGBTQ+ rights and activism, treatment of the disabled, etc. These are issues that were very bold and I applaud the show for addressing them, and in a BL no less.

The acting from everyone was on point. From the main characters right down to all of the minor support actors everyone delivered. Gun was absolutely phenomenal, and you could tell which character was on screen Black vs White just by looking at him. Off did a great job and has really improved! First & Fluke were so good you could forget about everyone else when they were on screen. Mond was heartwarming and so likeable. Honestly, every last one of them brought their A-game and knocked it out of the park. Also, I'm so thankful that there wasn't a single jealous, bitter, angry bitch female character dead set on ruining one of the guys or being spiteful. It was incredibly refreshing to have mature, reasonable female characters with self respect. Oh, and I can't forget Sing, goodness, I've seen him act since he was young and now suddenly he's grown up and played his adult role flawlessly!! I was very impressed with how well he took to this role.

I was kind of expecting a little something different based on trailers, I thought we'd see gang on gang action or something of the like, I did not know that it would be so political and socially charged. So I was a bit surprised that the antagonist was not even remotely what/who I was expecting, but in the end that didn't detract from the show, it just wasn't what I thought it would be. I still loved every episode and I'll probably watch it again.

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I will be rewatching this until I can reference scenes by timestamp

Remember how we were so excited about Manner of Death?

This has the same level of realism, wonderful acting, and no-nonsense plot progression. (though the mystery of Thai college schedules persists, like, how are they managing law school /and/ bamf rebel things?)

Each character is intricate, and grows throughout the series, with fleshed-out backgrounds. While they don't spend a ton of time on campus, they do remind us now and then that the boys are studying the legal system etc.; and White's confusion therein is realistic given that he was in Russia for so long, and probably only being taught the palatable version of Thai history and politics.

Each relationship progression is intricate and (slightly) unexpected, instead of the typical BL ship checklist. The Yok/Dan ship is beautiful and compassionate, and Sean's differing relationships with Black and White are both powerful and logical.

Gun does such an excellent job of playing twins that we don't have to rely on costume changes to differentiate the two (though they do wear different things from each other). The way Sean reacts to Black and WhiteasBlack are openly discussed between the rest of the group in a way that gives us insight into who Black is before we even officially meet him in the present day. Black and White's relationships with their parents are also believable and complicated, and it is even possible for the audience to sympathize with the adults; whereas usually bl's place us firmly on the MC's side.

Overall, definitely top-tier content that I will be returning to often.

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Crazy...

I write down all the BL's i've watched. As for now my list have reached 110 BL's and among all them Not Me is very close to topping as my favourite.

Usually thai BL's are about college students (engineering, medical or music) falling in love and then some dramtic conflicts. We always see that and maybe some times we're lucky to be gifted great stories.

I only decided to watch Not Me for Offgun, but damn im so hooked on everything now. I love the story and plot so badly!! Its amazing and i love how everything is portrayed realistically and in the most beautiful way! I dont even have words to describe it. Not Me is exactly the type of dramas Offgun needed. Their chemistry is out of this world and needs a drama just as great as well. These college student plots are too cheap for them. Offgun are good actors and they can really show what they're capeable of here. I liked the music too. It fit the emotions and sit perfect. One thing i also noticed and liked is how there aren't any childish or useless conflicts.

Gun did such a good job playing two characters. You can tell the difference between the twins just by eyes and aura! Its crazy!! I never noticed how different Black and White were until they stood next to eachother. When Black walked into a room you could tell it was him just by the vibe he gave off and White as well. Gun is a crazy actor and my respect for him just doubled!

Overall its such a great drama and its doing well even without promotion. Not Me will sure top in the bl history! It deserves so much more!

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This series is going to define a whole new era of Thai BL series

I literally created an account with kisskh just to share my opinion on this series. I just finished watching episode 8 on YouTube, and I am beyond just blown away. This series is by far one of the most visually but also storytelling wise engaging series, I have yet had a chance to watch. The story around politics, gender identity, failure and success in a world which is ruled by the few is a story I have yet not seen in many Thai dramas, and it is setting the bar high for future productions. This series is going to path a whole new way of not only BL stories, but Thai series in general, and I am beyond honoured to be able to witness this. Every character is beautifully portrayed by a beyond talented cast of actors/actresses, and the chemistry not only between them is so natural. I am immersed during every episode so far and just come back to reality when the ending song hit, that's how much of an impact the series as a whole had on me so far. Please take your time and watch this series on YouTube, you will not regret it at all. Can't believe we get to watch this masterpiece for free on their official channel. I am beyond grateful.

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This is a series that everyone should watch.

I feel like this series deserves to have my first review for so many reasons.
As many others, I came across this series for OffGun but stayed for the series. I believe "Not me" shouldn't be cataloged as a Bl series because it just happens to have gay couples. The purpose of this series is to open people's eyes to what's happening in the world, the political issues Thailand is facing and I love how many issues such as black lives matter, corrupted cops, seme-sex marriage were adressed. I personally think this would open people's eyes if they could just watch it for what it is, not judging it for having LGBT in it.
For me, thriller/mystery/psychological series are the best, especially when they're well-made and after "Manner of Death", which was such a refreshing breath to the BL industry, "Not me" came even stronger, setting such high standards for everyone. This series is far away from all the cliches we see everywhere in Bls and don't get me wrong, I've watched almost every korean/thai Bl and I sometimes love cliches as well, but I'm tired of all the rape scenes, all the toxic couples that remain together in the end and can make viewers think that it's love when it's not and many straight dramas promote that as well. For me, White and Sean were such a healthy couple, I loved all the details that showed what consent means and other couples as well. I also loved how the girls weren't portrayed as some obsessive and crazy exes who would do anything to get the guy back. Both Eugene and Namo had their own personalities and were so supportive even when they were hurting. They also fought with others for human's rights and tried their best. I loved the friendship between Gumpa, White, Gram, Yok, Sean as they grew closer after White came and even tho they fought and sometimes had different opinions, they stood together, never abandoned each other and were together at best and worst. Every single character had flaws and qualities and the fact that they chose to not put any makeup on the actors and let their imperfections to be showed was such a nice touch for me.

The story follows White as he finds out about what happened to his twin brother, Black from a friend of his, Tod. Loving his brother and wanting to find out who did that to him, he disguises himself as Black and meets his friends Gram, Gumpa, Yok and Sean. In the process, he finds out that he didn't know his brother at all and finds himself being a part of their group, fighting along with them, even growing romantic feelings for Sean. I loved how dark the story started but also how it had funny elements and moments where we could laugh and smile. As a watcher who waited for episodea every week, I can say that having to wait was such a torture but excitment at the same time because I found myself creating theories based on how the last episode ended. The trailer also made me interested in the story because the scenes were edited so flawlessly, without giving away any spoilers.

The acting was flawless. I believe that the story wouldn't have been so great if it hadn't been for these magnificent actors. All of them did their part perfectly but let's start with Gun who, damn, outdoned himself. He was always amazing but until Not me, I didn't know how much he can do. Everything from his voice to his eyes was perfect. He put all his emotions into the character, I could see so clearly through his eyes when he was hurt, happy, in love and everything he felt.
Off was amazing as well, seeing him in "Theory of love didn't amaze me but, damn boi, he grew so much as an actor from then, he learnt so many things in acting and this time I think he delivered the feelings perfectly. Fluke and First were amazing as well, as the rest of the cast. They all delivered the perfect feelings and didn't miss a thing. Even when they weren't talking, I could feel what they were feeling.

As for soundtracks... I got goosebumps. You know how in most of the dramas and series in general there are like 2-3 songs that are replayed and replayed everytime? Well, that's not the case in Not me. Each scene had their own soundtrack to convey the feelings. I loved the fact that there were mostly english songs, songs that I'd never heard about before and got to know them through Not me.

Overall, Not me is an outstanding series that deserves much more recognition than what it gets already.
The lighting and cinematography were amazing as well. Every scene was filmed in such a beautiful way, delivering the feelings with the song's help. If this series was one's first Bl, they would have such high standards.

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The most daring BL from GMMTV to date

When I started watching Not Me, I started wondering if it's BL at all. Gone is the excessive use of beauty filters or blurring effects to make the actors look unnaturally perfect. Instead, you can see the actors' complexions, pores and all. The cinematographic elements tend to be dark and gritty, and one might be surprised by how politically daring it is to talk about the problems with Thai society. And while fans may start watching the series thinking that it is yet another Off-Gun BL vehicle, the series takes its own sweet time developing their characters' relationship to a point where they are clearly in love with each other. It has the sort of guts to chart new territory that the Thai BL industry needs.

To be sure, Not Me does not eschew all BL conventions. Quite early in the series, we get to see White (Gun's character) and Sean (Off's character) sharing a bed, Gun falling into Sean's arms, etc. However, the ship for the other couple, Yok and Dan, starts sailing faster and one may wonder if the White-Sean ship is going to happen at all. But what is surprising is that it leaves out a whole lot of feel-good fluff. The main characters may be mostly university students, but their vigilantism is legally problematic and morally ambiguous. There isn't much putting them in a glamorous light although they seem to be good people. With Not Me, we are definitely not watching the typical idealized rich-and-handsome or romanticized struggling-poor-but-cute leads though some of the main characters are wealthy and others are poor. They are not guys who go around campus with legions of screaming fans. If they are privileged in some way, the access to that privilege is questioned.

Of course, not everything that is different from the norm is great. So what makes Not Me such a riveting watch? The plot development, for one, is excellent. There is a good story beyond the BL. And while a revelation in one of the later episodes about how Black (White's twin brother, also played by Gun) gets injured at the start of the story isn't totally unpredictable, it is interesting how the person behind his injury is portrayed with a certain degree of ambiguity rather than as an outright villain. It is hard to tell how the story will end until you have watched the last episode.

The story of White impersonating Black and joining the latter's vigilante group isn't a story that will definitely benefit from an infusion of BL into the plot. It is good enough on its own, and having BL relationships may attract more fans while alienating others. If we consider the social impact of the series, it is a good thing to have such a series instead of series that cater only to BL fans because the portrayal of gay relationships can reach more than just a niche audience.

Despite all the praises I can shower on Not Me, I shouldn't exaggerate how ground-breaking the series is. While the social criticism is strong at the start, the society's problems seems to be very much reduced to a single villain (Tawi) later on despite hints that getting rid of him isn't going to change society. Certain deep-seated social issues like how the wealthy have connections that help them get ahead of others who may be equally or better qualified also seem to take a backseat later on. Yet, the series has done what I don't expect from a GMMTV production. (If I remember correctly, The Gifted came close but seems to chicken out of it.) Such a production deserves all the support it can get. If nothing else, the commercial viability of such a production will mean that it won't just be indie, low-budget productions that would venture into the same sort of social criticism.

I don't usually take the numbers in my reviews seriously, but I would say that if we take everything else we can out of the series except for the BL, the BL would at most be 8/10. But it is everything else that is working together with the BL that elevates the series to 9.5/10. With the same cast and production team, GMMTV could well have made another excellent but mostly safe series like Bad Buddy. But I'm really glad it didn't.

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Probably one of best series from the new BL generation.

First of all, I want to say the fact that I've been a big fan of OffGun for a year, the same time I've been waiting for this series since I watched the pilot trailer. And although I was highly waiting for this because it was a new series of OffGun, I must admit the theme into the pilot left me seriously hooked. I still have one quote engraved in my brain: "Iron Man and Thanos are both violent. What's the difference between a hero and a villain?". I saw this was one chance for BL to explore new genres, new perspectives. So in the end, I waited for it because of the intrigue of how they will reconsider who's the hero and the villain in the plot.

Now, let's get into subject.

Story: as I said, I was waiting for a gang of young people who were against the system as rebellion. However, the plot was developed in a deeper path, connecting all the characters that fight for a reason which affects their lives. It's not as simple as just saying "I don't want to follow the rules", but a view of "they screwed the people I love and me myself, I won't allow them to go unpunished". Once the characters start to move to the same aim even if they don't get along, when rage and powerlessness invade them sometimes, the question if they're also doing the right thing arises thanks to the intervention of White disguised as Black, who gives them a different perspective to confront Tawi, especially Sean, what slowly introduces the romance part as just a side-theme which affects the main plot, but not letting it control it. Besides, I want to add that in every episode there are claims they do regarding many issues that not only involves politics, but also social as disable people, LGBTQ+ comm fight, manipulation inside the political system. As last, I want to highlight that every kiss/love scene is strictly justified as it develops the main plot with a cause-effect and not to add sexualized scenes and gain fame. Those scenes are produced in a very aesthetic way, reaching the art level thanks to the illumination, colours, bgm, camera angles, costumes, location. There's still five episodes to watch, but until now it's been flawless.

Acting/cast: I have no words to describe how speechless I am left in every episode, if not in every part of each episode. It's not just the fact the plot surrounds really delicate issues which may affect you in your RL too, but the way each actor and actress portrayed the characters. Gun has again proved me he's probably one of the best actors in the industry, but finally Off could show off his amazing potential as actor. Fluke and First were a surprise indeed, both act deeply natural, letting their feelings lead the way in each scene. I don't want to forget any cast in here as everyone is so on point in their acting, not forced or unrealistic. And I must thank the screenwriters and director for this. P'Nuchy is so strict in her work, but doesn't refuse to try new ways, allowing the actors explore fully. There was a quote in the recent bts where she said "if I see they can't follow the script after a few takes because they don't know how to convey it, I let them improvise as long as I may be the one wrong". I applaud that way of work because thanks to it, many of the most beautiful scenes have great part of improvisation grown up inside of each actor. It's a team work that helps everyone to improve together.

Music: what to say about the music. It's perfect. So on point in each scene, not just added to fill the silence, but to convey the feeling completely. A new taste in songs that are rare to be heard in BL. With or without lyrics, it's impressive how the songs were chosen and not created for the series (aside of the main OST and My Side), because they fit 100% .

Rewatch value: I think this point is really important because sometimes the scenes are so overwhelming (or at least I felt so) that I needed to rewatch to see small details or connotations that the first time you may miss as you're extremely focused on the feeling. This is not a bad point, moreover, it shows how it absorbs you into its world.

The overall rate is obviously 10/10 because I can't see any major flaw. It's a series that must be enjoyed from a very subjective view so you will understand each feeling and reason behind their actions. However, at the same time, that's what makes it so immersive, deep and charismatic. No series are alike. No characters are alike. No plot is alike. It's a one-time experience. And I hope it will keep as such until the end.

Thanks for reading.

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THE BEST SERIES BL YET!!!!!!! I'M REALLY SHCOKED THAT P'GUN CAN PLAY 2 OPPOSITES CHRACTERS AT ONE TIME!!WHAT ARE YOU EVEN WAITING FOR?GO WATCH THIS SERIES NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a connoisseur of BL dramas, "Not Me" stands out as a shining gem in the genre, offering viewers a heartfelt and compelling narrative that leaves a lasting impact. From its engaging storyline to its charismatic cast, this series captivates audiences from the very first episode, delivering an unforgettable viewing experience that will resonate with fans of all ages.

Beyond its romantic storyline, "Not Me" also explores themes of friendship, identity, and self-discovery with sensitivity and grace. The series tackles important issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals with honesty and compassion, shedding light on the challenges they encounter while celebrating the power of love and acceptance.

This type of storyline also gives us so much moral values!

Visually stunning and expertly crafted, "Not Me" is a feast for the eyes, with gorgeous cinematography, evocative music, and impeccable production values that transport viewers into the world of the story. Every scene is meticulously shot, capturing the beauty of both the characters and their surroundings, creating a rich and immersive viewing experience.

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