Cutie Pie

Great little BL rom com with sizzling chemistry - updated review after 2nd viewing

This series needs to be immediately followed up by Cutie Pie II (uncut) in order to gain full closure and I will comment on this second series as part of this review.

The plot centres around Kuea and Lian who first meet when Lian is 7 and Kuea is a brand new baby. Lian immediately falls in love and they develop a strong bond which Kuea’s grandfather recognises and asks that the two boys enter into an arranged marriage. The drama is about their similarities and differences and whether they can weather the storm created by the fact that they try to be what they think the other needs rather than are true to themselves. Underlying this main plot is a sub plot highlighting the fact that love is love regardless of gender and the unfairness that gay couples face by not being able to celebrate their love through marriage.
Once the drama moved past the initially odd relationship between Kuea and Lian and I begin to understand what they were and weren’t saying to each other I became very invested in both the developing plot and their real feelings for each other. The acting is fabulous not just between the 2 males leads whose chemistry was electric but the rest of the main supporting cast who are equally talented and believable and there are some stand out performances including Foei, Lian’s right hand man who is crazy eccentric. Two other couples emerge as the story progresses and again there are wonderfully powerful scenes from them too.

The music scenes were really enjoyable because each time Kuea performed as Kilin he sang complete songs (that lasted for more than four lines and a quick chorus) with lyrics that were relevant to the situation Kuea and Lian found themselves in at that moment. Also the actor who played Kuea has a fantastic voice and excellent stage presence (yes, I know he’s a singer in real life)

The penultimate scene (in part 2) is a beautiful, raw, powerful and tender homage to true love and is something I will cherish forever. You need to watch both dramas just for this scene alone.

What’s not to like? Until the blanks are filled in through flashbacks I wasn’t really sure where the story was going to take me. Kuea is a sort of weird performing puppy dog on their date nights (always on a Friday) and Lian tries to control everything about him both on these evenings and during every other interaction they have. I initially thought ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ and I couldn’t get my head round the idea that all the parents seemed to think that a same sex arranged marriage was a safe and healthy place for Kuea. It probably took until about chapter 8 or 9 before I thought they should be together. I am not homophobic (IMO people should be allowed to love who they love and not be penalised for it in any way) but docked marks against the ‘Story’ category for how weird I found it that the parents assumed the boys would be happy to be in arranged marriage based on the assumptions made by the grandfather. What if the boys had not been gay?! Arranged marriages can be challenging enough at the best of times but in a country that did not recognise same sex marriage at the time this was filmed it’s doubly difficult to imagine that the parents would be comfortable for them to be together. IMHO the plot would have been so much more plausible if the grandfather had interviewed the boys (and the conversations interwoven into the story line) to give him grounds for recommending that they get married.

Would I watch this again? Despite the negatives mentioned, yes, yes I would

REVIEW UPDATE:
I watched this again as I came across the OST from when Kirin exposed his true identity at Gemini and unbeknownst to him Lian was in the audience and it made me keen to watch it again.
Not only did I find it much funnier (certainly in the first few episodes) but I fell in love with the giggles that emanated from Kuea and Lian in the NC scenes that reinforced the fact that s*x isn’t just about bodice ripping passion but that it can be playful too. It was refreshing to see this side of a relationship being portrayed in a drama.
Nunew was only 21 when he acted in this drama and he absolutely nailed the angst, fear and insecurity his character felt when he realised that nobody took him seriously as a grown up, capable of grown up thinking and decision making. He was also spot on in the more positive and heartwarming scenes. So kudos for his talent. The chemistry between him and Zee was so believable and they are a highly skilled, great pairing.
On watching this a second time I also realised much earlier that although the two main characters were groomed to become life partners by the elders, they probably would have fallen for each other anyway and what made it all more believable were some of the more subtle exchanges that I missed the first time round as I was too busy being judgy.

All in all I am glad I rewatched this as I got so much more enjoyment the second time around.

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A Hot Mess

- Genre –
Arranged Mariages/Romance/Students/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A and B are married because of a marriage contract. B however doesn’t really care about A in the beginning which saddens A. When the series starts, they somehow start spending more time together when B realizes he should be a better husband. They end up growing closer and closer. The story focuses on the development of their relationship.

- Plot and Storyline –
This plot does not contain any plot twists that would make the story memorable in any way. The central focus is on the protagonists growing closer, with a few additional subplots involving seemingly inconsequential matters. The overall narrative lacks a distinctive element, leaning into familiar tropes without introducing significant twists or memorable plot points. However, the chemistry between the A and B is a standout, portraying them as an endearing and cute couple. The intimate scenes, while not explicitly depicted, exude a sensuality that adds depth to their connection, a credit to the commendable acting skills of the two. On the flip side, the secondary couple fails to leave a favorable impression, lacking the appeal that the main leads effortlessly bring to the screen.

- Character Development –
N/A

- Acting -
The main leads deliver exceptional performances, showcasing their acting prowess with commendable skill. The chemistry they bring to the screen is particularly noteworthy, as the pairing of a charming and adorable main character with a serious and colder counterpart creates a compelling dynamic. Their on-screen connection adds depth to the narrative, making them a standout pair in the show.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing can sometimes be a little cringey.

- Pacing -
Pacing is good.

- Themes and Message –
Themes such as arranged marriage and love after marriage are explored.

- Audience Appeal -
Anyone who likes the concept of falling in love after marriage could take a look.

- Standout Moments -
The kitchen kissing scene really stood out to me because of how sensually it was shot despite it being rather tame.

- Criticisms -
x Nothing interesting seem to happen in the show.
x The plot isn't exactly unique. It is simple and predictable.

- Conclusion -
While the show as a whole may not have much rewatch value, the intimate scenes stand out as an exception due to their well-executed cinematography. The palpable chemistry between the main leads adds an extra layer of allure, making those particular moments worth revisiting.

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I loved it!

A real must watch in mij opinion.
This series shows how important it is to be yourself in a relationship and be open about your thoughts and actions.
Communication is the key. It shows that even though you love the other so much, if there is no honest communication, it can ruïn even the best relationship.

This is my first drama with Zee and Nunew and i must say, their chemistry is amazing!! They are both great kissers and that is also a plus. Really a match made in heaven.

I was not so happy about the second couple. The dominant Yi with the very submissive Diao. A relationship like that is not very healthy in my eyes...

Overall good acting skills, the only ones that are not so great in my opinion are Nat and Yim. I am not a fan of their acting skills..

I will definatly watch this again.

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Cute for sure but...

Hi humans ^.^
Let's start with main's chemistry: I already known Zee acting skill, before his old series so it's not a surprise he was that good but NuNew's acting fascinated me. Both actors rhythm were perfect. Second couple i also knew them so they good together and i'm waiting their own storyline.
Music's of the series marvelous. NuNew's singing ability also fascinated me and idk who pick the songs but they did a great job.
Now let's get the point of that i did not like much was "Story gaps". Why Zee has to be that definitive at the first place ? I can except that, but why he get softer that fast? or Why NuNew wait too long to explain all the trurth (Really Zee's father birthday party!!!) Also NuNew's school parts not that intriguing. Intimate scenes were good for sure but not enough to save story.
Generally well know topic, perfect mains and music, story needed some touches.

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I will change to love someone who loves me – to what extent?

Arranged marriage? Age gap? Childhood crush? Yes, please! I feel like the series had incredible potential. I can’t think of any other arranged marriage BL series, so I was really looking forward to watching this one. It’s definitely a trope I really like, especially when it’s done with a well-done age gap romance.

Lian & Kuea: I know Hia Lian was supposed to be cold and kind of emotionless, but it felt kind of overdone at times. Kuea was fun and rebellious yet decided to show a completely different self to Hia Lian. I can understand why he did what he did, he wanted to be the perfect person for the one he truly loved. He took that very seriously. I liked the initial conflict between the two of them, but as the story progressed, things got a bit repetitive at times. I feel like something that many failed to realize is that the only person Lian has to blame for the disaster that happened in episode 11 is himself. He knew all about Kuea’s true self, yet he kept quiet about it. Understandable, he was giving his boy the chance to confess on his own. But because Kuea still thought that Lian doesn’t know who he is, his reaction was the only correct reaction he should have.

Yi & Diao: Diao is a cutie pie as well. He is a bit too clueless at times, but he is ana amazing friend to Kuea. Even if that means getting dragged into his schemes. Yi is another tight-lipped man. I see a pattern here. I do think the two of them are cute together, but Yi felt extremely controlling at times. Like the whole curfew thing. Diao is an adult; he should be allowed to make such decisions for himself. When he is or isn’t Yi’s boyfriend. It just didn’t sit well with me. It felt like a parent – child relationship at times instead of the pinning-after-each-other kind of relationship.

Nuer & Syn: The two of them are so adorable! The way Syn would not admit his feelings for Nuer throughout the series was kind of fun. He kept insisting that Nuer makes him mad, yet he could never take his eyes off him. And Nuer knew what buttons to push. I am certain that he was never actually interested in Kuea, he saw him as a potential friend. His focus was always on Syn. And their kiss scene? It was so sweet!

Saying that the chemistry between the actors is amazing is an understatement. They all seem very relaxed around each other, and I feel like we can see that through the way they interact in the series as well. The OST was done really well, I wouldn’t expect anything less considering the fact that Kuea is a musician. Nunew’s voice is incredible soothing. And the songs they used really fit the storyline well. They carry a lot of meaning too. Change made me shed some tears. Nunew delivered this one so well. I think I am not the only one that could feel Kuea’s pain through the song.

However, there were some not so great things. The first being the first kiss of Lian and Kuea. It was a great kissing scene, don’t get me wrong, but the fact Kuea was incredibly drunk didn’t sit well with me. Also, the fact that both Kuea and Diao are terrified of their partners is not fun. If anything, it should be concerning. I feel like we don’t get enough backstory on a lot of things, which makes it difficult to put certain things into perspective. But my biggest pet peeve was the lack of communication between both Lian & Kuea and Yi & Diao. Do you know how much better things could be much earlier on if they just talked? I know that lack of communication tends to be a favorite plot maker in BL series, but there is such thing as it being too much.

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Half and half

This series has approximately 1 million flaws, but Zee and Nunew's acting, chemistry, and visuals are not one of them. For that alone, this drama is worth watching.

That said, it seems like this plot was written by two different people -- one who is extremely good at writing and one who is extremely bad at it. I really loved the series until about halfway through episode 8, and would have given it perfect marks up until that point. But, after hands down the best love scene in all of BL history in episode 8, the quality comes to a crashing halt.

Let's start with the secondary couple. Ugh. They were one of the biggest problems for me. You have Yi, a rich and successful businessman and Diao, a...... yeah, I never figured it out either. Who is he? He goes to university, for what, we don't know. Who is he to Yi? Because he lives in Yi's house, which, apparently, Yi does not live in for quite some time. How did this random guy come to live in Yi's house? It's played up as this huge mystery, but basically, Yi caused harm to Diao in the past (which Diao doesnt remember, because the harm caused him to lose his memory... only of what happened this one time). Yi feels so guilty about it, he lets him live in his house. Along the way, he fell for Diao. Okay, sounds good. But when we actually find out what happened, it's a huge letdown. First of all, it was an accident, there's literally no need for Yi to feel guilty for 20 years, but i could let that slide. However, it also happened when they were kids.

Wait a minute. They knew each other as kids? Where did that come from? All we knew about Diao thus far was that he's Kuea's best friend and they studied in the UK together. We know Kuea and Lian are childhood friends, but now Diao and Yi are, too? And each pair just happens to be best friends with each other as adults? What?

Also, the accident should have left physical scars, especially if it caused him to "lose his memory," which would have been apt (and cute for Yi to kiss later, you’re welcome for that idea), but Diao has none. All we have left to hope for is that, when Diao remembers what happened, or Yi tells him, they can finally communicate and forgive and move on. But it turns out Diao did remember, suddenly, somewhere in the middle of the series, but off camera, and just casually drops that he remembers and it's no big deal.

When Yi is confessing his feelings to Diao, it's cute and all, but this man was already living in your house. Under what context did that even happen? He wasn’t even your fake boyfriend before? It really just was a, "here, childhood friend I barely speak to, live in my mansion and I'll just crash at work because I cant bear to look at you for years" kind of thing? And Diao just goes with it? But cimplains the entire time that he’s lonely? Ugh!!!!

Okay, next major problem: all of the drama between the main couple could have been resolved by them having one five minute conversation. Miscommunication and keeping secrets and "I'm waiting for the right time to tell him," are common tropes, but they're played to the extreme in this series. At one point, Lian literally says, "I'm waiting for the right time to tell him," but somehow finds time to confess that he loves him and that they should get married, if not today, then tomorrow. Lian's character always knew about everything Kuea was hiding, but not vice versa, and it was ultimately a weird power balance. And weird that Lian kept insisting he loved Kuea, and wanted to marry him, but wouldn’t confess the secret he was hiding that ANYONE could have known would hurt Kuea if he found out about it and didn’t understand the reasons behind it. Lian was also very good at percieving Kuea's feelings, up until the time Kuea had a clearly miserable look on his face all the time; it was then that Lian decided everything was great between them and he should publicly propose. Ugh!!!!

And then there's the end, which just felt rushed and shallow. Yes, the message was sweet, but the ending would have fit a 2 hour movie better than a 12 episode series. The entire actual plot would have fit into a movie much better. So much time was wasted on the 2nd and 3rd couples, the excessive screen time of random characters like the club owner that no one was even friends with.

But I don't want to do a disservice to Zee and especially Nunew. I literally cannot believe this is Nunew's first acting role. He did an incredible job, and put shame to every other actor in this drama except Zee and the veteran adult actors. Zee was great too, and kept up with him, but Nunew really shined. I hope to see so much more from this couple in the future. They have the potential to make incredible work and bring huge social change as well.

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So much good yet eh

This was one of my first dramas I’ve watched in a long time and I wanna give this drama perfect scores but I just can’t.

Let’s start with the good!
The chemistry between the main couple is adorable when they eventually ACTUALLY get together. They're dynamic after they get together is so fluffy and cheesy it's really cute.
The transitions and the overall camera work is very good and the music is pretty.
Them openly talking about the LGBTQ community was very nice, it felt like they actually cared about it and not only had a BL just for fan service and for them to not give a crap about the community they are trying to represent.
Also it’s unproblematic in the sense that all the kissing scenes are consensual and there’s no insensitive joking as you see with a lot of shows.

Now on to the things I didn’t like!
It is sooooo slow in the beginning and the overall dynamic between the main characters is just weird and so dragged out.
The fact that the parents wanted them to get married since Kuea was born was just icky, like I know its an arranged marriage but asking a 5 year old to marry this person who WAS JUST BORN AT THE TIME-
Also why tf was the same tropes were used for multiple characters? Like we get it, you're a closed off rich guy that can't show emotion and you're dating another rich person who can't stand up for themselves? Like it feels like a copy and paste, make it their own original story?

With all these cons I wouldn’t completely knock it, it just depends on your taste and how high expectations you put on to it.

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Second time around

I originally watched this a few months ago but held off writing a review, knowing I would watch it again when the sequel (Drama Special) came out. Part of me wanted to see if I felt the same way about the series the second time around and, for the most part, I did.

The premise seemed interesting and it was nice to have a BL not centered around University life. (Even though Kuea is in University and there are plenty of scenes with him at University, it's not centered around University life, seeing as Lian is older.) But even though the characters are older and supposedly more mature, they sure didn't act like it half the time. Take the misunderstandings that come with school dramas (the ML thinks the other lead is in a relationship with pretty much anyone they talk to) and replace it with a different kind of miscommunication consisting of lying and keeping secrets from each other. This really stood out to me the first time I watched it although it didn't hit as hard this time around. I mean, I can see they had their reasons but those reasons didn't seem like enough to justify the lying to go on the entire series.

It would have been so much better if, after Kuea first calls off the engagement in the first episode, that he actually does what he said he'd do and be his true self. In the first episode, we see him as a total bad-ass, riding motorcycles and playing drums but putting on a masked persona around Lian. Then, when he wants to call off the engagement, he still tries to seem obedient around Lian, even though he supposedly decided that he doesn't want to be married to him anymore and shouldn't care about his opinion. Because, let's face it, Lian was an ass to Kuea when all he wanted was reassurance that their marriage would mean something.

All that being said, I still enjoyed watching the show. There was enough investment in the side characters to help break up the constant lying of the main couple. (Excluding Diao and Yi who had their own issues that pretty much mirror the above.) I really loved the relationship between Diao and Kuea; that best friend who will drop everything (even at the risk of being scolded) to help each other out. And the engineering crew was hilarious. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and always laughed when they all would murmur "sadhu" when Syn would say his words of wisdom. I liked the healthy, professional rivalry between the Pentagon and Gemini and the interactions between Jay and Lian. They had respect for each other even though they were essentially in direct competition. Jay's support of Kuea's music career was nice to see as well... pretty much Jay brought in a good balance of what healthy relationships looked like against all the messed up stuff going on with the two main couples.

The music was enjoyable and catchy. At times I felt like this series was more of an attempt to launch NuNew's music career rather than his acting career but, either way, he deserves it.

Now that I've seen it twice, I don't know if I'll watch it again, to be honest. When the next sequels/spin-offs come out, I may browse through it on those respective couples (with pit stops along the way to see Jay) to refresh my memory on what we've seen of them so far.

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Warto dać temu szansę

Przy pierwszym podejściu poddałam się po około 3 odcinkach, ponieważ jakoś Kuea nie przypadł mi do gustu swoim charakterem. Jednak jakiś czas później postanowiłam ponownie zabrać się za te tajską dramę i w sumie nie było tak źle jak na początku. Podczas przerwy od oglądania dowiedziałam się sporo na temat głównych bohaterów i bardzo ich polubiłam - głównie dzięki instagramowi, co na pewno później pomogło mi w oglądaniu.
Mimo, że fabuła nie jest jakaś mega ciekawa, a niektóre sceny są lekko za długie przez co czasem nudne to cieszę się, że dałam temu drugą szansę.
Cutie Pie jest bardzo przyjemne w oglądaniu, a postacie zarówno główne, jak i te drugoplanowe są bardzo dobrze dobrane (np. Nuer i Syn). Uważam, że jeśli ktoś miał z początku tak jak ja lub podobnie to warto się przełamać i to obejrzeć :)

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