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Its worth it!
I've been waiting for this series since forever, and honestly I am not dissapointed at all! Well what speaks in this bl is that the sexual abuse and the abuse in general is really discussible. They don't tend to put it aside and covering it up. Which is a great improvisation in the bl world. About the story it genuinly wasn't exactly what I expected. I have the feeling there should've been more space for the bedfriends part, they became lovers really quickly and some things needed more time in the episodes. the acting was actually literally amazing, i've watched the other stuff either Net and James, only Net or only James played in and you can clearly see they became alot more professional at it, sometimes I did think James could've done better with the crying scénes since I didn't really see tears but he's still improving his acting so, so far he's doing amazing! They are still and always really good at being in character for the time, its just touching to see. I really liked the music too including for the sex scenes the most, they used various music and other styles. Most bls use that type of slow piano music and here it was more intense music which made the scene better because piano music wouldn't fit it exactly. Sometimes I did think they overused the OST since everytime a moment between them happend they used the OST they could've used more variation in that. Also to mention: I really liked the camera work, whenever they were together they also showed the place they were clearly and stuff. The sex scenes we're also amazingly filmed, showing it from different perspectives. I also think the cast really fits the characters and its good to see how they made King such a amazing non-problematic person in this bl instead of making the top do sexual abuse as probably most bls do. Its touching to see King's parents accept him so much I wish it could happen like that in the real life too with lgbtq+ people. I would really prefer to rewatch this because its overall a beautiful series with magnifent portrayed feelings, fantastic acting. Its worth watching it and you'll get really attached to this couple once you begin, this was clearly my favorite bl I watched. (p.s the side characters were also perfectly shown and portrayed!)Was this review helpful to you?
Enjoyable…
I enjoyed this series and I really like the ship. I was a little on the fence about this series when I first started it. I didn’t really like it until about episode 3 when I started to get into it. I liked the main couple and thought the actors had great chemistry with each other. The plot was there but at times it was lacking. I feel like the chemistry between the characters made up for it but it was still noticeable. I did enjoy it though and I liked the ending. I would love to see more with this ship but I recently heard that it is no longer a ship which is upsetting. I liked the series and it was good but it definitely had more potential in my opinion.Was this review helpful to you?
Too Over-hyped for it's own good
I think this series was just a bit too over-hyped for me, which only caused it to fall short. The actors' chemistry couldn't save this series.The script is quite poor, there are a few well-written scenes in particular between Uea and his stepfather. But besides that, I really don't have much to add to this show.
I found myself losing interest as the episodes went on. If you are looking for a show with a nice story and well-written this is not the one. If you are looking for a show with a lot of NC scenes and great chemistry between the actors this is the show for you.
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Not steamy but a heartwarming BL about REAL issues
From the title alone, don't expect much NC scenes. There was a few in the beginning, they were very mild in my opinion and not bad. But after a few episodes it stops and turns into a serious story ♥ With all kind of REAL issues (and not silly ones like in other dramas). This show's about childhood trauma, family issues, bad parents, abuse, mental health etc... This one really sticks out to me since it's more realistic.Finally a good Thai BL! I recommend watching more than 3-4 episodes to get to the real story. When we discover everything Uea has been through... we see that King is always there to comfort him and accept his mental health issues ♥ King is a serious GREEN FLAG! And very handsome too lol. I loved their chemistry! It's definitely there and once they start dating they are SO CUTE together! Just wait and see ;)
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Trust to be able to love
I have not read the book or followed the filming turmoils on social medias. I just started watching this on a whim, a bit reluctantly, fearing the worst because of the steamy title. Before the first episode was finished, I was hooked. The characters were working adults dealing with serious problems all the while falling in love and showing how steamy it can be!And steam we got, loads of it. But also, so much more! So much more!
This is the story of Uea and King who falls in love with him at first sight but due to his bad reputation Uea accepts only to become friends with benefits. Uea's calm and immovable face, hides childhood traumas he buried deep not letting anyone come close to him. After the initial macho attitude, King realizes there was more than meets the eyes about Uea and starts respecting the lines Uea drew for their relationship. This respect King shows, breaks down the defenses Uea so painstakingly built over the years and he starts healing.
The story deals about the abuse within the family and in the workplace. Respect for family members (parents) even if they are violet and abusers is so deeply ingrained that it is difficult to move and do something about it. Harassment at work is also difficult to fight against especially when the abuser is the boss. Uea just takes everything upon himself and breaks down only when King is around. He trusts him. The series dealt with mental health, how to trust the people around you, how to protect yourself and how to accept that the healing process will take time. For once in a bl, love is not a miracle cure. It helps, but the real solution is to ask for professional help and let time do its job.
The main actors are extraordinarily talented and they portrayed King and Uea with brio. Net, as King, was all in nuances and the expressions in his eyes were telling so much. James as Uea made me think of Lee Joon Gi, light and almost transparent and still leaving an indelible impression. They were so in synch that they completely made me forget I was watching a BL. It was not a bl any more for me, it had become just an extraordinary love story. The chemistry between them is off the charts! They are so perfect together!
The cast of side characters was miscellaneous: creeps were creepy, friends were nerdy, the mother was venomous. The scenes of abuse were raw and real and scary and frightening and infuriating. Very hard to watch!
A lot of people found issue with the editing, saying it was bad and messy. No, not true! I had no problems following the story. There were a few instances when they went flash forward flash backwards but I was OK with that. That made me pay attention more to what was happening on the screen so doing something else at the same time or fast forwarding was impossible: where is absolutely nothing you can skip. The cinematography was a bit basic: while there were some beautiful shots of sunset all warm orange and pink, the shots of the city and the office were gray and cold! Songs were boring but I liked the orchestral background score which was a perfect reflection of feelings changing. Costume designer did their job perfectly: dressing King always in black while Uea was always dresses in silk and colours, which was a good representation of their characters' hiding behind a shield made of clothes.
The last episode ruined a little bit the series for me. It was just a piece of fluff, completely unnecessary since every conflict and problem had already been resolved in episode 9. The bad people had been punished, the good people talked and sorted themselves out. So the last episode was just the honeymoon! Pretty but boring! Happy people are boring! It is a fact!
This was an exceptional series I did not expect and that I ended up loving so much. So it depends what you are looking for in a drama? If it is just fluff and romance, this is not it. If it is something serious but still a romance, this is for you. this is a drama for adults not teens!
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Hot and emotional at the same time!
I went here for the title as I was looking for spicy series but then I found more. Uea was struggling with his PTSD after being molested by his step "father". But that's not all. His mother physically abused him for his sexual orientation and treated him like complete trash, never believed in anything he told her and he lived in this hell for several years. My first impression of King wasn't very good because it was obvious he liked Uea physically as he slept with him when Uea was drunk which is not right. Uea was broken again after that happened but still agreed to be friends with benefits with him. It looks like it's enough for one person but then his crazy ex tried to tape Uea in the car and his new boss tried to rape him in his office. Idk what was this obsession with fucking Uea but they all treated him like some sex toy and that was so heartbreaking. He had no confidence, he was afraid all the time but still managed to be sassy. After knowing him better, King eventually fell in love with him and helped him with al his issues. He took things slowly the more he liked him. I appreciate it. He protected him from those bastards and got rid of his fear from lights off. Even with his trust issues, Uea fell in love with him as he acknowledged he truly cares about him and it's not just about sex. I have to appreciate here Jade the most, Uea's best friend with innocent intentions. He always helped Uea when he was in need and was here for him before King showed up. I am glad he got his own love in the end cuz he deserves all the love. These series were traumatizing but I enjoyed the bed scenes with both being completely sober very much. It was hot even without more explicit scenes. And I loved how it got other way around and we went from bed to everlasting love.Was this review helpful to you?
it's just good
I think that the series is amazing, I love the actors and overall it was just fire 🔥. I can't really relate to the low star reviews, because like I said, it was just amazing. I already rewatched it once and I'm planing to rewatch it again.Was this review helpful to you?
It may not be a masterpiece but it's good
It took me a long time before deciding to start this BL because I was coming from a couple of very disappointing thai drama (too stupid and senseless) and reviews weren't so good.But once I stared I couldn't stop! The story is more mature and serious compared to a lot of Thai BLs and the acting is good.
I found the chemestry between the two main leads amazing, above all in the office scenes where they're supposed to hide their relationship. The interactions during work time are sometimes as sexy as the private scenes where they're making out.
Many important topics are brought to light too, even if in a superficial way (sexual harrassment, mental health, safe sex...). To deal with all these subjects well should have taken at least 5 more episodes to be fully treated, making the series too heavy to watch since it was written with the primary aim to entertain. Anyway it was important to at least mention these issues.
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Bed Friend
I Loved this series its not everyones cup of tea but i found it great!!! Uea and kings relationship has amazing development through the series. would definitely watch again!!!!!!!!! ://///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////Was this review helpful to you?
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From FWB to a happy ending!
Let me start off by saying this- I shockingly actually like this. Is it perfect? No. Is it getting a perfect score from me? Absolutely not- it's not wven getting a 9. But out of the three Thai BL series that I have been watching for 2 months now (Chains of Heart, Love Syndrome III and this)- this one is actually the better one out of those 3.Story- 8/10
I give this series an 8 out of 10 because y'all had my boy Uea go through hell and back. He really didn't have itveasy with a sh#$y crappy mom, a crappy ex-bf, a predatory step dad AND boss. Like- he couldn't catch no break. But he actually got one in the form of King. King may have started off as a Casanova but over the episodes you can see how much he cared for Uea. Would I have liked for them to suffer more? Yeah, I actually would because I felt the four of them (ex-bf, ex boss, mom and step dad) were kind of let off easily and they deserved to be punished. And I was so happy that King's parents accepted Uea as thier aon's boyfriend and then fiancée because I would have thrown a fit if they had to go through another obstacle.
And while I usually quarrel about what was the point of the last episode because it really did not add to the series- I'm not going to do that here. Why? Because Uea deserve his happiness and that's what basically that last episode was about (plus we get to see a few seconds of Mai. And now I am eagerly awaiting for 'Middelman's Love!').
Acting/Cast- 9/10
Hey, all the actors portraying these characters made me feel how I believe they wanted me to feel (extreme hate for Uea's mom and step dad, happy at seeing Jade, sad/upset at Uea's storyline, etc). And because they were able to make me feel all of these emotions through thier acting, I'm giving them a 9.
Music-8/10
The music was addictive every week and for that I'm going with an 8.
Rewatch Valu-8/10
I do actually see muself rewatching this in the future. Because as stated befor, it had a good storyline with good actors.
Overall-8.5/10
Overall I give this series an 8.5. And as I stated before this is really due to the storyline and the actors. Some of the NC-17 was a little bit ridiculous to me and really did nothing for me.
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Well hot dayum...
So.. this was a lot to process, especially after binge-watching it over the span of 2 days. One of the rare times I actually see the merit in taking breaks between episodes but I guess if I had watched it while it aired, it would have been weekly breaks.Anyway, going into this series, I hadn't seen any trailers or read any reviews though I kind of had an idea of what to expect.
Especially with a name like Bed Friend, I pretty much assumed it would be spicy though sometimes the spice is lost if the actors don't have the chemistry. But let me tell you, they had the chemistry in this series and then some. I like that the writers didn't put such a stigma around sex without love or looking down on the whole FWB arrangement. It was straight forward and, as far as their intimate relationship was concerned, they had fantastic communication with their expectations.
I kind of found it funny how in the opening credits, they had Tutor as if he were a major part and yet he only shows up in the last second of the series and says one line. I mean, I know they have their own series coming out but it just kind of stood out to me as if he was supposed to have a bigger role here than he really did. Likely they filmed the two series at the same time as they probably used a lot of the same locations and actors for both.
But I digress. The things I didn't like about this series: Pretty much everyone who interacts with Uea other than his work colleagues. Seriously, I feel like the writers were trying to think of all the possible negative relationship experiences a person could have (IE abusive parent, abusive step-parent, cheating ex, obsessive ex, sexual harassment in the workplace) and threw them all at a single character one after the other. And not every one of them gets resolved which is super frustrating. It's like they were addicted to traumatic drama without the redemption/resolution or lacked the creativity to actually give each problem a solution.... or both. By the second or third incident, it's obvious that they just want to show that King is there for him and is his rock. But by the 3rd or so time it's like "okay, we get it. Now can you please bring justice to these people?"
I also don't like that Uea never once thought to try and get his sister out of that situation as well. Plus the sister never really stood up for him either even though she saw what was going on with the mother and heard Uea's claims about the step-father. And yet she still asks him to come visit on behalf of her mother? That's messed up.
Even with all of that, I still really enjoyed the series and I would definitely watch it again. And yes, I admit, that's mostly for the hotness between the two main characters. They had a great push and pull dynamic going on outside of the bedroom, sure, but dayum the bedroom dynamic was off the charts. Give me a soft daddy and a power bottom combo and I'm a happy guy. LOL
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An interesting story whose end is unfortunately botched
What is interesting about this series is that it shows how a person tries to get on with his life by dealing with his own past traumas. We learn again that it is difficult to cut ties with our parents even when they have been and still are abusive. We also see how difficult it is to deal with harassment at work.We also see a story where FWB relationships are not incompatible with caring, which is appreciated.
The problem is that by the time all the issues need to be resolved - I'd say by the middle of episode 8 - everything is rushed and glossed over. There are no details and it seems that the only objective, all of a sudden, is to make fan service with scenes all more sweet than the others. The last episode, which is not unpleasant to watch, has not an ounce of realism. Too bad for a show that was trying to show aspects of life in a somewhat credible way.
In conclusion, this series loses an opportunity to stand out positively from other series of the same style.
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