We Are

pondphuwin carried i said what i said

i literally only watched this show for pondphuwin and i had little to no interest in the rest of the characters. well, thats not entirely true. tan and fang (aouboom) were really cute, especially aou as tan like OH MY BABY he was so cute i loved tan so much like i want a tan he is so green flag. winnysatang were cute, i liked them enough in my school president, and they were fine here. satang as toey was kinda annoying sometimes not because of anything he did wrong, im sure he was just following the script but like.. sometimes it was a little annoying. dont get me wrong though, i still really enjoyed q and toey. i'll be honest i didnt even try watching markpoon's scenes at all. theres just something about those two together that straight up does NOT work (ik they arent paired together anymore and i hate to say it but i honestly think its for the best) so as soon as they had a solo scene i was skipping sorry!! the three side couples were cute (minus markpoons characters) but what i really want to talk about is pondphuwin's characters.

guys. I WANT A PHUM. I WANT ONE. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. HES SO CUTE. I LOVE POND NARAVIT SO FUCKING MUCH. EVERY ROLE HE HAS EVER PLAYED IS SO PERFECT. I LOVE PHUMPEEM MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER KNOW. okay now that i got that out of my system, i'll actually discuss the characters. their first meeting is still hilarious to me i dont even care pondphuwin are so funny together like i remember cackling watching that scene at 3am it was so fucking funny. honestly, i loved phum from the first moment i saw him. now, do i also just really really really REALLY love pond? like yeah, but phum is so baby like idk i love him guys im sorry. peem was a grower. he reminded me of a poor and less spoiled version of neung from never let me go, which was kind of fun. he was a little annoying at first, but maybe i was just annoyed at first because if i had phum chasing after me like that we would be married within a month sorry not sorry. but after like the episode 4 mark i was genuinely having the time of my life with phumpeem. i cant get over pondphuwin's chemistry together why are they MARRIED bro (im kidding) but like they have such good onscreen chemistry its always so fun to watch. once peem stopped hating phum's guts i was like crying from joy whenever they came on screen. i cant even express how dear phumpeem are to me. the only thing about their whole storyline that pissed me off was that random other dude that wanted peem. lowkey off topic but why do phuwin's characters always have so much rizz. i swear to god, in every single goddamn pondphuwin bl some random other dude shows up tryna steal pond's man like back off he has a boyfriend!!!! that other student gave me war flashbacks to ben from never let me go (who is quite literally my least favorite character in any bl literally ever i hate him so much) so i honestly skipped most of his scenes. but other than that, i feel like phumpeem are so cute. if i were to rank pondphuwin's characters so far, they would probably be third (behind palmneung and theepeach). phum reminded me of mohk from fish upon the sky and peem reminded me of neung from never let me go, so it kinda felt like i was watching an au of the two so that was fun!!! overall, the pondphuwin scenes stole the show. my god do i love those two #myparents4life

in conclusion, this show is really good. i forgot to mention most of the plot, but it was basically just 16 episodes of dudes flirting and being college students. idk why it felt like lowkey nothing of importance happened over the entire course of the show besides boys dating and also peem getting an art gallery. but anyways, the show was a good time. if you want a plot heavy and super interesting + complex characters, go somewhere else. this show was a good time, but thats it. turn your brain off, watch pondphuwin be cute, but dont expect anything crazy from this series. honestly, if this show was JUST pondphuwin (and maybe aouboom as a sideplot) the show would probably be rated a 10, but sadly, the other side couples lowkey pissed me off a lot so i had to dock a point :( still WATCH THE SHOW IF YOU HAVENT especially if you love pondphuwin like i do just lowk skip all the other scenes without them you wont be missing that much

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Unexpectedly good

I had like zero expectations on this series, but I really loved it. Why? I don’t know, it was unexpected. When I saw the trailer I didn't expect much, cause I’m not a big fan of the actors either, but I changed my mind. I couldn't wait for the new episode to come out every week.
There is no plot, really, just some guys living their university life and falling in love, but here we are, they made me love this show. It’s a fun and sweet series, not a masterpiece, but perfect as entertainment. And personally I loved every characters and all the couples (but Q and Toey have my heart ❤️‍🩹). I think the charachters and all the relationships between them are the best thing on this show, probably why I liked “We are” so much. This show is also the story of a beautiful friendship! I'll miss them all❤️😭

Anyway, I'm not a big fan of PondPuhwin, I don’t like them in Never let me go, but this series made me love them so much 👀 a lot of unexpected things.

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One of the best college BLs in recent times

With 16 episodes, We Are is an exception to the GMMTV BL rule. I’m glad they decided to go with this many episodes because, to be honest, I couldn’t get enough of this series.

The trailer of We Are seemed a little lame and all over the place. I didn’t know what to expect from the drama except for a cliched “do what I tell you in exchange for what you want” plot, but I’m glad to have been proven wrong.

Pond and Phuwin never disappoint. They have found a steady rhythm blending romantic anticipation with playful rivalry. aheir relationship also develops like how any real-life relationship would. There’s a long period of ambiguity in their status, which is actually the best part of the show given their mutual attraction.

Even though the storyline was rather superficial and uncomplicated, it managed to capture the magic of young people falling in love. No bullshit, no convoluted problems. Just butterflies and affection.

The series was also unexpectedly humorous in its own way, so it left me both squealing and roaring with laughter throughout.

Verdict: A comforting and highly entertaining series that I looked forward to every week

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/07/28/we-are-2024-bl-review/

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Perfect Low Stakes Slice of Life for a Casual Watch (One Real Spoiler, but I Think it is Important)

POSITIVES
+ PhumPeem Storyline
The PhumPeem storyline is very sweet; however, full appreciation for it probably won't come until a second watch through due to the character backstories and the symbolism. Some say PondPhuwin lost their chemistry, but PhumPeem are simply a very different couple from their prior characters in Never Let Me Go. Bonus points for Peem, although encouraging Phum to forgive his parents, saying it is ultimately Phum’s decision.
+ TanFang Storyline
The TanFang storyline is cavity inducing, and AouBoom act them so well I’m half-convinced the production team stuck a go-pro on them and based it off them. That being said, when the show was airing some viewers believed Fang didn’t love Tan back, but Fang clearly loves Tan back it is simply shown in the microexpressions Boom does. Another couple where the true appreciation won’t come until a second watch through, due to revealed backstories.
+ The Third Act of the QToey Storyline
Once QToey get together, it is smooth sailing as they are very cute together; however, their getting together portion can be very rough (more detail later).
+ Accidental Demiromantic Representation in Q and Peem
I am not joking when I say Q and Peem read as demiromantic to a hilariously competent degree. I’m not surprised with Q, as the novel basically says it in all but name, but Peem reads as demiromantic too. It wasn’t intentional, so you don’t have to read them this way but I do encourage people to read them this way due to how right the scriptwriters got it.
+ Friendships
This is a New Siwaj production, so you know the friendships are going to be amazing. We Are is no exception, as even if you don’t like all of the couples you will like the friendships.

NEUTRALS
= ChainPun Storyline
I place the ChainPun story as a neutral, because I feel like it is a little unfair to critique it due to the behind the scenes mess. To make a long story short, production had to recast the actor for Pun after they did a great amount of shooting, so I believe they prioritize reshooting all the group scenes over the individual ChainPun scenes. I'm fairly sure we lost ChainPun scenes due to this, but for the scenes they kept and reshoot it is a cute story (although not to my personal tastes). This is marked as neutral due to the production hell behind them.
= First Act of the QToey Storyline
The first part of the QToey storyline is rather inoffensive, but when they set up the in-universe scheme the story revolves around there are several glaring questions the show doesn’t bother to try to explain away. This is marked as neutral because I don’t think the casual viewer will notice or care, but it might be distracting upon other watch throughs.

NEGATIVES
- Asexual Erasure
The show erases Toey’s novel canon asexuality (at minimum demisexuality). As someone on the ace spectrum, this feels important for me to note. It is worsen by the fact when We Are was airing Wandee Goodday was airing which had good asexual representation, so GMMTV is willing to portray and air asexual experiences. You might not find it important, but it does suck.
- Episode Five Continuity Errors
The fifth episode contains continuity errors with the TanFang and QToey plotlines, but you won’t notice unless you are me. Once again, willing to forgive due to reshoots.
- Forgiving the Parents for Literal Child Abandonment
As a victim of child neglect, I wasn’t fond of Phum forgiving his parents for dropping him as a child in another country and not retrieving him until secondary school (high school). That is child abandonment, and immensely strange to portray Phum as being in the wrong for holding a grudge about it and trying to cut his parents out of his life. Unfortunately, this is a New Siwaj production, so I expected it.
- Second Act of the QToey Storyline
To keep spoilers light, during the QToey plotline there are two halves to an in-universe scheme. By the time you make it to the second half, the characters involve come across more malicious than funny, especially since Q is in obvious duress, so it can negatively impact your view of QToey and their storyline. Personally, I maintain the characters are lucky this is a Boys Love, because if it was a little more realistic I feel like Q would have gotten hostile.

STAR EXPLANATIONS
Story knocked down a point for the QToey storyline issues.
Acting/Cast knocked down a point simply as I find Marc as Chain a bit boring, especially next to Poon as Pun.
Music is average, but gets an extra point since Pond and Aou became members of a boy group named jasp.er which retroactively makes their participation in the themes increase the value.
Rewatchability knocked down two points due to noticing flaws in the continuity, but retains an eight as it is a good comfort watch and putting together the grand scope of the PhumPeem and TanFang storylines.
Overall it is a nine as all the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

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family can’t always be your safe space

I’ll admit I came here for Pond Phuwin but stayed for AouBoom.

there is something so wonderful about a group of friends that love and support each other as much as the gang of We Are. I WISH I had a friendship group like this.

honestly this series is unserious a little unhinged and full to the brim with love and the world just needs this at times.

I was also very happy with the pretty much even screen time for most of the cast. when there is this many characters things tend tog tt messy and overlooked but that really didn’t happen here. I would hav loved to seen more marc poon, that would be my only complaint in the screen time category.

if you’re looking for a unserious, fun, full of love good time series I highly recommend it.

now how do we go about getting Aou and Boom their own series?

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Love & dislike it, typical work of director

I love a lot of the director's works, but he has a certain style of filming that makes it a little awkward. Especially the kissing and NC scenes. Weird hand placements, weird angles and positions etc. and it doesn't feel natural (could be because the actors feel awkward doing it?). I really don't care much about NC, but the kisses doesn't seem all that natural to me. And I kind of hate all the slow-mo in a lot of scenes. I guess it's supposed to be seen as more romantic or gives it a little more suspense? However - this is my favorite drama at the moment (my comfort-series), mostly because of the friendships and the actors. But the connection that is shown on screen is basically thanks to the actors who actually have great friendships and chemistry with each other off-screen :)

I understand that it's all based on the novel (haven't read it), but here are some of my thoughts.

What I liked:
- The friendship that is shown among all of them.
- Funny sound effects. Makes it more cute and easy to watch.
- No toxic ex-girlfriends/boyfriends.
- Healthy way of showing friendships and romantic relationships.
- There is basically no "second-guessing" their feelings. It should've been shown better tho.
- Lots of kisses between main characters.

What I didn't like:
- The whole manipulation-thing. Seems unreasonable since they both did wrong, but technically Phum just had to apologize in the beginning. I know it was from the novel, but still.
- The gang should've encouraged honesty instead of "playing games" with the whole Q-thing.
- They kind of act like children even tho they should be around 20 years old (second year student). Some things are funny or cute, but other things are really weird for that age (like mentioned above).
- No character history.
- No clear communications between any couples until they become couples. TanFang shows their feelings best.
- The second love interest coming in between PhumPeen-cp was unnecessary since nothing actually happened.
- No timeline shown, you only roughly knows it thanks to the art students works and gallery displays.
- Unnecessary happenings to just get the story to drag out. Like the almost-confession from Peem, the horse at the trip, the last trip in ep 15 (?), when Tan waits for Fang, the whole "who's better looking" situation when going to Loy Krathong fair etc.
- No big situation. Every character seems to live a happy life (except for the few scenes with Phum and his dad). This could've been more developed and make it even more serious. To just disappear like Phum did after an argument, without answering Peem, seems a little weird.
- Phum's (Pond's) hair always changes through the whole series. Like yes, I understand that it's all filmed at different times, but it seems so unnatural when he has light brown hair in one scene and next he has darker shade, and then again it switches to light right after.
- Chain & Pun-couple isn't even needed in the storyline and feels more forced. They don't even have a story and their screen time are really weird interactions, like with the bird. These two actors doesn't have great chemistry either.

I have more to say, but even if there is so many negatives, I still find this to be one of my favorite series, since I don't have to be emotionally involved and it's so easy to watch. But honestly, I skip a lot of parts because it's so awkward or scenes that doesn't interest me.

I really like PhumPeem, but they are all over the place. They seem awkward with each other. I know that both Pond and Phuwin are really great actors, but it isn't really shown here. Nothing really seems natural. And I really wanted more honesty between them. Like Phum could've said he was jealous, right? It's weird that he brought up the slave thing.

TanFang fits well. They act really natural with each other, even if Tan's behavior can be a little overwhelming and weird sometimes. I'm a little sad that we didn't get more character history here. When did Fang start liking Tan for exemple.

Q and Toey are good in their own way, but when they become a couple, it becomes so sugar sweet that I get sick. Q as a friend feels really great and mature.

Chain and Pun isn't really needed as a couple for the story, and they only get together in the last episode.

I'm still gonna give it a 10 since it's my to-go-to series when I have nothing else to watch :)

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I could not resist writing this review. First of all, all the side characters are phenomenal. They did an amazing job. But, the ones I really want to compliment are Pond and Phuwin. I watched Never Let Me Go and it was enjoyable BUT it did not have me in a chokehold. They were good in NLMG, but I really do think that Pond & Phuwin have improved here. The romance & chemistry is so, so natural and genuine. There were so many times throughout this drama that I would rewind because I wanted to rewatch the expression of either Pond or Phuwin. I started this drama, hoping that I would be bored and that I could just drop it after a couple of episodes. However, I watched every single scene without any boredom. Usually, I get impatient and annoyed that the drama is dragging on. Here, there was none of that. I wanted to watch everything. I rarely rewatch a drama, and, when I do, at least a year must have passed. But, I am seriously considering just rewatching this entire drama again right now. All of the actors really delivered.

I adore how love is portrayed in this drama. There is so much gentleness in the expressions and actions of the characters. I had very little expectations of this drama & it has become one of my favorites.

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Es perfecta

Perfecta…cabe recalcar que son varias parejas y el desarrollo de cada una toma más tiempo de pantalla que podría ocupar la otra, creo que PhumPeem de alguna manera se desarrolla de manera más lenta, pero aún así me parece una serie súper linda y preciosa 💜 10 sin pensarlo

Personalmente Aouboom recuerdo haberlos visto en Hidden Agenda, y me alegra que aparezcan en esta serie, me parece que desarrollaron muy bien su papel… espero que tengan su propia serie más adelante…

Y de PhumPeem quería una serie desde que terminó Never Let Me Go… me pone feliz volverlos a ver juntos aquí en esta serie

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A comfort series

I've been living with We Are for four months. I will miss this series so much.

When it was announced I was like: 16 EPS WHAT ARE YOU DOING, ISN'T IT WILL BE DRAGGING MUCH??? but now I need 100 eps of this series lol.

This series is NOT for those of you who are looking for conflict. I'm really sick of reading comments "finally finished this series, the story is really boring and there's no conflict". It's really a slice of life. The story is very simple; about boys friendship and how they fell in love with each other. The conflict just goes there, it sounds boring but the execution isn't boring at all.

When I watched the first episode, I didn't know any of the actors so I wasn't biased, and wow, the character introductions were really good, I immediately remembered and was attached to the eight main characters.

While watching, you will have fun, relax with their lives. No dragging, just one simple conflict to another simple conflict. I can't stop smiling every time I watch the eps of this series. There are no cursed episodes where suddenly there is a big conflict that makes you dizzy. Literally a beautiful slice of life.

BTW, this series that made me really fall in love with PondPhuwin 😭 their chemistry is so cute! From episode one they really caught my attention. They're in their elements. I finished the first episode of We Are and immediately watched Fish Upon The Sky and Never Let Me Go but it still wasn't as beautiful as their relationship in We Are. If I hadn't known them during the We Are era, I don't think I would have liked them this much.

I don't have much hope, but if there is a season 2 I will be very happy, because I think there is still a lot that can be explored.

Once again, I will miss this series so much.

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