We Are

At the first, I didn't put a lot of expectation in this series, since all the cast's acting wasn't really my cup of coffee. Like how I wasn't able to finish FUTS and keep skipping pondphuwin scene in NLMG. But this series surprise me so fucking much! The first episode literally makes me laugh and smile a lot.

IMO QToey has the most interesting dynamic among all of the couple. Their acting is fine and nice enough. I really adore toey character, and at how all of their friends adore toey as well.

And I think Phuwin's acting has improved a lot in this series. PPW chemistry also seems natural and nice. Their plot is so light and cute without any dramatic conflict.

Toward the end, the plot feels a lil bit boring, but the comedy was making it bearable.

Overall I really enjoy watching this series.

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All comfort, no hurt

There is not much depth in this show, no fancy plotlines or heavy drama but there doesn't really need to be, this show is a good portrayal of healthy friendships and I think that is what makes it special far more than the 'bl' part of it.

Ngl I started off this show not caring about PhumPeem bc I'm not a particular fan of PondPhuwins acting skills but they grew on me, I think they benefited from not having heavy plotlines bc I'm not really sure if their acting skills could handle it.. the push-and-pull vibes in their relationship reminded me of my own college days and I like how they communicate, so it was fun to watch ❤️

I love love love Tan&Fang, every time they're on screen I wish they had more time, I would've loved to see more depth in their relationship. Fang is more of an introvert but he's sooo funny and he really tries to come out of his shell when he's with Tan. Also, Tan is like the glue that holds the group together and I really love him for that. Even though he acts a bit over the top, it fits his character and makes me appreciate him more ❤️ I also think AouBoom is an underrated ship (@gmmtv give them their own show NOW) and cannot wait for more of them in the future ❤️❤️

QToey I have a bit of a love-hate relationship, they have their cute moments and I really like WinnySatang, I also think Satang is a great actor but his character here is too childish for me personally as a 25yo, it gets a bit uncomfortable to watch at times I would've liked to see more serious scenes between the two of them, the whole cutesy, giggly and childish relationship doesn't do it for me, tbh they're my least favorite couple in the show even though I really like the actors

LASTLY ChainPun deserved more 😭😭 I could write an essay about how much I wish they got more screentime, I think the chemistry is there, and they have such beautiful subtle moments between them but there's just too little time to develop it, I know it's probably bc of the actor switch as well but it sucks that they only get crumbs. I've seen people comment on their acting skills but I don't think I can judge it fairly, we've just seen too little of them for me to have an opinion on it.

All in all, I liked this show, it had great moments. I absolutely love the scenery and the way they talk about their feelings between couples and between friends. I'll be sad to see it go after next wednesday, it was very comforting to watch and it made me really happy. It's not perfect but I don't think they intended that. It portrays the beauty of friendship and found family and I love it for that.

If you're looking for a show filled with drama/angst/ heavy plot-based I'd say this show is not for you, but if you need a break that feels like a long 16-hour hug, this is the one for you.

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Perfect show is perfect

I can’t say enough good things about We Are. So to try to organize my gushing and fangirling over this ultimate comfort show that is honestly perfect in every way, I’m breaking this review down into categories.

Casting:
While Phuwin, Pond, Aou, Boom, Winny, and Satang were all familiar names and faces to me at GMMTV, I was never a full-blown fan of theirs. I’ve watched every PondPhuwin show and loved it, and WinnySatang in My School President were adorable, as were AouBoom in Vice Verse and Hidden Agenda. But I didn’t really follow their socials, know much about them, or cheer them on in their current and future projects. THAT CHANGES NOW, and I’m adding Marc and Poon into the mix as well. This cast works effortlessly well together. Their comedic timing, their chemistry, their dynamic… I wish I could bow down and Wai to the casting director of this show, because their vision was perfection. I will happily support and cheer on this cast in all of their future endeavors and hope for GMMTV to continue to give them more and more projects. I have to especially commend PondPhuwin’s growth in this series. Their maturity and chemistry in their dynamic has grown so much from Fish Upon The Sky.

The tropes:
We have friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, enemies to friends to lovers, secret pen pals falling in love, falling in love with you best friend’s brother, and slow burn after slow burn. There is something in this show for everyone, and every single storyline and relationships gets great screentime and backstory!

The pacing:
SIXTEEN episodes!!! We were truly blessed with this one. Because there are more episodes, we are able to really build strong connections to the characters, learn about them in real time as their friends on the show, allow slow burns to take their time, deep dive into all the character’s stories, never leave room for plot holes, and we have officially spanned a whole year in this show without any major time jumps. Every week feels like coming home to your best friends and snuggling up in a warm blanket while laughing at their jokes, crying at their struggles, and smiling at their joy. I love the detail, pacing, and direction of all the incredible storylines in this show. Massive kudos to the director, writers, and editors.

The music:
We love it when actors who can sing well are featured on shows. I’ve loved Winny’s songs, as well as the OST featuring LITERALLY EVERYONE. Did I mention the TALENT of this cast? Great soundtrack that fits the vibe of the show. Comforting and uplifting.

No angst:
You guys. I know we all have our angsty comfort shows that we find ourselves rewatching over and over. But there’s something to be said for a happy and hopeful show that isn’t just fluff. I can’t remember the last time I saw a BL with these vibes- minimal angst that is quickly resolved, happiness and laughs, and deep storylines and character development. This coming-of-age show reminds me just how beautiful our youth can be and the precious memories we’ll carry with us all our lives. I have already rewatched multiple times and I know I’ll rewatch more in the future whenever I want to feel at home. I can not recommend this show enough.

GMMTV- more of this, please! Congratulations to the entire team of We Are, in front of the camera and behind the scenes, on a masterful production. 10/10 stars

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Outline of a Review here.

Plot: This is a feel-good story and I'm all for it. We all need something sweet & nice in our life.

Character(s): All of them are well balanced.
A mix of sweetness, comic timing, romantic, quirky and well built.


Acting: The chemistry between the couple's that have been formed till EP15 is really commendable.


To Be Continued.........


**Special Shout Out to Pond Naravit!**
They have, in my opinion, mastered the art of showing emotions brilliantly. Idk if it's the result of immense practice, method acting, skill or just straight-up talent from within but the way they have grown in their career so far is as 'aged like a fine wine' as it gets.

✔️Poom's birthday scene specifically where Peem leans in to kiss him after gifting him the flowers made me want to write this down so I don't forget to add this to my review, once the series is finished.
Closing your eyes while kissing is basic knowledge but there is this feeling one gets when they kiss their partner in the beginning of the relationship, the 'honeymoon phase' if you will. You get butterflies and when your lips touch, this overwhelming, butterflies in the stomach, the tension in the pit of your stomach, everything. And the need to just give in to your partner's embrace.

That face, as soon as their lips meet in the scene is everything I needed. I mean i don't generally feel the need to pause an episode I've been eagerly waiting for to write down stupid sh!t. This scene gave me goosebumps and there's a very valid reason why.

The exact moment is around 33:13 minutes into the series. Y'all NEED to check this exact moment out when they kiss, Pond's eyelids drop and close and goddamnit! They are good. 🖤




Bits I Hated (bit strong), Disliked:
The family reconciliation bit is so overrated in any genre. (EP15)

Whenever it's a kid that doesn't want to talk to their parent(s), we always hear everyone say -

"Oh but they're your parents."
"It's a shame for you not be talking to them."
"They are older. They have a right."
"Parents make mistakes."
"Taking care of them is your duty since they raised you."

Why is it that a child has to carry the burden of making up with the family or elders? Why not for a change an elder accepts their fault in any situation? If a child doesn't feel like they can get over something a parent did, when the child is a grown up, I don't see the need for them to reconcile. They are an adult and they can make their own decisions. If someone makes them feel bad about themselves, they have the right to not keep them in their life. I absolutely hate when this topic is discussed in a TV show or movie saying how the child should reconsider or give the parent a second chance.

Life is short, if we start giving second chances to everybody that did us wrong, a 20 something kid would have no life left to give those chances.

In my opinion, Phum doesn't need to talk to his father who seems be always makes snarky comments towards him. That in itself shouldn't be tolerated. I'd speak up, give them a dose of their own medicine. It's good enough he didn't talk back too much, there's absolutely zero need for Phum to reconcile if the idea was put in his mind by Peem, instead of it being Phum's choice and decision.

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Another Good One

I enjoyed this series throughout the beginning to about episode 12. While I did not come to dislike it, my interest started to wane a bit. However I was more than satisfied with how it concluded. The friendship among the group of friends is endearing and genuine. We saw how much they supported and comforted each other no matter what. This is seen especially through Q and Toey's romantic development; even though they were helping Toey they did not leave Q out and make him the enemy even when Q got upset at them; that is true friendship.

The Chain and Pun story-line was most definitely not all it could have been. I felt that some of the air time spent on Phum and Peem could have been reduced to facilitate Chain and Pun's story so as to give it a bit more body. It was hinted that there is a lot more to Pun than his silly personality; during the episodes where they went on the volunteer trip we saw him take charge as the leader of the volunteer programme and saw him step into a different shade of his personality. I would have loved to see more of his and Chain's friendship through flashback to see the developing feelings taking place on Chain's side. The kiss at the end between them was no doubt a game changer in how I thought of their story. No it did not negate my aforementioned thoughts but it did make for a makeup scene for them as a couple so that viewers at least got something to hang on to. It also created the possibility for me to think that, "Hey, these two obviously have some feelings toward each other and they may not have gotten the well needed time to develop as a couple but them diving in at the end is saying it is never too late to act upon feelings that are there and that it is okay because they can explore these feelings later." What is important is that the feelings between the two are strong enough for them to set the scene on fire with that kiss and so I am willing to let my imagination fill in the gaps. I really would have loved to see Pun's point of view on things though. Therefore me regarding their story as a 10 is really me giving that kiss a 10 because they stole the finale with their scene; they got one kiss scene and they delivered, so I can't argue with that especially when they out did some of the other couples' kisses.

Q and Toey's story-line was unique and cute. It was not really my preferred type of story-line and dynamic but even I can admit that their story is special. I loved how they had feelings for each other even before knowing each other's real identity; it provides for the idea of them being fated to fall in love. I did think that their story dragged a bit especially when Q knew that Toey was the boy he was passing messages to. Later on I considered that Q should be given the opportunity to really settle his feelings and come to terms with the revelation and while I think this should be permitted to Q, I still think it could have taken less air time that could have been given to Chain and Pun's story. However I love their interactions after becoming an official couple. Their playfulness may seem really childish but it is their love language which is unique to them; I loved that it showed that even though they had upgraded their relationship to a romantic one, they still remained friends and not just lovers. I still remember their heart melting kiss in the cafe and what better venue for it to take place than where it all began.

I will now be ranting!

Tan and Fan are definitely something; a special couple one might say. It takes great patience and tolerance to endure the sensory torture that is Tan's whole demeanour and voice. He is one of the most irritating characters I have ever had the displeasure of watching. I truly believe that Tan went to bed at night and thought of ways to torture those around him with not just his voice but also his incessant, annoying and repulsive co-dependency on Fang. He is like a parasitic vine and Fang was the unfortunate tree that had to endure the life being squeezed out of him. I am convinced that Fang did something horrible in a past life to warrant having fallen in love with this ever grinning leach of a lover; honestly Fang should buy a leash for Tan and keep him at bay from others; just because he willingly puts up his nauseating behaviour does not mean others should be forced to. Anyways I digress so let me continue the review. Tan and Fang have a very comforting relationship in terms of them finding a home in each other. We see this when Fang was having family woes and he found solace in Tan (as ironic as that is). They loved openly and shamelessly. Their spaghetti kiss will cause blushes on fans cheeks for sure. One issue or rather concern I have about their relationship, which I also have with Phum and Peem's, is the parents situation. Fang never introduced Tan to his family at all and Phum never introduced Peem as his boyfriend to their parents which leaves the uncertainty of why. I would have loved for this to have been delved into. Is it that they fear their parents would not accept them; I would have just loved some mention of it to fill that gap.

Phum and Peem are the couple that were a couple even before they started dating. Their many kisses and tender moments were heart warming to watch. Their relationship has a solid foundation of trust and care that was established prior to them becoming official and I think that serves them well in their relationship. Peem became that safe haven for Phum when he had his family issues and Phum was also there to assist Peem in his daily life. In the episode where Phum and Peem sat on the beach when Phum fought with his dad, we see Peem being a listening ear and a shoulder of comfort and if that was not romantic then I do not know what is. In the finale where they were thanking each other for coming in each other's life, it felt fulfilling to see these two, who started out not liking each other, become such a loving couple.

An issue I had with the finale is how the situation between Phum and his dad was handled. I will try to handle this as swiftly and carefully as possible as father issues can be a very sensitive topic for many. In the Caribbean society there is an abundance of matrifocal households largely due to father absenteeism. I say this to highlight my point that many children have complicated feelings towards their fathers because of abandonment or otherwise. Phum felt abandoned by his father when he was shipped off to a foreign country. He was an alien there and while his father may have had good intentions that does not negate or trivialize the fact that Phum felt abandoned and was entitled to at least a conversation regarding the matter. Seeing Phum "repairing" the relationship with his dad at the dinning table was like watching the hungry feed the satisfied because Phum made everyone at the table feel at peace but himself because forcing filiality and not having an open conversation about his feelings is avoiding the issue. It ultimately seemed to me as if he did it for Peem's sake rather than his own.

Anyways despite all my criticism, which i hope I delivered respectfully, I did enjoy the series while it aired and my 9 star rating reflects that.

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Disappointing

Since the announcement of this series, I knew I was up for disappointment. In this regard We Are did not disappoint me. As a former PondPhuwin fan after watching Never Let Me Go and then Fish Upon the Sky, this series was a huge step back from where I expected this ship to go. I really thought Ponf and Phuwin’s partnership would graduate to something of more substance. But leave it to GMMTV to come out and say they serve a Gen Z audience of schoolgirls in their 2024 lineup announcements.

It’s been my stance that I know Phuwin cannot act and he relies on acting tricks they teach in remedial acting classes. As someone who has taking acting classes I can see all the tricks he uses which a lot of people can spot as poor acting as it has an unnatural cadence about it. I also know Pond isn’t a good actor because he’s inexperienced but he shows promise of being better with more challenging roles. So to be part of this series was a huge let down for not only me but many others who like the PondPhuwin pairing.

First off this was four separate novels combined into one series. This is already a bad formula if Between Us with four couples have shown us. Even with two coupe like Love In The Air, people were already made when two stories were made into one series. This four couple premise is already off to a bad start.

Second, after Never Me Go, this seems like a punishment to regress PondPhuwin back into another school BL when they have graduated from Fish Upon The Sky and went onto Never Let Me Go. Which is about school kids but in an adult setting away from school. Now to send them back to school seems like GMMTV is telling us Pond and Phuwin do not deserve to become adults they are kids so let’s treat the, as such.

Third, how can you put four couple and make this PondPhuwin series seem like a vehicle to promote WinnySatang into lead roles since their success with My School President. It’s giving me nothing but let’s put a secondary side couple in another star couple vehicle and let them build more of a following. You know much like how fans have been asking secondary couple to prove their acting chops off the backs of a more established couple to prove they have star power to be an official couple in a series. WinnySatang is this couple. They are going to make this series their launch pad to spring into a star making vehicle for themselves. If you factor in AuBoom into the equation, you can see this series was a bad move for PondPhuwin to be in. They are definitely going to be overshadowed with equally talented or better actors. The only ones who won’t eclipse PondPhuwin are MarcPoon since they are a new ship dies to the Pawin scandal. But this is the only thing that isn’t going yo steal their thunder.

I know going into this series Phuwin was going to annoy me with his acting. Sure enough it did. He is the epitome of a himbo actor. He is solely relying on his looks to save him on his cringey AF acting. If I have to see him be a total bitch in another role to Pond’s character I’m going to want to punch his RBF. Like how can someone who like like such a bitch all the time with that smirk and side eyes have any friends. Everyone of his characters seems to have a chip on his shoulder while thinking he’s a nice guy deserving the world. This includes his characters in straight series like Wednesday’s Club.

I hate to say it but if Pond needs to play another besotted character who falls for Phuwin’s character I’m going to gag. Must all of his characters be whipped for Phuwin’s characters within 2 episodes. Can we have a Phuwin character really be an errand boy for Pond’s for once and try to get Pond’s character to fall for him or is that not within Phuwin’s acting abilities since he seems like a high maintenance piece of work.

I honestly don’t care for the WinnySatung characters because it’s just another reiteration of PondPhuwins characters. Now we get to AuBoom. I adore Au since Be My Favorite so I know he can act the pants off me. And Boom casted as Pond’s brother. This is too much visual eye candy for me. I like Boom with Au. They are stealing this series for me and I don’t mind.

I’ve always dislike Marc because he’s a bad actor. I don’t know Poon but I hated Pawin for some reason. He always gives me creepy vibes and it can because of his character from Never Let Me Go.

Two episode in and I have to pause on this because so far it is disappointing me in exactly the way expected. As much as I want to support Pond and AuBoom. I cannot take the week by week torture of watching Phuwin making my skin crawl with his cringey acting.

I will wait until this series ends to read the reviews to see if it is worth my time to come back and support Pond and AuBoom.

If your like fluffy shit with rainbows and unicorns then this school series is right up yor alley. Enjoy.

Edit: I had to drop the series after episode 11 because despite the kissing and sex scenes, the series was just too juvenile for me. This series felt like two series mashed into one. Pond, Besevboom, Title, Pepper and Tee are playing in a more mature school BL while JJ, Winny, Satang, Phuwin, Aou, Marc and Poon are playing in a way beyond silly and juvenile grade school BL. The kissing and sex scenes felt pointless and gratuitous at this point. What happened to the plot? Was there one that was seen through instead of being forgotten time and time again? I have never skipped over so many scenes before because I didn’t care for them. There are way too many couples. What was the point of Fai except to just add a female character to not make it a sausage feast. This series left me so disappointed that Pond and phuwin picked this after Never Let Me Go. I really hate New directed BLs after this.

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It has everything a romcom needs

the first episode had already kinda built a storyline to every couple................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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