This review may contain spoilers
A Story that Wears Off Quickly
Overall Reaction: The trailer got me really excited for the drama, considering I fall in the same age demographic. The trailer did a great job of conveying what should be expected of this series: A lighthearted comedy. For the most part, it did live up to what it promised. However, for a plotline of this nature, 12 episodes would have sufficed. In any case, I have sectioned my review in regards to what I liked and disliked about this drama:What I liked:
--> The comedy aspect was very well done and the chemistry between the actors were rock-solid. I feel like the viewers could sense a lot of joy watching the friend group on-screen as they seemed really authentic.
--> The fact that not everyone was from the same faculty and a considerable amount of the drama focused on the fine arts students. A lot of BLs tend to focus on engineers only so it was nice to witness other faculties in the mix.
--> The buildup towards all the relationships was slow-burn and I really enjoyed witnessing that the characters got the time to know each other.
--> At the end of the day, Aou and Boom did phenomenal with the limited amount of screentime they were given. I would love to see them as a lead pair in a drama series someday!
What I disliked:
--> After episode 9, the execution of the plot seemed really formulaic. The excessive amount of trips made it a little tiring to watch but the actors and their respective ships were the saving grace there.
--> The background music during the love scenes were so predictable because they kept using the same music every time. Honestly, as someone whose playlist contains of a lot of background music, I would appreciate a little bit more diversity. Don't get me wrong, I loved the songs the actors sang with Hidden Love by MarcPoon and Missing Me by WinnySatang being my favorites! But I just feel like they were inserted very predictably and at odd times. At times, it managed to pull me out of an intense scene.
--> I liked Peem and Phum's story a lot. I believe this was Pond and Phuwin's best work together in terms of acting. However, a part of me felt that the screentime could have been used for ChainPun to develop as a couple aside from their existing friendship. Their relationship was too sudden for me to witness in Episode 16 compared to the slow burn approach the other characters got.
--> Initially, the QToey plotline was my favorite only to have them dissipate for me after they got together. Every relationship has their own struggles and I wish the director would have shown as such. Their affection got relatively repetitive for me and after they got together, it just felt like their spark disappeared as time progressed.
--> I would have loved to see more of Pond's acting ability beyond his screentime with Phuwin as he did have a conflict with his father. I felt like more could have been explored on that front. I believe that Pond does have the ability to grow as an actor and an intense scene with his character's father would have been the perfect chance to explore that dynamic.
Last Notes:
--> I would not recommend binge watching this series as it tends to get boring pretty quickly. One of the main reasons I stuck with the drama was because it was a weekly release and the storyline reaches the viewers best that way, due to the anticipation element.
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it's about the characters not the plot
i started this drama with no expectations however, i found it very entertaining and even though the storyline was simple, what made me fall in love with this show was the interactions between the characters. Every single episode made me smile and laugh and i loved seeing how much the characters genuinely cared for their friends and lovers.Was this review helpful to you?
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Blerg...
I dragged myself through this because I didn't have anything else to watch at the moment and I was really only interested in Mark/Poon.Pond (who is one of my faves) and Phuwin were TOTALLY wasted on this series. They proved they could act in Never Let Me Go and then they are forced to follow it up with this fluff?
Satang's character was so annoying and Winny who is actually a pretty good actor was just phoning this in. I think they were both majorly miss-cast.
However, I LOVE the new paring of Mark with Poon. I've always kinda loved Mark, since Bad Buddy he's been one of my favorite of the sort of "lesser" GMM actors. He's been a lead in a couple of series, but they were not the best scripts or more high profile series. I thought his chemistry with Pawin was pretty weak and when you compare it to his chemistry with Poon it's like night and day. The two of them together are magic. I was really just watching the series for their storyline. Thank goodness we FINALLY got a kiss from them at the very end and it was a really good one. I hope, hope, hope, they get a series of their own next year.
Also, 16 eps. was ridiculous. There was literally not plot or dramatic tension enough for 2 eps and they dragged it out to 16. I understand the purpose was to just be sweet and gentle, but gimme a break.
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You can skip this one
GMMTV has a bunch of actors, writers, and directors in their roster, but doesn’t care for quality. If you like the male leads, go back and enjoy their previous dramas and ignore this one. They are cute and their relationship here is sweet and I can appreciate the lack of toxic characters, but that’s about it. The acting wasn’t great from the entire cast, but we could chalk it up to terrible writers who had no plot in mind. I don’t get how GMMTV goes from Last Twilight to something like We Are that was entirely aimless.And the side characters and their stories weren’t interesting either.
With everyone else who complains about Thai actors (except Jeff Satur) singing the same out of tune song, it’s in here too and it’s cringe.
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I didn’t expect to love it so much, mostly because I didn’t have any expectations going in.
Debating if I should give it 9 stars or 8,5!To be honest. I wanted to give a 8,5. But the story was evolving a little too slowly for my liking but they were so cute to have my heart melted.
It was a cute, easy and fluffy. I have to admit there was times I was giggling, all red, swinging my feet stupidly while watching.The only flaw (a personal flaw) was that the events happening slowly and yet it didn't stop me from enjoying this series.
I still cannot not talk about Phum - Peem's chemistry, because it was so beautifully captured that I felt their connection - their love. What starts off as a casual attraction slowly builds up into something so much more meaningful and desirable to both of them, in ways they could never have anticipated.
Q - Toey
Their banter was fresh and amusing and dare I say it, charming - their tender scenes just as emotional. It was almost poetic the way the Director wrote out their feelings and thoughts.
Tan - Khaofang
The way they comforted each other when they needed it so desperately, that fierce expressive and sticky they felt about one another, the cheerful way in which they acted upon their desire and want for each other - I ate those moments up.
Chain - Pun
Whether you'll love him or hate him, Chain was definitely my favorite. That cold yet assessing and loving demeanor suited my heart so well. Pun - my precious boy - let me protect you forever.
Romance aside, I loved this bl drama for the friendships and the vibes.
It may have not been quite what I was expecting, but what it delivered was more than enough to not only appease me, but make me eager for more.
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Story? What story? Just cute boys falling in love!
PhumPeem:They were the slow burners of the show, and were they slow bruningggg. I loved watching them grow as people, especially Phum. Loved watching him go from a cocky bastard to someone who started to care about and understand Peem. I loved how they became each other's safe place, and when one was in trouble or in need, they'd just go to each other for comfort. The scene where Phum finally spoke to his dad nearly made me tear up. The love they hold for each other was honestly so beautiful. It was disgustingly sweet. Bleh.
QToey:
The reason why I started this show 6 weeks in. Worst and best idea of my life I must say. And they fucking delivered. WhinnySatang are so underrated it hurts. I didn't even realise how many shows I've seen them in, and mainly remember them from MSP, but they can fucking act! THEY NEED THEIR OWN SERIES ASAP!! That crying scene? Bruh, the reason wasn't even that serious, but bloody hell they gave their whole backs for that performance. I still have chills thinking about it. Toey is just so baby girl coded I love it with my entire being. And Q being the sassy, sarcastic, tsundere bestie is everything. This kind of dynamic is my religion. Fucking fight me. I like vanilla too, okay, Helen? Watching the entire gang go with the random shenanigans just to get Q to admit his feelings was hilarious. Watching him warm up to Toey and Toey slowly not being scared of Q was just endearing.
TanFang:
I ended up enjoying this couple more than I thought I would. They are legit each others soulmates in every drama series. SO WHY DON'T THEY HAVE THEIR OWN SERIES YET?! HUH, GMMTV?! These two kill it every time, no matter in what role or dynamic they are put in. They can act, they got chemistry, SO CAN WE STOP PUTTING THEM AS BG COUPLE??? I know they got together pretty quickly, but the lack of screen time was annoying. I wanna see more lovely dovey Fang behind close doors. I know boy is a sassy motherfucker who be dropping bombs every where he goes, but I need to see him with Tan at home. I wanna see the soft side he only shows him. I will forever be a Fang defender, and any who thinks he don't like Tan, get glasses. Rewatch the show. Do. Better.
ChainPun:
If PhumPeem where the slow burners of the show, then these two were oven turned off. Ship not even sailed cuz captain forgot to give the order to go. PhumPeem walked so they could crawl. Pun being so fucking oblivious when the whole world and their dead grandma knew about Chain's feelings was fucking hilarious. And that kiss? I have never screamed and cried and been so shook in my life. I deadass did not expect any of that. And then Pun went in for a second one?? They knew the fans were hungry, so they devoured and delivered.
Other stuff:
Overall, the friendship of this whole group was what carried the show. If one is looking for plot, there is none, look the other way. All conflicts are mostly internal. Its basically them figuring out their feelings and emotions for their partners, and growing as individuals. But after they get together? There is no conflict what so ever. And I'm a slow burn lover. I love it to my core when it's done correctly. But this was just slow burn with no substance. If there is no plot to carry so many eps, then it just feels like it's dragging. And that's what PhumPeem felt like to me. "I only know that I love you" — 13 episodes. 13?! Yeah, that's too much. But it had me squealing so whatever.
There were a few eps in here that added nothing to the story overall, and honestly could have been taken out of the show and be substituted for something else. Add conflict, add some drama that feels relevant. And no, no misunderstanding or miscommunication. But like the whole shtick with Phum's dad that we could have done. TanFang having some issues that they had to resolve instead of them being the diabetes of the show. Phum and Fang's family are RIGHT there. We could have had that. We could have had Peem's background problems, or added more to ChainPun. I don't see why the directors changed them to be a couple, only to have them in the last ep.
Matt needs more appreciation in this show. Man was single-handedly carrying most of the comical scenes. "You always order me to do this and that ... I'll convince Toey to date someone else." The shit this man does and says is amazing. And the little somethin' somethin' they were doing with him and Mick was... well, bombastic side eye.
In conclusion, I'm a Fang defender to my dying breath, Tan best boi, Q is my spirit animal, Satang needs more baby girl roles, and glad Phum and Peen finally decided to grow brain cells and talk about their feelings.
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Kinda disappointed but not surprised.
I wanna start off by saying my low rating isn't because of the actors. The cast was really amazing, but i felt like the storyline in this series is just non-existent 😭😭. I started watching it for pondphuwin but even with them, they kinda lost the chemistry somewhere. It just feels like once the couples became official, the whole plot disappears and it's all just about being lovey-dovey and nothing else. Also making chainpun real in the last episode is a BIG no from me. Idk if anyone else feels the same.Was this review helpful to you?
I don’t know why the high rating
Honestly my rating is based on the main couple. The rest of the cast did as well as they could with the time they were given. I am disappointed with the main leads. I felt like Pond was carrying the Ship on this series and Phuwin presented like he was forced to be there and be intimate with Pond. I am not surprised that after this series all rumors started about their ship ending. Their chemistry felt so forced this series like what the heck happened? I think this one missed the mark and I hope PondPhu figure out how they want to move forward.Was this review helpful to you?
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Doesnt have a good plot.We are 5.5/10, 3 for only really watched for pondphuwin but they became boring in last episode. Winnysatang was quite a boring couple to me they didnt add any excitement to the show. Aouboom was cute definitely cringy. Pond phuwing kissed about 3 times then when pond told everyone that he will make phuwin fall in love with him like what he must know he likes him after 3 kisses how tf not. Weird it's like they took a step back for no reason like they weren't basically for dating 4 eps bruh. Cheum was an annoying useless character used to strech out the show. chainpun was so boring not alot of chemistry, there relationship didn't develop until ep15 they suddenly started speeding it up as if they had any moments before chain was just being a good friend. Needed a better plot, This couple wasn't needed whats the point if they only matter in 2 eps barely as well. I even doubted if they were ment to be a couple or just random bromance to fill scenes
The show definitely had comedy mostly from aun which was funny.
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An Ensemble Casting with a Good Storyline
“We Are” is a medley of romantic tropes and sappiness that is very welcome in the BL scene. It is the quintessential romcom, an easygoing series about a group of friends who find love and support each other throughout the process. “We Are” is refreshing and fun and even though it doesn’t give you any drama, the romance and friendship are enough to drive this 16-episode series, and the different couples give us a wide range of romantic tropes, there is no screen time wasted because all the stories develop at different paces, keeping us engaged from start to finish. As a big fan of slice of life shows with minimum conflict, “We are” was such a treat, and I hope there is more demand for such low stakes BLs in the midst of all the high drama, high production and educational ones.Read the complete article here-
https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/08/06/we-are-series-review-ep-5-to-16/
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A Heartwarming BL Series with Minimal to No Red Flags
This is one of the best portrayals of friendship in BL history. The support each character gives to one another is truly heartwarming, and the way they care for and help each other is beautiful.The red flags are minimal perhaps the smallest I've ever seen. Typically, BL series feature at least one major red flag, but in this series, I can't find any.
The story of a few couples might not be the best developed, but I can't say that it made anything worse. But all couples faced unique challenges in their relationships and overcame themin a good way.
Some series overdo the comedy, but this one was pretty balanced between serious, heartwarming, funny, and blatantly silly moments.
Overall, I consider this one of the better series of the year. It's lighthearted, fun, and heartwarming, without being over the top in any aspect.
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Groundhog Day
Negatives:Absolutely nothing new.
Boring repetitions.
Show every cliché.
The story flow was 1 step forward 2 back for no apparent reason.
A maximum of 12 episodes were needed.
Positives:
Interesting acting progression for some of the actors.
Even though nothing happens you watch it comfortably and quickly (up to episode 12 ).
Funny roles that create a pleasant mood.
Overall:
Simple Comfort Watch
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