Acceptance, tolerance and the best friend groups known to humankind.
I want to rate this series 12/10. It managed to show the best of BL whilst avoiding the worst.I really don't understand the low rating and I don't understand accusations of stalking by Toh. He never approached Nuea.. never tried to make Nuea uncomfortable and never thought he owned Nuea. He was happy watching from a distance. Sure, he collected weird things as mementos BUT the series is based off a manga therefore some things will be exaggerated. People love manga for the weirdness, the exaggeration of details, well, that's why I do.
I will be watching this series again, to remind myself of what good relationships look like, what amazing friendships look like.
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Despite the title of the Novel "Stalker", Toh is a "Collector" not a sociopath or a criminal
First of all let's see what a " Collector" is, according to psychologists.For people who collect, the value of their collections are not monetary but emotional.
The collections allow people to relive their childhood, connect themselves to a period or to a time they feel strongly about. Their collections help them ease insecurity and anxiety about losing a part of themselves and to keep the past to continue to exist in the present.
Toh thinks he will never be worth of Nuea love. He thinks he does not have anything to offer, that he isn't something special, no good looking, shy, nerd.
So he watches him from afar. Collecting mementos of moments that are precious for him.
Collecting may provide psychological security by filling a part of the self one feels is missing.
When one collects, one experiments with arranging, organizing, and presenting a part of the world which may serve to provide a safety zone, a place of refuge where fears are calmed and insecurity is managed.
In his room, Toh can openly fantasize about being loved back. He is bold and brave, he approaches Nuea.
Items in a collection are neatly organized, maintained, and presented or manipulated with ease.
(If a collector of 1000+ trains wishes to find a particular specimen from their collection, they can find it easily. )
Collections are often catalogued, sorted, and objectively maintained like books in a library.
Toh mementos are kept like treasures, handled with care and perfectly organized.
This is not a dangerous behaviour.
Although it still has its counterpart that is scary, creepy and dark. IT' S NOT THE CASE IN THE SERIES.
So judging Toh like he was a serial killer,( as someone did in their review) is really too much.
It's true he is a controversial character and his "obsession" might result uncomfortable but, please give him time to develop, grow and change.
Nuea seems to be aware and know a lot about Toh and his particular interest for him and never embarass him, or treat him harshly.
Please, don't just drop the series at the Synopsis or the 1st episode.
Cheewin Thanamin has directed a lot of other successful series : Why RU, YYY, Close Friends, Y destiny, You Never eat Alone.
He has a unique style, so you will surely get captivated by the characters, their stories and their growth throughout the episodes.
Idol Factory actors are mostly rookies but very talented and they all did a good job portraying the different characters who are part of this story.
They convey emotions, it's easy to connect with them, understand what they are going through and being emotionally involved in their struggles, joys and intimate feelings.
This series will make you laugh, cry and be all giggles.
Give it a chance.
It is really worth it!
It airs on Channel 3 Thailand every Friday at 23.00, watching live doesn't require a subscription but subs aren't provided on TV. Can be watched also on CH3 Plus App but without subs. ( no subscription, no VPN requiered)
There is an exclusive re-run on IDOL FACTORY official YouTube channel soon after the episode ends.( ENGLISH sub provided)
Other languages are added during the next days .
Thanks for reading
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You Definitely Have to Watch!
It is so funny to think this is the show that got me to finally get an account to write a review. I have been watching BLs for years now and never once felt the need to write one but this show definitely did something to me.I want to first start off by saying I went into this because I kept getting mixed reviews on the show and had to finally see what the issue was. And I can say the first two episodes had me iffy. I was not a fan of the start, especially seeing how weird they made Toh, but once the 3rd episode came around and things started getting serious I fell in love.
This show may have its crazy embarrassing moments that cause me to pause or hide but I think it plays into the trope of these issues. I think we all have our weird quirky moments especially with a crushes that make us do things that others find odd. And they are obviously exaggerating it to make a joke on it. And I think it is needed. Sometimes we have to see others being just as odd to feel better about ourselves.
But what sold me was the actual plot of each characters insecurities. We get to see everyone have an emotional side. It isn't just about Toh and Nuea. Or even just Toh at that. They delve into Nuea emotionally too which is rarely seen in BLs. But every character has something that is stopping them from what they want in life. They delve into body dysphoria, sexuality, gender, friendship and it is honestly moments that we can all connect too. Yes it is goofy and weird but it knows when to cut that off and show us what being human means.
Then the acting is another thing. The level of professionalism and skill you need to have to play these odd, quirky roles is a lot and Toh and the others are doing well in making us uncomfortable watch them. Us wanting to pause, hide, and scream means they are doing their job. But they all have this level of chemistry that feels real, especially the way Nuea looks at Toh. I didn't feel like any couple was pushed or forced on us. They all complemented each other well. Even the friend groups. It made me miss the group of friends that I once had.
So in all it may not be everyone's cup of tea but it is a great show overall in its messages it tries to send to the viewers. I think everyone should give it a chance!
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An Amazing Series
I Love This Series! While I would not rate it a 10, as I do my absolute favorites, I still think it is close to a 10.I watched both the cut and uncut version - there is a world of difference between them, so if you have not watched the uncut series, you really should because so much of the emotional scenes and intimate scenes are left out of the cut version, which leaves behind an incomplete story and a lot of nonsense. Find the uncut version at Idol Factory Youtube Channel
At first the shy male lead is overly shy and comes across in kind of an irritating way, after a while I am not sure if he settled down a bit or the whole story just made up for it, but I ended up really liking him and rooting for him. The other male lead is really attractive. Both are excellent actors. The second couples' story is cute too and it's amazing to watch the shy boy in this relationship gain confidence and acceptance of himself as he falls in love.
I would definitely watch the uncut version of this series again ad urge you to give it a try, at least through the first seven episodes before you decide if it is right for you.
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Cringiest but Best BL you'll ever watch!!!
Absolutely Amazing. No toxicity. No angst. No backstabbing. No misunderstandings. Just 100% pure love. Plus, hands down the best most supportive friendships of any drama, ever. This drama checks all the boxes we watch these shows for. You'll get all the, kisses, visuals, romance, heart flutters, blushes and squeally moments you can stand. Chock full of cringe but in the funniest of ways. Every kiss felt real! (Oooph that second kiss at camp! Mmm mmm mmm) The actors had some of the best chemistry I've ever watched. (We're talking TharnType, WhyRU level chemistry) Watch this drama. You wont be disappointed.Was this review helpful to you?
Soooo
I did not expect to be hooked on this series at all. I started watching it 2 days ago and I'm now on ep. 11 in front of my laptop screen crying. I thought it was just going to be silly and won't have a deep meaning to it because of some clips I watched on TikTok but I'm legit shocked how good this series is.
I wish I had watched it while it was airing, but now I think about it, I'm glad I didn't because I would not have been able to wait a week for another episode. Those who actually did that... KUDOS to you! I'm trying to prolong watching the ending and even ep 12 looked a bit fishy to me so I'm praying nothing huge happens and they all just stay happy.
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This review may contain spoilers
Well shit!
SPOILER To anyone that have not reached this episode!
Holy shit! This series was amazing. The deeper you look, the more meaningful and mind-blowing it is. I just went back and watched ep. 6 where NueaToh were sitting on the sofa after Toh got a bloody nose. That moment seems like any other moment that people would have a conversation. But No... it was so much more than that!!!
This whole time people are commenting on how Toh should have been forward and told Nuea how he felt instead of "stalking" him ( I use that term loosely). But I think we forgot the fact that Toh did not know if Nuea was interested in men or not. Toh, is of course out but he did not know if Nuea would ever accept him or not. I realize now that Toh not only loved Nuea from afar, but he was also afraid, scared, in fear that if Nuea knew he took pictures of him at school events not only because he was a photographer, but because he, as a man, loved him romantically. And the fact that Toh didn't know if Nuea liked men or not made him stay away from him.
Then on ep. 6, when Nuea asked him about his crush saying "Is it a woman or a man", It hit me. NUEA KNEW TOH's hesitation and why he was being closed off. He then said to him "Do you know being with/kissing a man is different than being with/Kissing a woman"? Thats when Toh asked "Why do you ask as if you know the difference?" and Nuea replied, "I know about it more than you do"... which made Toh's Red-light turn to Yellow... he still was not 100% sure but he now knew Nuea has had some experience with both genders (I believe Toh was Nuea's experience with a man as the series did not suggest Nuea having any other experience with men before Toh. And also how Prao said "this is just a phase" (I'm putting her words nicely than she said it)
This is just One scene from One episode. How many deeper meanings will we find if we focus and watch the episodes again. I Applaud the director/writer/screen writer/producer for this.
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Worth it... fluffy and happy, but also hits on big issues
At the first episode of this drama, I was considering whether to watch it or not, but I'm thrilled I kept with it! The story is cute, and of course, the romance is delightful! The main couple has excellent chemistry, as well as the side couples.There are a few parts of the story that drag or are a little bit unnecessary, but overall a drama that I think is being underrated. Honestly, the main character, Toh, was so adorable to me. He was honest with his weirdness, and still confident after he got used to everything with his boyfriend. That smile! If you're on the fence, give it a try!
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One of the best series of the year!
I have to admit I was reluctant to watch this series but once I started it has occupied my brain. I have re-watched this series an embarrassing amount of times and will continue to re- watch. I think I understood the message to be of acceptance, that no matter how different you are, you deserve to be loved. Toh's character is misunderstood, yes he is a collector, obsessing over Nua, and "stalking" him but he does this for himself and with his trusted friends. A real stalker will cause harm and will try to insert themselves into their obsession's life. Nua's character is so well done, he just accepts Toh and does not let what others think affect his feelings for him. The show had a great storyline, lots of humour and serious topics . I think the productions did a great job in telling a story without added drama on each episode. Billy/Seng what a great job they did with their characters, their acting was amazing! We are slightly over halfway of 2022 and so far this is my favourite drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Campy, Queer, and a Love Letter to the Outcasts
Have you ever watched a show and its essence felt supremely queer? That was my first impression of SCOY and it delivered on the queer-vibes the whole way through.It's loud, flamboyant, and fun in a way that isn't meant to be taken too seriously, but is also filled with a lot of heart. A tight-knit, queer friend group takes center stage and femmes get lead roles in a world where they're used to being the unattractive outcasts, stuck daydreaming about their secret crushes on unattainable campus hotties, except (spoilers) campus hotties are Queer Friend Group #2, who are less visibly queer, but are truly just as lovably odd as Queer Friend Group #1.
Both friend groups are filled with characters I have come to absolutely adore, and SCOY takes care to show that whether attractive or unattractive, popular or unpopular, we all are humans each with our own quirks and insecurities, but by sharing those parts of ourselves with our loved ones, we can learn to overcome those insecurities and allow ourselves to love and be loved for the quirky people we are.
The couples have excellent chemistry and SCOY loves to show how attractive they find each other, but my favorite thing about the numerous sex scenes, especially between Nuea and Toh, is how sometimes I just had to sit back and be like, if that's what they're into, good for them, because they were often playful and teasing in a way that was uniquely THEM.
The show isn't without its flaws (Daisy and Touch deserved a better resolution), but it was still a solid 10/10 on the enjoyment scale.
Extra bonus points for the lesbian couple in QFG#2, even if they were only minor characters. I'm so ready for us to enter a gl era, and if GAP the Series is anywhere near as good as SCOY was, I will be a very happy lady indeed.
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Watch this to enjoy an honest and good work.
A truly honest and good work you should watch and have fun.Pros: managing correctly toxic situations, dealing with most of the problems such as body shaming, obsession, social media, safe sex, variety of sexes, acceptance, nice aesthetic for the love scenes.
Cons: Some old fashion ways of portraying LGBTQIA+ like “husband-wife”, “the athletic top-the feminine bottom”, self-esteem issues etc.
Over all the pros are way more and you can add to this: good acting, good production, excellent subtitles, lots of topics but not chaotic, lots of funny moments, lots of sexy moments, references to Thai cinematography (always adds a taste), essential for the plot emotional scenes and more.
TAKE A SEAT! ☺
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