Should've been a film
180 degree longitude is the slowest slowburn that has ever burnt. It certainly has some exceptional aspects that I cannot fault, however, it has some glaring issues. The cinematography is gorgeous, but it's basically the exact same shot throughout the entire series (with the same colour grading and atmospheric noise). The dialogues are too long and a bit repetitive at times, though the things they talk about are nuanced, interesting, and culturally relevant.There are serious issues with the pacing- while they catch feelings very quickly, it takes forever for anything to actually happen, and when things happen, its bound to happen like 5 more times because the plot goes around in circles. I also understand this is kind of the point though: the conflict and the motives behind the repetitive plot help us to understand the backstory and the characters, which are largely shrouded in mystery. But overall, the information given about backstory and characters is told through spoken dialogue and is as such very hard to follow. If they were a bit more creative with how they told these plot points (eg using flashbacks, analogies, dramatic reveals), then it would be a lot easier and more interesting to follow. There is also no distinction between the episodes: while other series have small plot arcs that are sometimes concluded in a single episode, this series only really has 1 plot arc that lasts the whole series. I liked the ending, though I understand why others would hate it.
The cast of 3 people was chosen very well, and they match the characters they're supposed to portray very well. The acting was good, though perhaps lacked dynamics at points. The chemistry between the two leads is fantastic and is helped greatly by their good looks and the direction of the more sexual scenes.
Overall, its a series that requires a lot of patience, but if you do watch it all, you are rewarded with a BL that provides new ideas and insights into the genre.
Perhaps the best way to sum it up is that it would've worked better as a film. If it was, having the same cinematography/ editing throughout all of it would actually be a positive, the dialogue and plot would have to be more concise and less repetitive, and the whole production could have 1 beginning, middle, and ending, instead of requiring 8 different, smaller beginnings, middles, and endings for each episode.
Was this review helpful to you?
PLEASE read this review before you watch this show so u know what u r about to get yourself into.
(boutta have the rant of my life, so hold on) Incredible show. Truly. But I had absolutely NO idea what I was getting myself into when I started this. I waited till it was done airing to start it, then I finished it in a day. little did I know, that this show would tear my heart out and leave me in SHAMBLES while writing this review. The last thing I thought this was going to be was a rlly heavy show and borderline depressing for me to watch. Ngl, I like the light and fluffy shows. I'm not used to this stuff. it was so SO hard for me to watch this because the entire show was just SO HEAVY and intense. I really cant describe it any other way. But I could NOT put it down.It truly was a masterpiece though. The aesthetics they used in this show, was stunning. The colors they used were perfection.
I wont lie to you, there were a lot of parts where i felt lost, like i wasn't following along too good, like i thought i accidentally skipped over something, but that's just the way this show is laid out. Everything gets answered in the end.
I absolutely hate shows with a sad ending. They really do give me the most emotions, but I hate it.
About the show:
CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS!!!
Once again, this show was incredibly difficult for my heart to deal with. SO many mixed emotions.
There was a lot of screaming and yelling at each other, which doesn't really bother me, but in this show there was a lot of it, and for very extended amount of times.
There was like ZERO happy moments with In and Wang. i literally can only think of one. Every moment with those two was just super intense. ALOT of staring at each other without breaking eye contact (seriously it was insane). There's A TON of crying, its really hard to get through because every episode is just like so depressing, u hope they get over it all eventually and finally start being a lil happy BUT NOOOO. Doesn't happen. it just gets progressively worse and worse.
I usually cant stand huge age gaps like in this show, but this one was bearable so i wont complain about it.
ALSO, you dont get ONE DAMN KISS from these two. so if you are expecting any of that, dont. cuz it doesn't happen.
You literally only have like three characters in this series, but they pulled it off well.
ALSOOO it’s hard to grasp that all of this happened within just a few days. Like I dont even think it was a week long…
I have a few things to say about In and his character. Honestly I didn't hate or love him. Whenever Wang would say something about how he felt towards In, In would just have this blank look on his face and not say anything, which I understand why. I know that's how his personality is, it just kills me to watch it happen. He does not reciprocate the feelings at all. physically or emotionally. he never ever says anything about how he feels towards Wang , even though Wang knows how he feels, it still hurts that he never tells him, not once.
About the ending... from the VERY first episode, deep deep deep down i knew. i knew it was going to have a heartbreaking ending. i kept watching it though, hoping i was wrong and they would give me what i wanted. the further i got the more i knew it wasn't going to come. but the further i got the more i hoped they would prove me wrong and they would give me the ending i wanted. i watched the very last episode knowing exactly what was going to come my way. I wouldn't accept it. I kept watching after the credits telling myself i would NOT accept it to end like this. But here i am ranting about it.
i will NEVER re-watch this show. Everrrrrr.
(Edit: I rewatched it once. TERRIBLE decision. I warned myself so I shoulda known better :(
OVERALL :
Even though this show is far from my ideal type, it was just so good. They did a really good job which is why i give it a high rating. and i really did adore Wang. he was an incredible character. both men were great actors. i hope to watch Pond in another BL someday. ( a happy ending one next time. plz.)
Thank u for reading! ~ Dani
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A beautiful, Uncomfortable Series
So, like most of the review will tell you, don't start this show if you're expecting the typical BL where they have a push and pull for 4 episodes, get together in the 5th, drama in the 7th and then happy ending in the 8th. If you're expecting fun, sexy, cute BL. watch something else. This is nothing like that. This is the story of pushing boundaries that should not be crossed, and 3 people who are all right and wrong in their own way. I've divided my review into sections for easy reading. It's actually my first review so bear with me lol.Cinematography
This part of the show is excellent. This show makes use of blues, greens, greys, and black, sometimes contrasting with the occasional white. This is seen down to the clothing. No one wears bright colors, and even the house itself is black, inside and out. It sets the tone for the show with each episode. Their use of greenery to transition their scenes is also good. Lastly the show makes use of objects in all their scenes as a way to add to the dialogue. Lines made by the furniture in the house that separates the two, that Wang attempts to walk around. Globes and maps in every area. Even the trophy. Lots of thought was put into this. Probably the best aspect of the show.
Acting
The acting in this show really was off the charts. Amazing these actors dont have more roles. I felt the sadness of each character, and Pond portrayed Wang in exactly how he was meant to be portrayed. There is a lot of dialogue and story telling, that does not include flashbacks, so its dependent on the actors to portray the feelings of the characters, so that it feels like they're opening up to you. very theatre and very risky on the director.
Music
Nothing to shout about. The music is soft and subtle, sad but not loud and overbearing. The focus is on the characters, and the music tries to keep that focus.
Story
Okay, this is where I begin my dislikes. The story is beautifully told, but as more is revealed, you find yourself wishing that the things that you think may be true didnt happen. And then they do. Its told in a way where you can see where each character is coming from, but also you don't support any of them, and don't support the relationship of the mains. Interestingly enough, I think that may have been the point of the story. It's not a romance. It's a story about healing and faults. The relationship between Wang and In I simply could not get behind. Something about In and his father being in ill fated love, In being there for his birth, calling himself uncle, and then being in love with the child 20 years later did not sit right with me. Wang may have felt feelings, but the addition of his father made it uncomfortable, and you feel the elephant in the room every time. "What's wrong with loving the man my father once loved?" is 100lb question, and the silence to that question was deafening. As for In he's a coward. and though he is intelligent and speaks well, in the end he will continue to run. But i'm glad he did, because there was realistically no hope for the relationship. Wang is not a replacement for Siam. For mom, loosen that leash on your child. you don't own him. But also, your child telling you he loves the man that your deceased ex husband also loved and divorced you for is a LOT to ask someone to understand.
Overall was a decent drama. I felt pain, annoyance, general discomfort but also enjoyed the way they told it. 100% wouldve gotten a lower review if it had a happy ending for the mains. This drama is definitely not for everyone, but again, I don't think it was meant to be.
Was this review helpful to you?
Raw, emotional, worth every minute
Just finished and all I can say is this is a truly beautiful seriesThe cast are outstanding, the script and how it was delivered, the words not said but felt, the storyline was so intense, on the edge of your seat moments and flop back into your sofa moments, laugher and tears
The visuals, the cinematography, the way scenes were lit, thr colour palette throughout was truly stunning
Finished and lessons learnt through watching and i will be recommending it to others, watching again definitely
Was this review helpful to you?
Here we have a successful mother (acclaimed soap opera director), her son turning 20 and the best friend of the father, who passed away in a tragic accident. No romance, no kitties, no flowers or rainbows, just brutal truths that hurt and thus everyone tries to avoid. But not everyone can. The ending is not happy (at least not in the usual sense), but rather demonstrates that life goes on, no matter what.
The performance of the mother is excellent, of the father's friend quite good. That of the son is simply stellar! The quarrels at the end (after the elephant is released) are breathtaking and captivating. And they do not revolve around love as much as around life and how it's supposed to be lived. Love is just the ignition of everything .
Interesting detail: none of the actors are BL actors.
This is a gem that you should definitely watch. However, do not expect a romantic comedy. It's neither romantic nor funny, but brutally blunt. Thus, make sure you watch it while in a good mood and able to handle distress.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Perfect 10
That was truly a work of art! I'm left with completely different feelings from my usual shows, but I'm accepting that this is a good thing. I tend to latch onto the same vibes, rely on a comfortable ending and the expectation is often "at least a kiss".This show reminded me that I have serious appreciation for world class acting, writing and dialogue. Not to say many of my top favorites don't have those things, but this show really just knocked it out of the park. It's easily some of the best chemistry I've ever seen and that statement extends well behind "bl" or the like.
It's hard to understand it, but Wang put it pretty well. There is seemingly going to be a happy ending for two of them, but not all three; In unfortunately is that character. I won't pretend I didn't wish for the Mom to be the one to get the short end of the stick, as she was heavily manipulative. selfish and from the storyline it seems like she's been getting her way in all aspects. The only time she didn't get her way was when her husband tried to pursue his own happiness and we all saw how that turned out.
I don't regret watching this and I hope there continues to be a large variety of options in media. I typically rely on the shows that "don't change" to protect my little heart from endings like this one, but I think if I keep doing that I will miss out on some absolute gems.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Reality check
Now this one was totally different than any other BL drama I've watched so far!This drama definitely won't suit some people's taste, I'll take myself as an example. If this drama aired in 2019-2020, when I just started watching BL dramas, I know that I'd probably drop it/won't be interested in it :( when I started I just wanted to watch some fluff/nothing too serious, also we can say that compared to me from today, I was more immature back then 🤷♀️
If you expect just fluff or if you expect something 18+ happening, I don't think you'll like it. To like this drama I guess you have to understand it. I don't blame anyone who disliked this drama, maybe try watching it once again one day when you have a different mindset, maybe it'll hit you differently.
This drama is literally a life lesson, not everything goes the way we want it to go, but we can fight for what we want, but also we should know when to put the ball down and stop the game. The characters didn't just talk into the open so the wind can blow away their words, words they said/discussions they had, are actally deep. As for the ending, I'm not sad/disappointed abut it at all, because YES that's life 🤷♀️and yes, since life is hard to everyone in their own way, we prefer a light, funny, happy and "daydream" drama (I'm saying this because I also prefer those light cute dramas), but sometimes, it's good to watch a drama like this as well!
Was this review helpful to you?
Very different from the usual BL series
The show is centred around the interconnected relationship between a mother, her son, and his dead father's first love.The mother, Sasiwimol, is hard to like as a character. Her shrill, almost-desperate, voice fills the space with all the thoughts that nobody asked to hear. She insists that cares about nothing but her son – and yet, there are plenty of instances where she positions herself as the centre of the universe, a character flaw that reveals a deeper insecurity to be wanted.
What is deeply unsettling about Wang and In’s relationship is that Wang is never just Wang. He will always live in Siam’s shadow, and through him, In can finally be reconnected to the person he didn’t have the courage to love.
Personally, as beautifully heartwrenching the story was, they were a couple I just couldn’t get behind. I can’t decide if 180 Degree Longitude has truly succeeded in what it set out to convey – first loves and loss, new journeys and redemption. It has all the classic traits of a typical indie flick – beautiful visuals, long and ambiguous conversations, and explorations of literature and philosophy.
Done well, it should evoke a profound sense of emotion in the viewer, and when done poorly, it comes off as cringey and tryhard. 180 Degree Longitude was neither for me. There are times when I really liked the dialogue, and other times when I felt the series was trying to be artistic for the sake of it.
My favourite part of the series wasn’t the storyline or characters – it was actually the soundtrack.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/10/04/180-degree-longitude-passes-through-us/
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Annoying, Boring at Times, Unrasonable
WOW! It took me a long while to get through this one - I actually guessed what the last episode was going to be like so I didn't want to watch it - but I finally took a deep breath and finished this.I have to say, this is one of those shows that win awards - and you wonder who decides which shows will win awards!
I guess it was supposed to be deep and full of meaning, but this is what I got -
A Selfish, Self-Centered Mother who needed counseling and never got it - clinging desperately to alcohol and totally dependent upon her son. Get A Life - And take voice essons while you are at it - your voice is extremely shrill and annoying, and you talk too much!
A son who has an overblown imagination and a hero complex regarding his father who committed suicide - and a romanticized view of his father's best friend... that's not love, but then I think no one ever loved him so how would he know.
A mute, crybaby adult male who has run away from life and practically denied his own existence.
Put this all together and what do you get - Annoying, Boring, Unrealistic, Lack of a Good Love Story Series, but then that's my opinion, and this show has plenty of high ratings - that's what makes the world go round.
Was this review helpful to you?
Pond is worth watching and Wang deserves more
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.25When “180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us’ was aired, it created a little stir on the feeds due to his melodramatic storyline and the age gap. The age gap was what gave me pause and not watching it.
Despite a sea of BLs, 180 Degree is a unique drama that I think is worth watching and I am in the mood for something more melo. That is not to say this is a pleasant watch because I was so mad at Uncle In in the end, so much more than the Drama Queen Mother.
There’s a lot to like in this drama:
1. Pond/Wang - He is the star of the show and makes this drama worth watching. Because Wang is such a mature 20-year old, it makes the age gap feel a little less yucky. Pond exudes that young playfulness in earlier episodes especially during the fun mother-son interaction and banter. As he falls in love, you can see the feelings and longing coming out of his eyes. The last episode when he let it all out and told everyone off, I was cheering for him. Wang deserves so much more than what Uncle In can give him. I want him to go out and find someone as brave as he is, someone who can be by his side for good and bad.
2. Feel of the drama - I’m searching for something melodramatic and I get that here. Despite some yelling and screaming, the drama has all the elements that I am searching for - cinematography, the general slowness (for the most part), philosophical conversations all and especially Pond’s beautiful voice when the theme song is played. They all work very well together that makes 180 Degree a very unique drama.
3. Chemistry - The chemistry is definitely there when Wang and In first laid eyes on each other. They haven’t even talked much at that point, but I can see tension in their gazes. All of their interactions and conversations up to ep 6 feel so intimate. This is the In that I like as well - thoughtful, caring and understanding mentor for Wang. The one that validates Wang’s feelings and encourages him to pursue what he wants in life. Whenever the mother shows up in the first 6 episodes, she feels like a third wheel!
What I don’t like or have mixed feelings:
1. Mother - Gosh, she is so over-the-top. Mom is a drama queen and the center of all the attention. She’s loud and bossy. What is up with that birthday party celebration? I was so embarrassed for Wang. She should have known that’s not what her son wants. I don’t question her love for her son, but she needs to find more appropriate ways of showing it. She always blames others and it’s never her fault. But in the end, Mom is right in pointing out and asking Wang whether Uncle In has directly expressed his feelings.
2. Uncle In - He does not deserve Wang. This coward makes my blood boil in the last couple episodes. After all that he has gone through in the past and knowing pushing people away may not bring them happiness, he still doesn’t change. He doesn’t flat out tell you how he feels but his inaction speaks louder than words. It feels like the mature, thoughtful and caring In that Wang fell in love with in the first 6 episodes disappears in the last 2. I wonder if that bar-like divider screen in his bedroom is a symbolism of how he imprisons himself and stay away from the world, and be the lonely 52-Hertz whale.
3. Slowness - For the most part, I enjoy the slow pacing of the drama as it complements well with everything. But the only part I dislike is how the drama unveils the dead father’s story. It took forever! I feel like Uncle In took 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back, and all I want is for him to just tell me what happened (even though it’s not hard to guess).
If you are looking for a different kind of BL, I would recommend this. It’s not fluffy with tons of passionate kisses, but angsty in a way that you want to punch a couple of the characters in the face. But Pond is worth it.
Completed: 5/24/2025 - Review #581
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Critical Analysis (with SPOILERS)
Capsule (spoiler-free)180 Degrees Longitude Between Us isn’t your typical love story: it’s a chamber drama about desire, grief, and responsibility. Three people confined to a house—Mol, Wang, In—and a theatrical direction (spaces, thresholds, silences) that refuses easy consolation. The series doesn’t deny feeling: it acknowledges it and then places it within ethical boundaries, choosing a coherent, adult ending. If you’re looking for wish-fulfillment, you may be taken aback; if you’re looking for emotional truth, it will be hard to shake.
SPOILER ALLERT!!!
1) What it’s really about (beyond the ship):
This series isn’t a “failed love story”; it’s a chamber drama about desire, grief, and responsibility inside a triangle of mother–son–father’s friend (Mol, Wang, In). Its form is theatrical (few characters, long scenes, use of thresholds and mirrors), a choice that forces us to sit inside the cracks of these relationships instead of anesthetizing them with editing or hand-holding music. That formal setup is the author’s statement: an intimate piece with actors mostly enclosed in interiors, dense dialogue, and a deliberately slowed tempo.
Core thesis: desire isn’t denied; it’s acknowledged and then placed within boundaries. The aim isn’t romantic gratification but to break a cycle of role confusion and inherited guilt that has everyone trapped.
2) The dangerous knot: when BL meets the ethics of boundaries:
A lot of BL fandom is trained to look for wish-fulfillment (the couple “should” end up together). Here, however, Wang/In is ethically problematic due to asymmetry (age/experience), affective position (In is the late father’s best friend, the site of unresolved grief), and a family system still collapsing in on itself. The series doesn’t demonize desire; it shows how destructive it would be to act on it while ignoring context. That’s what some “romance-first” viewers experience as frustration; in fact it’s a lesson in boundaries.
" Let’s name it clearly: consent alone isn’t enough when there is structural asymmetry (history, roles, grief). The text stages this and honors it in the ending. "
3) The three arcs—no sugarcoating:
- Wang — from enmeshment to subjectivity:
Wang enters In’s house seeking truth about his father and a place of his own in the world. His bond with Mol is enmeshed (closer to a symbiotic couple than mother–son), and the desire for In begins partly as escape from the maternal orbit and as a mirror for an idealized father. The series has him name desire, accept it, and not use it to plaster over grief. That’s maturity, not renunciation.
- In — from nostalgia to the limit:
In is the adult frozen in the past—his youthful love for Wang’s father suspended in amber. Wang and Mol shatter the sanctuary: temptation is real, the tension is palpable (the series is famous for how it crafts unconsummated tension), but In chooses the boundary. Not because he doesn’t desire, but because he understands that embracing desire and stopping is the only way not to turn it into appropriation.
- Mol — from control to letting go:
Mol concentrates power and fragility: a charismatic but controlling mother, willing to bend the family narrative rather than lose Wang. She risks being read as “the antagonist,” yet she has a true arc: she sees the unhealthy system, releases her grip, and accepts that loving a son means not owning him.
4) Why the ending is “right,” not “sad”:
Many wanted Wang and In together. The ending rejects that shortcut and chooses the correct roles: Wang exits the enmeshment, In doesn’t “inherit” the father’s place, Mol relinquishes control. No one “wins” in the rom-com sense; each heals a part. It’s an ethical ending: it acknowledges the feeling and contextualizes it; it doesn’t punish love—it centers responsibility.
5) Film language: how form makes the ethics legible:
- Space: the house is a fourth character; thresholds, frames, mirrors become visual lines that separate/approach.
- Time: long takes force us to “stay” with consequences; no anesthetizing edits, no guiding score.
- The 180-degree “line”: the title resonates with the cinematic rule; respecting the line becomes a metaphor for the boundary—you can approach, but you don’t cross. The mise-en-scène doesn’t just illustrate; it argues. Its visual grammar is what makes the final choice feel truthful.
6) Where it may rub (and why that’s intended):
- “It’s slow and talky.” True; that’s the price of ethical precision.
- “No catharsis.” There’s no applause; there’s a hard-won peace instead.
- “A BL without wish-fulfillment.” Yes—and that’s its political strength: it shows that setting a limit can be a form of love.
7) Anchor scenes:
- The first admission of desire: the text treats it as truth to honor, not a green light.
- Confrontations within the house: bodies reaching and stopping; thresholds left uncrossed.
- The farewell: not “no to love,” but yes to responsibility. All three exit the house intact.
8) Why it matters—also politically:
In a BL market that often sells immediate gratification, 180 Degrees is almost a counter-genre: it shows that placing a boundary can be a form of love. It’s a discourse on informed consent, asymmetries, grief, and respect for roles—exactly the areas where fandom sometimes prefers a fairy tale to reality. That’s what makes it—for me, and for you—one of the most honest and necessary series of recent years.
Was this review helpful to you?
Underrated and wonderful
I don't usually write reviews for shows but I had to after watching the last episode. There's no doubt that this show tells a story differently. It can be difficult to get into if you don't like quieter, carefully paced shows. There are entire episodes which consists of just one scene and dialogue between two characters (similar to that of the book "The Symposium" that Int gives to Wang). Not to mention, many parts of the acting and scenes feels more like watching a live play rather than a tv show. And many aspects (geographical lines, affection and attraction, loneliness) are spoken of metaphorically. All of which gradually builds up until the final episode where everything is so clear in who the characters are, what their "lines" are, and how they go about living. The only score is the song sung by the actor who plays Wang. It complements the show beautifully.It is a very cathartic and special watch. Highly recommend.
Was this review helpful to you?
