23.5

Comfort Show For Sure!

This show has such a cute plot! Honestly going to put as a comfort show for sure! I wish I watched this in high school. I love how they showed their immaturity even though most of them are in their 20s. At first I thought they were actually teenagers, and that shows how amazing the actors are in this show. And I'm not just talking about the main duo. I mean ALL of them. All of them earn my respect for sure. This show is so hilarious and gives me so much nostalgia of all the fun things I did in high school. I love that the decisions that the characters made here are also the same decisions that a high schooler will also make. Sure some of them have wisdom but they still portray and show the teenage personalities here. And I really love that. The loserism in this show is just top notch! It was nerdy, corny, and cringe in the best of ways! Sure there are a lot of goofy and funny moments in this show but I also love how the intense scenes are played out. I felt so understood watching those scenes. It may have been dramatic but wasn't high school dramatic? This show was just like a hug to my past self. Made me think that even though my school and family life is not as good as this, I had good friends who helped me made good memories. That's why this show is top-tier in my opinion. The acting in this show is also very very good. Milk (Ongsa) had the loserism to a T. It was so good that I thought she was a little like this in real life. I wasn't a fan of Ongsa at first because of the catfishing but when her moment came when she broke down to her family. I get it. That scene was so powerful and heartbreaking because a lot of queer people relate to that. I finally understood why Ongsa did it. I liked Ongsa because her character grows, she may not be the best at anything but she tries, and even at trying to try she fails but she still persists to do it next time. As kid who missed a lot of chances, I totally understood why she was so scared. Sun (Love) was the best girl! She was the literal definition of Sunshine. Her character did show maturity but she still had some room to grow, especially the outing scene. It was messed up to out someone but the way it happened was not with malicious intent. She was hurt and she was trying to understand why Ongsa lied. She was such a good character with a lot of depth. Aylin (View) this was such a good character and representation. Her braveness to push through her uncomfortability to express herself to people she cared was something to live by. Luna (June) was so patient, sweet, and respectful. The actors in this show is just *chef's kiss*. I would also like to mention the OngsaSun's first kiss. That scene was perfection itself. The location, the event, the time, the place, the music. Best first kiss I've seen for sure! It was so so sweet. The OSTs are also really good. It stayed on theme and I can keep listening to it everyday, and I do. This is a show you can totally watch when you want some fluff because this is god-tier fluff!

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the earth tilts 23.5 degree to the sun and i love highschool lesbians

my titles doesnt rlly correlate but, i think its a really cute show to watch with highschool drama, cliche stories, its not serious at all. Its comedic and fun to watch when you are stressed or just wanna reminisce highschool love.

i have been waiting for this show for years due to it being delayed from covid, so i was really excited watching it. However i felt the plots was kinda weak to follow and sometimes they make me wna scream in my pillow out of frustration. Writing this review after 1 year completing it, i can barely remember anything from the plot too. BUT milklove chemistry is undeniably fun and enjoyable to watch.

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Way too silly

Watching this is good because there are a lot of pretty girls, though the plot is super childish. Even if there's a plot, it feels like it's written by a bunch of middle schoolers? I could imagine it working for an anime or webtoon but not live action drama. It's too silly. And they keep getting sidetracked, filling episodes with stuff that don't help Ongsa and Sun's relationship. I think this is GMM bad habit. In school or office dramas, they keep filling episodes with activities or events where all characters can participate or load it up with ads. Trying to stretch out the drama until it reaches 12 episodes. How about these writers write better stories?

These side characters... Hmmm. They're like caricatures, like they're supposed to be a stereotype; the popular guy with hordes of fan girls, the beautiful and though student president, the socially awkward nerd, the alien-obsessed girl. They have no depth or complexity. High school is more than 10 years ago for me but I don't remember high schoolers to be like this. This is more of a parody of high school. It gets even worse when they get coupled up without sufficient build ups.

I'm sad and disappointed. Disappointed because I was really looking forward to this couple after watching them in Bad Buddy. I thought they had good chemistry. Sad because this is my first GL series and the writers fumbled this hard.

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It’s okay, but not really the best

The dynamic between Milk and Love take on an endearing quirkiness (without being too cringey) as their characters in 23.5 are the polar opposites of each other.

Like many other series, the conflict revolves around a lack of open communication. This is perhaps unsurprising since 23.5 is intended to be a fluffy show about high school life. Teenagers are still learning to navigate their way around relationships and issues, and it’s completely understandable if they are poor communicators.

At times, the cringey awkwardness of the characters in 23.5 serves as a reminder of how nobody magically has it all together. People grow into more evolved versions of themselves with more experience and wisdom gained.

But the main point is this: For teenagers, many things can feel like the end of the world. But with support and help from others, it’s possible to get through anything.

It’s okay, but not really the best. The show started off quite cute but lost steam towards the end with a weak conflict and ending.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2024/06/11/23-5-gl-review/

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GMMTV need to get it together.

Honestly, the story line is good. This is basically the coming-of-age sapphic story that a lot of westerners want, especially in our own media. However, I think the story got confounded with so many other stories with their own individual characters that it hard to follow and really invest our interests in the characters. Film and Milk are the main two characters in the series, but there's so many side characters with their own stories it makes it difficult to kind of follow what is happening. You could argue that half of the "supporting" characters were main characters in the story because of how much time they got on screen. Now I'm not complaining, I like that since it's early in the GL rabbit hole that GMMTV is following, they want to explore the possibilities of future CPs. However, in this one they make it sooo obvious that they're throwing crap at the walls and seeing what sticks with the viewers.

Music? I don't remember any of them. I only pretty much remember the intro and that's it. So that's a 4 in my book. (Honestly, it should probably be lower since that's like the bare minimum).

Rewatch? I'd argue on a rainy day where I want a comfort GL, I could argue for it. Would I re-watch it? Yeah...? If maybe I've gone through the ones I liked the most.

[6/10]

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Watchable and cute, but seriously lacking in storyline.

I already know I wasn't the target audience for this show (high school romance is *not* my jam), so I wanted to really give it a fair shot before reviewing. But honestly? I think my review might have been more positive if I stopped after the first few episodes! While the design of this show is absolutely adorable, with lots of bright colors and space themes, the characters are completely empty and lessons learned are... pretty questionable. I'm also disappointed with GMMTV's continuous fumbling of disabled characters across several shows. This was not the best of efforts, and with several other GLs airing and upcoming... I don't feel like forcing myself across the finish line.

-The Full Review-
STORY:
This story is abysmal. I'll start with the major problems and work down to the nitpicks. Most importantly: the characters lack personality. While Ongsa and Aylin are can scrape by on a cartoonish, stylized choice, Sun and Luna are disappointingly one dimensional. Ongsa, Chareon and Tinh have more chemistry and repartee than any of the couples. Sun is supposedly popular, but 8 episodes in, I don't even know her friends names and she seems to ditch them without question. There doesn't seem to be any depth to any of the relationships--romantic, friendship, or familial.
My second largest issue is the treatment of Aylin, who is portrayed to have autism or some similar neurodivergence. Don't get me wrong: Aylin is leaps and bounds ahead of Penneung from Home School, so I'm grateful for that. But the way she is portrayed as "Luna's project" as someone to change and push into a social creature is just offensive. Half the times the Alien allegory works really well, and have the times it feels like a serious infantilization of an already infantilized group.
As for the nitpicks... I don't like how the show handled Ongsa's self-confidence issues. I understand shows need sponsorships, but to suggest the solution to Ongsa's feelings of "being ugly and unworthy" is to put on some L'Oreal LipstickTM and all the school will fall over you is some seriously anti-feminist drivel. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against femme lesbians... but Ongsa is Not! Or at least she is not portrayed that way until exactly the moment she strives to feel worthy of a girl. I don't think Sun's approach is appropriate either, and hate how her jealous prevents her from hyping up her hot girlfriend.

ACTING:
It was fine. Milk is wonderful at physical comedy and slightly less compelling with the more emotional beats. Love was very cute, but watching Home School simultaneously made it very clear how little she has to work with here. I am not at all a fan of View or her shaky attempts at cripping up, but I know I'm in the minority here. I don't really feel anyone else has enough to work with to properly judge their skills. About the best I can say is that everyone created a very cohesive, heightened, cutesy high school universe, which was nice. They matched energy levels very well, which made scenes fun and bright.
On another note, I wish they'd given this show to more age appropriate actors. While they did a valiant job of making a 27 year old look like a young high schooler, it simply didn't always work. The extreme youth and innocence of the script really worked against the actors here.

PRODUCTION:
All that said, it was enjoyable to watch. While the cinematography was frequently extra slow and drawn out, the set designs and costume choices created a beautiful and bright world. I really enjoyed the way they stylized the youth of these characters and exaggerated their interests to really fill the space. The design of the bedrooms went a long way to filling in the absent personalities of the characters. I, of course, have to take my hats off to the costume crew working over time to make these grown adult women look like they could possibly be in high school--an effect that works way more often than I expected.

INTIMACY:
I haven't watched anything with MilkLove before, and seeing the hype around this pair.... I was expecting more? There's decent chemistry. It's not unwatchable or unbelievable. But I feel like the sound and lighting cues are doing a LOT of the heavy lifting in the romance here. I'm not sure what happened, or if it's just an effect of Ongsa's shyness? They were particularly compelling to me, as a romance.

In all, it's pretty much what I expected from a GMMTV high school romance. They definitely have their audience that enjoys this concept, and I'm glad those people are getting fed. But it does feel like a waste of their talents and time to put out such a shaky end product. I would really like to see GL push harder to develop some truly complex characters and more interesting plots.

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It's really nice and cute!

I dropped it in the second last episode because the way they treated coming out of the closet. Till then it was perfect. Maybe I am just overreacting and they are immature kids. But I lost the urge to watch the remaining 2 episodes. Till 10 it was just perfect. So I want to only remember till then. The chemistry is too cute to handle sometimes! I wish there were more shows with such great pairings.

Edit: I watched the rest and loved it. I still feel the coming out part should have been dealt better, at least by the adults. The relationship issues they had were extremely relatable. I really like the conclusions of all of the relationships.

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Breaking Boundaries with Heart: A Review of '23.5' – A Sapphic Triumph in Thai Drama

"23.5" isn't just a Thai GL series; it's a beacon of inclusivity and warmth in a landscape often fraught with stereotypes and biases. As I reflect on its profound impact, I find myself compelled to share my heartfelt review of this precedent-setting show.

In a genre where representation often falls prey to sensationalism or marginalization, "23.5" stands tall as a testament to what can be achieved with sincerity and heart. The creators have crafted a narrative that transcends cultural barriers, inviting viewers of all ages and backgrounds to join in its heartwarming journey.

What truly sets "23.5" apart is its ability to entertain without relying on tired tropes or sexualization. As a 46-year-old who grew up with content that often failed to capture the depth and beauty of sapphic love, this series feels like a breath of fresh air. For once, I can sit down with my family and immerse ourselves in a story that celebrates love in its purest form, free from the burden of unnecessary sexualization or problematic storylines.

At the heart of "23.5" lies a narrative brimming with endearing characters, heartfelt moments, and a genuine sense of wholesomeness. Ongsa and Sun's journey from misunderstanding to friendship to love is portrayed with such sincerity and authenticity that it's impossible not to be moved. Theirs is a love story that resonates deeply, not just with LGBTQ+ audiences, but with anyone who has ever yearned for connection and understanding.

The cast and crew of "23.5" deserve immense praise for their commitment to authenticity and representation. From the stellar performances to the impeccable direction and cinematography, every aspect of the series comes together to create a truly unforgettable viewing experience.

As I eagerly await the possibility of a continuation in "24.0," I can't help but feel hopeful for the future of LGBTQ+ representation in media. "23.5" has proven that stories of love and identity know no bounds, and I can only hope that more creators will follow in its footsteps, embracing diversity and inclusivity with the same grace and sincerity.

In a world often divided by fear and prejudice, "23.5" serves as a reminder of the power of love to unite us all. May its legacy endure as a beacon of hope and acceptance for generations to come.

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a breath of fresh air; worth all the hype

bl and het shows have a wide range of silly romcoms to choose from, but the sapphic genre is mostly filled with angst, so this is really a breath of fresh air. i usually don't like highschool plots, but this one in particular is very enjoyable. for something so highly anticipated, im glad that i havent felt any disappointment so far. all the characters are rly interesting and im glad the side charas dont seem to be treated like mere foils (like alpha, for instance. my fave. im looking forward to how theyll unravel her chara's depth as we go on). i love when showrunners treat most charas with respect and not like theyre disposable, even if some of them are just for comedic relief. i think its nice that theyre gradually developing the romance between ongsasun as they establish their dynamics with the ppl around them. i like that even tho some elements are cringe and comical, it just feels humorous and not distasteful. it's a feel good show that rly represents the youthful sapphic experience of self discovery, fitting in, and falling in love while finding a community of queer friends. im excited to see more of ongsasun and aylinluna. every interaction of the two lesbian couples so far has been so "kilig" and i cant wait to see their relationships grow deeper as we uncover more layers of each of their charas individually.

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