For Romance Lovers - Romantic, Sensual, Emotional
Subjective Gut Rating: 8.75I’ve always enjoyed watching Thai period dramas to learn more about Thai culture. Even though time-traveling is not my jam, the trailer of “I Feel You Linger in The Air” piqued my interest. I am so happy that I waited for it to finish airing and binge all 12 episodes at once. It’s a wonderful and romantic drama that focuses on the love story of the main leads. As a romance lover, this is definitely my cup of tea and I get the satisfaction I couldn’t quite get from “To Sir, With Love”. But if you are picky about the time-traveling, you might not be satisfied.
What I Like:
1. Main Romance - First and foremost, I love the development of romance. Even though it feels slow, it's actually not. It takes them about half a drama to confess their feelings, so in a way, that’s a pretty decent pace. Yai is so smitten and in love from the second he laid eyes on Jom. The love is there right from the start and continues to build throughout. Jom’s love is undeniable and he’s so in tune with Jom’s feelings and thoughts. Drunk confession through poetry? Sign me up for more! As mentioned, their love story is central to the plot and you follow their journey every step of the way. Their romance is beautiful, ROMANTIC, sensual and passionate.
2. Chemistry - Amazing and off the charts. Who knew olive oil can be so sexy? There are many Thai BL dramas that are way more sexual and with more explicit sex scenes. But in “I Feel You Linger in The Air”, I think their touching, caressing, hugging and kissing are WAY sexier and more romantic than any explicit sex scenes. **Check out ep 7** 😉 I can feel their emotions throughout these scenes. There’s one scene that’s a little more sexual, but the emotions behind it are telling us a very different story - elation, sadness, longing, desperation.
3. Acting - There is no typical Thai overacting, or having the camera stay at someone’s face for 5 seconds too long. The acting is as natural as I could have hoped for in a Thai drama. Nonkul (as Jom) and Bright (as Yai) did an admirable job. Even though I don’t think they are excellent, I believe in them and their acting (still some room for improvement). The supporting cast also deliver good performances.
4. Music - For such a gentle and romantic drama, I am glad the drama is not overloaded with songs played over and over again. For most of the drama, we hear gentle background music that mostly complemented the scenes. It was quite interesting that Swan Lake was played during two scenes when Jom and Yai are evading/dancing around each other about what just happened. The few songs that the drama has are lovely and played mainly towards the end of the drama more often. The lyrics also complement the scenes very well.
5. English - English that sounds English and doesn’t hurt my ears! Sweet James is played by Kimmy G (Thai-British) and Robert is played by Attila G (Thai-Swiss). I am so glad they are casted in these roles. Not only are they good to look at, they are lovely to hear from, esp. James.
6. Production Quality - Cinematography is beautiful. Jom’s house looks classic from the outside and the rooms look simple but gentle. The costumes are not elaborate but they seem to match the 1920’s style. The male cast looks handsome in their suits and the women look beautiful in their dresses.
What I have Mixed Feelings or Don’t Like:
1. Time-Traveling/Ending - I don’t necessarily feel that the ending is rushed, but it was not satisfying. The drama did not really explain the last few scenes in the finale. What if there’s no season 2, then it leaves a big question mark about how this ending makes sense. A special episode is fan service and doesn’t really match the tone with this beautiful melancholic drama. Having said that, I like how unique the drama ties the visions to _______ (it would be a spoiler if I write that out).
2. Villain’s downfall - Many viewers like me are waiting for the downfall of the villain. I don’t think he’s THAT bad compared to other villains I’ve seen, but the exposure of their crimes is really anti-climatic. Even if that place and time are best for such an exposure, the way it was done doesn’t make sense to me. It seems too easy without much resistance. I was hoping for more.
3. Side Stories - Maybe due to the focus of the leads, the other two couples didn’t really have a lot of screen time. I think their stories could be interesting as they are vastly different from the main couple, but not enough time is dedicated to them for viewers to know their backstories to make me root for them even more.
Overall, I strongly recommend this drama for romance lovers who like a slower-paced, passionate and a more melancholic love story (with some cute scenes). You will go through so many different emotions with the leads and will love it.
Other Random Observations:
1. Did you notice Jom likes to blink very slowly, or close his eyes a few seconds too long right before he’s expected to say or react? For some reason, it bothered me. LOL (I know I am insane).
2. I will forever remember this couple when I see olive oil. LOL
3. James and Ming are both so sweet, kind and nice. Great friends to have!
4. Jom and Yai are the most careless forbidden lovers out there. I worry they will get caught every time they are so open with their affections.
Completed: 11/5/2023 - Review #373
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an enchanted, lavender, and heartfelt love story.
I must admit that I'm not typically a fan of historical BL series, but when I stumbled upon IFYLITA, I couldn't resist giving it a shot. And let me tell you, it didn't disappoint... AT ALL. This series offers a unique blend of suspense, intrigue, and the opportunity to connect the dots yourself (the way Jom connects the dots to his masterpieces called drawings), making it a thrilling experience from start to finish.One of the standout features of this series is the setting. The portrayal of the countryside in the 1920s serves as a breath of fresh air compared to the urban settings we often see in BL series. Watching the serene environment can make you feel relaxed one minute, but it's the series' ability to make you shift between emotions that truly sets it apart. One moment, you're as calm as the peaceful countryside, the next you're seething with anger at the societal system (especially those punishments), and the next you're genuinely concerned about the fate of the characters, especially Jom.
Unlike other series where you're primarily concerned about what happened in the past, IFYLITA ingeniously flips the script, leaving you wondering about what will happen in the future. It's a brilliant plot twist that keeps you engaged and invested in the storyline, don't ya think? Anyway, you'd know what I'm talking about when you see for yourself.
Perhaps it's because I'm a history enthusiast, but this series has rekindled my passion for the subject. While watching the show, I found myself frequently turning to my trusty Microsoft Bing tab to look up unfamiliar words and concepts. It's astonishing how, within just 33 hours of spaced-out watching, I learned so much about Thai history, even without the series explicitly teaching me. IFYLITA ignited my curiosity about the master-servant and peasant-elite relationships in 1920s Thailand, prompting me to delve deeper into that period. Why am I today years old learning that Bangkok wasn't the capital of Siam back in the day???
As for the series itself, it holds so much untapped potential that I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing unravel in the upcoming episodes. For now, I can confidently recommend IFYLITA to any BL fan who's in need of a refreshing break from the typical city-life BL series we're accustomed to. It's a captivating journey through history that will leave you craving more, and I can't wait to witness how it all ends, as I can barely see the end of the tunnel via a lavender haze. Each episode lifts my fearful feet higher to the next step in the haunted house of my mind (similar to the one in this show lol), and watching it at night in my dimly lit room adds to the eeriness I feel concerning the future of my loved couples. That's how good this show is. But, before I leave, I wanna scream "f*** you, Robert!!!"
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. :)
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He’s incredibly annoying—careless and without any real tactics or strategies to find a way back to his time. He’s too naive and spends too much time dealing with Fongkaew and Khamsaen’s issues.
I hoped he’d improve his skills, like how he managed to speak and understand English with James, but he just accepted being made a slave.
The scene where he was about to disappear was cringe-worthy; the CGI effect that made his body transparent looked strange.
Overall, while the cinematography, acting, and budget were good, the character development and storyline weren’t
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This review may contain spoilers
Even the story talk about important themes, it's not enough to make it a good product
First of all:The biggest flaw of the entire series is the lack of well-constructed and contextualized drama. In my opinion this defect is due to a lack of knowledge and poor exploitation of the historical period. there is an idea that is not very solid and confusing, and the intent to entertain becomes more important instead of telling. dramas exist because they are an end in themselves as is the drama of the characters. In short, the story is not sad and dramatic because it shows a difficult reality, but it is so because it claims to be. It is didactic, theatrical, exaggerated, a hyperbole of actions and events constructed on the drawing board.
Despite the romantic moments, the idea that could have been very interesting, the actors who aren't even that bad and the various potentials, this series remains easy, bland, and full of errors and historical inaccuracies.
The issue of homosexuality is treated by these characters as if they were in 2023 and no more than 100 years ago. It is overlooked that at times it was considered an illness, and a happy ending like what they present is not only inaccurate but it is a big fuck you to all those homosexuals who really lived in those times and who suffered from it.
There are plenty of errors and inaccuracies and I won't be here to tell them all, the fact is that you can watch what you want but have a bit of critical sense instead of being carried away only by emotion, especially if you make a judgment
The love story and the two Main character:
In 12 episodes we follow the story of Jom and Yai and in the end we realize that we know nothing about them: we know about Jom that he is an architect, has a sister and had a bastard boyfriend. But then? We don't know what other interests he has, what ideas he has about the world or what ideas he is having about the era in which he finds himself.
We don't know what things scare him, what he loves and what he hates. We don't know the most important thing: what he wants.
Do he want to return to the present? We don't know because he never gets homesick. Do he want to stay there? We don't know because he never shows that he's feeling neither good nor bad, but he makes whatever happens to him go well.
He certainly becomes fond of Yai but doesn't seem to have any scruples about his situation.
In short, what does he want and what does he need?
And Yai?
We know that he grew up in luxury, that he suffered pressure from his father that led him not to decide about his life, that he has a more open mind than his family, as well as a kind nature.
But beyond that? What is his relationship with his family? Have her ever felt different because of his open and modern mentality?
What relationship does Yai have with his sister ? Do they get along or not? And it's not enough that he's worried about her because of her husband, because that's the least.
What is his relationship with Robert? Do he hate him, feel intimidated, admire him, respect him?
We barely know shit about Yai. What does Yai want?
If his father had let him take his own path independently, what would he have done? What does he like to do, what are his interests?
We see that he is a great reader and scholar, but of what? Literature, journalism, history, economics, science? What do you always read?
We might say he desires Jom, but why? Why this boy who he barely knows and not Ming, who has been working for him longer, who certainly knows him better, who is an even better servant than Jom (since he knows how to distill liquor, he is brave in taking the whippings in place of the mother.
We discover later that he dreams of traveling and going to France "where there are many thinkers and writers, strikes and debates" he couldn't say more vague things. However, it makes sense that you dream of France, given that in Thai history the English and French were the main exporters of culture and trade. Then, why doesn't his father allow him to travel? To expand his knowledge and therefore enrich his future? Nothing makes sense...
The relationship of the two protagonists is based on little or nothing, because if we were to think about it we wouldn't be able to say what the foundations on which their love was built are. What we see and perceive, to be honest, is that these two are together out of pure physical attraction, and nothing else is apparent. the few things we know about them they never share, they limit themselves to kissing, caressing and hug Nothing else.
The Ambience:
Throughout the entire series, there is zero attention to detail. A lack of care that undermines the pleasantness and naturalness of the narrative.
The things that happen are sometimes so forced precisely because of this flaw.
To. Ex. When Yai's sister and her servant are discovered together it's because they had the brilliant idea of sleeping together in the same bed without closing the door. Instead of having been due to a fatality. Or yai and jom being caught in the garden holding hands. All of this is idiotic, it's a gigantic stretch that makes these characters seem like morons, imprudent and impulsive. Which they are not describe be like. But not only on a narrative level is there an absurd carelessness, but also in the staging.
A trivial example: a servant is serving the meal at the table of her masters who are arguing. she not only listens to what they are saying but intervenes in the discussion by interrupting his service. Now, this is an example of how in this series there is very little and intolerable documentation for a historical series, as a simple search is enough to understand that a servant would never have dared such behavior. The servants had the task of being noticed as little as possible, not to bother and to be invisible under penalty of severe punishment.
In conclusion:
I could still discuss a lot about the lack of depth of any character, the emptiness of our protagonist who never demonstrates his profound detachment of mentality from the people he meets, the lack of evolution of his character from the first to the last episode do not show that much has changed, the vagueness with which everything is treated, the flatness of certain choices in storytelling which are completely unfounded on a historical level (such as the unrealistic arrest of a wealthy and important man like Robert)
Yet I don't consider this series a disaster across the board as I didn't despise the music or certain acting performances. I think this series is a waste of an interesting idea in favor of the usual dramatic sob story with no meaning or some intriguing subtext.
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i love this
I really love this show. The explanation of love, very like their love. The aroma of love is over, it's really a very good play.II like some of the shots and the director's ingenuity, such as every intimate time, the clock in the camera has different degrees of occlusion, suggesting the progress of his disappearance.I really like this film, I hope you can watch it, the love is really very beautiful and delicate.I love the protagonists, I really hope you will like it，It's worth watching.thank Yo
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One of the best romance dramas ever!!
I forgot that the uncut version had a separate page so I've been commenting on the other one all this time. But I don't want to stop talking about this drama yet so I'll post my review here too.I've been watching this since the day it started airing when I accidentally found it on youtube and I am so glad I decided to watch this. It's really the best and now my mind is completely filled with thoughts about this. Each and every episode was so good that every week I was not able to watch anything else after watching this. I couldn't even sleep properly because I kept thinking about this just like now. Whether there's a season 2 or not this is still the best drama I watched this year. And I really loved the ending because even if there's no season 2 I already saw Yai and Jom meeting in the modern times. But I do want to see Jom travelling back to the past and also see how Yai was in that life.
I really love love stories where the love lasts through several lifetimes or for hundreds or thousands of years. So Yai's love and dedication to him in all his lives is really beautiful to me. And I feel bad for him because he had to live a lifetime missing and waiting for his love. Just thinking about how strong his love for Jom is to live with so much pain just to keep his promise is making me cry. I don't know when was the last time I cared and felt this deeply for a character. He's so beautiful, kind and romantic that I can't help but love him. Also he's like the definition of romantic... everything he does or says is romantic. When will I ever find another character like him?? After writing all this I realise Yai is what I loved the most about this series. But I do love all the other characters too... especially Jom. He went through so much in his life so I'm glad he found Yai... in the past and the present. Also another thing I loved about this drama is that the supporting characters and their stories never felt boring to me. I loved each one of them. It gave me a better understanding of how life might have been during that time.
Another thing I loved about this drama is the acting. Everyone acted so well and it never felt awkward or bad. And the chemistry between the main leads was the best! Bright and Nonkul's acting and their chemistry made me believe in Yai and Jom's love.
And the OSTs are really the best! I've been listening to the OSTs by ASIA7 and COCKTAIL on repeat ever since I found them. And now I have two more beautiful songs to listen to.
The more I think about this drama the more I want a season 2. I thought I would be okay without one but now I feel like I won't be. Also I want it so that I can finally read the novel in peace. Anyway this drama is definitely one of my most favourites ever.
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A True Love Story
Not to hate on any other love dramas because at the end of the day love is a abstract thing that can be seen, felt, shown etc. in many ways. But this drama depicts true love and forbidden love so damn well. From the actions to words everything being shown makes me feel warm inside and makes me crave this kind of love from someone, the chances of a lot of us experiencing this kind of love ever is probably rare, mainly because of todays society. But I'm going off task now, I just have so much to say about this show because when I say this I mean it, this show was an absolute masterpiece.The Acting
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I mean what can I say, it was spot on. Every emotion and feeling is portrayed extremely well and realistic, everything is so beautifully shown, raw, and real, it makes me dive into the story even more while I'm feeling what the characters are feeling. All the actors did an amazing job and I honestly give props to that since it's hard to do so good.
Cinematography
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Spectacular, this show conveys the old/vintage aesthetic and the whole vibe so well with its cinematic scenes. I loved how aesthetically pleasing this show was to watch with its effects and beautiful cinematography, so eye catching that you would be lost in it along with the story and music.
Music
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Honestly another rare thing that shows have in general is good music, some shows even play music in scenes that don't match the vibe or just aren't ear pleasing. But omg this show had such amazing music that along with the acting, story, lines, and cinematography it dove you even deeper into the story until you felt like you were there with them.
Fav Quotes/Lines
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The actors lines, and quotes were so poetically said, mainly by Yai, he was so poetic with Jom and that also made me feel so warm inside and I felt the love that was being shared by them both. Their love is beyond and so beautiful. Some of my favorite lines/quotes are:
"Not a drop of liquor to interfere, drunk on love's celestial bliss. I've tried to resist this sweet intoxication, no matter how drunk I am, sobriety comes with the morning light. Drunk on love, my heart undone every night". -Yai Ep 4
"I've missed you. We haven't slept together for only a few days. I couldn't help but yearn for you". -Yai Ep 10
"For you, I'm addicted to you". -Yai Ep 10
“With the matter of time, I might already be your past, but for me you are my future”. -Yai Ep 12
Yai is such a poet with these lines, he shows so much love towards Jom and honestly Jom deserves every bit of it because of his past, I know if I was Jom I would feel so loved with these words and actions that Yai shows to Jom. Absolutely beautiful.
The Ending
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I didn’t necessarily get half of the ending, but upon reading some comments on here I understand it a bit more. I didn’t get how Yai was waiting for Jom and how they got to meet during the current time (2023) but apparently it was a reincarnation of Yai aka Lek’s (Yai’s little brother) grandson (Yai Kanthorn) that also remembered his past lives, therefore he knew about Jom and that’s why he was waiting for him. Now the only part of the end I don’t get is the part where Jom goes back in time again? Maybe even further back in time possibly? Not sure. What I’m wondering is why? And how? What could’ve possibly made this happen again? And what’s the reason if they apparently met again in Jom’s timeline (2023)??? There’s so many questions just from those last couple minutes and it’s a MUST to have a second season to answer these questions and make this show clearer at the end. I know there’s a special episode but I can’t see it or find it anywhere since I think it’s released in specific countries or a country (not sure) so it’s very difficult to see. This doesn’t help the ending case since idk if that episode answers any questions. Idk if we’re getting a second season but I hope so, this story was absolutely beautiful and I would love to have a second season to enjoy even more of this masterpiece.
Overall such an amazing show and would recommend to anyone, it’s a love story, a cinematic masterpiece and just a beautiful show overall with so much representation for multiple communities and even history itself. Worth the watch even for the 1hr+ long episodes, and I hate watching long episodes but this made it worth it.
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10's all around
Probably my most favorite show ever! The cast, music, production, storyline, characters, literally ~everything~ was amazing.I really enjoyed the themes and plot of the show.
I look forward to a season two, really hope they make one to help flesh out the rest of the story!
The ending left me in ruins, but also hopeful.
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One of the best BL
I started watching it because of my friend going on about the aesthetics. I should thank the Bl angels for leading me to it. A beautiful drama with an unique and amazing storyline although there were some loopholes it can be ignored as it has been covered up by the aesthetics, music and acting. I loved everything starring from the time travel troupe to the Soulmate concept. The only complain I have is the lack of explanation in the last episode of how Yai is there in the current timeline, he just shows up . There’s no explanation how he comes here or is it the Yai of this timeline or Yai from the 90sWas this review helpful to you?
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a masterpiece!!
I was emotionally destroyed after watching this, but it is a masterpiece, really. Everything was so beautiful - the cast, acting, ost, story, atmosphere, emotions, etc. There was chemistry between Khun Yai and Jom and it was so obvious. I didnt expect more than one kiss but i was surprised.Also im so confused. Jom went back to his era but when he went to this old house, where he used to live before years, he met Khun Yai? How? In the letter Yai wrote that when will find it, he would already passed away and suddenly he came back and said that he waited all this time (something like that). All this fragments past-future confused me and the last scene .. i didnt know what to think about it. I hope for season 2.
This series gives "To sir, with love", "The miracle of teddy bear" and "Something in my room" vibes. Khun Yai`s parents were strict and his father wanted him to marry woman he didnt love. He made the same mistake with his daughter before that.
I cried so much when i watched episode 11 and 12. Their love was so pure, Khun Yai felt in love at first sight (maybe they met even before 1928 year, maybe the last scene pointed at this) I really love this series, even though i didnt understand everything.
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Best Time-Travel show????
This may be the best time travel series to exist, everything is AMAZING.Cast? AMAZING
Music? AMAZING
Plot? AMAZING
This whole show was a rollercoaster of emotions and I enjoyed every bit. The show really brought up the issues of the past and it really showed the love between Yai and Jom. I loved the whole drawing idea and that the last drawing was drawn by Yai and the whole letter he wrote, IT BROKE ME IN THE BEST WAYS POSSIBLE. It’s definitely worth rewatching, the amount of time and effort that went into this show is crazy and it definitely paid off.
The casting is prefect, each actor played their role well while not over doing emotions to the point it’s awkward, the scenes were so beautifully done that it almost felt wrong to watch such an intimate time between the lovers and that moment should only be for them and no one else. The NC scenes were amazing as-well and rlly showed their love and emotion especially the one before Jom faded away, the amount of emotion, it was truly amazing.
WHEN I TELL U I CRIEDDDDD omg my heart, to see them get reunited in the future at the same house. “Same place, different times”, every time i think of that saying i think of this show because it portrayed everything so well to the way women were treated and how Queer people was treated as well. I really hope for a second season to explain the very ending of ep 12 where he goes back into time again and meets the “ancient” Yai.
The plot was confusing at first for me but everything was explained later on, I believe that the reason that box with the ring wasn’t there when they dug under the tree was because it hadn’t been planted yet because Jom hadn’t gone back in time for the second time for the box to be there. Kinda like how he had the dreams of Yai before he went back in time and acc met him, now he’s having dreams of ancient Yai before he acc meets him.
buttttt I don’t know, it rlly makes you think which i love but poor Jom needs a break 😭 all this heartbreak and time traveling. I would rlly like a second season but with Yai and Jom’s relationship in 2023 and how they grow together, if not, a special episode so we can see how they are doing after their reunion.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE this show and I hope you guys do as well. ❤️❤️ “You are my missing puzzle piece, my love” (I want love like that) 😭😭
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