The Trainee

Almost Good

I LOVE OffGun. I think they're a fantastic pairing and I will watch pretty much anything they're in. However, I was honestly disappointed with the Trainee. This show took so long to get good, and just when you think there's going to be developments in their relationship, you get nothing but crumbs. Additionally, the side couple had the worst trajectory I've ever seen in terms of relationship development, and overall it left much to be desired.

Ryan (Gun) is finishing college and in need of an internship. When there's an interview mix-up, he ends up interviewing for the directing team at a production company where he meets Jane (Off). Somehow, he gets the job - and hates it. Jane is extremely strict with high expectations of Ryan, who has never worked a day in production. Jane is frequently yelling at Ryan, to a point of Ryan being in tears. However, slowly the two of them start to understand each other more, and Ryan soon realizes he's developing feelings for Jane, though Jane remains guarded. You also have Tae (Sea) and Ba-mhee (Piploy) who seem to have a failing relationship, as Tae never has time for her. But as Ba-mhee starts spending more time with her mentor Judy (Kapook), she realizes what it's like to have someone take care of you.

The relationship between Ryan and Jane was SO SLOW. Not your typical slow-burn slow, but slower. I wish they would have condensed the first 10 episodes into about 6. There's just so much potential for that relationship dynamic - sneaking around the office because the relationship has to be a secret, the repercussions of a mentor dating his intern, the backlash they could face, etc. Instead, we get none of that, and instead are left with the same issue for the entire show: Ryan likes Jane, and Jane won't tell Ryan how he feels. There's so little time for them to be happy that the show feels incomplete. I think if I didn't watch this weekly I would have liked it more, but it was just frustrating to watch most weeks.

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Could've been 8 or 9

When I just started watching it, I was super excited and hyped for it, but the further it went, the worse it got.

First thing's first I want to say that there was almost no romance from the main couple until the very end, while they did end up together there were almost no romance or story really leading to that. They just kinda jumped into it.
My mistake was that I started watching this series mostly for the BL romance part of it and not as much for the story itself, which I instantly regretted.
But I did after all only enjoy this series for the side characters and the overall story with the students going through the training. The struggles and obstacles they got on their way and the character's development, it was pretty enjoyable to witness all of that. Sadly I cannot say the same about other things.
I liked the comedy side of the series, it wasn't annoying and good timed in my opinion.

Now the things that made it a 7.5 for me:

1. So much of an unnecessary and out of character drama. What I'm talking about is a conflict, if you can call it that, surrounding Ba-Mhee, Tae and Judy. What was this even about? I guess it was added to show Tae's and Ba-Mhee's personal growth. But I'm sure there were so much more ways of doing it without adding some insane drama with cheating.
While I can slightly understand why Ba-Mhee do what she did, the fact that Judy—the person that was shown to us as a very professional, smart and mature woman. Not only kissed Ba-Mhee back, but also had thought's about getting together with her afterwards, makes no sense. I might be wrong, but that was extremely out of character for her.
The fact that Tae just blamed himself in everything and then immediately forgave Ba-Mhee made my blood boil. That was insanely stupid, and I would probably enjoy it so much more if there was none of this absurd drama.

2. Not enough romance from main couple. Since I already said about that, I just want to add some more context to why in my opinion there were not enough romance. Firstly, for the first half of the series the two main characters rarely interacted at all not only romantically. I would prefer if there were at least some kind of friendship leading to them getting together, instead we got Ryan confessing his feelings out of blue, blushing around Jane for few days and then them becoming a couple. It's just honestly felt really disappointing to look at them act like that.

3. Jane suddenly disappearing for 5 years. Okay so that just left me confused, not the fact that Jane went to study, because that I was fully supporting. No, the fact that he literally disappeared for 5 years without contacting the person he supposedly was in love with. And then trying to justify it all by saying that the only reason he wasn't keeping in contact with him is because he was scared that he would miss him too much and come back earlier. That is one of, if not, the stupidest thing I ever heard. I would understand if it was for a month or something, but even then he should've at least warned Ryan that he won't be keeping in contact with him for the time being. But FIVE years is insane, and the fact that he came back and acted like nothing happened expecting Ryan to just take him back like he didn't just leave for 5 freaking years makes me so upset.

Other than that, I did enjoy watching this series to some degree. I might even watch again in some future, but of course the next times I will at least be prepared for some absurd moments this series has to offer.

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Good production, but that's it

although i came into this with really high expectations, not only for the directing stye but also for offgun to get something new, this series went from mildly boring to extremely frustrating. still don't know how i kept any interest to finish it.

though we got some semblance of a story about ryan, most of the episodes were not even about him or jane. i would understand if there were less episodes, but getting 3 episodes of a cheating, inappropriate mentor/intern relationship, and people that just do not show character growth, anything positive was quickly overshadowed by all that mess. i thought i would like it more, as it did start really interestingly and the colors, editing, etc were a fresh style for anything BL related by gmmtv.

and as for the biggest disappointment: minimal offgun. what was the point in even having them as leads? we got one episode that was mostly dedicated to them and even that felt like a very forced and quick attempt to satisfy viewers that were watching for this pairing. there was some story to both of them, but overall i found this series extremely underwhelming for what it could've been. the cheap cop-out of having jane leave, without even bothering to discuss it with ryan or even just prepare him, made me so angry. the lack of communication during those five years was INSANE. how do you do that to someone you love?? with these two, just the most insane lines would blindside me so bad, it felt like just drama for the sake of it.

the script was terrible, the stories were worse (judy should've never been kept in this!), and the lack of any substance to pah and pie was actually sad too. pie never showed growth until the last episode, and her failing to apologize to ryan BOTH times really just about set me off.

finally, poon was such a great casting choice for this series. he made it the most tolerable for me apart from offgun.

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The Trainee : Needed more attention and less mess!

I had high expectations with this drama but perhaps that was a mistake.
Honestly, this drama was a mixed bag for me. I wanted to enjoy it, but the questionable character developments didn't quite work for me.

The first half was carried out by the friendship between the interns and them adjusting to the office culture with their respective mentors. That was the highlight for me. Those office struggles, the mishaps due to nervousness and the mistakes felt so relatable. The genuine challenges of starting a new job and those moments of vulnerability and growth were showcased very appropriately and with humour.
But the second half failed to carry that momentum.

Ryan and Jane had great chemistry and moreover, a good mentor-mentee relationship where they openly voiced their concerns about each other and their work. However, the last 2 episodes felt like a very dramatic shift, where we were seeing different characters. The sudden time jump in their relationship felt completely unnecessary. Jane, who had been portrayed as a tough but responsible mentor with clear communication, vanished into thin air without any proper explanation. It felt abrupt and so out of character. Also, their screen time as the main couple felt minimal. I wanted them together to see how they would handle their relationship after Ryan's internship was over but all I got was an inconsistent romance with ambiguous decisions.

Coming to other characters, the holy trinity: Tae, Ba-Mhee and Judy.
I struggled to understand the dynamics between them until the very end. I am so confused as to why the cheating storyline was introduced. There are plenty of other ways to make Tae realise his flaws as a boyfriend and the need for communication and Ba-Mhee to figure out to obsess less over someone. Judy as a mentor, was such a problematic character for me. She was wrong on so many levels and I was frustrated that she wasn't held responsible for her actions. The series might have worked out better for me without them. Pah and Pie were fun to watch but they couldn't quite make up for the issues I had with the rest of the drama.

Overall, what started as an engaging good office drama fell apart by abrupt shifts in character development and unnecessary plot twists.
7.3/10

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I was left disappointed

first of all, I started this because I wanted to watch a BL and OffGun… but in both, it was disappointing for me. It was not BL focus, which I wasn’t expecting. I wish I knew before starting, maybe I wouldn’t have been left disappointed

I will keep it short, not motivated to write a review right now

I really liked the first few eps, I thought it was funny and we were getting to know the characters. My rating was like 8,5-9 at some point

what I liked :
- the friendship
- seeing the development of the trainee at work to at the end becoming mentors to their own trainees. even if we didn’t get much with Ryan character I think
- the comedy, had some good funny moments
- I absolutely loved Off character (minus maybe for the last ep a bit) and he looked so good here
- the acting was decent
- I also liked Pah and Pie, Baimon too actually
- chemistry, the few good scenes we got of Jane and Ryan
- Ryan after work

what went wrong for me :
- Bah-Mhee was mostly unlikable
- The hole plot with Tae and Ba-Mhee / Tae, Ba-Mhee and Judy : that was really uninteresting to me and it took to much screentime. It really felt more like a straight couple story with a side BL couple. And how it’s all turned out… how their relationship was, the cheating, them getting back together… couldn’t care less. Annoying that they got a better and longer ending
- Feel like the relationship between Jane and Ryan wasn’t written, development well. We really didn’t see enough of them and the development of their story. And what was that stupid time jump at the end, it was also 5 years… that’s a lot! and they just got back together just like that as if nothing happened and the love is still there as if they never separated? We almost got nothing of them dating and they get back together in the last part of the last ep… didn’t get a proper scene or dialogue either

I watched 4 BL with OffGun, sadly my least favorite unfortunately. Many people said Cooking Crush was bad and boring, but I think it was much better

I guess I could still recommend even with the plot kinda weak, lacking of BL,…. It was still funny.

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a journey to self discovery

The Trainee is a refreshing departure from the typical Thai BL fare, offering a grounded exploration of self-discovery and personal growth. While it may not be a romance-driven series, it effectively captures the complexities of navigating careers and relationships.

Off and Gun's chemistry is excellent, even if their characters' relationship remains platonic. The series delves into the challenges faced by young professionals, with Ryan's naivete and Jane's mentorship creating a relatable dynamic. While the pacing could have been better, the conflicts are generally resolved in a satisfying manner.

The supporting characters, particularly Tae and Ba-Mhee, offer intriguing backstories that complement the main narrative. Pie's character arc is a highlight, showcasing her growth and development. Pah, despite his initial confidence, reveals his insecurities, adding depth to his character.

While the lack of a romantic relationship between Ryan and Jane may disappoint some viewers, the series' focus on self-discovery and personal growth is commendable. The characters' journeys are relatable and authentic.

The production quality of The Trainee is commendable, with impressive cinematography and set design. The series offers moments of humor and insight, making it an enjoyable watch.

Overall, The Trainee is a well-crafted drama that prioritizes personal growth over romantic entanglements. While it may not be a traditional BL, it offers a refreshing and relatable portrayal of young professionals navigating their careers and relationships.

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I sat here for a long time waffling over this rating, because there were things it did so right and I adored it for that. But the things it did wrong really bothered me, and the last two episodes highlighted it in ways that I couldn't ignore.

First of all, the great. I loved the work atmosphere - it felt like places I've worked myself at times, for better and worse. And yes, I'm including the workplace relationships in that. People who think that this was a lot amuse me because I've worked in places where so much more happened on the regular, to the point that it's a wonder any work was getting done. I also really appreciated the little insights into how the industry works from that side of things - a lot of it was stuff I already knew or suspected but it was nice to see it clarified. Ryan's after work bits were always fun.

I also loved the relationships between all the interns - yes, even Ba Mhee and Tae. I have steadily maintained since I started watching that their relationship was believable to me, both the way it broke down and the way that it started up again. And I loved the friendships and the way that the interns grew up as they went along. They all learned things about themselves and became more confident in their abilities and who they wanted to be, and they did it in ways that felt realistic - stumbling a little because that's what we all do, but coming out of each new problem a little smarter and a little more able to handle the next. I also really liked that it wasn't just the interns who were growing - everyone was, a little. Because the honest truth is you don't stop learning just because you're out of school and in the real world, and you don't stop making mistakes, either.

Jane. Jane was amazing almost all the way through. I have never liked Off so much as I did in this role. The way he played Jane spoke to me so much to me - the mix of assuredness in his job but dissatisfaction with the same, the way you could tell even before he said anything that his life had hit a bit of a rut and he had no clue what to do about it. I think in that way Ryan breathed some fresh air into him - dude had no clue what he wanted to do or why but his contentedness to be where he was just helping I think helped Jane see how very not content he actually was. In reassuring Ryan that it was okay to just want to get by doing your day to day (a lesson that I think that many people need to take to heart), he realized that he did not want to do that anymore. I loved the second to last episode for what it did for Jane - how it showcased exactly how long he'd been struggling and pushing it back, seeing someone else be put in front of him and seeing how he thrived. The way his own timidity and need to please shot him in the foot. And how it came to bite him again years later. Great stuff.

The not so great, though...

I am not one who cares much about the romance in this show, but I still wanted more than we got. I have never been an OffGun fan and while i appreciated how realistic the Tae and Ba Mhee relationship was, I did not like Judy being used as a facilitator for a breakup that was coming anyway. And while I appreciated that the show did showcase them both working to communicate better and make changes in their relationship, it still did not feel to me like one that would stick. Apparently I was wrong about that, but it did detract from the show a bit for me.

As for Jane and Ryan, they were cute but I was annoyed by Jane disappearing for five years with no word and then coming back expecting to pick up where they left off, and Ryan just being like "sure." That is not romantic to me in the least.

I was also very frustrated with Ryan as a character. He had some growth and I appreciate that, but I wanted more out of him. There were some shades of that in the final episode - he seems like a competent creative director - but then it seemed to walk it back the second that Jane appeared again, and I really hated that, although I was pleased to see him being sassy in the last Ryan after work segment. In general though, his utter passivity with Jane - the way he kept turning into this wide eyed ingenue whenever he had to interact with him - annoyed me.

I feel like Ryan began as an observer in his own show - and his own life - and then instead of growing to be less so, he ended it that way, too. And maybe that was the point - it does tie into the theme of accepting doing what you can and not having to be the best to be good and satisfied with life - but it didn't work for me personally and thus, lowered my rating.

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Underwhelming

Well this was bland... really really bland.

It starts off kind of funny with some relatable lines and and a nice cold meets shy and sweet, office friendships and some kind of helping each other out spirit but then it just goes flat predictable and lacks that spark to keep it interesting.

Those who are in it for OffGun do get to see Off and Gun interact but without anything to actually set Off Gun to create the fireworks we have been spoiled by in the past. I am not saying their chemistry is Off, it is more of a lack of processess in the story telling than an acting issue.

There is a side couple part stereotypical dumb girl, part geek inspired by a Bruno Mars Song that gives us and okay plotline with interesting development, but that too takes a turn to the meeh leaving me with a feeling of what a waist of time and cast. That said it is not a bad drama it is just not very good.

So if you are in the mood for Off Gun I sugest you go watch/rewatch pretty much any other one of their dramas. If you still want to watch this after reading this, go for it just be set your expectations low and prepared to be underwhelmed.

P.S. there is also this cringe educational theme to it... especially at the end of each episode that made me role my eyes... Sorry

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Pleasant low angst office romance.

Hehhh. I'm torn now. I eyerolled so much while watching this series that I may have permanently damaged at least some of my cranial nerves. And yet I watched it in one sitting, annoyingly(Ba-Mhee&Tae&Judy), romantic (Ryan&Jane) and inexplicably entertained. Go figure.
I liked Ryan and Jane a lot. The way their relationship develops is exactly what I love in stories like this one. They are incredibly sweet and tender with each other. The moments between them were my favourite part of the story. Jane was my favorite. God I loved him! He is a sweet mix of confident and vulnerable.
The love triangle - no, no, no
It was meant to be intense and heart-wrenching, but I felt nothing other than pure annoyance. I wanted Ba-Mhee to just shut up.
There was some very good stuff, but there was some stuff that wasn’t for me that detracted from my enjoyment.
Overall sweet, light and funny.

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False Advertising much?

If you are going in to watch this expecting OffGun to be the stars of the show then you will be left feeling unsatisfied.
First the good things:
The show started off with great promise and the cinematography is wonderful. The cast have done full justice to their characters with Off as Jane being a standout and scene stealer. That man is so drool worthy handsome in each scene and hence my re-watch value is high only cuz of him.
OffGun deliver really well on the JaneRyan chemistry and even with the little screentime they were given they had some heart fluttering scenes.
Now the bad things:
So much time wasted on the TaeBahmeeJudy plotline and ngl they are annoying till the end. Idek why anyone thought they were a good relationship to focus on.
Hence why I call this series just plain false Advertising. They sold this show as an OffGun show but they had the screentime of a side couple. Not to mention they didn't give us enough of Jane who was the most interesting character out of them all.
A show with good potential ruined by bad directing

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