Kidnap Set Up a Story It Did Not Want to Deliver – An Injustice to its Audience
When you are going to center your show around characters who lead dangerous lives, the expectation is to show the audience your characters leading dangerous lives, up the stakes and make your viewers really worry about the fate of said characters. This should be a really simple thing to do as a screenwriter, and yet, Kidnap the Series failed epically. Min is supposed to be a stuntman turned hitman turned bodyguard and we saw him doing that for a total of 20 minutes over the span of 12 hours. Q is a character whose father essentially threw away his own son's ransom note. The show had a really interesting premise of Min kidnapping Q and them struggling to find love for each other based on the situation and their backgrounds, but threw it all away the second they made Min an incompetent hitman. The creators said "Why give a well written drama about bad fathers and complicated romance when I can give 3 beach episodes in a row?" I don't care about MinQ honeymoon because they essentially gave us a relationship of half baked romcom tropes when we could have had something way more!! So many words to say, this show was boring as hell, I wasted 12 weeks of my life (I should have quit by EP 5), and the only saving grace was Ohm Pawat's phenomenal acting.Was this review helpful to you?
An interesting concept trapped in a stale formula.
I think that Kidnap suffers a lot of the same issues as 23.5 did earlier this year--Technically, this show is fine. I wouldn't dissuade anyone from watching it if they like Ohm or Leng, or think the concept looks fun. It's a perfectly watchable show with decent production value and some very cute moments. It's just.... empty. The trailer promises of tension, thrills, and complex relationships are completely buried under GMMTV's typical PG-13 Happily Ever After format, leaving Kidnap rattling around uselessly in training wheels. It's cute! But it's never allowed to be anything more than cute, leaving it deeply dissatisfying for anyone looking for something with depth. There really isn't anymore to the characters or story than what was seen in the trailer.-The Full Review-
STORY:
This entire story feels like the emotion has been compressed to its most palatable range. Tonally, kidnapping at gunpoint and a day on the beach really don't feel.... that different? There's no sense of danger present in the action and no sense of triumph in the "hard-won" good moments, despite what a dramatic score is trying to tell me I should be feeling. Argument appears and resolves without any real struggle or personal reflection, making the characters feel flat and convenient.
I'm shelving this title after seven episodes of build up led to a (inevitable) break up that was resolved-broken again-and healed AGAIN all in one episode, without any true reflection or shift in character. It's just lazy character work. These characters don't actually stand for anything or have any depth beyond the issues directly related to their relationship. They move from place to place with no real motives or principles.... It's utterly 2-Dimensional.
ACTING:
Hm. I'm pretty unimpressed. It's fine. Ohm is very pretty and charming. Leng does a reasonably decent job conveying his characters anxieties. Ohm (the younger) is full up on younger brother cuteness. As three, they usually manage to be a pretty compelling family with a decent amount of chemistry. But there's very little connection to the dialogue. Line delivery is fairly flat and detached, even in moments of high emotion and stress.
Everyone here is suffering a little from trying to make it pretty more than trying to make it real--something I'm not sure is a fault of the actors so much as of the direction and script. I am not giving up on these actors by half, and I'm still excited for Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist. But I don't think this will go down in their eventual filmographies as their best work.
PRODUCTION:
Is there anything here that is intentional and not an attempt to sell a stuffie, t-shirt or choco pie? There is no part of the production that is work talking about. They adequately deliver the bare minimum to appear high-quality, and put all their focus on selling products over a story. There is absolutely nothing unique, inventive, or interesting in the staging of this work.
INTIMACY:
Actually, the thing that has kept me going for eight whole episodes, is OhmLeng's chemistry. I quite like it... when we are allowed to see it. Surprisingly, they are allowed to have a more adult relationship--and I don't mean NC scenes. There's a casual affection to their physical touch throughout the series that feels grown and settled. Particularly, Min's care of Q during his sleepwalking/nightmares has kept me hooked for a long time.
That said, the treatment of the actual NC scenes is laughable. OhmLeng definitely deliver in the performance, but this lazy script just slaps scenes here and there, almost without thought. We go from zero to 100 without getting to come along that emotional journey (even going so far as to just cut to undressing in the bedroom). There's no connection to the story, making them feel like fanservice despite not being overly explicit or awkward in any way. You could cut every scene and the story would remain entirely unchanged.
In all, this was a promising idea for a very fun show that was clearly just fed through the GMMTV machine. There doesn't seem to be any real passion or care in the creation of the series, just another in a line of production. And I'm done giving my time to GMMTV shows that don't want to put in the effort.
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Even the great chemistry between the actors couldn't save this drama...
Maybe I'll manage to get through the rest of the episodes, but my opinion can only get worse at this point.GMM has a habit of ruining the last episodes of its really good dramas, but Kidnap only kept its quality maybe through the first two episodes. I feel like everything is happening too fast. Sure, Ohm and Leng have chemistry, but that alone isn't enough to save this drama. This didn’t need to be a dark romance because GMM is capable of making good romantic comedies. For some reason, Kidnap is too sweet to be a dark romance, yet it still tries to touch on more serious topics, which doesn’t make it a comedy either. The worst part of all this is that I was genuinely excited about this drama from the moment the trailer came out. Ohm can bring out the best in new actors, and he could create chemistry even with a chair, so I wasn’t too worried about the acting part. The plot seemed interesting, something new, with no high school setting in the background. Plus, the cast was solid—Ohm (the other one) as the younger brother, Title, who’s also already an experienced actor. The idea was good, but aside from that and the casting, nothing else worked out for the creators.
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UNDERRATED SERIES GEM
I loved this series!! The narration was good, I loved the plot from the beginning. Ohm's acting always impresses me, I'm proud of his work. Leng captivated me with this series, I really fell in love with him and his work. I don't understand people who don't give them a chance to appreciate them together, all those people are really missing out on a lot. Leng is a rising star, I'm serious, I hope he doesn't get carried away by the bad comments and is very proud of his work. He did amazing! Everyone should check it out, Leng is a very talented guy. I'll be rooting for his future projects. Ohm and Leng's chemistry will always be 1000/10.✨Was this review helpful to you?
Wasted Potential
An interesting premise with strong and likable characters, but with unfortunately poor execution. Before anything else let me say that Ohm and Leng delivered as a couple. Their chemistry was present and you could see their effort, but the writing failed from all aspects. The build up was missing. Many things were rushed, resulting to half-assed character development, plot missteps and after a point not story left to tell. They tried to merge romance with action, but there was imbalance. The romance was too much and the action was too little, with none of them ending up good. If they have taken their time to properly explore the characters and not stray from the original plot this would turn into a totally different show that could still maintain its romantic and fluffy side. Alternatively, if they wanted to maintain a fast pace, turning it into a mini series would also work.As for the acting, it was fine for for the most part and I appreciated the cinematography and some interesting musical choices.
Overall, it's an okay series to spend your time with, but nothing really memorable for me. I would give it a chance just to get a taste of Ohm and Leng as a pairing if you're curious, but also for Ohm Thipakorn. I think he did very well.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great acting and scores on a light story but with so much depth!
Having read the novel before watching, I know what to expect, story-wise. I have to say I LOVE the three main leads (2Ohms and Leng). The acting was on point - I would even say this is above average of GMM series this year - which says a lot given GMM is already above industry average.Ohm P is great as always. He lifted his partners - regardless of who he is playing with. This is what to expect from a seasoned axtor that he is. Ohm T and Leng surprised me. These two lads are very new actors, but they completely outperformed standards of the new leads. Leng has a very difficult character to deal with - so much depth in his back story and many conflicts. Ohm T, though did not get such depth, he was able to portray a mentally strong character who shines so bright for the other two leads so effectively. I really cant wait for STGD that he is going to be paired with Mark (and with such a good director too!).
While the trailer is a bit misleading and the story around the kidnap is a bit non-sensical, I really appreciate the emotional and psychological conflict of the characters. I'm not sure what title would best capture the storyline either, but I would have appreciated this more given more "truthful" title and trailer /pilot.
Lastly, I cant end the review without talking about Yada! Man! That really is how you portray a powerful woman. No need to raise voices - just the eyes and postures!
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Captivating Cast and Stellar Production
Kidnap has been a gripping Thai BL series with standout elements that keeps me awaiting for each episode. Currently at episode 10, I’m thrilled with how the show continues to deliver quality in acting, casting, and production.The acting itself is impressive. The leads manage to convey a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability and fear to moments of resilience and hope. Their performances make each twist in the plot feel impactful. Even in the most intense scenes, the actors manage to keep the story grounded and relatable, enhancing the dramatic tension.
The pacing has been steady, building suspense episode by episode, and the editing keeps viewers on their toes, making each reveal feel earned.
Overall, Kidnap combines great production with a talented cast, creating a thrilling experience that leaves me eagerly waiting for the next episode. At episode 10, I can confidently say this is a series worth watching, and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds.
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Can be better
Story line can be better but still enjoyin this very much. Recommended.As with many BLs , there are some part which doesn't make sense. Q's father is a very good cop, doesn't take bribes. However, I don't believe a cop can life in such a huge villa from salary alone. LOL
Plus I thought Thai pple has social security? I am not Thai hence not sure.
Nonetheless, if one wants a story that's 100% same as real life, might as well watch documentary, no?
Enjoy the show as what it is and you won't be disappointed.
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More love less crime
A word of advice for people who will start watching the series, don't let your expectations affect your experience. I went into the series expecting a lot of action and some darkness, but it's lighter than I expected. Although it is not necessarily bad because we immediately enter the coexistence of Min and Q. If something sustains this series it is its characters, unlike many other series the main characters get all the attention. We understand why Min has that protective nature with his brother (sometimes very radical) and that he begins to transmit to Q. On the other hand, we quickly know that Q is a very lonely person and that he does not have family warmth from the only person he has. (his father). So a loving brother meets a lonely and damaged child, things had to come up! The series in general is very entertaining and has the romance that is sought in a BL, as for the criminal plot, with a better script and time the story could have been developed better. There are 4 episodes left, let's hope it has a proper closure.Was this review helpful to you?
A story about trauma's and healing
This is a good drama about trauma and healing, they cover the whole proces and that is nice. Because somtimes you see all about trauma's but not much about the healing part.The acting, visuals, and music are al very good. The fight scenes were great, and it had convincing bad "guys".
It was the second drama i saw with Ohm Thipakorn Thitathan, the first was Sweet tooth and i didn't like him very much in the comedy role. But in this drama he was great, this kind of role suits him a lot better.
This is my first drama with Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee, wow he is an amazing actor.
The dynamics, chemistry and kiss scene's with Leng were ok but not great and that was because of Leng, i didn't "believe/feel" his acting a lot of the times.
Good drama, definatly worth the watch and i think i will watch it again in the future. This was my second time watching, because the first time was to long ago to write a good revieuw. And i enjoyed it as much as i did the first time.
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A letdown :(
The story was supposed to be new and original – an action-packed romance with a stockholm syndrome storyline. I had higher hopes for this series given the trailer, but it didn’t quite match my expectations.Ohm is a superb actor as usual, but Q (played by Lengso) is a supremely challenging character. While Lengso did a commendable job, some scenes left me feeling like he wasn’t ready for a role this deep. Perhaps it would have been better to start him out with a more straightforward BL. Or maybe I’m just an OhmLeng hater :( Because Kidnap hasn't convinced me of their chemistry.
Kidnap The Series is supposed to be so much more than just romance. It's supposed to demonstrate how relationships change after being put to the test. But I was disappointed by how these relationships didn’t have much substance to it at all. The conclusions felt unsatisfying.
I liked that the series featured themes of crime and corruption, which always carries the potential to be emotionally complex and morally ambiguous. BUT unfortunately, the conflict was resolved rather poorly and I don't know what point the show was trying to make. It's a shame that with such promising themes, everything was just so…underbaked.
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This review may contain spoilers
OhmLeng Wins, The Rest Not So Much
A violent skirmish with a drug kingpin and the titular kidnapping frame a sweet love story in Kidnap.Min (Ohm Pawat) is a stuntman who is struggling to make ends meet to take care of his brother Mhen (Ohm Thipakorn), who has a heart condition. His coworker James (Title Kirati) makes him a shady but lucrative offer to kidnap Q (Leng Thanaphon), the son of a renowned police officer. The plan goes awry as Min is suddenly tasked with killing Q, which he refuses to do, instead hiding him at his house to protect him. Situations are complicated further when Q asks Min to stage his own kidnapping in an effort to dissuade his father from taking on dangerous cases.
Read the complete article here-
https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/05/kidnap-series-review-ep-4-to-12/
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