High School Frenemy

Skynani ATE

I never NEVER leave reviews but I honestly think this is one of the best works from gmmtv like EVER????????
Cast, chemistry, music, everything is PERFECT.
No cringy scenes whatsoever or any debatable acting, this is seriously a must watch.
Now let me talk about both Sky and Nani… OH MY GOD!!!!!!! Their chemistry is INSANE, one look and I was screaming at the screen. I don’t wanna be that type of person but I will, their chemistry is wayyyy better than some actual bl couples out there.
Apart from that, their acting is TOP TIER!!!! Seriously, they made this series what it is and it’s all thanks to their acting.
I’m so happy they are getting the recognition they deserve, so go ahead and don’t miss the opportunity to watch this!

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I know, I know. I'm super late with this one. To be honest I was just going to keep it for a set of micro reviews (as if there's anything micro about any of those, sigh), but well. *looks down* Yeah. So here I go.

Oh my gosh this show. What can I even say about this show. Gird yourself because you think I was long winded before? Ha, you don't know long winded.

The thing is that this show was completely off of my radar. To the point that I don't even remember if there was a mock trailer for it at some point, and to this day I don't think I've seen the official one either. The only reason that I bothered watching is that one of my mutuals was telling me about it and I said, "huh, this reminds me of School 2013 I think it was. I watched it because of my undying love for Lee Jong Suk." To which they replied, "oh yes, I think it's an adaptation of that."

And since I had watched that one and remembered liking it well enough, I decided to binge watch the first eight episodes (all that were out at the time).

I've never been so happy for an "eh, I guess" watch in my life.

Because this show was so good. Part of it is the source material - School 2013 was an excellent show that explored themes of friendship, the pressure that students are put under by parents to succeed, the trouble people get themselves into when they are desperate...it's just great. And this show explores that as well. Part of it is the cast - everyone was amazing even though I will never stop being mad that I loved Foie's Mr. Sung as much as I did - but in the end what it is is the same thing that got me with Peaceful Property: this show has heart.

What I loved most about this show is how hard it fought the idea that is so prevalent today that people are stagnant. That is a lesson that I really wish we had more of in today's world - so often we're willing to hate others forever based on something they did years upon years ago, often with very little evidence that they've continued to do so as they grew older and ultimately, wiser. So often the thing that we are holding against them happened when they were teenagers. And so often those opinions have changed. But we don't account for that, and neither do some of the teachers (most notably the Vice Principal) in this show. They see Class 2 as a project, or irredeemable thugs, or lazy and unmotivated. And Class 2 isn't really interested in changing that belief.

It isn't until someone actually expects them to do better - not demands it to get money for the school, but because they know that they are capable of it - that the kids start to change. But it's not really changing, as Mr. Sung points out later. It's that they're growing up. As we all do. And finally, they're doing so in an environment that is allowing them to actually grow.

But it's not jus the kiddos who are learning. It's the adults too. Because shockingly enough, we don't stagnate after we hit 20, either. So many people in this show are in the process of change. Of striving to be better. Of learning - sometimes hard - that their way of doing things isn't the only one, or even necessarily the right one.

Not that everyone in the show did change. Jeng remained a dick throughout, and I appreciate that, because while I do love the heartwarming message the truth is that some people actively choose to make the wrong decision and then keep on that path regardless.

At the heart of the show, though, was friendship. Fractured friendship that is being mended, tested friendship, new friendship, and friendship that is so fierce it causes people to reach down into the darkness swallowing you and yank your stubborn ass out by force, even if they have to enlist the help of every single person in the class to do it.

Shin and Saint's friendship was of course front and center, and I adored it - these two are so ridiculous about each other in the absolute best way, and I think we all knew that Shin was never actually that mad about Saint breaking his leg but about breaking his leg and then leaving him - not only taking his dream but also taking the one person, ironically, who could have made it bearable: himself. The amount of pain all over Shin every time he saw Saint's big pleading puppy dog face was enough to know that, but if we didn't get it they then had him literally scream it at him (to be fair, pretty sure Saint didn't get it. He's lovely but also kinda dumb, poor thing). Their friendship was the glue that held the show together, and it was threaded throughout even when they were barely talking or had worked things out and then somehow managed to adopt the rest of the class as their unruly kiddos. They were glorious, and both Sky and Nani did such an excellent job that I immediately put Wu on my to watch list even with that absolute farce of a mock trailer. I will watch anything these two are in together, BL or not. And I genuinely did watch most of HSF without shipping Saint and Shin, although by the end I was convinced that no they're in love actually (Shin absolutely is aware of this and Saint is not. See lovely but dumb). GMMTV's first branded bromance pair? I'd be down for it.

That said, Saint and Shin's friendship wasn't the only one in the show that got me. Eve and Peeta did too, as did Airy and Eve. I liked them a lot - Eve and Peeta's friendship is being tested a bit by her overbearing mother sticking her big foot in where it isn't wanted, but I really loved that when it came down to it and Peeta was starting to fall apart Eve only cared about her well-being. I also really liked that despite the initial dislike and distrust between the girls from the different schools, Airy was actually a really good friend to Eve, level headed and giving decent advice when she and Peeta were in the middle of falling out. I also liked the way she and Tangmay went to bat for Eve when they thought that Jan had kicked her out of the Thai competition due to preferring Peeta instead, and then apologized when they learned they were wrong.

The one friendship I did not expect to feel so much about was Ken, Knot, and Nate, though. I thought they were going to be just a trio of hapless bullies, there to be fought against and not much else. But no. Instead of making them two dimensional bullies and not much else, they made them well rounded human beings who adore each other to pieces, who clearly bonded because they feel like they have no one else (this is especially shown in Ken's case, that dude's dad sucks). The way that Knot begged both Nate and Ken to please think about their futures because he loved them so much. The way that Knot and then Nate pretty much dragged Ken out of Jeng's gang by the scruff of his neck (with help from Saint and Shin, resident Batmen and aforementioned coparents to a bunch of kids only a couple of years younger than them). The way they rallied around him and were willing to do just about anything to help him out. That's love, and it won me right the fuck over with ease.

Ken in particular got me in a damn chokehold. The way his face would get whenever anyone treated him like a friend always made me feel a bit teary. And the way that he really did start trying once he realized that there were more people than Nate and Knot on his side, and that he didn't actually have to fight the world.

I also really need to take a moment to talk about how amazing Mark Pakin was as Chadjen. Just an amazing performance. I really hope that he gets at least a nod for it.

I guess this turned into more of a love letter than it did a review, but whatever. The show was amazing and I loved it. The only criticism I have is that I feel like Ken's father's turn around was a little too pat. I do like that the kids weren't the only ones learning lessons and changing, but I don't buy that one conversation with Ms. Jan took Ken's dad from drinking too much and saying things like his son would never amount to anything and it was a waste of time to care about him to sincerely wanting to make an effort. I also wish that we'd seen at least some of how Shin's mom went from very reluctantly allowing Saint back into their lives (understandably, to be honest, considering everything) to making him food and treating him once again like part of the family. I have my own thoughts about it, and we didn't have to see it, but it would have been nice.

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very good congratulations gmmtv

i finished watching it a while ago and i'm only now writing this review, and after following everything that's happening again in sky and nani's lives, apparently from what i follow on X they're advertising everything there in thailand.

Their success is well deserved, I see people more fanatical about Bls, thinking that the two of them would end the Bls industry hahaha this opinion is very apocalyptic, it's obvious that they won't end anything because bromance has always existed, I'm talking about the original not the censored Bl from China.

But talking about the series itself, it's obvious that I, like most people, fell in love with Skynani because of their acting talent, which is rare to say these days, especially on GMMTV, chemistry and obviously a good script always help, which is sorely lacking in Bls.

The only thing I found exaggerated is how much fighting there is.

But the acting from most of the cast is very good, especially Mark playing an autistic character.

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GMMTV Finally Does It Right

As a certified hater of GMM for their often lazy writing and lackluster shows, I cannot believe this show came from them, but here we are. The writing, the acting, the music, the storylines, the characters, everything was top tier.

I absolutely loved the complexities of the students, which appear exaggerated for TV, but showcase real issues that many students all over deal with. It showed the value of having adults who you can trust and who care for your well-being, and how important that is for kids, especially when those adults are your teachers when you don't have trusted adults as parents. The complexity of Ken's character wonderfully portrays how easy it is for a high schooler to get trapped in the wrong lifestyle, especially when you don't have supportive parents. I loved how Peeta and Cable's characters reveal the pressures students feel to please their parents and the toll it can take mentally. I loved Chadjen's character, Mark did a wonderful job playing Chadjen, I adore his character so much.

Now getting into Sky and Nani's characters as Shin and Saint, their friendship, bromance, relationship, or whatever the writers call it, was also a great take on the complexities of close friendships and how hard it can be to stop being friends with someone you really love. At first, I thought Shin might have been taking it too far with Saint until we learned why they stopped being friends, and then it all made sense. I know a lot of people got caught up in the is it a BL or is it not a BL but I felt that near the end, it was not important to me anymore. Their relationship is so deep and filled with so much love that it really blurs the sort of line between friendship and relationship; it somehow seems deeper than that. Sky and Nani are such a great pair. Nani's acting was a standout for me, but a lot of the other characters are a close second, including Sky. Overall wonderful show, and I will definitely be rewatching.

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Should Be BL, Not Bromance!!

There is longing but no proximity, shy glances and smiles that melt into friendly banter, flirtations turning into friendly leg pulling are both fun to watch and painful to endure, because the main leads look like they are in romantic love but both going “nah!”

With actions, strong and headstrong teen characters, drama and tumultuous feelings this show is a blurred line between romance and friendship.

“High School Frenemy”, a Thai remake of Korean drama School 2013, is what we will call a typical “Shounen” phenomenon. It’s a story about muscle power. Two rival groups of rowdy young men, competing and trying to be the top dogs.

That is the same with its original parent story in Korean. But the rest are very very Thai.

And by Thai, I mean the relationship of the main leads, Saint and Shin (Sky Wongravee and Nani Hirunkit).

Read the complete article here-

https://theblxpress.wordpress.com/2024/12/11/high-school-frenemy-series-review-ep-1-to-16/

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SkyNani has more chemistry than some BL couples

While there’s nothing to outrightly suggest that there’s anything romantic between the two, this shouldn’t stop the audience from appreciating their questionable bromance.

Their relationship is nothing short of spectacular. Ngl – Sky and Nani have more chemistry than some BL couples out there.

High School Frenemy is fundamentally driven by conflict and infighting. As you can imagine (and in case you can’t, I’m letting you know) – there’s a lot of petty and pointless violence. The story would get rather tiresome after several episodes, if not for the other characters in the series. 

Thankfully, the other troubled students within Siamwit also have interesting backstories and character arcs that gradually unfold over the 16 episodes. Tying all of this together are two teachers with opposite personalities but who do their best to help the troubled kids solve their problems one at a time.

Verdict: Came here for SkyNani, stayed for a great storyline about teachers helping troubled students

More reviews: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/

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"FRIEND"SHIP!

Yeah this is the single gayest show I´ve ever watched, including actual gay shows. Which I don´t say lightly because I always praise when movies and shows focus on friendships more than romance, highlighting that a platonic friendship can be just as important and emotional as a romantic relationship. High School Frenemy does that aswell, but whatever those two got going on must be a secret third thing. All jokes aside, I really ended up enjoying this drama. I loved the focus on the female friendships as well as the main story. The acting from the cast was stellar, the pacing is good and its technically a well executed drama. I also just liked how this show looked and the camerawork.

I didnt really love the gang plotline, but I understand that it was a tool to move the plot forward. The plot being the power of friendship of course. Something that did kinda bothered me throughout the show was the lack of extras in the shots. Like I´m sure they could afford to pay some university students to be on the set for a few hours. It might not seem like a big deal but it´s noticeable and makes the world feel empty. Also some conflicts where resolved a bit to fast in my opinion.

I also could see this show being something that I rewatch in the future, as it doesnt rely too heavy on plotwist or anything like that. I know some people didnt tune in to this purely because it not an "bl" but I would still recommend to give it a shot!

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School 2024: Thailand

The intensity of childhood friendships is no less dramatic, complicated, painful, or joyful than romance. Shin and Saint's friendship is the most intense of them all, though it's nice to see the various other ones between the other groups of characters that all coalesce into a heartwarming of peace and friendship between the whole class. Their angst was well acted by the characters, though the reveal of what happened between them took way too long. They should have revealed it to the audience at least in the second episode because it just felt like it dragged the story down. It wouldn't have made the impact of Saint confessing he beat Shin to the point of him breaking his leg and losing his ability to play soccer to the whole class any less or lessen the pain of Shin's being so heartbroken by Saint's not understanding the thing he truly couldn't forgive Saint is for leaving him when things are hard instead of facing it with him. This series is based on kdrama School 2013 where the friendship of the male leads were also the heart of the story. I would say though that High School Frenemy leaves things a bit more open as to the possibilities of what these two friends could become in the future. Aside from their family, and other friends, they love each other the most in the world. They keeping making promises and oaths to each, and tell each other they love each other. The last time they do in the show in the rain and sharing an umbrella, hints to the possibility in the future of more. It's nice they don't have to deal with that on top of the other wild things they've been dealing with and just enjoy their friendship for now. It would be interesting to see how they would deal with trying dating other people once they are in college or something.

Though they have 16 episodes, which is longer than a lot of other Thai series, they didn't get enough time to address a bit more of the home life. Saint's dad is definitely an alcoholic, he's almost always drunk, but he's never abusive to Saint, though him owning money causes Saint to take beatings on behalf of his dad. It's implied that at the very least he settled things with the loans sharks when Saint met up with him outside the police station. It's weird that his alcoholism is never called out though. They saved that for Ken's dad instead. We don't get to see Peeta and her mom come to an understanding, just an off screen acknowledgement that Peeta finally doesn't have to go represent the Thai academic team any more once Peeta is sent to the hospital. Eve and Airy is another friendship that hints at possible romance. They are newer friends and it's pretty blatant from Airy's questions and approach to Eve that she does have a crush on Eve. The teachers also on their journey to learning how to understand and help their students along the way was nice too. It was pretty crazy that neither Mr. Sung or Ms. Jan stepped in after Saint pushed Shin into the mountain of desks that fell on him and he was actually knocked out for a minute and Shin called Mr. Sung for help. Saint wasn't faking it, he was really out, which should be concerning because it's different than all the other times he takes hits and are fine. All lot of the beatings look very realistically brutal, but it kinda breaks the realism that most of the time no one ends up in the hospital after them, like when Saint got kidnapped, beaten, and left outside where Shin finds him.

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Emotional "friendship" story

Well... the casts and the director said it is a friendship story, but, to me, this is a censored BL.

Anyway, that is not really the main point of the story. It is a powerful coming of age with life struggles that would fit every generation. Big kudos to the screenwriters for making a 2013 still relevant to this day and age.

The cast is superb. Every main and most of support members are A+ actors and actresses. Main ones that I need to mention:

Mark Pakin as Chadjen is the star of the show. Though he is not the main leads, in my mind, he is one of the mains given how important he is to the story and the presence as he delivers all those lines!

Sky as Saint: We know Sky can act, and he meets the bar. Personally, his role is not as challenging as the two Marks, but I would have to give him a big round of applause for being able to show the different colors of Saint - the two alter egos of Saint ans Tsunami - so seamlessly.

Nani as Shin: I have never been a fan of F4. Hence, I have not seen his work before. However, the fact that he matches Sky level of acting skill, and being able to portray strong yet emotional character without me being annoyed? Im loving it! Also, his facial expression and the eyes are so captivating.

Mark Ji as Cable: Now, as a person who has gone through a phase of GAD, Mark really captured that moment. Its just one scene in the series that made me go - man! That boy has skill!

Lastly, I LOVE that scores in this film. Not many original soundtracks but everything fits so perfectly!

This is not the show I am going to rewatch anytime soon because it is super heavy, but it would be something that I cherish! Please GMMTV put this on youtube for the Thais. VIU app is such a mess...

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