My Love Mix-Up!

Infantile

This series is awful. I wish there was a kinder way to say that, but there is not. I wish in all honesty it had never been made as it wasted the talents of all the performers in this series. Or, at the very least, did not let them shine very much. What made this story so bad is its worn-out plot, cliché storylines, and predictable outcomes. For sure, there are a few touching moments but not enough to save this disaster of a series. And unfortunately, the acting is unchallenging and superficial. The series is filled with every trope in the playbook. If one of these series used even less than half of the standard ones, I would be ever so grateful. They continue to treat gay relationships like sitcoms. It is just a show. No depth. No sincerity. No exploration. No realness to them. It is like ‘playing house’ when you were children. All pretend; no substance. They cannot even kiss without the world falling down on them or even worse, fireworks going off. Please stop with the fireworks when two guys kiss. Overall, this is a childish, immature presentation of gay and straight teenage relationships, with a tired and trite plot, and I am sorry to say poorly acted and I am guessing more so poorly directed to make them all appear to be immature schoolboys and schoolgirls.

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'My Love Mix-Up!', a big comeback

Adapting a classic Japanese manga would seem like a complicated and overwhelming task, especially if we take into account both respecting the spirit of the original and the inevitable comparisons with the previous version, which with the title 'Kieta Hatsukoi' premiered on TV Asahi in 2021 and enjoys great popularity, and so it is; however, nothing stopped director Au Kornprom Niyomsil from returning the renowned work 'My Love Mix-Up!' to viewers.
The original piece, winner, in 2022, of the 67th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category, written by Wataru Hineruke and illustrated by Aruko, is one of the most revisited by BL lovers, since its publication for the first time in June 2019 in Bessatsu Margaret magazine.
From the genre of romantic comedy and musical with LGBTIQ+ themes, the series brings a new dimension to the original work while reflecting the spirit that animates the manga, but at the same time knowing how to successfully distance itself from it.
Those familiar with the original manga will be happy to know that 'My Love Mix-Up!' It is faithful to it. The main plot is similar, except that the Thai adaptation, in addition to interpreting the same events from a different cultural and aesthetic vision, introduces slight dramatic twists and elaborates the characterizations of the characters, whom it inserts into a musical, which helps to enrich the viewer's immersion.
Even if you already know what happens in both the original source material and the Japanese series, there is still a unique flavor to the series directed by Au. The adaptation also benefits from a longer narrative, allowing for greater depth.
From another perspective and aesthetic, the series expresses the richness, the main plots and also the emotions that we feel when we read the original, with its emotional ups and downs and its script twists in this romantic story, where everything happens in a very fun and realistic way. It is a story about the search for human connections, about the difficulty of discovering one's identity and finding a place in the world, and someone to share it all with.
The unexpected love relationship that shapes the core of the story is the basis of a beautiful and tender exploration of friendship and love, where the protagonists must discover what they really want, while deciphering their own feelings and dealing with some how many responsibilities and pressures related to the lives they live.
And as they spend time together, love works unexpectedly, and Atom and Kongthap, as our narrative heroes are called here, will discover that they are more interested in each other than either of them can believe. They're both straight, or that's what everyone thinks, themselves included. But the misunderstanding that causes their lives to intersect, combined with the way they treat and care for each other, will cause their feelings to begin to go down a path they would never have imagined.
The romance of the protagonists is the great setting, but, as a backdrop, the series tells us an everyday story about adolescence, coming of age, love, discovery, family, acceptance, personal growth, loyalty, insecurities and friendship.
'My Love Mix-Up!' it is a manual installalove. Boy meets boy. First they become friends. Then they fall in love. They discover. Both, without intending to, undertake the clearing of the weeds towards full identity. A typical teenage romance story, with no pretensions to breaking schemes or introducing new plots, and surely that is its greatest point in its favor.
One of the things I couldn't help but feel a weakness for is the plot. This is quite simple, which in any other work would be negative for being "too poor in terms of complexity", but that is exactly where the magic of 'My Love Mix-Up!' is born. The minimalism is so good that the series doesn't need anything else, just that beautiful romance between the characters and the positive energy that they manage to convey so much.
From the first frames we are going to enter a love story full of doubts, discoveries and acceptance. It all starts with a misunderstanding that gives rise to a beautiful friendship that will change everything. For Atom, because he can't help but fall in love with Kongthap. And for Kongthap, because he's starting to realize that "friendship" isn't enough to describe how he feels about Atom, and that means there are parts of himself he doesn't know yet.
Atom will soon discover that he feels more for Kongthap than he could imagine, but it will be a path in which he must discover himself, come to terms with who he is and what he feels for the young man who makes him so happy when he is at his side. Suddenly, and before he himself realizes it, Atom knows who he is, and he thinks he knows who Kongthap is, but many surprises are about to happen that will keep us on the edge of our seats until long after the credits have finished.
What I liked most was seeing how friendship is built and how, while they explore their respective worlds, trust, affection, physical attraction, love are born...
The intentions of this LGBTIQ+ story are very clear from its first episode, since what you will find here is a romantic story that explores the relationship between two teenagers. At this point it shouldn't really be a particularity that they are both boys, but I am aware that it is one of its most striking aspects, although for me the most important thing is that it is a charming series and probably the most tender work of fiction, beautiful and endearing that we are going to see throughout 2024.
I remember when a few years ago I pointed out that 'Love, Simon', the film directed by Greg Berlanti, came to fill an incomprehensible void within the romantic comedy of the major studios, since until then it seemed that homosexual couples were condemned to suffering or, at most, be a kind of complement to the main plots. There was a lack of luminous stories, and 'My Love Mix-Up!' is also found along those lines.
'Write Love with Eraser', as it is also known, also delves into topics such as empathy, tolerance, prejudice, homophobia and coming out, always addressed with tact, simplicity and naturalness.
Au, an expert in probing gay sexuality and gender identity, gives us a series that focuses on feelings and the search for answers to the inevitable questions that we have all asked ourselves at some point. There is no idealization of the characters nor of the stormy relationships that are established between homosexuals in other series with a tragic tone.
From the first moment there is an enormous respect for the emotions of others and, although behaviors that we could identify as homophobic are occasionally shown, the characters reveal themselves so as not to be victims and encourage a dialogue that allows them to overcome each other. That is to say, an enviable harmony prevails that goes far beyond the good ideas you may have at a conceptual level. Rhythm, tone, interpretations and even the effective staging work all go in the same direction, and that always adds up.
The characters in the manga are endearing and very beloved, so it was extremely important to find the right people to play them. I couldn't imagine the series with other protagonists: "Fourth" Nattawat Jirochtikul and "Gemini" Norawit Thiticharaenrak make the world fall in love with them from the beginning. The first is a perfect Atom, clumsy, somewhat silly, frank, childish, nervous, shy and in love, he makes us smile every time he does it, and reflects very well how he cannot erase Kongthap from his head no matter how hard he tries.
And Gemini, for his part, is an incomparable Kongthap: intelligent, friendly, studious, talented artist and athlete. His character is more complex, as he has to assume the role of a young man without defects, while acting with a restrained, soft voice, deep gaze, and adorning his face with a frequent poker face.
Atom and Kongthap are a cute couple whose opposite personalities complement each other. The extravagance of one strikes a perfect balance with the seriousness of the other. Of the two, Atom is more vulnerable due to his constant doubts about himself and his relationship. However, his traveling companion proves to be also committed to romance.
Both represent self-discovery, not only regarding sexual orientation, but also regarding the way of being, something that we often repress to try to fit into a group or relationship.
Kornprom Niyomsil knows how to direct them perfectly to give life to the story in which there is no trivial detail: from the creative freedom given to the members of the cast, to the brilliant palette in which the colors of the rainbow prevail.
Compared to the original work and the Japanese version, I feel more invested in the romance of the Thai series. And the big blame for this, in addition to the reasons stated above, lies with Fourth and Gemini, who do express the physical intimacy that I never got from Michieda Shunsuke and Meguro Ren.
I took for granted the comparisons not so much between the manga and the Thai version, but between the latter and the Japanese adaptation, and that has been the case; but I consider them both to be excellent BL dramas.
However, the remake that I am reviewing has a romantic vibe that did not exist in that one and more dynamic and charismatic characters, which makes the series more meaningful to me. From the first moment I heard the protagonists perform the happy and catchy songs that make up the soundtrack, including "Re-Move On", its opening theme, I already had the feeling that I would love it.
'My Love Mix-Up!' It is, in short, a sensual and tender journey to the very epicenter of the heart of love.

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This was one big advertisement

Thailand is known for its product placement in dramas and sometimes it becomes blatantly obvious that they are shoving it on our faces. Vice Versa and Bad Buddy had plenty of those but it was tolerable because the quality of storytelling made it up for the most part and the placing was alright.

Every five seconds, I am seeing a product featured that I am unable to get the entire point of this story. In my opinion, other than the utilization of a few plot points, I would not even classify this as a remake.

I've read the manga and watched the Japanese adaptation and I must say that this piece of work did not resonate with the characters at all. I was this close to dropping out of this drama because Fourth and Gemini just fell flat on the ground to me. They for sure can act! There's no doubt that they cannot. But this felt like both of them were going to be held at gunpoint if they did not sign up to do this drama. It felt forced and that was definitely conveyed to the audience. As the well known saying goes, the camera spares no one.

Although, the main reason I pulled through this drama was because Chokun and Pahn were relatively new to the limelight and I wanted to support their work. They have a long way to go but it was incredibly refreshing to see new faces with an adequate amount of screentime for a second couple. I hope both of them get better projects from GMMTV and continue to strive throughout their respective journeys.

And lastly, for the life of me... I do not understand how is this show still rated as 8.1?!

However, I do feel the need to point out that I do respect everyone's opinion as to whether they enjoyed the show or not. But this was definitely not my cup of tea and I just wanted to share my thoughts.

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I don't know this couple as a CP but I saw this series as something I can just watch and rewind but it just lacked in so many places.
Their chemistry is so bad, they look like newbies and the atom character I seriously couldn't stand him till the final episode he did better.
Kongthap was a character I would have Very much related to but the director did it dirty.
He barely even had screen time, less lines and no depth to his character even the side couples had more screen time than him, that's awful.
More lines would have brought him out more and showed his acting skills.
The side couples are not great sorry but I skipped their parts.
Nothing special.
Overall it's a 5/10 from me.
I liked kongthap he had potentials, they just ruined it all.

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Sweet and illogical.

I have always been one of those who doesnt expect for a cast to be top notch if they have delivered once, or for a story to be told beautifully if its a remake. And I have been open to the light watches, i actually like it in between a life im barely surviving. But this series does not meet the minimum expectation you might have.

I would say Fourth single handedly helped the show to survive and it surprises me how talented he is ; Though I dont know who confined Gemini so much that he didn't move. Boy looked like he was scared to even smile. I wouldn't complain about it all and yes it did make me go a little oozy boozy at times, but I dont feel anything of it.

Its just that. It begins in a class where they would focus on the same four or five people, where they would go through events that would make no sense.

I have completed the show and Im still not sure how Atom starts harbouring feelings for Kongthap, and how his feelings for Mudmee vanishes in a microsecond. More importantly, how ( and obviously why ) they decided to go on a walk to make confessions right after Kongthap gets bitten by a snake.

And do explain ( if you can ) what was the point for Khaopan and Kongthap's mutual friend to come and mess it up if Khaopan had to live alone all his life. (?)

The story is sweet but those little unnecessary additions added up to a show that slipped the track. Right when it gets back on, it slips through the confusion the characters make.

Not a pleasant watch, I wanted it to be.

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MSP 2.0

This series tried so hard to be MSP 2.0 that it didn't feel like an adaptation at all. Instead, it felt like they were using every tactic possible that worked in MSP (My School President) and decided to give this a different title but it's still basically the same series. In my eyes, My Love Mix Up the Thai version was not taken seriously as a new adaption of the Japanese manga/series like it should've been.

Let's Dive In.

Had I been discussing the first 8 episodes of this series, I would've told you it was an amazing, jaw-dropping, brilliant series. Except, they went on for 4 more episodes and it completely plummeted on its face after that. What could've been a really neat and tidy 8 episode series was stretched to fill that usual GMMTV 12-ep series, but in reality, it should've just stayed 8 episodes. Once they get together, it's nothing but weird added-on tension, some stuff from the side couple, and a couple of kisses. That's it. I hated when I could tell that I was falling out of love with this series, but once episode 9 hit, I was done. I heavily debated dropping this, but the only thing that kept me going was Half and Mudmee.

Let's actually talk about those two for a second. I LOVED Half and Mudmee, so much so to the point where I could give two flying fucks about Atom and Kong. Half and Mudmee stole the show for me, I loved them to pieces, they were just so first-love-coded and I adored their dynamic. The only time they start to decline for me is closer to the end when we get a fake kiss from them. Oh gosh, why why why? It will never not draw me out of a series when you can obviously tell they're fake kissing. Why not just... kiss? Pahn (Mudmee) did an incredible job in her role, Chokun (Half) was pretty mediocre and a times just downright bad, but it's not so bad to where you can't watch, sometimes it's just a bit cringe.

Moving onto Atom and Kong, again LOVED them in the beginning, not so much a fan of them by the end. They were the slow burn that I yearned for, but the series dragged their story for far too long. After a certain point, I just don't care anymore. Kong's birthday, them going to visit college, etc, all of it, for some reason, was such a snooze-fest for me. I just needed to see them be happy and in love. The end. and then on top of that, they exude so much of Gun and Tin from MSP that it's hard to differentiate their characters from there and here. I think it's good at the beginning, but the more you watch, the more their personalities are similar. Maybe not Gemini's characters so much, but Fourth felt like he was playing the same person. I think getting them out of high school roles will help better push them away from those similarities, but it's hard not to see them. Also, let's discuss those kissing scenes, because they were actually horrendous, all of them. We've seen them do a great job in MSP, so I'm not sure why it was so stale and dead-fish like here. I'm going to assume it has something to do with the director, but holy hell, those were hard to sit through. And then on top of that, their chemistry was just not chemistry-ing like it usually does. Maybe there were too many long stares, or some weird aspect that made it feel kinda awkward, but something didn't click here. Overall, I wasn't as satisfied with these two as I'd like to be, but oh well?

Moving onto production, this was caked and marinated in product placements, so much so that it starts not even feeling like a genuine series, which is why this adaptation doesn't feel like an adaption at all. Same with the MSP band coming to play, same with Atom and Kong busting out in song. This series is too much garnered towards G4 than the actual series itself that it just feels like they played in our faces. I'm so disappointed with the series as a whole, and from now on, if GMMTV is going to adapt something, they need to stray away from making it feel so advertisement-heavy and more so for the actual storytelling.

Ratings:

Story: 6/10 - It's so good in the beginning and then it falls straight on its face. Quite literally you can stop watching at episode 8 and get the gist of the story. After that, they start playing in our faces.

Acting: 8.5/10 - I think both Gemini and Fourth did as best as they could with the direction and script they were given. Pahn did a good job and so did Chokun, although he was for sure their weakest link.

Music: 5/10 - them busting out in song took me away from the story cause they're no fucking singing in the manga/series (correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure there's not).

Recommendation Value: 7/10 - at the end of the day, this series is pretty light-hearted and fluffy, so I'd definitely recommend in the, "take your brain to ease-town" way. Also, if you're a fan of G4 then of course, this is for you.

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Mixed Up, Tossed Out

This, this was a ride, an occasionally cute, fluffy one, but oftentimes headache inducing, eye rolling one that left me wishing for the magic that was MSP, because this did not have that magic. It tried, it really did, but the fact of the matter is, Gemini and Fourth are growing up and that combined with a lackluster script, inconsistent story, and incohesive characters just exacerbated the issue and it all just kind of snowballed.

I have never read the manga nor have I seen the original Japanese adaptation, so I have nothing to compare this to. My biggest issue with the story was all the inconsistencies. You have Mudmee who in the first half or so of the drama is seen as relatively weak and not great at sports and then suddenly she's The Hulk and an absolute beast. Um, excuse me, when did that happen? Then there's Atom who when faced with having to cook Kongthap's birthday meal suddenly says that he's afraid of cooking because he nearly burned the house down and his mother was severely burned as a result when he was a child. But we saw none of that when he was in the cooking club previously. He didn't seem tense, despite Sin's comment, and he was happily daydreaming about Kongthap while letting the chocolate burn. Atom's mom tells Kongthap during the school festival that Atom has abandonment issues and yet, we never see that. The drama also almost feels episodic in nature. Any issue or conflict that arises is conveniently wrapped up within a single episode which, while working in some cases, with some of the heavier themes, namely Atom coming to terms with his sexuality, figuring out what he wants to do with his life and he and Kongthap coming out to their mothers, those definitely could have used a couple of episodes to really explore them and give them the attention they deserved.

The characters were similarly inconsistent, morphing as needed to fit the story. They're supposed to be this close friend group and yet the only ones that truly felt convincing as friends were Atom and Mudmee. Atom and Half felt less cohesive as friends, particularly when Atom was ready to jump to Mudmee's side without even listening to Half. Their friendship felt stronger towards the beginning but then just started to dissipate as the drama progressed. The romance didn't quite work for me. For one, Atom got over Mudmee far too quickly. I can forgive that given time restrictions, but then I needed to understand why Atom and Kongthap fell for each other and that simply wasn't well developed. They spent time together, but it wasn't like they were having a lot of deep, meaningful conversations that would seem to foster the growth of romantic feelings. Frankly, Mudmee and Half's relationship felt better developed.
- Atom was the most consistent character, but he very much felt like a manga character with his dramatics and over the top behaviour. It got tiring after a while. He did mature to an extent and work to improve himself but the whininess could have been dialed back.
-Kongthap was one of the characters that really seemed to morph as the episode demanded. He would be intelligent one episode and emotionally inept the next. I understand that he was trying to figure out his feelings, but sweet child! I was also deeply unimpressed with his behaviour in Episode 12. He left Atom to fend for himself both times with his own mother (at least go stand next to your man!), and then forced his hand with Atom's mother by saying he wanted to tell her something. I simultaneously wanted to smack him and hug Atom.
-Mudmee was fun. I truly enjoyed her friendship with Atom and I also appreciated her courage to go after the person she liked despite fearing rejection and that she kept showing up despite the obstacles she/they faced. I really wanted her to tell her friends to shut up though with their stupid advice. Like come on, girl, their advice has never been right, stop listening to them!
-Half was simultaneously adorable and smackable. My girl Mudmee kept putting herself out there and he was either oblivious or too afraid to do anything. Thankfully he eventually got his head screwed on straight and became the man she deserved but it took a while. In all seriousness though, I think they could have done more with his character. It didn't feel like there was much to him other than Mudmee's love interest.

Gemini and Fourth are good actors. I liked them in MSP and I liked them in Moonlight Chicken. They're talented. They weren't bad here, but it also wasn't either of their strongest performance. A significant part of that I'm going to chalk up to what they had to work with. While I prefer Fourth in more dramatic roles like Moonlight Chicken that allow him to really showcase his talent, he does a good job playing the whiny high schooler here too. Gemini unfortunately fell into the trap that a number of actors do of thinking being reserved means you can't move your face so he came across as stiff at least initially. He did loosen up eventually thankfully, but it also felt a bit too late at that point to completely salvage things. Beyond their acting though, they're both looking older. They no longer have the baby faces that were so present and endearing in MSP and even Moonlight Chicken. They look like young adults now. It's harder for them to blend into that high school scene and bring that same feel. They still have fantastic chemistry, but I think a different genre would be beneficial for both of them.

The music is excellent. The opening song was overused, but I do like it and while the musical made no sense, I very much like the songs from it as well. The amount of product placement was absurd. I've gotten to a point where I can mostly ignore it, but my lord they were just going to town with it in such a way that I could not this time. Do they know what subtlety is? I mean, how many times did we need see Kongthap put in his contact? Also, sir, do you even know how to put in contacts because you're going to have issues when they're touching your eyelashes. Just saying. And I don't know whose brilliant (yes, I'm being very sarcastic) idea it was to run the credits during the last couple minutes of the episodes, but literally why? Was there some reason they couldn't be run at the end like normal so they wouldn't distract from what was happening? I would seriously love an explanation.

While I think GMM was trying desperately to recapture the magic of MSP, they failed dramatically. MLMU lacks that magic and it lacks it in spades. It's saying something when the straight couple is more compelling than the leads which is what I found half the time. I love Gemini and Fourth, they're talented young men, but even they couldn't save this mess. I can only hope that their next project is better than this.

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My Love Mix-Up Thailand - A Mixed Bag of Expectations

GMMTV’s adaptation of Kieta Hatsukoi—a Japanese Yaoi manga by Hinekure Wataru—is a curious endeavor. The original series, which was also adapted into a Japanese BL drama in 2021, brought a fresh and charming story to life. So, when I heard GMMTV was creating a Thai version, I’ll admit I had my reservations. The Japanese series had its quirks, and I wondered how this would translate into the world of Thai BL. As a fan of both the manga and the original show, I went in with cautious optimism.

The premise of My Love Mix-Up! Thailand remains true to its source material. We have Atom, played by Fourth Nattawat, who is a timid and somewhat clumsy high schooler with a crush on his classmate Mudmee (Pahn Pathitta). His world is turned upside down when a simple mix-up leads Kongthap (Gemini Norawit) to believe Atom has a crush on him, setting off a series of misunderstandings and comedic moments.

Right from the start, the series felt like it was missing something. There’s a certain magic in storytelling that pulls you in, makes you root for the characters, and keeps you invested. Unfortunately, My Love Mix-Up! Thailand struggled to find its footing. For a series with such a light-hearted and fun premise, it often felt like it was dragging its feet.

Fourth Nattawat’s portrayal of Atom was lackluster at best. He’s a talented actor, and I’ve seen him shine in other roles, but here it felt like he was holding back. Perhaps it was the character itself or maybe the direction, but whatever it was, it didn’t quite hit the mark. Gemini Norawit as Kongthap had moments of brilliance, particularly in scenes where his stoicism came into play, but overall, it felt like both actors were coasting rather than fully embodying their roles.

One of the biggest downfalls of the series is the excessive product placement. Now, I understand that sponsorship is a necessary evil in today’s media landscape, but there’s a fine line between subtle integration and blatant advertising. Unfortunately, My Love Mix-Up! Thailand crossed that line repeatedly. The product placements were so jarring that they often pulled me out of the story entirely. It’s a real shame because it distracted from the chemistry that could have developed between the characters.

Speaking of chemistry, Gemini and Fourth have it in spades. We’ve seen it before in Moonlight Chicken and My School President, where their interactions felt natural and heartfelt. However, in My Love Mix-Up! Thailand, that chemistry was left to languish in the background. There were a few standout moments—Kongthap and Atom bonding over their parents’ relationships, Atom sharing his dream of opening a café—but these were few and far between. The series never fully allowed their relationship to flourish, instead opting for contrived conflicts and rushed resolutions.

The romance arc, which should have been the heart of the show, felt forced and unconvincing. Atom’s crush on Mudmee is brushed aside almost immediately, leaving little room for emotional depth. The transition from friendship to romance between Atom and Kongthap lacked the gradual build-up that makes these stories compelling. By the time they became a couple, it felt more like a box had been ticked than a natural progression of their relationship.

Another issue was the pacing. The show tried to cram too much into too little time, resulting in rushed story arcs and unsatisfying conclusions. This is especially evident in Atom’s struggle with his sexuality and his eventual decision to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. Both of these storylines could have been explored in greater depth, but instead, they were wrapped up in a matter of minutes.

Now, it’s not all bad. There were some genuine moments of charm, particularly in the way the series handled the friendship between Atom and Mudmee. Their dynamic was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise uneven show. Additionally, the soundtrack was a highlight—catchy and well-suited to the tone of the series, even if it was a bit overused.

In the end, My Love Mix-Up! Thailand feels like a missed opportunity. With the talent of Gemini and Fourth at their disposal, GMMTV could have created something truly special. Instead, we’re left with a series that, while not without its merits, falls short of the standard set by other Thai BL dramas. For fans of the original manga or the Japanese series, this adaptation might be a bit of a letdown.

As much as it pains me to say it, I can’t rate this any higher than a 5 out of 10. It’s a middling effort that doesn’t quite capture the heart or humor of its source material. Here’s hoping GMMTV takes this as a learning experience and gives these talented actors the scripts they deserve in future projects.

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