Sashes and Hearts (2025)

Sashes and Hearts: Unique Concept, Mixed Execution

Sashes and Hearts' concept is honestly unique. A BL series centered around male pageantry? That’s super fresh. I haven’t seen anything quite like it, especially from Thailand, where pageantry in BL isn’t really explored. Props to the creators for trying something different!

That said, one thing that threw me off a bit is the huge cast. There are just so many characters, it gets a little overwhelming trying to keep up with everyone’s story. It makes the show feel a bit crowded and chaotic at times.

In addition, it has so many uninteresting plots, like they just threw in to fill a space and make the series lengthy. And also too many nonsensical dialogues.

Now let’s talk couples… The main leads, Mac and Larence have a good chemistry. Mac Alonzo's acting is good, it feels natural, while Larence Brenches little needs improvement. The second couple doesn’t really click for me. The chemistry just isn’t there. Oddly enough, I found more spark between Jack and his best friend, Tony. I was honestly hoping they’d end up together instead!

Most of the actors here haven’t starred in major movies or TV series, and I hadn’t even heard of them before watching this. But I have to give special props to Gian Carl, who plays Tony—his performance felt incredibly natural, with zero awkwardness.

Also, major kudos to Oxin Films. I’ve always noticed that a lot of Filipino BLs tend to struggle with budget limitations, but this one feels like they really put in the effort. You can tell they invested in the visuals, production, and overall quality.

Sashes and Hearts is a fresh take with potential, even if it’s not perfect.

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way too many characters and uninteresting plot points

Overall: on brand with nice music, innuendos and way too many characters/plot that I cared nothing about and intended comedy that didn't work. 13 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcQaxIPsTWdN8c6czpNNhuciPMIkpAIH6&si=m9MlfDD-TDMRK8aN Oxin also produced: My Day, Rainbow Prince, My Story, Our Story, Tie the Not, Sky Valley

Content Warnings: sex trafficking/coercion, manipulation, dub con kiss, non con recording, mention of past abuse, hit

What I Liked
- visuals
- easy to understand premise
- chuckled a few times with the innuendo
- supportive sister/sibling relationship
- flirty moments, good being interested in more intimacy
- music
- the line "your lips got tired and laid on her lips?!"
- Xion Lim's cameos and not wearing shirts under his suit jackets

Room For Improvement
- flash forward with voice over start
- too many characters, cared nothing for the creepy manager/plot
- did not find most jokes funny
- 5/3 did not need to see a conversation while one guy was sitting on the toilet (and more toilet humor in the finale)
- camera blocked kissing in 6/4
- liked one pair but then a guy was a jerk in the second part of ep 7/1
- liked the makeup artist but then he tried to guilt his friend into a romantic relationship
- the finale had zero kisses!!!, we got a near kiss and a hug, meh

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I enjoyed it. Still...

So this series received a lot of hate in the MDL comments. And some of it was deserved. Still, I liked it. Here are my pros and cons:

PROS

MUSIC. Say what you will about Oxin Films, you can't deny that they always come up with good OSTs which, of course, is understandable, being that the Philippines have some of the best singers in the world.

STEAMY SCENES. The series had plenty of slutty and hot scenes. Well, I enjoy slutty and hot. Sue me.

LEMUEL. I've watched enough Oxin series to know that Gio Emprese is quite a fine actor. I prefer seeing him in dramatic roles, but he does play the creepy perv character very well, as shown here.

COMEDY. Some of it was over the top but, overall, I enjoyed the comedic moments.

EYE CANDY. Plenty of that to go around.

CONS

TOO MANY CHARACTERS. I find this to be a flaw in just about every Oxin series. Do they have an obligation to a large number of actors for each outing? There were so many characters I had a difficult time keeping track of everyone. Too many story lines.

GIN'S MOTHER. For me she was the most annoying character, I found her so shallow and fake. And what's with her acting like a teenage girl half the time? Not a good look, honey.

JENNIFER. Another annoying one, she was just unlikeable. Even with that, what happened to her? She was a credible villain, but then she was just... gone.

I could go on, but you get the picture. Despite many flaws, the series kept my interest and I looked forward to it each week.

It's a 7.5 from me.

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