Catching theme broken by bad production
OK so I was very hyped to watch this show, mainly because of FirstKhao and the premise itself looked quite fun and interesting. I feel like all the signs were there midway that the show just wasn’t going to get progressively better. I’m trying my best not to sound like a hater, I was eagerly waiting each week for a new episode and it was very fun to watch but at some point my adrenaline ran out and I kind of started seeing the boring parts of the show. This review is on the harsher side just because I wanted to outline some negatives I found in the show. Idk what to write for positives like…”that was quite nice” moving on😭😭😭I was rlly excited in the first half of the show, but for the other half I just sort of had this constant zoning out feeling when watching (I’m sorry I don’t know how else to explain it 😭). The show is turning off my braincells idk what’s happening anymore.
Ending: I was honestly so confused in the last few eps….I literally lost the plot HAHAHAHA.
Ok so one more thing, this is completely my own opinion but I do not think that the comedy of the show mixed well with the supposedly suspenseful theme. Ok so let me unpack that. The comedy I don’t mind, I think it adds a nice touch to the show and if you want to turn your brain off completely and just enjoy the for the laughs then don’t finish reading this section :D. Especially in the later episodes I saw more serious themes trying to be presented but I couldn’t properly feel that darker vibe because the aloof comedy outshined it (mainly in the joongdunk scenes but I could feel it in the rest of the show too). So overall the times sort of clashed, so again im not saying there should be no comedy but rather I don’t like how the serious themes were presented amidst the comedy.
Ok so the most debated topic for this drama for very well known reasons. It’s like I’m waiting two entirely different categories under one umbrella. So as we all might have noticed, Dunk is very much “disliked” by some for his acting. I have to just say bluntly that I’m not a JoongDunk fan, in the sense that I have never watched any of their shows nor really searched them up for any other reason. They just sort of weren’t there in my mind, so going into this series I fr did not know what to expect (so I didn’t lol). The first few episodes I was just interested in the plot and comedy to really start analysing everyone’s acting, but at a certain point I started seeing many comments about Dunk and yes off I noticed that his acting is not the best per se. Thankfully in this case it wasn’t really a disaster in my case cause his character was aloof and carefree so I did not even notice anything with him in the first few eps. As the theme got a bit darker and more serious he did start standing out more but yea I have not seen any of his other shows so I have nothing to compare to other than the rest of the cast but many do say that his acting has improved so I will trust y’all on that. I just don’t rlly like how he dealt with the more serious scenes.
Guys I am not shitting on any JoongDunk lovers we can all love the ships that we want to, I won’t object. Just for me personally they aren’t the brightest cookies for my liking, so my view of them in THK was a bit, how do I say this…I did not think much of them. Yes they were funny but nothing spiked me as wow. Pls no one come for me Joong is rlly hot I don’t hate either of them.
Ok so moving onto FirstKhao…yea well I just wasn’t worried for their acting because I knew they were going to do an amazing job they pretty much always do. I rlly love them and I think many came into this series for those two (I did too haha). I only want to say one thing, I rlly don’t think it was them cause it looked more like a filming and production thing but there were just a few scenes which felt a few seconds too dragged on where First and Khao were kinda just staring at each other awkwardly. Idk if anyone else noticed this tbh idk why I did but it stood out to me, I was kinda just sitting there there like 👁️👄👁️ “uum ok…” And overall FirstKhao’s acting sort of outshined the intensity of the scene (I’ll get to that in the production section that I added of the purpose of this review).
OK I can shit on other things as much as I want but the soundtrack was done AMAZINGLY. I’ve seen a pattern of really good music being presented in the latest BL series. The first show that made me really wow at the score was Not Me, I gotta say after the music in that show I was simply not the same being. Yea so music means a lot to me as a person so a good soundtrack drop me to my feet and make me ascend. And well this show had a good selection I must say. A lot of songs added to m Spotify after the last few months HAHAHA. But sadly for me this wasn’t enough
Overall: Production quality:
Sighhh… welp. I’m not very happy. Not mad or anything just kind of indifferent. I think that the plot had much more potential than what the end result came out to be. My thoughts on this might overlap a bit with what I wrote about the plot but yes, the events and scenes did start getting a bit repetitive that I sort sort of felt like I was watching the same episodes but in different fonts. I suck at putting my feelings onto paper so the best I can explain it is that the start was quite impactful
Maybe the problem partially lies in building...bob the builder rlly has is work cut out for him but jokes aside going back to there being potential comment; the story, characters and world building was not done extremely well in my opinion. I couldn’t fully sympathise with any of the characters well enough because there just wasn’t enough backstory to them. There was just a lack of depth on many things, I would have liked the story to be more coherent.
I mean idk if I would rewatch it tbh, the show wasn’t that memorable for me but It was funny and lighthearted at times so I could see why people would come back to it.
I don’t think I’m ready to be giving this lower than an 8 so I will leave it at that rating. Also guys I’m not very good with words and have only written a few reviews so my apologies if something doesn’t make sense. Anyway this was still very fun to watch a lovely day cuties <3
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Captivating plot, intense chemistry and amazing soundtrack.
The dynamics between the couples, friends, and siblings were the highlight. First and Khao—no words! Since The Eclipse, they’ve been showing insane chemistry, in addition to being very talented actors. But the one who surprised me the most was Joong. His character was really interesting, and I think he played it very well. In fact, this was my favorite couple for him, paired with Dunk. Their dynamic, with opposite personalities, was so fun to watch. Even though I think the drama spent a little too much time on Style winning over Fadel, their relationship was pretty funny.Dunk, on the other hand, still needs to improve a lot in acting, especially in the more emotional scenes. Meanwhile, Joong and Khao were amazing as assassin brothers. It was great to see the difference in Bison’s personality when he was “working” versus when he was with Kant. Kant’s profession as a tattoo artist, his criminal past, and the way he cared for his brother made him a really compelling character.
For me, Kant’s big secret was what kept me the most engaged in the drama. I was really eager to see how it would be revealed and how the other characters would react, and I loved the way it played out. Just when I thought the story might slow down, the final episode surprised me. I never expected them to actually show everything that happened during those five years!
Another part I really loved was Dunk’s relationship with his father—it was so sweet. And, of course, I can’t forget to mention the make-out scenes—there were plenty, but they were all pretty unique.
Also, I absolutely loved the songs chosen for the series! So many of them stuck with me that I added them to my playlist to listen to later.
Oh, and after all that, I was left craving one of Heart’s burgers!
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YOU SHOULD WATCH
The Heart Killers is a BL series with a unique storyline and some unexpected plot twists. I’ve been really enjoying it so far, especially since I’m a big fan of action-packed BLs. Joong totally nailed his role, his action scenes were impressive! I’m not sure if he used a stunt double or not, but either way, the fight choreography looked solid.Dunk, on the other hand, had his funny moments stalking/chasing Fadel (Joong). Khaotung was amazing as always; his eyes alone can deliver a whole range of emotions. First also did a great job, though I have to say the fake tattoos were a bit too obvious, it kinda pulled me out of the moment.
Production-wise, this series really delivers. You can tell the team put in a lot of effort and resources. The cinematography is clean and sharp, and the OST fits the vibe of the series perfectly.
If you're looking for a BL with a mix of action, romance, comedy, and drama, The Heart Killers is definitely worth checking out.
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very interesting, but...
Okay so. It's an interesting premise of hitmen, police officer in disguise and carefree mechanic. The opening song is really catchy, and it's really my first time enjoying an ost so much.Khaotung needs to be applauded for his amazing performance, the way he delivers the emotions, the dialogues and action sequence, it's really worth all the hype he's been getting. First too, does an amazing job at keeping up with his partner and even going beyond during some scenes. He really knows how to cry, i'll tell you that. Joong and Dunk, as much as they've improved from hidden agenda and star on my mind, their acting really does get a bit choppy here and there. Don't read this wrong, I'm not saying that they're making the series bad, but sometimes it really shows that they're acting, you know? How do I say this, for FirstKhao scenes, there's this raw play of emotions and it really feels real, but JoongDunk, I'm personally not able to connect with them as much.
Joong has a really good screen presence on his own, and the action scenes were amazing. Dunk too has certainly improved from a single expression to a wider range of emotions. But as I said, their screentime together wasn't fully enjoyable for me in the recent episodes. The initial 3-4 episodes, I was hooked by them, but now it really feels dull.
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Not bad
Story was not bad a bit drawn out but was interesting.I read a review that said some of it was so cringy and was embarrassed for the Actor, omg had to agree. But it still made you laugh.
First and Khaotung are brilliant actors and has bl down to an art. They really held the show together. Bison was a bit to soft but him and Kant was real.
Joong is a great actor and adapts well to his character Fadel. Would love to see him with a new partner to see him shine. Oh the eyes, wish I was younger 😂
Well Dunk he really needs acting classes, he tries but is so stiff, if your not comfy doing bl’s dont do them, no one will think less of you. He cannot even pretend to enjoy the S#x scenes. He is so tense. (Have to say whoever thinks Joong and Dunk are really together in real life needs their eyes looked at, come on, look at the kissing, Joong can kiss Dunk so ridget.). Let them be just friends and get different partner for the set.
Would love to see AJ and JJ in their own shows as main cast, they are good. I liked Keen, would like to see Pepper in more shows.
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Fun lighthearted show to watch- though Dunk's acting was cringy at time
I really enjoyed the show. It's very different from other thai bl shows because it has a unique plot unlike the cliche college students plots which is overdone, in my opinion. This show started really strong and kept laughing at every episode. However, towards the middle of the series, it felt like the story was becoming meh and I was bored in some episodes. nonetheless, towards the end, the show picked up where it left off and started becoming entertaining again. Bison (Khao) is probably the best actor in the cast. His face is so expressive. When he cries, I cry. when he's happy, I'm happy. He pours so much soul into his acting that it almost doesn't feel fake. Kant (First) and fadel (Joong)'s acting were okay. I had a hard time however connecting with Style (Dunk)'s character, he obviously still need to do some work on his facial expressions. he's also a very awkward kisser and it's hard for me to feel like he likes Fadel when he's kissing him. I get pissed all the time when he kisses with his eyes open, which is 99% of the time. Don't get me wrong, I like Style/ Dunk as a character and as a person, it still doesn't negate the fact that I found some of his scenes in the show super cringy due to his poor acting. Kant and Bison's kisses felt the most natural and their relationship had the MOST CHEMISTRY. It's very apparent that this pair feels comfortable with one another.other than that the show was pretty good. My favorite episode of the show was the last episode, it definitely ended wholesomely.********Minor Spoiler down below********
The reason why I love the last episode is because the ending was super cute and melted my heart. Even Style's acting felt a bit better. Like, What do you mean your man bought you a whole restaurant because it's your dream???????what do you mean your man let you move in with him, refused to take rent from you nor any financial contribution for the home, then sponsored a whole trip for you to visit your dream country???? HELLOOOOO. we love thoughtful and caring men over here!!!!!Like, really !!!! What do you mean your man not only never missed a prison visit day to see you but also took a job for FREE as a volunteer TWICE a week just so he can spend more time while ALSO trying to manage a FULL-TIME job in the outside to secure a future for you and him?????? bro, I thought this show was gonna end in a wedding but it didnt, however, I still was not disappointed by the final episode. Both couples were super cute and adorable in this episode.
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It's a Comedy BL with Action, not the other way around
The Heart Killers promised to bring together a cocktail of thrilling suspense, intricate plot twists, and commendable performances. This drama should have dove into the dark depths of human emotions and explore the devastating impact of betrayal and revenge. It did not do all thatStory:
The storyline, while gripping in parts, tends to meander and lose focus at times. This is one of those series that really needed less romance and more plot. The plot had random jumps which needed more exposition. Despite these gaps, the story manages to keep the audience engaged with its unexpected twists and turns.
Characterisations and Acting:
Pretty good characterizations. As an older sibling, I related a lot to Fadel (also, he was the only one with a brain cell). I liked First's acting best; he seriously made Kant a believable character. Out of all the characters, I loved Style best. We need more crack-headed characters in BL. Dunk's acting is a tad bit stiff in the emotional parts, but he does carry Style's comic-ness very well, and that's not easy to do.
I might have started the show for FirstKhaotung, but stuck for JoongDunk. Will be keeping an eye on Joong's upcoming projects. Also I am on the "switch around fixed CPs" boat now. I wanted to see more of JoongFluke.
This show has some very interesting supporting characters could have been better developed. How did Mother become the villain she is? What happened to Keen's poor boyfriend after randomly getting kidnapped at gunpoint? How did Keen even get into this mess? Did Babe ever find out the shady stuff his brother got into? How was Fadel's ex willing to marry someone he knew nothing of? Can I get some more scenes of Captain Chris, preferably without a shirt?
Music:
While I don't usually pay much attention to series soundtracks, I have to say that the intro song by Khaotung is a bop. It fits the theme very well and adds to the overall atmosphere of the series.
Rewatch Value:
While the drama was engaging to watch, its rewatch value is relatively low . The mystery wasn't that much of a mystery.
Representation:
What I think was the best-done part was the queerness of it. Jojo didn't mince anything. GMMTV BLs used to be very prudish about intimate stuff. When *that* scene came on, my lunch literally fell out of my mouth.
As a queer person myself, I am very thankful Jojo put good representation.
Overall:
The Heart Killers is not a masterpiece, but it is a decent watch for those who enjoy romance with action and a side of suspense
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Had me hooked at first, but it fizzled out
Watched this series back in winter when it was airing, but the mood swing from initial excitement to apathy by the end kept me from commenting at the time.Had me hooked at first! Those first four episodes were insane—I was rewatching them before new ones dropped, never done that before. The soundtrack’s banging, the vibe’s super stylish, like some cool action flick. Dunk as Style? Total blast, so fun and charming. Khaotung’s Bison is slick as hell, way better than his annoying role in The Eclipse—dude’s come a long way. First nails that sweet, naive vibe again, and I didn’t think I’d buy it twice, but damn, he pulls it off.
But around episode five, it started losing me. Style’s jokes got old fast, just the same vibe over and over. Bison and Kant are still cool, but they didn’t top their early spark. The ending? Didn’t even feel like an ending, just meh. Loved the start, but it fizzled out.
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There's more to it! Just watch and you'll learn.
What "I" like the most about the series is the way First Kanaphan acts so different from his previous roles as well as from what he is in real life (I still can't believe the step up of his character, really!). Aside from that, I'm loving the cinematography, the soundtracks and the direction the series offers as it brings you a classic American romantic comedy personified by the actors chemistry and acting. It might not be great overall since but it's still giving . And definitely, it gives you an idea about prominent figures in history that lured you to know more about them and the literature and psychology part of the series. I can say it offers not just what the eyes can see, the ears can hear and the body can feel but it also open minds on the different aspects of life and love. Simply, my anticipation rise as soon as a new chapter unfolds. It's worth to watch y'all!Was this review helpful to you?
that was ambitious. didn’t work. got dunked.
it is i, the niel.it took me months to finish the latter portion of this show because the last few episodes were an interminable slog. firstly, the episodes were way too long and like many bls, poorly paced. we did not need 12 episodes. i think that it started off strong(ish). the initial plot and conflict were interesting. i liked that it felt different than what a lot of gmmtv puts out. i had high hopes that they would be able to execute this show well because it felt similar to gmmtv's other more 'mature' shows such as "not me" or "only friends", which have both been stand-outs from gmmtv (for me, at least).
past the midpoint of this show, the original plot and conflict started getting lost in side plots, and the whole thing became muddled as far as "where are we going" and "what are we doing". again, too many episodes. i found myself thinking that a lot of the physicality and general dialogue between the two couples became filler rather than development, and honestly wanted to skip through a lot of those scenes. i had to watch the last 3 episodes on 2x speed and skip some parts that were clearly filler. towards the end, the characters were not distinctively different from one another, and i began to lose a sense of their individual personalities. this oftentimes happens when the show is clearly headed towards a positive ending, so the writers are like "well, now we can't have any sort of conflict or back and forth". i think that if another actor had played style, i would've been more on board with some of the filler dialogue.
dunk. the true nail in the coffin for this show. i know people have mixed feelings on this guy. wow, it was evident that he had trouble acting out his parts. part of what makes his acting so off is that he leaves his eyes open while kissing and doesn't really know how to close his mouth when he's not saying any lines (no hate). this is crazy to me because joong is such a strong actor, along with first and khaotung. their acting was solid, i don't really have any notes about them. because these 3 are some of gmmtv's stronger actors, it makes dunk stick out as a weak actor. at least he was in crop-tops most of the time, that was fun.
the overall styling of the characters was pretty good. at times, wild choices and almost too beholden to the aesthetic in the sense that it's a retail store trying to capture the essence of the 80s, but ends up putting out dupes that fall short but hit for 12-year-olds. kant had the most consistent and well-done styling for him as a character, though his tattooing glasses were a little stupid and very impractical (lol, sorry, not that relevant).
now, some important but not super relevant notes on certain aspects of the show. the fake tattoos on kant were jarring. they couldn't even powder them? the clothespins scene? what. dunk's personal tiktoks? what's he doing with all that food? the ages of the characters didn't seem realistic to the actual actors' ages. why did they throw in random conflict right at the end? that lasted all of 5 minutes, and we didn't exactly get a confirmation of what happened. the music was good, but weird at times.
i wouldn't recommend rewatching unless you're ready to sit through hours worth of dunk. i'm so happy i finally finished this show after so long.
freedom!!!
best,
the niel.
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