That Summer

I didn't expect much, because I'm not a big fan of the main couple - even tought I don't hate them, I'm neutral toward them). But It was a great surprise, they portray well the two main characters.

I just did really hate the "re-lost" memory, it was unecessary and just boring.

Obvioulsy coming from Jojo, the queer part of the story is well written. I mostly enjoy the queer part of the story more than the romance (If that make sense to people). But the main couple and the secondary couple are well with each other (I hope MondRui will be playing together again).

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Finally Winny & Satang have their own drama… Let’s watch…

Story about Lava & Wave. Lava is a troubled teen, especially since his mother remarried. To get him away from the tension at home, she sends him to live with his young uncle by the beach. His uncle wastes no time—he puts Lava straight to work helping run the seaside shop and maintain the property.

One day, Lava finds an unconscious man washed up on the shore. At the hospital, Dr. Wut diagnoses the man with amnesia. With no ID or leads, Lava’s uncle decides to take responsibility—and assigns Lava as the stranger’s caretaker.

Lava names him Wave, and quickly shifts all his chores onto him. But Wave is clumsy, fussy, and clearly unaccustomed to physical labor—clues that he came from a very different life. But slowly, he begins to adapt to life on the island.

And as they spend more time together, Lava and Wave grow closer. They become more understanding and tolerant of each other. What started as frustration turns into understanding. They grow closer—learning each other’s moods, sharing small laughs, leaning on one another.

Before they realize it, something deeper begins to form between them—something quietly romantic.

But then, the Wave’s past starts catching up. Wave’s identity isn’t ordinary. And the reason he ended up on that shore? It was no accident at all.

So now the questions are:
? What will Lava do when he finds out Wave’s true identity… Will it change how he treats him…
? Will Wave regain his memories before the truth comes for him—or will the outside world reach him first…
? And when Wave remembers everything… Will he still remember Lava? Or will he forget the man who saved him?
? And what will happen to their relationship when Wave has to return to his real world… Will Wave’s family be able to accept Lava as his lover..

That's pretty much the story without giving the spoiler. Now what I like and don't.

What I like:
+ I'm so happy Winny & Satang have their own drama. And it's not really dissapointed… Although their character still feels one dimensional, that's just the problem for another day…
+ Wave’s uncle & Doc kinda cute couple.
+ Quite happy to see Neo didn't play a toxic character.

What I don’t too like:
- The story just too good to be true

Overall I'm happy for Winny & Satang for their first drama, but this just another drama on my list

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Unexpectedly good!

Definitely an underdog in the BL world especially because I didn’t see a lot of hype but surprisingly, it ended up being really good. The story was touching and compelling. I liked how every episode flowed smoothly and it never felt cheesy. It had a little bit of everything: it was funny, it was romantic, and it felt very balanced.

I also appreciated that, compared to other BLs, the intimate scenes didn’t rely on a heavy sexual tone. It felt perfect for the couples, even the second leads; everything fit their dynamics so well. The scenery was beautiful, and the soundtrack was lovely. If you want something that’s not toxic, not over-the-top cheesy, and not packed with sexual content, just a soothing series overall, definitely give it a watch.

The only thing I didn’t love was how they packed everything into the last episode. They even did a one-year time jump, but we didn’t really get to see them simply being themselves before suddenly jumping into “Okay, now we’re good, now we’re living our lives and doing what we want.” Still, overall, it was good.

I personally hadn’t seen Winny or Satang act before. From the cast, I’d only seen Neo and Mond and they’re obviously really good at what they do; so it was refreshing to see new faces too. The whole cast delivered really nice character portrayals.

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Wholesome, alas with room for improvement

Well, a wholesome themed series finally found its end, and I assume it ended exactly as everyone assumed from early on, lol. Which, well is no shame, but a bit an ongoing watershed between good and REALLY good series. And it is a beef I have with series I know others see very different. I like BL stories, but personally I feel a BL just on its own just doesn carry enough interest for me, with some rare exception when either the actors or the directing is so great, it does all the job, like some of those small Korean "Kammerspiele" - small chamber plays which revolve around two people with little extra.

But that is not the Thai style, and if I compare it to, right now "Goddess Bless You from Death" (Pooh/Pavel) I felt there was a lack of story here. I mean BESIDE the love, a background against which the lovers to be develop and measure their growth. In this, this series was quite shallow waters. David/Wave had a very helpful memory loss, with Lava first disliking and then falling for him. Not entirely a really breathtaking or new idea, alas. As it is that story was well written and performed, but it had a foreseeable hiccup at Episode 9, the inevitable and again entirely foreseeable "I remember the past but not you" which again to no one's surprise made the 10th episode extremely rushed. So many problems were solved, even a one year time skip. Nothing about the coup, no development of the parents or the fake marriage, not much to see of a year of suffering. And suddenly a five minute happy end, which was nicer than other five minute endings but as lacking as such endings unavoidable always are.

Goods to mention are the scenery, the locations, camera directing and also the many beautiful songs. A scope of many different moods between the actors and their stages of relationship. However, being true to heart, Winny/Satang is not a power couple. Both seemed to act reserved and I have seen many stronger emotions on display given the dramatic moments involved. Satang's acting is okay, but I just could not really feel so much behind the face of Winny. He just sorely lacked the strength to show anger, fear, sadness convincingly enough to me. Often it felt more like a variations of stares. One could accept this, if we had a backstory, maybe he was traumatized, maybe if he had a form of autism or anything that would explain such a reduced facial reaction. It was just a love, given the acting, thinking of it without music, scenery and story supported I had a hard time to buy. Even in wording, I missed those powerful breaking points, explaining deep love or deep suffering at least in words. If you compare it to other series actors (First, Fourth or Pooh) there is just a way too steep difference.

I laude them for making an unusual couple, breaking a bit from the mold. Winny is no model type and Satang is. Winny is stoic manly but Satang isn't "feminine" but strong on its own. It saddens me to say, but Winny just was the weak link of the entire series. And I hate to say that because it seems like "I just want perfect doll actors", but he just didn't work for me as a convincing lover. And the problem is: it isn't their first roles, even though their first main couple series. So how much air to learn to act better is in the stars.

As a wholesome series I felt well watching it, I wasn't bored, it was okay, but against the rising competition it felt just weak. Sure a lot of series are worse, but a lot also now are just better. Just take Pond currently playing the excentric Mafia boss and you know what I mean with really interesting acting. As ever making use of the full scale, it is one of the more difficult series to rate, knowing some prefer just BL and not too much other stuff, so I split it up to explain:
STORY: 7
DIRECTING: 8
ACTING: 5
MUSIC: 9

OVERALL 7/10

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there's always haters on the review ? dang

So.. here we go
It’s not a series with a completely new genre or theme, but it still has its own distinct charm.
The story and pacing are light, the cinematography is pleasing to the eye, and the chemistry between the main leads—along with the acting of the supporting cast—is very strong.
I first knew Winny and Satang from My School President, and their performances have continued to catch my attention. They perform exceptionally well in this series. Their eye acting, micro-expressions, and body language have clearly improved here.
For those who haven’t watched it yet, don’t hesitate. Just prepare some snacks, get into a comfortable position, and you’ll be able to finish it in one sitting.

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Come on, Let's be objective.

Everyone has to admit that the cinematography in this series is very pleasing to the eye. The acting from all the cast members is solid, and the chemistry between the main leads (Winny and Satang) is undeniable.

From me to those of you who haven’t watched it yet and are still hesitant: don’t rely on reviews that are overly biased or overly filled with hate. Look for reviews that are neutral and objective, and give this series a chance.

It’s a light, easy-to-watch series with a fast-paced storyline. However, because of that, one of its weaknesses lies in the duration, the episodes feel very compressed, and some scene transitions may come across as a bit abrupt. And even if you want to discuss the details or feel dissatisfied about certain aspects, there are still many good things about this series that are worth talking about right?

Overall, I don’t regret watching this series. It’s a light show that carries a warm summer vibe and is truly a feast for the eyes.

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That Summer (I Met a Prince on the Beach)

When I started That Summer, I went in with moderate expectations, even though the trailer had been on my radar for a while. I was immediately impressed; the series does an excellent job of balancing a classic summer romance with an unexpected layer of political drama. The production value is notably high, particularly with the gorgeous seaside setting.

The core strength of the series is the character of Lava. His portrayal was excellent, showcasing a dynamic shift in personality. He starts out stubbornly rebellious, trying to maintain a cool exterior. However, the performance successfully conveys that underneath his initial defenses, he is the most genuinely empathetic and caring person among the group.
​Wave (Prince Davin), dropped onto an unfamiliar island with amnesia, is the catalyst for the central conflict. The memory loss storyline, which could have been cliché, actually works brilliantly. It allowed the relationship between Lava and Wave to develop organically, building a strong, close foundation based on who they are, not their titles.
​The drama smartly uses Davin's political situation to deliver a powerful message: the betrayal comes from the person he trusted most. The story highlights the necessity of checking your surroundings, making the complicated plot feel grounded in high-stakes reality. Their destiny coming together on that beach felt both sweet and compelling.

​I have to highlight Uncle Pheng and Dr. Wut. Pheng, who perhaps looks too young to carry the "Uncle" title, provides a grounding presence. What I loved most was the maturity and stability of their relationship. There was no tedious back-and-forth drama; their connection was straightforward, supportive, and already established. Their subtle, secretly-dating dynamic added a charming and mature contrast to the main couple’s intense journey.

Overall, the story is fantastic. The characterizations are strong, the plot is layered, and the entire cast delivered phenomenal performances. That Summer is a highly recommended watch for anyone looking for a BL drama that delivers not just on chemistry, but also on a genuinely engaging, well-executed plot.

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It’s not a perfect series, but it’s also not a series that deserves to be hated.

You can tell the difference between thoughtful criticism and careless, hateful comments, right? There are plenty of those on this website, so be wise when reading reviews.

This is a very light series, a kind of light fantasy. Don’t overthink it when watching a BL 😂 (this applies to almost all BLs). Just enjoy the sweet moments, the sad ones, and everything in between.

If you’re not a fan of the main actors, or if you even dislike them, then don’t watch it. THAT'S IT.
But if you’re starting to get curious about them, then give this series a chance. It's worth it.

Well.. the limited runtime means the series actually could have maximized its potential more.
But overall, you should appreciate the chemistry between the cast and the cinematography.

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This is what all BLs should be...

to explain why I say this is simple.

First to note, the story was clear on where it was heading. No extra or extremely confusing details. It was enough information to keep my mind on what was going to happen next and as things happened, each event was kept balanced and not drawn out.
Second, the skips in time were well placed and didn't take to much away from events that were happening prior to the laps in time. The comedy was sensible and Funny, not to much, not to little. Emotions were not misunderstood and clear on what was happening even when details might have lacked (which was not really at all in my opinion).
Third and final. The characters were so well matched to their actors and there was always a moment I was swooning over all of these couples. Emotions matched to the events that were happening and I feel the reactions to how things kept happening was quite well done. The human brain is a very complex system and I personally felt that Wave losing his memory a second time was not a mistake.

It's hard to explain my reasoning behind it but as it's my opinion I don't really feel the need to either. Like I seriously am sad seeing this one end as it was just so good in comparison to others that I have watched. For me this show was a Masterpiece. It was cute, funny and sad, I want there to be more as for me simple is okay with me if the story is well played out and not super exaggerated. I don't really feel like anything was TOO MUCH!! But as I've said in previous reviews. This is simply my opinion and I expect no one to have the same views on this show as me. I very much so was pleased with it and really just don't want to see it go. Please let there be a special!!!!

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That Summer: A Summer That Stretched Too Long

Let me start by saying that I went into this series genuinely excited. It had all the ingredients for a delicious romance: an island setting, summertime vibes, an amnesia arc, a city-boy-to-island-boy character arc, and etc. Unfortunately, the show didn’t go the way I’d hoped.

Starting with the main couple, as someone who really enjoyed Winny and Satang’s chemistry in MSP, I expected their chemistry to be even stronger with them as the leads. To my surprise, I felt none of that chemistry here. On top of that, the writers made Lava quite unlikeable in the early episodes, which made it hard for me to root for the romance and him as a character.

As for the main romance, I understand they were going for a “simple summer love story,” but with ten episodes to fill, it needed more . Halfway through, it felt like the plot stopped moving forwards. Instead, we repeatedly watched the characters do everyday activities like teaching, playing on the beach, and so on. While the visuals were defo beautiful, there’s only so much visuals can do. This drama really could've been better with fewer episodes and a tighter screenplay.

Then there’s the palace arc, where the prince’s family was trapped. This could have added some spice or story depth, but because the show was so focused on the simple romance mode, they didn’t explore it at all. All we really learn is that Davin’s family was held hostage and then somehow won in the end. Honestly, the palace arc with another guy trying to take over made no sense. Since he was trying to get rid of the prince, he should’ve asked for proof of the prince’s death or sent a larger group to finish the job. The fact that only Victor and Paolo were sent made zero sense to me. With no deeper explanation or build up, it was hard to take any of it seriously. It felt like a fever dream.

There was also a second amnesia trope which, while completely unnecessary, I was still able to tolerate. However, the way they rushed through that entire arc in just two episodes really weakened the emotional impact of everything that happened earlier. I genuinely wanted to see more of Prince Davin and the realistic struggles that would come with a relationship that had such a clear power imbalance, but the show ignored all of that until the very last episode. By then, it felt far too late to matter. I did not care about the main couple at all by that point.

The second couple actually had more of a storyline, with more well-developed problems and feelings, but their arc still felt rushed. Especially the adoption plot. It felt like the writers suddenly decided, “Hey, let’s add an adoption angle, people will like that,” without thinking it through. It ended up portraying adoption as something easy and casual, which left a bad taste in my mouth.

The supporting characters, while enjoyable, were also quite one dimensional. Tum = Tik-tok obsessed, loves weed & alcohol, likes Kratae. Kratae = Responsible nurse and Tum's crush. Till the end, I never quite understood why they liked each other / what they liked about each other.

PROS
1. Beautiful cinematography
2. Strong production quality in terms of location setting and color grading.
3. Brings out topics that are fairly new to Thai BLs such as adoption, weed use, queer people in politics, etc.
4. Stronger second couple
5. Decent Acting

CONS
1. Main leads had no chemistry
2. Extremely slow/draggy plot line
3. Wasted potential with the palace arc.
4. Rushed second couple
5. Inconsistency between the 'simple summer romance' idea and the attempted dramatic political elements.

Overall, That Summer had the potential, but the weak development and draggy pacing made it bland and way less impactful than it could have been.

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