Memoir of Rati

Standing on the precise centerline of the standard measure.

This is a standard film by every standard, and I mean that as a compliment. It feels like watching characters step out of a novel, with a complete script, well-embodied characters, pitch-perfect emotions, and visually evocative scenes. Everything exists within a standard framework that met my expectations exactly. And as it happens, that was everything I needed from a period film like this.

If you are looking for a romance in the vein of "Romeo and Juliet," with family feuds, tragic partings, and high drama, "Memoir of Rati" is not that film. If you are seeking something emotionally heavier, or a deep dive into history, that is also not the prominent color in this palette. But if you are like me—searching for a breath of fresh air, a palate cleanser, a romantic and poetic love song that is gentle and lilting—stable, following a classic path, delivering visual splendor and telling its story through imagery, then "Memoir of Rati" is precisely the memoir for us.

The love between Thee and Rati blossoms from their very first encounters—if not from the very first moment Thee sees Rati from afar on the pier, his gaze already captured by the young Frenchman. Their love unfolds as gently as sunlight on a river, troubled by little more than small misunderstandings resolved in a moment, or a few situations that allow them to understand each other more deeply.

Perhaps I should be grateful, for the film arrived at the perfect time, after I had sat through a series of rather heavy-hitting dramas and was in need of just such a gentle touch. It strikes the exact chord of my taste for Thai period pieces. I adore the dreamy, poetic feeling of that era; for some reason, the hesitation, the shyness, and the touch of formality from that time easily make my heart flutter. The love between Thee and Rati is one of such romantic stirrings. It is certainly not thrilling, dramatic, or passionately fiery; "romantic" is the only keyword I can think of to describe their love, and it is also the primary atmosphere that envelops the entire film. Every trial or obstacle they face is crafted from the most classic of clichés, and it is this very old-fashioned quality that so deeply satisfied my expectations for a film set in a bygone era.

Speaking of the film's polished craftsmanship, the light, the colors, the flowers and the rivers, the fireworks during the festival, the architecture and the costumes—in short, the entire visual landscape—testify to the filmmakers' dedicated investment. Everything reaches a necessary maturity, and there is no room for debate: the acting is skillful enough for me to perceive the delicate inner stirrings of the characters. This subtlety, fitting for people of that time, bearing their responsibilities with romantic hearts, is a key element in creating such a sincere love story.

Within its nostalgic and vintage palette, the film weaves progressive ideas from a century ago, asserting its humanistic values in a way that feels appropriate for the time it was made, yet not anachronistic to the time it depicts (women have always been strong, regardless of the era's constraints). Although the characters' mindsets felt more "modern" than I anticipated—particularly in their easy acceptance of a same-sex romance—perhaps that issue was never the film's focus. As I mentioned, the romantic element is what takes precedence. And of course, aesthetics and aesthetic pleasure have never been unimportant in cinema. In this case, I see nothing wrong with prioritizing the beauty of nature, of people, and of a historical era above all else. The film may not push the viewer's emotions to their absolute limit, it may not make you weep in sorrow or tremble in fear, but the sublime beauty, with its poetic and romantic qualities, was more than enough for me to feel that aesthetic bliss.

Perhaps that is all that is needed for the "standard" of a good film—everything is measured, just complete enough, perfectly timed, and expertly balanced. Although there are a few regrettable shortcomings that may not fully satisfy every viewer, when the film ends, the feeling that rises above all else—the final impression it left on me—is one of happiness and wistfulness. It is a feeling of being both filled up and having something taken away, that necessary, beautiful emptiness one feels after watching a truly good film.

To speak on what it lacks: the ending follows a well-trodden path of separation and reunion. I can understand why some might have hoped for a tragic conclusion and disagree with the "happily ever after" endings often seen in GMM films. While I won't comment on the five-year separation, I think the happy ending is justifiable. From start to finish, the film's dominant theme has always been one of optimism, a look toward the future. It’s only natural that the ending would open a door to that future, to hope, to a new world. Furthermore, my personal taste doesn't usually lean towards love stories that become sweet too quickly; I prefer hardship and drama, so some parts were less compelling for me. Yet, on the other hand, even though the film is brimming with romance—with the two leads falling in love early on and barely a moment of conflict lasting more than half an episode—it still held my attention. It satisfied me aesthetically, and it still managed to excite me and make my heart flutter. In that, the film has done its job wonderfully.

And so, it is the chemistry and the aesthetic impression that I value most in this film. They delivered the necessary romance, in just the right measure for everything. And that is all that is needed for a good film.

***

(P.S. Besides Great-Inn, whose acting needs no further praise, Aou-Boom also made me understand a part of their popularity. Whatever the reason, I am certain that between them, there is that tension, and also a very lovely spark. They inhabit their roles so well that I never felt disconnected. Their secondary couple storyline doesn't feel forced, it doesn't crowd the main couple, and it serves as an interesting, colorful contrast to the central romance—playful, cat-and-mouse, humorous, and goofy. In short, utterly charming. I have much more faith in Aou-Boom's future series now.)

A final compliment for Inn - suay mak!

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A Beautiful Step Back in Time

From episode one, watching Memoir of Rati felt like stepping into a beautiful old dream. 🌙 I love period dramas, no phones, no rush, just peaceful, quiet moments. The early 1900s setting is absolutely stunning, every outfit, every little detail feels authentic. 🕰️🧵 It’s clear so much care went into bringing this world to life.

My two handsome princes, GreatInn are back, and AouBoom are just as charming as ever. 👑💫 Twelve weeks of this story ahead, I’m ready for every second. 💖📺

I was honestly shocked by Thee and Rati’s relationship. I expected rejection from the mother, especially given that same-sex relationships were illegal in 1915 CE. Instead, she embraced them with warmth and understanding. That scene genuinely moved me. What an incredible mother, so open-hearted and ahead of her time.

The cast is stunning, the scenery gorgeous. It’s not a perfect series, some episodes are a bit slow, the plot simple, and nothing extraordinary happens at times. But overall, it’s a beautifully crafted BL that’s well worth watching.

Here is a poem I wrote about the second couple

What is wrong with Dech’s father?
Each time he appears, my heart sinks.
He belittles Rati in the classroom,
humiliating him with every word.
He scorns Rati’s mother for being a kitchen maid,
as if honest work were a sin.
And now, he goes further still,
ordering men to strike Mek,
stripping him of his dignity,
leaving him jobless and broken,
all because he is poor,
all because he dared to stand beside his son.

Yet even through this cruelty, love flickers.
Mek loves Dech. Dech loves Mek.
Two hearts that beat in silence,
but cannot meet in the open.
Mek cannot accept Dech’s open heart,
for the world has made him believe
that he is worthless,
that his love is forbidden,
that a father’s pride is stronger than their bond.
What could be more tragic?

And then the bridge…
that bridge destroyed me.
It was no longer just wood and rope.
It was the space between them,
a fragile line stretched across despair.
Dech reached forward with trembling hope,
Mek stepped back with silent pain.
He pushed away the only light he had,
not because he did not love,
but because he was taught he did not deserve love.
In that moment,
the river carried away more than reflections.
It carried away their hope,
their chance,
their tomorrow.

Dech’s father is the cruelest villain of all.
His arrogance poisons everything it touches.
And I pray, I beg, that karma finds him,
because people like him
turn love into tragedy,
and watching it unfold
brings tears I cannot hold back.

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Bringing Back Yearning!

I was super excited to see a historical drama from GMM, and I'm so glad it turned out as amazing as it did! The romance was so soft and sweet, though not without its challenges. The directing was incredible, and the backdrop of the time period really tied it all together. While the show was sometimes a bit slow or the conflicts a bit repetitive, it was still an amazing watch!

Rati (Inn) was born in Siam/Thailand but grew up with his father in France, and now works as a translator. At the beginning of WWI, Rati travels to Siam to teach the nobles French as France attempts to recruit Siam's help in the war. While there, he meets Count Thee (Great), and the two quickly become friends, though it's clear from the beginning that there's more feelings than that. However, their love seems impossible with everyone against them.

Great and Inn really surprised me in these roles! I watched them before in Wandee Goodday and really enjoyed them together, but this was so different from that show that I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I ended up LOVING them as Rati and Thee! They did a great job portraying the longing and heartbreak of their characters. The conflicts were very predictable (of course there's an arranged marriage, parents finding out about their relationship, etc. etc.) but I still quite enjoyed them and thought they were done very well. I wish we got a little more on the issue of France and Siam - the biggest issues seemed to be that Rati would have to return to France, as opposed to the political issues of their relationship. Still, it was a great watch and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy historical dramas!

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For GMMTV's first period costume drama it was good, Both GreatInn's and AouBoom's chemistry

did make up for the flaws in the story. I enjoyed the intent GMMTV did and I do feel for the most part they did do a good job even if the story did stall at times. Whoever said that it was disneyfied I do agree with that. At times it felt like I was watching a Disney channel movie. But hey that's not neccesirily bad since I did grow up watching those movies. It's true that some of the heaavier themes in the series could have been handled better but I could see why the writers didn't want to push it. Inn Sarin and Great Sapoldid a great job with their characters and I did feel the emotional moments heavy. It's true tho at times it did get boring but I'm glad that I powered thru because I didn't regret it. I'd say that AouBoom were the break out stars here that's why I'm glad that they are finally moving onto leads they more than deserve it.
All in all I give it an 8.5. Yes it could have been better in certain areas but for the most part i highly enjoyed it.

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Second Couple Paved the Way but we adore Thee & Rati .

I was waiting for this series eagerly , periodic dramas are always my favourite . This is my first Great & Inn show and somehow they impressed me a lot .

The storyline is good , after watching episode 9 , I changed my opinion about this drama. They portrayed each scene perfectly such as the struggle of LGBTQ couple in this homophobic society. Here Thee is a green flag , the way he always protects Rati ...wow .

Another excellent character is his majesty. He always gives us a calm ,safe environment.

Talking about the second couple Aou & Boom ...agghhhh they stole my heart in the first episode . I was literally skipping everything to watch their scenes . They have excellent chemistry . Their story was completely different too . In this drama , definitely they stole the spotlight .

The cinematography & visuals are top notch . Everything was looking perfect , in this budget GMMTV did a good job .

If you like to watch pure romance then this drama is waiting for you .

( Edited )

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The Most Romantic Series of The Year!

That's what they promised in the trailer and they kept their word. From start till finish, this series, above anything else, is deeply romantic. It's the old-fashioned romance you'll find in novels, which may sound cliché or cheesy by modern standards, but it's also so charming and pure and very fitting for a period piece. The costumes, the cultural and political references along with the careful attention to detail, crafted a really strong and authentic world, successfully maintaining the illusion of a true period setting.

Despite the series' main focus being on the more serious themes, clever humour and light hearted moments have been naturally incorporated into the story, without feeling out of place. All the characters are multidimensional with their own goals and motives, as well as their own unique sense of humour, which makes them more charming and lovable. Great, Inn, Aou and Boom did an amazing job portraying their roles and delivering a wide range of emotions. Even the smaller characters contributed more to the plot than just being a comedic relief --like they usually are-- and gave heart to the series.

However, as good as this show was, it would have been amazing, had it had more episodes. It's among the few BL series that could have sustained multiple seasons, without getting tiresome. Many plotlines, close to the end, got a bit rushed to wrap up the series neatly with no loose ends, resulting in less depth and emotional impact than it could have achieved.

Overall, I definitely recommend this show to people who enjoy period dramas and romantic stories.

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Might not be realistic but beautiful. Sometimes simple is more than enough.

I started this drama cz as someone new to this fandom i didn't know AouBoom were not the main characters of this drama. Although i was not happy about the fact that they were not the leads and u never knew GreatInn i gave it a go and ngl i adore both pairs. The plot might not be realistic in the areas where you can see a lot of people are quite open to accept gay couples and none of the leads are scared of being gay. I'd say it's unique. Usually when it comes to historical gay romance it's either super sad or a sad ending. This drama was definitely not sad. It was slow, beautiful and calming to watch. The best part was it didn't bore me dispite being this slow. I've not watched the ending yet but I've read it's a happy ending and some comments say its a forced happy ending, even if it's true I'm glad they tried something new and actually did a good job at it. "The most beautiful count" was also historical and unrealistic n people had no problem there not sure why it was a problem here.
Also I'd like to specially mention how beautiful GreatInn looked in this drama (sadly we'll never see it again). Inn just looked drop dead gorgeous i couldn't take my eyes off him. I liked how they were opposite of each other but in a subtle way. One thought realistically one went with his heart.
As for AouBoom although they had small screentime they stole the show everytime they came on screen. This kinda made me wish for a drama where Boom would play soft boy cz usually he is kinda tough in all his dramas. I feel both their roles were different from what we usually see. Aou the obssessed lover and Boom the one dealing with him🤭

Overall so far I love this drama.

Edit: i finished the drama. The ending is actually pretty good. Not sure what others were expecting from a historical BL. They clearly explained what and how things changed in the 5 year time skip and them moving in together is the best ending they can give us because not only was gay romance illegal but also frowned upon back in the day. If it was a sad ending you guys would have cried about wanting a happy one and when they give you a happy one you guys say it doesn't make sense. Not every historical BL needs to be pure tragic torture like "love in the moonlight" this was good too..i probably liked this much more.

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When Love Is Quiet, Honest, and Real.

“Memoir of Rati”felt like a masterpiece from the very first scene, quietly capturing my heart without trying too hard. The story moved at a calm, steady pace that never felt boring or rushed, and the emotions felt real rather than dramatic. It showed love the way it exists in real life gentle, complicated, and honest, with struggles, silences, and moments that felt deeply familiar.

Both male leads portrayed their characters with sincerity and emotional depth, making every feeling feel natural and believable. Their bond did not rely on grand gestures but grew through subtle moments, which made it feel mature and real. As a BL drama, it stood out by avoiding clichés, while the second couple added a soft, sweet charm like two gentle souls slowly falling in love, balancing the story beautifully.

What truly elevated the series was its overall atmosphere and presentation. Set in a historical time, every scene felt thoughtfully shot, with visuals, music, and cinematography blending effortlessly. Each frame carried emotion and meaning, making “Memoir of Rati”not just something you watch, but something you quietly feel long after it ends.

The only thing that I felt is lacking, was the intensity of love that was shown after the separation could have been more intense.

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It's worth it

I didn't realize that there wasn't a plot until I read the reviews. It's true, it can be boring in some parts but the chemistry...the longing in the eyes...the power of their love...It was amazing. Slow burn but with a force of love in those slow but intimate moment. It was what I was expecting, good acting and AouBoom were amazing, their story had more plot tho. There were some parts were I was confused, especially at the end, but overall you can miss those parts if you aren't that focused on second characters. I laughed, I cried, I screamed...that was all I wanted from a serie like that.

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FORBIDDEN GAY PANIC, FRENCH ACCENTS, AND ME LOSING MY MIND AT 3AM

GIRLIEEEEEEEEEE 😭😭😭

First of all, I genuinely forgot how BEAUTIFUL Inn is until he appeared on screen and I just—

PAUSE.
REWIND.
SQUINT.

“Why is he glowing like that??? Who authorized this face card???”

GAH DAMN.

And can we talk about GMMTV lately??? WHY ARE THE SERIES GOOD??? HELLO??? I used to sit there judging and now I’m like… was I the problem? Was I tasteless? Was I blind??? Because this series almost.. ALMOST had me SOBBING. And I do not cry over series.

I watch people die in dramas like 🙂. But this one??? It tugged. It poked. It whispered, “feel something.” And I hated that I liked it. Anyway, let’s break this down before I spiral.

_____________________________________

a) Plot - FORBIDDEN LOVE BUT MAKE IT STRESSFUL

So the story revolves around Rati and Thee being in love during a time when society said “no ❤️” to anything outside hetero tradition. Watching this series felt like I was holding my breath every episode. Every time Thee grabbed Rati’s hand in PUBLIC I was screaming internally like:

“WHY ARE YALL HOLDING HANDS IN PUBLIC???”
“THEE PLEASE LOOK AROUND.”
“YOU ARE FROM A NOBLE FAMILY. PEOPLE HAVE EYES.”

Thee really said “idgaf.” And I was like "WELL I DO. I CARE. I AM SCARED FOR YOU.” The tension?? Delicious. Anxiety-inducing. Historic gay panic at its finest. Then the grandmother enters the chat. Grandma said: “Homosexuality? Not in this bloodline.” And of course she blames Rati. Because clearly the adopted French boy is the villain in her narrative. Speaking of which, Rati being adopted by a French man during political tension with France??? Working as a translator during France’s visit??? And then openly saying he considers himself French???

Oh grandma’s blood pressure was doing Muay Thai. The layers. The politics. The identity crisis. I was like okay… this is kind of eating. So now he’s:
• Gay
• French-adjacent
• Educated
• Close to Thee

Also, can we talk about the scene where Thee’s shirt got torn after chasing a thief and Rati just stood there looking at his chest??? THAT WAS HIS GAY AWAKENING AND YOU CANNOT TELL ME OTHERWISE 😭 You could SEE the “oh.” on his face.

“Why is my heart… racing?”
“Why am I staring?”
“Oh no.”

The concept of this series is basically forbidden love but make it double illegal. Moving to side pairing, we have Mek and Dech. Mek is a rickshaw carrier and Muay fighter. Dech is a literal noble baronet. So being gay is already one problem. Being gay with a servant??? Might as well hand him a knife and say “go ahead.” 😂

Their first meeting??? ICONIC. Blindfolded Muay fight. Dech fighting by listening to footsteps but then Mek wins so Dech becomes obsessed but DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE. It’s giving enemies-to-lovers but make it a little bit sensual. Their relationship building from there? Chef’s kiss. BUT IF IT WERE ME??? I would’ve added a scene where they practice blindfold fighting together and Dech accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest and suddenly it’s breathing heavy, hands lingering, tension rising. Picture this:

Dech practicing blindfolded again. Accidentally bumps into Mek’s chest. Pauses. Hands linger too long.

Mek: “…are you okay?”
Dech: “Yes.”
Me: NOT OKAY.

HELLO??? WHY WAS THAT NOT WRITTEN??? Also the scene where Lord Ruj beats Mek and Mek cries??? I ALMOST LOST IT. The way he looked so hurt but still trying to be strong??? NO. I CANNOT DO THIS.

I actually love the memoir element. Rati writing down his feelings fits the title perfectly.

BUT.

Imagine if Thee found the memoir first. Didn’t know who wrote it. Fell in love with the words. Started searching for the writer. Only to find out it’s RATI??? THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

Also I wanted more angst.
I wanted them caught.
I wanted public scandal.
I wanted consequences.
I wanted drama.

The farewell scene between Thee and his grandmother almost got me. ALMOST. It was sad… but I wanted it to stab me deeper. I am an angst addict. I admit it. Also why are they obsessed with French but struggling to speak it 😭
Just use English babes. It’s less stressful for everyone.
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b) Characters - WHY IS EVERYONE SERVING??

✧ Rati played by Inn Sarin ✧

First of all... INN IS INSANELY BEAUTIFUL. Not only hot but can ACT. His French pronunciation started a bit stiff, I’m not gonna lie. It was giving Duolingo lesson 1. But it got better near the end and I was like SIR THAT’S TOO LATE I ALREADY JUDGED YOU.

Rati as a character though??? KING. He is not the typical “misunderstanding bottom who cries in the rain.” He’s rational. Firm. Gentle but strong. He trusts Thee. He doesn’t spiral over imaginary rivals. He knows who he is.

AND I LOVE THAT ❤️

Also he 100% knew he was gay before Thee did. There was no “what is this feeling towards a man.” No babe. He knew. He just fumbled because feelings are scary. Bottom coded but dignified. We love to see it.


✧ Thee played by Great Sapol ✧

THIS MAN GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK EVERY EPISODE. Why is he so touchy in PUBLIC??? SIR THIS IS OLD TIMES. PEOPLE ARE NOT PROGRESSIVE. But I respect that once he realized he loved Rati he was like “yeah I’m not marrying a woman. Try me.” His conflict with his grandmother? Pride vs love. Ego vs heart.

Also why did his French sound more natural to me??? And when he said “disrespectful” in English??? SIR YOU CAN DISRESPECT ME ANYTIME 😭


✧ Mek played by Aou Thanaboon ✧

Mek is adorable.

He never questioned loving Dech even though society said he should. He knew the class difference. He knew the risks. And he STILL chose him. CAN WE ALSO TALK ABOUT the kiss scene in Mek’s room??? FROM PECK TO FULL KISS??? BROOOOOOOO I WAS KICKING MY FEET. He plays the role so well that I feel Mek the most in the series especially the part when Mek became partially deaf and feared he couldn’t hear anymore but hid it from Dech??? That vulnerability??? Aou ate this role. I did NOT expect this range from him.

Also why does Aou’s French pronunciation sound better than Inn the literal teacher??? I was cackling.


✧ Dech played by Boom Tharatorn ✧

Okay I’ll admit it. I didn’t expect much because he doesn't interest me. But MISS GURLLLLL. Boom changed my mind. He expressed concern for Mek so well. His kisses??? Aggressive but in a good way 👀 Dech starts spoiled and prideful but not evil. That’s important. He’s just… privileged and confused and when his father was beating Mek and he just stood there being held back?? BOY. FIGHT. BITE. SCREAM. DO SOMETHING.

Still, his character development at the end? Soft. Cat-coded. Suddenly clingy and sweet.

I approve.

And the kissing? He did not look awkward. He understood the assignment. His chemistry with Aou also undeniable so that's that.


✧ Jam & Kui played by Best Ronnachat and Win Thanakom ✧

LOYAL SERVANTS OF THE YEAR.

They knew Thee liked Rati and they were worried but not because they were homophobic but because they were scared Rati would get blamed. They helped them meet secretly. Protected him. Stayed loyal until he left for France.

Side characters done RIGHT.


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c) OST

Historical OSTs never miss. Soft. Slightly tragic. Romantic.

I’m adding it to my playlist and pretending I’m yearning in the 1900s.

_____________________________________

d) Overall - The Final Emotional Damage Report

There were at least 5–10 scenes where I was kicking my feet at 3AM like a teenager.

Slow burn? Good.
Pacing? Good.
Acting? Consistent.

I didn’t get bored once. Will I rewatch? No. Not because it’s bad. But because I don’t rewatch series unless they absolutely ruin my life. Once is enough. I have processed the emotions.

Final rating: 9/10

The missing 1 point? I am an angst addict. I wanted MORE pain. MORE societal pressure. MORE emotional devastation. Still a really good watch. And yes, I am still sad that Great and Inn won’t continue pairing.

Life is unfair.

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Romance so soft, that it forgot to break my heart!!

The drama is set against the backdrop of a war period, and oddly, it feels very light and almost a little too blissful. The central story revolves around Rati, an interpreter from France and Thee, an aristocrat in Siam, and the second couple, Mek and Dech, explores the theme of class divisions in society.

Starting with the positives, the show is screensaver pretty. The wide shots of the river, the whole period theme and cultural touches were to the point and really helped set up the whole mood. You just can't stop taking screenshots.

Another strength of the drama is the chemistry between the two couples.. Rati and Thee are the softest and sweetest things. The moment they saw each other, I felt they knew this was it. It was all sugar, sparkles and heart eyes.
Mek and Dech were very different from them. Their love story felt a bit realistic or less fairytale-ish. I loved their strangers to friends to lovers arc and the intimacy they had. There were no grand gestures here, everything between them just felt natural and meant to be.

But it isn't without any flaws, and ironically, its biggest “strength” also doubles as its downfall. For a story to unfold in such a turbulent period, there was surprisingly very little tension. It felt too polished and happy.
The romance of the main couple was dreamy, and I somehow missed that forbidden love hesitation and tension. Here, that edge was softened and I thought it would pick up in the later episodes once the angst hits but it was lukewarm and all the issues resolved too soon. Don't get me wrong, their chemistry is really evident and good but I was maybe expecting something soul-shattering.
And I got all I wanted in the second couple, but they were not given enough screen time. Their love story had so much potential. Mek was really grounded and Dech has that softer side of him, and every scene we got of them hinted at something deeper than what we see on screen. It was a wasted potential to me.

I felt they played it too safe and far from the reality it was set in. I don't mind bending a little to accommodate the story, but maybe with an ounce of realism. No one in that time period would have gotten away if they acted like Thee or Rati. The build-up around family opposition, social divide and cultural barriers just glossed over the real and required tension.
And while the ending was heart-warming and very GMM style, but it was sadly too neat for this.

Acting-wise, it was very convincing across the board. Great and In had beautiful chemistry, but I really wished we could see them in their angst era more. Aou and Boom were fantastic too and it's about time they get the series as main leads.

Overall, while I did enjoy the overall romance and visuals, I feel the execution fumbled the bag a bit. The themes were crying to be fleshed out more to give us a perfect historical BL without time travel. It's not exactly ground breaking, but it partly does get things right.
Will I recommend it? Yes, I will but think of it more as a fantasy historical drama that doesn’t sweat the historical accuracy.
7.75/10

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Disneyifed

My overall thought...you saw the title. But outside of that, I think there is such a disconnect for me when it comes to this series, and I was seriously excited about this one. Memoir or Rati showed us a beautiful take on love in a Thai historical setting, but the overall presence of everything: characters, plot, romances, political upheaval, etc., unfortunately did not meet the mark for me.

Let's Dive In.

I want to dive into my statement about this being Disneyifed. Because that's exactly what it feels like. When I was first introduced to the premise of Memoir of Rati, I had so much hope that this was going to be less fluff more grit. Unfortunately, that was the complete opposite. I wanted to see fight, I wanted to see tragedy, especially in an historical piece like this. But, everything, even the more tragic scenes, had this veil of fluff that followed. I didn't hate the comedic parts of this, I think it worked, but it just completely threw me off of what was at stake here. Too many times, when I wanted to feel something for a scene, it cuts into a moment where it's trying to make me laugh. Urgh. And then by the end, everything worked perfectly for everybody, which is completely unrealistic for a setting taking place in 1915 CE. But GMMTV just had to make this happy-go-lucky, just had to make everyone's scenarios so perfect. Personally, I wanted more. A lot more tears and less comedic background music. On top of that, I really disliked the cinematography. I try not to compare every Thai historical BL to one another, but this was so white-washed and dreamy-looking, I hated it.

In my humble opinion, I think this series was rushed, as in, they made this too quickly, and because of that, the plot and the characters fall short. I really think they had an idea what they wanted to happen, and then, because of whatever obstacles or challenges, it just didn't end up being what it was suppose to be. And to also add to my point, some scenes felt like they were oddly cut, or the music would start and then randomly cut, not fade out, or have a smooth transition. I think in all aspects, this was rushed, the editing, the performances from the actors, and the overall plot.

Now, moving onto the plot. I was confused. I won't lie, I have zero idea who anyone was, what their roles played, or how historical Thailand worked. That might've been a me-thing, but I couldn't keep up. Also, with what little time Inn had to learn how to speak French, I personally didn't find it to be just god-awful, but I also don't speak french, so this is coming from a person that could obviously hear the struggle in his voice when speaking french, but I think to learn a language in a short amount of time, he did good. This also goes back to my point of, why not a hire somebody that is Thai who speaks fluent French (i'm sure they're out there somewhere) to play the part. Because GMMTV priorities the actors before the piece of work they're trying to create.

Moving onto the romances: I think they were fine. I think both couples do well, with Aou and Boom coming first. I think there was a giant disconnect for me when it came to Inn and Great's romance. It felt... awkward almost? Aou and Boom performed great, and, even though I wasn't a huge fan of the comedy, it was nice to see them play these funny dudes. I think should've seen more from them, but oh well.

But, don't worry, there was some stuff I liked! Again, I really liked Aou and Boom's characters, and their romance. I did enjoy seeing the wardrobes, especially Thee's outfits, which were immaculate. There are also some scenes that I did find beautifully told, or just beautifully shot. The plot with Rati's aunt is whatI found as the most interesting, especially as we learn that his real mom died and his aunt was the one that raised him.

Rating:

Story: 6.5/10 - Eh. Okay. kinda boring, won't lie. Thee and Rati's romance felt stale and stiff most of the time, also seemed extremely awkward in some cases.

Acting: 8.5/10 I think everyone did well. Nothing spectacular, but good.

Music: 6/10 - Didn't pay much attention to it.

Recommendation Value: 5/10 - I'd recommend only if you just love AouBoom or GreatInn, but otherwise, this historical BL can be skipped. Not even Great's abs could help save this for me.

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