MuTeLuv: Love Lock

The ghosts of the past

I'm not really sure if this is a recurring theme - and I don't really want to re-watch some of the last few parts to find out - but there seems to be some common connection between one part of MuTeLuv, and the part that came before it. In this case, it is - a love triangle adjacent and a lead who has some growing up to do.

Love Lock follows Phayu, who is constantly haunted by visions of his ex-girlfriend May after she broke up with him on their third anniversary. He believes the reason he's seeing her is because of an Ema plaque she dedicated to their love in Japan, and decides to go there to remove it from the shrine where she has tied it. Only problem? There are 90+ shrines, and one broken ankle, because as soon as he lands in Japan, he meets with an accident when Thai speaking Satsuki almost runs him over with her scooter. To make up for injuring him, she agrees to go around with him and help him find the Ema plaque, in exchange for him not reporting her to the police.

Love Lock is more about growth than it is about comedy or romance. And I really liked that about it. Yes it did have a few funny moments and was a story about romance, but the common link from the last part? It's a lead that needs some character development, and these four episodes follow his journey of realisation that he in fact does need some.

Bit by bit, we see Phayu recall his relationship with May as he searched for the elusive Ema plaque, and see just how he could have been a better boyfriend, and maybe just a better person. That is quite literally the entire story, with him moving on and gaining closure, and finding a new love interest, but it was quite heartfelt. I would not have minded if it had zero romance but I think I focused more upon Phayu and his journey than the romance so that may be why I feel that way.

As for the characters, even though we barely see much of her, May may have been my favourite. She was smart, kind and mature and she did make a great impression. Jamie played May very well and Kucci was also good as Satsuki. But I think I'm most impressed with Dew because Phayu was the character who carried this story, and he did so well. He's really grown as an actor and it was nice to see him in a more comedic role.

I really liked the major themes of this story, they were ones I always appreciate and they were done quite well in four episodes. The story was not the best, but the characters were likeable, the cinematography was really beautiful and it was, all in all, an enjoyable watch.

Read More