Top Form

Boom could be a revolutionary industry twunk

I haven't written a review in forever but Boom's performance in this is just exceptionally good that I just have to.

pros:
1. Boom is one of the most believable actor who has such a wide emotional range. I haven't seen a performance this convincing with a script this complex in a while.

2. soundtrack is sexy as fuuuuuck. enough said.

3. NC-17 scenes are not cringe, mostly thanks to Booms natural blush and his begging for the d eyes.

4. Smartboom's chemistry is exceptional!!

areas for improvement:
1. pacing is off - I wish there was better balance between sweet scenes and pure anguish. Literally if I experience half of Akin's hardships I would kms. Like let the boy live for an episode man. Some of the conflict was also useless - what was the point of the SA scene with Johnny? Did it really progress the plot? Not in my eyes.

2. Boom's performance just outshined everyone else's. This is not a complaint by any means but there is a stark difference in the level of acting between Boom and the rest of the cast. Don't get me wrong, there was absolutely no bad actors in the series, but there was different levels of believability in my opinion. Having Boom there just highlights the minor flaws in the other performances.

3. Award show and the whole sexiest man competition is so poorly done. Award show looks cheap and empty, the sexiest man competition show just looks very poorly edited. Ruined the watching experience a little bit.

4. Writing is subpar. They mainly rely on SmartBoom's acting and chemistry to save the show. Episode 1 to the episode where they get together is great, the rest feels plotless

Honestly it's worth the watch even if its just for Boom's acting.

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I read the manga. I watched the anime, and yet everytime; I forgot what I watched/read. I don't know why.
So I watched this drama as if I didn't know the story, only with familiar feeling..
It was great, definitly a good drama. I loooooved the op and the musics.
I loved how being flirt with is seems as an attack by Akin.

And I'm sorry for people who want Johnny with the other guy (sorry I forgot his name) but Johhny is like a rapist... I hate him. Some may say he didn't do it. Buuuuut he stop himself only because Akin was calling Jin. Not because "having sex" with someone who passed out is rape??! He have no morals.
Akin please baby get therapy... No episode without him having to cry. Please Mangaka let him be happy (I say that as if I wasn't the first to watch show where the MC suffer).
Jin, please keep being yourself and make Akin and you happy.

I wrote this part before and time show me how wrong I am, because even BL fans are homophobic toward real gay?? Like WTH?!
"Maybe I am wrong because I'm not Thai (Yes me from the past, you are wrong) and not in the entertainement industry BUT the fact that ot take place in Thailand and not in Japan make the homophobic less credible. I think most people would die to make a serie with 2 men who are a couple IRL."

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WARNING! There are some freaky scenes but its a good kind just make sure u watch alone!

I feel like the opening was quite good, I kinda like how Akin (Mc) and Jin (ML) was introduced. Akin was this popular actor and Jin was a newbie. Their chemistry didn’t started off strong but as the episode progressed so did their chemistry. You need to give a few episodes a watch cause it gets better.

The plot wasn’t bad, it could be slightly better? I feel like most of the time Akin is the only one facing the problems. Like somehow he’s always the person who got targeted in the series. Which is kinda repetitive, and I feel like communication can be improved. Like the part where he thought he slept with Johnny he couldn’t bring himself to day it to Jin. He just left without saying anything. Thank god Jin wasn’t dumb and he was able to catch on! I guess its soulmates instincts ?❤️.

Nothing much to say,. But I feel like they should just end it there. I feel like at the end of the last episode, there could be potential for season 2 but there wasn’t much material or anything more that they could add on so it’ll be interesting to see if there will be a season 2 but i’m not expecting it. Overall a fun watch when ur bored

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A Good Adaption to Dakaichi

As a long-time fan of Dakaichi who’s read the manga, watched all the anime, and seen the movie, I was a bit hesitant to watch this at first. I wasn’t sure a live-action adaptation would do this well-known piece of anime justice, but I was wrong.

The casting was phenomenal. The actors had the most chemistry I’ve seen in a BL live-action in a long time, and the emotional scenes gave me the same feelings I had when watching the anime, which I appreciated. It felt like they truly understood the emotional core of Junta and Takato’s relationship. The intimate scenes, too, were handled with surprising care; the camera angles and cinematography worked seamlessly to keep the tone consistent with the original while also making it feel grounded and cinematic in its own right.

Taking the plot out of the equation, this was a very well-done adaptation. There were a few changes here and there, but they felt necessary or wise rather than distracting. That said, the plot of Dakaichi has always been a bit questionable for me, especially in terms of pacing and consent dynamics, and this version doesn’t change that. Seeing it played out in live-action makes some of those issues stand out more clearly. But I think fans are already familiar with the story and will know what to expect.

Overall, though, I was impressed. This live-action series managed to bring the heart and drama of Dakaichi to a new medium without losing its soul, and for fans of the franchise, that’s all you can ask for.

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An enjoyable watch thanks to some great acting and chemistry

The MLs' acting and chemistry was what made this series such an enjoyable watch. There were some beautiful and iconic moments such as the moment when Akin gave Jin his first lesson on breathing right, the scene where the two main leads were under the sheets and the much hyped honey scene, where the cinematography wowed me (acting, lighting, musicality all came together magically). Choice of music was also refreshing with tracks in various languages.

I do wish more effort was spent developing Jin's character. The actor playing Akin cries beautifully and did a wonderful job smoothing out some of the overly dramatic parts of the story with his subtle acting. I think the series tried to emulate some Japanese cinematography, especially how they tried to build up Jade's character (the incessant smoking, the clicking sounds of the lighter etc), which at times came across as some what awkward. Some parts of the editing were also chunky, disrupting the story-telling Episode 10 was also a bit of a drag and could've benefited from sharper screen-writing e.g. focusing on non-verbal cues to convey strong emotions like deep grief and anger borne from injustice, so that the audience could interpret it and as a result be more emotionally engaged. Casting choice for Akin's grandmother was also a little strange.

All in all this was still a good watch with some very solid acting from the MLs and captivating cinematography.

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Screenplay analysis point of view

Top Form isn’t just another BL series flirting with romance and the usual showbiz drama tropes — it’s a piece that dares to lean into subtext, plays with layered symbolism (even when not everything is fully explored), and delivers a story that, while centered around love, boldly exposes the cracks in the entertainment industry. The show offers aesthetic brilliance, emotional depth, and committed performances — even if it stumbles slightly in development and pacing.

Right from the opening scenes, we meet Akin — the ideal celebrity package: actor, model, desired by all, and recently voted the "sexiest man alive." In contrast, we’re introduced to Jin, the emotional protagonist of the story — a timid aspiring actor with a “hollow heart,” striving to change that by holding on to whatever he can once he finds it. This early contrast sets the tone of the narrative: a collision between fame and something much more fragile — genuine affection.

Jin begins as a passive character, but his arc grows subtly and meaningfully. His intense admiration for Akin borders on obsession — watching all his films, recording him asleep, kissing him without consent. It’s undeniably invasive, yet the narrative reframes this as love expressed through care rather than psychosis. Uncomfortable? A bit. But at least Top Form doesn’t look away from the mess.

Akin, in turn, comes off as proud and untouchable — but underneath that façade is a man overworked, emotionally guarded, and unwilling to let anyone in. Only Jin (and later Sine) manage to pierce that wall. Their connection builds in silences, in the spaces between lines — their first emotional exchange, the crying technique scene, the moment Jin "saves" Akin — all paint a picture of love that seeps in rather than explodes.

Subtext is the show’s sharpest tool. When Akin memorizes lines from roles that aren’t even his, we’re nudged to ask: is he hiding behind characters because he can’t face his own feelings?

Technically, the show is stunning. The cinematography is breathtaking, with rich lighting, striking visuals, and an aesthetic that practically begs to be screenshotted. The sound design, too, is deeply immersive, blending perfectly with the actors’ emotional performances. The use of classical music in intimate scenes is a highlight — raw, elegant, and haunting — though it could have been used more for even greater impact.

The behind-the-scenes portrayal of the industry is another strength. Top Form lays bare the power plays, the silencing of LGBTQIA+ identities for the sake of marketability, and the expendability of talent. The chess motif in the opening credits is brilliant — the industry as a game of strategy, where Sigma, with its queen logo, controls the board while actors are pawns, often sacrificed for a bigger win.

Still, the pacing falters. The stalker subplot, rich with thematic potential, is resolved far too quickly. It had the substance to span three full episodes, but instead feels rushed and undercooked. Additionally, there’s a narrative imbalance — Akin has 13 canonical story beats, while Jin has only 8, making their character arcs feel uneven at times.

The attempted rape scene — while narratively pivotal as a test for the protagonists’ bond — feels out of sync with the rest of the show. Up to that point, the antagonist had been the system, the industry. Bringing in a sudden external threat feels jarring, even if the scene serves its dramatic purpose.

Sex scenes in Top Form are refreshingly non-cliché. They carry weight, discomfort, vulnerability — especially in episode 9. That particular scene might have hit even harder without a soundtrack, allowing the silence to amplify the emotional rupture.

By the end, both leads undergo meaningful transformation. Jin, once hesitant and soft-spoken, stands up against his agency and takes control of his life. Akin, who once gave everything to his craft — including his health — finally chooses love, and trust, and something real.

The proposal scene is sweet, understated, and filled with inside jokes — maybe not grand, but deeply personal. And that’s Top Form in essence: not perfect, but real, emotionally raw, and visually magnetic.

Despite some narrative shortcuts, Top Form is a BL series that knows what it's saying. It tackles serious issues with a rare blend of grace and intensity. A drama drenched in feeling, polished with cinematic care, and built on characters who are memorable, flawed, and utterly human.

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A Literal Emotional Rollercoaster

Wow. I genuinely need to lock in for a moment and gather all my thoughts before writing this review because this series has been one HELL of a rollercoaster. And I mean that quite literally.

**ACTING**

Let's start with the acting because, good God, the performances were genuinely impressive. Both Boom and Smart are incredibly talented, but I especially want to give Boom some praise. His performance was phenomenal, particularly when it came to portraying complex emotions. Granted, he has more experience, so that level of performance isn't entirely surprising, but the fact that IRL and his character are similar is pretty cool!!!

The way he conveyed pain, vulnerability, and emotional distress felt remarkably authentic. And don't even get me started on the crying scenes. There is something about an actor who can make you genuinely feel their character's suffering rather than simply watch them perform it, and Boom did exactly that. His expressions and delivery made those emotional moments feel real, which made the story's heavier scenes that much more effective.

**VISUALS & CINEMATOGRAPHY**

Visually, this series was a treat. From the cinematography to the cast's overall appearance, everything was aesthetically pleasing. I wouldn't necessarily call the cinematography groundbreaking, but it was solid and did its job without taking me out of the story.

The cast's visuals, on the other hand? TOP TIER. Everyone looked gorgeous, and I absolutely loved the styling, outfits, makeup, and overall character aesthetics. I especially loved Smart and Boom with their longer hairstyles covering their eyes. Whoever was responsible for those looks deserves a raise because GOOD LORD. They looked ridiculously attractive.

**STORY & ROMANCE**

Now, the story. WOW. When I said this series was a rollercoaster, I was not exaggerating. It genuinely felt like these characters were incapable of enjoying a peaceful moment for more than 5 minutes before the ominous background music started playing and Akin inevitably found himself caught up in yet another concerning situation. Like, can this man PLEASE catch a break?

And, of course, Jin was always right there beside him, experiencing the emotional turmoil alongside him and supporting him through everything. Their relationship was one of my favorite aspects of the series because their love felt genuine. They weren't simply together for the sake of the romance, they consistently showed up for one another, especially when things became difficult. Their willingness to stand by each other made their relationship feel relatively healthy compared to some of the other BL relationships I've encountered. Even if at times it looked like they actually had broken up.

The chemistry was also pretty good, and those NC scenes? EXCUSE ME. They were genuinely erotic, especially the infamous honey scene. However, I honestly wasn't expecting that scene to take place during their first time together. I had assumed it would happen later, once they'd officially gotten together and become more comfortable with each other. Instead, we got a scene that felt straight out of Fifty Shades of Grey. Not complaining, obviously, but I was definitely caught off guard.

As for the pacing, I actually think the series handled it pretty well. Anyone who knows me knows I have the attention span of a fruit fly, and longer series, particularly Thai BLs, can sometimes be a struggle for me to finish. This is especially true when the plot becomes repetitive, the conflicts are predictable, or the story starts dragging out situations that could have been resolved much sooner.

However, I found this series genuinely engaging, and I think the constant shifts between emotionally intense, tense, and relatively peaceful moments played a significant role in that. Just when I thought I could finally relax, something else would happen. The story kept me emotionally invested because it rarely allowed me to settle into one feeling for too long. It was exhausting in the best possible way.

Honestly, if I didn't have a job and occasionally feel the need to step away from BLs and do literally anything else, I probably could've finished this series in a single day. Unfortunately, real life kept interrupting my viewing experience, and somewhere around episode nine, I started losing some of my motivation to continue.

However, I don't necessarily blame the series for that. I've mentioned this before in other reviews, but I tend to experience a similar slump with shows that have around 11–12 episodes. By episode 8 or 9, the main conflict has often been resolved, the leads have gotten together, and the remaining episodes focus primarily on them being a couple. While I enjoy seeing characters finally get their happy ending, sometimes the story starts feeling like it's running on borrowed time, with filler scenes or unnecessary last-minute conflicts introduced simply to keep things moving.

Fortunately, I felt this series maintained a relatively good balance. It gave the relationship room to develop without making the overall experience feel excessively repetitive. My occasional loss of motivation is more of a personal viewing habit than a reflection of the show's quality.

**JOHNNY & NARU... AM I TWEAKING?**

Okay, but can we talk about Johnny and Naru for a second? Because am I imagining things, or was there some kind of implication that these two could potentially become something in the future?

If this series ever gets a second season, which I'm not entirely ruling out considering the way things ended, and the fact we never met the person who Jade loved, I could genuinely see the possibility of them being paired together. And, to be clear, I don't have an issue with that pairing in itself. My concern is Naru's age.

I don't remember exactly how old he's supposed to be in the series, but he looks incredibly young, almost like a middle schooler, which makes the possibility of a romantic storyline between them a little concerning. I would need some clarification regarding his actual age before I could feel comfortable making any assumptions about where that relationship might go.

And we absolutely CANNOT ignore Johnny's behavior. Because WHAT was that man doing?! He was bordering on sexual assault, and the whole situation was incredibly uncomfortable to watch. Thankfully, things didn't escalate further, but that doesn't make his behavior any less disturbing. It genuinely caught me off guard, and not in a good way. There's a difference between a character being morally questionable and a scene crossing boundaries that make the audience uncomfortable, and Johnny definitely had me questioning what the writers were trying to accomplish there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I had a pretty enjoyable experience with this series. It wasn't necessarily perfect, but it gave me an engaging story, compelling emotional performances, attractive visuals, good chemistry, and enough twists and turns to keep me invested.

I'm genuinely glad I gave it a chance, especially because longer BLs can be quite hit-or-miss for me. I'm still searching for that elusive series that completely satisfies me from beginning to end, the kind that leaves me thinking about it long after I've finished watching. I miss the feeling of finding a BL that hits every single one of my expectations, but I'm not giving up on finding another one.

For now, though, I think I'm going to take a little break from longer series and watch some shorter BLs. As much as I enjoyed this one, committing to a long series can be mentally exhausting, especially when I'm balancing work and everything else going on in my life. LOL.

That being said, if you haven't watched this series yet, even though it's been out for about a year, I'd still recommend giving it a chance. If you're looking for a BL with emotional intensity, a relationship that feels relatively healthy, attractive leads, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, this one might be worth adding to your watchlist.

Overall: 8/10

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Better than Expected

First, some BLs are a bit cringy (intimate scenes) for me. But TF shows the intimate scenes with more passion and romance if you ask me. The acting is top-notch, from the main cast to the supporting cast. The music is fantastic, and the angles of the (camera) film were great as well. Sometimes, the camera shakes (in other films) a little, and I hate that. The costume scenes were filled with conviction, and overall, I've seen some of the trailers for future episodes, and it should continue along these lines. All intimate scenes should be done with this level of attention and filming how two people falling in love begins. I believe the audience can recall what they felt like when they began falling for someone. Wow, so far impressed. Tons of chemistry.

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Hard to watch without the noise — and the noise is loud

I'll be upfront: I didn't finish this one, and the reasons are both personal and circumstantial.
The off-screen situation surrounding SmartBoom made it genuinely difficult to watch without that context bleeding in. The allegations around Boom, and Smart's very public legal dispute with WeTV — including his own accounts of difficult working conditions on set — create a weight that's hard to set aside, even when you try. Whatever the full truth of those situations is, SmartBoom as a pairing no longer exists in this form, and that shapes how the series feels in retrospect.
As for the show itself: the intimate scenes worked well enough, but the chemistry between the leads only partially landed for me, and the story never gave me a reason to stay. I'd already struggled to connect with the source material in its animated form, and the live action didn't change that. Sometimes a story and a viewer just don't find each other, regardless of how it's made.
I don't think this is necessarily a bad series — it's more that it wasn't for me, on multiple levels.

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Drama on Top ^^

Where do I even start?

Yet again another drama that I have looked forward to has released. I have been a fan of the source material for years now, I've rewatched it about 4 or 5 times. I understand what it would look like for something to not need to be remade or adapted, and coming from the source material- I was worried what would come out of the adaption. What I'm happy to say now is that it looks like my worries have been nullified by the end result of this drama, as it is not only a great adaptation- it is a great drama. Let me explain.

Dakaichi is a beloved BL series, that I don't feel the need to explain the plot or go in detail of what I like and dislike there. The adaptation 'Top Form' peaked my interest, and it's kept my interests in the end for several reasons. I have watched other Thai adaptations of my beloved BL series from Japan, and am able to recognize when the IP is used for money. The source material is used as a way for a 'sure fire' success, where what the production misses is that remaking something without adding or taking away is actually quite boring and frustrating to watch. If I love the source material, why not just go and rewatch that? Why would I want something tainting the legacy. With Dakaichi it has several issues, the anime adaptation already tamed down the manga, and coming now to the Thai adaptation I can say the series is able to stand as its own, as well as being a love letter to the original source.

Top Form clearly was made by fans of the original, but also from people that are self-aware and recognize the faults of the source material. There are flaws in all versions, but I am putting credit where credit is due. The team behind this drama is very competent, and I can tell from the consistency of this drama. The writing of the characters, the editing, the pacing, nothing it jittery and it is all just consistent.

Consistency could mean boring, and the runtime being much longer than the original could mean adding unnecessary filler also. What you get with this drama is a top notch production, a quality script, and instead of filler you get character arcs/development. I'm glad that the direction took it in the way of developing characters rather than adding drama or action.

So let me explain that...

Takato is Akin in this drama, played by Boom. I have watched a little bit of Chains of Hearts, so I recognize him. I didn't finish it so I'm not the most familiar with him, but wow. Boom is an amazing actor, and he is one that uses his expressions to the fullest. Just like Akin, he doesn't need a lot of lines to steal a scene, he understands his character to a degree that I had to rewatch several scenes to pick up on Akin's little antics. Just like a real person, this character is fleshed out to the point where he has nervous ticks/habits. I thinks it's interesting to see it all come from the source material, and realistically fit into this setting. What I also want to add is that the setting has some depth. As I said before, the team is competent, and what I can tell from that is how famous Akin and Jin really are.

There are billboards, magazines, merchandise, other people reacting.. all of these add to show that Jin and Akin are A-List actors, and are famous. It's details like that, that may seem small, but seriously add to the drama.

The chemistry is also realistic, and with the length you are now able to feel the yearning all the more. I can feel the absence of the other, in the main characters lives. I see them together and know they will get together, but notice a natural connection, that is growing naturally as well. The characterization of Akin and Jin is one of the best things of the drama. Boom plays Akin so well, and when you think about it- it can't be easy.

Akin is a very serious actor, a senior in the industry. He is also just a guy with his own worries, and weird obsessions. He is able to act arrogant to himself, and be polite and humble infront of others. I could write a whole character essay on why I love Akin, and how Top Form took Takato and made Akin so very perfect. It's not over the top, it's subtle with the nods to the original as well as taking the best parts. I am happy to see the age difference here, and it makes a lot of sense... I could get into why the casting is perfect also..

Smart plays Jin, Junta.. Junta is Jin. Smart is really capturing the energy of this lead, like Boom, so so well. I can't decide which characterization I like better. Both take the best of the original, while being unafraid to change the faults. For now, Jin still has a lot of backstory I could see them adding in, but I like what is here so far.

Overall I really like what is here so far. This drama is an example of a great adaptation. While I could list others that are horrible, I will just recommend this drama! You will be missing out if you don't watch.

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