The Fire (2026)

My least favorite of the series.

This drama is basically about Fai being manipulated by her aunt, turned adopted mother, into turning on Kaphrao, who her father adopts. While Fai is poisoned to see her as the enemy (and her father does nothing to help), she also is genuinely jealous of the bond between her father and Kaphrao. And with her aunt continously whispering harmful rumors in her ear nonstop, Fai is in a state of emotional turmoil, as her natural personality is the complete opposite of the act she feels to must portray in defense of her aunt and her feelings of jealousy. At first this struggle between how she clearly wants to act vs how she feels like she has to act is interesting, but quickly becomes repetitive and boring. Kaphrao, however, is a refreshing character, who wants a family and is quick to forgive, and always remembers the kindness Fai showed her even when masked under the pretense of hatred.
Aunt Nee really needed to have been given some mental health treatment way before the point she tried to kill herself and it was upsetting to see someone obviously spiraling, being given no support other than Fai who grew up with Aunt Nee being this way so doesn't know better.
Some positives:
1. Phrao has the forgiveness and patience of a saint. What a beautiful person.
2. Aunt Nee having a redemption arc after proper treatment and medication. Nice mental health representation.
3. Both Aunt Nee and the father admit to being terrible parents to Fai.
4. Fai and Kaphrao are actually a good couple with open, honest communication. You only see this in the last two episodes though.
Honestly this is the weakest drama of the 4 Elements series imo.

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Subtitle should have been: Fai and everyone except Kaphrao

The acting is great, the chemistry between Namneung and Noey is second to none, but sadly this is not a love story between Fai and Kaphrao, the characters they play. Most notably, because Fai never chooses Kaphrao over anyone else in the story unless those people give their approval first. If you were predicting a loveless marriage followed by an almost immediate divorce, it would be Fai and Kaphrao. Don't get me wrong, this would have been an outstanding GL drama if a deus ex machina hadn't stepped in. This story should have ended with Kaphrao leaving forever when the words "If I choose you..." came out of Fai's mouth halfway through episode eight because she never actually does. I sincerely hope that Namneung and Noey get a better series to play.

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