Dating Game

A bit cringe, a bit drama and much fluff...

The most amazing thing about this series is, that it's a japanese/thai co-production, even when filmed in Thailand, everyone except "Junji" is thai.

The start is rough with the subtitles, but it got better with ep 5... The first episodes are easy to follow even when you don't know exactly what they say, but everyone should get the gist of it. This story is similar to "Our Dating Sim" but with major differences. First the company is much bigger, second the couple did not meet in school, but through a game, even when that is not obvious for some time.

While a japanese production it follows the thai forumla, which means a bit of cringe and funny scenes which are not that funny in my eyes. But overall they did have a good story (not a stellar one), good character progression and even the "side couple" had ample of screentime and did not feel like an afterthought. The only sad point was, that Fluke resembled his acting in UWMA but his character was much stronger and focused. He did a good job and of course he did not need to cry every episode.

Interesting the main couple did not have any BL experience before this series and for their first outing they did exceptionally well. Hill (March Chutavuth Pattarakhumphol) is an inspired game designer who finally lands his dream job and Junji (Mukai Koji) is the CEO of the thai branch of a japanese gaming company and the only japanese working there. The writing of their characters was well done and they gradually show other sides of themselves and reveal that they are not as stereotypical as I have expected them to be from the first two episodes. They grow together in a mature slow way and both overcome their past trauma through trust.

The side couple has the veterans Judo (as Bay) & Fluke (as Phat) and both seem to have fun with their roles. While Bay is a game designer with a big ego and portraited as womanizer, Phat is reserved but a focused chef. Both couples find together due to the research there are doing for their new game which is a dating game but the main characters of said game are only boys. While Junji & Phat are obvioously gay, the other two characters seemed not to be, but this is not the typical hetero to gay trope. Bay sees/feels something in Phat he never felt before and Hill recognizes whom he loved all along (I will not spoil that to you). The only negative is the forced drama in the end, which is imho too much thai influence. They could have solved that in a better way in a less dramatic way.

We will see the side-couple hopefully again, because they announced a second season of "Make a Wish". Koji (Junji) will be back in a BL movie "Love Song" (https://kisskh.at/782204-love-song) this year which is also a japanese/thai co-production playing in Thailand and Japan but sadly with another actor but who look very similar to March (Hill) imho.

The production was good, the actors were good and the vibe was good. I don't know why, but I felt happy watching this. So I see no reason not to watch this series imho.

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Easy entertainment with a goodish bit of depth, just how I like it

"Dating Game" combines two of my most favourite romance tropes: One of them is "fake dating" and the other ... would be a major spoiler. Overall, it's a sweet, easy-to-watch rom-com with experienced actors and solid direction. Don't expect drawn-out external conflicts, but do expect a consistently developed love story of two endearing men with some depth for those who appreciate it.

As I see it, the series can be read on three levels:
1. As a tropey and fun rom-com, where the tropes are used in fresh and occasionally unusual ways.
2. As a sweet love story about people who were hurt in the past and find comfort and complete trust in each other.
3. As a reflection on identity, homophobia and the social construct of "gender", the difference between parasocial and real relationships, the importance of companionship and what it means to love a person.

Each of the three possible readings is as valid as the other two -- and I think that's the intention. The depth of the third reading is cleverly hidden in the spaces between the tropes and the sweetness. It never overpowers the easy entertainment of a weekday evening series (it aired on Mondays at 21:30 Thai local time); it's spelled out in the first episode, but in a language only accessible to those who have already learned not to judge; it's hinted at in the following episodes, and with the reveal of the second major trope (see above) and the following conversations between Hill and Junji; it's made very clear again for those viewers who like to find a bit of depth in their romance.

A drama like this needs to be character-driven, and this is where "Dating Game" shines: Both of the main leads are extremely well written -- every action has a reason, and their development follows a gentle and consistent logic that leads us through tropes and beyond clichés. Junji, for example, seems to be just the usual tsundere, or maybe a stereotypical "reserved Japanese man among exuberant Thais", an impression that is strangely at odds with Junji's remarkable choice of wardrobe. I myself thought that Mukai's acting was feeling a bit stiff, or maybe awkward, and his pronunciation of the Thai language was halting, as if he wasn't quite comfortable with the Thai style of acting -- but then in one of the later episodes we get to see *why* -- not spelled out in words, but still very obviously shown.
March Chutavuth and Mukai Koji both bring in every ounce of their experience to deliver subtle and moving performances. (In Mukai's case, it's so subtle you don't even see his personality until he chooses to show it to us -- or if you already know what to look for.)

But, alas! The second couple is not as well developed. Their actors, Fluke Natouch and Judo Tantachj, both do their very best -- but the characters are simply not well written. Phat's character and his background would make a great lakorn with all its twists and turns and family shenanigans, whereas Bay has no character at all. They follow every standard cliché of a (Thai) BL couple, from the stereotypical seme/uke characteristics to the episode 11 curse -- and their story only touches on the themes of the main story peripherally, and overall has a very different feel to it. To be honest, it feels as if they are only there to fill time, so the series has its standard twelve-episode format.
It's a shame because both Phat and Bay are interesting characters in their own right and would have added to the main plot — but as individuals, not as a couple.

Was it good?
This is Thai entertainment at its best: "Dating Game" balances goofy humour and heartfelt emotions, sometimes within a few minutes. And in typical Thai fashion, the series hides life-important thoughts about companionship, love and identity under the facade of easily digestible weekday entertainment. The main story was solidly written and the cast, main and supporting actors, performed well.

Did I like it?
Yes! While I was watching it, I had certain ideas about where the story was going (or rather, where it should go) and what message the writers wanted to tell us -- so I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Once I understood the direction and rhythm, I loved it.

Who would I recommend it to?
To viewers who are not prone to judge others' life and passion and those who don't call actions of other people "cringe" just because they don't understand them.
To viewers who want a endearing and loving couple on screen, whose relationship is built on trust and honesty.
And to people who also like to see to have some depth in their romance.

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Beta version of a good series

To be completely honest - I have no clear idea on how I would review this objectively. Mostly because I feel like they had the perfect formula and somehow executed it perfectly as well - but a lot of it just didn't hit the way I expected it to.

This series had both a game design plotline and a workplace romance, and they somehow seamlessly blended them both to create a single story. Every new character introduced contributed something to the story, between the moments of light hearted humor or the sweet romance we got moments of surprising depth, all storylines had a proper conclusion - yet, there's something missing.

Perhaps it's a me thing, because theoretically, there's nothing missing from this story. Even the romance felt complete, for both the main and side couple. The actors did a good job, all of them managed to sell me on their chemistry by the end, and I guess what I'm trying to say is they had a good concept on paper, they executed it well on screen, it was just missing that bit of heart for me.

I guess that's what was missing - a bit of heart. Hopefully any other full launch of series about game design manages to fix this one bug, but as far as beta versions go, it was quite good.

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A Hidden Underrated Gem

I didn’t know what to expect when I started Dating Game so I kept my expectations low — but I was wrong. After watching the first episode, I realized the concept was actually really cool, and the vibe of the show felt fun and lively.

The story follows Hill, a nerdy-looking, chubby guy who was badly bullied back in high school. A girl pretended to like him and humiliated him in front of everyone. That experience crushed him — until he discovered Yuka, a female romance simulation game. With Yuka’s help, he started taking care of himself, gained confidence, and eventually lost weight. After college, he ended up getting hired as a programmer at the same company that created Yuka. That’s where he met his boss, Junji — and the rest is history.

I actually liked the storyline a lot. Most office-set dramas tend to feel boring to me, but not this one. The concept was refreshing and interesting. The show feels relatable — from creating a simulation game, to catching real feelings, to facing the reality of being in a long-distance relationship.

I also love that the plot twist wasn’t predictable at all. The airport scene hit hard emotionally, and the rooftop scene? That was a rollercoaster. March did such a great job. Both main characters are green flags — even if they've both been hurt before. The side couple was interesting too. Bay is a playboy who eventually finds true love with Phat, who’s Junji’s friend.

This was actually March and Mukai’s first time starring as leads in a BL series — and surprisingly, they had amazing chemistry. In terms of acting, March nailed the emotional scenes. Mukai can act too, but there’s still room to grow with certain emotions. As for the second couple, they seemed more comfortable with each other, especially during the NC scenes. The main couple had one too, but it was cut quickly — maybe because they’re still new to BL and it depends on their comfort level.

I really hope March and Mukai get to star in another BL together — they look so good as a pair.
The only downside? The English subs in episode 3 were a mess. But overall, Dating Game is a well-produced and well-written BL series with great characters — especially Hill, who has such a high emotional intelligence.

Highly recommend this one! 🙌

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cringey and sweet (watch suggestions)

Overall: talking to Yuka felt cringey (it's not as bad after the first episode), but there were some very caring/sweet parts in the series that I enjoyed. 12 episodes about 1 hour each. No official international release.

Content Warnings: past bullying, coercion, non con touching, trauma, cyberbullying

Watch Suggestions (to focus more on the romance with the main and side couples)
- episode 1 watch 1hr 1min - end
- episode 2 watch 17:20-end
- episode 3 watch 18:45-end
- episode 4 watch 9:50-11:45 and 15-44
- episode 5 watch beginning-4:50, 12:50-29:30 and 32:40-end
- episode 6 watch 5:55-10:10, 14-19 and 23-end
- watch episode 7
- episode 8 watch 41-45, 51:55-53:35 and 56-end
- episode 9 watch beginning-5, 16:45-20, 54-1hr 1min
- episode 10 watch 11-16:05, 20-26:10, 45:30-53:40
- episode 11 watch beginning-22:30, 39:30-52, 57-end
- episode 12 watch 15-18 and 40-end

What I Liked
- a gaming setting
- that his coworkers were nice instead of the normal backbiting we've seen in workplace settings
- they showed the viewer why he was so attached
- in episode 2 that he rescued his boss
- odd how everyone was watching them like The Truman Show
- supportive friends
- that they showed a realistic long distance relationship

Room For Improvement
- the brief exposition dump was not needed
- overall it veered into a bit too cringey like him setting out the figuring at his very first work meeting and saying what he said
- nonsense, a company wouldn't let customers know officially with 6 days left???
- the boss should not have been coercive especially because he knew how much the character meant to him
- comedy sound effects didn't make things funny
- episode 8 love rival/jealousy stuff
- ghosting with the side couple
- wasn't quite happy with how it ended, the leads didn't interact until 40 minutes of 51 in the finale

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“Thai × Japanese Perfection

Dating Game really surprised me in the best way. I didn’t expect it to carry such deep meaning, but the mix of Thai and Japanese cultures made it even more special. I loved the connection between Hill and Sakurai Junji — Junji’s quiet dedication and how he became Hill’s hidden inspiration showed how deeply one person’s presence can change another’s life.

I also adored Phat and Bay — Bay’s influence on Phat was beautiful. Their relationship showed that love is worth the risk, even when you fear your family might not understand. The way they connected and communicated felt genuine and warm.

Overall, Dating Game is more than a romance; it’s about growth, support, and the unseen bonds that shape us. I truly recommend it.

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A Bunch Of Endearing Human Warmth!

It has charm, wit, sweetness in all the right spots, and a bunch of endearing human warmth. While not overly saccharine, it is also not traumatizing. Curiously pensive and reflective, it has all the elements of a most believable love story told in soft, subtle gentle tones that simply make you feel good all over. There are two love stories, actually. Both are surprisingly compelling. While the various protagonists are interconnected, their individual love stories take very different paths to fruition. Both end up being (well, more-or-less) plausible and credible sequences. Summarily, this is an excellent production, and I thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It blended a lot of great beliefs into an amazing narrative – humor, pathos, honesty, passion, joy, disappointment, redemption, covered with a heaping supply of love, and then smothered all of it even more with an undiminished commitment to one another.

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Lost in Promotion: When the Story and Fans Are Overlooked

While the story itself was more enjoyable than I expected, the ending was confusing and dragged on by unnecessary close-ups. Since spoilers had already been circulating in X after the first episode, I wasn't really surprised.

As a fan of Thai actors, I was apprehensive about the Japanese-style direction from the start. Unfortunately, my fears were realized. The Thai actors were tasked with intense love scenes that Junji lacked, and the story relied more on repeated fights and reconciliation than on deep development. Despite being promoted as main characters, the Thai actors were treated like supporting characters, which was disappointing.

There were also problems with the events. Fan groups of actors with large follower, friends, and fans were prioritized, while smaller communities languished. The flower stand became a competition, and it was difficult to express your support without attending in person. Not only through event raffles and social media promotion, but also by building large communities around popular actors, certain fans sent massive flower stands to other actors as well, monopolizing photo opportunities and discouraging smaller fan groups from showing their support. The daily lottery questions were exhausting, and it was depressing to see the same people winning multiple times.

It felt just like a Japanese-style event. Advertising costs and efforts were passed on to fans, the tag campaign was forced on X, and there was even a dress code. Far from being genuinely enjoyable, it felt like they were being used as a promotional tool. I was hoping for a song in the final episode, but the lead actor gave a tearful speech. The Thai actors were repeatedly pressured to praise Mukai, which was unpleasant to watch. It was also strange to see actors in their 30s wearing pale pink outfits.

In the end, the cool, "fun" atmosphere that is unique to Thai drama events was lost, and it turned into a tacky, tiring Japanese version. Despite all the excitement, the drop in viewership for the final episode speaks for itself. And the fact that most of the audience were Japanese speaks for itself.

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This was so adorable

This series was absolutely hilarious, in a way it sometimes made me feel embarrassed. I haven't really watched a bl in months that made me giggle, not skip and in adore. This series made me laugh so much. It's cute and soft. Especially in the beginning I was extremely embarrassed by hill. I can't really judge the series by this, but the use of AI is annoying me so much, I bet there's many artists out there who would love to make the designs for the series... I'm glad that, I don't think they did, they didn't use ai for Yuka-chan.

Anyways aside from that, I really love the way everyone at the office hipped them at the beginning and it made them fall in love, I kinda missed the falling in love part since it wasn't super strong but after art came at least for Hill it seemed to increase and he finally realised it, lowkey, thanks Art. Anyways I loved how funny the office was, THE SECOND HAND EMBARRASSMENT THO....

I was quite surprise Junji liked it? Well I mean it's fine, but I was really expecting Junji to fire Hill. Anyways, with these types of Bl, I can just correctly guess what is gonna happen... but that didn't really ruin this series for me. I really like how Junji is such an understandable character. Like why was bro not mad at Jeans? Anyways both are extremely green flags, I like that :3

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Error: Swipe Left for This One

I watched the first episode and ended up dropping it. It was so cringeworthy and distasteful. I expected something a bit different, but it just wasn’t for me. The main character, Hill, has this bizarre relationship with Yuka, a game character from an app that’s supposed to help people, and it felt pathetic and completely unrelatable. Honestly, the guy seemed like he needed therapy, no offense.

Then there’s Junji, the Japanese CEO, who’s like a tsundere: cold on the outside but somehow warm underneath. After seeing how sincere Hill was during the farewell party for Yuka! Love Me Please, and how the game character helped him improve his life, Junji decides to put things on hold for a year so Hill can come up with new designs and characters for another app.

This episode made me realize I don’t want to continue watching. The main character doesn’t seem to fit the role, and the acting is pretty weak. It’s all just way too over the top for me. The pacing is okay, but the plot and trailer made it look way more interesting than it actually was. Honestly, the first episode was lacking and pretty boring.

I tried watching the second episode. All I can say is that thank goodness I listened to my gut. The 2nd episode was terrible. I was constantly skipping just to finish it.

I was so uninvested, I might as well grab my tea and keep sipping it while I wait for something better to come along.

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