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Another remake nobody needs...
What's with all the MAME (MeMind) remakes and do they even make sense? I really don't understand why they need to do a remake of every story. The BossNoeul pairing is imho the superior pairing to the japanese counterparts. While it's "only" the second outing for this japanese pairing, they still don't know how to kiss. Besides that the production quality comes nowhere close to the original. Many scenes feel lifeless, especially considering this is an university setting. It was a bit different with the "Love Sea" remake where the production quality was comparable and the compact format and some other changes made me enjoy the japanese version more. This series on the other hand is totally uncessary. The only highlight of this version is they changed the ridiclous end of the original, which makes the story in this aspect better, but on the other hand the compact format made some things a bit too compressed.So, if you are into parallel worlds and other scifi/fantasy settings you should watch the original. This version is just there, just improving the end of the mom-story a bit, but not offer anything extra. The chemistry between the actors is marignal better compared to their previous work (Love in the Air Japan) but it's nearwhere close to the original pairing. Also the second couple gets less screentime and the younger looking one is the "Senpai" which makes no sense. Of course even the kissing and the nc-scenes are much better in the original, here it feels quite akward. Overall, you will not miss anything when you don't watch this.
Update: The special is the same as the original, so they passed up the chance to tell a different story which would have been much more interesting.
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Stalkers and Mindreaders V2
The inherent problem with watching a remake of an adaptation because you want to watch the "remake", is that comparisons will be commonplace. Yes, maybe it's my fault for watching it because it's a remake, but curiosity + simping = bad decisions.And if you've watched The Boy Next World (TH), you'll know what I'm talking about when I say this isn't really a story that you watch and go °wow°
The story is pretty bad, you're thinking plot twist but beneath all that it's just lousy writing. Yet, the wonderful thing about remakes is that you can everything that the adaptation did wrong, right. In this case, it's definitely the story. And it's so funny how they chose to keep in every bit of the trash writing that was in the Thai drama, not even toned down, just reduced in runtime.
Every single plot point is exactly the same, I was hoping they would make some changes, but except for the single one at the very end of the series, zero. By doing that, and reducing the runtime, they had to cut something out and the thing they chose to cut hurt me deeply. Because it's important to remember that the main couple in this series are kind of.. eh. They're not bad (I'll get to why later on), but I'd very much argue that in terms of dynamics, the second couple are so much better. And because I'm a simp, everyone will have to believe me when I say Jin was objectively the best character in there. Come on!
In the remake, they drastically cut down on his role in the story and the screentime my sweet cloud prince and his "Tiger" got was ridiculously low. The remake just lacked - and I can't believe I'm saying this - the charm of the Thai adaptation. Charm is a stretch but we get the point. It felt very lackluster, for the reasons above but mostly because of the following one.
The chemistry? The reason Cirrus and Phu worked for me was because of the chemistry between Boss and Noeul. Without that, well. It's basically this. Again, the leads here do have chemistry, but I'm missing the easy flowing one. That also extends to the interactions with their respective friend groups, each other's friends, etc. Even the interactions with the "villains" felt so bleh.
That's where we circle back to the story, because I think cutting down what I would usually consider "filler", actually made me like it less. The heart and the humour of the Thai adaptation was missing here, that one was equally egregious, but I had so much fun with it.
The Boy Next World is definitely not at the top of my recommendations list, but I would say my preference is the Thai drama. Objectively, this one for the concise story and okay chemistry, Thai drama for good chemistry and an expanded story, and not at all if you're not really looking for a story that's going to leave you with more questions than answers.
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loving this adaptation so far
so like I’ve loved the series they did before “love in the air” and I was excited to see them get this pro and adapt “boy next world” cause I loved that series. I’m loving the way they have done this so far like!!! the chemistry is so good and the actors I will say have improved in their acting from the last project which makes me really happy! I’m so excited just to watch the rest of these episodes when they air as I’m already in love!!I know from previous Thai-Japanese adaptations that they change some details of the series due to cultural differences and I will say from the first two episodes they haven’t done anything really different from the original. I’m curious tho to see throughout the duration of this series if they do and what. but so far I’m really loving the two episodes we already have gotten so far!
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The Boy Next World 〜並行世界の恋人〜 (Episodes 9-10)
I finished this remake with mixed feelings.The core twist — that the “parallel world” premise was actually a lie born from long-time unrequited love — is bold. However, for me, the transition from SF mystery to emotional deception never fully landed. Even knowing the twist in advance (since I watched the Thai version), the narrative still felt structurally uneven.
What kept me watching until the end was Hamaya Takuto’s performance as Kaede. He portrayed confusion, vulnerability, and emotional conflict with sincerity. His soft expressions and tearful restraint added depth that the script itself sometimes struggled to provide.
The drama explores themes of obsession versus love, emotional dependency, and the need to choose one’s own heart. Those ideas are interesting on paper, but the execution felt somewhat difficult to emotionally connect with.
I appreciate the attempt at something different, but overall, this story simply wasn’t for me.
I am curious about the announced spin-off, though — especially since it seems to expand on the remaining parallel-world concept.
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And I noticed in almost every japanese series I watched their NC's seems like conservative, they just like peck their lips together no more no less. That's why I'm all for American and French kissing scene.
The ost is cool.
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familiar story, different world
Going into this drama, I already knew it was another remake, and unfortunately that feeling never really left while watching it. The idea of lovers connected across parallel worlds still has a lot of emotional potential, but this version didn’t manage to add enough new depth to make the story feel truly fresh. There are still some sweet moments between the leads, and the concept itself remains interesting, especially when the story plays with the idea of fate repeating itself in different timelines. However, I often found myself comparing it to previous versions, which made the emotional impact feel weaker. It’s not a bad drama and it can still be an enjoyable watch if you like this kind of story, but overall it felt more familiar than memorable.Was this review helpful to you?
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An actual improvement from a previous Thai BL - well paced and played
After watching the first 5 Episode of the original Thai BL version, I didn't feel convinced; it felt dragged and the actors didn't feel special. When I went to watch the new Japanese version, I realized I had watched so many Thai BL's, that I was a bit over-saturated and I realized how I missed the Japanese BL style a lot. This series had a gravitas, a seriousness and a very good pacing. It starts right into the action, just to backtrack a few times, with every episode being well rounded in itself. The MC had two distinctly looking and acting actors, though I admit that Nagumo Shoma as Sara was a true bonus, giving this mix of bad boy, sad boy and one desperately fighting to find a happy life, contrasted by Phu's shy are kinda naive ways. Both actors portrait the characters really well, and I was especially glad that the ending gave the devil of a mother her deserved ruination.Often time travel, parallel timelines and other worlds are risky, because things get very wrong or one of two is left behind, and this series solved it in a very interesting and satisfying way, leaving the viewer thinking about the idea, how easily small decisions or inaction bring entire large scale alterations of life. Chances never taken, and what would be merrier than a Second Chance. Settings, camera work and also the NC scenes were good, with the latter neither being too much or too little and surely something pleasing to the eyes. The serious undertone many Japanese series have was quite refreshing, and also for once not again seeing characters whom I had seen many times in year long ships for a change. Without reinventing the wheel I had a good time, and the two special episodes giving yet another timeline, but in the end adding some extra time in the prime timeline, showing how their relationship progressed, rounded it all up very well. So I can confidently give an
8.5/10
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My Destiny - Indeed It Is!
I loved this adaptation of virtually the same premise of the Thai story completed last year, which I disliked with enmity. The current version has so much more richness, depth, and dimension to it than the presentation from last year. It is an exceptionally good remake. Normally, I detest remakes as they are either unoriginal copies or perhaps only use the title for a completely new story. While keeping the basics, this version made the story so much more tenable and relatable. More importantly, it did not try and ‘fake’ us into thinking it was one thing but only to twist it into another, like the original Thai did. Yet this rendition did present just enough of a metaphysical twist to make me believe there could be indeed a parallel universe. Or, at the very least, believe in the possibility that one exists. Why perhaps I did not make this a higher rating is because the kissing, especially at the end, slipped into the usual Japanese mode of a dead-fish kiss. While not as bad as some Japanese BLs, it was still pathetic. Look, you had such a great passionate series, and you could not put the finishing touches on this series by making their kisses, particularly at the end, ones of passion and sensuousness. Shame and disappointment.Was this review helpful to you?
Better Than the Thai Version
I wasn’t going to watch this, believing it would be just a poorer imitation of the Thai version, I had already watched, which had been less than stellar, but I’m glad I DID watch it!Although, I really love the BossNoeul ship, I found the Thai version lacking. So, once again, because I was in a lull between current series airings, I decided to give the Japanese version a chance. To my delight, it was like watching a completely different series, altogether . I, practically, binged this one, because I enjoyed it so much more.
I found the story so much more intriguing, it drew me in where the Thai version was merely meh. I can’t, precisely, point out the specifics of the differences between the two series, I only know that this one is the superior version. And I almost missed it.
The writing was excellent, the casting: perfect. So, if you might have passed on it thinking that this would just be a carbon copy—you’d be wrong. Watch it. You won’t be sorry.
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Skip the Thai version, watch the Japanese drama
I love fantasy and Sci-Fi themes revolving around time manipulation and parallel worlds so that is how I ended up deciding to watch this and I'm so glad I did! I have watched a few Japanese BLs and at most you get are a couple of kisses. I have yet to see one where the NC scenes are so hot. I even blushed a few times.Both MLs are good looking and great actors. The older ML is serious, jealous/protective without going overboard, at times cold and warm with the one he loves. The younger ML is shy and soft spoken. They make a really good pair and their chemistry is fire! I have seen the Thai original and I couldn't even connect to them emotionally the way I did with these two in this drama.
There are many cases of poor direction in the Thai version and the Japanese version fixes all of them. Even the house layout is better in the Japanese drama. A lot of unnecessary moments were removed and majority of the drama focuses on the relationship of our leads. In the Thai drama, I found the younger ML's portrayal very childish and there is a point in ep2 where he climbs on top of the older ML just to look at his injury which is so silly and unnatural. Meanwhile in the Japanese version this moment is changed and shot is a much more natural way with the leads falling on one another during a tug of war over his laundry.
I must say that Ep1 was a bit confusing to me at first and couldn't understand what was going on but the show really got better from mid episode. From ep2 onwards I was hooked!
I enjoyed all the side characters, most of whom I ended up disliking in the Thai version. I like how they explained the mother's backstory and how they resolved the issues with her. A much better conclusion than the Thai drama which was AWFUL.
The OST is really nice and I like the opening theme song. I even enjoyed the older ML's singing.
The few things I disliked were the younger ML going back and forth with his feelings, no clarity on why his friend can read minds, and the boring trope of a mean girl trying to get with one of the leads. This is common to both versions.
There are 2 special episodes that add more depth to the story of the parallel timelines and include the future of the couple. It was quite fun to watch.
I don't understand why people are hating on the Japanese remake. I genuinely found it way better than the original and I would even suggest you skip the Thai version and just watch the Japanese drama.
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Tempo is not just speed; it is the way emotion is processed.
I noticed something while watching both versions: the story is the same, but the heartbeat feels different. The Thai version beats faster; the Japanese version beats deeper.Let me start with the Thai one. Fuu feels more outgoing there. When he’s jealous, it shows on his face. Even when he pulls away, you can tell. He tries to run, but he runs by fighting. Sara is also more expressive; when she’s hurt, she doesn’t swallow it silently you can see it in her eyes or hear it in her voice right away. Their ups and downs are more visible. The emotional breaking points are especially intense. The music swells, eyes fill with tears, the sentences become clearer. While watching, you think, “Okay, now it’s happening.” There’s that romantic explosion feeling. The confession scene is more relieving because they actually talk things through. When I watched the finale, I felt more at peace because everything seemed openly resolved.
But the Japanese version… that’s a different mindset. It’s calmer, quieter, more controlled. At first, it even feels a bit slow. You find yourself thinking, “Why is no one speaking clearly?” But then you realize that the whole point is in those silences. Fuu here is more reserved. His feelings start early, but he creates distance to avoid admitting them. When he feels jealous, he doesn’t shout his face just falls. He freezes. That frozen state can be even more impactful sometimes. Sara may seem strong, but she’s actually in a more vulnerable place. Fuu’s sudden coldness affects her more deeply, yet they don’t dramatize it. It’s conveyed through small glances and brief pauses.
In the Japanese version, romance doesn’t shout. Small touches, long looks, unfinished sentences… Sometimes not much happens physically, but the emotional weight feels heavier. Even the confession scene is calm, yet its meaning is huge. The feeling of “I kept my distance because I took this seriously” comes through very clearly. In the Thai version, that scene makes your heart race; in the Japanese version, it makes your heart tighten.
The atmosphere difference is also very noticeable. The Thai version has warmer colors, more romantic music, a more vibrant energy. The Japanese version uses more neutral tones, minimal shots, and more silence. The Thai one might make you cry. The Japanese one leaves you thinking.
For me, it sums up like this:
I connected to the Thai version more quickly while watching.
The Japanese version stayed in my mind longer after it ended.
Fuu & Sara’s relationship in the Thai version feels like a love that is lived out loud. In the Japanese version, it feels like a love that grows quietly from within. In the Thai version, love is visible. In the Japanese version, love is felt.
It depends on my mood, but honestly… if I want to watch something romantic and warm my heart that day, I’ll open the Thai version. But if I’m in the mood for something deeper, more mature, and calmer, the Japanese version has a completely different aura.
Both are beautiful, but they don’t make you feel the same way. One is like a hug; the other is like a long, lingering gaze.
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Underrated
Loving, romantic storylines OMG! This version is much more better than the original The romantic scenes are so nicely done with loving care by the actorsHope Sara time travel will end soon and stays with Fuu in season 2 is a most. There is a kissing scene almost in every epis, very BL. it lives up to its name Kudos to the JAPANESE cast and crews Well done.
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