The Masked Hearts

Nicely Surprised

This is a okay piece of work. The perception that without known actors and a large budget it would not be enjoyable is false. The shift between past and present was handled well. From mdl's profiles they appear to not have much experience, but they did well, bringing both time jumps to life.

I like period pieces as it operates within boundaries to create a believable story. The costuming and dance sequences were nice. The acting was good enough. Fone a little more at ease than Tar. Tar/Rak's autocratic biased father to the point that a few slaps was needed but not given. A bit too much, but the authoritative indignation fitting for the period. It's a pity, that death always brings wisdom.

There are some flaws with the script.
It could have been better without expected moments eg the great escape, the bitter intended bride, the banished son living in the same town but the father doesn't care to know. Some unrealistic as Tan, of low birth, is allowed to keep casting spiteful words towards Rak of high nobility, without serious repercussions. Still, it was used as a tool to create conflict in a world that didn’t have any other. They could have cut down on the shrieking. Too much at times from Rak's father and Sandy. Lastly, they are in love but vow to stay by each other's side until death without the physical aspects. Their love for the art is enough. Hmmmm

The changes that occurred were rushed in the last episode but needed to bring it to an end. I would have preferred a more realistic ending but it is what it is. Thankfully they didn't rush Lucky and Sandy's relationship to make it cute.

Despite all the irregularities, this it was okay.

Read More

Khon - of Ramakien, in the past and to the future

I really liked this - and I'm genuinely excited to be telling everyone why. The Masked Hearts was a perfect blend of story, romance and culture, and the perfect way for a drama to find a place in my heart.

The series was produced along with the Thai Ministry of Culture and is about Khon, a traditional dance from Thailand, based on the Ramakien and is part of the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (let me be, I'm nerding out a little). And though the story doesn't focus on the intricacies of Khon itself, the narrative is beautifully weaved between past and present, situating the importance of Khon in each landscape.

In the past, we witness the struggle of the leads Saen and Rak as they attempt to establish themselves as part of the Royal troupe, amongst the very few people who could practice the art. But besides being artists who dance together, Saen works for Rak's family, and ever since their first meeting, they've quickly and quietly been falling in love. Unfortunately, the time they live in does not reward love, passion or dreams - making them face all kinds of obstacles to protect their love - both Khon and each other.

In the present, we're introduced to Sandy and Lucky, two students who love Khon but have very opposing views on how it should be performed. One of them argues that the tradition must be kept in all aspects, while the other wants to modernize the performance for newer audiences. When one such argument is filmed and posted on the internet, they have to work together to create content and ensure the Khon club is not shut down.

I adored both the timelines, not only because I'm a nerd who enjoyed situating a traditional art form in ancient and modern societies, but because the story was very well executed. All throughout, we get the sense that both timelines are very connected - it's an apparent reincarnation story, and the past is full of angst and tragedy, while the present is more light hearted. And immediately it works because it's a reincarnation plot done right.

Every aspect of the series felt grounded, all of them got equal importance in the flow of the story. The romance wasn't forgone to give us a history lesson, the story wasn't ignored just to give us a happy ending. It was beautifully done and you constantly want to figure out how the past is connected to the present, what exactly happened, and you look forward to it, even if it may be the most predictable plot ever.

I will say, I wanted to see more of them in the present (because I love enemies to lovers, and this was a genuine enemies to lovers setup) and towards the end of the series, I would've liked a lot more answers than we got. But for the most part, this short series was a very enjoyable watch that I'm quite impressed with.

Read More

Not bad at all!

This was pretty good for not having well known actors. History types of BL's are usually spot on when it comes to a plot. It gives "I Feel You Linger in The Air, Letters to Rati, and Love Upon a Time" vibes. Some of the acting could of been better, but these aren't well known actors, so I think it was as to be expected. I dislike that the main couple didn't end up together in the end and the father finally grew some sense; even though it took one of his son's dying for him to obtain that, but all in all this wasn't a bad watch, although it might've been more popular had well known actors been chosen for this instead.

Read More

historical series with a heart (watch suggestions)

Overall: a character's conversation with her dad put this into an 8.5 rating. 8 episodes about 24 minutes each. Aired on Final Draft Creation YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKKpOS7I2FuuT-WpSyl4LwS9KS2SmTO6A (the playlist was missing 2 episodes but they were available on their channel)

Content Warnings: violence, death, grief, homophobia, sexism, coercion

Watch Suggestions (to cut out content warnings and love rivals)
- watch episode 1
- skip episode 2 parts 2 and 3
- start ep 3 part 1 at 5 min, watch parts 2 and 3
- skip episode 4
- skip episode 5 part 1, watch episode 5 part 2, stop part 3 at 5:45
- watch episode 6 part 1 1:05 to 2:05, skip part 2, watch part 3 beginning to 2:05 and 5:05-end
- watch episode 7 part 1, stop part 2 at 2:40, skip part 3
- skip episode 8 parts 1 and 2, watch part 3

What I Liked
- antagonists had their reasons and a woman's conversation with her dad that it was his and society's fault was stellar
- costumes
- historical setting
- learned about Khon
- realistic ending in the past (see the spoiler comment)

Room For Improvement
- no clear distinction between present and past (think it happened at 3:45 in part 1), it was more clear to me with later time jumps
- love rivals (though I appreciated how they weren't cookie cutter and had reasons for their actions)
- wish the present day was less of an open ending

Read More

นายโขน The Masked Hearts 6/10

สำหรับเรื่อง นายโขน The Masked Hearts เป็นซีรีส์ Boys’ Love ที่หยิบเอา “โขน” ซึ่งเป็นศิลปะการแสดงชั้นสูงของไทยมาเป็นแกนหลักของเรื่องได้อย่างน่าสนใจ
โขนในเรื่องถูกนำเสนอทั้งในแง่ของวัฒนธรรม ดนตรี และรูปแบบการแสดงที่ผู้แสดงต้องสวมหน้ากาก ทำให้ซีรีส์มีเอกลักษณ์และแตกต่างจากเรื่องอื่นอย่างชัดเจน
สิ่งที่ผมชอบคือการเล่าเรื่องที่สลับระหว่างอดีตกับปัจจุบัน ทำให้เห็นมุมมองของสังคมที่เปลี่ยนไป จากอดีตที่ยึดถือขนบธรรมเนียมอย่างเคร่งครัด เช่น ผู้ชายต้องแต่งงานกับผู้หญิงเพื่อสืบสกุล
แต่พอมาในปัจจุบัน ซีรีส์ก็สะท้อนให้เห็นว่า “ความรักก็คือความรัก” ไม่ว่าจะเป็นชาย-ชาย หญิง-หญิง หรือชาย-หญิง ทุกคนก็สามารถรักกันได้
ซึ่งมันก็เชื่อมโยงกับ “โขน” เองเหมือนกัน ในอดีตที่มีกรอบ มีระเบียบที่ชัดเจนมาก แต่ในยุคปัจจุบัน ถ้าไม่ปรับตัวให้เข้ากับยุคสมัย ก็อาจทำให้ความสนใจลดลงไป การปรับเปลี่ยนในบางจุดจึงกลายเป็นอีกวิธีหนึ่งของการอนุรักษ์
นี่คือสิ่งที่ผมรู้สึกและได้จากการดูเรื่องนี้จนจบเลยครับ
ใครสนใจสามารถรับชมได้ทาง YouTube ช่อง Final Draft Creation ครับ

Read More