I was to post yesterday, but I felt the need to change my profile page. We can now upload our images directly to our profile, but we must be economical with our words, because now we've got a limit. I had to delete some things from my pfp, but I like how it looks now, clean and concise. Back to the BL topic:
Love Like a Bike
(Disclaimer: I have yet to read reviews by @dora and @iota, because I wanted to write my own thoughts first. If I happen to write something similar to what you've written, then it's a coincidence and not plagiarism đ )
This drama has not lived up to its full potential. We've got three couples: Nabnueng and Sailom, Tawan and Dindin, Sky and Nava. The first couple. I'm so glad we finally saw a BL character seeking a psychological help. So many BL characters should go to therapy! I just wish this subplot was presented better, because it's an important one. Nabnueng convinced Sailom to get help and refused to treat him, which is right. Patient can't be treated by someone he's got a personal connection with. He should have explained it to Sailom right away instead of waiting till final episode, it would've saved them a lot of unnecessary drama. Then the therapy started and it just wasn't shown properly (imo). First of all, they've treated the symptoms (haphephobia) instead of treating the cause (childhood trauma). Also patient is not supposed to make important or life-changing decisions while in therapy. Nabnueng must have known that and yet they both went ahead with their romance and got physical. And the worst part is the ending. In the last episode Sailom saw the news about his stepfather being arrested, showed it to Nabnueng, they hugged and everything was dandy. I swear I would've written it better. Nabnueng should've convinced Sailom to get therapy and explain what are the rules right away. Then Sailom should've been shown during therapy sessions, where his doctor would have got to the heart of the problem, his childhood trauma, and started treating him properly. After Sailom would've got better he would take the next step in his relationship with Nabnueng, maybe confide in him. Then they would get their well-deserved happy ending. And Nabnueng, his mum is a non-homophobic version of Ai's mum. Similarity is uncanny. The second couple. Majority of their storyline was about hook ups, bickering and fighting. Nabnueng should've convinced Tawan to get therapy, but he's a bad brother, so he didn't. He let Tawan drown his sorrows in alcohol and casual sex. Dindin had one conversation with Tawan and one hug later Tawan is a pilot again, like no accident ever happened, no trauma whatsoever. The third couple. Nava decided to seduce Sky by being his most generous patron. After he lost all his money and gained Sky's heart in return, he decided to run away and die. Sky was not having any of it. He treated Nava with his ex-patron's money and then he took over the family's bike repair shop to pay the debt (P'Man was actually a decent man, I liked him). If this isn't a mess, I don't know what is. It's like they threw all the ingredients (long distance relationship, ex coming back, bone marrow transplant, childhood trauma, abuse, debt collectors, kidnapping, aviation incident, bicycle racing, psychotherapy, cancer, money issues and more) into a blender, poured some alcohol, mixed them and served us this inedible delicacy. They should take some cooking lessons, if you ask me.
Duang with You
I'm racking my brains how to rate this. I know most people had a problem with Duang and his cringey behaviour, but I had a problem with Qin. I'm not a fan of this hot&cold, push&pull behaviour. As the story progressed, I understood Qin more and more. I also understood I see too much of my younger self in him to like him as a character. Duang's character development was impressive, he matured nicely (though I haven't forgiven him for the teddy bear abuse). The last five episodes are my favourite. In ep 8 we've got the big confrontation (loved the acting) and confession, finally. In ep 9 we've got a glimpse of Qin's traumatic past, Qin and Duang becoming a couple and sharing their first time on Qin's bed. Everybody should be admired the way Qin was by Duang in that scene. In ep 10 Duang gets into an argument with his boyfriend and his best friend, because he spent his last baht on a present for Qin. They reconcile and Duang learns the ugly truth about his boyfriend's past. He takes on the role of Qin's therapist. I swear, he said all the things my therapist would say. Qin should have got professional help, that's my opinion. In ep 11 Duang convinces Qin to talk openly with his parents (if Qin got drama therapy, he would have been better prepared for that confrontation). Qin parents come to his flat and the best scene in the whole drama takes place. Sadly, I've seen that kind of parents irl. They're egocentric and focused on themselves, their careers, their ambitions, their own comfort. They made a child, but they're not going to sacrifice their lavish lifestyle for him. Qin was the addition to their life, not the centre of their life. No amount of money can compensate the lack of parental love and care. Nanny might have been a horrible person, but at least she told them the truth straight in the face. They refused to hear and acknowledge it, because then they would have to change some things in their lives, and they weren't willing to do so. They put themselves first. You know what? They could use a family therapy. I'm glad things are getting better for Qin and his parents, but no matter what they do now, it won't change the past. And the moment Qin broke down? I cried rivers. Man, to be told by your son's boyfriend how to take care of your own child? Shame on them. Kudos to all the actors playing in that scene. Finally, Qin meets Duang's family. I love Duang's family! No wonder he grew up such a carefree, optimistic boy with a heart overflowing with love. This is a great contrast to Qin, who grew up with a hole in his heart, hungry for some love to fill it up. In ep 12 Qin and Duang go on a honeymoon to Japan and spent the rest of time being lovey-dovey. Jamie and Marvis were okay, chemistry was there, leg kink and all. Pae and Tong were a wasted potential. I would have loved that subplot, with fake girl Cherry, if they were a third couple. Someday I might rewatch these last five episodes.
Love Upon a Time
I assumed this was going to be a romance or a melodrama, so the first few episodes threw me off. I did not expect the comedy. Fortunately for me, after a rough start, drama took a more serious turn. Generally speaking, I enjoyed the latter part of the drama. I must praise Kim and Latte, they played so well and their NC scene was mesmerising (directors somehow always know, which body part looks beautiful and needs a close up). I want to see them as the main couple sometime. Net was great as well, but there's something about JJ's acting that just doesn't sit right with me. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Journey with You
Chinese historical BL with uncensored NC scenes? Yes, please 𤤠I enjoyed this drama up to the ending, thankfully, one of you wrote a better one (I'm sorry I forgot who exactly). Now it's my headcanon. Main couple had great chemistry and clearly cared about each other deeply, despite the three-year-long misunderstanding. I loved their NC scene, very sensual, those see-through curtains fulfilled their roles perfectly. I also liked the second couple. Prince Yin Zhou's got a fiery temperament, inside and outside of bedroom. He sure was a creative lover. Ice cubes? Hot wax? It's a pity we'll never find out how creative he'd be as an emperor. I also admire Wei Zi Ming. He took those whips like a real man. His undying loyalty toward his man was remarkable. Their love story had a certain tragic beauty to it.
Interminable
It wasn't as bad as I anticipated it to be, however it was a very lakorn-style drama. On the one hand, we've got the supernatural: ghosts, reincarnations and ghost-possessed reincarnations. On the other hand, we've got a love triangle straight from a lakorn. We've got two timelines: 1910s and 1940s (if I remembered correctly). The current lifetime story progresses slowly, as we wait for Kaew to remember his past life. The past life is were all the interesting things happen. Khun Yai not only fell in love with a dancer, but a male dancer at that. Scandalous. At the same time he was freeloading at the rich man's house, in return he exchanged secret information about a treason plot and he was expected to marry this man's daughter, which he later refused, because he felt it would be too incestuous. I've got no idea how he even obtained all that secret information, since he was busy flirting with Kaewta everyday. Has Saen been doing the spy work for him? Sophee is a typical lakorn second lady. She fell for ML, got rejected, then got obssessed and tried everything in her power to destroy FL (in this case the other ML). Yai rejected her love, but she did not take no for an answer. I swear, love is a dangerous thing. In the end Kan, who was a jealous imbecile, went to her for help and thus betrayed Kaew and brought doom upon him. Fast forward to the current timeline, possessed Sophee tried to kill Kaew again, killed her beloved look-alike and then burnt like a witch should. I was so ready to bring out the marshmallows đ Our couple got their happy ending and, years later, they meet again in another lifetime. With this many reincarnations the ending reminded me of I Feel You Linger in the Air (I still can't get over the fact we're not getting a second season). By the way, I need a gallery of "paint me like one of your male lovers" BL trope đ
[more reviews coming soon]
Portugalia67:
Now I'm still unsure about which "old" BL series I should choose this week. Any recommendation?Tina:
ElementalStar:
ColourMePurple:
