A messed up storyline for the beginning of a stunning couple
Total 6.5
Story 5.5
Acting and Casting 8
Music and Production 7.5
Rewatch Value 5
I’ll start this review by saying I decided to watch this series after starting Only Friends Dream On. I had been aware of the JossGawin couple for a while (and I’ve fallen in love with them in no time), but I couldn’t bring myself to embark on My Golden Blood because it didn’t seem that good. Looks like I wasn’t wrong.
I’m quite into vampires and their tropes in films, and that’s why I’m disappointed when it comes to this plot. In particular:
𝟙- The ‘golden blood’ thing seems interesting but, in the end doesn’t do much; Mark’s abilities are basically the same as before. So, this alleged power isn’t that exciting after all. The whole story is based on this element, even Mark’s attraction towards Tong. Why isn’t it more special? In addition, vampire stories are usually so charming and enchanting. This time, I didn’t feel that way.
𝟚- The ‘plot twist’ doesn’t surprise me, I have known for a while. Everything is so suspicious, it’s impossible not to notice. Of course, this works for everyone except Tong (and Mark, but his reasons are valid): how can you blindly trust someone (not even a human being but a vampire) you just met? In my opinion, Gawin’s character is too 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖕𝖎𝖉. He is twenty years old; he’s not a high schooler anymore. He acts like a baby because he’s always been treated like one at the orphanage. And I get what the initial plan is, but it doesn’t work. This makes it extremely difficult to empathize with Tong, who’s the character that guides the viewers. The screenwriting is the problem here: it shouldn’t be acceptable to have a main character like this one, his choices aren’t possibly shareable.
𝟛- Tonkla’s character is one of the most mistreated I have ever seen in the history of BLs. There’s supposed to be a ‘friendship trope’ somewhere, but it’s not available during all the twelve episodes. Tong literally abandons him (two times – this is one of the great main character’s decisions), believing Mark over him. Clearly, who would choose to trust his childhood best friend, who he grew up with, over a sexy vampire? Tonkla and Nakan’s characters are the ones who make more sense in this series: they have an opinion, and can actually connect brain cells. I understand them more than Tong. Instead, both Mark and Tong are passive characters. They don’t do anything regarding the ‘golden blood’ plot. They don’t add their point of view, because they don’t have one (Tong is a baby; Mark blindly follows Thara’s orders – the blind leading the blind ahahah).
𝟜- Mark and Tong only care about their love story. They’re completely disconnected from reality, and only care about being together. Love is important, but in this case the plot is just unbalanced. Furthermore, the relationship itself isn’t that captivating. From my perspective, this is due to how the characters are written. As I said before, Tong’s too childish, so Mark is almost a father figure (crazy!). This love story feels sudden, not solid and a bit boring. But generally, most of the things that happen seem wrong or don’t make any sense (for example Mark’s power that stops working in some situations). I wanted to drop this project two or three times.
What made me continue? 𝕲𝖆𝖜𝖎𝖓 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕵𝖔𝖘𝖘.
As I said at the beginning, I’m falling in love with this new couple. Before watching My Golden Blood, I’ve listened to some of their interviews, knowing how they met and what they have in common. I wanted to see them acting until the end.
I believe both of them do a good job trying to portrait the characters. I think the writing itself is what had to be improved here. Going through MGB behind the scenes, I heard Gawin saying how he tried to think of his younger self to reach Tong’s dimension. He understood what the authors wanted, but, as I said multiple times, the output isn’t great for me. I’ve seen Gawin acting before and I liked him; this time, although he fitted the role, I genuinely just couldn’t like his character. On the other hand, it’s my first time with Joss’ performance. I'm happy with what I see: he can act and his expressions are accurate for the vampire role. Nevertheless, the result is the same: he achieves the aim, and this is the problem (due to the character - but this situation is better that Tong's). I’m currently seeing OFDO, and I’ve noticed the difference between their interactions then and now. In this case, both seem more mature (for now). The casting, though, is good: Joss is accurate as a vampire. He and Gawin look very good together (faces, heights and body sizes). I have to point out one scene: their first kiss. Just fantastic.
I love Thara’s actress (Um). she’s attractive, but scaring and mysterious. And gorgeous, extremely beautiful; more than perfect for the part. Mond (Nakan)’s appearance makes him also cut to be a vampire. They both do an awesome performance; they’re my favourites. Neo (Tonkla) is also a good character (I love seeing him, Joss and Gawin together again in OFDO – do you get déjà vu), I appreciate his role so much. Unfortunately, few scenes aren’t of my liking (for example, the scene when he cries – I can say no more for the spoilers).
I enjoyed all the ‘special effects’ regarding the vampire’s world: the super-speed (this in particular), the teeth, the coloured-eyes, the ‘medicine’ power and blood smell. Also, the fighting scenes seem well acted and directed (with this cool super-speed). Nothing much to say about the photography and setting, just my favourite places are Thara’s house and the auntie’s flower shop. Gawin’s voice is wonderful as always, Joss isn’t bad either, and I like their voices together. The OSTs are good for me; nothing outstanding, but romantic and passionate.
So far, I feel like this could have been a better series if it was more balanced and just made more sense, somehow. I’m going to say this again: the writing is the problem. It's a bit a shame, because I think Joss and Gawin, in good conditions, would definitely kill it. I'm hoping to see them even more after OFDO. I recommend this show to JossGawin's fans who are curious about their first project, want to know how everything started.
𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖐 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌
Story 5.5
Acting and Casting 8
Music and Production 7.5
Rewatch Value 5
I’ll start this review by saying I decided to watch this series after starting Only Friends Dream On. I had been aware of the JossGawin couple for a while (and I’ve fallen in love with them in no time), but I couldn’t bring myself to embark on My Golden Blood because it didn’t seem that good. Looks like I wasn’t wrong.
I’m quite into vampires and their tropes in films, and that’s why I’m disappointed when it comes to this plot. In particular:
𝟙- The ‘golden blood’ thing seems interesting but, in the end doesn’t do much; Mark’s abilities are basically the same as before. So, this alleged power isn’t that exciting after all. The whole story is based on this element, even Mark’s attraction towards Tong. Why isn’t it more special? In addition, vampire stories are usually so charming and enchanting. This time, I didn’t feel that way.
𝟚- The ‘plot twist’ doesn’t surprise me, I have known for a while. Everything is so suspicious, it’s impossible not to notice. Of course, this works for everyone except Tong (and Mark, but his reasons are valid): how can you blindly trust someone (not even a human being but a vampire) you just met? In my opinion, Gawin’s character is too 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖕𝖎𝖉. He is twenty years old; he’s not a high schooler anymore. He acts like a baby because he’s always been treated like one at the orphanage. And I get what the initial plan is, but it doesn’t work. This makes it extremely difficult to empathize with Tong, who’s the character that guides the viewers. The screenwriting is the problem here: it shouldn’t be acceptable to have a main character like this one, his choices aren’t possibly shareable.
𝟛- Tonkla’s character is one of the most mistreated I have ever seen in the history of BLs. There’s supposed to be a ‘friendship trope’ somewhere, but it’s not available during all the twelve episodes. Tong literally abandons him (two times – this is one of the great main character’s decisions), believing Mark over him. Clearly, who would choose to trust his childhood best friend, who he grew up with, over a sexy vampire? Tonkla and Nakan’s characters are the ones who make more sense in this series: they have an opinion, and can actually connect brain cells. I understand them more than Tong. Instead, both Mark and Tong are passive characters. They don’t do anything regarding the ‘golden blood’ plot. They don’t add their point of view, because they don’t have one (Tong is a baby; Mark blindly follows Thara’s orders – the blind leading the blind ahahah).
𝟜- Mark and Tong only care about their love story. They’re completely disconnected from reality, and only care about being together. Love is important, but in this case the plot is just unbalanced. Furthermore, the relationship itself isn’t that captivating. From my perspective, this is due to how the characters are written. As I said before, Tong’s too childish, so Mark is almost a father figure (crazy!). This love story feels sudden, not solid and a bit boring. But generally, most of the things that happen seem wrong or don’t make any sense (for example Mark’s power that stops working in some situations). I wanted to drop this project two or three times.
What made me continue? 𝕲𝖆𝖜𝖎𝖓 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕵𝖔𝖘𝖘.
As I said at the beginning, I’m falling in love with this new couple. Before watching My Golden Blood, I’ve listened to some of their interviews, knowing how they met and what they have in common. I wanted to see them acting until the end.
I believe both of them do a good job trying to portrait the characters. I think the writing itself is what had to be improved here. Going through MGB behind the scenes, I heard Gawin saying how he tried to think of his younger self to reach Tong’s dimension. He understood what the authors wanted, but, as I said multiple times, the output isn’t great for me. I’ve seen Gawin acting before and I liked him; this time, although he fitted the role, I genuinely just couldn’t like his character. On the other hand, it’s my first time with Joss’ performance. I'm happy with what I see: he can act and his expressions are accurate for the vampire role. Nevertheless, the result is the same: he achieves the aim, and this is the problem (due to the character - but this situation is better that Tong's). I’m currently seeing OFDO, and I’ve noticed the difference between their interactions then and now. In this case, both seem more mature (for now). The casting, though, is good: Joss is accurate as a vampire. He and Gawin look very good together (faces, heights and body sizes). I have to point out one scene: their first kiss. Just fantastic.
I love Thara’s actress (Um). she’s attractive, but scaring and mysterious. And gorgeous, extremely beautiful; more than perfect for the part. Mond (Nakan)’s appearance makes him also cut to be a vampire. They both do an awesome performance; they’re my favourites. Neo (Tonkla) is also a good character (I love seeing him, Joss and Gawin together again in OFDO – do you get déjà vu), I appreciate his role so much. Unfortunately, few scenes aren’t of my liking (for example, the scene when he cries – I can say no more for the spoilers).
I enjoyed all the ‘special effects’ regarding the vampire’s world: the super-speed (this in particular), the teeth, the coloured-eyes, the ‘medicine’ power and blood smell. Also, the fighting scenes seem well acted and directed (with this cool super-speed). Nothing much to say about the photography and setting, just my favourite places are Thara’s house and the auntie’s flower shop. Gawin’s voice is wonderful as always, Joss isn’t bad either, and I like their voices together. The OSTs are good for me; nothing outstanding, but romantic and passionate.
So far, I feel like this could have been a better series if it was more balanced and just made more sense, somehow. I’m going to say this again: the writing is the problem. It's a bit a shame, because I think Joss and Gawin, in good conditions, would definitely kill it. I'm hoping to see them even more after OFDO. I recommend this show to JossGawin's fans who are curious about their first project, want to know how everything started.
𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖓𝖐 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌
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