TamzinMillemni

Thanks so much for sharing your take. 🙂

I still see him as a minor character but you do have a point. Are you an Asian viewer by chance?

Agree with both points. 2 couples max and exes can disappear after breakup if they are not a main character. Also don’t need a happy ending or redemption for every character.

On the MDL airing calendar for some reason they have episodes 22-29 all airing today. Best not to go by the MDL calendar.

I second this bit of advice. I have to be in the frame of mind to receive a drama. It’s why I will give a drama at least one more watch (at a later date) unless it’s objectively terrible. 😅

In regards to the pairing up of the ex-boyfriend and the FL’s best friend, I know international fans tend to not want to see much of these types of characters in the progression of these stories. The writers can do what they want with them, so long as they do it off screen lol.

What about Asian viewers? How do you feel about airtime being given to characters such as this with them being treated as a third couple? How do you feel about writers always wanting to give everyone a happy ending and painting over conflicts and questionable character actions with a neat little brush?

If anyone finds out where this is officially airing online, can you please share the name when you get a chance. Thanks.

Same. I need to start watching more Chinese Historical dramas.

Another informative editorial that is balanced, on interesting topics and drama focused. That's what we're here for, not clickbait sensationalism. Thank you, thank you. Keep them coming. :D

I'm on episode 12 and I'm pacing myself between work days so I'm not at a point where I'm waiting for new episodes. If I've timed it right, I should arrive at episode 39 the day episode 40 premiers.

I noticed in the ending credits sequence from episode 12 onwards that they get married and everyone is at the wedding including FL. It seems FL will be cool with it. I also agree with girl code but I've made my peace with it not being something present in Asian culture or at least it's not something that is observed in their dramas. It seems everyone is fair game unless they are married and if the partner cheats, the wronged party is expected to swiftly get over it in order to not impede on the cheater's new relationship with the person they cheated with.

I don't even think I'm as far along in the drama as you and I'm thinking the same thing, "with friends like these...." smh

The way he took a bite out of him. These Vampire BLs need to take notes. Lmao

Strangers From Hell was not a ‘pleasurable’ watching experience for me but it’s so darn good, it forces you to keep watching. The more you watch, the more you appreciate just how good it is. It’s one of those dramas that makes you feel extremely uncomfortable, like you’ve got insects crawling around in your skin. It’s like psychological torture meets sleep depravation. At least, that’s how I felt. I didn’t enjoy it but I liked it.

Now that I see this is possible, I’m hoping more Chinese bls get made using Thai production and distribution to get around the censorship. I know Chinese actors may still be afraid of being banned in China but if we can get a good mix of Chinese and Thai actors to fill the quota for these kinds of productions, I’d be more than happy. So many Chinese bl novels are waiting to be adapted. So many wonderful stories are waiting to be told.

I’ve seen in a lot of Asian bls this notion of using red thread and exploration of reincarnation/destiny. A lot of the bls are pretty similar in the way they portray this. I think they make these creative choices to amp up the romance factor. I.E. having the two leads physically tied by two ends of a thread is a great physical imagery to demonstrate a bond/that they are destined and can’t escape their fate of being together. It’s also a way to portray ’intimacy’ on screen for the countries that are a bit more censored with their bls. Thus, I can understand why they don’t strictly follow/portray it the traditional way.

Thanks for the info though. I enjoy learning new things about different cultures.

I actually agree with this sentiment. There were quite a few things I was staunchly against when I was younger including BDSM but I look at it now like, 'does it cause harm?' 'Is it consensual between the age-appropriate parties involved' 'Are there extenuating circumstances'. Ironically enough, by viewing things in this way I actually went from being someone who fantasised about relationships with school aged girls and older authority figures such as teachers (probably because I was a young girl myself) to seeing how much harm these relationships cause in the long and short term due to things like grooming and not being able to give informed consent. There are very, very few portrayals of these kinds of relationships where there are adequate extenuating circumstances for this not to be wrong (and not just the stigma) imo.

TO MY LEFT: Those excessively hating this adaptation
TO MY RIGHT: Those excessively praising this adaptation
ME: Just enjoying it for what it is.

gotta love comment sections lmao

Surprised to say I enjoyed this first episode. I think it's a pretty strong start. It's not a masterpiece or anything but I was impressed with what it was.

It's funny, the actors suit the roles (I was half way through before I realised they were the side couple from PitBabe), the acting seems natural and suits the tone they are going for.

Quite honestly, I was about done with cooking dramas and have been wondering why there were so many Thai ones of late; but this turns out to fit the brief in a way that Cooking Crush and Bake Me Please didn't.

Most importantly, this episode didn't lose my interest. It kept me engaged all the way through. I wasn't tempted to skip scenes and my mind didn't wander elsewhere. I even like the dynamic between the second couple, so far.

Again, I'm not saying it's a deep, high level masterpiece of a drama but for the lighthearted comedy genre, I think it does pretty well. It knows what it is and the creative choices in this first episode absolutely works for this story - A+ for execution and direction. I really hope it continues like this.

As far as I know, this doesn't offer subs (correct me if I am wrong). For me to pay for a service, there would need to be subtitles available for it to be worth it.