Eliot_Rulez

raw, emotional and with a cliffhanger....

While some episodes where not as interesting as others and had some "logic holes", the outstanding feature of this show are the characters and the actors playing them. Even the action scenes were, for a thai BL, quite good (in contrast to Jack & Joker). It's rare for any thai BLs to leave "badies on the field" after the final episode, something we have not seen yet. But the bitter pill we also have to swallow is an open end, which means they are gearing for a season 2.

This show is not for everyone. While there is eye candy and sensual scenes, this show is mostly raw and brutal. That begins in the prison with all the abuse you may associate with it and ends in the finale which is one action sequences after another ending in a blood bath. Also the thai/korean co-production did not feel akward compared to other shows, even when the K-Dad was not really Korean at all, but we will forgive that.

Overall it was something fresh for a thai BL, something different and something not seen yet and for that courage alone we should praise this show. Of course, it was not perfect, the storyline could have been better, but some twist were also well thought out and not as predicable compared to many other shows.

So, if you can stomach the raw and brutal scenes or don't like the overly fluffy stuff, it's a show worth watching.

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Humans are not black or white, they are shades of grey.

First I have to say I watched this because of the actor Matsumoto Leo who played the best side character in "I Cannot Reach You" in 2023. Also the two personalities on the poster intrigued me. But besides that, I went in blind.

This is a story which was needed to be told. I applaud the creators to have the gall in Japan to tell a story which is against the conforming nature of japanese people. It teaches the viewers that man do not need to be masculine and even if they have feminin traits, it does not mean they are all gay. The same goes for the girl, who is on the tomboyish side without the typical expierence doing makeup and dessing up. I won't spoil the rest of the story here, but it was not earth-shattering, but quite nice.

It's more on the light side, telling a story of discovery and exploration especially for the girl. The only downfall is the story about Hikarus parents, especially his father who does not approve of his cross-dressing. We can assume the mother was on his side always and his father came around in the finale but maybe in this case they should have shifted the story more so we could have seen the wedding with the parents... as with many BLs the kissing was again just dead fish kisses which annoys me in EVERY romance.

Overall an atypically japanese romance with atypical people which is worth the watch in my book!

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From bully to lover...

That was an unusual JBL. While we know how bullies are, our protagonist (Naoya) is not the bully in a normal way. Of course the victim (Takaaki) is also unusual because he has fallen for him since before we see. It's not a violent bullying btw, but they did not show us how it all started.

The reason of course was his dominant father. Over time their relationsship changes. Our bully recognizes his faults and changes for the better, improving himself and his life while the victim who would like to keep him in a golden cage recognizes that a strong partner is not bad either.

As usual the finale disappoints. It felt rushed, the "revenge" arc was handled in 2 minutes by just telling what happened and that left me a bit disappointed. This series would have needed two more episodes to make that struggle more visible and while there were flashbacks to explain their relationship, there was none which showed how it all began. This is a let down in my book. To let change the dad in his final scene was of course a fairy tale, because someone like him would not change in a heartbeat. At least we will get a special but that's of course just a nice end for this show.

Highlight of the show was the strong companionship in the restaurant where everyone supports everyone, that was a nice touch. And of course the development of the main couple which gradually changed in a mature way without pressure or drama. Naoya also manages to encourage his brother Yuma who looked very weak in the beginning and grew up during the show. Of course this series is not a fluffy feel-well series, it started with a strange couple but over time it is easy to understand their motivations. A show worth watching imho.

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Much more mature than anyone could have expected...

In typical GMMTV manner, they neglected their own show, meaning they did not promote it. But Aston comes to the rescue and he promoted the shit of his series, some videos of him got viral. And in this case, every promotion would have been justified. It's the first series in a long time which is not stupid, not childish from the first second of the series.

While the new actors are young and can play highschool students (and I hope, they will not play in a highschool or university till they turn 30, which is a trait of being a GMMTV actor), they did so in a refreshing way. It's also the first time in a long time, that the script was actually very well written. Of course this is a light-hearted, fluffy show, but nevertheless the people in this show talked with each other - and I mean they had really useful conversation. The only shitty part was the principal in ep 11 where Tan gets his promotion. That was a serious downer for me. But besides that, all the couples talk out their problems and find a solution. Of course not everything is perfect, but for a GMMTV production it feels perfect.

So this show as a joy to watch and if you want see something fluffy but not stupid, this is the show for you!

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Till episode 10 it was quite fine, but then the script plummet...

The positive first: The special effect makeup was on point :) Even the acting was on point, even when we know that Pooh will never be a top actor because he does need a lot of speech training, but his facial expressions where also on point. When I watch a horror/mystical/crime series I expect the characters to act appropiate and we did not get that all the time. It makes no sense whatsoever when King enters the "Fridge" alone - no police officer would do that - also that Thup left the car, when his mom said he should not - there are more of such loopholes. As usual with a change2561 production the culminating finale is rushed and does not make much sense. The fighting in the end was also so off for me. So as usual the scriptwriters could not complete a very good story appropriately.

To contrast this type of show with poetic love scenes felt off and it seems they did cut the NC scenes, because the editing is quite rough in that places. I would have prefered when the main couple had lust and desire first and love after the solving of the case which would also have more impact. The side couple was done better, because there was love from Darin all the time, but Sey not recognizing it. King which was not liked by most disappeared and the father-son conflict was unresolved. Was there corruption at work because dad would like to bury the case? We will never know, because the scriptwriters made the choice to give us drama but not resolve it.

I personally don't like stupid acting characters and I don't like drama when it's not resolved. So while I had rated this show very high till episode 10, the end "ruined" it for me. It's not catastrophically bad, but it could have been so much better. And so this series is far from a 9.5 or 10 I see here in so many reviews. I will always be critical when I see bullshit and I really hate it when they do it. Maybe some of you are fangirling or fanboying over the couples, but I do not care about the couples or the actors, only the story and the performance count (and of course production quality - but I can't say anything negative about that). For me it's a disappointment that a very good show got ruined for no benefit at all.

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Strong beginning but nc-scenes alone don't tell a story...

While watching the first two episodes, I thought we get something different and interesting from Thailand for a change, but the script writers had no clear vision and in the middle of the series it felt just flat. We got our 2D awful father, of course the family of the other one was not better anyways and we got a side-couple to fill in the minutes.

The nc-scenes in the beginning were a story driver but that also collapsed in the middle of the show. At least they did try very hard to show us always different scenes, but that could not save the series. The endless explainations of the meaning of "peaches" was also getting on my nerves. It's ok to set it up once, but there is no need to repeat it every episode.

The side-couple could have been a balancing force with the sex-driven main couple but that also failed when in episode 4 they had sex quite quickly considering one of them was extremely reserved. After that the side-couple is just an afterthought with barely any screentime.

Production quality was ok, there where the occasional sound problems due to on body microphones, they used a lot of blur for no reason and an excessive amount of lipstick. The pacing was all over the place, especially in dialog scenes between the sentences they streched the time. This made some parts of this show quite boring. Instead of 60 minutes per episode, 40 would have been enough. Overall this is just an average show, started with a strong premise but it ended up in smoke and blur.

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This is not a BL which most of the fangirls will not get...

This is a slice of life, a failed relationship. Both characters have their "ideals", but both fail to recognize that they don't match with either their ideals nor views. Both characters are flawed, there is no idyll, no happy BL paradise where all problems are solved in 10 minutes of a 12 hours series. This is a depiction of the real world, when two people meet and get together of mostly selfish reasons, not knowing their partner, not knowing their partners desire. Something which should have been just a one night stand ended up in a relationship were it was only a question of time when it will fail.

The original was from a gay writer, who saldy already passed away. The filming set had an gay consulent and they really did put out a show, which is as realistic as it could be. And while many want only watch the happy BL fantasy and escape their boring lives, this is a realistc gay story without a happy end. But you can also say, both characters did have an happy end. Both characters grew and maybe both characters would hopefully not repeat the mistakes of the past.

This is one of the few shows which is about representation and after "Chosen Home" & "Life in Smokey Blue" japanese productions go where no other countries series ever go. Thailand is just mass-producing one crap BL after the next, Korea is a coin toss if the series is bad, decent or good. Taiwan has one of the most strictest protection laws in the world and same-sex marriage but sadly not enough output at least in the series space. And now Chinas production companies have recognized how much money can be made and they produce for foreign streaming services.
It's refreshing that japanese productions always brings diversity to the screen.

It's best said with a scene from the series, when "the boy" said:
"Those people who love watching guys making out, they only put us on a pedestal because we're two guys kissing. And they get all excited debating who's the top and who's the bottom." (not much guessing with thai ships)

Besides the MLs, the documentary crew are also important cast member and not just accessories. They also recognize that making a documentary is about the persons itself and not because they are gay. Production quality was very high, no complains from me. So of course, this is a recommendation to watch.

Edit: As it always is with MDL, nobody knows how many episodes the series has... So of the time of writing it stated 6... after searching online a source says 10. With that said, should we get more episodes I will edit the review and may change the rating as well.
2nd Edit: It seems MDL also decided it was the finale, so I'm very happy with the end. And yes, some relationship fail and that is just life...

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Too short...

A typical low budget production, at least they improved. They added background noise to the bar, even when we can see it's not a bar. And there is always a flashback of the last episodes evem when the episodes are only 8 minutes long (under 7 for the finale).

This is an unagitated series, with a chance meeting of two man in a laundromat. But of course one of them is not just there for reading a book or doing laundry... It tells the story of a university graduate hunting for a job and his uncertainties and struggles. Hyung supports him with tips and with a new suit, because he won't wear it anytime soon. In the end there is a little bit of drama but of course there is a happy end.

What I don't like especially with this series is how short it is. While it tells the story well, it misses some depth. I would like have seen this with 30 minute episodes or a lot more episodes... because the acting was good and the script was good. Not exceptional, but compared all the crap we get served, it's a a change of pace and a change of stupid, senseless stories. So, if you don't know what to watch, binge watch this series on Youtube for around 29 minutes and have a nice experience.

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In the sea of medicore BLs, this was a highlight for sure!

Normally this would be the "ideal" manga to be announced for an anime, but lucky for us, we got a live action! It feels like an anime, with all the sillyness, but on the other hand the MLs were so incredible good and believable. As I have mentioned it the Fukami review, this actors did go the extra mile to embody their characters without any doubts about it. And of course they did not shy away from kissing and having tasteful NC-scenes.

Production was also top notch. Edit: MDL removed episode 10 and says it only has 9... hmmm.... I guess they split the special on an extra page - which is stupid, but whatever. So I will wait in anticipation for the special. 🤣

Update: The special was the perfect end for this show... still a little chaotic, a little fluffy & cute and still serious talks.

Because there is nothing to rant about, I will keep this review short. This was especially entertaining, fluffy with the right amount of drama inbetween, the ideal BL imho. I definitively recommand this to everyone!

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This series does not work...

I have hopes for all JBLs, but this one was a big disappointment. I don't care if the actors are straight, bi, gay, pan or whatever, but if you have intense material, you have to make sure they deliver. They did not. There are only dead-fish kisses, the nc-scenes are between akward and ridiculous. I doubt there was one queer person on the set. And of course they did have neither a workshop nor an intimacy coordinator.

We are lucky to have a direct comparision with "Fake Fact Lips". When actors really get into their roles, they can deliver even without any workshop. For sure "Fake Fact Lips" has the better script, the bigger budget but for sure also the much better actors. It does not mean that the actors in Fukami are bad, it's just they can't handle the intimacy this script and their roles require and so this series is a fail.

All good intensions, all good acting inbetween can't make up for the lack of intimacy and emotions. The story itself is not bad per se, everyone will easily understand it, but it should be a BL and there is no vibe of it at all. Of course 13 minute episodes do not help either to form a emotional connection, but this productions lacks even that. So for a japanese production this was utterly disappointing and you should not waste your time with it.

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Very strong beginning, but the tension between the characters was lost...

While the main-couple was one of the most appealing we have seen this year, their tension and kissing was not appropriate to the story they told. You will remember "My Personal Weatherman" where the longing for each other where the central point of the story, so they did kiss with passion and at this time this JBL shocked many with their NC scenes. Again, they were necessary for the story. And here is the fundamental flaw in this series. The physical attraction to each other is one of the driving forces of the story and neither the script nor the actors could deliver on it.

In episode 3 they are in that booked hotel and in the manga there is of course a sex scene and here it was refused. I think in this case, that was a bad decision, because during the sex scene Shizuma confesses which makes Minato even more split, which increases tension between the characters.

The resolve of the "bet" was also over in a heartbeat. I think the second half of the series generally did not live up to expectations. While I understand why Minato is struggeling, the series can't keep the tension between the characters high enough and it's doing just ok.

It's not a bad show, it's just that the longing for each other could not be delivered and that's the central point of the story. It's irrelevant if the actors where shy or not, they all knew which material they put into a series. They should have had either a workshop and/or an kissing instructors (yes, they exist) and if they can't do it, then they should not have taken the roles. The side couple was dull most of the time, they acted like brothers not lovers.

The only highlight of this series was the production quality, which was top notch. So overall, this is an ok show which had higher expectations but could not deliver. And again, even the most handsome couple can't elevate a flawed delievery.

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Did not get the attention as Double Helix and Sammy's Children Day

While we were in a slump with most thai BLs, China got us three good shows. Sadly for this show, it was overshadowed by Double Helix and Sammy's Children Day even when in parts it was much better than the other ones. First of course there is the historical settings, gorgeous costumes and a budget which got strained, so we only have two nice fighting scenes.

While the script was not as polished as it could be, the actors compensated for most of it. Especially the scheming crown price was a delight to watch. Of course it was a bit too gay. 🤣 We not also got a BL we also get a GL but in subdued undertones but very obvious. Combine this with great cinematography and you get a good show.

You get the scheming, the fighting, the fluffyness, tasteful nc-scenes and a bit of sillyness (6th princess). Of course, they could not go with a sad end, because it's a BL after all. You get everything you can wish for in a setting which is interesting with a story-arc which made sense and compared to most other chinese BLs a story without toxicit., Just a fairy tale where the good gals/guys win. For me it was very entertaining, everything is like a small river flowing evenly and then comes the thunderstorm and water is cascading down the hills and flooded everything in it's way. And after the flood comes the time to rebuilding, in this case the search for a cure for Yanzhi with an happy end. So, this is definitively worth a watch!

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kawaaiiiiiiii....

As expected from a JBL, it was a top notch production. The details they went into creating the costumes from the manga was astonishing. And of course the cuteness-factor was over 10. 🤣

They showed us two persons with each two personalitites. Extrovert AE turns into introvert Enaga because he want's to learn at a fashion school. He is a top model but he has to hide his normal appearance otherwise it would create trouble for him and the school. Chiaki is an introvert and shy whenever he is is not at home, but he turns into an extroverted energetic designer after he opens up to Enaga who he has to be partnered with for a fashion competition.

Chiaki turned to fashion after he had seen AE on a runway and he also turned to fashion to give him courage to be the person he wants to be. Both character struggle in their own way. But Chiaki struggles more when he develops feelings for Enaga still not knowing that this is his idol/bias AE. But as it is also in real life, the truth will come out.

Both actors portrayed their characters to perfection imho. Everything was done just right. The only thing not as perfect was maybe the kiss - but I can forgive that, because at least it was not a deadfish kiss . 🤣 For me it's a show to recommand and for most it will be a light breeze in the autumn when there is some cold but also a lot of sun and it will make you smile most of the time.

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A thai production which is not bad at all...

When I hear Thailand., WeTV and BL I just asume it will be maybe an ok show but this time even a thai production can surprise me. With actors from Korea (and from a korean web novel and filmed in Korea) they did create something different this time around.

While a tropé of enemies to lovers or even amnesia is nothing new, the premise starts quite different and the title is misleading. They were never enemies, they just had a rocky road to be a couple. Some misunderstandings did prevail in their relationsship and the amnesia is an outlet to also solve them.

There are some inconsistencies with the amnesia story plot, because it seems the way from his rejection of his past and becoming a couple again happens to fast. Amnesia does not work like that. Also in the production I felt the café and the bar were lifeless which reminded me of Sukfilm/Truefilm productions when only two or three characters are in the scene at an made up location. It breaks the immersion and should have done better.

For their first main roles the MLs did a very good job, they had chemistry and worked very hard even when sometimes it felt a bit off. But compared to most other thai shows where characters are shallow, their characters had a story and personality. They both excelled at the silent moments and even with the kissing and NC-scenes.

So overall this was a good show. It's far from perfect but it's a pleasant departure from most of the other thai shows. While there is a high school part in it through flashbacks, it's a mature story. A story to grow together again and with some thriller elements (because it was not an accident). If you are tired of the same old, same old, this is a refreshing series to watch. One recommendation: You should binge-watch this series, watching one episode per week or even two epsisodes per week could make you confused because they have flashbacks through out the series to explain the past. For me it was not hard to follow but you will forget some things when you take a break for a longer time.

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Better than expected, less cringe than expected and some fluff...

With WeTV it's always a gamble, either we get crap or we get medicore and only sometimes we get something good. In this case I would say it was "good". While the first two episodes did not catch me it got better with every episode after but of course the finale did disappoint me. Not because it was very bad, it was just lazy writing. Solving conflicts with drama and of course the bad guy had to die and lots of fanservice. This could have been resolved in a better way.

In this case I won't be too tough on them, because besides some cringe, they depicted the characters very well, all of them grow throughout the series and there were even subtle moments which I like the most. If facial expression and eye contact can tell a story without words, it's perfect for me. Compared to "Monster Next Door" this was lighyears ahead. Both actors excelled in their roles and they felt so much more into it too. The side-couple was the secret star of this show, because while they had not so much screentime, they did the best with it and the "cat and mouse game" was funny to watch.

Other reviews will depict all the ins and out, but I'm quite busy today so I will keep this short. Cinematography, music, settings, props and so on was top notch. I felt entertained and storywise they put some thought into it. The only shortcoming is the finale which felt rushed in the drama-department, because they needed time for the fanservice. But overall worth a watch.

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