1
A Category of Its Own
I highly do not recommend this series to anyone expecting a cute and happy romance set in the 60s. This show falls under the category of queer media and not BL. It's politically heavy, with the romance being a naturally integrated part of the story rather than its main focus. It preserves a serious and realistic tone for the most part, but also mixes in lighthearted moments and elements of idealism that sometimes fit and others feel a bit out of place.
Watching this show requires attentiveness. It took me a while to warm up to it, because I felt a bit lost at the early episodes. Having at least a general idea of the political landscape of that period, might get you immersed to the plot much faster, without that of course being a necessity, since a lot of the themes addressed more or less transcend borders to other countries as well.
Regarding the acting, the series has a great collection of very capable people who portrayed the complexity of their characters in the best way possible. I have to point out how much I enjoyed Mile in the role of Tanwa, especially due to the striking contrast to his most known role of Kinn. He pulled off his part magnificently, showcasing his range as an actor.
Overall, it was a good show—deep, well made with beautiful cinematography. I do recognise its thematic significance and value, but at the same time it didn't leave me with a long lasting impression as a viewer. I found the premise interesting, but at times it felt like too many things were happening within just eight episodes, or that some dialogue was a bit stilted, just to create a dramatic or poetic impression. I liked the characters as well, but I didn't connect with them that much. Even so, they were properly fleshed out and the show still managed to resonate emotionally through some impactful scenes.
It has its own unique character as a story, and I do recommend it to anyone who looks for something different to watch.
Watching this show requires attentiveness. It took me a while to warm up to it, because I felt a bit lost at the early episodes. Having at least a general idea of the political landscape of that period, might get you immersed to the plot much faster, without that of course being a necessity, since a lot of the themes addressed more or less transcend borders to other countries as well.
Regarding the acting, the series has a great collection of very capable people who portrayed the complexity of their characters in the best way possible. I have to point out how much I enjoyed Mile in the role of Tanwa, especially due to the striking contrast to his most known role of Kinn. He pulled off his part magnificently, showcasing his range as an actor.
Overall, it was a good show—deep, well made with beautiful cinematography. I do recognise its thematic significance and value, but at the same time it didn't leave me with a long lasting impression as a viewer. I found the premise interesting, but at times it felt like too many things were happening within just eight episodes, or that some dialogue was a bit stilted, just to create a dramatic or poetic impression. I liked the characters as well, but I didn't connect with them that much. Even so, they were properly fleshed out and the show still managed to resonate emotionally through some impactful scenes.
It has its own unique character as a story, and I do recommend it to anyone who looks for something different to watch.
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