Thank You Nyx

Ashtray

I had no idea I was going to love this series this much. This wasn’t aired on the usual streaming platforms, so I initially thought it probably didn’t have the usual clout that Chinese BLs get. But of course, I watch everything, so I gave this one a try.
And from Episode 1, I was already hooked.
Let me start with the chemistry. Leo and Kingston are literally OWNING the word chemistry, both in the series and in real life. They are all over my reels, and I am NOT complaining. 😂 Their chemistry feels so natural, and you can really see it in the way they interact with each other.
Acting-wise, they did great, and not just them. The whole cast did a good job with their characters. And for an action genre, they really did justice to the action scenes. You can tell they put a lot of work into the action workshops because the movements looked convincing and well executed.
I’m also not familiar with the accent they used, but I actually LOVE their accents. Is this an unpopular opinion? 😂 Because I really enjoyed listening to them.
Now, the storyline. This was actually very interesting, and I loved how all the conflicts that were introduced were given proper attention and flowed well throughout the series.
Starting with the main crime that Fei Foon was trying to solve, the mystery was always there and never felt completely compromised by the romance. Then we got the tension and attraction from the first time they met, followed by the denial stage, slowly falling in love, drifting apart, and eventually finding their way back to each other. WHAT A RIDE for this love story. 😭
But again, I am not complaining because I deserve an angsty romance like this. Give me the yearning, the pain, the separation, and the reunion. I will gladly suffer. 😂
And then there’s Vincent and his red flag moments. HAHAHAHAHA. He really completed the series. But we all know we can’t fully hate him because we also saw just how DOWN BAD he was for Fei Foon. 😂 He just needed someone to slap some sense into him and make him realize that he would literally sacrifice everything for his man. Hihihihi.
And of course, our main antagonist Shawn/Sing, whom I also can’t completely hate because... that man is ATTRACTIVE. Fight me. 😂
Good thing they changed some things from the novel because, from what I read online, Shawn was apparently much worse in the original story. The things he did to Fei Foon were DIABOLICAL. So I actually appreciate the changes they made for the adaptation because I don’t think I could have survived the novel version of him. 😭
One negative feedback I have, though, is the use of AI for some of the flashbacks. I feel like there could have been a better way to present those scenes.
Overall, I’m really going to recommend this one. And if you watch it, you’ll eventually understand the relevance of Ash in the series.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. That alone is worth finding out. 😂

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different with S1 but in a good way

Gelboys never failed me. From Season 1 to Season 2. But Season 2 is built around a completely different story. It honestly feels like a different entity from Season 1, but in a good way.
First things first, I would like to highlight their acting skills! Have you SEEN how good they are?! Most of their intense scenes had me completely quiet because I was so drawn to how they showed their emotions. There are so many scenes like that in Season 2 that if I included them one by one, this review would be way too long. 😂
Next is the strategy of Gelboys 2 to make every episode feel like a jigsaw puzzle for the viewers to solve. Who is who? Who are the parents of GelzBaby? Every week, my friend and I basically turned into our own podcast, discussing our theories about who 4Mod would grow up to be, who the parents were, and so on. And they actually revealed it after 7 episodes. WHAT?! What a nice way to keep us hooked!
And when they revealed that there were 2 new Gelboys, I honestly did NOT expect them to be the OG 4 kids! Who thought of that concept?! Because that was GOOD! 👏
This season also made me learn and understand more about what it means to be a fan while watching. As an international fan, Thai culture and Philippine culture have a lot of differences. Gelboys showed us two kinds of fans: the mommy fans and the faen fans. I realized that I knew these things existed, but I somehow lacked the deeper understanding of what they really meant in the Thai context.
And believe it or not, what was happening with 4Mod and Chian's relationship may actually happen in real life too. The same goes for fanservice. We have to accept that sometimes fans can become toxic and things can get out of hand. I hope that watching stories like this can also make us reflect on our own behavior and help us recognize when our mindset as fans becomes unhealthy.
The friendship between them was also highlighted a lot. And honestly, a lot of people might hate Baa for what happened because part of me hates him too. Hehehe. 😂 But that’s also what made the story interesting. And of course, the character development! Especially Chian. 😭😭 The love he has for 4Mod, the sacrifices he made for 4Mod's dream... I FELT THAT. His character really got me.
And of course, I love how they managed to keep the original hype of the series alive. GEL NAILS! 💅 I guess I’ll still be doing nail extensions until I’m old. LOL.
The OST, the cinematography, and of course, our Siam. Everything deserves praise.
And a BIG kudos to the casting of the grown-up versions of the OG 4! If you look at them, they really feel like the older versions of the characters. The resemblance, the personalities, and especially the chemistry are all there. It honestly felt like they chose the best actors to carry those characters into their adult versions.
Overall, Gelboys Season 2 proved that the series can tell a completely different story while still keeping what made the original special. It made me laugh, theorize, scream, get frustrated, and most importantly, feel.
So... do we need a Season 3 for GelzBaby? YES. Obviously. 😂😭

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They can kiss

Is this the longest title of a BL I have ever witnessed? LOL. Well, it is the plot! Yes, it’s as simple as that. 😂 But honestly, I didn’t expect to love this one so much.
This might be my favorite JBL, along with the other ongoing JBL I’m watching right now. Yes, the plot is as simple as the title, but I swear, this is SO cute. 🥹🥹
There’s no overacting or exaggerated reactions. It’s just a calm confession with very calm flirting, and somehow, that makes everything even cuter. The whole series has this soft and natural vibe that I really enjoyed.
The conflicts presented are mostly hidden traumas that might not seem like a big deal to most people, but can actually be a big deal to someone who experienced them. It really shows how one person’s actions, even if they seem small or harmless, can affect someone else’s life.
I also love how the conversations, confessions, and misunderstandings were handled. They weren’t resolved in an easy way, but at the same time, they weren’t dragged out unnecessarily either. As a viewer, you can actually see that they are capable of working through their own problems themselves, and I really appreciate that.
Both characters also had their own character development. Asamiya learned to slow down and not overwhelm Mayama, while Mayama learned to express his feelings more and tried to keep up with Asamiya’s pace. They both adjusted for each other, and because of that, they were able to meet halfway. And that’s probably what I love most about their relationship. It’s not just one person constantly adjusting for the other. They both learned, changed, and made an effort to understand each other.
The chemistry between the actors is so cute too, especially with the height difference and everything. I love them both so much, I swear! 🥹
And the kiss???!! THEY CAN KISS!!! HARD!!! HAHAHAHA. 😂🔥
Overall, this is such a simple story, but sometimes that’s exactly what makes a series work. It doesn’t need unnecessary drama or complicated conflicts to make the relationship interesting. It’s just two people slowly learning how to understand, love, and adjust to each other.

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Loved it

Change2561 is famous for their very mature BLs like PitBabe. So when they launched this HS-set-up BL series on their lineup, I was pretty confused and surprised. When it aired, I was hooked from the 1st ep.

Honestly, I’ll say that the depth of the storyline is pretty typical for an HS setup: coming out, enemies to lovers, friends, crushes, school, and dreams. However, it was nice to see HS characters being played by actors who are actually in HS in real life. At least, you can really feel their innocence in everything, especially when it comes to life and, of course, love. It’s the age where they start to learn a lot of things.

The visuals of these kids are really to die for. I know they can really make a name for themselves in showbiz as long as they have good management. And the acting? It’s not awkward or cringe. The style is cute, fluffy, and innocent romance, and I think it’s well-balanced for their age.

The OST is good too. I haven’t searched yet if it’s Leeith who actually sang it. If it is him, then that’s plus one for me. 😂

One thing I love about this series is that there are a lot of girl characters involved. You know, sometimes in a BL series, girls’ scenes can feel like they’re dragging. But here, no. Again, it was well-balanced. Their characters might just be side characters, but they are all relevant.

Both the main leads and the side couples have good chemistry. Maybe except for the cheating part of Tae, and you can’t just say “they’re kids.” I really like the friendship that they were able to build. From being an introverted kid who couldn’t socialize to becoming the leader of the pack.

And again, the girls are relevant. They are not just there for decoration, to the point that Proud even joined Leeith’s band. And you know how Putter seeks advice from the girls and even hangs out with them.

And going back to the conflicts of chasing your dreams and coming out to your parents. I know it’s typical, but then again, we are talking about real high school here.

Again, I used to think I was done with HS series. Turns out, I still love them. I just need something that does it well.

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If the sky and the ground got in my way, I will destroy them all.

InnOngsa. I was honestly surprised by this tandem. Starting with their chemistry, should I even question it? Of course not. 😭
Acting-wise, from the main roles to the supporting cast, everyone ate. Ongsa is such a good and pretty crier, but Inn? That man can ACT. You can see the yearning in their eyes, but in completely different ways. One shows it through sadness, while the other shows it through anger and eagerness. And somehow, both hit just as hard.
Story-wise, it was such a great ride. This series gave me the kind of love and yearning I was looking for. The NC scenes were shot beautifully, with so much passion, but what impressed me more was how they managed to show all of that without compromising the historical revolution storyline. Everyone was fighting for what they believed was right until the very end.
Angst, you said? Here you go. 😭 Is there even an episode where they were simply happy without having to fight to hold on to the love between them? And the script? Breathtaking. My favorite line has to be: "If the sky and the ground got in my way, I will destroy them all."
You can never make me hate Phob. Love doesn't just revolve around romance. How can I hate someone for trying to change what he believes is wrong with his country? And when he betrayed Thin, it wasn't just Thin who suffered. Phob suffered too, probably the most, because he had to hurt the person he loved most. 😭😭😭
But what I loved most was that they didn't simply run back into each other's arms. We knew they still loved each other despite everything that happened, but it took so many episodes before they finally found their way back to each other. And that made their reunion feel so much more deserved.
One of my favorite parts was after the system changed, when Phob started questioning whether he had supported the right thing because all he could see were the consequences of those changes. Meanwhile, Thin, despite being one of the people most affected by them, was able to see the good that came from it. I loved that contrast because it showed that neither of them had a completely simple answer.
Overall, this was such a great ride. Definitely one I’m going to recommend to everyone.
Isn't it obvious from how LONG this review is? LOL. 😭

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A god sent for manhwa readers

"Payback" is a gift sent by God to all manhwa readers. This is the most accurate live-action adaptation of a manhwa, from the line delivery and scene sequencing to, of course, the casting.

Everyone did a fantastic job bringing "Payback" to life. The story was already great in the original version. The issues it tackles are highly controversial; while we might not have hard evidence that these things actually happen in the entertainment industry, we cannot prove they do not either. It is no surprise the adaptation is this good, since Sammon is the screenwriter (I love all of her work).

The main leads' chemistry is surprisingly excellent, especially given that this is their first project together and they are relatively new to the BL genre. And don't even get me started on their NC (no-children/mature) scenes—those are just WOW! Pure "wow," "woah," and "ack!"

The production value is great too; you can really see the quality. Plus, the OST is quite unique and fits the series perfectly.

Once again, I want to commend the casting, from the main leads to the supporting roles. Shout out to Boss CKM! He is exceptionally handsome in this series. I find myself wanting to pause the screen every time he appears. LOL, bye!

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Honestly...

This was the first time I saw Boss play such a hopeless simp, and I'll be honest, I'm not really used to it. In my eyes, he'll always be P'Phayu. 😂

I'll be honest again, though... a lot of the scenes felt pretty cringe. I kept defending it by telling myself that maybe they intentionally wanted it to be that way. The story was very simple and didn't have much depth.

That said, I did enjoy the cast since most of them were new to me. My only issue was that the other three couples didn't get proper closure. I really wish they had been given satisfying endings too.

Honestly, I don't have much else to say. I finished the series because I love BN.

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Armageddon???

It was okay. Just okay. Meh.

I mean, there's nothing new about the story. A dying bad boy falls in love with the introverted nerd in class. He'll do anything for the one he loves. Then we have the older brother, who was cast out by his homophobic father because he's gay... only for the father to turn out to be gay too. And of course, we get the dramatic sacrifice at the end where one chooses to stay away just to save the other.

See? It's fine, but nothing new. Nothing that made me go, "Wow."

Now, the ending... what exactly were they trying to give us? An open ending? Honestly, I'd rather they both died because of that comet. 😂

Speaking of which... what was the point of the comet? One moment we're dealing with terminal cancer. Then we're dealing with a homophobic father, which is already a familiar plot. Then suddenly... a comet? Are we in Armageddon now? 😭

And lastly... I have to ask.

What was the thought process behind that opening sequence? You know, the one where they're standing against a black background while it's raining, dramatically reciting quotes? I was so confused. 😂

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Very cliché but i love petty angst

This series is lowkey giving Jinx in its first episode, just with a different sport. But after that, you'll realize it's actually very different from Jinx.
Honestly, there's not that much special about the storyline, but I'll be honest... I got hooked. Hahahaha. Why? Because the story is cliché, but it's giving the classic Wattpad stories we read 15 years ago. The angst is cliché too, but sorry, that's exactly the kind of angst I'm weak for. HAHAHAHAHAHA.
The second thing I like is that the main lead took a long time to forgive the other. Yes! Let him suffer! Let him yearn!
I didn't like the ending, though. They could've given us more.
So overall, I wouldn't really say this is a great series. It just happens that I'm weak for this kind of angst. Hahahaha.

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Untamed???

Starting with the cinematography... who handled this series? They deserve to be hired for every GMMTV series because it was absolutely stunning. Every shot looked so well thought out and cinematic.

The story was good too. I won't say it's completely new since it shares some similarities with other fantasy series I've watched, but they executed it really well. I also like how they mixed fantasy with political issues, which made the story feel even more relevant.

One thing that made this series work so well is the casting. This is where I realized I really can't act because I would probably be laughing through most of these scenes. Everyone did an amazing job. As for Sky and Nani, I already expected great performances because I know they can act. And of course, Nani absolutely nailed the action scenes.

One thing I couldn't stop noticing though... why does the ending of Wu remind me so much of The Untamed? Even the OST gives off a similar feeling. Is this becoming the trend for bromance series? 😂

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