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This review may contain spoilers
Not the best, but still good
You know that thing that kinda annoys you at first, but you find yourself going back? Like it just grates at you, but for whatever reason, you keep going back coz something about it calls to you? That was this show to me. Maybe I'm subconsiously a masochist.
☀️What I Liked🌑
1. The acting - There are parts that I for sure did not like. However, when the gimmicky parts of the plots are drawn back, you get to see just how well these guys act. Especially TeeTee, who plays Duang. When they stop making him play a literal dog, you can see the immediate change in his face and aura.
That man can act. A good example is in the finale, after their conversation with Jamie on the phone, and Qin tells Duang that they can sleep together. You can see the immediate switch on this face. I wish we saw more of that serious/toned-down side of him
Por, his smile is absolutely beautiful. In terms of acting, I think he was OK. I didn't cringe at it. However, it is harder to critique him as his character, Qin, doesn't have that much of an emotional range, meaning Por doesn't use his facial muscles much. Likely since Qin's supposed to be more reserved.
He could do better with his crying scenes, but overall, based on the little we got from what he had to work with, I think it was OK. Hopefully, we get to see him as a more expressive character in the future. I think I'd like that.
As for the wider cast, some were cringe, most were average. No one quite stood out for me.
2. The Production Value - Based on my experiences with Dumondi through 'Khemjira', 'Love Upon a Time', 'Zomvivor', and now 'Duang with You', the company has some incredible people behind their cameras. Their cinematography is top-notch. Up there with (dare I say) a company like BOC. They know what works and what to do with the camera and the lighting.
Lemme gush about lighting for a second, the blue light on Qin in episode 6. Holy shit. I know that scene was supposed to be hot, but that light on him. Oh, it framed him beautifully. The NC scenes in episodes 9 and 12 are also filmed so beautifully. I know the actors have to do their job to sell these scenes to the audience, but the people on the lights and cameras have to be recognized for how well they highlight the actors and their actions in said scenes
3. The chemistry - What I keep thinking is, 'if these characters can give us this much chemistry in a fluffy, college show, what do you think they can do with a more mature, perhaps even darker show?' I think I would spontaneously combust.
PS. I know most people loved their 1st kiss in episode 4. I didn't like it. It wasn't reciprocal enough for me. But the kisses in episodes 9 and 12... That's where it's at. That's where they actually and equally shine
4. The communication - They are surprisingly mature in how they communicate and refuse to let things fester. This show isn't driven by miscommunication, and I love that. And this isn't just with the main characters, even within the wider friend groups. They argue, yes, but take the time to talk things over and fix them.
🚨What I Didn't Like/Could've Been Better🚨
1. It can be overly comedic - This is an ongoing issue for me. Oftentimes, Thai BLs do this kind of humor that doesn't quite land for me. It's over the top, a bit forced, and just so confusing. I remember being thoroughly annoyed by the comedy that I had to note down my feelings after episode 4. Good thing they toned it down as the show proceeded. Or maybe I tuned it out...? IDK. But I think it's the former.
2. Duang's characterization - He is very childish, especially in the 1st half. I think it's meant to be cute, but it comes off as immature, taking you out of the headspace where you're supposed to view him as a potential love interest. And for the love of Christ, why did he have to act like an actual dog for most, if not all, of the 1st half of this?
I think the makers of this show wanted to portray him as this sunshine golden retriever, which, cool, no problem. But why make him mimic an actual dog? Why was he panting on my screen? You can 100% do a golden retriever character without the dog traits. It's been done before. I'm still unsure why they insisted on it.
3. The 2nd couple - With how the streets were excited about the introduction of Marvis, I thought the 2nd couple would have a bigger role to play in the overall story. Only, no, that wasn't to be the case. So much could have been done with a story about 2 playboys falling for each other, but they just let that drown. Then, they only let the combined friend group meet Marvis for 2.5 seconds in the finale. Tsk, tsk.
4. The performances - I mean all the singing and dancing. So during the course of watching this drama, I learnt that the 2 main characters are part of a Tpop band under Domondi. Which could explain why I had to spend about 20+ minutes or so (divided btwn 2 episodes) watching them perform full songs and dance routines.
However, I shouldn't have had to sit through all that. Christina Aguilera and Cher singing and dancing in the 2010 movie 'Burlesque' makes sense coz that is a musical film. Duang with You isn't a musical, so none of that extended singing and dancing made sense to me
5. The situation with Qin's parents - It should've been handled better. The resolution was too quick and too shallow, especially after that long flashback to Qin's childhood. The child actor and the woman who played the nanny should be commended for their acting, though. I was simultaneously heartbroken and pissed off to the high heavens
Would I rewatch this? Absolutely not. I cannot handle a 2nd round of Duang
☀️What I Liked🌑
1. The acting - There are parts that I for sure did not like. However, when the gimmicky parts of the plots are drawn back, you get to see just how well these guys act. Especially TeeTee, who plays Duang. When they stop making him play a literal dog, you can see the immediate change in his face and aura.
That man can act. A good example is in the finale, after their conversation with Jamie on the phone, and Qin tells Duang that they can sleep together. You can see the immediate switch on this face. I wish we saw more of that serious/toned-down side of him
Por, his smile is absolutely beautiful. In terms of acting, I think he was OK. I didn't cringe at it. However, it is harder to critique him as his character, Qin, doesn't have that much of an emotional range, meaning Por doesn't use his facial muscles much. Likely since Qin's supposed to be more reserved.
He could do better with his crying scenes, but overall, based on the little we got from what he had to work with, I think it was OK. Hopefully, we get to see him as a more expressive character in the future. I think I'd like that.
As for the wider cast, some were cringe, most were average. No one quite stood out for me.
2. The Production Value - Based on my experiences with Dumondi through 'Khemjira', 'Love Upon a Time', 'Zomvivor', and now 'Duang with You', the company has some incredible people behind their cameras. Their cinematography is top-notch. Up there with (dare I say) a company like BOC. They know what works and what to do with the camera and the lighting.
Lemme gush about lighting for a second, the blue light on Qin in episode 6. Holy shit. I know that scene was supposed to be hot, but that light on him. Oh, it framed him beautifully. The NC scenes in episodes 9 and 12 are also filmed so beautifully. I know the actors have to do their job to sell these scenes to the audience, but the people on the lights and cameras have to be recognized for how well they highlight the actors and their actions in said scenes
3. The chemistry - What I keep thinking is, 'if these characters can give us this much chemistry in a fluffy, college show, what do you think they can do with a more mature, perhaps even darker show?' I think I would spontaneously combust.
PS. I know most people loved their 1st kiss in episode 4. I didn't like it. It wasn't reciprocal enough for me. But the kisses in episodes 9 and 12... That's where it's at. That's where they actually and equally shine
4. The communication - They are surprisingly mature in how they communicate and refuse to let things fester. This show isn't driven by miscommunication, and I love that. And this isn't just with the main characters, even within the wider friend groups. They argue, yes, but take the time to talk things over and fix them.
🚨What I Didn't Like/Could've Been Better🚨
1. It can be overly comedic - This is an ongoing issue for me. Oftentimes, Thai BLs do this kind of humor that doesn't quite land for me. It's over the top, a bit forced, and just so confusing. I remember being thoroughly annoyed by the comedy that I had to note down my feelings after episode 4. Good thing they toned it down as the show proceeded. Or maybe I tuned it out...? IDK. But I think it's the former.
2. Duang's characterization - He is very childish, especially in the 1st half. I think it's meant to be cute, but it comes off as immature, taking you out of the headspace where you're supposed to view him as a potential love interest. And for the love of Christ, why did he have to act like an actual dog for most, if not all, of the 1st half of this?
I think the makers of this show wanted to portray him as this sunshine golden retriever, which, cool, no problem. But why make him mimic an actual dog? Why was he panting on my screen? You can 100% do a golden retriever character without the dog traits. It's been done before. I'm still unsure why they insisted on it.
3. The 2nd couple - With how the streets were excited about the introduction of Marvis, I thought the 2nd couple would have a bigger role to play in the overall story. Only, no, that wasn't to be the case. So much could have been done with a story about 2 playboys falling for each other, but they just let that drown. Then, they only let the combined friend group meet Marvis for 2.5 seconds in the finale. Tsk, tsk.
4. The performances - I mean all the singing and dancing. So during the course of watching this drama, I learnt that the 2 main characters are part of a Tpop band under Domondi. Which could explain why I had to spend about 20+ minutes or so (divided btwn 2 episodes) watching them perform full songs and dance routines.
However, I shouldn't have had to sit through all that. Christina Aguilera and Cher singing and dancing in the 2010 movie 'Burlesque' makes sense coz that is a musical film. Duang with You isn't a musical, so none of that extended singing and dancing made sense to me
5. The situation with Qin's parents - It should've been handled better. The resolution was too quick and too shallow, especially after that long flashback to Qin's childhood. The child actor and the woman who played the nanny should be commended for their acting, though. I was simultaneously heartbroken and pissed off to the high heavens
Would I rewatch this? Absolutely not. I cannot handle a 2nd round of Duang
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