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This review may contain spoilers
*taps chin contemplatively* Hmmmm...
This is yet another show that took over my Twitter feed for weeks and has (as of now) very high ratings, but I just seem to be on the other side of the majority.
👻Let's start with the good👻
1. Arthit's r/ship with Direk - If there's one thing that Thai BLs will give you, it's a shitty dad. They are a dime a dozen. Out here, like they are trying to win 'worst BL dad of the genre' or something. That's why it was so refreshing to see how healthy and utterly unserious the relationship between this father and son was. Please, can we get more of this? I'm tired of all the a-holes.
2. This gave me 'Semantic Error' vibes in a couple of ways
a. Daotok reminds me of Chu Sang U. He is very robotic, especially in those beginning episodes. He seems to have a bit of a hard time peopling and a harder one understanding Arthit
b. How Arthit pursues Daotok. He lowkey basically annoys him into liking him. Which is what Jae Yeong did to bag Sang U. It wasn't on the same level, of course, but Arthit took a page from Jae Yeong's book. I like this version of pursuing what is basically a spicy street cat in human form. You have to be willing to annoy them and push boundaries (knowing that it will earn you some scratches) if you want them to notice and keep noticing you.
3. The relationship development in episodes 4-6 - This is where their relationship, the slowburn as it is, shines the best.
4. That NC scene - Who directed that shit? And can we have them coordinate more scenes in the future? Coz Holy Shit... Lemme not say more on this very public platform.
5. Solid friend groups for both characters
👻What Could've Been Done Better👻
1. The 1st 3 episodes - The pacing is off, and overall, doesn't add much to the plot or the overall plot. Perhaps, you could argue that it helps introduce us to Daotok's powers and helps with forced proximity between the characters. I'll agree with you that it's true.
But the fact that each episode is about an hour long, and we don't really get to see much of Daotok's power after ep 3 (I think), and the girl from jail ups and disappears until she's needed for some sleuthing later, it overall feels like a waste of time.
Maybe they didn't have enough material to fill 8 episodes and chose to drag this out. Or maybe they did, but chose the wrong thing. IDK, I haven't read the novel.
2. Arthit's behaviour in that living room scene in Ep 6 - I have no idea where that behaviour change came from. He'd been such a respectful green flag in the r/ship, then all over sudden.... TF? That kiss and the reasoning behind it weren't it. It reminded me of those Korean manhwas that start so healthy, genuine, and respectful, then, for some unknown hellish reason, the author decides that s*xual assault is what the story needs. Their makeup after that was really cute, but I'm sure they could have done quite literally anything else to bring them closer. Not this predatory act
3. Ep 7 & 8 - More pacing issues. And the absurdity of the choice to include a random shooting? It reminded me of those useless 3rd act break-up scenes. Where the author or screenwriter is like, 'Ah, they are doing too good and too happy right now. Let's include some drama.' And now, as the reader/viewer, I'm stuck wondering where all the unnecessary drama came from.
The shooting incident didn't even add anything to any relationship. Daotok had already accepted being with Arthit. He didn't need this random occurrence to make him 'realize' his feelings for the man, or whatever point they were trying to make
Overall, I'd say that this is fine. While the pair is cute together (I really enjoyed how cute n needy Arthit became once he started pursuing Dao), the overarching story itself leaves much to be desired. What had the potential to be good is ruined by pacing issues and side quests that could have been done and over within 2 episodes, tops.
Random (unrelated) thoughts
i. I could not help but wow at how beautifully their skintones contrasted. Generally, BLs love that (slightly) tan topXpale bottom thing. I usually notice it as like a footnote in my head, but it doesn't stand out to me. Maybe this time it stood out coz of how deeply(?) tan Ngern is. I pray that that man never touches skin-lightening products
ii. If Ngern and Joss Way-ar ever took a gym pic together while flexing those biceps, shoulders, and thighs, I would potentially, spontaneously combust. May the gyms in Thailand remain open, and may these two never stop going
👻Let's start with the good👻
1. Arthit's r/ship with Direk - If there's one thing that Thai BLs will give you, it's a shitty dad. They are a dime a dozen. Out here, like they are trying to win 'worst BL dad of the genre' or something. That's why it was so refreshing to see how healthy and utterly unserious the relationship between this father and son was. Please, can we get more of this? I'm tired of all the a-holes.
2. This gave me 'Semantic Error' vibes in a couple of ways
a. Daotok reminds me of Chu Sang U. He is very robotic, especially in those beginning episodes. He seems to have a bit of a hard time peopling and a harder one understanding Arthit
b. How Arthit pursues Daotok. He lowkey basically annoys him into liking him. Which is what Jae Yeong did to bag Sang U. It wasn't on the same level, of course, but Arthit took a page from Jae Yeong's book. I like this version of pursuing what is basically a spicy street cat in human form. You have to be willing to annoy them and push boundaries (knowing that it will earn you some scratches) if you want them to notice and keep noticing you.
3. The relationship development in episodes 4-6 - This is where their relationship, the slowburn as it is, shines the best.
4. That NC scene - Who directed that shit? And can we have them coordinate more scenes in the future? Coz Holy Shit... Lemme not say more on this very public platform.
5. Solid friend groups for both characters
👻What Could've Been Done Better👻
1. The 1st 3 episodes - The pacing is off, and overall, doesn't add much to the plot or the overall plot. Perhaps, you could argue that it helps introduce us to Daotok's powers and helps with forced proximity between the characters. I'll agree with you that it's true.
But the fact that each episode is about an hour long, and we don't really get to see much of Daotok's power after ep 3 (I think), and the girl from jail ups and disappears until she's needed for some sleuthing later, it overall feels like a waste of time.
Maybe they didn't have enough material to fill 8 episodes and chose to drag this out. Or maybe they did, but chose the wrong thing. IDK, I haven't read the novel.
2. Arthit's behaviour in that living room scene in Ep 6 - I have no idea where that behaviour change came from. He'd been such a respectful green flag in the r/ship, then all over sudden.... TF? That kiss and the reasoning behind it weren't it. It reminded me of those Korean manhwas that start so healthy, genuine, and respectful, then, for some unknown hellish reason, the author decides that s*xual assault is what the story needs. Their makeup after that was really cute, but I'm sure they could have done quite literally anything else to bring them closer. Not this predatory act
3. Ep 7 & 8 - More pacing issues. And the absurdity of the choice to include a random shooting? It reminded me of those useless 3rd act break-up scenes. Where the author or screenwriter is like, 'Ah, they are doing too good and too happy right now. Let's include some drama.' And now, as the reader/viewer, I'm stuck wondering where all the unnecessary drama came from.
The shooting incident didn't even add anything to any relationship. Daotok had already accepted being with Arthit. He didn't need this random occurrence to make him 'realize' his feelings for the man, or whatever point they were trying to make
Overall, I'd say that this is fine. While the pair is cute together (I really enjoyed how cute n needy Arthit became once he started pursuing Dao), the overarching story itself leaves much to be desired. What had the potential to be good is ruined by pacing issues and side quests that could have been done and over within 2 episodes, tops.
Random (unrelated) thoughts
i. I could not help but wow at how beautifully their skintones contrasted. Generally, BLs love that (slightly) tan topXpale bottom thing. I usually notice it as like a footnote in my head, but it doesn't stand out to me. Maybe this time it stood out coz of how deeply(?) tan Ngern is. I pray that that man never touches skin-lightening products
ii. If Ngern and Joss Way-ar ever took a gym pic together while flexing those biceps, shoulders, and thighs, I would potentially, spontaneously combust. May the gyms in Thailand remain open, and may these two never stop going
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