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Awesome Love Story But......
This is a stunningly beautiful production with a love story that is so entrancingly told that I honestly did not see two men in love but simply two individuals in love. It really was a love story that transcends genders and epochs. This is a romance that begins between two mythical Hindu/Buddhist deities named Garuda and Naga long ago. Throughout the ages, each continue to be drawn to each other in a way we would call destiny. Had the saga simply stayed with the journey of Phaya and Tharn, this would have been an apotheosis. But unfortunately, it became unwieldy and got so lost in the development of subplots, specifically involving a troupe of them becoming police officers, and solving a crime, that the love story almost took a back seat. And frankly all of that was so superficial and unnecessary to really what was in essence an alluring love rhapsody. The story of who they were is so much more important than what they were but unfortunately the production got so bogged down in the storytelling that the love came in sporadic waves, thus in a sense diminishing the emotional impact of their bond considerably.Was this review helpful to you?
What a Ride!
I must admit that this series is an astonishingly sophisticated and complex story to navigate. This story may also be the beginning for the creation of fictionalized BL worlds blending video gaming with reality, an interesting new format to say the least. Since I do not play ‘video games’ and had no idea of the lingo or the rules for computer gaming, this was a challenge for me to traverse. I had to stop and find definitions to terms I am unfamiliar with, admittedly. Additionally, this series uses a combination of allegory, fantasy, and twists to realities in an almost Avante-Garde fashion. And the story itself is oblique and sometimes enigmatic. This is not your standard BL series by any means.Was this review helpful to you?
Great Synergy but Weak Individually
Perplexing. I really do not know how else to describe this series. It is indecisive yet oddly compelling to watch. The two main leads are strangely engaging together, yet individually, blend into the woodwork as part of the background furniture. This is completely a story of synergy. Honestly, this is a rather low-key drama that is underplayed and relies more on the screenplay than acting. It is surprisingly well written, which is expected as it is a story about a novelist. This is an entertaining story to be sure. Nothing deep but well written. Ironically the side couple provided way more interesting dynamics. This is easy watching.Was this review helpful to you?
I want Them, All of Them As Friends
I watched these stories in totem and would recommend you do so as well, if possible. One can then grasp the full understanding of what transpires. It is not possible to summarize these stories simply; all one can do is give an impression of its impact on you, the watcher. I now feel lost and a bit melancholic; like I have lost a circle of friends. I have gotten to know these characters and feel sad now that they will not be a part of my watching milieu anymore. This is one of the few series that has a real longitudinal character development. A study not just for the main personalities but for all the supporting characters as well. It truly is a beautifully crafted and filmed anthology. I hesitate to call it a ‘BL’ but it really is; it is of a much older couple and obviously not meant for the mass audience in the BL world. Too bad. They would learn a thing or two about living and about love if they watched this as it ponders and deals with the topic we never want to hear in BL and that is – aging. And how it affects and changes and defines and, in this case, strengthens love.Was this review helpful to you?
Continuing Saga
It is a worthy way to spend your time as you will see two imperfect older men come to grips with getting older, slowly grow to love one another more deeply, and enjoy each other’s company mainly around the dinning room table. They would and I would conclude that their lives are content. Perhaps there is nothing better than that!This is a story not about food but about the companionship of them and others. Along the way is the food! It would seem that food is their center of attention. And this series does a masterful job of almost making it feel like you are watching a cooking show, what with its almost step-by-step instructions on how to cook many meals. But it is the finished product that is really the aim and goal. It is their sitting down, eating and being together that is reinforcing, not the food.
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Done by Adolescents Making It Special
How can you possibly not love or at least fall in love with this sonnet of adolescent love defined by the sparkle of the light from stars in the sky? The story is as old as time perhaps and to a degree overdone but still manages to capture our hearts, especially if it has a modicum of sincerity to its presentation. And this does. Mainly because the actors are so young themselves and their lives are so full of anticipation that it is reflected in their acting. It is surprisingly well done and very believable. This is a cute and adorable series that is just a joy to watch. The editing is a little suspect to me, and I do wish they would have made the transition between the scenes a bit cleaner and clearer. Things changed so abruptly that it was hard to follow at times. The sound on occasion was a bit uneven as well. But it is well worth your investment to watch this short series and take note of three rather outstanding young actors who are on their way up in the BL world.Was this review helpful to you?
Bittersweet Yet Hopeful
This story itself is far from simple. Although it has a unique quality of seeming like it does, it is quite complex and very deep, and I loved it because of its deceptiveness. The story is bittersweet and profoundly sad in parts yet focused on making life worth living. This is a very odd story and one that ought not to have worked. There are very unpleasant and shocking realities in this series that are painful to watch. What the beauty of this series has done has turned the ugliness of those realities into redemption and allows for the simple acts of relating to each other in soft, gentle, everyday ways to reignite our love of life that was lost. I know this short weird rather unorthodox hesitatingly named a BL which it is not, but that does not mean it has no imagery of love. It is impactful, heartfelt, and mournful but in an oh so quiet, tender, and moving way. It touched me deeply.You can read my full review of this stunning series at BLBliss.com.
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And It Did Not Quite Reach Me
It is so well written and so well produced and has such adorable moments, I just wondered why I was not more moved by it. And ironically, who captured my heart were two individuals that were supporting characters, both showing more personality and more gravitas than the two main actors. In addition, with the theme of this story having been done so frequently, it has lost its mojo, so to speak because it just did not stand out enough. The friends-to-lovers-in-high-school is so overdone, that there is nothing creative about the premise anymore. I was only entertained at the beginning and at the end of this saga. I loved the two supporting characters the most as they gave this story a sense of purpose and direction and they filled the middle of this story. However, the theme of this story has become too trite to be interesting anymore. I really wanted to like this series more. Sigh.You can read my full review of this series at BLBliss.com
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Lost Its Way
This is a touching, sentimental journey of young love that was brilliantly done in the beginning but then got lost in its time journeys to recapture its past. While in some ways the story was exceptional, its execution was unfortunately lacking in logic. Initially it had me hooked on the strength of its young actors playing the parts of their younger selves. Simply put, they were brilliant. This is a story of destiny but not on a linear trajectory. It is a destiny of love between two young men who were meant to be together but had to traverse different directions to get to the promised land. Something seemed missing and to was obvious that the physical age of some of the actors was definitely not compatible with the characters they were supposed to be portraying and it showed in the uncomfortableness of the chemistry of the performances. The ending seemed empty to me as well. Unfulfilled to be sure.You can read my full review at BLBliss.com
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Buyer Beware!
We have an American expression that adroitly sums up this BL. ‘What you see, is what you get.’ The title puts in a nutshell what the series is all about. It is a story of two K-pop stars who are joined together to form a “Business Gay Performance”. I must further admit I was intrigued by them and its story. Perhaps because their acting is surprisingly entertaining and good and while I am guessing it is not much of a stretch for them to play K-pop stars since that is what they do, they were still rather convincing on screen. Honestly, this series overall is entertaining. It could have been better had it been longer and had a greater commitment to its message. For when it came to the actual fulfillment of the relationship, there was none. My further warning to viewers is: Buyer Beware!Was this review helpful to you?
One of the Best Light-Hearted BLs
It has been a long time since I sang the praises for a light-hearted Thai BL, but this one richly deserves it. Except for a few weak spots (which I am choosing to ignore), this is one of the best, if not the best BL of this genre from Thailand in a long, long time. Although the story is nothing new, and it does have its ineffective moments, overall, it simply works because of the strength of its two leading men. And overall it was all done with grace, dignity, with a sense of beauty and quiet devotion. And one of the only times I can remember when we see an actual gay couple committing themselves wholly and fully to be together. Not just romantically but in every way. For this, this series deserves a special distinction. Kudos!Was this review helpful to you?
Could Have Been A Masterpiece
What a joy this series is to watch. It is soft, gentle, touches the heart with its warmth, child-like innocence. Yet, there is something initially very sad about it. It makes you think about how fast children must grow up and sometimes miss out on their childhood; only longing to want to return to it when they discover its pleasures. Its message is a bit cryptic and hidden behind a façade of childlike behavior, but underneath is hiding a child really wanting and needing to be – a child. But the flaw in what otherwise would have been a near perfect series is the astonishingly clumsy and deflated kissing scene. It is awkward and deliberately filmed so as to not show the mouths touching in either kiss. That was a cheap shot and diminishes completely the caliber of this series and its intent. I am not a fan or artistic trickery to show a kiss.You can read my full review of this otherwise great series at BLBliss.com.
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The Best Off-Beat BL!
This series is phenomenally unique and truly a work of art. It is really Avant-Garde and told through the eyes of a straight couple as they themselves struggle with their own demons. The saga parallels three couples seemingly unrelated but, in truth are all grappling in their own way wanting to become accepted and to move forward as lovers. My thinking is people will either love this series or not and ‘see’ it in toto. I loved it because it felt like a mind-bending journey.If you want to read my full review of this rather astonishing series, go to BLBliss.com.
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Unquestionably, one of the best in 2023!
This story is one of the most remarkable BLs in redefining the concept of what love, is or at lease perceived, especially how we see it between men. It reconceptualizes its beauty, enhances its endurance, redefines intimacy, and solidifies the virtue of a relationship. And does this all through the magic of fantasy. This narration broke down all the traditional stereotypical Thai BL stories and told a saga so deeply personal and profoundly moving that you became a part of its journey. One of the best BLs for the year 2023.See my full review at BLBliss.com
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Magnum Opus!
Sheer perfection. Without exception, this is one of the best acted and most talented ensembled cast of actors/actresses I have seen in a long time, perhaps ever. This is a love story between two young men. I know it comes from mainland China and it is not supported to be a love story let alone a BL, but it is, and they know it is. It is way too obvious to be otherwise. It is a story of love from the beginning. Sure, it ebbs and flows like a river, but the one constant is, like any river, it flows in one direction. And that direction is always towards a deeper and more profound love not only for each other but for life in general. You cannot possibly summarize this series that would not equal the length of this series. All you can do is try, inadequately, to capture its impact on you. But surprisingly, it is not so easy to do. Yes, it is pure artistry, but it also has a magical quality about it in the sense that it makes these characters come to life. Every single one of them. You feel them. You sense them. You ARE them.To read my full review, pleas go to BLBliss.com.
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