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I liked it so much!!
overall, mine seem to be differing from most opinions here BUT I am going to stand by it. Gen Y is a really good show.Very personal opinions, here we go.
# STORY: Normal series, romance only, no moral take-aways. WRITING at times is a mess.
✪ Minus side would be how haphazard the plot inclusive of WAYU is, almost as if the writer feels conflicted in every two episodes on which pair to go forward with. Not to mention new plot-twists were added in last couple of episodes. It was indeed bearable but almost amateur-ish move.
✪ On the plus side there are no major plot-holes, the subplots all relate to each other and despite having multiple supporting characters they are almost well managed.
✪ HUGE appreciation -
>> no non-consent being romanticized in any way (the few "physical" scenes were all within a safe gray zone imo), consent is unfailingly given importance.
>> they stayed away from "wife" tags for love interests / boyfriends
>> at the core characters are no pushovers,
>> there are no sexuality tag discussion - it was almost a pan-normative zone, and anyone could fall in love with anyone.
✪ Not only is it made in the right way, this was a naturally unproblematic show - it did not really bother to project the correctness. It was subtle and weaved into the nature of the show. Personally I appreciated the lack of implicit mocking of other series (even if they had it coming) to show how politically correct this series is- that is something few pretty good series had done, which made me slightly uneasy.
# ACTING: Kimmon-Copter just floored me with their acting, they were pure talent - I might have extra love for them after being rescued by their scenes after having to watch the other, stiff, couple. Hate to be criticizing a skill I do not possess but Dun and Bas just .. are not the best of actors. The engineering senior gang is also teeny bit awkward at times but again, way more natural. The high schooler gang was breath of fresh air, loved how they can bring the energy up.
# CHARACTERS/ COUPLES::
✪ MARK & KIT - Seriously sweetest dream couple. Realistically such a couple might not exist but then, that is the reason I watch dramas. They are patient, understanding, do not stress unnecessarily much on ego, and not to mention truckloads of sweetness and love - couldn't get enough. Personality wise, I cannot help but think how suitable these two are for each other. Mark is someone who can get to emotionally guarded person like Kit. And Kit does deserve the world. My favorite character indeed, wholesome, caring, understanding and mature - I just feel supportive and protective of everything he does <3
✪ WAYU - not been a fan of the actor himself but the character seems okay. Did not find him clingy or weepy or dull or depressing, he was simply a person who was deeply in love who got his heart broken.
THANU - again, not a fan of the acting, character being confused seems justifies to me though. Got no complains about his actions.
PHAI - sweet, and angelic character, the actor's looks almost suits that. Love how mature he is and pleasantly happy about the plot making two brothers have similar core characteristics!!!
SANDEE - confusing, but lowkey trusting him
TONG/POK - Surprised but sudden burst of chemistry, definitely second favorite couple!
KOH/JACK - probably 3rd favorite couple. And they are not even a couple :)
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This review may contain spoilers
More of spoiler filled musings than a review
---SPOILERS ALL THE WAY for both seasons ---(I was about to post this essay under a YT fmv lol but decided to blabber here instead, though it is much longer now than what I started with)
I am saying this as someone who at the end does ship TehAew.
Their relationship trouble is more than just the "cheating" imo.
Teh technically kissed for a workshop and didn't do anything else physical but it's not black and white. He kept ignoring Aew and even in his mind started to replace him with Jai - it was more than a passive falling in love with another guy. Teh knew he was changing, he knew he would hurt his boyfriend but he just went on with his fantasies and actively ignoring Aew for it's sake. He did see how much Aew would be affected when they had that one talk in the car, he had a chance to get himself out of that headspace. If not, the kinder thing would've been just to break up.
And the reason this couple is worrying is not just what he did at this point. In the first season he couldn't just decide who he likes. He is indecisive between the girl he has long time crush on and Aew. He acts impulsively when is comes the admission. And each time he is a bit too hurtful to Aew. All this along with his attitude towards Aew's (Really good) friends and Aew's decision about his future -- everything just adds up to make him one very confused, damaged, angsty, self-destructive character who can be indecisive.
And it's almost ironic that he keeps calling out Aew as someone who changes his mind too often and cannot make a firm decision, but when it comes to feelings Teh is exactly the same. Aew on the other hand never shows doubts, since before they got together and even after they stopped being together. A man with that kind of conviction ideally deserves someone who loves him back the same way.
And that being said, these stories are not ideal. It is not being someone ending up with the person who they 100% deserves, who deserves them 100%. It believe is about an optimum point. In the end if the bad and good sides of a person and a relationship and everything it encompasses can form a good balance, if the people in it make up fro their mistakes so that the person who was wronged (not everyone around) feels easy again, if in a relationship in spite of not ALWAYS being happy they are at the end and on an average day happy and content, maybe it is not too bad after all.
Teh is someone who I feel needs to do a lot, really lot, to make it up to Aew but their relationship can be salvageable. To me, even after the series end, he will need to repent and spoil and love the guy so much more so that maybe finally, one day, he'll once again be worth Aew.
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Short and quick dose of fluff
Just watch without a lot of expectations, the whole series is little longer than an hour perhaps, and for the short time span, they have covered quite a bit of plot. Plus given a soft romance with believable chemistry.I've got no complaints about acting, story, direction. All are good even compared to the kdrama standard. I can understand the frustrations of other users.. the story is beautiful with a lot of potential, and hopefully they will start making full length dramas of this vibe <3
Personally, I'd call it a mood booster material, though I'd rather watch the movie for re-watch!!!
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Good for a light watch to kill time
STORY:- The skeletal framework for the plot, and subplots to stretch the drama are pretty good - felt they were fresh, dreamy and not forced (except maybe one). Plus the characters are unique and has a certain depth too.
- BUT writers have done only an average job in making these components into a good story. I really feel there was more potential to make this plot much much better.
- got to appreciate that decent focus was also given to friendships, family, and struggles of these characters <3
- imo, final episode was little hurried but satisfactory, especially since it gives closure on some matters.
ACTING:
Pai, Pure, Folk and even Waan were portrayed pretty well. But when it comes to chemistry, the gay side couple is still better. To be fair Itt-Pai kiss scenes do not disappoint but I personally boys give low "feels", AT TIMES.
Rest, including direction, production, music, rewatch value - I'd describe as "low to medium average".
FINAL VERDICT: Not something I regret watching. Overall, liked it. Not something of high quality story acting or direction but you can binge watch on a lazy day for the lowkey cuteness.
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Watch. Just watch it.
If there is anyone else left in the world to watch this show after me, my free advice to you is do give this show a chance.---
The production is commendable - almost the entire story is shared via phone or computer screen of the characters but still was done so smoothly, and the watching experience was great.
---
PLOT was strong, and beautiful. Not only did it deal difficult and maybe even relatable topics -- with the struggles of the characters when faced with life changing events, how affected they are by the pandemic in their own different ways, and even about coming in terms with ones sexuality -- the writers managed to keep it both natural without dragged out drama (noting saying I am drama hater), and light hearted.
I am thoroughly amazed because the rollercoaster of emotions were balanced out very well, like with light hearted and fluffy scenes which will not leaving you feeling too heavy even after the super intense situations - you can almost watch how time hurts and heals in a time-lapse.
The writers made sure not to add anything too problematic, things said and done mostly are "just the right thing" but in spite of this the characters are not perfect. They are a little flawed, they are at times insecure, they are still finding themselves - they are Human.
The characters are not all over the place as plot proceeds, they either are the same person who starts to show more of themselves, or the same person you knew who slowly but surely develops.
I love how there are no black and white here, even the "bad guys" are not justified but instead their side is simply shown and they were then given a chance to be better, and to me that is just Beautiful writing!!
---
I am not going to talk much about the acting, I do not have any way to put it in right and deserving words. But can I just say the actors I considered "amateurs in a web drama" proved me SO SO WRONG and I am ashamed how quick I was to judge and THANKFUL just to have had the chance to witness this level of acting!!? I cried with them, smiled with them, laughed and my heart felt their pains.
Kokoy was my first favorite with his how he portrayed a confident, charismatic young man (Gavreel) who never held back his feelings initially. And he was too good, developing the character by slowly showing his other "human" sides. I took Elijah lightly, his reserved-ish character probably did not give him much chance to act more was my reasoning to self - BUT from that one scene (you might know if you have watched) that guy DESTROYED me. Both because that scene took this series to another level of brilliantness, and from there his character slowly developed.
Even every other actors surpassed my expectations, including ones who played Pearl, Cairo's family, Terrance and Wes.
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Overall - I usually am okay with BLs being compared with other BL series because it needs to catch up with decades of hetero- relationships in media. BUT, Gameboys crossed the threshold, it stands for itself, and definitely does not need the BL tag's support it to show what it's worth. It can easily compete with most mainstream shows /series/dramas any day <3
That is----- Gameboys is not just a "good BL", it is a great series. Period.
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Not a lot but still just enough
I am talking about what the episode has, not the exact content, so hopefully this will not be considered spoiler.The special episode really filled my heart, it was so wholesome!!!
They showed how an ex does not necessarily mean a villain, and that even though it was in the past, what they had still love. And the hurt of having to separate when they still like each other, especially the helplessness the one who did not make the decision was acted out so beautifully (tmi: I was patting my screen throughout a scene🙈)
And not only did they redeem the ex, they ended it with a sweeter note of how even someone who might have felt so broken, and like their world has ended at a point, can find happiness on moving on. I really appreciate how they neither showed a relationship as better nor another one as superior.
If anything was missing, it would be screentime for any other character, but I wouldn't complain.
This small and sweet episode itself has overwhelmed me - in a good way. <3
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This review may contain spoilers
Bland
<>> The PRODUCTION wasn't the best, but okay, the movie is kinda old.
>The STORY
@@ Overall the way I felt about it in some ways paralleled how I felt about the main plot of BL Why RU. The plotline had a lot of potential but the story just floated about. The way their chemistry developed was super random, and I am just choking it up to "love is not rational" rationale. I mean, Itt just imprinted on Mhek, I felt like missed some important event because the trajectory of that relationship was unexpected.
@@ Other than that, most of the sad scenes between the main couples did nothing to me, I think I ended up laughing watching a few. Oops. I have very little sympathy for characters who cheat anyways.
@@ Side plot about Mhek's family was something I was more sympathetic about. Their childhood trauma (thaat shit always gets to me) and the stigma they faced were the only sad part in the first half of the movie.
@@ ENDING: I only expected a sad ending. But tbh it ended up sadder than I expected. The plight of Mhek's family was saddening. And the fact that he did his time, and it ended the way it did 25 years later, made me sadder than if it would have happened before his imprisonment. That kinda hurt.
> Not something I feel like rewatching
> Don't really remember the music
>>>> basically a BL with abrupt beginning of romance, sob-story mid-portion and tragic ending.
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