AthenaTheStorierX

Does anyone know what movie was being watched and talked about in episode 5?

I agree with everything you said.

And it is entirely possible that there will be things unresolved. Apparently, the actors have been saying stuff on social media that hint at Naughty Boy. Originally, Naughty Boy is just Diao and Yi. But considering how much screen time of that story they already got in Cutie Pie - it seems likely that both stories will carry over into this possible season 2.

I really like how straightforward all the characters are with their emotions - to themselves and to each other. It's really refreshing and rare to see. And the straightforward flirting on top of it?! Im really happy.

Mayom does need to cool his jets down a couple notches though. He's exactly what Teng needs, but he's currently coming off as someone with too strong of an agenda - it takes away from him feeling genuine and considerate.

I think it's a combination of both.

Completely understandable. This lack of communication plot is tired, especially with characters that are supposed to be more mature. And even more so to be carried throughout the entire series with hardly any breakthroughs. There are so so many other conflicts that could've been added alongside the communication issues to make it feel more developed. I'm quite sad about what this show could've been, and hinted at being - but ultimately didn't.

Oh and i wasn't necessarily point you out for hating the show, but more the hate the show has been getting in general.

Currently, everyone is identifying it by the name จะรักฉันอยู่ไหม (translation: will you love me). If that is the title of the song, its likely an original song, not a cover.

I'm an introvert too. But there are just so so many reasons why they are a bad idea.

I definitely agree with you about the song. The lyrics were sweet, yes. But the tone, body language, and (to the viewers) context really tell us how tired he is.

Honestly, I became quite numb to Kuea-Lian this episode. So the Diao curfew is what got me the most fired up. And the fact that he's HAPPY about it. I swear, it brings me right back to my episode 1 rant about how toxic Diao-Yi is.

If you do all of your comments/episode recaps like this, I might have to specifically search your comments out from now on. This was a very entertaining read. XD

I agree. Now that the BL subgenre has a plethora of works, backers, companies, and viewers - I think we are definitely able to be choosy. And it should be encouraged. If we accept anything that we get, the stories are likely to become stagnant and repetitive. You know, the good ol' "if it works, why change it" and "let's keep doing more of this because it was successful, instead of risking it with change."

I think that's what makes alot of us so disappointed with how this series has been turning out. It had a unique premise. And the ability to tackle different issues BECAUSE of the unique premise. And keeping with this flawed story and character development just because it was in the book doesn't make sense anymore. The books are older. The book audience is a pretty different demographic than the series audience. There were better ways of showing and CONTEXTUALIZING Kuea's immaturity, insecurity, etc.

And I think the contextualizing is actually the first problem with this series. So much of how Kuea behaves and thinks is rooted in how he is treated - but those moments are scattered throughout the series. So it's easy to forget them between episodes for most people. There were many scenes that simply weren't needed - and they should've been replaced with scenes that helped viewers connect to and understand the characters better. After all, a good majority of these commenters on MDL appear to be plot-driven viewers, not character-driven - so their focus is going to be different. Instead, Cutie Pie tries to be character-driven, but with the style of a plot-driven narrative. It's mismatched. And easy to get disconnected from.

But still, I think considering what this show was trying to do - and how few have and are doing it - i don't think it should be getting this level of hate. Some leeway must be given when you're being experimental. This is a BL, yes. But it's trying to do stuff that other BLs haven't. And that should be appreciated - so we don't bully the industry into sticking with the "same old, same old" because it's safe and works.

Well said. There are so many positives in this series. And the unique premise (which got away from that university love story everyone supposedly has gotten tired of) is noteworthy. But it all gets buried under constant and repetitive hate comments about the plot.

Does the plot have holes? ABSOLUTELY. Am I, as a character-driven story consumer, upset with the lack of character growth? 100%. Even with the short time frame there should've been more growth (which the time frame isn't even addressed much in the series, so it's completely understandable that people aren't thinking of it in terms of how long it's been).

But I do understand where the characters are coming from. And why their relationships have these problems. And honestly, the arranged marriage situation makes sense to me (despite the MDL seemingly general consensus).

I really dont think that Kuea is in the wrong here.

He asked his mom directly about the property situation. And she BLATANTLY lied to him. Not a "I think this conversation needs to be held off while we figure things out" or anything like that. A LIE. And a lie that wouldve been unnecessary if they actually treated Kuea like the adult he is.

No one is teaching him anything about anything. They're always either coddling him or chastising him. His behavior makes perfect sense considering how everyone has treated him his entire life.

And no one ever asks him what he wants. They force him (like moving into Lian's place). They guilt him (like with the properties). They push him into a corner with misunderstandings (like with the computer engineering when he said engineering). They leave him out of decisions and bad news (the properties, his grandfather's death). Even with this engagement. They keep checking with Lian that its what he wants. But never with Kuea. Instead, all Kuea ever hears is about how they are entrusting him to Lian.

Which is another thing. They talk about this arrangement almost like a guardianship - rather than two equals.

This whole way that everyone talks to, with, and around Kuea is messed up. And so I really don't blame Kuea at all for his reactions.

And Kuea turning down that proposal was 100% the right thing to do. Lian knows that Kuea doesnt trust him fully yet - he heard it in the property conversation, and it was confirmed by the fact that Kuea still isn't telling him everything. But also, Lian still doesn't know everything about Kuea. Kuea was uncomfortable at that party. He didn't know anyone. He was out of his element. It was the worst place to propose to him. And considering Lian knows about Kuea's worthiness issues - he shouldve waited until he knew everything, so that that doubt isnt still lingering in the proposal.

They need to start from scratch if they are going to work at all. And that's what they shouldve done the second that Kuea returned. And it wasn't all Kuea's fault that they didn't.

Yea, I really dont think that Kuea is in the wrong here.

He asked his mom directly about the property situation. And she BLATANTLY lied to him. Not a "I think this conversation needs to be held off while we figure things out" or anything like that. A LIE. And a lie that wouldve been unnecessary if they actually treated Kuea like the adult he is.

No one is teaching him anything about anything. They're always either coddling him or chastising him. His behavior makes perfect sense considering how everyone has treated him his entire life.

And no one ever asks him what he wants. They force him (like moving into Lian's place). They guilt him (like with the properties). They push him into a corner with misunderstandings (like with the computer engineering when he said engineering). They leave him out of decisions and bad news (the properties, his grandfather's death). Even with this engagement. They keep checking with Lian that its what he wants. But never with Kuea. Instead, all Kuea ever hears is about how they are entrusting him to Lian.

Which is another thing. They talk about this arrangement almost like a guardianship - rather than two equals.

This whole way that everyone talks to, with, and around Kuea is messed up. And so I really don't blame Kuea at all for his reactions.

And Kuea turning down that proposal was 100% the right thing to do. Lian knows that Kuea doesnt trust him fully yet - he heard it in the property conversation, and it was confirmed by the fact that Kuea still isn't telling him everything. But also, Lian still doesn't know everything about Kuea. Kuea was uncomfortable at that party. He didn't know anyone. He was out of his element. It was the worst place to propose to him. And considering Lian knows about Kuea's worthiness issues - he shouldve waited until he knew everything, so that that doubt isnt still lingering in the proposal.

They need to start from scratch if they are going to work at all. And that's what they shouldve done the second that Kuea returned. And it wasn't all Kuea's fault that they didn't.

The vast majority of the songs he sings are covers - so im betting on that. Ill have to do some digging and get back to you if no one else has by then.

Oh for sure. Even I would've been able to tell Teng was flirting. Mayom read the signs correctly. And the fact that Teng is obviously used to not saying he's in a relationship just fed into that.

I think blame can pretty much go all around.
Theung wanting to be secretive for this many years has apparently left Teng unfulfilled, and potentially unused to (subconsciously) thinking of himself as part of a couple.

But Teng had multiple interactions with Mayom. It wasn't an "oops, i got carried away." He's been attracted to him since the beginning. And flirting with him for almost as long. They've had numerous near kisses. And dialogue that is far from innocent. He should've noticed what he was doing, stopped it ("im unavailable," "im not into you like that," etc), and made moves to keep it from happening again. Instead he somehow convinced himself that is was all innocent fun, until it became too real.

But yea, i agree with BL-Lover, he probably introduced him as his romantic partner simply because now that the reality hit him, he needed to shut it down quickly, and didn't have time to do it before Theung came in. And any mention of it in another way while Theung was present probably wouldve resulted in immediate conflict. In the short amount of time he had to come up with something that satisfied both needs, this is definitely the first one that would come to mind imo.

I 100% agree on the Amy situation. He obviously knew what she was doing, but still humored her clinging. It was very annoying. And shameless on her part. I'm quite tired of these shameless and manipulative wannabe love rival tropes - in BL and straight dramas. It just feels so Soap Opera to me. Also, isnt Ahtip's other friend his business partner? So he of all people should know better than to linger around the office like that, and to allow Amy to have her way with the place despite having absolutely ZERO role or stake in the company.

As for the competition rumor, Amy was literally in the room while Rita and him discussed the competition and how Poon's papaya salads would definitely win. So she's not just pulling it out of thin air. And even if she was, she was obviously doing it to rile Ahtip up. She's not exactly honest.

And we literally hear Ahtip say that they can easily check the security cameras. And any large establishment would have security cameras. Honestly, i found that INCREDIBLY realistic. Way way too many dramas seem to forget that the real world has these things called cameras - especially in places of business. And especially in popular places of business. So with the knowledge that cameras exist in this storyworld, wouldnt it also follow that there is a monitor program with those camera feeds? That a head secretary would have access to?

But granted, I would have liked to see her looking at the camera feeds. Or at least the screen. It would've made it immediately obvious to watchers who might miss the security camera dialogue. It could've also served to add dramatics and humor.

*note: my caps are just for emphasis. I mean no aggression here.

Yea, it's not available in mine - so i wasnt sure if it was a subscription based service or not.

I love all of the Skam remakes (well except for the US one).

Also, a rec for a positive and happy ending ftm trans BL story is Druck Season 3. A german retelling of Skam, in which the love interest is a trans man. Each season can be watched independently if so desired. :)