STORY AND CHARACTERS. Here lies the strength of this series. Both male leads (and Kazuki) are not absolutely good or bad. We see both sides of each character. We see Kiyoi at first as a brat, user, bully, then later we realize he also feels like he’s a victim. Hira, on the other hand, despite being seen as a willing victim, is also unwittingly using Kiyoi for personal, selfish reasons. Kayoma, who seems to be the most “normal” of the three, can also do the wrong things at the wrong time.
We understand where the two MLs are coming from with the help of animated scenes showing how they grew up. This is what is missing in MR. UNLUCKY CAN ONLY KISS. That series ended leaving us with no clue where the two ML’s families are.
Pacing is just right: too slow, not too fast. Also there’s no irritating side stories of side couples, so the focus is just on the main leads. Attention, Thai BL producers!
Also, this is the only BL I’ve seen so far in which the POV switched from one character (Hira) to another (Kiyoi). This switch made us see more where our main characters are coming from.
ACTING. Superb ang acting from the entire cast. Special mention is the final confrontation. Acting on that scene was spot on. Good writing, too.
TECHNICALS. Cinematography is above average, seasoned professionals obviously are behind this. Same with editing and music, above average.
REWATCH VALUE. I’d watch this over and over again, yes!
I can say this: GAP (Mon) and MHING (Soh) are my least favorite pair in lead roles – both physically and acting wise. So, it was an effort to finish this series. It’s good that there is lang NEW (Tan), POON (Pond), MEW (Tack), and ZAX (Tim).
Acting is understandably below par because all cast members are newcomers. So, the awkwardness is expected but that’s no excuse if 1) they screened the cast well 2) the director guided the actors. My prediction: actor Gap (who plays Mon) won’t go far in the acting business. I suggest he change careers. Same with Mhing (who plays Soh). Both are ham actors. The good actors in the cast are those who played Pond, Saint, Tack, and Tim.
STORY: Nothing new here. Hate turns to like. Execution is also not fresh. You feel that you’ve seen all that before. It was an ordeal.
PACING. Super slow. And the way the characters talk, they are like in slow motion. You always feel like taking the words out of their mouths. Lots of dead air, tbh!
SCRIPT: One of the worst. The only characters with good lines and delivery are the coach, Pond and sometimes, Saint. I feel like their lines were written by a different writer from those who wrote the ML’s lines (there are four writers, including the director).
Most of the comedy lines/scenes fell flat – except that of the COACH’s and POND’s. They’re both natural and likeable, unlike the two MLs.
DIRECTING. I checked out the filmography of the director. Just 1 drama before this. And only 5 MDL users have seen it.
Cinematography and camerawork: Below average. But there’s a big improvement beginning with Ep 10. It seems that they changed their DoP starting with that ep. Music and sound effects are irritating, to say the least. I had to stop using earphones while watching.
This is one of the least favorite Thai BL series that I’ve seen..
This is from THE IDEA FIRST COMPANY, makers of GAMEBOYS, so I watched this with high expectations.
Paolo Ballesteros, Anne Curtis, Dennis Trillo, The Idea First Company. Winning combination! There’s also Sinon Loresca! Bonus, Yayo Aguila, and that drag queen role of Michael de Mesa! What’s not to love??
STORY. Nothing new but the presentation is quite fresh, so… still a winner. In the first scenes of the movie, you’ll feel that Kylie (Anne Curtis) and Diego (Dennis Trillo) are the end game here. Paolo (as Benj) is also in the main cast, but his role is more on the comedy side, and no romance angle for him, really. This Kylie-Diego pairing is reinforced at 37-minute mark (theater scene) and later in the fitting scene where the background music that played is “May Minamahal” (It means “there’s someone being loved”). And then, at the 49-minute mark, the song was sang by Kyle and Diego, so…. we know!
This singing of “May Minamahal” marks the turning point in the movie. This is the seed of realization on Kylie and Diego about their feelings for each other – though they still haven’t realized that at this point. The misunderstandings and incompatibility of Diego and Fiona are also starting to show. So, it’s really quote predictable from this point on what will happen next.
What is not believable is Diego asking Kylie to pretend to be Fiona (since Fiona is always busy) for their church interview (a requirement if one is to get married here in the Philippines) and the couples seminar (another requirement) where the two were forced to kiss each other. Wasn’t Fiona bound to find out about that?
Plus point is the inclusion of male/female/gay stereotypes (how one looks at one’s fingernails, for example). They were incorporated in very funny ways.
*****
Everything was going well until that party scene at 1:24 mark where a drunken Kylie accused everyone there of being gay (“Bakla! Bakla kayong lahat!”; or You’ll all faggots!”). It was a very awkward scene, one done without finesse, so all the sympathy that Kylie got since the beginning of this movie, was thrown out the window. To me, this was unnecessary and overdone. Being drunk is no excuse for being ill-mannered. Big minus points. She ruined the party, she ruined her friendship with Benj, she ruined their business deal with Diego and Fiona, and she ruined her reputation.
When she did this at that opening of the movie, it was fine because we were just establishing her character then. But to repeat it at THIS party, it was way over the top already.
Good thing Benj and Diego forgave her. If it were me, I won’t ever talk to her again.
*****
This is NOT a BL series because there is no M2M relationship here of any kind. Benj likes Diego, but that’s it. So, if you’re expecting a BL movie, you’ll be disappointed.
This is a 9, but because of THAT scene, it became a 7. But let’s add a half point for acting from Dennis Trillo, Anne Curtis and also Michael de Mesa (not so with Paolo medyo whose acting here is stereotypical).
*****
MISCAST
I think Alma Concepcion is miscast as Dennis Trillo’s mother. She’s 40 y/o and Dennis was 35 y/o when they made this movie.
FAMILIAR FACE
That actress who played the lady assistant at the church counseling is also the actress who played that dastard aunt of Gavreel in GAMEBOYS THE MOVIE (2021).
This series was really going along quite well… until EP 6 happened. It seems like the writers were tripping or something. That “one day trial relationship” offer of Typhoon (which Nuea accepted – quite stupidly – when he and Kluen had just revealed their feelings for each other a few minutes before) was totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It was so unrealistic.
TECHNCAL DEPT. Nothing outstanding. Not the cinematography, not the directing. A little above average, but nothing spectacular. Same with editing and music. Nothing special.
ACTING. Kluen (actor: JOONG) is okay. He is consistently cool (and sometime cold) which is his character. Confident acting. Nuea (actor: Dunk), on the other hand, has many awkward moments – especially when crying is involved. Seems forced. Facial expression doesn’t register grief or pain. His acting was especially awkward when Kluen was showing him the art works he kept all those years. His smiles are also awkward, not showing genuine happiness. Maybe it’s his face and mouth/teeth. But the two has real chemistry. This would have been more intense if Nuea’s acting is at par.
I like Sean (actor: SATANG) and Typhoon (actor: PEPPER) for their honest and consistent portrayal of their characters. The other support actors are equally good, but there weren’t enough exposure for them.
STORY. Overuse of tropes (not telling the truth right away, etc) kasi. Seems like an insult to viewers. After conflicts were resolved (Gia, Fah, Typhoon), two were recycled after Episode 6 (Gia, Typhoon). Conflicts are forced or contrived).
I was ready to give this a 9.0 rating, but after Ep 6, a big turn off, I was ready to give ita 6.0 or 7.0. But the series has enough charm, thanks to the cast. So, I’m still giving it a rating of 8 / 10.
Why is no one mentioning that Erek Lin (who plays Amber here) is the bullied guy in YOUR NAME ENGRAVED HEREIN? If you’ve seen the movie, you won’t forget that toilet scene where the bullies ganged up on him. He also tried to kiss A-han (Edward Chen) in one scene. Just wondering why nobody seems to notice this. =).
Amber has one of the intersex conditions. It is unclear which one. But as such, it is not at all uncommon for…
Thank you so much for your reply! I get what you mean, but I wasn’t asking for a THOROUGH explanation on Amber’s condition, just the BASICS as to what it is and how it came about. And maybe mention the statistics (what percentage of the world population has this condition). The series didn’t even give this to us. A little research on the writer’s part would have helped the viewers understand this condition more and therefore appreciate the story better – and not finish watching it scratching their heads. =)
The series is okay, but left some unanswered questions in my head:
1 What was Wen-Wen’s condition as a child? If he’s a MALE, then why did they dress her up like a girl?
2 Did he have a male organ or a female organ? If male, then why did they treat her like a girl? If female, then does she still have a female organ now? Or did he undergo surgery to have a male organ?
3 The mother knew Amber is Wen-Wen, so she just accepted this without wondering what happened?
I think they should have discussed this condition more, to help the audience understand it, rather than just glossing by it and therefore making the audience confused or uncertain how to react.
I know I’m in the minority here – but I find their kisses awkward. Maybe because I look at them more like siblings than lovers. I didn’t feel any sexual tension or chemistry between the two main leads.
Also, their kisses are so dry. They’re more like lip-touching than really kissing.
*****
ACTING. Yu-He is hands down the best performer in this series. She’s consistently good throughout the entire series. Next is Amber, then Li. Le’s acting is so-so to sometimes awkward (especially in that scene where he revealed to his mother about his love for Amber). That crying seemed forced. Or maybe it’s just his face. Same with Gwan. His acting is just so-so.
CINEMATOGRAPHY is really good and so is the MUSIC. EDITING is quirky and confusing at times.
First, the writing. It was uneven and most of the time problematic. It was sometimes messy. There are scenes that are repeated (girlfriend-Oun talk after the party and the following day). It’s as if the writers didn’t have a story outline/timeline and checklist.
Anyway, the main message of overcoming challenges and finding love along the way was very clearly stated.
Acting: Overall, there’s improvement in the two MLs, though Chap (as Nawee) still has awkward moments, despite all the assignments he has recently. The chemistry between the two is sizzling hot. And sizzling hot, too, are the kissing/love scenes despite not showing much (of THAT part, you know. Haha).
We must thank Tape (as Sichol). His character and performance helped a lot to lighten the mood when things were going downhill. Actually, his character/acting is one of the more memorable pluses of this series/ .
On the technical side, it’s okay overall, but no “wow” factor really. Above average though.
THE FINALE: You get the feeling that it was rushed. Again, there are many support characters (very typical of Thai BLs) so you get the feeling that many were underdeveloped.
But the overall pacing of this series is just okay for me. There were no forward moments because the episodes are short – unlike in other BLs where there are lots of unnecessary or dragging scenes..
The director is obviously old school. So many stereotype characters, acting and scenes. Fit for a telenovela. Too many unrealistic moments (slipped that’s why they kissed – not once but twice! Haha!).
Hope to see the two MLs handled by more competent directors in better written series in the future.
ONE OF THE WORST MOVIES I’VE EVER SEEN (WHAT WAS THAT??)
Gun is miscast here. His acting is so awkward that it’s painful to watch. Always spitting, but it doesn’t suit his facial expression or movements. AND THAT VOICE!!! Why did they get THAT dubber to record over his voice?? It’s really laughable!!! Is that Russian? Haha!
Forty minutes into the movie and we still have no idea what the characters are talking about. Is it drugs? It’s not clear. Worst script.
If sadomasochism is your cup of tea, then maybe you’ll enjoy this movie. The first 30 minutes are nothing but nudity, sex, beating, whipping, slapping, pulling hair, kicking, hitting each other, cursing and shouting at each other.
Then, we get to have a respite of about 10 minutes, then it’s M2M sex again!
One hour into the movie and I still have no idea what the characters are talking about.
Then, it’s over. I have no idea what went on there.
This is like watching a train wreck. You can’t look away. But in the end, you feel empty.
Turbo is miscast as Anda here, for me. He is supposed to be shy and timid, but he always appears to act like a brat who is always pouting. His acting is very amateurish, too.
In the entire cast, it’s only Bank and Jet who are consistent with their characters. P’Thee is overacting. Ryo is so-so, nothing special. His face has changed since his THARNTYPE days where he played Lhong, the friend-turned-fiend. His wardrobe is tends to be over the top though. And his makeup and lipstick, too.
Chemistry between the two male leads, to me, is almost zero. I cringe when they kiss or have bed scenes. It seems that there is more chemistry between Ryo and Bank.
In the technical department (cinematography, camerawork, editing) and production design, there’s nothing to brag about here. Average. Nothing spectacular, but not too bad either. It’s not “film quality” like ITSAY or CHERRY MAGIC. Music is ok though.
I really wasn’t blown away by anything so there were quite many fast-forward moments.
I’m not familiar with the original story, but I guess this Thai version added more characters. Thai series tend to overload their series with so many characters so the tendency is to have the story all over the place.
I know what the producers did here: They did not make this a BL to appeal to a wider audience – BUT they also placed BL elements to titillate BL fans to reach THAT market as well. So, even though this is not a BL, they gave BL fans some bits to munch on.
It’s not perfect but I’m still giving it a high score because it’s a breath of fresh air from pollution in the sea of BL/bromance series. Also for the strong chemistry of the two MLs.
I was ready to give it a perfect 10, but the first half of the finale episode (rescue and escape) quite ruined it for me. It could have been better written and executed.
Three nagging questions were left unanswered:
1) Where does Longjie get money now that grandpa is gone?
2) Why does Merman know how to read?
3) When Merman got caught in the rain and grew a tail, we saw his shoes near the tail. Where did his pants go?? Haha!!
What are you talking about?? I don't find Mix fat. In fact I like his look now compared to his look in ATOATS. You must be talking about another person.
I like EarthMix in A TALE OF A THOUSAND STARS but... I guess I’ll never know why THIS series has gotten such a high average rating. It’s CRAP! This is the only BL that I had HATED a main character so much that I almost stopped watching. Well, I fast forwarded a lot from Ep 6 to the finale.
I really thought we made progress from Ep 1 to 5. I was enjoying it finally. THEN… Episode 6 happened. Win is back to his obnoxious self. We’re back to Ep 1 all over again. Sheez. Five episodes wasted. The remaining 5 eps could do nothing to salvage this series.
Even Korn’s character, however goody-goody, is actually a DOORMAT. Win threw his clothes and kicked him out of the house, right? If I were Korn, I’d swear to never go back there again. Then, from Eps 2-5, we’re good again. But in Ep 6, the shouting thing happened again and Korn became a doormat once again.
The stereotype villains are also present here like we’re back in the 1970s.
By Episode 9, I really wished Korn and Lin would get married. Yes, that’s how the writers made Win’s character so hateful and obnoxious!!
Of course the 2 MLs are our endgame. We could have skipped Eps 2-9 had Win not been an a***ole from the start.
BS line of Win to his mother: “Why did you want me to hate Korn?” Ijit!!! You did that on your own! YOU were the one who reacted like a prima donna, YOU were the one who threw Korn out of your house! What trash is this, writers??? LAUGHABLE!!! Who wants to watch the rest of the finale after that? Not me.
It’s the mother’s reason for doing what she did that takes the cake. Hello, writers?? Mother’s reason: She knew about Korn and Win, so she gives Korn a share in their farm, “knowing that Win will hate Korn”?? What kind of BS logic is that? And true enough, you succeeded in making Win’s character the most hated ML in the entire BL world! Congrats! NOT.
In the end, it seems like this is just an ad for a Thai farm. This is an overlong crap and a waste of time.
IT TOOK 8 EPISODES TO REALIZE TAWAN IS BEING TWO-TIMED??
I REALLY WISH TO SAY THAT I ENJOYED THIS SERIES, but unfortunately, I didn’t. Maybe I started with very high expectations because of the reviews I’ve read. But there’s just too many glaring idiocies and laughable scenes here that I couldn’t ignore.
THE TWO MAIN ACTORS. Tawan (actor: FAME) is neither good nor bad. He is just average in terms of acting, but tends to ham it up. Also, his looks are bland at best. He’s not main lead material to me. Mork (actor: FLUKE) is more natural. Those dimples are a plus, too. However, I don’t feel any chemistry between the two.
Story is all over the place because there are so many side characters, the most useless of which is the Toy-Boss tandem. The series can do away without them. I fast-forwarded their scenes beginning in Ep 5. Toy’s character is not funny at all (a blackmailer who takes advantage of Boss). Boss is a spineless character, too – and his “speech” in front of Toy’s class in the finale is not believable at all; in fact it’s laughable.
Mayom, the bartender is bearable because his acting is consistent. He’s the best looking guy in the cast, too; second only to Mork and Top (Por’s boyfriend). Nadia’s character is funny but can be irritating sometimes. Also, why do they dress her like that? I’m talking about the festival where she wore a cheap dress even a cheap sex worker won’t wear!
The uncles are okay, too, though their fights tend to be overacted.
What really irritates me is the story: It took 8 episodes for Tawan to realize Por is not really into him. Worse, it’s not only Por who kept it from him, but also Mork. So, we were left with only 2 episodes for the 2 MLs to develop their romance – which is even worse than the university BLs.
Overall, I felt impatient with the story flow that I fast forwarded many times. In the end, it felt like it was a waste of time.
Technically, it was so-so. There’s no outstanding shot/s, not even during end kiss. Their earlier supposed “romantic” or “deep” talk on that bridge was not breathtaking at all. It was bland at best.
STORY AND CHARACTERS. Here lies the strength of this series. Both male leads (and Kazuki) are not absolutely good or bad. We see both sides of each character. We see Kiyoi at first as a brat, user, bully, then later we realize he also feels like he’s a victim. Hira, on the other hand, despite being seen as a willing victim, is also unwittingly using Kiyoi for personal, selfish reasons. Kayoma, who seems to be the most “normal” of the three, can also do the wrong things at the wrong time.
We understand where the two MLs are coming from with the help of animated scenes showing how they grew up. This is what is missing in MR. UNLUCKY CAN ONLY KISS. That series ended leaving us with no clue where the two ML’s families are.
Pacing is just right: too slow, not too fast. Also there’s no irritating side stories of side couples, so the focus is just on the main leads. Attention, Thai BL producers!
Also, this is the only BL I’ve seen so far in which the POV switched from one character (Hira) to another (Kiyoi). This switch made us see more where our main characters are coming from.
ACTING. Superb ang acting from the entire cast. Special mention is the final confrontation. Acting on that scene was spot on. Good writing, too.
TECHNICALS. Cinematography is above average, seasoned professionals obviously are behind this. Same with editing and music, above average.
REWATCH VALUE. I’d watch this over and over again, yes!
10 / 10
I can say this: GAP (Mon) and MHING (Soh) are my least favorite pair in lead roles – both physically and acting wise. So, it was an effort to finish this series. It’s good that there is lang NEW (Tan), POON (Pond), MEW (Tack), and ZAX (Tim).
Acting is understandably below par because all cast members are newcomers. So, the awkwardness is expected but that’s no excuse if 1) they screened the cast well 2) the director guided the actors. My prediction: actor Gap (who plays Mon) won’t go far in the acting business. I suggest he change careers. Same with Mhing (who plays Soh). Both are ham actors. The good actors in the cast are those who played Pond, Saint, Tack, and Tim.
STORY: Nothing new here. Hate turns to like. Execution is also not fresh. You feel that you’ve seen all that before. It was an ordeal.
PACING. Super slow. And the way the characters talk, they are like in slow motion. You always feel like taking the words out of their mouths. Lots of dead air, tbh!
SCRIPT: One of the worst. The only characters with good lines and delivery are the coach, Pond and sometimes, Saint. I feel like their lines were written by a different writer from those who wrote the ML’s lines (there are four writers, including the director).
Most of the comedy lines/scenes fell flat – except that of the COACH’s and POND’s. They’re both natural and likeable, unlike the two MLs.
DIRECTING. I checked out the filmography of the director. Just 1 drama before this. And only 5 MDL users have seen it.
Cinematography and camerawork: Below average. But there’s a big improvement beginning with Ep 10. It seems that they changed their DoP starting with that ep. Music and sound effects are irritating, to say the least. I had to stop using earphones while watching.
This is one of the least favorite Thai BL series that I’ve seen..
5.5 / 10
This is from THE IDEA FIRST COMPANY, makers of GAMEBOYS, so I watched this with high expectations.
Paolo Ballesteros, Anne Curtis, Dennis Trillo, The Idea First Company. Winning combination! There’s also Sinon Loresca! Bonus, Yayo Aguila, and that drag queen role of Michael de Mesa! What’s not to love??
STORY. Nothing new but the presentation is quite fresh, so… still a winner. In the first scenes of the movie, you’ll feel that Kylie (Anne Curtis) and Diego (Dennis Trillo) are the end game here. Paolo (as Benj) is also in the main cast, but his role is more on the comedy side, and no romance angle for him, really. This Kylie-Diego pairing is reinforced at 37-minute mark (theater scene) and later in the fitting scene where the background music that played is “May Minamahal” (It means “there’s someone being loved”). And then, at the 49-minute mark, the song was sang by Kyle and Diego, so…. we know!
This singing of “May Minamahal” marks the turning point in the movie. This is the seed of realization on Kylie and Diego about their feelings for each other – though they still haven’t realized that at this point. The misunderstandings and incompatibility of Diego and Fiona are also starting to show. So, it’s really quote predictable from this point on what will happen next.
What is not believable is Diego asking Kylie to pretend to be Fiona (since Fiona is always busy) for their church interview (a requirement if one is to get married here in the Philippines) and the couples seminar (another requirement) where the two were forced to kiss each other. Wasn’t Fiona bound to find out about that?
Plus point is the inclusion of male/female/gay stereotypes (how one looks at one’s fingernails, for example). They were incorporated in very funny ways.
*****
Everything was going well until that party scene at 1:24 mark where a drunken Kylie accused everyone there of being gay (“Bakla! Bakla kayong lahat!”; or You’ll all faggots!”). It was a very awkward scene, one done without finesse, so all the sympathy that Kylie got since the beginning of this movie, was thrown out the window. To me, this was unnecessary and overdone. Being drunk is no excuse for being ill-mannered. Big minus points. She ruined the party, she ruined her friendship with Benj, she ruined their business deal with Diego and Fiona, and she ruined her reputation.
When she did this at that opening of the movie, it was fine because we were just establishing her character then. But to repeat it at THIS party, it was way over the top already.
Good thing Benj and Diego forgave her. If it were me, I won’t ever talk to her again.
*****
This is NOT a BL series because there is no M2M relationship here of any kind. Benj likes Diego, but that’s it. So, if you’re expecting a BL movie, you’ll be disappointed.
This is a 9, but because of THAT scene, it became a 7. But let’s add a half point for acting from Dennis Trillo, Anne Curtis and also Michael de Mesa (not so with Paolo medyo whose acting here is stereotypical).
*****
MISCAST
I think Alma Concepcion is miscast as Dennis Trillo’s mother. She’s 40 y/o and Dennis was 35 y/o when they made this movie.
FAMILIAR FACE
That actress who played the lady assistant at the church counseling is also the actress who played that dastard aunt of Gavreel in GAMEBOYS THE MOVIE (2021).
7.5 / 10
This series was really going along quite well… until EP 6 happened. It seems like the writers were tripping or something. That “one day trial relationship” offer of Typhoon (which Nuea accepted – quite stupidly – when he and Kluen had just revealed their feelings for each other a few minutes before) was totally uncalled for and unnecessary. It was so unrealistic.
TECHNCAL DEPT. Nothing outstanding. Not the cinematography, not the directing. A little above average, but nothing spectacular. Same with editing and music. Nothing special.
ACTING. Kluen (actor: JOONG) is okay. He is consistently cool (and sometime cold) which is his character. Confident acting. Nuea (actor: Dunk), on the other hand, has many awkward moments – especially when crying is involved. Seems forced. Facial expression doesn’t register grief or pain. His acting was especially awkward when Kluen was showing him the art works he kept all those years. His smiles are also awkward, not showing genuine happiness. Maybe it’s his face and mouth/teeth. But the two has real chemistry. This would have been more intense if Nuea’s acting is at par.
I like Sean (actor: SATANG) and Typhoon (actor: PEPPER) for their honest and consistent portrayal of their characters. The other support actors are equally good, but there weren’t enough exposure for them.
STORY. Overuse of tropes (not telling the truth right away, etc) kasi. Seems like an insult to viewers. After conflicts were resolved (Gia, Fah, Typhoon), two were recycled after Episode 6 (Gia, Typhoon). Conflicts are forced or contrived).
I was ready to give this a 9.0 rating, but after Ep 6, a big turn off, I was ready to give ita 6.0 or 7.0. But the series has enough charm, thanks to the cast. So, I’m still giving it a rating of 8 / 10.
OVERALL
The series is okay, but left some unanswered questions in my head:
1 What was Wen-Wen’s condition as a child? If he’s a MALE, then why did they dress her up like a girl?
2 Did he have a male organ or a female organ? If male, then why did they treat her like a girl? If female, then does she still have a female organ now? Or did he undergo surgery to have a male organ?
3 The mother knew Amber is Wen-Wen, so she just accepted this without wondering what happened?
I think they should have discussed this condition more, to help the audience understand it, rather than just glossing by it and therefore making the audience confused or uncertain how to react.
I know I’m in the minority here – but I find their kisses awkward. Maybe because I look at them more like siblings than lovers. I didn’t feel any sexual tension or chemistry between the two main leads.
Also, their kisses are so dry. They’re more like lip-touching than really kissing.
*****
ACTING. Yu-He is hands down the best performer in this series. She’s consistently good throughout the entire series. Next is Amber, then Li. Le’s acting is so-so to sometimes awkward (especially in that scene where he revealed to his mother about his love for Amber). That crying seemed forced. Or maybe it’s just his face. Same with Gwan. His acting is just so-so.
CINEMATOGRAPHY is really good and so is the MUSIC. EDITING is quirky and confusing at times.
Episodes 1-4 = 10
Episodes 5-8 = 9
Episode 9 = 6
Episodes 10-11 = 9
Episode 12 = 7
OVERALL = 8
Anyway, the main message of overcoming challenges and finding love along the way was very clearly stated.
Acting: Overall, there’s improvement in the two MLs, though Chap (as Nawee) still has awkward moments, despite all the assignments he has recently. The chemistry between the two is sizzling hot. And sizzling hot, too, are the kissing/love scenes despite not showing much (of THAT part, you know. Haha).
We must thank Tape (as Sichol). His character and performance helped a lot to lighten the mood when things were going downhill. Actually, his character/acting is one of the more memorable pluses of this series/ .
On the technical side, it’s okay overall, but no “wow” factor really. Above average though.
THE FINALE: You get the feeling that it was rushed. Again, there are many support characters (very typical of Thai BLs) so you get the feeling that many were underdeveloped.
But the overall pacing of this series is just okay for me. There were no forward moments because the episodes are short – unlike in other BLs where there are lots of unnecessary or dragging scenes..
The director is obviously old school. So many stereotype characters, acting and scenes. Fit for a telenovela. Too many unrealistic moments (slipped that’s why they kissed – not once but twice! Haha!).
Hope to see the two MLs handled by more competent directors in better written series in the future.
8 / 10
Gun is miscast here. His acting is so awkward that it’s painful to watch. Always spitting, but it doesn’t suit his facial expression or movements. AND THAT VOICE!!! Why did they get THAT dubber to record over his voice?? It’s really laughable!!! Is that Russian? Haha!
Forty minutes into the movie and we still have no idea what the characters are talking about. Is it drugs? It’s not clear. Worst script.
If sadomasochism is your cup of tea, then maybe you’ll enjoy this movie. The first 30 minutes are nothing but nudity, sex, beating, whipping, slapping, pulling hair, kicking, hitting each other, cursing and shouting at each other.
Then, we get to have a respite of about 10 minutes, then it’s M2M sex again!
One hour into the movie and I still have no idea what the characters are talking about.
Then, it’s over. I have no idea what went on there.
This is like watching a train wreck. You can’t look away. But in the end, you feel empty.
3 / 10
Turbo is miscast as Anda here, for me. He is supposed to be shy and timid, but he always appears to act like a brat who is always pouting. His acting is very amateurish, too.
In the entire cast, it’s only Bank and Jet who are consistent with their characters. P’Thee is overacting. Ryo is so-so, nothing special. His face has changed since his THARNTYPE days where he played Lhong, the friend-turned-fiend. His wardrobe is tends to be over the top though. And his makeup and lipstick, too.
Chemistry between the two male leads, to me, is almost zero. I cringe when they kiss or have bed scenes. It seems that there is more chemistry between Ryo and Bank.
In the technical department (cinematography, camerawork, editing) and production design, there’s nothing to brag about here. Average. Nothing spectacular, but not too bad either. It’s not “film quality” like ITSAY or CHERRY MAGIC. Music is ok though.
I really wasn’t blown away by anything so there were quite many fast-forward moments.
I’m not familiar with the original story, but I guess this Thai version added more characters. Thai series tend to overload their series with so many characters so the tendency is to have the story all over the place.
7 / 10
I know what the producers did here: They did not make this a BL to appeal to a wider audience – BUT they also placed BL elements to titillate BL fans to reach THAT market as well. So, even though this is not a BL, they gave BL fans some bits to munch on.
It’s not perfect but I’m still giving it a high score because it’s a breath of fresh air from pollution in the sea of BL/bromance series. Also for the strong chemistry of the two MLs.
I was ready to give it a perfect 10, but the first half of the finale episode (rescue and escape) quite ruined it for me. It could have been better written and executed.
Three nagging questions were left unanswered:
1) Where does Longjie get money now that grandpa is gone?
2) Why does Merman know how to read?
3) When Merman got caught in the rain and grew a tail, we saw his shoes near the tail. Where did his pants go?? Haha!!
9 / 10
I like EarthMix in A TALE OF A THOUSAND STARS but... I guess I’ll never know why THIS series has gotten such a high average rating. It’s CRAP! This is the only BL that I had HATED a main character so much that I almost stopped watching. Well, I fast forwarded a lot from Ep 6 to the finale.
I really thought we made progress from Ep 1 to 5. I was enjoying it finally. THEN… Episode 6 happened. Win is back to his obnoxious self. We’re back to Ep 1 all over again. Sheez. Five episodes wasted. The remaining 5 eps could do nothing to salvage this series.
Even Korn’s character, however goody-goody, is actually a DOORMAT. Win threw his clothes and kicked him out of the house, right? If I were Korn, I’d swear to never go back there again. Then, from Eps 2-5, we’re good again. But in Ep 6, the shouting thing happened again and Korn became a doormat once again.
The stereotype villains are also present here like we’re back in the 1970s.
By Episode 9, I really wished Korn and Lin would get married. Yes, that’s how the writers made Win’s character so hateful and obnoxious!!
Of course the 2 MLs are our endgame. We could have skipped Eps 2-9 had Win not been an a***ole from the start.
BS line of Win to his mother: “Why did you want me to hate Korn?” Ijit!!! You did that on your own! YOU were the one who reacted like a prima donna, YOU were the one who threw Korn out of your house! What trash is this, writers??? LAUGHABLE!!! Who wants to watch the rest of the finale after that? Not me.
It’s the mother’s reason for doing what she did that takes the cake. Hello, writers?? Mother’s reason: She knew about Korn and Win, so she gives Korn a share in their farm, “knowing that Win will hate Korn”?? What kind of BS logic is that? And true enough, you succeeded in making Win’s character the most hated ML in the entire BL world! Congrats! NOT.
In the end, it seems like this is just an ad for a Thai farm. This is an overlong crap and a waste of time.
5 / 10
I REALLY WISH TO SAY THAT I ENJOYED THIS SERIES, but unfortunately, I didn’t. Maybe I started with very high expectations because of the reviews I’ve read. But there’s just too many glaring idiocies and laughable scenes here that I couldn’t ignore.
THE TWO MAIN ACTORS. Tawan (actor: FAME) is neither good nor bad. He is just average in terms of acting, but tends to ham it up. Also, his looks are bland at best. He’s not main lead material to me. Mork (actor: FLUKE) is more natural. Those dimples are a plus, too. However, I don’t feel any chemistry between the two.
Story is all over the place because there are so many side characters, the most useless of which is the Toy-Boss tandem. The series can do away without them. I fast-forwarded their scenes beginning in Ep 5. Toy’s character is not funny at all (a blackmailer who takes advantage of Boss). Boss is a spineless character, too – and his “speech” in front of Toy’s class in the finale is not believable at all; in fact it’s laughable.
Mayom, the bartender is bearable because his acting is consistent. He’s the best looking guy in the cast, too; second only to Mork and Top (Por’s boyfriend). Nadia’s character is funny but can be irritating sometimes. Also, why do they dress her like that? I’m talking about the festival where she wore a cheap dress even a cheap sex worker won’t wear!
The uncles are okay, too, though their fights tend to be overacted.
What really irritates me is the story: It took 8 episodes for Tawan to realize Por is not really into him. Worse, it’s not only Por who kept it from him, but also Mork. So, we were left with only 2 episodes for the 2 MLs to develop their romance – which is even worse than the university BLs.
Overall, I felt impatient with the story flow that I fast forwarded many times. In the end, it felt like it was a waste of time.
Technically, it was so-so. There’s no outstanding shot/s, not even during end kiss. Their earlier supposed “romantic” or “deep” talk on that bridge was not breathtaking at all. It was bland at best.
7 / 10