This review may contain spoilers
This was a great watch for me! But there are some flaws.
(This is my first review ever so don't mind my mistakes. Review is spoilers free until a spoilers warning below)
I came in with no expectations, didnt watch the trailers or hear anything about the show so maybe that's why my perception is a bit different.
General review (no spoilers yet) :
This was my first time watching a First Khaotung series and this was such a fantastic watch BL wise! Despite some of the cliches happening, i genuinely love their chemistry as Akk and Ayan and their enemies to lovers vibes. The dynamic between those two was really fun. The serious prefect vs the rebel and the teasing from Ayan was absolutely my fav part of the show! However, outside of the BL, the plot itself admittedly was a bit bareboned.
All of the actors did well though! The main and supporting cast felt very believable in every scene. The writing was... Okay but not the worst! The cinematography was amazing! The plot, despite it all, feels very original and refreshing compared to the usual high school/university plot.
Plot wise
If you're looking for a serious show that tackles deep subjects, this might not be the most accurate show you're looking for. Yes, there were some serious moments and it does tackles deep things like homophobia, sexuality, insecurity, depression, the fear of coming out, etc. But for me, while some parts do hit my heart, a lot of it feels a bit...lacking? Like it only speaks the surface of the issue and didnt deep dive into it.
However!! Despite the ridiculous reason of the protest, i do think the story did well in showing how school and the education system really suppressed a student's ability to speak for themselves and their identity by trying to control everyone. And in cases like this, the fault tends to be from the people in charge (the adults). And from those adults, it can influence teens to do bad things when pressured.
The plot itself felt Akk focused (which don't get me wrong, i feel the most for Akk through this series) but i feel like Ayan felt romance focused while Akk is story focused. Ayan's investigation for his uncle's death feels like it gradually became not important as each episodes go by and instead the story focused on the Suppalo Curse and the 3 main protestors.
I do genuinely enjoy watching episode 1-10 but episode 11 and a little bit of 12 was really dissapointing for me. It felt like the show was reaching it's climax only for the climax to be very anticlimactic and nonsensical with barely any consequences.
HOWEVER
< SPOILERS WARNING >
. . . . . . . . . . . .
MORE DETAILED REVIEW
THINGS I DO LIKE :
• Like i said above, the push and pull dynamic of Akk Ayan i really do love. Love the name callings too (Bigfoot and Shortstop). I feel very fond whenever these two are in scene.
• Akk's hesitant to admit that he likes Ayan (or that he likes men in general) because of societal pressure and Ayan supporting him throughout.
• Showcase that people actually do bully people who are gay in school. I've seen so many dramas where everyone just magically accepts things and let me tell you, as a person who graduated from a deeply Christian highschool, i deeply feel for Thua's character and even Kan's character felt very realistic to me because it really is hard to admit you like guys (moreover getting a boyfriend) when you clearly see how much society won't accept you if you do.
• The protest was turning a bit into a protest of identity and sexuality instead of just school uniform.
• Teacher Sani trying her best. Also showcase a good teacher like Sani and Dika could impact a student (Wat and Akk)
• I actually did quite like that Akk was revealed to be the curse. It adds depth to his character and i enjoyed him realizing his actions and the guilt he felt. First really did well portraying his character there.
• I like how Ayan also reacts really well and gave Akk a chance to admit the truth himself to everyone (though it wasn't possible in the end).
• The cinematography for some scene were so freaking beautiful man. I showed my friend a lot of scenes because of how pretty they are (I really love the eclipse kiss, the underwater kiss, the scene after Ayan caught Akk almost burning the items, the ep 12 scene when they woke up w the sunlight, the judo scene and a lot of scenes from when they were in Akk's family house)
• "you're allowed to be weak, at least with me" Ugh my heart, i love love love how supportive Akk and Ayan is towards each other. Love it when Ayan broke down beside Akk.
• Akk's self hatred after he realized the extent of his actions was really good.
• Kan Thua was pretty cute too (despite me not being the biggest fan of Thua).
• Love Kan's character development from being scared of being associated with Thua to proudly claiming that he's his boyfriend. It takes real bravery to do that and it's touching.
• THE PARENTS ARE SO NICE. I love Ayan's mom, wished they talk about how hard it is as a single mother but she does her best :c
She's really supportive of Ayan!
Akk's parents are so nice as well!
• I also love how Ayan can freely say that he's into Akk. Completely opposite of Akk.
• The overall chill and non stress feeling i feel watching this show (until ep 10 at least).
• The BTS after Ep 12 ended omlll. Cracked a lot of smiles for me :)
THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROVED :
• School uniform and phones are ridiculous reasons for a protest. I almost laughed considering i actually do love wearing my school uniform back then and phones not being allowed is just normal anywhere. They should have started with a protest about identity and sexuality instead
• Episode 11. Period. Thua was such a hypocrite for hating Akk's actions then proceed to do the same and exposing Akk (and outing him and Ayan to the school that he knows damn well is quite homophobic).
• Lack of foreshadowing. It feels like the Thua thing and the Dika - Chadok thing in Ep 11 feels a bit out of nowhere.
Yes, we're aware that Thua is going to protests and stuff but this escalation is still too far. Not to mention, since when is he a defender of truth? I'm going to assume the thing that Ayan whispered to Thua that Thua said he couldn't tell anyone might be about the curse but it doesn't make sense for Thua to suddenly change his mind and exposed everything.
• For Dika Chadok, yes they're cute. Yes, they're sad. But I hate the fact that suddenly after that, the show never talk about how Chadok was mainly to blame (and the principal ig) for Akk's actions (and to some degree, Thua's actions too).
He pressured a high schooler to do whatever it takes to stop a protest thats clearly out of his abilities!! If a teacher couldn't stop the damn protest, why would Akk be able to? It was very selfish and reckless for him. So it doesn't make sense why suddenly his role becomes sympathetic (And him, Akk and Ayan even met again in Ep 12).
Did Ayan forget that Chadok is the reason why his bf is the most pressured kid in that school? Or how Chadok manipulates Akk by dangling the scholarship that he knows Akk clearly needs.
• Talking about that, what happened to the scholarship? The show made it seem so important for Akk since he's not coming from a privileged background but then, they never bring it up. Especially with the suspension in the end, i had hoped it would be a topic they would discuss but they just forget about it. Oop.
• Lack of consequences for Thua's actions.
I don't believe we can put Akk and Thua in the same box because Akk did what he did from the pressure of Chadok (and it's clearly implied that every prefect leader had to be the curse at some point so clearly the pressure was well maintained) and also the pressure of being as good of a prefect leader as the previous leader.
However, Thua had no such pressure. Yes he was bullied and shunned but he literally just got into a relationship with Kan, who would do anything for him. I get that he really felt deeply for the juniors who protested but there was no indication that his feelings had gone to the extreme. I feel if there was more of showcasing of his extreme sides, this action would have made more sense (and would even be a good twist)
Moreover, when revealed, Thua didn't look guilty at all (at least towards Kan, yknow, the guy he's probably crushing for a looong time). After they had a talk, he still didnt look guilty!
Akk at least had a whole arc over how guilty he is (and is still is) but Thua had none!
Despite what he did, he was accepted into the friendship like he did nothing. Admittedly, i loved Thua's character until that moment. After that, i just couldn't like him.
• Like i said above too, this felt very Akk centric story compared to Ayan in the end.
• I felt like Ayan's grief didn't hit during Chadok's story. Idk, i feel like he should have asked more or be more angry, etc. Instead, it feels like the show is taking an easy way out idk.
• I feel like they crammed too much in Ep 11 that the impact doesnt feel as much so the resolution doesn't feel earned. Would be ideal if they added 2-4 episodes to explore what had happened instead of glossing it.
Not sure if there's more but that's it!! Might edit if i can think of more.
OVERALL
Would i recommend? Hell yes!!!
Just maybe... Turn off your brain a little hehe. I promise the Akk Ayan moments IS WORTH IT and some parts did made me tear up.
Think of this more as a romcom with little comedy instead :D
DESPITE IT ALL, I REALLY LOVE THE SHOW. So take my review with a grain of salt as everyone's standards, expectations and wishes are different!
If you're reading, ty~ Take care, I'm out.
I came in with no expectations, didnt watch the trailers or hear anything about the show so maybe that's why my perception is a bit different.
General review (no spoilers yet) :
This was my first time watching a First Khaotung series and this was such a fantastic watch BL wise! Despite some of the cliches happening, i genuinely love their chemistry as Akk and Ayan and their enemies to lovers vibes. The dynamic between those two was really fun. The serious prefect vs the rebel and the teasing from Ayan was absolutely my fav part of the show! However, outside of the BL, the plot itself admittedly was a bit bareboned.
All of the actors did well though! The main and supporting cast felt very believable in every scene. The writing was... Okay but not the worst! The cinematography was amazing! The plot, despite it all, feels very original and refreshing compared to the usual high school/university plot.
Plot wise
If you're looking for a serious show that tackles deep subjects, this might not be the most accurate show you're looking for. Yes, there were some serious moments and it does tackles deep things like homophobia, sexuality, insecurity, depression, the fear of coming out, etc. But for me, while some parts do hit my heart, a lot of it feels a bit...lacking? Like it only speaks the surface of the issue and didnt deep dive into it.
However!! Despite the ridiculous reason of the protest, i do think the story did well in showing how school and the education system really suppressed a student's ability to speak for themselves and their identity by trying to control everyone. And in cases like this, the fault tends to be from the people in charge (the adults). And from those adults, it can influence teens to do bad things when pressured.
The plot itself felt Akk focused (which don't get me wrong, i feel the most for Akk through this series) but i feel like Ayan felt romance focused while Akk is story focused. Ayan's investigation for his uncle's death feels like it gradually became not important as each episodes go by and instead the story focused on the Suppalo Curse and the 3 main protestors.
I do genuinely enjoy watching episode 1-10 but episode 11 and a little bit of 12 was really dissapointing for me. It felt like the show was reaching it's climax only for the climax to be very anticlimactic and nonsensical with barely any consequences.
HOWEVER
< SPOILERS WARNING >
. . . . . . . . . . . .
MORE DETAILED REVIEW
THINGS I DO LIKE :
• Like i said above, the push and pull dynamic of Akk Ayan i really do love. Love the name callings too (Bigfoot and Shortstop). I feel very fond whenever these two are in scene.
• Akk's hesitant to admit that he likes Ayan (or that he likes men in general) because of societal pressure and Ayan supporting him throughout.
• Showcase that people actually do bully people who are gay in school. I've seen so many dramas where everyone just magically accepts things and let me tell you, as a person who graduated from a deeply Christian highschool, i deeply feel for Thua's character and even Kan's character felt very realistic to me because it really is hard to admit you like guys (moreover getting a boyfriend) when you clearly see how much society won't accept you if you do.
• The protest was turning a bit into a protest of identity and sexuality instead of just school uniform.
• Teacher Sani trying her best. Also showcase a good teacher like Sani and Dika could impact a student (Wat and Akk)
• I actually did quite like that Akk was revealed to be the curse. It adds depth to his character and i enjoyed him realizing his actions and the guilt he felt. First really did well portraying his character there.
• I like how Ayan also reacts really well and gave Akk a chance to admit the truth himself to everyone (though it wasn't possible in the end).
• The cinematography for some scene were so freaking beautiful man. I showed my friend a lot of scenes because of how pretty they are (I really love the eclipse kiss, the underwater kiss, the scene after Ayan caught Akk almost burning the items, the ep 12 scene when they woke up w the sunlight, the judo scene and a lot of scenes from when they were in Akk's family house)
• "you're allowed to be weak, at least with me" Ugh my heart, i love love love how supportive Akk and Ayan is towards each other. Love it when Ayan broke down beside Akk.
• Akk's self hatred after he realized the extent of his actions was really good.
• Kan Thua was pretty cute too (despite me not being the biggest fan of Thua).
• Love Kan's character development from being scared of being associated with Thua to proudly claiming that he's his boyfriend. It takes real bravery to do that and it's touching.
• THE PARENTS ARE SO NICE. I love Ayan's mom, wished they talk about how hard it is as a single mother but she does her best :c
She's really supportive of Ayan!
Akk's parents are so nice as well!
• I also love how Ayan can freely say that he's into Akk. Completely opposite of Akk.
• The overall chill and non stress feeling i feel watching this show (until ep 10 at least).
• The BTS after Ep 12 ended omlll. Cracked a lot of smiles for me :)
THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROVED :
• School uniform and phones are ridiculous reasons for a protest. I almost laughed considering i actually do love wearing my school uniform back then and phones not being allowed is just normal anywhere. They should have started with a protest about identity and sexuality instead
• Episode 11. Period. Thua was such a hypocrite for hating Akk's actions then proceed to do the same and exposing Akk (and outing him and Ayan to the school that he knows damn well is quite homophobic).
• Lack of foreshadowing. It feels like the Thua thing and the Dika - Chadok thing in Ep 11 feels a bit out of nowhere.
Yes, we're aware that Thua is going to protests and stuff but this escalation is still too far. Not to mention, since when is he a defender of truth? I'm going to assume the thing that Ayan whispered to Thua that Thua said he couldn't tell anyone might be about the curse but it doesn't make sense for Thua to suddenly change his mind and exposed everything.
• For Dika Chadok, yes they're cute. Yes, they're sad. But I hate the fact that suddenly after that, the show never talk about how Chadok was mainly to blame (and the principal ig) for Akk's actions (and to some degree, Thua's actions too).
He pressured a high schooler to do whatever it takes to stop a protest thats clearly out of his abilities!! If a teacher couldn't stop the damn protest, why would Akk be able to? It was very selfish and reckless for him. So it doesn't make sense why suddenly his role becomes sympathetic (And him, Akk and Ayan even met again in Ep 12).
Did Ayan forget that Chadok is the reason why his bf is the most pressured kid in that school? Or how Chadok manipulates Akk by dangling the scholarship that he knows Akk clearly needs.
• Talking about that, what happened to the scholarship? The show made it seem so important for Akk since he's not coming from a privileged background but then, they never bring it up. Especially with the suspension in the end, i had hoped it would be a topic they would discuss but they just forget about it. Oop.
• Lack of consequences for Thua's actions.
I don't believe we can put Akk and Thua in the same box because Akk did what he did from the pressure of Chadok (and it's clearly implied that every prefect leader had to be the curse at some point so clearly the pressure was well maintained) and also the pressure of being as good of a prefect leader as the previous leader.
However, Thua had no such pressure. Yes he was bullied and shunned but he literally just got into a relationship with Kan, who would do anything for him. I get that he really felt deeply for the juniors who protested but there was no indication that his feelings had gone to the extreme. I feel if there was more of showcasing of his extreme sides, this action would have made more sense (and would even be a good twist)
Moreover, when revealed, Thua didn't look guilty at all (at least towards Kan, yknow, the guy he's probably crushing for a looong time). After they had a talk, he still didnt look guilty!
Akk at least had a whole arc over how guilty he is (and is still is) but Thua had none!
Despite what he did, he was accepted into the friendship like he did nothing. Admittedly, i loved Thua's character until that moment. After that, i just couldn't like him.
• Like i said above too, this felt very Akk centric story compared to Ayan in the end.
• I felt like Ayan's grief didn't hit during Chadok's story. Idk, i feel like he should have asked more or be more angry, etc. Instead, it feels like the show is taking an easy way out idk.
• I feel like they crammed too much in Ep 11 that the impact doesnt feel as much so the resolution doesn't feel earned. Would be ideal if they added 2-4 episodes to explore what had happened instead of glossing it.
Not sure if there's more but that's it!! Might edit if i can think of more.
OVERALL
Would i recommend? Hell yes!!!
Just maybe... Turn off your brain a little hehe. I promise the Akk Ayan moments IS WORTH IT and some parts did made me tear up.
Think of this more as a romcom with little comedy instead :D
DESPITE IT ALL, I REALLY LOVE THE SHOW. So take my review with a grain of salt as everyone's standards, expectations and wishes are different!
If you're reading, ty~ Take care, I'm out.
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