I can see where people are coming from with their criticism, however, I think a lot of what this show is about has been missed. This is an LGTBTQ series, but it is not romantic apart from our own and possibly the characters imagination and secret dreams. It is also not a bromance or platonic love. I think people have missed the obvious points it is trying to make.
This show is actually a subtle protest of how society, in this case conservative Korean and Japanese society, forces people to conform to a particular way of life and being. There is a lot of symbolism in this show, but you need to pay attention to the subtle hints. For me it’s pretty obvious that both characters are gay, deep in the closet, suppressed and absolutely terrified of their feelings and what it could mean. You may think this is crazy, but it isn't. You have no idea how terrifying it can be for a gay person to realise who and what they are in a conservative society. It is not a coincidence that this show starts and ends in Germany as opposed to Japan or Korea. This is where they meet for the first time and this is where they end - outside of the confines of the society they live, where they are not bound by those rules.
The church burning is another symbol of protest. Johan is clearly Christian, and is living with a lot of guilt. The boy who burns down the church is the same one who argues with his conservative Christian father on the street outside Sumiko's apartment. There is symbolism here, in that the young boy rebels whilst Johan feels he cannot do the same. He feels trapped, not only because of where he is from but also because of his background. There is classism here as well. The boxing is another symbol, how he is constantly fighting everything.
Everyone around them knows they're gay, but they never say it. It's the taboo topic, the big pink elephant in the room. Even Ryu's mum and dad pretty much welcome Johan as his partner, and treat him with kindness, yet neither Ryu nor Johan act. It's like his parents are telling them through their actions it's fine, be together, but they never say it out loud, never admit it - because they can't. Same with his friends from university. Time and time again, the characters choose to stay hidden and simply live a life as close to heterosexual as possible. They even move in with Sumiko and her child. But again, this is symbolic as what they are showing is that families come in many forms, and two gay men can be raise and care for a child just as any other couple.
The end is a way of saying how they have spent/wasted their lives in hiding to appease someone else. Ryu "marries" Sumiko, like so many gay men like him have done before. The pressure to conform has worn them both down.
So, no this is not a BL or a romantic LGBTQ love story. It's not a bromance either. It is a tragic story and protest against a society that wants to suppress them.
I just wish they would leave out the talking cats, its just cringe. I have five including a b!tch faced ragdoll…
I like the talking cats, but they don’t make good use of them. Also, they missed a trick in not picking other known GMMTV actors to do the voices. Getting LYKN to do the voices would have been a huge boost!
Jiro spills water on the doctor and he has to immediately change his clothes so he doesn’t get sick? Do Thai…
Ironically, Thais apparently have some of the highest vitamin D deficiencies in the world 😂 despite being a tropical country. it’s because they always cover up and are constantly indoors to avoid the sun.
I don't like this actually😭 I feel like first and khao deserve more serious series with a less boring plot...
The series does not need to be serious, but it does need better writing. As someone already mentioned, they don’t make use of the talking cats where they have endless possibilities to joke, poke fun, elaborate the story etc. One of my favourite shows, Schitts Creek, is so unserious but it’s THE most hilarious and heartwarming show you can ever watch. No expensive sets, no grand locations, just really good, fun and imaginative writing.
I was wondering what feels off to me about this show and I think I got it... I didn't read the source material,…
Yeah I would be inclined to agree with this. They’re not making as much use of the talking cats as they could/should. But again this is one of the weaknesses with many GMMTV shows, ie the weak writing, and they don’t address it - or rather won’t address it.
Agreed. When I watched it I constantly had the feeling like the actors were scared of properly touching each other…
it was obvious the two leads didn’t like each other. And it was the same in every variety show and interview thay were in afterwards. Bright ended up leaving GMMTV. Make of that what you will!
Tiger's cat hair allergy seems pretty non-existent because cat hair is literally everywhere when owning cats 😅😅
Also, that's not how cat allergy works 😅 in a close space the allergens (a type of protein in the cats saliva) are in the air so it doesn't matter if you touch the cats or not.
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This show is actually a subtle protest of how society, in this case conservative Korean and Japanese society, forces people to conform to a particular way of life and being. There is a lot of symbolism in this show, but you need to pay attention to the subtle hints. For me it’s pretty obvious that both characters are gay, deep in the closet, suppressed and absolutely terrified of their feelings and what it could mean. You may think this is crazy, but it isn't. You have no idea how terrifying it can be for a gay person to realise who and what they are in a conservative society. It is not a coincidence that this show starts and ends in Germany as opposed to Japan or Korea. This is where they meet for the first time and this is where they end - outside of the confines of the society they live, where they are not bound by those rules.
The church burning is another symbol of protest. Johan is clearly Christian, and is living with a lot of guilt. The boy who burns down the church is the same one who argues with his conservative Christian father on the street outside Sumiko's apartment. There is symbolism here, in that the young boy rebels whilst Johan feels he cannot do the same. He feels trapped, not only because of where he is from but also because of his background. There is classism here as well. The boxing is another symbol, how he is constantly fighting everything.
Everyone around them knows they're gay, but they never say it. It's the taboo topic, the big pink elephant in the room. Even Ryu's mum and dad pretty much welcome Johan as his partner, and treat him with kindness, yet neither Ryu nor Johan act. It's like his parents are telling them through their actions it's fine, be together, but they never say it out loud, never admit it - because they can't. Same with his friends from university. Time and time again, the characters choose to stay hidden and simply live a life as close to heterosexual as possible. They even move in with Sumiko and her child. But again, this is symbolic as what they are showing is that families come in many forms, and two gay men can be raise and care for a child just as any other couple.
The end is a way of saying how they have spent/wasted their lives in hiding to appease someone else. Ryu "marries" Sumiko, like so many gay men like him have done before. The pressure to conform has worn them both down.
So, no this is not a BL or a romantic LGBTQ love story. It's not a bromance either. It is a tragic story and protest against a society that wants to suppress them.
I think it would still be worth rebranding now they’re more global. And improve the payment system!