Liked that analysis- these "shy boy or shy girl getting the school hottie" are such common manga plots it comes down to - is the cast fun? Do they bring something to the blah role? Here I think the male lead is adorable (though the actor in "School Trip" was more nuanced and character interesting. The actor playing the popular guy is one of the best I've seen- he was charming and not wooden faced/stiff bodied like so many in this type of role are.
But yes if they had spent less minutes on ML hyperventilating- they could have explored him picturing BL scenarios w/his crush. Or fleshed out the friends so they aren't just stuck listening and supporting all the time.
I enjoyed the review- for me the first 3 episodes made it appear like it could match the level of some truly great series like Kingdom. But then, the pacing and story went off and when all else failed- another giant fight would take place.
you are generous with 6.5 on acting- considering these were all actual idols/trainees for 3 of 4 main cast- I expected them to put more passion/desperation/something? into their performance. Direction and script would have still left a choppy bleah- but I am still waiting for a great idol drama- bl or otherwise
your review really made me smile- haven't seen any of this- but you are usually very kind and patient- so when you are pissed about bad writing- I know I will have 5x worse reaction:)
I will have to try watching one episode of this at some point
Glad to see you mentioned how bad the acting was- so many reviews are praising it....the two leads in episode 1 have good looks and bodies--- but the acting is not natural or believable for me.
thought as much...constipated face 🤣🤣 that was the right description.
Sounds like the "actor" needs to be paired in a cross cultural production with Ben from Step by Step. Perhaps medical science can study them and offer help with ECF (Eternal Constipation Face)!
I am watching this mainly for Fluke- and it was nice to see him playing an adult. I thought the two leads were first time actors and then realized I'd see the protagonist in The Stranded and Hormones....oh well. The premise of developing a dating game had promise- but as if often the case in Thai BLs- the plot of "missions" to go after someone in real life while coworkers secretly spy and cheer on the actions- was absolutely bonkers. What the what? The pacing- especially during the leads scenes is so slow it feels like deliberate time fills by the director. But there is a charm there amidst the inanity and I am slowly continuing this. Glad to hear Fluke and his costar are in another series- I hope against hope the producers would spend some time and money on the script in that one!
I also felt like story and acting issues aside- the character of AE was kind of creepy, cold and manipulative. See AE teach his crush how to: smoke, get trashed in bars, try to sleep with him and then when he feels guilty- ghost the crush. If they had given him a drama split personality with no awareness of each other- that would have made more sense. As Enaga was goofy, fun and cute and a hard worker.
Just finished series and was glad to see someone mention your points 1 and 3 in particular- just lazy writing/plotting. Time skips are usually a bad sign. Also at one point I thought- so the interns are basically fair game for trying to bed/romance eh? And making the interns so inept. Only Tae would have lasted, the others stupid mistakes/attitude would have had them sent back to uni with a "we won't be working with your school again".... Still had lot of fun moments.
News 
Here I think the male lead is adorable (though the actor in "School Trip" was more nuanced and character interesting. The actor playing the popular guy is one of the best I've seen- he was charming and not wooden faced/stiff bodied like so many in this type of role are.
But yes if they had spent less minutes on ML hyperventilating- they could have explored him picturing BL scenarios w/his crush. Or fleshed out the friends so they aren't just stuck listening and supporting all the time.
I will have to try watching one episode of this at some point
in episode 1 have good looks and bodies--- but the acting is not natural or believable for me.
ECF (Eternal Constipation Face)!
I thought the two leads were first time actors and then realized I'd see the protagonist in The Stranded and Hormones....oh well.
The premise of developing a dating game had promise- but as if often the case in Thai BLs- the plot of "missions" to go after someone in real life while coworkers secretly spy and cheer on
the actions- was absolutely bonkers. What the what?
The pacing- especially during the leads scenes is so slow it feels like deliberate time fills by the director.
But there is a charm there amidst the inanity and I am slowly continuing this. Glad to hear Fluke and his costar are in another series- I hope against hope the producers would spend some time and money on the script in that one!
manipulative. See AE teach his crush how to: smoke, get trashed in bars, try to sleep with him and
then when he feels guilty- ghost the crush. If they had given him a drama split personality with no awareness of each other- that would have made more sense. As Enaga was goofy, fun and cute and a hard worker.