Feardorcha

iQIYI released all episodes for VIP. I watched the whole series this morning, to my everlasting regret.

Cheap BL cash-in targeted, I suppose, at fans of the K-Pop group who make up the cast. It walks itself through the formula—pretty boys, bubblegum soundtrack, feints at guys loving guys—but it's a tepid enterprise, slathered in glitter and lip gloss and devoid of sincerity. The leads hug perhaps twice, absolutely no one kisses (not even a camera-angle peck), and the characters, conflicts, and story are too shallow to manage so weighty a concept as emotional intimacy. This is, very much, a real-life Business Gay Performance, and one might pretend it a satirical take on the whole industry except the series is simply not smart enough for that.

It's an essentially fluffy, forgettable bit of nostalgia, really, a throwback to the very early days of BL where anything so gauche as conspicious gay sexuality was proscripted. I neither liked nor disliked it, as it's too empty to inspire much more than resigned disappointment, as we know K-BLs can do so much better, and K-Pop group members can deliver spectacularly in these vehicles, if given the right material and unfettered by concerns over appearances.

I will say, though, I quite liked the aggressive, deceitful ex-boyfriend. He really did make you want to kick him in the teeth, the sociopathic little gremlin.

In conclusion: there are a dozen far better K-BLs out there. Go watch those.

First and Khao. Just wow.

One day, Perth will get the ship partner that he deserves. Chimon is not it. I like Chimon well-enough as an actor but I don't think he's suitable for or suited to BLs. Honestly, he doesn't seem comfortable with romantic intimacy on screen, full stop. During that bed scene, I had to pretend I was watching Perth & Saint because otherwise it was like watching incest, there's such a heavy "bros" vibe to this series. These characters are decently written as friends but I just do not buy them as boyfriends.

Glad to see Name is back! Looking forward to whatever is happening next week with Saifah. (Also, I swear there was more sensual tension in that 10 seconds of Saifah re-buttoning Name's shirt than we've had from the main couple since they started dating.)

Well, the curry was decidedly less crunchy this time, so perhaps Yoh's cooking is actually improving.

The memory loss is not a spoiler; it's the crux of the story's third act, & arguably the most significant element of the plot. Bai Zong Yi has mild cognitive impairment, his prevailing symptom being short-term memory loss; Fan Ze Rui has retrogade amnesia.

THIS is a spoiler:





Fan Ze Rui is faking it.

You can't solve all your problems with sex & sorry but I appreciate the effort.

I love Perth. I like Chimon. I feel zero chemistry between them. Their characters' friendship is wonderful but I just don't buy these two being in a romantic relationship. This doesn't even rise to the level of bromance.

That was an alarmingly crunchy curry.

Every scene with Makorn and Yi is like whiplash and I love it. Their relationship is both heartwarming and hilarious. Makorn sets me laughing every time.

Wish we were spending more time with Kla and Tong. They have an actual story with real conflict.

I have never before seen a plaid shirt plaid that hard. It was ALL the plaid.

That is not Lian's fault. All he told Kuea was that Yi and what's-her-name were close. Kuea took that and leapt to his own conclusions based on zero actual evidence, just like Diao, and then those two idiots got together and worked themselves into a frenzy over a scenario they made up in their own heads.

Lian apologized for the misunderstanding but he certainly didn't do anything warranting a "send expensive wine" apology.

Tonkla's got four eyes and still can't see his relationship disintegrating right in front of them.

Now wait a damn minute: why was Lian doing all that apologizing? All he did was walk through the door, into his own house, and next thing he knows he's getting punched in the face and taekwondo'd onto the floor. This series is hilarious.

Yi's panic attack was intense. I imagine being in the same room as that scary weird lamp in the corner didn't help. Oh how I hate that lamp.

That scene was certainly hot but the way they were banging into the products had me so anxious.

Good for you, Tag! Now go out there and read a different menu and order yourself a fresh dish, or however it works for that metaphor in the alley restaurant. Or peaches. A fresh dish of unexpired peaches? Whatever, just, good for you!

All of these people need to just stay far away from one another. I would give this series all the flowers if it ended with everyone going their separate ways and moving on with their lives.

Especially Sand. Top stole your boyfriend? Then your boyfriend was trash too; Top did you a favour. Let it go, and don't waste any more of your time or energy on nonsense people.

Holy hell, I love this show.

Kang should feel guilty, letting Sailom walk off like that without even trying to hand him that umbrella. You know you can't let your Thai bottoms get wet; 10 minutes in the rain and they're half-dead the next day.

What is the actual deal with Guy? He's the angriest boy in the world. He seems like he's permanently teetering on the edge of shoving someone out of a window. I know he can't stand Kang & Crew but, honestly, they just seem like handy targets for Guy's deep-simmering rage.

I am looking forward to the "make it up to us" episode next week but I'm still not convinced that Kang telling Sailom's clients that Sailom's a paedophile is a forgivable offense, no matter how much you want to bone him.

All that 12th-hour nonsense and not even the decency to toss us one last Mueang/Doctor NC scene? The absolute fucking nerve of this show.

One star for JaFirst existing.
One star for BosstonJo giving it the most.
Three stars for gorgeous, snow-blanketed Japan.

Ugh.

Why do they insist on putting Joong in such unflattering jeans? Whoever does his event styling should be his personal costumer on every series because they seem to be the only one who can find his waistline.

I really hope JoongDunk's next project is more adult and layered. Honestly, these fluffy, flowery characters just don't suit them or their dynamic. I know Joong could handle something heavier, and I think Dunk would actually improve with more complex material.