Just watched for the... 3rd(?) time. This was one of the first BL I ever watched and Perth/Ae was the perfect boyfriend I always wanted. But watching it now, a few years later, after the progression of BL, it feels so dated. If this was released today, I doubt I would have finished it. The dialogue is so repetitive. I almost want to watch it again to see how many of Pete/Ae's lines were "I'm sorry,/No, I should be sorry./No, I'm sorry" These two apologize for everything. "I think of you all the time... I'm sorry." NOT SORRY!
But what I do love is the great depiction of a young man coming to realize his feelings/sexuality. Ae's acceptance of Pete, his realization that he might have feelings for him, his surprise at his "morning wood", his online exploration. It felt very real. Similarly, Can's slow dawning feelings and allowing himself to imagine the "possibility" of MM relationships was handled well. I also applaud the coming out scene, expeically so early in the show. Still today we don't get many of these moments in BL and they are sorely needed.
I am still shocked by the "i cleaned up for you" scene (was that really necessary?) and still disheartened by the "are you still (butt) sore". Mame, please talk to some gay men about what gay sex is actually like.
STILL hate the Kla/No story. Normalizing stalkers/rapists is not cool - especially when you show rape trauma in another storyline. And the Tum/Tar non-consent scene was entirely unnecessary. I know it's Mame's style, but she really needs to think about the implications of her writing and characters.
Unfortunately, I think this viewing will be my last. If I need any goosebumps, I'll just look at memes of Perth.
This kinda felt like it was all over the place, and didn't know what it was trying to accomplish. In any event, it was clear that is not for me. DROPPED.
AHHHHHHHHH! Dang this is so good. Taichi remains #1 of all time.
I don't mind not seeing the kisses. As someone pointed out, that's not the focus of this series. But would I LIKE to see the kisses? Heck yeah! These two are so cute, I want to see them full blast making out. Hahaha.
Can't wait for next week. "What will you do if I don't hate it?" AHHHHHHHHHHH!
This episode did not excite me. Taishin is still too clueless, and as I said before, I wasn't sure I could take the character too much longer. I'll give it one more ep and then it may have to be dropped. Sad, cuz Takara is great!
After the first episode, I watched on 2x and that made the show tolerable. There were soooooo many cheesy moments that they all lost impact. Lots of filler. I did like the set-up and how affectionate and intimate they all were. Liked the inclusion of Yak's "shadow", but it always annoys me when writers introduce a very serious mental health issue and then resolve it so easily. I think they should have ended it with Dee saying, "this time I'm the top". Hahaha. Not bad, but I won't watch again.
Well made, but ultimately just snippets of their story due to the length of the film. Can't get as emotionally attached as we might be able to, if the story was a full length film or series. Still, I applaud the story, the representation and the high production values. Well done.
Well made, but ultimately just snippets of their story due to the length of the film. Can't get as emotionally attached as we might be able to, if the story was a full length film or series. Still, I applaud the story, the representation and the high production values. Well done.
That confession scene was horrible. Meen looked emotionless. His eyes were dead and seemed to be focusing on something off-screen instead of at Zen. Likewise, his goodbye scene with Q was lacking emotion. I thought he was the better actor of the two, but now I'm not sure either of them is very good.
Okay Zen, your best friend/lover is potentially in danger, but when 3 people ask you what's wrong, you refuse to answer and just run off, as if you can handle a gang by yourself. People ignoring direct questions and never answering is one of my least favorite BL tropes. This does not happen IRL.
I love how easily 2 15-year olds get over being captured, tortured and witnessing multiple murders.
FRANK! Looking so fine. Abs to die for. I was a bit shocked with the self-gratification. Wasn't expecting that. Not complaining. Just surprised me. I like that his character was not reduced to just the Third Wheel and has his own family backstory.
So no more group orgy scenes with the gang boss. Dang.
so does p'q have feelings for Ryu or like love him in a brotherly way ? because the boss looked pretty upset...
It hasn't been overt, but there have been a few times when Q seemed to look at Ryu in more than a brotherly way. and was jealous when he was with Zen and the others. Not sure we ever get a full confession, but sure seems like he's hot for him.
This wasn't my cup of tea. I watched for Phuwin, Satang and Poon. I watched most of the season on 2x. Didn't care for TanFang AT ALL. Didn't like Q's abrupt change from sullen and silent to super demonstrative. Far too many trips, festivals, outings, and montages. How many times does someone have to say "thank you for being by my side"? Apparently, multiple times... in every episode. Of course, the friendships and camaraderie are sweet and make the ensemble fun to watch, but I like more substance. Even the last scene with Dad was LAME. There was no discussion, simply putting food on each other's plates. Way to skip over the meat of a scene and just give us the dressing. The writing here was lazy and repetitive. I hope they find someone else to ship for Satang. He deserves a better acting partner. Poon and Mark could be okay, but I feel like they both need stronger partners to truly shine.
did anyone watch the movie version too? is this better? its one of my fave mangas so curious abt the adaptations…
I really liked the movie version and I really like this version. I'd watch both - but maybe wait until the series finishes so you don't have any spoilers.
Not really….it seems like he’s not that interested in anyone so far. Things could work with Alan but I think…
I agree, but that's just his personality. He's a gregarious extrovert, and he wasn't reading Kazuto's more reserved nature. They might be able to find a nice middle ground with some better communication from Kazuto.
This is some DRAMA! Kudos to the casting directors. These guys are fascinating! So much of it is scripted, but what's not is even better. This is why you don't date a 22 year old!
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I read the manga and thought it was slight and had zero character development. I also read the "plagiarized" English language novel (which the author now claims was inspired by the manga) and found it cute, but also needed character development. But neither prepared me for this. Hearing the inner thoughts of both boys and getting to understand their feelings made a huge impact. But the ACTING!!!! What these two actors convey with one hesitant glance spoke volumes. The curiosity, confusion, dawning realization of their feelings, confliction, misunderstanding, relief, anguish.... it was all written on their faces. I've never EVER seen the sexual awakening of a teenager portrayed as well. (And by sexual, I don't mean sex. There is NONE. The kisses are mostly horrible... but none of that is important.) As a gay teen myself, who did not know he was gay, nor understand his feelings, and was unable to reconcile my newly discovered sexuality with society's pressures, this hit home REALLY HARD. Beautiful, natural, realistic. Kudos also to the director, who allowed these actors to inhabit these characters so well. I will watch again and again.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I read the manga and thought it was slight and had zero character development. I also read the "plagiarized" English language novel (which the author now claims was inspired by the manga) and found it cute, but also needed character development. But neither prepared me for this. Hearing the inner thoughts of both boys and getting to understand their feelings made a huge impact. But the ACTING!!!! What these two actors convey with one hesitant glance spoke volumes. The curiosity, confusion, dawning realization of their feelings, confliction, misunderstanding, relief, anguish.... it was all written on their faces. I've never EVER seen the sexual awakening of a teenager portrayed as well. (And by sexual, I don't mean sex. There is NONE. The kisses are mostly horrible... but none of that is important.) As a gay teen myself, who did not know he was gay, nor understand his feelings, and was unable to reconcile my newly discovered sexuality with society's pressures, this hit home REALLY HARD. Beautiful, natural, realistic. Kudos also to the director, who allowed these actors to inhabit these characters so well. I will watch again and again.
1 
But what I do love is the great depiction of a young man coming to realize his feelings/sexuality. Ae's acceptance of Pete, his realization that he might have feelings for him, his surprise at his "morning wood", his online exploration. It felt very real. Similarly, Can's slow dawning feelings and allowing himself to imagine the "possibility" of MM relationships was handled well. I also applaud the coming out scene, expeically so early in the show. Still today we don't get many of these moments in BL and they are sorely needed.
I am still shocked by the "i cleaned up for you" scene (was that really necessary?) and still disheartened by the "are you still (butt) sore". Mame, please talk to some gay men about what gay sex is actually like.
STILL hate the Kla/No story. Normalizing stalkers/rapists is not cool - especially when you show rape trauma in another storyline. And the Tum/Tar non-consent scene was entirely unnecessary. I know it's Mame's style, but she really needs to think about the implications of her writing and characters.
Unfortunately, I think this viewing will be my last. If I need any goosebumps, I'll just look at memes of Perth.
I don't mind not seeing the kisses. As someone pointed out, that's not the focus of this series. But would I LIKE to see the kisses? Heck yeah! These two are so cute, I want to see them full blast making out. Hahaha.
Can't wait for next week. "What will you do if I don't hate it?" AHHHHHHHHHHH!
That confession scene was horrible. Meen looked emotionless. His eyes were dead and seemed to be focusing on something off-screen instead of at Zen. Likewise, his goodbye scene with Q was lacking emotion. I thought he was the better actor of the two, but now I'm not sure either of them is very good.
Okay Zen, your best friend/lover is potentially in danger, but when 3 people ask you what's wrong, you refuse to answer and just run off, as if you can handle a gang by yourself. People ignoring direct questions and never answering is one of my least favorite BL tropes. This does not happen IRL.
I love how easily 2 15-year olds get over being captured, tortured and witnessing multiple murders.
FRANK! Looking so fine. Abs to die for. I was a bit shocked with the self-gratification. Wasn't expecting that. Not complaining. Just surprised me. I like that his character was not reduced to just the Third Wheel and has his own family backstory.
So no more group orgy scenes with the gang boss. Dang.
Usak:
Ryota:
Alan:
Dai:
Ikuo:
Shun:
Kazuto:: 1
Gensei:
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! I read the manga and thought it was slight and had zero character development. I also read the "plagiarized" English language novel (which the author now claims was inspired by the manga) and found it cute, but also needed character development. But neither prepared me for this. Hearing the inner thoughts of both boys and getting to understand their feelings made a huge impact. But the ACTING!!!! What these two actors convey with one hesitant glance spoke volumes. The curiosity, confusion, dawning realization of their feelings, confliction, misunderstanding, relief, anguish.... it was all written on their faces. I've never EVER seen the sexual awakening of a teenager portrayed as well. (And by sexual, I don't mean sex. There is NONE. The kisses are mostly horrible... but none of that is important.) As a gay teen myself, who did not know he was gay, nor understand his feelings, and was unable to reconcile my newly discovered sexuality with society's pressures, this hit home REALLY HARD. Beautiful, natural, realistic. Kudos also to the director, who allowed these actors to inhabit these characters so well. I will watch again and again.