Froehlein

Yes, I've actually had that thought too. Even if you could also argue with different perceptions. Thanks for the clarification! I guess I'll binge the series again after I've finished it, then my native-language translations should also be in there with Viki and I can see how they translate it.

I like the story too. I think it's great that it's a whole different kind of story and such an elaborate production and New really impressed me, especially in the scene with his father.

But do people really hate it? I don't know the reasons why people rate a whole series after the first episode, maybe to show support, maybe to give an initial bias which is “solid”. 7.9 is also a good rating to start with. The MDL rating tends to rise, especially if the series maintains its quality and convinces, whereas the IMDB rating tends to fall due to the algorithms alone. But not much if the quality is high. That's why I think that if the promising start is consolidated over the course of the series, high 8 ratings will also be achieved here on MDL.

Now we come to the people who really hate. On the one hand, there are always homophobes who devalue BL content because of their personal views and the more well-known a work becomes, the more likely they are to be there. You can't prevent that. But what I keep noticing in the BL community, and what I find really sad, is that fandoms often can't grant each other anything.

Instead of being happy that we're getting more diversity in the BL world and some very good productions, I've seen a lot of envy and resentment here on MDL. It doesn't make a ship worse if another one is successful. I think you should be able to indulge. So maybe some people use this devaluation to make their ship look better. But that's just a guess on my part. I'm not into the fandom culture.... Out of spite, the reaction can turn around and the spiral goes on and on. I've read in the comments here that GMMTV fans would rate low and I find that quite sweeping and also a little dangerous, because the speculative statement can also lead to hate.
But are there many of these kinds of haters? I can't say for sure.

Another theory would be that low ratings could perhaps also be caused by MDL algorithms, as if to encourage people to give a rating. But that's just speculation on my part. However, I have noticed with many dramas (especially quite well-known ships) that they drop massively after the start, so 7.9 is a very high value.

Sorry for the very long explanation.

Yes, I fully agree with that. I feel the same way as you. I enjoyed the first episode, but also thought during the slow motion fight scene, for example: that could have been done better. It doesn't have the effect on me that it should. Some things happened so suddenly out of nowhere. Others were well orchestrated.
This judging after one episode (no matter in which direction) usually doesn't do the dramas any good.

Yes, I know the feeling when you enjoy the actors but you don't vibe with the story.
What are you missing? I watch the series through a filter because I've seen the anime and that blurs the boundaries for me/ I tend to look at how the anime has been converted into the RL version. That's why I have blind spots.

For example, I think the wings are totally out of place here because it makes no sense for the viewers and there's no further information. They just appear. But I know the meaning from the anime. That's why I tend to think: oh, they're really close to the original story.

In fact, I find that Smart develops through the series. In my eyes, he has a different impact in episode 9 than he did in the first episodes. But Boom also already outshines because of his role here. In case I haven't touted it yet, episode 9 is a tour de force from him. From what I read in the article posted in another comment, they were looking for the actor to play Akin for a very long time. They wanted someone who also had the charisma of a superstar, the looks and the attitude, and he had to be able to get along in both China and Japan. That's pretty damn challenging. He had extra acting workshops to give him the confidence. But I also think it's the familiarity and mutual support that makes Boom shine and Smart follows suit as the series progresses. Smart's acting somehow seemed more honest and authentic in the last episode.At least in my perception.

Oh yes. That was real crying and it broke my heart.

Well, the story is 1:1 the original story (even tuned down a bit), which is called: DAKAICHI -I'm being harassed by the sexiest man of the year- . The NC scenes are basically the story 😅

As far as I know YouTube (but is there ultimately also crunchyroll) and Amazon Prime. You can use the 7-day trial subscription at crunchyroll/YouTube, then you can watch for free. Then simply cancel.

The series is designed to serve the entire East Asian market. It is therefore not only aimed at attracting Thai audiences, but also Japanese and Chinese audiences. The production was geared towards this and they chose the actor for Akin accordingly. In other words, Boom in particular should also be accepted by Chinese and Japanese audiences. (Because Takato/Akin was supposed to have a star attitude) So it might not be as popular in Thailand. I think the goal for the series is different, to create a different kind of BL and a different kind of visibility. They want to tap into new audiences and satisfy the manga/anime lovers. That's why it won't be tragic if it doesn't reach the top position in Thailand.

Episode 9 deserves to be in first place. 😁

I agree with your pros and cons so far. But I would rate Zee's performance differently. Because his character is actually there to stay in the background, to remain emotionless, to be the protective shield. That's what he was trained for. In principle, he is a tool, so there is not much room for his own feelings. Over time, he will break out of this passive, monotonous role of absolute obedience and shield. The first stitch in his image happened during the game. He briefly fell out of his role.

I would just stay relaxed. You can't judge an entire series by one episode. Do you take the rating seriously after episode 1? I don't. Because after episode 1, it's either people who simply downvote on principle or hardcore fans who want to bring their ship to the top. That says nothing about the series. But many people who don't fit into any of the categories wait and form an opinion about the series over several episodes. I would therefore take a relaxed view of all ratings before episode 6. After that, the rating becomes more objective and eventually settles down.

I'm of the opinion that quality prevails, so you can take a very relaxed view of such initial ratings.

I see it the same way. I honestly don't think there should be an overall rating option before episode 3. You can rate the individual episodes. But being able to rate an entire series after one episode is simply not possible.
Personally, I don't take a rating before the halfway point of the series seriously at all and I rate series myself at the earliest at that point and as a tendency. I make adjustments after the end.
Why get so hung up on numbers? I also don't like the mass downvoting or upvoting after the first 1-2 episodes. (We already have 855 votes here after one episode, that's crazy) It often seems to me like an argument between small children who don't want to indulge in anything or want to portray something as better than it is. Quality prevails. But if there are mass votes in one direction or another, at some point you won't trust the ratings at all. I am now always very skeptical of extreme ratings for well-known ships and I therefore like to look around in the 7.x range.

What I also don't like is that after episode 1 and co, criticism of episodes is immediately commented on as “You're a hater, get out of here”. I think constructive criticism of the production should be allowed. It's a killer argument to directly label unpleasant opinions as “hate” and prevents exciting discussions.

It's dark, rough, brittle, brutal and full of psychopaths. I like it. It's drawn me in and looks promising. I hope they keep up the gritty tone. What a pleasant change from the usual Thai productions.

Yes, I found that very funny. In principle, I realize that it “suggests being in London”, but nutcrackers are only put up in Europe at Christmas time, unless perhaps you have an enormous fondness for nutcrackers. 😄 The fact that a pool party is being celebrated at the same time makes the whole thing even funnier 😅 I also have the thought that it could/should express something “royal”. I definitely like looking at the details in the background....

That was the strongest scene in the episode for me. You could just see Nin's world shattering, but also his father's. Heartbreaking.

I really love the interview. It's exciting how I have a perception of the show (both with the story and the cast) and this was sort of confirmed as the goal of the creators. Really great that she gives an insight about the making of it. The scriptwriting process is even more elaborate than expected. And you can tell from Top Form that this effort shines through. I love it when so much effort is put into the detail and I think it's great that they also worked so closely and trustingly with the original writer.
I can imagine that the casting of Akin was difficult, the cat was already challenging in the anime, if you want to satisfy all countries now, that's a whole different ball game... 😅 Thanks for the link!

"He was excellent at kissing"- What? Of course you can have your own opinion. Nevertheless, you can be open to the fact that there may be more factors that influence an actor's performance. Incidentally, I don't put him in the “great” category, but he's pretty good and in my opinion not as bad as you think it is ✌️

If you think Neo is a bad actor, you should watch Only Friends. You'll hate and love him at the same time. Maybe the role here limits him. Complain to the writers/director instead. But Neo is a pretty good actor in his own right. And in Only Friends he was able to show what he's really capable of.

One more season would make sense, since the manga/anime still has a Spain arc. And Jin and Akin in Spain? I'm all in.