I tried so hard to stick with this because I like the cast, but this episode was the last straw for me. Many of us have listed the reasons why Hill and Ter are falling short and I was hoping that Johan and North would pull me in, but so far they aren't.
The show feels like something that would have been a hit 5 years ago. When audiences didn't question relationships with filthy rich semes who always swoop in to save the younger, helpless, confused damsels/ukes. Those stories were targeted towards younger female audiences, so at the time, those familiar hetero tropes were more easily accepted/enjoyed than they are now. But I've seen that trope done better countless times and I'm tired of it.
I get that Thai series usually have amateur actors who haven't even taken an acting course or experienced actors who are far too old to portray college freshmen, but watching a 28 year old actor play the same type of outdated character for 6 years is exhausting. And for me, watching a drunk man destroying someone else's house after vomiting on him is not funny or endearing.
I know that these shows aren't targeted towards adult viewers. But why can't we ask Thai BL to evolve and grow? Why can Taiwan, Japan, Korea and other countries tell strong stories about gay characters year after year with actors/characters of all ages, but Thailand gets to keep giving us the same thing over and over? And then when viewers point out the shortcomings we get called "haters" among other things. Thailand has and can write/direct great series, but the companies who make Thai BLs have increasingly chosen not to do that. I personally think the actors, viewers and community deserve better.
I think Boss and Noeul were what made me tolerate Mame's writing style in the original. I really liked the actors together, but I'm not connecting with the actors in this version at all.
2024 has made it very clear that every BL isn't for every BL fan. I usually find the "if you don't like it, don't watch it" narrative to be counterproductive since BL is a niche genre with a limited number of viewers. In this case, I'm taking that advice and dropping it. I do hope the people who like it continue to enjoy it.
I just finished the series, I'm writing this now since I won't remember the show in an hour. Like most Thai BLs these days, it starts with a fun/interesting premise that stalls before the halfway point. It has a ton of filler, too many characters with nothing to do, irritating music and leads with little chemistry who fall in love because the script requires it.
The final minutes serve as an epilogue. I think the show would have been better paced if that was the preface. Opening the story, leading the viewers down the path of figuring why and how the leads would reconnect. The end also includes a character named Phajan, but I have no idea who his adult version was or why he mattered (someone please let me know if you know).
Overall, this series is a good sleep aid. I felt nothing for the majority of the characters. And the contrived recon ending just added more questions that will never be answered. IMO that is a cop out in a story filled with unanswered questions and a plot that treads water for most of its runtime. There were many ways it could been told that I would have found more compelling/coherent. But that didn't happen.
I do think Khampuan and Sompho were the most well written/acted characters in the series. I might recommend it for anyone who wants a well told GL, but their screen time was limited, so I'm sure many would be disappointed if they only watched for their story. If this had been a movie or a mini series that focused on them, I would have loved it.
Some of my favorite series are set in high school. Stories that are able to showcase the complexities of that stage of life and create a world with fully developed characters experiencing youth, frustration, confusion and a world they aren't ready for always pulls me in.
Of the dozens of series I've watched in 2024, from the very first episode this series felt different. The exceptional writing, directing, cinematography and flawless acting made this something I eagerly awaited every week. The story was heartbreaking at times, but watching two people who always loved each other rekindling that romance more than a decade later and dealing with how much they changed while apart was very special to me.
The story felt like something that could happen anywhere and to anyone regardless of country or gender. For me, episodes 1-6 were truly perfect. But then episode 7 happened and the pacing, directing and plot shifted so drastically, that I was caught off guard. It felt like the story crashed into a ditch and much of what I felt in the previous episodes slipped away a bit.
I don't dislike the last two episodes. But I would have preferred something different. My knowledge of Korean culture is limited to what I've seen on tv and through k pop. So maybe if I knew more about the culture, what happened in episode 7 and the first half of 8 wouldn't have felt so forced/random/unnecessary. But it is what it is. The writer chose that storyline and even though that part didn't resonate with me, I can still appreciate the series for what it was. DoHeo and JuYeong came alive when they were together and I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
In the end, I loved the acting throughout and I'm glad I watched it.
There are moments when I forget this show is set in the 90s and then the town's people remind of those bad old days. I truly appreciate that the crew made sure to show how difficult that era was for LGBTQ people/youth. I wish more BL fans could understand that life for LGBTQ people isn't all fairytale romances and happy endings. But I'm glad shows like this exist. Even with all the quirky characters, it feels very meaningful and nostalgic.
Also, I wish that every kid had a mom as thoughtful, kind, compassionate and supportive as Futoshi's mom.
Series like this one really ruin me. When I'm completely sucked in to the lives of two people after less than 20 minutes, I can't enjoy series that focus more on a well-known ship than on having a strong script!
This was not on my radar and I'm sooooo glad I found it. It looks like we have another Japanese gem and I can't wait to see more!!!
All these new short low budget BLs exist, but I'm not really feeling any of them. Since half the episode was bts, I think the cast and crew had fun making this. That's good, but I was so uninvested that I have no first impressions to share.
It's on youtube for free, so I recommend watching it there.
Wow! I really expected to love it, but I didn't even like it. I know you can't judge a series based on the first episode and I barely remember anything about the original except the amazing chemistry between both couples. But Japanese BLs tend to be my favorites, so I had high hopes when I heard this story was being remade. And since this is the first time we're getting a Japanese remake of a Thai series, I thought the quality and finished product would be top notch. This was below average.
I binged Love in the Air after it aired and gave it a low rating. But for me, the actors were really good together. I know Rain was kinda dumb, but him and Payu worked as a couple. So far, Rei is irritating, bumbling and much more childish than I remember Rain being. I know the story is the same, but the actor playing Rei is older than Neoul was when he played Rain, so maybe that's why the portrayal of Rei works less for me (after one episode) than Rain did. Maybe it feels off because has evolved a lot in 2 years and the story works less now (for me) than it did in 2022. Or maybe if I rewatch the original, this will feel like less of a letdown. But so far, I'm not looking forward to seeing more from this pair. Hopefully they will change my mind next week.
After the ban, I thought Chinese BLs were gobe forever. There have been a few in recent years, but they always disappoint. Now that we're fully in the era of VERY low budget, iphone quality Chinese productions, I'm having a great time.
I hope one day we look back and say Inverse Identity, Uncle Unknown and Stealing from the CEO walked so better stories could run. Until then, I'm grateful we also have Blue Canvas of Youthful Days.
For me, episode 3 was just ok. I still really like Shaopeng, but the actor playing Sean seems too old to be playing the character. The actor is 25, idk how old Sean is supposed to be. But I think I'd like the character more if he were 19-22 because he's so immature/childish. I hope I get more invested in the story/relationship in future episodes.
And I've seen enough web Chinese "BLs" to know what to expect. It's kinda charming how they fit so much exposition into such a short amount of time. I feel like the writer had a dream and a 3 week screenwriting course and this is the result. I always grade super low budget series on a curve. And I'm enjoying it, but my standards for these types of series are VERY low.
Personally, I don't disagree that the fandoms usually influence the ratings on certain series. I've seen it plenty…
Yes, fandoms do influence the ratings of nearly all series or movies. And they should. Fans are what keep any genre alive. I don't think that's a bad thing.
Everything I said about the episode was just my opinion. When I watch a show that doesn't live up to my expectations, the reason is pretty much always due to decisions made by the writers/directors/editors. Art will always be subjective, so I will never get mad at fans (die hard or casual) who enjoy a series. I'm glad that people like it, there was a time when I also liked it. I wish the writers/directors/editors made different decisions, but they didn't. No one is forcing me to continue to watch it. But I will keep watching despite my disappointment because I've come this far. And I am invested in what happens to Joke, Grandma and Arun.
There was a time when I thought this was the best Thai BL of 2024. But this isn't a BL and the year is basically over, so I'm not holding my breath for anything to be the best Thai BL of the year.
But I do appreciate the loyalty and dedication of the YinWar fandom for ensuring that a series in steady decline remains the highest rated "BL" on MDL (I can't recall ever seeing a BL rated a 9, but I could have missed one). Part of me wants to laugh since this is rated higher than Love in the Big City, Blue Canvas of Youthful Days, Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo and Unknown. But I also know the overall MDL rating system is subject to some people who think all series are equally flawless and other people who think their favs are the greatest actors of all time. And if that fav appears in a series, the series is perfect even if the writing/directing are subpar.
This week I don't have the mental energy to go over all the ridiculousness that happened in that extremely long episode. Or to ask why grandma needed surgery if she isn't sick. Or what they surgery was. Or why Rose is in so many scenes. Or why Arun and Tattoo are in so few scenes. Or what happened to Tattoo's mom. Or why Joke is a better grandson than Jack. Or most importantly, why the writers think effective social commentary is having rich people play god with poor people's lives OVER and OVER again. All of those questions have answers, but this show is doing exactly what it wants to do and clearly has no intention of giving the audience decent answers to anything that actually matters.
I get that it's called Jack and Joker. But the only joke I see is on all of us viewers who thought we were getting a BL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😒.
how is this series still getting 7.8? come on ppl, lets be realistic. The first 4 eps felt like we were counting…
Thai BLs with well known actors tend to have inflated ratings on here. If the cast were a bunch of amateurs with the same plot, I think it would be no higher than 7.3.
IMO the show is no better or worse than otherThai BLs that have aired over the last couple of years. And most of those didn't deserve a rating of 7.8 or higher.
1 
The show feels like something that would have been a hit 5 years ago. When audiences didn't question relationships with filthy rich semes who always swoop in to save the younger, helpless, confused damsels/ukes. Those stories were targeted towards younger female audiences, so at the time, those familiar hetero tropes were more easily accepted/enjoyed than they are now. But I've seen that trope done better countless times and I'm tired of it.
I get that Thai series usually have amateur actors who haven't even taken an acting course or experienced actors who are far too old to portray college freshmen, but watching a 28 year old actor play the same type of outdated character for 6 years is exhausting. And for me, watching a drunk man destroying someone else's house after vomiting on him is not funny or endearing.
I know that these shows aren't targeted towards adult viewers. But why can't we ask Thai BL to evolve and grow? Why can Taiwan, Japan, Korea and other countries tell strong stories about gay characters year after year with actors/characters of all ages, but Thailand gets to keep giving us the same thing over and over? And then when viewers point out the shortcomings we get called "haters" among other things. Thailand has and can write/direct great series, but the companies who make Thai BLs have increasingly chosen not to do that. I personally think the actors, viewers and community deserve better.
2024 has made it very clear that every BL isn't for every BL fan. I usually find the "if you don't like it, don't watch it" narrative to be counterproductive since BL is a niche genre with a limited number of viewers. In this case, I'm taking that advice and dropping it. I do hope the people who like it continue to enjoy it.
The final minutes serve as an epilogue. I think the show would have been better paced if that was the preface. Opening the story, leading the viewers down the path of figuring why and how the leads would reconnect. The end also includes a character named Phajan, but I have no idea who his adult version was or why he mattered (someone please let me know if you know).
Overall, this series is a good sleep aid. I felt nothing for the majority of the characters. And the contrived recon ending just added more questions that will never be answered. IMO that is a cop out in a story filled with unanswered questions and a plot that treads water for most of its runtime. There were many ways it could been told that I would have found more compelling/coherent. But that didn't happen.
I do think Khampuan and Sompho were the most well written/acted characters in the series. I might recommend it for anyone who wants a well told GL, but their screen time was limited, so I'm sure many would be disappointed if they only watched for their story. If this had been a movie or a mini series that focused on them, I would have loved it.
Of the dozens of series I've watched in 2024, from the very first episode this series felt different. The exceptional writing, directing, cinematography and flawless acting made this something I eagerly awaited every week. The story was heartbreaking at times, but watching two people who always loved each other rekindling that romance more than a decade later and dealing with how much they changed while apart was very special to me.
The story felt like something that could happen anywhere and to anyone regardless of country or gender. For me, episodes 1-6 were truly perfect. But then episode 7 happened and the pacing, directing and plot shifted so drastically, that I was caught off guard. It felt like the story crashed into a ditch and much of what I felt in the previous episodes slipped away a bit.
I don't dislike the last two episodes. But I would have preferred something different. My knowledge of Korean culture is limited to what I've seen on tv and through k pop. So maybe if I knew more about the culture, what happened in episode 7 and the first half of 8 wouldn't have felt so forced/random/unnecessary. But it is what it is. The writer chose that storyline and even though that part didn't resonate with me, I can still appreciate the series for what it was. DoHeo and JuYeong came alive when they were together and I'm so glad they got their happy ending.
In the end, I loved the acting throughout and I'm glad I watched it.
Also, I wish that every kid had a mom as thoughtful, kind, compassionate and supportive as Futoshi's mom.
This was not on my radar and I'm sooooo glad I found it. It looks like we have another Japanese gem and I can't wait to see more!!!
It's on youtube for free, so I recommend watching it there.
I binged Love in the Air after it aired and gave it a low rating. But for me, the actors were really good together. I know Rain was kinda dumb, but him and Payu worked as a couple. So far, Rei is irritating, bumbling and much more childish than I remember Rain being. I know the story is the same, but the actor playing Rei is older than Neoul was when he played Rain, so maybe that's why the portrayal of Rei works less for me (after one episode) than Rain did. Maybe it feels off because has evolved a lot in 2 years and the story works less now (for me) than it did in 2022. Or maybe if I rewatch the original, this will feel like less of a letdown. But so far, I'm not looking forward to seeing more from this pair. Hopefully they will change my mind next week.
I hope one day we look back and say Inverse Identity, Uncle Unknown and Stealing from the CEO walked so better stories could run. Until then, I'm grateful we also have Blue Canvas of Youthful Days.
Everything I said about the episode was just my opinion. When I watch a show that doesn't live up to my expectations, the reason is pretty much always due to decisions made by the writers/directors/editors. Art will always be subjective, so I will never get mad at fans (die hard or casual) who enjoy a series. I'm glad that people like it, there was a time when I also liked it. I wish the writers/directors/editors made different decisions, but they didn't. No one is forcing me to continue to watch it. But I will keep watching despite my disappointment because I've come this far. And I am invested in what happens to Joke, Grandma and Arun.
But I do appreciate the loyalty and dedication of the YinWar fandom for ensuring that a series in steady decline remains the highest rated "BL" on MDL (I can't recall ever seeing a BL rated a 9, but I could have missed one). Part of me wants to laugh since this is rated higher than Love in the Big City, Blue Canvas of Youthful Days, Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo and Unknown. But I also know the overall MDL rating system is subject to some people who think all series are equally flawless and other people who think their favs are the greatest actors of all time. And if that fav appears in a series, the series is perfect even if the writing/directing are subpar.
This week I don't have the mental energy to go over all the ridiculousness that happened in that extremely long episode. Or to ask why grandma needed surgery if she isn't sick. Or what they surgery was. Or why Rose is in so many scenes. Or why Arun and Tattoo are in so few scenes. Or what happened to Tattoo's mom. Or why Joke is a better grandson than Jack. Or most importantly, why the writers think effective social commentary is having rich people play god with poor people's lives OVER and OVER again. All of those questions have answers, but this show is doing exactly what it wants to do and clearly has no intention of giving the audience decent answers to anything that actually matters.
I get that it's called Jack and Joker. But the only joke I see is on all of us viewers who thought we were getting a BL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😒.
IMO the show is no better or worse than otherThai BLs that have aired over the last couple of years. And most of those didn't deserve a rating of 7.8 or higher.