Jibug

I gave it a try and ended up dropping the show after 5 episodes. From the start, I felt that not enough time was spent on Kanin's relationship with his father. So, when the show needed a catalyst, his dad is used as a way to gain quick and easy empathy for the main character and to offer a reason to get him to abandon his home to travel to Emmaly (his origins). As a result, I just didnt feel the emotional weight of what is supposed to be a devastating turning point in Kanin's life. His dad is reduced to serve as a plot device to move along the story.

When it was revealed his father isn't his biological dad, it made me wonder why Khanin didn't press further for more answers. His dad must've fabricated a false backstory on why he was a single father raising him by himself. What did he say about who gave birth to him? We don't know what he told Khanin as a child. I feel like that's quite a big deal to just overlook.

When we do leave the home, it turns into a chase scene and fight sequences which we know isn't a threat because the show needs them to survive to get to Emmaly. And the chase scene is marked by the "welcome to Thailand" banner where the entirety of episode 2 functions as a tour of Thailand as our main characters hold hands running through the streets, to the train, and to the plane trying to evade capture. You too could also book a stay at Movenpick resorts in Bangkok.

For a story built around a fictional kingdom, it seems like maybe it would make sense to spend time traversing it's lands to get there. Maybe learn about its culture and it's people during their travels. But, we don't have time for that when Thailand is nearby to shift between tourist locations that the global audience can visit. Plus, you can get Emmaly information dumps from storybooks, holographic projectors, ipads, and royal attendants to fill in the gaps to Emmaly culture and society.

Im not saying this to criticize promoting one's country. Thailand should absolutely be proud and put their country on display. It's just ...why even have this fictional kingdom in the first place when it feels like the world building is an afterthought that they dont really know what to do with.

In general, I feel like the story is buried under all its obligations. With it's high budget and the exposure it has, it feels like the production was forced to devise ways to fit in scenes to cater to those who invested in it's success. From guest appearances (influncers, musical guests, international extras) to abrupt product placements for Tao Kai Noi and Pocky and to promoting tourism. There are many who want a piece of its success.

I understand this is just the way it is. The project has to get funded somehow. But I feel like too many sacrifices were made at the expense of storytelling. Aesthetics were prioritized over content.