The beginning was very strong, but I got bored after a few episodes as the "action" picked up. It was a bit too all over the place and too much traveling around for me. not my cup of tea.
Do I need to watch first the parent series 'Until We Meet Again' before watching this?Please check my BL list…
but please while watching Between Us keep in mind that the plot is based on emotional state of the character, so, as some complain that the plot is repetitive, if you look into the emotional state of the characters it becomes really interesting :)
Thank you so much for commenting. I’m glad you liked my review 😊I think that from the very beginning it was…
You made a few good points, I haven't read the novel yet, do you know where I can find it in English?
It totally makes sense that finding a footing after some parts of the personality was erased or changed can be hard. On the other hand, if most of the erased scenes were sex scenes I think that the impact of the show, the character development part would have suffered (to an extent) and it would have been more of a show about people having sex than what it was about - finding courage to love. The sex part was always implied throughout the episodes even though it wasn't shown. For me in episode 2 where they have a scene in the pool locker (I think it was episode 2) they agree to be sex buddies, that says that the whole show and relationship and everything happens while they are sexually active with each other. I believe in their kind of relationship and how it develops a lot happened during sex especially as it was the core of their relationship in the beginning and how they showed it without it is really good. I never took Team as being innocent, virgin - yes, maybe, never watched porn - no. For me it was quite clear that it (he couldn't get off) was because of people around and not the first time watching porn. Maybe I remember it wrong. The acting was MAYBE a bit awkward in scenes where they just were talking without teasing or flirting . For example in episode 11 when Win comes back from his parents house and Team is waiting for him in front of the dormitories and they talk about Wan and Tul. I mean you could take it in couple ways: as a character "Oh this is the first time I am talking to you about something like this, this is kinda strange but also nice" or a bit of an awkward acting. And by awkward I mean it wasn't smooth and a bit out of character, but again maybe it's just a different side of it. My personal approach is a mix of both. OR just a totally different dynamic between them threw me off a bit.
Anyways, I will definitely read the novel and have to watch the series again (as I can not help myself when I like the character and the story - and I sure did in this case- my stalker syndrome turns on, I have to read and watch everything so I could learn more about the characters and their story).
I applaud you for this review 👏👏👏 I was about to write my own, but after reading yours I find it completely unnecessary - you put my thoughts PERFECTLY on (well) screen.
Few notes from me, I am interested in your own opinion: Regarding too many pairs - after a few episodes (like towards the end) I started to think that in the beginning they could not decide which one should be the second pair after the leads so they put in like 4. Towards the end it looked like they finally more or less decided that the second pairing should be Bee/Prince (at least in my opinion).
Boun/Prem acting: Overall it was fantastic, but recently I watched reaction to episode 11 with them (the only one I found with English subtitles on Youtube) and they mentioned that they are not fully satisfied with their own acting, and find moments that they could improve. While I applaud them for wanting to improve and being self critical in their art (it is always healthy to a certain point) I started to watch more closely - as before I focused more on the overall outcome of the scenes - and one thing I noticed (I find it quite funny actually): They are phenomenal in really emotional scenes (scene in episode 6 (probably) right after the drowning and they have that crying scene, and love confession in episode 11 will live rent free in my head (and heart) for heavens knows how long - those were sooo real and raw, and their acting was chef kiss) but when the topic of conversation turns to more mundane topics or rather still rather serious but not about their own character feelings the acting is a bit awkward. Like they are not sure how their character should react in that kind of situation. It wasn't bad by no means, maybe to some extent you could say that it's also very realistic (lets be honest we all had moments when we talk about something and we have no idea how to react to something).
And I personally love that they included MANAOW / PRUK. I am quite a novice in the entire BL world but in a few dramas that I saw I always found it a bit weird and a bit annoying that all the characters are part of LGBT. Like, I completely understand that it's a BL and the focus is BL but the fact that there a like no straight couples is very unrealistic to me. A bit like in American Tv shows, they just have to include gay couple for representation even though they don't add anything to the plot and they are adding them for the sake of adding them or comedic relief. And here I did not feel like Manaow and Pruk were forced. Maybe it's the fact (again personal opinion) that they are kind of a couple wasn't the the main focus. Manaow is a friend of Team, that's the main focus, and the fact that she has a guy she likes and the guy likes her back is just details.
Anyway, apologies for my rant. If you have an opinion on this I would really love to hear (read) it. or you can just ignore it :)
It seems that not a lot of people like the drama with plot with a lot of character feeling and relationship development. Just want to say these kinds of things don't happen overnight and if you don't like realistic timeline... don't blame the show :)
I commend Boun (Wins actor) for his acting skill. It's been a while since I wanted to give a drama character a big hug 🥺on multiple occasions too. And when I briefly opened special episode (just to check if it's like special drama episode or one of those where actors talk about the show- I usually don't watch those) I literally shouted " that's him??! 😯" I could hardly recognize the actor as his character (blond hair was the only clue), he looked like a completely different person. Huge props for that 👏👏👏
Also, I made a mistake by not checking if the show fully aired. I haaaaaate waiting for the next episode 😩
If you are looking for light, superficial drama, walk away right now! This drama might annoy you, make you want to rip your hair out or just bore. It's a show about very damaged people, hence the title. So if you are into people's feelings, relationships, psychology you might try, but please be aware that you will need to look for deeper meaning in character actions and words, why they might say or do something seemingly stupid or crazy (why i mentioned before that this is not a superficial drama) 😅 for me this is 10/10 drama.
POTENTIAL SPOILER AHEAD (I am not sure if this is an actual spoiler, hence why i did not mark the whole comment as a spoiler, but it might spoil some things, so WARRNING)
I saw a few comments ranting about how FL is crazy, needs therapy, not a boyfriend etc. Well, ML is no better. He is as damaged as FL if not more. and on top of that he takes care of his brother. So the fact that those two found love in each other kinda makes sense. She is... well... a bit crazy, persistent, has no filter, does not bow to society's norms of being polite and soft like MAJORITY of FL in K-dramas. I think the goal was to portray an uncomfortable character for the viewer (and I think it's genius!). He is used to dealing with batshit crazy people, and had no normal relationship with any human since childhood. For those who still don't understand how he could fall for FL, well he has a perfectly kind, pretty, NORMAL and interested female right next to him, yet he chose the crazy lady. In my humble opinion, he did not need a cute girl to ride into the sunset. He needed someone to break his walls, bring excitement into his life, be daring and unapologetic like FL. And she was there for him like no one else was, and she brought out the real him, who was locked inside for many many years tending to his brothers needs. He was there for her as well, she who was broken, though for those who did not know her she had a perfect life: successful, rich, popular, beautiful, what could be wrong, right? They are right for each other, maybe not forever, but who knows, but at that time they were. They're essentially two polar opposites, and the opposite qualities of other brings out the best in them: she loosens him up, he calms her down. Isn't it one of those perfect matches, when two are very different yet compliment each other or so similar they just work because of their similarity?
So the whole point of this rant is that not only FL need therapy, but both leads need it. And they can do it while being together 😁
Sooooo.... the trope was interesting, the whole reincarnation thing and all, but the crying.... OMG I don't think there was an episode where the main couple didn't cry for some reason. A little too much. Well, I understand the trauma, having memories/two personalities (in a way) and the confusion that comes with it, but come on.... also there was quite a bit of repetitive scenes. at some point I believe I thought "I think I saw this particular scene like 3 times already..." So yeah.
Honestly, if you want to watch it for the win/team I don't think you need to, there were barely any scenes regarding their romance. The show was quite clearly set to make a separate show for them. Though Win being savage and cunning was funny, the best part of the whole series 😂
My complain about the FL is similar. She is not good kissing, and even though they sold us the FL like a perfect…
ML saved it (even if he was exaggerated), and the fact that he is easy on the eyes for sure helped 😂 and the occasional hidden dirty jokes were the best, 😂 I definitely understand that this is a fluffy drama, yet for me it lacked the actual fluff 😂
Ok, I did some digging and here's what I think: As I understand, all four leads were rookies, and if that's true they did a really good job for the first... well, job. All occasional overacting, underacting and unrealistic acting (not only from the leads) I blame Thai drama style (as this is my first Thai drama I really don't have anything to compare it with so I chose this approach).
In terms of putting the story on the screen they (as the whole crew) did a really good job, I skipped through the first novel (Love storm) and if you are too lazy to read the drama is accurately portraying what is written (assuming that the English translation was more or less correct though awful). Everything was pretty much spot on given the material.
Speaking of. If you think that the story lacks depth, dynamic, was poorly written - then yes, true. I saw some comments that it has a fan-fiction feel to it. Yep, and not a very good one. While watching I felt such a potential for the story to be absolutely amazing (both stories) yet, while in a way they were, they still lacked something. As if they were trying to go deep but only managed to scrape the surface.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ3zDSSSLDg
This is so good 😩
It totally makes sense that finding a footing after some parts of the personality was erased or changed can be hard. On the other hand, if most of the erased scenes were sex scenes I think that the impact of the show, the character development part would have suffered (to an extent) and it would have been more of a show about people having sex than what it was about - finding courage to love. The sex part was always implied throughout the episodes even though it wasn't shown. For me in episode 2 where they have a scene in the pool locker (I think it was episode 2) they agree to be sex buddies, that says that the whole show and relationship and everything happens while they are sexually active with each other. I believe in their kind of relationship and how it develops a lot happened during sex especially as it was the core of their relationship in the beginning and how they showed it without it is really good. I never took Team as being innocent, virgin - yes, maybe, never watched porn - no. For me it was quite clear that it (he couldn't get off) was because of people around and not the first time watching porn. Maybe I remember it wrong.
The acting was MAYBE a bit awkward in scenes where they just were talking without teasing or flirting . For example in episode 11 when Win comes back from his parents house and Team is waiting for him in front of the dormitories and they talk about Wan and Tul. I mean you could take it in couple ways: as a character "Oh this is the first time I am talking to you about something like this, this is kinda strange but also nice" or a bit of an awkward acting. And by awkward I mean it wasn't smooth and a bit out of character, but again maybe it's just a different side of it. My personal approach is a mix of both. OR just a totally different dynamic between them threw me off a bit.
Anyways, I will definitely read the novel and have to watch the series again (as I can not help myself when I like the character and the story - and I sure did in this case- my stalker syndrome turns on, I have to read and watch everything so I could learn more about the characters and their story).
Few notes from me, I am interested in your own opinion:
Regarding too many pairs - after a few episodes (like towards the end) I started to think that in the beginning they could not decide which one should be the second pair after the leads so they put in like 4. Towards the end it looked like they finally more or less decided that the second pairing should be Bee/Prince (at least in my opinion).
Boun/Prem acting: Overall it was fantastic, but recently I watched reaction to episode 11 with them (the only one I found with English subtitles on Youtube) and they mentioned that they are not fully satisfied with their own acting, and find moments that they could improve. While I applaud them for wanting to improve and being self critical in their art (it is always healthy to a certain point) I started to watch more closely - as before I focused more on the overall outcome of the scenes - and one thing I noticed (I find it quite funny actually): They are phenomenal in really emotional scenes (scene in episode 6 (probably) right after the drowning and they have that crying scene, and love confession in episode 11 will live rent free in my head (and heart) for heavens knows how long - those were sooo real and raw, and their acting was chef kiss) but when the topic of conversation turns to more mundane topics or rather still rather serious but not about their own character feelings the acting is a bit awkward. Like they are not sure how their character should react in that kind of situation. It wasn't bad by no means, maybe to some extent you could say that it's also very realistic (lets be honest we all had moments when we talk about something and we have no idea how to react to something).
And I personally love that they included MANAOW / PRUK. I am quite a novice in the entire BL world but in a few dramas that I saw I always found it a bit weird and a bit annoying that all the characters are part of LGBT. Like, I completely understand that it's a BL and the focus is BL but the fact that there a like no straight couples is very unrealistic to me. A bit like in American Tv shows, they just have to include gay couple for representation even though they don't add anything to the plot and they are adding them for the sake of adding them or comedic relief. And here I did not feel like Manaow and Pruk were forced. Maybe it's the fact (again personal opinion) that they are kind of a couple wasn't the the main focus. Manaow is a friend of Team, that's the main focus, and the fact that she has a guy she likes and the guy likes her back is just details.
Anyway, apologies for my rant. If you have an opinion on this I would really love to hear (read) it. or you can just ignore it :)
And when I briefly opened special episode (just to check if it's like special drama episode or one of those where actors talk about the show- I usually don't watch those) I literally shouted " that's him??! 😯" I could hardly recognize the actor as his character (blond hair was the only clue), he looked like a completely different person. Huge props for that 👏👏👏
Also, I made a mistake by not checking if the show fully aired. I haaaaaate waiting for the next episode 😩
POTENTIAL SPOILER AHEAD (I am not sure if this is an actual spoiler, hence why i did not mark the whole comment as a spoiler, but it might spoil some things, so WARRNING)
I saw a few comments ranting about how FL is crazy, needs therapy, not a boyfriend etc. Well, ML is no better. He is as damaged as FL if not more. and on top of that he takes care of his brother. So the fact that those two found love in each other kinda makes sense. She is... well... a bit crazy, persistent, has no filter, does not bow to society's norms of being polite and soft like MAJORITY of FL in K-dramas. I think the goal was to portray an uncomfortable character for the viewer (and I think it's genius!). He is used to dealing with batshit crazy people, and had no normal relationship with any human since childhood. For those who still don't understand how he could fall for FL, well he has a perfectly kind, pretty, NORMAL and interested female right next to him, yet he chose the crazy lady. In my humble opinion, he did not need a cute girl to ride into the sunset. He needed someone to break his walls, bring excitement into his life, be daring and unapologetic like FL. And she was there for him like no one else was, and she brought out the real him, who was locked inside for many many years tending to his brothers needs. He was there for her as well, she who was broken, though for those who did not know her she had a perfect life: successful, rich, popular, beautiful, what could be wrong, right?
They are right for each other, maybe not forever, but who knows, but at that time they were. They're essentially two polar opposites, and the opposite qualities of other brings out the best in them: she loosens him up, he calms her down. Isn't it one of those perfect matches, when two are very different yet compliment each other or so similar they just work because of their similarity?
So the whole point of this rant is that not only FL need therapy, but both leads need it. And they can do it while being together 😁
Honestly, if you want to watch it for the win/team I don't think you need to, there were barely any scenes regarding their romance. The show was quite clearly set to make a separate show for them.
Though Win being savage and cunning was funny, the best part of the whole series 😂
As I understand, all four leads were rookies, and if that's true they did a really good job for the first... well, job. All occasional overacting, underacting and unrealistic acting (not only from the leads) I blame Thai drama style (as this is my first Thai drama I really don't have anything to compare it with so I chose this approach).
In terms of putting the story on the screen they (as the whole crew) did a really good job, I skipped through the first novel (Love storm) and if you are too lazy to read the drama is accurately portraying what is written (assuming that the English translation was more or less correct though awful). Everything was pretty much spot on given the material.
Speaking of. If you think that the story lacks depth, dynamic, was poorly written - then yes, true. I saw some comments that it has a fan-fiction feel to it. Yep, and not a very good one. While watching I felt such a potential for the story to be absolutely amazing (both stories) yet, while in a way they were, they still lacked something. As if they were trying to go deep but only managed to scrape the surface.