I loved this half of the show so much more than Nuea’s half. The comedy in this was right up my alley and at times it even felt like it was poking fun at bl cliches (for example, the sheer number of different ways Fah and Prince fall into each other’s arms). I loved Fah’s character as a brocon with attachment issues and I liked that the show actually tackled his alcoholism. Prince was also a good character who was smart and capable and gave as good as he got. And like in SIMM, the side characters in this are fun: Mesa, JJ, Yayah, and Aou had me laughing through the whole series. Is this show superbly thought-provoking and deep? Nah. But it is fun, goofy, cheesy bl set in a lovely rural area. 8/10
These eight eps are a pretty generic Thai uni bl. I like the premise of two characters getting a second chance to meet and fall in love, however I wish we had seen more flashbacks of them in high school so that there was a more even balance between their history and their current predicaments. There were times I thought Kluen’s actor had a blank face, and there were moments where Nuea’s actor felt a bit awkward, but they both did great in the moments where the characters were happy and cuddly (good chemistry!). I loved how Kluen kept an eye on Nuea and helped him out: it was fantastic to see people actually care for each other like that. The show takes a turn for the soapy with dubcon kisses and bar fights and running to exes in the later eps, and honestly I enjoyed it getting a bit sloppy. I did ship Fah/Nuea: they did way too good a job at being ambiguous prior to the audience learning their real relationship (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄) . I loved Maitee and I hope he gets a beau soon! All in all enjoyable enough for a short watch. 7/10.
Fun, upbeat, has a nice amount of drama. And the characters feel like they actually care about each other! That was my biggest complaint about the main season: that the characters lacked a spark between them. Not here! Here they emote! They cuddle! They talk! The actors feel more relaxed and comfortable together. Does it drag out a bit? Yeah, but it is no big deal, these are fluffy bonus eps what else do you expect? Cute enough.
This is the second time I have watched this show (the first time was a year ago during airing), and I found I have the same complaint through both watches: I wish there was a more clearly defined and consistent relationship dynamic between the mains. The show starts with the mains fighting and Kuea calling off the engagement, but for many episodes I found it difficult to care about the fight because I didn’t feel like Kuea and Lian had any meaningful prior relationship worth rooting for.
In flashbacks we see that they grew up around each other, but we rarely if ever actually see the consequences of that reflected in how the characters act around each other. I don’t know whether to point this out as a flaw in the way the actors portrayed their characters or a flaw in the writing and plot side of things, perhaps both. It doesn’t feel like Lian and Kuea are childhood friends who grew apart and who now have to get to know each other again. It doesn’t feel like they think of each other as family and who must now transition from being siblings to being a married couple. It doesn’t feel like they are struggling to bridge an age gap. It doesn’t feel like the only thing tying them together is filial duty to carry out the requests of Kuea’s grandfather. It doesn’t feel like they are strangers who must get to know each other prior to marriage. It doesn't feel like they are bickering adults who feel trapped in an unwanted engagement. Instead they feel a bit vaguely all of the above and none at all: that vagueness wasn’t very compelling to watch for so long. The two actors have sexual chemistry but nothing else!
The only times it felt like they knew each other was when Lian knew that Kuea didn’t like ginger, or on their date to the grocery store where we see them act familiar and relaxed for the first time. That feeling of “oh, they’ve known each other all their lives” was sorely missing from the rest of the show.
The idea of an arranged marriage falling apart and then the characters realizing they do like each other and willingly re-entering the engagement is great. But this show lacks the character depth needed to make the individuals interesting, and if the people aren’t interesting, then their marriage isn’t either.
And that whole spiel^ isn't even delving into the weird ways that Lian manipulates Kuea or sends him mixed signals, to the point that Kuea breaks down crying at the prospect of marrying him. Kuea’s secret life was a big selling point in the trailers and it felt like a cop out that Lian already knew all about Kuea’s real life; and I was super uncomfortable watching him be so cruel to Kuea while he pretended not to know these things. Add in two side couples (Diao and Yi have a lot of the same issues as Lian and Kuea) and this show ends up being difficult to love.
Which is a real bummer because there are moments in this show that are good. The cinematography and set dressing were great: the show looks fantastic. The kissing and sex scenes were beautifully shot in a very lovely and romantic manner. I loved the scene where Kuea and Lian go out on their real first date and they take turns opening themselves to each other. The whole “is the marriage worthless if it can’t be legally done” plot was interesting and I think it is one of the better gay marriage plots in bls lately (compared to the weddings crammed in at the end of TT2 or MoD or something), especially once it got into the nitty gritty of paperwork and how spouses can take advantage of each other.
TLDR: This show is not terrible for one watch but don’t expect very deep characters or cohesive plots.
This show was enjoyable. I won’t say it is the tensest thriller I have ever seen, but it was fun, cheesy, and had a pleasant amount of suspense. I loved seeing Chimon and Perth again. (side note: I think they have an upcoming show together? After watching this I am quite excited for that!)
As for cons, most of my complaints are focused on the first four or so episodes. There is confusing editing —such as a serious scene with playful bgm— that sends mixed messages and that left me well confused at the start. The romance between Neung and Palm was also not well done in the beginning. They feel an instant attraction and they spend the first several eps having moments where the music swells meaningfully and they stare into each other’s eyes. There is some intrigue coming from the power disparity in a master/servant relationship, but Palm is such a wet noodle with a lack of personality at the start that the dynamic isn’t as thrilling as it should be. These issues do all get better as the show goes on, and I enjoyed the second half of the show much more than the start.
I have been a longtime bl fan and have seen dozens of school bls. I can pretty easily say that in terms of lighthearted…
I also majorly loved Tin’s mom. At the start you think she is going to be a villain character (the principal who wants to shut down the music club), but she quickly shows that she is strict but fair to her students. Then later on, I love that although she was nervous and concerned about her son being gay, she didn’t press her fears on her son. Instead she turned to her husband (an adult who was her equal, not her child who she is in a position of authority over) and she talked things out several times. She waited for Tin to come to her, and when push came to shove she stood up for her son. That is a wonderful representation of how a parent should always keep their concerns away from their children until an appropriate time. I think Tin’s family is one of the most realistic I have seen in bl in a while, and it was really pleasant to watch.
I have been a longtime bl fan and have seen dozens of school bls. I can pretty easily say that in terms of lighthearted school bls this show has topped them all, even my longtime favorite, that old classic, Love Sick.
The characters here are so youthful, vibrant, and charming. They feel young and stupid and are so endearing for it, but they have their serious moments too. The acting is solid all around. I love the quick and snappy editing which complements the youthful chaos, as well as the more dreamy choices the production team sometimes made (like, how songs would play and reach multiple characters, sometimes even bridging time). The music is fantastic and I want to laud it for actually sounding good, for having touching lyrics, and for there being a wide variety of songs played (they didn’t just repeat one theme song over and over again).
There were little dollops of wisdom plopped throughout the show that actually took me aback to see in a show aimed at teens: Tiw’s “If love is like a candle in a monsoon, I will be there to hold an umbrella for you my friend,” and Tin’s dad’s “If the world out there is cruel to our son, isn’t that more reason for us to be a safe space for him at home?” really hit me hard.
All in all a fantastic watch that kept me hooked to the screen. If you need a sweet pick me up, this is absolutely the bl to watch! 9.5/10
This show was pretty good: the lighting and color grading was quite striking, the emotional depth was there, all the characters were compelling and they felt real and their struggles relatable. In general I liked the mature slice-of-life tone and how most of the characters were regular, everyday people. However what held me back from loving this drama was that it often tiptoed over the line from quiet slice of life into melodrama/soap opera, making frequent use of excessively emotional music or being too heavy handed with the metaphors (eg, “You have my pen. I want it back.” or [at a barbecue] “should I rekindle the flame?” “no… [dramatic pause] we are done.”). Scenes often dragged on a few moments too long, and all that excess usually pushed otherwise sincere and impactful scenes into the realm of sensationalism in my opinion: so I give this an 8/10. But if you like mature soap operas you will probably love this show!
This show was quieter and more intimate than I had expected from something advertised as being "a raunchy show about enemies who become fuckbuddies" (because it turns out that premise isn't really quite accurate). The first ep is an awful, loud, chaotic mess but after that the show mellows out comparatively and becomes much more watchable. There is a bit of a lack of running plot, but let’s be honest, we all watched mainly for the sex and this show certainly delivers that in oodles (although, other than the cat scene, the sex scenes are relatively tame. Usually just kissing and some petting around the chest. Oh, and licking: someone on the production team definitely had a thing for licking. Anyhoo, I would consider the sex scenes in KinnPorsche or Love In The Air to be much more graphic than those found here. There is a lack of thrustage here, lol). There are a few moments of maturity and realism —like the std testing, or how Uae starts seeing a psychiatrist to work through his trauma— that I liked seeing included in a bl. There were many times the scene progression was cut and edited so oddly that I had to go back and check I hadn’t missed something. 7/10
Wow, what even to say? This is easily my favorite of the Tunku Shower shows. It is absolutely beautiful to look at, the characters feel mature, the mood and pacing are well done, and the plot is dreamy. I loved how memories were often eased into and then abruptly ended: the shock of that abrupt cut made you feel the pain of Fumiya realizing that that was the past and they could never go back.
Are there flaws in this show? Absolutely. The whole power dynamic issue of Fumiya hiding their relationship from Ritsu will be quite divisive between viewers. Their relationship feels realistic and they fight over things that many viewers will relate to, so the show can be "frustrating" in that sense. But imo if you just go with the flow and enjoy the plot for what it is, it is a lovely story. Easy 9/10 for me.
I disliked the first few eps of this show because Onoe did not give a good first impression: I found him smug and he had an annoying superiority complex. I didn’t find his descent into crushing on Kabu believable. But around ep 3/4 once both boys crush on each other, the show gets better. I liked watching Onoe and Kabu investigate different cases, and I especially enjoyed Izuka Kenta’s plot line in eps 4-6. Tunku shower shows have mostly been following similar progressions with a quirky and unexpected kiss in the early eps and then the romance and chaste dating coming later, and initially this show starts out like that too so my hopes were set low, but we do eventually get more kisses in this show so I count that as a plus. Oh, I also really liked the theme song.
In general I wish they had cast older actors and had made a more serious show about journalists delving into the shady underworld, but I guess for what this show is (short, easy to watch, cute enough: pretty basic) the show is fine. Overall, solid 7/10. You won’t waste your time watching this, but I don’t think it will blow your mind either.
Fukuhara’s slapstick overreactions in the first ep were a bit too much for me, but from ep 2 on that chills out a little bit. The show remains goofy and light hearted throughout, but there is a heartwarming sincerity and charm to the characters and the choices they make which made this show quite enjoyable. Would definitely rec this if you are in the mood for something short and fun!
This show fell a bit flat for me. I loved the hazy, hot, golden summer mood and the ust in the first few eps, but then the show slows way down and eps 4-10 feel like filler with no real purpose or memorable story arcs. I think my main issue surrounded Akira: I disliked that he rarely ever felt like an adult character with life experiences which should have set him apart from how naive but filled with youthful bravado that Shin is. Akira pretty much does zero character growth throughout this whole show, which is a shame because he had two poignant moments of self reflection where he mused that he wasn’t worth Shin, that he would just hold Shin back… but he never tries to better himself or even discuss his concerns with anyone. Again and again Akira pushes Shin away saying he needs time to think, but Akira never seems to do any thinking? He ends the show pretty much the same man he started as and it kind of felt like there was no point to watching the show. I liked the brief moments where Akira talked with his ex Saki or with Sakuma, and I wish there had been more scenes where Akira had adult friends to discuss his views and concerns with, perhaps he would have been a more compelling character if he had been given room to speak his mind away from the kids.
There were a lot of things that held potential in this show, but I just never really felt like the writing was detailed enough to make this premise sing. This was fine for one watch, but I doubt I will rec this to any friends or rewatch myself.
First off, I really have to commend South Korea for making such a wide variety of bls. The production teams over there are really giving us so much variety to watch, and I am so here for it. The only other vampire bl dramas I can think of are Bite Fight from China and Discipline Z from South Korea, and maaaaybe if you squint you could say Moon Child from Japan. So right off the bat this show gets points just for having a unique premise.
And you know what? For a student film I thought this was not bad. The acting was good from the mains and I was drawn into their story and invested in their relationship. The two mains have good chemistry and we got some unexpectedly adorable kissing and cuddling scenes from them here. Were there plot holes? Yeah, a fair few, some quite big ones that it seemed ludicrous they could overlook. I also was bugged that half the characters were never named (it took two full episodes to even learn Minhyun’s name!). But overall I enjoyed this show and would give it a solid 7/10.
1
In flashbacks we see that they grew up around each other, but we rarely if ever actually see the consequences of that reflected in how the characters act around each other. I don’t know whether to point this out as a flaw in the way the actors portrayed their characters or a flaw in the writing and plot side of things, perhaps both. It doesn’t feel like Lian and Kuea are childhood friends who grew apart and who now have to get to know each other again. It doesn’t feel like they think of each other as family and who must now transition from being siblings to being a married couple. It doesn’t feel like they are struggling to bridge an age gap. It doesn’t feel like the only thing tying them together is filial duty to carry out the requests of Kuea’s grandfather. It doesn’t feel like they are strangers who must get to know each other prior to marriage. It doesn't feel like they are bickering adults who feel trapped in an unwanted engagement. Instead they feel a bit vaguely all of the above and none at all: that vagueness wasn’t very compelling to watch for so long. The two actors have sexual chemistry but nothing else!
The only times it felt like they knew each other was when Lian knew that Kuea didn’t like ginger, or on their date to the grocery store where we see them act familiar and relaxed for the first time. That feeling of “oh, they’ve known each other all their lives” was sorely missing from the rest of the show.
The idea of an arranged marriage falling apart and then the characters realizing they do like each other and willingly re-entering the engagement is great. But this show lacks the character depth needed to make the individuals interesting, and if the people aren’t interesting, then their marriage isn’t either.
And that whole spiel^ isn't even delving into the weird ways that Lian manipulates Kuea or sends him mixed signals, to the point that Kuea breaks down crying at the prospect of marrying him. Kuea’s secret life was a big selling point in the trailers and it felt like a cop out that Lian already knew all about Kuea’s real life; and I was super uncomfortable watching him be so cruel to Kuea while he pretended not to know these things. Add in two side couples (Diao and Yi have a lot of the same issues as Lian and Kuea) and this show ends up being difficult to love.
Which is a real bummer because there are moments in this show that are good. The cinematography and set dressing were great: the show looks fantastic. The kissing and sex scenes were beautifully shot in a very lovely and romantic manner. I loved the scene where Kuea and Lian go out on their real first date and they take turns opening themselves to each other. The whole “is the marriage worthless if it can’t be legally done” plot was interesting and I think it is one of the better gay marriage plots in bls lately (compared to the weddings crammed in at the end of TT2 or MoD or something), especially once it got into the nitty gritty of paperwork and how spouses can take advantage of each other.
TLDR: This show is not terrible for one watch but don’t expect very deep characters or cohesive plots.
(*phew!* rant over)
As for cons, most of my complaints are focused on the first four or so episodes. There is confusing editing —such as a serious scene with playful bgm— that sends mixed messages and that left me well confused at the start. The romance between Neung and Palm was also not well done in the beginning. They feel an instant attraction and they spend the first several eps having moments where the music swells meaningfully and they stare into each other’s eyes. There is some intrigue coming from the power disparity in a master/servant relationship, but Palm is such a wet noodle with a lack of personality at the start that the dynamic isn’t as thrilling as it should be. These issues do all get better as the show goes on, and I enjoyed the second half of the show much more than the start.
The characters here are so youthful, vibrant, and charming. They feel young and stupid and are so endearing for it, but they have their serious moments too. The acting is solid all around. I love the quick and snappy editing which complements the youthful chaos, as well as the more dreamy choices the production team sometimes made (like, how songs would play and reach multiple characters, sometimes even bridging time). The music is fantastic and I want to laud it for actually sounding good, for having touching lyrics, and for there being a wide variety of songs played (they didn’t just repeat one theme song over and over again).
There were little dollops of wisdom plopped throughout the show that actually took me aback to see in a show aimed at teens: Tiw’s “If love is like a candle in a monsoon, I will be there to hold an umbrella for you my friend,” and Tin’s dad’s “If the world out there is cruel to our son, isn’t that more reason for us to be a safe space for him at home?” really hit me hard.
All in all a fantastic watch that kept me hooked to the screen. If you need a sweet pick me up, this is absolutely the bl to watch! 9.5/10
Are there flaws in this show? Absolutely. The whole power dynamic issue of Fumiya hiding their relationship from Ritsu will be quite divisive between viewers. Their relationship feels realistic and they fight over things that many viewers will relate to, so the show can be "frustrating" in that sense. But imo if you just go with the flow and enjoy the plot for what it is, it is a lovely story. Easy 9/10 for me.
In general I wish they had cast older actors and had made a more serious show about journalists delving into the shady underworld, but I guess for what this show is (short, easy to watch, cute enough: pretty basic) the show is fine. Overall, solid 7/10. You won’t waste your time watching this, but I don’t think it will blow your mind either.
There were a lot of things that held potential in this show, but I just never really felt like the writing was detailed enough to make this premise sing. This was fine for one watch, but I doubt I will rec this to any friends or rewatch myself.
And you know what? For a student film I thought this was not bad. The acting was good from the mains and I was drawn into their story and invested in their relationship. The two mains have good chemistry and we got some unexpectedly adorable kissing and cuddling scenes from them here. Were there plot holes? Yeah, a fair few, some quite big ones that it seemed ludicrous they could overlook. I also was bugged that half the characters were never named (it took two full episodes to even learn Minhyun’s name!). But overall I enjoyed this show and would give it a solid 7/10.