Bite Mark on My Hippocampus
Top Form The Series is one of those rare adaptations that doesn’t just work, it lingers. I went in expecting a straight-laced romantic drama and came out genuinely gasping. The performances left a permanent bite mark on my hippocampus, and honestly? No regrets.The writing keeps the romance grounded and organic, never forced, and at times it feels less like watching characters and more like watching real people fall in love. A huge part of that is Boom Raveewit Jirapongkanon as Akin- a performance so controlled, vulnerable, and devastatingly good that Episode 7 (Bite Marks) now lives rent-free in my head. I also want to give credit where it’s very much due; Smart Chisanupong Paungmanee did a solid job as Jin, especially considering this was his first lead role. There are moments where the difference in experience shows, but that’s only if I’m really nitpicking. Overall, his performance felt sincere and committed, and I genuinely appreciated the effort he brought to the role. Most importantly, he never left me blatantly wanting more, which for a first-time lead, is no small achievement at all.
Story wise I cannot fault the screenwriters and only commend them for adapting the source material as best as they could. The manga is....wild...to put it mildly, and the team did do a really good job at adapting it for the screen. I especially loved how the screenwriters deepened Akin’s arc by expanding on his relationship with his grandmother and portraying her as his inspiration, his best friend, his North Star. I also think it's endlessly adorable to see him, a grown-ass man- THE Akin, write letters to his grandmother telling her about the love he has found. It's showing us that he was always mush on the inside, just industry hardened around the edges.
What he writes to her still echoes within me:
“I’ve just realised that when we feel so much for someone, it makes our life so complicated… it’s uncontrollable and confusing.”
It’s such a mature, honest take on finding love later in life and it hits hard because it’s true. Jin's absolute devotion leads him to come into his own. You can see that the Akin you began the story with is not the exact one you end up with. Jin's unwavering love lets you see a part of Akin even he didn't know existed and we're left with the sense that all we need is to be understood and accepted, insecurities and all.
Overall, this is an exceptional series: believable chemistry, emotionally coherent character arcs, and performances firing on all cylinders. One of the best watches I’ve had in recent years.
Boom really is in his Top Form; and yes, I fully agree with him when he said: “I’m sorry but I ate Takato up.”
Don't miss this absolute gem of a series.
Boom Raveewit Jirapongkanon is a GIFT to this craft.
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