A Refreshing Story
Honestly, I really liked this series. It wasn't perfect, and you could definitely see the areas where the novice actors could improve. But it was heartfelt and well thought out. It was refreshing to watch something slow and sweet. Every week, I looked forward to it, wondering where the characters would go, how it would end, and if Thame and Po would make it through.
A big part of the story focused on the realities of being an idol—how companies control you, how it causes problems within groups, how people think they have the best intentions for you, how fans become rabid, and how dreams change as you move forward. Thame was stuck in the middle, and his desire to keep his group together (and we later find out is a shared sentiment between all of them) actually made things worse. Then Po came along, and suddenly, the plans to reunite and grow together felt possible again. Strange how one thing you thought was so mundane becomes a strong force in your life.
The friendship aspect was strong, too. The show emphasized the bond of Mars, highlighting each member's relationships and how Thame, despite his “martyr” attitude, was genuinely loved. The same went for Po and his relationships with his coworkers, MARS, and Fern.
The romance was subtle and sweet. You could tell Thame and Po cared for each other. The domestic moments, the desperation to maintain their connection, and how they valued the people around their partner were beautiful. Even minor characters got their moments to shine.
One of the highlights for me was how they introduced the concept of how leaving someone feels and how those being left behind feels at the beginning, and then brought it back later. Very well done.
Of course, as beautiful, sweet, and heartfelt as the story was, there were still some areas for improvement.
First, the series started strong, with good anticipation and dialogue. But towards the end, the episodes felt a bit rushed, and the build-up wasn’t sustained. For example, there was a very emotional scene that was well done on its own, but the scenes leading up to it did not have the right kind of build-up to really hit hard.
The ending was another point. It wasn’t bad, but it could have been more impactful considering the themes they were addressing. Still, it was nice to see the characters get a resolution and that plot twist--made it a bit more worthwhile.
Second, there was an episode near the end that focused on a table discussion, which felt unnecessary. It could have been executed better, and it lacked a sense of urgency. We knew that certain character was important to all of them, but it didn’t come across as that.
Third, the resolution for one character felt rushed. This character was already a ghost from the beginning so it would have been nice if the impact back to that character came with more profoundness. I know not everyone needs a special moment, but it didn’t have the impact it should have.
Lastly, the message. The series had good dialogue and points, but some decisions made it feel more preachy than sentimental. The delivery didn’t quite match the intended emotion which is sad-- considering the message is supposed to be good.
Despite that., everything was still good. So much so, that I want to highlight the beautiful main cast.
Est has grown so much. Seeing him in a lead role was great. His expressions and connection with the audience have improved, and he can sing now!
William showed promise from Project ALPHA, and it carried over. His stage expressions translate well on screen. He continues to prove that he is the star everyone knows he is.
Lego, Nut, Tui, and Hong are made for stardom. They’re talented musicians on their own right, and if they continue acting, they have a lot of potential to shine there too.
The OST was good, and LYKN + EST is very talented. This was a good series project for them.
Overall, ThamePo was good. I wish the characters happy lives and the cast more success. Highly recommended.
A big part of the story focused on the realities of being an idol—how companies control you, how it causes problems within groups, how people think they have the best intentions for you, how fans become rabid, and how dreams change as you move forward. Thame was stuck in the middle, and his desire to keep his group together (and we later find out is a shared sentiment between all of them) actually made things worse. Then Po came along, and suddenly, the plans to reunite and grow together felt possible again. Strange how one thing you thought was so mundane becomes a strong force in your life.
The friendship aspect was strong, too. The show emphasized the bond of Mars, highlighting each member's relationships and how Thame, despite his “martyr” attitude, was genuinely loved. The same went for Po and his relationships with his coworkers, MARS, and Fern.
The romance was subtle and sweet. You could tell Thame and Po cared for each other. The domestic moments, the desperation to maintain their connection, and how they valued the people around their partner were beautiful. Even minor characters got their moments to shine.
One of the highlights for me was how they introduced the concept of how leaving someone feels and how those being left behind feels at the beginning, and then brought it back later. Very well done.
Of course, as beautiful, sweet, and heartfelt as the story was, there were still some areas for improvement.
First, the series started strong, with good anticipation and dialogue. But towards the end, the episodes felt a bit rushed, and the build-up wasn’t sustained. For example, there was a very emotional scene that was well done on its own, but the scenes leading up to it did not have the right kind of build-up to really hit hard.
The ending was another point. It wasn’t bad, but it could have been more impactful considering the themes they were addressing. Still, it was nice to see the characters get a resolution and that plot twist--made it a bit more worthwhile.
Second, there was an episode near the end that focused on a table discussion, which felt unnecessary. It could have been executed better, and it lacked a sense of urgency. We knew that certain character was important to all of them, but it didn’t come across as that.
Third, the resolution for one character felt rushed. This character was already a ghost from the beginning so it would have been nice if the impact back to that character came with more profoundness. I know not everyone needs a special moment, but it didn’t have the impact it should have.
Lastly, the message. The series had good dialogue and points, but some decisions made it feel more preachy than sentimental. The delivery didn’t quite match the intended emotion which is sad-- considering the message is supposed to be good.
Despite that., everything was still good. So much so, that I want to highlight the beautiful main cast.
Est has grown so much. Seeing him in a lead role was great. His expressions and connection with the audience have improved, and he can sing now!
William showed promise from Project ALPHA, and it carried over. His stage expressions translate well on screen. He continues to prove that he is the star everyone knows he is.
Lego, Nut, Tui, and Hong are made for stardom. They’re talented musicians on their own right, and if they continue acting, they have a lot of potential to shine there too.
The OST was good, and LYKN + EST is very talented. This was a good series project for them.
Overall, ThamePo was good. I wish the characters happy lives and the cast more success. Highly recommended.
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