mina

I took two days and some minutes to finish the series, i was expecting to be bawling my eyes out and i sure did.
first, i believe it's a pretty good series that steps "out-of-the-common" tropes , it has an amazing plot and it really puts together the "life of an idol" well

Even though there were 13 episodes, I think there was not a good narrative approach after episodes 7 or 8. The subplotabout Jun and Po was, for me, a waste of time in the series. I do believe that it kind of had to be there for more "context" about how Thame realizes he likes Po, but I don't think two episodes had to be almost completely just about Po and Jun.

When I started the series, I was scared of the angst but excited to see ThamePo as a couple, but my expectations were lowered because of the time and the timeline of the series. When Thame finally went, "I like him," I was like, "Yes!" and then they broke up... (???) I was really craving angst and drama, but I was also craving their love plot and their relationship. I didn't like how out of the blue they were all lovely without a "proper" confession. I wanted an "I like you, Po/Thame" from either of them, but well. I didn't get that moment. 😭

The plot is really good. The first 6 or 7 episodes were like a rollercoaster of emotions, and I was so excited to know the rest and how the "main problem" was going to develop. I really wanted a series to represent and give people a chance to see how the idols' "rule of love" is really deep and stupid. I wanted more realism (for example, idols aren't supposed to date, but he's still going out with this man at night without a mask or cap and being all lovely). I understand Thame didn't care, and I love that vision of him because it really portrayed how he didn't "care" about what others said but about his relationship with the members and Po. But, I think it would've been more realistic if he was more careful in that regard, but it's my opinion at the end of the day.

Regarding Pepper and Gam:
I didn't like their "breakup." I wanted something more like, "Yes, I'm with her, and I'm still going to be with her," kind of thing, but I know it was easier if it was the "we are not together and we never were" resolution. I didn't like it at all. 😭 I loved them and how pure their relationship was because they seemed like they really loved and respected each other, and I felt sad when Gam had to use her job as an excuse to save Pepper's career.

I really liked the development of both Thame and Po.

First, Po. He started with an attitude of, "I don't understand people who leave people that were there," and then he was the one leaving Thame. 😭 I cried a lot when I realized that, but after all, it's true. I really liked how he understood everyone to the point of not understanding himself. I think his plot (and actor) were good. I would've loved if his "before main story" plot was included more in the series (same with Thame and MARS), mainly his relationship with Earn and Fern. Most people from the comments I read were saying that his character was "stale," but I don't think that. I believe that to understand his character, you need to understand what he's been through with his old, toxic, and insecurity-filledrelationship with Earn. I don't think that Po is stale; I just think he is an introverted person (they exist) and just insecure about how people leave him all the time. So, when he met Thame and MARS, he was just awkward, but still made sure everyone was okay by reuniting them as a group and as a family. I believe his role is extremely important in the series. Without him, most of MARS's plans would have been destroyed, and their career would have ended forever (even Thame; although he is famous and is an all-rounder in the series, I don't think most idols that came from a group can make it, but it's mostly my opinion). So I really liked his role in the series and how his character was. I even compared myself to him. For me, he had a very good plot and storyline, but I would've loved to see his own story more deeply.

Thame; a deeply misunderstood character. I think of him as a character that always thought of everyone before himself. He always puts his friends and loved ones before himself, and that affects him. I understand how sad and angry he felt with himself when he realized MARS wasn't going to survive if he accepted his chance to go to Korea. When he told Po that he didn't agree with his opinion about "People who leave others are selfish," I was like, "He is just like Earn," but as I spent more time watching the series, I realized, it's doesn't just exist a "people leaving other people" thing, but also a "people leaving other people for their own best" thing. His character is deep in my heart, and I love him—how he was always caring about his members and Po, how he always treated them like the only ones in the world—his world—and how he always tried to make them feel seen. He knew what he and MARS went through and never let Pemika get into his life or mind. He always put her in her place and never let her say anything about his members, even if it meant that he was going to get reprimanded. I don't think he had a "development;" I think he was always a nice person, but obviously after being in too much trouble, he was always going to be depressed and mean to anyone that tried to talk to him, Po included. When he met Po, he met the opportunity to give his life a 180-degree change.

Them as a couple: Although their plot as a couple was not too long, I loved them. I believe they are the kind of couple that respect each other and love each other, just as WilliamEst are. I would've loved for them to have a little more chance to develop their relationship, and I do believe they are genuinely in love. Anything else would've been wrong.

I like how the series was not only "A gay series about an idol and this filmmaker" but a "Story about a group that finds its light at the end of the tunnel." I loved every character (NOT Pemika OR Mick; they can go to hell). I loved the scenarios, characters, music, and plot.

For the things I didn't really like (which are not many):
1. How the series kind of went down after episode 9. I don't know if I was expecting too much of GMMTV, but since the first episodes were so good, I was head over heels waiting for the drama plot and everything.
2. The unnecessary plot of Jun and Po. Don't get me wrong, I understand it was for the development of Thame and Po's relationship, but I think the "Jun probably likes Po" plot was really unnecessary.
3. The ending. It's not about how everything went, but I have too many points on this: First, how they wanted to make Pemika and Mick the "good people" out of the sudden. What do you mean the same woman that was on Thame's neck was now okay with them leaving the company? Girl, be serious. It would've been way more realistic if she just threw everything and decided to send them all to Korea. For me, her character was horrendous not only as a person but also in her plot. Second: how well the plan went. LOL. 😭 I was eating my nails in nervousness because I was thinking: Pemika is going to ruin their plan, or maybe Mick, or maybe Thame decided the best for all was just to give up. I liked how it turned out; I cried oceans of tears, but it's still bittersweet to me.
4. Maybe it's just me, but I would've loved a sad ending for either ThamePo or MARS. From a realistic point of view, them working out was kind of not possible given the K-Pop situations. I liked that in the end it worked out, but I would've like it more if it was more dramatic. LOL.
5. How at the end, Po couldn't have a stable career. 😭 I maybe didn't understand if the company at the end is managed by him, but in the case it's not, then I believe it was stupid the way he threw his career for Thame.
6. How bad the "my boyfriend is an idol but I still treat him as if he was not famous" thing went. Going to a full restaurant with him when he is famous and letting people take pics with him while you're in them? Pretty dangerous if you ask me.
7. How fast the group recovered after the drama, not only their distance as a group but also the parts with Pepper and Gam. Their having that much success was a little unrealistic since it's supposed that Joong's character (I think his name was Ice) was a "threat."
8. I would've loved more relationship moments, not only an "I bought you groceries" or "we stared at each other" but things like "let's solve all of this together, without ruining yours or my dreams."
9. How, even though it was supposed to be a series based on a boyband, there was no variety of songs. I think I listened to more songs and song-producing in My School President than here. For the final song when they finally get together, I would've loved to see how they wrote it, how the idea started, and everything.

Overall: Since I'm really biased towards William and Est, I gave the series a 9/10. For me, it's a great series, getting away from the basic university enemies-to-lovers stuff 😭 (even though I love them). And I think they kind of managed it amazingly! Loved the production and the acting of everyone on it. I do believe in more of the dramatic side of series, the ones that make you bawl your eyes out and then kick you in the face with a sad ending.

Recommendations: If you're starting with BL series or want a series to make you feel happy and sad at times, then this is it. If you have really high expectations of a series and want either too much drama or too much fluff, then this is not your cup of tea.

Rewatch Value: I don't tend to rewatch series, so for me, it's a no. But I do like to see once in a while the scenes that made me cry, laugh, or wanting to get me a partner.

At the end, it is a good series with good acting and plot. Love WilliamEst!!

-Mina.