MaintainingMama

While I hope this is the last time Gear cries for Kim, I get why this is hard to move on from. It's one thing to be dating and have no real expectations of "forever". But to have someone promise to marry you in the future and cheat on you instead of talking to you would be devastating. And I know that Khim tried to tell him, but not in a "this is a make or break for me" Like if he truly loved Gear enough to want to marry him and build a whole life together, why couldn't he say to Gear, "Hey, I get your reasons for why we aren't taking this first step, but I'm frustrated and I would like our relationship to take that next step. What can I do to make you feel ready to go to that next step. I like to think Gear would probably move toward being ready faster.
I like that Gear has decided to not keep up the lessons (at least for now), because his whole reason for not having sex with Kim was because he wanted it to be special. Doing it with someone who is virtually a stranger is definitely not the way to go if that is what you wanted. I mean, if you couldn't do it with the person who wanted to marry you, how you going to do it with someone you don't really know and the little you do know isn't that likeable?! I am interested to see how Kanthi gets Gear to change his mind.
The Jay and Nu story looks like its going to be messy in spots. Although, I agree with Jay that Nu shouldn't quit his job planning to work with Jay. Why not go to another bar that doesn't have the rule? Or find another job elsewhere? I am hoping that Jay doesn't become a jerk.
Side Note: With the opening scene of tonights episode, I think 2026 is the year of the BL Butt. I don't think there has been this many series with this much...cakes on display in the history of BL. Not complaining, just noting. Imagine what's going to happen in 2027?!
Anyway, still enjoying the series although there were some more notable flaws this episode than before. In the opening scene, we get but, indicating they are naked but then they are in underwear getting out of the bed, with out like faking of putting them on. You could see James mic wire in one scene. and the last one I can think of off the top of my head is the guy who kept staring at Chalarm when they were at the Grandpa's restaurant. Like repeatedly and sooo obviously. And while this is more a personal pet peeve than a flaw, Chalarm wearing socks and "nothing" else in bed was cringe. Like I imagine, if he doesn't like his feet or his feet is jacked up, he would want to cover them, but then I need the old "BJ under a blanket" move. Cause the socks are no.
Lastly, I'll say, I am excited to see where FortPeat's story goes. Fort smiling at Peat in the trashcan scene was sooo cute!

The rating for this is too low. Is it all about sex, yup! But they actually acting in this series. And the plot isn't a lot, but it's there and interesting. Strongberry and Matchbox always have delivered good stuff, albeit too short. I need some rich man to fund them heavily cause imagine what they could do with unlimited funds. This series was made to be long form. Imagine the TOXIC MESS, especially after today's episode, we would get if they could make this a full series.
So next week...they pick it up where they left off and we get a throuple?! I would not be mad at that ending. And honestly, what other possible ending could they have.
Side Note: I am most enjoying Lee out of the characters. I like that he is a big puppy dog one minute, then a "beast" and "ignorantly strong" the next. But then he he isn't a push over. I loved seeing him tell off Kang for being an asshole for pimping him out. And I also love that he was petty and stayed with Baek, even though Kang changed his mind.
I'm excited for next week, but I definitely want more.

100%

I just finished the novel and boy what a WILD read that was. I LOVE Bank's portrayal of Ing in this versus the novel. He manages to keep the arrogance and self centeredness while also adding softness. Nothing is missing from the novel's version, but just the small looks he gives, the pouting...it's all so minute, but those details make this character likable. In the novel, I didn't necessarily like the character but I sympathized with him. He goes THROUGH IT! Bank is going to kill us with his acting on this, I just know it.
I am interested to see what the addition of the character Force brings to the story and how it will change from the novel. He isn't in it at all, so I cannot wait to see what his presence does to change the story from the OG.
As much as I cannot wait for the next episodes, I'm also not ready. If they stick as close to the novel as they have so far, even if they change the big thing, so much happens. The next couple of episodes are going to be hard to watch. But if they do it right, this show should get all the awards.
The main thing I AM ready for is Yok being jealous. It looks like we may get a bit of it next episode. I wonder if it will be like in the novel.
This maybe my favorite show of the year. I will say, IQiy is killing it with shows this year. Imagine what they give us in 2027.

Yes. But Ing pretty much stays the bottom for the most part. The definitely don't become verse, at least the novel doesn't go into that much detail.

I just finished the novel but as far as I can remember is wasn't until the incident happens. No one knows until that happens.

I don't know. Dean messed up once. Moth spent all of episode 7 ignoring Dean. And he also flaunted an "ex" in front of Dean. Dean is far from perfect, which he never claimed to be. But Dean tries over and over again to make it work and Moth seems to go out of his way to be mean to Dean. He also never initiates first.

100%

Yeah Barcode has proven he has the acting chops. I really hope GMMTV 27 will reveal a new series for him as a lead.

EVERYONE was acting their damn asses off in this episode. Domundi....when they do the damn thing, they do the damn thing! I thought James was going steal the episode again but then bam in walk a tiny scene from ZeeNunew and wow, powerful! Nunew needs a series drama STAT! Ryujin and Patji are killing it with these characters, even though they are supposed to be the comic relief. Then Save! OMG Save... I have no words. Domundi definitely proves, when you have good writing, directing, acting and a budget (cause the roof top bathtub was INSANE!), you can make an amazing show. The only thing that I need them to stop with is the background noises. They had this song that kept repeating this annoying sound during the Renji and his brother scene that pissed me off and distracted from the good back and forth between the two brothers. They were cute in Duang With You, cause it kind of matches who Duang was as character and what the show was about. But these types of noises especially don't fit and are out of hand. And I'm used to a Thai drama and their million sound effects. Its this particular style I have a problem with.
Anyway, literally the only annoyance and who cares because that was some gooooooood tv.

This rating is indicative of the ship not the show. This could have been really good. But the ML are unlikable, especially Moth. Is the acting good, yep. William's face change from happy to devasted/shocked when he found out about his dad was amazing, he is one of those idols who is a natural at acting. And honestly, WilliamEst are doing such a great job acting these characters, that I can only blame the writers. Cause Moth is terrible to Dean. And Dean is usually only terrible to Moth when Moth is being terrible to him. This ENTIRE series could have been redeemed in this episode, if instead of Dean getting the flash backs to all the times that Moth rejected him and acted like he wasn't worth the trouble as well as all the flash backs where they had a great time because of Dean's persistence in their relationship, it was Moth who got them. When he was sitting their crying after the break up, instead of Pun calling, it should have been Moth remembering every part of their relationship, especially how he NEVER shows up for Dean on his own. Even this time, he only went to the funeral after Pun encouraged him. If he had gotten those flashback and realized that it was HIS turn to make the effort, because OBVIOUSLY Dean broke up with him out of pain for losing his Dad and the fear of them not working out and he had gone running back...Entire series saved. I would have forgiven Moth for how he treated Dean for 8 episodes, because finally would have gotten a clue. But nope! Once more, Pun had to have a "talk" with Moth to get him to see he is also the problem. Just ugh. I blame who ever wrote this.
I also didn't like the talk Dean had with his mother. Dean was more than with in rights to not forgive his dad but to also treat his dad's affair partner not nicely. SHE may have forgiven him, but his dad didn't do anything to fix his relationship with Dean. Also, Mom knew how Dean felt, she could have either given that woman a time to come when they wouldn't be there, or told Dean. To guilt trip him as if he was wrong for his feelings was annoying.
The only thing saving this show is Ten and Pun. I still have beef with who ever is doing their make up, but they are cute as a bug and I am kind of sold on this ship. Now to see Barcode in something shows off a more serious, mature character because I believe he has the acting chops to do it.
Next weeks preview gives me zero hope this show will be redeemed for me. I see separation/time skip happening and just...I guess...what ever.

Season 2 was more complex of a story. Both main leads were frustrating in their own way. But in very humany ways. Miyata's insecurities were understandable but also irrational. While most people would feel some time of way with all the exes showing up, Iwanaga also proved over and over again that he only thinks about him. Like in big and little ways. Iwanaga absolutely could have and should have told Miyata about all of his exes, especially after the first one came back out of no where. Granted the first two came out of no where. But it's not healthy to not talk about your exes, especially not 2 years into the relationship. I was most frustrated when he didn't prepared Miyata about Arima before that meeting. For someone who we have been told for two seasons that he is very smart, to no know that he should have told Miyata about Arima before that meeting to save the book was nuts. But both of their behaviors were so realistic. Takashi said he didn't like talking about his past. And I 10000% agreed with him, that he shouldn't have to throw away his past. Him wearing the watch to that meeting was a risk, but how were either to know that they both still wore it, after all those years. People make mistakes, even if they are based on completely irrational decisions.
My favorite part was all the people telling Miyata he was stupid for breaking up with Takashi. Even if he was mad, breaking up was an extreme, considering that Takashi proved his love over and over again in a multitude of ways. Yes, be mad, confront Takashi and say that the reason that you could say yes yet to the proposal was for this very reason. That while his insecurity wasn't exactly rational, it was real and that he deserved to hear about Takashi's past, especially when it comes to those important ones that shaped who he was today.
That being said, I did like the ending scene where they reunite on the pier and the slow motion NC/private commitment ceremony/loving reconnection scene.
And crazily enough, they kind of ended it with the potential for a season 3. They never resolved the apartment thing, or Miyata's job woe's.
I definitely think the first season was better, but I also liked this season for different reasons.

Bank may have never been in a BL, but he was made for one. His personality off screen is hilarious and so is his portrayal of Ing. Ing pouty and bratty might be my favorite thing. I really like how Yok looks innocent but honestly is just as messed up in the head as Ing. He is definitely as much of a red flag as Ing right now. I'm interested to see how their relationship evolves.
Man, I was wondering how the actor playing Itt was going to pull off psychopath (based on what I heard from the novel readers, I hope to discover how much of one he is, since I started the book today), because up until now, he has seems sweet and innocent. He did that turn around from sweet faced to scary and I was a believer! I don't think I am ready for Itt and his shenanigans!
I kind of wished I'd waited to binge this series because the waiting is painful. Although I am grateful we still get two episodes per week, because as much as I wish I had binged it, I'm glad I'm getting it as it is coming out because the spoilers this show is going to have out on the interwebs...
Another fantastic week, can't wait for Sunday.

I didn't expect alot of this show, based on the trailer. But I was excited for Chalarm and James, because I like both of them in their previous series and the fact that they are a real couple made me interested to see how they would do. I am surprised how much I like it. It's a little too much club for me. And I have zero idea why we have the gang stuff in this series. Love me some FortPeat, but their story line seems like a separate series. Although, Fort killed that gang scene.
What this show has got going for it first and foremost...some of the hottest guys. Secondly, it's a show that said it would be about sex and it actually is. There are shows, like Peach Lover or Unforgotten Night, where the BDSM promised never made it to the actual show. Hell, even Knot should have had as many, if not more, NC scenes as My Stubborn, based on the subject, but didn't deliver. I really liked that you could actually see Gear going from a bad kisser to a good one. And you could have knocked me over with a spoon when he was feeling up Kanthi's.....ummm. And then you have the preview for next week and if that is the preview what the heck is the actual show going to show!?
The other thing I like is it appears as if we are going to get some character growth, at least from Gear. He was actually starting to get on my nerves with his lack of confidence. Don't get me wrong, I get it, but it was becoming too much. So when Kanthi was like, you are going to have to get it together and stop being so hard on yourself, I was happy. Now why he is a better friend than Gear's actual friends...that remains to be seen. I wasn't a fan of theirs when they had the ex come see him on his date last episode and then seemingly left him hanging. But I was glad to hear they did show up, even if Gear had left. They do defend him good, but let's just say they aren't my favorite friend group yet.
I personally think the score should be a bit higher, but hopefully with time it will get there as it is a pretty good show. Excited for next week.

Very JBL, which means great story and acting. But the kissing is terrible. But this was a cute story. And it was needed after the great uncoupling of JoongDunk and AouBoom. The main leads were adorable and the friend group is immaculate! This is another one of those shows that could have a season 2 like so many JBL's are doing this year.

Barcode is great in this, although I do hope that his next project is something where he can be cool and more mature. He's capable of it, so it would be great to see.

As much as I LOVE James Su in this show, I am so glad this weeks episode hardly had him in it. So glad Third and Wan are boyfriends now and this whole episode was so sweet. Parent meet up and boyfriends and a hell of an NC scene. Domundi is always gonna keep you on your toes as to what to expect from an NC scene, ain't they!? Well Done, AuauSave. I love that Third is so angry and aloof with Nine, and his company, but when he was around Wan and his family, he was so silly and light hearted. The contrast helps to see how much he likes Wan. And I like that Wan tries to act all indifferent, but then will get shy or admit he like it when Third gives him attention. I just think they are cute together and I'm so glad we got an almost entire episode with just them in it. My only complaint in this episode was Auau's make up through out this episode. It was so heavy compared to everyone else, so it was off putting.
But overall, this show is excellent and I cannot wait until next week.

This was better than last week's episode but barely. For me Ten and Pun are saving this show for me (although who ever is doing their lipstick needs to be fired!) They are cute and sweet but also their relationship is developing.
I really needed this week's episode to balance out last weeks episode. Last week, Dean asked Moth to date, got rejected and then was ignored for the entire episode with him begging to be in Moth's life. This week should have been Dean giving Moth the space he wanted with out ANY contact at all. Was it cute and nice that he sent those meals and wrote those notes? Maybe it would have been if it wasn't for episode 7 and then Dean asking for space without saying why. With out Moth reciprocating back to Dean. But, for me, it failed to have the impact it was meant to, because of Moth's continued poor treatment of Dean. This episode should have been Dean going to his family's house, distracting himself from reaching out to Moth and Moth missing his presence so much that he paints that picture. It should have been MOTH checking his phone constantly and being anxious that HE messed up his chance with Dean by being indecisive. I just hate that we were supposed to take the reveal of the painting and be satisfied that Moth likes Dean back after 2 entire episodes of having Moth show us the opposite.
As much talk there has been of Dean being the red flag, for me, the way this has been written, Moth is definitely the only red flag.

You literally stole every word from my mouth. Spot on! While this was a better episode than 7 where Moth acted like he was annoyed by Dean at literally every scene, it was barely better. I am so frustrated because this could have been so much better than it was.

Thank you!