MaintainingMama

Thank you for this comment! It explains everything cause I did not know that this was from the 90's originally. That explains the content. And I definitely agree that I do not know what GMMTV was thinking making this in this day and age.

I agree, I think Fadel throwing him out would have been ended that scene perfectly. I just wanted to see that Fadel was tempted, it didn't seem like it to me, that is all. I think seeing Fadel literally have to pull himself away from Style would have made him caving in to dating Style later would make better sense.

Man, when those killer brothers find out they have been tricked...it is not going to be pretty. Fadel is scary in general, but then here comes sweet pumpkin Bison and just at the IDEA that someone was close to Kant, he was talking Sweeney Todd.
I want to know why Kant doesn't go to the hottie chief guy and say, here is where they live, this is as close as I can get, but being hitmen, they don't trust me and I had a gun pointed at me. I'm out, I don't want to die. I mean, he has done more than enough to get the police a starting point on where to start investigating. Kant isn't a cop, isn't trained in literally anything besides car theft and tattooing, so what more could he possible get the chief besides their living address and maybe the locked door info, with out actually endangering himself?
I need my man's Style to get his acting game together. I get feeling nervous after you find out your new boyfriend is a murderer, but knowing that, you gots to play it cool! Fadel finally said yes let's date, and then tried to get it on at the gym, which any other time Style would have been down with, and Style runs away!? Fadel should have know something was up right then.
Speaking of Fadel, what was the whole walking away in the woods thing?! He disappears and then when Style finally gets scared enough to go looking for him, he comes out after a few minutes. Huh? And what if Style had just stayed at the car or stolen it to leave (which would have been me, I'm not staying on some abandoned road with a pissed off guy in the middle of the night!). It would have been a better scene if before that speech about not liking that the liked Style, that he dragged Style with him, delivering the rant. It would have made him seem crazy to Style, but the audience would have seen that he was really struggling with his feelings for Style. Same for the kitchen scene. We, the audience, should have seen Fadel effected by seeing Style splayed out on the countertop, ready to be taken. The scissor thing should have been clearly about Fadel forgetting that he wanted to resist Style, forgetting that he was in the kitchen of his restaurant, forgetting that there were customers out front. Only focusing on Style and how much he wanted him. Then his giving in so soon at the end would have made better sense.
Next week looks good and I'm more interested in knowing about what happened with Fadel and Bison's parents and how that has led them to becoming hitmen.

Once again, I am in love how they have updated this show while still keeping what happened originally intact.
For PhunNoh, this is exactly what happened in the first one, but they are a little more showy with their love and affection this time. As for the girl and the jealousy, all will be revealed next week. But I enjoyed Noh's jealousy as it's a demonstration, especially to Noh, that his feeling for Phun are not simply casual. Up until this girl came along, while you could tell that Noh likes Phun, he also has been reluctant to tell anyone about, even reluctant to admit it to himself. Then you add in, that he wasn't jealous when Phun was with Aim and they had feeling for each other but their relationship was still unclear. Even though he finally told his friends about them in this episode, he mentions twice in front of Phun that he would be interested in the girls coming to campus. Even though you can tell he is teasing, it was enough for Phun to be like, you aren't allowed to look at other people. Now Noh seeing Phun with another girl helps him face how serious his feelings for Phun are. Phun has been the one to express him self so clearly about what he feels for Noh, so it's Noh's turn to be clear about his feelings.
My favorite update though is PerWin. In the original, they didn't really get any of this. Win suffers abuse from his dad, Per and then a boyfriend he gets with in an attempt to get over Per. Per and him eventually make up but as friends. We never get to see their relationship advance more than that. And Win remains someone who never finds his voice because in the end Per is still protecting him. This update has taken away the abusive boyfriend, actually have Per admit his feelings for Win, get them together and then have Win stand up to his dad. I love it! He went from being a character who you pitied for most of the series to being a character who delivers one of the most badass lines.
I'm going to be sad when this series ends, because it was one of the best for me this year.
It maintained everything I loved about the original, took away all the extra stuff I didn't like and added a modern update that blends the story with our current times.

Two things that bothered me this episode. 1) That Style invaded Fadel's safe space in the therapy group to hit on him. There are just somethings that shouldn't be messed with and that is one of them. Why would Fadel trust him, if he cannot even have this sensitive subject be treated respectfully? I would have enjoyed that scene much more (even if it was still a huge invasion of privacy) if instead of joining group and telling some random story, Style eavesdropped and learned something about Fadel. Something that maybe helps him really get to know Fadel in a meaningful way, that would lead to him actually liking him, instead of doing it for the car and the challenge.
2) Kant drugging Bison. Now by the end of the episode, I'm not sure he actually gave him anything cause Bison's behavior didn't really change and he didn't pass out. But the way the show was displayed, it looks like Kant drugged Bison to get into the house. Not a fan. It would have been better if they just showed them so consumed in each other that Bison loses himself and brings Kant home to then do what they end up doing. Now, for all I know, Kant drugged himself...but at least in this episode, its looks like it was the opposite.
Lastly, while I am still enjoying the series and I really want to see how they fall in love, especially with all the betrayal going on now, plus Fadel's back story with losing a lover, I was kind of let down by FadelStyle/JoongDunk's first NC scene. Neither of them looked "into it". It was passionless. And even if it was just Fadel sleeping with Style to get him to go away, we know he is attracted to him physically. He would have let himself kind of enjoy that time, cause he would want it to be a one and only experience. Style also would have been into it, if for no other reason than he was finally getting Fadel to give him a chance. Dunk looking with his eyes open like he was observing someone else instead of participating and Joong looking bored...it made it a meh scene. I hope that it will get better, cause I've seen them do hot in Hidden Agenda.

This series wasn't talked about enough. The acting was amazing, all the individual stories each so different but some how managing to give pretty full story lines. I cannot say enough about the acting. Mick and Top were simply amazing. They showed such range between each story line, each character so drastically different, but because of how good the acting one, you don't ever get confused as to who is who, you get a different feel for each role.
My favorite acting wise was episodes 3-4. I was unprepared. Even with the immensely sad ending, it was so well done, directing wise, production wise and yes, I have to say it again, acting wise. I don't want to spoil, it is best watched with no idea of what is going to happen. But bring tissues.
Both of these main actors deserve all the awards and recognition. And loads more work.
What a great experience this series was.

This show is a breath of fresh air. I need this silly show to start my week. The friend group that is Arm, Po and Sand have me in stitches every week, especially this week. Add in that I like that Arc stopped from doing anything outside of kissing with Arm for all the reasons he listed. He wanted Arm to be sure, which is just as much for him as it is for Arm.
Side note, you got to love that they had a character named Tawan and Tay Tawan plays him and then they have a character name Tongfah (sky) and they have Sea playing him. This show has been full of nice surprises and I am glad for it.

That ending was not it...I think it would have been helped by seeing how they lived their lives while growing up. A montage of all the years apart. And then when they found each other again, an explanation of all that had happened over the years. We need to see how Qi Lu escaped his dad after a year with no consequences. His dad really let him submit an overseas college application to film school to be with his mother and nothing happened after that? Dad just let it all go? Huh? And Qin Xiao left...he didn't want to stay and take the exam again, so he.... took the exam again, huh?!
While I appreciate the cute moments with the second couple, what was their future, how did they change, did Tan Yin become a chef? Did the color blind girl and the sweet guy ever get together? So many questions. It would have been better served to end this episode when he comes down the steps and sees him, then continue onto one more episode that then answers all the questions. All that angst and they didn't let us see/feel any resolution.
I am glad that it found a way to show the entire series with out being blocked and that we got to enjoy it as international fans. And literally up until end, it was great, so I guess that is good.
I still think its worth watching as literally up until the end, it was a beautiful story. Just wish the ending was better delivered.

That would be a twist I didn't see coming at all.

The way this is going, it feels like we are going to either get an incredible sad ending or at the least a time skip to when they are adults. Either way, we are going to cry at some point during this last episode. I am not seeing a way out for our boys, especially because neither will communicate with each other or ask for help from literally anyone, but especially the teacher. As long as it's not as bad as MODC, I guess it will okay.

I think what is throwing this show off for me, especially with the FumaKai couple, is that casting wise, ArashiRei are a pretty close reimagining of PayuRain in looks and acting. But FumaKai are so far removed for Prapai and Sky that it's hard to watch. The ArashiRei "NC" was a good Japanese recreation of the Thai version, I wasn't mad at it. But today's NC scene. Just no. It was all kinds of wrong. Plus, I'm not getting infatuated from Fuma. The only thing they got right was Kai's trauma. Still very painful to watch, even if it feels like it is being rushed.
I'll finish it, but I don't have high hopes for the remainder of this series.

I came for Nam Yoon Su, but as good as he was and literally he was really the only thing good about this, but even he could not save this for me. I skipped so much. I know it was a romance, but for some reason, I really did not care. Maybe it was because they always chose to be romantic at the worst times. Maybe it's because I really wanted Dam-i/Hwi to be smarter. I just wanted everyone to be smarter than the evil old man. It was like no one could think ahead to what he was capable of, so he literally made it to the end of the story. She spent all those years being a Prince/King but she didn't think to understand how politics worked, and especially how her grandfather worked. She should have had spies and allies everywhere. It was frustrating til the end, but I made it just to see evil grandpa bite the dust. But first, let's kill literally everyone. At least Court Lady and Bok Dong and my baby Hyun made it. I wish they would have showed him being able to move on from Dam-i and finding happiness, especially since he had to take on a role he had no desire (that we knew of) to take.
Anyway, not much else to say. It was just okay, but I see why everyone said Nam Yoon Su stole the show. He save the show for me.

I finally was able to catch up. I put it off for a while because I love the original, it was literally my second BL after SOTUS and the reason I became addicted to Thai BLs. So I was really hesitant. My worries were unfounded. This is in some ways better than the original, but only because they worked so hard to honor the original. It's incorporated into everything, from having cast from the first one sprinkled in to how Yuri says "Noh"! And while the original still had all the intimacy and angst and pain as this one does, it seems to be highlighted better. My favorite scene is when Phun and Noh finally become a couple. Noh sitting on Phun's lap, both of them shy, but then confessing and Phun starting to cry which lead to Noh crying and them sharing this incredibly intimate moment will definitely be added to my top 5 BL moments.
They also are doing an amazing job of updating each couple's story without completely changing it. My favorite up date was Per and Win, which if you see the original, was confusing, painful and honestly incomplete in the end. The fact that they actually get together in this version makes me so happy, even if they kept abusive Dad and have added a new story line of them now being separated by him.
My least favorite update is OhmMick. The original was cuter and honestly more romantic. The new Ohm didn't really show he liked Mick until Mick confessed, where in the original, you get to see Ohm really struggle with his feelings for Mick even though it's obvious to everyone else how he feels for him.
I really love how they kept all the important parts of the original, but still condensed it down to 15 episodes. 2 seasons was too much back then. And if you are struggling to keep track of the characters now, you should have seen how many different story lines they had in the original! 🤣🤣
Anyway, I'm in love with Almond and Progress, they are doing amazing jobs as Phun and Noh.
My only wish is that we get a cameo of the original Phun and Noh, Captain and White. That would make me so happy, as their performance is why we have BL's today.

I knew a JoongDunk/FirstKhao series would be amazing, so I'm glad I was right. I love almost everything, except for the locker room kiss (I hate a forced kiss and also Dunk was like doing too much and also not enough for the type of kiss it was supposed to be) and film making choice of zooming in on their mouths when ever they eat or drink accompanied by the ASMR. Like stop it, no more please, it does nothing for the series and loath ASMR. Other than that, it is so much fun. Joong is so intense as Fadel, as his character is suppose to be, so I love it juxtaposed with Style's/Dunk's reckless devil may care attitude. I love Dunk in this especially because this is nothing like any of the characters we've seen him play.
I don't know who styled this show, but who ever they are, they deserve an award. Kant's glasses in the tattoo shop...elite. The whole show is kind of giving Pulp Fiction vibes and I dig it deeply!

It was a great drama, especially when you consider all that it took for it to be made. Is it perfect, absolutely not. Stuff was missing, the ending was kind of all over the place and this show probably could have been better with 2 more episodes to make it a better ending. But for what we got, it was very well done.
And maybe I'm crazy, but the ending kind of left room for a sequel. So many questions unanswered. Like what happens with the Boss, will he redeem himself (I mean, if that is even possible. Dude killed lots of innocent people. He kind of deserved to not be around any more)? I need to know why Hoy stays around Nang, and what is his role with her and the Four Horseman? What about Toi Ting's Dad? He ended up working for the Boss smuggling drugs, fought for his daughter and then...what?! Where did he go? Cause there she was at the end, all recovered and he was no where in sight. Does Rose ever change the Four Horseman? Cause they are kind of crazy...honestly that could be the basis of the sequel. Hopefully that means everyone get's smarter and more skilled, just to up the ante. Like Tattoo now has a degree in tech and engineering, and Arun helps him with design and sales, all skills that would help in what ever shenanigans they get into. Plus, maybe we then would get Tattoo and Arun. I really don't still like Save and Hope, but maybe with them now being the Boss (I'm not quite sure why HE was picked, but maybe that is another thing that could be revealed in a sequel), that would also aid in them taking down the Four Horseman.
I do like that the addressed that the ring literally had no power, cause that was driving me crazy as the stupidest reason the Boss was now all powerful. It all just being a game was also nuts, but honestly...I get the dig at rich and powerful people.
It also would have been so much better with a heartfelt apology from Joker and Jack expressing his feelings to Joker after everything had calmed down. Their blow up was legit, but they kind of just swept it under the rug because of the game. I just feel like it would have cemented their connection, if we could see that they worked through this huge problem in their relationship.
Overall, I want more and there were things I would tweak (Like Carbon getting his ass handed to him), but if we never get it, I still think it was extremely well done and I'm so proud of YinWar and his team for what they accomplished. It was way better than most of GMMTV's offering this whole year and they had ALL the backing/sponsors. I hope if nothing else, this gains them lots of new opportunities, connections and future endeavors.

You know what, was it as good as the Thai version, no. It felt rushed and therefore awkward. But was I surprised they gave us what they gave us for a Japanese series, absolutely. JBL's have been stepping up their game in the intimacy department, but I did not expect them to come close to LITA's NC scenes (which for me remain top tier), but they didn't do too shabby. Even threw in the tongue. Good for them! I'm a little worried about the Praprai Sky pairing, because the guy playing Praprai is not doing it for me. But we shall see, I guess.

Maybe it's because I'm an American, but I cannot for the LIFE of me understand why this horrible story has been adapted so many times. 4 men torment a school because they are rich and it all gets forgiven because....I'm not really sure. I have finished most awful stories, cause I like to see if a story can redeem itself. But there is nothing on this planet that is going to have me buying that a girl who watched a boy do horrific things to others and then proceeds to do horrific things to her would ever on this planet not only forgive him but then find him attractive and end up with him. The scene when he KIDNAPS her, why she didn't stay kicking and screaming while they gave her the "spa treatment" was the end for me. Cause seriously, a normal girl gets kidnapped but doesn't mind it as long as she is getting a makeover... WTF!? Her running through the house "refusing the gifts" but not actually taking any and all of them off...going to the party JUST because the girls she KNEW were bullies invited her and NOT getting that it was a trick from the beginning?! I've never seen the other versions and I'm glad that I haven't. I usually hate the, "I'm dropping this", but there is no way I can finish this. She just did the fall and kiss trope and I cannot. Like what are we even talking about. There isn't a force on this planet that would have kept me at the party ALL my bullies were at. And even her crushing on Ren made me mad. I don't care if he is "different". He sat by while and remained friends with people who delighted in having an entire school torture other students. He is still an accessory to the crimes they committed. He may have stopped the boys from ripping her clothes off and assaulting her, but he is part of the group that made that happen.
Just...ugh. Disappointing.

Welp...that happened. Was it the worst BL, no not by a long shot. It just could have been so much better, so I think that is where I'm disappointed. I could overlook Leng's sub par acting. This was his first major role and folks have to start somewhere. The story wasn't too bad but the villain didn't do it for me. She was supposed to seem scary and she wasn't. Also, the dad was the worst and he was redeemed after finally showing up to one of his son's kidnappings and admitting he messed up when his wife was killed....even though he did nothing to rectify that wrong immediately after losing his wife and traumatizing his son for life.
The whole therapy thing also wasn't it for me. No one on the planet earth goes through a kidnapping, witnessing their mother die, the constant fear of their dad dying because of his job, the constant threat of being kidnapped again, finding out that your dad's target put out a hit on you and you actually get kidnapped again and then go through many dangerous situations following that, only to go to therapy for a few month and come out all better. As someone with a counseling degree, it takes literally years, if forever. Can you learn to cope, absolutely. Function better, absolutely. But not in a matter of months, not even with meds.
Same for Mhen's heart transplant. Yes, he would eventually get to live a normal life. But unless he stayed in the hospital for like half a year after surgery, there is no way he just leaves the hospital and goes to dinner like he just went to get a pedicure instead of one of the most major surgeries on the planet. Like seriously. Just through a montage in of him in physical therapy strengthening his body with Jeen by his side. He too, should be in therapy, cause the whole deal would have been a head trip.
Mostly, this story bored me. And maybe that was because I never really felt the chemistry on screen between OhmLeng. They plenty of it off screen, so I'm not sure what the problem was. But you know it's bad when they through in a bonus NC scene and it's not rewatchable.
It was a meh show. Which GMMTV has done a lot of this year. Here is hoping that 2025 will bring some better showings.

I love Hill and Easter, but I'm glad we got mostly Johan and North. I'll admit that Johan was bugging me at first until they showed him sulking at the end. I'm not much for the whole dominant male, control freak in the name of love trope so I wasn't as much into this story line. Until the softening of Johan at the end. Him being upset that his controlling isn't working, but also his genuine fear for the safety of North was cute. I'm still not into the trope and hated when he ordered him downstairs, but we'll see where they end up next week. I do hope they show more of North liking Johan back, though. Right now, even with Ter shipping them, it doesn't seem as if North even thinks of Johan that way, so I hope we get to see North have actual feelings outside of friendship for Johan.
North and Ter were hilarious and I loved seeing them all silly and gossipy about Hill and Ter's confession. North was crazy adorable in this episode, so I totally get why every one and their brother were crushing on him. Speaking of, it was nice to see Ton. One thing about him, he is going to be pretty! He was barely there and his character was gross, but who was paying that much attention, his face was stealing the show! 🤣🤣
I'm really enjoying this series and the show definitely deserves higher ratings.

THIS!!!! It drove me crazy that they all were supposed to be majoring in each others language and yet all that meant was that they could understand Jay and Jay could understand them. Like what?! I'm not demanding fluency, but could we at least try to say each others languages, even if it's slightly broken?