MaintainingMama

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?

Again this episode, I only have a little frustration. It's that during the fight scene with Grandma, Joke who literally watched Grandma throw buns at dude and be somewhat successful, couldn't think to pick up the giant pot and hit dude over the head with it?! He kept trying to fight regular, which at this point he has to know he isn't good at, instead of fighting dirty. When grandma was knocked out, and he got the upper hand, he should have kept wailing on him, at least until he could get the upper hand before checking on grandma. Like who turns their back on someone who is trying to kidnap you and just beat up an old lady after you barely hit them?!
On the same page, Jack and Save just tra-la-laing it up after they ganged up on the boss, is just...poor writing. Like they should have been scared and watching their back. Planning how to further take down Boss, cause that surely wasn't it.
Now we have the weirdness with the Boss with the one ring to rule them all playing a game with a bomb on the neck. I'm not sure I get why, but I guess it goes with the theme of rich people playing games with peoples lives, and honestly, I get it. It just wasn't explained enough as the theme, I guess.
That aside, the beginning and middle were great. War deserves several awards for that hospital scene alone. Yin also did his thing. Honestly everyone did. That scene was heartbreaking and everyone played their parts so well. But War man...that scene with grandma, before the bad guy came was amazing as well.
Now I know we get Jack coming to the rescue next week, but I want to know if Joke still leaves him, because he thinks he is bad for Jack? Are we getting more heartbreak next week.
Side note: The friend gang and their plans were hilarious.
Side side note: I cannot stand Rose. She is so one note. I loved the line "With out your power, you are just a spoiled brat" because it is so true. Her character is annoying, even trapped by Boss.
Side side side note: I wonder if we'll get a Tattoo and Arun spin off....

So I still love the show, still agree with the high rating. But the writing for today's episode went awry for me. I loved the family part, I was even okay with the dad part, only because he did something that rarely happens in these shows when the parent is evil, he apologized and admitted he was at wrong. He admitted he contributed to the sucky relationship he had with Joke as well for his parenting. He honestly thought Joke, having no place to go, would come home on bended knee, a groveling changed man, willing to do what ever his family said to make amends. But when he realized Joke didn't even think of going home because never was he showed that it would be OK to go home. He realized that Joke didn't think he had a family, so he went out and made his own. Between how Joke behaved with Grandma, the fact that he didn't come home, and finally Jack basically telling him that the only thing that takes away choices is death, and right now, you are literally choosing to not have a son. So it was okay for me.
What threw me off, was that the shrine lady is siblings with Boss. And that she got him the ring, through Joker, with out know the consequences...Whaaaa??!?!? The entire series so far has made her seem like she was ahead of every one, intellectually and that honestly the whole plan for the boss to get the ring and therefore the power was all because of her. So who in the world would be stupid enough to not know what her brother would do once he got in power?! And why wouldn't she have a back up plan in case her brother betrayed her?! She went from being behind the scene manipulating everyone and everything to walking out helpless and afraid and ready to die fighting her power crazy brother.
ALSO leaving aside the whole "Ring of Power" thing, it literally makes ZERO sense that just because he has the ring that all of those people who WERE in power would just let it go without a fight. And because they would absolutely probably fight him on his claim, he would not be focused on taking everything from the villagers. And he gains nothing from forcing all those people in to impossible situations, as we saw with poor Jennie taking the only way out in these type of situations.
Side note: Petition for Jennie to finally get a great leading role to show case her talent. If you saw her in 3 Will Be Free, you know she can handle a show by herself, she was brilliant. She is often cast as over the top, but even in that kind of role, with a great script, she would be amazing, and definitely deserves to not be a character who dies in a pool of blood. Yeah, I know she has acted in other things where that wasn't necessarily what happened, but she deserves more. End side note.
Anyway, like I said, despite this week's weak writing, I still love the show. I think YinWar and staff did an amazing job putting this together and this is better than half the dramas that came out this year, so it's allowed to be flawed. I just wanted to throw my two cents in on this weeks episode, for whatever it's worth. 🤣

I wasn't really confused until the last 2 episodes and it sort of cleared up, but I'm not sure why Do Hoe faked his degree, why he failed the entrance exam repeatedly after all those years? Like after 10-12 years, he definitely should have gotten in. Also, it said he had to go to jail for 6 months, but that never seemed to happen. And what were they doing for money all that time?
Also, I'll never get the while, I liked you so I had my gang beat you up. Like you could see it hurt him to do it, soooooo why do it? You could have just ignored him until you matured enough to accept your feelings.
I also don't like that they didn't discuss Do Hoe and his father. How he felt after all those years, and did the father actually change once he realized he was all alone without his son. What about the mother? They mentioned her barely once, but I would have liked to know what mother leaves her child behind with the person, I assume, abused her?
Speaking of abuse, what came of the kid and his crazy mom, did he get help after they called the police.
I definitely think this should have been a 10 episode long story to just bulk up the story a bit. But I loved the romance in this. The way the each loved each other, despite everything standing in their way to be together, was beautiful.
It was a good little series, I would recommend.

This show wasn't the best when it started, but I like to give the underdogs a chance...that being said, it is just getting worse with each episode. Pat going out with Paeng, even though he owed her nothing, let alone an entire day just to hang. It wasn't like she apologized and they were slowly building back a friendship. She had been so clear all she wanted from Pat was to get back together. So him drawing it out by not putting his foot down and saying, "Naw, I'm good, I don't want to get back together with you, whether or not I'm with Elyes." frustrated me to know end. When she asked him if he would give her another chance, that was his opening, not when he continued on the date and then brought it up after eating! Ugh! And then Elyes, sexually assaulting Pat after all that, like WTF!? Like, dude, get a brain! You literally heard her say that you haven't established your relationship with Pat, so she felt free to make her move, why in the world would you think sex was the answer?! Like even a basic conversation of, I know what she said, and I get your frustration, but I'm not ready to be in a relationship, but I'm also not fond of you going out with other people, while I figure it out. While it's not his right to demand Pat not date anyone, at least it would have been his truth and then Pat could decide what to do from there.
And lastly, they both are pissing me off with how much they don't work. I mean, Pat taking a whole business day to just tell ole girl he's just not that into her pissed me off. Elyes taking an entire day to follow them around, instead of going to work, pissed me off. Like, ya'll, in the real world, especially when you run the freaking company, personal days are few and far between. Get it together!
Now this new problem with the cousin and Thiti, which was obvious, has arisen and honestly, I cannot bring myself to care. No one is likeable in this series, except maybe Pat's bestie who we only see once in a blue moon.
The story had potential, but once again, the writers, director, and producers think all we want is NC scenes, but even those aren't good! Like you have to make ONE of the main elements of a story good, in order for your audience to want to keep watching. If everything is trash, at least make the NC scenes hot. They are just awkward as hell. And also, I hate who ever dressed Elyes. I follow the actor on IG and while he has broad shoulders, these suits they have him in do not do him justice. They are so ill fitting, they are a distraction.
Sigh, I've come to far to not finish, but I may wait til it finally finishes and then hate binge it, skipping most scenes, like I did for this episode.

I'm enjoying this series so far. I said it last week, but the way Hill looks at Ter makes me melt. That boy is LOVE! I just realized that in all 3 series that Earth has been the main lead, his partner has been crazy in love. I mean, big epic love that your heart explodes out of your body from the feels love. When Pond saw Ter getting harassed, he genuinely looked like he would kill that kid. And you could tell that he cared not for what he did to him or the consequences of his actions, he just wanted to make sure Ter was okay. Also, my favorite scene from this episode was Hill looking at Ter sleeping. The love on his face, like he was looking at an angel, because to him, that is what Ter is. I'm dying to know when did Hill first see Ter and when did he fall in love, cause it seems like it happened even before transferred schools.
I also like Earth in this. He get's to play a little goofy and I like that for him. In UWMA, while he got to be playful, he wasn't really goofy. Mostly he had to deal with serious life happenings and it was just tragic. In My Only 12%, he was shy and reserved. And even kind of uptight, even when he was with Cake. So seeing him freak out on the bed, like a typical teenager, which is what he is portraying, just because his relationship with Hill is unclear and complicated, was cute and honestly realistic. We can all act like we are all mature, but when you truly like someone, it makes you wacky!
I need to know why Hill knew that Johan would like North at first site? North has no idea what is coming his way! Next week should be fun!

I love the way they are building this story. Jack and Joker aren't together yet, but even if it's in the last episode (which I don't think it will be, but if) it would be okay, because they have shown how their love built and it would make sense. It's also kind of obvious they like each other, like that, cause who back hugs their bestie just cause he is mad at them for dating another person. Joker was jealous and Jack showed him that he wants Joker not Rose. But the slow burn is how real relationships develop. Especially in as chaotic a world as Jack and Joker live in.
I will say, I hate the Dad, even if he did save Grandma. He is going down as the worst fathers in BL history. And the brother trying to manipulate Joker in to forgiving his dad and continuing to reach out, when he kept being hurt by him, pissed me off. Don't tell me he loves Joker, when he literally has said 3 times now that Joker isn't his son. In no way has he ever shown his love for Joker. I'm dying to know if he visited him in prison, it doesn't seem likely, but it aids in the whole, daddy doesn't really love you camp.
Grandma was the champ this episode, I love her. It does irritate me that NO ONE put together that Boss poisoned her with herbs or that at the very least that it was the herbs that caused the problems. I thought at the end, when Boss threw them away, that Grandma figured out he did it on purpose, but I don't know now, since she didn't say anything during their truth talk. I hope it's discovered next week.
Rose also is on my nerves. She can be a spoiled brat, but to be so into herself that she cannot see how NOT into her Jack is, is painful to watch. Like cringey to the max. Forcing him to dance...just nooo.
The 4 Horseman angle is interesting and all I want from this series is to see at least some of them taken down. It's bad enough they take advantage of the poor for their own gain, but that is typical rich people things. It's the playing games with their lives that deserves some Marvel/DC Comics level revenge on them.

This rating is kind of too high. Normally, I think the opposite and think people rate unfairly. But this time, ya'll are giving this show too much credit. Fei Long and Run...wtf is them?! Fei Long is an abuser, cheater, black mailer and Run...likes him?! But also wants to go back to Elyes?! What?! I mean, if it was just that Run had to be with Fei Long because of his brother, I would get it. But then why are we crying in the club when he is having an orgy? I get the initiating sex, cause he literally was choking you out and then made something fall on you, hurting your body. So rushing to distract him with sex so he doesn't kill you makes sense. But the way they are filming it and presenting it, makes it look we are supposed to ship them. And absolutely not!
I do not get what is going on with Kim. I thought he just liked Elyes and did not like being put aside for Pat. But then he gets Run involved like he wants them together and I don't get his motives.
Elyes and Pat were kind of cute, but Elyes also is an abuser. The grabbing the steering wheel while Pat was driving was incredible dangerous, not sexy in the least. Also, Pat not getting why Elyes gave him all that extra work when he was literally telling the reason was just a stupid plot line. Like this isn't the worst BL I've seen, but this just isn't good.