MaintainingMama

This has a surprisingly high rating. Not that I don't think it deserves it, but I have definitely seen better shows with lower ratings. Any way. That was cute. I enjoy this way more than I thought I would based on the trailers and stills I had seen before watching.
I really enjoyed Diew and his mom communicating their feeling to one another and being open to make changes in both of themselves to heal the discord they between them. Usually, it's a simple apology with out acknowledging ones mistakes, so I'm glad they explored that both of them were in the wrong and therefore both of them needed to do something to fix it so that their relationship gets better.
I'm actually really glad we didn't get any more significant scenes with Beer and Wan. After they got together, in what was a not so satisfactory way, at least not for me, I was kind of over them, so I'm glad we got filler scenes with them and the focus stayed mostly on Got and Diew.
I only have 2 issues with the last episode. 1) Diew trying to deny he was groping his boyfriend when he revealed he was shirtless underneath that costume. Firstly, the mountains of sweat on Got's back was over the top. Also, who wears a bear suit and doesn't put something on in between. I guess Got, cause he has proven a couple times he is allergic to shirt. Not that I'm mad at that. Which brings me to my main complaint. I need these series to stop acting like the "bottom" is all shy and virginal AFTER they have had the sex. Like, it's okay to admit that seeing your boyfriend's absolutely top tier body turns you on. It would have been refreshing and would have validated their ending point of introversion and extroversion being on a spectrum to have Diew jump Got and initiate some freaky sneaky. It would have been perfect to reveal that while Diew is shy and introverted with new people and social situations, when he feels most comfortable, aka with his boyfriend, he is a much bolder and assertive Diew. And to be fair they did kind of show it, to some extent, but I get weary of the whole, "oh no, stop, what are you doing?" protest, when the "top" makes the moves on the "bottom". Let's normalize people liking sex and admitting it, if only with just their partners.
My last and final issue is with the last kiss. This CP has actually given us some surprisingly good kisses. They definitely gave awkward kissing vibes when I first saw the poster, but they have delivered each time. My problem is the problem I have with almost all BLs. Please move into each others space when you kiss. Like wrap your arms around each other. If for no other reason, then to gain your balance. It's just weird to see a passionate kiss and ya'll pelvis are a foot apart and you aren't touching anywhere else. I mean, Game and Diew had a better, more intimate hug together when they won the competition than any of the CP's had in the whole series. Say what you want about LITA, they demonstrated perfectly what being intimate with a partner should look like, and I'm not talking about the NC scenes. I need to see more of that in series in general and rolled my eyes at the ending kiss because of it.
But overall, this was a good series and worth the watch.

Ah, okay, that make more sense. Thank you.

Okay, so I'm enjoying this so far. I find Bas hilarious in this show. This show is definitely showing his range cause he seems completely different from Gen Y. While it could come across as too much, I'm here for the silliness of it.
Another thing I'm enjoying is the way Hill looks at Easter. That man is IN LOVE, you here me?! 🤣 That moment where he circles the pot tower just to admire Ter was beautifully shot. Earth was really beautiful in that scene. Who ever has done his make up needs an award. I like that it's natural for the most part, but it is also obvious he wears it, so that it highlights the things it was meant to highlight.
I know some people have a problem with Earth once again playing a teenager/college student when is nigh on to 30. But I see no problem since he genuinely looks like a teenager/college student. You could not tell me upon looking at him that he was almost 30. Him and Gun Atp will forever be able to play much younger than they are, cause Lord knows they do not seem to age. Now do I wish that from now on, Earth gets to play adult roles, that hightlight more of his talents, absolutely. But I'm definitely not distracted by his real age in this role.
Now for things I don't care for in this series. I thought this show was called Fourever You because we are getting 4 couples. Well here we are, done with episode 2, and there isn't even a hint of the other 3 couples. If your going to have a series with this many couples, in order to do them all justice, there needs to be at least one scene per episode that focuses on each couple. I thought for sure we were going to get JohanNorth when Johan left in a rush. Oh well. Here is hoping we get more from everyone next week.
Another thing I did not care for was Hill's overbearing behavior. I know it is meant to be "persistence" and charming that he continues to pursue Ter despite having been given many signs that Ter does not want said attention, but it's not. It's just gross. I mean they go so far as to call out that Ter avoided the Union Meeting, putting his scholarship on the line because he wanted to avoid Hill and yet they show them giving out Ter's number with out his consent and then Hill showing up at Ter's apartment with out prior notice. It's just...noooo. Let's not, friends. There are better ways to show Hill's determination to make up with Ter and then flirt with him with out crossing boundaries.
Which leads me to another thing I didn't like. Why have Ter say no, avoid him at the every turn only to have him not stand his ground and firmly say no? It annoyed me when he actually told Hill no firmly and then just because Hill looked put in his place, he changed his mind. It may have been better received if we had an internal dialogue from Ter to see why he keeps flip flopping, but as it is, I'm not a fan. Again, there are better ways to show Ter slowly changing his mind about hating Hill with out taking his power away from him.
It would definitely help if they would explain already what happened between them that cause Ter to hate Hill, so I hope they don't drag out telling us.
Lastly, I'm not saying I don't like it, but it would incredibly nice if Earth could escape the traumatic abusive roles. I get that in every role he is in that he is presented as more "femme", which is fine (although I would love to see him in a role that has nothing to do with his sexuality and highlights only his amazing acting ability). But why do every single one of his roles have to have him abused/hated by men to the point of trauma? I know it has to be in part because he an amazing crier on screen, but it would just be nice, one time to not have that be his back story, especially because it's always centered around his gayness.
Anyway, like I said, I am enjoying most of this series and look forward to next week.

Very Cute. Glad they brought back the fantasy element. Although it made me realize that they never discussed the meaning of things floating before. Like what did it mean when stuff would float? I did like though that this time, when the ring began to float, Ai, said, nope, I'm marrying my man and no stupid dream shenanigans is going to stop me!🤣🤣 I wish they had spent just a tiny bit more time discussing or hashing out the jealously Yo felt when bag boy was flirting hard with Ing. Cause Ing was kind of looking...so it would have been nice, since they introduced the subject, to have them explore it more. But overall, a cute little addition to the story.

Wanted to try and binge watch this, but it's not on iQiy for for me. Then turned on the VPN, and while it shows up, I cannot watch any of the episodes. I pay for the service and would like to watch the show legally. Any one have any suggestions on how to watch this?

The love scene between Neil and Sea was done wonderfully. It was so intimate and sensual and grounded in love. It was the perfect way to show their reconnection after being apart for so long.

Definitely agree on your last statement. I'm an introvert as well and feel that in a lot of ways I'm almost mentally too strong. 🤣It would have been nice if they had clarified that his trauma from the loss of this dad, the pressure from his mom and the abuse from his ex were the cause of his some of his introversion and mistrust, but his entire personality wasn't only the fragility they showed. It would have been great to see him show where he excelled at and was most comfortable and relaxed outside of being with Got.

I KNEW I was forgetting someone, but I could not remember who was on my wishlist! Yes, definitely would add Nunew!

One thing Wabi Sabi is going to give you is cute boys and handsome men. So far I like it. But I love Earth and am happy to see him in a show. Would I LOVE to see him in something where he isn't a kid, sure. But much like Nat, Earth just looks young! You could not convince me he is almost 30. Like I'm sure he can pull off grown up, but seriously, he is pulling off college freshman, so why shouldn't he. One day, he is going to be in my dream series where he, Gun Atp, PPKrit, and Babe all work at a fashion magazine (cause in real life, their all fashion divas!) and then enter their romantic pairing where high jinx ensue, cause I also think they could all do romcom like no other. Sigh...one can dream.
One thing that will have me keep backing for this show is how Hill looks at Ter. That boy is in LOVE! 🤣🤣I am dying to know what happened between them that they are like this now. So I'll be back next week!

I mean, I'm not going to go so far as to say Diew is unattractive, although 1000000% agree on the hair. It bothers me every episode, almost as bad a one of the legendary bad wigs we have been subjected to in other series. But everything else you said, I agree a billion percent. I've said it before, but even Pharm, the most virginal, innocent, shy, quiet ML to ever ML was like, "Let's go!", when P'Dean took off the shirt and got down to business.
And Wan and Beer's storyline irritated me so bad. That bed scene was just...ugh!

I also agree and disagree with that. Like they could and should have done both. Like the chopstick scene. Was very on brand for Wan. But then when he walked away, he should have questioned why that bothered him. Even after the confession from Beer, they never made it seem like Wan liked Beer in that way. So it would have been so beneficial to distinguish and emphasize that Wan missed Beer not only as a friend who took care of him, but also as some one he loved and valued. It should have been both, at least for me, to ship them. Cause that last scene of theirs left me questioning whether or not Wan even liked Beer was he just sleeping with him cause he was a selfish person who wanted someone to take care of him.

Sometimes, I really wonder who writes these things. Like who thought it was romantic to have Wan ask Beer if he would still be his servant if they got together. No talking about HIS feelings, not really. Just Beer basically begging again and then sexy time. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if during their separation, they had showed Wan missing Beer and not just the things he does for him. Like a montage of him being jealous of people spending time with Beer. Having Beer ignoring him and NOT doing anything for him. So that Wan could actually appreciate what a good friend and even better boyfriend he had all that time. It would have also been nice if instead of him complaining about being bored, he would have said he missed Beer. And when he left Got and Diew, he would have sat there and reflected on all of the things he missed about him.
Does anyone remember Nitiman the Series? Remember when Bomb started ignoring Jin, because Jin said he didn't have feeling for him? That was done the way this should have been. Jin was actually heartbroken with out Bomb and it showed! Wan didn't even say he liked Beer back. He just said let's kiss and that was that. Disappointing. They could have done that so much better.
While Got and Diew had a much better reunion, I really wish there had been better dialogue. I needed Diew to apologize more profusely that he did, especially given that when he talked to Game, he realized he was in the wrong. I also needed him to explain about the elevator and meeting the ex by accident a bit better.
So many series this year started off great and then it's like the writers are out of ideas and just grab a cliche/trope outta of a hat and throw that in.
I'm not as disappointed in this series as I have been with others, but still...like sooo many dramas this year, this could have been better.

In America, when he locked Cake in the bathroom, it would be considered kidnapping. Also, thing with the door and the cake are considered harassment here. I may not necessarily want him to serve jail time, but he would definitely need to have mandatory counseling and maybe have to volunteer/community service hours. Something besides saying I'm sorry, because his behavior and mindset were not normal.

This series started off so good, to me, but this ending. Blah. I would rather they focused on Covid than making the girls and Af absolutely bat shit crazy and then letting them get away with it. Like WTF!? She literally hired people to gangr@&$ someone and planned to film it in order to black mail. WHAT?! What normal person does this for a crush!? She should have been evaluated by a psychologist at MINIMUM and put in jail immediately, realistically. Same for Gina and AF. I don't care that Khing pressured them or blackmailed them. They still did it, so away to jail for your crimes.
I also kind of wanted more of just Kla and Cake, skipping the drama. Just them finishing school and balancing their relationship. Definitely more of Poon and Gam, as it felt like we got zero of them in the last 2 episodes.
Like I said, it started off strong, and could have ended strong, if they didn't fall back on the WORST BL tropes to be had. The million flashbacks that were unnecessary, the jealous girl being the crazy one who does something INSANE, and the heroic boyfriend doing absolute unrealistic detective work when he is seriously just a student himself.
What a shame cause like I said, I really liked the way this story began. Oh well...

So they are getting the original story right in terms of the stuff that is happening. Like the fact that Poppy forgives Palin for doing what she did. In the book, Bai Luo Yin just lets it go...well because of misogyny. He was like, well she is a girl and this a very "girl" (be irrational and crazy), thing to do, so what ever, I wish you the best.
I like that they are keeping the original version of the mom. She was selfish and self centered, even in her need to take care of her son. She wanted what she wanted and she wanted her son to want those things and could not fathom that all those years she left him to be raised by his father that he wouldn't find being poor to be the worst. She didn't really change in the book, just got better at giving the boys what they wanted so they would let her in their lives a little bit and not be so lonely, because she gave up alot to be wealthy and comfortable, namely family.
They are getting Hero/Gu Hai's insanity right as well. He was crazy jealous and possessive. Kidnapped ALOT. Let's be honest, the book that we love enough that they have remade it 3 times to try and please it's fans, was toxic AF.
Here is where they go terribly wrong. As good of a job as he is doing, hiring that baby for this role is ruining this show. They are doing their best, I will say that. Including some of the lude conversations Bai Luo Yin/Poppy would have with Gu Hai/Hero is in line with the book. Gu Hai/Hero was obsessed with Bai Luo Yin/Poppy which included sex. Another thing they do right, is Poppy's character protesting. There was a whole of protesting...but since they hired a 16 year old for this role, they have to leave out the part where there was a whole LOT of giving in to Hero's demands...like alot!
I said it last week, but I'll say it again. This would have been great if they had just hired not a minor for a story that was known for very adult topics and themes. But the fake kisses...lack of NC scenes. I don't need NC scenes in every story. But in this story in particular, they kind of make the story.
Ahhh, oh well. I guess I'll have to go and reread the book and pray they NEVER make this story over again, cause I have lost all hope they will do it right.

Yes, I think those are the best kinds of shows, fluff with a bit of reality into it. I'm all for imperfect characters just trying to live and love.

I agree and disagree (a little bit🤣) . I don't think Diew has PTSD, more like social anxiety based on some of the points you made about his parents differing parenting styles, losing his father, his mother's forcing him to stay close after losing his father and then finally his boyfriend using who he is to make fun of him. And it kind of seems like Diew was naturally anxious to begin with. So much like a turtle, he does retreat to his "shell", to recharge, but to also escape having to do the hard work of "peopling". Much to your point, introverts are not fans of peopling to begin with, but like literally everything in life, practice makes perfect. I think you really did a great job explaining how deep this show actually is despite the cliches. Like the fact that alot of Diew's habits are things that if you don't practice them alot, you won't be good at it, like his new found love of art. He, at first, didn't think he would be good at public speaking, but I love how the show instead of giving the audience the cliche of Diew meeting Got (I simply cannot call this character God and am using the first episode spelling of his name) and magically being able to do extroverty things, they instead show us him trying things he had some interest in, like painting and eventually working his way up to public speaking when it came to a project that combined the two. To piggyback off another point you made about growth and learning, I love that although on the surface a character named God who loves to party, had lots of friends, plays in a band, and has six pack abs it literally the height of cliche. But at his core, he is the biggest green flag who initially was much like the puppy dog Diew called him, willing to go along to get along. I love how in this last episode, he set his boundaries, both with the band, his friends and especially with Diew. He asked for space from everyone, respectfully, but firmly and I loved that for him. Through the whole series, so far, Got has been happy go lucky, nothing bothered him, not even when Diew made the mistake with the drumsticks, so it was refreshing to see them create the "conflict', not just with a jealous Got, but like you pointed out, a hurt Got, because he created this safe space for Diew to let him in as his boyfriend but he didn't receive the same in kind.
This show is a whole lot deeper than it appears, so I'm so glad you shared your thoughts. It helped me organize mine, as I couldn't quite pinpoint what I liked about this show when it has all the tale tell signs of a lower thought out series.

That was my point. Even in shock, no one just stands there with their eyes open doing nothing. Either you push them away or you give in to the kiss. Or, let's give the benefit of the doubt and stay he was shocked, then at the minimum, I expect like a range of emotions showing in his eyes or face. Cause the blank stare looks like instead of being kissed unexpectedly, he was told to freeze. I just wanted more for that particular scene, since they were kind of our second couple.

Me too!

I was not expecting THAT to be the reason that Jiang Tian got that burn from his father or that being he reason they were estranged. Also wasn't expecting that after the lame kiss. I did disliked the eyes open, frozen on the spot kiss. I always have and I always will. Either push them away, cause you don't want the kiss or you are shocked or lean in and go for what you know. I refuse to believe anyone just stands there, eyes open and does nothing about the kiss, wanted or unwanted, unless in fear for their lives/well being. Which he obviously wasn't.
This episode had all the feels though and I'm so sad it ends tomorrow. I really hope we get to see the entirety of their story in a second season and the kissed they teased tomorrow!