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Funny, cheerful, well-acted… but it suffers from the great evil of Thai BL
Set in the present day and with Bangkok as its backdrop, Sant (a wonderful Ohm Thipakorn Thitathan, who returns to acting, no less, as the main character, for the first time in his acting career, after playing several supporting roles) is just the kind of boy who could benefit from a series like 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist', directed by Pepzi Banchorn Vorasataree ('KinnPorsche', 2022).
Disillusioned when the young college student discovers that a cavity could affect his performance on a dessert ASMR channel (damn his passion for sweets), the young man struggling with his finances and family debt turns to the only avenue that can help him: the dental clinic, where Jay (Mark Pakin Kuna-anuwit), a narcissistic and attractive dental student, impresses him with his caring attitude. Despite this uncomfortable approach due to the burden of dental anxiety or the so-called Fear of the Dentist, Pepzi, Ohm and Mark manage to keep the series light, cheerful and fun, being sweet enough to be easily consumed.
Ohm is an engaging protagonist, able to effortlessly tap into Sant's humor and confusion over the doctor's kindness as well as his underlying concerns. It's equally thrilling to watch him crack meaningful jokes while filming his social media show, interact with his best friend Gug (Poon Mitpakdee), wander the streets of the Thai capital seeking care for his dental problem, and get swept away by his emotions as he's practically dragged along by the dental student who needs to find root canal treatment cases so he can graduate at the end of the semester.
Starting with the second episode, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' leaves behind its exaggerated tone, giving way to a series with greater depth, better-developed main characters, and a more profound plot.
CHARACTERS AND ACTORS
Anyone who watched 'Last Twilight' undoubtedly remembers August, the young, sexually ambiguous athlete with whom Day (Sea Tawinan Anukoolprasert) fell in love. Equally enduring in the memory is his character Men, the boy with a heart condition who must help his older brother, Min (Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee), hide Q (Leng Thanaphon Usinsap) from those who want to kill him in 'Kidnap' (2024).
Taking a supporting role to the unforgettable level is a defining milestone for any actor, and Ohm achieved it both in these two series and with his role as Zo in 'A Boss and a Babe' and 'Our Skyy: A Boss and a Babe'.
Thanks to these performances, he permanently established himself in the imagination of BL fans as one of the iconic faces of this audiovisual genre.
Ohm is mesmerizing as Sant in a career-defining role. He captures the character's complex emotions, making every emotion seem genuine. Despite a tense and winding initial encounter with his co-star, Sant conveys warmth, sensitivity, and depth. At first, he matches Jay's joy and charisma with a natural arrogance, but as the minutes pass, he reveals fragility in his enigmatic glances and subtle expressions.
At 23, Ohm represents a very similar age to his character (whose dessert channel nods to the early satire on influencer culture). By the time filming begins, his own life will have changed drastically, not only because he has become recognized as a leading actor, but also because, along with his traveling companion, he has formed a new BL couple already known as #MarkOhm. "Knowing that my life is about to enter this new chapter of professional maturation was extraordinary", the actor declared on social media.
We will soon knock that more than fear of sitting in the dentist's chair, Sant has not been able to overcome the trauma he has carried since his childhood, when the very first time he went to a dental clinic his mother abandoned him while he was being treated by the dentist, bringing with this fact, in addition, the death of his father and having been raised by his grandparents in the absence of his parents.
Who, watching 'Only Friends', couldn't help but notice Nick, a young man in love trapped in a toxic relationship? Who doesn't remember the charismatic actor for the ease, charm, vulnerability, and heartbreak of a character masterfully played by Mark in this 2023 Thai television series also starring Kanaphan Puitrakul (First), Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan (Khaotung), Jiratchapong Srisang (Force), Kasidet Plookphol (Book), and Trai Nimtawat (Neo), and which explores the theme of friends-with-benefits relationships among young people?
Whether he's a loyal best friend or a troubled lover, the truth is that thanks to his relatable charisma, his ability to infuse authenticity into each of his characters, his emotional intensity, with which just a glance manages to convey subtle feelings of joy, longing, or pain... Mark has managed to win over viewers and establish himself as a versatile actor. For all this and more, Mark not only won the Best New Male Actor of the Year award at the 2024 BEST ARTIST AWARD, but was also able to comfortably settle into leading roles, earning critical acclaim and the affection of the public.
In 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist', the former junior badminton player and medal-winning international men's doubles tournament champion confirms why he has become one of the public's favorite actors since 2021, when he began his career in supporting roles in series on GMMTV, one of Thailand's most well-known production companies.
Mark is just as charismatic as Ohm in 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist', especially when he flashes that mischievous smile or approaches Sant with actions that confuse the boy trying to get him into the dental chair to examine his mouth. "Is this affectionate nature just part of his job, or is there some hidden agenda behind his behavior?", Sant wonders.
Mark and Ohm had previously worked together on 'Last Twilight', and although their characters didn't interact romantically on that occasion, it was said that their chemistry off-camera was undeniable. What better preamble than this for these two to be in front of the camera today as the protagonists of a series, and as a new ship that I would like to endure over time, starring in future dramas.
Both comfortable in their roles and in control of their characters, they deliver natural and engaging performances, and a vibrant, explosive chemistry that ignites their romance—essential for a good romantic comedy. The beautiful photography and soundtrack, featuring the songs "Magic Potion," performed by Mark and Ohm; "Brush Teeth 2 2 2" and "Mr. Romantic," sung by Mark; and "Make Me Smile," sung by Ohm, also enhance the atmosphere.
This hilarious gay drama features supporting characters you grow to love. In addition to the talented main cast, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' features a group of renowned actors who add even more depth to the story: Poon Mitpakdee plays Gug, a kind of understanding manager and stage manager for Sant's social media dessert show, always willing to help his friend and roommate in the university condominium; While View Benyapa Jeenprasom plays Yada, Jay's friend and coworker, whom Gug will fall in love with as soon as he meets her.
For his part, Jimmy Jitaraphol Potiwihok plays Captain. Although he appears later in the series, he quickly wins the audience's affection by playing a young entrepreneur who buys a cafe with the goal of making and selling sweets, including his own croissant recipe. A friend of Jay's since high school, he soon becomes the subject of tension with the dentist when he hires Saint, with whom he seems to fall in love.
Despite its clichés, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' seeks to fulfill its goal of captivating BL fans and leading others to learn about and delve into the genre, even if it doesn't have overly artistic ambitions.
CURIOSITIES
Screenwriters Pratchaya Thavornthummarut and Bee Pongsate Lucksameepong, known for writing the scripts for the BL series 'My School President', 'Last Twilight', 'Bad Buddy' and 'My Love Mix-Up! ', among others, have teamed up once again to bring us a story that, in a fun and cheerful tone, bordering on farce when it seeks to entertain the audience through highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd and improbable situations, invites us to reflect on the complexity of relationships, young love, identity and the search for oneself through others and the environment that surrounds us.
The plot of 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' is woven around the chance encounters, comic adventures and the birth of romance experienced by the dentist and his "smiling cute boy", two people with very different personalities, but always moved by play, jokes and humor, also offering a cheerful and romanticized look at Bangkok that mixes the old with the modern (tradition and modernity), where fate and chance play a crucial role in the lives of the characters, forcing them to confront their true aspirations and emotions.
As we saw in the first episode, the series' narrative unfolds a joyful and fun yet intricate journey of personal discoveries, encounters, and disagreements that resonate with the audience due to its authenticity and the convincing performances of its cast.
Apart from the concern one character's looming concern about taking care of his oral health and the other's concern about finding a patient in need of root canal treatment to graduate, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' sounds like any other coming-of-age story, the kind of series that legions of young queer people and BL lovers around the world might seek out as their own audiovisual balm on Friday nights, a la the Taiwanese series 'My Tooth Your Love', starring Andy Wu and Yu Jin.
WORST
If there's one thing I have to point out against it so far, it's that, like most Thai BL series, and those produced by GMMTV in particular, the series shies away from reflecting (and delving into) the reality of the Thai and, why not, global LGBT+ community, especially in terms of uncovering its horrors and misfortunes.
How I wish boys' love series from this Southeast Asian nation would finally contribute to the true representation of this human community. Usually, every time I watch one of these dramas, I ask myself: Why are they unable to reflect that most gay men of today's generations are still dealing with the effects of decades of shame? Is there a real and effective contribution from Thai cinema and television to making the struggles of the LGBT+ community visible? Have today's youth been raised in an egalitarian society? Do adolescents and young adults reflect the desired equality?
During adolescence and young adulthood, human beings constitute an exaggerated mirror of their surroundings. Those who grew up witnessing the lack of social analysis and critique of homophobia, internalized homophobia, and discrimination against homosexuals in movies and television have, consciously or unconsciously, incorporated into their daily lives actions that reveal anything but an understanding of the struggles of this human community.
Surely someone will respond that these plots are only meant to entertain, and that if I want to see realism, I should watch a news program on a television network anywhere in the world.
I, on the other hand, continue to believe that, in addition to delighting the viewer, Thai BL should also provide opportunities to reflect the challenges faced by homosexuals in this country, such as the multifaceted stigma and discrimination in the education system; social isolation and exclusion within families; the disproportionate prevalence of sexual violence and the reluctance to report it to the police; discrimination and marginalization in employment; and LGBT+ disparities in health and mental health, both at home and in communities—social problems that remain prevalent in this nation, despite the recent signing of a law legally recognizing same-sex marriage.
I will update the review later.
Disillusioned when the young college student discovers that a cavity could affect his performance on a dessert ASMR channel (damn his passion for sweets), the young man struggling with his finances and family debt turns to the only avenue that can help him: the dental clinic, where Jay (Mark Pakin Kuna-anuwit), a narcissistic and attractive dental student, impresses him with his caring attitude. Despite this uncomfortable approach due to the burden of dental anxiety or the so-called Fear of the Dentist, Pepzi, Ohm and Mark manage to keep the series light, cheerful and fun, being sweet enough to be easily consumed.
Ohm is an engaging protagonist, able to effortlessly tap into Sant's humor and confusion over the doctor's kindness as well as his underlying concerns. It's equally thrilling to watch him crack meaningful jokes while filming his social media show, interact with his best friend Gug (Poon Mitpakdee), wander the streets of the Thai capital seeking care for his dental problem, and get swept away by his emotions as he's practically dragged along by the dental student who needs to find root canal treatment cases so he can graduate at the end of the semester.
Starting with the second episode, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' leaves behind its exaggerated tone, giving way to a series with greater depth, better-developed main characters, and a more profound plot.
CHARACTERS AND ACTORS
Anyone who watched 'Last Twilight' undoubtedly remembers August, the young, sexually ambiguous athlete with whom Day (Sea Tawinan Anukoolprasert) fell in love. Equally enduring in the memory is his character Men, the boy with a heart condition who must help his older brother, Min (Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee), hide Q (Leng Thanaphon Usinsap) from those who want to kill him in 'Kidnap' (2024).
Taking a supporting role to the unforgettable level is a defining milestone for any actor, and Ohm achieved it both in these two series and with his role as Zo in 'A Boss and a Babe' and 'Our Skyy: A Boss and a Babe'.
Thanks to these performances, he permanently established himself in the imagination of BL fans as one of the iconic faces of this audiovisual genre.
Ohm is mesmerizing as Sant in a career-defining role. He captures the character's complex emotions, making every emotion seem genuine. Despite a tense and winding initial encounter with his co-star, Sant conveys warmth, sensitivity, and depth. At first, he matches Jay's joy and charisma with a natural arrogance, but as the minutes pass, he reveals fragility in his enigmatic glances and subtle expressions.
At 23, Ohm represents a very similar age to his character (whose dessert channel nods to the early satire on influencer culture). By the time filming begins, his own life will have changed drastically, not only because he has become recognized as a leading actor, but also because, along with his traveling companion, he has formed a new BL couple already known as #MarkOhm. "Knowing that my life is about to enter this new chapter of professional maturation was extraordinary", the actor declared on social media.
We will soon knock that more than fear of sitting in the dentist's chair, Sant has not been able to overcome the trauma he has carried since his childhood, when the very first time he went to a dental clinic his mother abandoned him while he was being treated by the dentist, bringing with this fact, in addition, the death of his father and having been raised by his grandparents in the absence of his parents.
Who, watching 'Only Friends', couldn't help but notice Nick, a young man in love trapped in a toxic relationship? Who doesn't remember the charismatic actor for the ease, charm, vulnerability, and heartbreak of a character masterfully played by Mark in this 2023 Thai television series also starring Kanaphan Puitrakul (First), Thanawat Rattanakitpaisan (Khaotung), Jiratchapong Srisang (Force), Kasidet Plookphol (Book), and Trai Nimtawat (Neo), and which explores the theme of friends-with-benefits relationships among young people?
Whether he's a loyal best friend or a troubled lover, the truth is that thanks to his relatable charisma, his ability to infuse authenticity into each of his characters, his emotional intensity, with which just a glance manages to convey subtle feelings of joy, longing, or pain... Mark has managed to win over viewers and establish himself as a versatile actor. For all this and more, Mark not only won the Best New Male Actor of the Year award at the 2024 BEST ARTIST AWARD, but was also able to comfortably settle into leading roles, earning critical acclaim and the affection of the public.
In 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist', the former junior badminton player and medal-winning international men's doubles tournament champion confirms why he has become one of the public's favorite actors since 2021, when he began his career in supporting roles in series on GMMTV, one of Thailand's most well-known production companies.
Mark is just as charismatic as Ohm in 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist', especially when he flashes that mischievous smile or approaches Sant with actions that confuse the boy trying to get him into the dental chair to examine his mouth. "Is this affectionate nature just part of his job, or is there some hidden agenda behind his behavior?", Sant wonders.
Mark and Ohm had previously worked together on 'Last Twilight', and although their characters didn't interact romantically on that occasion, it was said that their chemistry off-camera was undeniable. What better preamble than this for these two to be in front of the camera today as the protagonists of a series, and as a new ship that I would like to endure over time, starring in future dramas.
Both comfortable in their roles and in control of their characters, they deliver natural and engaging performances, and a vibrant, explosive chemistry that ignites their romance—essential for a good romantic comedy. The beautiful photography and soundtrack, featuring the songs "Magic Potion," performed by Mark and Ohm; "Brush Teeth 2 2 2" and "Mr. Romantic," sung by Mark; and "Make Me Smile," sung by Ohm, also enhance the atmosphere.
This hilarious gay drama features supporting characters you grow to love. In addition to the talented main cast, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' features a group of renowned actors who add even more depth to the story: Poon Mitpakdee plays Gug, a kind of understanding manager and stage manager for Sant's social media dessert show, always willing to help his friend and roommate in the university condominium; While View Benyapa Jeenprasom plays Yada, Jay's friend and coworker, whom Gug will fall in love with as soon as he meets her.
For his part, Jimmy Jitaraphol Potiwihok plays Captain. Although he appears later in the series, he quickly wins the audience's affection by playing a young entrepreneur who buys a cafe with the goal of making and selling sweets, including his own croissant recipe. A friend of Jay's since high school, he soon becomes the subject of tension with the dentist when he hires Saint, with whom he seems to fall in love.
Despite its clichés, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' seeks to fulfill its goal of captivating BL fans and leading others to learn about and delve into the genre, even if it doesn't have overly artistic ambitions.
CURIOSITIES
Screenwriters Pratchaya Thavornthummarut and Bee Pongsate Lucksameepong, known for writing the scripts for the BL series 'My School President', 'Last Twilight', 'Bad Buddy' and 'My Love Mix-Up! ', among others, have teamed up once again to bring us a story that, in a fun and cheerful tone, bordering on farce when it seeks to entertain the audience through highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd and improbable situations, invites us to reflect on the complexity of relationships, young love, identity and the search for oneself through others and the environment that surrounds us.
The plot of 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' is woven around the chance encounters, comic adventures and the birth of romance experienced by the dentist and his "smiling cute boy", two people with very different personalities, but always moved by play, jokes and humor, also offering a cheerful and romanticized look at Bangkok that mixes the old with the modern (tradition and modernity), where fate and chance play a crucial role in the lives of the characters, forcing them to confront their true aspirations and emotions.
As we saw in the first episode, the series' narrative unfolds a joyful and fun yet intricate journey of personal discoveries, encounters, and disagreements that resonate with the audience due to its authenticity and the convincing performances of its cast.
Apart from the concern one character's looming concern about taking care of his oral health and the other's concern about finding a patient in need of root canal treatment to graduate, 'Sweet Tooth, Good Dentist' sounds like any other coming-of-age story, the kind of series that legions of young queer people and BL lovers around the world might seek out as their own audiovisual balm on Friday nights, a la the Taiwanese series 'My Tooth Your Love', starring Andy Wu and Yu Jin.
WORST
If there's one thing I have to point out against it so far, it's that, like most Thai BL series, and those produced by GMMTV in particular, the series shies away from reflecting (and delving into) the reality of the Thai and, why not, global LGBT+ community, especially in terms of uncovering its horrors and misfortunes.
How I wish boys' love series from this Southeast Asian nation would finally contribute to the true representation of this human community. Usually, every time I watch one of these dramas, I ask myself: Why are they unable to reflect that most gay men of today's generations are still dealing with the effects of decades of shame? Is there a real and effective contribution from Thai cinema and television to making the struggles of the LGBT+ community visible? Have today's youth been raised in an egalitarian society? Do adolescents and young adults reflect the desired equality?
During adolescence and young adulthood, human beings constitute an exaggerated mirror of their surroundings. Those who grew up witnessing the lack of social analysis and critique of homophobia, internalized homophobia, and discrimination against homosexuals in movies and television have, consciously or unconsciously, incorporated into their daily lives actions that reveal anything but an understanding of the struggles of this human community.
Surely someone will respond that these plots are only meant to entertain, and that if I want to see realism, I should watch a news program on a television network anywhere in the world.
I, on the other hand, continue to believe that, in addition to delighting the viewer, Thai BL should also provide opportunities to reflect the challenges faced by homosexuals in this country, such as the multifaceted stigma and discrimination in the education system; social isolation and exclusion within families; the disproportionate prevalence of sexual violence and the reluctance to report it to the police; discrimination and marginalization in employment; and LGBT+ disparities in health and mental health, both at home and in communities—social problems that remain prevalent in this nation, despite the recent signing of a law legally recognizing same-sex marriage.
I will update the review later.
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