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I feel like one reason might be that it was marketed as BL, and BL audience probably expect some tropes that are specific to BL (I don't know, this is just conjecture). I am also finding it hard to find a reason why some criticize the romance. For me, the romance here is the best I have seen in so long. Everything is so natural and passionate. The love is built through mutual respect and support for each other. This is very important because media shapes how we pursue a relationship, and the romance here is an example of a healthy way to build a relationship.

In this series, a lot of the story is told through subtext, so one needs to pay attention to everything- every dialogue, every scene and every facial expression. I commented this elsewhere also- I understand the need to market this series as a BL in Thailand given the fact that there is a big BL market and that the actors playing the lead are famous for playing BL characters. But, when I look closer I see that it is more of an LGBT story done very tastefully. Above everything else, what I love is that the creators seem to have removed heteronormativity (at least till episode 8)- which I have to say is powerful. Especially for a series made in Asia for an Asian audience, it is important and really bold to introduce the concept that heteronormativity does not have to be the default... we can start here and educate ourselves.

Exactly. This distinction is very important: "This is not the story of two gay men, it's the story of two men who happen to be gay and fall for each other while facing the mystery/dangers surrounding their lives."

I understand the need to market this series as a BL in Thailand given the fact that there is a big BL market and that the actors playing the lead are famous for playing BL characters. But, when I look closer I see that it is more of an LGBT story done very tastefully. Above everything else, what I love is that the creators seem to have removed heteronormativity (at least till episode 8)- which I have to say is powerful. Especially for a series made in Asia for an Asian audience, it is important and really bold to introduce the concept that heteronormativity does not have to be the default... we can start here and educate ourselves.

I just love a lot of things about this series.

Starting with the styling- each character has a distinct style when it comes to their wardrobe, just like real people. Regarding our main characters, I love the decision to make Bun's hair wavy/curly and brown, and the way Tan's black hair is parted - it makes the characters distinct- we know just from the visuals that they are very different people both visually and personality-wise.

The romance part is so good. Instead of telling us with a monologue (like many romantic series or movies do, especially BLs), the series SHOWS us how much Tan cares about and respects Bun. And neither character is portrayed as a passive person being pursued by the other. It is a mature relationship between two mature grown adults. They pursue each other in their own way- consistent with their personalities. Their interactions are so realistic that sometimes I feel like I am spying on two real people's relationship developing.

The show has not even revealed much about Tan's life but we already know how lonely his life is. He sees a future (in his own way) after he meets Bun. For example, he tells Bun that he has not had the time to make a garden before because he has a busy life. But, how busy he is, has not changed after he met Bun (he might even be busier now). As an audience, we realize it's Bun's arrival in his life that has changed things.

The shows 'Sherlock' and 'Supernatural' queerbaited a lot. In terms of genre, this series is quite close to these two series. For me, this show is what saved me from all the frustration I felt from watching these two series. The relationship of our main characters is not only canon, but also they take it a step further by both of them being interested in each other from the get go. There is no-" will they, won't they". Instead it's a matter of "when will it happen, and when will secrets complicate things". I just love it.

The screenwriter and the director are making a statement with the romance part of this story. I think people need to learn that making a statement/ telling a story about the LGBTQ+ community is not done just through coming of age stories or stories about marginalization. It can also be done through a story like this: In the world of suspense/action/investigation stories, LGBTQ+ people can exist without their sexuality and gender being the main focus- they can also be doctors, they can also be teachers, they can also be complicated people with problems and feelings outside their sexuality and gender identity.

Max, the actor who plays Tan, is such an interesting person. He is naturally a very good actor and plays serious characters mostly. But, if you follow his instagram and his interviews, you'll see that he's probably the most playful person ever.

He is a cram school tutor with his own business, not a school teacher with a school teacher salary... I have no excuse for him having just 1 bed though.

They are following the book for the core of the story but they are changing enough that it's compelling even for those who read the book. In my opinion, the show is doing a good job of providing better and more compelling case for why everyone is doing what they are doing.

I know about the new ratings system. My theory and answer is about why it may have gone down more than the new rating system made it go down. Also it is a personal theory, I am not saying this is a reason.

I agree, people need to stop spamming everywhere about ITSAY. I have a theory that this type of spamming and saying every series is subpar compared to ITSAY is also the reason why it's ratings or whatever is dropping. Because of what they hear, people start having extremely high expectations. But when they watch it, although it is well made and everything is good (i loved ITSAY btw), it is still just a coming of age story and coming of age stories are very common these days especially in Western media. Moreover, coming of age stories are not many people's cup of tea because of the slow nature and focus on characters rather than plot. So, when people watch it, it does not live up to the expectation (the expectation that it will be the best thing to ever watch or to have ever existed because of so many people insinuating that it is).

Okay. And I am saying what I think might happen in the series.

It is possible. They are doing things a bit differently from the novel.

But that is from the book. In the series, what @lovesickgirl is questioning might be true.

Police Captain Wasan is not Inspector M, they are two different characters but they are in the same universe. Dr Bunn makes a cameo in the novel Spare Me Your Mercy/Euthanasia.

Bunn being infatuated by Tan before Tan becomes the prime suspect is a much better explanation for the way Bunn acts around Tan. Also yes, the way they flirted with each other is realistic and cute.

Lol yes, he is gay that's why. Also about Tan.....Tan happily flirted with Bunn...

Exactly! I love this too. In the novel, they meet exactly at the murder scene for the first time. So, this is a good change.

This is good observation. Keep and eye on Tan for his behavior towards Bunn in future episodes.

I think Tul struggles a bit with his acting skills. But, his acting in this series is so much better that his previous works. He has improved a lot. So, I won't complain. Max has always been a good actor so I knew for sure he will be good and he did even better in this series than his previous works.

Which one? The way he acted when he first saw him at the club, or at the director's birthday?

I hope so. In the novel, our protagonists sexualities are very clear. That is what I really liked. Unlike other BL (where one guy turns the other guy gay or whatever), their struggles with sexuality come from family, society and oneself.

It is clear that he is gay. Just rewriting what I said in the previous comment: in the novel, he is pretending to be straight to protect himself because he has faced homophobia in the past when he was younger. In short, he has issues accepting and loving himself. And yes, they might and will probably explore this in future episodes. It's just that it was not there in episodes 1 and 2.