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10
1
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This review may contain spoilers
your emotions will be served
Overall: grab a tissue box because this was a roller coaster for me. Note the content warnings and the series itself may be very triggering. 10 episodes about 20 minutes each. No official international release (which is a huge shame and I hope it gets one eventually). Spoiler for the ending in the comments.Content Warnings: intimate partner abuse/violence, past rape/sexual assault, manipulation, homophobia, death, grief, past abuse
What I Liked
- an established couple who wasn't dealing with a love rival or terrible communication (the lack of physical affection shown didn't bother me as they were together a long time and not everyone is super physically affectionate, it was obvious that they loved each other)
- opposite personalities that compliment each other
- discussed the unfairness of current laws
- that they touched on Japan's single custody law where one parent gets full custody and can deny the other parent from ever seeing their child again leading to 70% of children in sole custody having no visitation with the other parent (there is a new 2026 law that might change this), which is likely why a character didn't seek divorce earlier (because they might lose custody)
- avoided a cartoonish antagonist
Room For Improvement
- a character was allegedly extremely intelligent, but didn't seem to mind putting is job in jeopardy
- some of the side stories weren't as gripping, I think they should have pared them down and focused on the main plot
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Content Warnings: bullying, homophobia, slap, choke, fight, non con video recording, blackmail
What I Liked
- great to see Holland and the cameo with Hong Seok-Cheon
- attempt at sex education though it felt a bit preachy
- non dead fish lip press kisses (though there was some camera blocks)
Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward and voice over
- they tried to have too many characters/cover too much and so the main pair felt underdeveloped, not totally sold on the redemption arc
- lack of satisfying consequences for the main bully
- there was an extra scene after the end credits which I did not understand
- subtitles were pretty rough but I understood the overall gist (did not take off points)
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The Hidden/Slow Plot (uncut version)
Overall: the first episode made me intrigued but it devolved into a non thrilling/confusing mess. Aired 10 episodes about 45 minutes each on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/17g7rz51mczkxkf-The%20Hidden%20Moon/a4100mvcw5u-EP01A%3A%20The%20Hidden%20Moon (uncut episodes were about 10 minutes longer)Content Warnings: death, attempted suicide, sexual assault/rape?, self harm, scary images, violence, blood, mental health struggles, choking
Watch Suggestions (suggest watching the cut version except where noted, this focuses on sweet moments between the leads)
- watch episode 1
- episode 3 watch part 2 beginning-3; part 3 beginning-1:15, all of part 4
- episode 4 watch all of part 1; part 2 start at 7:12; part 3 beginning-4 and all of part 4
- watch episode 5 part 1 4:30-end
- watch all of episode 6 uncut, they cut out kissing/implied sex
- episode 7 watch part 1 16-end, part 3 3:40-end and can watch all of part 4
- episode 8 watch part 1 before the credits for a quick kiss (uncut version has a longer kiss but it's more of a dead fish lip press) and 12:20-13:15
- skip episode 9
- watch episode 10 uncut from 40:20-43
What I Liked
- intriguing premise with mystery/horror/supernatural elements
- at least they asked why the ghost sensitive one wasn't seeing them
- sweet moments especially in episode 6
- supportive mom
- some of the production value* (the off key music at the end and then the music at the end was especially fitting)
Room For Improvement
- *choppy at times (even in the uncut version it felt a little choppy)
- confusing and slow plot
- Khen and a friend had several moments that made me ship them which was especially bad because the other ML wasn't introduced until the very end of ep 1 (this was less an issue in the cut version)
- odd that a character went from trying to kill another character to suddenly liking him and then back to hating him, did not feel chemistry between the leads
- did not care at all about the drama in the past and it was confusing because a character made it sound like she didn't want something but then she seemed to want that when she talked to her friend later
- I was going to give this a 7 but the very confusing/rushed finale/dead fish lip press dropped it to a 5 (the uncut adds 9 minutes at the end but it basically shows Mas and Khen almost meeting and how Khen was recruited to join the rest of the group and go to that house, they aren't together)
- the idea that Mas would watch reincarnated Khen grow up and then get together with him when he was 40 and Khen was 20 was icky (this is how the cut version ended)
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well done realistic movie
Overall: two realistically flawed characters and friends work to figure out what they want in their lives. Watched on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/3082/made-on-rooftop-2020Content Warnings: hit with a broom, grief
What I Liked
- character growth from the two main characters
- Sunja was awesome, favorite lines "get your shit together" and "you are pretty but you need to do more than just talk"
- how Min Ho was direct and sought to communicate (though didn't appreciate some of his comments in the Live)
- their friendship felt realistic, they both got annoyed with and supported each other
- cute moments
- funny moments (I snorted at the beans)
- production value
- the symbolism of the plants on the rooftop
Room For Improvement
- the beginning was unnecessarily confusing because of showing the present, flashback and then present again without clear time jumps
- he didn't know the password? but maybe that shows how their communication/relationship wasn't the best
- wanted a little more communication around what Bong Shik revealed, it didn't need to be preachy but many people are mis or uninformed and I think it was a missed opportunity (i.e. he could explain what he was taking and what the risks would be)
- I needed a bit more closure/less open ending with 1 couple
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mix of silliness and seriousness
Overall: I enjoyed the intentional/self aware humor and the series ended well. However I was disappointed with the way they handled something that is a crime in episode 9. Aired on YouTube. Note: the m/f couple had the most screen time but there are two m/m couples and for once I actually enjoy the m/f leads.Content Warnings: non con picture/video taking, stalking
What I Liked
- the self aware/intentional humor including some subverted tropes (though there were actual tropes as well)
- the cute moments
- calling out sasang as bad BL fans who invade privacy/go too far*
- they used actual musicians for close ups instead of fake playing
- friendship and sibling dynamics
- production value
Room For Improvement
- *wth terrible excuse from that character for doing something dangerous and illegal, I took off a full point for this, the message should have been 'stalking people is wrong, illegal and hurtful and there are major consequences for those who stalk others - DON'T STALK PEOPLE!' I was okay with how that plot ended up but I think this whole plot thread could have been executed better.
- never a fan of love triangles
- the 1 romantic pair that wasn't a slow burn did not get enough screen time and too much of their relationship development happened off screen
- gay for you trope (they could have set this up differently but it came across as gay for you trope)
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a slapstick comedy that ended abruptly
Overall: this has the slapstick comedy feel of YYY along with the enemies dynamic of TharnType (but waayyy less kissing/steaminess, it's a slow burn). Unfortunately the series was cancelled and the ending is pretty abrupt (watch past the credits of episode 15). Watched on One31's YouTube channel.Content Warnings: manipulation
What I Liked
- I'd like to see the two lead actors in something else, either together or apart
- overall production value is good
- I liked the mirror and the bubbles at the end of the first episode, it was neat
- ep 8 and onward there is more sexual tension which I enjoyed
- I did laugh a few times
Room For Improvement
- I think some jokes didn't translate well, but this isn't my style of humor and I didn't laugh that much. I really disliked the laugh track (it also has A LOT of comedy sound effects)
- the main character Diao is super immature and it annoys me instead of making me laugh, he is the immature/prickly character while Rak is the calm/patient character
- wasn't a fan of Rak's manipulation with Diao and the probation thing in episode 10
- (neutral), there is a trans woman (not sure how they identify)/effeminate male character but I wouldn't say that the comedy is making fun of that person. The other colleague character is a woman and she is also comedic.
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Ennuyeux
Overall: I would call this a traditional Thai university BL (many tropes, poor communication, cute moments). However, with the evolution of BL, this felt boring to me and I didn't like the character Theo. Watched on YouTubeContent Warnings: manipulation, manhandling, vomiting, dub con kiss (half asleep?), punches, student/teacher relationship?
What I Liked
- Akk's mom & sister were great
- the side characters' French was good (likely native speakers)
- Akk was pretty adorable, especially quickly cleaning up his room and being the Flash
- cute moments like the kitchen spoon fight
- the consent before their kiss in ep 8
- that they were physically affectionate with one another after ep 8
Room For Improvement
- the main issue I have is Theo is pretty unlikable. He gets angry at others for treating him like a child but he has the maturity of a child (which was even shown in the last episode with his parents, there was zero character growth).
- the lead actors have a similar look, they should have styled/colored their hair more differently. I was confused when the story shifted location/perspective because I thought it was Theo at first. And the other leads also need more differentiation (i.e glasses, jewelry, hair color, etc).
- do not write in library books, especially "I'm bored", replacing a book also is a bad idea because it isn't processed and can't be checked out (ie no barcode, spine label, etc)
- Theo spoke Thai until 6th grade likely spoke it for the 7 years when he was abroad (with his parents/grandmother) but the one word he couldn't remember was "lost", this just seems odd
- Theo's French was bad for someone who lived 7 years in the country
- the blur filter on Theo was too much, some shaky camerawork and night scenes were too dim especially in ep 10
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Gentle movie about biological and found family (minor spoilers)
Overall: this reminds me of God's Own Country with its countryside setting and sparse dialogue. Things are subtle (maybe a bit too subtle at times); I wish I could hear a director's commentary as I'm sure I missed many things. Watched on Amazon Prime Video, also on Gagaoolala in some regions.Content Warnings: homophobia, side character death
What I Liked
- the foreshadowing, double meanings, subtle hints, for example when the grandma was mixing and said to watch it and wait it out, and also that pregnant sheep
- the countryside setting
- production value was good overall
- realistic flawed characters who made mistakes and apologized/tried to change
Room For Improvement
- maybe a few things were a bit too subtle and we could have used a little more dialogue to tell the audience what the characters were thinking
- it was odd when that female friend was yelling around the house that the guys wouldn't have woken up
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To My Star Season 2: Our Untold Stories
13 people found this review helpful
This review may contain spoilers
To My Angst
Overall: season 1 was a romance so I was hoping in season 2 to learn more about the backgrounds of the two leads, have some character growth (specifically Ji Woo getting better at communicating), some fluff and some realistic drama (i.e. the public finding out about their romance and fallout from that). Instead we got...angst and character regression instead of growth. If someone wants to avoid 9 episodes of angst, then I'd suggest just watching episode 10. I really dislike when one character is a huge jerk to the other character for a long time because then I'm not happy if they are together at the end due to all the pain that was caused. Once you break a glass, even if you put it back together, it will never be the same. Watched on Viki (also Gagaoolala)Content Warnings: gaslighting, grief
What I Liked
- the cute scenes
- episode 10 (except for the very last two lines), enjoyed the callbacks to the first season
- acting
- music (wish we had vocals for the intro though)
- the supporting characters from season 1 that returned in season 2 (and wish they had had more screen time/depth for their characters)
- talking about Ho Min's decision was funny (I looked up the actor)
Room For Improvement
- Ji Woo, I am so disappointed that instead of character growth we got character regression. Breaking up via a sticky note and ghosting someone (on their birthday no less) after a year of dating is inexcusable. Then Ji Woo has the gall to name his restaurant "I'm Waiting For You". Ji Woo lies to Seo Joon and is extra cruel by telling Seo Joon that it's Seo Joon's fault their relationship doesn't work before eventually admitting it was Ji Woo's fault/insecurities. No amount of grief or introvertedness excuses his actions (I know people who are extremely introverted and they all manage to communicate with their significant others)
- Seo Joon needs to learn about respecting boundaries - I realize this was supposed to be romantic but it felt like harassment to me
- non logical/realistic plot things/responses - is a celebrity having a fear of loud noises a huge scandal??? I don't understand this at all. Another is, what a terrible detective. It took 1 year to figure out that Ji Woo was in the town where he grew up/where his parents used to live, wouldn't that be the first place to look??? Also what was the motivation for who posted that story about Seo Joon?
- the cliche ex, this added nothing for me
- the kid, if they were shown babysitting a friend/relative's kid and talking about how they wanted their family to be in the future that would have been awesome, but this character seemed tossed in to add additional drama
- the frequent time jumps back and forth made it feel disjointed and confusing, wish they had told this in a linear fashion
- the explanation for Seo Joon's phobia was underwhelming
- I wish they had had a short recap of season 1 at the beginning of episode 1
- the intro with season 1 short scenes and instrumental music wasn't my favorite intro
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This review may contain spoilers
Lost its way
Overall: I had some issues with the beginning episodes but things really went downhill at episode 8 with a cliche plot point at the end of episode 7. Watched on Gagaoolala.Content Warnings: suicidal ideation?, non con/dub con drunk surprise kisses, two punches, slap, comments about weight
What I Liked
- the crack comedy moments like the ukulele randomly appearing during their road trip
- there was an apology for the drunk/surprise kiss which was nice
- they stopped their friend from driving his motorcycle while drunk
- Saint (I hope the actor gets a lead in another production soon)
- some good spitting truth lines like "if you don't respect my decision, then don't be my friend" and "whether you win or lose doesn't matter, as long as you are doing something that you love"
- (neutral) it has some comedy sound effects
Room For Improvement
- overall the plot felt disjointed. Characters would appear and then disappear. As I predicted, 14 guys were just too many (and how did we not have a second m/m ship that developed???) The basketball was a thing, then it vanished, then it returned. The random play for one full episode.
- Soh's nonsense lying, then nonsense getting Mon back and a (once again) pointless love triangle where I wanted the second lead to end up with the ML
- neither Soh nor Mon could give reasons why they liked each other
- Amy liking the basketball coach, ummm no
- Mickey being really immature for that whole episode totally sank his ship
- odd things, it was weird Mon started out with that sucker in his mouth and then had it his whole trip? (we learn more about the sucker in a later episode but it was odd not knowing the reasoning for it). Who sleeps at a dining table and wouldn't go to sleep on the couch?
- the one friend basically said he was going to stay with his girlfriend because he loved her even if that meant he couldn't hang out with his friends
- choppy, it went from "tell me how you got here" to Mon being at college then jumped back to the apartment with Soh and his friend
- slow pacing, I watched most of it at double or more speed
- the finale was disappointing (there is an after credits scene, but we don't know if it's a dream or not)
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it got there eventually (watch suggestions)
Overall: this is a premise we've seen several times already (Night Dream, The Promise, Venus in the Sky) and I haven't been impressed with the execution of any of them. In this case they revealed the reason way too late and the pacing was quite slow. 8 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on Netflix in 11 countries in Southeast Asia including Thailand. Later added subtitles on their YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDIqVRSvaz9Ii4mniqowFEaRS2Mfel8DT&si=dnuP2dj0o_fVAyGjContent Warnings: blood, death off screen, grief, non con kiss, punches, parental abuse
Watch Suggestions (unless you enjoy very slow pacing/love rivals)
- read the synopsis
- watch episode 4 at the beginning to 17 minutes, then 34:30 to the end
- watch the flashback in episode 5 30-34:25
- watch episode 6, skip 31-36 unless you want to hate Ji's dad
- you can start episode 7 at 7:20 or watch the whole thing
- watch episode 8
What I Liked
- sweet moments
- adorable puppy
- intimacy/tension in episode 7 and 8
- Ji's supportive friend (need Poppy in a lead BL role)
- visuals
- ended the series well
Room For Improvement
- I understand wanting some mystery, but they didn't clearly reveal why Ji was so angry at Achi until episode 7, I couldn't really support their relationship until I understood exactly what happened
- Achi saying he had a girlfriend in episode 2 right before he did what he did made no sense, another bad "plan"
- the tone started very serious followed by scenes with comedy sound effects and then another serious scene, the changing tone felt jarring
- at times it wasn't immediately clear what was in flashback vs. present
- nonsense stuff (i.e. fake-looking blood, a doctor saying they can do a surgery without seeing anything in person, diagnosing something from just an x-ray)
- what the dad did in episode 6
- one side couple had no resolution
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a thin plot with some cute moments
Overall: this is what I would call a standard or traditional university Thai BL. Despite a thin plot built on poor communication that could have been remedied with a 1 minute conversation, I was prepared to rate this an 8/10. However, the first 3 things in my Room For Improvement section and the fact that this is a large production company and it's not a few years ago knocks this down to a 7/10. Watched on YouTube.Content Warnings: non con kissing, non con touching, domestic violence discussed (injury shown), punches, non con photos
What I Liked
- Daonuea's supportive/joking friends
- it was fun to see Sammy & Yacht
- the cute moments
- the funny moments (fyi the series does have comedy sound effects which are neutral for me)
- Khabkhluen's mom
- an example of good consent "can I kiss your cheek" in the finale
- good that they were physically affectionate, it wasn't just 1 kiss for an established couple
Room For Improvement
- the non con touching and kissing (on more than 1 occasion!) was totally not needed and was disappointing to see
- the very serious (sometimes deadly), common and world wide social problem of intimate partner violence was thrown in for some last minute drama. I was horrified watching that scene and again very disappointed that the writers used this topic in this way. The writers could have easily gone with something else like illness.
- the lack of the next video at the end of a video and the lack of subs for the finale premiere (would not bother me for a small company but this is not a small company)
- the full flashback scene was disappointing. Khabkhluen can't use social media? Can't contact Daonuea's friends to contact Daonuea?
- Khabkhluen's atrocious communication skills. I know very introverted people and they communicate with their romantic interests/partners. It took over 1 year to solve a problem that would have taken a 1 minute conversation to fix.
- there were too many characters and yet we didn't get a side plot or couple...
- why were 4 people attracted to Daonuea???
- Danouea has 1 conversation and sees 1 Instagram post and does a 180, it felt very sudden
- the finale was okay if a bit anticlimactic but that scene at the end was jarring and not needed
- that Daonuea didn't even suggest taking a cab to his possibly drunk brother who was going to drive a car
- I didn't like the intro sequence drawing/animation style, especially the lack of faces
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This review may contain spoilers
wish they had modified the plot/protagonist slightly
Overall: Fumiya is one of my least favorite protagonists ever which is unfortunate because the other parts of this series were well done. 6 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired on GagaOOLala and Viki.Content Warnings: manipulation, gaslighting
What I Liked
- cute moments
- acting
- production value
Room For Improvement
- Fumiya, I disliked him right away because breaking up with someone on their birthday is an a**hole move. The flashback in episode 5 didn't redeem Fumiya. Because we haven't seen Ritsu forgetting a whole bunch of events and Fumiya never communicates, Fumiya is an unsympathetic character. Then instead of character growth he continues with terrible communication skills by lying and gaslighting Ritsu over a long period of time. In episode 5, Fumiya snoops and then eavesdrops on Ritsu's conversation with his friend, again no character growth.
- what a terrible brother for going along with that and then a terrible friend for telling Ritsu he should hear Fumiya out. Ritsu had every right to be angry and sit with his feelings for awhile. Fumiya should have texted an apology/explanation and then left Ritsu alone.
- plot holes/unrealistic things such as would a hospital really discharge a patient with a head injury that quickly? It seemed less than 12 hours, wouldn't Ritsu look back at his old photos/texts, talk to his friends/family, he just accepts that odd living situation???
- the subpar kissing for two grown men who are in an established relationship
- cliche 'they met when they were younger'
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jarring and nonsense plot elements (watch suggestions)
Overall: the writer/s spent too much time on a love rival and the very serious side plot didn't work for me. 12 episodes about 15 minutes each. Sometimes there was an extra scene during the end credits. Aired 2 episodes per week on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/39807c-eccentric-romance and GagaOOLala (Southeast Asia) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4853/eccentric-romance-2024 This production company also produced Love is Like a Cat and Peach of Time.Content Warnings: past murder, attempted murder, blood, kidnapping, blackmail, manipulation, fight
Watch Suggestion for the last 4 episodes (I don't have the energy/desire to go back thru beginning episodes and write suggested timings, these suggestions focus on sweet moments with the MLs)
- episode 1 start at 1:40
- episode 2 skip 10:30-12:25, stop at 14:40
- episode 3 watch 3:20-8
- episode 4 watch the beginning to the intro
- episode 5 watch the beginning to 6:30
- watch episode 6
- skip episode 7
- episode 8 watch 13:45-end
- episode 9 watch the very beginning and 4-6:30
- episode 10 watch 2:40-3 and 7:40-10:15
- episode 12 watch 14:30-end
What I Liked
- dynamic between the leads
- sweet moments
- non cliche female character
- visuals
- language was realistic as people are generally more comfortable listening vs speaking, update: it was a bit unrealistic that all the side characters understood Thai but they did give explanations at least
- a bit better than dead fish lip presses
Room For Improvement
- the opening scene was confusing, it was actually a flashback not a flash forward as I originally thought
- exposition dump introductions for the characters, villain exposition dump, exposition dump at the end
- seemed to be a made up class (let me know if that's actually a class available in South Korea and I'll remove this)
- too much time spent on the love rival
- cliche drunk and didn't remember the night before and also drunk kiss
- should have put the scene at the end of 2 at the end of episode
- a lot of nonsense stuff, ie the hug was awkward with the trainer, why weren't police called sooner, the serial killer joke, the villain "plan" at the end etc
- the title didn't make sense but I didn't take off points for it (eccentric doesn't have a negative connotation)
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actors deserved a better script (watch suggestions)
Overall: with a better script/editing, I know that Mos & Bank would have been on fire, instead it was mostly failed comedy and cringe. The series was based on "Sunsetxvibes" by Rosesarin_ which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits (though I've heard the book is mainly smut). 12 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI uncut https://www.iq.com/play/s2n3mgmw3x?lang=en_us&sh_pltf=4 Later aired a cut version on the Star Hunter YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/H3HXsoNTltE?si=DeEZa915DK2L-njf (episode 1 was about 1 minute shorter than the uncut)Content Warnings: thought there was one towards the end of ep 1 but then it wasn't (tried not to spoil things), past parental abuse, punch, coercion, blackmail, non con video recording/sharing/outing, sexual molestation, fight, blood, past death
Watch Suggestions (prioritizes intimacy, the side m/m couple and the side f/f couple once I jived with them)
- episode 1 you could start it at 10min-13min, 22-29, 32:40-36, 39:45-45, this is a dream 46:30-48
(I don't have the energy to go back thru eps 2-3)
- episode 4 watch 18-19:30, 33:30-42, maybe 55:30 to the end
- episode 5 watch 7-10:30, 14-18:15, 31-end
- episode 6 watch 16:15-21, 25-28, 39
- episode 7 watch 4:30-5:20, 13:40-16:40, 19:30-24, 37:30-39, 41:30-44, 46:30-48
- episode 8 watch 2:15-2:45, 15:20-16:20
- episode 9 watch 18-21, 27:10-30:50, 32:40-35:40, 38:10-45
- episode 10 watch 12-25, 51 to the end
- episode 11 watch 9:30-17:40 (excellent side couple steamy scene), 47:40-49:50 (didn't really feel the paint but the main couple steamy scene)
- episode 12 watch the whole episode
What I Liked
- the m/m side couple
- there was an established m/m couple
- the intro (and cinematography/styling)
- visuals
- GL rep (not a fan of the dynamic until later episodes though)
- supportive sibling, friends & mom
- a funny moment of a character talking about if it was a movie and then it went into a flashback scene
- good consent in episode 4 with asking for a kiss
- that a main character wasn't totally helpless in episode 4
- a subversion of a common characteristic with the pursuee
- mutual want
Room For Improvement
- the pervasive comedy sound effects that did not make things funny
- the fantasy element was not well explained or incorporated
- his friends were annoying at times
- did not care about the business scenes or backbiting coworkers
- a ton of nonsense/'because the writer said so stuff', i.e. the beginning scenarios were set up to be steamy but then oddly g rated, a very odd location for a first date and posing at the door, people who've never kissed someone do not try to kiss like that (and it wasn't funny), who goes into a person's dungeon looking basement like that?, remembering something very traumatic and then designing a necklace, transporting something super expensive at night by himself
- that the offender in episode 4 was darker skinned and the 'I won't press charges, tell him not to do it again' bs
- the styling didn't work because of the bowl haircut and how a main character acted so childlike (pinky swearing with his dad as an example)
- very cringey 'Khun Dad', their relationship felt like a child and a parent at times which was cringey
- a female character oddly had a boyfriend
- the poor communication cliche/run away plot
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