Thai-centric, faithful but modernised adaptation of the manga
The manga is a classic. Most, if not all, adaptations of it have been hugely popular since the 2001 Taiwaness series. I have read the manga series a couple of time but I have not finish a single adaptation until this one. And...
1. The good:
- It's faithful. Many of the main plot points are well-kept. The portrayals are also straight up their manga counterparts.
- For me, Dew as Ren is the best Rui yet with good expressions and understanding of the character. Even his height and him being the tallest in the group add small but good details. I'm not sure about his voice though since I don't know Thai. Voice acting can play a significant part in characterisation. Somehow it feels somewhat lacking here?
- Akira is less prominent compared to the other F4. But his extra story has always stuck with me. So for this series to expand and place an importance on him as the "glue" of the group and the one who holds everyone together: seriously, good job! I remember MJ wearing moon brochure or some sort of jewel too, which is a nod to Akira being compared to the moon, gently watching over the whole group. I didn't watch the add-on story of him and the basketball girl, so no comment.
- It adapts. It isn't a play by play. It updates the story with modern youth problems and make it relevant not just to Thai society but broader.
- Compared to Yuuki in the manga and Gaeul in "Boys Over Flowers", I find the character of Kaning here adorable and much more likable. She actually puts efforts into helping Kavin and doesn't pine for him. Maybe it also helps that the actress is very pretty.
- I enjoy Tu's portrayal of Gorya. She is charming, cute and bubbly. I have read people complaining about her screaming on the rooftop. I didn't mind that one bit.
- I like the new addition of Gorya and Kaning working part-time and having fun with the uncle owner of the flower shop. The uncle is charming.
- I feel a bit bad about Lita's storyline though. I fell in love with her character here. Wish she had some more to play after her arc concluded. But if she stayed any longer, she would be too distracting to the main cast.
- The song "In the Wind" fits Ren and Ren/Gorya scenes to a tee.
2. The so-so:
- I didn't like Ki Bum's portrayal of Yi Jung or even Sojirou in the manga. But Kavin here is alright. The pairing of Kavin and Kaning also makes sense and cute.
- Thyme is stereotypically Tsukasa. Still pretty crazy and violent but caring and puppy-like. Better than Gu Jun Pyo. Okayish when it comes to manga Tsukasa.
- The parents are still annoying AF. But I guarantee, less than the manga...
- Tsukasa's sister and Shizuka receiving less attention here is a good thing. More focus on the main characters and stories. This series is only 16 episode, very compact.
- I have a love/hate feeling towards Thyme's mother. Cindy is stunning in person and ruthless in this role. She is better than any of the predecessors. She feels so right. But, the script snaps off her villain development. It didn't make sense. It wasted a good actress that if given better writing and development, her character might surpass even the manga's. As in, she has been a cunning and heartless businesswoman whose entire life has prioritised her family's empire above all, even her children, she can't possibly turn around with just Thyme suffering and lovesickness in the final episodes. He suffered so many times before, what makes this any different than the last? At least give some insights and explainations.
- Talay has a memorable arc and a fitting conclusion to the school bullying/violence reflection in society. I think his episode has the best view. But it's a bit too dramatised the acting for me. Good intentions, could benefit from better execution from the whole production.
3. The bad:
- Thyme turning from a playboy (as in he plays around a lot, not fooling around with women) to a successful young businessman after a year? Was he a CEO? VP? Habits die hard. People need years. No investors or board members would bat an eye at the sight of a pampered rich kid. It's their money, capitals and profits. Without good explanation, it's just pure fantasy.
- Decline in quality in the last arc of the story aka Gorya running away, Thyme gave up, Thyme suffering memory loss, etc.
- I don't buy any of that rich kids trying to change the world. Most likely, a gloss-over and oversimplification for younger audience.
- I still don't buy the troupes of "I can change him" or "with you in my life, I've changed". It's still contrived.
4. The fun:
- Plenty of comedy.
- The blatant commercials and product placements LOL.
Conclusion: Actually good and proper adaptation that falters somewhat towards the end. But still good.
1. The good:
- It's faithful. Many of the main plot points are well-kept. The portrayals are also straight up their manga counterparts.
- For me, Dew as Ren is the best Rui yet with good expressions and understanding of the character. Even his height and him being the tallest in the group add small but good details. I'm not sure about his voice though since I don't know Thai. Voice acting can play a significant part in characterisation. Somehow it feels somewhat lacking here?
- Akira is less prominent compared to the other F4. But his extra story has always stuck with me. So for this series to expand and place an importance on him as the "glue" of the group and the one who holds everyone together: seriously, good job! I remember MJ wearing moon brochure or some sort of jewel too, which is a nod to Akira being compared to the moon, gently watching over the whole group. I didn't watch the add-on story of him and the basketball girl, so no comment.
- It adapts. It isn't a play by play. It updates the story with modern youth problems and make it relevant not just to Thai society but broader.
- Compared to Yuuki in the manga and Gaeul in "Boys Over Flowers", I find the character of Kaning here adorable and much more likable. She actually puts efforts into helping Kavin and doesn't pine for him. Maybe it also helps that the actress is very pretty.
- I enjoy Tu's portrayal of Gorya. She is charming, cute and bubbly. I have read people complaining about her screaming on the rooftop. I didn't mind that one bit.
- I like the new addition of Gorya and Kaning working part-time and having fun with the uncle owner of the flower shop. The uncle is charming.
- I feel a bit bad about Lita's storyline though. I fell in love with her character here. Wish she had some more to play after her arc concluded. But if she stayed any longer, she would be too distracting to the main cast.
- The song "In the Wind" fits Ren and Ren/Gorya scenes to a tee.
2. The so-so:
- I didn't like Ki Bum's portrayal of Yi Jung or even Sojirou in the manga. But Kavin here is alright. The pairing of Kavin and Kaning also makes sense and cute.
- Thyme is stereotypically Tsukasa. Still pretty crazy and violent but caring and puppy-like. Better than Gu Jun Pyo. Okayish when it comes to manga Tsukasa.
- The parents are still annoying AF. But I guarantee, less than the manga...
- Tsukasa's sister and Shizuka receiving less attention here is a good thing. More focus on the main characters and stories. This series is only 16 episode, very compact.
- I have a love/hate feeling towards Thyme's mother. Cindy is stunning in person and ruthless in this role. She is better than any of the predecessors. She feels so right. But, the script snaps off her villain development. It didn't make sense. It wasted a good actress that if given better writing and development, her character might surpass even the manga's. As in, she has been a cunning and heartless businesswoman whose entire life has prioritised her family's empire above all, even her children, she can't possibly turn around with just Thyme suffering and lovesickness in the final episodes. He suffered so many times before, what makes this any different than the last? At least give some insights and explainations.
- Talay has a memorable arc and a fitting conclusion to the school bullying/violence reflection in society. I think his episode has the best view. But it's a bit too dramatised the acting for me. Good intentions, could benefit from better execution from the whole production.
3. The bad:
- Thyme turning from a playboy (as in he plays around a lot, not fooling around with women) to a successful young businessman after a year? Was he a CEO? VP? Habits die hard. People need years. No investors or board members would bat an eye at the sight of a pampered rich kid. It's their money, capitals and profits. Without good explanation, it's just pure fantasy.
- Decline in quality in the last arc of the story aka Gorya running away, Thyme gave up, Thyme suffering memory loss, etc.
- I don't buy any of that rich kids trying to change the world. Most likely, a gloss-over and oversimplification for younger audience.
- I still don't buy the troupes of "I can change him" or "with you in my life, I've changed". It's still contrived.
4. The fun:
- Plenty of comedy.
- The blatant commercials and product placements LOL.
Conclusion: Actually good and proper adaptation that falters somewhat towards the end. But still good.
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