Yes, I'm going to say it. There is NO F*CKING WAY any of what happened in this ep was ok! Yes, it's drama. Yes, it's fiction. And, yes, many may like this kind of portrayal of a BL relationship. But that is b*llsh*t and as @Niki Demonix stated, "No sympathy for Ming!!!!"
After about (5) years, I rewatched UWMA, and I have the same opinion today as I had then. Although this series tends to be a little overdramatic for a typical BL, it still is a classic, IMO. There's drama (boy is there drama), intrigue, and an angst to see how it all turns out. And, that scene in the beginning is a "killer" to start the series off. Finally ep. 17 has the ability to bring all of that emotion and tears right out of you (if you have any kind of heart). I still say 8.2 is NOT enough of a score to really tell you how good this series actually is. But again, it's just one person's opinion. Happy Viewing! LMFAO!
I would agree on some of what you stated, such as the characters are mature. I'm not sure about the likeable part. I'm also not sure about the smutty nonsense part. However, you do make some valid points (especially the asexual part). As for the cliche lgbtq+ roles, that is as old as BLs. In the lgbtq+ community there are a host of "identities" the community has. But, in mostly Thai BLs, they tend to stick with the top/bottom, dom/sub, hubby/wifey roles, especially for males, placing men in classic roles similar to a male/female relationship. Although there are many lgbtq+ couples who "choose" that type of relationship, there are far far far more couples in the lgbtq+ that do NOT. I speak from personal experience. The cliche is that that is the "norm" in male couples and not one of many choices within the community. That's what I mean.
P.S. Like the "too much vanilla" coment made. What was up with that????
Unfortunately, there is nothing unique about this BL. It has cliche characters, a cliche plot, cliche BL tropes and cliche lgbtq+ roles. The only thing saving this series is the chemistry of the mains, as well as the seconday couple. Although, it doesn't hurt that the cast are all good "eye-candy" and occasionally humorous. LMFAO!
This series is really pissing me off! Up is playing the character of Ming too well. He's a despicable individual. Poom, portraying the lovesick puppy is ok too. This series is truly a lakorn! I kinda like that we're getting a little background story. But, IDK, something is off about this series and I can't put my finger on it. Oh well, I guess I just have to wait, and wait, and wait, and wait to see what happens next. Hint, hint, hint! LOL!
I'm sorry for being extremely off topic with this question but are there any character-driven j-bls you'd recommend?…
Wow. That's actually a tough question. Yes, there are many character driven BLs out there (that aren't HS or uni BLs). Some are good, some are not so good. Whether you'll think that they're good or not will be up to you. Also, Japanese/Korean/Taiwanese BLs, IMO, tend to be much more character and plot driven than Thai/Vietnamese/Filipino BLs. So, check out this site on info of most of the BLs in the past few years:
I just rewatched the first ep, and I just wished they hadn't started-off this series with one of the oldest Thai BL tropes known (Yak, who chases girls, yet screws with a guy). Since his has a lgbtq+ manager/trainer and lgbtq+ friends, we can guess he's probably ok being around lgbtq+ folks. However, there's nothing given the audience (at least in this ep) that he's into men. Also, of course since Yak is boxer, he's automatically a "top." What? Thai boxers can wear boxers "on their bottom." But Thai boxers can't be "bottoms?" LMFAO!!! I guess since it's a comedy, it's ok. LOL!
P.S. Although, I too, laughed at this light-hearted comedy, I still don't know what to make of it. LOL!
I'm not sure what to make of ep. 1 of this series, at least not yet. It is funny. It is cute. It does have the standard lgbtq+ tropes and stereotypes we've come to expect from Thai BLs. LOL! But at least it's NOT uni boys or HS boys in blue shorts! LMFAO!
I binged watched this series and tbh, it wasn't that bad. It had moments of greatness. But it was so overshadowed with its comedic overacting, the useless and unnecessary tropes and stereotypes, and an outdated plot. Japanese BLs use to be much more forward thinking societally regarding lgbtq+ relationships than what I saw in this series. To bad, though. It had potential. MDL folks collectively gave it a 7.1. IMO, that's freaking generous! LMFAO!
This series was slow-paced, trope filled, stereotyped, and at times a little melodramatic. In other words, a typical Thai BL these days. So, if that's what you in to, then this series fits the build.
P.S. Like the "too much vanilla" coment made. What was up with that????
https://world-of-bl.com/
P.S. Although, I too, laughed at this light-hearted comedy, I still don't know what to make of it. LOL!