oddsare

Not the pink lipstick shade matching across the entire cast 😭 They really said “here’s your starter pack: same plot, same props, same makeup palette” 💀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The bar is literally underground when “at least it’s not Make It Right” is a compliment 💀😭​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

LMAO “the cynic’s cynic” - I’m stealing that title 😂

But hey, we need both! You keep us grounded while I’m out here finding profound meaning in the 47th engineering student love story. It’s the perfect balance - yin and yang of BL commentary. Someone’s gotta call out the nonsense while someone else is getting emotionally invested in which brand of snacks they’re product placing this time 💀​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

LMAOOO “rinse and repeat it’s their motto” - you really just summed up the entire Thai BL industry in five words 😂

The way they’ve mastered the art of making us complain about the same tropes while simultaneously queuing up the next identical show. It’s like being mad at McDonald’s for serving the same menu but still pulling up to the drive-thru every time 💀

At least we’re all suffering together in this endless cycle of beautiful boys and predictable plot lines!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thai BL really said “we’re gonna keep serving the same tropes until everyone on earth has been converted” and honestly? Respect the hustle.

Like yeah, us veterans are out here rolling our eyes at another engineering student falling for a medical student, but somewhere my friend’s little sister is discovering what a ship is for the first time and having a full spiritual awakening. The industry isn’t making content for people who can spot a forced separation arc from episode one - they’re running the world’s most effective gateway drug operation and I can’t even be mad about it.

Every “basic” Thai BL is someone’s first emotional breakdown over fictional boys, and that’s actually kind of beautiful? We all started somewhere. Let the newbies have their umbrella sharing scenes and product placement moments. They’ll get bitter and demanding like the rest of us eventually 😂​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Shows are usually up for about 7 days - miss it and it’s gone!

Hey! I watch it on the TVer app, which I originally downloaded when I was in Japan. You’ll need a Japanese Apple ID and access to the Japanese App Store to get it. Since I’m back in the US now, I use a VPN to watch it on my phone - though there are no subtitles.

For you, it might be easier to try the web version at tver.jp with a VPN set to Japan. That way you can skip the whole app download process. The interface will be in Japanese, but it’s pretty straightforward to navigate once you get the hang of it.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

It’s such a shame this BL isn’t available on any official streaming platforms! International fans who don’t speak Japanese are left depending on volunteer fan translators to enjoy the series.

The first episode was really well done. Washizawa has had feelings for Hiroshi since their high school days, and while Hiroshi is seeking revenge, it’s completely different from “Revenge of Love” (the Chinese BL). There’s much less dramatic plotting and more of that understated, gentle approach that Japanese productions handle so beautifully.

I really hope more international viewers get access to quality subtitles for the official release.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

So Phi and Tam finally get to the other side of the island, right? And then - oh shit - that yacht shows up. The same one they snuck onto before.

This little boat comes down and these people get out, and you can just tell they’re gamblers. Rich ones. And that’s when Phi and Tam realize they’re not on some random deserted island. This place is running an illegal casino. Like, a whole operation.

Which is actually kind of crazy timing because Thailand has been… God, what a mess. They’ve been trying to legalize casinos for months now. The government had this whole Entertainment Complex Bill thing - basically they wanted to build these huge resort complexes with casinos inside to bring in tourists and foreign money. Paetongtarn Shinawatra was pushing it hard, saying it would create jobs and get tax revenue and all that.

But people hated it. Like really hated it. There were protests, people holding signs saying “No Casino” outside parliament. And then everything just fell apart. Paetongtarn got suspended - something about a phone call with some Cambodian leader where she said stuff about the Thai military? I don’t know, it was messy. Her coalition basically collapsed when one of the parties left.

So by July they just… gave up. Withdrew the whole bill. Not because it got voted down or anything, just because the government was falling apart and they couldn’t get anything done. They said they needed more time to “explain it to the public” but come on, it was damage control.

And here’s Phi and Tam discovering that while politicians were busy having meltdowns over casino bills, someone was already running a perfectly functional casino on a random island. Classic.

The moment Yo hears Jom’s answer - pure euphoria captured in one frame. His eyes are closed in blissful disbelief, head tilted back like he’s floating on air, with the most radiant smile spreading across his face. You can literally see him ascending to cloud nine - it’s that perfect “I can’t believe this is real” expression of someone whose deepest wish just came true. The way his whole face just lights up with joy… this shot perfectly captures that weightless feeling of falling in love. Absolutely unforgettable! 💙

Culture Notes: Memoir of Rati – Episode 5

Religion & Rituals (aka the monk boat scene that had me googling everything)

Alms by Boat - Okay, this blew my mind! So monks literally row up to people’s houses for alms? Like some kind of spiritual food delivery service, except you’re the one giving them food. I had no idea this was still a thing, but apparently in places like Ayutthaya they’re still doing this because, duh, rivers were basically the roads back then.

Watching Rati and Thee do the actual offering… there’s something really sweet about that dynamic. And the blessing afterward? Chef’s kiss - perfect karma points right there.

Lotus folding- Not gonna lie, I once tried folding lotus petals and failed miserably. Thee makes it look so easy! But seriously, there’s something meditative about it. The whole “presenting your best work to Buddha” thing hits different when you see how carefully they fold each petal.

That sacred tree scene though…
The way they translated “ไม้แม่น” (Mai Maan) was interesting - it’s giving very “this tree has POWERS” energy. Usually you’d hear more generic terms for sacred trees, but whatever, it works for the drama.

And can we talk about how these spirit trees are basically everywhere in Thailand? You’ll spot them by all the colorful fabric wrapped around the trunk and the incense. People legit treat them like local celebrities - asking for luck, love, lottery numbers, you name it. The fact that Rati and Thee pray there together? That’s not casual. That’s “we’re telling the universe we’re serious about this” level commitment.

Food & Drink (warning: will make you hungry)

Som Chun - When Thee whipped this out I literally paused to look up recipes. This isn’t just any dessert, this is royal Thai summer fancy-pants food. Picture this: cold jasmine syrup with tropical fruits, but then they throw in toasted peanuts and crispy shallots?? It sounds weird but apparently it’s amazing.

The whole overnight soaking thing seemed a bit much for the show’s timeline, but whatever, it’s drama. Still looked incredible.

Pandan syrup - If you’ve never smelled pandan, you’re missing out. It’s like… vanilla’s cooler, more exotic cousin? Thee using it just shows he’s not messing around with store-bought anything. This man is COMMITTED to impressing Rati.

Festivals & Timeline Stuff

Khao Phansa got a quick mention - that’s when monks basically go into meditation boot camp for three months during rainy season. Helps place us in the timeline (definitely summer vibes).

Loy Krathong preview - If you know Thai dramas, you KNOW this festival is coming up for maximum romantic impact. Floating flower baskets, full moon, letting go of bad energy… it’s like the writers handed themselves the perfect setup on a silver platter.

Fashion & “Oops” Moments

The Pha Nung incident - Listen, we all saw this wardrobe malfunction coming the second Rati tied that wraparound cloth. Traditional doesn’t always mean practical, especially for spontaneous river jumping! Though honestly, props to the costume team for historical accuracy even when it leads to… strategic clothing failures.

Thee’s military uniform at the tree scene was a nice touch. Very “I’m important and official but also soft for you” energy.

The Real Talk: Society vs Spirituality

Here’s what really gets me about this episode - you’ve got these beautiful, open spiritual traditions where anyone can participate, make offerings, pray to trees, whatever. But then the social stuff? The class differences, the arranged engagement, all of Jam’s warnings about Thee’s status?

That tension is what makes the whole thing work. Like, the spirits don’t care about your bank account when you’re praying at their tree, but society sure does care when you’re falling for someone “above your station.”

It’s frustrating and romantic and realistic all at once. No wonder Thai historical dramas hit so hard - they get that contradiction between spiritual equality and social hierarchy perfectly.

I love how thoughtful Tanaka is! Tojo’s name means ‘sparrow’ in Japanese, so when Tanaka won that little sparrow plushie from the claw machine, it wasn’t just a random gift - it was like he was saying ‘this is you.’ It’s such a sweet connection between Tojo’s name and his small, adorable personality.

Then after their aquarium date, Tanaka gets another plushie - this time one with glasses to represent himself. Now they have a matching pair, just like them! It’s such a quietly romantic gesture. I’m obsessed with how Tananka expresses his feelings through these little meaningful acts rather than grand declarations. There’s something so genuine about the way he shows he pays attention to the small details that matter.

Keen saves the world’ sent me 💀 Nothing like turning a BL into an action anime halfway through! The villain having the best acting is always so frustrating thou

Finally, a Thai BL with actual consequences! The cliffhanger setup for S2 is annoying but at least it sounds like a wild ride.

9.5 for acting AND music? Now I’m intrigued!

Short and sweet hits different sometimes! The fact that it felt natural despite the clichés is already a win in my book

Not the lawsuit tea spilling! ☕ Sounds like a complete disaster from start to finish. Your sacrifice is noted and appreciated

Note taken: watch the movie first! 📝 Your Thailand shade is sending me though 😂 Philippine BLs deserve more recognition for sure

Snow in LA sent me 😭 Your attention to detail is unmatched! Glad the characters finally matured though - growth is growth ✨

This Show Just Hits Different!

Ugh, I'm literally getting so emotional over "Memoir of Rati," and I don't even care! It's doing something special that truly sets it apart from other BLs out there.

That moment when Thee asks, "Would you accept me?" is absolutely gut-wrenching. It's so much more than a simple confession. It's raw vulnerability – someone terrified they might lose the most important person in their life. And given it's 1915, Thee is literally risking everything: his reputation, his family, maybe even his life, depending on who finds out. But he's so completely gone for Rati that he's willing to put it all on the line. That kind of love is incredibly powerful.

And Rati's pause after Thee's confession? I was holding my breath! I could practically feel him processing everything. It's not just "Oh, this person likes me," but "Oh, this completely changes how I understand myself and what I want." That silence must have felt like an eternity to both of them, thick with unspoken fears and burgeoning hope.

The whole loincloth mishap honestly had me cracking up, but then I felt so bad for Rati! We've all been there, trying to be spontaneous and cool, only for something mortifying to happen right in front of our crush. But the way Thee immediately jumps in and quietly helps him? That's the ultimate sign someone truly cares. They don't laugh at your awkward moments; they just quietly fix them and make you feel safe.

It really makes me think about how incredibly brave they both are. Imagine not having any representation, any community, or any reassurance that what you're feeling is normal or okay. They're literally figuring out love in complete isolation, navigating uncharted emotional territory, and somehow still finding their way to each other. That takes immense courage.

This show is definitely making me feel things, and I can totally see why it's resonating so deeply!