This review may contain spoilers
Sparkly package but the contents were lacking
The reason I wanted to start watching Thai BL dramas was because I saw a video about this series so I was really looking forward to it. Overall, not a good story for sure by any stretch of the imagination. But damn, she really do be pretty as hell.
Set/Cinematography/Costume:
It would be wild to not comment on the attention to detail and consistently stunning visuals of every piece of this show. It’s a pretty important part of a story about royalty and they nailed the hell out of it. So gorgeous. And the staircases in this show… damn babe, yes please.
Acting:
Not bad, but not outstanding. No one really shone, and no one was unbearable to watch. I do think that Zee did a good job with his expressions as his character grew throughout the show. Coming from Boom’s performance in Top Form to this was tough, especially when there were scenes where a character was having a breakdown. Like, someone get my man Boom over here to teach these boys how it’s done.
Characters:
Chakri, my day 1 fudanshi king 10/10. For a London-raised 20-something-year-old guy, Khanin was not at all defiant. Like sure, he had some brat and sass to him at times, but like I’ve met wealthy 23-year-old guys from London, and Khanin was not giving the right energy here. Charan… I would like to see a list of all the things that he was in charge of. Like how are you gonna be the head of the royal guard, lead investigator for the crown, fencing/archery coach, tutor, art professor, and I’m probably missing a few more duties. Like what are we talking about… Bodyguard who do good art is believable, and anything more is dumb.
Writing/inconsistencies:
Oof. For all that this show is beautiful, it is also dumb as hell. So many things were just so poorly planned and written. Screenwriting is partially to blame, but the main issue is the storyline itself. I genuinely could not believe that they wanted me as the viewer to give a flying fuck about that wrinkly ballsack of an old man on his deathbed. Like, did we not just finally establish a couple scenes ago that this mf is the main villain???? We’re gonna forgive him and give him a long and tender scene with Khanin, who has absolutely no reason whatsoever to care about him..??? Wild. After revealing sharkboy as the “big bad guy” you could have either had our protagonists join him or deal with his punishment and then go after the real big bad guy, which is obviously the crusty bitch king. But no.. we’re just gonna act like everything is fine. There is so much more wrong with this story I could sit here for hours analyzing it but I’ll just leave it at that.
Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:
Wouldn’t say the chemistry was entirely captivating but it was present. As a romance it was alright, I just wish they focused in on one or two specific dynamics. Like to me, there’s the bratty guy x the stoic yet kind guy. And at the same time there is the prince x his protector. But they didn’t play into those dynamics so it was a bit all over the place and lacked the depth of flavor I enjoy in these types of romance. The kissing was alright for the most part. I think it is undeniable that episode 14 took the cake because, like they finally used some tongue. Make-out sessions without tongue look so odd and hard to believe so it was nice to finally have one that looked realistic.
Side Couples:
Oookay so at first the second couple was defnitely giving that couple who unironically growl at eachother in the local hot topic, ya know? Like girl.. you did not just put on a collar with a leash in the front seat of the car on a college campus… WILD. But I gotta give it to them, I liked their story and how it translated to their NC scenes especially because it was more than a representation of intimacy, it was a telling of their struggles with abuse, the grappling with the desire for sadism and masochism birthed from trauma, and the bond that all that has created for the two characters. Loved all that but definitely was a bit odd to see as a second couple in this story. The third couple had potential to be cute but like we saw them for 5 minutes so idk why it was necessary to have them in there at all.
NC Scenes:
At least there was mood building ig? That being said, I’m not gonna sit here and lie.. Zee’s little moan in episode 14 was a pleasant little gift as I was not expecting that, good work out there my guy. I just wish we had more of that “say please” energy throughout the series in their dynamic bc that had a kick to it.
Music/SFX:
Songs with lyrics in them need to be toned down for the love of god. You’re killing me with the emotional scenes where the absence of words holds power, and then you go and add a song with these corny ass basic lyrics about “I will protect care and love for you kiss kiss under the moon” bullshit. And I get having my guy Nunew sing like sure, whatever I’ll allow it. But damn… That protest musical scene was ummmm.. a choice.. SFX were pretty good for the most part. However, in a show where most of the buildings have marble flooring, I need more crisp shoe click clacks, ya feel me?
Definitely did not blow me away, but I wouldn’t say it was even among the worst things I’ve ever seen/read. Like Idk how I see people giving this a lower rating than they gave My Stubborn.. That’s actually insane behavior. Disappointed and confused, but I can’t deny it was sparkly through and through.
Set/Cinematography/Costume:
It would be wild to not comment on the attention to detail and consistently stunning visuals of every piece of this show. It’s a pretty important part of a story about royalty and they nailed the hell out of it. So gorgeous. And the staircases in this show… damn babe, yes please.
Acting:
Not bad, but not outstanding. No one really shone, and no one was unbearable to watch. I do think that Zee did a good job with his expressions as his character grew throughout the show. Coming from Boom’s performance in Top Form to this was tough, especially when there were scenes where a character was having a breakdown. Like, someone get my man Boom over here to teach these boys how it’s done.
Characters:
Chakri, my day 1 fudanshi king 10/10. For a London-raised 20-something-year-old guy, Khanin was not at all defiant. Like sure, he had some brat and sass to him at times, but like I’ve met wealthy 23-year-old guys from London, and Khanin was not giving the right energy here. Charan… I would like to see a list of all the things that he was in charge of. Like how are you gonna be the head of the royal guard, lead investigator for the crown, fencing/archery coach, tutor, art professor, and I’m probably missing a few more duties. Like what are we talking about… Bodyguard who do good art is believable, and anything more is dumb.
Writing/inconsistencies:
Oof. For all that this show is beautiful, it is also dumb as hell. So many things were just so poorly planned and written. Screenwriting is partially to blame, but the main issue is the storyline itself. I genuinely could not believe that they wanted me as the viewer to give a flying fuck about that wrinkly ballsack of an old man on his deathbed. Like, did we not just finally establish a couple scenes ago that this mf is the main villain???? We’re gonna forgive him and give him a long and tender scene with Khanin, who has absolutely no reason whatsoever to care about him..??? Wild. After revealing sharkboy as the “big bad guy” you could have either had our protagonists join him or deal with his punishment and then go after the real big bad guy, which is obviously the crusty bitch king. But no.. we’re just gonna act like everything is fine. There is so much more wrong with this story I could sit here for hours analyzing it but I’ll just leave it at that.
Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:
Wouldn’t say the chemistry was entirely captivating but it was present. As a romance it was alright, I just wish they focused in on one or two specific dynamics. Like to me, there’s the bratty guy x the stoic yet kind guy. And at the same time there is the prince x his protector. But they didn’t play into those dynamics so it was a bit all over the place and lacked the depth of flavor I enjoy in these types of romance. The kissing was alright for the most part. I think it is undeniable that episode 14 took the cake because, like they finally used some tongue. Make-out sessions without tongue look so odd and hard to believe so it was nice to finally have one that looked realistic.
Side Couples:
Oookay so at first the second couple was defnitely giving that couple who unironically growl at eachother in the local hot topic, ya know? Like girl.. you did not just put on a collar with a leash in the front seat of the car on a college campus… WILD. But I gotta give it to them, I liked their story and how it translated to their NC scenes especially because it was more than a representation of intimacy, it was a telling of their struggles with abuse, the grappling with the desire for sadism and masochism birthed from trauma, and the bond that all that has created for the two characters. Loved all that but definitely was a bit odd to see as a second couple in this story. The third couple had potential to be cute but like we saw them for 5 minutes so idk why it was necessary to have them in there at all.
NC Scenes:
At least there was mood building ig? That being said, I’m not gonna sit here and lie.. Zee’s little moan in episode 14 was a pleasant little gift as I was not expecting that, good work out there my guy. I just wish we had more of that “say please” energy throughout the series in their dynamic bc that had a kick to it.
Music/SFX:
Songs with lyrics in them need to be toned down for the love of god. You’re killing me with the emotional scenes where the absence of words holds power, and then you go and add a song with these corny ass basic lyrics about “I will protect care and love for you kiss kiss under the moon” bullshit. And I get having my guy Nunew sing like sure, whatever I’ll allow it. But damn… That protest musical scene was ummmm.. a choice.. SFX were pretty good for the most part. However, in a show where most of the buildings have marble flooring, I need more crisp shoe click clacks, ya feel me?
Definitely did not blow me away, but I wouldn’t say it was even among the worst things I’ve ever seen/read. Like Idk how I see people giving this a lower rating than they gave My Stubborn.. That’s actually insane behavior. Disappointed and confused, but I can’t deny it was sparkly through and through.
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