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Easy entertainment with a goodish bit of depth, just how I like it
"Dating Game" combines two of my most favourite romance tropes: One of them is "fake dating" and the other ... would be a major spoiler. Overall, it's a sweet, easy-to-watch rom-com with experienced actors and solid direction. Don't expect drawn-out external conflicts, but do expect a consistently developed love story of two endearing men with some depth for those who appreciate it.
As I see it, the series can be read on three levels:
1. As a tropey and fun rom-com, where the tropes are used in fresh and occasionally unusual ways.
2. As a sweet love story about people who were hurt in the past and find comfort and complete trust in each other.
3. As a reflection on identity, homophobia and the social construct of "gender", the difference between parasocial and real relationships, the importance of companionship and what it means to love a person.
Each of the three possible readings is as valid as the other two -- and I think that's the intention. The depth of the third reading is cleverly hidden in the spaces between the tropes and the sweetness. It never overpowers the easy entertainment of a weekday evening series (it aired on Mondays at 21:30 Thai local time); it's spelled out in the first episode, but in a language only accessible to those who have already learned not to judge; it's hinted at in the following episodes, and with the reveal of the second major trope (see above) and the following conversations between Hill and Junji; it's made very clear again for those viewers who like to find a bit of depth in their romance.
A drama like this needs to be character-driven, and this is where "Dating Game" shines: Both of the main leads are extremely well written -- every action has a reason, and their development follows a gentle and consistent logic that leads us through tropes and beyond clichés. Junji, for example, seems to be just the usual tsundere, or maybe a stereotypical "reserved Japanese man among exuberant Thais", an impression that is strangely at odds with Junji's remarkable choice of wardrobe. I myself thought that Mukai's acting was feeling a bit stiff, or maybe awkward, and his pronunciation of the Thai language was halting, as if he wasn't quite comfortable with the Thai style of acting -- but then in one of the later episodes we get to see *why* -- not spelled out in words, but still very obviously shown.
March Chutavuth and Mukai Koji both bring in every ounce of their experience to deliver subtle and moving performances. (In Mukai's case, it's so subtle you don't even see his personality until he chooses to show it to us -- or if you already know what to look for.)
But, alas! The second couple is not as well developed. Their actors, Fluke Natouch and Judo Tantachj, both do their very best -- but the characters are simply not well written. Phat's character and his background would make a great lakorn with all its twists and turns and family shenanigans, whereas Bay has no character at all. They follow every standard cliché of a (Thai) BL couple, from the stereotypical seme/uke characteristics to the episode 11 curse -- and their story only touches on the themes of the main story peripherally, and overall has a very different feel to it. To be honest, it feels as if they are only there to fill time, so the series has its standard twelve-episode format.
It's a shame because both Phat and Bay are interesting characters in their own right and would have added to the main plot — but as individuals, not as a couple.
Was it good?
This is Thai entertainment at its best: "Dating Game" balances goofy humour and heartfelt emotions, sometimes within a few minutes. And in typical Thai fashion, the series hides life-important thoughts about companionship, love and identity under the facade of easily digestible weekday entertainment. The main story was solidly written and the cast, main and supporting actors, performed well.
Did I like it?
Yes! While I was watching it, I had certain ideas about where the story was going (or rather, where it should go) and what message the writers wanted to tell us -- so I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Once I understood the direction and rhythm, I loved it.
Who would I recommend it to?
To viewers who are not prone to judge others' life and passion and those who don't call actions of other people "cringe" just because they don't understand them.
To viewers who want a endearing and loving couple on screen, whose relationship is built on trust and honesty.
And to people who also like to see to have some depth in their romance.
As I see it, the series can be read on three levels:
1. As a tropey and fun rom-com, where the tropes are used in fresh and occasionally unusual ways.
2. As a sweet love story about people who were hurt in the past and find comfort and complete trust in each other.
3. As a reflection on identity, homophobia and the social construct of "gender", the difference between parasocial and real relationships, the importance of companionship and what it means to love a person.
Each of the three possible readings is as valid as the other two -- and I think that's the intention. The depth of the third reading is cleverly hidden in the spaces between the tropes and the sweetness. It never overpowers the easy entertainment of a weekday evening series (it aired on Mondays at 21:30 Thai local time); it's spelled out in the first episode, but in a language only accessible to those who have already learned not to judge; it's hinted at in the following episodes, and with the reveal of the second major trope (see above) and the following conversations between Hill and Junji; it's made very clear again for those viewers who like to find a bit of depth in their romance.
A drama like this needs to be character-driven, and this is where "Dating Game" shines: Both of the main leads are extremely well written -- every action has a reason, and their development follows a gentle and consistent logic that leads us through tropes and beyond clichés. Junji, for example, seems to be just the usual tsundere, or maybe a stereotypical "reserved Japanese man among exuberant Thais", an impression that is strangely at odds with Junji's remarkable choice of wardrobe. I myself thought that Mukai's acting was feeling a bit stiff, or maybe awkward, and his pronunciation of the Thai language was halting, as if he wasn't quite comfortable with the Thai style of acting -- but then in one of the later episodes we get to see *why* -- not spelled out in words, but still very obviously shown.
March Chutavuth and Mukai Koji both bring in every ounce of their experience to deliver subtle and moving performances. (In Mukai's case, it's so subtle you don't even see his personality until he chooses to show it to us -- or if you already know what to look for.)
But, alas! The second couple is not as well developed. Their actors, Fluke Natouch and Judo Tantachj, both do their very best -- but the characters are simply not well written. Phat's character and his background would make a great lakorn with all its twists and turns and family shenanigans, whereas Bay has no character at all. They follow every standard cliché of a (Thai) BL couple, from the stereotypical seme/uke characteristics to the episode 11 curse -- and their story only touches on the themes of the main story peripherally, and overall has a very different feel to it. To be honest, it feels as if they are only there to fill time, so the series has its standard twelve-episode format.
It's a shame because both Phat and Bay are interesting characters in their own right and would have added to the main plot — but as individuals, not as a couple.
Was it good?
This is Thai entertainment at its best: "Dating Game" balances goofy humour and heartfelt emotions, sometimes within a few minutes. And in typical Thai fashion, the series hides life-important thoughts about companionship, love and identity under the facade of easily digestible weekday entertainment. The main story was solidly written and the cast, main and supporting actors, performed well.
Did I like it?
Yes! While I was watching it, I had certain ideas about where the story was going (or rather, where it should go) and what message the writers wanted to tell us -- so I couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have. Once I understood the direction and rhythm, I loved it.
Who would I recommend it to?
To viewers who are not prone to judge others' life and passion and those who don't call actions of other people "cringe" just because they don't understand them.
To viewers who want a endearing and loving couple on screen, whose relationship is built on trust and honesty.
And to people who also like to see to have some depth in their romance.
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