3
14
1
3
1
1
Although this short drama has a romance sub-plot, this is just a part of the greater Coming-of-Age story told here. Err and Mawin are in that fragile year when it becomes obvious to young people that a part of their lives is coming to a close (school and childhood) and that the future is still unknown -- and that time coincides with a phase when teenagers are still coming into their own identity.
Consequently, the drama asks: What do you want in life? Where are you going? Why are things important? Or if not, why not? Are you good enough -- and for whom? Who are you, and who do you want to be?
Both Err and Mawin will have to find their own way of navigating interactions with their peers and expectations of adults -- and in the meantime manage their first romantic feelings.
Despite the slightly ridiculous set-up of a maths camp in a hotel, I'd call this drama slice-of-life-adjacent.
Both main actors performed well -- which surprised me in a good way because Sea ("Mawin") was still rather stiff and unexpressive in his first role in "Only Boo!".
The romance took a backseat in favour of the coming-of-age, which I did not mind one bit.
Actually, I think this little drama would have worked as well, if not better, as an ensemble piece. The supporting characters -- the other students at the camp -- seem to have interesting backstories: The perpetually grumpy Mangpor, the boy with the broken arm, sunny Mhee. I am sure they would have added more depth to the themes the series touched upon.
Alternatively, the focus could have been tightened to the two main characters, that would have worked too.
But overall, I feel that the writers and the director made exactly the story they wanted to tell; I felt that there was a good attention to detail both in the screenplay and in the execution of the drama (unlike in other recent cash-grab GMMTV BLs).
However, for what it is, this short drama did what it wanted to do, not more and not less. The themes might not be exactly new, but they are certainly relevant to most teenagers.
Was it good?
It was a well-executed short coming-of-age story. I didn't feel it lacked anything there; viewers focused on the romance might feel that it didn't get enough time.
Did I like it?
I liked it well enough. I usually don't feel too strong about coming-of-age stories nowadays.
Who would I recommend it to?
To those who don't mind a story that is not that focused on the romance in favour for a more slice-of-life-leaning plot.
Consequently, the drama asks: What do you want in life? Where are you going? Why are things important? Or if not, why not? Are you good enough -- and for whom? Who are you, and who do you want to be?
Both Err and Mawin will have to find their own way of navigating interactions with their peers and expectations of adults -- and in the meantime manage their first romantic feelings.
Despite the slightly ridiculous set-up of a maths camp in a hotel, I'd call this drama slice-of-life-adjacent.
Both main actors performed well -- which surprised me in a good way because Sea ("Mawin") was still rather stiff and unexpressive in his first role in "Only Boo!".
The romance took a backseat in favour of the coming-of-age, which I did not mind one bit.
Actually, I think this little drama would have worked as well, if not better, as an ensemble piece. The supporting characters -- the other students at the camp -- seem to have interesting backstories: The perpetually grumpy Mangpor, the boy with the broken arm, sunny Mhee. I am sure they would have added more depth to the themes the series touched upon.
Alternatively, the focus could have been tightened to the two main characters, that would have worked too.
But overall, I feel that the writers and the director made exactly the story they wanted to tell; I felt that there was a good attention to detail both in the screenplay and in the execution of the drama (unlike in other recent cash-grab GMMTV BLs).
However, for what it is, this short drama did what it wanted to do, not more and not less. The themes might not be exactly new, but they are certainly relevant to most teenagers.
Was it good?
It was a well-executed short coming-of-age story. I didn't feel it lacked anything there; viewers focused on the romance might feel that it didn't get enough time.
Did I like it?
I liked it well enough. I usually don't feel too strong about coming-of-age stories nowadays.
Who would I recommend it to?
To those who don't mind a story that is not that focused on the romance in favour for a more slice-of-life-leaning plot.
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