This review may contain spoilers
fun concept, (partially) messy execution
Times watched: 2x
The first time I watched this series I was still quite tainted by „Middleman‘s Love“. Back then it definitely affected my perception of Tutor and Yims characters in this series.
The first five episodes were solid. The back and forth between the fictional world and ‚reality‘ felt very fluid, was cool to see and made sense, the plot was built up nicely and I had my good fun with it. So I already was like: „wow. I am so glad I am rewatching this. This is so fun“
But then it got messy, unfortunately. So here‘s what I disliked:
That Sin went on vacation was out of nowhere. Before as well as after his little side quest he was only relevant on a side character level. If there would‘ve been some build up to him going there and it affecting the plot of their novel I‘d be fine with it. But like this… it felt a little like a waste of my time. The couple‘s chemistry was good, though. So why not use it?
Then they introduced the „enemy“ Intouch/Mohly. He was teased a bit but it was so subtle I definitely did not pick up on it on my first watch. His introduction was too late and too soft. I wouldn‘t even call him an enemy, let alone a (love) rival. He wasn‘t petty and jealous enough. All the problems he created were resolved… quickly and quietly.
The plot of their novel/fictional world got a bit confusing as well (when all we got for a while were the NC scenes). I couldn‘t follow it anymore, I didn‘t know what it was trying to tell me. Did it still have a connection to the ‚reality‘ plot? Idk. Wasn‘t there something about plagiarism in it too? Where did that go?
At least in the ‚real‘ world they got back on track, somehow. So the last 2.5 episodes were good again.
Unfortunately the acted out chat room reminded me every time that Sin and especially Jao Samut were kind of just there and forgotten. I wished they were more actively included, so their little storylines would not feel so out of place and unnecessary. Either completely turn them into side characters or make enough room for them.
But there were definitely more things that I liked:
- the concept is fantastic. I love it.
- the production value was high and you could see it.
- Tutor and Yim were so fun to watch, their lovey dovey acting felt so natural. There‘s still potential upwards but more on the side of writing and directing.
- The NC scenes that were written for the fictional world being the more spicy ones (at first) made me giggle, a subtle but nice touch.
- Shan and Ob Aun‘s childhood story was good. And the actors portraying them did a very good job in my opinion.
- Shan‘s character felt the most consistent in the way he always could provide guidance in what to do in times of crises.
- The chat room being acted out was actually a cool touch, since they couldn’t really meet in person. Also showing how the room represents the mood of the group. Them being in Pyjamas or onesies to represent their avatars/icons. Fun.
- Ozone and Pie‘s story drew all the attention to them at some point. And it worked so well. Mark and Gems really created great chemistry. I needed more of their story.
- The part with the accidental posting of the wrong pen name and then how they resolved this mishap was stimulating my brain. They should‘ve made that a longer part of the plot where Intouch would play a bigger part in it as well.
It‘s always so frustrating to see the potential the story could‘ve had:
- I would‘ve loved it if the 5yes and their love interests all would‘ve appeared in the fictional world in some way. A way that made sense.
Generally it would‘ve made sense if the personal life of each 5yes member would have influenced their (part of the) story (a little more than we were shown):
- for Ob Aun, Shan, Ozone and Pie it doesn‘t need much more but for Sin, Jingjang and Jao Samut it would‘ve made sense so their parts wove into the rest of the plot better.
- That sometimes the fictional plot will tease things that have not happened yet in the ‚real‘ plot. Like the Snake King/Pie falling for his employee/disciple while Ozone/Shin‘er having no idea about it. Or Ob Aun starting to remember some parts of his childhood. Or the proposal.
Overall it was enjoyable. It was worth the one rewatch. Won‘t return to this for a while though.
spice level: 🔥🔥
The first time I watched this series I was still quite tainted by „Middleman‘s Love“. Back then it definitely affected my perception of Tutor and Yims characters in this series.
The first five episodes were solid. The back and forth between the fictional world and ‚reality‘ felt very fluid, was cool to see and made sense, the plot was built up nicely and I had my good fun with it. So I already was like: „wow. I am so glad I am rewatching this. This is so fun“
But then it got messy, unfortunately. So here‘s what I disliked:
That Sin went on vacation was out of nowhere. Before as well as after his little side quest he was only relevant on a side character level. If there would‘ve been some build up to him going there and it affecting the plot of their novel I‘d be fine with it. But like this… it felt a little like a waste of my time. The couple‘s chemistry was good, though. So why not use it?
Then they introduced the „enemy“ Intouch/Mohly. He was teased a bit but it was so subtle I definitely did not pick up on it on my first watch. His introduction was too late and too soft. I wouldn‘t even call him an enemy, let alone a (love) rival. He wasn‘t petty and jealous enough. All the problems he created were resolved… quickly and quietly.
The plot of their novel/fictional world got a bit confusing as well (when all we got for a while were the NC scenes). I couldn‘t follow it anymore, I didn‘t know what it was trying to tell me. Did it still have a connection to the ‚reality‘ plot? Idk. Wasn‘t there something about plagiarism in it too? Where did that go?
At least in the ‚real‘ world they got back on track, somehow. So the last 2.5 episodes were good again.
Unfortunately the acted out chat room reminded me every time that Sin and especially Jao Samut were kind of just there and forgotten. I wished they were more actively included, so their little storylines would not feel so out of place and unnecessary. Either completely turn them into side characters or make enough room for them.
But there were definitely more things that I liked:
- the concept is fantastic. I love it.
- the production value was high and you could see it.
- Tutor and Yim were so fun to watch, their lovey dovey acting felt so natural. There‘s still potential upwards but more on the side of writing and directing.
- The NC scenes that were written for the fictional world being the more spicy ones (at first) made me giggle, a subtle but nice touch.
- Shan and Ob Aun‘s childhood story was good. And the actors portraying them did a very good job in my opinion.
- Shan‘s character felt the most consistent in the way he always could provide guidance in what to do in times of crises.
- The chat room being acted out was actually a cool touch, since they couldn’t really meet in person. Also showing how the room represents the mood of the group. Them being in Pyjamas or onesies to represent their avatars/icons. Fun.
- Ozone and Pie‘s story drew all the attention to them at some point. And it worked so well. Mark and Gems really created great chemistry. I needed more of their story.
- The part with the accidental posting of the wrong pen name and then how they resolved this mishap was stimulating my brain. They should‘ve made that a longer part of the plot where Intouch would play a bigger part in it as well.
It‘s always so frustrating to see the potential the story could‘ve had:
- I would‘ve loved it if the 5yes and their love interests all would‘ve appeared in the fictional world in some way. A way that made sense.
Generally it would‘ve made sense if the personal life of each 5yes member would have influenced their (part of the) story (a little more than we were shown):
- for Ob Aun, Shan, Ozone and Pie it doesn‘t need much more but for Sin, Jingjang and Jao Samut it would‘ve made sense so their parts wove into the rest of the plot better.
- That sometimes the fictional plot will tease things that have not happened yet in the ‚real‘ plot. Like the Snake King/Pie falling for his employee/disciple while Ozone/Shin‘er having no idea about it. Or Ob Aun starting to remember some parts of his childhood. Or the proposal.
Overall it was enjoyable. It was worth the one rewatch. Won‘t return to this for a while though.
spice level: 🔥🔥
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