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Uncut = Too long. Could have been so much better if edited out fillers
Who will enjoy “Duang With You”? This drama is probably not for everyone but a pretty selected audience. Here’s what I think. “Duang With You” is best enjoyed if:
1. Are a lover of fluffy and cute romance and don’t mind sound effects to add on the cheese.
2. A fan of love-at-first sight
3. A fan of persistent, almost stalkerish type behavior to pursue a love interest
4. Looking for a stress-free drama to not think about the craziness in the real world
Honestly, I don’t quite hit all these categories myself but I was in search in the #4 category and I knew what I was getting myself into. So, with expectations calibrated, I dive into Duang’s world.
Plot/Pacing:
As the title of my review suggests, this drama could have been so much better if it’s edited to be shorter and tighter. A drama that relies on the romance between Duang and Qin and nothing much, having 12 long episodes is just too much. Some of these episodes are 1 hour and 20 minutes long. We’re not watching a Thai lakorn with twists and turns, or birth secrets. There is just not enough to fill all those hours. I was under the impression that the uncut version means steamy scenes not being edited for public TV broadcast. But in this drama, I think uncut simply means the director includes everything and nothing is edited out, steamy scenes or not. There are actually some very meaningful conversations between the leads that are important to the character development. Yet, those don’t come often and are overshadowed by filler scenes of friends fighting for snacks, leads nose kissing each other, banter about doggy jealousy, or minor characters having too much screen time. I wish time was better spent, esp with Qin’s family drama and the secondary romance.
Acting:
Acting is a mixed bag here. I personally think TeeTee is the best of the bunch. He is Duang! Cute and charismatic and you just can’t not like him. Unfortunately, Por needs a little more practice. I distinctly remember a scene where Por/Qin sat next to young Qin and both of them were crying. The contrast in that crying scene was so evident that the young child actor did way better than Por. The rest of the cast did fine. None is exceptional and also none is a disaster.
Characters:
Duang is cute, no doubt about it. TeeTee is a better actor as Duang, than Por as Qin. TeeTee is already such an adorable actor that I don’t think the drama needed to add extra cheesiness and sound effects. They should let TeeTee shine on his own. Duang is the greenest flag and I am fine with him having Qin as the center of his universe, since he’s young and this is a rom-com. However, I am not a fan of his stalkerish and persistent behavior (not a fan of this in general). But that’s his charm in this drama and I’ll look past that as well. I wish Qin would just give us a little more instead of a nonchalant bitchy look. I think this might have to do with Por’s acting as he’s quite new to the industry. I am glad to see him slowly open up and really grow. Qin has the biggest character growth, and I do enjoy that part of him. I also really like Duang’s friends, Jamie and Pae. They are fun, chaotic and true friends of Duang. They stuck by him during his stalkerish pursuit (and explain when he could cross the line) and call him out when he’s out of line. Although they weren’t hopeful that Duang will win Qin’s heart, they accept his ‘unique stupidity’ and cheer him on. One of the best scenes of this friend group was when they were singing “Do Do Re Mi” when they sneaked into the Music Department. I actually laughed out loud at their silliness! Duang’s family is also hilarious. We can totally see where he got his personality.
Main Romance:
Even though I might not agree 100% on the persistent pursuit, I do think it takes a Duang to break down the walls that Qin put up. This is a classic case of opposites attracting and complementing each other. I would have loved to see more scenes of Qin being jealous and pouty, instead of bitchy and indifferent. This is actually quite a slow burn romance. It took them forever to get to the ‘talking stage’. I’m an old lady, and I have no idea what a ‘talking stage’ is. At first, I thought it’s like flirting and seeing each other, but not actually dating. Kinda like the some some relationship in K-dramas. But Qin and Duang did more than talking and flirting, and it got intimate and also calling each other partners (not lovers or boyfriends). I guess that’s how young people define relationships these days and I have a lot to learn! Although I love their real kiss scenes, I got beef with those supposed cheek kisses. The lips never touch the cheek. It’s a nose kiss! Many might love the intimate scenes, I am in the minority. I am glad that the drama doesn’t shy away from telling us Duang and Qin are not virgins and are horny young men. But the director doesn’t seem to be able to pick between sweet and sensual intimate scenes, or sexual and horny. In the end, the actors did their best, but the intimate scenes feel confusing and indecisive. But to end on a positive note, I really love the last scene at Freshy Night when Qin was on stage at Freshy Night. The lyrics of the song, paired with flashbacks, brought tears down my cheeks. That was a great ending to recap everything that happened in the last year.
Secondary Romance:
Jamie and Marvis could have been such an interesting and contrasting romance to Duang and Qin’s. They are sexier, flirtier and have such sizzling chemistry. Yet, not enough time is dedicated to their sexy beginning, and how they might be falling for each other. Their interaction lacks depth, even though they make such a good-looking couple. I wish they were given more time instead of all the fillers we get.
Production:
The drama does look pretty. With nice big apartments and houses, some interesting and unique clothing choices for Qin and Marvis. They also have money to go to Japan! I’m glad the characters are not always in their university white shirts, but also have some cool casual wear. Since it’s a Thai drama, there are product placements, too much lipstick (though thank goodness not bright pink). Lastly, I want to applaud the OST. This drama has really great and lovely songs, sung by the cast. I got the OST playing while I’m writing this review.
Do I recommend “Duang With You”? Only if you fit what I listed in those 4 categories above. This is a young romantic-comedy with a lot of cheesiness and fluffiness. It’s not for everyone. But if you can get past that, it’s a story of how two opposites attract and complement each other is the best possible way. I just wish the drama is a lot shorter, and edited in a way to tighten the storylines and give more screen time to others that are not the leads.
Completed: 4/18/2026 Review #683
1. Are a lover of fluffy and cute romance and don’t mind sound effects to add on the cheese.
2. A fan of love-at-first sight
3. A fan of persistent, almost stalkerish type behavior to pursue a love interest
4. Looking for a stress-free drama to not think about the craziness in the real world
Honestly, I don’t quite hit all these categories myself but I was in search in the #4 category and I knew what I was getting myself into. So, with expectations calibrated, I dive into Duang’s world.
Plot/Pacing:
As the title of my review suggests, this drama could have been so much better if it’s edited to be shorter and tighter. A drama that relies on the romance between Duang and Qin and nothing much, having 12 long episodes is just too much. Some of these episodes are 1 hour and 20 minutes long. We’re not watching a Thai lakorn with twists and turns, or birth secrets. There is just not enough to fill all those hours. I was under the impression that the uncut version means steamy scenes not being edited for public TV broadcast. But in this drama, I think uncut simply means the director includes everything and nothing is edited out, steamy scenes or not. There are actually some very meaningful conversations between the leads that are important to the character development. Yet, those don’t come often and are overshadowed by filler scenes of friends fighting for snacks, leads nose kissing each other, banter about doggy jealousy, or minor characters having too much screen time. I wish time was better spent, esp with Qin’s family drama and the secondary romance.
Acting:
Acting is a mixed bag here. I personally think TeeTee is the best of the bunch. He is Duang! Cute and charismatic and you just can’t not like him. Unfortunately, Por needs a little more practice. I distinctly remember a scene where Por/Qin sat next to young Qin and both of them were crying. The contrast in that crying scene was so evident that the young child actor did way better than Por. The rest of the cast did fine. None is exceptional and also none is a disaster.
Characters:
Duang is cute, no doubt about it. TeeTee is a better actor as Duang, than Por as Qin. TeeTee is already such an adorable actor that I don’t think the drama needed to add extra cheesiness and sound effects. They should let TeeTee shine on his own. Duang is the greenest flag and I am fine with him having Qin as the center of his universe, since he’s young and this is a rom-com. However, I am not a fan of his stalkerish and persistent behavior (not a fan of this in general). But that’s his charm in this drama and I’ll look past that as well. I wish Qin would just give us a little more instead of a nonchalant bitchy look. I think this might have to do with Por’s acting as he’s quite new to the industry. I am glad to see him slowly open up and really grow. Qin has the biggest character growth, and I do enjoy that part of him. I also really like Duang’s friends, Jamie and Pae. They are fun, chaotic and true friends of Duang. They stuck by him during his stalkerish pursuit (and explain when he could cross the line) and call him out when he’s out of line. Although they weren’t hopeful that Duang will win Qin’s heart, they accept his ‘unique stupidity’ and cheer him on. One of the best scenes of this friend group was when they were singing “Do Do Re Mi” when they sneaked into the Music Department. I actually laughed out loud at their silliness! Duang’s family is also hilarious. We can totally see where he got his personality.
Main Romance:
Even though I might not agree 100% on the persistent pursuit, I do think it takes a Duang to break down the walls that Qin put up. This is a classic case of opposites attracting and complementing each other. I would have loved to see more scenes of Qin being jealous and pouty, instead of bitchy and indifferent. This is actually quite a slow burn romance. It took them forever to get to the ‘talking stage’. I’m an old lady, and I have no idea what a ‘talking stage’ is. At first, I thought it’s like flirting and seeing each other, but not actually dating. Kinda like the some some relationship in K-dramas. But Qin and Duang did more than talking and flirting, and it got intimate and also calling each other partners (not lovers or boyfriends). I guess that’s how young people define relationships these days and I have a lot to learn! Although I love their real kiss scenes, I got beef with those supposed cheek kisses. The lips never touch the cheek. It’s a nose kiss! Many might love the intimate scenes, I am in the minority. I am glad that the drama doesn’t shy away from telling us Duang and Qin are not virgins and are horny young men. But the director doesn’t seem to be able to pick between sweet and sensual intimate scenes, or sexual and horny. In the end, the actors did their best, but the intimate scenes feel confusing and indecisive. But to end on a positive note, I really love the last scene at Freshy Night when Qin was on stage at Freshy Night. The lyrics of the song, paired with flashbacks, brought tears down my cheeks. That was a great ending to recap everything that happened in the last year.
Secondary Romance:
Jamie and Marvis could have been such an interesting and contrasting romance to Duang and Qin’s. They are sexier, flirtier and have such sizzling chemistry. Yet, not enough time is dedicated to their sexy beginning, and how they might be falling for each other. Their interaction lacks depth, even though they make such a good-looking couple. I wish they were given more time instead of all the fillers we get.
Production:
The drama does look pretty. With nice big apartments and houses, some interesting and unique clothing choices for Qin and Marvis. They also have money to go to Japan! I’m glad the characters are not always in their university white shirts, but also have some cool casual wear. Since it’s a Thai drama, there are product placements, too much lipstick (though thank goodness not bright pink). Lastly, I want to applaud the OST. This drama has really great and lovely songs, sung by the cast. I got the OST playing while I’m writing this review.
Do I recommend “Duang With You”? Only if you fit what I listed in those 4 categories above. This is a young romantic-comedy with a lot of cheesiness and fluffiness. It’s not for everyone. But if you can get past that, it’s a story of how two opposites attract and complement each other is the best possible way. I just wish the drama is a lot shorter, and edited in a way to tighten the storylines and give more screen time to others that are not the leads.
Completed: 4/18/2026 Review #683
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