Rin

I've just had a realization - when the original pilot was filmed and released, gay marriage had not yet been put into efffect in Thailand. So both the characters as well as P Aof himself could finally marry their long-term partners between the pilot and the actual making/release of the series. Something about that realization makes it feel even that more special

It is not! This story is one ultimately warm and hopeful

This series was produced by GMMTV, the biggest production company in Thailand. The praise here really lies on the director Aof, as this story was an original one inspired by his own life experience, as well as specific staff he chose to work with on this project (he handpicked the main actors and said he would not do the series if Gem and Fourth didn't agree to do it)

The confessional scene especially breaks my heart bc it felt clear to me that what Tan really needed was to talk /to/ him, not as a Father but as a father, a guardian and caregiver. But despite Father taking on that role in Tan's parents' stead, that simply isn't the nature of their relationship dynamic. The only way Tan has to talk to a trusted adult about his very normal teenage feelings mixed with all of his extra burdens, is through a wall. IDK how to put it all into words, I just need someone to give the poor kid a hug

P'Aof is my favorite director, and him being an openly gay man definitely makes a difference in his work! He's the kind of person who could be doing incredible work as an indie director, but I think it's incredibly important that he's working at GMMTV, the biggest production company in Thailand. He can reach so many more people there, and he can help form and shape what this industry looks like which historically has been created by and for straight people

I think one thing this ep does really well is show the subtle complexity of their dynamic & situation. After the end of ep 2, for most romance drama couples that would easily translate into "we are dating now". But the whole point of this story is that it's /not/ that easy, it can't be. Not in this place, and this time. In this ep we see Tan falling so easily into the joy and comfort he feels when he's with Barth, starkly contrasted to the moments when he closes up. Stifles it, holds himself back, firmly telling the people around him that he is Choosing God. Because the Tan that he is in this moment Has to. It's all he's known, and all he's spent every ounce of his time and energy to work for. Even as Barth slowly chips away as his mask and his armor, he knows he can't push things to far too fast less everything backfire entirely.
Given the preview for the next ep, I think the phrase that best describes this one is "the calm before the storm". It carefully lines the last pieces into place of the conflict they are having within their relationship, and that Tan is having within himself.

I'm not sure if he was inspired by YNEH at all, but this story is Aof's original story (the novel was commissioned by him and likely written in tandem with the script), and it's at least somewhat inspired by his own experience being a gay kid in Catholic shool

Despite Aof being my favorite director I wasnt 100% on how this series would go/how much I would love it. But after this episode I am 1000% sold, and cannot wait to see what the rest has in store for is. The last 10 minutes of this ep in particular are exquisite - the multifaceted metaphor of the roti is genius

Despite the premise seeming similar they are pretty different stories, Stay With Me has a lot more going on in the story and has more time to develop everything. Since it's Chinese the romance parts had to be censored, so the writers were forced to focus on other aspects while keeping the relationship development in between the lines (don't let anyone tell you it's only a bromance). That's why I believe the rating is higher - they just had a more of a chance to develop the story before the unfortunate incomplete ending

No matter how much time passes I will always be back here - these two are so so so important and precious to me. I'm grateful for the production team and cast for making this series even with all of the difficulties that come with telling a story like this in Chinese media

Never before have I been this stressed watching a drama 😭 I understand now why everyone was losing their minds as it was airing

There is a Japanese movie in the works based on 10dance, not sure how that ended up listed as the "source" for this one. I'm not actually sure if this is based on anything, or if it's an original story

You're right it was never directly explained. My personal interpretation was that it stemmed from his guilt - He believed Sei's feelings couldn't be genuine (because of the circumstances that formed them) so he probably would have felt equally guilty accepting those feelings to have an intimate relationship

When actors star in their first series together and get popular, companies tend to keep casting them together because it's good business (continue giving the fans what they like) so long as the actors are up for it. Since First and Khao are a very popular pair, and in the same company, we're seeing them in a lot of things together

I don't know how credits get added, but it looks like he played Jun Ho in Love in the Big City

I went into this knowing pretty much nothing about it, and when I tell you I have never been less prepared for an ending in my life. Thank god for the bonus scene they released but I am still. Devastated at the tone shift in the last hour I just want my family back 😭

Does anyone know if there's cut of just Donghee and Hotae's parts somewhere? I've already seen ULS, but want to rewatch their parts after time of fever and don't want to have to fast forward a bunch of I don't have to lol

I know it was for the Plot but like, normal drummers keep a whole bunch of sticks so they can switch easily if one breaks. God only owning one (very special) pair kind of stresses me out lol

I think that might be the sweetest cuddle session I've ever seen in any series. I love their dynamic of listening to each other's needs and taking things slow

I think it's because in the beginning the drawing he was doing on the library table was a "monster", and that's kind of his mascot character