This review may contain spoilers
A Jaw Dropping, Well Done, but not so BL Series
Before watching To Sir, With Love, I read that it is a soap opera in Thailand. As someone who doesn't know what that is, I researched, and found-out that "A soap opera is a long-running radio or television drama that features a continuing story, often with a sentimental or melodramatic tone." I thought that with it having 17 episodes, it will become draggy, but thankfully it is not.
To Sir, With Love is a story about Tian and his family. His father, Song, is the head of the Five Dragon Guild, composed of powerful families. The story started with the meeting of the Five Dragon Guild, discussing about a new business. They all thought that Zhang must have that business, but they were interrupted by another member named Ma, saying that he must be the one who must have that business.
The meeting started and Song announced that Zhang will have that business. Ma, disagreed and challenged the decision. He announced to the meeting that Zhang must not have the business. His men dragged Zhang's lover to the meeting. Since Zhang is worried, he rushed to his lover. Ma announced the reason that Zhang must not have the business is because he is a homosexual. Song finding this out and being afraid of the Five Dragon Guild's reputation and integrity being tainted revoked his decision and pass the business to Ma. Zhang felt betrayed and got angry. He threatened Song that he'll withdraw his family's name from the guild. Song being blinded by the pressure agreed to Zhang's decision.
The day after, Zhang went to Song Family's house. When the both of them talked, Zhang threw a coin given by Song when they first met. He also talked about having each other's back in the past, but now, Song did not even backed him up. And then, Zhang pulled-out a knife. The family thought that he will kill Song, but instead killed himself. Song rushed to Zhang, held him in his arms. Zhang said his final words "I hope that you will feel the same feeling that I am feeling right now."
Going back on the brothers, Tian and Yang witnessed all of these traumas and scenes. When Song's family felt stressed after Zhang's suicide, they decided to watch a theater play of some sort. Tian was fascinated of what he saw, so when they went home, he dressed up as a girl using garments to make a dress. While doing this, Yang entered the room and saw Tian playing with the dress. He is happy for his brother during the scene.
When Tian's mother, Li, and her apprentice, Jia, saw Tian playing as a girl. Since being the guild's head is based on a person's masculinity and the homophobia of the people that time, Li got angry at Tian, and warned and punished him for acting like that. Also, saying that he must never do it again since he is the rightful heir to the position of his father, since he is the first son, and the legitimate son from the wife of Song.
The story revolved around this secret homosexuality of Tian, Li's ways of hiding Tian's secret, Yang's mother (Chan) trying to find out about that secret in order for her son to become the next head of the guild, and the brotherly love of the two half brothers.
After 20 years, Tian's secret is still hidden as a secret, his mother is still doing everything for that secret to be kept hidden, Yang's mother still trying to find a way for her son to become the next head of the guild in a way that she is still trying to find that secret, and Yang as a supporting brother to Tian, not wanting his older brother's position.
The story's narration is super long. Many things happened. Yes, 17 episodes is pretty long, considering also the 1 hour duration of each episode, but everything is worth it. Just be patient because each episode is worth it.
Boys Love Genre - I personally do not recognize this as a Boys Love genre just because of the main character being homosexual and loving another man. Yes, I watched it because it was tagged as a Boys Love, but I kept on watching it because of how good the story is, rather than watching the male couple.
CHARACTERS:
- Both the mothers are the drama of this series. They are the reason why this story has become interesting. Without their influence, the story's problem will not become as big as it has become. Also, in the last episodes, when they worked with each other. A big wow was presented on my face. Imagine if they worked with each other since the beginning of the story, they can conquer the whole world.
- Tian and Yang's plot are the second charm of this story, because when you talked about half brothers, the usual plot of those stories are their rivalry. Instead, they brotherhood is very good, and they supported each other's back until the end. Thankfully, Yang's character is very well understanding, because in reality, if your brother is getting all the attention, you might also feel angry to him.
- Tian's mother apprentice is really a good added flavor to the series. With the way she supported Li throughout the story, adding more plot to their story. Jia really deserved to be recognized in this series.
- Tian and his lover, Jiu. I like their chemistry, but that's all. I liked the story because of the plot, not because of the boys love genre of it. They both gave their best and well done to their story.
In totality, many people might disagree but I will not say that this is the best Boys Love story. The story was everything, but the duration of the BL plots were not given much spotlight. Still, it was really good and a recommendable series to other viewers.
To Sir, With Love is a story about Tian and his family. His father, Song, is the head of the Five Dragon Guild, composed of powerful families. The story started with the meeting of the Five Dragon Guild, discussing about a new business. They all thought that Zhang must have that business, but they were interrupted by another member named Ma, saying that he must be the one who must have that business.
The meeting started and Song announced that Zhang will have that business. Ma, disagreed and challenged the decision. He announced to the meeting that Zhang must not have the business. His men dragged Zhang's lover to the meeting. Since Zhang is worried, he rushed to his lover. Ma announced the reason that Zhang must not have the business is because he is a homosexual. Song finding this out and being afraid of the Five Dragon Guild's reputation and integrity being tainted revoked his decision and pass the business to Ma. Zhang felt betrayed and got angry. He threatened Song that he'll withdraw his family's name from the guild. Song being blinded by the pressure agreed to Zhang's decision.
The day after, Zhang went to Song Family's house. When the both of them talked, Zhang threw a coin given by Song when they first met. He also talked about having each other's back in the past, but now, Song did not even backed him up. And then, Zhang pulled-out a knife. The family thought that he will kill Song, but instead killed himself. Song rushed to Zhang, held him in his arms. Zhang said his final words "I hope that you will feel the same feeling that I am feeling right now."
Going back on the brothers, Tian and Yang witnessed all of these traumas and scenes. When Song's family felt stressed after Zhang's suicide, they decided to watch a theater play of some sort. Tian was fascinated of what he saw, so when they went home, he dressed up as a girl using garments to make a dress. While doing this, Yang entered the room and saw Tian playing with the dress. He is happy for his brother during the scene.
When Tian's mother, Li, and her apprentice, Jia, saw Tian playing as a girl. Since being the guild's head is based on a person's masculinity and the homophobia of the people that time, Li got angry at Tian, and warned and punished him for acting like that. Also, saying that he must never do it again since he is the rightful heir to the position of his father, since he is the first son, and the legitimate son from the wife of Song.
The story revolved around this secret homosexuality of Tian, Li's ways of hiding Tian's secret, Yang's mother (Chan) trying to find out about that secret in order for her son to become the next head of the guild, and the brotherly love of the two half brothers.
After 20 years, Tian's secret is still hidden as a secret, his mother is still doing everything for that secret to be kept hidden, Yang's mother still trying to find a way for her son to become the next head of the guild in a way that she is still trying to find that secret, and Yang as a supporting brother to Tian, not wanting his older brother's position.
The story's narration is super long. Many things happened. Yes, 17 episodes is pretty long, considering also the 1 hour duration of each episode, but everything is worth it. Just be patient because each episode is worth it.
Boys Love Genre - I personally do not recognize this as a Boys Love genre just because of the main character being homosexual and loving another man. Yes, I watched it because it was tagged as a Boys Love, but I kept on watching it because of how good the story is, rather than watching the male couple.
CHARACTERS:
- Both the mothers are the drama of this series. They are the reason why this story has become interesting. Without their influence, the story's problem will not become as big as it has become. Also, in the last episodes, when they worked with each other. A big wow was presented on my face. Imagine if they worked with each other since the beginning of the story, they can conquer the whole world.
- Tian and Yang's plot are the second charm of this story, because when you talked about half brothers, the usual plot of those stories are their rivalry. Instead, they brotherhood is very good, and they supported each other's back until the end. Thankfully, Yang's character is very well understanding, because in reality, if your brother is getting all the attention, you might also feel angry to him.
- Tian's mother apprentice is really a good added flavor to the series. With the way she supported Li throughout the story, adding more plot to their story. Jia really deserved to be recognized in this series.
- Tian and his lover, Jiu. I like their chemistry, but that's all. I liked the story because of the plot, not because of the boys love genre of it. They both gave their best and well done to their story.
In totality, many people might disagree but I will not say that this is the best Boys Love story. The story was everything, but the duration of the BL plots were not given much spotlight. Still, it was really good and a recommendable series to other viewers.
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