Reviews

Well written storyline and Krailert as character

Incredible series until the last scene where it falls down. The storyline was so well written and the characters as well, Krailert was by far the best written one. His growth as a characters is beautiful and how he gained courage after years of hiding in the shadows avoiding conflicts. That last episode when he stood in front of those journalists i just know which path he chose. It was such a privilege to see him on my screen.

As for his wife... I have never seen someone that selfish and that manipulative, it's actually sickening especially because she knew what she was getting into. She was not supposed to be a villain, but they just had to add a plot twist and ruin a relationship that was supposed to be. If anyone should have gotten together it was Krailert and Naran. Both if them deserved a happy ending together even if they had to stay hidden in the shadows. Big part of me wished he just ran away...

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OutSHINE my expectations

A story of fighting for freedom from capitalism, corruption, and life in general. This gives such a powerful message to the audience: the deep and meaningful reference to real-life situations where politics can destroy the lives of its people. As a viewer, I can sense the authenticity that the show aims to convey. They nailed and devoured the concept. The thing I love the most about this series is the way they wanted us to be more engaged and aware of the government system and how the public deserves the right leaders in society.

It keeps on shining every single EP. Everyone is smoking in this show, which connects to how stressed the characters are in the story. The protesters, who were composed of the students, versus the government army, was such a powerful scene. Victor might have left the world, but his strong will remains in the souls of everyone. Trin and Tanwa having a good ending was the silver lining after such a depressing conclusion to the rest of the characters.

Here comes my favorite part, the love story between Krailert and Naran. Two kind-hearted lovers who were divided by social responsibilities and the path they had chosen in life. Son Yuke was the main reason why I decided to watch the show. This is my first time watching him, and I am already invested in every single scene he has. I got enchanted by his handsome face, sexy posture, and manly physique, especially in that police uniform.

Going back to the story, the Colonel and Naran both love to write and eventually got to fell in love with each other. I was shocked by how great their story was. It feels like they are the main couple here more than MileApo. It is so damn romantic how they incorporate the '90s setting and use the library as to exchange of communication for these two. The chemistry and tension are top-notch!

Way to go with such a very very great execution of intimate scenes. I was in awe of how professional Son Yuke and Euro were during these shots. It was so hot and really brought out all the flavor of the fantasy I wanted to feel from their romance. Klai Rung and Sarasawadee being the whole city’s couple of the year was such a treat.

It is so obvious that Krailert and Naran will not end up together. Yet, the thing that shocked me the most is that all this time, Dhevi is the mastermind to possessed Krailert all by herself. This girl does the most unexpected evil things against Krailert. At the end, she wins and even bears a child from him.

“Some things do not need to be spoken aloud. Some answers are better left quiet, unannounced, because we already know them, deep down.” I am crying the whole time listening to Naran’s last message to Krailert before his last appearance in the finale. As Krailert said to Trin, he has chosen this path and has to face the consequences. That was a good cry from this couple. I still love them from my heart.

Aside from all of these, I would also like to mention that the set of OSTs is all so beautiful. I love it so much as far as I love the exposure of their butts and muscles. The fight for democracy is still growing in the real world. I want to thank everyone behind this amazing show for compiling an eventful and timely story for the world to consume and see for themselves.

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Trigger Warning Abuse

This show probably has a high rating from others due to the acting of the ML and FL which is both well above average for these short vertical shows. But the never-ending stream of abuse, morally gray FL, and how long it dragged the story out makes it lose a lot of stars for me. The whole point of the vertical shows is to be short and snappy so if I'm getting bored with it that really doesn't speak well to the show's overall quality.

For some reason the heroine's predicament reminded me of My Happy Marriage. There is no magic or alternate world, but there is a heroine who takes a lot of physical abuse from family members. I mean this goes on and on and on. It truly is horrifying and serves as part of her Tragic Backstory. If you are into the abuse p/0rn trope I guess this will please you?

But where I have an issue with this story is that at two separate times her cousin is dragged off by her uncle and beaten off screen. Beaten so badly that next time we see her, her face is covered with bruises. We are supposed to be OK with that because the cousin joined in tormenting the FL (but let's remember who ruined whose wedding, please), but let's face it - it is the UNCLE who has made all of their lives a living hell that really should have been the FL's focus for revenge from the start. His kids and wife are also collateral damage.

The FL also has the asymmetrical hairstyle of the FL in My Happy Marriage. After all that, nothing is the same. FL is not some shrinking violet saying sorry all the time. She has an alternate plan on how to destroy her cruel relations.

The story is the strongest when predator uncle is being creepy. It gives a real sense of danger to the FL's predicament and they could have cut 20 eps and really focused on him. Especially when she tells ML why she picked him as a partner. Wow. She knew what uncle was about to do.

Stray jumps, missing information (might have been due to translation?), and the melodramatic Granny storyline are the weakest points of the story. Resolution is dragged out too long. ML saving brother and then sitting around talking in the same area as the fire made me laugh.

What was interesting was the scene where the ML finds out the true state of the FLs mental and physical state from having to deal with a decade of abuse. None of that is sugarcoated and we do get a montage showing him helping her regain her strength and fortitude. More of that please (and forgo all the flashbacks).

Overall, not something I would watch again and I sped through much of it to watch the ML FL interaction.

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Best Side of Beautiful

The best from Thailand and BeOnCloud. Without a doubt there has never been anything of this calibre and I applaud everyone involved in this production. Shine lived up to the expectation and it's name. Apo, Mile, Euro, Son, JJay, Nok, Kob and Por. Every actor embodied their character fully and made beautiful art. Every week was viewed with a bitter sweet feeling as I knew the culmination would bring a pain that couldn't be escaped. What was won would never overshadow the magnitude of what was lost.

Shine started with Trin arriving in Thailand after a tragic event, hoping to find himself. There he would meet two people who would have a profound and everlasting effect on his life. Tanwah and Victor. Polar opposites vying for his attention. Tanwah offered freedom from the claustrophobic environment he barely breathed in and Victor, passionate conviction in his beliefs. Freedom won but at a cost no one was ready or willing to pay. Causes and effects burst forth shattering dreams and lives along the way. The sobering reality of life would eventually play out.

We now have Krailert and Naran both fighting on opposing ends for the same goal. To shine light on the corruption and the figures pulling the strings. Krailert given the option to marry Dhevi or die as his lover did, chooses to live. I will still not call it a marriage as there really wasn't another option. But in living he stumbled upon Naran, his intellectual equal who proved to be a worthy adversary in and out of the library room. Their fire would burn bright but too bright for them to hold onto. Power plays behind the scenes, long put in action would see them reluctantly go their separate ways. One would be silenced and neutered for the other to be free. Dhevi played her hand well. Optimistically I hope that an end will come. One can only deny onself before ultimately seeking what one desires. Here I will add, Dhevi was not worthy of anyone's love, let alone Veera's. Veera's death was painfully in vain in more ways than one.

Moira, a power player in her own right, held secrets both open and privately. She watched from afar, and only released what needed to be known when it was best suited. A true survivalist. One to be admired. She mingled freely with all the power players with none having a hold on her.

Sucha, possibly an eternal pot head, would deliver wisdom in periodic spurts which impacted those around him and added to the bits of humor that would liven a mood when it became too deep. JJay, did well here.

I intentionally went not in depth with every titbit or the specifics of Shine. My hope is that after reading, someone would be interested to view this beautiful piece of work on their own and reflect on the choices made by each character. Whether right or wrong, they embodied the best and worst of humanity.

Shine, I think I love you

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GREEN FLAGS ONLY

If you feel annoyed by all of these repetitive plots about manipulative and toxic characters being mean to each other then welcome to the green forest territory.
This must be one of the most healthiest relationship in BL history.. or at least in Thai BL..

I didn't know anything about this story at all and haven't watched anime but I can feel that the casting was on top. Both Smart and Boom did a great job in portraying characters. Chemistry is overflowing.
Also the height and age difference played really well in this case.

**Let's get to the plot**

The idea to show the downside of the entertainment industry seems interesting from the start. The love story is intertwined with the behind-the-scenes struggles that add up a spice to the story. The series pictured plenty of different aspects of being an artist but I wish they'd dug a little deeper to show us the most ugliest sides of fame.
It's quite easy to watch cause the problems solve as fast as they come.

***
Also justice for the Akin's manager Jade. Why the hell his story didn't get any development? Because of season 2 that we will probably never be able to witness? Well..thanks.
***

* JIN (SMART)

I was surprised to see that a lot of people calling him an obsessive weirdo. I couldn't see anything creepy about him. He's just a nice kid who's head over heels for his lover and that's nothing weird.
Jin treats his partner the most carrying way that's possible throughout the story.
The tenderness and softness in Smart's voice made character even more attractive.

* Akin (Boom)
The pretty crier in action. Is it even possible to look this good while crying ?
Well, Akin is probably one of the most naive and pure actors with experience so far. I don't know if this even possible in reality because the entertainment industry is a rough place. Akin being this trustful despite being and icon for more then 10 years is a little bit weird.
So this detail may disturb sometimes while the characters are having a crisis moments but nonetheless it doesn't conflicts with the plot.
Well, I'm glad that boom didn't stop evolving in his acting since "The chains of heart". He's made a tremendous job to portray various complicated emotions.
Loves his relationship with his grandma. This plot line adds depth to the character and the story itself.

***
Even though the ending was great but I still feel robbed of one last episode.. just to clarify all the uncertainties.
***
The original soundtrack felt so good to hear. Lyrics definitely match the characters feeling.
The other musical accompaniment was still in theme and complement some touchy and teary scenes.

P.S.
Hope you can eat honey without being traumatized :)

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So-So

Writing this review as I watch it.

Episodes 1-6 are great. The whole reason I watched this was for the build-up and FL being disguised as a guy to get into the company. Alright fine. But he found her out around episode 4 or 5. Pretty fast for a 30-episode drama, right? Right. But I could get past that, with the thrill of how he was going to handle it. Though, of course, things happen, and he confronts her, and thus starts the whole " Let me stay here and work for you " part of the drama.

That's fine too, but as you reach episode 7, there's already talk of marriage!? Between the families, esp the ML's family. That's okay too, like let them talk. But FL jumps at the opportunity without even the ML's knowledge. His family got him drunk on purpose to make this happen, and that's the most horrible behavior from parents. I've always hated the arranged marriage crap dramas do, not giving their ADULT children their own options in life. While I know this is very accurate for places outside of America, it still sucks. While I do enjoy when arranged marriage ' blind dates ' get the leads introduced, I hate where they've taken it in this drama.

Now, at this point, I'm already losing interest and starting to feel annoyed with the FL. She's cute and all, but even I find her annoying now. Just because you like someone, it gives you no right to force yourself into their life like you have a rightful claim to them. This drama had me laughing a lot. Now I'm dreading watching past this, but I must carry on. But I'll very likely be fast-forwarding through it now because things are being rushed and I'm not liking either lead atm. So far, the 2nd ML is the most likable.

She wasn't disguised as a boy long enough. They could have spread this concept out in a couple more episodes, and not with him bullying FL, but feeling her out. But no. They just jump the gun and get straight to it, and mind you, we have 22 more episodes, and from the comments I've read, it only gets worse from here with a lot of misunderstandings, ML being horrible, FL being dumb [but finally getting a backbone near the end], etc.

So while I will not spoil any more, this concludes what I wanted to say. Just a warning, from episode 6 it all goes downhill, with a small uphill from here :)

Good luck. You and I need it with this drama.

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It's raw, it's dark, it's light, it's depressive, it's happy, it's sad - it's the full spectrum.

As usual I went into this "blind" - I did not watch trailers or read about it, I just knew it's playing in a tumult time for Thailand. Of course this is a drama and it does not represent historical accuracy, but it depicted quite accurate what the gist was. There were protests, there was political killings and there was a revolution (a bit later). Thailands military still has more power over it's goverment than any democracy should have.

This series is partly hard to watch. Not because it's bad, because it's so acurate, because the acting is so good and of course because it's so sad - in a good way. The company said this is not a BL, it's a gay story - and it mostly is. They did not disappoint in their description. There is only some fluff but mostly it felt really realistic.

Tanwa (played by Mile) is a typical end of 1960ties free spirit (they would have said hippie at the time), but without a direction. Trin (played by Apo) is more or less the opposite, he knows what he wants and he knows what he stands for. This two worlds clashes and after the traumatic events where Victor (played by Peter Deriy) died, Tanwa find the courage to move on by his mothers unreleased book (given by his father he was at odds). Then we have a second couple, the colonel and the journalist - a poetic love which could not be fullfilled, because the colonel decided to protect his love and sacrifices himself for it. I have read comments that say Dhevi is the villain, but of course she is not. The colonel used her (and her family) to advance his career and he had to pay the price for his decision. This also saved the live of his love the journalist. Is it nice? Of course not, but such were and are (sometimes) the realities we live in. It was quid quo pro - he gained social status which made him go through the ranks of the military into a powerful position and she gained just the man she loved even knowing he has no feelings for her. And in contrast to most BLs: She got not furious and made no scene. It's just realistic.

All the cast were really amazing. When you know that Tencent in the form of WeTV financed this project it's absolutly stunning that they did all that what they can't do in China with such a controversial story. Of course this is a hurtful story, this is not the typical BL fluff you may expect. This is raw, brutal, repulsive, sad but also poetic, happy and beautiful.

For me this is a 10 (for the uncut version), because besides the realistic approach, a good story and the production quality, it's the right step for Thai's entertainment industry to not just cater to the fangirls. The story is the star of this show and not just some actors. So, if you have not seen it, it's a must watch for me!

As usual a slight derank for the cut version because this version should not exist at all!

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It's raw, it's dark, it's light, it's depressive, it's happy, it's sad - it's the full spectrum.

As usual I went into this "blind" - I did not watch trailers or read about it, I just knew it's playing in a tumult time for Thailand. Of course this is a drama and it does not represent historical accuracy, but it depicted quite accurate what the gist was. There were protests, there was political killings and there was a revolution (a bit later). Thailands military still has more power over it's goverment than any democracy should have.

This series is partly hard to watch. Not because it's bad, because it's so acurate, because the acting is so good and of course because it's so sad - in a good way. The company said this is not a BL, it's a gay story - and it mostly is. They did not disappoint in their description. There is only some fluff but mostly it felt really realistic.

Tanwa (played by Mile) is a typical end of 1960ties free spirit (they would have said hippie at the time), but without a direction. Trin (played by Apo) is more or less the opposite, he knows what he wants and he knows what he stands for. This two worlds clashes and after the traumatic events where Victor (played by Peter Deriy) died, Tanwa find the courage to move on by his mothers unreleased book (given by his father he was at odds). Then we have a second couple, the colonel and the journalist - a poetic love which could not be fullfilled, because the colonel decided to protect his love and sacrifices himself for it. I have read comments that say Dhevi is the villain, but of course she is not. The colonel used her (and her family) to advance his career and he had to pay the price for his decision. This also saved the live of his love the journalist. Is it nice? Of course not, but such were and are (sometimes) the realities we live in. It was quid quo pro - he gained social status which made him go through the ranks of the military into a powerful position and she gained just the man she loved even knowing he has no feelings for her. And in contrast to most BLs: She got not furious and made no scene. It's just realistic.

All the cast were really amazing. When you know that Tencent in the form of WeTV financed this project it's absolutly stunning that they did all that what they can't do in China with such a controversial story. Of course this is a hurtful story, this is not the typical BL fluff you may expect. This is raw, brutal, repulsive, sad but also poetic, happy and beautiful.

For me this is a 10, because besides the realistic approach, a good story and the production quality, it's the right step for Thai's entertainment industry to not just cater to the fangirls. The story is the star of this show and not just some fan-favorite actors. So, if you have not seen it, it's a must watch for me!

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My first omegaverse

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. I’ve never be one to judge those who enjoy the omegaverse but until now I’ve never had any interest in it myself even though I’m a pretty big BL enjoyer. However, this drama changed my opinion and I fear I may like the omegaverse quite a bit now. As for the drama itself I fought myself on my rating because while I enjoyed it, the storyline was just messy and some characters genuinely annoyed me. That being said I LOVE Babe so much that I stayed hooked from beginning to end. I’m absolutely obsessed with Pavel and will be keeping up with everything he does now! I also really loved Charlie and all the side characters (especially Kim) and I think them being so likable added to my enjoyment. Now onto PB2!

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AMAZING!!! the second time around

I rewatched the first season, and when I saw this was up, I jumped right into season 2, which I’m absolutely loving! It’s truly inspiring to see how these girls train and grow in such a short period of time. The dedication and hard work they put in are not only impressive but also motivating.

Each episode showcases their struggles and triumphs, allowing us to connect with them on a personal level. I find myself rooting for them as they navigate their challenges. The way they support each other is heartwarming and adds depth to the narrative. The training montages are particularly compelling; they really capture the intense effort and resilience needed to improve.

Overall, I’m so excited to see where the season goes next. It’s a great reminder of the power of perseverance and friendship, and I can't wait for more episodes!

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produce 48

although iz*one used to be my ult for a long time and i would not change the lineup for anything, i was STILL upset that this was SO incredibly rigged😭
most obvious rigs were jo yuri and kim chaewon imo. they are so amazing and talented but they jumped up so high just between one session of a voting that its hard to believe they DIDNT get rigged in
i think that chaeyeon deserved much higher than 12th place because the MOMENT she showed her dance skills to the judge, evb knew this girl was gonna debut.
this show actually robbed chowon and kaeun omg😭
this show was pretty entertaining tho icl

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LookmheeSonya and Change did it again!!

The story was expanded from the novel to include more of the business aspect, which is great. Good integration of the business and romance plots to make an engaging story with clear conflicts. They give a decent amount of backstory, even for the side characters so you're invested in everybody. FIRE SOUNDTRACK!! Multiple songs with different vibes and they were sprinkled well throughout the series. Lookmhee and Sonya pulled through once again, but also very satisfied with Lilly and Belle's performance. The main 4 actresses had great chemistry, not only within their respective pairs, but with each other.
DO NOT recommend this to anyone that is looking to start their GL journey because their standards will be set too high lmao.

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