Reviews

Eye Love You… But Honestly, I Don’t

📝 Review (WARNING: Potential Spoilers — I’m Not Saving You from Emotional Damage)

Okay, real talk. I wanted to like this. The premise sounded cute, kinda interesting. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get invested.

Main problem: his thoughts were in Korean with no subtitles. So I spent most of the time squinting and guessing what he was thinking. Not exactly immersive.

Second problem: chemistry. Did it exist? Maybe in his head, but not on screen. ML tried, bless him, but FL was so emotionally closed off that nothing sparked.

Honestly, it became an unmemorable watch. I’m actually surprised I finished it. I think the only reason I did is because it’s only 10 episodes. Anything longer, and I probably would’ve quit halfway.

So yeah… not terrible, but forgettable. Don’t expect to remember much about it in a week.

💭 Final Mood:

“Wanted to like it. Didn’t. Finished it because it was short. 2.5/5. Forgettable at best.”

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Wholesome, alas with room for improvement

Well, a wholesome themed series finally found its end, and I assume it ended exactly as everyone assumed from early on, lol. Which, well is no shame, but a bit an ongoing watershed between good and REALLY good series. And it is a beef I have with series I know others see very different. I like BL stories, but personally I feel a BL just on its own just doesn carry enough interest for me, with some rare exception when either the actors or the directing is so great, it does all the job, like some of those small Korean "Kammerspiele" - small chamber plays which revolve around two people with little extra.

But that is not the Thai style, and if I compare it to, right now "Goddess Bless You from Death" (Pooh/Pavel) I felt there was a lack of story here. I mean BESIDE the love, a background against which the lovers to be develop and measure their growth. In this, this series was quite shallow waters. David/Wave had a very helpful memory loss, with Lava first disliking and then falling for him. Not entirely a really breathtaking or new idea, alas. As it is that story was well written and performed, but it had a foreseeable hiccup at Episode 9, the inevitable and again entirely foreseeable "I remember the past but not you" which again to no one's surprise made the 10th episode extremely rushed. So many problems were solved, even a one year time skip. Nothing about the coup, no development of the parents or the fake marriage, not much to see of a year of suffering. And suddenly a five minute happy end, which was nicer than other five minute endings but as lacking as such endings unavoidable always are.

Goods to mention are the scenery, the locations, camera directing and also the many beautiful songs. A scope of many different moods between the actors and their stages of relationship. However, being true to heart, Winny/Satang is not a power couple. Both seemed to act reserved and I have seen many stronger emotions on display given the dramatic moments involved. Satang's acting is okay, but I just could not really feel so much behind the face of Winny. He just sorely lacked the strength to show anger, fear, sadness convincingly enough to me. Often it felt more like a variations of stares. One could accept this, if we had a backstory, maybe he was traumatized, maybe if he had a form of autism or anything that would explain such a reduced facial reaction. It was just a love, given the acting, thinking of it without music, scenery and story supported I had a hard time to buy. Even in wording, I missed those powerful breaking points, explaining deep love or deep suffering at least in words. If you compare it to other series actors (First, Fourth or Pooh) there is just a way too steep difference.

I laude them for making an unusual couple, breaking a bit from the mold. Winny is no model type and Satang is. Winny is stoic manly but Satang isn't "feminine" but strong on its own. It saddens me to say, but Winny just was the weak link of the entire series. And I hate to say that because it seems like "I just want perfect doll actors", but he just didn't work for me as a convincing lover. And the problem is: it isn't their first roles, even though their first main couple series. So how much air to learn to act better is in the stars.

As a wholesome series I felt well watching it, I wasn't bored, it was okay, but against the rising competition it felt just weak. Sure a lot of series are worse, but a lot also now are just better. Just take Pond currently playing the excentric Mafia boss and you know what I mean with really interesting acting. As ever making use of the full scale, it is one of the more difficult series to rate, knowing some prefer just BL and not too much other stuff, so I split it up to explain:
STORY: 7
DIRECTING: 8
ACTING: 5
MUSIC: 9

OVERALL 7/10

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just when i was feeling sorry for FL, she makes me hate her.

Note: I love Bai lu, but i really was disappointed with the storyline. This review will contain partial spoilers. Read at your own risk!

The first half of the series, I loved it. I was upset with ML for treating FL terribly. He suspected that Fl was his ex lover / a goddess who died thousands of years ago. And FL kept denying it.
!!!(Major Spoiler Ahead)!!!
But, in the 2nd half of the series fl switches gears and admits to it?? I was SO mad bc why admit to it when i was hoping ML would get punished for accusing her throughtout the story.

All in all, I loved the music, the costumes, and the scenery. But, I dropped it bc I felt like whoever wrote the script was dragging the audience.

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Art of the Anti-Hero

This is perhaps the BL series that most authentically reflects the darker side of the gay community. It is a remarkably ambitious project that refuses to shy away from the complex, sometimes toxic, reality of romantic and sexual relationships. The series' greatest achievement is the exceptional development of its six main characters: Sand, Ray, Boston, Mew, Top, and Nick.

This ensemble is deliberately constructed to be flawed and deeply human, creating a dynamic where their lives constantly interlock, resulting in both passion and self-destruction. Every protagonist makes morally questionable decisions, often driven by self-hatred, emotional yearning, deep-seated insecurity, a fear of commitment, or simple emotional manipulation. They are not written as heroes; they are written as people in varying states of emotional disrepair.

Crucially, the screenwriters don't just present these dark deeds for shock value. They invest plenty of time to explain the rationale, the trauma, and the complex internal logic behind each morally ambiguous choice. This depth is what forces the audience to engage and empathize. We may hate their actions, but we are made to understand their pain.

This unwavering commitment to presenting flawed characters in a mature, non-judgmental light elevates Only Friends from a simple drama to a profound character study. The result is a messy, yet utterly compelling, narrative that earns the audience's sympathy for its sinners, solidifying its place as a groundbreaking piece of modern Thai BL television.

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A great watch!

I started watching this drama because of Ao Rui Peng, and having enjoyed Li Landy’s previous works, I was already familiar with her solid acting. I went in with zero expectations, assuming it would be a typical detective-style plot but it completely exceeded what I imagined. Every scene adds meaningfully to the story and kept me fully engaged. So far, I’m impressed with the pacing and character development. The coroner’s examination scenes are especially detailed, and the explanations are logical enough that I don’t have to switch off my brain to enjoy them.

Edit:
I have now watched all 38 episodes. When it came to the different types of crime in this story, most of them paced well. The show dropped subtle hints to help guess, yet still managed to surprise with unexpected twists, making it even more intriguing, but at certain moments, the facial expressions of certain people gave it away. The crime by the tailor felt super shot, some were a bit draggy but at least the cases tied well without a loop hole. Overall it's a great watch with a satisfying ending.

So Coroners diary = mystery + creepy cases + romance + acting + funny

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The Mature BL series We Need

Moonlight Chicken serves as a realistic take on the slice-of-life stories within the gay community. Starting from the perspective of a mature man, it explores the socioeconomic struggles and romantic worldviews of ordinary city dwellers.

In addition, it is one of the very first BL series to introduce a disabled person as a major romantic lead. This refreshing representation not only depicts the authentic struggles of the deaf community but also shows how love and connection can transcend language barriers.

And of course, my favorite actor Khaotung proves himself yet again to be a versatile actor, delivering a deeply emotional performance.

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Absolute Cinema

It is rare to find a series where every single creative element aligns so perfectly, but this show is that rare exception. It is a masterclass in storytelling where the casting feels destined rather than chosen; the actors don’t just play their characters, they inhabit them with a chemistry that feels lived-in and raw. The plot moves with a precision that never wastes a moment, balancing narrative tension and character development seamlessly.

Visually, the cinematography treats every frame like a painting, elevating the genre to new heights. But what truly cements this series as a masterpiece is the music. The score is its own character, guiding the emotional heartbeat of the story. The way the soundtrack swells during the final scene didn't just accompany the moment. It defined it. It completely broke me, leaving a lingering emotional impact that I haven't been able to shake off since the credits roll.

No further explanation is needed. This is a perfect 10/10. If you still haven’t watched it, I honestly don’t know what you are doing with your life.

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A Chaotic, Heartwarming Twist on the Genre

Set against a college backdrop, this rom-com is a fluffy and hilarious treat for BL fans. However, by introducing subjects like body image struggles and self-worth, it attempts to reinvent the formulaic university romance genre, shedding light on mental health issues often overlooked in dating culture.

The interactions between the two protagonists, PondPhuwin, remain heartwarming throughout. The series also features the breakout BL performance of the actor Louis as the character Meen. His chaotic chemistry with Neo (who plays Duean) quickly became a meme and spawned a massive fandom of its own.

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A Grounded Political Thriller with A Romantic Twist

Not Me is a political thriller masquerading as a romantic drama. The performance by Gun is outstanding; he tackles two distinct roles with immense depth and nuance. You can clearly see the effort he has put into expanding his acting range.

His on-screen chemistry with Off is off the charts as always, anchoring a tragic, gritty, and chilling story that is particularly relevant to today’s political climate.

The ending reimagines the possibilities of what a BL series can be. It is grounded and bittersweet, yet still provides a glimmer of hope for the audience.

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The OG Comfort Show

Theory of Love is one of the very first BL series I watched and it introduced me to the legendary pairing of OffGun. Because of that, this series means a lot to me.

The first half of the plot is incredibly relatable to my personal experience of unrequited love. I couldn’t stop sobbing every time I rewatched it. Whenever the theme song "Fake Protagonist" plays, it brings back all those heart-wrenching emotions.

Beyond the emotion, I really dig how the episodes are structured and how the series was promoted. The show honors its film-student characters by heavily referencing rom-com classics in a clever way.

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How was your summer?

Warning: Do not watch this if you are offended by the suggested use of drugs. Opps, I mean the use of “herbs”.

I placed spoilers at the end of this review.

Overall, this was an entertaining series. It had a great story concept, but had a few missed steps with the execution. The script did a great job at grabbing my attention. It also did a nice job setting up the storyline and characters which made me want to know more. I especially loved the storyline involving Pheng and Wut. Unfortunately, the script was lacking in some areas and had a few plot holes. Although I liked the unexpected story components, there was a missed opportunity with one of them. The script also went a little off track at the end. For me, episode 9 was mostly wasted screen time because of a cliché plot twist that was not fully resolved. However, it did head back into the right direction with the last episode with one exception. The entire cast did an incredible job with their characters. This had a nice sound track, but had some odd background music choices.

Random Note:

I wish we received a tad more scenes and information about Wava/Davin’s world. We get a few random scenes that gave us very little information. I also felt like this aspect of the storyline was forgotten at times.


******Potential Spoiler Alert******

I was expecting the usual prince with amnesia storyline, but then we get the overthrowing the royal family storyline. I was pleasantly surprised at first, but became frustrated because it was not utilized very well. This could have added more interest to the series.

I really loved the storylines involving Pheng and Wut, especially because they were an established couple. I liked how it not only addressed the issue of dating someone that’s not out yet, but issues that many LGBTQ+ individuals face when they are out.

Am I the only one that wondered why Lava and Wave did not question the resort staff that Wave stayed at?

The cliché reverse amnesia in episode 9 was such a waste of screentime. This was a perfect time to incorporate more about the royal family. This was also not much of a plot twist.

Of course we had to get a time jump, at least it was only a year and we get a happy ending.

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A comedy about enemies to lovers, unserious and with a very exaggerated comedic tone

PLOT: The FL, an elite assassin, is sent by the (paranoid) Emperor to the ML's house, posing as a stepmother, to find and kill the missing CP of the previous dynasty. Another assassin is sent by the Great Tutor. However, the FL gradually softens in her interactions with the family members.

+++ Huang Jun Jie as the ML (handsome and charismatic) and Hankiz Omar as the aggressive FL.They are both talented actors, even I can't feel the chemistry ...
+++ The direction is lively and the fight scenes are well done. I like the OST, especially the ending song.

BUT
### It's impossible to get invested in this story because the behavior is so exaggerated, the plot twists are contrived (the villainous assassin is ridiculously clumsy), etc. All the clichés are there! The director tried to make it comical, but it just veers into brainlessness (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄). It's a shame because I really like the actors :(

=> An entertaining series (nothing more) but it won't be remembered :(
***********************************************************
Comédie Enemies to lovers unserious et au ton comique très exagéré

PLOT: La FL, assassin d'élite, est envoyée par l'empereur (parano) chez le ML, comme belle-mère, pr retrouver le CP disparu de la dynastie précédente et le tuer. Un autre assassin est envoyé par le Great Tutor. Cpdt, la FL va peu à peu s'adoucir au contact des membres de la famille.

+++ Huang Jun Jie en ML (beau et charismatique) et Hankiz Omar en FL agressive.
+++ La réalis° est vive et les scènes de fight sont de bonne qualité. J'aime bien les OSTs, en particulier la ending song.
MAIS
### Impossible d'adhérer à cette histoire tellement les comportements sont exagérés, les twists détournés (le Villain Assassin est ridiculement maladroit), etc. Tous les clichés sont là ! Le réalisateur a voulu donner ds le comique, mais ça tourne plutôt au brainless (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄). Dommage car j'aime bcp les acteurs :(

=> Série distrayante (sans plus) mais elle ne restera pas dans les mémoires :(

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Quite a hot love story

I watched this show several times as it got better and better each time. The weird story gets clearer and turns into a sweet love story with a few hot scenes:-)

The parts with the psychopath can be skipped without losing the context.

Rowoon is very strong, playing an arrogant guy who becomes funny, love sick sweet and very caring. He is very convincing in the hot scenes:-)

I would have chosen a different FL but she is actually
a good fit in this role.

All actors are great. Maybe the two colleagues are quite over, an usual element in K dramas (glad that no over-parents showed up).

You will enjoy this show!

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great watch even sometimes the pacing is too slow

The first episode of this drama was absolutely epic, setting an incredibly high bar! While the momentum didn't always stay at that peak, the show remained a great watch, offering a refreshing and much-needed take on moral complexity.

The core storyline is incredibly compelling because it avoids simple black-and-white morality. It powerfully demonstrates that people aren't just "good" or "bad," but that good people can hit their lowest point and feel they have no other choice but to engage in difficult actions. It’s hard to judge when you can’t imagine the desperation of losing everything with no one to help you—the drama makes you genuinely empathize with that struggle.

The show truly shines when it focuses on the complex partnership between Eun Su and Lee Gyeong. Their chemistry is fantastic, and you could clearly see the mutual care between them as their bond developed into something like a found family was beautiful. While Eun Su found a genuine purpose and felt truly alive when working alongside him, Lee Gyeong's motivation was primarily driven by his intense desire for revenge and reclaiming his family.

On the production side, the acting is amazing, and Young Kwang is doing a fantastic job—this kind of layered role really suits him well. The OST is also great; I loved the opening song!

However, the pacing did lag at times. The episodes occasionally felt a bit too long, making me check how much time was left. Also, I couldn't stand Eun Su's husband; his greed was the entire reason she was in that terrible situation!

The ending was both satisfying and heartbreaking. I appreciated that we got closure with the other characters, and the final plot twist was gut-wrenching. The greatest tragedy was that Lee Gyeong, after everything he did for revenge to get his family back, ended up all alone again. I was truly hoping that he could finally find happiness. I like that the ending was poetic, making you question the characters' ultimate choice: whether they would choose the path of drugs or life (self-destruction or recovery). I'm definitely hoping for a Season 2 so we can check back in with this incredible, complex pairing! I was genuinely rooting for them to get back together as a family.

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