A dream and a forbidden love

Every year, the music industry launches numerous boy bands around the world to make their international debut. Other industries, also dedicated to entertainment, such as television, always at the forefront, have not been left behind, in the effort to tell us about the creation and evolution of these groups.
And if, along with this, they address stories of overcoming and forbidden love between members of said bands, the public awaits them with greater interest.
That is why today we remember 'Boyband The Series', a Thai audiovisual characterized by its excellent performances, a dream soundtrack and enviable scenery.
Its premiere took place in February 2023, and with 6 episodes lasting approximately 45 minutes each, we are introduced to Top, played by Phiphat Wichasu (Zubom), in his first acting role, a young man who has had to make an effort in life to be able to pay the debt contracted by his father, in addition to paying for the medical treatment of his mother, a disabled woman after suffering a traffic accident, and also paying for the education of his minor sister. To get ahead, he has had to work as a waiter, elephant keeper and sword fighter.
Top will have the opportunity to travel from Khon Kaen, Isaan province, to Bangkok, to become an artist under World Star, the company of Khun Serena (Metinee Kingpayome - Lukkade), the queen of the entertainment industry, through a singing, dancing and acting contest, which in addition to artistic skills, will evaluate the behavior and attitudes of the contestants.
This trip into the competition represents a new stage in his life for Top, full of surprises that he is willing to accept without hesitation, because in addition to competing against a hundred young people to obtain one of the six positions in dispute, he will meet Juju (Theerachet Yanwantana - Jaymin), the impulsive son of a wealthy family, with whom our protagonist will live a forbidden romance, because the contest imposes a rule on the participants: "Artists are prevented from establishing romantic relationships with each other."
With a chemistry that transcends the screen, Top will help Juju deal with her main problem: her father's refusal to accept her fulfilling her dream of becoming an idol.
One of the aspects that attract attention in this dramatic, romantic, musical and youth comedy with LGBTIQ+ themes is Top's constant race in pursuit of Juju. The unforgettable sequence of Zubom on the motorcycle arriving, with delays, to the place of the band's debut, among the first scenes, while the music directed and composed by Terdsak Janpan for the series plays in the background, is one of the vertices about the that a plot is articulated, which will lead us to other chases, such as that of Top behind Juju's car in an unfortunate first encounter in which the two come out as enemies.
There will also be other chases, such as the chase that is not after Juju, but with Juju, to rescue Juju's bag that the motorcyclists intend to steal, or the race to prevent Juju from fighting with other contestants, due to the risk of being disqualified.
Another race is when Top follows Juju to the latter's mother's house in Krabi, the boy requiring his authorization to continue in the competition.
Each step in those runs brings them closer to each other, and not only from the point of view of shortening the distance.
Top and Juju are joined by Jeff (Arm Boonyavanit - AP), the typical prankster that everyone will want to have by their side to have fun; Ryu (Pakpoom Juanchainat - Art), the famous dancer with many followers on social networks, Ken (Intouch Kooramasuwan - Intouch), the brilliant singer who will fall in love with the singing teacher, and Atom (Wasin Suungkavathin - Aom), the boy seriously focused on his art.
These young people, along with Sun (Natthanun Kurusatienpron - Man), Kampun (Phutawan Yamsai - Tawan); Tiger (Phicaphop Khamnanak - Auto), Pokpong (Patchapol Bhamornbuth - Tong) and Yok (Athiphat Arkrawarachotihiran - Nice), will fight to join the world-class boy band, and will undergo intense training in singing, dancing and acting, as part of the fierce competition that would allow them to achieve their dreams.
As in all competitions, there will be envy and professional jealousy that will play dirty and, through cheating and disloyalty, will try to get others to abandon. Likewise, there are those who will rejoice in the stumble and fall of their rival so that they do not continue in the fight, but there are also those with wise advice and timely encouragement, those who will not mind helping those who do not master the technique or those who He has suffered a blow to his foot that prevents him from dancing well.
We are not looking at the classic BL (hence surely the low rating of the drama), because 'Boyband The Series' aims much higher by exposing problems inherent to the entertainment industry, such as the corrupting power of money to buy artists trained in other agencies , the pressure from managers towards future idols with promises that are not always fulfilled, topics that are rarely addressed in series of the genre, with the exception of 'Call It What You Want I' and some others.
The series, directed by Dome Jade Bunyoprakarn ('My Dear Gangster Oppa', 'Together with Me', 'Bad Romance'), also reflects another theme equally little or poorly portrayed in Thai BL. I mean homophobia. Top and Juju's budding love relationship is used for the purposes of not only causing harm to them, but also to Khun Serena.
And here the series contributes to the struggle of the Thai LGBTIQ+ community, because although discrimination against the members of that human group persists in that country, the initial scenes of the series, which take us to the moment of the meeting of both young people before their debut , shows us that the revelation of their romance will not stop them from moving forward.
Two other main characters are Madame Pauly (Anon Saisangcharn - Pu), in charge of convincing Khun Serena to return to talent training after a period away from the agency she created, after the breakup of her marriage to Phanu (Maethanee Buranasiri - Nino), a manager in the entertainment industry to whom anything goes if he can punish his ex-wife.
Madame Pauly also has the mission of searching for contest candidates and serving as a judge for the competitions.
The writing of the scripts is carried out by Piangpaitoon Satrawaha – May), known for being the screenwriter of 'Naughty Babe' and 'Hormones Season 2', among other series, who in 'Boyband The Seires' plays the judge and teacher My .
Throughout the series, Serena, Pauly and My act as judges and guides in the training of the contestants, imitating the style of programs like "American Idols": while the former acts as an infallible judge, with a reputation for being a "strong hand" , there are always some performances that allow us to see their most sensitive and fair side, because although difficult to convince, they have sound recommendations that are usually accepted and applied by all those who aspire to join the band.
Everything seems fine to My, while Madame Pauly is the one who tries to be objective and lets herself be carried away by her criteria, to which she is always faithful. The actor who plays Madame does not believe in gender stereotypes that pigeonhole men who play very effeminate characters, like his. Lukkade and Pu's performances spice up the series.
'Boyband The Series' darkens in the final episode, with a discussion on stage after the winning team is announced, which contributes little to the closure of the story. It is very unlikely that what happened took place in real life, much less in the grotesque way it was portrayed. These disputes are ultimately aired in court.
Another reason that worked against 'Boyband The Series' was that it aired alongside other popular ThaiBL, such as 'Never Let Me Go', 'My School President' and 'Moonlight Chicken'. It is also not helped by the difficulties that the public has in accessing audiovisuals with English subtitles.
The series brings us as a bonus the possibility of meeting several BL stars who show their faces as guest artists. These include Copter Phanuwat, Bas Suradej Pinnirat, Max Kornthas Rujeerattanavorapan, Fluke Natouch Siripongthon and Peter Knight.
Love triangles, forbidden romances, infatuations between contestants and teachers, seductions of judges to try to be favored by them, villains who steal talents just to cause harm, young people who fight to achieve their dreams, self-realization, personal and spiritual growth, diversity sexuality, acceptance, homophobia, among other topics, appear in a very well written script.
Top and Juju have a dream. The realization of it comes to the first almost by chance, when he no longer had hope after his uncertain initial steps in Korea. Juju won't stop until he reaches it. And both manage, by putting one brick on top of another, to build together that dream life that grows together with romantic love.

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Miniseries in which Tar and Bom break the fourth wall and stand out for their joy and monologues

The miniseries 'You Made My Day' (Thai title ชื่นใจไปทุกวัน), also known as 'Refreshed Every Day', 'You Make My Day', 'Chuenjai Pai Tuk Wan' and 'Chuenchai Pai Thuk Wan') us brings back to the screen the actors Tar Atiwat Saengtien and Bom Tanawat Uthaikitwanit, the protagonists of the LGBT+-themed comedy-drama 'I Will Knock You', broadcast by AIS Play and Channel 3, between November 2022 and February of the following year.
Those people who, like me, enjoyed the story that revolves around the romance between "Thi" Thiwa Ananbhuchai, the boy who combines his university studies with his part-time job as a tutor, and Noey Watphlu, the leader of a gang, that behind the tough guy façade there really is a noble and ridiculously stupid boy, now you will have the opportunity to see these two actors again in a miniseries of 5 episodes of about 8 minutes each.
Playing themselves, the two protagonists of 'I Will Knock You' give us a beautiful story about two friends who, driven by circumstances, fulfill a mission every day, such as preparing a surprise party for Tar's mother or traveling the city looking for Bunny, his missing dog.
With the aim of promoting Minzz inhalers, we could define 'You Made My Day' as a commercial advertisement turned into a miniseries. This type of television product fails to win over BL followers. However, due to the lack of budget, many creators and actors have had to accept financial proposals from companies to carry out their projects.
I like the way in which, indifferently, both actors become main narrators and break the fourth wall by addressing the viewer to introduce themselves or ask them to encourage them to carry out the missions to be carried out in each episode, causing the audience to form part of the work.
I like the way in which, indifferently, both actors become main narrators and break the fourth wall by addressing the viewer to introduce themselves or ask them to encourage them to carry out the missions in each episode, allowing the audience to become part of the work.
Likewise, I like the monologues that the characters use, now one, now the other, to define traits of their personality or so that the audience can get to know their most intimate thoughts without the need for a narrator to intervene.
Tar and Bom carry on their shoulders a miniseries full of sweetness and tenderness, in which the chemistry and charisma of the characters, the festive color palette, the music and the contagious joy of the protagonists, make us all hope that a From moment to moment the two friends become lovers.
There are still three episodes left until the conclusion of 'You Make My Day'. We will continue to support the miniseries until the end.

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Nam Yi and Jae Min's love and happiness can only be defeated by a single monster

Memorable performances, a perfect script and direction, a beautiful soundtrack, to which are added addictive kisses and a palpable chemistry that transcends the screen, are the main characteristics of the South Korean miniseries 'Blue Boys' (블루보이즈/Beulru Boijeu), also known as 'The Guy Inside Me', a demonstration that you don't need a big budget or long and numerous episodes to tell a moving story.
In just four chapters each lasting about 10 minutes on average, the miniseries, starring Lee Hoo Rim in the role of Kim Nam Yi, and Choi Seung in the role of Choi Jae Min, addresses topics such as the process of finding the true love, communication, understanding through experiences, homophobia, social class differences, friendship, job search, meeting friends, among others.
Lovers of LGBTIQ+ themed stories will feel at ease with the interactions of the two actors, who very well enhance the value of the entire story with their tender and captivating chemistry.
After a one-night stand, the outgoing and self-confident Nam Yi and the shy and insecure Jae Min, two former high school classmates who meet again three years after graduation, have developed feelings for each other and dream with a life together.
More open to demonstrations of affection and love in public, Nam Yi is not afraid to take Jae Min's hand and kiss him in the streets, but the latter boy will resist, as he fears the rejection of a conservative society, like that of Korea from the South, with strong patriarchal and heteronormative traditions, where homosexuals have difficulties fitting in.
After overcoming conflicts and misunderstandings, the love and happiness of Nam Yi and Jae Min can only be defeated by a single monster: the fear that South Koreans experience of being exposed as homosexuals, the fear of being excluded and discriminated against.
So Ri (Lee Soo Ha), a girl jealous of Jae Min for not having been able to conquer Nam Yi, will be in charge of inoculating Jae Min with the poison: "If a man dates another man and there are rumors about it, can you continue working in the company as if nothing had happened?" Nam Yi wouldn't have these problems because he comes from a wealthy family, but..."what would happen to you?", Ri will remind him.
In this way, the happy ending everyone expected does not come. Reality prevails.
And so the viewers will understand the true objective of 'Blue Boys', which is none other than to make a criticism, very intelligent, very subtle, of the discrimination that exists in South Korea against LGBTIQ+ people, since the members of said community face legal challenges and discrimination not experienced by the rest of South Koreans.
Gay sexual activity is legal as long as it takes place indoors, but Gay Marriage or Equal Marriage or other forms of legal partnership are not available to same-sex couples.
I allow myself spoilers to explain my point of view.

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As viewers, what can we ask of a Special Episode?

As viewers, what can we ask of a Special Episode?

We would ask precisely for the incredible closure that the cast and creators of 'You Are Mine Special' have given us.
This is the perfect ending to the 2023 Taiwanese drama 'You are Mine', as it delves deeper into the relationship between Yao Shun Yu (Hsiao Hung) and Xia Shang Zhou (Parker Mao).
And yet I ask for more of the love story between the director of the Xia company and the boy who becomes the company's new employee.
It is not surprising that it reaches a rating of 8.1 points on MDL and other platforms.
But this episode has the added bonus that, in addition to the audience being able to witness the evolution of this couple of lovers after the events narrated in the series, it has also served to give the possible beginning of the romance between Xiao Yang (Bobo Luo) and Li Hui Wang (Yorke Sun).
Surely we will see them as the main couple of some series in the near future, and I have no doubt that Hsiao Hung and Parker Mao would be there again in that case to play the characters that have summoned us here.

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What news will the creators provide to keep the public's interest alive?

Since its announcement, the public was divided between those who wanted or expected an additional chapter that would delve into the story of all the couples in the series, especially that of Khemthis (Shogun Paramee Thesdaroon) and Wela (First Piyangkul Saohin), and between those who look for unpublished behind-the-scenes images and other elements that serve to enhance the drama.
That is, the fans of 'Deep Night' showed their interests and doubts in: whether the content of the special episode would simply collect unpublished conversations from the actors and the filming and post-production team or would also reveal details that were not revealed in the series.
However, 'Deep Night Special Episode' does not satisfy either of them.
"Special" only has the name and a few minutes in which we can see, quickly, and without much depth, the evolution of the main couple a year after the events narrated in the series.
Then, the audience will once again witness more or less memorable scenes from the 8 official episodes of the series, recreated in the voice of Wela, and the incorporation of some new scene that does not contribute to complementing the story, infusing it with expressionism and affecting the viewer.
Due to some of Khemthis's actions in the first minutes, such as preparing breakfast and going to wake up Wela so that they can both enjoy that moment of everyday life at home, the audience might think that the story would be told from the vision of the character played by Shogun (which would be very significant), but we will quickly understand that it is not going that way.
The public will not find on this occasion an episode that reveals interesting behind-the-scenes images that have never been revealed, in which we could see the main couple and the rest of the cast having fun and being close on the set, or playing scenes that make them laugh, cry or express your love, friendship or work relationship at the club.
Nor will we be able to appreciate the long-awaited recordings of the cast's memories before and behind the camera, the answers to fans' questions or the expressions of gratitude from the actors and actresses to the technical and post-production team, which help the audience to have a clearer view of the making of 'Deep Night' and the efforts of the filmmaking team.
The special episode previously sparked interest in the public, eager to appreciate a series of passionate kissing scenes between Shogun and First that have never been broadcast, as well as many other romantic moments that did not officially appear in the series when it aired, but we will have We have to be content with the imagination.
Nor does the special episode please those viewers who think that adding too many kissing scenes is unnecessary, as they consider that this can "overwhelm" the audience, and expect, instead, more of the actors' honest exchange.
Likewise, fans interested in witnessing the cast and producers thank the audience for their love and attention to 'Deep Nigh' and promises to deliver better quality hybrid products in the future will also be left wanting.
Will this special episode mark the definitive and official end of the series?
On May 9, 2024, the day before the premiere of 'Deep Night Special Episode', another LGBTIQ+ themed series premiered a product with the same objective. In 'You Are Mine Special', its creators present an incredible closing to the Taiwanese drama 'You are Mine', from 2023, which pleases its viewers, as it delves into the progress of the relationship between Yao Shun Yu (Hsiao Hung) and Xia Shang Zhou (Parker Mao).
The public's reaction was immediate, and, despite recognizing that it is the perfect ending to the love story between the company's manager Xia and the company's new employee, viewers ask for more.
This explains, without a doubt, that while 'You Are Mine Special' reaches a rating of 8.1 points on MDL and other platforms, 'Deep Night Special Episode' only reaches 6.9 points.
When the magic of discovering new faces in the world of entertainment in general and Thai BL in particular, such as Shogun Paramee Thesdaroon, or being able to examine the latest work performed by already known actors, such as Seagames Teerapat Angkanit or Tanya Tanyares Engtrakul, they are no longer sufficient; chen the expectations of explaining to the audience about the work of the hosts when they are auctioned to entertain the clients who demand escort services with sexual content at the Deep Night Club have not been met, what is left to say to this series? What news will the creators provide to keep the public's interest in Thai drama alive?

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The loss of innocence

In a confusing way, 'My Dream' explores the loss of innocence, as it follows the lives and relationships of five young people who are united by friendship, love and blood: Runway (Best, Cholsawas Tiewwanichkul), the main narrator; his friends Guide (Fame, Chawinroj Likitchareonsakul) and Yim (Ellfa, Chollatee Bampen), Doctor Good (Boom, Jiratpisit Jaravijit), Guide's brother, and Tanai (Taro, Shatree Suwanvalaikor), Runway's athletic, slightly older neighbor than him, who is in love with the young protagonist.
Directed by Job Piyawat Chaithiangthum, at the time of its premiere in 2018, the series 'My Dream' meant a pleasant change within the BL universe with the mixture of youth themes, romance, fantasy and supernatural.
Runway is a brilliant high school student marked by nightmares since the death of his father. Thanks to her father's old dream catcher placed near her bed, Runway manages to fall asleep, in which a mysterious man named Dream (Fluke, Pongsapat Kankam) appears to her.
However, Runway, who lives alone with his mother, has not created an imaginary friend in his mind, but rather an imaginary lover who makes the teenager not only fantasize and invent various conversations and situations, but also leads him to confuse fantasy and reality.
Instead of helping Runway find an escape from the situation, Dream, who has been present in Runway's dreams since he was a baby, will help immerse him further and further into an imaginary world that will be difficult, if not impossible to escape.
Dream won't stop the teen from interacting with other humans, but he will be upset when Runway comes into contact with Tanai, the boy who has a crush on him. This is how Runway will ignore Tanai's declarations of love and her constant worries about him.
I don't like Tanai that she loves Runaway because "she sees him as a girl."
Runway's personality is wonderful, being the good son and good friend of his friends, always attentive to the feelings of others.
At the end of the series we will see a meeting between Runway and Dream in the real world, and thus we will have new elements about the relationship that exists between Dream and Elle and the bond between both of them with the dreamcatcher, since Elle will be Dream's companion on that occasion.
Another of the main characters is Guide. This intelligent high school student tries to help Runwai deal with both the imaginary relationship and the real world, but everything changes when he suspects that his girlfriend Yaimai (Noon, Pitchatorn Santinatornkul), has been unfaithful, and decides to separate from her afterward of three years of courtship.
At the same time, Guide begins to feel attracted to Tanai.
Regarding the character played by Noon, I don't like that she doesn't mind sharing Guide with as many men as he wants to be with, as long as she allows her to be the only girl. I don't understand these types of female characters obsessed with boys who have lost interest in girls, among other reasons because they are homosexual. Instead of accepting to be her friend, Yaimai will try again and again to get Guide to return to her side, causing tensions between the two and their family and friends.
For his part, Yim, who has lived his adolescence without complications, will suffer a sexual violation and will find supportive arms in Runway and Tanai, to whom he confesses what happened.
I don't like how Yim's rape story is handled.
Not even Tanai, because he is of legal age, suggests that he seek justice and report the sexual assault, after Yim demonstrates that he feels affected by the events. On the contrary, we see the boy being driven home by the rapist in the same car with which he was previously taken to the place of the rape, which would mean greater stress and suffering for a person after suffering a tragedy like this.
Other scenes, such as the "farewell" kiss when the rapist finally recognizes his mistake and asks for forgiveness, also make it seem like Yim suffers from Stockholm Syndrome.
It is true that Tanai hits the aggressor, but this seems insufficient punishment to me, since the possibility of the rapist acting in the same way in the future remains latent.
These events contribute to the loss of innocence of adolescents.
At the same time, the young doctor Good will be trapped in a strange supernatural relationship with a mysterious girl who turns out to have the appearance of Kafe (Anna Glucks), his old girlfriend who died in an accident five years ago, but in truth is a strange being who He changes gender depending on whether he comes into contact with the water, because when he is dry he transforms his appearance and becomes a boy named Elle (Choot, Cherdchanin Vitapinan), who is somehow connected to the dreamcatcher and the tragic outcome that cost him life to the woman that Good still has not been able to forget.
The three teenagers will lose their innocence when each one knows pain, evil, and deception. As the series progresses, Runwai, Guide and Yim will realize that things in real life are different from how they saw them.
The series also tells us about coming of age and that, coupled with the loss of trust in the world, human beings can activate their capacity for resilience based on affectivity. The more love and understanding the characters receive, the greater their ability to overcome obstacles.
After the dreamcatcher is burned, Runway wakes up from a coma and asks for Tanai. He is worried about him, but not only in the sense of knowing his state of health after the accident.
Upon arriving home and left alone with Tanai, Runway laughs at Tanai's jokes for the first time. He has lost his innocence. And Tanai asks him again the question of whether he can take care of him, in the sense of whether he can be his partner. And if until that moment he had rejected it, Runway asks him for time to think about it, a response that makes Tanai happy.
In the next dream, for the first time Runway finds Dream and her father in the same vision. Call the father. But when you look at the place where Dream was, it is no longer there. It seems that Dream has recognized that Runway has chosen to be with her father.
However, instead of moving forward, the series goes backwards, keeping Runway lost between fantasy and reality. Apparently, the creators thought to resolve this situation in a second season that never arrived, leaving all the stories unfinished.
Some viewers will point out that the series is slow in the sense of the action of the actors' and actresses' movements being slow, but I consider that the long shots and wide spaces for reflection do not make 'My Dream' boring. On the contrary, the slow rhythm has been used with precision in the Thai series, and the music and other arts related to television easily adapt to the feeling that the musical themes and the story have wanted to express.
Likewise, the static camera and silences contribute to telling the story and recreating the general feeling of the series. What is interesting is how 'My Dream' takes its time to build the stories and characters step by step.
What I enjoy most about the series is the slow and wonderful relationship that Guide and Tanais have been weaving. Fame achieves a good performance by showing how his cute character falls in love with Tanai, who in turn has been in love with Runway, but he remains obsessed with Dream.
The moments of interaction between Guide and Tanai are wonderful. Among these, the kiss on the beach or the one that the two enjoy in front of the door of Guide's house when Tanai takes him on his motorcycle and says goodbye to him at night before Yaimai's prying eyes. Or when Tanai places food on his plate while the three teenagers and Tanai's friends celebrate the latter's birthday.
It is extraordinary how the characters show the relationship that they have been developing in silence, even with their backs turned to themselves, and how they transmit anxiety, restlessness, nervousness... all those common symptoms that can surprise people in love.
I must also highlight how striking it is that the characters do not react with surprise to the supernatural phenomena they are forced to face. Accepting the supernatural without drama contributes to the development of the story, since it is evident that all the mysterious supernatural events and characters have the dreamcatcher in common.
We will be looking forward to seeing Yim and Asawin (Beer Rapeewish Sangiamwong) interact, since we only got to see it for a few minutes in the final episode. The chemistry between the two characters is undeniable. In case of a second season, I would be interested in seeing the evolution of this couple and that of Tanai and Guide.

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Bryan and Alex experience a strong emotional connection in the short time they have shared during their stay on the beach, as part of a group that organizes group tours that includes dogs with their owners. However, what could have been the beginning of a beautiful romance will be broken by a tragic accident.
The viewer will be able to enjoy the intimacy that arises between the two young people in a visually beautiful way, despite both deciding to take the nascent relationship calmly.
I find the format of the show interesting, in which Miss Becky (Ameer Sanchez) presents real-life stories from members of the LGBTQ+ community each week.
I also feel that it has been beneficial to start the program with a story in which we have Hiro Shimoji as the protagonist, due to the connection that this young Filipino actor has achieved with the audience in the series 'Our Story' and 'My Story', both from 2023.
The first episode of 'Dear Miss Becky', a web series produced and directed by Xion Lim, explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, transcending the physical act of sex, while alerting us about the fragility of human life.
Likewise, it gives us a message that love is more than a physical attraction and lovers must give value to the time they shared with the loved one, allowing them to keep alive the connection they were building before the occurrence of an event beyond their control will that separated them.
The episode focuses on the characters of Bryan and Alex, played by Hiro Shimoji and Thirdy Galvin, respectively. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, allowing the viewer to appreciate how the relationship deepens on screen. As the story unfolds, their interactions are conveyed through silence, abstract soundscapes, and textured cuts, creating a captivating visual experience that immerses the audience in an emotional journey.
In the same way that the character of Miss Becky fails to convince me, Xion Lim as a producer and director still fails to capture me with any of his stories. I still remember how it ruined the relationship between Zeke and Fifth, preventing this ship from being one of the most popular within the LGBT+ genre, not just in the Philippines.
If, on the one hand, the weak script fails to develop the characters, their conflicts and events well, the possibility of improvising allows genuine and authentic moments to emerge, especially in Hiro's performance.
With impressive daytime and nighttime images of the Philippine beaches, I think it is positive that Hiro has a new partner, since this actor can perform well in roles as a young homosexual in LGBT+ themed series, while Jericho Del Rosario, his co-star in 'Our Story' and 'My Story', he never seems to have been comfortable with his partner or the fanservice, which is very regrettable due to the visual attraction that the couple did not know or could not exploit.

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The loneliness of a young man who has found freedom in a room occupied only by him is altered with the materialization of an improbable dream that comes true.
The young man is not forced to invent the boy of his dreams (the film does not, therefore, resort to fantastical elements), but suddenly the dream boy comes true in the form of an irresistible neighbor who has just moved into the next room, and whom he just met in the building's elevator while returning home from the market with purchases.
This film starts with a certain feeling of "déjà vu", since the young protagonist seems to be experiencing over and over again the new situation of meeting the other boy upon returning from the market, but which in reality has never happened.
In its 22 minutes divided into two parts, 'Me and Us' manages to stand on the presentation of its protagonist and his neighbor, who to make matters worse will make him feel uncomfortable in his own home, but he will not mind losing the freedom and solitude he longs for. because he does not regret having the person he loves by his side.

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Two opposite poles, an unlikely romance, an unexpected union

From the first scene, 'Wandee Goodday' makes viewers fall in love with it. In a beautiful, dimly lit room, a young orthopedic surgeon seeks to ease the pain of having been rejected by his platonic love... by having sex with a virtual stranger.
Wandee, the name of the risky and irreverent protagonist of the Thai series of the romantic comedy genre with an LGBT+ theme, after being rejected decides to go crazy and drink away his sorrow. Drunk, on his way home, he meets Yoryak (Gigante), a Muay Thai fighter, and decides to propose to him to have revenge sex. Wandee and Yoryak spend a passionate night together, after which they agree to become friends with benefits.
However, things change when Wandee lies to her colleagues and tells them that she is dating someone. As the official synopsis points out, Wandee then asks Yoryak to pretend to have a romantic relationship with him for four months. The couple goes from being friends with benefits to being fake boyfriends, but little by little, their relationship transforms into something much more meaningful and substantial. Moments of emotional connection, in addition to the physical connection that already exists between the two, will allow you to develop deep feelings.
The fuse of the series lights at a good speed through a give and take of more or less witty replies and counterreplies. The quick transition from scene to scene makes BL lovers jump for joy.
Inn Sarin Ronnakiat ('Miracle of Teddy Bear') and Great Sapol Assawamunkong ('Manner of Death'), in the roles of Wandee and Yoryak, respectively, star in this series in which the limits of love and friendship are not at all clear. The audiovisual promises that between sexual appointments, the doctor and the fighter will experience a rollercoaster of emotions, dramas and personal crises. And this is exactly what viewers expect.
Seeing both actors in action is super hot, and yes, the story tells us that love comes even if you are not looking for it, even better! They are both single and meet after one of them gets drunk, have sex and decide to repeat it several more times without any commitment. But who wouldn't fall in love with them?
Not being emotionally available is the excuse that many people use to start a strictly sexual relationship, but what if your heart really wants something else? That is not the worst scenario for Wandee, but the fact of having run into Yoyak, a boy who will soon be open to taking the relationship to another level.
The always necessary figure of the "killjoy" does not take long to appear, this time assumed by Ter Kawin, played by Pod Suphakorn Sriphothong ('Dark Blue Kiss'), the attractive, serious and responsible doctor, who after rejecting Wandee for considering that he is "too vanilla" for his taste, he has come to the conclusion that Yoryak is a bad influence on Wandee, and that he does not deserve to be with someone as good as him, so he will try to separate them, causing problems and discord between the three.
Golf Tanwarin Sukkhapisit, the non-binary actress, filmmaker, writer and politician, directs this tongue-in-cheek comedy adapted from Nottakorn's novel Y 'Wandee Witthaya', with a slight title change by GMMTV.
Characterized by an attractive visuality in its artistic conception, the series surprises us with something more than just a new ship. Because, I can't hold back: what chemistry between Inn and Great. Because if the series manages to surpass others in the romantic comedy genre, part of the blame lies with these two actors in an absolute state of grace. The romantic and sexual vibrations between its characters immediately infect the most cautious viewer, creating a strong empathy with protagonists infinitely better written than the secondary ones.
The verbal humor and the witty retorts and counter-replies that they throw at each other are fabulous. Added to this is the restless and aggressive air of Bangkok, which seduces the viewer, with the background music, the crowds, the monks walking the streets, the historical monuments, the social and cultural landscape of the days and nights of the capital thai, and the boxing matches that promise action and scenes of pure adrenaline.
But to the magic of addressing another historical, social and cultural context, is added the literary basis that inspired Yokee Apirak Chaipanha, who has been an ally of Golf on multiple occasions, to once again put a text with his name in his hands to be brought to the screen.
In addition, other series by the renowned director are also represented in one way or another, including 'Our Skyy 2', 'Moments of Love', 'The Eclipse', 'The Bedtime Story'. Golf's narrative fiction and its recurring themes, such as sexual diversity, the complexity of homosexual characters, family relationships, sex, and others, are mixed with Thai authenticity, both in the boxing ring and in consultations and rooms. surgical rooms of the hospital where Wandee works, as well as in her cozy home, all main settings of the series.
At the same time, other attractive stories take place, such as that of Plakao (Drake Sattabut Laedeke), known for his participation in other BL, such as 'Bad Buddy', an interesting character who, in addition to being Wandee's friend, is a person who does not want experience sexual contact with other boys.
Likewise, the story of O-ye and Cherry, Yoyak's brother and coach, and her boyfriend will be interesting, an always-awaited second couple that increases tensions and conflicts, roles assumed by Thor Thinnaphan Tantui ('The Warp Effect') and Fluke Nattanon Tongsaeng ('Ai Long Nhai'), respectively.
The cast includes AJ Chayapol Jutamas as Ohm, Ployphach Phatchatorn Thanawat as Taemrak and Emi Thasorn Klinnium as Khwan.
The nuances of these and other secondary characters, all good actors and actresses in their respective roles, will be discovered as the episodes progress. Her performances, along with those of the main protagonists, the locations, and that tone that the director knows how to give to the story, is what makes 'Wandee Goodday' a series that could have been excessive and routine, becomes a pleasant, fun, entertaining and very addictive product.
It's true, 'Wandee Goodday is not the height of originality. Nor does it intend to provide a definitive anthropological approach to friendship and love relationships. I highly doubt that he intends to change television. It's not in their plans. But from the little that I have been able to appreciate up to this moment, it seeks to contribute something to the romantic comedy genre, and I mean to be natural and realistic, without completely renouncing romanticism, but without falling completely into the ordinary and vulgar.
I liked how the series set out to achieve what many others of the same genre do not achieve, which is to talk like people today, do the things that people today do and relate like people today do. It is this naturalness that gives Thai drama the freshness it needs to be credible, the freshness that any comedy would need. Its script and editing become true weapons in favor of the story and its tone, something that is appreciated.
And as I have already said in some way, the great success of 'Wandee Goodday' is its leading couple. In the same way we expect special effects to work in a science fiction series; or that true emotions are what drive a drama, for a romantic comedy to be crowned with applause from the public and critics, its couple has to be credible, compelling, with chemistry. And Great and Inn deliver here exceptionally. The weight of the series falls entirely on their complicity and the nuances of their relationship, something that these two actors do with indisputable charm and charisma.
The series is just beginning. We will have to closely follow Wandee and Great, who promise to make us laugh and cry with their love dilemmas, but above all make us reflect on whether there is that person who stays with you through thick and thin, even if at first it seems like just a game .
Because, in addition to entertaining, the series confirms that even when there is no commitment in a relationship, there are attitudes and actions that generate intimacy and emotional ties between two people despite not wanting it, resulting in uncontrollable love. Open relationships can be chaotic, but some have happy endings, so don't stop believing.
We are faced with an unbeatable example that two people can have an open relationship and later fall in love. So don't lose hope if you have a friend with benefits. Whoever said that starting a relationship with sex is wrong is wrong.
But now that I think about it, 'Wandee Goodday' is not exactly a story about friends with benefits. Although it all begins with a sexual encounter, the relationship between Wandee and Yoyak is about the power of destiny and the way it manages to bring two people together.

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Two young heterosexuals, a kiss that has the power to change lives and a rooftop

When we try to answer the question "what is the reason to love?", we will always be surprised to realize that there really is no reason at all. Through images, music, words and silences, 'Heart... Not a Reason', the 2020 Thai short film, describes this situation, while immersing us in the passionate and secret love relationship between two young heterosexuals, who fall in love after kissing as part of a card game in which they participate.
Toey and Puth, which is the name of our narrative heroes, are two strangers who meet for the first time after their respective girlfriends, May and Ploy, meet again after some time, and decide to introduce their current partners and go on dates double.
During the course of the evening, between plates of food and drinks of alcohol, the four young people agree to participate in a card game, in which the losers must comply with the punishment imposed by the winner.
With the chemical universe behind a kiss, Toey, played by Scott Pannachai Keatkaew, an actor we know for his role as Pent in the LGBT+ themed romantic series 'What the Duck' and 'What the Duck Season 2: Final Call ', and Puth, played by Book Sikaphat, an actor and singer known for appearing in the drama 'Risk Lust Love', also experienced a very deep exchange of sensations and emotions that gave way to love. In other words: knowing each other allowed them to know themselves.
The character played by Scott conveys the image of a person with a confused heart and no confidence. In truth, Toey searches for true love, and what he has searched for so long he finally finds in Puth. He likes how Puth cares about him, pays attention to him, with specific actions such as preparing dinner for him or surprising him on his birthday with a cake. And all this causes Toey to fall in love with him even more.
For his part, Puth is one of the people who gives himself over to love completely. He can't help but fall in love with Toey. While your brain asks you to get away from him, your heart takes you once again to meet him. Puth doesn't want to hurt Ploy, and that's why he hesitates whether or not to continue his secret relationship with Toey, but he can't resist the feeling that has arisen in the center of his chest. It will be very difficult for you to end the relationship with the person you love. While your mouth says one thing, your feelings say the opposite.
However, Puth's girlfriend has also fallen in love with her friend's boyfriend.
Both actors well convey anxiety, restlessness, nervousness, euphoria... all those common and frequent symptoms in people who feel in love. While I see the characters looking at their cell phones, confident that the message is from the other, or how, shyly, they avoid each other's gaze when they meet in public at the shopping center or at the door of one of their houses, I seem to see fluttering the famous butterflies in the stomach, feeling the sweat soak their hands or listening to the beating of their hearts.
The rooftop scene is memorable, as both characters are able to express their feelings and show the incredible chemistry between the two.
The viewer will be able to see how the power of an unexpected and involuntary kiss provokes in the two young people not only that desire to kiss that has a scientific name: filemamania.
The story will surprise us by discovering that nothing is what it seems: while one thinks that they have just started a flirtation, that they feel nervous being close to each other, suddenly we will understand that between the two there is already a deep loving relationship and both they have reached the point where they debate whether it would be right to continue the romance or break up.
The good production, beautiful images, delicate editing, structured script, and a credible well-told story would only be missing a tender and melancholic song. And we have that too, because the short film, in addition to provoking reflection on how no one should be blamed when you fall in love, since no one can control your feelings and your heart, seeks to convey the real story that happened and allowed Book Sikaphat to compose the song "Hua Jai", from the Sikpat Book, which tells the story of two friends who fall in love and how the feeling that arises between them causes the change of their friendly relationship into a romantic one.

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Relatable teenagers discovering sexuality in a fairy tale with LGBT+ characters

With a police investigation for the possible murder of a "Rose Garden College" student, 'Hit Bite Love' introduces the viewer to a story that follows six teenagers who decide to break all the taboos and learn the real truth about love, pain and growth.
Directed by Jakkaphong Pachara (Yuan), the daring series adorned with sexual scenes revolves around three couples with Shokun (Woraphon Charoensuk - Bigboss) as the protagonist and main narrator.
The plot of the Thai romantic school drama comedy could be described as a modern, youthful fairy tale with LGBT+ characters, although in this case, the prince has been replaced by an attractive student council president of a high society high school named Matteo (Alan Campana), who likes to enjoy the pleasures and dangers of BDSM, and Cinderella is played by a music-loving boy who has just broken up with his partner, because he wants to have a romantic relationship that is not secret, like the one you have experienced until now.
After experiencing a tumultuous romance with Ken (Napolpong Sooksombut – Pure), a star player on the basketball team, Shokun decides to put an end to the toxic relationship because he does not feel satisfied: Ken is afraid to publicly acknowledge his sexuality and has condemned him to only having sex secret and hot in the locker room, while appearing to be heterosexual.
Shokun will be captivated by the attractive, seductive and also very intimidating Matteo, a young man with a strong narcissistic personality, who will take advantage of Shokun's innocence, candor, broken heart and desire to be part of the music club, to force him to participate. with him in his erotic games or else he would expose his sexual encounters in the showers.
The scriptwriter Orachat Brahmasreni (Poy) has created a narrative text that, in addition to faithfully portraying the concerns of adolescents in any current society, with their fears, their dreams and their lack of experience with life, also represents some of the elements of the usual love fables, but with an impressive change: it proposes a world that is more than a story, but a nightmare, with regard to the affectivity and sexuality of its protagonists.
The image of the attractive and lucky prince will soon crack when we learn, at the same time as Shokun, about Matteo's sexual tendencies, dominated by sadism, submission and violence (controlled, of course) and his inability to maintain a "normal" relationship with other people. All of this is enhanced by Shokun's doubts and insecurities, who has not yet maintained a full loving relationship, despite having had sex with another boy, which makes the difference between the two more extreme.
Obviously there is attraction between the two, but Matteo has a secret that Shokun is not prepared for: he wants Shokun to be his submissive, while he would be his dominant.
Shokun's innocent and infatuated world will be shattered when he discovers that he is blackmailed by someone who hides a dark and shadowy face, sexual inclinations dominated by sadism and submission. Matteo will try to introduce Shokun to his sexual and emotional reality, while Shokun, surprised by Matteo's peculiar erotic practices, will seek to find out the reason for his tastes and his way of being. But what they both don't know is that the descent into hell that involves immersing themselves in rough and sadistic sex will make love emerge.
The story of Shokun and Matteo could be considered a "sui generis" homosexual urban fable in which some of its most sordid elements are enhanced. But don't be scared..., in addition to whips, handcuffs and other instruments of domination-submission typical of BDSM, 'Hit Bite Love' demonstrates how love can change people by making them grow spiritually.
As he develops feelings for Shokun, Matteo will not hesitate to stop being dominant and become submissive, fearing that Shokun is not ready. And Shokun agrees to be subdued by Matteo because he prefers pain and even humiliation before leaving his world. Until finally, Matteo chooses to give up BDSM, because all he wants is to be Shokun's boyfriend and have him forever by his side. Don't you think this is a beautiful declaration of love?
The series also manages to narrate some scenes that undoubtedly trigger the lividity of the person who watches its six episodes.
That the script is not perfect, that the performances are not perfect. It is true, but the series aims to explore various concepts associated with teenage dramas, such as sexual diversity, sex, the power of friendship, forgiveness, understanding, personal growth and the transition to the adult world.
And not from the perspective of millionaires and heterosexual college girls in liberal and cold Manhattan, as 'Fifty Shades of Grey' proposes, but from the perspective of homosexual teenagers from a country where homosexuality is considered taboo and the marriage between people of the same sex.
With a plot thread similar to that of the Spanish series Élite, created by Carlos Montero Castiñeira and Darío Madrona, 'Hit Bite Love' shows other important elements, such as betrayals, revenge, double standards, family violence, gender violence, homophobia, internalized homophobia, toxic relationships, teenage sex, feelings of guilt, attempted suicide, seeking refuge in social networks or the interest in exposing people's privacy to public ridicule, among others. Is any of this foreign to today's teenagers?
The other couple is King, Shogun's friend and president of the drama club, and Burger (Vasin Traiprakhong – Jur), a transfer student at the school, who will find themselves immersed in a tender and fun relationship based on a misunderstanding.
And finally, we have the couple made up of Saint (Natthapat Meesuk - Tae), Matteo's friend and vice president of the student council, and Hida (Vittawin Panichtamrong - Vic), who have become brothers not related by blood, when the former's mother gets married. with the second's father. They will both be united by a relationship that goes beyond these family ties.
The breakup of Shokun and Ken, the arrival at Burger's school as a transfer student or the strengthening of the bond between the stepbrothers Hida and Saint will end up causing a series of events that, with a police investigation as a backdrop, will shake everyone's lives those involved.
Another element to highlight is the music. The cast itself is the one who sings the songs that make up the soundtrack of the series. In this way, we will enjoy Jur, Tae, Newyear, Pure, Bigboss, Vic and Alan, who perform "Hit Me Bite Me", a song composed by Alan Campana, and Vic and Tae singing "Oxigen", a song written and scored by Vic Vittawin Panichtamrong.
The photography, by Suchart Makhawimarn, helps make the three romantic stories believable. For its part, Suriya Kaewkrong's editing achieves a fast and quite adequate narrative.
Sympathizing with Shogun is easy. Wanting to protect and love him would be anyone's wish. I found Matteo attractive and the most interesting character. He is a seducer and that is transmitted beyond the series itself. There are many points in your way of thinking that I do not share. but that has not been an obstacle for me to identify with him. Alan Campana manages to show two faces with his character, a more tender and romantic one that manages to win our affection, and another more cynical one, in which his dark secret is revealed, but he achieves a sincere and complete transformation when he falls in love.
The rest of the secondary characters appear poorly developed, their only function is to help the development of the plot but they are not important and in that sense I would also have liked them to be given a little more relevance or to delve deeper into the parallel stories, especially in the case of the three girls in love, one with Ken, one with Burger and one with Saint.
It is regrettable that, seeking to visualize diversity on screens, the series portrays queer characters in a stereotypical way, due to their continuous shouting, arrogant and uneducational acts, and mood swings. I am referring, obviously, to the character played by Bookko Thanatchaphan. At https://mydramalist.com/756465-firstly-like-you I publish a review of 'Firstly Like You', a film that addresses the romance of Burger and King, and in which I expand on the topic discussed in this paragraph.
I suppose this is a matter of taste, but from my point of view the erotic scenes are treated very well, they are explicit and descriptive, and they leave little to the public's imagination, but the creators do it in a wise and restrained way, and They do not use indiscreet, foul-mouthed or ordinary gestures, actions or words that may be unpleasant and annoying.
The limits to which Shokun accesses in Matteo's sexual games are at a low level and this results in the scenes not being very strong within what they could have been, which on the other hand the viewer can appreciate if he does not share this point of view.
This is a series that you either love or hate. In my case, I love it, because I consider that 'Hit Bite Love' is an addictive fiction, full of life, rhythm and color, that fulfills its central objective: to entertain in a big way while making us reflect. The Thai drama neither has nor understands taboos. Novel and transgressive, in its frames you can find sex, nudity, very crazy scenes, a truly explosive level, but nothing is gratuitous or obscene.

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The boys whose names together are not the only thing that look good on them

Who has seen 'Hit Bite Love', the six-episode teen romantic drama released on Jinloe Media's YouTube channel in 2023, which tells the story of six boys from "Rose Garden College" who decide to break all taboos and learn the real truth about love...pain...and growth, don't you remember Burger and King, two of those teenagers?
Don't you remember those two classmates who one day, sitting at their desks next to each other, King, played by Newyear Nawaphat Thannamongkhonsawat, discovers that he forgot a book, so Burger, played by Jur Vasin Traiprakhong, tells him offer yours to share?
Have you already remembered? Of course. It couldn't be any other way, because you immediately connect with the story of these young people that starts from that precise moment, when King sees a drawing of himself in the book and mistakenly assumes that Burger likes it. After this, King finds happiness just thinking that he is loved by the boy who sits next to him and asks him out. However, he will soon discover that everything has been a misunderstanding, because Burger has no feelings for him.
But if in matters of the heart, misunderstandings have caused conflict and broken relationships, they have also brought love, happiness and hope. This is precisely what King finds when Burger enters his life and the two build an emotional connection.
Directed by Jakkaphong Pachara (Yuan), 'Firstly "Like" You' (ตกลงใครชอบก่อน), picks up the story to, through the eyes of Burger, the main narrator, delve into the relationship of the two young high school students .
Based on the entire footage of 'Hit Bite Love', which is just over five hours long, 'Firstly "Like" You' leaves aside everything related to the other two stories, that is, the love triangle between Ken , Shogun and Matteo, and the relationship of the stepbrothers Hida and Saint, to, in about 80 minutes, focus on the birth and evolution of the romance between the president of the school's drama club, and the student transferred to the famous college of high society.
By leaving out everything else, the drama is transformed into a comedy, which achieves a lot of acceptance among an audience that may have rejected the series for addressing topics such as toxic relationships and BDSM.
Bordering on a love triangle that is also not very interested in exploring in depth, the screenwriters Poy Orachat Brahmasreni and Chim Sedthawut Inboon expose in the narrative text themes such as love, adolescence, friendship, discovery, acceptance and personal growth, always in order to entertain, but also to make you reflect.
In this way, we will follow in the footsteps of the young boy with a silly, neurotic, enthusiastic and immature personality who, while he wants to join the drama club because he dreams of being an actor, will have to deal with the persecution of King, who is firmly convinced that his partner class is secretly in love with him.
Personally, I was amused by all of Burger's witticisms to get King away, because every time King approaches him, Burger gets nervous. Likewise, I enjoyed the close relationship between King and his mother, with whom the student has no reservations about confessing his most intimate secrets.
The audience will be able to enjoy how, based on the misunderstanding, King is the one who will be interested in approaching and pleasing Burger. It is pleasant to see how King, a responsible, mature and popular teenager, always surrounded by many girls interested in joining the club to be close to him, suddenly discovers his sexuality while experiencing a homosensual awakening.
'Firstly "Like" You' more than meets what is expected from a film of these characteristics. The keys are, mainly, its script, its aesthetics and its performances, because although the two protagonists have little experience and are only 16 years old during filming, their performances fit perfectly with the narrative style of the story.
Jur Vasin Traiprakhong takes the cake, for his grace, charisma and the way he handles the humorous scenes.
Another element to highlight is the music. Being the same as the series, the cast itself is the one who sings the songs that make up the film's soundtrack. In this way, we will enjoy Jur, Tae, Newyear, Pure, Bigboss, Vic and Alan, who perform "Hit Me Bite Me", a song composed by Alan Campana, and Vic and Tae singing "Oxigen", a song written and scored by Vic Vittawin Panichtamrong.
The photography, by Suchart Makhawimarn, contributes to making the story of two people who become friends and fall in love credible, despite being polar opposites.
Suriya Kaewkrong's editing achieves a fast and quite adequate narrative. However, flashbacks to scenes already presented could have been avoided.
Even so, it is regrettable that, seeking to visualize diversity on screens, the film portrays queer characters in a stereotypical way, due to their continuous screams and mood swings.
While it is true that Thai serial and film fiction with the presence of LGBT+ plots has experienced various changes since its appearance, going from an initial invisibility and stigmatization, in which the characters had to be presented as the opposite of what is morally acceptable in society , to a quantitative increase in these characters, and despite their decrease, traditional and recurring stereotypes continue to be used such as the effeminate LGBT+ character or transsexuals who, due to circumstances, act in a grotesque, exalted or tormented way due to their condition.
Despite the positive increase in the visibility of diverse sexual orientations and identities in BL series and films in this country, creators must take into account that a poor symbolic construction based on stereotypes reinforces not only the deformed social imaginaries about this minority, but the very identity of the collective.
This is even more important if we take into account the great socializing potential that the film and television industries have and the capacity for transnationalization that the distribution platforms of these entertainment products have achieved, as they can promote a distorted vision of this non-human group. only in the Thai national space, but also in the rest of the globe.
'Firstly "Like" You' reminds me of 'Kieta Hatsukoi', the 2021 Japanese teen and school Yaoi romantic comedy from the TV Asahi network, which tells how through a misunderstanding, Aoki, the high school student with a personality Brilliant and in love with Hashimoto Mio, the girl who sits next to him in the classroom, he ends up in a romantic relationship with Ida, his classmate.
I also find similarities with other Thai BL dramas. If in 'My School President', for example, Gun (Fourth - Nattawat Jirochtikul) and Win (Winny - Thanawin Pholcharoenratm) get to know each other more deeply after answering "36 questions that will make people fall in love", in 'Firstly' Like" You' King will propose a series of questions that Burger must answer as part of a theater club survey, claiming that the objective is to get to know the future actor better.
Of the three couples in the series, Burger and King was always my favorite. If they brought joy and life to the series, the film carefully chooses and stages the appropriate scenes to preserve the world created around these characters in the six-episode drama.
The one between King and Burger is a surprisingly tender and innocent teenage romance that is highly recommended, for its humor, for the reflections it invites us to, for the palpable chemistry between the two young people, and for how they manage to create a friendly bond first, romantic. later, without becoming a couple, since we will surely find this in the announced second season.

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A deep connection that transcends the social differences and prejudices of an era

'Suunjapbang', whose official title is 'KBS Drama Special 2023: TV Cinema: Suunjapbang / Joseon Chefs (KBS 드라마 스페셜 2023 - TV시네마 - 수운잡방 | KBS Deurama Seupesyeol 2023 - TV Sinema - Suunjapbang)' tells the story of the noble Kim Yoo (Yoon San Ha), a scholar belonging to the nobility who during the Joseon Dynasty writes the ancient manuscript of traditional recipes "Suunjapbang", a text passed down as a family heirloom by the noble and exalted family of the Andong Gwangsan Kim clan, which contains culinary secrets ranging from exquisite liquors to gastronomic delights.
Known for directing 'Drama Special Season 12: Between' and 'Drama Special Season 12: Oddinary Goods', as well as the series 'Into the Ring' and 'Bad Prosecutor', filmmaker Choi Yeon Soo brings us a story that recreates how it comes about. This legendary recipe book, which with 121 types of foods and drinks is not only a culinary gem, but also a Korean national treasure that has stood the test of centuries.
To bring the story to life in images, the South Korean director has a script written by Jo Soo Yeong ('Drama Special Season 3: My Wife Natree's First Love') and Kim Ik Hyun in his debut as a screenwriter.
In this way, we will follow in the footsteps of the noble Kim Yoo, whose only ambition is to keep alive the family tradition of passing the national civil service examination. However, his path takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with those of Gye Am (Kim Kang Min), a passionate chef who calls himself the best cook in all of Joseon. This charismatic and energetic character will challenge the deepest convictions of Kim Yoo, who at the risk of his own life will not be afraid to confront his brother or the emperor himself when he has to protect his Master in the kitchen.
Initially surprised to learn that the cook at the memorial service at Amchungsa Temple where he arrives to concentrate on his studies is none other than Gye Am, soon Kim Yoo begins to search for the life he truly wants as he immerses himself in the world of gastronomy.
'Suunjapbang' (by its romanized name) explores how the passion for culinary art can transform lives and awaken forgotten dreams. The bond that develops between the noble family's second son and the wandering food enthusiast in charge of the Buddhist temple kitchen unfolds amid the culinary intrigue and challenges of a traditional society.
As the two young people immerse themselves in the search for exquisite flavors and innovative dishes, they also discover a deep connection that transcends social differences and the prejudices of an era.
Set in the majestic Joseon dynasty, this historical drama transports audiences to a world where gastronomy and love are surprisingly intertwined.
'Suunjapbang', which adds ingenious imagination to historical events, wins the Best Film award at the 13th Gyeongsangbuk-do Video Content Scenario Competition. The film is also intended to mark the grand finale of KBS' film project 'Drama Special 2023-TV Cinema'.
Kim Kang Min, who I absolutely admire after meeting him in both seasons of the LGBT+-themed romantic drama 'To My Star' and their respective films, adds dramatic fun to the film as a lower-class person with a passion for cooking.
For his part, thanks to the special appearance as Kim Yeon, Kim Yoo's older brother, actor Baek Sung Hyun, with a soft but strong charisma, brings depth to the team of actors while unleashing a series of events that will test the family ties.
I like how the film hints at a possible romantic relationship between Kim Yoo and Gye Am. From the very beginning of the film, the viewer is able to understand that the character played by San Ha is different from the others. Since childhood, Kim Yoo prefers to enter the kitchen of her parents' home before engaging in age-appropriate games.
Likewise, the discussions with his father and, above all, with his older brother, give the audience room to perceive how homosexuality in the young man can be very real. Kim Yoo has always been seen as "the weak link", the "fragile child" who had to "accept your defects", reproducing many of the stereotypes and prejudices wrongly assigned to homosexuals throughout the history of Humanity.
On the other hand, the relationship between the two protagonists, their meetings in the temple kitchen late at night, their night walks near the river, their tender and suspicious interactions, give rise to comments among the other young people residing in the temple. buddhist. For everyone else, Kim Yoo "is in love with a man."
I understand the alarm and concern among the other characters, if we take into account that the Goryeo Dynasty, of Buddhist tradition, focused more on the glorification of the individual, and there are many records that recognize that members of Buddhist orders, nobility and even royalty expressed their attraction to people of the same sex.
An example of the above can be found in King Mokjong (980-1009) and King Gongmin (1325-1374), who had male lovers called chajewhi at their service. The latter, after the death of his wife, created a state body dedicated to recruiting young boys from all over the country to serve in his court.
However, with the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, the situation of homosexuality changes. This dynasty adopted Neo-Confucianism, a much more conservative tradition, which exalted the importance of family and community, so homosexuality, as today, was considered taboo, especially among the nobility. In the historical aspect, it is worth highlighting the fundamental ideological points of Confucianism in terms of gender, which still has an important weight in Korean society. These are gender hierarchy, marked sexual roles and sex segregation.
It would be healthy to point out that during the Joseon era in rural areas homosexuality existed. This is recognized by historical documents that record, for example, how popular music and show companies, known by the word namsadang, were made up exclusively of young men, even minors, who toured the towns, markets and special festivals to put on shows. full of acrobatics, juggling, tightrope walking, masked dance theater, music and other circus games.
Because artists such as singers or actors were often looked down upon at that time, namsadang troupes recruited their members from orphans, children of poor farmers, and sometimes even through kidnapping. Since they were not well paid and were often offered only food and lodging, and a small amount of money, these boys and young men, on many occasions, had to earn a living through male prostitution.
In short, the troupe of young actors, musicians and puppeteers could have functioned as a homosexual community, with each member taking the role of Sutdongmo, "tomboy", or Yodongmo, "queen", as Stephen O. Murray recognizes in "Homosexualities" , published in 2000 by the University of Chicago Press.
Although with other objectives, 'The King and the Clown', by Lee Joon Ik and filmed in 2005, portrays the relationship between two popular street clowns: the boisterous and manly Jang Seng (Kam Woo-sung) and the calm and feminine Gong Gil (Lee Joon-gi), and how jealousy and anger well up in the king's mistress, the palace ministers, and Jang Seng himself when the famously hedonistic emperor of the Joseon dynasty turns his full attention to Gong Gil.

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An unrequited love

Kenneth (Andrei Desales), is trapped in a "friends with benefits" relationship with his friend Rayu (Jude Maquiling), in which he gives everything and gets nothing in return.
But chaos emerges after an unintentional mistake, and Kenneth must face the consequences of loving a boy who doesn't love him: like Icarus, Kenneth will have to pay the consequences of flying near the sun.
Directed by Angel Aguihap, the short film 'Icarus', produced by The Hillside Echo, is a bittersweet story of two college students involved in a one-sided homosexual relationship in which one gives everything, but the other is unable to return more than affection. superficial.
Premiered at the 10th FCU Duag Student Film Festival, the film, with an LGBT+ theme, won several awards, including Best Director, for Angel Aguihap; Best Set Design, for Nick Andrei Desales, who in turn won the award for Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor for Jude Maquiling, Best Photography and Best Poster for Joshua Solis.
This is a great short film because it has an excellent script and wonderful direction.
The film will make us reflect on the many dangers of sex without "conditions", especially in a long-term situation like that of the two protagonists. Within the framework of their unconventional relationship, Kenneth has developed feelings for Rayu, but it will not be reciprocated. Rayu has built a wall around himself that Kenneth will never be able to tear down.
With admirable performances, I was particularly impressed by the performance of the actor who plays the role of Kenneth. Her bitter crying, her pleading, her little hiccups of pain as she tried to express her feelings and emotions to Rayu, watching his tears flow freely, are heart-warming images. The viewer will feel compelled to hug him to provide comfort and protection.
It strikes me that the Bisaya language, also known as Cebuano, was used in this Filipino film, since in general I have enjoyed the use of Tagalog.

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Cheng Kai-Xin (Yao Jung Tsai) and Chen Jie (Li-Hsin Money) are two homosexuals involved in a beautiful romance despite keeping it secret. Their tender romantic relationship begins to falter when they both discover what the other is hiding: Kai wants to enter a Catholic seminary to become a pastor, following in his father's footsteps; and her boyfriend plans to go abroad to train as a soccer player.
While Kai asks Jie not to travel to another country as this would mean an immense distance between the two, Jie points out that if Kai becomes a pastor the relationship would also be compromised due to the Catholic Church's opposition to homosexual relationships.
'Icarus' (伊卡洛斯的翅膀 / 'Yi Ka Luo Si De Chi Bang' is a 2017 LGBT+ themed romantic drama, written, directed and edited by filmmaker Alan Chen, which tells us through the characters and their conflicts an authentic myth of our times: that of Icarus, one of the shortest and, at the same time, most complex classical myths.
Produced by Shao-Han Wen and with photography by Meng Chen Hung, the short film tells us that Kai lives trapped with his father, a pastor played by actor Chin-Liang Liao, not on the island of Crete, but in a Taiwanese church. But when he falls in love, Jie is the sun that illuminates his life. However, the more he wants to reach out to his boyfriend, the more he falls into the embrace of the heat.
After Kai learns of his lover's plans, his first reaction is to paint Icarus falling because his wax-glued wings cannot withstand the heat of the sun. When Jie asks him "What did you think about when you drew this?" Kai responds with two questions: "When are you going abroad?" I mean, will our feelings for each other disappear?" It is evident that Kai has come to the conclusion that the path Jie has chosen may result in the end of the existing relationship between the two. But doesn't Kai's decision have the same destructive power?
However, like the story of the myth, the short film leaves us with a variety of interpretations and meanings. These include the one about young people who do not control their impulses and crash immediately, or the one that tells us about an ingenious father and his unfortunate son, both victims of their own ambition.
With Daedalus unable to save his son, many see the story of Icarus as a warning about the dangers of ambition or lack of moderation. Some interpret the story from a more positive perspective, emphasizing the importance of living life fully, even when there are consequences.
Given the backdrop of the Taiwanese Catholic Church, some might take the film text as a metaphor for what can happen to people when they stray from the path of righteousness, assuming that the Church represents this.
Others see Icarus as a symbol of punished youthful recklessness, or the symbol of the rebellion of young people with respect to their parents, but also as a symbol of the innate curiosity of youth, the attraction of risk, the pleasure of adventure, of the interest in learning, of the fever to rise to the top.

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