Love in the Air (2022)

Plain, superficial, only good parts are sex and kiss scenes

I was excited when I first saw the trailer for this BL. The main couples are beautiful, the story involves motorcycling hot fuckboys, and the production looks of decent quality. Sadly, this BL falls short on pretty much every aspect except for the intimate scenes. The storyline is boring and barely existent. I tried to care for the characters but I ended up watching the rest of the episodes with the fast forward button.

The music is low budget, the acting is fine but specifically Rain stands out as awkward with his manga like acting.
Also, they should have renamed to title to fit the motorcycle theme beter. Love in the air does not describe this drama well.

It is a shame that such pretty faces are not doing much more than portraying some simple bad fuckboy story. I don't think the actors are to blame for everything of course, the writing also needed work. Not recommended unless you just wanna see some cute guys be gay, but an edit video is good for that.

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Just Missed Being Memorable

There is such a natural rhythm to this series, and I have to admit that all the performers were top notch. I applaud their level of comfort in showing us the love scenes with naturalness and intensity. They were not afraid to show us that they were in love, and I felt like they meant it. This is a remarkably impactful series that just missed being profoundly memorable. We needed to see, feel, and know the pain of being raped, physically abused and psychologically tortured from an early onset so we could feel it on a deeper level. Do not be afraid to take it one step further. There was a deeper message here. Show it all. But I applaud this series for the progress that has been made. I was deeply moved. I sobbed a lot in the last episode of this series.

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So this was better than it had any right to be.

Okay, let me rephrase that. While LITA wasn't on par with BBS (Bad Buddy the series) with its enemies-to-lovers goodness marred with family drama or Eclipse the Series which touched upon important issues such as mental health and homophobia, it still exceeded expectations.

I went into this expecting the typical plot and tropes and for the most part, I was right. Plus, MAME is notorious for incorporating problematic elements and tropes like many of their kind working in the BL industry. Still, I just wanted something that was good enough to occupy my mind and didn't require much effort to consume.

However, one thing I did not expect was how much the actors would bring to the table.

Noeul, Boss, Fort and Peat each did exceptionally well with the role they were assigned. The guys made their characters more likable than I thought they'd be which added to the viewing experience. While PayuRain's story was enjoyable because it was just a pair of young, virile boys being very much into each other and exploring their relationship in their own unique way, I vastly preferred PaiSky's storyline to theirs.

PaiSky's storyline had that emotional depth that I wish had been more present in PayuRain's, and Fort did an amazing job playing Prapai. I did not expect the reformed cheesy rich fuckboi to grow on me so fast, but he did. Fort's micro-expressions went a long way in his portrayal of Pai and added a lot of depth to this character. Peat also did a wonderful job playing Sky, and their chemistry was one worth watching as it played out onscreen.

Also, seeing them actually act like students was refreshing to see at once. I'm lowkey tired of Thai BLs claiming X person is from X faculty and then doing absolutely nothing to showcase the fact. Studies are a vital part of your character's life if they're in an educational setting and just think of the numerous plot points that can emerge out of it! Exhibit A, Rain breaking down in front of Payu regarding how mean his teacher was about late submissions. Or Exhibit B, Sky calling Pai over to help with his homework, despite the latter having no knowledge of architecture but still doing so because that's what you do in a relationship. I personally vibed very much with these instances.

However, that does not mean that there were problems. The writing fell flat in the second half of the show wrt to Rain's character. I know my guy isn't the brightest bulb in the box but to make him out to be the worst kind of airhead was not cool at all, Noeul didn't deserve that. Furthermore, the 'graphic' depictions of Sky's trauma felt more like they were there for shock value, rather than to add weight to the story. We understand Sky has trauma, you can just hint at it, there's no need to add such long scenes depicting it like that. My Guy has Issues and Baggage, We Get It. The only thing worth nothing in those scenes was the difference in how much Sky had grown, when he fought back against Gun the second time indicating a growth in mental fortitude.

Also, Sky and Rain's friendship was one of my favorite things about the series, but it went so stale in the second half, their interactions seemed so shallow and forced, which was very offputting. If they are besties, act like it!

Also, shoutout to Tonnam, who played Sig. I didn't expect to like the guy as much as I did, but Sig's character was quite refreshing and I really enjoyed his dynamic with Sky.

All in all, not a bad watch, but not exceptionally good either.

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Get's better the more episodes you watch

Honestly i started watching this based on the trailer and me shipping NoeulxBoss, and about what I've heard this being a good BL with alot of skinship haha. I think it is quite good they decided to split the first half of the series main in Rain / Payu and Second half in Sky / Pai, as i think the story of Sky / Pay is so deep it would be messy to go through the story of Rain / Payu. Honestly, from all the commotion surrounding Noeul / Boss i did expect alot more about their story and part in the series. In the end it felt merely like a rather standard story, cute and adorable but not necessarily refreshing or new. Then again, i was severely impressed with both the storyline and acting of Sky / Pai. It has a deep yet traumatic storyline and i think it is amazingly well played out, and some scenes really got to me emotionally. Deffinetly a great series, even if the first few eps aren't that deep.

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Annoyingly plain

At first I had very high hopes for this series because of what seemed to be the setting - I have never watched any series/film that revolves around street races, and since the teaser seemed to include both that and a good amount of romance, I was looking forward to it.
The first disappointment for me was exactly this: racing in Love in the Air is a minor device at best, and an aesthetic at worse. The characters are seen being involved in this illegal race that seems to be such a big deal for everyone, but the setting is explored so little that, now that I finished watching, I'd argue that Love in the Air is more about university life than racing. (Minor spoiler here: we don't even get to see Pakin in person for the entire series, he's only ever mentioned despite being such an important and powerful character.)
The second disappointment was finding out that this story relies on a handful of tropes that are just... handled in the worst way? There's multiple instances of dubious consent, assault, stalking, and other things that are heavily romanticised. I read/saw these tropes in BLs multiple times in the past, but it was about 10 years ago or so, and I really thought that we had gotten over bad writing in favour of good characterization and introspection. I guess I thought wrong. After realizing that the author of the novel this series is based on is also the same author of TharnType, I'm not even surprised.

Despite my disappointment, I decided to keep watching, in hopes that I would still get to enjoy the series to some extent. The couples are cute and they have some very romantic moments, but I'm afraid there isn't much more that I can say.
- Rain's character seems to be almost entirely undefined. At times he looks stubborn and decisive, then he randomly turns all soft and cute and well-behaved; at times he almost looks capable to think and make decisions on his own, but then he seems to just lose his brain. I feel like his personality changed at every scene, which was frustrating to see.
- The series did a good job with Rain and Payu, showing that they don't just live for each other, but they also have their job/studies to take care of which are equally important. Then the story decided that Sky and Pai only need to be around each other and think about each other at all times; Sky got to show a little more of his university life, but Pai literally seems to be a rich guy whose only task in life is to pursue Sky in any way possible.
- I'm not a fan of dubcon, but I was willing to let it slide in case the series tackled it well. And... it didn't. Not in a horrible way (I'm not expecting a series to teach me that something is Bad and Wrong), but in a very plain way. The most controversial tropes were handled in such an unoriginal way that I felt annoyed and bored.

In the end, I can say that the couples were cute enough to let me watch until the end. Rain and Payu were more interesting to me, while Sky and Pai's story (which starts at part 4 of episode 7) got boring very quickly and I ended up fast-forwarding the last two episodes. I can only recommend this in case you have nothing better to do.

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Daddy

The entire show is based on two tropes
1. He fell first but he fell harder
2. Trauma is fun
Phayu x Rain:
At first Rain wanted nothing to do with Phayu but after a kind of one night stand Rain wants to prove a point and make Phayu fall in love with him. Why would you make someone you have zero interest in fall in love with you??? you definitely have better things to do. Phayu is super manipulative because Rain does exactly what he wants him to do, and as expected Rain falls in love. Rain started as kind of an independent person and ends up becoming a mop. There is nothing better for a new couple then sickness and kidnapping.
Prapai x Sky:
I liked them much better, but that doesn't mean I liked them. Prapai needs to learn the meaning of NO. The chase is fun, but after a few episode it becomes uncomfortable. I actually liked Sky's character arc. The plot with his ex made me feel really sorry for him, and I liked how the relationship with Prapai helped him get over his trauma, but he still needs therapy.
Again, kidnapping is fun...but they need to find better plot points.

Rain and Sky don't feel like friends. They show wants to make me feel like they are besties, but they seem nothing more then colleagues. They need to talk to each other more... that can help a lot.

Overall, nice trash, motorcycles are cool, won't watch again, puns are my love language, Sky is the best.

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THIS IS THE BEST ONE (list of reasons to watch if interested)

Where to even start.
If I ever knew I could love a drama this much. I often go to read the English translations of the books Thai dramas are based on when I start to really enjoy the show, this is always step one. Both the book and the show, they drag you in. I knew it from the first episode. Firstly, please, let's be grown ups. I can understand some people may have different opinions on Phayu's behaviour in the first couple episodes toward Rain. Personally, makes sense. Also, hot as f***.
Sorry, let me give an actual review now. (Btw if you haven't you should definitely watch the trailer, I watched before I started the show, because I saw it week-by-week, the most painful thing I ever did)

Let me quickly list themes in the show to help you decide:
- Knight in shining armour moments (more than one)
- The best NC scenes you have ever seen (no, I'm not exaggerating)
- Taking care of each other when they are sick
- Hand-by-head pinning to the wall
- So funny (especially Rain, that boy)
- Making each other better people/becoming better people for each other
- Amazing friendships
- Pillow talk
- Emotional confessions
- Multiple love languages
- Please they are so hot, all of them, all of the time
- Two lead couples, storylines separate, but slightly overlapping
- Phayu and Rain, hot/cool senior (both an architect and garage owner), bratty/dumb/adorable/earnest junior
- Prapai and Sky, rich business man and street racer on the side, adorable/traumatised/standoffish student

So, the books are separate, but set in the same place with overlap of the characters. Love Storm (Phayu means storm in Thai) and Love Sky. Exquisite, would recommend. Phayu and Prapai are friends and Rain and Sky are friends. If you have read or watched the wonders that is the Tharntype collection then you know MAME. Tharntype was my first Thai BL and it still holds a really special place in my heart. If you liked that in anyway, this is for you. Also, please be aware, if you are really tight on the 'but that wouldn't work in the bedroom between two men, you have to do XYZ', it happens in the book, you just have to imagine it happens in the show, because I think they felt it would be taking it a bit far, I've seen this a lot and I understand where people are coming from, but please remember it is television, it's a story, and it's for fun.

Tropes:
- Rich hot playboy
- Love at first sight (not that strong)
- I will find you
- big fancy house
- enemies to lovers (a bit)
- knight in shining armour
- caretaker
- kidnapping
- first love
- romantic ride sharing
- top obsessed with bottom
- caught in the rain
- the first cut is the deepest
- the big kiss

Okay, a bit more spoilery from here:

Plot summaries (but not all of it, go and watch the show)

Phayu and Rain stole my heart, my soul. The way that Phayu looks at Rain kills me. The story goes in this general direction.
Rains car breaks down in... the rain lol. Phayu happens to be passing on his motorbike, and as a mechanic decides to help the boy. Rain charms him a little with his behaviour, though he doesn't know it. Rain thinks he is really hot, but my boy has no idea that he likes the boys too. Rain discovers the girl he has a crush on at university likes this alumni from their programme who turns out to be none other than Phayu himself. Once again, Rain's car breaks down at the architecture meet-up and Phayu helps him once again. Then Rain realises that this man maybe wants more from him. Rain is confused, knowing that Phayu is very attractive, but he himself is not gay. As Phayu comes on stronger, Rain gets more defensive. Then trying to mess with Phayu and gets himself in trouble at the illegal street race that Phayu works at. Phayu continues to call him a stupid little boy, to which Rain has the, very sane I'm sure, response of telling him that he is going to make him fall in love with him. In attempting to do this he gets distracted from his university work and oversleeps when he should be handing an assignment in. He is so heartbroken at the response from his professor and goes to Phayu in bits. Phayu enforces distance, saying that this is clearly a distraction. Rain works extremely hard and gets all of his work done in order to be able to be near Phayu again. When he is praised by his professors this time he runs to tell Phayu once again and their relationship picks up from here. Along the ride there are no major arguments from this point. I would die for this couple, I cannot tell you how many times I have rewatched their episodes.
Then we move to Prapai and Sky. In said situation where Rain get's himself in trouble at the illegal street race, Sky is with him and when they get separated, Prapai, a rich racer, helps him out of trouble. When Sky asks what he wants in return, it is clear Prapai wants to sleep with him. Sky faces him head on and does exactly that. Months later, Prapai cannot stop thinking about the night he spent with this boy, who never even told him his name. He goes looking for him, by going to Phayu's boyfriend who he knows is his friend. He then finds him and begins to pursue him. Prapai has been a player his entire life, never settling with one person. But, he is extremely interested in Sky and doesn't question it. Sky could not be more displeased, he wants to be left alone, especially because of his traumatic past relationship. No matter how many nightmares he has, or how rude and standoffish he is with Prapai, Sky can't seem to shake him. At the same time, Sky is in his second year at university and is helping induct new students whilst doing his own work. He becomes sick and refuses to go to the hospital. In this moment there is no one to care for him but Prapai (istg situationally it makes sense). He nurses him back to health, and in seeing him tackle his fever dreams, realises that there is something that is causing Sky a lot of anguish, but knows better than to ask about something he likely doesn't want to share. From here Sky is thankful to Prapai and lessens his stubbornness a little. As their relationship develops they become closer and closer. Eventually, after some sad breaking away and then back together (so much more happens, but I don't want to give it all away, and the breaking is within an episode don't stress) our boys have never been so in love. Tragedy strikes near the end when Sky's abusive ex reappears with malice. But, not to ruin anything, it's a happy ending.
Highly recommend watching the special episode for peace of mind (and the only time I've ever thought calling someone daddy was hot).

If you have read this you are clearly not the kind of person who minds a few spoilers before watching a show, so if you like watching clips and edits on YouTube, defo watch a couple of the high quality edits (especially PhayuXRain to Unholy).

Well, I'm not going to get a lot of sleep before work tomorrow, but it was worth it. I hope this helps :)

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It was good, but could have been better

This was a good drama. I like the main couple, and then the second couple grew on me. I wish the story overlaps, instead of having to show the first CP RainPyu first and then PaiSky in the second half. I read there's a reason why they did that because in the book; both couples start their romance and meet each other at a different time. I just wish they could have fit everything because it gives me the impression I am watching two different dramas lol.

I like how strong the leads are, and I like how there is no force stuff in here.

This is the same author from TT, so if you like TT you might like this one.

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Enjoyable; needs improvement

Before I write my review their is some things I need to say and this is: This is my first time watching something written and produced by Mame and I am now aware of her "controversial" writing style.

Story/Plot: The moment that I read the novel, I noticed that this was that of a fanfiction which is literally Mame's writing style. Which I don't have an issue with it as she has introduced more cliques/tropes from her other works (according to other people who have watched her other projects) into Love in the air. Secondly, I write my own fanfictions as well and can identify with her cliques and tropes. The first couple I want to get into is Rain and Phayu, I liked them as they were portrayed well by their actors and I LOVED their story as well. I liked how Rain, is airheaded, cute and irresponsible at first, however he progressed as a character and got better later on. On the other hand, their was Phayu, even though his character isn't all that original I fell in love with him. Which I felt Mame did a good job writing both character no matter how they were dicpited from both in the book and show. Phayu is very mature, cool, and strict, however even though many see him as perfect he too has his flaws and that he is insecure. Which I praise Mame for the fact that both Rain's and Phayu's quality's are of the complete opposite however Phayu is mature enough to ground Rain when he needs to be. Which would resemble a real relationship. Their isn't much to any misunderstandings, which is good and even angst ( Which I kind of would have love -- just a little). Another thing, is that I love how Phayu doesn't put up with Rain's bad behavior just because he is interested him, likes, or love him. Which is something I see often times within Asian dramas across the board.

To contrast, the second couples were okay, yeah just okay for me. As someone who can relate to Sky with his trauma, I just couldn't get with the story. I don't nor shouldn't expect for the whole r*pe scene to be taken seriously as this is a drama for pure entertainment. Which I'm not expecting that nor should anyone since as I said previously this is just for entertainment and writing. However, this was interesting since I don't watch shows with r*pe elements. Even though, both Peat and Fort did good, however they didn't have the chemistry like Rain and Phayu. Which is fine considering that Boss and Noeul are actually close in real life. I like Sky's character more than P'pai considering that P'pai just wasn't a saint (Red Flag!!!) and he did things that got under my skin (not for the same reason it did other people). I just wasn't convinced that P'pai had changed from a F-boy to a committed gentlemen because he still gave F-boy energy. The ending was pretty rushed which was to be expected because the show only had 13 episode, which could have been more if Mame didn't combine the stories. Furthermore, I didn't expect Sky's Ex to be punished severely considering that it never happens in Asian drama.

Acting/Cast: I think everyone did a good job with playing their parts. Especially Boss and Noeul since this is their first acting gig while this is both Forts and Peats job in a main role. In the future, I would like both Boss and Noeul to venture out and be more diverse with their acting/roles as they have become close. I do ship them however I want them to be more like Bright and Win from GMMTV where even though they are popular together, they can still survive without each other. On the other hand, I want Fort to improve his acting because he did come up a bit short as well as Peat.

Music: I didn't like the music, it just wasn't my taste and its going to get some use to hearing both Boss and Noeul sing considering that this is not K-pop. In show, the music choice was questionable at times since again this is not like a Chinese nor Korean drama.

In conclusion, I would watch this drama again, which I know I am going to anyways. I would definitely recommend this show to future viewers as well.

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I could appreciate it for the bodice ripper that it was.

The NC scenes do stand out as the actors weren’t afraid to go as far as they could go with them. I liked that they showed the students actually working lol. For being a bodice ripper type of series, I got what it was going for. Was it a masterpiece like I see everyone calling it? Imo, not really. Tho I think it’s all up to preference/taste. The direction and editing could be a bit better. The acting, especially for some of the more serious plot lines (esp the PrapaiSky ones), could be a bit better too. But I think it achieved what it was going for. The production was also quite good.

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