Nyx Medina
Philippines
This review may contain spoilers
BACKGROUND:
At the onset, let me first say that I discovered this series unexpectedly. About late March 2020, while I was waiting for the airing of the next episode of the much hyped BL series 2gether, I chanced upon other series like 2 Moons, 2 Moons 2, Theory of Love, Love by Chance, TharnType, Sotus, including My Engineer which just recently started and still airing at that time.
I have to be honest, after watching those other BL series I found the start of My Engineer to be quite silly and I even found the acting to be lacking. But I have to admit also that as the series progressed, the plot more interesting and the acting got better. I loved the fact also that apart from the main leads, the side characters also got their own story development which was quite good also.
STORY:
The plot really is not that complicated and the premise might appear quite silly. To put it simply, in exchange for saving Duen's ass from the (not so scary) giant lizard, Bon demands that Duen give him a flower daily for one month. Sounds like an anime or manga teen fantasy right? Well, that started the ball rolling. But after the first episode or so, things actually pickup and the story and its relationships become more interesting.
ACTING:
BonDuehn - At first, I found their interactions kinda cute but somehow later on I think it is already grating on the nerves. I mean, their attitude later on appears childish and bratty already with the constant bickering, miscommunication, misunderstanding, unreasonable jealousy, etc. Why do I say this? Because their constant fights would appear to be petty compared to the issues in the other ships of the series. I understand that the characters are from a certain age group and that they've known each other only for a month or so. But I hope they tone down these antics in Season 2 where I hope they would be more mature already (fingers crossed). Although I like the last episode, I thought that the resolution of their last fight was somehow fast-tracked. I love the fact that they were able to reconcile but I think they made up too easily considering that their issue is supposed to be "infidelity" with the kiss between Mai and Bon in the forest. More than the acting, I think this issue is more on the writing/directing side. I think Cooper is a good actor. He does perform well especially in expressing the teasing, angry and sad emotions. Poy however needs more improvement. While he is great in acting the childish part of his character, I found his facial expressions when he was crying and happy to be the same (small eyes and showing of teeth). I think the voice was the only difference between those two different emotions. I hope he shows more depth in Season 2. In any case, I am still happy because when the series ended, they posted their relationship status already. Awww. :-D
MekBoss - What's to say about this couple? Uhm. While the issue about their feelings for each other has already been resolved in the previous episode, here coming back in the last episode is the selfish user celebrity wannabe bitch in the name of Fon. haha. I am just glad that Boss finally owned up his feelings for Mek and turned down this girl. :-D In terms of acting, one could really empathize with Mek when he secretly loved his bestfriend. Boss was also a funny character. Good job to this two. However, while Mek was played well by Ryan, I found his dubbed voice to be disturbing. It did not fit well with his character. It sounded more mature to be frank and they should look for a better voice character next time. I also hope that those issues surrounding Ryan and the production company would be resolved eventually so he will come back for Season 2.
RamKing - BEST KISS EVER in My Engineer. haha. I really loved the development of their relationship (more than BonDuehn to be honest). We have the strong silent type animal-lover in the name of Ram and the confident and supposedly wise guy (read: advice giver) who's into plants in the name of King. Although their story seemed like a slowburn but I am glad it eventually blossomed into something quite romantic. Strangely enough, while King was teasing the silent Ram in previous episodes he somehow got cold feet when Ram was already starting to have feelings for him. I especially loved the scene with the "flower crown" which Ram made for King. That was so sweet. And who could forget that tent scene, where King expressed his emotions (albeit under the influence of alcohol) to Ram which ended up in a rather passionate kiss. It made the main couple BonDuehn's kiss pale in comparison. haha. While the status of the two was not yet finally resolved by the last episode, it made us further eager for Season 2.
TharaFrong - Although this couple had less exposure compared to the other ships, their development somehow progressed especially in the last few episodes. Frong started off as this standoffish character and was even rude to Doc Thara. But eventually, Frong softened up and I think already starts to develop feelings for the good doctor (more thanks to the missing necklace which was found by Doc Thara after much search - and admission of taking pictures of Frong unkowingly. haha). Doc Thara is a bit weird but thoughtful and adorable at the same time - who could resist this cutie? Despite the blooming relationship between the two however, the last episode for them ended quite unsure since Frong was friendzoned by Doc Thara. Ugh! Seriously doc? You and Frong are just a 'senior' and 'junior'? That kinda hurts. So you treat all your 'juniors' like that? Yeah right! I don't believe you. I think you're just in denial. haha. But I think, these two will get more development in their relationship come Season 2.
Aside from the ships, the other side characters were also interesting especially Tinting who was quite funny. Speaking of support roles, I hope Tang and Phu would also have their own ship come second season. haha
MUSIC:
I did not really like the opening song of the series. I think it was forgettable. But the songs and background music played in the scenes were better. Nothing really stood out for me unlike in other BL series where I had LSS. haha
REWATCH VALUE:
If you want to have a fun watch of young love, then this show is quite good. I think a second watch is already enough for this series. After all, I still have many other dramas to watch and finish. haha. I will try to rewatch it again this coming weekend. :-D
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Props to the director and production company which made this series. I think they did not only make something that they want, regardless of what the audience feel. They really listened (I think social meda played a good part?) and made a good BL series (thanks or no thanks to what happened to 2gether). My Engineer started off a bit shaky but eventually I already grew fond of the series and its characters which made me excited for Saturdays. This series is a MUST WATCH and honestly much BETTER than 2gether. Can't wait for Season 2! haha
P.S. I still can't believe the audience rating here in MDL is the same between 2gether and My Engineer. Really!? Do you have eyes? No person in a right mind, would equate the two as being of the same quality. NO ONE! Ugh! ;-)
At the onset, let me first say that I discovered this series unexpectedly. About late March 2020, while I was waiting for the airing of the next episode of the much hyped BL series 2gether, I chanced upon other series like 2 Moons, 2 Moons 2, Theory of Love, Love by Chance, TharnType, Sotus, including My Engineer which just recently started and still airing at that time.
I have to be honest, after watching those other BL series I found the start of My Engineer to be quite silly and I even found the acting to be lacking. But I have to admit also that as the series progressed, the plot more interesting and the acting got better. I loved the fact also that apart from the main leads, the side characters also got their own story development which was quite good also.
STORY:
The plot really is not that complicated and the premise might appear quite silly. To put it simply, in exchange for saving Duen's ass from the (not so scary) giant lizard, Bon demands that Duen give him a flower daily for one month. Sounds like an anime or manga teen fantasy right? Well, that started the ball rolling. But after the first episode or so, things actually pickup and the story and its relationships become more interesting.
ACTING:
BonDuehn - At first, I found their interactions kinda cute but somehow later on I think it is already grating on the nerves. I mean, their attitude later on appears childish and bratty already with the constant bickering, miscommunication, misunderstanding, unreasonable jealousy, etc. Why do I say this? Because their constant fights would appear to be petty compared to the issues in the other ships of the series. I understand that the characters are from a certain age group and that they've known each other only for a month or so. But I hope they tone down these antics in Season 2 where I hope they would be more mature already (fingers crossed). Although I like the last episode, I thought that the resolution of their last fight was somehow fast-tracked. I love the fact that they were able to reconcile but I think they made up too easily considering that their issue is supposed to be "infidelity" with the kiss between Mai and Bon in the forest. More than the acting, I think this issue is more on the writing/directing side. I think Cooper is a good actor. He does perform well especially in expressing the teasing, angry and sad emotions. Poy however needs more improvement. While he is great in acting the childish part of his character, I found his facial expressions when he was crying and happy to be the same (small eyes and showing of teeth). I think the voice was the only difference between those two different emotions. I hope he shows more depth in Season 2. In any case, I am still happy because when the series ended, they posted their relationship status already. Awww. :-D
MekBoss - What's to say about this couple? Uhm. While the issue about their feelings for each other has already been resolved in the previous episode, here coming back in the last episode is the selfish user celebrity wannabe bitch in the name of Fon. haha. I am just glad that Boss finally owned up his feelings for Mek and turned down this girl. :-D In terms of acting, one could really empathize with Mek when he secretly loved his bestfriend. Boss was also a funny character. Good job to this two. However, while Mek was played well by Ryan, I found his dubbed voice to be disturbing. It did not fit well with his character. It sounded more mature to be frank and they should look for a better voice character next time. I also hope that those issues surrounding Ryan and the production company would be resolved eventually so he will come back for Season 2.
RamKing - BEST KISS EVER in My Engineer. haha. I really loved the development of their relationship (more than BonDuehn to be honest). We have the strong silent type animal-lover in the name of Ram and the confident and supposedly wise guy (read: advice giver) who's into plants in the name of King. Although their story seemed like a slowburn but I am glad it eventually blossomed into something quite romantic. Strangely enough, while King was teasing the silent Ram in previous episodes he somehow got cold feet when Ram was already starting to have feelings for him. I especially loved the scene with the "flower crown" which Ram made for King. That was so sweet. And who could forget that tent scene, where King expressed his emotions (albeit under the influence of alcohol) to Ram which ended up in a rather passionate kiss. It made the main couple BonDuehn's kiss pale in comparison. haha. While the status of the two was not yet finally resolved by the last episode, it made us further eager for Season 2.
TharaFrong - Although this couple had less exposure compared to the other ships, their development somehow progressed especially in the last few episodes. Frong started off as this standoffish character and was even rude to Doc Thara. But eventually, Frong softened up and I think already starts to develop feelings for the good doctor (more thanks to the missing necklace which was found by Doc Thara after much search - and admission of taking pictures of Frong unkowingly. haha). Doc Thara is a bit weird but thoughtful and adorable at the same time - who could resist this cutie? Despite the blooming relationship between the two however, the last episode for them ended quite unsure since Frong was friendzoned by Doc Thara. Ugh! Seriously doc? You and Frong are just a 'senior' and 'junior'? That kinda hurts. So you treat all your 'juniors' like that? Yeah right! I don't believe you. I think you're just in denial. haha. But I think, these two will get more development in their relationship come Season 2.
Aside from the ships, the other side characters were also interesting especially Tinting who was quite funny. Speaking of support roles, I hope Tang and Phu would also have their own ship come second season. haha
MUSIC:
I did not really like the opening song of the series. I think it was forgettable. But the songs and background music played in the scenes were better. Nothing really stood out for me unlike in other BL series where I had LSS. haha
REWATCH VALUE:
If you want to have a fun watch of young love, then this show is quite good. I think a second watch is already enough for this series. After all, I still have many other dramas to watch and finish. haha. I will try to rewatch it again this coming weekend. :-D
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Props to the director and production company which made this series. I think they did not only make something that they want, regardless of what the audience feel. They really listened (I think social meda played a good part?) and made a good BL series (thanks or no thanks to what happened to 2gether). My Engineer started off a bit shaky but eventually I already grew fond of the series and its characters which made me excited for Saturdays. This series is a MUST WATCH and honestly much BETTER than 2gether. Can't wait for Season 2! haha
P.S. I still can't believe the audience rating here in MDL is the same between 2gether and My Engineer. Really!? Do you have eyes? No person in a right mind, would equate the two as being of the same quality. NO ONE! Ugh! ;-)
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