PPBongi
California, USA
Initially Disjointed but Becomes Likeable!
This is a triumvirate story that in the beginning is unnecessarily confusing, obtuse, and almost misleading. Little explanation is given as to who these characters are or what is happening, and the story becomes awkward and needlessly opaque. So many characters are introduced all at once, especially in the first two episodes, that fatuity tends to confuse the audience. The flow of the story becomes disjointed, particularly when you are trying to grasp the nuances not only of the story but the familiarity of the culture and customs that is not fully appreciated. It does settle down in the third episode and from then on, the sagas of each couple become unique and interesting and understandable. I loved two of the three couples; the third couple was a bit more disconcerting for me. It felt darker and more brooding than the other two. This is a likeable series, entertaining with humor and cheekiness to make just about anyone smile.Was this review helpful to you?
Twisted logic in the story but fun!
If you spend more than a nanosecond of time analyzing this series, you will find it so logically implausible and with the story so full of holes that literally make no sense, it will make your head spin. But if you watch it merely for its pure entertainment and put yourself on the couch with ‘Grandma’ and watch it as a Soap Opera, you will love it. I loved it, so I guess I sat next to Grandma. (You will get the reference if you watch the series. I do wish she had a bigger role. She was so entertaining). In general, there are two main characters, two more or less minor characters, and a slew of supporting characters, one of whom really steals the series, while others should have been written out of the series or actually never written in.You can read the rest of my review at BLBliss.com.
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TOXIC!
This is one of those BLs where you will have quite a difference of opinions. Frankly, I am a bit surprised that anyone found this series even remotely entertaining, to any extent an affectionate BL story, or even well-acted. It actually sickened me to watch this series as a gay person to see so much toxicity detailed under the guise of love. And apparently audiences fell under its spell because it is presented so prudently.I do not want to spend too much time on the toxicity of this series especially for those of you that have seen this and still see it some sort of ‘love story’. Even if I numerically listed the breadth of examples, you will still not see its harmfulness. And that saddens me. For those of you who have not seen this series, then look out for them with an open mind; they are glaring and obvious and disgusting and you cannot sugar-coat their effects. Hopefully, you will see them.
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Surprisingly well written!
Surprisingly, this is a smartly written, well defined adult-themed BL that unfolds from an infatuation to quite literally life partners. I was impressed with how well this series evolved and told a full and complete story. Sure, it had a lot of bumps along the way, and tended to be too much of a Soap Opera in places, but it had heart and grit and frankly never lost its way. It is one of the most solid BLs from Thailand to come along in quite a while. In the end, however, the story did something rarely seen in BLs and almost never in Thai ones. It had a graceful ending eluding to the notion that they were and remain a couple still deeply in love and still happy to be so. They are life partners, if not soulmates in every sense of that term.You can read my full review of this pretty good series at BLBliss.com.
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Just an awful series!
To be honest, this was one of the most exasperating series I have ever watched. In a few instances I found myself getting so angry with Minato that if I were literally his friend in real life, I would have told him that his behavior towards Shin is tantamount to emotional abuse if not neglect. He is an awful character and frankly does not deserve the adulation that Shin heaps on him daily. Shin is the worst kind of fool as he cannot ‘see’ (does not want to see) how toxic Minato really is. One day, he will wake up and realize that he is. That will be a sad day. There is no point in rehashing the story. Very little has changed from Season One. Although Minato and Shin are in a ‘relationship’, perhaps on an intellectual basis, there is little on an emotional one and nothing on a physical level. To have one on an emotional one, you NEED two people and a willingness to commit. Ditto for a physical one.I hated this series and detested what messages they leave behind, trying somehow to make toxicity entertaining. I simply did not find this series even remotely amusing.
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The Best Off-Beat BL!
This series is phenomenally unique and truly a work of art. It is really Avant-Garde and told through the eyes of a straight couple as they themselves struggle with their own demons. The saga parallels three couples seemingly unrelated but, in truth are all grappling in their own way wanting to become accepted and to move forward as lovers. My thinking is people will either love this series or not and ‘see’ it in toto. I loved it because it felt like a mind-bending journey.If you want to read my full review of this rather astonishing series, go to BLBliss.com.
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Adorable actors; lousy storyline
This series was disconcertingly uncomfortable to watch and got to the edge of being an entertaining story, but never reached there. Overall, it suffered, as most Thai BLs as of late do - the essence of not being honest, straightforward, or communicating directly. The obtuseness of the message is the means to a plot to a story. Saying what one means only lies through innuendo, sprinkled sparingly with humor. Thus, the story becomes a bore and only creates more unnecessary problems.You can read my full review at BLBliss.com.
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Entertaining and fun!
To someone unfamiliar with the customs and culture of Taiwan, this type of a story can be intriguing. The story development is hit and miss in the beginning, but in the latter half of the series, once the relationship is established, it becomes enjoyable. Overall, this is an entertaining BL series that honestly does not take itself too seriously and as such provides for some amusing anecdotal interactions. In a strange way and one I cannot fully explain, they make a cute couple and I want to see more of them. It has been set up for an obvious Season 2 and I do hope there is one as I am oddly compelled to watch them. I find them intriguing and enjoyable.Was this review helpful to you?
Unquestionably, one of the best in 2023!
This story is one of the most remarkable BLs in redefining the concept of what love, is or at lease perceived, especially how we see it between men. It reconceptualizes its beauty, enhances its endurance, redefines intimacy, and solidifies the virtue of a relationship. And does this all through the magic of fantasy. This narration broke down all the traditional stereotypical Thai BL stories and told a saga so deeply personal and profoundly moving that you became a part of its journey. One of the best BLs for the year 2023.See my full review at BLBliss.com
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More reflective than Season One
While it is the continuing story form Season One, this story is a bit more reflective and perhaps slightly sobering. Greg is able to get closure on some of his issues while Papa Rich has too much of a storybook ending. Not suggesting that everyone does not deserve one, but it seemed a bit too neatly wrapped up. This series is very short in length which diminishes its impact on its character development. Meanwhile, Tupe provides the comfort and foundation that they all rely on and a real sense of security which is the real testament to the actor who plays the part, Rex Lantano.If you want to read my full review of this entertaining series, go to www.BLBliss.com.
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Another BL With NO Communication!
The idea behind this series is creative, original, and noteworthy. And its execution has elements of brilliance, poignancy, and also agonizing frustration that in a few spots I threw a proverbial rock at the screen. Why? Because it is the same issue over and over in these series, especially Thai BL series. COMMUNICATION! To be more precise, exchanging information in a clear and precise manner forthrightly. If this had been done near the beginning of this story, we could have had a real classic on our hands. Instead, it became yet again another ‘safe’ Thai BL series with a good premise but less than memorable delivery and a whole lot more angst than is absolutely necessary.You can read my full review of this series at BLBliss.com.
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Immature and Silly With No Plot
Honestly, I do not think this series was deliberately trying to make itself look bad, but it sure ended up summarily looking that way. There seems to be a whole host of reasons for this. A bad script. Unchallenging acting. Really bad editing. And a story that is so full of stereotypical, overused, trite behavioral patterns that all it seemingly did was repeat itself over and over again. The characters never grew. Never matured. And the plot simply went from one silly scenario to another. Sadly, this series played everything ‘safe’ and therefore went nowhere. The same silly plot and triteness spun around and around.Was this review helpful to you?
One of the best GAY movies ever made!
I could write a book about the beauty of this movie. There is so much to unpack in what initially seems like a throw-away film that was originally released in 2022. Marketed as a comedy, it is indeed funny. Its premise is rather unorthodox for us who live in the West. We do not fully understand or grasp different religious beliefs or cultures especially centering around a deep connection to individuals who are deceased. But that does not take away from its impact. If anything, it adds to it. As stated, this is billed as a comedy, but its ending is so sad. Deeply sad. Full of regrets but with an opportunity to redeem those regrets. Perhaps that is its lasting message that we should be overcome with. Life is so fragile. Regrets are plentiful with perhaps the opportunities to redeem those regrets coming along so infrequently. Maybe it is best not to waste them.This is an astonishingly impactful movie that will make you laugh, cry, and allow you to ponder and take pause. The timing of its humor is seamless. The acting is impeccable. The story is inspirational as well as being a tear-jerker. In other words, it is memorable. To read my full review of this awesome film, go to BLBliss.com.
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Despite the production issues, this one has heart!
I can feel my ears burning now because I liked this series. Why, you might ask, as this series has been panned? Because it had character and guts. Sure, I know what is wrong with this series. It has production issues galore. This was obviously done on a shoe-string budget. It screamed for more rehearsals and an acting coach to guide these young actors/actresses into drawing out more from them than superficialities. When I look at a series like this, I am hoping something captures me to want to make me finish it and the story did just that. It is a good rather solid story. They have heart; they needed direction.Was this review helpful to you?
Magnum Opus!
Sheer perfection. Without exception, this is one of the best acted and most talented ensembled cast of actors/actresses I have seen in a long time, perhaps ever. This is a love story between two young men. I know it comes from mainland China and it is not supported to be a love story let alone a BL, but it is, and they know it is. It is way too obvious to be otherwise. It is a story of love from the beginning. Sure, it ebbs and flows like a river, but the one constant is, like any river, it flows in one direction. And that direction is always towards a deeper and more profound love not only for each other but for life in general. You cannot possibly summarize this series that would not equal the length of this series. All you can do is try, inadequately, to capture its impact on you. But surprisingly, it is not so easy to do. Yes, it is pure artistry, but it also has a magical quality about it in the sense that it makes these characters come to life. Every single one of them. You feel them. You sense them. You ARE them.To read my full review, pleas go to BLBliss.com.
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