“I don’t know why I feel like I’m not part of my family.” (Tam)

Let’s be honest, I gave it a shot because of the actors and actresses. The plot seemed interesting enough too, an angsty story about a group of misfits that come from different backgrounds and might not have a lot in common except that they are all middle children. A bit farfetched, but I can understand the appeal and it makes sense that they share certain experiences because of that.

It had a lot of potential, but it all frizzled out the longer the series went on. Instead of focusing on the problems that the Wednesday Club’s members face, we were following the stories of Venus and her political campaign, Top and his relationship with his dad, and Mink and her husband Karn. Not exactly what I signed up for. And while I can understand the plots related to Venus and Top, the whole ordeal with Mink and Karn was unnecessary. I don’t think it brought anything to the table except for taking up time.

Most of the side characters were very unlikeable. They did try to give them tragic backstories for us to sympathize with them. Or they tried to have them turn a new leaf, show them in a different light, etc. but none of that excuses their actions towards the others, including the Wednesday Club’s members. This goes for their family members but also characters like Top, Mink and Karn.

While it looks like they were trying to go for a found family trope, they didn’t necessarily achieve that. That might have been the plan. However, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. All of them are flawed and are dealing with their personal problems. That affects them greatly, it is not something they can just carry around with no consequences. It is expected that it will all come to a boiling point sooner or later.

Kong (Ohm) – He’s honest and reliable. Kong is also very loyal, which is both his strongest and weakest point. His loyalty makes him a friend anyone would want, but it also leaves him vulnerable when those friends turn on him. I think the biggest mistake they made with Kong is that they made him too similar to Ohm’s character in Double Savage. Ohm is incredible in such roles, I get that, but with the two series airing in the same year, it does blur the lines between his two characters.

Pali (Nani) – I don’t think he had any other purpose than being there for Kong when he remembered him. He was involved with the whole Mink thing too, she is his sister after all, but Pali’s relationship with Kanya was not developed enough. There was a lot of potential there, but it was all glossed over and we see very little of the two. Which is a shame.

Tam (Film) – Tam can be described as sweet, innocent, and positive. But she is carrying a lot of hurt with her. She keeps that hidden though. I do like that we get to see her stand up for herself as the series progresses, but I still feel like she was a very passive character most of the time. I was also not a fan of how the whole story with her grandmother ended. It was not a proper conclusion.

May (Piploy) – She is the character I wanted to hate, but I ended up liking a lot. She does appear like someone who doesn’t care about herself, like she gave up on life once her father ended his. She does play games with people around her, trying to make things go her way. I do like her character growth, the way she changes and starts to regard those around her differently. She becomes a real friend to Peem and Tam in particular.

Kul (Phuwin) – Kul might say he would do anything for money, but it’s obvious that he still feels excluded. Just like he did in the past. Yet he tries so hard to belong to what he considers the popular crowd that he often does things that hurt him, deeply, and hurt those around him. I am not excusing his actions, but I can understand where he is coming from and why he is the way he is.

Max (Kay) – It might be just me, but I found Max extremely unlikeable. Sure, he has a sad past, but who doesn’t? He is not someone you can trust, which is proven very early on. He is also very vindictive and can be quite malicious. And I think a lot of what happened to others could be avoided if he was a better person. I still think what happened to him before and during the series is sad, but it doesn’t really excuse his behavior either.

Peem (Satang) – He’s a glass child, someone’s whose life was always based around his brother and his condition. Peem loves his brother but also craves a chance to be himself, to discover who he truly is. He is very caring and protective, as he was taught to be, which is something that can easily be used against him. He is also loyal and doesn’t want to use his friends, that’s not what friendship is to him.

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Adorable and calming

It was adorable! I really enjoyed the simplicity of the plot and of the farm life we got to see. It felt calming and refreshing, different from what I usually watch. I really liked the cinematography and how they used it to portray some of the differences between the main characters, especially in the ending scenes.

Yul & Ye Chan: Ye Chan is an absolute sweetheart! He was cute from the start to finish. Him realizing his feelings and trying to deal with them had me smiling. And his whinny voice when Yul did something that got him mad? Adorable! Yul came to the countryside to escape both his life and father. He might not fit in right away, but he does start to adjust and relax quite quickly. He is older than Ye Chan and also more mature, but their dynamics still worked. Ye Chan is the golden retriever boyfriend, while Yul is similar to a black cat boyfriend.

My pet peeve with the drama is their portrayal of the country folk. It often portrayed them as dumb. They might lead a simple life in the eyes of many, but just because they spend most of their time working outside does not mean they are stupid. That is something that has been implied a few times and it didn’t really sit well with me.

Let’s talk Mark for a second. He stole the show whenever he appeared. He is a foreigner who settle down in the same village as Ye Chan and became friends with him. He’s advice is always very solid and realistic, but he also makes sure to remind Ye Chan that there are certain boundaries he should not cross. I liked that. But it also annoyed me how this whole foreigner thing played into the idea that the rest of the villagers are not very bright.

I still have some questions about the ending, but all in all, I am happy with the way it ended.

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So bad that it was good

The premise of the series is interesting. Do I think the execution was great? No, it lacked in many aspects… but there was still something about it that made me enjoy it. Strange, I know.

Kamol & Kim: Let’s be honest, Kamol is a bit of a disappointment for a criminal. But I can forgive him for that. The idea that he can’t find a partner is a bit far-fetched, but it’s a way to start the story. Kim is heartbroken and wants a rebound, which he finds in his one night with Kamol. Only Kamol is not really ready to give him up. To be honest, their first NC scene was a disaster, from start to finish. It’s like the writers and directors went into this with zero knowledge about BDSM. They just went with whatever popped into their head. Kamol was a bit forceful when it comes to Kim moving in with him, but at the same time, he was completely wrapped around Kim’s little finger. I found that kind of adorable. Kim really did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted and however he wanted it. And poor Kamol just had to deal with the aftermath. I really like how Kim never hesitated in going against Kamol. It really showed how secure and safe he felt with him, he knew Kamol wouldn’t hurt him. There was some fear at first, but it didn’t really last for long. I love the chemistry the two actors have off screen, sadly I don’t think they were given the chance to really show it on screen as well. If anything, they mostly appeared very awkward with each other.

I did like the side couples as well. Day and Itt were adorable together (I did change my mind about them after watching Love Syndrome III). The bodyguards were an unexpected surprise that I did not mind. The possibility of a relationship between Khom and Baiboon was only hinted at, I believe that was done due to their age gap and the fact Baiboon is still quite young. The series doesn’t state his age, but I am guessing he is in his late teens. Which is a bit concerning, to be honest.

The number of ex-lovers that tried to meddle with the relationship between Kamol and Kim is ridiculous. It was a bit annoying how that seemed to be a mayor plot driver. Some jealousy can be nice, but it can also quickly be overdone. I really wanted to hate certain exes, but they ended up redeeming themselves.

There are certain aspects related to the cinematography that were done very poorly. Some of the transitions were weird and didn’t really make much sense. The NC scenes were poorly coordinated, many other scenes came across as very un-realistic. From the way characters moved, talked… I don’t know how much of this is on the cast and how much on the direction part of the story.

I do think that my expectations for a mafia love story were quite high after watching KinnPorsche. Unforgotten Night sadly didn’t really deliver. But sometimes things are so bad that it actually makes them good.

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When the past is much more interesting that the present

I might be in the minority here, but I really didn’t enjoy the series that much. I did make it through the whole thing, yes, but it was far from being a favorite of mine. I have never been a huge fan of the whole reincarnation concept. The soulmates trope is one I do enjoy though.

Korn & Intouch: Their story is absolutely heartbreaking. Korn seems to be cold and distant, someone who doesn’t really connect with anyone. Which is probably due to his family background. Intouch, on the other hand, is very outgoing and sweet, he tries to befriend everyone around him. Including Korn. The two lived in the time when gay relationships were not accepted, and their family reactions do show that. The two planned to be in each other’s lives forever. And they achieved that in the only way they thought it was possible. I cried so much during the suicide scene. Korn took the lead, but Intouch crying over him and asking him why he did this to him is what broke me. Kao and Earth did incredibly! The cute moments were adorable, and their chemistry is amazing. But it was the heavy and emotional scenes that really made the two of them shine. They really showed so much through their eyes.

Dean & Pharm: I don’t know why, but I didn’t really like the pairing. Dean is either very cold towards everyone or too pushy. There were a few scenes in which his advances were not really appreciated or well paced, and it was obvious they made Pharm uncomfortable. Kudos to Pharm for speaking out about it at some point. I found Pharm too naïve and too childish most of the time. Yeah, it can be cute, but I think it was overdone. I just didn’t really think the two characters are well suited for each other. Dean is someone who can easily trample over Pharm who is too enamored to react. Ohm and Fluke did great in portraying the characters, it’s not them I don’t like, it’s the characters. I do think they had great potential chemistry wise, but I don’t think it was fully shown in the show. The end of their story was very rushed, especially considering the length of the series. I do think that Fluke really shined in the last episode, the emotions he showed were amazing.

The part that I found the messiest was the whole family situation. Dean and Pharm are the reincarnated versions of Korn and Intouch, but they kind of switch the families. So, Dean is born into Intouch’s family while Pharm is born into Korn’s family. I can understand the idea behind it – giving the two families a chance to change the past in the present – but the switch is something I don’t fully get. I think I would prefer if there was not family connection between the past and present lovers. Or if they were born into their original families. That would still give the families a chance to, in a way, undo the past.

To be honest, I really loved Korn and Intouch and I would really love a full series just about them. Even with the ending they had. I found their story much more interesting and intriguing than the story of Dean and Pharm. I don’t blame the actors, it’s the way the series was written and directed, I know that. I just really wasn’t feeling Dean and Pharm as a couple.

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Unexpected gem with characters we can easily relate to

I really like how the main focus is on the friendship between the main characters. While they go on this mission of theirs, we get to know a lot about each character but we also see them solve many of their problems, even improving their understanding of people in their lives.

I honestly gave this series a shot because of Nunew, Tutor and Title, but I really ended up enjoying it. I think all of the actors and actresses have done an incredible job with their characters. And while I know their adventure is supposed to be kind of fun, I still think it’s also a journey to self-discovery of some sort for every one of them.

I think there is a character that each of person, especially young ones, can relate to in one way or the other. I relate to Patty the most, in so many ways. From fear of letting your family down, having to pretend that things are okay, not expressing her feelings openly, being able to stand up for everyone but yourself… I could continue to list things for quite a while. And I’m sure there are people who can just as strongly relate to other characters.

I do like the way they approached fan following. They adressed its positive and negative sides, they also showed how quickly things can turn from good to bad and back. All in all, a lot of it seemed really realistic and I really liked that.

Nanai – there is a lot more to him than just being a sweet idol. I think that is something that we can tell very early on with the scandals that are mentioned in relation to him, but it really becomes obvious later in the show. He is someone who doesn’t open easily, someone who also has some skeletons in his closet. And while in some way he is living his dream, he also misses being just a normal teen.

Patty – her parents are divorced (I think) and don’t really have much time for her, so she turned to the internet, her favorite group, and fanfictions for comfort. I think we can all understand her need to escape. She is getting ready for her entry exams for college when their mission begins. She seems to be very responsible and well spoken, so she very naturally takes over as the leader of their group.

Porpor – he dreamed of being an idol one day as well, but never made it. He works as a food delivery driver. He is very sweet, he does sometimes act without thinking, but he also seems to be the type of friend that goes with all of your dumb ideas. He is very caring too. And his crush on Ainam is adorable. That is the only kind of romance in this series that I am okay with.

Ainam – she is Nanai’s bodyguard or some sort of manager that ends up tagging along, so she can keep an eye on Nanai. She seems to be kind of cold and detached at times, but there are also times where she really shows how much she cares about everyone who is a part of this mission.

Mui – she’s the oldest member of this group and she acts like the fun aunt most of the time. I really do think her spending time with the kids is something that will help her understand her son better as well. She is kind of quirky, but in a very sweet way.

Lemonade – she is known for being a bully online, something that has gotten her in trouble, even with her father who is a cop. She is short tempered and tends to go off before really thinking things through. I do find her interesting. She has this sweet look to her, but her tongue can be quite harsh. I do like the duality of her.

Andy, Summer & Jen – they are Nanai’s group members. I do sometimes feel like they don’t fully understand Nanai or like they don’t fully accept him as he is. There seems to be a wall between the three of them and Nanai that neither of them can really break down, especially the one between Andy and Nanai.

Ninja – the reason for the whole mission. Her story is sad, but she seems like such a sweet and positive person. She knows she doesn’t have long left, but she is not letting that bring her down. She is trying her best to be positive and full of energy for everyone around her.

Porsche – he was introduced as someone we should either hate or pity, depending on what episode we are on. But I couldn’t do either of that. He is much stronger than many could imagine, his words really showing how differently things could end. I simply hope that he can live happily going forward.

This really was an unexpected gem and it’s worth the watch.

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It did what the prologue is supposed to do

The prologue did what it’s supposed to do – it introduced the characters, gave us some background info and teased what might happen going forward. With the end being focused on fanservice. I was a bit surprised by that, but I guess they tried to show the chemistry between the actresses. I think we could sense chemistry between them before too.

Tawan & Winnie: I am a fan of forced proximity in series. And secret crushes. So, their storyline seems completely up my alley. I am a bit confused about the relationship between Tawan and Winnie from before. At times it seems like they are kind of close, and then at other times it looks like Tawan is just admiring Winnie from afar. I hope this will be made clearer in their series. The plot twist was a bit of a surprise.

Jaojay & Si: Office romances seem to be it trope for series lately. And I don’t mind that, as long as they are done well, and they are not all the same. Cold boss and a cute intern with a crush on the said boss. Looks promising, but I fear it will end up being too similar to GAP. Which might overshadow the series, as GAP was quite big when it came out.

Pipim & Peeraya: Fake / temporary relationship, another great trope. However, I am not the biggest fan of power dynamics here. It seems like a big red flag to me how Peeraya is only agreeing to help Pipim if she agrees to temporarily date her. Even if she might have feelings for her, it just doesn’t sit right with me. I really hope they will find a good balance for their story.

Jaokha & Papie: Young love, heartbreak and tears. It looks like Papie is trying to do the “noble” thing, but it will backfire. So, will this be a second chance romance? It kind of looks like that to me, which is again an interesting trope. But seeing what I saw, they might be a couple that I will not want to end up together.

Tawan and Jaojay are best friends. The same goes for Si and Pipim, with Si also knowing Peeraya. And them Pipim and Papie are siblings. Maybe Jaojay and Jaokha are related too? Their names are making me think that, we often get siblings with similar names in Thai series. I'm not familiar with their stories from the novels. Either way, all the girls are connected, one way or the other.

I do wonder if Pipim & Peeraya and Papie & Jaokha will also get separate series as they also have their own novels, or just be introduced as side characters. Either way, I am looking forward to the two already announced series.

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Adorable, slow burn high school romance

While the plot might not seem anything special at the first glance, the execution was amazing! There is nothing that I don't like about it! The way Tinn and Gun's relationship developed was really adorable, it was a slow burn but definitely worth the time. It was a first relationship for both characters, so them taking their time to figure things out was nice, even if I was on the edge of my seat, waiting for them to kiss sooner. The chemistry between the actors was amazing, from the glances to the little touches. I swear I could see the sparks flying between Tinn and Gun.

I loved all of their friends, including our main wingman Thiw. The nods (and parallels) to Bad Buddy the Series were fun too, especially as it is one of my all time favourite series. The side couple(s) did steal the show for a bit, but TinnGun / GunTinn took it back quickly.

The OST was pure perfection! The songs really fit in well with the storyline. Including the MV they did for Just Being Friendly. It was written into the story very nicely as well.

Tinn & Gun: This really was a "one fell first, the other fell harder" kind of story. I found Tinn very endearing. It was fun to see him try to flirt with Gun quite early on, but not really knowing what he was doing or how to express his feelings. Tinn does seem a bit reserved at first, but once he gets close to someone he really tends to open up. His imagination is out of this world though, maybe he watched too many romantic series. Gun is wild and he is proud of that. He is a bit of a troublemaker who can’t really handle jealously. I mean the Romeo and Juliette scene was brilliant. The two of them really are super sodium – radium – potassium!

Sound & Win: Who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers story? They started off on the wrong foot, but no matter how much they were fighting, I think we could all see the sparks between them. There are a lot of scenes where we can see there is something going on, but neither of them dares to cross the line. I think their confession is adorable. I like that they don’t completely change even when they start to date.

Thiw & Por: Now, we are never officially told that the two of them are together, but I think we can all tell there is something between them.

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SOTUS wannabe… but make it GL

I expected the series to have at least a little bit of SOTUS vibes, especially after seeing the trailer and everything… but there were some scenes that were pretty much an exact copy paste. And it has nothing to do with the fact they were trying to show us the hazing process. It was certain things they included, the punishments, etc. I’m sure there were other options than tearing apart the nametag or having the senior run laps. Even the whole wants-to-be-though senior who is actually a cutie, while the junior seems to be a bit more mature and capable.

But if we leave those initial similarities aside, the story developed in a different direction when it came to the later episodes as well as the main couple’s relationship. However, the timeline is a mess. There are a lot of time jumps, so it’s hard to keep up with how much time has actually passed. Especially those in the last episode. The flashbacks are not always clearly set apart, so it sometimes took me a bit to realize we are seeing a flashback. It was all kind of rushed too, especially towards the end.

There were also some strange scene cuts which made the story slightly difficult to follow at times. The plot in general seems a bit weak. It relied very heavily on a constant flow of past and current possible love interests. It made it very repetitive. And then we have the episode with the freshy content where we have no clue what is going on because there was loud music playing over everything. And they couldn’t even bother with the subtitles for the convos that we were shown on screen during that time. There was another such scene later. Why have the characters interact if there is no way for us to know what is going on?!

Manaow & Gyoza: Neither of the two is ready for a relationship. They are childish, can’t communicate with each other, always jump to conclusions, and think crying and avoiding the other person will solve everything. They both made a lot of mistakes, some were worse than others, but only Manaow owned up to them while Gyoza continued to play the victim. I feel their ending left a lot to be desired, there was still so much left unclear and up in the air. I think that separately, I liked both girls. They really shined when they were with their friends, we saw a different side to both. But together, they were not it for me. The two actresses, Kookkaew and Anda, had a nice enough chemistry, but the editing didn’t do them justice. Their acting was kind of weak at times, especially in the more emotion heavy scenes, and neither of them can cry.

As for side characters, there was a lot. As I mentioned, the possible love interests were annoying. As characters, some of them were actually great and I wouldn’t mind them… if they weren’t yet another love-sick puppy. I did find Warang and Prang adorable though. And Thida is the kind of friend everyone wants. She is amazing!

It had potential, but the plot needed some more work. As did the editing. Maybe they should have lost some of the cliches along the way and given Naow and Gyo some more time for their relationship to develop properly.

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Kurosawa didn't need magic to read Adachi's mind

I was a bit unsure if I am even willing to bother with this series. Mostly because I often find the idea of virginity giving you some sort of magic (or making you pure) very off putting. It’s my opinion and probably the main reason I have put off watching it for so long. Thankfully, some edits made me intrigued and got me to give it a go.

Kurosawa & Adachi: Adachi might be one of the most relatable characters for introverts I have ever seen. He lacks confidence and tends to put himself down, he doesn’t stand up for himself and does everything to make others like him. He often worries about how others perceive him. Kurosawa is the it guy at the office. He seems confident, outgoing, friendly, and competent. But he also has a more vulnerable side that we get to see later one. I really liked that they added dimension to his character. I really liked their dynamics; Kurosawa was never too pushy when it came to pursuing Adachi and gave him space. He was also very good at reading Adachi and his reaction, and then adapting his behavior. And he wasn’t even the one with magic!

Tsuge & Minato: they were the side couple with a similar premise as the main one. Tsuge was also in possession of magic while Minato was unaware of that. Tsuge is both an introvert and a drama king, he sure knows how to exaggerate. Minato is adorable, very friendly, and quite outgoing. I wasn’t really enjoying this couple and I think it has a lot to do with me disliking Tsuge as a character. I don’t know what it is about him, but I found him annoying.

I genuinely liked all of the side characters. Rokkaku and Fujisaki were an absolute joy whenever they appeared on screen. Even Urabe, Adachi’s senior at work, was not nearly as bad as I thought at first. He really redeemed himself as the series progressed.

I like how they showed that having the magic is not always a good thing nor it’s something that you should rely on too much. It gave us a different perspective from what I expected. They also avoided a lot of cliches – from evil exes to pursuing a reluctant person.

The comedy aspect was nicely incorporated into the series. The visuals and locations were amazing too. I also really liked the intro and outro sequences.

The series might not be one of my favorites, but it was an enjoyable watch. This is a very subjective thing, so just because it was not something I absolutely loved, doesn’t mean it is not something others enjoyed a lot more.

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Gorgeous cast is not enough

The cast is absolutely stunning! As someone who has never followed any pageants, let alone foreign or international ones, I was quite surprised to learn that pretty much everyone competed in the Miss Grand Thainland / Miss Grand International! It also makes sense much more sense why they decided on the plot.

Meena & Cherine: I love seeing Engfa and Charlotte together on screen, I do think they have a lot of chemistry. Even if the show doesn’t give it a real chance. I really like the idea of Meena being this simple girl that makes it big. We often see her dress really casually and simple, her hair in a ponytail or an updo. It really moves away from that stereotypical idea of what beauty pageant contestants look and behave like. I do feel like the two, especially Cherine, act extremely childish when they are together. I did find it a bit annoying, e.g. their interactions in episode 8.

I do like the fact that the series addresses some problems related to the whole beauty pageant industry. Kudos to them for showing that mothers who force their children into such competitions at an early age can cause a lot of damage to their child’s self esteem and make them feel unworthy. It can go to the other extreme as well, but they focused on the lows in the series.

Sadly, I don’t think the plot and the way scenes were put together makes a lot of sense. This also makes the series feel both rushed and choppy at times, but also very confusing due to some jumps from the present to the past and back. Relating to that, what was the point of the pool scene? Fanservice? I don’t see how it actually connected to the story.

The “villains” seem kind of unnecessary to me. Maybe I am being too picky, but I feel like they didn’t really bring much to the plot. They simple took up time that could have been given to Meena and Cherine, showing us more of how their relationship develops.

The OST is nice though, and Engfa has a really nice and soothing voice.

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Better than the series

I personally like this one better than the full series. The storyline is kind of cute, it ties up Ai and Nhai's relationship nicely. The whole conflict seemed kind of exageratted and caused by lack of clear communication. I am not usually bothered by it much (it's a go-to plot twist in most series), but I have praised them for being good at communicating in the main series, so I felt like them doing just the opposite in the special had to be brought up.

Nhai is still silly, but his silliness wasn't as overdone in the special as it was in the main series, so that was a nice surprise. Thon was a little devil, I feel like he was trying to make Nhai worry on purpose with his whole cryptic horoscope reading. But it also felt like something a friend would do.

And yay, we got to see Suppakorn and Nan again! Nan is probably my fav character in the whole series, he steals the show whenever he appears.

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Rushed and feeling a bit forced

I didn’t really enjoy this one. I feel like it started okay, but it went downhill quickly. The plot is nothing special, we have a cold and feared boss falling for his cute and new employee. I liked how we got some insight into the past and what made the boss who he is today, but I also don’t think there is a reason for to be this aggressive with everyone. A lot of it was very unrealistic and I didn’t particularly like the kind of humor they went for. Also, what was up with the whole thing about Shun Yu being unattractive and working at a company known for good looks? That made no sense to me.

Xia Shan Zhou & Yao Shun Yu: Shan Zhou, the general manager, is know for being a difficult boss. He is dealing with past trauma and his mother’s expectations. Shun Yu is friendly, sweet and caring. He is also a bit naïve and tends to only see the good in those around him. I feel like their relationship was never properly developed. The general manger is suddenly acting all loving with Shun Yu, who is very reluctant to accept this. Them getting together felt forced, almost like Shun Yu didn’t have another option. Especially with how quickly Shan Zhou decided he wants him. And then didn’t really sit well with me. The two actors had good chemistry, but I don’t think translated that well due to how rushed things were.

I actually liked the little interview segments at the start of each episode. They were cute. I didn’t like how the start of the new episode often included a lot of the ending from the last. I found it a bit confusing at times as it was like jumping into the past, adding details to what we have already seen before continuing with the plot.

I did like the side characters. The other secretaries were a good addition to the story, especially Lisa. I liked how she spoke with Shun Yu and that she was someone he could trust.

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Charn and Tinn are two sides of the same coin

It was intense. I think the series only having 8 episodes helped to keep us on our toes throughout. There was always something going on that required our attention. I liked that; it made tuning in each week for a new episode enjoyable.

The plot was interesting. There was some mystery, murder / accident investigation, corruption and action. Most of the characters were multi-dimensional which made them appear more realistic and human, no matter how much we want to hate some of them. The plot made sense, the events logically corresponded to one another, each action had a logical reaction. Even if motives of the characters were questionable.

Tinn & Charn: the two are different sides of the same coin. Tinn is the more idealistic version, the one who never lost faith in justice, in good in the people. Charn’s loss turned him into this heartless version of himself, he doesn’t believe that justice is possible by following the law. He wants power, something that he can use to protect himself from going through what he went again. Neither of them had it easy, but they chose two different paths in how to deal with it. Charn knows that while his way is effective, it’s not one that would allow Tinn to keep his head up if he had done the same. Charn has a way of making you want to hate him, but at the same time you want to give him a hug and never let go. I love the duality of his character, his ruthless side in contrast with his cute side when he is with Tinn. Tinn might appear soft and gentle at first, but he shows his fiercer and more possessive side as well. Both Film and Jam did an amazing job with playing the two characters. Their chemistry was amazing!

Methee & Thaenthai: They were a couple I didn’t know I needed, but I absolutely adored. Thee is Tai’s bodyguard and has been around him since the two were children. He loves Tai, that is clear from the start. And his pain whenever Tai gets hurt is something we can feel through the screen. Thee does his best to take care of Tai. Tai might seem like a rich troublemaker, but there is a lot more to him. Whenever he is with Thee, he shows this vulnerable and almost childlike side of himself that I started to enjoy. He is not nearly as wild or as problematic as one would expect. Pearl and See both did really well in their roles. I think they both showed a lot through their eyes and facial expressions.

As for other characters, I think Tinn’s grandma is amazing! I love how open and supportive she is. Rose and Maya are amazing too, I love how the two kind of adopted Charn as part of their little family once he lost his mother. Rose also isn’t afraid to put him into his place when needed. Charn’s ex is on a whole different level of crazy. I can see why he and Charn were together in the past, but the man is still obsessed! When it comes to the senator Thatthep… ugh, just burn him or something.

There were some parts that I think were overdramatic for no reason, but it didn’t bother me too much. The senator did come across as a bit cartoon-y at times, which made it hard for me to take him seriously at those parts.

The ending was what we needed. The OST was nice, I enjoyed the cinematography and the overall aesthetic of the series as well.

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Never let me go... I don't think I ever will

I knew it was going to be heavy since I saw the trailer. The storyline didn’t seem anything special – rich boy needs a bodyguard, the job is given to a poor boy who knows how to fight, they fall in love, bunch of problems follow them. But I am a sucker for cliches, so I am not complaining about it. I do feel like there are certain things regarding the storyline that don’t make much sense or seem extremely unrealistic, but the way the relationship between Nueng and Palm develops seems fairly realistic. There was a lot of questioning what they even are, is a relationship between them even possible, trying to not develop feelings for one another and being unsure about their feelings. We need to keep in mind that the characters are 18, so all of that felt very natural.

During the series, we do get to see both make some very questionable decisions. And while they seem like very typical plot twists (which they are), they also make sense, especially after what the boys went through. I feel like they are both very mature and kind of childish at times, it’s an interesting combination that I once again blame on their age. I like Nueng’s personality because it was not your typical rich boy persona, he was actually quite brave when needed and did stand up for those he cares about. His characther growth is amazing! Palm confused me for a very long time with his constant “Mr. Nueng” even when their relationship developed, but I feel like the reason for that is his father and how he tried to make Palm know his “place” in the rich people’s world. He hates being dependent on others as well, and that shows through quite a few of his actions as well.

We do get a side couple – Nueng’s cousin, Chopper, and Ben. I don’t really know how to feel about the two, I love the chemistry between the actors who portray them, but the characters are kind of annoying me. Being an emphatic person sucks, because I also understand why the two act the way they do or why they did something. In the first few episodes, my heart hurt for Chopper because being second best for someone who is your whole world sucks. His relationship with his father is also very difficult as the two have very different expectations and goals for the future. As for Ben, I want to hate him, I really do, for what he did, but I can’t because I can understand his fear that lead his actions. It doesn’t really excuse it, but it makes it make sense.

One question though - what happened to other bodyguards? Like no matter what is happening, most of the time Palm and his dad are the only bodyguards shown doing something to protect Nueng and his mom. I understand that the two are in charge of Nueng and Tanya, but it’s still kind of weird.

The ending was expected, but I am glad it ended the way it did. I think we could all tell who will come through at the end after a few episodes. It does feel too simple though, realistically things couldn’t be done like that so easily. I know some people might be a bit annoyed by it, but it was the comfort I needed. I really enjoyed the OST as well. I felt like it fit the storyline extremely well.

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… a storm of good, bad and nostalgia

The series has everything that life brings – the good, the bad, the ugly and the fluffy moments. I really like how they incorporate so many different emotions and events into one consistent story, with a start and an end.

Kazuma & Ren: the two have history together. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from their backstory, but I definitely got more than that. The two of them have had feelings for each other for a very long time. To me, Kazuma seemed like a mess – he is mature but a bit childish, smart and insightful but also kind of dense and impulsive. I don’t necessarily think this is bad, just a bit confusing as I never knew what to expect from him in any given situation. Ren is also a mess, but in a different sense. He has been through a lot and his guilt is something that has been eating him alive. Even if his guilt is misplaced. He appears anxious and seems like he finds it hard to make friends and open to people but is fairly good at masking it. A lot of Ren’s actions might be confusing to some viewers, but knowing his story, it makes a lot of sense why he reacts and acts the way he does. The two might start in a weird place when they meet again, but as the episodes pass, we cannot deny them caring about each other strongly. And not just in a sexual or just a friendly way.

I am going to be honest and say that I didn’t fully believe the actors when they tried to show emotions. Some of the crying scenes were more about it looking aesthetic than they were about making it look like the person was actually crying. The chemistry between the two characters was not the best either. I am not sure if this is due to the way the characters were written or due to the way actors acted it out.

Some side characters did leave me confused as to what actually was their role. One such character is Yagami, Ren’s friend. I feel like there is a lot about him that is left unclear. Same with Hide. As for the boys’ parents… they can get lost. That’s all I have to say on the topic.

I think the production value was not the best at times. There are a few scenes that were both shot and edited in a weird manner. The number of flashbacks we get is a bit ridiculous. I don’t mind the few flashbacks to the past, so we can learn what happened with the boys. But then we get flashbacks to things we have just seen like 5 min ago or in the last episode. Which was unnecessary. And I think that made the series choppy. So instead of focusing on the story’s progression, we are focused on flashbacks and repeating what just happened.

The series puts a lot of importance on nostalgia, on the feelings we / they had when younger. And I think that really shinned through nicely. Even the colors used were there to evoke those feelings in us.

The series started on a high, but the ending was mediocre. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. And I don’t mean the story of Kazuma and Ren.

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