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bumblethunderbeast

USA

bumblethunderbeast

USA
The Effect thai drama review
Completed
The Effect
3 people found this review helpful
by bumblethunderbeast
Oct 1, 2020
3 of 3 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 7.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.5
This review may contain spoilers

BL goes to the dark side

Today was one of those times that I REALLY wish I had read MDL comments before watching something. Several issues that I struggle with in Thai dramas were in the forefront here. It felt like an anti-BL story that started off sort of cute (like "Until We Meet Again,"). But then it spiraled down/ mutated into a cautionary tale that explored the serious ramifications of unclear sexual preference, general self-focus/entitlement, social media bullying, faux friendships, self-blaming (wrongly claiming responsibility), denial and ultimately even rape.

I'm not sure how/why I continued viewing this painful story. Watching it felt like a sort of penance for enjoying other Thai shows. As someone who gravitates toward happy endings (and yes I know that's not realistic, but this is my cathartic preference), this was the antithesis of that. Rather than the light, fun and slightly titillating dramas that I've enjoyed, this was heavy with only one redeeming quality: friendship. It did explore what a true friend was (Keng's relationship with Man lacked mutual respect while the friendship with/between Bright and Pramote with Shin was marked by earnest respect and loyalty despite the circumstances).

If I had to summarize everything simply, I'd say that the fantasy of young love was cruelly juxtaposed with plausible reactions and mass hysteria. So many people were focused on Keng and what they wanted him to be rather than accepting his interest/disinterest. That very public fixation transformed what could have been a beautiful friendship into a tragedy. As Bright said "what you think might happen in a drama...but in real life it's not that easy."
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