VEGAS APOLOGIST ?

VEGAS PETE

Everything about their relationship flies in the face of all that I know is LOVE. This couple breaks into your vulnerability and turns you weak for them. They’re deeply, violently kinky, and that just does it for me, and no amount of moral's can make me doubt that what they have is real. Pete and Vegas are both people who protect their hearts, they have chains locked around their emotions so it's hard for them to define any of this. They are closed off to the world and maybe they will be each other's freedom but it starts as an understanding. Vegas is seeking validation so he doesn't want to hurt Pete because he is the only one who can provide it. He unlocks something new and exciting far from reality and beyond heaven but not hell. It's again something right but at the same time wrong. Their relationship simply can't be described in black and white. The last close-up in ep 12 is very important with Pete is smiling like he feels fulfilled about unlocking this side of him, he finally allowed his dark side to come to the surface and it's clear he feels liberated.

The dynamic between these two characters is too complex to decipher. Both of them wear professional crafted masks. Vegas is a psycho seemingly without empathy. Pete, on the other hand, is a ray of sunshine with a layer of darkness underneath. Pete's desires are covered and Vegas is bringing them to the surface, we can already see that in episode 11-- he physically reacts when Vegas licks his face, his eyes close, he is shivering under vegas's tongue. Pete feels connected to Vegas because of his own childhood, they are bonding over their trauma and Vegas is reticent to connect with Pete but the chains are already tied between them both and there is no escape any more. Both Vegas and Pete will cave in irrevocably. And we can see the last drop of their self control when the hedgehog dies. Pete chooses to console him and Vegas willingly let's him. When Vegas hurts himself, Pete is finally discovering the unseen hatred he has towards himself and he tries to reason with him without success until Vegas brings his layered, cold behavior out again. He tries to lure Pete in a new game thinking he won't play along but Pete surprises him and takes the lead, easily winning. Vegas uses his body as a catalyst and it's electrifying. Their body language lays everything they feel bare for the audience to see. They are tiying the chains around them tighter, they strengthen their connection through physical attachment. An other thing I want to point out is Vegas's blood type. AB means universal receiver, he will take any love he can get because he's that starved for it and Pete's blood type is O which means universal donar, he has the capacity of loving anyone and this is a clear metaphor for the receiving dynamics and I admire the details in the show.

In the end Vegas is the one who is trapped. The same man who likes to be ahead of everyone, who is calculated enough to over do everyone, simply doesn't know what to do anymore. He is scared. He is actually afraid of the consequences because it'll all be like a chain reaction. He is the vulnerable one despite being free, he may not have physical restraints but I assure you his head is in a cage.

Now compared to the novel, their story seems to go faster than the speedlight, it's extremely rushed and I don't think that what they have is anything rational to begin with. To me it seems like they developed an emotional support that they gradually got addicted to. Vegas is layered with so much affection but there is an unabashed violence to this because of his trauma as for Pete, he seems to free himself into chains, he was masked with this fake appearance his entire life and now Vegas undressed him, leaving his dark side exposed and Pete can finally be himself. Vegas is the other way around, he can be evil when he pleases but his sensitivity must be hidden from the world, with Pete he is able to let it out. They are literally like Yin and Yang. They need each other for balance. Pete needs Vegas to be dark and Vegas needs Pete to be light. It's not love, it's balance.

The scene where Pete was "eating" the ramyeon and breaks down crying reminded me that he is alone, no one really knows him beside Vegas.

Vegas and Pete can't kill each other because if one of them dies, the other will crumble. If one of them is hurt the other one will shatter in pain. That's why Pete couldn't pull the trigger.

They honestly broke my heart, together & individually.

Also can we talk about the tenderness with which vegas treats Pete in the moments where he lets himself be vulnerable? He looks at Pete like he's the most precious thing he's ever laid his eyes on, he touches him as if he was a fragile treasure that was too frail to break. Especially when he comes down from his anger and suddenly turns into a little puppy, you see his eyes change and you realize he is guided by his feelings for Pete.

Honestly, even though their story is going faster than expected it surprises me how a few episodes managed to get me this invested, the writers are following through with all the angst and twisted devotion between them and it's truly gratifying to watch. I think the development was carefully done and rightfully so because it's a very complex story and I’m so happy both characters have been given adequate time to process their individual trauma and desires.

KINNPORSCHE

Porsche and Chay display their affection through physical service act of service, their care is established properly and visibly. And for kinn is the exact opposite, within his family It's always the small details that covey their feelings. They are used to different environments and I think it's important, kinn's perspective on what " caring " means is very different in contrast to what it means for Porsche, they are different but somehow the same and I loved to see their journey together, they balance each other out so well. They ended the season trusting each other, going through various extreme situations together, fighting together, keeping their mutual attraction. They had time to built their relationship, they were cared by the creators and it shows, nothing was rushed and it was all perfectly executed.

KIMCHAY

The power imbalance between them is more celebrity/fan. For most of their relationship, Chay has seen Kim through rose-colored glasses. Because Chay was obsessed with the celebrity, there’s still a lot to be discovered with their relationship and their feelings together. But there is definitely a change in control now compared to how it started, and I’m interested to see how it will evolve in season 2.

ACTING

I'll give a special row of lines to Build. Those screams are just so raw and extremely convincing. He truly made me believe his pain is real. Bible was so great with Vegas as well, I was shocked to find out how introverted and shy he is in real life, I have deep respect for them. Bible sells it at every moment, he is magnificent in his role. For every one of Pete’s panicked, despaired looks, Vegas returns an equally unsettling one, their dynamic on set is actually mindblowing. Vegas is such a convincing manipulator, he is a master minded psychopath and it’s hard to distinguish him. We see Vegas's eyes seizing Pete, analyzing him with each stare and there’s a degree of arrogance there as if he's trying to be superior when in reality he's inferior. The way they both observe with the details of their eyes is immaculate. They are delivering.

Mile and apo's friendship is so authentic and real compared to so, so many actors and musicians and other entertainers who work together and claim to be close, but these two seem incredibly bonded and their connection is brought onto the screen which makes their acting even more phenomenal, their chemistry feels natural and it's easy to watch them without cringing one bit.

Jeff and barcode managed to steal my breath for each 5 minutes of the little screen time they had, with such a short amount of time they succeed to convey so many emotions and draw the audience so deep within their story.

OVERALL

I can only describe this show as vulnerable -- It was done so tastefully and grounded in humanity. It was sexy yes, but it was fragile. It was immaculate accompanied by the perfect scenery and an outstanding cinematography, watching their love bloom was so heart wrenching but evenly so beautiful.

ON A SIDE NOTE

The fantasy is aimed at the people who are mature enough to see it for what it is, and to distinguish between the morality and ethics of real life and those of a immoral fictional universe, if anyone is questioning the series based on the representation of a healthy relationship then you shouldn't watch it.

Read More

The story was heartwarming and it unfolded beautifully without any unnecessary theatrics. While it may not be my usual cup of tea, I found myself enjoying it nonetheless. It was a good binge-watch, but I don't think I would revisit it. Overall, it was a sweet and simple romance that left me feeling content.

Read More

I found the show to be quite adorable. However, I must admit that the plot did not leave a lasting impression on me. Nevertheless, what truly captivated me and kept me glued to the screen was the undeniable chemistry between the main leads. It was simply breathtaking and left me in awe. The way they interacted with each other was truly remarkable and made the show all the more enjoyable.

Read More

Although I'm not usually drawn to political dramas, this particular show managed to captivate my attention from start to finish. The romantic aspect of the plot was a bit slow-paced, but it was executed beautifully and left me feeling emotionally invested in the characters. Speaking of which, I found myself loving every single one of them, even the second main leads who I typically don't care for in other shows. This series truly made them all so endearing and likable.

Read More

The initial episodes of the series were filled with excitement and intrigue, captivating my attention from the very beginning. The plot was fresh and innovative, introducing unique twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and their motivations were clear, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys.

However, as the story progressed, I couldn't help but notice a decline in originality. The once unpredictable plot began to rely heavily on cliches and tropes, making it easy to anticipate what would happen next. This lack of creativity was disappointing, as I had hoped for more surprises and unexpected developments.

One aspect that particularly let me down was the chemistry between the two lead actors. While Perth delivered a commendable performance, effectively conveying his character's emotions with conviction, Chimon's portrayal fell short. Despite his acting abilities, I found myself unable to feel the spark or love between the two characters. Their interactions lacked the intensity and authenticity that I had hoped for, leaving me feeling disconnected from their supposed romance.

In my opinion, Chimon needs to work on his romantic acting skills. While he may excel in other areas, his ability to convey deep emotions and create a believable connection with his co-star needs improvement. With more practice and guidance, I believe he has the potential to deliver a more convincing performance in future projects.

Overall, while the initial episodes of the series were impressive and left me wanting more, the decline in originality and lack of chemistry between the lead actors ultimately left me feeling disappointed.

Read More

The show had a promising start, with an intriguing premise and engaging characters that drew me in. However, as the plot progressed, I found myself losing interest and becoming increasingly disengaged. By the middle of the season, I was struggling to stay invested in the story and found myself checking my phone more often than paying attention to the screen.

Despite my waning interest, I continued watching, hoping that the show would recapture the spark that had initially drawn me in. Unfortunately, this was not the case, and as the final few episodes played out, I found myself skipping through scenes and fast-forwarding to the end.

Read More

It had a great balance of humor and heart, making it an easy-going and enjoyable experience. The actors truly shined in their roles, especially Chan's character. While some viewers criticized his immaturity and lack of respect for Yul's boundaries, it's important to remember that Chan is only 20 years old and experiencing his first crush. While his actions may not have been perfect, they were true to his character and age. Additionally, Chan showed immense respect for Yul's dreams and never held him back, despite his own feelings. Overall, this show was a sweet and funny journey that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Read More

I must admit that I found myself skipping through a few scenes. However, as the story unfolded, I was completely drawn in and captivated by the overall production. The attention to detail in the costumes was simply stunning, and I found myself completely immersed in the romantic storyline.

The show had me hooked. The characters were well-developed and the plot was engaging, with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat.

Read More

This drama is an absolute gem and, in my opinion, the best of 2023 without a doubt. It's an adult, mature, and intriguing Chinese historical xianxia drama that will leave you on the edge of your seat. However, if you're only looking for sweetness or healthy things, this may not be the show for you.

The relationship portrayed in this drama is totally unhealthy, toxic, and abusive, but it evolves and grows until it becomes pure, true, and sincere. It's a human story, full of mistakes, feelings, betrayals, joy, and pain. What sets this drama apart is the concrete representation of the various characters. There's no clear distinction between good and evil, or good or bad deeds. Overall, this drama is a must-watch for anyone who loves complex characters and a gripping storyline. Don't miss out on this masterpiece!

Read More

This drama is a breath of fresh air from the usual predictable storylines. It's like a labyrinth that takes you on a journey of scheming and deceit, leaving you guessing at every turn. The dark hues of the lens and the elaborate costumes add to the overall atmosphere of the show. The music is perfectly matched and the daily dose of cliffhangers keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are multifaceted and the cast skillfully portrays their respective parts with depth. As a viewer, you'll find yourself walking alongside the characters until they reach the exit. While the execution may not be perfect, it's close enough to keep you hooked. Overall, this drama is a must-watch for anyone looking for something different and exciting.

Read More

One of the standout features of "Tale of the Nine-Tailed" is its breathtaking visuals and seamless incorporation of CGI. The mythical realm and supernatural abilities are brought to life with impressive special effects, making the viewing experience visually enchanting. The attention to detail in the portrayal of gumiho lore and the integration of Korean mythology into the narrative contribute to the show's unique charm.

The character development in the series is commendable, particularly in the case of Lee Yeon. As a centuries-old mythical being, his journey of self-discovery and redemption adds emotional depth to the storyline. The supporting characters, including the mischievous Lee Rang (Kim Bum), Yeon's half-brother, and the mystical Imoogi (Lee Tae-ri), contribute to the complexity of the plot.

While the romance is a central element of the story, "Tale of the Nine-Tailed" doesn't shy away from exploring themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions.

However, the series occasionally struggles with maintaining a consistent tone, as it seamlessly transitions between lighthearted moments and intense, darker themes.

Read More

The actors in the show are all amazing, but Khaotung steals the show with his exceptional acting skills. He is beyond amazing and has become one of the top Thai actors in the industry. His portrayal of the character is so convincing that it's hard to believe he's not the character himself. The other lead actor is also commendable, and his performance is so moving that it will leave you in tears.

The chemistry between the characters in this show is absolutely astounding, and it elevates the overall quality of the series to new heights. The way the actors effortlessly connect with one another on screen is truly mesmerizing.

Overall, it's a beautiful story that will leave you feeling inspired and moved. The acting is top-notch, and the storyline is unique and unpredictable. So, if you're looking for something new and refreshing, this drama is definitely worth your time.

Read More