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Naomi Necro

United States

Naomi Necro

United States
Bad Buddy thai drama review
Completed
Bad Buddy
3 people found this review helpful
by Naomi Necro
Mar 7, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

crackling chemistry

I'm a big softy for the classic enemies-to friends- to lovers trope. It's just so easy and fun when it's done right, and the chemistry from an enemy-turned lover is delicious.

I love the physical comedy and the initial misunderstanding that occurs with them living across from each other. I think the height difference between Pran and Pat is cute. The faces they pull at each other crack me up, and the montage when we're first introduced to them and their families had me rolling. I'm personally more attracted to Pat's visuals. I think he's supppppppper attractive (bright smile, beautiful eyes) and I really like his athletic stature. I'm not used to seeing more stereotypically masculine men in BL roles, so it's a refreshing and more modern change IMO.

I like the source of conflict in the series. I came into it not knowing what the plot was and assumed it was a buddy-cop series. It was surprising for me to watch a BL with a compelling and thought-out plot. Having to bear the brunt of your parent's conflicts isn't unusual for many of us, and the ramifications of your parent's pasts can haunt the steps you take as you grow up until you learn to break away from their toxic cycles. To add to the confusion between their feelings, they're also at opposing ends of conflict within their school faction in-fighting, and these issues are deep and not easily resolved. It's endearing that Pat has been Pran's secret crush for years, and we're able to watch Pat slowly understand and evolve in his feelings toward Pran. It's adorable, sometimes heartbreaking, and it's a refreshing break away from a lot of the BLs I'm used to seeing (and I LOVE that they even made fun of the "standard BL" industry!!! "I'm straight but Pran is the only guy I like." LOL.

Their chemistry is sizzling. The elevator scene with Pat's charming smirk and the way Pran looks at him up close made my breath catch. Pat's subtle (and cute) guidance toward the bus stop brainstorm was also adorable; I love that he's always willing to go the extra step to help Pran, even while doing it in ways that aren't obvious or loud (like begging the professor to let them re-enter the competition or cleverly convincing his team to assist in the rebuild etc). It's genuine and not boast-goading, and the way he looks at Pran when he's unaware gives me butterflies. We stan for a man confident in his sexuality ("I don't mind genders, I like them all."). Yasss.

Pat is a wily suitor who'll travel across the country to get an answer from Pran, whilst having the patience and understanding to do it in a way that makes sense to them ("wooing war", competitiveness, silent communication, etc). He's willing to be an underdog surrounded by enemies just to prove to Pran that the rooftop wasn't a momentary lapse in judgment and he'll wait for Pran to take his walls back down. I find it all incredibly romantic, and I would have been swept away long before Pran (although I'm sure he's internally screaming). The heavier moments are handled gracefully and with the emotional gravity of veteran actors. I was particularly impressed with the last couple of episodes when the conflict with their families came to a head. There were beautiful moments, many very subtle or nuanced in facial expressions and body language, and I couldn't help but rewatch those scenes over and over, particularly Pat with Pran on the rooftop, in the bus, and with their parents.

OST - Refreshingly well edited. Mostly clean seams between songs and scene tonal changes, and the music itself is pretty good.

Cons: During moments of physical comedy, the sound effects are overplayed. They use a lot of the same noises and it gets a little irksome.
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