Reviews

Forgettable at best; Annoying at worst

- Genre –
Mafia/Romance/BL

- Brief Synopsis –
Protagonist A is a mafia boss and B is a normal student who has just been hurt emotionally and ends up in a one-night stand with A. B wants this to remain a one-night stand but A falls for B and wants to make him his boyfriend. However, A lacks understanding of conventional social norms and his attempts at flirting with B makes the man think A is trying to control him. This leads to B resisting A and running away at every opportunity. A does not give up and chases B and once B is caught, the latter stays with A for a little while before A does something stupid again, prompting him to flee again. The story ends with B finally accepting A.

- Plot and Storyline –
This plot does not contain any plot twists that would make the story memorable in any way. The recurring cycle of B fleeing and then being caught becomes wearisome over time. Unfortunately, the subplot of mafia dynamics and power plays also fails to reach its potential, lacking depth and falling into predictability. The plot ends up quite boring, making you want to skip episodes. The dynamic between the two male leads in this series is notably perplexing. While the audience is aware of their love for each other, subtle hints of this affection only become apparent in the later episodes. In the initial stages, it appears as though one of them is coercing the other into a romantic relationship. While there are occasional sweet moments, they are scarce and widely spaced, failing to evoke the anticipated excitement or a sense of romance. The overall portrayal of their relationship lacks the charm that typically prompts an emotional response from viewers.

- Character Development –
A learns to be less controlling and act more like a normal person. B learns how to deal with A’s eccentricities.

- Acting -
While the leads manage to cultivate chemistry and effectively convey their love for each other in later episodes, their performance in non-romantic scenarios appears awkward and lacks a natural flow. The world constructed within the series comes across as artificial and exaggerated, occasionally even bordering on the absurd. This exaggerated portrayal not only impacts the overall authenticity of the narrative but also undermines the credibility of the characters, at times making the leads seem less convincing or even somewhat comical in certain situations.

- Production Quality -
Decent production quality with somewhat realistic sets and props.

- Writing and Dialogue -
Writing can sometimes be a little cringey.

- Pacing -
Pacing is okay despite the bad writing.

- Themes and Message –
Themes of BDSM and unhealthy relationships are explored.

- Audience Appeal -
Anyone who likes mafia themed shows will probably like it if they don’t have high expectations coming in.

- Standout Moments -
N/A

- Criticisms -
x Writing can get awkward in a lot of places.
x The relationship between A and B doesn't seem healthy at all, making it difficult to root for them.
x There isn't much buildup to the relationship so the audience isn't all that invested in the couple.
x Nothing interesting seem to happen.

- Conclusion -
The decision not to revisit this show stems not only from a personal dislike of the mafia backdrop but also from finding the plot uninspiring and predictably dull. The portrayal of love between the leads fails to capture the same level of romantic allure seen in other shows, and the intimate scenes lack the intrigue and engagement found in more captivating narratives. Overall, the combination of a lackluster plot and less compelling romantic elements contributes to a lack of interest in revisiting this particular series.

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too many characters/couples and an unfinished finale (watch the 1 couple cut)

Overall: there were 9 actors listed as main roles and 14 listed as support roles, they needed to cut the characters by half and then focus on the fewer characters/couples. I took a full point off for that finale which was one of the worst finales I have ever seen in anything, they dropped several plot threads/had no resolution for several characters/couples. 8 episodes about 40 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI and MFlow Entertainment's YouTube Channel (not in the U.S.). Produced by MFlow Entertainment which also made Tin Tem Jai, Ai Long Nhai, Coffee Melody Second Chance and With Love.

After airing they made a special cut of just the established couple which I'd suggest watching instead of the series https://www.iq.com/play/beyond-the-star-nnkh0lxm1c?lang=en_us Just wish they would have had a better ending for them than a pinky promise promising not to cheat...

What Suggestions if you watch the whole thing (prioritizing the established couple and intimate scenes)
episode 1 - 14 minutes established couple sniff kisses
episode 2 - 32 minutes established couple in a window seat having fun
episode 3 - 5 minutes established couple in a tub having fun
episode 4 - 4 minutes glasses & friend dream kissing, 22 minutes established couple flirting & 33 minutes shopping
episode 5 - 16 minutes established couple on a couch having fun, 33 minutes established couple brief kisses
episode 6 - 36 minutes foot injured couple confession, sniff kiss and bed scene
episode 7 - 24 minutes (NSFW with foot injured couple) to 33 minutes and just pretend that's the end (episode 8 does have a meh NSFW scene with that guy wearing glasses 31-37 minutes)

Content Warnings: non con video recording/sharing, slap, manhandling, attempted suicide

What I Liked
- an established couple, they had some nice kisses/scenes
- cafe worker's dimples (though not sure why he lied about his part time job when the other character specifically said he didn't have to lie about it???)
- some decently done NSFW scenes (the established couple)
- (neutral) there were a few comedy sound effects, they weren't overwhelming

Room For Improvement
- there were a ton of characters introduced in episode 1 and I didn't care about any of them, I did eventually figure most of them out but then characters would vanish for an episode or more
- nonsense writing, a character said that they were waiting for another character to practice when we clearly saw them all practicing...
- slow pacing, I watched at 3x speed, didn't care about the rival company stuff or dance practices
- slap was not needed and not funny
- kind of hinted at a love triangle was annoying
- that final episode was absolutely terrible, barely anything was resolved, they also threw in a very serious thing in episode 8 with no discussion of counseling/medication/help

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Worth watching!

No drag scenes. Sad/painful moments in the drama can make you cry too and heartbroken. Especially in her dreams,it felt so real. I just love that in her dream, she didn't become a damsel in distress though she dont know martial arts and no other important skills (like best in making poison ,medicine or business*she owns shops but not the one who actually manages it*). In other dramas,i hate it when FL was not given any skills coz they become damsel in distress. But not Qian. I never skip any scenes. The only thing that this drama can't be 10 (for me) is because i need more of it. Surely i am happy that Ziwu's smile at the end means he's happy Qian already woke up from her dreams and she called his name. I JUST WANTED A FEW MORE SCENES LIKE THEM BEING A HAPPY COUPLE.

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You want to watch a cute romance with not too much angst, trauma, and whatever else happens to a gay couple?
Simply two people learning to accept their love. It's just the right amount of fluff with a good story overlapping between the past and the present. Both actors did an excellent job portraying the emotions and feelings of each of the characters, and their expressions were priceless. I highly recommend watching this on a rainy day when you're feeling down; it'll put a smile back on your face.

Honest Opinion:
The plot is not unpredictable. The same old lack of communication that leads to a massive misunderstanding and carries it all the way to the end. But...the execution was flawless. There is no unnecessary drama, no jealous love rivals, and the pacing is quite good. It's a refreshing and feel-good drama.

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The promise that will never come true

Masterpiece!! Minato Kanae novel adaptation never fail me .. Together with WOWOW network, double greatness!! The script, the cinematography, the acting and the mystery makes me stay through out the drama.. It makes me binge-watching in one shot.. Worth it!!

It was totally heartbreaking knowing the truth T_T ... The truth from the murderer, the director & the screenwriter... This drama is everything.. Especially if you're seeking for deep mystery, dark cinematography, and suspenseful mood.. I love how well written they make the story related together from the beginning until the end.. As expected from WOWOW drama production..

Apart from that, I never thought I need the combination between Kitagawa Keiko and Yoshioka Riho until I watch this drama... Both of them have amazingly chemistry here.. They totally carry out the whole drama with outstanding performance..

Overall, thank you so much to Hpriest pick up this drama bcoz I plan to watch it the moment they announced the drama ^_^ Satisfying at its finest.. Highly recommended!!

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I Feel You Linger in the Air was almost a horror

I Feel You Linger in the Air is the first Thai BL I waited for all 12 episodes to air before binging it and I have to say it left me with mixed emotions. I enjoyed episodes 1-5, no problem, but 6-12 took me longer than expected to finish. I also skipped around in episodes 10-12.

What I enjoyed/liked about the series:
- The acting and cinematography were equally aesthetically pleasing. The whole cast is new to me but I thought Nonkul did an exceptional job as Jom and Bright delivered. Everyone is talented but I especially love Guide as Ming. His voice color and tone…who wouldn’t fall for it? Kimmy (James) oh my gawd, someone give this guy a lead role.
- The English script was spot on. I don’t know if they hired a professional or Kimmy simply put his own twist to it but it was so fluid and fluent, and James really came across as a competent character.
- I already praised Nonkul but I have to say his and Typhoon/Ohm’s scenes were so rewarding. I haven’t seen the behinds but from the series alone I would assume they’re close based on their chemistry. I mean, they could just be good actors but I’d like to believe they’re friendly and comfortable with each other too.
- I love that the series included all kinds of love and relationships.
- Bright and Nonkul slayed every intimate scene!
- The costume design and styles were great here. They really convinced me that this was 1927-1928 Chiang Mai. The landscape was great. Though the forest scenery in episode 11 appears to be a greenscreen. I know they used the same location for Home School and didn’t do much with the outdoors but I appreciate the decor and furnishing indoors.
- The music was adequate, except, they used the same two(?) songs throughout the entire show. I love the opening song, it really captured the historical sound of Thai culture.

What I disliked or had me scratching my head:
- The timeline isn’t crystal clear until the end of episode 11. October 1928. Since we had Christmas, that meant Jom spent close to a year in the past. Maybe I missed it but was Jom’s age ever revealed?
- RIP to Jom’s architecture arc. Since he was renovating the main house in the present/future, it would have been nice if he studied its construction in the past and then returned to the present to give the workers some pointers but I guess that would have been a waste of screen time. I did like that the show maintained his artistic skills as an architect though.
- Khun Yai being soft-spoken was expected, given the timepiece, but it was a fresher breath of air that he had no mean bone in his body. However, this side of him didn’t do his character any favors. Diving into the series, he evidently holds some power as the oldest son of the homeowner but after some time, we see that he has no real authority (even Lek doesn’t listen to him). That’s when I began to question if bookworm Yai is intelligent or if his father’s influence is doing all his bidding. Whenever he rescues Jom from Robert, I'm always left with a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction. Everyone seems to be on edge due to his assigned position and not who he is as an individual. Yai also has a tendency to seclude himself to the small house, primarily to avoid his family’s high expectations, and to do his own thing. Early on, he reveals that he finds his brother-in-law offputting but except for one or two conversations, nothing comes of it. Yai also doesn’t have any friends and isn’t close to any of the servants except his nanny. We know Yai works with his father but we never see what he actually does except mentions of running errands and attending parties. Yai wasn’t even trusted to set up, plan, and host his father’s promotional ceremony as it was left to the servant Chan. Yai had no real growth throughout the entire show and the major conflict with his father was easily and single-handedly resolved by Jom (well, with the help of supporting characters but Jom orchestrated and led it). I wished Yai had more going for him other than jumping Jom, reading, and snacking. I know he was the healthy relationship Jom deserved but as an equal Jom could do better.
- I wish the show had a moment where Khun Yai really cared and helped the other servants besides Jom. Then again, even with Jom, he always gave up after one sour conversation with his parents. I.e. the two separate incidents with Prik and Ming.
- Why didn’t Yai ever tell Jom he had a dream about Jom? It gave me the impression that he only developed feelings quicker for Jom because he recognized Jom from his dream. As if the affectionate Jom in his dream shaped the real Jom for him.
- Yai and Jom spent about a year together but hardly knew each other on a personal level. Yai doesn't inquire if Jom regained any memories of his past or what Jom's hobbies, favorite food, desserts, etc are. Jom didn't really know that Yai's dream was to study Law. They always spoke of their love for each other but Yai doesn't seem to care for Jom's personal goals, wishes, etc. Their relationship is somewhat shallow and surfaced level.
- I like that Khun Luang, Yai’s father, knew about his son and daughter’s same-sex relationships but as someone who was painted as very judgemental, old-schooled, and strict, I’m shocked that the worst he can do is arrange marriages and had his son followed. Maybe I’m numb to the harshness some may see in it but I also don’t understand the accusation and treatment he received from his wife afterwards. Khun Ying’s 180 came out of nowhere when she's been supporting Luang’s decisions for 20 years. It’s bad that she condoned Luang’s strictness, but when shit hits the fan, she wants to dump all the ugly on him and plays the nice and accepting parent role? What gives?
- I don’t mind it when supporting characters get a lot of screen time but when there’s no crossover or cause and effect; the feeling of watching two different series in one negates the realism and logic of the entire show. For a while, Yai and Jom were stuck in this loop of mushy puppy love while the other house went through a whirlwind of crazies is crazy to me. What happened to “the walls have ears?” And I don’t understand the distance of the three houses. At times they all seem to be on one big lot, within walking distance of each other, other times you need a boat to get to the other house. The consistency isn’t consistent.
- Why Fongkaew feels the need to apologize to Ueangphueng is unclear. If it’s about her becoming Robert’s second wife then that wouldn’t be on her but him. In actuality, it was Ueangphueng and Mei who plotted and wanted Fongkaew as Robert’s second wife. Fongkaew’s arc is interesting but the arson was glossed over and only employed to stop an engagement. Except for getting Fongkaew to marry Robert, there wasn’t any transparent reason to burn down Kad Luang. We also never got to see Fongkaew ask James for a favor or what hole Ueangphueng dug Robert’s notebook out of. A lot of the investigations were done off-screen and then retched to the viewers at the ceremony. I had no appreciation for that, and again, Yai had no part in bringing the crime to light.
- A handful of the twists and conflicts were jaw-dropping but their executions fell flat. Some for example are a servant witnessing Yai and Jom’s about-to-kiss moment and spreading it like wildfire (though it eventually leads to the engagement) there’s no real consequence for it. Yai continued to jump Jom in broad daylight despite getting caught on multiple occasions. The last drawing is Yai’s, not Jom’s. Ueangphueung’s pregnancy and abortion. A warrior Khun Yai? Chan stalked Yai and Jom day and night but claimed they hadn’t crossed the line when they spent every night together?
- Why wasn’t this series about Jom and James? They would have made a more interesting couple.
- Ming’s problems aren’t taken seriously and that annoys me.
- My theory for the ending is that 1928 Khun Yai, some 3-5 years later is now in the present/future. Simply because in the letter he talked about studying in France and ended it there. There was no 'in my 30s, 40s, or 50s', 'I became a judge', 'I changed this and that', 'I've obtained power without my father's help, 'Ming is now my majordomo but he brings me bad desserts and gets crazy drunk'. I don’t know, something, anything that briefed us he lived past the age of 25, at least.

I regret waiting to binge this only because I might have enjoyed it more watching it once a week. Regardless I'm glad I checked it out because I do love historicals and this series not only introduced a talented cast but two very good songs to me. I also got to know of Nonkul’s music and “Won’t Tell You” is a banger!

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My Lovely Liar - A Mixed Bag of Charm and Frustration

My Lovely Liar" is a drama that falls into the category of cute but not necessarily great. While it boasts a decent plot with enough going on to keep viewers engaged, it struggles in some crucial areas that prevent it from reaching its full potential.

The storyline, though not groundbreaking, manages to hold its own with a variety of elements at play. However, the pacing might not suit those seeking a faster narrative, as it tends to unfold at a more leisurely pace. The central romantic couple avoids the typical lovey-dovey clichés, providing a refreshing change for those tired of the usual tropes in romantic dramas.

One of the glaring issues lies in the portrayal of the male lead. While some attribute the awkwardness to the actor's performance, it appears that the character itself is poorly written. This flaw becomes a noticeable hindrance to the overall viewing experience, leaving audiences questioning the depth and authenticity of the character.

On the other hand, the female lead adds an intriguing dynamic with her unique powers. However, the charm is somewhat offset by her basic dialogue, failing to capitalize on the potential richness of her character. The juxtaposition of a fascinating ability with lackluster lines leaves viewers yearning for more depth and complexity.

The standout disappointment, as pointed out by many, is the dialogue. In comparison to recent hits like "Doom at Your Service," "My Lovely Liar" falls short in delivering compelling and memorable lines. The lackluster dialogue fails to elevate key emotional moments and robs the characters of the opportunity to shine.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for "My Lovely Liar" is its unfortunate timing, especially for those who have recently watched more gripping dramas. The comparison to superior productions highlights its shortcomings, especially in the realm of character development and dialogue.

In conclusion, "My Lovely Liar" is not a drama to be dismissed outright. It carries a certain charm with its cute moments and a decent plot. However, its struggles with a poorly written male lead, basic dialogue, and the shadow of recently acclaimed dramas make it fall short of being a standout in its genre.

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Too much “aesthetics” for me

The photography is undeniably beautiful, but they went overboard with the sheer number of completely silent scenes. You can count on your fingers the moments when the soundtrack fills a dialogue-less scene. They went too far in the name of "aesthetics," and sometimes I wondered if I was watching a mediocre alternative indie short film.

About Doona: this is your typical "not like other girls" story, and it's getting a bit old.

Personally, I found her to be an insufferable character - she doesn't elicit any empathy. She's traumatized, selfish, clueless, and has the emotional intelligence of a rock. She refuses to explain herself, making it hard for the viewer to understand her journey and empathize with her story.

Wonjoon ends up being a pitiful character, letting himself be dragged along by Doona even though it's clear she's incapable of relating to others. He takes too long to question her, and when he finally does, he doesn't do it right.

The only thing that made sense to me was the ending. Even then, it was one of the weakest stories of the year.

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A good storyline thatwould have been better with longer episodes.

This was a pretty good story with well fleshed out characters considering the length of the episodes. The main couple was cute together though their chemistry wasn't very high, possibly because of the short length of the drama. Their chemistry was just starting to develop when the end came.

WHAT I LIKED:
The couple had a good relationship even before getting together. They were honest and looked after eachother and other people. It reminded me a liitle of My Fated Boy and Love Scenery.
The second couple. It was only covered very quickly (kind of like a preview) but it was well done.
The storyline. The elements of a good storyline were all there, they just needed more time to develop them.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: SPOILER ALERT
No kisses. They held hands for a little bit but don't officially get together because of various reasons until the very end, at which time they share a lack-lustre hug.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
It was a bit rushed. If this had full length episodes I think this could have been a great drama. They could have spent longer developing the story lines and shown more of the character development.
The ex boyfriends actions and motivations didn't quite match up but could have with more time spent on his storyline. It was only there to move the main couple's story line forward.

WHEN TO WATCH:
Watch this if you're looking for a quick fill in drama while waiting for another one to start and don't mind a lack of skinship.

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A MASTERPIECE ever made!!!

*This series is an Art*

This is the first Thai series I have ever watched, let alone the first BL and I have due respect for the cast and crew. I had no idea what was the hype about BL shows, let alone I was aware of the Thai entertainment industry and their works. I absolutely had no idea why Bilkin and PP were. As a viewer I have always looked for good cinema. That's when I came across this series and I regret not knowing about this sooner.

While watching, I felt every emotion each one of the characters portrayed. The story is a slow paced story but it's slow pacing didn't harm the series as a whole instead it gives the audience to truly feel the depth of the scenes.

I am writing this review probably after rewatching this series for the 100th time.
I personally want to give award to everyone associated with this series, the actors, the director, the scriptwriter, the cinematographer etc. Literally everyone!!! It is soo good . What a show really, it's really art. Other shows should really take inspiration from this show. Unfortunately this series (being my first Thai series) has just set my standards soo high for a BL, I am hardly pleased by other fairly good series as well.

I am looking forward to see more of the actors Billkin and Pp.

I will probably watch it again. There is no stopping...

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JoongDunk chemistry never disappoints

Yes this was not perfect and the hidden agenda was not a big deal at all, I expected more. But I enjoyed this. It was a simple BL and I absolutely love JoongDunk, so I had to finish this. As always they look so good together with overflowing chemistry.

They improved a lot and the kissing scene were so much better than in star in my mind.

It was interesting the issues that were addressed with like the relationship with their families, the pressure…

I also like the second couple, wish we had seen more of them.

Don’t know why add this stupid problems in the last episode, Zo annoyed me here. Joke is such a good boyfriend, I didn’t like how Zo treated him sometimes. Also, it would have been interesting to explore more Joke story about his relationship with his family.

For me, it’s not as bad as people are saying it is, you don’t always need a big or complicated plot.

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That BL was crazy but entertaining

The acting was really good and this BL got me hooked for more each week. The eclipse was so bad to me and really boring, but I liked First and Khao pairing. This was so much better and their chemistry is so good.

All the drama in this BL, I was shocked many times and it kept me entertained. All the couples have great chemistry to me and it was spicy, which is rare for GMMTv drama.

I was rooting for Boston, but in the end he disappointed me. Happy Nick choose to love himself, I was proud of him even if I was rooting for Boston and Nick most of the drama. Happy that the other couples got their happy ending

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The show is special in many ways!

This series has a special place in my heart.

I'll start by appreciating the storyline. For me, it was an unexpected story, from what you normally see in kdramas: a countryside, village by the sea. What took my attention the most during the show was how well the stories of each villager were shown. The storyline itself wasn't only about main leads (their past, problems and feelings), but other people's lives mattered in the plot. Apart from other shows that I've watched, supporting characters weren't only "filling in" the plot with funny scenes or a quick refresh from the main leads. Each character had their own past that could be expressed during the show and their feelings were truly shown. They weren't the background of the storyline, they were the part of the life of main leads. Each villager somehow invaded decisions, feelings or their thinking. Even though that the supporting characters played a huge role, I did not feel that main leads weren't shown that much or their story was not the biggest plot. I was curious of others (besides the main leads) but did not wonder, when a love of both of them will show up.

Another matter that stroke me when watching "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" were my reflections after the last episode. I decided to leave them here, in case somebody will need it:
1. sometimes, when we struggle, we don't think about our loved ones. We don't show gratitude to them, forget about their love. Even a slight sign of love to the other person can change their decisions, even when it comes to their lives.
2. When we admire somebody that's far away from us: whether it's about the distance or interests, we are unable to see a person that is perfect for us, will give us comfort and love we need and what's the most important: it's near us.
3. Modesty and simplicity means happy life. You don't have to be rich or have a meaningful job to be happy and satisfied in life. The only thing that's needed is love.
4. Helping another person will benefit you someday.
5. We don't realize how we can loose everybody in one day. Even if it's not our fault that they left (no matter if they died or abandoned us), God will put trials on our way for us to realize that we should appreciate every single moment of our lives.

At last I'd like to talk about the actors' play. I could portret their emotions well. It was clearly seen that they're experiencing those feeling deep inside trying to do their best. The scenery and costumes were pleasant to the eye, were not too eye-catching, they were matching the style and pictured well the personality of the character.

Overall, I'd recommend show "Hometown Cha Cha Cha" for somebody who needs a rest from fast paced dramas, filled with negative emotions and enjoys a simple plot.

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Love it

The impossible to know at the end of the drama they reconnected and reconciled as a family with their daughter. This drama are full of surprises especially to those lead actresses and actor they portraying the characters very well. Indeed shoutout to those lovely couple Song YiRen and Wang YouShou well done guys. My excitement they never failed even now I am still watching the clips of their drama and BTS as well because I can’t move on yet that its already end the drama. Thank you the directions . writer for this script and staff. actors and actress amazing over all.

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