GIVE IT A CHANCE AND LOOK AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
When I heard that this show had some hazing activities, I was actually a bit disappointed or hesitant to watch it because of the SOTUS system but I decided to give it a chance and I didn't regret it... Although the SOTUS system didn't sit well for me in the beginning (because of a matter of culture differences), I opened up with this show by looking at the different scenes being portrayed and because of it, I learned how to love this show.. The way the characters developed in their relationship is so sweet and I'm glad that there's as season 2 for this.. I know that some might be turned off by the beginning of this series because of the hazing etc. but try to give it a chance and look at it from a different perspective, the hazing is not the focus of the series but rather how the main characters' feelings developed with one another and I find it to be pure and wholesome. We need more shows like this that don't just focus on the physical intimacy but rather how the people learn to fall in love, come to terms with their feelings and face the issues that they have. I'm also glad that the show also addresses the LGBT community and not just fetishizing men. Trust me, Season 2 of SOTUS is even better.Was this review helpful to you?
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Second part of the story saved the series
April 19, 2021Sotus a very interesting drama. Although, it sets the tone as a college student type of story. The execution of the scenes a definitely made the planotic and simple plot better.
Definitely the chemistry of Arthit and Kong is good. I love Arthit’s character development and Kong’s perseverance.
Maybe its cultural differences but I really don’t understand the hazing plot. If I am being honest the first half of the series I feel very disconnected and I was really close to dropping it. It took me a few days to finish the first 7 episodes while it took me like a day or two the finish the remaining.
First half 6/10, second half 9/10. That’s why I can’t give the series a perfect 10 cause the beginning really riled me up. I was like how is this top rated then I understood after the second half. Anyway WATCH THIS YALL. First half was not my cup of tea but after ep 7 thats when everything becomes better!!
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Amazing series-SOTUS
I love this series and the chemistry between them is absolutely amazing, to be honest whenever I watching series I have some scenes to skip but in this series I don't have any scenes to skip and I didn't find any lacks at any scenes. And I learn more about love and relationship like how to be patient in a relationship and how to protect our loved one at any situation and more I learned from this series thank you very much for giving this amazing story and love for Krist😍singto. I'm really blessed to saw this series and all the crews did their roles very well, as an engineering student I absolutely love it always love from India.Was this review helpful to you?
10/11 RECOMMEND
SOTUS walked so all of the other thai bl series could run.I agree with this statement. Although, i’m not sure if there are amazing bl dramas before SOTUS, this one here definitely took thai bl dramas international.
A friend of mine told me that it romanticize hazing but in my own opinion, it does not. I think “hazing” is not a right term for what they’ve done, in my country there’s a compulsary military training in which, the activities are basically the same? The hazing portrayed in the series does not even depicts actual violence. It’s basically just like working out in the gym or training for a sport, haters are just trying to find loopholes for this one.
The story itself was light and served a very amazing coming to terms with sexuality for Arthit (Krist). I don’t like university settings much, but this one is actually a top notch. Arthit’s character development is amazing.
The music really give off that university kind of vibe. I graduated college 4 years ago and hearing the OST kinda brings back uni days.
The acting of Krist and Singto is... not perfect. They can still improve but with that storyline then I guess I can deal with it.
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I saw this show on Netflix once and I started watching it but I didn't pass the first episode until I was boring and I said Okay let's give it a try. And I fell in love with the characters. Some inconsistencies sometimes but overall great. Great character development specially Arthit, he really is a grower character. Great script, the way they introduce or include the humor is great. Overall one of my favorites so far, and the sequel is even better... But yeah great, I really wanted to see more of the characters background, a little more of backstory would have been great. 128/30/2021: No because I gave Sotus (my first BL) a good rating, and after rewatching it, it deserves an 8 pr 8.5.
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LOVE STORY
A love story in the making. It made me fall in love more and more every episodes of the series. Main actors are very cute and perfect for each other. But there are scenes that i felt disconnected to the story. It's a love story from episode 1 - 15 and until Sotus S. yup it has a Season 2. and hoping for 3 *cross fingers*. You'll see some actors from the Holy Trinity of GMMTV. Sweet and Cute. The only thing that is not my type with the series is the OST tho.Watched it twice already. I would recommend this to anyone.
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This is the second Thai BL drama so far that I have watched (next to Theory of Love), and so far I'm loving it! Thai BL dramas never fail to disappoint with their storylines because this was worth to watch! Intriguing Plot, Unique Casts, and Outstanding Chemistry! This drama, which I noticed, contains more valuable and real-life lessons a person could ever have other than falling in love. And another unique thing about this drama is that they didn't show hate or villainous aura to the females (which is quite noticeable to most BL dramas), which is a very important factor nowadays! It's one thing that I loved in it.
Story: 9.5
Acting: 10 (CAN I KEEP SINGTO? EVERYONE NEEDS A SINGTO IN THEIR LIFE)
Music: I love the music even though the intro is goddamn long.
Rewatch: Definitely!
Overall: 9.5/10 !!!
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UNEXPECTED BEAUTIFUL STORY....
Normally we get in love with the Lead Actors of the drama we are watching but in this drama I fall in love with their Love Story. The pacing of their story, from the first time they meet until they fall in love with each other was perfect. SOTUS has LESS KISSING SCENE and NO BED SCENE at all, but it doesn't affect how the Love Story shown in this series. Their chemistry was superb plus the acting was amazing. I just enjoyed every episode of this drama. I didn't skip single scene at all. I just simply love it and my all time favorite BL Series..Was this review helpful to you?
But let me review it from the start. The storyline. I actually watched Sotus rather reductantly, because I didn't really like the trailer. But when I started watching it, I got into it more and more. The story starts out like any highschool-love-comedy-show: it is light-hearted, the characters are introduced and there isn't going on much in the first episode. But the story develops really lovely! The main couple (I'm sorry, I'm a Swiss loser, I cannot remember all the names) has this kind of rivalry-but-somehow-sexual-tension-dynamic I really love! Especially Artith seems to be so harsh and unapproachable. But that's what makes it interesting. As a viewer, you can follow the storyline, you get to know so many different characters and you also can observe how the relationship between the characters change.
It's not a sudden "oh, it's love at first sight and we're gonna fuck in the next episode", but it's... so sweet. It's slow-built, but it also satisfies us with a bit of fanservice, but most importantly, the development in the relationships - whether it's in a friendship-kind-of-way or in a romantic-kind-of-way - is really portrayed realistically. What I also appreciate, is that Artith doesn't fall in love at first sight, that he struggles with his own feelings and his sexuality. This is a big topic, as Asia isn't that progressive yet (compared to Europe, at least).
Also, there actually IS a story to follow, not only about the relationship between two guys, but also about their life in university and friendship!
Also, it kind of introduces us into the world of Asian universities and culture. Everyone living in the West would agree with me - it's very different from our traditions and habits.
And now let me start on the characters! Oh, they are played so well, you won't believe it until you see it. All the characters (not only the main ones) are chosen carefully (at least it seems like it), and they play their roles so perfectly! All of the actors have got talent, you can feel it. Their facial expressions are gold, their voices sound like honey, and their gestures fit into their roles.
I really recommend this series, if you're into angsty teenager love, discovering about sexuality, but in a sweet and cute way.
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Very little "physical" contact between the two mains, but I did like the chemistry and the build up of love between them. However, I didn't like how the seme kind of had "instant" love to the uke after very few interactions. However, despite my gripes, it IS one of the better BL shows to watch, depressingly, and if you wanted more "physical" stuff, just watch this and then watch "together with me" afterwards for the kisses.
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BL Has Evolved So Much Thanks To SOTUS
Another BL that many consider god-tier status. Though I appreciate that this series doesn't go for some problematic tropes it's got its fair share of non-problematic tropes for me to foresee how "SOTUS" influenced other series I've seen thus far. Since this was made in 2016, so it's considered quite old in BL standards. I was surprised to find this series on Netflix, because here in the states Thai BL's aren't really on streaming services, except for Viki sometimes. I guess that also attributes to it's status!Let me start with what I liked. I enjoy both of our leads, whom both started their acting careers from this show I think. As well as some of the side characters actors as well. Arthit really got on my nerves at the beginning of this show, but his character softens a lot so by the end he was okay. Kongpop (played by the lovely Singto) was my favorite, of course seeing as I love him in other shows. But his character was also the most well-rounded and kindest out of anyone in the show. I also liked Aim, but again I knew that actor and I liked him prior anyways. The entire college initiation was interesting (for awhile) and I did really want to see how Arthit and Kongpop became a thing. So for the base level stuff in the show, it was fine!
Moving onto what I disliked. The show got kinda boring after awhile, I wanted the orientation stuff to be over and desperately wanted something else to happen. Eventually we moved on, but it was too late into the series and I wish it would've happened sooner. Also we could've gotten more couple development. Most of it was saved until the last 2-3 eps I'm pretty sure, well minus "longing" glances and obvious tension. I wanted concrete evidence that things were progressing, but I guess that's what the sequel series is for which I am going to watch! I have a feeling I'll like it more than this show, but again I appreciate what this show did for future BL.
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FRUSTRATING
RATING: DGENERAL
I know this opinion will be highly unpopular, but I can’t believe so many people like this series. I found it infuriating and at times excruciating. I wanted to stop watching so many times, but I stuck it out through the end. It did improve but not until about Episode 12. Considering Episodes 14 & 15 are basically filler (full of flashbacks and flashforwards), that means there are only 2 good episodes in the entire series.
2/3 of the series is about the hazing and initiation rituals. I assume this is based on actual habits in Thailand, but I have never heard of this type of system before. In my University, the only “hazing” happened within fraternities, not the entire student body. And that hazing went on for a week only, not the entire semester. While I saw the disclaimer that the hazing rituals had been exaggerated for the series, they were so extreme that I cannot believe anyone would have allowed them to happen. That ruined all believability for me. As it continued and got worse, I became increasingly frustrated. No teacher should have allowed behavior like this. Promoting unity, brotherhood, and support amongst students is a good idea, but none of these activities seem to be geared to that end. I think it is a far stretch to say that push-ups and running laps would do anything to help with unity, and none of it would help them become better engineers.
Because of this extreme set-up, much of the series has the two lead characters going through the same emotions over and over again. There is very little character development for the first half of the series. Arthit is dictatorial to the extreme, and Kong repeatedly disobeys – often for very little reason and never seeming to learn from the past. The worst example of this for me was during the beach scene when Kong feels compelled to complain because they’ve been allowed to go swimming. “It’s not fair!” Who would ever complain about being allowed to go swimming? Yes, they say he doesn’t like to swim, but this was just ridiculous. Without deeper character motivations, there was little to draw me in. I felt the series was cruel and there were not many characters that I even cared for and rooted for. The more it continued in this direction, the more frustrating it became. A big fail on the scripting side, IMO. Additionally, the script repeats itself continuously. Perhaps this is more to do with the translation I viewed. The translator may have missed some subtleties, but when 4 characters are discussing something, then 2 lines later simply repeat themselves, then 4 lines later go over it again, that is just lazy writing. The writer has done nothing to progress the scene, the characters, or show more emotion. So aggravating.
When the romance finally kicks in, some real character development comes with it, along with better acting (since they finally have some decent material to work with). It’s sweet and tender, conflicted and raw. If this had been a 4 episode mini-series focusing on this time I would have enjoyed it much more. My issues with the romance however, also have to do with scripting. Kong “jokes” (although he seems utterly serious) that he will make Arthit his wife in episode 1. Later he gives Arthit his “Heart” (the gear badge). He surmises that Arthit treats him so harshly because “You like me”. So it’s clear Kong has feelings for Arthit from the start, yet Arthit seems very unclear about Kong’s intentions. I understand that a young boy who is unclear about his sexuality may deny and hide his feelings, but after 3 admissions like this, to deny it later on seems absurd and out of character. Kong has been brave, honest and forthcoming. It felt like a convenient cheat for him to hide it later on.
There is a some of the usual stereotyping and homophobia in the portrayals of 2 other characters. One is an overtly effeminate senior who helps Kong during his photo shoot for Moon. While the hair, make-up and purse are a bit over the top, the actor plays the character fairly neutral, which was a relief. Tutah is an openly gay Senior who is friends with the Hazers. While his portrayal of the character is not over-the-top, several other characters use gay slurs when talking about him. This may have been meant as playful teasing amongst friends, however it did not come across that way, but merely as homophobic bullying – and was entirely unnecessary.
ACTING & DIRECTION
The acting is actually good across the boards (the only reason I give the series a D instead of an F). I give even more credit to the actors, given the script was so thin that they had very little to work with. Singto as Kong is decent, but it’s his personal charm that resonates the strongest, rather than his portrayal of the character. Krist as Arthit does a very nice job. He plays more levels and most of it is very real and natural. When we finally get into the romance story, he does a nice job showing his shifting emotions. The stand-outs for me were New who portrays his one-sided love story well (I know many feel his acting here was not as strong as in other series, but I found him believable and tender). But the brightest spot was Off as Bright. He brought great humor and energy to every scene he was in. According to the Special Episode, he improvised a lot in the role. With such a poor script, perhaps the other actors should have followed his lead even more.
On many levels the direction was sub-par. Given the limitations of the script, the director should have looked for more ways to play other levels and bring more to the characters. It just felt like we were getting the same beats and emotions over and over. Additionally, there were annoying “conveniences”, where you could tell action was staged for ease, rather than realism. The prime example is again the beach scene. The boys are allowed to go into the sea to swim, and yet they all simply sit at the water’s edge. But when Kong walks into the ocean moments later (are we really supposed to believe he is this devasted by being yelled at for the 100th time?), none of the boys are around. Only Arthit runs to his aid. And he pulls him out of the sea by himself, before anyone else shows up. Your best friend is drowning, but your only response is to say, “You disappeared for such a long time.” That’s not a friend at all, just someone who has been told to stay out of the shot by the director.
KISSING & INTIMACY
There’s very little and that’s fine. Since most of the series focuses on the hazing and adversarial relationship, there is no real space for true intimacy. When they are allowed to kiss it is sweet and tender and felt natural. The best moment for me is after they kiss on the rooftop. Immediately, Arthit turns away. His body language is so awkward. He bends himself as if he’s been punched. It’s a perfect example of his shy/conflicted nature in that moment.
My favorite moment in the series is the scene between M and May, when he confesses his feelings and tells her he will wait until she is ready for him. It was a beautiful, tender moment and both actors played it very well.
THE DOWN SIDE
Episodes 1-11. Yeah. There’s a lot to dislike.
SUMMARY
Sorry folks, I don’t recommend this one. I’m not certain I can sit through SOTUS S, either. I feel compelled to give it a chance, since Kong & Arthit will be in an actual relationship and we might get to see some real character development instead of endless hazing, but I’ll probably wait until I watch other series before I revisit this franchise, as I would assume the writing is on the same level.
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