This review may contain spoilers
Emotional, Powerful, Full of Heart
SOTUS came out in 2016, long before the recent wave of Thai BL dramas. It was made on a tiny budget and starred complete unknowns. It was before the HUGE ascent of Twitter, tik tok and IG as a platform to promote shows as well as pre-pandemic when BL watching seemed to go insane and some shows were over-hyped (in my opinion).In short it was a bit of a miracle that it became so popular and that it has withstood the influx of new BL work and continues to garner new fans even 8 years later.
The story is simple enough - a new university student who is put through the hazing process (a real thing at Thai uni - I have many Thai friends who went through it) by the third year students. A love story that unravels despite the two leads facing off again and again, arguing about anything!
And of course, two young men who discover that they like each other, despite their many differences, prejudices and pride.
Kongpob is like a sweet puppy who chases after his P’Arthit. Except when Arthit is in the wrong and then Kongpob bites back!
Arthit is growing up, is behind his peers in doing so, a little lost and constantly searching for the answers. He’s scared and insecure, has never had a partner, feels like he doesn’t deserve to be happy and spends a lot of the series trying to understand why someone might even like him! Poor thing!
They’re both just learning who they are.
They are surrounded by supportive and chaotic friends who have their backs, and Kongpob and Arthit’s romance is given space to develop. They aren’t suddenly in bed together after 3 episodes and nor should they be in a ‘soft’ romance like this. It’s more about their flirting, how Arthit is constantly confused by Kongpob’s actions yet he craves his attention more and more.
The tension builds throughout the series, and by the time they kiss (a very sweet peck by todays standards but totally matching the characters and the situation and also pretty iconic in its location) they have both been through a serious and very emotional learning journey. They know themselves much better and their feelings finally make sense.
Mentioning the supporting roles again- no, they aren’t enormously developed, but they all have personalities and a reason to be there. Plus, they represent many sexual orientations and no one is upset about it!
In a world full of BL’s with 6-10 handsome men playing 3-5 couples, it’s nice to have a show where there is a mix of relationships shown, as well as friendship groups that are not solely gay/pan/bi males.
Reading other reviews, I can see that some people found the start of it hard to watch and certainly the first two episodes contain the worst part of the hazing with quite a bit of shouting, but get past that and you’ll find a series full of heart with characters who truly care for each other and a storyline about first love and everything that’s difficult about it!
Enjoy! I did, and now I rewatch every year at least once..
PS Singto and Krist have such great chemistry and it’s really spine tingling if you watch closely..
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There's magic in this story and I can attest to that when I watched the whole episodes with no skipping the third time. Even though it's a coming-of-age drama among university students, there's magical element that I couldn't figure out until I re-watched the whole episodes.
The vulnerability yet honest portrayal of the leading characters is what makes me hooked to the series. They're like velcro straps that you wish to get out from the system but would require certain level of force to detach from the characters and their budding love story.
Honestly, I didn't find this appealing during the first time that I watched this. I felt like it's another first-time romantic story among 2 male lead characters who wished not to label themselves as gay but just ended up falling in love. I skipped most parts and episodes until the episode where Arthit and Kong's kissing scene in the rooftop. There is where I felt that they have this palpable chemistry but kinda forgettable. But that proved to be wrong when I binge-watched it again from evening to early morning, sacrificing the plan to sleep in on a weekend. It's during this binge-watching that I felt certain giddiness, the similar reaction I have experienced watching Isak and Even in Skam and Max and Tul in Bad Romance.
I like the delivery of the lead actors especially Arthit's acting. Their moments were done in slow-paced dramatic motion that, at times, I felt the scenes were dragging. But the cutesy parts especially when Arthit smiles were magical that just watching those scenes can compensate the less pragmatic storyline of the series.
I can't really find lots of kissing scenes in this series, typical of Asian BL series but those only two kissing scenes are, I think, enough to feel the magic of the love story of male characters who want to express their love and just be "fuck it, I don't care! I have to do this 'coz it feels so right!"
Overall, SOTUS the series is a BL Drama that is full of moments of friendship and overcoming obstacles in the SOTUS system and a certain kind of romance that may not anymore be that special to some but still worthy to relive the first-love moments.
I am not Thai but I commend the Thai entertainment industry for bringing these characters to the Asian audiences.
Also, I am done with BL stories that are all about tragedy and mostly negative storyline. Although I like some arguments in plots from time to time, I want to see another dimension in the portrayal of gay love with positive notes.
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This review may contain spoilers
This is one of my favorite Thai BL dramas. When I first looked at it, I thought it was something else so I didn't watch it and it was left on my list for Netflix, I was bored one night so I decided to watch this and I'm glad I did because it was nice and funny. Sure, they were frustrating at times but it was worth it in the end. I like how they would always argue with each other but then become nicer and get soft with each other at times. I liked how Arthit would always do things to annoy Kongpob or single him out. I don't like how Arthit was in denial for the longest time though or how he said he wasn't at the mall with Kongpob when Maprang found them together. But overall, it was a good show Was this review helpful to you?
JUST FINE
story - nothing out of this world. it also progressed really slow specially at the first episodes. i can't help but watched many episodes at a higher speedacting - the actors acted fine. their reactions to their situations looked realistic
music - the same song was repeated at almost every dramatic scene. considering this series have a lot of episodes, they could've added more songs instead of just repeating the same one over and over again
rewatch value - it's 50/50. just depends on what your going to rewatch. some are rewatchable and some are just unbareable to be seen twice.
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Mostly lived up to all the hype
When people talk about “must watch” series, I often find myself not really loving them. Or just not seeing why some people see them as a great introduction to BL series. I was very surprised when SOTUS (mostly) lived up to all the hype. It is definitely worth the watch. 15 episodes went by in a blink!I actually like how the storyline focuses on more than just the love story between the two main characters. I think we get to learn a lot about their friendships and the university lives, especially the whole junior and seniors’ relationship. That is not something that is a big part of university life in my country, at least nowhere near that extent, so I feel like it helps me make sense of not only certain events in this series but others as well.
The hazer seniors are such a fun group! I think they all balance each other out very well, and seeing how well they all know each other, they can react when needed. Knot is the kind of friend you turn to for a serious advice, and Bright is the friend that will cheer you up, no matter what is going on. Learning that Off improvised a lot of lines makes his character even better. Prem and Tuta were a lot of fun too. Especially with Tuta being openly gay. I really like how they didn’t turn him into a comic relief character or into an overdramatic drama queen. It was nice, especially considering when the series was filmed.
The first years are an interesting group too. There are a lot of complicated relationships going on with them. I think most of Kong’s close friends are too dependent on him, he tends to be the leader, the person that takes responsibility for everything and everyone. Which I found interesting, especially as he is the youngest child in his family. I do think that Kong doesn’t get appreciated enough by his friends.
Kongpob & Arthit: I love a good enemies to lovers story, but I was kind of wary of how things would go between the two. The whole power dynamic between the hazers and freshmen wasn’t really sitting well with me. I am glad that it was mostly for the show and that the hazers are a very chill group. And Arthit is absolutely adorable! Like the way he acts once he gets together with Kong or when he is alone. Kongpob seems to be someone who is very sure of himself, and someone who is willing to do anything for his friends, even too much sometimes. But back to the whole senior and junior dynamic, I really liked how Kongpob was the one who was the first to go after Arthit. And he was so smooth! And flirty! He should have lessons on how to flirt with your crush.
I do think Singto and Kirst have great chemistry. I think they both did great in their roles, and even better with portraying emotions through looks and their voices. However, I do think their kisses were very awkward. They didn’t make it seem like the two characters enjoy kissing each other.
I am a bit sad that we didn’t get any other confirmed new couple. Yes, there was M and his crush on May, but they didn’t officially get together. And let’s not forget Prem and Wad… why they decided not to sail that ship will forever be a mystery to me.
I really enjoy the OST. The locations are nice too, I really enjoyed how different yet similar Kong’s and Arthit’s rooms are. It also reflects the two of them and how they are.
And a little note on hazing – I think that depending on how it is done, it can be a very damaging concept that leaves permanent mental scars. The show did apparently exaggerate certain things, but it still doesn’t look fun if it’s done in any way like that. We do have some sort of hazing where I am from, both for high school and university. The high school one can get messy with people throwing things at freshmen, writing all over them… but there are also official hazing events, which are actually a lot of fun; they usually include a bunch of games the freshmen need to do or solve in smaller groups. They are always supervised by professors too. As for university, we just throw a big party and call it hazing, if that counts.
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I'm not sure
So this is considered a Classic BL, that being said it was very slowburn, mild and a bit stiff. I'm glad I watched it so I can say I watched a classic, and it wasn't a struggle to get through but it was very light on BLI enjoyed Kongpops character.
I enjoyed learning about SOTUS because we get SO many BL with engineer students but haven't seen this side of things!
I enjoyed the side characters that we see a lot in the newer shows. watching their progress and the way they act buddy buddy in the newer shows was interesting.
is this going to be as good as the newer shows? Not if you want a BL main theme. But this is the first one that focused this much on school spirit.
I really can't ship the couple though, I don't know why Kongpop likes this dude and it was hard for me to want them to be together.
overall, like i said, glad I can say i watched a classic and I'd love to see Singto and the old crew in more!
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Each actor and actress did an amazing job with the scripts they were given and it’s honestly my favorite BL Drama out of all the ones I’ve seen (Sotus was my first and it’s been me diving into the wormhole ever since.) I love this series and it will always have a special place in my heart. Definitely recommend, and it has amazing rewatch ability!
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This review may contain spoilers
At first I also disagree with the harsh hazing system, and tbh, still think it was too harsh, at least on the outside. However, it's very in line with Arthit's personality: tough on the outside and soft on the inside. Dude gives out crazy punishment and lets Kongpob get away with not even doing 1/4 of the laps; why can't you ease up a little, you tsundere. He still needed to find the line between uniting people through a common enemy and being the most hated senior on campus.Prem and Wad interaction was actually hilarious when they -awkwardly- got along.
The romance is bittersweet and very well done. Great acting and production as far as I can tell.
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This review may contain spoilers
Don't expect romance as the series mostly delves on engineering students
If you are looking for a series showcasing romance between the 2 main leads then give this one a miss as the focus point of this show is not that. I have no particular gripe with the story but this should not be tagged under romance as there is hardly any of it. Although there is a lot of unrequited love for most of the episodesAs usual with many Thai BLs, this one takes place in an Engineering college where Kong and his group of friends enter as first year students. The college has the tradition of SOTUS where the first-year students have to perform gruelling tasks forced on by their seniors under the guise of teaching them respect and unity. The leader of these “hazers” is Arthit who appears to be cruel to the young students but has a heart of gold (at least that is what the series wants you to think). Kong stands up to Arthit multiple times and suffers punishment. In the course of the hazing, he starts having feelings for Arthit.
More than half of the series is around SOTUS and how Kong keeps on getting in to trouble by winding up Arthit. Can’t fault the series for it as its in its name “SOTUS”. However, what we don’t see is any character development or the story moving ahead. Each day, the first-year students gather to be yelled at and humiliated by the seniors. Kong’s hero complex takes over causing Arthit to lose his mind and punish him. Rinse and Repeat. We are made to feel that during the course of this Kong is starting to have feelings for Arthit but why? Because he is kind sometimes or may be because he likes pink milk (that is a different story on its own).
In fact, the story introduces two very interesting characters, Prem and Wad. Prem is a senior who is obsessed with getting respect from the juniors to the point of even being violent with them. Wad is a first-year student who despises authority and is vehemently against their treatment by the seniors. Prem and Wad bump heads against each other due to this but all is well when Prem helps Wad while he is attacked by a group of students. Seemed like the series might have another budding romance or even a good friendship but to my dismay Wad simply disappears from the series only to be shown briefly in the last episode as one of the hazers. That to me seemed weird as it would go against his morals of being anti-authority.
In fact, after the SOTUS activity comes to an end what we get is different characters just eyeing their love interests and when one confesses to the other there is nothing but heartbreak. Even if I consider Kong falling for Arthit, there is no reason for Arthit to reciprocate those feelings. In fact, he is still harbouring feelings for his friend. Kong has no qualities for Arthit to be interested in. Its only in the penultimate episode that Arthit decides to accept Kong and then immediately with in a few days keeps him at arm’s length in order to make Kong go after another girl. Such absurd thoughts can be expected from Arthit since during one episode when he realises Kong’s true feelings, he tells himself to act normal around him. But what he does next is contrary to that. He starts ignoring Kong in college, stops answering his calls and texts and even speaks rudely to him. How was that “acting normal”?
In conclusion, the series spends too much time on hazing instead of showing the romance between the characters and abandoning a great plot between Prem and Wad that could have elevated the series. The actors in turn did a great job although this was their first series. Can’t speak about their chemistry together as there is hardly any “togetherness” to start with.
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I really enjoyed how there was a slow buildup to their love and the confessions didn't seem out of place or rushed. The two protagonists started off with a kind of hostility (ish) towards one another, but their friendship slowly builds up in a beautiful way through various scenes and dialogue which was honestly perfection. I have to say I witnessed some of the most romantic scenes I've ever seen. The two protagonists, Kongpob and Arthit just had really good chemistry and a great performance.
I also like how the show took the time to develop other relationships. Although they weren't all necessarily explored as well as one might want them to be, I liked how they worked. Not every side relationship was a romance one, with the case of Waad and Prem being more of a "I got your back" kind of thing.
I think the music was really on point, especially the ending song. I skipped over it the first few episodes, and then at some point I just let it play after one of the emotional scenes and it really got to me (I almost started crying). I am so grateful I did.
I honestly think people should watch it. After watching a lot of other Thai dramas, including some BL ones, I can say this is probably my favourite.
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Brings up a lot of negative emotions in the viewer
Never have I ever come across a less sympathetic male lead in a BL than I have with "Oon" Arthit. He is truly one of the most obnoxious and toxic characters I have ever had the displeasure of coming across. I really had to force myself to get through this show because I was getting triggered left right and center and all over the place by all the UNNECESSARY and incredibly toxic bullying by the seniors.Early on in the show I had absolutely no idea how they would redeem the horrendous character of Oon, and then I saw their strategy. Just make the other seniors even more horrendous so that all of Oon’s bullying seemed tame in comparison!
Perhaps it’s because as a gay man myself I was constantly bullied in school and just harassed to within an inch of my life that I find these storylines of bullying so triggering and incredibly off putting.
The fact that GMMTV puts a disclaimer at the start of each episode to say that instances of hazing is exaggerated for dramatic effect notwithstanding, I was just too nauseated by all of the shenanigans going on. These seniors who are charged with helping and leading their juniors did no such things. They didn’t haze them in good spirits. It was obvious they hated the juniors. Their hatred of the freshmen jumped off the screen nearly as badly as their disdain for their physical and mental wellbeing.
The actor who played the lead in Not Me was what initially attracted me to this incredible hot mess of a show, but I’m sad to say his character was a bully at heart too.
Listen, all these gripes is not to take away from the good merits of the show. It’s GMMTV after all, even if it is in its infant 2016 stage where BL in general was still taking baby steps. The production value is great, the acting is top notch all around (that’s the problem, these problematic characters are so well portrayed that you can’t separate them from the actors.
I love a good enemies to lover storyline, really I do. But Jesus, the character needs to be redeemable and likeable at least. I’m also the first to jump on an antihero train, but Oon’s character just absolutely ruined the whole show. Couldn’t buy into this relationship because I despise one of the leads. Horrendous and so disappointing
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