Arkom (2017)

Usually I don't like supernatural element or Margie Rasri, but I bore with both rather well in this lakorn. Usually James Ma is more my type (his 1st role in Suparburoot Jutathep, he was the only "prince", that was actually charming) but I found Alex Rendell really hot in this, so I cared for the second couple more.

Also the 1st couple does not have very likeable plot, which is also featuring old Johnny Anfone - who now looks hideous while his acting skills have NOT improved - so it's more or less skippable.

Nevertheless, it all comes quite quickly to a conclusion and the 9th episode already feels like the final episode and it could be, if not for yet another unnecessary twist.

Troughout the series, there keeps to be loads of action, in compare to that the romance is relatively scarce. When the romance comes to more focus, it gets too mushy. Quickly we go back to the action thriller but as for the romance, it is not kept as thrilling (and that's what I like, thrilling romance:)) Watching all the fighting among some using magic, cgi smoke, invisible ghosts, etc. doesn't do it for me. Supernatural is not my cup of... well, anything. Also the crime lords didn't really interest me. I was more interested in side-people like Non Thanalop Pridamanoch's character. Pitty his actor never got many roles.

The series has distinct visual stylization, especially the colors. There are many sophisticated interiors. The music tries to add to the atmosphere too, but it's a random mixture that sounds like it's borrowed from many sources here and there.

The supernatual cr*p is the usual mix, as well. The leads can read each other's minds, but only when it's convenient for the script. As usual, the least pragmatic person works as a doctor, the least observant person as journalist, etc., etc. After Margie Rasri's character uses the same way of "healing" on everyone, we expect her to use it on the guy she loves, too. But suddenly she changes it for a kiss that is supposed to conquer all magic. Romantic, huh? Well, the kiss is fake. And there was not even need to push that not-kiss onto the audience at that moment... This is the way it goes on with everything. By the last 2 episodes, it all dragged till no one cares anymore. The lenghty finale (well, all the episodes are lenghty) is just tiring, as this is truly average in all storytelling, conclusion or moral.

Read More

Great social commentary that's gone unnoticed in a peak Lakorn

This is my all-time favorite, peak Lakorn. It comes from an era when writers (or the source material) really wanted to say something, and find ways to seamlessly intergrate them into the story. Most Lakorns have to reward good folks, and let the negative villains fail, but it's really done in a very natural way here, while maintaining delicious delicacy and clarity between the different clusters of characters, and running multiple arcs among them, entangling them with each other. Re-watching this makes me realize many 2020s Lakorns seem to miss this level of intricacy and characterization. Wanting to do the right thing pits children against parents or in-law, police against media, even lover against ex-lover, and also formerly rich kids against people like their past selves, etc. That's an incredible web they've woven.

I'm a New Age kind of guy and I'm very familiar with real life people who have the intuitive and healing forces that Margie's Auer possesses. Which, btw, she's much more convincing in this role than playing a lady boss. I wish she'd gotten typecast as this. It's great fun watching my spirituality represented on Thai TV. As "Kim" acquires black magic, her abilities also pit her against him for dramatic tension. Nowhere else on TV will you see the love interest tell a guy named Krod to "Mai krod" - if rage is in his name then how can he not rage? If Krod doesn't krod then is he still Krod? (yes, but it's great fun so watch for yourself if you can find this show :)

There's a ton of social commentary in Arkom. My favorite is its rightful indictment of businesspeople. Whenever in Bangkok, I'd still go to Seacon Bangkae where filming took place, like a fanboy I would willfully call it "Decha Mall" as it is in the show, and go to the specific atrium and Mr. DIY where stories took place. Now, almost 10 years on, conglomerates are IMO downright out of control in Thai society and looking more and more like the villains in this show. Don't you wish we had Kim for real to gently work his Arkom on the top 3 richest families?

This show is just so on-point throughout, bar a small stretch of arc in the last 1/3 that felt hasty, e.g. with the supercar causing an accident. I love the casting. James Ma is great in his Oliver Queen-inflected role, I love Alex Rendell in this, I even love the mall owner Decha, to say nothing of stalwarts like Johnny Anfone who always know what to do.

In the last 10 years, I've constantly thought of everyone involved as their characters here. When I order gapao rice I pause for a second, and wonder if I should order the way Krod did. I don't think there's another lakorn that's so keyed into the topics I care about.

Read More