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A 17-year story in the making (don't take it literally) with a very grim and dark start that anyone can be easily be turned off. But as you progress through the series, you will realize that it is less about the action taken by Tharnnam, but rather the effect it left for the people around her. It branches out to the other characters that was once touched by Tharnnam and her "never-met-younger-brother".
The approach of the taboo of suicide is unique and doesn't really focus on the ugly side of but rather humanizes what Tharnnam went through both the good and bad. You will ask "why", "what happened" a lot! But no worries, the writing is superb and was able to answer all of those that you will feel relieve after you finished the series. Yes, there are also a lot of heart-wrenching, tear-jerking moments, but, I tell you, all those tears will not be wasted.
You might think that this series is a love drama. Not entirely true. Yes, it may be the main reason why the whole story started, but it will take you for ride in the dynamics of family relationships and sacrifices we make may it for love, friendship or for a family member.
While Tonmai is the only selfless person in the series, which he was tempted at one point to be not, is able to stay consistent with his personality. And I almost forget Mr. Tai. He did everything for Tharnnam in his own capacity. But the rest, Tharnnam, Chet, On, Pana and Tee was selfish at one point in their own respective way. The people around Tonmai is shrouded with lies and secrets. It took Tonmai and Tharnnam's collective effort to shed those layers and at the end is a very very beautiful set of characters that you will forget that once in the series, you might have dislike him and/or her. The revelations will help each character's growth from being one-dimensional to having another side or face. that makes the characters matured in their own respective ways.
The plot has no sharp turns that will leave you dumbfounded. It is constant increasing with revelations here and there but those are integral part of the story, the questions you might have in your minds, and I promise, you will appreciative every single one of them after they are answered.
ACTOR/CAST
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Pluem is definitely carries the series in the sense that he is the center of it all with Mild as the catalyst for the other cast members to interact with each other.
Pluem with his demeanor as cute, vulnerable, non-confronting looks fits perfectly for his character as Tonmai as the one that is the most emotionally beaten up in this series. His crying scenes are impeccable. Imagine crying while delivering your lines, relaying the emotion you want to project and sniffling while he do those! Always, always, that when he starts to cry, my eyes become watery too.
Mild as Tharnnam, comparing her role as Sandee in Kiss Me Again is totally a different take on her looks and acting. And seeing the trailer in the upcoming "3 Will Be Free", surely, her looks and acting are noteworthy. In KMA, you can see her as the bossy type girl around her friends and in 3 Will Be Free, she takes a role that is a different "boss". Her being Tharnnam is totally on a different league which she performs quite amazingly too!
All the support characters are effective in their respective roles. From their reactions to facial expressions is a perfect match to what he/she is saying at the time. There was no cringe-worthy scene that you will be left like "Err, i think she/he could have acted this way instead", or am I just too consumed with what is happening while I was watching? I could see Chimon (young Pana), when becomes older is the old Pana here. I guess with the lips and eyes. And that is what I call a great casting.
SONG
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The opening musical score for each episode, though the sad version/tune of "Happy Birthday", sets the mood in what you are about to watch.
The song played in the walkman is Kong's song in SOTUS, brings back memories too.
Episode 13, the emotinally heaviest episode with a number of songs will take your watching experience into a different level without realizing it, your tears are falling.
REWATCH VALUE
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This is what I find hard for series that start with a big mystery at the beginning; and once the mystery is solved, there is no real value in watching it again since you know how the story will unfold. But if you want to relive or perhaps shed a couple of tears, you will definitely will watch this again, and very soon!
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The best Thai TV series ever made!!!
Each episode was perfectly executed by the director. This is a very interesting Thai serial, supported with actors and actresses from various age. Their acting is so natural and professional. When it first broadcast, no subtitle and after few days, the English subtitle is added. When watching this show, be prepared for the unexpected plot twist and keep your tissue close by. You will need it anytime. Bravo!!!At the end of every episode, the trailer is going to make you crazy as audience are left with high curiosity as what would happen next. I think, this project is so captivating and audience are pampered to the max.
As for me, I have to be extremely patience while waiting for the next episode every week, the story makes me feel like want to turn the globe faster to get to the next story line.
I can't praise them high enough for such a good job.
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This review may contain spoilers
The way this drama was filmed and how the story was told is what makes me rate it 10/10. This story deals with depression and suicide. It focuses on family problems and how badly it impacts the kid. I loved how the series doesn't focus just on the love story, it's deeper than that, the family issues that was highlighted in this story is really real and it shows the effects of suicide on the people who are still alive. After suicide the ones who suffer the most are the loved ones. The depression goes in a cycle. Now the story was written in such a good way. The audience is faced with many questions and confusion about Thannam's death. We're set to believe that Thannam is from a sweet loving family and is about to get a little brother and she's also in a happy relationship so why in the world did she commit suicide, it's all up to us to guess and predict. As each episode went on, a lie gets unraveled and that makes the series so interesting to watch, I couldn't stop watching. All the set up that we were supposed to believe all turn out to be lies. Thannam suffered too much and couldn't handle it anymore. Her story is so devastating. I remember the scene where she meets Tee at his gate and he asked her where she was going and she said she was visiting her dad's house, this made me so confused because why would she be visiting her own home. Everything made sense when the truth gets unraveled. The happy Thannam was all fake. She wasn't from a loving family, the little brother was just her half brother and her relationship was toxic. When we come to know the truth we realize how much pain Thannam had to endure. It wasn't just Tee who caused her to commit suicide, it was everyone around her, everyone she knew and loved. Everyone from her mom, dad, uncle tai, to Tee were selfish at one point and ends up hurting her badly. One line that pained me was when she told Tonmai that being in the water that night was warmer than being in this world. The most important relationship in this series is the brother sister love between Tonmai and Thannam. His sister was the first present he's ever received in this world and Tonmai was the only person who can help Thannam. The closure that everyone gets in the end is the best ending I could ever ask for. Thannam is finally free and the people she loved is strong enough to move on from her death and Tonmai is finally able to feel real happiness. Grab your tissues cause this ones a real tearjerker.
Okay but I hated Tee. He became really irrelevant and in my opinion he doesn't love Thannam. Their relationship started from lust, he never truly loved Thannam and didn't even care for her till she committed suicide. When he said he loved Thannam after she died, it was guilt playing him. Even after the ending I still don't think that he loved her.
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Great start till it takes a turn to the snooz fest
This was just soooo good until they started healing and then it just became a never ending flow of tears (not mine) and slow mo conversations to the sound of emotional music that did not seem to end...But to the good stuff!
The leads, all three are fun to watch and have great dynamics.. did a good jobb portraying the different emotions and types of relationships. I especially loved the long lost brother sister bickering, fun, playfulness. But also the friendships,
The parents here are awful, in an entertaining love to hate type of way, the onely remotely competent parent figure in this whole drama are those not connected by DNA. No Wait there is a single mother here who is deffinetly motherhood goes too but she does not really have much to do with the leads and has way to title screen time.
The way the story unfolds is really good, it delivers some pretty decent twists, and show the whole human behind the suicide. A complex web of emotions, circumstances and of course pain, done right. I could relate to many of the characters on many levels. And would say this is one of the better portrayals of the subject even though it does have some iffy parts as well. However seeing it is a delicate subject that is to be expected.
I also love the way the past relationships unfold with all the complexity they give...
So the first 9 episodes or so would have easily gotten 9,5 stars, if only it did not turn awkward and then all healing on me... taking away all the fun, bitterness, intrigues and suspense I was enjoing so much... making me want to forward scenes and wondering if it will ever end...
There are no less than 2 really cute dogs, nice cinematography from time to time too. A bunch of plot holes and situations that make no sence att all too...
So episode 1-9 9,5stars
episodes 10-13- 6 stars..
= 8 stars. but If you love healing then you are sure to love this, if you don't I suggest you just watch the first 9 episodes and skim the rest or ask someone about those last 4 episodes...
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Incredible writting, each detail was perfectly written with care. The director knew how to conduct the scenes and put so many emotions on it.
Unbelievable cast too. Specially Mild, who robbed everysingle scene she was in! But she wasn't the one, she was supported by a pretty talented cast. I loved to watch the other side of Pluem's acting, he proved himself and I really want to watch his future works.
I felt happinnes, angry, sadness and compassion the whole drama. Also empathy for the characters.
Brilliant!
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The story is also pretty excellent and every episode a cliffhanger. Good thing I watched this a year later, so i don't have to wait for subs and for the next episodes. Each story is well crafted to fall into fitting pieces at the end. And despite a ghost in the story, it is very believable. I think they have closed all important loopholes which makes it a gem among Thai dramas.
Music? I like it but i do not notice these mundane things when I watch.
As for my headline, I've been looking for groups on Facebook about this series, just to have someone to discuss this with. Looks like this was not really that popular. Come on people of Thailand and other countries. This is a must watch!
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I will not dig into further about the details of the story because the plot twist and and the way they tell the story even made it more beautiful. So, just decide it for yourself if you are going to watch it after reading my reaction. :-)
This TV series talks about second chances that not all of us can experience, forgiveness, importance of family, the effects of our decisions towards others, relationships (romantic relationship, family, community and relationship to everyone), importance of LIFE and etc. etc... The story itself will made you think of so many what ifs but the plot twist, instead of answering your what ifs will make you ask why and what happened.
The acting skill of the casts were superb, though I'm not that surprised because I already saw them somewhere (maybe, one of the move or TV series that I've watched). Actually, one of the reason why I watched this TV series is because I know some of the casts, especially the leads. Ah, by the way, I haven't mentioned in the brief summary that the main female lead (Tharmnam) has a boyfriend who is now a superstar. He's quite famous in Thailand in real life as well.
Lesson wise, this story made an amazing job. This series suits very well to those persons who have suicidal tendencies and anxieties in life. It's a super dramatic TV series. Full of crying, but I never cried hahahaha (LIES!).
Anyways, I recommend this TV series for everyone whether you have a suicidal tendency or not because this series also talks about family which obviously all of us have. Enjoy watching. :-)
My personal rating is 8/10.
Second Chances / Is Not / For Everyone
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This review may contain spoilers
I usually only watch BL. But I was looking for recommendations of something with a good story and a lot of people recommended this one. I began watching and it hooked me from the very first five minutes. Usually, I would leave the drama until i twas finished--when it's not BL--then binge watch. But I couldn't help myself.I got caught up in the first three episodes that had aired then counted down the days to the next episode every week. The storyline was amazing. Having a baby being born at the same time someone was dying, was genius. The emotion behind that had be sobbing. I know it seemed harsh and it was a hard thing to watch, but it still played out very well.
Then the life Tonmai had to live, with everyone lying to him about who he was and what happened that night and why it happened - that broke my heart
His need to feel loved and to celebrate his birthday, someone we all take for granted...and his father! OMG! I wanted to run that man over with a car.
Yes, I'm aware its a drama but they say if the character/writer can bring out strong emotions in you then they've done their jobs.
Push did a great job and he was so beautiful - another reason I kept going back week after week.
This drama was beautiful and emotional and beautiful. I was on an emotional roller coaster constantly and I loved it. I laughed and cry and yelled at my screen.
I've rewatched this drama numerous times and it's still as breath-taking as the first time I watched it.
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The story-line is excellent. It's new, different than I've ever seen before. Most of all, it has something for every character. There are good twists. And the most impressive part was that even though Tonmai have never met his older sister before yet it was beautiful how he could share all her feelings.
All the actors were fabulous. However, I liked Tonmai best here. Because, each and every feeling of Thannam reached to the outer world through Tonmai. He is the star here. I felt a little sad and a little a happy for him. Sad because without any fault he had to suffer the coldness of his father. They never celebrated his birthday at home. But it was beautiful how he understood it all. I was happy for him when got to meet his sister. It so happened that his sister became the fairy guide for him. Their love was so sweet. I totally loved the duo's scenes with Tee a.k.a. Push. It was so deep, how all of Thannam's words were spoken by Tonmai to Tee but you would never feel it to be artificial. Even when Tee is looking at Tonmai's eyes, it totally felt that he was looking into Thannam's soul. My heart totally cried for them.
Over and all, it's an excellent show to watch. There are numerous unexpected moments and twist and turn. It was totally binge-worthy if you're comfortable with crying for hours. It can be re-watched but just let some time pass before doing so. After-all, you need to cleanse your already filled heart to absorb the galaxy of emotions in this drama. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. LOVED IT. A must watch.
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