This review may contain spoilers
I have watched many Thai BLs and honestly apart from a couple which are ok, most are boring, have plot holes, crap kisses, no chemistry, bad acting and shit story lines. But then along comes LBC and literally leaves me stunned and blows my mind. And the main cause of getting my mind blown is by a kid, Ae (Perth) he's acting is amazing and so convincing he totally had me believing, and for me he is LBC because he stole the show. With him been young i did not expect much tbh and i certainly did not expect what we got with the kisses and hot scenes, he was amazing. He's co star Pete (Saint) was ok, at first i felt his acting was a bit awkward, but as the story progresses and he comes out of he's shell you get to understand why he's acting was like that. So these two where actually perfect for each other, and their chemistry alone puts all other BL couples in the shade. There story was cute, fluffy and hot but also real and down to earth, there was not any missed details of the story which most BLs have, which leaves me confused and wondering, because LBC is so beautifully written, acted and filmed it left me satisfied.Our next couple Tin (Mean) & Can (plan) i shipped these 2 so bad, that the sails were already up, the wind was blowing, and the anchor was lifted ready to sail forwards, only to be left stranded at the harbour, heartbroken and in pieces. I was gutted. And now we know that season 2 ain't happening i just feel worse. But i will look forwards to the books been translated as we all know that the ending on the show was just the beginning for these two. And i'm hoping P'New will have a change of heart and make season 2, as this show has been a massive hit it would be stupid not to.
The other 2 couples Tum/Tar Kengla/P'No were just irrelevant to me, i understand there part of this story, but we really did not get to know them well as the focus was mainly on the other couples, which did not bother me one bit haha although i did find Tum/Tar scenes sad and my heart went out to them, because things like this and others in the show do happen in the LGBT community, so it was realistic in the fact that not everything is rainbows and unicorns.
Kengla & P'No's sex scene was a bit of a turnoff for me as it was uncomfortable to watch, and with the debate of was it rape or not, i don't really care as them 2 just never drew me in, so i found the scene quite awkward as there was no chemistry there at all, so i was happy we hardly saw them.
Overall this show was amazing and goes to the top of my list, i just hope future coming series take note and up their game, because LBC has set the benchmark, and it is going to be hard to beat.
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Holy Moly
I really don't know what to say for my general feeling on this drama. There were some strong points but a lot of weak ones as well. It's just a real mess.Story:
Pete and Trump's conflict was kind of interesting? I mean, I wasn't that convinced of the situation and just saw it as a way to show Ae in a heroic way, but how could they just completely forget about Trump? He was the only major antagonist in Pete's life so I don't understand why he was underutilized. Also, I found Pete's character to be very weak. He's shy, nice, handsome, and rich (had all the Apple products and matching pajama sets lol). He wasn't very compelling to me, and it didn't help that he was always a damsel in distress.
AE. I fell in love with Ae's character. He was the realest character to me with how multifaceted his personality was. I could genuinely feel his confusion at having to deal with feelings for a person for the first time, and his flaws also added to his realness. His possessiveness was a bit concerning to me, but Pete obviously didn't mind it. I really just admired how honest he was throughout his relationship with Pete.
Other characters that I liked were Pond, Cha-am, and Good. Pond is probably really accurate in representing a college-aged male and could be quite distasteful sometimes. However, he was such a delight and showed some redeeming qualities. He pretty much carried all of the humor in the drama. I especially loved him and Cha-am together because she really brings out his more gentle side. As for Good, he reminded me of a sloth. His mannerisms were just so cute and his interactions with Can were interesting. He's iconic.
I didn't find Tin and Can's relationship all that enjoyable. Can was extremely petulant most of the time and he also looked really young to me, too young to fit with Tin. There was a lot more they could've done with Tin and Can's storyline as far as Tin's family interfering in Tin's life. It was just such a missed opportunity to cause more drama from Tin's brother especially as well as the fact that they have different lifestyles.
Tum and Tar felt very irrelevant in Tharntype (until the end) and the same can be said here too. You could watch the whole drama without them. Their relationship is also very taboo, and I don't understand why this isn't being questioned by the other characters in the drama. However, they barely interact with Tum and Tar so it makes sense.
I think everyone agrees on how terrible sexual assault. There's just something about selling your brother to your friend and allowing your friend to molest your brother, hmm. Anyway, Kengkla and Technic were unnecessary and their behavior was downright disgusting.
Acting/Cast:
A lot of it was average or kind of rough.
Saint is probably a really good actor, but his role as Pete was just so subdued. He also is very manly compared to Pete in the way he speaks and acts which is very interesting but he's acting. Understandable. He also reminds me of Jin from BTS, lol.
But holy moly, Perth carried the drama with his acting. I already praised Ae's character as being so real, and this wouldn't have happened if Perth hadn't been casted to play him. Perth absolutely sold me on every feeling Ae had. He could just convey so much with his eyes, and I could feel the love he was portraying toward Pete. It also helps that Perth is a cutie. My only gripe with casting Perth in this role is the fact that he was doing all of these scenes at the age of 17. I know the age of consent is different in Thailand but still. It just kind of weirded me out even though I'm around his age. Anyways, he's an amazing actor, and I'm definitely looking forward to his other works. (He did great in UWMA.)
Music:
The music in these dramas aren't that great, the background tracks in particular. But for some reason, I really enjoyed the music. The little techno instrumental was funny.
Rewatch:
The only thing I would rewatch is the Pete and Ae interactions. Everything else can go.
Overall:
The drama lacks good conflict and also has a ton of questionable/abhorrent behaviors portrayed in the show. I enjoyed very few characters. I mainly stayed for Pete and Ae's relationship.
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This review may contain spoilers
Pete and Ae couple were pretty boring to be honest. They were both good guys and stuff but I can say that the author didn't give much depthness to them. Pete's character was an unreasonablely shy guy and Ae was a stereotypical hero. I liked the Ae character because the actor playing him did a great job but I can't say that about Pete. Sorry but his smile is like when I'm forced to smile at a school photo. I didn't watch other series of him but he annoyed me here.
I watched the series because of Tin and Can however something annoyed me at the final episode. Can kisses with Tin but he still can't date him? Like how immature you can be? I think he is so cute but his actions and age don't really match. I think both of their characters were unrealistic and cliche as well. However we get to learn more about them compared to Pete and Ae. Well I might be wrong because I skipped Pete's scenes lol. It was fun to watch TinCan.
Kengkla and Techno... I like Techno and it really made me angry how his brother literally let Kengkla rape him. I hope in the 2nd season Techno will beat their ass.
Pond, Good and ChaAim are my favourite characters lol. We can say that Pond is kinda sexist however he is a nice guy actually. I think that's what makes him realistic. He is flawed but still better than that Kengkla guy. I enjoyed and laughed during his scenes a lot. ChaAim is a really cool girl and they are the couple with most chemistry in this series.
Good may seem like a charicaturised character however he reminds me of a classmate of mine. They are both very blunt and slow. I would like a main character like him in a series because he is ICONIC.
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Ae-Pete :) :)
My rating of 8/10 is mostly based on the Ae-Pete story. Even though cliche of damsel in distress and save me from that story, their chemistry is beautiful. Pete being gay and having gone through tough times with that, tries to avoid confronting his feeling for Ae. But Ae is so open minded and accepting. Him telling that it doesn't matter boy or girl, I love you because it is you, is so beautifully shows that love is not gender based for him and he fully accepts Pete. Ae was so open and very well communicated from the beginning about how he felt. When he wasn't sure of he like Pete romantically, he told him but when Ae knew his feelings towards Pete, he was clear about that as well. And on my god! CONSENT!! (even in the novel) the number of times Ae asks for consent from Pete was very very refreshing to watch. They COMMUNICATE!! If they are jealous or have doubts, they talk about it rather than just sulking over that many many months. When Pete had issue with Champoo teaching Ae, he was sad but same day he told Ae and Ae told the reason and they sorted the matter. When Ae had questions about Pete and Tin, he asked. He did not assume they were having affair and broke up or anything like that. Also, Ae telling Pete that he hasn't told his family about them but he is ready to tell them whenever Pete wants. Both of them give each other space to express. Pete understands and tells that, it's okay. I understand that these things are hard so take time. They both are respectful of each other so much and that is such an amazing adult and respectful relationship. They are good for each other. Pete got courage to come out to his mom and be firm in his decision as Ae was encouraging him and for Ae. Both their character is so honest open and sincere. It is sad not to be able to see them in Season 2. Also Pond is a great friend. Even though talk rubbish most times, he is so accepting and supporting of his friend and a big shipper of Ae-Pete haha! We all need friends like him in our life hahaNow for the second couple: yes It is great to have the story of enemies to lovers but the first kiss was assault! You cannot go around kissing people. It is assault! Tin has painful upbringing and he is sharp on the edges and he doesn't trust anyone because of this childhood trauma. His character development is great and if he had not gone through what he went through in childhood he might have been different but I have to call out assault when I see one so! Can is cute. he is a great friend and he doesn't talk shit from Tin and calls him out. So yeah looking forward to season 2 with these folks!
Now for the other two KleNo and Thar-Tum: I don't even want to talk about rape and assault here,
If these two couple story was different or showed that what they did was wrong then I could have rated this drama 9-9.5 but because they seem to NORMALIZE rape and assault, i can't rate his show more than 8. If there was issue with Ae-Pete storyline and character, then I would have rated this much lower.
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Cute but often annoying
Okay so this drama was really cute and I did enjoy most part of it, however I most definitely did not like Pete (no offence, but I found highly annoying and often to dam baby, This is the second drama of his and I didn't like him in Why R U? either, he brought that baby side and childish behavior to this drama as well). Okay so the ML leads were not so bad, accept for Pete character which really annoyed me, often i skip parts when he appeared which was a bit difficult since Ae was finding out his feelings towards Pete, and how found each other by chance, Ae begins to help and take care of Pete, Ae and Pete throughout the series go through numerous and sometimes humorous trials and tribulations establishing their relationship.For me the second Leads were much more interesting, Tin & Can that seemed to be story (gonna start that right after i finish write this). TinxCan story, which I admit I'm biased as I loved them since the whole "enemy to lovers" thing is my downfall , and I am looking to see how they story unfolds.
The other characters were okay, nothing much to talk about, there were some funny moments in this drama, and often cute, of course being high school setting, the guys finding there sexual desires, I did find Ae roommate a little to much on the whole porn thing, but then again being a young boy at university guess it was expected. (LOL)
The series tackles about mental illness, rape and Homophobia it wasn't written and executed 100% correctly but it does its job, which is spread awareness about the topics I written above.
The Music was okay, the main song is really nice.
Overall: It was an okay to watch, I just feel that Pete character was a little to babyish for me, and that was one thing put me off or spoils the drama... Tin & Can left me a little heartbroken, hopefully they story unfolds in Season 2. (which I heading to right know)!!!
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Just no.
I really do not understand why people enjoy this show.It's too problematic, has too many toxic storylines, kinda confusing and with no sense at all. Acting was ok-ish but we need to keep in mind some actors where minors during the filming so... yeah.
The problem I have with this show is that they tried to romanticize toxic relationships, jelousy, incest?!!! and even raping??? like come on... just don't.
I even watched the second season hoping it would become better but it's honestly worse.
If you can, just don't watch this show.
It's a shame because most of the actors in this series are great, they really do deserve better roles in better shows...
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There's no reason for anyone to miss out on Love By Chance.
If you'd like to take a break from the drama in other BLs (especially if you've encountered TharnType before this series like I did), now is probably a good time to watch Love By Chance.|Love By Chance is a show full of fluff. This is definitely a feel-good series for the most part, and won't break your heart too much. I experienced little to no frustration about the main couple's progression, but that was a good thing for me! The pacing was just right. Instead of frustration, every episode left me smiling over how the characters dealt with their emotions. I found it endearing how the series portrays the awkwardness and bumbling moments in finding your first love, falling in love, and coming to terms with one's sexuality.
The side stories didn't fall short, either. Admittedly, not all of them were very comprehensive, and some are even questionable, but since this is based on a novel I feel like I can't say much on it. However, whatever I have watched in the live action, I enjoyed enough! (Maybe not Kengkla and Techno's though...)
Ah, speaking of which. Watch out for Pond. That character is just brilliant, ahaha! Him being paired up with ChaAim, one of the girls in this series, makes for a very fun couple to watch. Absolutely enjoyed it every time these two were on-screen.
So really, in the end, I believe there's no reason for anyone who watches BL to miss out on Love By Chance. I'd recommend you save it for after a dramatic series though, so that you can smile and laugh after crying a lot, ahaha!
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This review may contain spoilers
Guys, I... I created this account just to give 10 stars for the casting for this tv show. But more on that later.I have to start by saying that I first watched TharnType The Series, and that lead me to watching Love By Chance. The main couple of LBC is incredibly sweet, Pete and Ae have a really cute story and their chemistry is awesome. I LOVED the actor who played Ae, he does an INCREDIBLE job. I'm serious, I just can't get over how awesome he was. He delivered us an image of a down-to-earth, authentic, teenage college student. He was funny and refreshing, and acted incredibly natural, even when delivering his killer lines to Pete. And while my 10 stars for the casting are mainly for him, I have to say (almost) all the actors did great jobs and were very well chosen. A huge plus was that they were actually close in age to the characters they played, which doesn't usually happen, and that added a very youthful feeling to the series. The only casting choices I didn't like were Tum and Tar - Tum mainly because I loved the actor who played him in TharnType, and imo there can be no other actor, and Tar, well... They just can't seem to choose an actor that would suit him.
The story was overall really sweet and funny, except the ending, which, uh, sucks, yeah, but when I started watching LBC they had already announced a second season, so I'm not as mad as y'all who watched this in 2018.
I recommend watching this solely for the main couple, as well as for the awesome cast. I think it's worthwhile!
Well, then, what remains is to wait for LBC 2! What I'm most excited about is seeing Pete and Ae again, those two were definitely my faves.
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Pete & Ae are such a sweet, wholesome couple
Honestly, Pete & Ae are the sort of couple I wish we saw depicted more often in bl. Ae falling for Pete, and figuring out how feelings for him, was very natural and sincere. Perth did an excellent job portraying him! Pete was so vulnerable and endearing. Saint also did wonderful with him.This could have been at least a 9 star rating if it wasn't for all the sexual assault and coercion in the other three pairings.
1. Most obvious: Kla intentionly flat out raped Techno, who was so drunk he couldn't find his own bedroom and barely recognized the kid. Then he was manipulated like hell the next morning when he woke up to the startling news that he had slept with an underage (assuming since he's still in HS) person of a gender he did not previously think he was attracted to. WHAT?!
2. Tum full on pinning Tar down and trying to force himself on him. Sure, he didn't know Tar was a rape survivor at the time. ut that doesn't matter. And Tar should not have gotten over that nearly so fast. That should have put Tum squarely in the Not Safe category with every other man. I figured they weren't biologically related, but did we have to wait until the last half of the last episode to make it clear they are STEPbrothers and this isn't incest?
3. Tin and Can. People may not see the coercion here, especially because viewers tend to forgive characters with sad backstories. Tin pressured Can every step of the way once he decided he liked the guy. And this after being a Grade A Dick to him! he would manipulate Can into getting to kiss him. If it wasn't for this "persistent to the point of it being coercive manipulation" I'd have no problem with this pair....other than Can being obnoxious and too extra. I did 100% cry when Tin got rejected by Can, even if he was sketchy and an asshole.
I'd like to think they did better in season 2 but since there is no Pete and the most obnoxious character I've seen in any drama from any country is one of the mains, I'll just leave that in my imagination.
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DEAL BREAKERS
SHORT REVIEW AND DEAL BREAKERS!
I honestly liked the show, I just hated the side couples, but I also hope they had more screen time. I'd recommend this series to anyone who is into BLs. LBC is a classic the second one was really bad but that's just my biased opinion seeing as Saint wasn't in it.
The show was great I loved watching it, and I would love watching it again. But there were only a few deal-breakers. First of all the characters (Ae and Tin) were a little aggressive. And usually, I wouldn't mind, but when it comes to love I would like to point out the fact that they made pushing your partner around seem like love. that just doesn't work. For all the teens and or younglings watching this show. you have to know that if your partner is aggressive it's not good for the relationship. the next deal breaker was the fact that the show, in general, lacked gay reparation. Maybe it's just me but scenes got really cheesy really quick. When it comes to gay reparation this does not only apply to this show it applies to most BLs. The next deal-breaker is really based on my opinion. The really long stares were unnecessary. Instead of having the main couple look at each other for 10 minutes straight (over-exaggeration), They could have had a few more scenes with the side couples. Then again I would like to mention that I do like this show and I would watch it again and again, and it's the reason why I got so into BLs. I loved everything about Pete and Ae's relationship. It really did make me feel single.
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Ok on to the story, I know some will probably find Ae and Pete's sl boring since they don't go thru much angst or except for 2 episodes, no real break ups since they become an item. I find it so refreshing that we have a couple on a BL series that actually communicate to one another, they listen and the fights they do have they fix them by actually talking to one another. Ae & Pete have to be one of the healthiest relationships on a BL series ever and for that reason I love them and Love by Chance so much. It's hard to believe these were Saint and Perth's first BL roles, imo they seem really comfortable with each other. I mean some of their S*x scenes are bordering on a bit explicit but I never doubted these two characters both loved each other and were hot for one another either lol. They had a lot of chemistry.
Also the writers did an excellent job in portraying a teen love story between two 18 year olds. Their dialogues sound exactly like what a teen their age would say when experiencing that first love. Kudos to the writers for that. I've seen other series where the dialogue makes me cringe sometimes but not here.
Ae's character is special to me, Not to take anything away from Pete's adorableness and cuteness, sweetness etc but Ae is a breath of fresh air. I like how he deals with coming to terms with his sexuality, he never once hurts anyone with his confusion and once he realizes what he wants he's confident enough to go after it without any shame or struggle to me that was something different that I quite enjoyed watching on LBC
Adding all this to the side characters like Pond, Tin, Can, Ping and Bow it makes this series one of the best I've watched when it comes to Thai BL series.
10/10 from me.
P.s I wasn't much of a Tin/Can fan but I see why people like them & I'm glad they were included they did make Love by Chance more interesting.
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