TharnType (2019)

I quite enjoyed watching this series and the chemistry between Tharn & Type is undeniably super cute. The actors and the production were good though there were still some cringy and awkward moments. But I just cannot get past some of the problems in the plot that sometimes makes me feel conflicted when watching.

One of the issues I had was when Tharn kissed and put hickeys on Type while he was drunk and asleep. That was technically an assault and I know somehow its common in Yaoi/BL but I think it's about time we put an end to those kinds of storylines especially for live-action series. Type is a sexual assault victim that has such a great trauma that he became homophobic and what Type did would have been so triggering for him.

With regards to Type, I am not sure why but I did not feel like he redeemed himself from all the homophobic and jerk things he did. I get that his trauma is the reason why he is homophobic so we need to feel sorry for him then he fell in love with a guy, realized not all homosexuals are bad, so he redeemed himself. But I don't know it feels lacking somehow. Maybe they could have addressed his trauma more and made him realize that his trauma should not justify his hateful and jerk behavior. Or maybe it would have been better if he was instead scared of homosexuals more than hateful. All of the homophobic things he did were very hurtful and, as someone who is LGBTQ+, I felt it and somehow it was never really established that he truly felt remorse for those things he did because it’s “justified”. But still, I could not truly hate him maybe partly because of the way Gulf portrayed the character as well.

My biggest issue would be the part with Lhong. It was sort of a good twist but I did not like how it was handled because honestly he should have been imprisoned or at least maybe treated for mental health issues. The things he did were crimes and he brought so much trauma to Tar that it felt so unfair that they just let him go like that. I did not like how the series was trying to justify all the things he did because he was neglected as a child and that we need to feel sorry for him. CHILDHOOD TRAUMA IS NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR!!

I think overall I just had an issue on how the mental health issues, that at least 4 characters have, were handled. I guess I’m just tired of shows who use mental issues just to have “interesting” plots instead of maybe trying to at least do some research on them and then maybe help in providing awareness as well.

I am a hardcore Yaoi/BL fan since 2010 but and battling with some mental health issues and trauma. These kinds of series sometimes become a literal guilty pleasure for me because I find the BL couples so adorable and lovely but at the same time, I feel so guilty/conflicted when watching that sometimes I hate myself for liking the show in the first place. T_T T_T

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English is not my first language.

I didn't dislike this drama but I didn't love it as much as a lot of BL fans did.

I loved :
- the chemistry between the two leads. It was really incredible, they looked like a real couple!
- the story (or at least, what they wanted to show even if it was a failure) and more precisely all the things about being homophobic because of a trauma. I found this idea really interesting and new.
- I really liked the music, some scenes were really sweet and others very funny.

And....that's all.

What I disliked :

How they dealt with the trauma-thing and the scene that was almost a sexual abuse scene. I really liked the fact that Type was homophobic because of something that happened when he was a child. At first it was really interesting. But then there was a scene : Type was almost sexually abused by Tharn. I know that Tharn is a good guy, that Type "responded" and also that for BL viewers this intimate scene was "nice" to watch but I couldn't really love it. Type had never agreed with this. Moreover, all the plot around the trauma lasted for only few episodes and then, when they were a couple, everything was forgotten. It's a shame because the scenarists reduced the trauma thing as just an obstacle or an excuse to explain Type being homophobic, whereas trauma is something really difficult to overcome and many people suffer of this in real life. In the Taiwanese drama Mars, the heroine was victim of sexual abuses but her evolution and how the male lead helps her to overcome her trauma are really well-shown. In Tharn Type, Tharn doesn't seemed to care about Type's past and even Type himself seems to forgot about his own trauma. BUT IT'S A TRAUMA GUYS !! How can we "forget" a trauma?

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I didn't intend to write a review for this drama because one user who I had the chance to talk with in my feeds has already said everything I thought was wrong with the plot and the characters (Kate, your review is iconic). In her review, the terrible mental health representation and the abuser behaviour was extremely well explained so I suggest you all to go read it (the review was posted in January 2020, user KATE). But I decided to add a few things so that I could explain my rather high rating. So everything I write in this review will be a continuation of what she said.

First things first, I don't know how so many people are able to look past the obvious train wreck that is the plot. Yes, the chemistry is great but does it justify the "uncomfortable scenes" in this show? The scene that bothered me the most was the one where Tharn kisses and touches Type while he is drunk and sleeping; it simply doesn't match Tharn's personality and if the writer and the director's intention was to make it hot and get our hearts racing they certainly did that... my heart was racing with FURY. The fact that Type kept punching Tharn despite him being the man he loves and sleeps with every night made me really angry as well. Is violence okay just because you're jealous and furious? I am praying that the plot is different in season 2 because by the last episode the characters did seem to have developed as human beings and as lovers.

Although the transitions were super strange and we didn't know how much time had passed from one scene to the other (like how did Type suddenly offer to be a bottom in a sexual intercourse with a gay man that he clearly despised?? Wasn't he traumatised?? What????), I enjoyed the pace of the show. It wasn't boring, that's for sure.

I think the actors did the best they could with the plot they were given. The acting was decent and the chemistry between the main leads was great, which gets me to talk about the three main reasons why I gave this show a decent rating:

1- the secondary characters. I loooooved Techno so much! So funny and endearing. The parents were great. The girl Type was trying to seduce wasn't a villain, like they usually are in BL shows, and I appreciated it. Even characters that I didn't particularly like (like Tar) were important to the plot. The ones that weren't relevant to the plot made me laugh (the Korean guy and his roommate were super funny). So yeah, I really liked it.

2- the fact that this is within the Love by Chance universe. I looooove Love by Chance and it was super cool revisiting this universe. Some characters even appeared at the beginning and at the end and I was so happy! My heart was warm. I hope LBC2 and TharnType2 continues with the series crossing thing, it's really fun.

3- Mew. Just Mew. Mew Mew Mew Mew. Oh boy, that man made me feel THINGS. Every time he breathed I had a mini heart attack. When he played the drums I almost couldn't watch it because of how hot he was. His hands....... enough said. When he SMILED???????? haha.............. *sweating intensifies*. The scene where he was playing with his band and smiling and mouthing the lyrics and Type was looking at him and his eyes were shining... I....... I couldn't not give it at least 7 stars, I'm sorry. Mew is amazing and so is Tharn. EXCEPT FOR THE ALMOST RAPE SCENES. I'm sorry but it's so out of character that it genuinely frustrates me. I'm not trying to find excuses for Tharn's behaviour just because Mew is the hottest man in Thailand, by the way. I really do think these "almost-rape scenes" were there to make it more appealing and sexy for some people, which ended up ruining the show for me, and the sneaky/mischievous behaviour truly doesn't fit Tharn's character at all, in my opinion.

Ooof, now I can breathe.
Will season 2 justify these 7.5 stars and prove I was right about the character development and a promising, healthy, less train wreckish plot? I don't know. Honestly, all I have to say right now, in case you didn't get at what point I love this man, is: Mew; the power that this man holds.

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Why is this so popular!?

There are too many things that totally bothered me watching this series and i will list a couple of them:
1. Sexual Assault
2.Normalizing Rape
3.Normalizing toxic relationships
okay so i will now explaining everything.
1.Sexual Assault
Like come onnn. Type was obviously not into Tharn from the beggining he was comfortable being around him because of the traumatic things that had happened in his past, he tried to get away but Tharn literally forced him to do things he never agreed too, i mean okay in the StoryLine Type does fall for him but thats so bullshit. Why would you fall in Love with the guy who sexually assaulted you!? Oh right, he probably got forced.
2.Normalizing Rape
Yeah its about Type and Tharn again. Forcing somebody to sleep without just because you like them and they kissed you back when you obviously forced them too is Rape! Its Rape when the other person (in this case type) is forced into stuff he never wanted. Also when this whole thing with Thar happened and he got raped it got sooo normalized its disgusting.
3.Normalizing toxic relationships
How often did they fight? and how often did they got back together just to fight again??
Its sad how much they fought and it got frustrating at some points. But this time its Type, he is literally such a toxic and controlling Character that it makes me sick.

Would not recommendt.

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After binge-watching all 12 episodes over the weekend, the ending completely let me down. I felt the ending was unrealistic and did not serve the characters well. Please do bear in mind that my review is based on the fact that I have never read the novel nor watched LBC.

1. In the final confrontation scene between Tharn, Type and Lhong (which in itself was a bit long IMO), Tharn was seen to be beating himself up over what happened to Tar (someone he loved deeply before meeting Type). Yet there was no follow up to that. A meeting with Tar over the unfortunate circumstances will provide so much emotional resonance. This would have allowed some character depth to Tharn and also enable Tar to have some sort of closure given that he is the real victim. As it is, Tar miraculously recover from his year-long anxiety and depression in the last few scenes and can continue his education at France which was super-unrealistic. Also, given that his band broke up over this Tharn/Tar separation, I felt they could have also resolved the dispute between Tharn and Tum.

2. Tharn and Type's characterization. From the beginning, it seems like Tharn and Type enjoyed a healthy friendship (despite how brief it was given that they are first year's students). But this was not shown and viewers were quickly introduced to their dispute over Tharn's homosexuality. Flashback would have great to establish this. What I couldn't accept was Tharn's inconsistent characterization. He was portrayed as a loving son/brother (in his scenes with his family) and loyal friend (flashback with Lhong) yet he crossed the line and sexually assault Type because he has a crush on Type. That was highly disturbing to me.

3. The good thing that came out from the series is Techno. Played extremely well, the character is likeable without being annoying. However, we also did not get to know him more other than his ambition to be a football captain. Perhaps that is the reason I like the character. There was no introduction of background with serious implications to the character.

All in all, I would have a hard time recommending this one to anyone other than to enjoy the fluffy scenes between Tharn and Type.

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**Long story short: this story was pretty bad.

I didn't finish this show.
I just couldn't.
I stopped at ep 11/12, because I was tired, and I just didn't feel like going on. I know I was so close to the end, but maybe I'll go back to it later? Probably not :/

This series is kind of exasperating, and most people can look past all the other stuff because they're mainly just here for the main couple and cute cuddly things,,, but bro, I'm just tired....

Now, before you think I'm gonna shit on your favourite show, let me first disclaim that this story wasn't bad in the TERRIBLE way, it was bad in the "THIS-IS-PRETTY-CONTROVERSIAL-AND-ALSO-IM-TIRED" way. This review is spoiler-free :")

------> REVIEW START<-------

First off, the story starts pretty questionably (as all BL dramas do, because why not) with Tharn, our main guy, doing some questionable things to Type, the main character........and then the series just kinda sweeps it under the rug and it's never spoken about after that. Now, besides this, Tharn is an unproblematic KING for the most part, until....he's not, and I just get tired.

Now my main gripe with this series, besides the #controversial things they got happening here, that they just DON'T address, is the fact that:

1. some things just don't add up/make ZERO sense, but it's NEVER looked at and

2. i just got so frustrated with it, and it's completely turned me off—so much so that I simply don't want to continue.

The series definitely needs to address a few things, namely
1. San (yeah, he's a good guy i guess? in the present at least. But also, sis is very problematic and what he did to Tharn was creepy...)

2. Miscommunication trope. If you're not a fan of this trope, try your best not to get a heart attack from this show because it's EVERYWHERE. ALL THE TIME. Bro, I just don't have the patience for this? it's not to an unbearable degree, but they weren't necessarily pulling their punches with it either.

3. ---------WHAT EVEN WAS THE POINT OF TYPE'S SEXUAL TRAUMA?????!?!?! HMMMMMMMM????? QUE????? It's never addressed????? I don't want to spoil, but man you'd think this would also include some level of Type coming to terms with the fact that he was molested as a child, and learning to come to terms with himself, his body and not hating being touched by a guy....but he just completely gets over it? It was like he did a full 180 (**dua lipa emerges from underneath my bed...**) I was like LOLOLOLOLOLOL alright then I guess this is happening now?? Bishes don't got time for this we're on a 12 episode time crunch here! ain't nobody got time for you overcoming your psychological traumas,,,, just jump headfirst and it'll be totally fine. Right.

Crazy thing is, after this his trauma is just---never---looked at----ever again....hmmm.....Why do i feel like this whole sexual trauma thing Type's got going on was just a convenient plot device used to justify Type being homophobic because ----**sexual tension***. hMM...I wonder.......

Anyways, those **extremely MINOR** gripes out of the way,,,.. :)What I did like about this show was:
1. Chemistry. The actors did a great job at actually seeming like they were in love, or at least attracted to each other. At times it was like a lil bit stiff, but that's just because I'm hypersensitive towards details like this. They were pretty believable, and I could tell they must have put some actual effort into being comfortable with each other.

2. oh my gosh I loved P'Techno. No is great. SO great. Every time he entered the frame I never skipped. This actor was great at expressions, and his interactions with Type always crack me up! :D

....There's nothing else I can think of to give props to. I'm kinda conflicted over whether or not I like Type or Tharn. I've definitely grown a soft spot for Type, especially since he's come a long way. But this couple started out as a pretty generic case of "I'm only gay 4 u/bro no homo/i hate gays!!!!!1....." to **attempt at deep relationship n understanding to** to **did you forget this is a soap opera** kinda thing.

I'm tired now. Overall, this show could have actually been even better, but maybe it wasn't meant to be. I think a little bit more patience in the writing, and less MISUNDERSTANDINGS and vengeful exes (scorned hoes/jealous unrequited love) would have been the icing on the cake.

But hey---this is TV. Sensationalism is what we need. Drama. Sus. And Other may love that, but I think I've had enough of that from watching k-dramas.. :")Would I recommend Tharn Type to anyone? Sure, but it wouldn't be at the top of my list, that's for sure.

FINAL SCORES

Acting - 8/10
Story/Plot - 4/10
Rewatch Value - 3/10 (bro I don't wanna go through this again. If I did I'd just specifically skip to all the scenes that DON'T rub me the wrong way, while ignoring the ones that came before and after...and that's not sexy)

Overall : 6.5/10
Regular, sprinkled with some #controversy, could be better, No and Type are best boys.

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I've seen a lot of BLs, and I'm Bi, so I get the homophobia and all, this BL is one of the very few were I've seen a Gay man out and proud, let us remember that in Thailand being gay may not be a crime like it still is in many dark edges countries but it's still not really accepted by society.
The main characters are both humans that make mistakes but that is the beauty of it, Type is presented as an homophobic because of a trauma he lived in the past, it could happen to anyone, but with each episode he is learning that not everyone is the same and is slowly growing and becoming more open minded.
Tharn is a strong character that as Type said has a warm heart but is a demon when he gets mad, what happens between them is all part of their relationship, and no relationship is perfect.
But for a BL in a country where you still can't get married, can't adopt a child, and do most things any Argentine like me can, I see a lot of good points and a real story that anyone can relate to.

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Why is this popular?

When I first started watching this bl I loved it. That was before I noticed the flaws and problems this drama has. I get that people like this shoe because of the actors and their chemistry, but that isn't an excuse for the fact that this drama has a lot problems.

1. TYPE'S BEHAVIOR
I saw people defending Type's behavior because of his trauma and because he has "anger issues." While, I agree that Type's traumatic experience should not overlooked or ignored, but I don't think it can excuse the fact that he hit, punched, slapped, and kicked Tharn, many times. He didn't even apologize to after. Something I saw people overlooking was that way Type treated the girls he "dated." Many people ignored the fact that she deserved an explanation as to why he led her on.

2. ROMANTICIZING SEXUAL ASSAULT
In the first few episodes, this is shown. Tharn kisses Type while he is asleep. He even went as far to leave hickeys, while Type was drunk. At this time they were not friends and Type definitely didn't like Tharn. Tharn also initiates kisses and sex despite Type telling him to get off and let him go. Type didn't give consent to any of this. This borderline sexual assault/ molestation. They didn't even address the problem in any of following episodes, like it's a normal thing to do, which it is not.

3. HORRIBLE ANTAGONIST
I saw may fans loved the antagonist, Lhong. I definitely agree that the actor is not bad, but his character is. I don't understand why the show wants to feel sorry for him. Maybe they forgot that he singlehandedly ruined his best friend's relationships. Did they forget that he paid men to RAPE a boy? He also used the tape of the rape and used it as blackmail. They probably forgot that he tried to MURDER Type. Hopefully next time they don't forgot. His actions are not justifiable , just because he was a victim of unrequited love.

There's more problems, but I'm not even going to get into those.

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How can anyone even watch it without disgust?

I'm not going to adress every issue I have with this drama but one thing needs to be said. From the beginning we are pushed to believe that Type is the "bad guy" in TharnType relationship and I have to agree that hes behaviour is absolutely unacceptable but I sincerly think that Tharn is far worse.

Type mostly does very childish and stupid things. He's acting homophobic but in a way that no adult would ever even think of which is pretty hard to watch for probably anyone over the age of 12.

Tharn on the other hand is straight forward sexually assaulting Type from the first episode on. He does not only molest him all the time but he even does it while Type is drunk or asleep, which means unconcious. I was shocked thet the bathroom scene was not a dream but the real act. He literally had oral sex with Type without his consent. No, not only without consent butg with very visual and verbal rejection. And to make it all worse - he did it all to already sexually traumatized person. I can imagine that if any homophobic person watched this show, it would only assure them that gay people would just rape anyone if you leave them alone in a room. Which is not only very hurtful to LGBTQ+ community but also complately untrue. I was so repulsed by this show that I had to watch it with long breaks in between the episodes.

So overall - both main actors are doing pretty well, their acting is not the reason I'm critisizing this show. I know many people watch it to see hot scenes but this is far from hot - this is mostly disgusting abuse and Type is scared and very unwilling at the beginning of the series. There are much better dramas out there. Go watch "Not me" or even "Don't say no" but leave "TharnType" alone, it's really not worth the time.

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Important: Terrible Storyline

To be sincere the more you get into the plot the more you start to question that the story writers even cared about the actors roles then being that they somehow fell inlove through production of the series and specials and plot that was overall trash but none of my business. The main attraction they find to making scenes and their plots interesting is to add multiple se””al as*ualt storys together as to almost portray gay people as r””pists as lovers? Its almost like they fetishize gay people se””ually as*ualting people to romance and that seems to be the mainstream of this whole drama. Which is verybad and terrible i wouldn’t recommend watching this as i was blind cause i thought this would be character development towards Types end but its almost like they dont care what they write and i wonder how was this airred? and given a production? DONT WATCH THIS.

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Possessiveness and aggression are all fun and games until someone becomes obsessive....

After more or less getting the idea that this would be the Boys over flowers of Thai BL I decided to watch it, not that the story would be any thing like it but the I did expect a similar level of toxicity and unhealthy relationships. And well I was not disappointed. The styling is a lot better, ok part of me would have loved some kind of iconic hair but the entertainment value was definitely high. While as relationship goals not so much....

There are so many mixed messages on the one hand Tharn seems to get it, be all caring and nice, understand that rape is bad but then he goes and does some pretty questionable deeds... Consent wise it is almost scary... but they do talk about it so it does not just pas by as romantic... Still the guy is also pretty jealous,possessive yet tender and kind. Yet still more or less a sexual predator always in need of a fix...

Type spends most of the drama as an extreme homofob, taking out his anger on pedofiles on homoseuals while being in denial of his own sexuality. I feel so bad for the guy for nor having the opportunity to learn about sexuality, consent and how to differentiate sex from assault pedofelia from sexuality... Oh well but the guy is otherwise pretty smart, and oddly vulnerable yet possessive, jealous and also portrayed as a man who is always horney, oh well...

A small reminder, Men no matter what sexuality you have I know most of you are not sexual predators and that you may not always be up for a f****. Also checking for stds is always a good idea, I like that this drama made way for that.

The side characters in this drama are interesting, most of them are just the sweetest ever, others are well not so sweet. The best character of this whole show is Types best friend Techno who may not be the smartest guy but is definitely the sweetest and so is his sidekick. Tharns family is also adorable, the parents are too good looking to be realistic but the whole family dynamics is adorable.

All in all definitely an entertaining show, easy to binge, easy to watch, not really a romance and definitely not for those who are underaged... I will leave you with this male aggression and possessiveness may seem like all fun and games until someone gets obsessive or another man gets gang raped... Also stay safe and check for consent!

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