The story started out strong and there is good development throughout up until episode 8. There were less noticable cliches than other Thai BL dramas like too much unnecessary 'classmates seating together in the bench with irrelevant conversations' scenes. This is not a teenybopper show and the sexiness has even surpassed the first season.
The cast also did a good job, especially Boat and Ryu (Em and Pun). Tar also did good with the little time he was given. The weakest of the bunch is the main lead Net (Sib)- his character and his acting was annoying as hell and that says a lot considering the one supposed to be annoying is the female lead, but still, even with that mentioned, I enjoyed their delivery overall.
Just like in some of my other reviews and as a decorator in real life, id specially like to mention the good quality of the sets. The one thing i hate is that eventhough the homes were all beautifully decorated, it was too obvious that they were using the model units and all of them were in the same condominium (the logo of which appears so prominently throughout the show - this is not how you do product placement).
But like I said in the beginning and unfortunately, for me, the last 2 episodes were a mess - some of the characters were making questionable decisions while the main actor was stucked in indecisiveness. That time jump in the end was also arguably unnecessary - they cant even bother to change the looks (at least a haircut) of the 3 characters just to show that 3 years has really passed. Also, it feels like the writers cant decide who is the best match and totally blotched the ending making me feel so sorry for Em and Tar cause they totally deserved better.
I gave it an overall score of 7 stars out of 10. Would I rewatch, i dont think so, unless Pun somehow magically chooses Em.
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My final verdict is, give it shot. If you don't like it by the third episode, it's not for you. If you liked the original I Am Your King you'll probably like this too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Actually, I kinda think that people are giving this series a relatively low reception.Personally, I think that plot is very true to real life situation, and indeed, raise an artistic angle from the slice of life genres. I believe that the developers of the series want to beat around the bush issues such as friendzone, gender camouflage, family expectation and social status. They want to set a lighter tone towards these issues so younger, and mostly, normal people can view this series in an entertaining way. I think that they are damm successful.
People get annoyed because Pun would just stick to a coward, but it's life gals, and the thing that the series keeps on focusing. NO ONE CAN FORCE LOVE. Love is Love, and Pun loves Sib, so what. That was also how Sib did not mutter enough courage to admit his infatuation towards men. He just not found the right one, not even Tar. That is also why M cannot replace his bro. It's a freaking annoying line called friendzone. It exists, jing jing na khrab, so just accept it.
People are not content with the ending, seeing it as an open, but open where? From dusk to dawn they have always loved each others. Remember when Pun insisted that Sib carried on to be his "King", and he would not accept M to be "King"? Why not take your thoughts one level deeper on that ?? Also, Sib wears a T Shirt printed Lazy, and Pun returns wearing "LAZYTOGETHER". Gals you just need to pay attention. The ending is there already =]]
I think the music is beautifully arranged, 100 to the music director of the series!
Might watch it again.
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The acting is not bad. Ryu Jessadakorn does an especially good job as Pun the central hub of the series. His facial expression, whether it be happy, mad, glad, or confused, are really good! As the lead role in the series he did an effective job carrying the series through its random twists and turns. I hope gets cast in a more series down the road.
Overall, it’s not a bad way series to burn time on. It is confusing and could be better developed but the acting saves it a bit.
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INTRIGUING MESS
I am very torn by this series. I applaud a lot of what they TRIED to do, but have to bash them for how it was all executed.As with the first season, I love this premise, that a simple game can create so much havoc and lead to revelations for a group of characters. And, as in the first season, they really let that play out over the course of the series. That's interesting, unusual (even though they play a version of this game in almost every BL ever) - but unusual to wrap an entire series around this game, and a fascinating experiment to see how far it can go and how much chaos it can create.
But there are so many inconsistencies here. The writing is a real amateur job. Characters say things like, I don't drink... and then drink. Underage characters are not allowed to drink... unless you're the main character... who says he doesn't drink but does... Homophobes suddenly start kissing boys. Brothers argue because... I'm not sure. But then work together, but then get fired, but then... Sib "owns" a cafe, but never really works there. Tar manages the cafe, but somehow solely makes the decision to close the cafe. In ep 10 they tell us Pan is part owner of the cafe??? The cafe closes, but 3 years later it's open again. Hello... writers... did you read your last draft? How about you try to track the events a bit better.
Oh, I loved the idea that the cafe had to close down because their teenage barista quit. Must have been a REAL stable business. And Sib has been in a relationship with Pan for YEARS, but when he sleeps with Pun he says it's his first time. Really? She should have figured out he was gay years ago. Who comes up with this stuff? Fire them!
Also, I know that companies pay to be advertised in the show and I'm fine with product placement, but I do not need to see 10 scenes of coffee making that do absolutely nothing to further the plot or character development. We get it. The cafe is a sponsor. Isn't showing their logo 4 times in every episode enough?
After that, maybe you can track the characters emotional journeys... so we understand who is feeling what for whom and when. I was so confused. Why is Sib with Pan? Because he doesn't want to quarrel? There's a surefire way to avoid arguments, leave her alone. You're not interested in her anyway. But then he kisses Pun, flirts with Pun, SLEEPS with Pun and still he's with Pan. Then his best friend confesses (a second time!) that he loves him... but he's okay just being friends? Em starts of homophobic then makes a quick U-turn and becomes obsessed with Pun. Pun likes Sib, but then seems to like Em, but still likes Sib, but can't be around them, but then returns... I couldn't follow it at all. This could have been done so much better. These complex relationships and emotions are perfect for a good drama, but they need to be handled (written!) with some artistry.
There is very little real character development. Sib does get a decent arc - although we are left frustrated by how wishy washy he is for most of the show. Em too has a bit of growth, but you just don't understand his motivation. Pun is the same from start to finish. He's the lead character! He needs to grow and learn. Screenwriting 101. Ugh!
Acting-wise, I'm probably the only person who didn't think Sib was horrible. True, he's not the best actor. But I found him charming and charismatic, especially in the montages where he and Pun grow closer (but of course there's not a lot of acting in a montage). His most notable fail was in the last episode when he and Em are consoling each other over losing Pun. Em is crying rivers. Tears are literally streaming down his face, wetting his shirt and Sib looks... constipated.
Pun was such a cutie, but there was very little going on behind those chubby cheeks. He seemed to force so many of his emotions. I also don't know how many times they had to show him shrug his shoulders in a "I don't know what's happening" fashion. Every time he had to kiss Sib it was as if he was being tortured. He looked so pained and uncomfortable. Even in the director's cut, we get to see a very long pre-sex scene (why it had to be so long when it goes nowhere is beyond me)... and it just made it worse because Pun looked so awkward. He didn't seem to mind kissing Em as much. Maybe that actor had better breath? Em was good. He cried a lot for such a tough guy. The rest were all just place fillers.
I'm not sure if Tar's friends were supposed to get their own story or not. They sure seemed to like making out with each other in the King game and in the flashback they are seen cuddling together in bed. Would have liked to seen their ship sail.
All in all, a sub-par series. Not horrible, but not really worth this much time. Wish this was as short as the first season, then maybe I would re-watch it. But don't think it's worth the effort. Only watch if you've watched everything else... like me. Haha.
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The Better of the Kings
This series was better than the first, but not by that much. for starters, I liked how this centered around one couple instead of the three of four we had gotten last time. Also, they were given a respectable amount of screen time and episodes to actually tell a decent story. In season 2, they have changed the entire cast and story. Nothing is connected to the first series, only the fact that they're still playing the King game. Because of this, the acting is better, the story is slightly more developed, and a love triangle ensues.Let's Dive In.
Pun was a cute character. The only thing I'd have to say is that I wish he would've made smarter decisions when it came to who he was going to choose in the end. Pun should've ended up with Em, no doubt. Even though Em was a ridiculous prick, in the beginning, he still proved himself worthy by the end. Speaking of the end, what the heck were the writers thinking? The time jump was so unnecessary, and it didn't even resolve anything in the end. Do we know if Tar and Sib ended up together? Do we know what happened to Em? nope, we are left in the dust with no questions answered. It felt like writers forgot what their initial ending was, and made this one up a day before production. If there is to ever be a third season (which I highly doubt since it's already 2021 and no production mentions), I hope we're able to see the actual ending that makes sense and can sew up all loose ends.
While the acting was better than the acting in the first series, it still was far from the best. Ryu wasn't the worst actor I've seen, but when it came to a scene in which he had to cry, he fell short on them. I was supposed to be feeling bad for them, but instead, I couldn't help but laugh. I would rather see his character looking upset than him forcing an ugly cry with no tears.
Overall, I enjoyed my watch. I gave this a higher score because I appreciate the consent between Sib and Pun before they decided to have sex. We don't see a lot of that in BL, and it's something to applaud when it's done well and with the right intent. I definitely recommend a watch. It was cute, a terrible ending, but it didn't ruin the show for me.
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It’s not great/not terrible
This series was pretty okay. I liked it, but there were some things I didn’t like, too. I REALLY disliked how one off the characters kept calling another character the “f” word. And no, I don’t mean fuck.... He called him it like, A LOT. Both as an insult, and “joking around” while laughing about it. Not cool. Also, several of the characters spent the majority of the series acting like indecisive fuck-boys. Didn’t like that either. I liked how one of them finally pulled their head out of their ass, and decided to do what was right for HIMSELF, and stop putting up with everyone’s bullshit. Overall, it’s about a game that everyone likes to play to justify their shitty behavior, and as an excuse to manipulate, and take advantage of other people. But.... I didn’t hate it. The story, overall, was alright. I LOVED the music. That piano riff is still stuck in my head. The acting was pretty good. I enjoyed the bed scene (as per usual! :D), although it wasn’t very passionate, in my opinion. It felt like the characters lacked chemistry together, and it seemed like they weren’t very comfortable.... There were a few good kisses, too. I don’t know. I guess I’d say watch it... It’s definitely not the greatest BL out there, but again, I didn’t HATE it.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The story is a bit of a mess. The characters will make rash decisions multiple times that don't really make sense and the acting of some of the characters is a little...off. But I couldn't stop watching it. This show is actually quite accurate to how people behave in real life -- they don't really make sense half the time. There's also a Love Hexagon involved, which is the main reason that the story suffers; there's not enough time to focus on a single couple since all of them are interconnected in some way, and for something that's only ten episodes, it really shows. My biggest gripe with the story however is that the game "I Am Your King" barely plays a part. Sure, it stirs some things up at the beginning, but it otherwise doesn't affect much. As for the ending; I see a lot of people bash on the ending, but it feels like something you'd actually see. Sometimes, everything is just confusing and uncertain.On to the actors. There were some that were obviously better than others. The actor who played Tar was fine, but his screen time was relatively short compared to the other members of the "main cast", so if he acted badly it wasn't nearly as noticeable. The actor who played Pun was probably one of the better ones in the show, but he could really work on his crying face and tears as well as his...ahem..."getting turned on" face. Half the time during romantic scenes, it seemed like he was in pain, which was awkward to see or he was otherwise very stiff. Then there's the actor for Sib. Of the four members of the main cast, he was probably the worst one. His delivery was fine sometimes, but other times it came off as dispassionate. I would've given the score for acting somewhere between a 6 or a 7 if it wasn't for the actor that played Em. Even though the character Em was a bit polarizing at times, especially at the beginning, he had by far the best character development in the story. The actor was just so good at portraying everything that Em did and said. Very believable acting when he was angry, happy, or sad or any other emotion. You could definitely see the emotions in his eyes. He really knows how to get the waterworks going. I really hope I see him again in another Thai drama; I'd like to see him get really far.
Lastly, the music. I personally thought it was very fitting at certain times. I might've rated it too high, but I'm a sucker for good piano scores.
In the end, it's a series with a lot of flaws regarding the story, but for some reason I just couldn't stop watching it.
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gets worse every episode
I started this series with doubts because of the rating I read and as always you have to pay attention to what other people say... this series starts off being a mess but curious, with a young waiter who seems innocent but after a few minutes he joins the game of King without shame or hesitation. the script errors are tremendous because they don't allow them to really get to know the characters and we don't understand their decisions or their reactions. Pun seems to be the one who is clearest that he is gay and even makes a scene of tears to seas of why Sib has so much hatred towards lgtbi people … but on a visit to the engineering laboratory he starts with a macho speech towards Sib's girlfriend about the fact that women and she are attracted to fashion and bags… come on, machismo even in the queer people!Sib of course understands that this Pun boy who aspires to be a pastry chef because he's a man has to like robots... Sib is the perfect henpecked guy who is said in Spain to be a guy managed by his partner as long as he doesn't have tension and that he becomes her boyfriend the day after she kisses him in the game… well we can even accept this character of repression even in his sexual orientation. But what to say about the other characters ! The brother Em suddenly goes from being a beast to a lamb with Pun and courts him when the chemistry is non-existent. Not to mention the scene of Pun and Sib in their first time!!! Pun's frightened and disgusted face makes one wonder whether to keep looking! what a barbarity of misbehavior! poor Sib does what he can but it doesn't work. And Tar the friend in love and partner who is manager first but in the end is the one who decides to end the business and who accepts a second no and waits patiently for Sib… as a rock ! Last episode The cafeteria is closed, the cafeteria closes, and everyone goes their way…. Pun goes to China with her family and returns from vacation apparently at the age of three but! Eureka! everything remains the same !
As said, after three years Pun returns from China and He says in the taxi to this mom that he will be right back soon but suddenly he asks for a job in the same cafeteria !!! and the two partners Tar and Sib are still together and looking for a barista as if time had not passed... an abrupt and meaningless ending. one of those that reminds you of the lost time invested in this absurd story. Not to mention the hysterical girlfriend and the friend secretly in love with non-existent chemistry and tons of toxicity. what is normal in the BL of witch manipulative brides and who want to convert the gay. But tiresome is this! In the end, the music is saved, but the coffee shop ends up getting tiresome… so much seeing the poster and that decoration and so few clientele… and it does exist because it is in the sponsors. The subtitles and audio fail quite a shame and I've seen it on the official channel. Anyway, except for the rambling of chapter 1 that seems to put you in an uninhibited story, things get worse... and sometimes they even cringe when Ryo/Pun acts in the supposedly hot scenes that are not hot at all. a waste of time.
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Good kisses, but what about the rest?
Friends had already warned me that the series was disappointing, but I tried to watch it anyway, and I went on until the end.Honestly, how does this series get so many positive notes?
The script has numerous flaws, the characters change their personality and ideas quickly and without explanation ... The first two episodes are ok, but then it only gets worse and more and more confused.
Even things that I liked, like Tar, ended up not having much development. And the two girls? Was that an ending?
A series summed up in script failures, bad development and good kisses. Just good kisses.
Even at the end, when I thought I could be satisfied, it wasn't enough to make it worth it .... sad.
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I am so grateful for a story line where two brothers compete romantically for the same guy. I never experienced this kind of cinematic tension viewing a film about two straight brothers pursuing a straight girl. But did I ever experience the intensity of the brothers' romantic interests in Pun: one quiet and introspective, the other raw and explosive! This story line alone makes the film worth watching, but the film is worth watching--and is highly valuable, in my mind--for the tearful scenes involving Pun, M, and Sib, the lovemaking scene, and the outstanding performances given by M and Pan.
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Left me unsatisfied
The story started out great. Lots of potential. The acting was good. But the whole thing spun out of control. Multiple couples were formed and I was never sure who would end up together. Lots of confessions of love but no confirmation. All that being said, no one was together long enough to build any kind of chemistry. The ending was stupid and confusing and it was just the last straw for me not to give this a better review. The whole idea of the King’s game is fun but only if the order is for the duration of the game. It shouldn’t be taken so seriously that it could potentially ruin someone’s life. The ending was just so open ended that it left me very unsatisfied.Was this review helpful to you?
