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This drama has my highest rating so far on MDL. Let's begin with the premise. Reincarnation has been something written about all the time. But, I've never seen it done with such care as in UWMA. This was the first drama I'd ever read the book then watched the series and was blown away by everything.
Casting Ohm and Fluke as Dean and Pharm was genius. Not only were they beautiful together, the chemistry was wonderful to watch.
There was a moment between Dean and Pharm that I didn't appreciate. In episode 10 when Pharm got angry at Dean for trying to be tender with him. Maybe it's because I'm not Thai, that I don't understand it. To me, Pharm was acting as if Dean was doing something inappropriate. They were together in private, so I wasn't sure why Pharm freaked out then. That bothered me because it made no sense.
Boun and Prem - I wanted more of them. There was a chemistry between the two of them that deserved their time to shine and I am still holding out hope for a season dedicated to them--or just a few special episodes. From the very first episode, I knew those two should be together. The way Win (Boun) looked at Team (Prem) did it for me. It's the way he had this little gleam in his eyes that told me those two would be killer together. What little we did get of the two of them was pure and beautiful.
Nine and Earth were fantastic as Korn and In. I was really happy to see Earth in a role other than Tar but could we please have one where he gets the guy and NOT die? Please?
Manaow is the friend we all have but don't deserve. She's funny and supportive and tells it like it is. We all need a Manaow in our lives and Sammy slayed that role. I'd like to see her in a role where she's the lead now, please.
Overall, this drama was well written. The acting was beautiful, almost poetic. It was so good, I almost believe in true love again...maybe if they make us a season 2 I'd definitely believe in love again. Just sayin lol
And one more time for old time sake - P'Deaaaaaaaaaan!
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why until we meet again failed to reach its potential
i started watching this series with a friend of mine after having read an extensive review on how it's actually incredible, from the cast, to the acting, but especially because of the topics that it tackles such as suicide, homophobia and domestic violence.the beginning of the series is actually promising: two fated lovers crossing the boundaries of time to meet again in another lifetime, and the characters are, at first, seemingly differentiable and actually likeable. even the dynamics between the friendships are, initially, actually accurate and seem raw and genuine. as the story progresses, it feels like the characters are losing touch with their initial personalities, and not only this, but their growth is mostly inexistent.
what's really upsetting is that the subjects mentioned before, which were the basis of praise for this series, lose their meaning by the end of the series. even though it attempts to make a point out of reconsidering suicide as a method of escape, what happens at the end twists the entire storyline and shifts the blame from the abuser to the victim. the long monologue in episode 17 tries to be the voice of reasons, but actually blames the victims for choosing their way out of the prolonged trauma that they had to go through, and the pain they caused to their abusers, as a result of finally setting themselves free. this only further stigmatises abuse and reinforces the idea that victims are guilty for the way that they're treated, even if it (hopefully) wasn't meant to be taken that way.
in that light, what could've been a promising series about soulmates reuniting and fighting their hardships together as they attempt to combine both their past and present lives turns into something that, by the end, leaves an unfortunate, bitter taste.
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Disappointment
Tbh I got sooo disappointed, that I even dropped the series after ep 12. One of the reasons might be, that I read a few chapters of this story's manga a while back and fell in love with the character designs. Even though the actors have mostly the same hairstyle as their characters in the manga, I wasn't as charmed by the actors as I was by the manga characters, unfortunately.One of the main reasons why I dropped this series, is bc of the acting. For me it felt stiff & forced and wasn't really convincing. I didn't even feel sad, when they cried. Especially Dean was very painful to watch, I didn't like his acting at all unfortunately...
I also didn't feel any chemistry between the In & Korn or Pharm & Dean, which is essential for me, when the acting is lacking. I hoped they would have a better chemistry with the time, but wasn't really the case...
I liked the acting of Win & Team much more and imo they had much more chemistry. They were really cute and weren't as forced or cringy as the other couples. But who knows, maybe I'm biased here 🤷🏾♀️
And the product placement, especially for the make up was getting far too much, that it even distracted me...
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It's also interesting to note how mysterious this BL was, as production teams usually don't focus on this gender inside BL. It was refreshing and creative. I just wished for more kissing scenes, as the ones we get are too simple - and Ohm and Fluke both had the chemistry and skills to do better if allowed to. Just Like Prem and Boun, which by the way were the perfect side kicks and totally deserve their own series.
We hope to see both ships working together again really soon!
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I still give a pretty high raing because I think it is worth watching and would recommend it to someone who wants to watch a series with a lot of emotions.
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The story is AMAZING with a capital A, M, A, Z, I, N, and G. It's so fresh and unique compare to so many other university-based Thai BLs. I've never actually been too much of a fan of reincarnation stuff, but this show single-handedly changed my mind! And each episode takes the plot in stride, never rushing and never being too slow. An easy ten from me.
And the acting? Oh my god, the acting. I don't want to get into too much of a rant here (I've gotta keep this review short so you can start watching it!), but let me just tell you, it was all PERFECT. I could feel how the characters felt, and each actor portrayed their characters excellently. I can't remember the last time a sad scene in a Thai drama really, truly made me cry--but the acting in Until We Meet Again was so phenomenal and believable that I was on the edge of my seat the entire time (except for the times when I was too far on the edge and actually fell).
The music was music. Nothing too impressive, but it always felt right and fit perfectly.
I wish there were available ratings higher than ten. I would rewatch this in a heartbeat.
(P.S.
If you want to ask about the raunchy stuff, it's in there. But their relationship is so admirably intimate even without the sexual side.)
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The plot is unique, there's no "typical toxic bl" topics, the actors are really great, the chemistry between the actors is exceptional. I sometimes feel weird watching series that involes romance but this is so well done, as mentioned before the actors are amazing and so is their chemistry which makes it feels like it's not even acting at some points. The side characters are really enjoyable and it does not feel like a waste of time getting the scenes where only the side characters are on screen.
As for the unique story, first off, I don't think I've ever seen, not even heard of a moive/show that is about reincarnation. Second, the way everything is tied together is magnificent. A flashback might seem "pointless" but then there's that one line in the scene and it's like a puzzle, fits together perfectly with anything that's been going on in past episodes- or it's that one line you don't reflect over until later when something is said that connects back to what's been said.
It's a rollercoaster of emotions. I go from balling my eyes out to laughing and replaying muliple times each episode. The OST/music fits the series so well and it boosts the mood so much. I haven't come across a series with this powerful music in a long time. Basically it's the best series I've ever seen, no matter genre or year and it's definitly worth that week's wait. (Even though it feels so long and the episodes feels too short it's worth it, peroid.
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Everything About This Was Done Beautifully
I'm not terribly active on this page as of yet, but I had to come here to give credit where it is due for the tremendous story and production that made this series unmatched in any country or by any studio.I know that it has been three years since the cameras were set up for this series, but after I watched it, watched it again, and back for a third time, I can recommend this show to everyone, especially those who are willing to feel the strong emotions these episodes will make you feel every four minutes.
The acting talents, the storyline and the subtle details that were all brought together in one place made this series one that unexpectedly found a way to make me fall badly for this show. I can guarantee that compared to any film you've seen, you will not go away from this one unaffected.
I was completely astonished at how well these characters were played convincingly and was impressed all of the way through the series at how many times I felt very emotional.
In other words, I cried. Many times. Which I'm not in the habit of doing for any movie, show or good book.
This series, however, pushed all of the buttons on me at once, and it has produced more tears from me than the times where I've lost family members and pets.
Anyone who can direct and act to do this to me multiple times in one episode alone has my undying respect forever.
The plot built around soulmates finding each other drew me in right away, and the acting talents took over from there.
Add in the musical score, the locations and the way each scene was built, and I was hooked by Episode Three.
Besides the number of tears this series commands, I was touched at how many details were carefully put into each part of this story, some of which I didn't even catch until I watched the whole series for a second time.
One example that can be used to describe the care given to this whole story was in how many things were going on at once in just the one scene at Pharm's condo with the Sour Curry.
First, you had Dean bringing dinner to Pharm, which was a switch because Pharm had been doing all of the cooking for everyone.
Then, you had Dean being doting and attentive as always and trying to get close to Pharm, and still letting Pharm call the shots and take things at his own pace.
Then, Dean serves dinner, and Fluke's great acting as Pharm tells you instantly that he knows something isn't quite right without any lines being said, especially when he tries the first bite and knows exactly what Dean has served him.
When you peel back the layers of the 30 years leading up to that dinner, you will be crying as hard as Fluke was every time you see it.
Add into the same scene that this dinner that Dean's grandmother put together for them was the Sour Curry that she had made for Intouch on his birthday when he never came home, and you feel like you're sitting there with them experiencing it, too.
As if I hadn't cried for enough reasons in this episode, it wasn't until a re-watch of the series that I noticed that Dean's grandmother had sent him off to Pharm's condo with her gold set of containers.
These were the same ones that Intouch had served to Korn 30 years ago when he showed off his cooking talents by burning the omelet. More tears. . . .thanks.
Having Dean's grandmother finally get to serve the birthday dinner to the little brother she had lost was one of the tougher moments of this show to get through. Fluke's acting to make it believable was incredible.
I'm still wondering. . .who writes a screenplay out there that can have all of things hitting you at once in just one scene, and then keep doing that to you 60 other times throughout the series in other scenes?
And, by the time you get to this scene, who wouldn't love to be in a relationship where someone looks at you the way Dean looks at Pharm, includes him in every part of his life, and treats him like a living treasure at all times?
There are a few comments on this board about a few of the dislikes that took away from the quality of the series, and after taking a step back, I can see why everything is fine just the way it is and doesn't need any changes.
I noticed that the pace of things could often seem slow, but I saw there was a good reason for all of the pauses, and they belonged there.
Like the scene at Sorn's restaurant where Sin has the police report to go over with Dean.
No one says a word for big parts of the scene, and I felt like I was in suspense at the table with them, not really ready to be told what was in the envelope, too. Everything leading up to this scene several episodes back made the pace here rightfully so.
I noticed that many times in the series, and I thought it was just important for the character development as any of the faster-paced scenes.
There was discussion about why the scene was done where Pharm finds the photos, the keychain and the gun, and that the scene didn't belong in the plot.
To me, the scene belonged there because there was still so much story to tell leading up to it, and Pharm was still a bit elusive about his past life, and only at that time was all of it crystal clear. For a few good reasons, the series needed that scene, especially when it involved Korn's father directly.
At first, I thought Sammy's character as Manaow was over-played and exaggerated, but by the middle of the series, I got to see how perfect the character was to bring balance to the whole group, and how great she was to be the perfect partner-in-crime with Del.
The only dislike I would hold on to yet would just be the product placements and the 35 bags of Lay's Chips I saw by Episode 17.
But, I'm not from Thailand, and my opinion from 11,000 miles away isn't really valid for the ways Americans conduct themselves, especially in these last several years. So I can forgive the abundance of Lay's and cosmetics.
I can't do a review here without calling out a few members of the cast that made this work flawlessly.
Koi's role as Dean's grandmother Ahn was absolutely terrifying.
That level of acting ability should not be restricted to just Thailand.
I will be one of many to admit that as soon as she appeared on screen, I was crying.
Her role wasn't as big as the other actors', but it was searing and profound.
Ohm's role as Dean was great for many reasons, one being how he made his character evolve from just Episode 1 to Episode 10.
Dean was cold, detached and all business early on, and by half-time, he was smiling, posting things on Facebook, and relaxed around almost everyone.
Seeing him completely emotionally spent showing up late at night to Pharm's condo was in complete contrast to who we saw at the beginning.
I also liked how his character was in contrast to Korn's personality 30 years earlier.
Korn was elusive, unsure and at odds on how his relationship with Intouch could ever work.
Dean, though, was attentive , first to make a move, and absolutely doing whatever it took to make the relationship with Pharm survive and work.
Kao, being in his first role, did a great job showing the tension between happiness and family duty with Korn's relationship with Intouch.
Fluke playing Pharm was phenomenal, not just for the raw emotions he put into the character, but for the way it balanced out Intouch's personality traits from his past life.
Intouch was ready to dive into a relationship on Day One, was openly excited, and couldn't even manage to cook an omelet or Instant Noodle.
Pharm, by contrast, was gifted at cooking, shy about his feelings and conduct around others, and was willing to go as slow as needed in the relationship.
There were mentions that Pharm's character needed to be less rigid in his standards and more cheerful, but the way Fluke played it was perfect to play against Dean's character and to contrast Intouch's.
I can't say enough good things about Earth and how he played Intouch.
Chilling and real to start with, and probably followed by impressive on a big scale.
The best actors in the business are the ones who can act a whole scene with just their eyes and expressions without saying a word, and Earth is one of them, and I can't imagine this role of Intouch going to anyone else and making it work as flawlessly as it was in this series.
There was a comment somewhere here on the board that when Earth cries, everyone starts crying.
I am living proof of that through these 17 Episodes, for both Earth and Fluke and their ability to turn on the strong emotions.
It was sometimes hard to watch some of these scenes because I didn't know which of them was going bring me to tears the hardest.
I don't know whether I should thank them both for that, or to be angry.
Boun and Prem playing Win and Team worked great in this series, and I'm glad that the relationship was picked up for another series to come.
I had to re-watch the series to notice that it was practically love at first sight for Win, and that he spent the next 9 episodes getting Team closer and closer to sitting under the mistletoe for Christmas.
These characters are a good match and I liked the chemistry.
Pineare as Dean's sister Del was a great addition to the cast for a lot of reasons, with one being that she was wonderful at showing her character's thoughts with just one expression and few words. You could look at her in a scene for just three seconds and sense what the entire mood in the room was.
Mean playing Alex was a small role, but had lots of good acting.
I've seen Mean in other roles and he really turned up the talent here by playing more of a villain type.
To those of you who haven't had the chance to watch this series yet, I am jealous of all of you for the fact that I can't go back to seeing this for the very first time again.
When you see it, it will quickly become a favorite, and if you watch for all of the details and get into the character's roles in any form, you will probably be crying for the 18th time by the time you get to Episode 4.
I am still in awe at how this series affected me in ways that other films and shows couldn't, even with the fact that they had 15 hours of material to work with.
I fell for this one really hard, not because of the storyline by itself, but because there were great actors working on this to make it perfect.
I wish you luck for your experience to come when you get to see it for yourself, and I challenge you to make it to Episode 12 with any of your Kleenex left in the box.
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Okay. I'm obsessed.
I have to start off by saying I've always loved the soulmate trope. Always. From the electrifying first look at the person they've looked for forever to the dreams and confusion, UWMA was everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I adore the direction that they took with it. I don't know if a smarter person would have seen the twists coming but I didn't and every reveal had me bawling my eyes out and screaming about what a good story this was.The casting of Fluke, Earth, Ohm, and Kao is genius. They've got those similar looks and they all do a great job of giving off the same energy as their counterpart. Overall, the acting from everyone is pretty stellar.
From keeping up with BLs online, I'd only ever seen bits of Team and Win and gathered that they somehow must have managed to steal the show which led me to believe there would be a lot more of them than there actually is. But I get it, their chemistry is effortless. I actually loved how low-key they are. We don't see them meet, they're doing their own thing, don't have a big storyline, they're good friends, and it was really sweet. I think it was a great idea when you already have Pharm and Dean with their super intense love story right next to them. As for Pharm and Dean, Korn and Intouch, well... They're perfect.
The soundtrack is nothing special and sometimes it's a bit loud, although that one violin piece they play during the emotional scenes made it impossible for me not to cry. My one major complaint is that one of my favourite scenes with Dean's mother doesn't have the follow-up I was so eagerly waiting for which is super disappointing. Also, could have done without the recurring body-shaming comments. Still a 10/10, though.
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Great acting and chemistry
Currently rewatching this drama with a friend and I completely forgot how great the chemistry of the leads are! UWMA is a captivating story. The actors emote well, and it is easy to connect with the characters. As the audience we “know” who the characters are, but the series still leaves room for positive character development and someone for every audience member to connect with. the chemistry of both leads and the side couple (Boun/Prem) is great and the series does a great job transitioning between more serious moments and mixing them up with some light-hearted humor and romance. OST is great too. Highly recommend giving it a watch.Was this review helpful to you?
