Until We Meet Again (2019)

I absolutely fell in love with this BL, I couldn't stop watching and was always so eager to watch the next episode straight away. I've been a fan of New's {the director} work since Love By Chance and he hasn't disappointed me with this one. I can now say that 'Until We Meet Again' is one of my top BL's I've seen. I've been reading a lot of reviews and I can see why some people don't like it, this type of drama isn't for everyone. This drama is more slow paced then other BL's out there, so if you want to see the couple together straight away, this drama isn't for you. Even though the two characters have the connection before meeting each other because of their former selves, In and Korn..... which could see them moving fast but they don't act on anything until like 6 episodes in. That is one out of many many I ave seen.

THE STORY
I usually go into these drama's blind as I don't read the novels beforehand, but I thought the story was really unique and intrigued me straight away. There aren't that many reincarnation stories out there so I was really interested in what the cast, director and everyone else who worked on this drama could do with this plot and it turned out as I hoped. I absolutely loved the use of "The Red Thread Of Fate," it tied well with the concept of the story and helped build it up more. It gave the viewer more incite and knowledge that Dean and Pharm are supposed to be together..... by fate. It's another unique aspect of the story that kept me watching on to see how well they incorporated the red thread throughout the drama.

THE ACTING/CAST
I decided to check this drama out because I saw Fluke as one of the main leads, and instantly thought this must be good. In my opinion I thought he suited the role of Pharm, I believe he has a lot of things in common and have a similar personality with this character which could possibly help him know more about this role so he can act to his best abilities to portray this character to make him feel more real.

While I watched it for Fluke, I was also really impressed by everyone else as well but Earth and Nine caught my attention a lot. There acting seemed real and I could feel their chemistry oozing off them through the screen. It felt like they were actually a couple, those two overall impressed me. Especially the suicide scene, which would've been hard to act out as it's such an intense, series and important part of the story.

I also loved the side couple, Win and Team. I wished they showed more of their relationship being formed, I just needed more from them. Like this couple just happened out of nowhere, making it a bit confusing but still love them anyway. I would love for them to have a series like some other BLs are doing, I'd be first in line to watch.

OVERALL
Overall the drama was put together well. I enjoyed watching every minute of it and every episode kept me wanting more. I gave it a 9.5 rating instead of a 10 because I thought it needed to be more dramatic in some parts and that some scenes did drag on a little bit while others were cut short. Other then that I loved it. I do recommend this drama for people who love heartwarming sad dramas. I'd definitely rewatch again and again, not many dramas have this much of an impact on me.

Read More

The Best of The Best Wrapped in a Red Ribbon

Watch this show. Let me repeat that again, WATCH THIS SHOW. Give it love, because it's amazing. I don't even know where to begin with this. I guess the plot? So "Until We Meet Again" has a really interesting premise, super sad and sweet rolled into 1. It comes from the same director of "Love by Chance" which totally makes sense. I thought this was literally an LBC reunion show for a second because we literally see 3 actors from it, like Perth whose acting in this was short but really really powerful. That guy has some major chops and had me heartbroken. Wanted to throw in BISEXUALITY VISIBILITY YES and its upfront, FINALLY! And a safe sex discussion, hell yeah!

I loved the LBC series as well, but this one took the cake. I have never seen a drama series with 3 couples that I equally loved! First and foremost, this show deals with very dark themes. Like suicide, abuse, mourning and depression, etc. So be prepared for that, because it gets very heavy. I ugly cried many times throughout this, especially with the final 2 episodes. Going onto specificites, I loved the incorporation of the gun shot wounds on both Pharm and Dean. Also the other parallels with the cooking and confidence changes, we (the viewers) got to see two different perspectives and that was awesome. In and Korn's characters were just as interesting as Pharm and Dean. Both relationships were so healthy, no crap and all preciousness. Seriously I would die for In and Korn, ugh we love them and wanted better for them. In became my favorite character, he had this ferocity to him and tenderness too whenever he was on screen. I adore that actor (Earth). Korn (Kao) was a really interesting and tragic character. He actually was kind of the catalyst for all of the events to come and you feel for him deeply but also become frustrated with him. Not in a bad way, but in the way you should as a viewer intentionally! I was also shocked that the series dove into topics like Korn's depression and the repercussions of not only the families grieving over In and his death then and years later, but also In having to watch his love kill himself before him. That came up and I'm so glad it did, because it made for a damn heartbreaking scene with Pharm later on that had me ugly crying. Like that entire sequence with Pharm and the gun was one of the best tv emotional acting I've ever seen, bravo to the actor portraying Pharm (Fluke) because damn I was shook. Also doing things for the past selves of In and Korn while also trying to maintain Pharm and Deans self in the present and having individual identity, as well as the relationship between them being there's and not just influenced. Damn dude so many layers.

The only plot devices that I would've tweaked or changed was saving the reveal of the Romeo-Juliet esque suicide until more towards the end instead of right at the beginning. Have it be more of a twist and knife to the heart revelation! We could've learned with Pharm and Dean by piecing it together with the flashbacks and the red-string reveal. Also I wish the past time was signified more with the clothing choices (since its set in the 70s) and even the film gradient so we can tell immediately when were in the past other than seeing certain characters. The switching of the families in the next lives was a little confusing and concerning at first, but since we're dealing with reincarnation it's not that deep I guess. The best parts of this series are the first half and last half, some of the middle episodes dragged on too long and the scenes didn't need to be as long as they were. But I also understand that the director wanted to capture more genuine emotions. I also wanted Alyx's character to stick around longer, he kinda disappears and though I didn't want him to continue trying to get Pharm I wanted to see his relationship with Del blossom. Also Mean is just gorgeous so...there's that. Finally, I wanted more screen time with Win (whose also really attractive btw, those tats and piercings though) and Team. I loved them too as a pairing, though apparently they are getting their own series so....there's that!

This review is long I know, but there's so much to discuss. First of all, any scene with In & Korn was perfectly done in pacing, acting and emotion period. Moving on lol, some of the other things/scenes that I really loved were the first face-to-face meeting of Pharm and Dean's. Pharms crying got me though, Many emotions all around from his overly expressive eyes. The scene with Pharm struggling to breathe in bed after a dream, very well acted and heartbreaking. As well as the aforementioned gun scene towards the end. Also the first kiss was AMAZING with the cute curtain moment. Dean's actor (Ohm) did a good job with portraying softness around Pharm, while maining a distance from others. The swimming side of Dean was cool to watch, made me think of the anime "Free!" lol. One random thing I noticed was the choice of having the actors (ie. Pharm and Dean) in the same room basically acting out the text message exchange early on rather than just showing them on the screen with voiceover like normally done. I really really liked that and it was smart and way more interesting to watch as a first legit interaction. Cool artistic choice! The show also has a really nice orchestral soundtrack which I fell in love with and downloaded.

Well shot. Really well acted. Heartbreaking while also endearing, wrapped up in a red bow. Slam dunk that hit different than other series I've watched. I'll leave off with 2 quotes from the show that I enjoyed.

"You might like something that is not similar to others. But that doesn't make you different from everyone else. Your life belongs to you."

+

"If the past memories come back to me. I will choose to remember the good ones. So there will be only the beauty of tomorrow."

Read More

Until We Meet Again is going to stay with me for an incredibly long time, even now that it has ended. Finding a show with this much heart is a rarity, and I highly recommend if, like me, you love getting the "warm fuzzies". I have laughed, and I have cried (oh boy, have I cried) throughout this show, and I cannot implore you enough to carve out a space for it in your lives.

Each week I found myself getting so wrapped up in the warmth and genuine devotion of these love stories, finding myself getting lost in the small, quiet moments where everything the characters felt was being conveyed simply through eye contact or expressions, and feeling my heart either beating faster or breaking a little with each declaration of love, or display of affection, and now that its over, my heart aches a little in its absence.

This series has received more than its fair share of criticisms, primarily for its pacing or its characterisation, and whilst I understand those criticisms to a very small degree, I think a show that gives itself room to breathe is something that should be celebrated. I felt that I could live in each moment with these characters, that I could imagine every thought running through their heads, and those moments of silence made my heart soar, simply because they felt real.

This is less of a review and more of my personal love letter to Until We Meet Again, because I am so thankful that this show exists, and thankful to each and every cast and crew member that put their all in to bringing something so beautiful and heartfelt to our screens. Please, give this show a chance.

Read More

Honest review and why I gave it a 10/10

Honestly, at first I didn’t know why people were talking so much about this.. crying about this show and talking so much about the cast. At first I was very confused, as soon as I continued watching the show I understood everything and clearly got obsessed with it. The drama is well written and it’s genius !! Even if I cried a lot this is definitely in my top 3 favorite shows, ohmfluke had an amazing chemistry along the whole show and so did kaoearth. I enjoyed every second of this show and clearly got obsessed with the whole cast. If anyone is new too bl I would clearly recommend this show as it shows different styles in one show. Let’s not forget bounprem I would wish too see more moments with them but I’m not mad !! I really enjoyed this show, the ost is amazing and everything is perfect.

Read More

Unique story concept and a casual watch!

I watched Until We Meet Again (UWMA) last year, and I remember how emotionally invested I was in this show. It was sad, heartwarming, cute and funny. Compared to other BL's released during the same year as this series, this show was undoubtedly the best of the best BL series productions in decades. The character development and the story development are slow-paced yet very intriguing! Some people might hate this aspect, but others might enjoy the thrill of it! I loved how the story unwrapped itself perfectly by the end. The casting selection, chemistry and acting were excellent. Must watch and give it a try! If you don't like the fantasy, soulmate and destiny genres, maybe this show is not for you! But for those who do, watch it! Highly recommend. (Also, I teared up so much watching this show).

Read More

This is definitely one of the best Thai series out there PERIOD. The acting by the male leads was amazing, the plot was unique with how the past and present were intertwined, the romance was super super sweet and endearing, and I am not over Dean & Pharm.

Their dynamic as a couple is so darn cute and refreshing. Dean’s overwhelming and unfaltering love for Pharm leaves you giggling into your hands while Pharm’s gentle and shy persona makes you want to root for him every step of the way. They showcased such a healthy and well-balanced relationship that is so rare to see in dramas these days. This drama is a true gem and totally worth watching if you want a sweet & slow-burn romance.

Read More

I disagree with a lot of the comments and think that in comparison to News previous dramas technically this drama is far superior. If you look at News earlier work the direction, cinematography, music, acting, and the chemistry of this cast, are all certainly a big improvements.
But for me what really let this drama down was the script. The story ended up being quite repetitive and there was so so much crying that I started to feel nothing when Pharm cried, Fluke can cry really well, but it loses its power if it happens constantly. The story started to get a little too ridiculous and soap operaish that I had to roll my eyes a couple times. And the pacing in the final episode was a bit too slow, for example we had their families crying for 7 whole minutes, just crying FOR 7 MINUTES!
That being said I do think this drama is special , the majority of the time it was a lovely relaxing watch and early on I did really connect and care about the characters, I just lost that connection the more repetitive and out there the story got. It is really similar to what I read of the book which I couldn't finish though, so maybe this story was never one I was going to love. But I think certain aspects of this show were lovely and it’s definitely a move in the right direction for BL dramas, they’re getting more money, creativity and time put into them.
So as I said I do think New is getting better and better and it’s so cool to see his journey as a creator from Make It Right, to Love By Chance and now this, it makes me excited to see what he’ll do next because I know it’ll be even better than this, just please not so much crying next time...

Read More

The show started off alright and I got into watching it. The idea for the plot was good and I was originally drawn in by Earth Katsamonat's acting after seeing a short twitter compilation. I really liked the chemistry and acting Earth and Kao's (Nine Dechaphatthanakun) representation of Korn and Intouch. Unforutnely they didn't get much screen time and we were stuck with most of the story being the plot between Dean and Pharm.

In reverse of Studio Wabi Sabi's other longer web drama Love By Chance, I found the main plot of this show almost unbearable. The chemistry between Fluke and Ohm was almost non existent. I don't know if they were instructed to act that awkward or if they really didn't have chemistry, but it was really not enjoyable. They have that bland BL couple vibe where one is the strong cool one and the other is a weak flower who cooks. It made it really hard for me to enjoy the biggest part of the show because I didn't really want to root for the main couple. Also, the insta-love that they had was boring and bland! I understand they had a "connection" because of the reincarnation but it was so unbelievable.

I found that the side plot of this show was the best part of the whole thing. The dynamic between Team and Win is fantastic! They have a playful flirty dynamic that is almost never seen in BL (they're always so serious). Their chemistry is really good and natural. In real life Prem and Boun spend a lot of time together and will actually act in another drama together this year, but you can tell that they have a good relationship in real life because it translates really well over to their story. Their pacing was more realistic and allowed them to really build a relationship. Unfortunately their plot line was mainly used for advertising and comedic relief. I'm really hoping for a season 2 where we focus on Team and Win's storyline now that Dean and Pharm's story has wrapped up.

In terms of production and everything, I'm kinda disappointed. First off the music and sound team should be fired. Why the fuck did half the scenes have repetitive, loud music blaring over top the dialogue. I could barely understand what they were saying at some points because the music was so obnoxious. The terrible music almost made me drop the show. On top of the atrocious soundtrack, we had an oppressive amount of ads in the show. From product placement, to name dropping this show was like the damn shopping channel. It honestly took away from the show at some points. I understand you gotta pay for this shit somehow but please, this was ridiculous.

After watching the last episode I was so disappointed because this was such a good idea and it could have been done really well but the insta-love between the characters and the way the show dragged on crushed any momentum they had in the beginning of the story. Their best plots were between two dead characters and the side pairing so it made for a fairly tedious watch. I recommend it to anyone who just likes fluffy BL stuff that sounds like its straight off of wattpad. If you loved this drama hell yeah, speak your truth. It just was not my cup of tea.

Read More

It missed the mark on so many levels :(

The Bad:
The script was terrible!
Pharm cries too much!
Please don’t say P Dean again!
Team Win we’re definitely more interesting even though they didn’t have any lines!

The Good:
The cast was really good and I think they all acted very well.
I enjoyed the opening song.

Overall: I wouldn’t recommend this drama :(
I enjoyed the first episodes but from 7-17 they were painful to watch. First time I had to skip so many parts cause it was all too much of the same.

The ending was cute though.

Read More

This show drives me crazy because there are moments of cuteness, sweetness, and fun scattered throughout one of the most poorly paced stories I have ever watched. UPDATE: As of episode 16, I've revised my rating way downward. Parm's motives and emotions make zero sense and come out of nowhere. Everything below still stands; just that as of this episode, the cons have tipped seriously over the pros.

The TL/DR is: There's a core of a good story and some fun characters here. Watch it if you love BL, if you love any of the actors or the novel, but if there was ever a show to make use of the fast speed or preview functions, it was this one.

Now for the full pacing rant:

It's mainly a directing issue. The director is in love with slow motion, to the point where sometimes I watch on double speed and the only way you can tell it's not normal speed is because of the music. There are long, long long long....
......
.....
.....
.....
pauses that don't make sense. There are scenes that have extended periods with no plot or character development, just people unpacking groceries or doing their regular stuff. Which *could* be used to great effect if we were getting insights into our characters or hints about the story, but no. They're just unpacking the porridge or walking into the room where the action is going to happen, or looking across the cafeteria before the action happens or whatever.

Other than the pacing, the biggest frustration is the character of Pharm. I'm not sure if it's partially an acting issue because I haven't seen him in other stuff, but it is definitely also a writing and directing issue.

Pharm starts out cute and sweet... he's shy but also a good friend, likes to cook, and is generous. He crushes on Dean and finds it confusing, and he has these scary dreams and memories.

So far, so good. Except as the show wears on, he's basically always either experiencing excruciating shyness or crying. He cries constantly, and the director is fond of slo-moing or holding those moments for horribly extended amounts of time without developing any actual feelings or plot.

By episode 15, the relationship with Dean has gone from cute and sweet to deeply uncomfortable, because Pharm never seems into it. Every time Dean touches him or flirts with him (moments that *ought* to be the lifeblood of the show), Pharm screetches and hits him and says "no!" or "p'Dean!!!!" It seems like we're supposed to be seeing him shy, but since we never see actual desire or much in the way of enjoyment, it at first is super confusing: like, does Pharm actually like Dean? Is he okay with Dean but confused about his sexuality? Does he like Dean but not want to be with Dean? Is he confused about the relationship between Dean and the guy in his dreams? None of these questions are answered because there's almost no dialog addressing them and the direction (or possibly acting) means we can't tell Pharm's feelings beyond "I'm scared!" "I'm sad!" "I'm uncomfortable!"

As the show goes on and the relationship becomes closer, the fact that none of these important questions about how Pharm feels makes it more and more uncomfortable when Pharm is pushing Dean away or asking him to stop. It feels like whatever his feelings are, he's clearly *not ready* for what Dean wants, and it's getting less and less fun to watch them.

There's a wealth of side characters who could be used to help round out the show and let the director rely less on agonizingly long shots where nothing happens and more on fun interactions. Pharm's friends Manow and Team are great; their interactions tend to be fun, the actors have a good chemistry. Manow's love line was hinted in an early episode but as of ep 15 hasn't been touched again. Team and Win have a tiny but sizzling secondary couple thing going on that could easily have been given a touch more time without having to have the relationship develop faster. The pace of their relationship is totally fine and wouldn't have been challenged by, say, an extra 4 minutes per episode taken out of all the non-development moments. Less time on Pharm and Dean might have pushed the writer and director to make more of their moments together as well (I think that Team/Win and Korn/In are both more interesting in part because they had less screen time and so more had to be done with their characters... although Korn/In's story does drag at points as well.)

Read More

I started this series because of the whole reincarnation thingy which is absolutely intriguing. It was good though I must admit how Pharm and Dean got together is a bit too easy for me (I would imagine more confusion and denial would be more appropriate), I enjoyed their cuteness together. Their past selves, not so much but Korn is so hot I forget myself. It would also be great if they developed Team and Win's relationship more than just product endorsements. Overall, it was a great show though I found the ending a bit forced in the absence of a strong solid conflict.

Read More

Amazing!!!

Story
The story was so good. It was so well thought out and I just absolutely loved it. The connection between them with the family and the emotion was so well written. I am so excited to see Between Us when it comes out with even more chemistry.

Acting/Cast
The acting especially from Fluke was...unable to put into words the first time and even when I really get into now I get emotional. It draws out so much sympathy and hurt from your heart. The cast also amazing I really feel that Ohm/Earth and Fluke/Cooheart give off the same vibe with each other. It was so great with the chemistry for each other. The was Ohm and Fluke looked at each other melted my heart.

Music
The OST gives me much sadness as it reminds me of the saddest parts in the show but at the same time I can almost feel encouragement from it. It so beautiful.

Overall
PLEASE WATCH

Read More