Not Me

How did I never write a review for *Not Me* before?!?! I’m currently rewatching it for the third time with my friend, and there are a few things I really want to talk about.

First of all, I was trying not to mention OffGun’s acting because we all already know that they are incredibly talented and experienced actors. Their performances are always top-notch. But seriously, Gun... how did you manage to portray two completely different characters with such depth and professionalism in the same series?!

Gun is truly gifted. Every time I think about the fact that Black and White were played by the same actor, I get chills. He completely convinced me that they were two different people. Their mannerisms, expressions, emotions, and even the energy they carried felt so distinct that it was easy to forget they were portrayed by the same person.

As for the message of the series, it moved me deeply. I believe it had the same impact on everyone who shares or understands the social realities that the characters were facing. *Not Me* wasn't just a BL series; it was a story about injustice, inequality, friendship, courage, and standing up for what you believe in. It made people think, question, and empathize.

Even after all this time, it remains one of the most powerful and meaningful series I have ever watched.

And I can't finish this review without talking about First's performance. York truly showed just how skilled First is as an actor.

The hospital scene completely broke me. I actually cried. Through nothing but his expressions, his eyes, and the way he cried, I could feel a mixture of grief, pain, heartbreak, and anger all at once. It was such a raw and powerful performance.

And then I remembered the truck scene in the final episode. The crying, the emotions, the acting—it all felt incredibly real. York's words about his mother hit me so hard, and the goodbye kiss between White and Sean was heartbreaking. Even now, I can't think about those scenes without feeling the same lump in my throat that I felt when I first watched them.

That's what makes a performance memorable when it stays with you long after the episode is over. First managed to make York feel like a real person, and every emotion he experienced felt genuine. His performance was one of the highlights of the entire series for me.

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A masterpiece

Hear me out: was this series perfect? No it was not, but boy did I love the storyline, the acting, the music… it is a masterpiece and here is why:

I think we all agree that the story suffered a bit and some points never got explained (like who the fuck was that old man Dan was brought to by Techit?)
But I loved how much the lovestory was subtle and in the background especially in the first half of the series. There was actually a story and yes it feels sometimes a bit luckluster, the big „plans“ are sometimes just unlogical and I also never understood what Gumpas role really is… he is kinda like a trainer/informer/dad but with whom he works we never got to know. But the portrayal of actual characters with brains and rational feelings felt like a breath of fresh air. The sabotage acts show us clearly the youth of the gang but the series still feels mature. I did not cringe once.
We also got two more or less relevant female characters and I loved them! While Namo did not have much of a story I loved Eugene! Her character was amazing and I was so happy for her and Gram in the end. Again, the series did not just concentrate on two gay storylines, which made it a lot more realistic.

I loved the character developement. Every single character (except maybe Gumpa) grew througout the series and I loved it! They all matured a lot and changed for the better, even Black in the end in my opinion. His eyes seemed softer the last time he talked to White.
Sean grew up, Gram got to know his limits, Yok had to go through a heartbreak, White and Black speak for themselves.

The acting: fantastic! I may have never seen an actor that mastered a twin role as perfect as Gun did… speachless. He deserves at least a standing ovation for this! And I don‘t think I even have to mention First, he is on another level which made it even harder for Fluke, whose acting next to Papang was the weakest. But overall still one of the best Thai series acting wise I have watched.

The soundtrack and the cinematography fit so well for the series and were very thoughtful. The stylists deserve a raise, I loved how they let the actors have normal skin without layers of layers of concealer, they looked amazing and once again it made everything so much more realistic.

Okay I try to find an end here, overall one of the strongest (Thai BL) series I have watched and I will not stop to recommend this to everyone!

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Good effort

I really don’t have much to say honestly but since I have to write 500 or more words, I will try.
I understand trying to do something when you feel oppressed by powerful organizations, persons or even leaders of your country but IMO you cannot commit a crime to justify your actions. While their passion as a collective to change things was quite admirable, their numerous half baked plans with some members always having some sort of reservations in every mission rendered their intentions and actions thereafter not just ineffective but anticlimactic.
There is some sort of weird kool aid that people who watch and comment on BL series on YouTube drink, every BL series on YouTube is the greatest series they have all ever watched and the actors are greatest actors of all time, reading comments on YouTube is like, you enter a weird cult like environment where everyone holds hands around the camp fire singing kumbaya and anyone who is not willing to fall in line with their comments will be termed a hater. The shit is very weird.
The actor that played Black/White is not the next best thing to slice bread unlike what 98% of the YouTube commenters will want you to believe but he sure did a very fine job with the dual role. We knew who black was and who white when they were on screen. So kudos to the actor.
I honestly didn’t care much for the second couple. They just felt very forced to me.
I really liked the tender moments & romance between White and Sean.
Overall it was a really good series to watch. I don’t regret watching it and I enjoyed it for the most part.
I doubt I would ever rewatch this but it’s worth watching once.
Rewatch value 5/10
Overall 8/10

PS: I guess I ended up finding things to say to pass 500 words or more. Lol

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One of my favorites - What I like/not like list

I liked:
- The story. Be gay, do crime, fight capitalism. Yes.
- The acting, especially Gun's acting. He did an amazing job!!
- The script. It shows an understanding of the topics, which I always very much appreciate, but in this particular case I think it was decisive to make it a good story and not a cringy one.
- Honestly, loved the series.
- Black and White characters, and how Black was with everyone else vs his brother.

Not fond of:
- Them showing their tattoos and wearing flashy clothes and masks while doing their activism. It doesn't make sense in reality.
- The abrupts changes and stops of music, not fond of music production here in general.
- Yok and Dan getting back together. Still I think it was adequate because of the message of the story, but ugh, cops and betrayal, not a combination I can forgive easily.
- Gram and Gene getting together at the end. I love Gram, but girl, you can do better than keep dating the same group of friends.
- As always, I'd liked more development, more episodes. But it's ok.

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How I feel about it…Spoiler alert

Spoiler alert?
Spoiler alert?
Spoiler alert?
I wrote this as I got towards the end of the 11th episode. The series is good no doubt, however I was so pissed with white’s communication. I could feel Sean’s pain. Loving someone and willing to do anything for them but they don’t trust you enough to open up and know that you’d still be by their side. (The OST didn’t even help with the pain, it was so good it made it worse ? Then Tod and blacks relationship. The anger and pain I felt when he was drowning black can’t be explained. I liked his character at the beginning but towards the end of 11th episode not so much.
Let’s not even talk about Dan and Rok, I’ll just wait till I’m done to say what’s on my mind.
Just finished 12 episode and I must say I feel better, still anxious but better. I’ve paused it and will continue later. I need a break from the roller coaster lol.
I will edit this when it’s completed.

Continuation…Ep 13 got really got me saying “this is some bullshit” every minute. Cause what was that? I really don’t think I can sympathize with Dan like white did. That’s just another level of betrayal. If he knew he couldn’t risk anything, he should have stayed away from that group. Sorry not sorry

Ep 14…Am I supposed to believe that black took down able police man but couldn’t fight Tod properly?
So all it took was just an apology and a blow, next minute Rok forgave Dan? Am I the only one pissed?

Some of these characters drove me crazy. My chest still hurts from the pain I felt as I put myself in the shoes of some characters. All in all the series was good.
Btw did I mention I love how cute White and Sean’s relationship was in the last episodes? 😍❤️

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Probably the most important BL GMM has ever made.

You know is rare when you can pinpoint the bad things in a Thai bl in only one hand, but this one I definitely can. Most of my questions were responded. Even tho I'd like to know what made Black become an activist, seeing that he came from the privileged side just like White. But I can bare not knowing that.
Kudos to Gun's acting, like for real, he completely changed his whole aura, you can feel how obscure and bitter Black is in comparison to White's almost naive flavour. Also Off(Sean) did an amazing job too, let's not forget about him! Some of the secondary cast left a little to desire, but not First(yok) the last 3 episodes he gave us everything.
About the couple itself don't even need to say anything is OffGun after all, of course it was good.

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It's a really good story, with good production, and good actors. Almost a 10.

This series is a masterpiece, as a person who watched other OffGun works, I was really curious since one of my friends love this series. And God, he was so right.

OffGun as SeanWhite was amazing, the intimacy, I feel like I was in the middle of something that I shouldn't. Their acting was SO GOOD, and everyone knows that Gun is incredible, but it was the first time that Off really make me shocked by his acting skills.

Gun was absolutely perfect for the twins, the way that he acts for each twin it's so detailed. And especially for Black, bcs White still has some sweetness which is totally Gun, but Black... He was Black.

The only reason that I gave 9.5/10 and not just a 10, was bcs Dan and Yok. I fucking hate their arc, and I fucking hate Dan. Yok forgave him, but NOT ME. I hate cops so much and men too all they do is lie. And I didn't like the acting of Fluke (Dan), he did a "good job", but I found so superficial, but First (Yok) amazing acting totally saved the day.

In resume: This so much more than a simple romance series, though they don't "represent" me, bcs I don't see myself directly in the characters, I deeply connected with them, with their feelings. It was really impressive.

It's a really good story, with good production, and good actors. Almost a 10.

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Genuinely the best drama I have watched this year so far!

When I first came across the drama I read the synopsis and was immediately hooked on the "typical" twins switching places, as I hadn't watched an Asian drama with that kind of plot. However, the second I watched the first episode I knew that this is a one-of-a-kind drama and that I would never find one again like this. I started watching the drama when it had already been aired up to the 4th episode and I could not stop until I finished them all. At the time I didn't know it was still airing so you can imagine my disappointment when I couldn't find the 5th episode! Since then each Sunday I have patiently stayed up (as it releases late at night for me) just to watch it! The drama has everything, romance, action, politics (but not in a boring way, in the "we are going to challenge this social injustice" way), friendship and self-discovery.

The biggest thing that has made this drama stand out for me was the challenge against Thailand's governmental and social system. Most people know that Thailand is known for its lgbtq+ dramas but I personally find that, as much as I love them, they are all very stereotypical and place the lqbtq+ community within certain categories and assumptions. This drama completely challenged that. The way the community is represented in this drama just makes me so unbelievably happy. Not because it is accepted by everyone in the drama (I don't remember if it is lmao, but it's not as artificially normalised as it is in most Thai dramas), but because it represents the community so well. Not only that, but the whole drama is pretty much based on confronting the higher social class of Thailand and exposing the injustice and privilege that is so prevalent.

Next best thing? The plot. As I said, the thing that originally drew me in was the whole twin swap and the way it wasn't so stereotypical. I'm not going to say more about the plot, but it is genuinely so well written and planned!

The cast is also amazing and was perfectly chosen for each role. I could not imagine any other people playing any other role, it's like the characters were written for each actor/actress (maybe they were?).

Anyways, this is really just a summary but I would 100% recommend it, I genuinely believe that it is the best drama released recently!

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Political Drama That Happens to be a BL

Episode 1 is full of hard-hitting lines, most of which are political in nature. We can look forward for more political drama as the series progress.

OffGun never fail to impress and amuse the viewing public, with powerhouse cast that will surely leave you breathless. Their acting has evolved tremendously and their characterization speaks hardwork.

P'Nuchie has brought her directing prowess in the series and I applied her brand of film direction in a standard BL series. Nevertheless, she brought her own treatment to the templated BL series and made it cinematic.

The music has a right tone to it and gritty where it needs to be gritty. We look forward to hearing more of the soundtrack as the series progress.

But if you feel a bit lost in their conversation, there is a high chance that you will rewatch the series so you can mince every word of the character. With a more complex and technical script, you will surely find yourself watching the episode again.

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A disappearing snapshot ...of that unyielding force...to shape the world to one's own conviction

Before we get serious, am I falling hardcore for First? I think so. Someone save me because I need to study.

...

You will find many issues and topics to latch onto beyond bl and romance:
- The enemy being the one who knowing better than a friend.
- A group protecting your life because your life is an ideological statement.
- Doing something (art, protest, attack) to express the anger with the state world is in.
- Forgiveness and change come in no order. And lastly... the one I will latch onto...

Existing in a world by working for more than yourself:

While I wish the world worked out in this manner the ROT and their mob, humans are rather more complicated, their interests conflicting and therefore less united.

When I tell you I got the chills when the mob united to save the group.

This is many things. Idealistic. Non-sensical. Pessimistic about the world. Hopeful for a change. Angry. Rebellious. Everything what youth is and represents. I kind of love this cloud of delusion that gives one the sense of being alive. But of course in a 14 episode time frame. And then back to reality.

I mean, I will go on a rant but adults like Gumpa who continue fighting in such manner can do so if they have their own garage, resources and no family of their own who financially depend on. Throw in a child and Gumpa would've acted like the policeman. A lot of adults need to either shut down the fire or find other ways to do channel it. Even White abandons his identity to join the gang eventually. but why White? Didn't you like diplomacy? What do you do like? Until when you will act like Black? I mean, the difference between two is larger than outfits and composure. (But the drama did take a large bite, so I do not expect it to deal with every unclosed circle.)

But this also tells us why many do not...Many do not care about social issues, not because of ignorance necessarily but other priorities, like Yok's mother. And honestly, I do not blame them. This, full-on-100% deliberation is only reserved for the kind of privileged ones we forget - the youth.

But I did feel a sting of becoming an adult and wondering am I going to lose it? Am I losing the sensitivity for social issues because life gets in the way?

We need an uprising in our hearts. A continued reminder. To not allow ourselves not to be mistreated as individuals in our lives by anyone. Ignite the spark, and wake up.

This drama reminded me of it. Which makes it a necessary watch for anyone.

...

Also Dan, you bi***, I ain't forgiving you... so it seems I have some adulting left to do.

Eh, life.

10/10.


Thanks for reading.

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Firstly, the story line of this series is really AMAZING.

The first episode is so awesome. Gun's acting skills is no surprise anymore. He is just AWESOME . In just a episode, he displayed several kinds of emotion in the needed scene.
And Off ( Sean ), his acting is 💯 GREAT. The tone of his voice corespond to the expression of his face. He is so handsome and his acting is great.
In just one episode, we can feel their chemistry already.

The OST is so...The lyrics keeps breaking me down. 😭
This series is AMAZING.. Although, I feel a big twist is waiting for us. I Just hope they don't break my heart.
Everyone else in the series is playing their role greatly. Great job guys!!

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