Not Me

Overall: Despite it's flaws like plot holes, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and its emphasis on social justice. I could see a season 2 or movie to explain several unanswered questions. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: violence, fight scenes, restraint and kidnapping, past trauma, dub con kiss (drunk, sleeping), non con touch (sleeping)

What I Liked:
- the consent in episode 9 part 1 was amazing, I loved the check ins; related is the realistic way that there wasn't just 1 kiss with a certain couple but continued displays of physical affection (hugs, cheek kisses, sniff kisses, etc)
- addressing several social justice issues that are issues everywhere in the world
- the realistic visuals (i.e. no excessive make up, filters, blurring)
- a trans character is not portrayed as an overly comedic character
- the beautiful music
- the acting and chemistry
- the action/mystery plot
- there was some funny moments including Sean being sassy
- good production value and character styling

Room For Improvement:
- non logical/odd things, plot holes, loose ends, stupid decisions, I'm not going to get into all of them but it reminds me of Manner of Death
- the pacing felt too slow at the beginning and then very rushed at the end
- lack of smart plot twists, the ones presented I guessed a mile away (except for the G)
- they should have reduced characters (side eye to Sean's female "friend) and then fleshed out other characters like Gumpa and another couple that has a criminally low amount of screen time especially in the beginning
- the punch at the end was unnecessary in my opinion
- the lighting in some scenes was too dark and it was difficult to see what was happening and the camerawork was too shaky at times

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Nothing is easy, but this was easily a 10

Everything about this was well-thought-out. From the clothing, lighting, props, and music to the dialogue, line delivery, and message.

It doesn't paint its protagonists as always right. More often than not, their points of view are challenged, often by each other. And, there is no easy answer. Peacefully protesting is a great way to speak out but does not guarantee a solution. Many companies are happy to wait it out until the public forgets about it. Acting illegally but nonviolently to expose deep-seated corruption is another way. But you can be arrested and/or have the public turn against you. For many, the end does not justify the means. And, if the law can be so easily disregarded, what is the point of it? Removing one person in power doesn't necessarily make the root of the issue go away; someone else will take their place.

None of it is easy. Even though this drama ended, it wasn't the end for the characters. They won the battle, but they're still fighting the war.

Our protagonists, while working together, aren't even on an equal playing field with each other. I think this is best shown through White's internal dialogue about growing up privileged and ahead of others and how unfair that is reflected by what he sees around him and what others say.

This wasn't a cash-grab romance drama with "brownie-points" material thrown in. This was a genuine attempt to portray working-class people being taken advantage of, discriminated against, and still fighting for equal rights.

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Totally Worth It~ And Not Just Because of OffGun lol

BASICALLY: 9.5
Let me start this off by saying: I didn't like the book. For several reasons, but this isn't a book review, so I just wanted to say that. Even though I didn't like the book, though, the series is almost COMPLETELY DIFFERENT so far. Like, eons apart. Like, the only similarities are the main five-ish characters, their names, and the friendship between the main four (Black/White, Gram, Yok, and Sean), which is proving to be almost nonexistent in the most interesting twist. White fully expects his brothers friend to be more... friend-like, but what he finds are a group of people together because of a common cause: eat the rich, bitch. Well, not quite, but basically, and I love it, tbh~ The issues discussed and the problems they're trying to fix are important in EVERY country, and I'm glad they made it more about the political issues and rich vs poor struggles rather than the bland, too-predictable crap that the book turned out to be (I was REALLY disappointed in the book, okay?).

ACTING: 10
OffGun~ I mean, 'nuff said, right? They're one of my favorite, OG BL couples. Their acting has improved, because p'Off is generally a funny, joking kinda guy, and we get NONE of that with Sean, who's serious, studious, and always learning. P'Gun also does a great job of showing us the contracts between Black and White: Black, who had to grow up in a harsher environment thanks to his mother, who refused to change, and White, who's grown up with a silver spoon. Black is hardened, while White is optimistic and caring. It's awesome, and p'Gun does a great job showcasing the difference from the beginning. If I were Sean, I'd be confused as hell, too, and the confusion every time White (who cares) has to correct himself and be Black (who would abandon anyone if it meant furthering his goals) really shows on Sean's face. I love the friends, too! I'm interested to see what they do about Gram since he's got his own romantic interest in the book~ Yok does too, but they've completely changed it (in the best way, I swear), so that hypes up the anticipation more~

MUSIC: 8.5
I know it's a bit of a low rating, especially since I love the opening song, but the rest of the sound track is so-so. It's probably because I'm watching Bad Buddy at the same time as this, and the OST in Bad Buddy is purely *chef's kiss*, but it's not as enticing. The opening song is awesome, though, and I definitely saved it to my Thai playlist as soon as I could~

OVERALL: 9.5
It's only episode 4, cupcakes, and I'm already invested. I can't wait to see what happens~ I hope they make a genuine change in society, to be honest, because the characters' stories (especially Sean's) just make me wanna root for them~ And I can't wait to see how the White/Black and Sean is handled, and how White falls, and just all of that great things that makes you wanna watch~ I'm the type of person who waits until the series is over, but I just love it so much at this moment, that I can't wait~

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I want to like it more, because I know it's good

I want to like it more, because it's finally a BL which is different, where the BL aspect isn't in the center. But my attention span wasn't long enough,(don't binge-watch it like me) to enjoy it properly. It's art, the scenes are beautiful, but it's like watching art for hours, it isn't too exciting you know? And I felt like the pacing is too slow, even though stuff happened all the time. It just didn't made me want to necessarily continue watching, like not in the staying-up-all-night-to-finish-it way. And the ending could be better done, it needs a season 2 but I think that they are trying to keep it open. But the quality and the acting were sooo good, so give it a shot!

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THE BEST BL OUT THERE FR

This show would have gotten a 10/10 for me if not for the loopholes here and there. For example, White's dad. I do not understand how White was gone for so long, and there was no attempt to reach out to his son. Also, I need to know who took a picture of the van that the gang was in when they got kidnapped. How did they know that people were being kidnapped? Also, I wish they could have fleshed out Todd's story a little more. I may just be slow, but I feel like some things were missing, especially in his encounters with both Black and White. Also, I wish we got more BlackWhite moments 🥲
Are these plotholes enough to make this show bad? Not in the slightest. Which show does not have loopholes, you know?
Unto the good stuff now.
1. I just need to commend Gun's acting. The way he pulled both Black and White had me believing that they were two different human beings. His voice, facial expressions, and demeanor all changed while alternating between both characters, and that was so impressive to see. He pulled off both roles so flawlessly, I'm still in awe of how great of an actor Gun Atthapan is.
2. Off's acting has greatly improved, and I am glad that I get to witness his growth as an actor. Off literally became Sean, and you can tell while watching him on screen. Every tear he shed, every word he said, every action that he took, was executed so meaningfully, and I am so proud of the actor he is today.
3. First did an amazing job portraying Yok. Every tear that man shed, I shed it with him and every time he smiled, I smiled along with him. He made me go through every emotion along with him, and that makes him an outstanding actor.
4. Mond, who played Gram, was so great with his facial expressions. Although I wish he got more screen time, he still did a great job while on screen.
5. Papang who played Gumpha was so great at being a mother bear. He took care of those kids so well, and I kinda cried sometimes because of how kind he was.
6. Todd was a hot villain. He slayed being manipulative.
Namo, Eugene, and Nuch also did such great jobs and I am glad that their characters had depth to it.
All in all, this was such a great show. It attacked very important social justice topics. I commend them, especially because I know how the government is in Thailand. They could received huge backlash for this show. The romance did not feel out of place at all. Everything was so seamless, from the pacing of the show to the editing. Fantastic job to all who were involved in Not Me! I hope to see another show from them.

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Not Me, Not You, But Everyone...

I recommend this series 110%. The plot, the acting, cinematography, everything was amazing. You learn some real life lessons along the way when dealing with an oppressive government; one being that not everything, especially the characters, are black or white; Well besides the twins who are actually named Black and White...From the struggles the gang of college kids went through together for justice to the heartbreak some faced, it was a great journey to be on. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get a strong case of second couple syndrome cause I did, tho main couple was great in their own way, had me rooting for them too. The unexpected ghostshiping was also strong at times hahaha. Soundtrack was good, nothing I paid too much attention besides intro song, mainly cause I was busy bawling my eyes out. So yes I also recommend lots of tissues for your tears. That's all I'll say without being spoilery. Would definitely rewatch it in a heartbeat.

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could have been better

Maybe my expectations were too high after watching the trailer because I was not impressed at all. Gun's acting was really good, as always and the music was good too which are the the only good things from 'not me'.

The plot had potential but was really executed terribly. Talk about plotholes. It was clearly supposed to have a heavy plot but when something like that has plotholes, it becomes less enjoyable to me. The cast and bts people kept talking about how they didn't have a budget which is bad but how does that explain the writing? For example how they got saved from the bad guys, what was that? It is a no from me

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DEFINITELY NO SPOILERS

After the trailer was released I was kept on the edge of my seat for two whole weeks waiting for the series and much unexpectedly when it came I had very high hopes which in deed weren't let down you must check it out if you haven't.

I have just watched the series and I am very much impressed by the rather powerful start because they don't linger around the past story too much and yet I can entirely understand the whole series as the background is brief and precise you don't feel anything lacking in it.

I was excited when I saw the poster and moreso the cast list which was full of Handsome and cute actors, some of my favourite by the way, along with their characters in the series which are easy to tell from the start, you feel from the first episode that this series is very original and not cliche while it's like a gang romance so you'll definitely be dying to watch it while if defining the chemistry between all actors and their roles, they seem to understand how best to play their parts as I found the first episode flawless from the beginning to the end.

The plot in addition was very remarkable along with the graphics and the scenes, what I really have admired so much about the series is the in depth feeling of emotions being well portrayed that is anger, sadness, curiosity as I got totally immersed in the show it almost felt so real. Besides another much deeper analysis is that the mystery leaves you with so many questions which I like because it makes the scenes much more unpredictable as you are always driven from one extreme to another when you least expect which puts so many suspects in question and at times I can't easily tell whom to trust or who the protagonist and antagonist is towards the innocent White.

The two characters that are played by Atthaphan Phunsawat are very captivating in their own way and the somewhat unspoken innocence of Jumpol Adulkittiporn makes it a to die for series after their success as a couple in THEORY OF LOVE, PUPPY HONEY, I'M TEE ME TOO made it seem worthwhile for me to watch and the chemistry wasn't disappointing at all as one way I promise you start almost soon enough to feel a cute romance that is between them even by them just looking at each other there's a total rush of readable emotions on their faces and romantic heartbeats.

All in all, the drama was well executed as a whole with those remarkable fighting scenes which for a Thai series were above the charts that I wasn't as well disappointed and If you are a bl fan this is going to be one of the best gang bl romance series you have ever watched whose story is easy to understand, the plot unpredictable, the characters very intimate and the Bromance very sincere starting off as a feeling of mixed emotions it doesn't feel too rushed.

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Hey that’s my button!

Very, very good. If you're debating watching, don't even read my review, just go watch it.

This story is incredibly captivating! Honestly, I’m not sure I need to write a review on this one because there are so many already but I do have a few thoughts on some things that I am a little confused about. None of these are drama-ruining, just thoughts.

1. White's Dad. What happened to that dude? White was like "I'm out!" and his Dad was just like, "Yeah okay *shrug* Have a nice life without me.” We literally never heard anything about him after White left. I guess both parents are just really uninterested in being parents.

2. I don't fully understand who took the picture of the van and how there came to be a full-on protest that intercepted the van...

3. Todd - Why so wishy-washy? Are we trying to kill Black or nah? Why did Todd let Black go after almost drowning him when he almost had him killed before? Later he says that he can't kill him because they're friends but then why beat Black within an inch of his life before that? If all he wanted to do was lure White to help him, why not kidnap Black and tell White he needs to go undercover to find out who took him?

While there are some spots when this drama feels a tad slow with the side stories, looking at you Eugene, and other times where production seems to have messed up what time of day it is, it’s morning in one place and midday in another. At one point it was an entirely different day in one scene but still the day before in another. DESPITE those production errors, the main story is really compelling. Sean and White are adorable and watching their relationship unfold was really a ride. This drama really delivers angst without being terribly uncomfortable. It's just the right amount to keep you on the edge of your seat unable to stop yourself from needing to see what happens next.

Don’t hesitate on this drama. It’s worth the watch.


Would 100% Recommend
Would 100% Re-Watch

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A Gritty, Thought-Provoking Series with Strong Characters and Social Relevance

This series tells the story of Black and White, twin brothers who were separated after their parents' divorce. After fifteen years, White returns to Thailand and learns that Black is in a coma due to a violent attack. White takes over Black's life to uncover the traitor responsible for the attack, discovering his brother's involvement in a gang and a life he never knew about. The storyline is unique and captivating, even though the identity of the traitor was predictable early on.

The production is notably strong, with sets that enhance the gritty, raw atmosphere of the story. Unlike other polished series, this one makes good use of locations like garages, warehouses, and university streets to create a more grounded and realistic feel. The series also has a mature aesthetic, which fits well with its serious themes of justice, law, and LGBTQ+ rights, resonating not only in Thailand but worldwide.

The series explores important social issues, such as the influence of the rich and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, while presenting relationships with respect and consent, a welcome change from toxic tropes in many shows. The characters, including strong women and the transgender woman Nuch, are well-developed and avoid the usual clichés, making them feel more authentic and empowering. The protagonists' desire to improve their country and society adds depth to their character arcs.

While the execution is smooth, there are a few moments that feel like filler, and the absence of the parents in the story feels a bit odd. The secondary gay couple, though not stealing the spotlight, also brings their own story and chemistry, showcasing their potential for a spinoff. Special mention goes to Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat, who plays both brothers excellently, capturing their distinct personalities. Overall, the series is entertaining and thoughtful, though not flawless, and definitely worth watching.

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Meh.

So this is a story of a guy who joins his comatose twin brother's thug gang members who take the law into their own hands and get hurt... a lot. Oh, and two gay couples emerge from it because, you know, that's what always happens within dangerous gangs. The End.

Here are my pros and cons:

PROS

FLUKE (Dan). For me, he was the best actor in the show. And... he's GORGEOUS. He can pose naked for me any day.

CONCEPT. It was interesting, especially in the first half of the series.

OST. I liked the theme song.

CONS

GUN AS A GANG MEMBER. I'm sorry, but are we seriously supposed to believe that Gun is a dangerous gang member that could actually hurt anyone? Sure, he's a decent actor, but he's built like a fem twink and has no arm muscles whatsoever. Yeah... I'm sure everyone is REAL scared of him...

STORY. What started out as an interesting concept got tired very quickly. The characters were mostly unlikeable, the whole Tawi thing got boring and, in the end, I couldn't have cared less who got together.

I'm giving it a 6.0.

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#NotMe #NotYou #NotGramBlack

So I waited until the week episode 11 premiered to begin Not Me. Once it started, I could see why it was so popular, even without OffGun, I really enjoyed the humor, the mystery elements, the politics and class consciousness and queerness of the series, and what I thought would be this big reckoning when Black woke up/White figured out who hurt him.

I feel like the first half of Not Me was doing a lot of set up and tension building and creating all these possibilities and the last arc, for me, just didn't meet those expectations they set. The Tawi plot is not resolved/offscreened. The gang spends most of the series operating outside the system and then offscreen surrenders themselves to the system. And I'm still wondering what the point of the GramBlack scenes/hints were if it was also leading to nothing.

I think the plot on paper and the strength of Gun's acting for Black and White is what has kept this series relatively high for me. I like that it's more mature and that it has a political/class conscious POV. I feel like it the back half could have landed the plane better Not Me could have been a top series for me. But I don't think it will have a lot of rewatch value outside of Black's scenes because the plot set up of the first episodes is not concluded well.

I like this series, I thought I would love this series, but the last arc was a bit of a letdown, outside of Gun's phenomenal portrayal as Black.

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