Cutie Pie (2022)

yes, the plot is an absolute mess & objectively speaking, the show does not deserve a 9, and yet...

cutie pie is one of those shows that you inexplicably KNOW is objectively so-so, but you can't help but love it all the same because it's got so much heart and it's so lovingly made. my rating of the show is so totally biased because of me adoring it to bits lol, but i do still think it's a show that most can enjoy IF they go in with the right expectations:
the show is largely meant to be a fluffy romcom, so please watch it accordingly- expecting perfectly logical plot points and character motivations or developments is not the way to go about it <3 if that's not your thing, then please direct your attentions elsewhere!
if that does seem like the kinda thing you'd enjoy, though- if you want a bit of adorable, harmless fun and romance, then i suspect you'll enjoy cutie pie just alright!

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Cutie, sexie, and avoids being overdramatic

I feel like 9 out of 10 BL rely on misunderstandings that don't make sense and are usually blown out of proportion to the point that you roll your eyes.
Cutie Pie doesn't do that.

There aren't accidental misunderstandings. They're all on purpose because the characters made intentional choices to control how they're perceived. And the conflict comes from the consequences of those choices.

The two main couples have decent chemistry both in talking with each other as well as skinship. Any moments of awkwardness feel intentional because of the characters'situations.

This isn't the absolute best acting or story as far as holding up to my top rated shows. But this show is better than most of the BL you come across.

The most important thing to me is that i can feel the characters'desire develop for each other and that came through to me in both couples.

This journey is worth watching if you're looking for good romance.

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Took a long time to finish because of the weak plot

The great looking actors, generally high production value, kisses and bed scenes fail to elevate this series above the mundane because of the weak plot.

This is very odd for, based on the summary of the original material this series is based on (someone posted on MDL), there is so much potential for a reasonably good plot. Unfortunately, the series spends most of its time on nothing in particular. It feels like someone is deliberately putting everything that is potentially interesting aside.

The series starts with Lian behaving coldly towards Kuea, inexplicably saying that there's no love between them and calling him Annabelle (yes, that horror film Annabelle). Devastated, Kuea wants to break off their engagement. But he doesn't ... he doesn't ... somehow he doesn't ... and then Lian makes Kuea move into his house. By this point, it is clear to us that Lian actually loves Kuea but there's no good explanation for the way he treated Kuea.

After moving into Lian's house, Kuea still wants to cancel their engagement, but ... he still doesn't. And then they make out. And then they spend some loving days together. But Kuea is still hiding his true self from Lian, who actually knows what Kuea is really like. Nothing much happens until Kuea somehow finds out that his family's properties have been transferred to Lian's name because his family has fallen on hard times. He thinks that Lian is with him just out of obligation (what causes him to come to this conclusion isn't clearly explored). When Lian proposes to him, he rejects Lian in front of an entire party of people.

The rejection was the climax of the story. One that turned out to be an anti-climax. They make up (and make out) so easily you might laugh. And then lots of nonsense about Kuea trying to propose to Lian.

I don't know why the adaptation doesn't show more of the things that would have made the main characters more interesting when there are clearly opportunities to dos o. Showing the scenes of Kuea's mother discussing the transfer of properties to Lian and Lian's thoughts and emotions at a strategic point would have made his love for Kuea more touching. Instead of focusing so much on Kuea trying to hide the "secret" aspects of his life from Lian even when he supposedly wants to break off their engagement (and doesn't have to care what Lian thinks), Kuea could have been shown to be making attempts to see if Lian would be able to accept him for who he is. There could have been misunderstandings that make him think that Lian is unable to accept him.

Given that Nuer is brought in as someone who is obviously trying to hit on Kuea at first, it is also baffling why the series does not make use of this potential third party to create tension. Can't you at least make Lian misunderstand Nuer and Kuea's relationship and get jealous or something like that? In the end, Nuer is brought in as a potential third party quite pointlessly. It is rather silly because the writers might as well have left out Nuer's initial interest in Kuea. After all, from the start, Nuer also looks at and interacts with Syn in a way that suggests a potential romance. And seriously, since there is so little going on with Kuea and Lian, why not give more screen time to Nuer and Syn, who are actually the couple with the best BL potential as the story goes? I think the series would have become better if half of Kuea and Lian's time had been given to Nuer and Syn.

The series tries to deal with more serious issues by pointing out the fact that Lian and Kuea can get married in a traditional ceremony but they will not be recognized as a married couple in the eyes of the law. Unfortunately, it doesn't really do much here except to harp on this. It's a good thing that Thai BL has become more daring in pointing out that gay people still do not have equal rights, but there are series that do it better.

It's not even that Cutie Pie has a weak story. It has a reasonable story but the plot structure and the delivery of the story fail to do justice to material that could have been interesting.

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High budget hot mess letting down talented actors

I got on this ride with no expectations. The good: I really enjoyed the lead actors, the bad: atrociously bad script. I originally got off at episode 7, there is ZERO character development due to rubbish plot. They learn each other's hidden lives...and still can't communicate. I mean, it's lazy plot where good actors are reduced to characters forced to go round in circles. I really wanted to like this, I rarely drop shows (I'm careful what I watch) but the leading actors just couldn't save this high budget hot mess. I've sincerely seen superior plot and character development with significantly lower budget Thai dramas. Incredibly disappointed. Give this a skip, but keep an eye on the actors future projects, they have real talent, don't blame them for writers who can't...well...write.
It would have been MUCH better if the ML's figured out a relationship normal and the plot moved on to challenge that normal instead we're reduced to a repetitive circular plot with zero communication and characters acting irrationally.

Update (elaboration):
I dropped then returned to this. Such a big struggle. I love the ML actors, they do wonders with an incredibly poor script. So 8/10 for the actors but a woeful 2/10 for plot, character development. I wanted to like this, but I just can't. Toxic relationships whose problems could all be solved with a 20 minute private conversation. The ending was...dragged out (Kuea and Lian's issue at the end - their entire 'problem' - was just a result of a script writing team with a dearth of ideas. Seriously, Kuea & Lian could've wrapped up their issues by episode 7). Furthermore, the ending does nothing to resolve the fundamental issue that Lian's character a worrying control freak and Kuea's character is reduced to having the emotional capacities of a child. I'm still left scratching my head at how a good music score, good budget, solid pro-gay rights message and excellent cast was so let down by shoddy and unimaginative script writing. Frustrating in the extreme, big let down for me.

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I guess its actually not that bad

I have no idea why people gave such harsh reviews about this show, its not as horrid as I was expecting in the end.
So yes, there was no valid explanation as to why Lian and Yi just behaved so..... in the beginning, or about the sudden behavioural changes somewhere along the line

I was confused at a lot of point, especially concerning Yi and Diao's relationship. Was there a prequel or parent story I missed somewhere? Every part of their relationship was a huge question mark to me. Also, what was the basis of Yi's unreasonable possessiveness over Diao? who sets a curfew for a college student at 9pm? They weren't even dating prior to the start of the show so what actually was any of that? I know a good portion of the show was chaotic but Yi and Diao raised so many red flags and question marks

And then theres a whole lot of heavy kissing scenes (not that Im complaining) which distract us from the main plot and distract us from all the confusing... who knows what thats going on

But to be honest, Nuer and Syn's couple was the main thing that kept me going anyways. Their ship might just have been the best executed plotline in the whole show and I wish they wouldve had more screentime

I like the show, the characters are cute, their acting was nice (although at certain points I wanted to reach into the screen and punch Diao), the music was amazing as well.

Diao and Kuea's friendship was adorable as well

I still dont get why Lian said he didnt love Kuea in the begining though? Like, Lian and Yi's characters were confusing at a lot of points but as I said, Im just here for NuerSyn

This review might seem disjointed and confusing but hey.., so is the show

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A Tale of Potential and Missed Opportunities

"Cutie Pie" holds the promise of a truly exceptional show, one that could have earned a perfect score with its intriguing character profiles and captivating premise. While it does boast notable strengths, a few significant missteps prevent it from achieving its full potential.

A standout aspect of the show is its unwavering stance against homophobia. "Cutie Pie" admirably challenges this harmful attitude while refraining from providing it any space, reinforcing a message of inclusivity and acceptance.

The central relationship between Kuea and Lian goes through significant growth, transitioning from a dynamic defined by Kuea's perception of Lian as a family figure to a more equitable and romantic partnership. This evolution in their relationship arc shows promise in terms of character development.

One notable highlight is Lian's gradual departure from his manipulative and scheming behavior. While this growth is evident, it's unfortunate that the show failed to consistently condemn these actions. A few lines in the final episode hardly rectify the normalization of such behavior throughout the series.

A noteworthy lesson learned by Lian is the understanding that marriage involves sharing both joy and sorrow. It's a sign of maturity when characters recognize that protecting their partner from distressing news isn't always the best approach in a relationship.

However, "Cutie Pie" struggles with pacing issues that impact its overall delivery. Rushing through the tension surrounding the unique dynamics of the central couple while dragging out generic conflicts creates an uneven viewing experience. To truly shine, the show should have found inventive ways to translate the unique tensions into relatable themes for a wider audience.

In conclusion, "Cutie Pie" showcases moments of brilliance intertwined with missed opportunities. While its firm stance against homophobia and character growth hold promise, the show's inconsistency in addressing problematic behavior and pacing challenges hinder its full potential. It's a show that could have achieved greatness, yet settles for being a mix of highs and lows.

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I think this is my first time watching a Thailand drama. First of all, I want to say that laws need to pass in these countries of Thailand and South Korea. Love is love, no matter how you perceive it. I love this drama for the reason that it appears normal, and it was normal. It had a storyline, and the actors and actresses who played their parts enjoyed it—the love of two people. Zee and Nunew were excellent in their acting skills. They did their thing to convince others that there is nothing wrong with this life. Everybody has the right to choose who they love. This drama shows how the parents can be accepting. So proud and thankful to the actors and actresses to bring awareness to same-sex marriage.

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"I've loved you since the day you were born" ❤️ MUST WATCH

I personally loved this series so much. I have never written a review but I felt like I had to because of all the negative reviews and comments going on about this, yes everyone is entitled to their opinions but I'm writing this review for those who like to keep an open mind.
First off I believe the negativity is because Most BL viewers are so addicted to the same old High school/University plotline that they can't comprehend anything different.
That aside I'll get into why I loved this
LIKES.
1.Plot : I really loved the plot, Age gap couples are real and deserve proper representation too, I believe they are even more real than school sweethearts but people don't like to talk about it.
There is usually miscommunication at the start with such relationship because both parties are really focused on pleasing the other and feel a certain sense of insecurity so there'll be a level of acting or trying to portray yourself in a way that your partner would like. It's annoying and not healthy but eventually you'd work around it and get to a healthy place. I've lived this story myself and it can be chaotic and that's what this truly portrays, you have to get to the end and putting yourself in their shoes to be able to understand the story being told.
At the end of the day, not everyone can do that and we like what we like but please keep an open mind.

2. The acting. The actors did really good. Very good actually. Foei was the comic relief, he gave life to every scene he appeared lol
The friends of Kuea would also a really cute and funny moments ☺️

3. The couples. I loved all the couples. And the Chemistry with all of them was on fire! ZeeNuNew got the most screen time so their issues were explored more than the other couples although NuerSin were pretty cut and dry to me, very predictable but they are cute that's for sure. MaxNat needed more screen time on going into their backstory like in the novel but the actors did really well with what they were given

4. The Visuals are out of this world, on every scene! They've had the best visuals I've seen in any BL tbvh then of course ITSAY!

5. OST. I have every one and they all fit the scenes and moments precisely. NuNew's voice can literally save lives!! 🥺

6. Rewatch Value. Well I've seen it 50 times since it came out. I'll prolly see it even more times till I get more projects from them lol

7. The styling of everyone was also very good, everyone dressed really well for whatever character or moment it was needed

8. I like that they were also advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and they still do even out of the series

DISLIKES.

Like everyone I would scream when they were pretending or lying or hiding this. Like we know you love each other but how about some COMMUNICATION! But if all the problems were fixed all at once well then there won't be much of a story to tell would there and besides, its also not easy for all the changes to happen so quickly or so easily.
Everyone was having an inner battle waiting for the other to fold but they got to learn there's no winning in love in very catastrophic and heart breaking ways which shouldn't have been.

Other than the lack of communication. I loved everything about this

Okay, Thank me later xoxo

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OMG it's so fluffy

A lot of reviews don't like the storyline, but I think the storyline is just meant to be about navigating ones personal feelings in an unconventional situation and the importance of communication in a relationship. Yes there are weird leaps of logic (but it's a 12 ep BL based on an online BL novel, of course there is going to be leaps in logic).
The arranged marriage plot could have been flushed out more for dramatics but the minimal drama and amazingly fluffy moments were more to my taste and a palette cleanser from the other series I watch. This series is so fluffy. Even the not so fluffy scenes are fluffy.
The side couple's stories needed to be developed, I Hai Yi and Diao's story was a giant question mark. Syn and Nuer just kind of happened out of the blue.

Zee and NuNew did an amazing job with their roles and their on-screen chemistry is phenomenal. The scenes were amazingly choreographed and nothing about it was overly sexualized or raunchy which is like taking a breath of fresh air in this industry.
The music in this series was some of the first from a Thai BL that I genuinely like and listen to regularly.

Overall, if you like fluffy things with some spice I would definitely recommend. If you want a complex plot and drama, you might want to sit this one out.

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Definitely flawed but worth your time.

When Cutie Pie was first announced, I got into my head that it would be a bit more... serious, perhaps? Instead, it's heavy filters, flawless makeup, clichés, and a cute soundtrack. I didn't mind, though! Once I got my head around the fact that it would greatly differ from my expectations, I was good to go. I actually quite liked all of those aspects, but it's undeniable that Cutie Pie is very flawed in the plot department. It's quite slow, often nonsensical, and the back and forth is at times really annoying. I really wanted Cutie Pie to answer my craving for a good arranged marriage trope, but the end result definitely didn't do that for me. Despite all that, they still managed to keep me pretty hooked.
What actually bothered me, though, was the incredible potential in Nuea and Syn. These two genuinely had more room, more depth, to their story than the actual second couple. There's a lot of nothing happening in Yi and Diao's scenes...
Overall, it's absolutely worth the watch but you'd have to keep in mind that the plot is pretty weak... It's really sweet, Nunew's voice in that soundtrack is insanely good, the outfits are great, Nuea and Diao's friendship is such a highlight of the series, and Zee and Nunew's chemistry is off-the-charts. It remains true that I would watch anything with Zee in it. He was the perfect choice for this character.
I'm gonna keep a fond memory of Cutie Pie, I'm sure, but my heart is desperately in need of more Syn and Nuea...

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Some reviews are overreacting and being mean, this series is actually good!

I said it yall, after reading some reviews, I decided to watch the series if it's actually bad or what but no! This series is outstanding, especially knowing that it's actually NuNew's first drama and he really did great for his first time. They tackle topics like same-sex marriage which is a very significant time to promote since the plot is about an arranged marriage between two men. Since some are saying it's the first time BL had this type of plot, it exceeded my expectations. The Casts, OSTs, and everything, all of them are good! Cutie Pie Series will always be in my heart. I'll be waiting for their Special EP this year!

Note: I am totally in love with ZeeNunew, MaxNat, and TutorYim's chemistry on cam and off cam <3

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