Cutie Pie (2022)

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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A series to listen to, not simply watch

I watched the official trailer of this series, and wanted to watch it immediately, simply because the plot was so outdated, yet so freshly taken by adding it into the BL world.

And then... Originally, it was a disappointment. The story was too unrealistic and simple to the extreme, told in the first episode with nowhere to go, the turns easy to predict, the characters one-dimensional and difficult to understand. Overall, the whole show seemed to be just... empty, so I kept on watching merely for the beautiful pictures and the good-looking actors, as their chemistry is undeniable.

Then there came one episode, one scene, where I submerged into emotions so hard that I forgot to breathe for a minute, with my mouth open, not able to move, slipping down, literally almost falling off of my chair. I didn't understand what happened. I kept watching that scene over and over again, watching the actors faces, moves, body language with awe, taking in the beautiful music, feeling like a peeping Tom, looking at two people who just had their first moment truly connecting with each other. This was when I realized: hey, these guys really want to tell me something. Maybe it's me who did not understand something...?

So, I watched the whole series again. From the very beginning, questioning all of my previously formed opinions, and imagining myself into the place of each and every single character in the situations portrayed, listening to what the actors wanted to express with their plays (I basically paused watching like 50 times per episode). By every, I mean every. The kids, the parents, the friends, etc. What I found was pure beauty.

First, the story.
Original impression: undeniably outdated concept, and undeniably unrealistic and simple, no surprises, not progressing.
After re-watch: even if the concept is outdated, it is merely a frame to highlight what truly matters: the people who live through these stories. Grandparents and parents, who want their offspring to be in an emotionally safe relationship with someone they care for, is the single most basic wish of any responsible caretaker in a family. Same as respecting their intentions. I love how in the story everything seems to be settled for the main characters, but if you watch carefully, the elderly keep asking the young ones about their feelings and wants, implying that the story is actually not narrow at all, but is based on the characters' decisions - which is how real life writes a story. There are kids becoming adults, who want to meet their parents' wishes, whilst expressing themselves, living life in their own ways. Friends who change. Realistic people.
I understood that my feeling of unrealistic comes from the fact that two boys are engaged in a world where gay marriage is yet to be a fully accepted concept. So came my understanding: the source of this feeling is that we are yet to accept it as natural. Accept it as nothing extraordinary, and the whole story becomes cute and a bit naïve, but absolutely imaginable.
Overall, the plot is simply frame, which, on one hand challenges the viewer to rethink their own view on same-sex relationships with its unrealistic way (we need to give credit for the two grandpas here). On the other hand its simplicity does not draw attention away from the important thing this series wants you to focus on: people, emotions, connections.
The story is not progressing - because it doesn't have to. Unlike any other BL series I have ever seen, this one kicks the usual series dynamics in the teeth, and settles you in a fairly static plot, to make you actually watch, feel, live in the skin of the characters, instead of settling you in rather static characters for a longer-shorter series of events. You can literally feel yourself growing together with them in the slow story.
This series is not exciting because of the happenings. This series is exciting because of how the characters live through them. Note: This part I may need to edit later as the series end. :)

Second, the characters.
Original impression: one-dimensional emotions and drives.
After re-watch: Once I understood that I will not see their characters portrayed by their actions as the story progresses, I knew I needed to put myself into the characters' shoes. And it was so easy! I mean, who wasn't a young university student, who had no idea what they want with their lives, but knew exactly who they want? Who wasn't a child, who wants to please their parents, but find their own ways? Who didn't struggle with their own emotions they felt towards a friend? Who were not doing extreme things out of guilt, desire, desperation, wish for care?
I realized not only these characters are complex, but they are so beautifully everyday people! Which is ingenious, considering the anything-but-everyday plot. This controversial feeling, amplified by the characters captivates the viewer. Their emotional roller coaster is expressed in the most subtle things, visible if you really, but really listen to them. A pair of widening eyes, a narrow back walking away, tears, obviously, wide moves, anxious stepping from one foot to another, a furrowed brow, sitting calmly in front of the other... It struck me really hard when I understood that these actors, unlike in some other series including better and worse I watched, are actually ACTING. With capitals. They show me fully realized characters who they were able to connect with, even the ones who I originally thought are bad acting. They simply don't go over the top, but rather behave as a normal human being. I love how the expressions are not loud at all in this series, because when they are... Fireworks.

Third and last, the show overall.
Original impression: empty.
After re-watch: If anyone got to this point in reading, by this time you most likely realized my source of emptiness was my own shallow take. This series will not shout in your face what is happening and is felt, instead invites you to imagine yourself in the places of the main roles, and offers you a journey with a partner we sometimes forget to bring along: ourselves. A multi-dimensional journey and see, how different people, bonded by intention, love, sympathy or duty, in different situations, for different reasons can overcome difficulties by listening to, understanding and respecting each other. And this, in my opinion, is a story worth to learn from and remember to, by watching and re-watching a thousand times.

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