This review may contain spoilers
Heart and Li Ming
This TV show is a realistic mess with a lot of invested emotions, with characters struggling with their own issues and flaws.Heart and Liming, who are adored for their comforting and healing love, are the series' best characters. I adore watching their scenes because of their deft hand movements, sign language exchanges, and eye locks. If comfort were a person, that person would be made up of Li ming and heart. I cried for Li ming because I understood what Heart was going through.
Jim and Wen follow, with Earth and Mix winning out for acting. It's no joke, man, about their chemistry. They have a completely different story than Heart and Liming do. It's full of angst, unrestrained desires, and tension. Both of them are flawed people who have a lot to say and show but are unable to fully express it. I genuinely feel for them.
Alan and Wen's relationship is complicated and difficult to handle. Gaipa's sweetness is unmatched, and Leng and Praew make a darling couple. Gaipa's mother is encouraging and endearing, and I would like to give 10/10.
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THIS IS REALLY PROMISING.. but maybe more khaofirst moments would be perfect
Let me give this series a review... it's been a while since I uploaded my last review.Story- 8.5 it has a lot of potential that still needs to uncover, unfortunately the series has only 8 episodes and we all know that's not enough to maximize everything and the very big example if the Khaofirst moment that everyone is looking forward to, a lot of viewers as I can see are begging for more of their story maybe a spinoff will do, hopefully. But all in all the story is a binge watch for me I love all the realistic struggle of Uncle Jim life and I also love Wen's involvement to Uncle Jim's life, he is like a light in his darkest time he may not look at it but we know that Uncle Jim still struggles about his ex's past so having Wen in his life makes is the best choice he could ever have. And ofcourse here come Geminifourth/FourthGemini these two really stole the series for me they desurv an award nothing to explain you better watch it of you are looking for FourthGemini moments hehe. Hands down as well to Leng the Shipper of all time hahahaha.
Acting- 10.0, What do we expect from two famous actors Earth and Mix, have a really good chemistry and the acting is top notch. First involvement is perfect as well I love seeing mad/angry/cool/handsome first at the same time. And my baby Khao tears...I live for that I will not leave any spoiler but please know I cried when Khao cried okay?? And again Geminifourth these two desurv an award, no argument!
Music- 10.0 I soooo love the music... My cutie pie Ford really has a soothing voice! I know most of the viewers fell inlove with his voice here like NO ARGUMENTS! I have his 'Tomorrow' on my music list already and will put this on loop before I go to bed... bye.
Rewatch Value- Will leave it at 7.00 I know because I don't see myself yet watching this again in the next few weeks or months.
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Side characters stole the show
This had to be said - this series would be a forgettable mess if it weren't for the side plots.To be honest, the main plot is so unfocused which did not allow proper emotional investment from the viewers at all. Jim's running a chicken shop - and then there is the problem of his business not being profitable enough, his landlord wanting to sell the building, Wuen being a part of the project that wants to demolish the building, and then all the unresolved issues with their exes. None of these issues were properly fleshed out and discussed and their plot just feels so unfinished and messy which I did not appreciate. I just wished they had a more focused issue that they fully focus and not just handpick a bunch of drama cliches they could add as a conflict point.
HOWEVER, the silver lining of this movie is the excellent excellent side couples and characters. Gemini and Fourth is becoming two of my favourite emerging actors - they delivered a stellar and emotional performance as two youths trying to find their own paths in life, while also building each other up. Their struggles, emotions, and connection feels so raw and real which is so engaging to the viewers.
Another standout is Khaotung's performance as Gaipa. I might not always buy into his performances (especially where he plays the "bad boy") but he was absolutely excellent here. The emotion he managed to evoke out of me was insane - and not only once but he is just so consistently emotionally transparent which allows us to really sympathize with him. Khaotung as Gaipa and First as Alan is glorious and I wish we had more of them on the screen.
Lastly, the soundtrack is actually tear-jerking. The nostalgia of this song while also having the song played at the most pivotal emotional moment in the series really is a genius move because now I can't stop crying whenever I hear 月亮代表我的心. Not to mention I was obsessed with Teresa Teng as a child so this was an excellent song choice by them.
I have to give this a 7.5 overall because of how forgettable the main couple's plot is, but it's more of a writing problem than anything else. If the main couple were even half as engaging as the side couples, I would've given this an easy 8.5 at least.
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This drama is a gem
What about this drama? It left me amazed. I found the story very deep, at times even too realistic, you can see that there was a big work behind the script, in fact this series, in my opinion, deserves to be seen even just for the screenplay. The narration is very fluid, never boring or banal, and the story tells the difficulties of everyday life from different points of view.There is Jim (Earth), owner of the chicken restaurant and a very closed person due to a difficult past and present with some financial and relational problems, who, however, can always count on Gaipa (Khao), his friend who is secretly in love with him; and then there's Wen (Mix), the opposite of Jim but a character that will make you collide with the difficult reality that life sometimes puts in front of us: after years of love, even an healthy and happy relationship can end when one of the two stops to love the other, and this thing, unfortunately, sooner or later has to be accepted... something that Alan (First), Wen's ex-boyfriend, didn't understand, even if it means suffering to have him.
Then there is the second couple, personally my favorite, formed by Heart (Gemini), a boy who has become deaf due to an accident and who has been forced to live indoors for three years due to overprotective parents , and Li Ming (Fourth), Jim's nephew and a hotheaded guy, who, due to a succession of events, will have to keep Heart company when his parents are not at home.
I suggest you give Moonlight Chicken at least a chance because it's a well-curated drama in many aspects. As I have already written, the screenplay is wonderful, but also the shooting and photography are amazing (if you don't believe me, just watch the trailer) but the strong point in my opinion are the actors and their performances: phenomenal.
If you decide to watch it, prepare lots of tissues!
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そこが私たちの特等席
男子は禁制 ここは秘密の花園
ただの 溜まり場なんだけどね
これから これから
今から 行くから
いつもの中庭 みんなで待っててよ
何時までも一緒は 絶対ないよね
わかってる
わかってる
わかってる
大人になって 酸いも甘いも知った時
今日のお昼と同じように笑いあえるかな
大人になって 大事なものが見えた時
またこの中庭に集まって笑いあえるかな
なんて、私だけなのかなあ
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Came for FirstKhao & GemFourth...
... Stayed for FirstKhao & GemFourth.Right from the get-go, I didn't like the main-est lead, Jim, as a character. I can't tell you exactly what it is about him, but throughout the series, I grew to dislike him more. This series has been my first encounter with both Earth and Mix, and I can't say Earth left a good impression on me. Mix's character, Wen, wasn't as instinctively dislikeable to me, but the show never hooked me on their romance--"romance", I say, in quotation marks.
Meanwhile, GemFourth were just the loveliest. Heart and Li Ming were absolutely adorable, and Second Couple Syndrome struck me hard. Every time they, Gaipa, and/or Alan appeared on screen, I was wholly invested and glued to the screen. These four are all that keep me from rating MC 5 stars. Especially after the 4th episode, whenever Jim appeared on screen I wished they'd hurry up and move back to Li Ming and Heart.
If the series had been about them with FirstKhao as a secondary couple, I would've undoubtedly given this series 10 stars, because the production value is there. Disclaimer, though; FirstKhao has only some vague implications in the last episode, so don't interpret my selfish wish of FirstKhao being anything substantial in MC as them having anything romantic going on in the series. They didn't, to my utter disappointment. Just a heads-up.
But my god, I was so bored with Jim/Wen! I don't think they're very interesting characters. Jim especially felt like a lifeless character, and maybe some of it was meant to be given his backstory, but they went overboard--or underboard, I suppose, given that he has almost no personality, and was rarely likable to me, if ever. The thing is though, the plot itself is mostly pretty good, and I loved the vibes and atmosphere of the setting, but Jim/Wen felt unnecessary and a waste of time. And sadly, they take up most screen time.
As the headline says, I was interested in watching MC because I adore FirstKhao, and both them and GemFourth were subsequently what pulled me through to the end. Would I recommend anyone watch Moonlight Chicken? Only if you're an EarthMix stan who'll enjoy them being on screen together no matter what. I wasn't, I came in wholly blind to them and their acting skills and was thoroughly disappointed.
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Realistic, sensitive BL with depth. Kudos!
PLOT: Jim, who runs a chicken restaurant, overwhelmed by all the difficulties he faces (raising his nephew Li Ming, buying back his rented business, helping those around him, etc.), has a one-night stand with Wen but wants to leave it at that. However, Wen (a project manager, in a difficult situation with his ex, Alan) comes to work part-time at the restaurant and (secretly) helps Jim feel better. Following an incident, Li Ming begins to spend time with Heart, the deaf and overprotected son of a high-ranking police officer. Li Ming will gradually help Heart overcome his isolation.+++ The couple (two wounded souls) Jim and Wen are masterful. You can feel their suffering, their fear of clinging to hope.
+++ Fourth and Gemini light up the series. They are so touching, endearing, and adorable.
+++ The tone is realistic and talks about sensitive themes : poverty, unwanted pregnancy, attitudes towards disability, breakups, the difficulty of choosing one's path, homophobia, etc.
+++ Pleasant OSTs.
### Cute cat /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\, but the product placement is a bit too obvious and repetitive (o_ _)ｏ))
=> A little gem (with 4 great actors). A must-see! ☆✲ﾟ｡(((´♡‿♡`+)))｡ﾟ✲☆
******************************************************
BL réaliste, sensible, avec de la profondeur. Kudos !
PLOT: Jim, restaurateur accablé par ttes les difficultés qu'il doit affronter (élever son neveu Li Ming, racheter son commerce qu'il loue, aider ceux qui l'entourent, etc.) a une one-night-stand avec Wen, mais veut en rester là. Cpdt Wen (chef de projet, en position difficile avec son ex, Alan) vient travailler à tps partiel au restaurant et aide (secrètement) Jim à aller mieux. Li Ming, à la suite d'1 incident, commence à côtoyer Heart, fils sourd et sur-protégé d'1 gradé de la police. Li Ming va peu à peu guérir Heart de son isolement.
+++ le couple (2 âmes blessées) Jim / Wen est magistral. On sent leur souffrance, la peur de s'accrocher à l'espoir.
+++ Fourth et Gemini illuminent la série. Ils sont tellement touchants, craquants, adorables.
+++ Le ton est réaliste et des thèmes sensibles sont abordés : la pauvreté, la grossesse non désirée, le regard sur le handicap, la rupture, la difficulté à choisir sa voie, etc.
+++ OSTs agréables.
### Joli chat /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\ , mais placement de produit un peu très évident et répétitif (o_ _)ｏ))
=> Un petit bijou (avec 4 grands acteurs). A revoir sans modération ☆✲ﾟ｡(((´♡‿♡`+)))｡ﾟ✲☆
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This review may contain spoilers
"It's already bad that we are poor, and now you're gay as well" . This just got me.
If I had the privilege to award something, I would give this series the best BL series award in 2023.I feel the sense of proud while watching this series. Why? Because, it is so nice to see how BL series have evolved to this.
Particularly the story. So if you are expecting a common troupe like poor lead falling for a rich lead and happily ever after, or poor couple falling in love and then becomes rich and problem solved or something like that. This is definitely not that, it has the most sense of realism that any story could ever have. It shows the actual struggles of working class people and how they make ends meet everyday.
When Uncle Jim said. To Li Ming
*"As if, Being poor was not enough, and now you are gay as well".*
I was tearing up with such a powerfull dialogue, specially the fact that it was said by someone who himself was a gay. That was too deep. It gives you the touch of sad reality, that even in this whatsoever progressive world being a sexual minor is still a challenge.
Earth-Mix acting is over the top. They blend into the character soo well, that you might question wether they are different person or the same as their characters. Gemini-Fourth acting and story is wholesome. First-Khao-Mark are steals the show as a side character whenever they are on screen.
I believe this kind of stories that have a good takeaway message should be more appreciated.
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An inclusive and worn series that deals with many topics
What we have to appreciate the most is the fact that the series focuses on a poor family (It reminds a lot of an italian novel of the nineteenth century, with all the tragedies), instead of usual rich engeneering students and doctors.The stories of many characters are interwined and interesting, expeccialy Li ming and Heart one (the main reason to watch the series, in everyone's opinion).
On the other side, I don't like the fact that Wen and Jim story starts with love at first sight and sex. This could really be avoided because it ruins the plot and gives a bad impression about the series at the first episode. However, Wen will do everything to conquer Jim, starting by working for him.
Then we have Saleng, portaied by Mark (always starring the funnies second character), forced to marry his wife Praew after getting her pregnant, but not having enough money to marry her and to rise his future son.
Another thing I appreciated about him is the fact that he expeesses his support to gender equality. He doesn't matter what will be his son gender, he will grow up them the same way (no gender role).
Than we have Li ming (Jim nepew), that finds himself working for the parents of Heart, a deaf teenager that have been forced to stay home since he lost hearing (3 years) due to an accident.
With Li Ming we finally have a character that, being poor, doesnt see a future ahead of him, so he decides that he doesn't want to sign up for university but he rathers work. Finally a characters where most of the teenagers can find themselves.
Then we have Gaipa. Gaipa story should have been developed better because it is really interesting. Gaipa is in love with Jim and has a really good relationship with his mother. He helps her at work and she comforts him a lot. Their relationship is really touching.
Unfortunately Gaipa story is not happy. We all hope that one day he will find happiness with Alan (Wen ex). We feel Khaofirst sexual tension 😏
The series, beside of showing what people with financial probles have to deal, shows also what people in same sex relations deal. It also reflects disabilities.
In conclusion, what makes this drama amazing is its inclusivity and all the problems it faces.
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I don't know
Only finished because of Li Ming and Heart they're such cuties. Almost fell asleep while watching the main couple's conversation but overall it's really interesting and the couples chemistry is amazing. Shout out to Alan and Gaipa, I love them with my whole heart.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Moonlight Chicken?...
...More like Underbaked Chicken.EarthMix do nothing for me in this series, their characters were aggravating as all hell, by the end of the series I could really care less if they ended up together. I continued watching for GeminiFourth and FirstKhao. The side characters MADE this series.
The story itself?
*Yawn* Like I could see what they were trying to accomplish through Jim's character, showcasing the lower working class and the struggles they face to maintain their families afloat. But there was something missing, I don't know, It seemed detached from the romance aspect they were trying to forcibly shove down our throats. Jim's persistence of not wanting a relationship with Wen made it seem as if he was genuinely uninterested, not playing hard to get. But Wen was trying to get all up in that, ignoring the very blatant signs of indifference Jim was showing him. Totally healthy and not toxic at all. Also, Jim is supposed to be this 40 year old who has already "lived his life" and is haunted by his past....it just wasn't believable (sorry Earth). I did appreciate Wen and Alan's relationship dynamic because it was heartbreakingly realistic. Think about it. Sticking around and living with your ex because it's comfortable. Because it's all you know. Because you dont' know where else to go. Because you're afraid you can't find anything better. It was so relatable (and I'm totally not speaking from experience here...ahem). First played that role beautifully. The scene where Alan finally confronts Wen and Jim at the restaurant and it finally clicks that his ex no longer wants him was brutal, it broke my heart. But Li Meng & Heart's storyline.....INCREDIBLE. Fourth absolutely killed it in this role. They were the main reason I stuck it out those 8 episodes. Showcasing love between a hearing and non-hearing person was so brilliant. I could feel their innocence and attraction for each other through the screen, it was magnetic. It was everything a first love ought to be, innocent yet intense, emotional yet filled with false confidence.
I've already made comments on EarthMix, First, and GeminiFourth but we need to give a standing f***ing ovation to Khaotung who played Kaipa. His speech at his grandmother's funeral??? Girl. Give him all the motherf***ing flowers. All of them. Side note though, why was Alan at that funeral? He had some nerve showing up at that funeral not knowing a god d*** soul except Wen. Like, get the hint Alan.
Regardless of the length of the series, Moonlight Chicken delivers a strong production. I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of the following things:
-EarthMix/FirstKhao/GeminiFourth
-One Night Stands turning into a Relationship
-Teen Puppy Love
-Hainanese chicken rice
-dark & moody lighting
-Love Triangles
-Pretty Criers
Overall a decent watch with a super talented cast. Worth the watch at least once.
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This review may contain spoilers
Story
Absolutely loved this series. Anything Earth/Mix star intheir chemistry with each other is 100% but it was Gemini/fourth that got my heart strings going. The scene where heart has a hard time off his parents for
wanting to lead a normal life and being comforted by
was a beautiful moment and just summed up the whole series..Sadness..fear..guilt and love. I watched a1000 stars with earth/Mix and they got me to watch more BLs and I haven't been disappointed.I pick what I want
to watch being as I enjoy mature BLs with a good storyline. All the cast were brilliant. Whoever directed this little gem I will be forever grateful 🥰.
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