Moonlight Chicken (2023)

Hot dish, served cold

Excellent plot line, that started really well. I mean, a one night stand where one starts developing feelings for the other, the age gap, the gap in status, so many ways to make it really beautiful and fabulous. But does that happen? Sadly, no! After all, this is a Thai series. So you can't really expect too much in-depth analysis into the psyche of people, right?
*Spoilers follow! Please read at your own peril!*

I am going begin with the 'main' lead. I am going to probably invite the wrath of all EarthMix fans on my head right now, but if I can't say it here, where can I, right? Their casting is really not right! Earth is 29, Mix is 24. Casting them as someone is 40 and 30, really does no justice to either of them. Adding a slight fuzz to the upper lips and a bit to the chin does not make a person older for sure. And Mix is a real cutie. Putting him at 30 seems a little bit too much. If you want to show an age gap, maybe 5 years? Or maybe make Earth like 34 or something? Why the hell 40? It really kills the chemistry for me. And why do Earth and Mix always agree to such serious roles? They are both young, really good friends, give them something fun to do! And as I said in my review of Ai Long Nhai, onscreen chemistry doesn't mean chemistry in real life or vice versa. So, they are not the perfect pairing for me.

Jim (Earth) is a chicken rice seller, running a business that's most likely to be taken over by bigger businesses in the new upcoming mall, the designer of which is Wen (Mix), architect by profession. He is gotten out of a relationship and is not exactly looking for something new, but ends up having a one night, no strings attached stand with Jim. But unfortunately, the no strings becomes something totally different for him. Jim is still suffering from survivor's guilt about the death of his ex, who dies almost immediately after they get into a fight. And so the push and pull continues, with Wen taking every possible chance to express himself, but Jim keeps taking steps backwards. When Wen's ex makes a scene, there is more angst than actual possible love.

Next Khaotung as Gaipa and First as Alan. Don't get me wrong. They are both phenomenal actors, and have absolutely powerful chemistry. But to be honest, their talents are completely wasted in this series. Gaipa has been in love with Jim for the longest time, but instead of making things clear to him, Jim literally drags it on. Sometimes I felt that Jim really used Gaipa in a way! As for Alan, dude, your relationship is over. Get over it! Move on! As the angst ridden Alan, First is fantastic. But I don't get it. Why do you force a relationship? Isn't love mutual? If it's over, it's over! But the way Alan held on, it's almost pathetic. Wen made it clear he does not love him anymore. It was not very comfortable to watch.

Finally Gemini as Heart and Fourth as Li Ming. As warm as a hug, as soft as as clouds, as beautiful as the sunrise and as heartwarming as comfort. I could wax poetic about them the whole day. They are young boys, but the talent is just overflowing. Heart has been deaf and mute for 3 years because of an illness. But both his parents don't take the time to understand him, instead keeping him at home all the time, not even trying to learn sign language. It takes Li Ming less than a month, to not only start learning sign language, but also opens up the world for him, making him feel loved and important. Their story is wonderful, because there are no misunderstandings, no negativity, no stuttering around, nothing. The amount these two kids communicate, even though one is deaf and mute, should put grown-ass adults to shame. The way Li Ming translates when Heart talks to his mom was just phenomenal. He was the one feeling the pain that Heart was undergoing. The only thing that bothered me was the lack of subtitles for Gemini's sign language. That would not have made us feel that things were lost in translation.

I was thinking I am going to be annoyed with Li Ming's mom, and for a moment, I was really upset. You don't become gay because of heredity or surrounding factors. Just because Jim was gay, how could Li Ming? But I was glad she redeemed herself, accepting Jim and Wen and encouraging Li Ming and Heart.
I don't why we had Leng and Praew, unless it was for showing what an ideal friend, big brother, perfect man Jim is. It's a little hard to believe. I also find it really in poor taste that just to make Alan and Gaipa meet, they had to actually kill Gaipa's mom. Was their no other way? It would have been nice to see Heart and Li Ming actually going to America, a nice goodbye at the airport, instead of meeting in front of Jim's truck, making it a boring sort of an ending. Lots of unfinished feelings. It started with a bang, the first scene itself heating up the screens, but post that, 0% development, hardly any kisses, except in the last scene, kind of a vice versa of the first. GMM TV really needs to up their game, like most series are doing now. These fish kisses are not going to keep the viewers, but okay, I do agree, mostly the couples they come up with just mow down on sheer chemistry. Let's hope that at least continues.

I will recommend a one time watch, mainly because I fell in love with Fourth and Gemini. So if not for anyone else, watch it for them! Good luck!

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GEMINI is the next generation IT-boy

Holy sh*t. H O L Y S H * T ! I might be a bit prejudiced as I have a weakness for deaf love stories but HOLY SH*T!
Gemini and Fourth were absolutely phenomenal in this. The gentle loving between these two teens, the amazing acting even without needing words. Their performance was simply out of this world.
As a disabled person I am always looking for more representation out there and Gemini had me wondering if he really was deaf, when I found out he wasn't I was astounded at his performance. And of course, Fourth being so kind and loving and willing to learn for him. AMAZING. Their language coach did a really good job and Fourth's English was really good aswell.

As always, EarthMix FirstKhaothung being some of my favourite BL actors did a great job but for me were totally second to the stars of this show!

Special mention to First because how can I love an actor so much and absolutely despise his character, I started liking him near the end but my god was I rooting for him to be DOOMED. Great acting from First, very different character than what he usually plays and he did great.

P L E A S E BL industry give us more of these healthy relationships and diverse representation!! We NEED it.

(Also yes, the pacing was a bit off and it was worth 12 episodes at least, but I was still hooked)

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Moonlight Chicken? More like Moonlight Chicken Nugget

I was very excited for this series since the trailer dropped. So let me get into why it was overhyped from the start.

This show definitely has more budget than other GMMTV BL's have. Our main leads (Earth and Mix) are of course great, but i mean they are dating irl so not a surprise and both are solid actors. They definitely were the main pull for this series, however they weren't why I kept watching. The overall plot was fine, though it kind of got stale after a little bit. Though the kind of almost twist of Mix having just gotten out of a relationship was interesting.

The main reason why I kept watching was Heart and Li Ming. They were adorable and had the added inclusion of Heart's deafness. That's great. I definitely was way more invested in them than Jim and Wen's fling, turned almost, to side thing, to almost again and then finally a couple thing.

The storyline of Jim's character being cheated on was good. Yeah that'll mess up relationships forever so it made me a tad less irritated with him. However, LOL though when the ferry accident happened I was like oh his ex is missing!? He's fine! But then they showed a dead body XD and I was like ohhhh never mind. I feel like Earth keeps getting sacked with these lead roles of characters that are either initially unlikable or turn unlikable. It happened in "ATOATS" and it happened in this.

Other side notes. What are these smash cuts!? They were so sloppy editing-wise and the implied romance between Wen's ex and Kaipa was rushed af and could've actually been something. Also soooo many mommy issues ugghhhh. That is all.

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A Gay Drama and not a BL

Let me clarify the difference between gay dramas and BLs. This series is a fine example of a gay drama, not a BL. In gay dramas, the focus is on the lives of gay men and their experiences, while BLs explore boys falling in love regardless of their sexual orientation. It's common for boys in BLs to initially pursue girls but later develop feelings for boys, leading to questions about their sexuality. Many BL lead characters don't define their sexual orientation because their attraction is unique to a specific person.

Despite some criticism from the gay community, BL stories are primarily made by women for women. Just like in real life, being straight doesn't mean being attracted to every person of the opposite sex; similarly, BL isn't exclusively gay but rather its own unique plot device. It's more akin to bisexuality, as it revolves around finding a special someone regardless of sexual orientation.

I absolutely adore this series, as much as I disliked "My School President." Gemini and Fourth were phenomenal, and I can't fathom how the acting quality dropped so drastically in MSP. Li Ming and Heart's fluff was beautifully portrayed, making their journey believable and endearing of first love. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic eclipsed the main couple for me; it was just that good!

Speaking of the main couple, I appreciate how this series delves into the complexities of adult relationships. Love isn't a fairytale; it can be messy, unpredictable, and sometimes, people fall out of love. The struggles of moving on in a long-term relationship are depicted realistically, and the hope of finding love again after heartbreak is a significant theme.

Even though I didn't care much for Kaipai and Alan, I appreciated the theme of their budding romance. Love doesn't wait for the perfect moment when you’re ready. It sneaks up on you unexpectedly, giving hope to those who have faced gut wrenching heartbreak and loss. It gives people hope and the strength to move forward.

While some are upset with Beam's situation, this portrayal reflects the harsh reality for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. I applaud the series for daring to explore the complexities of being in the LGBTQIA+ communities. Beam's situation reflects a harsh reality for many men who struggle with being a bisexual man or a closeted gay man by the comment section. It's essential to shed light on such experiences and the mess due to societal norms.

Unfortunately, many BL fans lack real-life experience and impose their biased views on the gay community. Many do not know people from any of the LGBTQIA+ communities other than what they read on the internet and BL. It's disheartening to see many women BL fans imposing their own social norms and judgments on the gay community, displaying ignorance and fetishization. Often, I find CIS women bashing or correcting gay men’s lived experiences with their social norms which is ridiculous. True support means understanding and respecting their experiences, and this series does a commendable job addressing these issues with Jim and Wen.

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A worth watching serie

This is my first review so my thoughts might messed up because I have plenty of things to say about this serie but I may forgot some things in between! I'm also sorry in advance because English isn't my mother tongue but I'll do my best.

Let's begin with the story, it's quite simple/ ordinary but it's also relatable and realistic.
For the story of Uncle Jim and Wen, I think it's nice to see a bit more mature/ adult relationship, I like that they showed us some complex feelings and the development of it. It's kind of new to watch but feel more real and the chemistry is here.

I appreciate and have a soft spot when it comes to family so I was glad they show us some uncle - nephew relationship and it's not really like all the time joyful / happy unlike Gaipa and his mom. Gaipa and his mom moved me and it was also heartwarming. I feel like, despite the flaws and the quarrels between Jim and his nephew Li Ming, it has a heartwarming feeling.

A special mention about Li Ming's character which is so relatable, especially he represents the teenagers in general in middle of family problems but also his personal feelings. I also like how he thinks.
Now that I can talk about his relationship with Heart, is really, really beautiful, heartwarming, and so endearing. I think, they stole the show and thanks to them, I appreciate more the serie. The character Heart is really interesting because he can show to the audience the way some deaf people would feel. He's like, I don't know how to explain but maybe represents them? The serie kind of spotlight his character even though he's a side one. It makes me want to learn again sign language but in this case, it was a thai sign language so it was still interesting to know.

I don't know anymore what to add but I wanted to say that all the actors have brought their characters to life and it's so convincing and pleasing to watch.

The set up is kind of mesmering, beautiful and pleased to watch. especially the colors that they have chosen. It brought some nostalgic feelings. In addition to that, they sung a Teresa Teng song so it's obviously a bring back memories to some people! The second song is really also beautiful that the first time hearing it, I've got some tears

The restaurant is like home and they make me want to enter their restaurant to eat Chicken rice with them and I also appreciate the chinese culture elements in Thailand, Pattaya.

I know I've repeat myself but Moonlight chicken, despite was a mini-serie, is really a heartwarming and slice of life drama that's worth watching and it left some marks. I certainly rewatch this but mainly for Heart and Li Ming haha

I just love that in this serie, it told different stories, different characters which we can relate and everything / everyone bring like a whole hotpot that we can all enjoy.

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Przedstawienie problemów

Powiem tak sama drama nie była dla mnie jakoś zaskakująco ciekawa, po paru odcinkach zaczęła mnie lekko nudzić, mimo to oglądałem dalej, ponieważ podobało mi się przedstawienie realnych problemów, które mogą pojawić się w naszym życiu Zdrady, odrzucenie, nieoczekiwana ciąża, brak pieniędzy czy nawet nagłe zgony i wypadki.

Wszystko to pokazali bardzo dobrze i to właśnie cenie. Gra aktorska pobocznych, jak i głównych aktorów była bardzo dobra (GeminiFourth>>>) i to również zachęcało mnie do dalszego oglądania.

Podsumowując, uważam, że warto obejrzeć, innym może się bardziej spodobać innym mniej. Osoba lubiącym spokojniejsze dramy myślę, że przypadnie do gustu.

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MUST WATCH AND BRING TISSUES

I have to say from the trailer I have not expected it to be so emotional. It looked spicy and dramatic so I thought they'd be more bed scenes but I'm not disappointed at all or anything. I love bl matured stories and EarthMix are just fit for them as they give the vibe of experienced and matured duo. But I'm most amazed by First. His role of Alan was pretty heartbreaking and dramatic. I was looking forward to his first scene because I knew he'll make it pretty dramatic. The storm after the sun. His role was also pretty matured. Even after harsh break up and losing the person he loved to the man that appeared to be his client. He acted so professional in his work but he still couldn't hold it in anymore and visited the Chicken diner. When he saw how happy his lover is with that man and even after seeing how he's broken, Wen still cared more about Jim, it really shattered his heart apart. When they showed their happy moments, I really wanted to cry cuz even this lovely moment can turn into hate making me think about all my favorite couples and imagining them like this too which really broke me.
I have to say there was big contrast between Alan and Gaipa. It may not be so visible but Alan was the one witnessing everything, knowing everything, being aware of the harsh reality while Gaipa had his hopes up, he didn't see Jim being happy with Wen, he was not aware and so his love continued and he was happy just unsure his love is mutual and then it broke. He confessed and got rejected, he tears were so pure. But not only losing his hope, he even lost the person he cared about the most soon after losing his father. He became suddenly orphan with no one to rely on. I was so happy when Alan confronted him and wanted to help him with his financial situation. Alan grew up and visited events where JimWen were too. He stopped living in the past and focused on his work and current life. As he talked more and more to Gaipa and knew how emotionaly damaged he is, he got liking to him. I liked how he was gentle and patient with him and show him empathy because they both went through a lot of pain. Seeing both of them making each other happy again melted my heart. If there was second season, I'd love them to be the main focus. Their backstory, Gaipa losing his father and Alan exploring his sexuality with Wen. Sharing their sad backstories and being each other's support. They are both who give everything in nothing in return. They are both willing to change for the person they love and they both leave empty handed questioning why they are not good enough.
Second couple that caught my eye is Li Ming and Heart. Knowing the actors had to learn sign language for their lines really shows how much effort they put into it. Li Ming was everything Heart needed the most. A person who tries to understand him, pays attention to him, treats him as normal person without any boundaries, learns to communicate with him to get closer to him, shows him the world he never knew and gives him ambitions for his future. Li Ming was actually the most matured person in this series changing even the adults as Jim and Jam and Heart's parents. He knew no gender when it came to love and gradually felt to Heart something more than friendship wanting to touch him, hug him and kiss him. They had many adorable scenes together and brought the happiness to our hearts when the scenes were too dramatic. It's great in the end no one wanted to separate them as they saw how strong is their love and even let them study abroad together. Everyone in these series grew up so much which is the most satisfying ending I'd say. Even irresponsible Leng taking care of his girlfriend and son. This is the longest review I wrote as I had so much to say. I loved everything here just not the amount of episodes as they were too short! I hope to see more works like this in the future with matured content but not sexualized scenes but the harsh true of reality. I want R rated contents to be like this. No sexualized r*pe, no toxicity between male leads and not showing it as something hot. It's wrong.

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absolutely breathtaking

oh. my. god.
i don't think i can even put into words how much i adored this.
despite its flaws, this show is going down as one of the best i've ever gotten to see, just because of everything that it made me feel. i can't get over how wonderfully, beautifully human it is. this community felt real. the characters were everyday people who make mistakes and love each other and struggle with grief and cherish life together. the attention to detail, the finding of joy in the little things, the kindness and support between characters despite facing difficulties - it made my heart feel as if it were GLOWING nearly every minute. this is what it's all about. this is all it will ever be about. I AM CRYING OVER A BOWL OF CHICKEN RICE. AND I NEVER CRY ABOUT ANYTHING
what's the plot? well - it's hard to say. it's a slice of life, and what a well-rounded, balanced, and delightful slice it was. i will agree with other reviewers that the main couple didn't catch my attention as much as everyone else did, and i think they could have shown more growth. i didn't really feel like i fully learned why they liked each other. but i still ended up caring about them than i expected, and the show is not really about them, anyway. there are intricate relationships between all the characters and i think many complex topics were handled well here. at the core, it's about understanding each other. my main complaint would be that there were a few occasions where it felt like the same conversations were being rehashed and characters weren't moving forward as i would expect, but that was far from fully ruining anything. except jim never saying "i love you" back to li ming. a daylight robbery. (and earth is a bit young for his role - but he still did a great job.)
the characters were of course at the heart of it all, and what amazing characters they were. i don't think a single one felt flat (except maybe beam...) and that in itself is a triumph. i enjoyed them all in different ways, but li ming and gaipa stole it for me. fourth and khaotung were absolutely phenomenal and didn't miss a single beat. li ming was the perfect moody teenager with a soft side and gaipa was such a truly sweet soul who has endured so much and i need all the good things in the world for both of them. where's my alangaipa spinoff?
lastly, this show, despite taking place in a chinatown, is so incredibly grounded in being thai. what a gorgeous showcase of the environment, food, culture, community life - i was genuinely entranced. i wish more dramas would do this. everywhere i looked there was something to appreciate. not to mention, whoever did the cinematography for this show did a fantastic job of highlighting the beauty of the environment and the actors. the composition, coloring, and framing were all on point.
skillfully directed, well acted, artistically shot, a story both poignant and charming, this drama really has it all. whew!

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I'm new to BLs, so this was my first time watching Earth and Mix together. Personally - I didn't have a problem with assuming Earth was late thirties, I would have assumed by looking at him that he was mid thirties. So I didn't have a problem with that. My issue was more that this series was too short - it needed another couple of episodes for the emotions and story to be fully fleshed out.

That being said, it is absolutely worth a watch. None of the acting, even the small parts, is wasted.

Gemini and Fourth (Heart and Li Ming) are the stars of the show, without a doubt, as previous reviews will state. I will watch anything with them in it together at this point. Gemini's acting while only saying a couple of words throughout the entire series was so perfect and I loved to see the portrayal of a character with a disability (though I do wish we had gotten subtitles for more of Heart's sign language). Their story alone would make this show worth watching.

Overall I really enjoyed it, I just felt there was more to tell that didn't fully get developed. But, worth a watch for the GeminiFourth crumbs and ensemble cast nonetheless.

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Gaipa stole the show!

I went into this with quite some expectations and while I wouldn't say I was disappointed, I do believe this series did not manage to reach its potential.
The story by itself was quite simple, but I loved that each character had some issues they needed to work on. No one (Except Gaipa, but that's my opinion) here is perfect, and they have to work on themselves through the show. I enjoyed Li-ming and Heart's story a lot, and it was a cute development that was well done.
As for the main couple, for some reason their story just......... never took off for me. Not a diss on Earth and Mix, both of them played their characters well, and have amazing chemistry on screen. It's just that I feel like there was no depth to their story at all. Felt like Wen was just following his crush around like a puppy and Jim ended up begrudgingly agreeing to be his boyfriend. There was at no point any scene that highlighted Earth really liked Wen romantically, even though they did end up together.
Jim's attitude towards his nephew threw me off sometimes, especially his reaction to finding out about him being gay, but I believe that was the intention, to show that people are not perfect.
I loved Gaipa and his mother the most. Khaotung is an incredible actor, and he once again proved himself through his portrayal of Gaipa. He is my fav character from this series.
Overall this was a decent series and I would recommend watching if you want a slice of life kinda watch.

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