180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us (2022)

Family is politics.

Cinematography, storytelling, casting and acting, symbolism, the simple, yet complex nature of this drama is simply mesmerizing. It will pull you in, won't let go and break your heart in the end, because nothing is more complicated than human nature. This show is about how one person influenced the lives of another three people that keep dwelling on the past and keep hurting each other in the process, leaving their scars open and gapping, instead of tending to them.

“People keep saying they are okay with you being gay - but it’s not acceptance, just tolerance.”

N O T S P O I L E R F R E E / N O M A J O R S P O I L E R S

Sasiwimol and her son Wang are influenced by the loss of their dad, husband Siam. Sasiwimol doesn't like to talk about him, since she's not able to reminisce on the good things, so Wang has to find someone, who knows his father well and is able to tell him more about the person he lost and the one turns out to be an old family friend, In. In the span of a few days, Wang uncovers more than he maybe would wish for...

180 Degree Longitude Passes Through Us shows us how powerful unresolved trauma and regret can be, how expressing our feelings and being truthful to ourselves and others can hurt so much so to heal means cutting people out of your life.

The Great Sasiwimol, successful producer and mother of Wang, always energetic and with a sharp mouth, yet a carrier of trauma of her husband passing away drunk driving. Sasiwimol keeps hurting herself and her son, sending him to boarding school and seeing him only during the weekends, not really listening to him or accepting his opinions, because her own opinion is the only one that matters. Maybe she can't listen to him, as Wang resembles his father too much and it's painful for her just to look at him, or she's simply ashamed of being a single mother, not introducing Wang to any of her friends, lovers, not mentioning him during her speech. She projects her insecurities onto Wang, keeps being homophobic, toxic to her suroundings, gaslighting people into doing things she wants them to do.

Wang, who lost his closest person, his father, was backstabbed by his mother for sending him away, bullied and defending others from bullies during his school days and figuring out his own sexual preferences he could never talk about with anyone, especially not with his mother. The suddenly missing father figure pushes him closer to In, who keeps wallowing in the sadness and who doesn't want to get on anyone's bad side by playing a diplomat, which doesn't help anyone. Wang, even for being only 20 years old, is the most mature one in this doomed triangle.

Lastly In, who shut himself away from the world. He likes to say he likes his quiet, but maybe he's just running away from his problems which used to be Sasiwimol and her husband, later on his own feelings of betrayal, hurt and regret, that haunts him now in the form of Wang. Wang who is too much like his father, like In's best friend, his idol he abandoned when Siam needed him the most. When Wang's father was there for him, but In wasn't there when he realized his and his own feelings, that could tear Wang's parents apart. And now, years later, he serves as a catalyst between Wang and Sasiwimol.

There's no good way of handling the situation those three find themselves in. Someone will get hurt and it will only get worse, before it gets better. But the change needs to happen, if they like it or not.

Read More

Loved every minute of it.

This was wild.

I surprisingly really loved that we figure out very early on what actually happened between In and Wang's parents. It's not a drama about this huge mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's about very real, human emotions and pain that still cuts so deep you can't bring yourself to say the words out loud. That being said, I was hanging on to every word being spoken, so still very much on the edge of my seat. And when I think about it, really, the ending is very much expected as well, and yet I was incredibly invested. The progression of them meeting, the intense gazes, getting to know each other, to confessing is so seamless.

Pond is phenomenal. So talented. And his smile had me kicking my feet, he's super cute, let's be honest.

[Spoiler-ish] There's honestly so much more I feel like I need to think about and digest when it comes to the daddy issues part of it all. But it was so interesting. I mean, the fact that they never address out loud how he looks just like his father, leaving us to connect the dots with the pictures of the two of them from the past with the way In looks at Wang when they first meet. That got me so good.

Highly recommend.

Read More

Underrated and wonderful

I don't usually write reviews for shows but I had to after watching the last episode. There's no doubt that this show tells a story differently. It can be difficult to get into if you don't like quieter, carefully paced shows. There are entire episodes which consists of just one scene and dialogue between two characters (similar to that of the book "The Symposium" that Int gives to Wang). Not to mention, many parts of the acting and scenes feels more like watching a live play rather than a tv show. And many aspects (geographical lines, affection and attraction, loneliness) are spoken of metaphorically. All of which gradually builds up until the final episode where everything is so clear in who the characters are, what their "lines" are, and how they go about living. The only score is the song sung by the actor who plays Wang. It complements the show beautifully.
It is a very cathartic and special watch. Highly recommend.

Read More

My babies?‍??

First time leaving a review but this show was too good not too. Pond(Wang) in fact they all deserve all the awards in this world for this show.
The ending might not be for everyone but to me it was perfect the only person out of all of them who won in my opinion was WANG because he chose himself and decided to fight for his happiness
Inn such a relatable character for someone who had been in such a confined space for a long time it was really difficult for him to step out of his comfort zone so I’m not surprised with his actions but I think In his own way he deeply lived Wang

Wow!!! Masterpiece ❤️❤️

Read More

A Perfect Blend of BL And Gay Drama

180 Degrees Passes Through Us" is an absolute masterpiece that captivated me from start to finish. This series is a mature and profound portrayal of complex emotions, not intended for the typical fluffy BL fans. Instead, it delves into the realm of gay drama, with Wang courageously pursuing his childhood crush, who also happens to be his late father's unrequited love.

The heart of the story revolves around Wang's journey to connect with his deceased father. A fateful trip with his narcissistic mother leads him to In, the man who once loved his father deeply but eventually distanced himself after Wang's father married Wang's mother. In an intriguing twist, In becomes a mysterious figure, akin to a 52-hertz whale, signaling to Wang in an inexplicable manner. During his short stay at In's house, we bear witness to the profound flaws that exist within each character, stemming from their unique perspectives and entwined with the memory of the departed father. This thought-provoking drama explores the complexity of human nature, reminding us that nobody is perfect, yet life goes on with all our flaws.

Despite the absence of explicit NC scenes, the series manages to deliver the sensuality of an enthralling tale. The sensual undertones make it a remarkably sexy tale that doesn't rely on explicit content to captivate its audience. Surprisingly, there isn't a traditional happy ending, but oddly enough, I found solace and contentment in discovering this raw and authentic portrayal of life's intricacies.

The cinematography of "180 Degrees Passes Through Us" is nothing short of breathtaking, with stunning visuals that enhance the emotional impact of every scene. Moreover, the dialogues are deeply engrossing, drawing us into the characters' minds and hearts, and making us ponder on life's deeper meaning.

In conclusion, "180 Degrees Passes Through Us" is a must-watch for those seeking a compelling and thought-provoking drama that goes beyond conventional BL narratives. Its exploration of human complexity and the imperfections of life will leave you with a profound sense of awe and appreciation.

Read More

Simply a masterpiece

I am at a loss for words... Just finished this show and I am a sobbing mess. I usually hate slow series with unusual/weird plots but this is just phenomenal, the cinematography, atmosphere acting and soundtrack are all on point... the last sentences that appeared on the screen is what broke me. I actually learned a lesson on life through this series, I really do feel like it has changed me as a person and my perception/ideology of life. I feel like there shouldn't be a season 2, it should have this bittersweet end. Watching this series was such a nice change from the funny, sweet dramas which I tend to watch. Instead, I got the truth of reality, with a complex and intricate story beautifully performed. I would not recommend his series for someone who doesn't want to go through a lot of emotions. This show will make you cry, clench your fist, be mad, sad, happy and so many more unexplainable emotions. This show is a piece of art. Everything about it is so beautiful.

Read More

deceitful with incomplete execution...or...perhaps because of it

What is this? Tension replacing chemistry?

I was underwhelmed by this drama. Let me get it straight, the reviewers, you guys, I trust you and you really sold this one to me. 😂 I was ready to give money that's how well this drama was hyped. 💸

It was a slow drama that hardly kept my attention. Son and a father and a friend of a father and mother. It is very messy and in my understanding, ultimately none of it feels real. Or healthy.

Love? Hell, they are traumatized, all trying to heal themselves in another.

How do I feel about that? Not well. I cannot but feel some ick when heavy topics are badly executed to seem real and genuine for the sake of entertainment. It did not even feel real. I mean how did Wang fell in love so quickly with Inthawut? Trauma, I tell you, he said himself that In fills the gap in him.

And do not think I did not notice all the attempts to simulate Call Me By Your Name. From the music to characterization to scenery to way their bond is portrayed. Really? Wang has my props as an actor, despite bad writing of his character. Wait, let me go give him some flowers...

Ok, I am back. Wang did quite well, mother was not bad either. Inthawut was lacking for me, he was like a shell.

The chemistry between the leads is only in intense staring. Their convos held zero chemistry despite heavy topics I was bored out of hell. And what is In falling in love with, again? Immature and impulsive emotionally neglected son of his friend. Why would he though? Unresolved trauma.

You may say, JXP, this one is not about love but healing. But honestly I do not know these characters. And I never got to know them. This was irrational punch that was supposed to be intense but ended up boring. Again props to Pond, he did a wonderful job as a young actor.

Ah.. perhaps it was well intentioned project but for me...deceitful with incomplete execution...or...perhaps deceitful because of incomplete execution.

Read More

Not your usual BL

Fair warning if you're looking for the steamy BL with all the tropes this isn't for you.
If you're looking for a gorgeously acted heartbreak, ding ding ding!
Thoughts after finishing:
This one will stick with me. It was beautiful, the long stretches of dialogue, the sets, the lighting, the music, the acting, the story itself. Immaculate vibes. And yes I am currently ovulating so my emotions are all over the place, but any other day of the month this show would still have had me bawling my eyes out.
I hate Mol. I get that the person she loved didn't love her, that's awful, and she has a lot of emotional trauma because of his death and the part she played. But the fact that she first hurt her child by sending him away, then replaced her dead ex-husband with her son was truly horrific and takes away any pity I would otherwise have for her. The damage she's done to her sons mental health, first by creating this horrible dependency where he has no freedom to choose his life, then her homophobia, her complete denial publicly that she even has a son, and her manipulation of Inn to further hurt everyone around her. It's just so cruel. She knows exactly how much they are hurting, and yet her only concern is herself.
Wang is by far the most mature person on the show and he proved that over and over. My heart breaks for him and I wish somewhere in storyland he went to therapy, healed, abandoned his mother, and found someone worthy of him.
My heart also hurts for Inn, but less so. He's clearly got a lot of self loathing around his sexuality, fear of going against the grain, self hatred for the loss of the person he loved, and heaps of guilt (both warranted and unwarranted). But it makes me so angry that he acquiesced to Mols cruel demands. Maybe if he thought Wang was too young, or his feelings were confused, and he was muddying up his love for Siam with that of Wang. But he knew how he felt, but was too much of a coward to act on it. Like okay maybe 20 years ago when he was still out in the world the fear of societal pressure got to him. But not here. The man is in self imposed exile, there's literally noone to judge him. He doesn't even have internet. Those few steps across the bridge are probably the bravest thing he's ever done, and I'm so happy they showed him making that conscious decision himself. I like to think he too went to therapy, and healed the guilt he'd been carrying for so long (throw away thought that he's only that ripped because of the weight of all the trauma he's carried for 20 years).
I hope Inn and Wang get therapy and find love in themselves (Inn) and in a partner who deserves them (Wang) and I hope Mol dies alone surrounded by her trophies and when they announce it on the news everyones like "whoa I never knew she had a son" and judges the hell out of her in her grave.

Plus: Acting, story, directing, lighting, music, cast, crew, everything.

Minus: That I can't climb through my screen and strangle that woman. I'm not sure if I'd call this rewatchable. It's beautiful and worthy of seeing again, hence my rating. But I don't think my mental health can handle another run though.

Read More

Overall feeling about the series

I would say, lately am adopting a system of watching BL dramas. Maybe bcoz am interested in finding out how best the directors have challenged the society.

180° longitude is one in a million with a unique plot compared to other cliche dramas I hv seen before, set inside one major house fir most of the episodes, clear reasonings, great visuals/ cinematography

I have to say, many drama fans hate sad ending but it is what it is, aren't directors supposed to bring us such stories because we always have interest in twisted plots that have happy endings?
Society needs to admit that these stories exist and someone somewhere would like to hear about them and be informed
Well done cast and crew if 180°

Read More

Above and beyond all other shows in it's genre.

This is my first review of a BL. Why? Because never before have I felt compelled to write a review, but after watching this I feel obligated to.

In a room full of generic fluff, this show is a true masterpiece. It is not simply a BL, but a poem that through it's masterful use of language touches on many complex themes, such as: youth vs maturity, trauma and lose, the pain that comes with confronting the past, first love, the conflict between parents and their children, self
acceptance, ect...

It does not have to rely on being cute to grab it's audiences attention, because it stands on it's on two feet as a superbly crafted narrative. In fact, it's not cute at all, but rather it is soul wrenchingly beautiful.

It's leads were phenomenal in their roles. The cinematography was lush and symbolic. Most of all it's writer/director is at heart a true playwright, and a master of his craft.

Read More

"I'm trying, I'm just trying to be brave"

Starting this series was a challenge in itself. As soon as I noticed the age gap tag, I wanted out. I eventually watched the trailer because I was intrigued by the posters and the colour scheme of the extract I had come across. After watching it, I realised that the main character would fall for the one person his father genuinely loved. This made me uncomfortable. However, the intimate and almost out-of-time atmosphere that prevailed in each scene made me give in and so here I am, eight episodes later, writing a review for a series I didn't think I would watch.

Some people called this series “pretentious” and I can see why they would think that. This series did try too hard at times but, overall, it delivered much better than I had expected. It sometimes lacked nuances — the character of Sasiwimol especially — but the pure rawness of the characters' emotions, the thought-provoking dialogues and the detailed directing left me speechless. “180° longitude passes through us” strived to be realistic while still allowing the inner lyricism of emotions to soar. Its ending has served its purpose in the best way possible.

Given all the food for thought this series gave me, I decided to outline my review as follows: I’ll begin by giving my take on the main cast using the written sentences shown in the ending scene as a means to introduce each character. I’ll then end this review by bringing to your attention one particular piece of furniture in Inthawut’s bedroom — the decorative wooden screen— as well as the aerial view at the end of the series.

“To you who call yourself a parent, you can only give birth to them but you don’t own them.”
It will come as no surprise that I found Wang’s mother to be insufferable. However, I regret that the screenwriter chose to make her behave in such a cartoonish fashion, thus giving up on adding any layers to her character. She was so over the top, so ridiculous, and so blatantly dismissive, that all the problematic things she did were hardly commented on. Which is a shame given how manipulative she was and how she kept on guilt-tripping her own son and her so-called most trusted friend.

It seems that, all her life, Mol was never mindful of others. She does not listen nor does she compromise: “she always gets what she wants” and it doesn’t matter how many people she hurts along the way.
For instance, she easily acknowledges the fact that she got closer to Inthawut in order to approach Siam — she does not feel ashamed in the slightest for using him. She then married Siam despite him not being able to open up to her. She never bothered trying to wait for the people around her to be — and feel — ready. She sent her little boy, Wang, to a boarding school right after his father died. Wang had to mourn for his father’s passing all alone in an unknown place. I cannot even begin to imagine the utter loneliness and agonising pain Wang must have felt once he knew he was being sent away. By doing so, Mol, whether or not she was aware of it, put the blame for Siam’s passing on Wang’s innocent shoulders.

Wang’s razor sharp mind and his emotional and intellectual maturity are all proof that he had to grow up faster than he should have. Wang, most of the time, accommodates his mother’s wishes without taking into account his own feelings. He obliges, aware that every time they argue, his mother makes him feel terrible about himself, leaving the void inside his heart all the more gaping.
Mol’s manipulation and gaslighting has led Wang to live in the shadow of his father — sometimes becoming it entirely. When he dreams of his father and realises he has the same face, it acts as a confirmation that he has internalised what happened to his father thus making him lose track of who he is. His innocence died the moment Siam passed away. He had to bear the guilt of his father’s death because of his mother's immaturity, without understanding why he felt that way. Him being sent away and Mol’s refusal to talk about Siam must have felt like an earthquake had shaken everything Wang took for real. Why would his mother reject him when he needed her the most? Why was he not allowed to express how much he missed his father? Why did her mother tell him he should never leave her although she was the one who left him all alone in a place he couldn’t call home? Why does he feel his father was a stranger to him in the end?

Inthawut — although he was, for the longest time, just a face in some pictures — soon became Wang’s only hope to remember his father as someone who deserved to be loved and not forgotten.
When the two of them finally meet, In — who was stuck in an eternal winter— welcomed the warmth of Wang’s spring, who shone ever so brightly with his idealism and thoughtfulness. Mol was not fooled although she refused to acknowledge the fact that meeting In gave Wang a reason to believe in his dream again. Notice how Mol always found a way to interrupt the spring blooming between them even when she was not physically there (cf. her phone calls which interrupted two very emotional and intimate moments between In and Wang).

When Wang confesses to his mother that he loves In, Mol reacts in the most cruel and coldest way she could have. How precious Wang’s trust in her was and how easily she crushed it, making him doubt himself although saying it out loud had felt so right.
Mol dismisses Wang’s love completely and the conversation she has with In about it shattered my heart. When she asks In to make Wang normal again, you can see how devastated In is and how quick he is to stand for Wang.
Mol disregards Wang’s love by saying that him liking In is like a child loving their role model. But she is wrong; she is so obviously wrong that I wonder how she could have hidden the truth from herself so fiercely. Wang has no wish to become like In: he doesn’t want to be like him, he wants to be /with/ him.

Being a parent is a hard and scary thing. It cannot be taught and can only be learnt in the moment. Parents make mistakes, they can be insensitive but they should always strive to understand and listen to their children. Not only did Mol never listen to Siam and to Wang, but she never cared enough about them to see how much she was hurting the both of them. She imposed her will and whims on her family without once questioning herself.
The epitome of her ungratefulness and selfishness was when she said that her life had been nothing but endless disappointments although she had won two awards two days before. Wang was never the one with an obsession, she was. His eagerness had nothing to do with being obsessed — Wang feels too much and so he lives intensely. He knew that meeting Inthawut would heal him and so he rightfully listened to his instincts. On the other hand, Mol is obsessed with her son. She is obsessed with the idea that she owns him and so when she feels he is slipping away from her, she guilt-trips him into thinking that he has a debt towards her. That him turning twenty — thus becoming an adult in the eyes of the law — means nothing to her and that he should always stay by her side. She cannot bear the thought of losing her grip on him. As a director, she wanted her son to be the perfect actor: the one who would know her every query without ever needing to ask, the one who would feel such a deep respect towards her that he would always strive to please her. However, she failed to realise that a great director is someone who will give the actors they work with enough creative freedom for them to unveil their talents.

“To you who are still young, you have to bleed first before you learn.”
My dear dear Wang. I hate how cruel the world can be to the kindest of souls.

I now need to lavish Punnasak Sukee and Pond Ponlawit with praise for creating and bringing to life such a mature, lovable and profoundly humane character. His sensitivity and courage brought an ache to my heart that I will never forget.

When I look at how things ended, I can’t help but feel heartbroken for Wang who only ever wanted to make memories he could look back upon fondly. He will definitely cherish the moments he shared with In but those are bittersweet moments.

If Wang’s character could be described as a colour palette, I’d say his would be made of high contrast colours for his spontaneity, wit and gentleness slowly helped In to step out of his desaturated world (even though it was only for a bit).

Wang has left a mark on me that I wish time will never erase. His lucidity stirred me greatly as I found echoes of my own thoughts in his words.
His words inspired respect in In who was mesmerised in his presence. The way he looks at him when they first meet is quite telling. In was humbled by Wang’s courage and grace. Although he couldn’t follow in Wang’s footsteps, he still encouraged him to stay true to himself even when things felt too painful to even continue moving forward. His last words to Wang were a selfless act of love and something Wang desperately needed to hear.

I find it difficult to collect my thoughts and talk about Wang in an organised way because he made me feel too many things at once. Something that needs to be highlighted though is the way he always tries to smile when he is in pain. This made my heart squeeze in my chest. It was as if he told himself that he should not bring sadness to others and so he should always smile through his tears. It was as if he wanted to muffle his pain so as to always bring comfort to others and never be the one who asks for it.
Although he feels utterly alone, he seldom verbalises his pain. When his whole world came crashing down after his terrible fight with In, it killed me to see him fall into his mother’s arms. He knew she would be of no real comfort but he had no one else to turn to.

Wang’s sharpness, just like his “saturated” personality, made him experience the world with all the despair and intensity that youth could provide. It is no wonder he felt that philosophy would be a good match for him given how he likes to think about the world and understand its inner workings. Although he has a good understanding of his surroundings, it broke his heart to realise he would never be able to completely understand In and the depth of his suffering.
If Wang is a rather inward-looking character who likes to think things through, he also knows how and when to take a leap of faith and be spontaneous. When he falls in love, the feeling doesn’t scare him. On the contrary, it makes him eager and relentless. He loved In wholeheartedly. He was convinced of how good a man In was even when In himself couldn’t see it.

In and Wang’s love is the kind of love that lasts for more than a lifetime. It is the forever type — the real one. Their love was so devastatingly beautiful, so painfully genuine. Pure and yet so raw. It would have never worked out but it was worth a try — the most desperate of tries. It would have never worked out because In has drowned himself with guilt. Because Wang speaks his mind whereas In shields himself with silence. In doesn’t feel worthy of such a genuine and warm love. He would have done anything to protect Wang from harm although he realised in the end that he was the one hurting him most and that’s why he decided to let him go.

In’s resignation allowed Mol to have everything she wanted, as always. Although she did get her way in the end, Wang is the only one who’s triumphant. He realised that his mother never had his best interests at heart and that knowledge changed him. Knowing that, he has finally the means to break free from her grip and he has. Him not responding to her constant chatting in the car, holding on to the book that the one he loves has gifted him, aware that this book is nothing but proof that In’s love is persevering… Him looking at the window is him looking for a way to exist and be his own person.
Mol will forever live blinded by her strong convictions while In will live with an ever growing pain in his heart. A hole in his chest that the loneliness he has forced on himself will forever expand. As for Wang, he will fly on because he now knows things he didn’t before.

Before moving on to In’s character, I’d like to comment on a few key moments which happened around the last episodes. When Wang realises his love for In, he feels elated because he has finally found something to look forward to — studying philosophy and living with the one person that fills the void in his heart. However, no one is happy for him, no one thinks his happiness is the right happiness for him. No one thinks he has made the right decision. The world makes him doubt himself over and over again although he is in his most vulnerable state. Mol and In make him feel as if he has made a terrible mistake and that he should feel sorry. “I’m just in love” — the sentence he speaks to his mom — is the climax of his helplessness as he nearly drowns in sorrow. Nevertheless, he is faithful to his role; he has always been the most mature one out of the three. So he keeps his pain silent, a silence so deafening that the rain has to muffle it. (cf. episode 8 when he drives alone at night and chooses to come back)

After driving alone, I thought Wang wouldn’t greet Mol nor In but instead, he let his head rest in the hollow of In’s shoulder. He leans on him and in doing so, he shares the heaviness crushing his heart and asks him, ever so silently, to warm his heart with his sun-like presence.
In’s warmth comes from the intensity of his stifled feelings and Wang can see that even though In refuses to.

Wang knows he will never see In again. He says so explicitly at the end of the series but he is aware of that way before it. When his mother tells him to make sure he doesn’t forget anything while packing and he responds “I won’t. How could I?”, it brings to the fore his clear-headedness which heavily contrasts with his mom’s blindness. He knows it’s not goodbye but farewell.

“To you who call themselves wise, don’t let your cowardice get the better of you. Pick a side or throw away what you believe in.”
There is a veil of guilt and regrets in Inthawut’s eyes that is only lifted in the presence of Wang and it is truly heartbreaking to think that, with Wang’s departure, In will forever be stuck in a blurry vision of what his life could have been.

“Our minds form a cage. And in the end we reject freedom without knowing the taste of it.” How painfully accurate those words are when you think about how In has kept on punishing himself for having fled Siam’s feelings.

In feels as though he has disappointed the world thus making him unworthy of any love nor happiness. He feels guilty about what happened to Siam and Mol and so he accepts whatever stabs she made at him with her harsh words. He offered his apologies relentlessly although he knew he couldn’t have changed the way things went.
Mol wants In to help her force her views on his son but In would never let that happen. Why, you may wonder? Because Wang is the beacon of light he has aimlessly searched for all his life. The house he has built for himself is reminiscent of his inner self — a house so dark that it can only house shadows or broken reflections visible on the glass wall. In needs light but Wang's was so bright that it scared him, once again.

You’ve probably noticed by now that this review is a means for me to talk about how well-thought-out this series was, so let me stray from the point for a short while to talk about the settings. Obviously, In is an avid reader and so the books displayed in his room say a lot about his personality. Everything in In’s room is quite relevant in regards of his character and I loved that. I loved how detailed the directing of that series was.
There is a shot at one point when we see him holding a book called “Naked Philosophy” and its blurb is as follows: “Naked is not about being physically naked. It's about stripping to let someone see the inner you.” In is learning to do just that with Wang and that’s what I call genuine love. Wang acts as a gentle reminder that vulnerability is never a weakness but a necessary state that one should experience in order to truly be.

In has distanced himself from the world to protect himself: that's what the wooden screen in his room embodies. That is why it is highly symbolic whenever Wang goes around it. Wang who helped him built the bridge that connects him to the other side of the stream. Wang who is making him lay down his armour. Wang who has entered his heart. The one person that can see through him. The one person that /gets/ him. But In chose to stay hidden behind the wooden screen, inside his designer house, his eyes having lost the ability to adapt from complete darkness to bright sunlight (i.e Wang).

To end this review, I’d like to comment on one of the last shots of the series.
When Mol and Wang drive back to Bangkok, there is an aerial view of the road on which they’re driving and the element which caught my eye was the sight of a dead tree (timelapse is 50:35min). Its paleness contrasts with the luscious forest they’re crossing and I can’t help but feel this acts as a reminder that Wang has lost a part of himself along the way. Something died in him when In made him realise that people’s hearts cannot always be changed. That terrible truth is something Wang will have to live with all his life. Aware, alone and in pain.

Read More