Love Mechanics (2022)

The actors carried the show

This remake is faaaaaar superior to the original En of Love: Love Mechanics that came out in 2020, which was a follow up to Tossara. The original had restraints with limited episodes and resources. So, this remake had an advantage. Of course there are many differences, but the general plot thred remained relatively the same for both versions. I’m pointing this out because quite frankly the plot sucks and annoyed me so much that it was excruciating to watch the original version. So, I had bias coming into this. Yet with the remake, the main leads and their chemistry had me hooked. I was still annoyed by the plot and the unnecessary wedges created between the 2 leads amongst other issues. For example the issue with consent is still here and it didn’t make sense how Ploy is getting the brunt of the shame when Vee also cheated on her. But besides all that, the lead actors made the show watchable for me to the point where I actually enjoyed it which is saying a lot since the original version was so bad. I was truely astounded by their performance and at times it left me in awe. Both actors deserve to be casted in another project with a better script. It makes me sad that their talents aren’t being fully maximized because of how bad the plot is. It still boggles my mind that I enjoyed this drama. It really exemplifies how crucial casting is because both these actors made something out of nothing and I hope they get recognition.

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Worth It

After the og mini-series where Vee was an irredeemable piece of garbage I was very worried going into this. I wasn't sure how they would tell that same story and end with me not hating him.
But they did! Don't get me wrong, I did absolutely hate him at times. He had a LOT to improve, but they had his growth be well earned and well established. Mark obviously had his issues, but overall is such a lovely boy who I would die for. Seriously, he's so cute. And I really couldn't stop smiling at the end.
I can't give the most adequate review since I took a 3 month break between episodes 9 and 10 (for no reason) but as I just finished it, I can say that the ending is stellar. It makes all the angst feel worth it, and the characters all come around to being very lovable and beautiful. I especially loved the story with the parents.
There were a lot of frustrating moments in this show, but War and Yin did a fantastic job where I couldn't help but love them. It was well worth the wait, because I had high hopes for the mini-series and wished it could have been better because of the potential the two had to make a great couple. This series is that potential fully realized.

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I don't usually write reviews, but...

I have to give an applause to the actors. Although the story is something we've probably all seen before many times and it gets frustrating here and there, the actors make it so entertaining to watch that I'll gladly go through all the pain again. Especially the main couple impressed me. Whatever emotions the characters were going through, I was going through it with them. Both of the actors did a great job and the series wouldn't be as strong as it is without them.

I also really enjoyed all the side characters and how (honestly kinda strangely and unrealistically) nice everyone turned out to be, and that there wasn't too much "sauce" around. Sometimes there's too much focus on the supporting storylines that it takes away from the main one but here it was a perfect amount for me.

Also, War could narrate a book and I'd listen to it every night before sleep. I found his voice so soothing that I was kicking my blanket whenever he had a longer dialogue.

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Once again, YinWar made me cry successfully:(

Although this time the tears that I experienced were different (from The Best Story), but still they both made me fall in love with Love Mechanics (one more time).

The extension of the mini series En of Love is not only an extension of the duration from 4 episodes to 10 episodes, but they also improved the quality of (almost) all aspects. The most obvious thing is the acting quality of those two actors, which now looks more mature and professional compared to their previous series.

A love story that we already know (for those who follow the mini series), but packaged more interestingly with an extension of the conflict that is also made not excessively (aka just right). At first, I kept thinking about what conflicts would be present on this series to achieve 10 episodes, because through only 4 episodes this series has become one of my favorite series in 2020.

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Hands down, it's one of the best Thai BL series of 2022.

Wow, I have to say this is one of the best Thai BLs I've seen, and that's just down to the acting. In all, of all the Thai BL series I have seen, the only two series that have such good acting are "Not Me" and "I told the sunset about you".

Here, there are two aspects of acting that I would like to highlight.

The first is the couple. I think the way it was shot definitely played on the outcome, it was far from the cheesy shots and sometimes uncomfortable where the actors just stare at each other to make it last - which is incredibly embarrassing to witness. Honestly, I learned to ignore that in the Thai series because it's present in all of them, but here, thank god we were free of that. This makes the moments when they look into each other's eyes seem natural and not excessively long.
Speaking of the couple, it looks like they were comfortable with each other. This is the first time I've seen these actors, but from what I've gathered they've known each other and worked together for several years. This is their first series as both main leads, and it shows how well they know each other. They have perhaps the most natural chemistry and interactions I've ever witnessed between two men who play off each other's attraction.
Maybe it's also a personal feeling, but their chemistry and how comfortable they are really surprised me, from just talking, arguing or when they show their physical attraction.

Second is their individual acting. I don't know where this kid is from but War is one of the best Thai actors I've seen. And I'm not saying this lightly as I never considered the acting of Thai BL series actors to be ground-breaking, but War just threw me off. This kid is talented, I hope no matter if he wants to stay in the BL industry or not, he gets into other projects, especially complex scripts that would highlight his talent.
I mean, his eyes say so much, his micro expressions and then also his character who could have been shallow like the majority of young men who play in these series where they are blindly in love with another, but with little he could showed how much he could add to the character. He didn't just play a character, he embodied it, which is rare, and he showed he has potential.

I hope that if they still have acting projects together, War and Yin, they won't choose another series that gives us the same thing and the same kind of role as many duos do in their other BL projects.

To mention Yin, yes he doesn't shine enough to be at War's level, but his acting is more than decent. I don't expect him to ever pull off the same kind of complexity as War but it definitely has potential to grow, which is quite a lot compared to many of its peers. Honestly, I'm waiting to see more about it.

So in the end, the script itself is nothing special, it's deja vu, it's just two guys trying to navigate their new found love. Lots of unnecessary scenes and plotlines, really many stupid choices made by the characters, but it's filled with a mix of human emotions from tender moments, love, joy, complicity, misunderstanding, fear, sadness and jealousy. It's the typical mix of these series but it's really the acting that did everything here.

As for the second couple, for me they had nothing special and nothing new to bring that I haven't already seen a hundred times in other BL series but their acting is good for the role they had.

So, I highly recommend this series.

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Interesting series, but fells short.

It's a good series with an interesting storyline. I enjoyed the actors and the chemistry they share but fells short on storyline and development. It's very toxic at times and not a big fan of the lead couple. There is stalking, cheating and lies with the lead couple. To much to want to handle. I wish they did a better job with story and couple. It's a messed up start with the sleeping with someone and the person is to drunk to know they are sleeping with the guy he likes friend and the friend knows it and does not say anything about them continue to stalk him and then sleep with him and still have a cheating girlfriend too. Way to much toxic relationship.

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Of the 13 Thai BLs I have completed, YinWar had the best chemistry

I want to say I loved and hated this series. I loved the leads' chemistry, the dynamic friend group made up of seniors and juniors' engineers, the unpredictability, the comedy, and the randomness. But what I hate most are the two jarring offenses right from the jump.

Immediately, one of our leads, Vee, cheats on his girlfriend by having s*x with a junior, Mark, who's so drunk out of his mind that he mistakes Vee for Vee's friend. So right away Vee not only cheated but took advantage of another student, for what reason? None... Or I suppose he just wanted s*x that night and it didn't matter if it was with his gf or anyone who'll drunkenly 'beg' him for it. What I haven't seen many mention is how Vee never once, throughout all 10 episodes, admitted or acknowledged that he, too, cheated on his girlfriend on 3-5 different occasions! Yes, he didn't give her crap when she cheated but he never said it out loud to anyone or even himself. So we can't gauge if he considered himself a cheater or not. Although the show tried to justify cheating with cheating, what they did do a good job of is making you forget Vee cheated on his girl. Then they included a whole segment where Mark tortured Vee to the point where you feel bad and sorry for Vee (it was the only time in the series where I cried lol).

The show also did a good job telling us idiot Vee was going to put Mark through hell per random fortune teller at the market. And every time Vee did something dumb, I always, while rolling my eyes, tied it to the fortune teller lol.

What the show didn't do a good job of is the series title. I found myself asking 'What on earth is YinWar's drama called again?' so many times. The engineering/mechanic part is like 15% of the series give or take. The characters said 'engineer(ing)' more than we actually got to see them doing engineering-related stuff.

If you can get over the cheating, nonconsensual sex, and cringe-acting at random moments then trust me, you're in for a really good time. War/Mark's puppy face guarantees it.

Usually, friend groups are a hit or miss in these BLs (esp large groups) and although I can only remember Bar, Kan, Yiwaa, Nuea, and Fuse's names, I enjoyed all of their moments. I was weak with the comedy timing from both parties: seniors and juniors. I liked that the seniors were protective, responsible (taking drunk friends home after a crazy night, addressing and pushing Vee to face his demon), had lives outside of uni, and took on leadership roles. Although the comedy duo in Vee's group doesn't make convincing engineering students their singing, dancing, and chemistry made them a great addition. I have to say Nuea pursuing Mark, and Yiwaa trying to couple them up was a bit aggravating but I get it. I'd want Mark for myself too or at least make sure he's loved and well taken care of. I do question how Nuea got out of Mark's room that night though. He just sort of faded and was replaced by Kan and no one ever mentioned it again lol
As for Mark's friends, I liked that they all had their quirks. Such as watching anime, eating everyone's leftovers (I was getting tired of seeing food go to waste in Thai BLs lol), loves napping, like checking out girls, and Fuse who actually tried to keep everyone focus and on track with their schoolwork.

Like every show, this one has its ups and downs but the cast's chemistry really drove this series for me and evidently, I forgave everything it ever did wrong. I'm even hoping time passes by faster so I can go back and rewatch this and relive all of its chaos and glory!

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Engineering Students Differently!

Sometimes, in fact most times we underestimate the effects of poverty on self esteem. When you are raised in an environment where the general populace is the same, you will hardly find any self esteem issues. The trouble starts with awareness that there is lack in the self. This is what Vee is battling with. These are consequences of falling in love with a rich kid and not having the skills to handle it. Also, having to watch those equal to Mark vie for his affections.

Mark comes across as more mature because he's had the luxury to move beyond worrying about his belly to bigger things.

To compare them is unfair. We've watched Vee make an attempt at showing Mark that he is able to love him even from his place of lack, but do badly due to lack of experience. It hasnt helped him that he is also poor at communicating. Oy!

In the end, what do you have besides your humanity. Vee is in luck with fatal looks, a crashing sense of humour and a persistent spirit. Something tells me he’s also gifted in the pleasure department which would explain why Mark lost his peripheral vision after one night. Their chemistry will have you reaching for your battery operated device because WTH!

Needless to say I loved the series and would strongly recommend a watch.

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Mark <3

OST was great with awesome lyrics. The drama set and complete production with actors were all good (looking wise also acting-wise). The main characters VEE and MARK acting was superb. I loved MARK acting a lot.
The story to me seems a little toxic. VEE character till the end doesn't realize how wrong he was and keeps hanging MARK giving him signals while not making things clear with Plong.

This story was reality-based. MARK character in real life has to endure and be more forgiven. If he is not he will face society criticism for being narrow-minded. VEE character in real life can be easily forgiven because of his stupidity and indecisiveness.

I like they showed the positive culture of an engineering department, all the orientation events, and the gear ceremony. In most cases, Drama shows seniors as "a bully" and "Bossy". This drama showed that college culture is in a positive light with most of the brotherhood.

The scriptwriter did an amazing job.
The director, producers, camera, lighting, and sound technical work was done beautifully.

All characters left an amazing impression even the side characters.

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