Shine (Orchestric Ver.)

One of the best series in 2025

It's been a long time since I bowled my eyes out since history make our dayes count. Episodes 7 and 8 were a real roller coaster, Victor. My annoying poor baby and the sweet Veera, they didn't deserve to die like that. No one is. I was tense from the beginning of this episode, like I knew someone was going to die. Karan or Victor or the colonel. I just knew it. And it was going to break my heart anyway. The parents, the friends, Trin, Karan, and Tanwa. All of them had different type of greaving, and all of them were so great at it.
Okay, now to the real review.
First, I am hundred percent sure there weren't any plastic bags back in 1969 used in daily life, and of course, there was no cctv with audio, even in 5 stars hotels. They got so many historical errors like the customs, the makeup, and the decorations. I'm not really sure, but I have watched Bruce Lee movies, and they weren't this trendy and cheque,
Second, all the actors were great and, of course, handsome. The ladies were all pretty. The characters were something else, Trin is my new comfort character, mature and sensitive. Tanwa was fun and mad. He really gave action to the scenes. Victor was annoying, and when he removed his pants, I literally face palmed. Karan was really cute in his momentary denial, then he gave us the usual epic second couple story. The colonel. Oh my god, I didn't take my fill of his face. Amazing.
Third, I really can't decide If I should hate the wife or not. My stupid heart tells me she should have let him go, and my logical brain tells me she was right, I can feel her. Her husband cheated on her without even giving a second thought. She didn't deserve this treatment from a man who choosed to marry her, if he had no love for her, there is always respect and fidelity, it would have been fair if she cheated with Veera, but the writers already decided the sad ending of the couples.
The fiance were a strong bitch, the shoe slap was so amazing and satisfying, I would have done exactly that. She didn't have any idea about Karan's sexuallty unlike the wife.
Forth, I love Moira and how she affected every live around her.
Fifth, 8 episode weren't enough, I downloaded the last episode just to finish all the angst in one night and discovered it is the finale one.
Sixth, all relationships were complicated and finely excuted without bore.
Seventh, thank god that evil general were killed. The wife slayed at the last episode. And for those friends of Veera, they were a bunch of cowerds.
Eighth, the sex scenes were mmmmm, they cold be less revealing, anyway, hot and steamy, but better than kinnporsche, in the sensuality and the camera angles.
Ninth, the playlist was so good, and the music were a necessity to give us this high product.
Tenth, the amount of cigarette that was burned in all episode can last a dozen for a lifetime.
10/10 , waiting for the second couple series. And it 8:25 am and I can't sleep form them.

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A masterpiece I won't forget

I'm writing this review right after finishing the series. I'm moving slowly, as if sudden movements will somehow shatter the floodgates. This is the second time in my life where I have felt changed by a piece of media. The way romance, kinship, politics, self-discovery and emotion are all weaved into a mere 8 hours of runtime feels somehow magical. Although I'm not sure how to feel about a certain plot point towards the end, my doubts melt away in the face of the larger story. Being able to create anticipation and suspense without having to use cheap plot twists or forcing action upon characters is really, really difficult, and I feel this drama is a great example of how we can write characters consistently, without sacrificing that fear of what might happen next. Every event felt necessary. That's why I feel satisfied with the ending, despite the grief.

I am so impressed by the production and story that BoC have created that I hesitate to recommend it. If you're intrigued by the premise of the series, just watch it. Just make sure to clear your calendar, because it's a uniquely intense ride. I need to sit down and think about my life for a while.

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This raises the bar once again for all bl!

A growing chorus of praise; so I am just adding my voice. Every time Mile/Apo take on a project it is a cause for celebration. They and the team they work with are amazing. The production values are off the charts, their chemistry (and that of all the actors in this series) are a lesson in acting. Sumptuous on every level and some of the most erotic sex scenes that titillate but don't pander. Such a difficult balance to find. I love how Mile and Apo went against fan typing and expanded their range. As to the story? Being an American I was so ignorant about that time in Thai history. In some ways I was reminded of THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY. Read the other reviews, they say it better and in more detail. I am just floating on a cloud right now.

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BOC never DISSAPOINTS

I have always felt that BOC knew what they wanted with their story and they serve it! Even with their very first series, KinnPorshe, even with it being the “average bl trope” if you read thai bl novels or fan fictions, they stand alone because of the decent acting and lack of that maturity of their level.

So yes, when I got to know they were having another series for MileApo, I was in for it. Shine wasn’t the topical bl, it was much more than bl, explore the elements you won’t normally find in other series and they slayed it!

Acting, visuals, the depth of the characters, were great. I like the fact that they dared to make the main characters with flaws and not your topical good all the way just because they are the mains. They were pretty realistic in exploring the marriage/relationships between gay men and women, I liked those parts. You really got to see the bitterness, from both sides.

It is worthy of being rewatched again of course, but for me, one round was enough because this isn’t the typical story you could sit around and enjoy leisurely.

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A True Masterpiece

i am not great at writing detailed reviews so i am going to keep it short and simple.

i 10/10 recommend this series. it is a 10/10 all around. the story, the characters, the acting, the music (THE MUSIC!!!), the cinematography, just EVERYTHING.

keep in mind, it is an adult series that takes critical thinking so if you’re not capable of really understanding characters, don’t even bother watching. but if you like realistic love stories, please watch. not everything is sunshine and rainbows in life or love and this show truly depicts that.

Apo and Mile did an amazing job once again! if you’re a ApoMile fan, watch it. who knows if we’ll get another series from them.

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This show means sm

Shine portrayed many issues throughout history that are not talked about enough to this day even though many people have gotten justice for it. The students fighting for their rights is actually a real story representing students that actually fought with their whole life for freedom speech and freedom in general, and died while doing it just as they showed with Victor. He fought with his whole heart and soul even though he had a bright future in front of him, and gave his life for future generations. That is beautifully portrayed in this show.

Than, there's Trin and Tanwa. Showed us the view of a gay person who had trouble, at first, accepting that he liked the other male lead because he was male. They fell in love despite the issues they had with homosexuality and Trin's life changed. "Sometimes, the audacity to risk brings us the most unexpected happiness."
THE. PERFECT. ENDING.

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A series well worth watching again without hesitation.

This series is truly on a whole different level compared to most of the shows I've watched. Let's start with the historical period it portrays. As a European, I wasn't very familiar with Thailand's history, and this series taught me a lot. The costumes and the music were my absolute favorite aspects. I love this era, and the show really makes you feel transported back to the 1970s.

Even though it's been several months since I watched this series for the first time, the soundtrack remains one of my all-time favorites. I can't even count how many times I've listened to Hold Your Hands :-)

And of course, the actors are outstanding. Mile and Apo are truly extraordinary—two mature actors who perform with such naturalness and talent. The SonEuro couple was also a real revelation. Even without a happy ending for them, they undoubtedly left a lasting impression thanks to their incredible performances.

A series well worth watching again without hesitation.

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An absolute work of art

For a show to have me in a chokehold as a story. For it to have me researching not only history but also Jean-Paul Sartre and his works on existentialism and his attempt to connect existentialism with Marxism, which led me down a path of philosophies and ideologies and perspectives, just to have me then go back to continue on with the show through a new lens with new knowledge was just so absolutely impressive. To explore freedom and freedom of choice under different circumstances. And, I know. This is not the experience of all viewers. But, I can’t stress how this show highlighted the importance of communication and debating and understanding other people. How it showed perspectives from different members of both the working class and the ruling class. How it exemplified criticism of perspectives on both what is a better society to each character/class/age group and how to we get there. How it expressed ideas like the oppression of the oppressor. How it explored media as being manipulated by the ruling class and political agendas (media as a superstructure highkey). How it explored queerness within a historical context. How it expresses the pain of loving someone but struggling with doing what is right for yourself and/or others. How it explored an attraction to freedom and desire outside of what you thought you knew thus far in life. Internal conflicts. External conflicts. The insanity of dealing with both of these at once. It shed light on the greater society as well as individual experiences and showed how those two things are intertwined. Maybe it’s the sociologist within me speaking, or more aptly, yelling. But this was a god damn work of art.

The romance between Trin and Tanwa is not necessarily integral to the main plot. However, it is an extremely important piece in understanding Trin and his internal struggles and desires. It’s more symbolic than anything in my interpretation. Tanwa is not a huge piece of this, but his perspective is also both important historically as well as symbolically. He represents a group in society, as well as an ideal of freedom, in a way that reminds me, somehow, of a manic pixie dreamgirl. So seemingly unencumbered. So free. Embodying the idea of “damn, I wish I could live like that”, “I wish I could have that”. When in reality, there is depth, there are mental struggles, and there is a level of mental illness and/or anguish. There is a certain level of idolization and romanticization of what Tanwa symbolizes. Tanwa is both underestimated and overestimated. His character is not seen as just a person; it’s seen as an idea. To be judged in a way that is separate from others. I think many people have the same view of his archetype in history, and this story sheds a bit more light on it.

Acting:

Yeah, so… that was fantastic. I think everyone did a fantastic job in their roles all around. Just such solid performances from this cast. Them as individuals, them as representations of cultural subgroups, them as representations of members of different classes and their struggles. So good.

Writing:

Phenomenal for the VAST majority of this story. I already kind of went over the points I loved earlier, but I can’t stress enough how beautifully this was written. The only faults I have is the last like 5 minutes of this relatively long series and the fact that I was just left to accept that Naran and Krailert would never be. I hate that for them and I hate that for me… That being said, it is far more realistic than a grand reunion and happy ending for them, unfortunately. Just, wow. The historical and political plot here had me going insane. The symbolism in the (ig) main couple and literally EVERYTHING about the storyline of the “second” couple. Insanity. So good. BRAVO.

Chemistry/Romance/Kissing:

Was there a grand, electric chemistry between Trin and Tanwa? No, not really. Do I think there was supposed to be? No, not really. Their story was much more focused on their individual journeys than it was on their romance. But Naran and Krailert… AHHHHHHHHH WOWOWOWOWOW I can’t. The chemistry was INSANE, the romance was INSANE, I was INSANE. The romance aspect of this plot works, for sure. The kissing was obviously not a big part of this because, like, 1969-1971, ya know. But the kisses that were in this were great.

NC Scenes:

OOOOH boy umm… I said it in my notes, and I’ll say it again. THIS SHIT RATED PORN. I can’t with Naran and Krailert. I simply cannot. That was insane. Ya’ll really went for it. The scenes were written and executed to be full of passion and intimacy and it was soooo well done. Bravoooo. Trin and Tanwa’s was good, nothing wild, but their story didn’t really call for wild passion like Naran and Krailert.

Music/SFX:

Music was absolutely lovely all around. Nothing threw me off, just solid shit. SFX weren’t even noticeable, so good job there.

I cannot express how much I enjoyed this. This was a phenomenal series. Argue with the god damn wall if you disagree with me. I don’t care. I’m struggling with where to place this on my tier list, which is different from my rating system here. On the one hand, there are 3 or so series that hold a super special place in my heart and rating. On the other hand, this was such a damn masterpiece of a series, I’m all out of whack. BRAVOOOO


Now, for some highlights from my notes:

- OKAY INTRO
- My beautiful mennn are so beautiful eeeee
- Hold up, gotta go read up on the 1969 Thailand election and subsequent civil unrest/protests
- I find it interesting that the two genres listed are comedy and romance when shit is this serious so far
- A tragic Parisian romance
- The straight-laced dapper fellow at the hippie soiree
- Bro is out of his element
- Smoke that dank my guy, smoke ittt
- *Promiscuous boyyyy*
- The passion between these two hidden writers eeee
- Chopin’s Nocturnes MENTIONED my LOVE Shoutout to my boy CHAD LAWSON tho
- PLEASE listen to Chad Lawson’s variation on Nocturne in F minor Op 55 No 1, arranged for piano, violin, and cello
- *Release your inhibitions, feel the rain on your skin*
- I’m LIVING for this back and forth through quotes at the library
- This shit.. This shit rated PORN LMAO Jaw on the FLOOR, brother
- *Then came the dawn, and you were gone. You were gone, gone, gone. I had too much to dream last night. Too much to dream. I'm not ready to face the light. I had too much to dream last night*
- *Get faded when I wake up. 'Cause everything is too much*
- Forbidden love everywhere
- *Wrapped up in my white silk sheets. Sleeping with the enemy. Keep on the lights, don't close your eyes*
- “Or are we just falling in love with the idea of being loved?” It’s giving sad ending and I’m not ready for it
- A vers couple?????? Love to see it
- Tanwa is a professional dissociater, and as one myself, I can confirm it is hard to be around
- “Gulping like this only makes the whiskey lose its taste.” Okay, girl
- Put your clothes back on, lil guy
- The piano vs typewriter scene is insane. The dichotomy of expression and choice between the working and ruling class, all wrapped up in a tense forbidden gay romance oof I’m eating it tf up
- Oh shit, not the boy, Jesus christ
- This can’t have a happy ending for everyone, no shot
- Only ONE episode left????
- Tanwa tried to warn him?? Honestly shocked my boy went out of his way
- Oh, Krailert… My oppressed oppressor
- LET’S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOO KRAILERT
- “The voice that no one has heard, if the voice that does not exist” AHHHHHH
- CHOSEN?? What he has CHOSEN??? What a WORD to use
- OOH DEAR LORD not this I mean yeah sure it makes sense but NO
- IS SHE PREGNANT??? I’m gonna KMS
- Why does she look CONTENT rn???
- The dulling of colors???
- Bro is in Paris chillin, serving looks, giving aura
- “I finally understand that choosing, in itself, is what truly matters, regardless of the outcome. It’s still better than not choosing at all”
- Jesus, Mama Tanwa, the tortured poet
- ONLY 20 MINUTES LEFT
- Trin so dramatic, reading that letter by the Seine
- Victor’s last wish :(
- 7 minutes…
- PICK UP THE FUCKING PHONE YOU FUCKING HIPPIES
- WHERE are my Krailert and NARAN
- Tanwa in PArissssss
- Lackluster reunion, can’t deny it, can’t pretend
- I cannot express the heartbreak I feel for Naran and Krailert in words rn

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They don't care about us...

From the way the story is told, the ost is played, the cinematography is taken, the actors are acting, it tells you, "you're in for a ride".

Shine has been the best series from this year I've watched this year. It shows you how real, cruel and crude life in that time was and how also it could ressemble whats happening on the world today (since history is ciclycal) we might have come to watch a BL and gained so much more in the process.

I honestly have no words to describe every feeling I got watching every episode and listening to every song in the ost. It was really such a piece of art, and I'm glad I've watched it.

The characters are well written and were potrayed the most perfect way ever.

Also thanks Peter, for giving life to Victor, a character I could see myself and see my friends (who are not here anymore) in, it's was really refreshing to see something I've experienced on a show and being as real and crude as it is.

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A correct historical BL serie

Although the cast is obviously good, chemistry is there, and they tried to thicken the plot with an original historical background and good music, it felt like all the ingredients were there but not mixed well together. The magic just wasn't there for me!

Story (coherence, originality): 1/1 point
Character Writing (depth, development, credibility): 0,25/1 point → main issue
Acting Performance (overall quality): 0,5/1 point →too uneven
Chemistry: 1/1
Cinematography (visual quality and creativity, VFX): 0.5/1 point → beautiful shots but some major cutting issues
Atmosphere (immersion, consistency of the setting, costumes): 0,75/1 point
Pacing: 0,75/1 point
Sound Production (because it's too underrated): 0/1 point → one of the main issues
Soundtrack (good music and you have my heart): 0,75/1 point → good music
Overall Impact/Personal Enjoyment: 0,25/1 point → I really wished I loved it more but I was not convinced by the story...
Total: 5,75/10

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