Not so shiny after all
I’m not sure what to say about this series. It’s just not my cup of tea. Set in the 60s and 70s, it delves into themes of politics, corruption, and, of course, the man landing on the moon.The chemistry between Thanwa and Trin is subtle, but perhaps it will build up as the series progresses. I do like that this is a more mature setting compared to the usual university settings we usually see. The cinematography leans toward dark, moody vibes, which fit the tone, and the acting is excellent. Everyone seems to be giving their best, and the professionalism shines through. However, despite all of that, I found myself feeling a bit bored. There's not much to keep me wanting more. It feels lackluster.
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Surprised and Enjoying it
After being very disappointed that this did not become the Man suang many of us hoped for, i was still pleasantly surprised to be really enjoying this.The political parts can be a bit confusing and i was lost in some places. I t does get quite dark with some character deaths and traumatic scenes which feel quite raw emotionally. The cinematography is great as expected from BOC. I do love this style of mature drama although it can get quite heavy.
The second couple exchanging notes in the library was really sweet and such a lovely, natural way to show longing and affection. The main couple have a really nice dynamic. Trin seems to be struggling with mental health (Depression) from his past and Tanwa is facing family issues and being a rebel/hippie. The scenes where Tanwa (played by mile) Is trying to get closer to Trin (Played by Apo) and make him smile and relax make a very lovely watch. They are two characters living opposite lives and meeting in the middle. I would love to see them overcome each others inner demons together and grow as they become closer.
I was disappointed in BOCs other works after Kinnporsche such as "dead friend forever" as the vibes, style and direction were just not doing it for me, this however is more what the kinnporshe fans were after when they wanted to see MileApo again as a pair. It is mature, has realism, grit and mental health issues along with politics, discrimination against LGBTQ+ and various hardships of the 70s.
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A very grown up bl
First, I LOVE that this is a more mature storyline. Can we get more of these? The college kid stories are cute and sweet and fun, I’m not hating on them. But this one has real substance and I wish there were more like it. I’ll admit I had to rewatch the first couple of episodes because there is a lot going on. Along with complex relationships, the show delves into history, politics and cultural issues. One of my favorite aspects of this series is that it makes sense. You don’t have to suspend logic to follow the story, as is common with this genre. Many of the scenes are quite intense, both the drama and the romance. The conflicts between the couples (or would be couples) are realistic and leave you hurting for both characters.I appreciate how they pulled people from multiple sides of the cultural and political divides and paired them up to really highlight what was happening at the time.
If you’re just looking for a lot of eye candy and romance… well, you will get plenty of that. But it comes with a deep storyline and a fair amount of heartbreak. I’m completely hooked and a little nervous for the ending.
The chemistry between these couples is off the charts. The music is also a highlight, and does its own part to tell the stories. The acting is so good- they just sweep you along on this rollercoaster. The story is not predictable, overdone or illogical.
The only part I don’t like is that hippy hair. But, even that does fit the times.
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The seduction of retro, politics, forbidden lust, and a powerful love...a must watch!!
This is a show of the proverbial 'second couple' ...they plain steal the show, and no, not by accident...it is meant to be that way....Apo and Mile are great too, but they, and all the other players in this drama, pale to Son and Euro, particularly Son, I would say.....they made it beyond stunning..a must watchBL-needle Score: 8. Reasonably high BL-ness
They had me seduced right from the start with those retro yellow tones, the flower-power vibes, the 70s guitar-sax-jazz tunes......and the quietly unfolding political map for a script, seeping with layers of deception, infidelity, decadence, and sauve.... Apo-Mile's comeback show seemed all set to bang, and how!!!! And then, it actually turned out to better!!!
I loved that retro-styled credits at the beginning! I was off course looking forward to Apo-Mile's next, but did not really expect it to be this good! This was a slow burn story with strong love-hate equations, deep-simmering lust and a powerful love playing havoc, in the backdrop of political turmoil of a nation that is in the throes of change.
Should you watch it? YES and YES
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10/10 no notes are you kidding me
This is........ certainly a show. 11/10. Enjoyable as fuck. Hope it keeps up like this so I can continue receiving psychic damage from it (/pos). The acting is amazing, the ships are very promising. Very into the historical context; good to know nothing has changed globally in 50+ years lol. Banger comeback for mileapoWas this review helpful to you?
The wonderful script, songs, acting,pages redolent of literature, and the harmonious dance of love
I just finished episode 7, writing this with my eyes swollen from crying and a snot-soaked tissue in hand. The wonderful script, songs, acting, soundtrack, pages redolent of literature, and the harmonious dance of love and hippie culture. I cried with Trin; I felt helpless. It brought back memories of my university self, yearning to work with the desire to bring about change. I remembered the fear of loss. When he hugged Tanwa in episode 6, I cried with the desire to cry freely on the floor when he felt safe. Victor, my love, the part of me that longs to experience passion—pure and beautiful things—with you awakened. You were such a beautiful detail in this series; I loved it. Krailert and Naran, I've longed for your harmony to flirt with each other through words. While one of you risks death to speak out against injustice, the other submits with fear—a superb combination. Veera, my grape cake, your timid yet beautiful way of loving was beautiful. In short, I enjoyed watching it.Was this review helpful to you?
This is going to be the best series
I'm genuinely shocked to see the rating fall below 8. Honestly, I believe many of those who rated it low are either envious or simply don’t understand what to expect. Perhaps they lack the awareness or education to appreciate the depth. This show is truly meant for mature audiences—not just in terms of explicit scenes, but more importantly, the mental maturity required to grasp the political nuances and historical context of the 60s and 70s. The first episode was outstanding—acting, production, screenplay, and of course, MileApo—all deserve a solid 10 out of 10.Was this review helpful to you?
Another hit of MileApo
I’m honestly obsessed. What I love most is how it feels so much more than just a BL romance — it’s set in the late 1960s early 70s Thailand, so you get this amazing mix of retro vibes, political tension, and that kind of raw, emotional storytelling that really hits. Trin (Apo) and Thanwa’s (Mike) relationship is beautiful because they’re complete opposites — a serious economist and a free-spirited hippie — and watching them slowly change each other is just… how do I explain it kind of addictive.The cinematography is also just stunninh (every frame looks like a movie), and the soundtrack by Slot Machine , who came back again to MileApo after Kinnporsche, makes the whole thing even more powerful. Apo and Mile’s acting is on another level again— their chemistry pulls you right in and makes you wish tge show was longer
You should totally watch it, because it’s not just a love story, it’s also a show that makes you be emotional to the very end.
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Its not for the simple minded.
This drama is indeed of mature content from the social-political and geo-economic matters being addressed it will certainly have niché fans.Sexual orientation of the characters is more like secondary story to whats going on,we have a hippie who seems to swing both ways,a professor trying to figure out what's going on,a colonel in a forced marriage having an affair with a closetted journalist who also happens to be in a relationship.The relationship lines are really blurred and mixed.Personally i am watching it for the second couple because i am curious how they end up because the setting of this drama is the 1960's so same-sex unions in the country is still a taboo.The cinematography is well done and i am also enjoying the soundtracks in the series.The thing i am just unable to stand is Tanwa's hair, something about it doesn't just sit right with me.
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Time to Shine
What a wonderful work, the cinematography is undoubtedly very comfortable for my eyes to look at, every scene always has a beautiful shot, the storyline is completely beyond my expectations, the acting of the cast is balanced, no one is stiff, everything looks professional. It's really amazing. Overall, it really exceeded my expectations. Shine really brought a new feel to the Y series as I watched. Hopefully there will be more great surprises in the future...Was this review helpful to you?
Great series
The acting, cinematography, the storyline, the ost, and production is so good. Can’t wait for the next ep!! They really made the series looks so interesting, shout out to the actors too 🔥 its different and unique. The characters looks so good, amazed by their handsomeness and their acting skills, no doubt!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Edit
EditAfter watching the recent chapters I’ve gotta to admit this bl show does a lot of things incredibly well.
My favorite episodes being 6 and 7
Review of ep 1-5
Unpopular opinion: I don’t think Shine is the masterpiece people hype it up to be. To me, it felt like fan-service dressed up as a serious political/romance thriller.
Main couple (Trin & Tanwa — MileApo): They didn’t work for me. Tanwa comes off as childish, so it’s hard to take him seriously; I honestly don’t get why Trin is into him. Victor made far more sense to me.
Second couple (the colonel & the journalist): Naran, Krailert
They’re the reason I kept watching. The chemistry is insane; their scenes are 🔥🥵 and genuinely compelling. That said, even with them, the writing undercuts realism, like flirting in a bathroom during a high-profile event in a period hostile to homosexuality. It just made no sense. Instead of coming across as daring or romantic, it pulled me out of the story because it felt careless and unbelievable.
That’s my biggest problem with the show: it tries to blend politics, social commentary, and romance, but it never balances them well. The “serious” parts feel hollow, and the romantic parts lean too heavily on fanservice. The end result is a story that wants to be meaningful but doesn’t have the weight or realism to back it up.
Shine wants to be a layered political romance, but deep down it’s still just fanservice wrapped in fancy packaging. 😒
That being said, if you enjoyed the show, that’s great, I did enjoy certain parts too. This is just my personal take, so don’t come for my head 😂. Feel free to disagree, just keep it respectful.
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