This review may contain spoilers
It's good but also not at the same time but also not mid
The headline is confusing isn't?Yes that's how I felt watching this series from the beginning to the end. Bare me with me.
PearlPeak have an amazing chemistry, it's lethal. Their body ratio is BL coded. Their BL debut was so good it makes me think their project will be better or at least as good.
Let's start about the storyline, it's solid and unique. Infusing a little bit of omegaverse element without any unnecessary cringy moment. It has a good start, the story setting up is perfect, the lore is not confusing. However from mid episode I can feel it's being rushed especially Gaysorn and Scent relationship development. Scent's redemption arc feels...empty(?) It's like, "I'm sorry for this, I didn't mean to" and that's it all is forgiven. As for Gaysorn, for someone who have been in a traumatic life event, he's too...forgiving(?) But maybe that's his Mudan nature I guess, personally I'd want to see how he struggles to trust the outside world after that. I like they got a dark a little with Bussaba's experiment, it was a nice little touch.
Overall, everything is so rushed. There is no second storyline, it's too linear for a series, but then again 8 episodes is criminal for this kind of story or any bls.
Now let's talk about the characters, there are A LOT of potentially good storyline coming out of them, let me mention several things.
1. Gaysorn and Ray's frienship. Along the way we learned that Ray is actually a good guy, however I think that we can have their friendship arc even for one episode. I can see Ray's character growth from the one who pushed Gaysorn to the pool until he's the one who helped him. However, in the series, they didn't give them enough screen time for Gaysorn and Ray's relationship to convince us that Gaysorn trust Ray and Ray is actually wanted to protect Gaysorn knowing Gaysorn is just an innocent victim that being used by Scent (Ray's ex).
2. Mekin's characteristics, he always look too laid back (?) However we see along the way that he's actually dependent and have power just like Scent. At first I thought he could be Gaysorn's second love interest considerig how he helped him even without falling in love with Gaysorn. I was hoping Gaysorn emits his smells when Mekin's around and it will give Mekin a bigger motive why he'd want to protect Gaysorn. Remember that he literally took a pic of Gaysorn? Too bad we didn't get to go deep with that storyline.
3. Tawan and Sun. This is the biggest snub in he series due to the lack of episodes. Dare I say they have a good chemistry? Yes. Even without interaction we can see on screen they have the potential to be the third couple in this series. Also it's a way we get to see how Tawan's view changing about the outside world, by falling for someone from there.
They're a few of extra storyline I could think of all many things (I still have a lot in my mind lmao)
Finally, what bother me the most is...THE SPONSORS PLACEMENTS. If you watched the show, there are several episodes that the products is everywhere even got their own screen time, the most annoying one? When Scent was down and sad but we were forced to see how Sun made a cup noodle instead and that's totally set off the vibe haha, like are we serious???
So overall I still love the series, but maybe because I'm a bit bias since I love PearlPeak and LITM is such a masterpiece.
Lastly, PLEASE DON'T NORMALIZE BL UNDER 12 EPISODES. It should be more!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Interesting setting with strong chemistry.
The chemistry between Scent and Gaysorn is strong, and the storyline is very interesting, with people from the mountains who smell like flowers. Scent only goes to the mountains for selfish reasons, but genuinely falls for Gaysorn.Unfortunately, the side characters are mostly annoying apart from the best friend in the lab and Tawan (who I expected to meet and be together). Also, the story focuses a lot on where Gaysorn's mother is, specifically the last couple of episodes.
I found the series a mostly enjoyable experience, with some odd visual effects, but I found them entertaining enough (spore and butterflies). I wish the two had spent more time bonding in the mountains, at least a couple of episodes.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not bad, but not perfect either.
I think my only problem with this series is that it feels like the filming was rushed. Like every scene feels like it was shot in one take and the actors weren't really given a chance to properly embody their characters and portray the emotions fully. Otherwise I really did like it. The cinematography and the setting were gorgeous, the plot was interesting enough and very different from other bls, the wardrobe was very pretty (I especially loved the outfits made for the Mudan tribe), and I think the actors did a decent job. I liked PearlPeak better in Moonlight, but this series is still a good watch. A solid 8/10 for me.As an aside, I find it hilarious that all through Moonlight I kept thinking that Peak's character must have some sort of healing pheromone because anytime he was away all of the characters would be on death's door, but then would get magically better the moment he came back. And for this series his character actually does have special pheromones lmao, really manifested that one.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The ending is...-10k/10
The romantic ending is so... yikes. It leaves a rotten taste in my mouth. What do you mean, you get a happy ending? You are a corporate fuck who treats other people's lives as a staircase to achieve your "more money, more fame" fantasy. You destroyed someone's innocence and family with your cold planning and plotting. What could you possibly offer as compensation to mend the broken trust and the sheer cruelty he faced? Scent should have spent his whole life being miserable. Gaysorn should have moved on entirely without Scent, choosing peace with his tribe and his own life instead.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
The pair deserved better storyline
Flower Boy is a case of strong visual execution paired with weak narrative depth,despite the interesting concept, it suffers from inconsistent character writing, rushed emotional arcs, and underdeveloped storytelling, resulting in a drama that looks better than it feelsMudan people were giving me a cult instead of special people with special scent
My biggest issue with is Gaysorn himself. While the series clearly wants viewers to see him as an innocent, kind hearted, and sheltered character, his writing is so inconsistent that I often found him more frustrating than sympathetic.
At first, his naivety is understandable,he comes from a excluded area and has little experience with the modern world,however, as the story progresses, his innocence starts to feel less like a character trait and more like a plot device,Gaysorn repeatedly ignores obvious warning signs, trusts people far too easily, and makes decisions that stretch believability,Instead of rooting for him, I often found myself questioning how he could be so oblivious, also the whole saint father/uncle situation… i genuinely don’t get how the story expects me to just move on from them being the killers of gaysorn’s parents, and accept scent with gaysorn, which btw scent lost his importance by ep 4, idk why they made character such weak and unlikable.
Was this review helpful to you?
Quite disappointing
The story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, when it comes to execution, it falls short. Everything is too linear, with no subtlety whatsoever. The plot is painfully predictable, and the inconsistencies keep piling up. It feels like a series that was rushed into production to quickly capitalize on the wonderful pairing from Love in the Moonlight.It’s not unpleasant to watch, but it’s far from captivating. A shame, really. The Lakorn effect (which still makes me laugh) isn’t enough to save it.
And the special effects, where did the budget go?! Those butterflies are awful!
Was this review helpful to you?
It was just okay
I feel that this BL was missing something and I mean a whole lot of something. Both of the gentlemen that they picked are both nice looking and pretty good actors, however, I think their talents were squandered on this particular BL. There was a wasted opportunity to make this a really good BL. Some of the things jumped around a bit and really didn't make a whole lot of sense. The intimate scenes weren't as good as I expected them to be because to me, even though I think the main characters make a good pairing, it didn't look like they were very comfortable kissing each other. When a male actor decides to do a BL that requires kissing another guy, there has to be some level of comfortability in order to do it, successfully; and I feel feel two main actors were unsuccessful with their attempts to act intimately with each other. I feel that their chemistry in this particular BL, wasn't chemistring this go around. They were a lot better in "Love in the Moonlight" with their chemistry. I'm not going to say it was a good BL and I'm not going to say it was a bad BL. It was just okay. I just felt this BL had the opportunity to be so much more than what it was and that's disappointing. I won't completely write it off and say that I'll never watch it again, but it won't be anytime soon because I really did feel this BL was kind of a letdown considering who the main two characters were.Was this review helpful to you?
Brilliant first half, weird second one
I love the two leads they always know how to pick good dramas, this obe was so good i genuinely enjoyed it.However there were a few things that didn't sit quite well with me.
1-the weird entrance of Mekin and Ray and how they suddenly became two good Samaritans, helping Sorn for no reason.
2-the end, it's like they wanted to do something but opted out of it in the last second and chose to make it a fairy tale type of ending.
Be as it may, for me i guess it backfired a bit, because i for a second thought he is dead and that was a dream, you don't get to show the ML getting sick and fainting, say he want but can't meet Sorn, then show him well and kicking!!
The first two reasons don't deduce that conclusion.
3-i can't say that this is something bad, but just odd, the way the uncle disappears and appears according to need for the story lol
Aside from those things that was a solid show.
I guess I'll recommend it.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
That's why we need more episodes to fully develop the story.
The plot is unique and fun to watch at the beginning, but things start to go downhill in the last two episodes. I understand that the audience wants a happy ending, but the way they handled it just doesn't make sense. Scent's uncle and father literally killed Gaysorn's parents, yet we're supposed to believe Gaysorn forgives Scent just like that? It also feels strange that Scent's father is suddenly portrayed as a more neutral character in the later episodes. And after everything that happened, Scent decides to name the perfume after Gaysorn? I understand wanting to create a fragrance inspired by him, but naming it after him gives me the ick. To tell the good thing, the cast and the music are definitely the highlights of the series. But the last two episodes frustrated me so much that even the flock of CGI butterflies surrounding Gaysorn in the final scene annoyed me. What was the direction behind that butterfly CGI? It looked so messy.Was this review helpful to you?
.
Finally, a BL with a different theme. 🤍I really enjoyed this series because it dared to do something different instead of following the usual formula. It felt fresh, unique, and kept my interest from beginning to end.
I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a BL that stands out from the crowd. 🌸✨
.. ... ... .... .... .... .... .. .. ... ... .... .... .... .... .. .. ... ..
🌸✨🌈 Hiii~ Welcome to my kawaii corner~ ♡(≧▽≦)ﾉ✨🌸
You can find more of my reviews on Instagram~ 🌟💖
Check my homepage for my account~ (｡♥‿♥｡) 🌷
Some reviews are under 500 words, so I can’t post them here~ (≧ω≦)ﾉ💫
Thank you sooo much~ ☆:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:☆ 💕🌸
Was this review helpful to you?
Only Visuals Served
The show is full of absolutely gorgeous cast.. I mean PearlPeak are already so good to look at and acting is reasonable (less than Love in the Moonlight tho). But the two-three new faces that I saw.. Peak's friend Tawan, Pearl's friend the guy who worked on perfumes, and Ray. WOW. My jaw was open throughout the series whenever I would get the chance to look at them. Such beauty! Wow.Apart from that, there's literally not much to look at in the show. The scenic beauty is marvelous but that's about it. Script is not promising that much and overall not great of a show. Truly basic.
I absolutely loved Love In the Moonlight. It is in my top BL list but this one was pretty basic, lighthearted. Even the chemistry wasn't chemistrying and kisses were so not on the point. Could have been so much more.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Promising idea that Never fully Bloomed
I can definitely see its potential and understand why people liked it, but I was never fully engaged or eager to watch the next episode. Maybe the pacing just didn't work for me. While writing this review, I'm actually trying to figure out why the series couldn't completely convince me.First of all, I was excited when I saw the trailer a few days after its release. I'm a fan of stories that focus on scents and the sense of smell in general. I also liked the visual aesthetic, especially elements like the butterflies, which fit the spring atmosphere perfectly. These are two aspects that the series handled very well.
Aside from that, I didn't know the main actors beforehand. There were moments when I could feel the chemistry between the leads (for example, the scene with the scented sachets), but these moments mostly occurred in the earlier episodes when Scent was still trying to manipulate Gaysorn. I could see when Scent started developing genuine feelings, but personally, I never felt emotionally connected to his character or his emotions. Of course, the final episode is emotional, but that alone wasn't enough for me.
As for Gaysorn, he was written as so innocent and naive that I struggled with his character throughout all eight episodes. His behavior is understandable at first, considering he comes from an isolated mountain community and only knows the Mudan people. However, the fact that he continued to trust others so easily despite numerous warning signs became frustrating to watch.
The side couple didn't receive enough meaningful screen time together for me to become invested in their relationship. I liked Ray, and both characters played an important role in helping Gaysorn. However, in its current form, their romance either needed to be developed much further or removed altogether.
Regarding the overall plot, the concept was interesting and was the main reason I started watching the series. Unfortunately, the execution gradually became boring for me. For example, some characters' bad behavior is barely addressed and only receives minimal consequences at the very end. The ending itself was fine, I guess, but it didn't leave a strong impression on me. I also think the investigation-related storylines could have been handled better.
Overall, I can recommend Flower Boy for its visuals and its unique premise, but not for its execution.
Was this review helpful to you?
