5
7
1
1
3
1
1
Inspired by true Thai events, Bas and Lhongchang ignite a forbidden revolutionary romance!
Just finished Episode 1 of When Light Fades on GagaOOLala, and I have mixed feelings about this one.
What I liked:
-The soft, gentle Thai OST and the ending credits were beautiful.
-I really love the 1970s setting. The attention to detail is impressive, from the historical houses and buildings to the old telephones, vintage cars, and costumes. It feels authentic and helps immerse you in the time period.
What could be improved:
-I'm still not sure where this series is heading. It opens with intense violence, explosions, and killings, setting a very serious tone. Soon after, it shifts into comedy in the jungle with the same over-the-top, cringe-worthy sound effects often found in Thai dramas. The tonal change felt jarring and didn't work for me.
The story follows Vin, a university student who is forced to escape into the jungle after a brutal political crackdown. There, he joins a guerrilla movement and crosses paths with the reserved and stoic Comrade Yue. Episode 1 does a good job of establishing the harsh survival setting and historical backdrop while only giving viewers a small glimpse of how their relationship may develop.
This is also the first time I haven't really felt the chemistry between the two male leads. I've seen Bas in KinnPorsche and 4Minutes, where he delivered emotionally intense and intimate performances. Here, as Comrade Yue, he's intentionally cold, silent, and emotionally closed off. Lhongchang plays Ravin as a university student who tries to lighten the mood with humor. Their first meeting, where Yue saves Vin from a deadly animal trap just in time before they fall to the ground and lock eyes, felt a little too cheesy for me, and I just wasn't feeling the chemistry yet.
Overall, I love the 1970s atmosphere, the jungle setting away from the modern world, and how everything feels raw and simple, from sleeping in straw houses to bathing in the lake. However, because this is a historical fiction drama that begins with gore, violence, and explosive action, the sudden comedic moments didn't make much sense to me.
So far, I'm giving When Light Fades an 7/10. My rating could definitely increase or decrease depending on how the remaining seven episodes develop.
What I liked:
-The soft, gentle Thai OST and the ending credits were beautiful.
-I really love the 1970s setting. The attention to detail is impressive, from the historical houses and buildings to the old telephones, vintage cars, and costumes. It feels authentic and helps immerse you in the time period.
What could be improved:
-I'm still not sure where this series is heading. It opens with intense violence, explosions, and killings, setting a very serious tone. Soon after, it shifts into comedy in the jungle with the same over-the-top, cringe-worthy sound effects often found in Thai dramas. The tonal change felt jarring and didn't work for me.
The story follows Vin, a university student who is forced to escape into the jungle after a brutal political crackdown. There, he joins a guerrilla movement and crosses paths with the reserved and stoic Comrade Yue. Episode 1 does a good job of establishing the harsh survival setting and historical backdrop while only giving viewers a small glimpse of how their relationship may develop.
This is also the first time I haven't really felt the chemistry between the two male leads. I've seen Bas in KinnPorsche and 4Minutes, where he delivered emotionally intense and intimate performances. Here, as Comrade Yue, he's intentionally cold, silent, and emotionally closed off. Lhongchang plays Ravin as a university student who tries to lighten the mood with humor. Their first meeting, where Yue saves Vin from a deadly animal trap just in time before they fall to the ground and lock eyes, felt a little too cheesy for me, and I just wasn't feeling the chemistry yet.
Overall, I love the 1970s atmosphere, the jungle setting away from the modern world, and how everything feels raw and simple, from sleeping in straw houses to bathing in the lake. However, because this is a historical fiction drama that begins with gore, violence, and explosive action, the sudden comedic moments didn't make much sense to me.
So far, I'm giving When Light Fades an 7/10. My rating could definitely increase or decrease depending on how the remaining seven episodes develop.
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