Came for Keng, stayed for TleFirstone
My first horror/supernatural BL and honestly I only watched it because of all the good reviews. Personally I don't need all of that supernatural ghost stuff but it was nicely done, the underlying plot is simple but good and the special effects aren't too cringe. Styling and set designs are amazing, but what really stands out is the acting and how much depth and backstory every character gets. Keng Harit is stunningly beautiful and I liked how Namping played his character. Still, it was Tle and FirstOne's couple that really made this a great watch for me. They have incredible chemistry and their story was so well done: two great actors playing two great characters! I think the ending was a bit too cheesy (they really went all out hahaha) and I wouldn't rewatch it but it's a solid show with very high production value!Was this review helpful to you?
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There are bad series and then there's Yesterday
It's like a car crash... you just can't look away. I'm surprised I managed to finish it. Even as a FortPeat fan, this was nothing but painfully bad. There's just so much wrong with it: bad writing, thin plot, huge plot holes, bad acting, a bunch of unrealistic stuff and things like twitching face filters (wtf).Regarding the plot, this show could also be called "Stockholm Syndrome The series". I don't mind toxic ahh characters and a dark romance, but Yesterday stays very superficial. Fort and Peat are great but they don't seem suitable for playing complex characters like these. Or maybe it was just the writing that was so stiff. Even FortPeat's steamy scenes, that are usually ultra hot somehow felt lame and awkward. The characters stay one-dimensional and there isn't any real progress... Vier's life was basically ruined by a one-night stand and I knew they were gonna pull that Jekyll and Hyde shit for Kelvin. And then there's Ken, who's portrayed as simply vicious, without any real motivation except he doesn't like to be called stupid. He's literally just there for plot. And don't even get me started on how fucking problematic the portrayal of the romantic relationship and abuse is....
Yesterday is one of these shows that pulls you in with a confusing plot, dramatic cliffhangers and a lot of sexiness.. and before you know it, you almost watched all of it, but in this case, it's very disappointing. Some of the most dramatic scenes made me laugh because the execution was so bad. They tried very hard to elevate this mess with dramatic classical music, which didn't work. I noticed there's unusually little product placement - no Lactasoy and no Ichitan! - so maybe it's a budget issue?
The only good things about Yesterday are great female characters and Fort's sexiness (which had to work overtime, unless nobody would watch it).
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Loved it for GeminiFourth's story
I think the main couple's story was meant to portray realistic struggles but was a bit too much. EarthMix acted very well and if you're on your period and need to cry they will definitely make you cry.. but just how unlucky can a character get?? Uncle Jim's story was so overly dramatic that it felt a bit overdone. Shit after shit happening to him and he stays that goody goody, letting others use him, not getting bitter at all... that's unrealistic to me.The real gem is GeminiFourth's side couple. Their acting was incredible, Fourth's portrayal of a troubled teen especially. He moved me in many ways and how gently the blooming of their relationship was portrayed is simply beautiful. Also how they, as young people, tell their elders that being gay is not a big deal while Jim thinks of it as a struggle, scared he "made" his nephew gay?!? I liked how these - sadly realistic - worldviews were represented next to each other and how they talked about how some people might support LGBTQ rights while not accepting their own family member's orientation. The true star of the show was Khaotung's character and his mom. The way she loved and accepted him was beautiful. The plotline of her death seemed like a plain plot device to me so that he'd get to know First's character :(
First's portrayal of Alan was touching. He's just so good at playing pathetic desperate characters and while some think of him as a bad guy, his reactions are very realistic and just come out of desperation over a lost relationship he can't let go. Wen on the other hand, realizing he stopped loving is just as complex and Mix really brings out the grief the person who breaks up also goes through.
In total, this show had many memorable characters and the side couples truly shine. However, it's too sad and I'll only rewatch it if I'm in the mood for some real melodrama.
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