Why SOTUS Still Holds a Special Place in My Heart
Coming back to rewatch SOTUS after taking a whole year away from social media and the BL world brings back so many memories. This was actually the second BL I ever watched—right at the start of COVID.
At first, you might want to pull your hair out over Arthit's strict, over-the-top hazing rules and intimidating facade. But peeling back those layers to reveal a soft-hearted, sweet senior who genuinely cares about his juniors (and has a secret obsession with pink milk!) makes his character arc so rewarding.
Absolute perfection as a freshman lead. Pob is bold, incredibly smart, unapologetically vocal about his feelings, and completely unafraid to challenge the broken system—and Arthit's walls—head-on. His confidence never crossed into arrogance, which made him so easy to root for.
The "enemies-to-lovers via university hazing" trope is executed brilliantly here. What makes their dynamic work so well is the emotional push-and-pull. Kongpob slowly chipping away at Arthit’s defenses doesn't feel rushed; it builds through shared responsibilities, secret vulnerabilities, and gradual trust. When Arthit finally drops his guard and lets Kongpob in, the emotional payoff is massive.
For the supporting roles, while some of the hazing traditions look intense and archaic by today's standards, the camaraderie among the engineering freshman group adds so much heart to the show. Watching the tight-knit bond form between the students as they survive the brutal training together grounds the story in a very realistic, nostalgic university setting.
And let's not forget, Off. I met Off here for the first time, which is the start of my fandom and I get to watch their series with Gun which is my third BL.
Overall, SOTUS isn't just about romance; it's a slow-burn journey about mutual respect, breaking down preconceptions, and finding comfort in unexpected places. It will always have a nostalgic, golden-standard spot for me!
At first, you might want to pull your hair out over Arthit's strict, over-the-top hazing rules and intimidating facade. But peeling back those layers to reveal a soft-hearted, sweet senior who genuinely cares about his juniors (and has a secret obsession with pink milk!) makes his character arc so rewarding.
Absolute perfection as a freshman lead. Pob is bold, incredibly smart, unapologetically vocal about his feelings, and completely unafraid to challenge the broken system—and Arthit's walls—head-on. His confidence never crossed into arrogance, which made him so easy to root for.
The "enemies-to-lovers via university hazing" trope is executed brilliantly here. What makes their dynamic work so well is the emotional push-and-pull. Kongpob slowly chipping away at Arthit’s defenses doesn't feel rushed; it builds through shared responsibilities, secret vulnerabilities, and gradual trust. When Arthit finally drops his guard and lets Kongpob in, the emotional payoff is massive.
For the supporting roles, while some of the hazing traditions look intense and archaic by today's standards, the camaraderie among the engineering freshman group adds so much heart to the show. Watching the tight-knit bond form between the students as they survive the brutal training together grounds the story in a very realistic, nostalgic university setting.
And let's not forget, Off. I met Off here for the first time, which is the start of my fandom and I get to watch their series with Gun which is my third BL.
Overall, SOTUS isn't just about romance; it's a slow-burn journey about mutual respect, breaking down preconceptions, and finding comfort in unexpected places. It will always have a nostalgic, golden-standard spot for me!
Was this review helpful to you?
