One of my favorite Thai lakorns! The plot moved at a great pace with a quite well-developed story. Yes, there are moments of "what the...", but there is a "makjang" tag after all. Overall, I would recommend this show if you can stomach scenes that have violence in general and violence against women. The show did highlight the importance of respecting women and people in general regardless of their social class, birthright and profession.

While there were many great scenes between the OTP (mostly slaps and kisses in the beginning), the romance was not the show's primary focus. The show poster that featured the ML prominently clearly indicated this. The story was really all about Tor/Sila, and his singular desire to destroy the ones who wronged him and his mother. The other characters, including Minta, the FL, and Aunt Mam played pivotal roles in his life, but they were still side characters whose purpose was to convince Tor to move on from the past. Their goodness served as a foil to Sila's thirst for revenge against the villains.

The show was an emotional roller coaster for me, and I enjoyed the melodrama. The cast did a fantastic job, and almost all actors portrayed their parts with so much intensity. For me, Tor Leeluttanakajorn really carried the show. He completely got the character, Sila, a man who initially would stop at nothing to get his revenge. His expressions were on-point, and he emoted his scenes so well, including the crying ones. Sila was suave, sexy, charismatic, and had a swagger that Tor pulled off very nicely.

Also noteworthy were Noon Wattanajinda as Mam and Ann Siriam as Sida. They were perfect counterpoints to each other. Mam was the Queen, and I love her character. She was gorgeous, smart, and strong, not only mentally but also physically. That woman can kick ass! Noon portrayed Mam perfectly as a woman with so much dignity even though she was a mistress. Sida was the witch, so wicked with no conscience. I truly hated her, but Ann was excellent in her acting, being so deliciously evil. The two dads were also awesome albeit they showed their support much later in the show.

I can understand why there were many negative comments about the FL's character. Often, she was just the wide-eyed, crying prop. Ferny Nopjira, as Minta fitted the pretty picture of innocence and unbelievable naiveté that distracted Sila from his mission. Her acting was OK but I don't know if it was the writing that prevented her from displaying a wider acting range. They did not even give her good dialogues to work with.

I would have rated this show a perfect 10 if they had written in a better FL character. That said, since the romance was just part of the plot, I found it acceptable that Minta had little character development. Especially when it was her caring heart and her unwavering love for Sila that helped him find peace in the end. There was definitely chemistry between the OTP, and the height difference was so cute.

I have to admit that I loved how Sila carried out his revenge against the villains. He was intelligent and rational; most times, he was one step ahead of the game. Sadly, he did suffer a devastating loss as a consequence of his actions. When that happened, I cried buckets, especially since I did not expect the plot to take such a turn. The villains truly deserved to be hated, and I enjoyed seeing them get their retribution.

The OST was great, fitting for the various scenes. It is actually the first Thai lakorn OST that made it to my regular playlist.

All in all, it was a great show, and the rewatch value is high.

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Hamo hamo

I truly enjoyed watching this emotional roller coaster of a show! It was so much fun, but filled with the right amount of heartache that pulled me in. I was laughing, sobbing and waiting in anticipation for the next scene. The writers know when to bring on a comedic moment and when to tug at one's heartstrings - everything was just perfectly timed!

There's nothing original about the plot - CEO rich guy meets weak girl of a lower pedigree but end up falling for each other despite the circumstances. However, the story was very well-written and nicely produced. Unlike many other k-dramas in which the characters' illogical or unbelievably immature behavior make me roll my eyes and yell in frustration, I found myself being able to relate to the characters and why they acted the way they did. Even when I was raging at Lee Gun's obstinacy and his noble idiocy, I could follow his reasoning. Even the "villain or obstacle-creator", Se-Ra's actions could be justified.

The entire cast really delivered and had great rapport with each other. I like that there was a purpose for each character and the show did not resort to having irrelevant characters for filler or useless sub plots.

Jang Hyuk as Lee Gun showed that he had a wide acting range. It's my first time seeing him flex his acting muscles and I was totally blown away! I am now a fan and cannot wait to see his other works. As Gun, he transitioned so smoothly between intensely heartbreaking moments to insanely funny ones and like one reviewer said, he used laughter many times to show his pain. To be honest, I was never able to adjust to his laugh in the show - it was just too weird for me. However, that did not detract from his overall quality acting. I did enjoy watching the evolution of his hair - it seemed like the stylist had a fun time deciding what style he should take on for every episode. My favourite styles were during later episodes - the changes made a difference. I already found him attractive from the beginning but he looked really hot after one main change. I wish I discovered him earlier!

Jang Na Ra as Kim Mi Young was perfect. She was one of the very few meek female leads that did not irritate me. Even though Mi Young came across as being a doormat at the beginning, Jang Ra Na managed to evoke a sincerity so evident, that her weakness was actually a strength. She was such an earnest, generous, kind and lovely character that I, like Lee Gun and everyone else around her, fell in love with her. The two leads had great chemistry and I loved watching their interactions.

I experienced the Second Lead Syndrome strongly in this drama, and while I was rooting for Lee Gun, I so much wanted Daniel to be happy. Daniel was the perfect cool Adonis - the scenes with his proposal and the way he showed Mi Young that he was letting go of his feelings for her - so creative and touching! I can totally picture Mi Young and him together, creating the 'real' family that he wants. Let's just say I was 60% team Gun, 40% team Daniel. Choi Jin Hyuk is also another tall drink of manliness. I want to see him get the girl so his show "Devilish Joy" is on my watch list. I also added "Tunnel to that list.

Music-wise, to whomever who selected the tracks - GREAT JOB! Each piece fit the mood perfectly and the timing of when the music comes in, also nicely done.

Overall, I am so glad that I did not skip this drama just because it was not a newer release. The ending was so, so satisfying and I would re-watch the show for sure, even the scenes that made me an emotional mess.

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Fantastic rom-com that delivers in every aspect!

Such a wonderful atypical drama! With a great script, excellent acting, and a well-executed story, I could not find any flaws! Some may say that the show is a bit slow-moving, but for me, the pace is good, especially when this is a character-driven series. The dialogue between the characters is witty, unpredictable, and unconventional. Conversations often start on one thread and then get derailed as the characters focus on something else before they get back on track. I love the honesty and, in a way, the lack of filter between the characters. Often, someone would say something so unexpected that it raised the scene to a whole new level for me. Also, there are some epic scenes where the show balances so well between humor and poignancy. Visually, the drama is a feast for the eyes because no matter who you look at - either Oh Mi Joo, Seon Gyeom, Dan Ah, or Young Hwa, the good looks are blinding.

At first glance, one may think that the male and female leads represent the "rich boy poor girl" trope, and on the flip side, the secondary couple is the "poor boy rich girl" story. However, there's nothing stereotypical about the characters. Each character is complex, with multiple layers to their personalities. Mi-Joo may be poor, but she does not do things just for the money. In fact, her motivation is often driven by her sense of fairness. She believes in her own self-worth and values herself above everything else. She may be frustrated with her life situation, but she is dedicated to her job as a translator. As for Seon Gyeom, he fascinates me. He is straightforwardly blunt and says things that may seem uncaring or cold, but his delivery and expression make him come across more as naïve and adorably curious. He is charismatic and 100% committed to doing what's right. Together, this couple fit so well, and you cannot help but cheer for them during their happy moments and cry with them when they suffer. Same thing for our other couple, Dan Ah and Young Hwa who have the more fun and quirky Noona romance. Dan Ah appears to be strong and have it all together but under her tough defiance lies a vulnerability that stems from the unfairness of being a female in her family. Young Hwa is the perfect counterpart to Dan Ah, so sweet and optimistic and in contrast to all three really, so open-hearted. His never-ending jars of honey are a source of constant comic relief.

Lucky for us audience, this show got it right with the casting, and some pairings just work. Shin Se Kyung and Im Shi Wan have the "it" factor, and their chemistry is palpable. I have liked Shin Se Kyung since I saw her in Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, and she again impressed me in this show. This is my first time watching Im Shi Wan, but together with Se Kyung, Choi Soo Young, Kang Tae Oh, and the rest of the cast, everybody killed it! The acting was on point, and I have to single out Im Shi Wan for a job well-done, especially in his micro-expressions. I am officially his fan now!

I totally loved the vibe of this show! Since I watched this show while it was airing, I would definitely re-watch the whole thing, probably in a binge session. Music-wise, the OST is catchy and enjoyable.

Overall, the show has totally lived up to my expectations, and there are a depth and uniqueness to the series that I find satisfying in every episode. It has done an superb job balancing the two romances with comedy while delivering great content through the character development of those involved.

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This is the cutest rom-com to hit our screens in a while!

Imagine all possible tropes: false identities, gender bender, weird sickness, forced cohabitation, noble idiocy, lots of leaning in, arm grabs, accidental kisses, cringey near miss kisses but all done so well! I love every fluffy, cliche-filled episode! Despite the cheesiness, this lighted-hearted and hilarious show drew me in with its focus on the romance and friendship between the characters. For me, it's a perfect break from heavy melodramatic wuxia or xianxia shows. A few highlights for me:

1) The show is so easy to watch with no angst, major plot twist and no villains. There truly are no bad guys, not even ones that I would consider annoying. Even the mum starts off stern and forbidding but is a softie who loves her son and ultimately supports the OTP all the way.

2) The ML finds out that the FL was a girl in disguise very early on in the show!!! That makes the plot more believable as the ML plays the silent protector role and helps the FL out of awkward situations. That said, it still makes me laugh how most of the other characters do not seem to notice that this petite, lovely feminine person is not really a boy. What makes it even funnier is how obvious it is that Sang Tian is wearing lipstick, even when dressed as a boy.

3) Eye candy galore - my favourite are Darren Chen (my favourite flower boy - Hua Zi Lei in Meteor Garden!) and Li Jiu Lin whose chiseled look won me over after he played Dylan in You are My Destiny. However, the rest of the ice hockey team (seniors and freshmen) are very easy on the eyes as well, including Xiao Xiao, who's more adorable than handsome. He has the dimples to win one's heart. Even Shen Qiao Di with his unsmiling face, is icy attractive! Of course, Sebrina Chen as Sang Tian is pretty but makes the most adorable boy. I actually prefer her in short hair. Then we have Zhang Yu Xi, who's absolutely gorgeous, as well as Vivian Sung, who looks so much prettier here than in Lost Romance.

4) Great OST - the songs are well-selected and fitting for the scenes. I even downloaded YouTube Music so that I could add the songs to my playlist.

5) Meteor Garden throwback - "If apologies worked, would the police be needed?" - LOL I couldn't believe that Darren Chen as Wen Bing, actually quoted Dao Ming Si!

Acting-wise, the two leads nailed it! It is almost as though the parts were written for those two actors, and they have great chemistry together. Darren Chen played Wen Bing well with his haughty demeanor that outwardly shows arrogance and narcissism but inwardly is meant to hide his illness. As a confident, swoon-worthy, tsundere, heart-of-gold male lead, Darren really got his micro-expressions on point, and his soft gazes towards Sang Tian are just so meltingly endearing. Wen Bing can be quite the tease, and at the same time, he is not immune to the green-eyed monster. Between Sang Tian and him, there are many hilarious misunderstandings and hijinks that guarantee lots of laughter. Sang Tian, with her positive outlook and naiveté, is just too cute for her own good. She is quite the scatterbrain, but she is not your typical weak FL. She is brave and loyal, and she has no problem standing up to Wen Bing and Shen Shao Di. It's not surprising that she won over her ice hockey team-mates, coach, and everyone else. I love that Sang Tian does not try too hard to be all-male and is just rolling with it. Sebrina Chen is fabulous, playing the dual characters in both looks and attitude. What's impressive is how different she looks as the pretty boy compared to her real girl self.

Also central to the story are the secondary romances that are fun to watch. The drama also showcases the friendship among the team members. The entire cast did a great job, and there is definitely great rapport among them.

I would re-watch the whole show since I love swooning over the super-cute OTP and giggling at the antics of the team members and Sang Tian's brother.

Overall, this show is very easy to binge-watch! It is the perfect pick for when you want to relax and feast your eyes on beautiful people.

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Another staple in K-drama romcoms, filled with cliches, but I mean that as a compliment!

Plenty of cliché-filled shows are outright bad, while others fall into the usual cliched patterns to hit certain required emotions without packing any punch. "So I Married an Anti-Fan" stood out because it managed to work within its confines, made the best of what it had while maximizing its potential by using certain tropes in a fresh way. It is so nice not having to sit through tedious and frustrating misunderstandings!

For me, I'm down for all romcom cliches as long as there's fantastic chemistry between the main leads, and I find their romance believable. Even better still if I can see passion, and that was where this show hit the sweet spot for me. Watching Hoo Joon's gradual change of heart towards Geun Young and how their relationship shifted into high gear after he realized his feelings for her was an incredibly cheeky, fun, and "feel good" ride for me. Choi Tae Joon showed how he can kiss a woman, and there was this intensity every time he as Hoo Joon kissed Geun Young. The way he held her neck, caressed her face, and pulled her in for intimacy. It's like a fierce "this is no accidental kiss, woman" vibe. I enjoyed Tae Joon's portrayal as Hoo Joon - an idol who rose to fame, fell from grace, and triumphed again but in a much better way. His character growth was well-written and well-acted, and that was one of the show's strong points. I hope Tae Joon continues to get lead roles since he certainly has the charisma, looks, and skills!

I liked Choi Soo Young in "Run On" and she did pretty well in this drama. Her acting was not as strong as Tae Joon's, but it was still fine. As Lee Geun Yung, she displayed a certain vulnerability underpinned by a quiet strength. No matter how low Geun Yeung felt, she always bounced back, and she was resilient to move on by herself. She was neither a pushover nor a strong, stubborn woman. I simply love how Geun Yeung gets all girly with Hoo Joon, and their moments together were always sweet and smile-inducing.

The best part, though, is the ending. So happy and lovely to relish! There was forgiveness and redemption, reflection and discovery of new purpose and direction, reconciliation and progression. Absolutely gratifying!

The OSTs were great and varied, but for a show that focused on the music industry, it would have been better if the music producers were more prolific. I enjoyed the songs and instrumental pieces since they lent a romantic and charming tone that underscored the show. Some songs, however, were overplayed and, at times, were not fitting for some scenes. I always like it when the actors contribute to the song tracks, and Choi Tae Joon sang two songs. For posterity, I have included the songs that I like the most below.

So far, I have focused on the positives, but there were flaws as well. Like the toxic relationship of the second couple, JJ/Choi Jae Joon and Oh In Hyung, which I have no doubt will infuriate many viewers. The story did provide enough details and background information for me to sympathize with JJ and In Hyung, although I did feel more for JJ than In Hyung. Ultimately it will all work out, though!

Overall, I hope that people will give this drama a try. It provides more of an emotional roller coaster ride with a good-looking cast than the run-of-the-mill romcom. Echoing some commenters, it would be great to have season 2 filled with more of the main couple's chemistry and kissing!

"So I Married an Anti-Fan" OST:
Pop Star - Choi Young Jae (GOT7)
Pop Star - Choi Tae Joon
Bittersweet - Choi Tae Joon
네가 분다 (When U Blow) - Kwon Min Je (권민제)
It's You - Moon Kim (문 킴)
이보다 더 좋을 순 없어 (As Good As It Gets) - Lee Shin Seong (이신성)
봄날 (The Spring Days) - Onew (김온유)
들리나요 (Can Your Hear Me) - Onew (김온유)
작은 아이 (Small Child) - Chae Myoung Joo (채명주)
Starlight - Ro Min (E'LAST)
Be lost in thought - Lee Cheol Won (이철원), Park Min Woo (박민우)

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Totally recommend it for a quick binge when you are craving more fluff than usual

I enjoyed this drama a lot more than I expected. It is a web drama, much shorter than the normal ones, and it is definitely not a drama that you watch for quality. However, it is one that you can binge-watch for the fluffy romance, good kisses, and hilarity.

I quite like the plot where a non-human or, in this case, an herbal root immortal, Song Lan, was somehow transplanted into the body of Jiang Qingyun. There is the usual cliche of a past connection to the male lead, Chu Zhimo, but it fitted well into the story. The pace was good, and even though it was mostly light-hearted, there was some angst and noble idiocy. Overall, the story was not the best with an odd villain, and I did not quite get her motivation. Still, I am glad that I watched it.

Ding Yi Yi was cute as Song Lan/Qingyun, but I did not find her particularly attractive. Acting-wise, she was ok, limited to what she was supposed to bring to the character. However, I often wished that she would stop shouting so much, and that they used a better dubbing voice for her. I found her character quite annoying at times, and I have to remind myself that she was supposed to be ignorant, being a plant deity with no awareness of the human world and behavior. I made it to the end mainly because it was really quite funny, and Yan Xi was a huge draw for me. That man can kiss, and he looked good, like a character out of a manhwa or manga. I don't know if Ding Yi Yi is just so petite, but the height difference between them added to the charm of their romance. I have to admit that I am totally biased towards Yan Xi, but if I judged his acting objectively, I think he did better in 'About is love".

Another character that caught my eye was the SML - Xiao Zi Ming. In a way, he was a more complex character who could be considered as the bad guy but, at the same time, also the good guy with his devotion to the FL and his family. To me, Leo Yang gave a slightly better performance compared to the others, but at the same time, I think all the main actors showed their inexperience. I also love the FL's father - he was just so protective and quick to over-react! Liu Yu as the City Lord really reminded me of another actor - Huang Xing Yuan from Oh! My Sweet Liar.

All in all, it was an interesting and fun watch. Totally recommend it for a quick binge when you are craving more fluff than the usual c-drama.

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A Good Choice For When You Crave Something Light

If you can deal with the inconsistent behavior of the FL and the somewhat forced and uninteresting side stories of the 2nd and 3rd couples, you will likely find this fluffy rom-com highly entertaining. I found the pace towards the end a little draggy, and they had to spoil the fun ride of romance for me by deploying the noble idiocy trope. To me, some melodrama felt more like filler episodes for the FL to do her noble sacrificing and then for the ML to do the same. I am not a fan of angst-filled scenes that last more than 2 episodes when it comes to a rom-com. Still, the angst factor is very low overall.

Plot-wise, there's nothing new - independent, plucky FL ending up with a ML who started as an emotionless machine but discovered his human side as he fell in love with the FL. However, this particular drama did feature a super adorable child whose acting deserved high praise and added the extra oomph to a run-of-the-mill story.

The best part of the show was the chemistry between the lead couple. They played off each other well, and their relationship's progression was delightful, despite the numerous disruptions from external factors. I like how the ML came to realize and become sure of his true feelings for the FL. How the FL fell for the ML was also nicely done. The development of skinship looked natural, and the kissing scenes were good. Nothing super steamy but nothing awkward either.

Miles Wei, who plays He Qiao Yan, the ML, once again did not disappoint as the lead role. Besides being so fine-looking, he also showed a good acting range, especially when it comes to his facial expressions. He is also a fantastic singer, and he sang one of the OSTs, "Obviously Like You" for this show. So did Hu Yi Xuan who sang "Sunny Date".

Hu Yi Xuan as the FL, Qin Yi Yue also acted well, and she cried so prettily. However, I did not like the FL's inconsistent behavior and lack of professionalism as a child psychologist. There were scenes where the FL behaved too childishly for someone who should know better, especially in that profession.

As for the second and third couples, I felt that the setup and their relationships were unnecessary. Having the 3rd female lead together with Ning Fang seemed like a consolation prize for Ning Fang, who was the second ML. Something was lacking, not enough chemistry perhaps, plus I felt that Ning Fang was suave and matured enough that he would have stood out on his own without needing a partner. Wu Chen Xu, who portrayed Ning Fang, is another one to keep an eye on since he appears to have the looks and talent. I first noticed him in the Long Ballad, and I thought he did well here.

Another high point for me was the OST. The song choices were great, very fitting, and evoked my emotions. The theme song was fun and reflected the cute tone throughout the drama. I have listed my favorite ones for posterity at the end of this review.

Overall, this is an endearing drama with a heart-warming ending, good-looking actors who can act and laugh out loud moments. I would recommend for light watching.

OST - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqCymajl_8I
Ding Ding (丁丁) - It's You
Wei Zhe Ming (魏哲鸣) - Obviously Like You (明明喜欢你)
Tian Dan (田丹) - Circumstances Change With the Passage of Time (时过境迁)
Hu Yi Xuan (胡意旋) - Sunny Date (晴天约会)

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Adorable Main Couple and a Super Cute Elephant!

It's been a week and I am still missing the main couple, Lookkaew and Saran. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them together in this Lakorn, and their chemistry was palpable. There were many sweet and cute moments as their relationship transitioned from hate to love. I have seen Tita Chayjaroen in Thong Ek, her first Lakorn, and I am glad that she got the leading role despite being new to Dramaland. There's something about the way she, as Lookkaew looked at the male lead, that got to me. It's not your typical deep stare but rather a more soul-searching gaze like she was genuinely trying to understand Saran, probing to determine if she can trust him. Likewise, with Saran and how he responded to her looks. Just using his eyes, he can emote so much care and invite trust. Phet Tawanpong was truly perfect for the male lead role. Not only does he have the tall, dark and handsome vibes, but he also has charisma. It was unfortunate that their skinship did not go beyond hugs and nose sniffing - haha! Lookkaew was an awesome female lead, smart, brave and confident but also had her flaws which were tempered by Saran's maturity and calmness. As for Saran's character, he was a strong, intelligent and prideful type who transformed into this adorable guy after he finally confessed to Lookkaew.

I cannot really get into the storyline since the synopsis is pretty general with no spoilers. The Lakorn itself was pretty good and overall quite entertaining with the plot twists. That said, there were loopholes and "convenient" moments, and at times, the story became quite predictable. Still, the villains did a great job raising my blood pressure and kept me engaged. There were a few selfish bitchy characters, a couple who screamed a lot but is almost a norm in a Lakorn :)

I have to say that the most useless character was Natty. Janis Phomphadungcheep played the annoying character well, but I think Natty's character development could have been better. In contrast, the show's hero has got to be P'Thanu, the most selfless, understanding second male lead. I was actually shipping Thanu and Lookkaew together initially, but I am glad the plot played out the way it did. I like Judo Tharinpirom and have seen him in a couple of Lakorns. Hopefully, he will get more male lead roles in the future.

Also, a lot of drama happened for drama's sake which can be frustrating at times. Some viewers like me might feel that certain characters deserved more punishment, but as with many Thai dramas, there was a strong focus on forgiveness and karma. Minor spoiler - it's a happy ending...for most characters. There was a secondary couple, but their progression was more towards the end and was not super exciting.

There were not many songs played in the drama, but two were memorable for me. The theme song was fun and reflected the saucy tone throughout the drama, as indicated in the title. The other one is the song that played during the romantic moments. As expected, it heightened the romantic experience for the viewers. For posterity, I have listed those two here:

OST Kaen Kaew | แก่นแก้ว

1. อย่ามอง Don't Look - ปาล์ม (Chilling Sunday)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A4zNmc5tyI

2. ตอบกันได้ไหม Ost.แก่นแก้ว Can We Answer That - ว่าน ธนกฤต (Wan Thanarit) (03:19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdEcuMliQvw

Will I watch it again? Yes, but mainly for scenes of the main couple. On the whole, I do recommend this Lakorn. It's fun and entertaining with a happy ending. If nothing else, perhaps the good looks and the side character of a super cute elephant would be enough to keep you watching.

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An emotional roller coaster ride worth getting on!

Intriguing mystery, sweet glimpses of romance, and amazing chemistry between the leading roles are some of the reasons you might consider watching this lakorn. For me, it is also the great acting by Bua Sakulongumpai, Pop Karnthip, and Kem Chuaykua that makes it a highly recommendable show.

The main narrative centered around betrayal on multiple levels, from childhood abandonment to adulterous spouses to inter-family backstabbing and rivalry. The writer did an excellent job weaving the various subplots into the primary storyline, one so filled with twists and turns that it kept the suspense up in every episode except for the predictable ending. However, it was predictable in a comforting way because it gave me the proper closure I wanted after experiencing this emotional roller coaster ride. Seriously, if you want to experience frustration, joy, laughter, sadness, anger, and heartaches, then my friends, this lakorn may be just the one to give you that.

In her quest to find the culprit who failed to murder her twin but left her disabled, Sina, our FL, had to pose as Siriya, her sister, throughout most of the show. Playing identical twins is not easy for most actors, but Bua pulled it off to great effect! The tone of voice, mannerism, attitude, and the way of speaking - the differences were subtle but effective, and her portrayal of the two characters was believable. I appreciate that there was no over-acting from Bua to contrast Sina's confident, straightforward, no BS character against Siriya's, who was softer, quieter, and timider.

Due to Siriya's entanglement with Pipop Sutharak, Sina found herself (acting as Siriya) in a cohabitation/contract marriage situation with Athirat. Pop was excellent as our ML, a nuanced and complex character; charismatic and generous but emotionally shuttered due to being abandoned by his mother at a young age. Even though his father's family accepted him and raised him well as part of the influential Sutharak family, being the son of a mistress also added to his emotional baggage. Pop was really on point with his expressions and body language; one could tell when Athirat was angry, disappointed, or happily in love. Even when he was torn between doing the right thing versus following his heart, you can see the conflict on Athirat's face. Speaking of "doing the right thing", the characters in this show were all about doing things correctly/properly; so much so that I added a new word to my Thai vocabulary - อย่างถูกต้อง - Xỳāng t̄hūk t̂xng.

Kem Chuaykua deserved a shout-out as Khun Nat, the primary wife of Pipop. Kem did a great job building up Nat's character and how she slowly lost her grip on reality as she silently but gracefully bore with the humiliation of being betrayed by her husband, especially under the scrutiny of gossipmongers. Nat's fashion, by the way, was GORGEOUS and drool-worthy. I lusted after her every outfit!

In general, I find the characters well-written, and no one was one-dimensional - all good or all bad. The good character had flaws, and the villains had a backstory that made them relatable and their actions understandable. Sina, for example, was a great FL, smart, sassy, and skilled in fighting, but she had her reckless and rash moments. Many commenters found Siriya too weak, but I saw her to be a good complement to Sina, tempering and slowing her down. Athirat was deeply loyal to his family, but he always chose justice and fairness over family bonds. I did find Darika's obsession with Athirat rather extreme, but she was not the worst nang rai I have come across in the lakorn world.

Romance-wise, there were more heart-fluttering moments due to accidental skinship, deep stares, longing gazes, and near kisses compared to actual love scenes. There were some bonus moments when Athirat was so flirty with Sina even when he was suspicious of her. Our two couples had to deal with the challenges of forbidden love, so it was not surprising that viewers had to wait until the end to see our couples finally being together. Bua's chemistry with Pop and Judo Tharinpirom (who played Kritt, the SML in love with Siriya) was fantastic, but ultimately, it was the push-pull relationship between Athirat and Sina that kept me rooted to the screen. That said, I did find the show somewhat draggy in the middle and felt that they could have gotten to the big reveal sooner by cutting out some unnecessary twists. Still, I did like the way the show executed the final showdown with the villain - it was a touching scene, well played by the actors.

The other criticism I had was how the show mostly failed in using fitting sound effects or background music. What I heard did not match the mood appropriately, especially in the first part of the show. Although, it did seem that the music producers/editors got better towards the end. Also, I did like the featured songs listed below:

อยากจะรู้ / Yak Ja Roo (I want to know) by Arnon Saisangchan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnBCtvuPJ6k

อย่าวัดด้วยสายตา / Yah Wad Duay Sai Dta (Don't measure me with your sight) by Beam Jaruwanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjW7D7Xnh74

Overall, this lakorn was highly entertaining. It's packed with drama and action with multiple murder attempts, actual murders, love obsessions, betrayals, and secrets galore, with a good amount of underlying romantic currents and comedy to balance things out.

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Mario and Kimmy Showing Off Their Comedic Chops!

Another fun lakorn that proves that the Thai know how to mix comedy, romance, and drama well, and in this case, there's some dabbling in the supernatural. Using hilarious dialogue and effective sound effects, the show swings from romantic to dramatic to funny quickly and smoothly, and it keeps the entertainment level high throughout the show. While the humor is mostly slapstick and low-brow, the show also uses a gentle version of dark comedy to deal with grimmer topics like death, sickness, and plain evilness that lurks in human nature. Just be prepared to laugh, cry and then laugh again.

The show follows our main couple, Thong Ek and Chaba, and their hate-to-love journey. In their case, opposites do attract. Thong Ek is an aspiring herbal master, knowledgeable and kind but being a hot-blooded young man, can be quite rascally, especially when encouraged by his equally flirty friends, Piak and Toon. Chaba is not your typical noble lady, expected to be soft-mannered and adept in managing the household. Instead, she is outspoken, brave, and more interested in wielding a sword than a ladle. Certainly not the kind of girl that Thong Ek fancies in the beginning. Thong Ek and Chaba start out as being hostile towards each other. Still, when Chaba gets inspired to study traditional medicine from Thong Ek, they gradually learn to meet halfway, and the feelings between the two eventually become mutual. However, the path they take to get there is full of humorous incidents, twists, and turns.

Mario Maurer is perfect as the goofy but charming Thong Ek, and really, he is simply adorable. So is Kimberley "Kimmy" Woltemas, who portrays the opinionated and plucky Chaba well. I like their characters, and together they do make a lovely couple. They are super super sweet after marriage! That said, I am not feeling the chemistry as much between them compared to other on-screen couples. Still, their romance is fun to watch,, and their antics, especially when Piak, Toon, and Chongko are involved, are guaranteed to bring on the laughter.

The show also features other cute pairings such as Perm and Glin as well as Piak and Chongko. Chongko totally rocks by the way! She is the kind of girlfriend that every girl should have, and I really want her to end up with the SML. Speaking of the SML, my poor Punjan Imanothai. He's hot, and his portrayal as Kla is sexy and sweet enough to cause me to partially root for him to win Chaba's heart. Plus the whole backstory of how they supported each other since childhood is endearing.

It's interesting that, like his character in BPS (Love Destiny), Punjan's Kla ultimately ends up with the girl who is in love with the ML initially. I did not mind it in BPS, but somehow, I really dislike the character Pong in this drama. I am not sure if it is Namwhan Supinchompoo's acting or the character is just one that does not sit well with me. She comes across as weak and sketchy; not obviously manipulative but at the same time not sincere. It is hard for me to believe that she has genuine feelings for Kla. After Thong Ek rejects her, she appears to shift her focus on Kla as a more viable option to live comfortably. Even on Kla's side, it feels more like Pong is a consolation prize, something to possess more than someone to love.

I appreciate the effort that the subbers made to provide the names of the herbs used in the traditional medicine. The show also delivers a good message about how the traditional way of treating illness can work together with the western methods.

I also like the instrumental music that underscores the emotional scenes. The opening credit song sang by Mario is light-hearted and upbeat, capturing the generally playful tone of this entertaining rom-com. According to a post I came across, Mario's ost is about "medicine to save nang'ek's heart from bruises".

Overall, this show is an enjoyable time well spent, especially if you are a fan of Mario or Kimmy. They both shine in this lakorn.

For posterity, I am recording the track list here:

1. Ya ya ya : Mario Maurer feat. Ayutthaya Cute Boys
ยา ยา ยา : มาริโอ้ เมาเร่อ feat. อยุธยา Cute Boys

2. Kord : Gun Napat
กอด : กัน นภัทร

3. Yood hai jai ngai kwa : Kala
หยุดหายใจง่ายกว่า : กะลา

4. Rak dee dee mai mee kai : Joke So Cool
รักดีๆไม่มีขาย : โจ๊ก โซคูล

5. Cross Love (V. Japan Rock) : Instinct

6. Mai rak khon eun : ETC
ไม่รักคนอื่น : ETC

7. Mai chai mai rak : Briohny
ไม่ใช่ไม่รัก : ไบรโอนี่

8. Hua jai hai ther : Ice Saranyu
หัวใจให้เธอ : ไอซ์ ศรัณยู

9. Hedpol kong khon mai dee : Opal Praput
เหตุผลของคนไม่ดี : โอปอ ประพุทธ์

10. Pror chanun : Zeal
เพราะฉะนั้น : ซีล

11. Pieng nai jai : Boy Peacemaker
เพียงในใจ : บอย พีชเมคเกอร์

12. Ja soo na ther yung ngai : Punch
จะสู้หน้าเธอยังไง : พันซ์

13. Yoo puer ther : Punjun Porrama
อยู่เพื่อเธอ : ปั้นจั่น ปรมะ

14. Rak tae mee kae krung diew : Nam Ronnadech
รักแท้มีแค่ครั้งเดียว : แหนม รณเดช

15. Rak chua nirun : Nan Satida
รักชั่วนิรันดร์ : แนน สาธิดา

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This show is off-the-charts crazy, but in the best way

The King 2 Hearts is a dark comedy, filled with tension, humour and heart. Starting from the first episode, the show did exactly what it was supposed to do - kept my interest and made me invested in the characters and story. The writing was solid and the directing sharp. The story moved fast but was executed smartly. Overall, the setup about the North-South conflict was dramatic, but the tone was farce.

To me, what sets this drama apart is how it was able to fluidly change the tone from deadly serious to laugh out loud hilarity. One generally knew what will happen, but there were all these twists and turns along the way that kept me beyond entertained. I cringed and I laughed, I cried and I rejoiced, and I felt my heart swell up with love or pride only to have it shatter into a million pieces.

The cinematography was realistically rich and the show effectively used different angles like the fish eye and bird’s eye views of conversations. It also transitioned nicely from past to present and present to past (like Jae Ha with the window in episode 1 and Hang Ah with the compact in a later episode).

I appreciate the time the show took to develop its characters and making them multi-faceted. Across the board, the acting was solid and the casting was perfect.

Ha Ji Won’s portrayal of Kim Hang Ah, the tough Special Ops North Korean agent provided a nice blend of deadly force and girly innocence. I love her tough “I can beat any man in combat persona” while being so earnest and pragmatic when it came to finding a husband. Her acting was so good, transitioning from ass-kicking to being all girly in a flash. Her micro-expressions were so well-done like her hardening stare as she took down someone. She was also relatable - her fan-girl reaction when she saw celebrities on the billboards is how I would react, especially at the thought of training with them. BTW, nice job, Show for the nods to her other dramas - Jo In Sung from “What Happened in Bali” and Hyun Bin from “Secret Garden”.

I also admire the range that Lee Seung Gi got to play as Lee Jae Ha, our entitled prince. Spanning everything from being petulant, mean, and cowardly, to the complete opposite, where Jae Ha showed immense depth, strength and honor. These moments of maturity were often hilariously conveyed as unexpected pockets of goodness couched in lots of bratty behavior but when push comes to shove, our male lead ultimately stepped up and protected what matters to him.

Ha Ji Won and Lee Seung Gi were OTP gold! From reluctant teammates to friends to lovers, these two made a excellent romantic coupling. Their energy crackled and the show scored big by quickly scaling up the emotional tension between the OTP right off the bat in believable and meaningful ways. I was constantly at the edge of my seat, waiting for these two to either have a major showdown with punches thrown, or to make out madly. Either way, their chemistry was off the charts.

Ha Ji won proved her ability to bring out the sexy in her male co-stars. I thought that when I swooned over Yoon Kye Sang, her co-star in Chocolate, and now, who would have thought that Lee Seung Gi with his puppy look could look so manly next to her?! To give the male leads some credit, I am always so impressed by the actor who can alter my perception of his physicality - it's another level of skill entirely.

I enjoyed the hot-and-cold, push-and-pull between the OTP, especially when set against an international, political backdrop where their messages were conveyed through generals, kings and the press. Their banter tickled me immensely, both equally witty and idiotic and it was so refreshing to find a couple who actually possessed the chemistry to make their back-and-forth rapid dialogue sound so natural.

The drama also fleshed out the side characters very well, and this added much more depth to the story. I like that the North Korean characters were not presented as caricatures, and instead as relatable people with their own unique cultural background. It was fun seeing the comradery of the North Korean team, and having gruff Kang Seok become interested in SNSD added a funny touch. That said, I also like the through line of prejudice that the characters embodied. The show did a good job of pushing the envelope, using on-point comedic relief to lighten the serious premise. At times, the dialogue can be surprisingly offensive, but also honest. Even though the show was a fictional political farce, the feelings that were explored were real and interesting.

I just love that everyone’s family was so sweet on this show. Kim Hang Ah’s father was such a darling, a tough general who always trying to protect his daughter and doing what he thought she wanted. The way that the whole royal family interacted with each other was so cute and it was nice not having any family in-fighting for once. There was nobody out to steal the crown or trying to kill each other. The childish sibling interactions between Jae Kang, Jae Ha and Jae Shin were just so endearing.

Jo Jung Suk really does have a swoony voice and he is a great actor. His Eun Shi Kyung was so humorless and straight-laced, and yet so earnestly adorable and attractive. What happened to him left me feeling gutted and crying.

If there was one thing I dislike about this drama, it was anything related to Kim Bong Gu, played by Yoon Jae Moon who did well. Bong Gu appeared to be interesting at first as an absurd arch villain, but he lost his scary factor after too many pointless scenes involving him. Less is always more and had the show focused more on legitimately creepy moments with Bong Gu, it would have been more effective.

I would also like to add that the OST for this was well-chosen and the tracks fit the scenes perfectly. Some pieces were suitably tense, and the use of instrumental pieces for the poignant moments heightened the mood for me.

In general, I truly recommend this show - it was pitch-perfect, with great episodes up to the end.

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Movie equivalent of comfort food

This show is nostalgically soothing with a high-sentimentality quotient. Set in the 90s, it serves as a perfect time capsule for that decade. The fashion, food, music, and everything else are showcased perfectly and meticulously. Personally, it takes me back in time on two fronts - my high school experience and my first love.

Sure, the show is not perfect, but it is good comfort viewing that hits much more than it misses. The characters are likable and simple, the plot dynamics easy to follow, and the laughs are just what one needs sometimes. The central romance is so pure and sincere, with a bit of teen angst that everyone can relate to. Vivian Sung and Darren Wang are so sweet together, and their acting as teenagers going through the emotional roller coaster of first love is on-point. Plus, I love that Andy Lau is featured so prominently. With a sweet ending, the show is unfailingly heart-warming. Also, the music has exactly the right tone and emotion for the scenes.

The only thing I don't understand is why the show has to use different actors for the adult version of Truly and Taiyu. I like Joe Chen and Jerry Yan, but the ending would have been more poignant if Vivian and Darren continue playing as their adult versions.

I would re-watch this show. It is deserving of its high rating and it serves well as a distraction from the anxiety of real life.

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Hilarious and heartwarming

If you are willing to suspend your disbelief and accept a nonsensical plot, you will likely find this light and fluffy rom-com entertaining. This show is a good pick when you don't want to be too emotionally invested. The series is more comedy with a family-focused theme than romance, with lots of hilarious slapstick moments. While the romance was a slower burn and less intense than I had hoped, there was chemistry between the lead couple. Their relationship's progression was delightful, and while there was not much skinship or kissing, their interactions were so cute. The male lead was especially charming when he teased and flirted with the female lead.

As usual, Vill Sonthichai is lovely to look at, and I thought that she did well portraying Tammy/Cherry, the female lead trying to play mother to a challengingly petulant brood. I found her acting a little over the top at times, but I think that was more due to the directing. The supporting characters were so over the top and at times ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh.

It is the first time I have watched Chakrit Yamnam, and he has piqued my interest. His acting was excellent, and he was to emote and convey a lot via his eyes and micro-expressions. Unlike the other actors, there was no over-acting, and his experience really shone through as there was a certain dignity to the way he played Treeloj/San.

I did find the side relationships much less interesting, especially the one between Treeloj's daughter and his friend. I am less bothered by the age difference because there was probably a similar age gap between Treelog and Tammy, and more by the fact that the daughter was barely of legal age. For me, that subplot was unnecessary and added a twisted negative vibe to the show.

I like the featured songs. The title song has an infectious, feel-good energy that reflected the same tone of fun and positivity that was infused throughout the show. The ending song was fitting for the more romantic or poignant scenes between the main couple. Also, the usage of sound effects to highlight the comedic moments were effective.

Overall, this is a cute series that I would recommend for light watching and laugh out loud moments. I would likely re-watch it on a slow weekend.

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Fun Rom-Com Done Perfectly, Thai Style

So I finally got around to watching this lakorn after so many recommendations, and I totally agree with the positive reviews! Despite some dark drama like murders, ghosts and human trafficking, this show has infectious, feel-good energy, thanks to the cast of characters that one cannot help but root for. The supporting characters are so over the top and at times ridiculous that you cannot help but laugh. Had this been a K-drama or C-drama, I would have called it cheap humor, but somehow it works in a Thai drama. I have nothing bad to say about the cast, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Kao and Great. They play off each other so well, and the dialogue and interactions between them just flow so smoothly. It's definitely a well-paced romance that is fitting to the plot. I love watching the sweet moments between them and how the sparks begin to fly as their relationship develops.

I really like how the show incorporates natural skinship between the couples, family, and friends. It is not always about hot steamy scenes for the couples, and I appreciate watching the characters offer comforting hugs and closeness via hands touching or someone's head leaning on another's shoulder. The human touch is essential in a relationship, and the show does well showcasing this.

Kao really sparkles in this show, and you can see her acting range as Suam as she displays various emotions. She is such a natural beauty, and visually, she is such an excellent match to Great. They make a gorgeous-looking couple, especially with their height difference. Great portrays Rut, an intelligent, fair, but tough cop role very well, and I guarantee you that he would endear himself to anyone the minute they see him smile.

The secondary couple is also amusing to watch, and they have some great scenes together. It is cute that the second female lead is so into the Korean culture, and I love how the show uses that as a plot device and weaves it in so effectively, especially during the ending when they paid homage to a K-drama that I liked.

The OST is catchy - fitting for the scenes, and I read somewhere that Kao sang the main song. The starting song is fun to listen to and lends the same tone of fun that is infused throughout the show.

Overall, it was a well-done show, and the only reason I did not rate it a perfect 10 is that there is a scene where Rut displays some physical aggressiveness towards Suam. The scene is actually very tame compared to other Thai dramas, but I do not condone any acts of aggression or abuse, especially when in the context of a male dominating a female. Still, I hope that it does not deter the few who have not watched this show. Do give it a try!

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Be prepared for all the feels

I'd recommend this lakorn for those who are looking for an emotional roller coaster ride. It is definitely a drama with angst, self-sacrifice, and deep meanings. I cried a river, but I also cheered for the main couple, relished their happy moments and appreciated the ending. I'm not too fond of sad endings, so not having watched the Taiwanese version, my heart was in my mouth during the last few episodes.

For me, the show was well-directed and well-written, and it did a nice job delivering the message about how true love can overcome all obstacles, including death. Any superfluous characters were there for comic relief, and I like that there were depth and complexity to the main group of characters. Unlike the one dimensional villains in many lakorns, the protagonists here had backstories, and I ended feeling sorry for them as they were more victims of manipulation or expectations than anything else.

Not surprisingly, Esther did a great job portraying the sweet, kind, and selfless female lead, Jane. I think she plays this kind of role best and she looked really pretty in the show. This is the first time I watched Pong, and I thought he was cast well as Wynn. It's refreshing to see an appropriately aged lead who was supposed to be a company CEO, plus Pong acted superbly, with his facial expressions on point. Perhaps I am biased because his smoldering gazes won me over. Overall the cast did a great job, and I felt what they were emoting. I did think that the actress playing Jane's best friend, Pat could have done better. For some reason, she seemed to be shouting throughout the show, which I find annoying and distracting.

Music-wise, the songs were good and fitted the scenes well, evoking the right emotions. I was happy to find the theme song on youtube, but sadly, I could not find the others. There were some scenes when the background music seemed off or too campy, but that's an issue that I find in most lakorns, so I cannot really hold it against the show.

I would re-watch many scenes, especially Pong's ones with Esther, but I don't think that I will re-watch the whole thing, mainly because I've cried enough the first time.

I hope that more people will watch this series and think it is under-rated for a well-executed show. Also, a big shout out to the subber(s) - I watched it on Dramacool, and it was not obvious who subbed it.

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