This review may contain spoilers
Saying a Lot Without Actually Saying Anything
My Stubborn is my absolute guilty pleasure and was completely carried by Boat and Oat’s chemistry and dedication to their roles. Yes, there were many side characters and sideplots, but you could clearly see the “red thread”: Jun and Sorn’s journey from Friends with Benefits to a real couple. I started Knot with similar expectations: good chemistry, great NC scenes, an okay story, and solid entertainment with every episode.
I’m still a newbie to the Omegaverse. The dark-romance aspects of the genre aren't really my cup of tea. But ABO Desire was a fantastic introduction (thanks to Hua Yong, who is now one of my favorite BL characters 😁), and I managed to dive deeper into the lore through a German Omegaverse book series.
The first three episodes of Knot were genuinely good. Oat was so on point with Phat’s emotions, and Boat is made to play an Alpha. I loved the themes the plot introduced—the bond between an Alpha and his Omega alongside the soulmate bond, which feels like a pre-determined fate for Phat’s life. I was so excited to watch Phat and Nakhun navigate this together and eventually fall in love, much like in My Stubborn.
But then episode 4 released, followed by episode 5… and I just couldn’t defend the series anymore. I’m usually able to ignore certain flaws in BL dramas, but I was genuinely hyped for Knot. Plus, with so many exceptional BLs airing this year, the drop in quality stands out even more.
I’m intentionally comparing Knot to My Stubborn because they share the same director, production team, and largely the same cast.
The production of Knot is surprisingly weak, and a low budget isn't an excuse, as other series have proven. The camera angles, sound, and editing were terribly lacking in this one. It feels like the entire budget went into the location and outfits. Now, My Stubborn almost feels like a high-budget production by comparison.
What negative-impressed me was how many lines some characters had—without conveying any actual substance. Phat and Nakhun talked constantly, yet rarely with each other. Then there was Folk (Sangnuea) with his massive villain monologue and the repetitive plot points (like the land purchase or the dad 😬). It was a classic case of saying a lot without actually saying anything. In contrast, Jame (Naphitch) had barely any lines in his few scenes.
The writers completely missed the chance to show the actual development of Phat and Nakhun’s relationship. After the first few episodes, the two barely spent any meaningful time together to actually get to know each other.
Instead, the production focused on a hundred other things. I tried to list all the sideplots:
- The bonding between Nakhun and Phat
- Phat learning about the Omegaverse
- The brothers trying to buy the land
- Amintra trying to stop the purchase
- Amintra being in love with her bodyguard (??)
- Tim’s bar
- Naphitch being the half-brother
- Someone trying to frame Naphitch
- Tim and Sangnuea’s story
- The father searching for the Pure Omega
Did I miss anything? 😁
Most of these storylines were barely addressed or glossed over (especially the anticlimactic end to the Pure Omega search 😅). Most of the supporting characters lacked any real purpose. I would have loved to see more of Amintra and Nakhin’s friendship or learn why Nakhin and Ongsa’s relationship isn’t accepted (I know the general reasons, but it deserved to be explored further). Naphitch and Sangnuea’s storyline felt particularly wasted. The build-up had so much potential, but it badly needed more screentime and better scriptwriting.
I get that MFlow wanted to showcase their actors for future projects, but the production team should have recognized when enough was enough.
The most disappointing part for me, however, was the execution of Nakhun and Phat’s dynamic. Boat and Oat have incredible chemistry—both on and off screen—and you can tell they gave their all for these roles. Yet something was missing. I loved their dynamic in My Stubborn because Boat and Oat brought so much life to Jun and Sorn. It was fun, endearing, and felt organic. Knot had its cute moments too, but because the characters skipped a proper getting-to-know-you phase, their chemistry couldn't shine through as well. If Boat had been allowed to do more with his role than just play the typical stern, serious Alpha, Nakhun could have been much more layered.
I suppose I was hoping for more Alpha-brother power dynamics or subtle mafia vibes—basically, more show, don’t tell. On the other hand, the NC scenes somehow ended up feeling way too long, even if they actually weren't in terms of screen time. The first ones (especially that very first one 😳) were top-notch as always with Boat and Oat. But later on, simply implying them might have worked much better to keep the momentum going 😉
On a positive note: whoever styled Boat absolutely nailed it! He looks incredible as Nakhun (no beard this time 😉). Overall, the styling for the entire cast was top-notch—the styling team clearly had a blast.
Honestly, I think Boat and Oat could thrive even more under a different production company with better scripts. But at the same time, I realize how competitive the Thai BL industry is and why actors prefer staying with an agency that offers them steady work.
Maybe MFlow’s next projects will be more like My Stubborn in terms of production. I’m still looking forward to them, just with slightly lower expectations 😉
I hope my thoughts make sense! English isn’t my first language 😅
I’m still a newbie to the Omegaverse. The dark-romance aspects of the genre aren't really my cup of tea. But ABO Desire was a fantastic introduction (thanks to Hua Yong, who is now one of my favorite BL characters 😁), and I managed to dive deeper into the lore through a German Omegaverse book series.
The first three episodes of Knot were genuinely good. Oat was so on point with Phat’s emotions, and Boat is made to play an Alpha. I loved the themes the plot introduced—the bond between an Alpha and his Omega alongside the soulmate bond, which feels like a pre-determined fate for Phat’s life. I was so excited to watch Phat and Nakhun navigate this together and eventually fall in love, much like in My Stubborn.
But then episode 4 released, followed by episode 5… and I just couldn’t defend the series anymore. I’m usually able to ignore certain flaws in BL dramas, but I was genuinely hyped for Knot. Plus, with so many exceptional BLs airing this year, the drop in quality stands out even more.
I’m intentionally comparing Knot to My Stubborn because they share the same director, production team, and largely the same cast.
The production of Knot is surprisingly weak, and a low budget isn't an excuse, as other series have proven. The camera angles, sound, and editing were terribly lacking in this one. It feels like the entire budget went into the location and outfits. Now, My Stubborn almost feels like a high-budget production by comparison.
What negative-impressed me was how many lines some characters had—without conveying any actual substance. Phat and Nakhun talked constantly, yet rarely with each other. Then there was Folk (Sangnuea) with his massive villain monologue and the repetitive plot points (like the land purchase or the dad 😬). It was a classic case of saying a lot without actually saying anything. In contrast, Jame (Naphitch) had barely any lines in his few scenes.
The writers completely missed the chance to show the actual development of Phat and Nakhun’s relationship. After the first few episodes, the two barely spent any meaningful time together to actually get to know each other.
Instead, the production focused on a hundred other things. I tried to list all the sideplots:
- The bonding between Nakhun and Phat
- Phat learning about the Omegaverse
- The brothers trying to buy the land
- Amintra trying to stop the purchase
- Amintra being in love with her bodyguard (??)
- Tim’s bar
- Naphitch being the half-brother
- Someone trying to frame Naphitch
- Tim and Sangnuea’s story
- The father searching for the Pure Omega
Did I miss anything? 😁
Most of these storylines were barely addressed or glossed over (especially the anticlimactic end to the Pure Omega search 😅). Most of the supporting characters lacked any real purpose. I would have loved to see more of Amintra and Nakhin’s friendship or learn why Nakhin and Ongsa’s relationship isn’t accepted (I know the general reasons, but it deserved to be explored further). Naphitch and Sangnuea’s storyline felt particularly wasted. The build-up had so much potential, but it badly needed more screentime and better scriptwriting.
I get that MFlow wanted to showcase their actors for future projects, but the production team should have recognized when enough was enough.
The most disappointing part for me, however, was the execution of Nakhun and Phat’s dynamic. Boat and Oat have incredible chemistry—both on and off screen—and you can tell they gave their all for these roles. Yet something was missing. I loved their dynamic in My Stubborn because Boat and Oat brought so much life to Jun and Sorn. It was fun, endearing, and felt organic. Knot had its cute moments too, but because the characters skipped a proper getting-to-know-you phase, their chemistry couldn't shine through as well. If Boat had been allowed to do more with his role than just play the typical stern, serious Alpha, Nakhun could have been much more layered.
I suppose I was hoping for more Alpha-brother power dynamics or subtle mafia vibes—basically, more show, don’t tell. On the other hand, the NC scenes somehow ended up feeling way too long, even if they actually weren't in terms of screen time. The first ones (especially that very first one 😳) were top-notch as always with Boat and Oat. But later on, simply implying them might have worked much better to keep the momentum going 😉
On a positive note: whoever styled Boat absolutely nailed it! He looks incredible as Nakhun (no beard this time 😉). Overall, the styling for the entire cast was top-notch—the styling team clearly had a blast.
Honestly, I think Boat and Oat could thrive even more under a different production company with better scripts. But at the same time, I realize how competitive the Thai BL industry is and why actors prefer staying with an agency that offers them steady work.
Maybe MFlow’s next projects will be more like My Stubborn in terms of production. I’m still looking forward to them, just with slightly lower expectations 😉
I hope my thoughts make sense! English isn’t my first language 😅
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