Has some amazing potential. Fresh new characters for a Thai BL. The setting is magnificent, the cinematography great, with just a few hiccups here and there, mainly in transitions. The incidental themes are wow quality. The acting is very good.
However: This slow-burn formula is not really working best. The main environment of the restaurant is so fast-paced. They convey that well by the sped-up kitchen scenes. The rest of the drama could have followed suit without missing a beat. If we needed filler there are more than enough characters for secondary stories. Those awkward pauses in the dialogue. Why? Is there no other way to show emotion and convey feelings? What's really going on with Chef? We are told he is 2nd place and Chef Eve came to taunt him, but why? He is the strong, silent type but that scene with him throwing a tantrum at night with the dishes means he has some anger issues?
Don't get me wrong: I'm enjoying the development, just hoping for some more speed and resolutions, not to mention more Thai and fusion recipies. Right now it feels like a better structured and slower My Day.
I think this was a great series. The first time actors did an excellent job. The flashbacks told the other protagonist's…
I find the flashbacks to be quite developing for the story. If it was linear with them in school then Nut finds out Phob is sick it wouldn't have the same effect. This way it looked like Phob just couldn't say goodbye, then we got the truth. It was quite well executed IMHO. Great for Mean's directorial debut. One question, though: will many of the young 'uns understand payphones, CDs, and Nokia cellphones with buttons? :D
Talk about subverting expectations! I thought this would be crap, but it was surprisingly refreshing.
Things that hit me: 1. I thought IG's mom would be the somewhat villain. She didn't look like mom of the year initially, allowing IG to take time off from school and how she seemed to be a busy mom at first. Boy was this wrong! They developed her amazingly! 2. The real villain started out being the good guy, Tunwa. 3. IG's grandmother! Just an epic character! 4. From the opening it looked more like some silly story like You Never Eat Alone, only to be good with nice threads. 5. The music is quite fitting: upbeat and positive. 6. Ohm and Champ are slightly darker than the normal, milky white Thai protagonist stereotype. 7. I'm a sucker for stories with the genesis of someone moving on in life, (Part Time is still my all-time favourite Asian drama) so the opening of this was just perfection. Seeing Ruk transition to Bangkok was just great! 8. Champ has such a confused confused look! Well put to use here! 8. The story had good pacing with not a dull moment. The secondary couple got good, organic development and sufficient screen time. 9. All the characters had chemistry in their interactions. The boys fighting was comedic and well-choreographed. The crying after was just perfect for comic effect (Ep.1). 10. Good to see not all the male characters "realise" they like other males as is so cliche in these dramas. Tong even makes a move on Noinei in Ep. 12.
Things that could have been better: 1. The conflict with Ruk's dad. Why do these dramas see it fit that the character most against the BL character just suddenly comes around? Come on! Make it at least a little challenging. Something like, "I really don't 100% agree, but if it makes you happy . . ." 2. The opening credits could be a little more serious. Yes, it's fun but does not really relate to how good the story is. Great opening song BTW. 3. The Cheerleading Club could have shown some more disdain for the Football Club. I get that they are all friends in their group and with IG, but that rivalry could have been a little more than it was. 4. We could have been introduced to IG's family being musically inclined a little earlier on.
All in all, this was a good, light story with no terrible, unnecessary drama nor really toxic characters. Too many dramas think they must include toxicity to gain good ratings. It's not all about that. We just have characters reacting to situations.
This was the ideal drama for the international market. Nine days and gr8digit could have gained a lot of positive exposure with this one.
Yatch really surprised me with his acting in Ep.2. So far we've seen him in some comical roles, but he has a good range. Maya joins the list of very pretty Thai actresses :) I hope Earth will not be typecast into this damsel in distress role. He was quite a good supporting character in Ep.2. Just like Gun, I want to see him in some strong roles.
Not being one really into rom-coms and just finding them funny for the usual plot-holes and tropes, this one was actually quite refreshing. The characters were developed well. The background characters remained that: background; and the story, while predictable, developed organically. Chemistry was on-point among all the actors. Paper was used quite well to move the plot forward without being overbearing, tiresome or a plot contrivance. I always liked Jenny's acting and here only proved it more. She is quite adaptable, from the badass in 3 Will be Free, to the more funny portrayal of Pang here. Hope to see her again in an even more leading role. It was epic how Wisa started out being the villain, but we saw her true motivations for what she did and she became a sympathetic character perfectly. All in all a good one for GMM TV!
So of all the potential couples, you expected a happy ending for EakPhob? Really? I mean, Eak was as straight…
That is the only thing that was good in the show! If Phob had chosen Eak in the end then it would have received a 1 rating from me! Phob finally has a chance to move on with someone else and get over his feeling for you and now you want him? As What? A pet?
Not a bad premier for Mean's directorial debut. He is quite competent as a director.
How did they manage to de-age Title so well? Nut looks different as his younger self than his older only by a haircut? He looks like 4 years had passed.
It's quite nice that the main characters are the actual focus. We see the support as just that, support. No mistaking who the mains are and we are not getting bogged down with too many side stories, nor are they going missing like in SOTUS.
Wasn't really expecting much from this, but it is good in the originality of the story and allround cinematogrophy.
Wow, wow, wow. The very best of the best of the best out of the Phillipines! I thought being in person rather than the internet would spoil the atmosphere, but...! One of the most tasteful sex scenes in a BL! Epic writing Ash Malanum! Salamat (thank you) Ivan Andrew Payawal for bringing it to life! Elijah, hats off to you, but Kokoy you really stole this one!
Whenever they allow international fans to pay I will be doing just that!
Apart from Gun hamming it up just a tad, it was, at least, a different story that wasn't too bad. 15 episodes may have brought a better conclusion. We could have seen Sun rebelling with his father a little more and the girls' reactions for some more time. For the very least it was good that the story didn't end with the gangsters' fight and Phupha just having an epiphany that Sky and Sun should be together.
Same formula as Gaya Sa Pelikula and Quaranthings: two people thrust into a situation of living together, this time because of COVID. The same sort of ending: sweet and positive and open-ended. The good thing about Stuck is we see two people with different thoughts on relationships. Reb is more fanciful and dreamy, JM is more grounded. Both are really flawed characters, so this is good. They recognise that they are flawed and acknowledge their differences in the end. The development between them feels organic. Reb thought it was going one way, while JM saw it another. Well done, Ride or Die, for taking the formula and making it work again! Great work by the actors. Does the Canlas gene just have acting written into it?
Perfect! This is how you do a continuation to an epic story. Don't try to out-epic it, just continue and add to the lore! Oh trying to find himself and Teh not liking the changes, but come back to him in the end. A perfect ending to a journey of self-discovery and coming of age.
From an acting perspective, Krist and Fah are on point! Amazing together! Then, again Krist has chemistry with any other actor. Love seeing Aom in action. She is lovely and aging amazingly. Saiparn is playing an amazingly over-the-top character and seems to be having fun with it.
For the drama, I can't help but wonder if the father is still alive. The credits keep showing him, although that could be because his image is everywhere. I don't think Get killed him. She seems to have wanted power, but not to that extent. She should have also been a little more mature and not have such a relationship with Yu. She's 2x his age and his father's wife! Roong is a bad a$$! All the brains to be a Professor and all the cunning to be a worthy business person if she wasn't so evil! Mei attacked Get and Yu with a gun and got away with it that she has a bruised brain? Comeon! She was explicitly over the top even before! Yes, wanting to preserve the name and money of her dad, but this is just madness! If she really becomes Chairman what will happen to the company with her behaviour!
Aey was basically the villain in the series, but did he deserve this ending? Now that he's typecasted as Sib's BF (like how some fans can't separate Krist and Singto, two epic actors in their own rights) he has to be someone's boy toy to make ends meet? Also, how was he even informed of Sib's party?
Saymork wasn't a bad character, did he deserve this ending? Why couldn't he be happy at least? Did we have to close with him near tears? Also, how was he at Sib's party to begin with?
Where did the story of Book go? What was the point if it didn't come to some head?
I could handle the twist of Bua getting possessed and every member of the crew is in on it except Sib, but that was the main plot/ conflict?
Tiffy and Tum were the only truly good thing in here. We finally, finally get to see the hetero couple happy in a BL. Usually, they are forgotten far in the background (See: Manow and unknown BF in UWMA and May and M in SOTUS).
I do hope that this is some intro to De Hup having a continuation of the other characters. Bua getting into a relationship (as hinted), the continuation of the Book story, and possibly some good, if not happy, ending for Aye and Saymork.
1 
However:
This slow-burn formula is not really working best. The main environment of the restaurant is so fast-paced. They convey that well by the sped-up kitchen scenes. The rest of the drama could have followed suit without missing a beat. If we needed filler there are more than enough characters for secondary stories.
Those awkward pauses in the dialogue. Why? Is there no other way to show emotion and convey feelings?
What's really going on with Chef? We are told he is 2nd place and Chef Eve came to taunt him, but why? He is the strong, silent type but that scene with him throwing a tantrum at night with the dishes means he has some anger issues?
Don't get me wrong: I'm enjoying the development, just hoping for some more speed and resolutions, not to mention more Thai and fusion recipies. Right now it feels like a better structured and slower My Day.
It was quite well executed IMHO.
Great for Mean's directorial debut.
One question, though: will many of the young 'uns understand payphones, CDs, and Nokia cellphones with buttons? :D
Things that hit me:
1. I thought IG's mom would be the somewhat villain. She didn't look like mom of the year initially, allowing IG to take time off from school and how she seemed to be a busy mom at first. Boy was this wrong! They developed her amazingly!
2. The real villain started out being the good guy, Tunwa.
3. IG's grandmother! Just an epic character!
4. From the opening it looked more like some silly story like You Never Eat Alone, only to be good with nice threads.
5. The music is quite fitting: upbeat and positive.
6. Ohm and Champ are slightly darker than the normal, milky white Thai protagonist stereotype.
7. I'm a sucker for stories with the genesis of someone moving on in life, (Part Time is still my all-time favourite Asian drama) so the opening of this was just perfection. Seeing Ruk transition to Bangkok was just great!
8. Champ has such a confused confused look! Well put to use here!
8. The story had good pacing with not a dull moment. The secondary couple got good, organic development and sufficient screen time.
9. All the characters had chemistry in their interactions. The boys fighting was comedic and well-choreographed. The crying after was just perfect for comic effect (Ep.1).
10. Good to see not all the male characters "realise" they like other males as is so cliche in these dramas. Tong even makes a move on Noinei in Ep. 12.
Things that could have been better:
1. The conflict with Ruk's dad. Why do these dramas see it fit that the character most against the BL character just suddenly comes around? Come on! Make it at least a little challenging. Something like, "I really don't 100% agree, but if it makes you happy . . ."
2. The opening credits could be a little more serious. Yes, it's fun but does not really relate to how good the story is. Great opening song BTW.
3. The Cheerleading Club could have shown some more disdain for the Football Club. I get that they are all friends in their group and with IG, but that rivalry could have been a little more than it was.
4. We could have been introduced to IG's family being musically inclined a little earlier on.
All in all, this was a good, light story with no terrible, unnecessary drama nor really toxic characters. Too many dramas think they must include toxicity to gain good ratings. It's not all about that. We just have characters reacting to situations.
This was the ideal drama for the international market. Nine days and gr8digit could have gained a lot of positive exposure with this one.
Maya joins the list of very pretty Thai actresses :)
I hope Earth will not be typecast into this damsel in distress role. He was quite a good supporting character in Ep.2. Just like Gun, I want to see him in some strong roles.
The characters were developed well. The background characters remained that: background; and the story, while predictable, developed organically. Chemistry was on-point among all the actors.
Paper was used quite well to move the plot forward without being overbearing, tiresome or a plot contrivance.
I always liked Jenny's acting and here only proved it more. She is quite adaptable, from the badass in 3 Will be Free, to the more funny portrayal of Pang here. Hope to see her again in an even more leading role.
It was epic how Wisa started out being the villain, but we saw her true motivations for what she did and she became a sympathetic character perfectly.
All in all a good one for GMM TV!
How did they manage to de-age Title so well? Nut looks different as his younger self than his older only by a haircut? He looks like 4 years had passed.
It's quite nice that the main characters are the actual focus. We see the support as just that, support. No mistaking who the mains are and we are not getting bogged down with too many side stories, nor are they going missing like in SOTUS.
Wasn't really expecting much from this, but it is good in the originality of the story and allround cinematogrophy.
Hoping for a non Grey Rainbow ending . . .
The very best of the best of the best out of the Phillipines!
I thought being in person rather than the internet would spoil the atmosphere, but...!
One of the most tasteful sex scenes in a BL!
Epic writing Ash Malanum! Salamat (thank you) Ivan Andrew Payawal for bringing it to life!
Elijah, hats off to you, but Kokoy you really stole this one!
Whenever they allow international fans to pay I will be doing just that!
For the very least it was good that the story didn't end with the gangsters' fight and Phupha just having an epiphany that Sky and Sun should be together.
Interesting plot and resolution!
The good thing about Stuck is we see two people with different thoughts on relationships. Reb is more fanciful and dreamy, JM is more grounded. Both are really flawed characters, so this is good. They recognise that they are flawed and acknowledge their differences in the end. The development between them feels organic. Reb thought it was going one way, while JM saw it another.
Well done, Ride or Die, for taking the formula and making it work again! Great work by the actors. Does the Canlas gene just have acting written into it?
Oh trying to find himself and Teh not liking the changes, but come back to him in the end.
A perfect ending to a journey of self-discovery and coming of age.
For the drama, I can't help but wonder if the father is still alive. The credits keep showing him, although that could be because his image is everywhere. I don't think Get killed him. She seems to have wanted power, but not to that extent. She should have also been a little more mature and not have such a relationship with Yu. She's 2x his age and his father's wife! Roong is a bad a$$! All the brains to be a Professor and all the cunning to be a worthy business person if she wasn't so evil! Mei attacked Get and Yu with a gun and got away with it that she has a bruised brain? Comeon! She was explicitly over the top even before! Yes, wanting to preserve the name and money of her dad, but this is just madness! If she really becomes Chairman what will happen to the company with her behaviour!
Saymork wasn't a bad character, did he deserve this ending? Why couldn't he be happy at least? Did we have to close with him near tears? Also, how was he at Sib's party to begin with?
Where did the story of Book go? What was the point if it didn't come to some head?
I could handle the twist of Bua getting possessed and every member of the crew is in on it except Sib, but that was the main plot/ conflict?
Tiffy and Tum were the only truly good thing in here. We finally, finally get to see the hetero couple happy in a BL. Usually, they are forgotten far in the background (See: Manow and unknown BF in UWMA and May and M in SOTUS).
I do hope that this is some intro to De Hup having a continuation of the other characters. Bua getting into a relationship (as hinted), the continuation of the Book story, and possibly some good, if not happy, ending for Aye and Saymork.