Chatriel
Roanoke, VA
This review may contain spoilers
I apologize for the novel....
This is a heavy, heavy drama. It’s also very, very good.
The following are simply things I want to say. Some of this is a reaction to the drama itself, and some is in response to what I’ve read in the comment section as the drama unfolded on our TV, computer, or phone every week. I didn't hit on every character or actor, just the ones about which I had something to say.
The characters:
The kids as a whole: They had developed such a loving support system for each other in their younger years that being apart, not continuing to love and support each other, was simply wrong. Their happiness was with each other.
Phukhao: Phukhao is the younger brother of Mai, who was murdered when he was young. Phukhao grows up angry, and is allowed to retaliate in childish ways without consequence. As the story progresses, however, he is faced with the reality that his emotions were misplaced, and shows true maturity by allowing himself to let go of the anger that was expected of him. I think that if it hadn’t been for Mai’s devotion and true love for his little brother, Phukhao would never have been able to overcome his pain and move on.
Kongkwan: She begins as a meek, scared child who only trusts her group of friends, especially Phukhao. She is the youngest so they take care of her the best they can. As she grows up, she never is allowed to really grow out of that due to the social stigma of her sister being a murderer. She does become a strong, resilient character though, because she never lost faith in both the friends that protected her and the friend (Phukhao) that hated her.
Nink (Phukhao’s ex-girlfriend): I find it interesting how Nink latches onto Lookzo. Despite them being enemies, Nink has no one else. It seems that although Nink and Zo (Lookzo) have bad feelings towards each other, in Nink’s eyes, even bad feelings are feelings….a connection she is lacking after Phukhao broke up with her. So she forces herself into Zo’s life, despite Zo’s reluctance.
Sai (Phukhao’s mother): She is a “poor little me” character that is pissed that she can’t make others make the same choices that she did. She ran away from love because it was hard. Because it wasn’t “acceptable.” Others are willing to fight for their love and she does everything in her power to stop them. Her tears don’t cover her hero complex.
Santi (Phukhao’s father): I love Santi’s character, but I kinda want to pop him in the back of the head and tell him to wake up. He is so self-involved that he doesn’t realize what he’s doing to his family. Luckily, he redeems himself in my opinion.
Piak: Ahh…the coward turned hero when he had nothing left to lose. Despite this, I loved his love for the kids.
Oh (Lookzo’s father): My favorite character. He’s simply adorable.
Mai: My other favorite character. He tried. He was just too young and ineffective to be able to accomplish his goals.
Sudteeluk (Luk): Although she is several years older than Mai, she and he fall in love. Since they grew up together, it’s really not surprising, even though some (characters and viewers alike) reject the morality of their relationship. (I’m not sure why there’s a magic cut-off date for childhood vs adulthood, because that’s not how reality works. I’m all for protecting the innocent and obeying the law, but love doesn’t know those boundaries, and sometimes people do things, by mistake or intention, that they know is against societal norms.) Luk was brave to try to save Mai’s reputation and prevent the other drug factions from using his death to their advantage. But in the end it did more harm than good.
**********
The actors: It amazes me that people can watch a series and have so much to say about the acting. I agree that there is good acting and not-so-good acting, but when an actor takes the role given to them and plays it 100% by that character’s background and personality, then the fault isn’t with the actor, the director, or the script, but the character itself.
Ohm Pawat (Phukhao): Ohm is an outstanding actor. He immerses himself into his roles. Many comment that Ohm is overacting in this drama, but I totally disagree. He is playing a teenager that is full of pain and regret. Teenagers are often overly dramatic, as their emotions are often raw and hormone driven, and they don’t yet have the capacity to deal with their emotions properly. This is a learned response that even many adults haven’t mastered. Ohm is playing a teenager that is raging and acting out because no one has let him/helped him get past his brother’s murder, mostly because the “adults” aren’t mature enough to handle their own pain.
Tu (Kongkwan): As with Ohm, I think Tu played her character outstandingly. Comments that I saw about her were pretty awful, and while she isn’t my favorite actress (just a personal preference) I have nothing bad to say about her portrayal of Kongkwan. She is playing the meek, scared child that you see in the beginning of the series. According to the society Kongkwan lives in, her right to be happy and involved is voided by her sister’s actions. She doesn’t get to show herself as “living,” since merely existing is a blemish on the community. So the complaints I read about how Tu isn’t expressive make no sense to me, as the character herself isn’t allowed to be expressive.
Pleum (Mai): In my opinion, Pleum was the best actor in the entire series. His actions and reactions were totally on point. (It’s possible that I’m starstruck.)
Off (Plu): People comment that Tu’s facial expressions, or lack thereof, were a problem. I disagree with that. I would say that Off’s expressions were much more lacking. I know Off is a good actor and getting better, but it always struck me in this drama that his expressions almost never changed. Just as Tu, Off was playing a character that was pretty beaten down and worried all the time. I personally loved the character of Plu, I just thought that Off's portrayal should have been more expressive, and I question why he didn't get the same comments from the peanut gallery that Tu did.
**********
Those are the main points I wanted to make. Within the drama itself, I found that some things didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but I can chalk some of it up to differences in culture. The rest I can blame on it being a drama, and since I can barely understand real life at times, not understanding every little detail in a drama doesn’t really bother me. I liked this. I liked it a lot, but I cried a freakin’ river while watching, so my box of tissues is a lot lighter now.
Also: Grandma (Pum) and Grandad (Yo) are 'best characters!!!'
The following are simply things I want to say. Some of this is a reaction to the drama itself, and some is in response to what I’ve read in the comment section as the drama unfolded on our TV, computer, or phone every week. I didn't hit on every character or actor, just the ones about which I had something to say.
The characters:
The kids as a whole: They had developed such a loving support system for each other in their younger years that being apart, not continuing to love and support each other, was simply wrong. Their happiness was with each other.
Phukhao: Phukhao is the younger brother of Mai, who was murdered when he was young. Phukhao grows up angry, and is allowed to retaliate in childish ways without consequence. As the story progresses, however, he is faced with the reality that his emotions were misplaced, and shows true maturity by allowing himself to let go of the anger that was expected of him. I think that if it hadn’t been for Mai’s devotion and true love for his little brother, Phukhao would never have been able to overcome his pain and move on.
Kongkwan: She begins as a meek, scared child who only trusts her group of friends, especially Phukhao. She is the youngest so they take care of her the best they can. As she grows up, she never is allowed to really grow out of that due to the social stigma of her sister being a murderer. She does become a strong, resilient character though, because she never lost faith in both the friends that protected her and the friend (Phukhao) that hated her.
Nink (Phukhao’s ex-girlfriend): I find it interesting how Nink latches onto Lookzo. Despite them being enemies, Nink has no one else. It seems that although Nink and Zo (Lookzo) have bad feelings towards each other, in Nink’s eyes, even bad feelings are feelings….a connection she is lacking after Phukhao broke up with her. So she forces herself into Zo’s life, despite Zo’s reluctance.
Sai (Phukhao’s mother): She is a “poor little me” character that is pissed that she can’t make others make the same choices that she did. She ran away from love because it was hard. Because it wasn’t “acceptable.” Others are willing to fight for their love and she does everything in her power to stop them. Her tears don’t cover her hero complex.
Santi (Phukhao’s father): I love Santi’s character, but I kinda want to pop him in the back of the head and tell him to wake up. He is so self-involved that he doesn’t realize what he’s doing to his family. Luckily, he redeems himself in my opinion.
Piak: Ahh…the coward turned hero when he had nothing left to lose. Despite this, I loved his love for the kids.
Oh (Lookzo’s father): My favorite character. He’s simply adorable.
Mai: My other favorite character. He tried. He was just too young and ineffective to be able to accomplish his goals.
Sudteeluk (Luk): Although she is several years older than Mai, she and he fall in love. Since they grew up together, it’s really not surprising, even though some (characters and viewers alike) reject the morality of their relationship. (I’m not sure why there’s a magic cut-off date for childhood vs adulthood, because that’s not how reality works. I’m all for protecting the innocent and obeying the law, but love doesn’t know those boundaries, and sometimes people do things, by mistake or intention, that they know is against societal norms.) Luk was brave to try to save Mai’s reputation and prevent the other drug factions from using his death to their advantage. But in the end it did more harm than good.
**********
The actors: It amazes me that people can watch a series and have so much to say about the acting. I agree that there is good acting and not-so-good acting, but when an actor takes the role given to them and plays it 100% by that character’s background and personality, then the fault isn’t with the actor, the director, or the script, but the character itself.
Ohm Pawat (Phukhao): Ohm is an outstanding actor. He immerses himself into his roles. Many comment that Ohm is overacting in this drama, but I totally disagree. He is playing a teenager that is full of pain and regret. Teenagers are often overly dramatic, as their emotions are often raw and hormone driven, and they don’t yet have the capacity to deal with their emotions properly. This is a learned response that even many adults haven’t mastered. Ohm is playing a teenager that is raging and acting out because no one has let him/helped him get past his brother’s murder, mostly because the “adults” aren’t mature enough to handle their own pain.
Tu (Kongkwan): As with Ohm, I think Tu played her character outstandingly. Comments that I saw about her were pretty awful, and while she isn’t my favorite actress (just a personal preference) I have nothing bad to say about her portrayal of Kongkwan. She is playing the meek, scared child that you see in the beginning of the series. According to the society Kongkwan lives in, her right to be happy and involved is voided by her sister’s actions. She doesn’t get to show herself as “living,” since merely existing is a blemish on the community. So the complaints I read about how Tu isn’t expressive make no sense to me, as the character herself isn’t allowed to be expressive.
Pleum (Mai): In my opinion, Pleum was the best actor in the entire series. His actions and reactions were totally on point. (It’s possible that I’m starstruck.)
Off (Plu): People comment that Tu’s facial expressions, or lack thereof, were a problem. I disagree with that. I would say that Off’s expressions were much more lacking. I know Off is a good actor and getting better, but it always struck me in this drama that his expressions almost never changed. Just as Tu, Off was playing a character that was pretty beaten down and worried all the time. I personally loved the character of Plu, I just thought that Off's portrayal should have been more expressive, and I question why he didn't get the same comments from the peanut gallery that Tu did.
**********
Those are the main points I wanted to make. Within the drama itself, I found that some things didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but I can chalk some of it up to differences in culture. The rest I can blame on it being a drama, and since I can barely understand real life at times, not understanding every little detail in a drama doesn’t really bother me. I liked this. I liked it a lot, but I cried a freakin’ river while watching, so my box of tissues is a lot lighter now.
Also: Grandma (Pum) and Grandad (Yo) are 'best characters!!!'
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