Earth and Fourth carried this one. Yes Earth is a miscast age wise but he played the tired cynical, trying to…
The only episode I felt was worth watching is episode 5 (and parts of 4) with the breakdown of Alan and Wen's relationship. First is excellent in it and it's the only episode where Mix's acting is good. Fourth basically is a sulky teenager as he's only about 17 in real life so not sure that tells us much, plus all the time spent on his storyline with Gemini just made this another version of my school president (or whatever it's called). What was the point in saying we'd get an "adult" series and then spend so much time on them? My suspicion is it was pushed by the GMMTV leadership. Earth is very miscast in this and for that reason does not pull off the role.
The reason I think you feel it needed more episodes is because it was all over the place with too many arcs - most of them not properly developed. The storyline is not cohesive, believable and drags on. The result is that as a viewer you feel a disconnect, like you don't quite understand what's going on.
What was this series actually about: Was it a love triangle? Being poor? Homophobia? Being working class? Growing old? Cheating? Relationships? Growing up? Teen angst? Coming of age? Sadness and loss? Unrequited love? It's almost like they tried to fit all of it in and it fell flat. The storyline was way overengineered and had more holes than a Swiss cheese. It was rushed and poorly executed.
They should have picked a story to focus on and developed it properly. In my view that should have been the love triangle between Alan, Wen and Jim. There was no need for a love story between Heart & Li Ming, have Gaipa follow Jim around like a puppy or Saleng knocking up his girlfriend (were we supposed to feel sorry for him?).
2000 baht is about $58 dollars in today's exchange rate. That is not necessarily an unusual tip depending on the…
Oh I agree, I think a lot of people think the streets are paved with gold. Reality us that a lot of the times you're better off staying put then moving to the US or another country.
Speaking of rants: don’t get me started on the whole life insurance thing from Gaipa’s mum. Anyone with half a brain who has ever dealt with life insurances knows full well that to sign up to one you have to spend days filling out forms and providing all kinds of medical certificates, notes and details about your life and lifestyle - especially at the age Gaipa's mum is supposed to be. You have to disclose any medical preconditions that you are aware of and your family history. A mere whiff of her suffering from hypertension and the insurance companies wouldn’t touch her with a barge pole.
Are we supposed to believe that she took out a life insurance for him because she knew she was dying? Even if she through some miracle had managed to get one, the moment they found out she suffered from hypertension and knew about it but hadn't disclosed it, her insurance would be invalidated. Null and void. The only reason Alan would be at the funeral would be to tell Gaipa he’d be getting diddly squat, and that his mum wasted all that money paying for that insurance. Is this the best the writers could come up with to get Alan and Gaipa to meet? Come on. Never mind the fact that no normal adult would go to a FUNERAL to tell someone about paperwork!
It’s such lazy writing for what is supposedly an adult storyline. Others will say oh it's just minor details, but it's the attention to details that make a series great, and that includes factual details - especially for a series that is supposed to be about real life and real adults.
A supposedly adult storyline which spent half its time dealing with a couple of soppy high school teenagers drinking boba tea in a mall 🙄 all to satisfy the teeny bopper fandom. The agenda strikes again. I wonder what this series would have actually been like if the original premise had been followed.
Maybe it's a mistranslation, but Li Ming said that people in the US give like 1000-2000 baht tips each, and I'm…
2000 baht is about $58 dollars in today's exchange rate. That is not necessarily an unusual tip depending on the size of meal, number of people, city and venue.
I'm not American or live in the US but have been there many times and have US colleagues - my understanding is that people in the US working in the services sector (e.g. waiters, taxi drivers, cleaners etc) many times do not get the usual minimum wage (depending on state, city etc) and are expected to make up the difference in tips. This policy is justified as being an incentive for people working in this sector to provide "better service". I personally disagree - I think you get better service if you pay people properly. But that's a debate for another day.
This is why tipping culture is so big in the US - a lot of people who work in this sector basically cannot afford to live on their salary unless it's topped up by tips. A 20%-25% tip is pretty standard unless you're really unhappy with the service, but can be higher depending on city and venue. If you give less it's not unusual for the manager to come round and ask what was wrong with the service to warrant not tipping enough... Even though tipping - technically - is optional.
If a group of customers (4-5 people) eat at a restaurant for say $300 then they're supposed to tip about $70-75. That won't necessarily all go to that particular waiter, it might be split amongst the staff (incl. kitchen). So yes, $30-$50 tips are probably quite common, however, you have to factor in the fact that your minimum wage can be as low as $2.13 an hour... So those tips albeit "high" will mostly just make up for lost income from the lower minimum wage.
And don't get me started about the cost of living vs Thailand. In any city where you could potentially get that amount in tips you're looking at huge costs of living. And I'm not even talking about downtown Manhattan here, we're talking New Jersey at the most - if that! Anywhere nice in Manhattan will set you back $3000-4000 a month for a tiny apartment (unless you want to be in the slums of Harlem - and even there it's really expensive nowadays). Forget 2-3 bedrooms. Don't be fooled by "friends" the sitcom, that's just a fantasy.
Some staff in US restaurants are less than pleased when they get non US customers, since tourists generally do not always understand the tipping culture and the need for tips leading to reduced tips. An understandable reaction when you're so reliant on tips to make up your salary. For that reason if you are travelling to the US please do your research. Don't be afraid to ask either, e.g. at hotel reception, when, and how much to tip. Don't be that tourist who thinks: "oh who cares it's not like I'm gonna see them again next week..."
But the sad reality is Li Ming would never be able to move to the US to work unless:
1) He won the green card lottery (which he may not even be eligible for) 2) Was sponsored by a company as part of employment (something not easily achieved and highly unlikely in his case as he's only about 18) 3) Possibly had a very close relative already living there (e.g. a parent) who is a US citizen. And even then he would need to be minor to qualify... 4) Entered the US illegally
As it stands he wouldn't even get a tourist visa to the US due to lack of means, let alone a visa to move and work there. Last I checked Thai nationals do not get visa-free travel to the US.
On the series it seems as if he's going over there to study? But again, this would not be possible for someone like him with such limited financial means considering the cost of living and studying there - unless he was awarded some sort of scholarship, however, it didn't seem like he had made any significant academic achievements or applied for a scholarship programme. Not to mention his English language skills would have to be on a high level.
I know, I know I'm ranting! This is all fiction at the end the day, and it doesn't really matter but it does give the impression of some lazy writing behind the scenes (no pun intended)... Also, you are giving the impression to young people that you can just turn up at a stand in a shopping mall, sign a piece of paper handed to you (by someone speaking very dodgy English), and off you go to America to seek your fortunes! Yeah.... No.
It's pretty obvious, and it's difficult to understand how people can't get that.I'm gay and I would be concerned…
This ranks very high up with some of the most disgusting 🤮 comments I’ve read on these comment boards. You need to have a serious word with yourself.
I keep thinking about First - in this, in Not Me, in Eclipse (not my favorite show at all - lord, that plot, don't…
You and me both! But don't you be getting any ideas now or I'll be fighting you for him 😅 joking aside, I think the difference is he actually wants to be an actor and takes it seriously. His skills have improved tremendously since he started. Obviously helps to looks the way he does (gorgeous and sexy!!!), but looks will only get you so far!
Since he and First area apparently paired for life now, it will probably be Alan, although there's not enough…
I don't have an issue per se with them being paired as long as the series themselves and the writing is good. Unlike some of the other "pairings" they actually enjoy spending time with each other and are genuine friends. And there's no stupid fan service either!
He has grown immensely as an actor. It has been a joy to see. Though I fear his talent will be wasted at GMMTV unless they invest in some better writers for their series.
I think everyone needs to calm down about the clip from next week. It's an edited clip out of context. But as…
Yeah after last week's stronger episodes with Alan/Wen I was hopeful for the remainder but it really went downhill this week. Agree with you on all the external factors - way too much going on, not to mention completely unnecessary. It's all over the place at the minute... To say I'm disappointed would be an understatement. Certainly does not deserve the 8.4, more like a 6.0-6.5 I would say.
I don't mean to be rude, but I keep watching this series because of Li Ming and Heart.About the main couple, idk…
You're not rude. The series is all over the place. Twists and turns, and revelations that either don't make sense or don't add anything to the story. The relationship breakdown between Wen and Alan and their interactions are the only saving grace, and right now the only reason why I'm watching it. I have so many issues I don't know where to begin, and I basically fast forward most bits as they bore me to tears.
As for Li/Heart, they are cute and fluffy but completely unnecessary in what is supposed to be a drama about adult life and adult problems. I fear there is agenda at GMMTV to push this couple as much as possible. They waste so much time that could be used for better purposes.
Agreed, I have said this as well - Earth is miscast in this. They wanted the EarthMix combo but it doesn't work…
I must admit - everyone is raving about how amazing this series is, but I really don't see it. With the exception of Wen/Alan's interactions I'm quite disappointed. Just watched episode 6 and I'm now even more disappointed.
Agreed, I have said this as well - Earth is miscast in this. They wanted the EarthMix combo but it doesn't work…
Agreed. Actually, Jim could have been Li's older brother as opposed to uncle. The business was owned by their mother who passed away. Jim took it over at an early age feeling responsible for it and his younger brother. So many better options for these characters in my opinion.
1 
The reason I think you feel it needed more episodes is because it was all over the place with too many arcs - most of them not properly developed. The storyline is not cohesive, believable and drags on. The result is that as a viewer you feel a disconnect, like you don't quite understand what's going on.
What was this series actually about: Was it a love triangle? Being poor? Homophobia? Being working class? Growing old? Cheating? Relationships? Growing up? Teen angst? Coming of age? Sadness and loss? Unrequited love? It's almost like they tried to fit all of it in and it fell flat. The storyline was way overengineered and had more holes than a Swiss cheese. It was rushed and poorly executed.
They should have picked a story to focus on and developed it properly. In my view that should have been the love triangle between Alan, Wen and Jim. There was no need for a love story between Heart & Li Ming, have Gaipa follow Jim around like a puppy or Saleng knocking up his girlfriend (were we supposed to feel sorry for him?).
Speaking of rants: don’t get me started on the whole life insurance thing from Gaipa’s mum. Anyone with half a brain who has ever dealt with life insurances knows full well that to sign up to one you have to spend days filling out forms and providing all kinds of medical certificates, notes and details about your life and lifestyle - especially at the age Gaipa's mum is supposed to be. You have to disclose any medical preconditions that you are aware of and your family history. A mere whiff of her suffering from hypertension and the insurance companies wouldn’t touch her with a barge pole.
Are we supposed to believe that she took out a life insurance for him because she knew she was dying? Even if she through some miracle had managed to get one, the moment they found out she suffered from hypertension and knew about it but hadn't disclosed it, her insurance would be invalidated. Null and void. The only reason Alan would be at the funeral would be to tell Gaipa he’d be getting diddly squat, and that his mum wasted all that money paying for that insurance. Is this the best the writers could come up with to get Alan and Gaipa to meet? Come on. Never mind the fact that no normal adult would go to a FUNERAL to tell someone about paperwork!
It’s such lazy writing for what is supposedly an adult storyline. Others will say oh it's just minor details, but it's the attention to details that make a series great, and that includes factual details - especially for a series that is supposed to be about real life and real adults.
I'm not American or live in the US but have been there many times and have US colleagues - my understanding is that people in the US working in the services sector (e.g. waiters, taxi drivers, cleaners etc) many times do not get the usual minimum wage (depending on state, city etc) and are expected to make up the difference in tips. This policy is justified as being an incentive for people working in this sector to provide "better service". I personally disagree - I think you get better service if you pay people properly. But that's a debate for another day.
This is why tipping culture is so big in the US - a lot of people who work in this sector basically cannot afford to live on their salary unless it's topped up by tips. A 20%-25% tip is pretty standard unless you're really unhappy with the service, but can be higher depending on city and venue. If you give less it's not unusual for the manager to come round and ask what was wrong with the service to warrant not tipping enough... Even though tipping - technically - is optional.
If a group of customers (4-5 people) eat at a restaurant for say $300 then they're supposed to tip about $70-75. That won't necessarily all go to that particular waiter, it might be split amongst the staff (incl. kitchen). So yes, $30-$50 tips are probably quite common, however, you have to factor in the fact that your minimum wage can be as low as $2.13 an hour... So those tips albeit "high" will mostly just make up for lost income from the lower minimum wage.
And don't get me started about the cost of living vs Thailand. In any city where you could potentially get that amount in tips you're looking at huge costs of living. And I'm not even talking about downtown Manhattan here, we're talking New Jersey at the most - if that! Anywhere nice in Manhattan will set you back $3000-4000 a month for a tiny apartment (unless you want to be in the slums of Harlem - and even there it's really expensive nowadays). Forget 2-3 bedrooms. Don't be fooled by "friends" the sitcom, that's just a fantasy.
Some staff in US restaurants are less than pleased when they get non US customers, since tourists generally do not always understand the tipping culture and the need for tips leading to reduced tips. An understandable reaction when you're so reliant on tips to make up your salary. For that reason if you are travelling to the US please do your research. Don't be afraid to ask either, e.g. at hotel reception, when, and how much to tip. Don't be that tourist who thinks: "oh who cares it's not like I'm gonna see them again next week..."
But the sad reality is Li Ming would never be able to move to the US to work unless:
1) He won the green card lottery (which he may not even be eligible for)
2) Was sponsored by a company as part of employment (something not easily achieved and highly unlikely in his case as he's only about 18)
3) Possibly had a very close relative already living there (e.g. a parent) who is a US citizen. And even then he would need to be minor to qualify...
4) Entered the US illegally
As it stands he wouldn't even get a tourist visa to the US due to lack of means, let alone a visa to move and work there. Last I checked Thai nationals do not get visa-free travel to the US.
On the series it seems as if he's going over there to study? But again, this would not be possible for someone like him with such limited financial means considering the cost of living and studying there - unless he was awarded some sort of scholarship, however, it didn't seem like he had made any significant academic achievements or applied for a scholarship programme. Not to mention his English language skills would have to be on a high level.
I know, I know I'm ranting! This is all fiction at the end the day, and it doesn't really matter but it does give the impression of some lazy writing behind the scenes (no pun intended)... Also, you are giving the impression to young people that you can just turn up at a stand in a shopping mall, sign a piece of paper handed to you (by someone speaking very dodgy English), and off you go to America to seek your fortunes! Yeah.... No.
As for Li/Heart, they are cute and fluffy but completely unnecessary in what is supposed to be a drama about adult life and adult problems. I fear there is agenda at GMMTV to push this couple as much as possible. They waste so much time that could be used for better purposes.