FrankIncese
USA
This review may contain spoilers
INTRIGUING MESS
I am very torn by this series. I applaud a lot of what they TRIED to do, but have to bash them for how it was all executed.
As with the first season, I love this premise, that a simple game can create so much havoc and lead to revelations for a group of characters. And, as in the first season, they really let that play out over the course of the series. That's interesting, unusual (even though they play a version of this game in almost every BL ever) - but unusual to wrap an entire series around this game, and a fascinating experiment to see how far it can go and how much chaos it can create.
But there are so many inconsistencies here. The writing is a real amateur job. Characters say things like, I don't drink... and then drink. Underage characters are not allowed to drink... unless you're the main character... who says he doesn't drink but does... Homophobes suddenly start kissing boys. Brothers argue because... I'm not sure. But then work together, but then get fired, but then... Sib "owns" a cafe, but never really works there. Tar manages the cafe, but somehow solely makes the decision to close the cafe. In ep 10 they tell us Pan is part owner of the cafe??? The cafe closes, but 3 years later it's open again. Hello... writers... did you read your last draft? How about you try to track the events a bit better.
Oh, I loved the idea that the cafe had to close down because their teenage barista quit. Must have been a REAL stable business. And Sib has been in a relationship with Pan for YEARS, but when he sleeps with Pun he says it's his first time. Really? She should have figured out he was gay years ago. Who comes up with this stuff? Fire them!
Also, I know that companies pay to be advertised in the show and I'm fine with product placement, but I do not need to see 10 scenes of coffee making that do absolutely nothing to further the plot or character development. We get it. The cafe is a sponsor. Isn't showing their logo 4 times in every episode enough?
After that, maybe you can track the characters emotional journeys... so we understand who is feeling what for whom and when. I was so confused. Why is Sib with Pan? Because he doesn't want to quarrel? There's a surefire way to avoid arguments, leave her alone. You're not interested in her anyway. But then he kisses Pun, flirts with Pun, SLEEPS with Pun and still he's with Pan. Then his best friend confesses (a second time!) that he loves him... but he's okay just being friends? Em starts of homophobic then makes a quick U-turn and becomes obsessed with Pun. Pun likes Sib, but then seems to like Em, but still likes Sib, but can't be around them, but then returns... I couldn't follow it at all. This could have been done so much better. These complex relationships and emotions are perfect for a good drama, but they need to be handled (written!) with some artistry.
There is very little real character development. Sib does get a decent arc - although we are left frustrated by how wishy washy he is for most of the show. Em too has a bit of growth, but you just don't understand his motivation. Pun is the same from start to finish. He's the lead character! He needs to grow and learn. Screenwriting 101. Ugh!
Acting-wise, I'm probably the only person who didn't think Sib was horrible. True, he's not the best actor. But I found him charming and charismatic, especially in the montages where he and Pun grow closer (but of course there's not a lot of acting in a montage). His most notable fail was in the last episode when he and Em are consoling each other over losing Pun. Em is crying rivers. Tears are literally streaming down his face, wetting his shirt and Sib looks... constipated.
Pun was such a cutie, but there was very little going on behind those chubby cheeks. He seemed to force so many of his emotions. I also don't know how many times they had to show him shrug his shoulders in a "I don't know what's happening" fashion. Every time he had to kiss Sib it was as if he was being tortured. He looked so pained and uncomfortable. Even in the director's cut, we get to see a very long pre-sex scene (why it had to be so long when it goes nowhere is beyond me)... and it just made it worse because Pun looked so awkward. He didn't seem to mind kissing Em as much. Maybe that actor had better breath? Em was good. He cried a lot for such a tough guy. The rest were all just place fillers.
I'm not sure if Tar's friends were supposed to get their own story or not. They sure seemed to like making out with each other in the King game and in the flashback they are seen cuddling together in bed. Would have liked to seen their ship sail.
All in all, a sub-par series. Not horrible, but not really worth this much time. Wish this was as short as the first season, then maybe I would re-watch it. But don't think it's worth the effort. Only watch if you've watched everything else... like me. Haha.
As with the first season, I love this premise, that a simple game can create so much havoc and lead to revelations for a group of characters. And, as in the first season, they really let that play out over the course of the series. That's interesting, unusual (even though they play a version of this game in almost every BL ever) - but unusual to wrap an entire series around this game, and a fascinating experiment to see how far it can go and how much chaos it can create.
But there are so many inconsistencies here. The writing is a real amateur job. Characters say things like, I don't drink... and then drink. Underage characters are not allowed to drink... unless you're the main character... who says he doesn't drink but does... Homophobes suddenly start kissing boys. Brothers argue because... I'm not sure. But then work together, but then get fired, but then... Sib "owns" a cafe, but never really works there. Tar manages the cafe, but somehow solely makes the decision to close the cafe. In ep 10 they tell us Pan is part owner of the cafe??? The cafe closes, but 3 years later it's open again. Hello... writers... did you read your last draft? How about you try to track the events a bit better.
Oh, I loved the idea that the cafe had to close down because their teenage barista quit. Must have been a REAL stable business. And Sib has been in a relationship with Pan for YEARS, but when he sleeps with Pun he says it's his first time. Really? She should have figured out he was gay years ago. Who comes up with this stuff? Fire them!
Also, I know that companies pay to be advertised in the show and I'm fine with product placement, but I do not need to see 10 scenes of coffee making that do absolutely nothing to further the plot or character development. We get it. The cafe is a sponsor. Isn't showing their logo 4 times in every episode enough?
After that, maybe you can track the characters emotional journeys... so we understand who is feeling what for whom and when. I was so confused. Why is Sib with Pan? Because he doesn't want to quarrel? There's a surefire way to avoid arguments, leave her alone. You're not interested in her anyway. But then he kisses Pun, flirts with Pun, SLEEPS with Pun and still he's with Pan. Then his best friend confesses (a second time!) that he loves him... but he's okay just being friends? Em starts of homophobic then makes a quick U-turn and becomes obsessed with Pun. Pun likes Sib, but then seems to like Em, but still likes Sib, but can't be around them, but then returns... I couldn't follow it at all. This could have been done so much better. These complex relationships and emotions are perfect for a good drama, but they need to be handled (written!) with some artistry.
There is very little real character development. Sib does get a decent arc - although we are left frustrated by how wishy washy he is for most of the show. Em too has a bit of growth, but you just don't understand his motivation. Pun is the same from start to finish. He's the lead character! He needs to grow and learn. Screenwriting 101. Ugh!
Acting-wise, I'm probably the only person who didn't think Sib was horrible. True, he's not the best actor. But I found him charming and charismatic, especially in the montages where he and Pun grow closer (but of course there's not a lot of acting in a montage). His most notable fail was in the last episode when he and Em are consoling each other over losing Pun. Em is crying rivers. Tears are literally streaming down his face, wetting his shirt and Sib looks... constipated.
Pun was such a cutie, but there was very little going on behind those chubby cheeks. He seemed to force so many of his emotions. I also don't know how many times they had to show him shrug his shoulders in a "I don't know what's happening" fashion. Every time he had to kiss Sib it was as if he was being tortured. He looked so pained and uncomfortable. Even in the director's cut, we get to see a very long pre-sex scene (why it had to be so long when it goes nowhere is beyond me)... and it just made it worse because Pun looked so awkward. He didn't seem to mind kissing Em as much. Maybe that actor had better breath? Em was good. He cried a lot for such a tough guy. The rest were all just place fillers.
I'm not sure if Tar's friends were supposed to get their own story or not. They sure seemed to like making out with each other in the King game and in the flashback they are seen cuddling together in bed. Would have liked to seen their ship sail.
All in all, a sub-par series. Not horrible, but not really worth this much time. Wish this was as short as the first season, then maybe I would re-watch it. But don't think it's worth the effort. Only watch if you've watched everything else... like me. Haha.
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