NICE, THOUGH PREDICTABLE

I enjoyed this series. I watched for Royce Cabrera who amazed me with his star turn in Fu*&Bois. He and the other hot Pinoy BL star Kokoy De Santos were great in that movie (especially the climactic scene... wow!) So I had to check this one out.

I like these Covid-based storylines. Sweet, simple with some real life drama thrown in. It's actually the perfect reason for 2 disparate characters to be thrown together. And it's perfect for short-form series. I'm a huge fan of HELLO STRANGER - and GAMEBOIS is also quite strong (thanks primarily to Kokoy). This pandemic may have a positive impact on storytelling.

This series is very predictable. Lots of familiar tropes. I'm getting a little tired of "Truth or Dare" episodes and this series uses it more than once. Many things don't make complete sense, especially "straight" Rocky's willingness to go along with his flamboyantly gay roommate on so many occasions. Massage me, let me court you, let's have sex (filmed beautifully). It was a bit convenient and contrived. - The big revelation that comes in Episode 8 was quite a surprise. I didn't see it coming at all. So on that front, I wasn't sure if it was properly set-up. But it did make those contrived moments feel more understandable. So why didn't they set them up better?

Royce was fantastic! This guy is such a strong actor, such incredible charisma. SO HOT. Kyo Aquino, unfortunately, is much MUCH weaker. It felt a bit more forced, deer-in-the-headlight moments. He gets better as the series progresses, but still wish for Royce's equal beside him. The grandmother was not good at all. Beshie was a fun character and the actor played it naturally. And Glenn, the ex, was only mediocre.

Since it's a quick, light piece of familiar fluff, I would watch this again. Check it out.

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I Married a Mobster

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one, the premise is totally unrealistic... but I'm so happy I did and would love to see a sequel. What a fun series. I'm THRILLED to see a new storyline in the BL universe. Cop falling for Mobster and all of the intrigue, mystery, danger etc that goes along with it. They actually created a good detective story first and then allowed the two main characters to fall in love. It did get a bit convoluted and confusing, especially since we only hear the mystery details after the fact from third parties, but even if you come for the mystery, you will stay for the love story.

The growth of this relationship (while ridiculous in its premise), made absolute sense to me. You could see each of the main characters come to learn more and more about each other that would allow them to trust each other and even fall in love with each other. That gradual evolution is what made this story work best for me.

There is so much humor that works really well. Several characters are preposterously over the top, but the actors play them with such sweet, gentle, natural manners that they work perfectly. Jake Hsu was awkward and ungainly in all the right ways. But I also believed he was smart, loyal, honest and a really good cop. My favorite "touch" was his unkempt hair. They have one lock of hair ALWAYS out of place, sticking out in the most ridiculous manner. It became his signature and I came to miss it when he washed his hair and it disappeared. Kenny Chen may be my favorite naive "little boy" (alongside Plan as Can in Love by Chance). He is so vulnerable and trusting and goofy. I can't wait until he stars in his own BL series. This kid deserves to be a star. Unfortunately, Chris Wu is pretty horrible. He is wooden, blank-faced, lacking the internal emotions needed for this complex character. This is a recurring problem in BL series. They go for the good looking bad boy, but rarely can they find an actor who can play the subtleties of those roles. Chris did have some good moments, toward the latter half of the series, when he got to open up and express his affection for Meng Fei.

Those moments, when the two relaxed and allowed themselves to be boyfriends, were some of my favorites in the series. Despite the very quick transition in their relationship, you could sense an ease between the two actors. They truly portrayed the trust and relief you can only get in the arms of your beloved. The kissing and intimacy scared me at first. I didn't think they were going to pull it off. The first kiss was so tight-mouthed that I feared it would never look natural. But by the end of the series, these two were making out like they meant it. It got steamy for a second!

I appreciated the secondary BL romance, though it was even more ridiculous than the first. But again, Kenny Chen made his character so believable I wanted to fly to Taiwan and marry him myself. And I truly enjoyed the hetero romance as well. I thought it was well established and with little back-story I was able to understand both sides of this couple and was happy they came together in the end. Kudos to Diane Lin who does an excellent job as well. The filial love between these two "siblings" was another strong aspect of the series.

At times I thought the music was inspiring and spot on, but at other times it felt like it was lifted from a library of stock music that I've heard in so many other series.

Solid direction, cinematography, editing throughout. Truly high production values that helped propel this to the top of my list.

I will watch this one again FOR SURE.

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WASTED

Like almost everyone here, this was pretty disappointing to me. LBC was one of my favorite BL ever (and 90% of the reason was Perth and his amazing acting, coupled with his "best boyfriend ever" character). However, in Season 1, my least favorite characters were TinCan (i know I'm in the minority here, but Tin's acting was wooden and Can bordered on someone on the spectrum, no offense to those who are). So to have an entire season focus on them was a stretch for me from the beginning.

But then to just repeat all the same scenes, sometimes LESS effectively was an entire waste of time. It's season TWO. The story progresses. Or don't call it Season 2. Call it Tin/Can: A New Beginning or something. And to play with the timeline and canon of the first season is just lazy, sloppy and amateur writing.

Overall, I felt like I was just re-watching Season 1 but with all of the good parts removed.

Another unpopular opinion of mine... I actually think both Tin & Can were better this season. What I liked LEAST about Tin was his stiff, wooden, pouty portrayal. He just could't pull off the tough guy. Even in Season 1, when he softened and showed his love for Can he got much better. So to have his character somewhat softer here actually worked for me. Then the second half of the season had him focusing on his brother and the horrible "I'm mad all the time" face came out again and I was done with Tin. Plan is the only actor who could play Can in my mind. And I think this role suits him perfectly. With any other actor he would have been too whiny, too childish, too foolish. Somehow, Plan makes him adorable, loveable, sweet, tender. But I don't think he has the acting chops to do much else. I've seen him in other roles and he's either doing a version of Can or just playing himself. (And in all the BTS footage he looks like he's miserable the entire time). He is obviously so uncomfortable in the kissing scenes that he should have asked to limit them to just one, or never accepted a role in a BL series.

This was an infuriating slap in the face to fans. The creators obviously think we're stupid and don't care about things like logic, physics, pre-established characters/roles/relationships/resolutions. Shame on them!

Worst of all, Perth is wasted. I feel bad for him personally. It looks like the break with Saint was quite devastating. Professionally, having to play such a limited character when we've seen him and the character do so much more. Thankfully, as an actor he can cry on cue and that was all he was asked to do here. I hope for so much better for him in the future.

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CLOSE TO PERFECT

I have been transported to another place, another life and I loved (almost) every minute of it. This almost felt like a documentary to me. I felt like I was spying on these two boys and their actual lives. It was so real, no natural. Excquisite.

First, I have to talk about the setting for this series. This small, impoverished neighborhood was such a fresh setting for me (I'm a Westerner, although I have spent plenty of time all over Asia). I loved the glimpse into the everyday lives of these simple people. I longed to go to Auntie's shop and have her make me breakfast, bicycle to the river to fish and even wash out my only pair of underwear to hang on the line. There was such dignity and love in all these details. Incredible art direction, cinematography and direction. Top notch.

The set-up was contrived (step-brothers don't know they are step-brothers), but it was set up well, so you could buy into easily. And when the reveal happened later, it felt like a natural progression and evolution, so you can forgive the conveniences.

The characters are complex. They struggle with their emotions in real time. Not much is forced here (with a few exceptions). I never felt like we fast-forwarded through important moments just to get the boys together sooner. I actually loved the playful teasing and pranking they each performed at the start. It felt fairly realistic and when Bai Luo. Yin sews Gu Hai's sleeves together I laughed a lot. Gotcha! The evolution of their friendship felt natural. Little moments meant so much. Secretly following your crush to school and home again. Sigh.

The actors are incredible. Again, so real, so raw, so natural. Rarely one false moment. At first, I didn't even think Timmy was that handsome. But as time went on and I grew to love both of these characters, he suddenly turned into one of the most handsome men I had ever seen. I fell in love with them both and wanted them to fall in love with each other so desperately. And can we talk about the Dad? First off, Dads are not my type. But I have a crush on Wang Dong. What a sweet, kind character as well. Despite his shortcomings, his love for his son is palpable and his desire to improve their lives admirable. He was so endearing. Great job.

There were a couple of odd/uncomfortable plot points. I felt the "let's masturbate together, everybody does it" moment was rushed. You might want to ease into that, especially when your bro is NOT into it. Worse, the kidnapping and attempted rape seemed to come from out of nowhere. It did not fit Gu Hai's character, to me. Yes he has a temper. But this was borderline sociopathic. I get that he's obsessed but how would you ever expect anyone to accept that. I was surprised it didn't have more of a negative impact on their relationship. That felt like a mis-step to me.

When they finally move in together it was everything I could ever hope for. Naturally, problems arise, but I loved seeing them move into a more comfortable, physical relationship. Unfortunately, I watched this on YT, so I think the sexy scenes were cut, but I didn't really need them. They made it quite clear what was going on under those bedsheets.

I'm sorry it ended so abruptly. I'm sorry we won't see a Season 2. I'm sorry these two have been banned from appearing together as well. They have great chemistry.

But I will watch this again and again. You should too.

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LIGHT PIECE OF FLUFF

Very simple, straightforward little 3 eps series. Nothing new or revelatory here. 3 couples, each has a minor misunderstanding that somehow threatens to break them up and they all get resolved in 1 scene each. Not sure what the purpose of this one was. Feel like it was only created to keep the stars of LBC in the limelight and give the fans the 2 (or 3) couples they most wanted to see. I kinda feel cheated. Wish there was a real conflict to propel the story forward, but I have to admit that I was happy when they all got their happy endings.

Perth is just tremendous. How does this kid do it? Those tears he just manifests at will are amazing. He makes me feel every emotion so strongly. Obviously, he and Saint (also strong here, as always), are comfortable together - and if I can read into the social media posts I've seen, they were in an actual relationship around this time so their chemistry makes perfect sense. The post where Perth wishes Saint well as he embarks on a new relationship is one of the most heartbreaking moments in BL ever... and it's real. I'm sure there were many reasons for the breakup, but I just wanted to punch Saint when I saw that and go comfort Perth. Dang, how I wish I was 20 and Thai. I'd propose right now.

Plan is basically playing Tin from LBC here, with very little differentiation. I don't think he has much range. Mean is pretty awkward. I wasn't a big fan in LBC, and here he just seems forced and faking it.

I don't understand why you would bring back one of the premiere couples in Noh and Phun without giving them a real and compelling story. They seemed wasted here. It didn't really feel like they were 4 years into this relationship. And my oh my how Captain has changed. I didn't even recognize him. The make-up, the lipstick. This is not the Noh from Lovesick at all. His acting is nowhere near as natural as it was in that series. And he seems to be playing a different character. Perhaps he forgot what Noh was like (or the writers couldn't replicate it). He still does a decent job, but doesn't capture the raw, honest vulnerability he once had. White is fine. I'm not a big fan, but he was understated and natural.

Not compelling enough to really recommend. Fine if you want a quick fix but overall just average.

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LIGHT FLUFF

RATING: D

GENERAL
I applaud Kelly Fontanilla for his efforts here, I only wish the results were more satisfying. This is a short BL web series made during, and about, the Covid-19 Pandemic. The characters are all in quarantine, their segments are filmed using their web-cams or phones. It’s a fairly honest representation of what many are going through during these times, the anxiety, the isolation and the need for connection. Kelly’s character, Zag, is a vlogger and he captures that essence and attitude perfectly. If you didn’t know this was scripted, it could almost pass for an actual vlog, with honest, heartfelt and unfiltered remarks. If that was the case, I might be more forgiving. But this IS scripted. It’s directed and edited. And therefore it needs to stand up to all the other scripted series. There are several other quarantine series that have been produced recently, and some of them (Hello, Stranger) are the best of the best BL series. Granted, they had higher budgets and production values. But if they can pull off such amazing artistry within those confines, this series has to be held to those same standards.

It's all a shame, because the story is cute, sweet, simple and could have been quite touching. Finding love in this difficult time is an admirable storyline. I just felt like we missed the big moments that would have sold it better. Perhaps they meant to imply that much more happened than we were not allowed to view, but it felt rushed and thin. Zig’s conflict with his mother was also rushed to a forced conclusion and the script needed more time and depth to make this reversal believable.

ACTING/DIRECTION
Fontanilla is, at times, adorable. His Zag has strong appeal. He does feel like a typical teenager (unlike so many series that feel like 30-year-olds pretending to be 18), over-dramaticizing every moment and conversation. But Zag does require some getting used to. I started this series when it was airing weekly and, at first, I was annoyed by his over-the-top character. But then I waited to binge the entire series all at once, starting again at the beginning, and found him charming. This is an effeminate character that I actually like. And the reason is, he is the lead character (not the comic sidekick) and Fontanilla refuses to make his behavior a joke. Zag and Pink both are played with dignity and without shame. BIG KUDOS to the team for creating believable and real characters in that regard.

While there are flaws in the scripting, where this series really falls short is the acting, directing and editing. At times, it appears that the actors are reading their lines. You can see their eyes looking at the script, then looking back into the camera. Sometimes, they still manage to deliver the lines convincingly. Mr. Fontanilla himself is a decent actor. His character is probably close to his actual personality, and that surely helps. But all of the others, with the exception of Abel Barrientos as Pink (strong and believable in every scene – even when a baby cries off-screen), struggle. They recite as if they were reading the words for the first time. They don’t react in the moment. They rarely seem to feel the emotions their lines suggest. They often spit out the words rapid-fire, without taking the time to let their characters emote. I have a feeling that Kristoffer Molina and the adorable Lennox Quinola might be better actors in the hands of a stronger director and better script, with more rehearsal time. Granted, filming scenes separately, often without the other actor able to prompt you or to react against, certainly presents formidable challenges. But others have managed to do it far better (Hello, Stranger… again). The editing amplifies these weaknesses. Reactions are delayed or come too soon. There are awkward silences where characters don’t even react to what has just been said, then reply seemingly out of context. There are jump-cuts in the middle of scenes, when a new take was obviously needed. Again, the budget surely plays into these issues – but when some scenes come off perfectly well, you know the rest could have been fixed.

KISSING/INTIMACY
There is no physical intimacy in this series, due to its concept and quarantine production constraints. None of that is necessary or missed here. This is about falling in love online and that can certainly happen at any time (it is actually how I met and started courting my own boyfriend). Unfortunately, I didn’t feel these two actually fell in love. From off-line comments I assume they are friends (perhaps even more), so I wish I felt a stronger emotional connection between them.

SUMMARY
A light piece of fluff. Worthy of a quick binge, but not the best quality series. Fight on, Mr. Fontanilla. I know there is more and better material to come from you in the future.

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TEARS FOR DAYS

I've just finished this series and I am drained, emotionally. I cried the entire last 2 episodes. Everyone knows the ending and it is not my favorite, either. Of all the BL couples, I wanted these two to have their happy ever after more than anyone. That's what made the ending so heartbreaking. The writing suffered the most here (and there are so many high moments that it was doubly disappointing.) But I can't necessarily fault the writer for creating a tragedy. In this world of super goofy BL series, having something more serious is still welcome, despite breaking my heart.

Overall, this is one of the best series I've ever seen. It has many flaws but the honest depiction of gay, teenage love with such tenderness and vulnerability was amazing. There was an ease to the relationship conveyed with just a simple shrug or touch of the hand that conveyed so much more. These two actors really embodied their characters and found a way to express their love that few have done in this genre. The powerful direction really raised this to another level.

The series starts slowly. I wasn't a fan for the first episode or 3. So many tropes and cliches. I found both actors wooden at the start. Yes, their characters are both closed off, but neither of them could play that aspect very well. I did not believe Xiang Hao Ting's transformation at all. It came from out of nowhere and it was such a complete reversal that it felt entirely false. But once the boys start opening up to each other, it became an entirely different feeling and both actors came alive.

The middle portion is what sets this series apart from so many other BL series. This felt like a REAL romance. There was affection, tenderness, vulnerability, intimacy, an ease and comfort between them. I'm tired of BL couples who don't hold hands or kiss. That's just stupid. Who wants a relationship devoid of intimacy? No one. It defeats the purpose of creating these series. If you want to see boys falling in love... SHOW THEM falling in love. This series does that.

The issues brought up about society's tolerance or lack of tolerance were all handled fairly well. A bit trite and resolved more easily than in real life, but at least they were not ignored or used only when convenient, like in so many other series.

Loved the group of friends. Felt like they were all friends in real life. The brother-sister relationship was fantastic. The moment when Xiang Hao Ting worries that he is unlikeable and she reassures him was one of my favorites of the series.

Sun Bo and Zhi Gang's relationship was also good. I'm not normally a fan of the May-December romances in Bl series, but here it did not bother me. And from my own experience I can say, there are a LOT of boys out there who like "daddies". So it's not like this isn't happening every day all over the world. And here, with Sun Bo as the aggressor and Zhi Gang so vulnerable and resistant at the start (and indeed throughout the entire series until the very last episode), it took away the normal creepiness of this type of relationship. I think showing them together 6 years later also showed that these relationships can work out if both partners are open and honest.

For the most part the acting was very very strong. I don't think Huang Juan Zhi had a false moment. Wayne Song went from forced over-acting to some incredibly powerful moments. His breakdown in the last episode was devastating. His personal charm and charisma made up for what he lacks. Wilson Liu also vacillated between forced moments and then great, honest and vulnerable scenes. There was something so sweet and naive about him that you fell for him instantly. His friendship with Xiang Hao Ting felt very real. I also loved the sister, mother and father. Very strong performances throughout.

Aside from the ending, which felt rushed and pieced together, almost like they didn't know how to end the series and just threw it together, the writing was very strong. Wonderful lines of dialogue that I would hope someone might one day repeat to me. Very well done. The music was understated and supported the romantic nature of the storyline very well. Direction was very strong.

QUESTION FOR BL LOVERS: Why does this trope exist? "I don't like guys. I only like him." Is this because the women who write these stories and the women who mainly watch them want some hope that "He'll leave the guy when he grows up and then I can have him."??? It doesn't really make sense. If you're willing to write/watch a story where two boys fall in love, then let them be gay, or slowly come to realize they are gay. They can still be uncomfortable. They can still be unsure. They can still have eyes for only one man. I remember my first love. I don't think I even looked at another man while we were together. No one else existed, but him. Write THOSE characters.

As noted in another review, I will watch this one again - but I will probably skip the last episode and just imagine the future I had hoped for these two boys.

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STRAIGHTFORWARD BUT ENJOYABLE

Not much to say about this one. This is a fairly standard story, although it does have some slight differences. I liked the boys sleeping together on the first night and then having to navigate from there. But the familiar, I've got a girlfriend, I'm gonna cheat on my girlfriend, yet be pissed when she cheats on me, then turn into a needy, possessive "husband" is a bit too cliche for me. Still, I enjoyed the journey of these two characters. You can see that they had to shorten a whole season into 4 episodes, so you only get the highlights of this relationship and I think that's a good thing. If I had to watch 13 episodes of him getting back with Ploy, breaking up, sleeping with Mark, getting back with Ploy... it would have been too frustrating. So this was just the right amount of cliche for 4 eps! Haha.

I liked the two main characters and actors. There was an ease and naturalness to their portrayals. Mark had such expressive eyes. All those sidelong glances and I could tell just what he was thinking. If I had to say any actor played the gay vibe the best, it would be him. He reminded me of so many guys I know. But he spends so much time pouting. I wish they could have brought more levels to his character. All the supporting roles do a fine job as well.

I did enjoy that this was a real relationship. There was actual sex - at least talked about. I liked how all the friends knew what was going on and teased each other about it. It felt very contemporary in that regard.

All in all, a decent journey, expecially since it doesn't require much time or investment. It's a sweet story that should leave you satisfied.

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Delightful romp

RATING: B+

GENERAL
These 8-episodes are not really a “series”, but feel more like a short movie. Perhaps a student film, at that. But only because it’s a very simple, straightforward story with one minor subplot. However, it’s all done so well that it is wholly satisfying and I truly wished there was more going on, so I could spend more time with these characters and watch them navigate the typical conflicts of a BL series.

The love story is sweet, their growing friendship and attraction was believable and grew naturally. The loan shark subplot, while contrived, also worked fairly well and made sense in this fantasy world. The silly comedy sprinkled throughout was actually quite charming. It set the tone for the whole series and let you know what to expect til the end. When Sang Ha repositions the two snowmen so they are kissing it was such a cute moment, I couldn’t help by smile. The milk gifts, Sang Ha’s sparkly shirt encouraging Jin Won, the goofy coach, even the villain’s henchman crying when the debt is repaid, were all moments that added to the overall charm of the series.

There are a few deeper moments, where we get more insight into the characters. Not enough time was given to really delve deep, but that was clearly not the intent here, so it’s easy to overlook the limitations. However, those moments are still handled fairly well.

ACTING AND DIRECTION
Neither actor is asked to do much here, but they both do it all quite well. Sang Ha’s quirky grin really sold his character’s personality, with little need for more. Cheong Seung Ho managed to make Jin Won’s slow transformation entirely believable. When Sang Ha explains his history, you could truly get a sense that Jin Won’s spoiled rich kid started to understand and appreciate him, and even a sense that it made his feelings of attraction grow. As an aside, Cheong Seung Ho’s lips may be the most perfect lips I have ever seen. So kissable!

The direction delivered all that was required to make the elements come together well, especially those comedic moments mentioned above.

KISSING/INTIMACY
There are a few chaste kisses, but that’s all the story requires. Since we don’t delve into a real BL relationship, but only the beginnings of their story together, it was entirely appropriate. The first kiss was so spontaneous that it felt entirely natural. I will admit, the glimpses of skin in the shower and sauna were a nice bonus.

THE DOWNSIDE
My only real complaint was the first time the boys wind up in bed together. I bought into the whole “shared password”, but no matter how tired you are, when you go to bed and there is another person there, you would know it.

There was one other moment I did not understand. At the celebration dinner, when Jin Won pays the bill, he shares a glance with another “blonde” runner. I didn’t know if that was meant to imply a past relationship, a rivalry, something about money and status? This may be a recall from the prequel “Where Your Eyes Linger”, which I have not yet viewed.

What’s with Jin Won’s “Mr. Spock” haircut?

SUMMARY
A delightful little romp. The only reason my rating is not higher is due to the brevity and surface level of the story. Well worth a quick binge. Enjoy!

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FRUSTRATING

RATING: D

GENERAL
I know this opinion will be highly unpopular, but I can’t believe so many people like this series. I found it infuriating and at times excruciating. I wanted to stop watching so many times, but I stuck it out through the end. It did improve but not until about Episode 12. Considering Episodes 14 & 15 are basically filler (full of flashbacks and flashforwards), that means there are only 2 good episodes in the entire series.

2/3 of the series is about the hazing and initiation rituals. I assume this is based on actual habits in Thailand, but I have never heard of this type of system before. In my University, the only “hazing” happened within fraternities, not the entire student body. And that hazing went on for a week only, not the entire semester. While I saw the disclaimer that the hazing rituals had been exaggerated for the series, they were so extreme that I cannot believe anyone would have allowed them to happen. That ruined all believability for me. As it continued and got worse, I became increasingly frustrated. No teacher should have allowed behavior like this. Promoting unity, brotherhood, and support amongst students is a good idea, but none of these activities seem to be geared to that end. I think it is a far stretch to say that push-ups and running laps would do anything to help with unity, and none of it would help them become better engineers.

Because of this extreme set-up, much of the series has the two lead characters going through the same emotions over and over again. There is very little character development for the first half of the series. Arthit is dictatorial to the extreme, and Kong repeatedly disobeys – often for very little reason and never seeming to learn from the past. The worst example of this for me was during the beach scene when Kong feels compelled to complain because they’ve been allowed to go swimming. “It’s not fair!” Who would ever complain about being allowed to go swimming? Yes, they say he doesn’t like to swim, but this was just ridiculous. Without deeper character motivations, there was little to draw me in. I felt the series was cruel and there were not many characters that I even cared for and rooted for. The more it continued in this direction, the more frustrating it became. A big fail on the scripting side, IMO. Additionally, the script repeats itself continuously. Perhaps this is more to do with the translation I viewed. The translator may have missed some subtleties, but when 4 characters are discussing something, then 2 lines later simply repeat themselves, then 4 lines later go over it again, that is just lazy writing. The writer has done nothing to progress the scene, the characters, or show more emotion. So aggravating.

When the romance finally kicks in, some real character development comes with it, along with better acting (since they finally have some decent material to work with). It’s sweet and tender, conflicted and raw. If this had been a 4 episode mini-series focusing on this time I would have enjoyed it much more. My issues with the romance however, also have to do with scripting. Kong “jokes” (although he seems utterly serious) that he will make Arthit his wife in episode 1. Later he gives Arthit his “Heart” (the gear badge). He surmises that Arthit treats him so harshly because “You like me”. So it’s clear Kong has feelings for Arthit from the start, yet Arthit seems very unclear about Kong’s intentions. I understand that a young boy who is unclear about his sexuality may deny and hide his feelings, but after 3 admissions like this, to deny it later on seems absurd and out of character. Kong has been brave, honest and forthcoming. It felt like a convenient cheat for him to hide it later on.

There is a some of the usual stereotyping and homophobia in the portrayals of 2 other characters. One is an overtly effeminate senior who helps Kong during his photo shoot for Moon. While the hair, make-up and purse are a bit over the top, the actor plays the character fairly neutral, which was a relief. Tutah is an openly gay Senior who is friends with the Hazers. While his portrayal of the character is not over-the-top, several other characters use gay slurs when talking about him. This may have been meant as playful teasing amongst friends, however it did not come across that way, but merely as homophobic bullying – and was entirely unnecessary.

ACTING & DIRECTION
The acting is actually good across the boards (the only reason I give the series a D instead of an F). I give even more credit to the actors, given the script was so thin that they had very little to work with. Singto as Kong is decent, but it’s his personal charm that resonates the strongest, rather than his portrayal of the character. Krist as Arthit does a very nice job. He plays more levels and most of it is very real and natural. When we finally get into the romance story, he does a nice job showing his shifting emotions. The stand-outs for me were New who portrays his one-sided love story well (I know many feel his acting here was not as strong as in other series, but I found him believable and tender). But the brightest spot was Off as Bright. He brought great humor and energy to every scene he was in. According to the Special Episode, he improvised a lot in the role. With such a poor script, perhaps the other actors should have followed his lead even more.

On many levels the direction was sub-par. Given the limitations of the script, the director should have looked for more ways to play other levels and bring more to the characters. It just felt like we were getting the same beats and emotions over and over. Additionally, there were annoying “conveniences”, where you could tell action was staged for ease, rather than realism. The prime example is again the beach scene. The boys are allowed to go into the sea to swim, and yet they all simply sit at the water’s edge. But when Kong walks into the ocean moments later (are we really supposed to believe he is this devasted by being yelled at for the 100th time?), none of the boys are around. Only Arthit runs to his aid. And he pulls him out of the sea by himself, before anyone else shows up. Your best friend is drowning, but your only response is to say, “You disappeared for such a long time.” That’s not a friend at all, just someone who has been told to stay out of the shot by the director.

KISSING & INTIMACY
There’s very little and that’s fine. Since most of the series focuses on the hazing and adversarial relationship, there is no real space for true intimacy. When they are allowed to kiss it is sweet and tender and felt natural. The best moment for me is after they kiss on the rooftop. Immediately, Arthit turns away. His body language is so awkward. He bends himself as if he’s been punched. It’s a perfect example of his shy/conflicted nature in that moment.

My favorite moment in the series is the scene between M and May, when he confesses his feelings and tells her he will wait until she is ready for him. It was a beautiful, tender moment and both actors played it very well.

THE DOWN SIDE
Episodes 1-11. Yeah. There’s a lot to dislike.

SUMMARY
Sorry folks, I don’t recommend this one. I’m not certain I can sit through SOTUS S, either. I feel compelled to give it a chance, since Kong & Arthit will be in an actual relationship and we might get to see some real character development instead of endless hazing, but I’ll probably wait until I watch other series before I revisit this franchise, as I would assume the writing is on the same level.

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ANOTHER REBOOT

Everyone seems to be on the same page here about this series.

Another d*mn reboot. Why the Thai BL industry thinks this is cool is beyond me. Nearly every BL uses all the same tropes, enemies to lovers, high school crushes to college lovers, naive innocent nerd and popular elder classmate, Campus Moons, etc. So if you're going to make a series with all these tropes (especially if you're doing it with an entirely new cast), why not just create a new story - rather than force us to watch the same characters in the same scenes, with the same outcomes. If I wanted to see Pha and Wayo in EXACTLY the same story, I'd just go back and re-watch S1 (ps: I don't). I asked this in the comments section, but I'll ask it again here -- does the Thai TV industry do this with hetero series? Or do they feel that only the BL audience is pathetic enough to feed the same sh*t twice and call it S2? So frustrating.

That said, I found S2 much better than S1. I hated S1. The only thing I liked were all the side characters, but virtually everything else about it was horrible. Here, they suffer from the same casting issues... the two main characters are the least interesting and least charismatic of the actors and the side characters and actors are all much better and more interesting to watch. But thankfully, it's not as cloying and melodramatic. The pacing is much better and the direction is serviceable, although not memorable, but at times the cinematography felt phoned in.

The story is the same as S1. Yes, they truncate a lot of the action into fewer episodes, so they can focus more on the 2nd and 3rd couples, but even some of that is just a retread of S1. Is it compelling, interesting, fresh? No. It's all the same we've seen in every other BL as well. By shortening the MC's story, they actually removed some of the drama and conflict that occurred between the two. Both side couples have the same story. One aggressive pursuer, the other initially reluctant. There aren't any real conflicts between the two side couples. They introduce some drama and conflict late in the series when Pring and Park stir up trouble, but it's over and easily resolved. All that to say, don't come for the story.

There are plenty of questionable story choices. Wayo asking Park to the movies is so far out of character it makes no sense. Kit's got conservative Chinese parents, but he brings Ming home with him. Kit's brother's about-face in one evening. Beam's sudden attraction to Kit. But everything flies by in a flash and there is so little real weight given to any moment that none of it was horrible.

However, I wish the producers looked a bit harder at some of the messages they send. Pha is possessive with clear anger issues. I'm not a fan of people saying things like "you belong to me" and telling their boyfriends they can't do things without approval. People are not objects to be owned, and they have outside relationships that should be allowed to continue. Get jealous if you need to, but allow your BF to have his own life. Were these novels written in the 50s? Ming is too aggressive. Kit tells him countless times to back off, but he doesn't. Yes, that's their story - but what kind of a message does it send? Stalk people and eventually you'll wear them down? Forth is not quite as bad/aggressive, pursuing Beam, but maybe they could have tried to tell two different types of love stories, instead of just the same story with different characters.

The one thing I did enjoy this time around was the Angel Gang. There are some moments where they are treated as comic relief, but for the most part they are accepted by everyone (of course, everyone in this entire series is gay, so maybe that's why). They act as good friends, protectors and even help resolve some of the conflict. While they are stereotypes with no real dimension, they are not played with just the right amount of "over-the-top" qualities. I actually wanted to know them all more (c'mon... who wouldn't watch the twins in a ship with Ming?)

It's the incredibly handsome cast you should come and see. Again, the MC are the least appealling, but Ming, Kit and Forth are all worth watching. Wayo is horrible. He doesn't fit this character at all. There was nothing natural about his performance. Pha has some minor appeal. He's not an actor I would cast in a lead soon, but I think he can grow into a decent actor (He reminds me a lot of the actor Marc who plays Itt in MGAYG.). Ming is just adorable. Quite charming and obviously can do a lot more. And he's got a bit of a belly (at least from what I can tell). I love a funny boy with an average bod! Kit is my ideal. I would so fall for this guy IRL. I know some did not care for his acting, but I found it believable. He has a tough job playing the "i'm pretending to be angry while I'm secretly melting inside" and I thought he toed that line quite well. Even Beam is good, with the little he's got. Yes, his sudden attraction to Kit comes from out of nowhere, but you can't blame the actor for bad writing. Both Beam and Kit are so cute when they are being flirted with and trying to hide their excitement. Those sweet moments were everything. But Forth is the stand-out. This guy is destined to be a BIG STAR.

Here's another question... are any of these actors 100% Thai? Many of them didn't even look Asian. I know this is a big issue with Thai and all Asian entertainment... the light skinned, mixed race-looking actors are promoted above the more indigenous looking actors. But honestly, this cast could have been from Europe.

I enjoyed the intimacy. I admit, I do watch these series with the hopes of seeing boys kissing (even just a little peck is fine). Yes, I want great characters and a good story, but a little steam never hurts. Pha and Yo at least seem like a real couple. There is some decent chemistry between the two. And while Yo is that odd character who remains freaked out about intimacy long after they are a couple (even though he's been lusting after Pha for YEARS... like he hasn't imagined them kissing or having sex before!) I felt they handled the first sex scene well and even appreciated cutting away before any clothes were removed. I could loop the moment where Yo comes out of the shower in a towel to find Pha and Forth staring at him. I was thankful they actually acknowledged that boys have sex with Forth and Beam, and that sometimes you have sex for the wrong reasons, and that sometimes you have sex on the first night and that sometimes that can lead to actual feelings. That's real. It was laughable when Beam climbed into the hospital bed with Forth, but I forgave that moment, since it was so late in the series and I knew they had to ship these two before the lights faded out.

All in all, a piece o light, retreaded cliche fluff that I still enjoyed. I won't watch it again. It's just not compelling enough. But nothing angered me here. It feels more like great background tv while I'm doing chores than something that requires all my attention. I hope there is no S3.

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A bunch of cuties and little else

As with the sequel I like the premise that a simple game can create such dramatic changes in the lives of these 6 boys. All the boys are super cute and each charming in their own way. The chaos that ensues COULD have been dramatic and heart wrenching but due to the limited episodes it’s reduced to mere highlights that are (kinda) resolved quickly and easily.

I was sad that the heart of this series is to break up a seemingly happy couple. Obviously not that happy since New was secretly in love with Pond, but still they didn’t really exhibit any problems. But that’s a minor issue and one that is my own only.

Mark does such a nice job that his heartbreak felt realistic. But since I didn’t get to know the characters very well, I wasn’t as invested in their journeys. I wanted them all to find love but only because I’m a romantic, not because the series made them fully fleshed characters. I didn’t really feel any emotion from New or Pond.

The cross-dressing sequence was bizarre and a bit kinky but sweet and cute nonetheless.

Nothing truly memorable about this series but I would watch again since it’s short and the cast does a fine job.

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FLUFF BUT STILL ADORABLE

Not much happens here that didn't happen in the first season. At times it feels like they just shortened that season and made a few minor adjustments so it appeared new - but wasn't. Still, it's entirely enjoyable. One of the best produced and acted series out there. I wish the script was better (It's not BAD, just not original). But honestly, guys, another soccer match where a player gets injured and a cheerleader collapses? If this was 10 years later you might say it's an homage to the original. Here it's just lazy. Even the (thankfully very short) storyline where Tine is "learning" guitar is taken from the original.

When the biggest conflict you can come up with is a couple being physically apart for 2 weeks (not because of an argument, but just for logistical reasons),then you're really not trying very hard. Yet somehow, Bright and Win make you feel this separation is somehow heartbreaking. Their relationship is so sweet, so tender, so thoughtful. They are the boyfriends everyone would hope for.

I know that music is a huge part of this storyline, but there were a few too many songs in these five episodes for me. Another easy way for the writers to have characters express emotions without having to actually come up with a story and dialogue that would require them to do so. Let's just have them recite someone else's lyrics.

This cast, most notably the MC are so good. Bright and Win have such incredible chemistry. I would watch them together in anything. They seem so comfortable, natural, and real. No emotion is forced. While I personally have issues with some of the familiar BL tropes (a couple that have lived together for a year and yet only ONCE said they "like" each other???, very little hand holding, even less kissing), there is such warmth and affection between these two actors and their characters that each scene is so heartfelt you get all the emotions needed for a fulfilling and satisfying romance. All of the side couples and friends are equally strong. It's a testament to the director that he can coax good performances out of actors I normally think are not that strong. Kudos to all.

I must, however, call out another trope that always annoys me. Flashbacks to previous scenes. This mini-series if chock full of them. Many of them are from S1, so I ALMOST forgive them. It may have been a while since we watched those eps, so a quick reminder is ok. But they also include flashbacks to episodes from within S2, and on at least 2 occasions the flashbacks are from the previous scene. We just watched it 2 minutes ago. We don't need to be reminded of what happened. Especially with these actors who can convey the emotions so well. Just a look from Tine tells me he's thinking about Wat. I don't need the flashback to hammer it home. Do you really think your audience is that dim?

All in all, nothing so compelling that you should put this on top of your list, but if you've watched S1, these 5 quick episodes are a light distraction that you can get through relatively quickly. I don't know if I'll watch all 5 eps again, but if I ever need a quick fix, there are moments in each of the eps that really warm my heart, so when I feel the need for a best-boyfriend-ever moment, I can call up any ep and be totally satisfied. Enjoy.

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Decent but flawed

GENERAL
This was a good series, but flawed. I liked it more in the beginning and less and less as it progressed. Of the 20+ BL series I have watched thus far, this has to be the best-looking cast of all. The women are stunning, the secondary characters are handsome and the two leads are flawlessly beautiful. Those pecs, those abs! Korn’s smile!!

The story is straight out of every gay man’s diary. Who hasn’t fallen in love with a childhood friend, their best friend, a “straight” man in a relationship with a woman? Even though it starts with the two men in bed, we quickly get their back-story and how they wound up there. The series portrays that aspect best of all. I truly believed these guys were best friends. There was an ease and camaraderie that played out beyond their romance that I appreciated. That’s what makes the first half of this series so enjoyable, watching two friends who clearly enjoy hanging out together.

But in the second half, as the drama unfolds and all the back-stabbing, manipulation and waffling emotions come to the forefront, the scripting and acting flaws become more apparent. The same situations are repeated, and the same dialogue is often repeated. Once a revelation occurs, the writer needs to move on, but here we revisit the same things again and again. And whether the fault of the sub or the actual script, characters randomly forget information they have already learned, forcing us to hear the same details again for no reason.

I know that Knock is conflicted, confused and uncertain about accepting a MM relationship – but after he declares that he will love Korn for the rest of his life, there should be little doubt about who he wants to be with. He is thrilled one moment to be in love with his best friend, then seems to forget his declaration a moment later and wants time apart to be with his girlfriend. The writer could certainly come up with reasons for him to delay telling Pleng, but his waffling back and forth just felt contrived and only so the creators could extend the drama and fill up several more episodes.

This is a true soap opera, with back-stabbing, manipulation, lies, deceit, and real villains. Pleng is a reprehensible character and Aim plays her very well. I actually enjoyed a lot of these elements, though this is also where the script got repetitive and convenient. I also enjoyed the friends’ stories, especially the hetero romance. I like my BL to reflect real life, and hetero friends falling in love is always welcome.

Once again, BL does friendship right. A great group of supporting characters who feel like actual friends. Everyone who knows the BL universe must know about Siwha, already. She has to be a legendary character in this world. She is the best friend we all want, the actual glue for the entire group, and the “me” in the title (a sweet end note to the series).

ACTING/DIRECTING
Similar to my general comments, I think the acting is stronger in the first half of the series, when everything is lighter and friendlier. I was quite taken by and charmed by Tul/Korn and Max/Knock. Max is the stronger actor, which is a shame since Korn has more character depth to work with. But as their relationship became more complicated, their acting grew stiffer. Their faces remained blank. They are both very good at being natural and friendly, but I never felt “love” between them. The scripting did not allow them to go very deep into their characters. At times of high emotion, they would only be allowed to show an initial reaction and we never got to explore it deep enough to satisfy me.

All of the women were fantastic. Maegmum as Siwha is a stand-out. She deserves all the credit for carrying this series on her shoulders. She is charming, funny, resourceful, strong, loyal and gorgeous. Again, Aim as Pleng was a villain you love to hate. She was compelling to watch. Janis as Plae was remarkably charming, even in her shallow cattiness and relentless manipulation of every boy she met. Olive as Faii dimensionalized her limited character quite well. Kudos to all the ladies.

I would say that the direction succeeded overall, though struggled as well. The director was not able to elicit the emotions necessary from his main actors. I did not believe I was watching anguish or heartbreak, despite some (probably fake) tears. I did enjoy the lighter moments. The comedy was well played. Even the bizarre camera shakes and childish sound effects worked effectively.

KISSING/INTIMACY
While I would not say this has a LOT of skin, there is more than most and enough to tantalize anyone. And they do not shy away from intimating there is actual sex (including who is doing what). It’s steamier than most BL series – which I have to say, I am all for! And these boys know how to kiss on camera. These felt like real kisses, not the normal BL peck with a very tightly closed mouth. However, their faces often seemed to express pain, rather than passion, during these moments, even in the final episode when they are already together as a couple, they seem upset when they are being kissed.

THE DOWNSIDE
The biggest challenges for me were the two inappropriate relationships. Phubet’s interest in his teacher is not an uncommon plot and for the most part the series finds a way to make this relationship successful – but it was definitely inappropriate and her denial of it should have been stronger. She was told this could endanger her job, and indeed it should have. Luckily, they SAY that they have agreed to “wait” until he graduates, but their actions do not reflect that. A slight misstep for me. It’s fine to have a “hot for teacher” storyline, but the adult should be stronger, especially since her character was shown to be smart and savvy.

But the Farm/Bright relationship was ALL WRONG. A 40+ year old man aggressively pursuing a 20 year old is creepy. Given Farm’s naivete and MM virginity, it was even worse. Bright’s behavior is inappropriate from the start. He abuses his privilege as a doctor to put his hands on the young man. On top of that, they make Bright an indiscriminate “player”, pursuing several other boys, sometimes in front of Farm. Eww. In fact, the first time they kiss was only moments after Bright had tried to kiss Korn. What an a**. The 4-way he arranges, without Farm’s knowledge or consent, is unforgivable. Since the end of that tryst is not shown, I can only assume they all raped the young man. I’m not opposed to showing the darker side of a love story, but this felt wrong on so many levels. Farm’s subsequent “conversion” to a player, himself after underage boys, was unbelievable and did not make his “revenge” on Bright any more palatable.

SUMMARY
A decent series, worthy of viewing. I would just manage expectations and try to focus on the eye candy and the strong female actresses and not expect an entirely satisfying viewing experience. I will eventually check out the prequels and sequels, but given the lead actors’ limitations, I will wait until I have gone through my list of “must-sees”.

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TENDER LITTLE SHORT FILM

With only 35 minutes, you cannot expect too much from this film, but it delivers everything at a high level and leaves you satisfied, if a little heartsick.

Issues of Christian attitudes towards homosexuality, societal expectations and most prominently, coming to terms with your sexuality are all included, but with the short run time, none get too much attention. I do wish there was a bit more time to explore all of these themes in greater depth.

The romance develops naturally, though there are really no conflicts until they are outed as a couple in school. Even that feels a little unsatisfactory, since Hei is openly gay and the boys have been hanging out exclusively for a while. Surely everyone knows.

There is good chemistry between the two leads, and Zeno is adorable. His innocent, yet open and endearing smile really draws you in. You feel like you know this character from his easy portrayal.

The end is a bit rushed and I'm not certain how much time has passed. Did they never speak again until the last day? It would have been nice to see how Hei dealt with the separation, and not just the little we see of Ming. You leave hoping that they will reunite and fulfill the promise of this sweet, first love relationship, but that's up to the viewer to fill in the blanks. Ahhh a boy can dream, can't he?

I'd watch it again, since it's a short sweet film. But would probably look for something a bit happier first.

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