BE READY FOR SOME TEARS

The story is simple: two HS best friends that grew together, developing more than friendship. One had to move out and came back one day. It might sound typical, but what comes next set this series apart from the others.

The story shows how memories reconnect and how reconnection answers questions left unanswered. I like how the story was mostly told in the perspective of Nut (Title) to the point that Phob (Man) was almost vague to me. But I was sure he was really up with something, and he is. The later parts of the story was then told in his perspective. And that gave so much more meaning to the story. It was like at one end of the bridge, it wasn't clear and all that, but when Phob began to tell what really happened, it was like crossing the bridge to the other side and see the entire journey and how the two ends were connected – and always have been.

Flashbacks & Retelling: I am not going to lie; the series used a lot of same scenes (to the point that they were redundant a times) But they were arranged in a way that you can still follow the storyline, while getting more of it. Flashbacks, different perspectives, scenes in a different angle and view: all contributed to the overall beauty of the series. I just felt there was a need to fast forward during the time when they play the same scenes a bit too long (like I know this happened to the other character, now we can move on) but that did not happen too much because I didn't feel bored at all, all throughout the series. This device used was what the story is all about, getting the other side of the story and it all makes sense, trust me. It’s wonderfully done.
Actors: Considering the first time of Man and Title in acting, I would say they did a pretty good job. Although there were some points I felt like they were forcing tears (it happens, actors have to fake all sorts of emotions) but at times it became obvious that the dramatic scene didn't feel on point. But again, it was just a few times. The leads have great potential. And I am looking forward to more from them.

Filmography: Hands down, it’s fantastic! The scenery that the cameras catch, the setting, the overall feels are all amazing. It kind of reminds me of I Told Sunset About You. I like the sad mood, mixed with nostalgic feelings. That's how I felt, and it matched the story. The story is set early 2000s, and everything was on point, including old computers, payphones, mobile phones, the outfits. They really maintained the overall mood.

Characters: Actors' chemistry is good. Like I've said, there are potentials in them individually and also as a couple. I have to say that the way they portrayed their characters are exactly how it should be: one outgoing carefree boy, and one who’s driven and a bit more serious. The series also doesn't have unnecessary characters. The brother (Tonman) and the friend (Get) as well as the Doctors Puen and Sarut (Mean, the director himself) were all fine additions to the series.

Comedy: Although the series portrays sad feels in itself, there were touches of comedy (just a little bit) which was kind of refreshing.

OVERALL THOUGHTS:
If you want to watch feel-good BL series, this is not it. I suggest you go for Oxygen, My Engineer, 2gether, the ones that are more popular. This series don’t have a lot of kissing scenes and cheesy moments. What you’ll get is some of those, plus a lot of drama, a lot lessons, a lot of depth. There’s a lot of scenes the characters were just eye-to-eye and it screams many kinds of emotion, not just pain. There were so many tears, not because it’s too painful, but because you begin to realize the joy of finding the answers, and the deep love between the characters.

This series doesn’t involve character confusion (typical of a BL series where one doesn’t accept that he likes men) This series talks more about the journey, the pains of telling the other side of the story which never got told in the first place, the struggles way too difficult but are possible, dreams and hopes we want to keep holding on to.

The series personally taught me that young love can be real, that love can teach us to do what we thought would be impossible for us. Phob and Nut taught me that real love gives hope, that love gives us no assurance, but togetherness shall be our security.

Light BLs are good, but I’m hoping we get more stories like this. It’s good to reflect on the realities of life. This series has that depth. Please watch it.

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Outcome didn't match the potential

GOOD at the beginning
OKAY/MEH in the middle
GREAT towards the end


Probably the most interesting feature of this series is the uniqueness of the plotline: two young men waking up in a different universe in different people’s bodies. Where have we heard of a BL like that? It’s my first time.

The series started off well, with Ohm (Tess) and Nanon (Pakorn) and their undeniably strong chemistry and acting skills, as well as Jimmy (Puen) and Sea (Talay). In all fairness to Jimmy and Sea their duo is screaming refreshing chemistry. The plot is unique and well thought of.

However, I lost the “waking-up-in-a-different-universe” and “I’m-a-different-person-in-this-body” vibe. When Puen and Talay woke up in Pakorn’s and Tess’s bodies, it seems that they just lived their lives like that. Everyone was noticing weird things such as not being familiar with stuff in the different universe or not remembering their loved ones, but no one was wondering. To me, it did not feel that authentic because who would not be wondering why they can’t remember their parents or the things they used to do? I lost the vibe of the plotline that made me want to watch the series in the first place.

Talay, for example, woke up as Tess. Talay is a timid, gentle person who is focused and driven, while Tess is carefree and troublesome, but no one wondered about those changes in Tess after Talay being in his body.

Also, it would have been more convincing if, at some point, we could see the original person’s appearance once in a while, like what we saw in Cupid’s Last Wish when the character appears to be the original person sometimes. That made the plotline real and strong for me. It would not be that bad, I guess, knowing that Ohm and Nanon have excellent chemistry.

I would have liked to see more of getting familiar with the different universe just so it would retain its vibe. Instead, after the first two episodes, the series became just like the other series that have happened - falling in love, having funny friends and having tiny and shallow conflicts. I did not feel that eager to watch the next episode quickly because in the middle, it felt like just the usual Thai BL.

But in all fairness, it became really, really good towards the end, like in episodes 8 to 10, when it began touching again on Puen and Talay’s quest in going back to their universe. It added meaning to the way the series ended. It was great when Puen came back first to their universe and began looking and waiting for Talay. And when the latter came back, it did not become relatively easy for them to be finally together, especially realizing what and who Puen is in their universe. I also did appreciate the way they used the symbols such as the pink color, the garden cafe, etc. which made everything meaningful until towards the end of this series.

Jimmy’s acting can still be honed. There were times when the emotions required of him is not quite there yet, but he was off to a great start. Sea, on the other hand, is a surprise to me. His acting is good. He can be both funny and dramatic. Amazing!

Overall, it’s an ‘okay’ watch. Besides the interesting plot, the rest can be easily forgettable. But if we’re talking about the feeling ‘during’ watching, it’s good for overall entertainment. I’m excited to see Jimmy and Sea in their upcoming series.

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