It's a remake of Lovesick2014 (supposedly the first Thai BL that went mainstream). I haven't seen the original 2014 version nor have I read the book on which this drama is based, so the review is solely based on the 2024 version.

The story is pretty generic, fake boyfriends who actually fall in love later. What made it an interesting watch for me was the chemistry between the main cast Almond(Phun) and Progress(Noh). These two young actors in their first ever main role do a fabulous job to make this a good watch. In 2024, when the series was released Almond was 16 years and Progress a mere 15 year old boy. So when they started shooting and were cast, they would have been much younger. These two have a great potential to be bright shining stars of the Thailand BL industry if their talents are utilised wisely by their agency/company, helping them to develop their acting skills. Even though the story was not the aspect that captivated me, their performance made me finish the series. I hope these two actors would get a chance to act in another series in the near future with a much better storyline.

The story reflects a realistic viewpoint of teenage love and the obstacles they face. The narrative manages to bring some real life teenage issues like unrequited love, bullying, parental expectations, finding your identity and coming to terms with your sexuality etc. to the viewers. Even though the story touches upon these sensitive topics, it doesn't dwell too much on them before moving on, making them seem a little trivial. Though the story is not unique, it depicts some of the struggles of students at the tender age when their emotions are warring with societal norms.

The series would have been much better if the makers would have focused on fewer couples. Here, too many couples are introduced but due to a limited episodes series, their stories are often sidelined.It is about adolescents experiencing Love Sickness with emotional ups and downs, navigating the murky waters of Love and Acceptance while confronting their Parents' idea of 'Ideal Life' at a vulnerable age. In my opinion, the series brings nothing new to the table except showcasing the new generation actors and their future capabilities.

From what I have read online, this series has made quite a few changes from the original one, making it more palatable and acceptable to the current audience. I have a lot of dissatisfaction with the plot even though it has been amended in many instances from the Original. But the original story itself that is at the core, even though true to life, is a little dated and behind times. For eg. Phun already had a girlfriend when he realised that Noh reciprocated his romantic feelings, Phun was rather passive about his relationship with his girlfriend all the while pining for Noh. If not for the circumstances, Phun would never have broken up with his girlfriend (I felt this situation was a little off putting and outdated).

Moreover the constant obstacles in the path of Noh and Phun's dating, the almost kisses which were always interrupted, felt unnecessary and dragging at times. I think if the actors are underage and they cannot film kissing scenes, the director should have just left at first few near kisses, the viewers get an idea that the actors have good chemistry and when it's age appropriate they would do justice to such scenes. The director could have just focused on them hugging, holding hands, just being considerate and attentive teenage couple.

Goodbye Phun and Noh....I found the ending quite satisfying. Though I wished they hadn't taken so many detours and suffered too much heartache along the way.

The message in the end says everything about teenage years where they are still trying to figure out things.....They have to go through ups and downs in life but if they have a supportive family and are surrounded by loving friends, it helps relieve stress of daily uncertainty in their confused life.

The character of Jeed was like a reality check of what teenagers have to go through. The malicious gossip and judgemental attitude of peers is one of the reasons why many teenagers find life suffocating and try to hide who they really are....Hence it becomes very important for them to be surrounded by understanding adults.

This series was a near depiction of adolescent lives, where life pierces you with thorns when you try to pluck the roses but if you are ready to bear the thorns you can smell the fragrant roses at the end.


Overall: Watch for the talented actors Almond and Progress, they breathe new life into the run of the mill story.