Pupusa
Terra Firma
Lakorns were never my cup of tea, but this one is an exception. This is one of the best, if not the best, Asian drama I’ve seen. It’s like a breath of fresh air, miles away from most of the cliches and pitfalls of the usual drama. It’s an intelligent blend of romance, history, culture, and the supernatural. It’s both relaxing and strangely stimulating. I didn’t need to turn my brain off to enjoy it.
Kade, our time traveler, is more than just your cute, feisty heroine. She speaks her own mind, but never forces her modern views on others. She did change some people’s views, but through her own sincerity and sweetness. Her curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious (I’ve never seen anyone so excited to use an ancient pit toilet before). Her fangirling of the famous historical figures is hilarious. Bella Ranee played the role to perfection. Credits to the script writer for expanding on her relationship with her grandma and mother. Those extra scenes are touching and adds that much more depth to the character.
If Bella carries the show, then Pope Thanawat is the one that carries the love story. He’s Thailand’s answer to Tony Leung, an actor who can act with his eyes. Like Tony, he’s not good-looking in a conventional sense, but those eyes and that smile - they carry a girl across the oceans and back. His Por Date is dashing and aristocratic, like he just stepped out of those old paintings. This makes it all the more comical when Kade causes him to do things that are completely undignified.
The chemistry between Bella and Pope is like nothing I’ve ever seen, so natural and effortless. It’s one of those rare, indescribable things you have to see to believe. The supporting cast are spot on, every single actor large or small had a good grasp of their character (a credit to the director). The script and original novel are brilliant. All these elements came together to make this an international hit. So when is Channel 3 going to realize that it takes more than some koo-jin to make a quality show?
The sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes. The camera doesn’t waste time lingering on the props, but they are always there in the background and the corners of your eyes. These details bring Ayutthaya back to life. You see the grandeur and prosperity, but you also get glimpses of its dark side: the treatment of women, the slave system, and the xenophobia. The show is intelligent enough to showcase, but not glorify, ancient Thailand. It presents politics/history the same way, with an open mind and allow us viewers to think for ourselves.
Given that there’s a lot of time-traveling, body switching dramas out there, this is the one that ruins all the others for me. Kade doesn’t travel back in time “just because.” There are very specific reasons why. These are clearly explained and woven into the theme of the story. Everything comes together in the end. It is a happy ending. I’m just sad that it has to end. Good thing this is an infinitely rewatchable series. There are still so many little nuances and details to discover even after 3-4 viewings.
Kade, our time traveler, is more than just your cute, feisty heroine. She speaks her own mind, but never forces her modern views on others. She did change some people’s views, but through her own sincerity and sweetness. Her curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious (I’ve never seen anyone so excited to use an ancient pit toilet before). Her fangirling of the famous historical figures is hilarious. Bella Ranee played the role to perfection. Credits to the script writer for expanding on her relationship with her grandma and mother. Those extra scenes are touching and adds that much more depth to the character.
If Bella carries the show, then Pope Thanawat is the one that carries the love story. He’s Thailand’s answer to Tony Leung, an actor who can act with his eyes. Like Tony, he’s not good-looking in a conventional sense, but those eyes and that smile - they carry a girl across the oceans and back. His Por Date is dashing and aristocratic, like he just stepped out of those old paintings. This makes it all the more comical when Kade causes him to do things that are completely undignified.
The chemistry between Bella and Pope is like nothing I’ve ever seen, so natural and effortless. It’s one of those rare, indescribable things you have to see to believe. The supporting cast are spot on, every single actor large or small had a good grasp of their character (a credit to the director). The script and original novel are brilliant. All these elements came together to make this an international hit. So when is Channel 3 going to realize that it takes more than some koo-jin to make a quality show?
The sets and costumes are a feast for the eyes. The camera doesn’t waste time lingering on the props, but they are always there in the background and the corners of your eyes. These details bring Ayutthaya back to life. You see the grandeur and prosperity, but you also get glimpses of its dark side: the treatment of women, the slave system, and the xenophobia. The show is intelligent enough to showcase, but not glorify, ancient Thailand. It presents politics/history the same way, with an open mind and allow us viewers to think for ourselves.
Given that there’s a lot of time-traveling, body switching dramas out there, this is the one that ruins all the others for me. Kade doesn’t travel back in time “just because.” There are very specific reasons why. These are clearly explained and woven into the theme of the story. Everything comes together in the end. It is a happy ending. I’m just sad that it has to end. Good thing this is an infinitely rewatchable series. There are still so many little nuances and details to discover even after 3-4 viewings.
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