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STORY (No spoilers)
Set in a fictional time with three fictional kingdoms just barely maintaining a fine balance amongst each other, this lakorn nicely sets the scene by immediately introducing a key circumstance which threatens to throw this fine balance off-course. The King of Kasik has engaged himself to the Princess of Danta in what looks to be a win-win situation for both countries. Bandurath, stuck in the middle between these two countries, nervously observes in anxious anticipation. On the day when Kasik was to receive the Princess of Danta at the tri-point - the place where all three of the countries were connected - things took an exciting turn when said Princess fled into Bandurath soil to escape from the marriage. Clearly a diplomatic faux pas on epic proportions, this event sets off a whole series of future events and circumstance which would impact all three royal families like never before.
Does this premise sound intriguing? If it does, then you should really consider watching this lakorn despite its 1996-age tag. Yes, the video quality is not as sharp nor as bright and pleasing to the eyes as the newer HD lakorns these days, but I have to admit that considering its over-20 year age tag, it was not a completely fuzzy blur either. The outdoor open-air scenes were more than serviceable in quality with the indoor and night-time scenes being a little more patchy. It was still a decent watch, so if this is a sticking point, be encouraged to give this show a try because it is the story that will pull you in.
Being a romance-junkie, I am naturally a sucker for fairytale romances, especially of fairytale romances done right. This one charmed me off my feet with its delightful characters and simple but nicely-developed story. The romance between our main leads was this slow simmering bubbling burn with the intensity ratcheting up a little more episode by episode, and I don't know about you but I found myself getting goosebumps from it despite its restrained and conservative nature. So delicious!
Our main leads weren't the only ones to have a love story too - there are two other secondary couples also slowly being created alongside our main one. Each couple has its own very different dynamic from the others which can make for a refreshing change to the tempo, if you like that sort of thing. I, for one, was heartily absorbed in our main leads' romance, but I did appreciate the change of scene and intensity whenever it was these couples' turn on-screen. I think I might have slowly self-combusted under the main male lead's smouldering gazes if there was not a change of scene, lol.
And on that note, it is worth mentioning that the pacing in this lakorn is one that is measured and sedate - there are quite a few scenes where the camera takes its time to pan on the scenery or on the characters, which allows the scene to sink in and sit with you. This heightens and draws out the emotional scenes but some people might also find it to be too slow and too draggy. It is definitely a directorial style and dramatic license employed by the production team but I personally think that it adds and builds on the fairytale nature of the show, and therefore appropriate.
The kingdom politics does feature itself fairly regularly in between - inevitable considering the whole setup and premise of the show. It is not too over-powering though, and not too complicated to have lost you either. While some may be tempted to fast-forward through these scenes, I would like to encourage you to try and sit through them because they're not too heavily political but it does lend the show a more weighty and rounded dimension and it gives you added insights into the internal motivations of our characters too. And some of the banter between the ministers of each of the three countries can be rather amusing too.
Which brings me to one of the best parts of the show, in my opinion: the dialogue. I love the dialogue. It's not face-value words but, like your old classic literature, there are implied things and under-tones hidden amongst what is being said, and the repartee between our main leads, or those between the King of Kasik and his two loyal bodyguards (Benli and Rajik), are full of humour and hidden, implied statements. Such witty and clever banter is such a rarity in shows these days that I particularly appreciated and enjoyed it here. And the King of Kasik's romantic lines? Goosebumps-inducing stuff.
Final word on the production value. Not very high but I personally think it was decent considering its time and the scale of the story's setting. I surprisingly liked the unpretentious nature of this show but I also acknowledge that there are weaknesses in some of its sets. Minor issue for me, but I know this is a subjective opinion.
ACTING/ CAST
While the show does provide generous amounts of screen-time for our main leads, it didn't forget to also allow its supporting and side characters to shine by giving them space to grow too. There are plenty of different personalities in this show, which is one of the things which make it charming for me because they add a lot of variety and spice. No real cardboard cut-out characters or crazy antagonists here. Another refreshing change from your modern-day lakorns. Each character down to the ministers, the bodyguards and the ladies-in-waiting were nicely and humanly portrayed, which helps to make this show come alive.
Spotlight on the main leads:
NAT MYRIA BENEDETTI as Darshika, Princess of Bandurath, was a good casting choice. She was beautiful and carried herself regally throughout the show, befitting her character as the intelligent, noble and strong-willed princess who captured the heart of a King. I loved her character in this show, and I loved how Nat portrayed her throughout. She was entirely believable as someone born into royalty from birth and given all the education and teaching in kingdom politics and operations so that she would be an able support and helper to her brother, the Crown Prince of Bandurath. She had the haughty dignity of her station, but could also be warm and kind to those serving around and under her. In short, she was royalty personified. Well done to Nat here.
NUM SORNRAM TAPPITUK as Rangsimant, King of Kasik, was also great casting choice. His complexion, his hair and his looks which gave him a tribal, warrior-type vibe was very appropriate for the savage reputation of Kasikans. Especially when you contrast him with the Crown Prince of Bandurath who had a very european look (the Bandurathian royal family have very european looks in this show - nice consistent casting call here).
I liked how Num was able to show so many sides to this initially enigmatic and mysterious King. There were so many rumours about him, and his reputation as a savage had definitely preceded him, so it was interesting to see whether he would live up to them or not. Num did have this aura of command, and his serious, stern facade added weight to his kingly character. But it was his ability to show how differently Rangsimant's approach to Darshika was (which was very sweet) that sold his character for me. You could see his passionate, tender and caring side through his interactions with her. The soulful, smouldering looks he gives her, coupled with his romantic lines, can genuinely incur goosebumps. His King of Kasik was my favourite character in this lakorn - many thanks to Num for bringing him to life here!
MUSIC
I liked the music in this show. The background score reminds me very much of the old epic HK dramas I used to watch - very much a product of its time but one which I enjoyed. I also liked the songs in this show - those with vocals or their instrumental versions. I thought the background music and score were generally very well-employed throughout the show and there were some scenes which were made a lot more impactful because of them. Nicely done.
RE-WATCH VALUE
I don't have many Asian fairytale romance dramas in my database to enjoy so this show has entered my store of shows with a very high re-watch value as a result. Dated production value aside, this show has been enthralling, captivating and charming. I wished I had more episodes of it to watch, gah.
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STORY (No spoilers)
The synopsis is a good summary of the overarching plot-line of the show. However, it is best to adjust your expectations accordingly if you were expecting a realistic depiction of military manoeuvres or setting, or of proper medical procedures or protocol. I mean, I won't say I'm an expert of both but even I could see how contrived, artificial and 'convenient' certain actions and scenes are played out. Logic or sense or the natural laws of physics, hygiene or danger should be conveniently shelved if you want to enjoy this drama.
Having established that this is a show that likes to bend its settings and circumstances for its own convenience to the plot or to the development of the relationship between characters, you can make lemonade out of lemons by inferring that common sense notwithstanding, everything that later happens on-screen is there to drive the story in a particular direction i.e. to add to the main leads' relationship building. This may cause some loss of tension during some dramatic scenes but I don't think this show is trying to sell itself as a slick military show, but instead is a romance that happens to be in a military and medical setting.
The pacing of the show is not bad, really. There is a lot of forward movement in plot and in action. The romance is actually rather cute for the first half of the show when the main male lead is on a mission to rescue the main female lead. However, once the rescue mission is over, probably in order to create some conflict so that there is some drama over the second half of the show, the romance starts entering the territory of misunderstandings, missteps, anger, unforgiveness and grovelling. Throw in some additional issues such as terrorist groups, weapons brokering, resistance movements, other love-interests plotting to separate the two, and you have quite an interesting recipe of a show (perhaps to your taste, or perhaps not?).
I personally felt that some of the charm from the initial romance fizzled out towards the second half. And that unrequited love angst and internal conflict which I was so looking forward to from the main male lead was... pretty short-lived and stunted.
I liked the panoramic pans of the mountain scenes and the jungles though! Lovely scenery in this show, where you have them.
ACTING/ CAST
WEIR SUKOLLAWAT - first time seeing him act in a lakorn for me and it took me a while to warm up to him because I'm a little bit of a superficial person and moustaches are not really my thing so that took some adjusting and getting used to. He is not a stiff actor though, and has a knack for carrying off cocky and cheeky personalities. I'm not quite convinced of his ability to carry the internal conflict and angst scenes though, so it was probably just as well that they were not too prolonged. He was a good enough leading man for me in this show, but not really a standout performance.
PEAK PATTARASAYA - was also serviceable enough as our main female lead. Perhaps it is the character script but I quite liked her for the first half of the show as a rather assertive but kind volunteer doctor out in the jungle but once the romance hit the rocks after the rescue mission, her character sort of went into a bit of a tailspin, which was a pity.
I quite like the supporting casts though! The Krating team members, the various key people in the resistance groups, especially Chayin, were nice additions to the drama. I also liked seeing how the second female doctor evolved through the series.
RE-WATCH-VALUE
On the whole, this lakorn was not sticky or absorbing enough for me to consider re-watching it again.
However, overall, it is not a bad romance drama placed within a military and medical setting. Don't expect any 'Descendents of the Sun' production slickness or any proper realism from a military or medical perspective and you're good to go!
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!!! DRAMA WARNINGS !!!
1) I'm sure you've probably noticed from the comment sections but let me re-iterate it here. This drama has scenes of abuse - physical, emotional and psychological. This show is a literal minefield of triggers. If you're sensitive to scenes of violence, rage, rape, emotional blackmail and abuse, this is either not the show for you, or if you're still intent on watching it regardless, please go into it heavily armed and prepared. You have been warned.
2) For a lakorn, I personally think that this is one of, if not the, most realistically set lakorns I've seen. Why is this a warning? Well, because the realism and the depictions of scenes, especially those in your typical everyday places, make it harder for you to disassociate from the show. You're not taken out of your world into another, no, this world comes knocking on your front door and makes itself at home in your house. And that adds another subtle layer to the emotional triggers on this show. It's harder for the viewer to disassociate from what's happening on-screen.
3) I personally would not label this show as a 'romance' for a primary genre because large chunks of it could hardly be considered romantic - so for those of you going into this expecting a sweeping romance, you're going to be in for a very rude shock. If you asked me, I'd prefer to call it a study on human psychology and cognitive behaviour, and its impact on others. I can't believe I'm actually saying this about a lakorn.
4) The main characters depicted in this show are not caricatures or stock characters. They are not overdone or over-cooked or over-dramatised. There are people in the real world out there who actually can, and do, act and behave the way our main characters do. This is disturbingly, and horrifically true. And the show does a damn amazing job at showing it, and their twisted logic for their behaviours, too well for comfort. So, if you're a person who has had bad experiences with people who exhibit such behaviours, again, emotional trigger warning. It may not be the scenes or actions which may trigger an emotional response but the characters themselves as well.
Potential character triggers are:-
a) characters with rage/ anger management issues,
b) characters who use physical violence,
c) characters who use verbal attacks, manipulations and provocations on another,
d) characters who come from and are part of broken and highly dysfunctional families,
e) characters who have been on the receiving end of rape, violence and abuse, and
f) characters who do not act or seem passive when faced with someone who has been abused.
So, please, if any of the above character personalities are triggers for you, proceed with caution.
There, long list of warnings but necessary, I believe, to spare potential viewers shock or horror or disgust or even emotional breakdown.
STORY (No spoilers)
I'll be honest with you, I had to prepare myself a lot because I was worried about the subject matter which this show depicts. It's not a subject matter I liked, it sounded disturbing and I was not sure if I could stomach it all the way through. And I have to say, for all my preparation, I still found myself surprised at how deep and disturbing this show can run. Goes to show that there is only so much you can do to prepare yourself, but once you start down it proper, it will still grab you by the balls and knee you in the groin. And I think that it says a lot about how solidly fantastic this show was in bringing out the dysfunctionality of the characters, and their psyche and motivations behind their decisions and actions.
All our main characters are flawed. Kawee, Leela and Kawee's father (Kid), are most definitely flawed and rather messed up people, but Narin is no angel of goodness either. She has her character flaws too - different sort of flaws but flaws all the same.
People are born with some character flaws, but circumstances, environment and upbringing can twist it, mould it, and shape it into the living being that the person is today. It's true. It's real. It's life. And this show will resonate with those of us who've been through some of that. The more we've encountered some of the circumstance and the people in this show, the more it will resonate with you. And I believe that in each and every one of us there will be something in this show that will ring just too close to home.
So, this show will inevitably touch you in some way. It will dredge up and provoke all sorts of thoughts and emotions because it is pretty realistically grounded. The twisted logic and motivation behind some of the character decisions is surprisingly believable, and the careless or thoughtless actions which may seem harmless at first glance can evolve into a monster of your own making in an incredibly real way.
I don't know what else I can say on this subject without going into spoilers. Goodness knows, there is so much to talk about in terms of the details on how excellent this show is on the character portrayal aspect, but you'd need proper examples and situations to walk you through it, and I can't do that without revealing spoilers.
Another thing of note is the dialogue in this show. A lot of the character insights and motivations are revealed in what they say - you get an insight into the brokenness of their hearts and their biased thoughts through their outbursts of speech. And when you see two of them going at it in massive verbal shoutouts, as a viewer you are just utterly mesmerised. It's just crazily real how each person acts and speaks from their own standpoint, but it is utterly at cross-purposes and received so differently by the other.
I'm also going to say something about the abuse in this show - I think this is probably the single most polarising aspect of this show for the viewers. It's not a nice subject matter, but unfortunately it is the hinge on which the show swings on. Without it, the show fails to really impact and gain emotional traction. However, this show makes no excuses for the abuse depicted, nor does it romanticise it and tries to sell it to us as an acceptable thing - something you will realise if you took the time to step outside of the outrage the show incites and view it in a more objective manner.
The character personalities the show portrays are also not necessarily a fantasy either. Some people do neglect and fail to understand their own children. Some people respond to childhood neglect through attention-seeking, reckless and violent behaviour. Some people respond to personal rejection in twisted vengeful ways. Some people can actually fall for the people they abuse, and victims of abuse can also sometimes feel empathy for their abusers. And some people do stay silent or passive despite knowing about another's abuse.
On the other hand, there are also some people who do change and try to redeem themselves as abusers too, even if others think that they should be destroyed for their sins. And some people are willing to give others a second chance, even if others believe that they shouldn't.
Whether we feel that it is right or wrong is irrelevant, in my opinion, because this is a show about people being people. And whether we like it or not, there are characters and people like this in real life that behave and respond this way. And I personally think that this show is rather brave by depicting all that - controversies be damned.
Last but definitely not least, I'm glad that while this show had us seeing all that dross that makes flawed characters tick, the show also took pains to show us the transformative power of love. It sounds terribly cliche, and it's been done a million times, but it doesn't make it any less true or less powerful a message. There is a reason why love is such an amazing thing - it really does have the power to instil change and motivate a person to see outside of themselves and to consider the feelings of others. It really does transform people from selfish individuals into selfless ones.
And this is why I gave it a 9 out of 10 rating on the story aspect, not so much for the story per se but mainly for the tightly-scripted character portrayals, the character developments, and for the way the main characters eventually deal with and arrive at a conclusion.
I may not like the overall subject matter of this show, but I respect the way the show is determined to show us the ugly and weak side of being human and take us on a redemptive journey through the eyes of some of them.
ACTING/ CAST
Majority of the casting and acting is solid. There are a few characters which I can do without (i.e. I personally don't think they really add value to the production or to the show and are one-dimensional or caricatures and when placed side-by-side with the complex characters, they cheapen the production).
But the credit and the show really and ultimately rested on 4 main characters and their amazing and effective acting performance. Had any of these four been lesser actors or actresses, this show would not have half the impact it does nor half the weight and heft.
So here goes...
DILOK THONGWATTANA - as Kid Worawath, Kawee's father. Gosh, everyone talks about Ken's performance but I think a lot of people also don't realise how good Dilok was as Kawee's father. His role and his acting might not be as eye-catching as Kawee, but he is absolutely critical and the primary catalyst for us being able to see Kawee as he is. So, it takes an actor of calibre to be able to pull off the character of Kid well so that he gives Kawee life. And Dilok does the character of Kid to perfection. Some of the best and most memorable scenes in this show are when Kawee is facing Kid - the emotion and the energy is just... tangible and weighty. And this cannot be done without Dilok holding his own against Ken in those scenes. An amazing veteran actor who fulfilled and did his role to perfection.
NATARIKA THAMAPREEDANAN - as Leela, Narin's older sister; Kid Worawath's wife and Kawee's step-mother. I found her more difficult to rate as an actress here because there were many occasions where I saw her character showing all sorts of emotions on-screen but found myself wildly guessing what she was feeling and wondering what was in her mind at that point. She is the most difficult one to fathom in the whole show but maybe that's because Leela probably had multiple and conflicting emotions bubbling and brewing in her chest during these scenes and I don't think there is that one single emotion that can be portrayed. She has the most internal conflict, I think. She has to balance her love and her responsibility towards her sister, her own unburied and un-dealt-with feelings for Kawee and her own feelings for Kid and the whole marriage setup. But for what it's worth, I thought Natarika still brought life and complexity to the character of Leela, and that in the hands of a lesser actress, Leela would not be as enigmatic and as faceted a character as what we have.
ANNE THONGPRASOM - as Narin. I truly and honestly believe that nobody could have done a better Narin than Anne. The range of emotions and the way she immersed herself into the role so that all of Narin's conflicts and feelings are vividly seen, is just... downright amazing. She just pulls you into her character so damn well that instead of feeling like a third-party observer (which you can sometimes feel with an actress who is less masterful in her role), it is almost as though you were right with her in her circumstances and in her emotions. You feel her fear, her desperation, her heart-break, her despair, her hate, her conflict, and her love - and she does it all without going overboard with it, without over-doing it, so instead of an element of the theatrical (which, again, in the hands of lesser actresses, could easily swing that way), there is an air of pathos, of heavy emotional weight, and of realism in Anne's performance as Narin. The evolution of her character as Narin from the optimistic and confident girl who sometimes carries an air of almost careless arrogance, to a withdrawn and cautious girl who has experienced severe trauma in life but is determined to get on with the consequences and with life itself regardless, is painfully realistic. She is simply outstanding here as Narin.
KEN THEERADETH - as Kawee Worawath. Wow. Kawee is not an easy character to portray without having him descend into needlessly cruel, heartless beast on one end of the spectrum, or into self-entitled theatrical drama queen on the other end. Neither ends of the spectrum yield much, if any, sympathy nor do they evoke any emotional connection with the character.
Without Ken's nuanced and layered acting as the emotionally stunted and neglected Kawee, none of us would be able to identify as much with the brokenness that is at work in this man which manifests itself in his violent, outward actions. This man is like a wounded animal - growling, snarling and slashing out at anyone who provokes or rouses him. Those wounds, big and gaping and bleeding, are what makes us realise that this man is not lashing out just for kicks and giggles. This inability to relate to other people in any other way makes him a pitiful creature, who is, at the same time, dangerous and someone to be highly wary of.
I'm not going to make excuses for Kawee's behaviour but there is a difference between a person who has received deep wounds through the neglect and and insensitivity of others and who is unable to find any alleviation and relief from such wounds except through the expression of rage and violence; compared to a person who very coldly and very deliberately sets out to destroy others for the pure enjoyment and satisfaction of it.
There is sympathy and understanding for one, and none for the other.
And, more importantly, there is hope for one, but none for the other.
And it takes a powerhouse actor to be able to let us distinguish between the two.
Thankfully, this show doesn't just have poor Kawee stay this way but takes us on a rather rough journey to how Kawee eventually changes from a dysfunctional man starved of love to one who eventually learns how to love by falling in love. It is not an easy journey for him but seeing him go through it, and seeing how Ken was able to portray the conflicts and changes Kawee goes through is a beautiful watch. Ken's plethora of best actor awards is truly well-deserved.
MUSIC
While I like the soundtrack and thought the character theme songs rather fitting, I did feel that this aspect of the show could have been better done. I personally think that some of the more emotional moments could have been more impactful and carry more gravitas or weight with a more deft hand in handling the background music.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Wow. I think whether a show is re-watchable is entirely subjective and depends on the person's individual experience with the show. For me, it was an emotionally provoking show, which is what makes this drama so powerful. It is not something I can take in large doses, but at the same time, it is not something I can entirely leave alone or forget about either.
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STORY
Perhaps I should have been alerted to the inference in the synopsis when it said that "having been rejected by Boom, Neung sets out to mess with Boom and prove that he can still get his own way". I am not a fan of power-tripping characters i.e. characters who deliberately set out to bully or oppress others to show that they can get their own way and feel all powerful and all-conquering in the process. Which is why I dislike a lot of the Thai second lead females and villains/ antagonists and tend to fast-forward through their scenes.
But here, the main male lead sports this sort of behaviour towards the main female lead. It is a testament to how well the script was written and how layered and nuanced Ken Theeradeth's acting was as Anawat that I did not immediately drop this drama after the 5th or 6th episode. However, as much as Ken was doing as good a job as he could as Anawat, I still eventually developed a real dislike towards the character that I skipped about 3 episodes entirely so that I could jump right to the last 4 and see how it ended. And I didn't really like the ending either, not because of Ken's bad acting or anything, but because I just disliked the script i.e. the way the characters ended up resolving their circumstances.
So here's the deal: this show is actually a good show.
The reason why I gave it a low score is not because of the production or the acting or even because of bad scripting (when I say bad scripting, I mean bad story-telling). My low score is entirely due to my personal dislike for main characters who pull the bully card on people and who, even after realising their own bad bullying character, made very little effort in making amends but instead went into a tailspin and even used third parties and deception to resolve the situation (i.e. he never really grew up). The whole premise and resolution for this show just rubbed me up in a bad way that no matter how well Ken did in giving Anawat a more layered and nuanced personality, I still found myself entirely dissatisfied with the show because of how his character and circumstances were portrayed.
ACTING/ CAST
KEN THEERADETH - as Anawat/ Neung. I can see why Ken is such a well-loved actor on the Thai drama scene. He can certainly pull of a dislikable character and give him more emotional depth and layers than a lot of the younger and less seasoned actors in the newer dramas these days. Had it been any other actor playing this role, I probably would have dropped this drama entirely within the first few episodes so it is a testament to Ken's performance that I was able to sit through huge chunks of the show despite the fact that he was portraying a character with a personality that I hated. Disliking my lead characters is a real deal-breaker for me in dramas but Ken made his Anawat a lot less hateful.
I am impressed with how naturally and easily Ken looked playing Anawat too. The way he walked and moved, and the way he emoted, it all looked very real and natural on-screen, as though Anawat was a living and breathing person you could meet on the street. There is very little contrived or posed looks which some actors make for the camera so that you know what they're thinking or feeling. I can see why Ken is such a powerhouse actor - pity I disliked the way his character was scripted.
Still, fantastic performance from Ken as Anawat here. I can't see any other actor pulling off this level of performance.
JANIE - as Boom/ Pum/ Hatairat. Superficially, I personally did not find her the amazing beauty the show was trying to sell to me. I think she did rather okay as the main female lead but there were quite a few scenes where I found her acting to be green, rather blank and rather artificial. I think she can handle the big dramatic moments but when it came to the soft, quiet and emotionally charged moments, she could do with lots of improvement. Ken's eyes were shooting all sorts of emotion at her and she presented him with a blank wall a lot of the time. Which made it difficult for me to really understand whether Pum/ Hatairat really secretly liked Anawat despite his 'teasing'. The shifts and change in emotions and the introspective scenes did not really lend much insight to her feelings, unlike Ken's. You'd expect her to be able to show Pum/ Hatairat's conflicted emotions in finding herself liking someone against her own will as the show progressed, but nope, I hardly saw much of it there.
The supporting cast was serviceable. No real standout characters for me here. I actually found some of the actions/ decisions from some of the characters inappropriate and callous - am not sure if it was because of film-culture in 2005 or because it is a Thai drama period quirk but some of the characters who are supposed to be close to Pum hardly empathised with her or understood her. As well-intentioned as some of their actions were, the fact that Pum was put in situations which made her feel very uncomfortable, or was put in circumstances which she really disliked, showed how little those people knew her. Friends or family who care and love you simply don't do this sort of thing to you on a regular basis. I therefore could not really connect or relate to them in a positive way.
So, all said and done, the only glue holding this drama together for me was Mr Ken Theeradeth.
MUSIC
I quite liked the score and background music. It helped to keep a lot of the horrid moments less horrid, and the period feel of it was brought out.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Honestly, for me, I would not touch this again because the entire plot premise and lack of character growth sits very ill with me, and because I dislike the character and personality of the main male lead. As much as Ken was amazing, I simply dislike the essence of the character which doesn't improve itself, to really root for him.
Still, for those who don't mind having a male lead with a rather childish, bullying character (it helps that he is only this way to the main female lead, as opposed to intrinsically horrible across the board), you might want to give this show a watch, because Ken does this sort of character amazingly well.
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STORY (No spoilers)
I can't recall how many times I've laughed while watching this J-drama but if I had to give an estimate of the funny in this show, I'd go with 80% of the time. That's a massive amount of funny, but I absolutely loved it! It's normally unusual to have so much humour in a rom-com but this show is able to do that because of its very simple plot line which doesn't require too much setting up nor too much development to move the show forward. The show is wonderfully focused on the dating hijinks and love trials of a career-successful man who is also woefully under-developed when it comes to human relations or romantic relationships. One man, one target, one mission. Stat.
Because it is so single-person focused, the actor playing our main male lead had to basically carry the entire show on his shoulders and wow, Ohno Satoshi, I have to hand it to him, he did his role brilliantly. I've not seen him act in any drama prior to this, had no preconceptions about his acting ability and was even mildly unimpressed with him in the first episode because his character was such a serious sullen man he came across rather unlikeable. But I was wrong! As the episodes progressed there was so much more opportunity to showcase his expressive and comic ability and it was such a joy to see him flit from one mood to another, or to see him switch from scary boss persona to little man-child cuteness to teenage emo-sulks. His enthusiasm and energy in the courting arena is practically boundless, and he's such an adorable dork through it all! The undisputed star of this show and the absolute main-stay to all the comedy.
He was wonderfully supported by his two trusty side-kicks - his personal secretary, Muraoki, and his chauffeur, Ishigami. Both have their own ways of encouraging him but it's so cute and heart-warming to see them cheering so hard for their boss to achieve success in love all the way through the drama. Reiji Samejima really struck gold when he employed these two.
His own staff members had varying degrees of screen-time but they were hilarious in their little concerted reactions whenever it came to anything relating to their boss. Great supporting cast with pitch-perfect comic timing.
As for our female lead, as far as I'm concerned, she was a complete foil for all these crazy hilarious hijinks going on with her boss, her colleagues and everyone else around her. She was like the steady anchor that grounded the whole show and gave it a foundation to dance its magic on. And what a performance this was.
For those who want a pure fuss-free rom-com with plenty of cute, hilarious 'com', you're seriously missing out if you've not yet seen this show. I need to download the episodes for this one - this show's a complete keeper.
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STORY (No spoilers)
The script/ plot for this show can be pretty loose and sloppy, unlike BBJX's strongly and tightly woven one. While you do have a lot of time skips which you will need to figure out by yourself, this is nothing compared to quite a few incidents of script illogic peppered throughout the show which got worse towards the end. There were quite a few incidents where I found myself wondering what was going on with a certain situation and never really got an answer so I had to make up my own in order to just move on with the show. Some people might not find this to be bothersome but I personally found it off-putting and I couldn't really immerse myself in the story because of it. It somewhat spoiled the watch experience for me.
Also, aside from our main leads, other key supporting characters were left hanging without closure by the end of the show. It's a bit strange how the show kept introducing new characters as it progresses but never really brought many of them to completion. Again, this might not be too bothersome for some people but I personally was a little dissatisfied with how they got shafted, especially for characters which the show starts introducing and giving quite a bit of screen-time towards the last 5 episodes or so. They were brought out into the limelight at the last minute but at the end I was left wondering why and for what purpose. I get the uncomfortable impression that they were toddled out to either introduce new actors/ actresses or to pad out drama episodes.
The politics and throne-fight were interspersed throughout the show but, in my opinion, it really took a backseat to the romance so for viewers who like shows with deep and complex political machinations, you will be disappointed. However, for viewers who are uninterested in this aspect of a show, you'll likely enjoy it more because this show comes across quite heavily romance-weighted.
And that's the drama's major strength, really - the strong emphasis on Romance in this show. For romance-junkies (like me), this will be a huge draw and can offset a lot of the drama's weaknesses. Our female lead, having the title of 'most beautiful woman' among the Jurchens, will inevitably attract a lot of suitors, some of them creepy and some of them swoony. The show spends quite a generous amount of time focusing on her romances and as the main couple eventually get established, the drama gives us quite a bit of sweet-cute couple time and goosebump-inducing love declarations or love actions which would delight any shippers' heart. This is actually quite a delightful surprise, considering that this is a historical C-drama where romantic gestures and skinship tend to be extremely limited and constrained due to the cultural and historical setting. So, viewers will be pleasantly surprised with this drama's romance offerings.
Our main couple are also left in a very good place when the drama ends so for those viewers who dislike the way historical C-dramas tend to have tragic or open endings, well, you don't have to be worried about that for this drama.
ACTING/ CAST
I found the acting here to be more than serviceable across the board - a pleasant surprise considering the youth of some of the cast. I didn't think any particular actor or actress stood out from the rest and the characters felt that they had equal weight in their screen presence.
Our main leads and key supporting characters did well in bringing their characters to life but if you're looking for handsome flower-boys as eye candy, you will likely be disappointed. I do like my pretty/ good-looking male leads, but the broad masculinity and bulky manliness of our male characters on show here, couple with their authoritative air of walking, standing and moving, is very attractive to me.
One also needs to get over the Qing hairstyle shaved-head look for the males, but I hope such an aesthetic won't deter new viewers from watching because it would be a shame to miss out a potentially interesting show just because of hairstyles. I'd like to encourage fence-sitters to consider overcoming their misgivings and to give this show a try.
MUSIC
Limited soundtrack which can come across rather repetitive towards the end. Background music is serviceable.
RE-WATCH VALUE
For me, the romance scenes are the only ones worth re-watching. There are several nice ones!
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I wasn't too keen to watch this initially because it appears to be a food/cooking-centered show. This sort of setting normally does not appeal to me because I find that most shows with a chef don't tend to do realistic portrayals of proper chefs and their difficult and highly-skilled work in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I can't really say that this show made the cut in this aspect, so for those who are a bit more picky in terms of accuracy of portrayals of people in a professional capacity, you might want to close one eye and shut the other on this show when it comes to such scenes.
So, toss accuracy of the chef profession aside and use the cooking theme as the main storyboard on which the whole show rests on. Or rather, use the cooking theme as a main storyboard on which the character of Alin rests on, because this show is really about her.
Alin is an interesting, quirky and rather funny main character on which the whole show revolves around. But what, I think, makes her character pop and stand-out for me (and probably a lot of viewers too), is that she is surprisingly headstrong, assertive and quite marvellously able to stand on her own two feet throughout the entire show. She fights her own cat-fights, and is practically fearless in action whether it be facing down a sea of reporters in press conferences, or facing off against her potential mother-in-law, or in making demands and throwing a tantrum at the point of a gun. She's such a Diva, but yet we can't really hate her, even in her most manipulative, exploitative moments. For crafting a memorable leading lady, this show is pure gold.
The pacing of this show is steady and solid, with side characters and story-arcs being given more than enough air-time to establish personalities, character motivations, back-stories, and forward-movement of plots. I also thought that the script and the way the show evolved was very well-written and I was actually so absorbed in watching the first two-thirds of the show that I hardly used the fast-forward button (which is normally in action for stock character appearances). I personally thought that the show lost some of its amazing momentum in the later one-third, and I wished they could have fleshed out the ending a bit better so that we could sit back and sigh in bliss as we watched our main leads together, but these are minor gripes in the whole scheme of things.
Overall, this is a solid romantic-comedy with a scintillating main character who brings lots of sparkle and pop to this show.
ACTING/CAST
Most of the supporting cast of characters are great. You do have your villains in this show and they can be pretty one-note in terms of character and rather over-exaggerated in terms of portrayal - typical of Thai lakorns - but the main characters are all well-rounded and well-done.
KEN THEERADETH - as Kru Cook/ Pasu/ Din. Ken won another acting award for his role here, and while I can appreciate why because Ken is as good as ever with his ability to emote on-screen, I personally enjoyed his earlier character portrayals in his earlier dramas ('Oum Rak' and 'Sawan Biang') more. His character here is less of a stand-out compared to the main female lead, so I think he was a little over-shadowed here. But still, over-shadowed or not, Ken is as good as ever in being able to bring to life his characters to the screen and make them as different and as distinguishable from other characters he has played in the past. His versatility in the acting department is truly outstanding.
ANNE THONGPRASOM - as Alin. This is Anne's show, without a doubt, and she deserved her best actress acting award in spades. Alin is such a multi-faceted and mercurial character, with mood changes and temperaments as changeable as the wind, but yet Anne is able to hold it all together and knit the various clashing colours of the character into one amazing garment. She is somehow able to make the character of Alin winsome despite all that diva temper-throwing and self-entitled arrogant huffs. We can see why Kru Cook fell in love with Alin despite her crazy character flaws, and in the hands of a lesser actress, this show could have gone completely off the rails and self-destructed. Anne was brilliant here, just absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Standing ovation from the floor.
Chemistry-wise, both Ken and Anne had them in spades, which I've come to expect as par for the course for this pairing. This on-screen couple is incredible at generating that kind of gravitational force that pulls you into their orbit and every single one of their scenes together, regardless of which drama, is just mesmerising.
MUSIC
I admit that the music did not really catch my attention in this show. There was not a lot of over-playing of character theme songs or repetitive soundtracks here which is also a nice change from some of the dramas which bludgeon you over the head with their music score. I guess it must have been sufficiently subtle and good enough to have passed unnoticed and yet not jarring the show or the scenes.
RE-WATCH VALUE
I confess that among the 3 Ken/Anne dramas I've seen, this one currently stands lowest on my re-watch list. Don't get me wrong, this is a fantastic romantic-comedy show, and Anne is just outstanding here, but the relationship dynamic and the emotional feels this show and this coupling incites was not as mesmerising nor as emotionally-provoking as 'Oum Rak' and 'Sawan Biang', for me. But as a stand-alone Thai lakorn, this is still one of the best out there, because really, the Ken/Anne coupling is just head-and-shoulders above their compatriots.
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STORY (No spoilers)
The show kicks off with an rather fun and dynamic introduction to our main leads. On one side of the ring you have Nantisa (Ooy) who can rightly be considered a 'man-hater' in that she has a very very poor view of the male species in general, thanks to the indoctrinations from her mother and grandmother. On the other side is Angoon (Att) who seems to have a fine appreciation of females.
This disparate two are thrown together through a series of coincidences (some contrived) and when Att ends up recruiting Ooy to help him deal with the girls his sister (Bua) is trying to set him up with, cue hilarious hijinks in spades!
I can see why this show is so enjoyable. It is fast-paced, snappy and concise in moving the scenes and the storyline across so there is rarely a dull or draggy moment. It has a fun, light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek vibe which sets the style and tone of the show from the get-go. And of course the antics and situations the leads find themselves can be downright hilarious - plenty of laughs to be had in this show.
It is not by all means perfect as there are a few bumpy bits (i.e. situations or scenes, and character portrayals, which might incite frustration or hair-pulling), but thankfully the fast-pacing of this show quickly takes you through those humps and things do get resolved rather quickly (huge plus).
A bonus to the show - no psychotic second female lead here! Yes, there are conflicts and tension and misunderstandings sprinkled throughout the show but they were largely from mad and irrational side characters. A refreshing change from your typical Thai lakorn crazy woman trope.
ACTING/ CAST
CHEER THIKUMPORN, playing Nantisa (Ooy), killed it in her portrayal as a biased, prejudiced man-hater who, nevertheless, had a heart, especially for her family. She was lively, energetic, motivated and assertive. And rather charming and loveably flawed despite her prejudices. Cheer gives us a heroine which we can all relate to, get behind and root for as she navigates her way through the currents swirling around her. Ooy can also be rather physical too (read: violent) - something which the show has established right from the start in episode 1 - so do be prepared for some man-abuse throughout the show. (A friend of mine wryly noted that there were more hits than kisses, lol).
TOEY PONGSAKORN, playing Angoon (Att), was a great match to Cheer's Ooy. He had a boyish, charming look and smile which made him believable as a person who appreciates and respects women. Gentlemanly and family-oriented, Att is your perfect male lead (maybe too perfect), whose only flaw is being weak to a woman's tears and a softie when it comes to the women he cares about. I thought Toey carried his scenes well and was a good foil to Cheer's Ooy.
In a nutshell, I thought the casting was well done and the acting sufficient to carry the show.
MUSIC
Teeny-boppy Cupid theme song, and a couple of nice love ballads here and there. The background sound-effects are out in full-force and while in some scenes it really adds the fun and laughs, in others it can be a little over-done. Still, the sound effect and music give an added fun vibe to this show so overall, sufficiently well done.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Some of the hilarious scenes are re-watcheable, for the laughs. Overall, if you're looking for a light-hearted, fun romantic comedy, this is a decent show to watch.
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This film is now over 20 years old (!!) but it is such a classic, and such a Jet Li classic too. For Jet Li fans who would like to experience his older works, this is a highly recommended watch because it not only showcases Jet Li's great martial arts in action, but it has the added benefit of being comedic and so brings along not only the action but also the laughs!
Please note that it being such an old show, the production values and the video quality of this show will naturally come across as dated and a little poor. But don't let this put you off because aside from the video quality and the lack of realism of some of the props, the movie is just brilliant.
This film showcases the good old-style directing of kung fu movies at its best. Choreography of the fight scenes is just stellar and of the quality which you will hardly be able to find in kung fu shows these days. None of that slow-motion exaggerated rubbish, none of that CGI stunt nonsense. Nope, this is raw kung fu fight scenes at its best, which means, fast-paced and high tempo. Blink-and-you-will-miss-it kind of goodness. This film won the Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Horse Award for best action choreography during its time!
The comedy in this film does not lie in the choreography or execution of the fights (they are not the Jackie Chan-style funny antics), but rather in the story itself. Fong Sai Yuk and his mother make a brilliant pair of comedic marital arts heros and more than half of the laughs are from the antics of this mother-son duo.
The overarching stories and scenes are reminiscent of the Chinese period in which it is set - Qing dynasty setting in case you've missed it with the pigtails and male queues.
There are a few things going on in this film:-
- traditional chinese match-making of its time period is showcased, where daughters of reputable families are found matches through competitive rounds among her would-be-suitors;
- traditional chinese relationship dynamics of husband-wife;
- covert rebellious activities by rebel societies, and uprisings against what is perceived as oppression by a local tyrant - the definition of what makes a man a hero is often based on his actions and attitudes towards the people, particularly to those who are in need or oppressed; and
- traditional concept of filial piety and responsibility towards parents in that generation.
Lots of traditions and concepts of that time period are very much evident and imbued in this series, making it more than just your average comedic kung fu show. There is a wealth of information about the cultural mores and attitudes of the people in those days, which make for a much more insightful and unique watch experience.
ACTING/ CHARACTERS
JET LI is simply wonderful as the titular character Fong Sai Yuk. He portrays this cheeky, playful but incredibly talented kung fu lad to the tee. Young and brash but incredibly filial and family-oriented, he is the embodiment of your typical young kung fu hero of his day. His fight scenes are simply stellar and awe-inspiring.
JOSEPHINE SIAO as Fong Sai Yuk's mother is a scene-stealer! Her comedic and weighty moments in the show are on-point, while her own kung fu scenes are as awesome and as brilliant as Jet Li's. And that's saying a huge lot, I'm telling you, because Jet Li is practically the undisputed kung fu specialist of his time.
Both mother-son duo are the lynchpin and the cornerstone of this film - without them, the film would not be as scintillating and brilliant as it is still today.
MUSIC
Memorable traditional chinese instrumentals and songs which heighten and add depth to the show, nothing is out of place.
RE-WATCH VALUE
I have this film on DVD and while it is very well used in terms of it being lent to others for the spreading of the enjoyment of this great show, I will never ever give my DVD away. This show is just too good and too nostalgic - a keeper for sure and wonderfully re-watchable for the laughs and for the kung fu fight scenes.
An awesome kung fu film of the ages - it is not called a Jet Li classic for no reason!
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a) its age. Aired in 2000, it is not only buried under all the newer productions over the years, but its video quality is not as bright and sharp as these modern HQ shows, and its availability is pretty scarce; and
b) its last 5 episodes are un-subbed, which is probably the biggest stumbling block to any lakorn viewer. I think only the really hardcore would venture to watch it despite knowing they will never be able to fully understand and appreciate the full show in its entirety.
I fully admit that I wasn't really planning to watch this show despite hearing echoes of its quality along lakorn corridors because of the above issues but thankfully, a respected fellow MDL-er took the time and effort to explain and sell this show to me, and after seeing a small video clip which she linked me up to, I was eventually sold. And I'm glad because I would have missed out on a real quality lakorn had it been otherwise.
So, now that that's been said and done, on with the review.
STORY
I've begun to notice that older lakorns tend to have better and tighter stories and plots, along with more fleshed out characters, while the newer lakorns these days tend to rely on plot devices such as side-stories, fillers, crazy villains and antagonists, obsessive-to-the-point-of-insane nang'rai's, over-acted and over-dramatised characters, etc. to pull their shows along and keep the viewers' attention focused and excited about their shows.
Well, all I can say is, if you're looking for the latter i.e. the newer lakorn format, then this show will very likely put you off (or let you down) because it has none of those formulas. None. Zero. Nada. This show is old-school in that it has a very focused and tight story to tell, and it remains that way for as far as I could see i.e for the 15 subbed episodes with the rest raw.
I personally would consider this show's primary genre to be a Family Drama. It is extremely character-driven and character-focused. The story focuses very much on the relationships, events and characters in the 2 diamond families, and all the conflict is set and kept within this context so it makes for a very dense and concentrated viewing. If you like dramas like this, then this will be right up your street.
In line with its very focused plot-line and premise, this character-driven show then naturally needs to spend plenty of time to set up the background, the personalities and the internal motivations of each main character as a solid foundation in which to build its drama structure. The pacing is therefore very deliberate and slow because it gives plenty of time for scenes to breathe and for the situations and emotions of the characters to sink in. And because each character within the 2 diamond families in this show has very realistic personality flaws, in some cases even realistically dysfunctional, the show takes its time to show us why, instead of leaving us in the dark.
This is something I really appreciated because for all their biased and sometimes twisted thought-process, you actually understand and get why the characters think or end up that way. You can't hate them or despise them the way you do for one-dimensional stereotypical characters, and this is not an easy feat to achieve without the show setting up their characters so well that you end up understanding them.
Some people might also term this show as a 'social commentary', and I can also understand why because, being so heavily character-driven, it takes the opportunity to introduce to us different characters and different personalities that exist within that social context, and it also wonderfully shows us how each character reacts and deals with a similar situation in different and varied ways because of their different personalities and way of thinking. It's very insightful and eye-opening, and it can also be very thought-provoking because it shows you different perspectives on the same issue. We may not always agree with their way of thinking but I think our minds are broadened by being able to see their viewpoint. There are not many shows that actually allow you to deepen your insight into the different workings of humankind, but this show is one of them.
As for the romance in this show... well, it is a very slow build romance because I don't think romance is this show's primary focus or importance. It does play a very important role in shaping and changing some of our key characters but I see that as just one of the many catalysts embedded in this show. But that's not to say that there is no chemistry or no emotional connection. There are plenty of emotional connections here in this show - maybe even too much sometimes because this show is too good in drawing out the emotional moments of the characters and making you FEEL them for each key scene. Powerful stuff considering that it is able to do this without the help of loud, dramatic music or in-your-face overacting. Serious quality, this.
The only reason I am not able to give a very high rating on this aspect of the show is entirely because of the last 5 un-subbed episodes which I tried to watch but found myself broadly guessing what was going on and what was being said. It is a real pity and shame really, because the dialogue is absolutely key for this show. It explains and clarifies the actions, decisions and motivations of each character so without understanding what was being said, a lot of the context and understanding is lost. I'm dying to know how it all went down in the last 5 and being unable to do that, I cannot, with all the goodwill in the world, complete my rating on the story and execution aspect of this show. But because it has been quality stuff since the beginning, I've still given it a high 7.5. Huge concession for me considering I am sort of left hanging without a proper resolution for this show.
ACTING/ CAST
Every single cast member here played their part and were well-rounded, well-fleshed out characters. Impressive achievement in an age where lakorns are filled with one-dimensional or stereotypical supporting or side characters. No filler or character fodder. Amazing.
Lots of characters stood out for me in this show. Lots. And while I am sure this is partly thanks to solid character scripting and assured directing, some credit also needs to go to the actors themselves for bringing their A-game to the show regardless of their screen-time. From P'Manut and his wife P'Orn, to Rasa's two besties, to all the members of the 2 diamond families themselves, all were memorable and relatable characters to me. This show is choc-a-bloc full of quality acting on all fronts, and if I spent the time to talk about them all, I would never finish this review.
I will, however, put the spotlight on one person whose acting really stood head-and-shoulders above the rest and that is Mr Andrew Gregson.
ANDREW GREGSON as Chanon, was a revelation for me. I've not seen any of his lakorns prior to this show so this was my first introduction to this man. My respected fellow MDL-er sang lots of praises about his acting in this show and so my eyes and my expectations were already perked up even before I clicked on episode 1. I didn't think that my high expectations would be met but wow, boy were they met!
I admit that the first 2, maybe even 3, episodes didn't really make me stand up and say wow because, again, of the show's slow and deliberate pace as well as Chanon's personality which was one who carried the weight of his family and the family's diamond business on his shoulders.
This made him into a very serious, no-nonsense and stoic person who had to internally bear and carry a lot of responsibility. He could not allow himself to be too emotionally open because it could worry and burden his family. He had to be the head of his household and so had to be a very self-controlled, strict and shrewd person lest his soft-hearted father and brother be manipulated and exploited by greedy, ill-meaning persons.
His childhood trauma of being abandoned by his mother had also made him wary and rather distrustful of women. Personally, I wouldn't blame him for being distrustful of women even without the added factor of his mother because being heir to one of the largest diamond companies in the country is enough to attract all sorts of mercenary or status-hungry women.
But as the show progressed and with the re-appearance of his mother who had left some over 20 years ago, Chanon was faced with feelings and issues which he had been suppressing and denying to himself over the years, and the way Andrew Gregson brought all of that internal conflict out in Chanon was seriously emotionally heart-breaking to behold.
The scenes which really sit with me were the scenes where he is trying so hard to keep his emotions and his tears under control but they come leaking out despite his best efforts. The way his voice quivers, the way he hesitates as he tries to give voice to some of the turmoil going on inside, and the way he quickly spits his sentences out as though he has to quickly get it out before he loses the courage to say it, hits you right in the heart. And the way he tries to explain his reasons and his rationale while fighting back tears while he speaks to his father or his brother is so heart-breaking.
For me, there is nothing more emotionally powerful than having to witness someone emotionally distraught and on the verge of tears but trying their damn hardest to NOT break down, to NOT burst into tears.
It's easy to turn on the tap and give in and cry, but to try not to cry even though you want to? Bam! Sold. I'm in.
Of all the characters in this lakorn, it was Chanon who had me empathising and sympathising with him every single step of the way. He was brought believably into life by Andrew so, for that, Andrew gets the gold star from me.
I can't say enough how much I wish the last 5 episodes were subbed so that I can see this entire lakorn to the finish, but suffice to say, even despite not being able to complete it, the first three-quarters of the show was already amazing in being able to show us how quality lakorns look like. It's truly a damn crying shame that they don't make them like this anymore.
MUSIC
Good background music and score. I particularly appreciate how they don't bludgeon you over the head with continuous playing of character theme songs but relied a lot more on instrumental versions and appropriate mood music.
RE-WATCH VALUE
If some kind soul could sub the last 5 episodes so that I can have my closure on this wonderful lakorn, that would be greatly and deeply appreciated. I'd love to re-watch this if I could but not with an inconclusive ending...
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STORY (No spoilers)
This show is a mix of action (fight and battle scenes), politics (plotting, backstabbing, betrayals), history (it is set in ancient history aka 'boran' period), and romance (not a lot of it though).
The show's primary focus is on Por Haym, our main male lead. It practically acts as a story of his life as it charts his life-history: from his privileged lifestyle as a son of a noble aristocrat; to his fall from grace as his father was betrayed and framed; and to his eventual rise back into the ranks. There are also side-plots as the Siamese kingdom during that period (the Rattanakosin period) was in conflict with the Yuan kingdom (now Vietnam) so this show also has a war setting and features several war-related issues.
While I am not a person generally interested in such a premise (i.e. war and politics), I still found this show to be insightful in showing us the culture and history of the times. We get insights into various parts of Siamese culture such as their dance troops, their royal court patronage system, their army, and (the most interesting aspect for me) the elephant troop. I find it interesting that there is a 'Elephant Corps' or 'Ministry of Elephant Care' in their government administration - shows how much importance this particular animal has within the culture and as a fighting force for the country. It was fascinating for me to see this aspect via Por Haym's reduction as an elephant keeper (i.e. 'mahout'), and I have to admit that I personally enjoyed this part of the drama the most.
Concerning the romance, well, I personally don't consider this show to be primarily romance-centered and felt that the romance was treated more as a side-story against the overall war backdrop and tale of redemption. The romance is slow and conservative with quite a good foundation for its development hence not unrealistic, but not the main focus of this show either.
Also, this show does descend into typical lakorn territory towards the last one-third with all the antagonists coming out of the woodwork like maggots and causing all manner of disruption. You have your evil villains hell-bound in exacting revenge or in wrecking havoc; your second leads (both male and female) going insane from jealousy and cooking up all sorts of horrible schemes; and you have our main couple falling into their trap and being led around. I personally found it frustrating and was disappointed with the lakorn's direction in this later one-third as I felt that it was unnecessary drama and inconsistent character portrayal on our main female lead's part. The only positive thing out of this unnecessary drama is the relative quickness in which our main couple overcame these trials.
Cinematography-wise, this lakorn has been pretty faultless. Great period sets and costumes, and the forest shots and the aerial scenes of the country were pretty spectacular. It brings to mind Discovery Channel or National Geographic-style panoramic frames. Lovely.
The pacing of this show is a bit weird, at least for me. Perhaps because it is a focused life-story of an individual hence the emphasis is on his growth and maturity over time - this leads to quite a bit of time spent on his trials and training and relationship-building. But sometimes, key moments in his life or key events in the story are glossed over in a narrative - we are just told that so-and-so happened and the scenes move on. Such abruptness sometimes makes the pacing and emphasis on scenes a little lop-sided but this is a minor gripe.
Overall, for a period lakorn, this is quite well done, and if you're a person who's interested in history, warfare, zero-to-hero life stories with a side-helping of romance and some crazy drama sprinkled in, you should definitely consider watching this show.
For me, personally, this show's overall genre is not exactly my cup of tea hence my less-than-enthusiastic rating, but I can't deny that for its genre, it is a well-done show.
ACTING/CAST
The supporting cast of characters playing our leads' families are well-portrayed and well-developed. There is more than enough screen-time for us to get to know them and their various personalities/ characters. Even the various antagonists and villains in this show are not completely one-dimensional. They may be very single-minded in their own personal agendas but script and the actors and actresses portraying them also gave us viewers enough insights into their personal motives behind their schemes. So, while this show may occasionally descend into crazy drama at times, it is never really because of too much over-exaggerated acting or over-the-top portrayal of characters (unlike other crazier lakorns). So, acting-wise, this show is actually one of those better lakorns out there.
MATT PEERANEE - as Lamduan, our main female lead. She doesn't have half as much screen time as our main male lead (no surprise as this is not a show centered around her), and she only comes in as her adult self after 3 episodes. As another reviewer commented, she did look tired in this show, and she also did look older than her male lead (who was supposed to be much older than her). So, from a visual perspective, I would say that she was probably not as suited for this role as perhaps other younger and more ethically-looking actresses might have done. She was serviceable in her role and in her acting, but not outstanding nor particularly memorable, unfortunately. And her chemistry with the main male lead was neither here nor there. Perhaps she was too tired (she apparently was filming multiple shows at the same time) so the lack of zest and energy may have undermined her performance.
JAMES MA - as Por Haym, our main male lead. As the show's main character and frontman, James had to work very hard here, and I think he really did try his very best. This lakorn is his second lakorn after 'Khun Chai Ronapee', therefore it's not really a surprise if he came across still a little green and raw in the acting department, but one can't fault his energy and dedication to his role here. He had a lot of action scenes as well as elephant-management scenes to do, and I thought he did them as well as anyone else could have done so credit where credit is due. The only place I felt he needed improving on was his emotional scenes or his conflicted scenes as they could be more impactful or nuanced in the hands of a more experienced actor. A serviceable acting performance, considering his age and experience, so kudos on that front.
MUSIC
Lovely music score and background music in this lakorn. Very fitting for the premise and setting of this show and considering its topic and genre.
RE-WATCH VALUE
As mentioned before, this show is not my genre of choice so while I generally did like chunks of it, it would not be a show that I would eagerly or voluntarily return to watch again as there was nothing particularly memorable that stood out for me. As a romance-junkie, even the romance was too understated to entice me back. Hence, this show scores a low re-watch value from me because of personal preferences.
However, as mentioned, if you are a viewer who enjoys history, warfare, zero-to-hero life stories with a side-helping of romance and some crazy drama sprinkled in, this would definitely be the show for you.
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STORY (No spoilers)
A simple storyline about a 30-year old single Thai woman (Mei Li) who is rather untrained in the dating game feeling the pressure of finding a boyfriend after all her friends are married. She meets Lung who is a night-shift engineer for the Bangkok Transit System and goes about attempting to start and build a relationship with him.
As a movie, such a simple plot-line works very well because the show focuses a lot on Mei Li's everyday life and if you like slice-of-life shows, this will really appeal to you. There are lovely little snapshots and scenes of Mei Li and her middle-class chinese family interacting with each other, of Mei Li and her rather funny workplace boss and sale products, and of Mei Li trying to come to grips with how to date a man she is interested in.
There is also an introduction to the Bangkok transportation system, from motorbike taxis, to riverboat taxis and of course, the rail/ train system. As this film was also released as part of the BTS 10th anniversary, there are a lot of scenes of the inner workings of the Skytrain infrastructure and operations, which is pretty insightful.
The comedy is most prevalent in the first half of the show where we get an introduction to our lead girl in rather amusing circumstances and it already sets the tone of future comedic scenes to come based on her rather quirky, naive and rather oblivious character. Bulk of the comedy in this show is carried by Mei Li - either character-related or circumstance-related - while Lung (our male lead) is a rather good foil to her character by being the more restrained, grounded and pragmatic of the two. It is a nice little play in their dynamic which comes across cute and sweet.
The romance is under-stated but sweet, and rather mature in spite of Mei Li's inexperience and naive-ness, and I personally quite enjoyed the simple-ness of the movie, and its depiction of a modern single woman's life and struggles in Bangkok.
ACTING/ CAST
CRIS HORWANG as Mei Li, is the unsurprising and undoubted star of this movie. As the movie's main character and main focus, she did a great job in carrying the whole show on her shoulders and her portrayal as the inexperienced and clueless Mei Li is cute, funny and endearing. She really brought life and sparkle to the entire movie.
KEN THEERADETH as Lung, was, as mentioned, a good foil and match to Mei Li's naive and ditzy character. Easy-going and pragmatic, his reactions to Mei Li's hilarious antics prevented the movie from going too far into over-the-top-theatricalism, and grounded it very well. His scenes and screen-time were not as eye-catching nor as extended as Mei Li's, but his screen-presence was always strong.
I also particularly liked Mei Li's family scenes and the lakorn inserts (with Aff Taksaorn) in the movie. They lend another dimension and aspect to the show which was a nice addition.
RE-WATCH VALUE
As a romantic-comedy movie, it certainly fits the bill very nicely.
I liked the movie's simple plot-premise and the characters, but as enjoyable as it was to watch the film for the first time, the whole show did not excite nor moved me enough for it to sit strongly with me after it ended so on this basis the re-watch value is not that high. But it is a light-hearted and easy watch so for those who are in the mood for something like this, this will be a very good show for you.
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STORY (No spoilers)
As per the synopsis of this show, this is a continuation from where the first film 'Fong Sai Yuk' left off. There is more intrigue and more undercover/ plotting scenes which make way for less comedic sections, so I think the film tries to compensate by making some scenes rather funnily cliche, instead of from pure comedic timing and content.
But the mother-son duo is back and as scintillating as ever, so this show is still a great watch. The fight scenes are still brilliantly executed, with new stunts and action sequences that are amazing and breath-taking to watch.
ACTING/ CHARACTERS
JET LI - is as great as ever as the titular Fong Sai Yuk. He grows up a bit more in this film - in the first, he was still a rather immature and rash young man in the full flush of youth and still having youthful ideals. Here, having gone through some of the trials and having his eyes opened from events in the first film, he has a more serious and weighty personality. As a member of a resistance group and god-son of a well-known people's hero, he has more responsibilities thrust upon him, in addition to his newly married state.
It makes for different sort of conflicts and tensions compared to the first film. Jet Li carries it all well, and of course, the action sequences are as stellar as ever.
JOSEPHINE SIAO - as Fong Sai Yuk's mother, remains a hilariously wonderful character. Unfortunately, her screen time is not as lengthy as the first film as she has to make way for the build-up of the plot, as well as for other supporting characters introduced in this second instalment. Which is a bit of a shame because her scenes and her interactions with Fong Sai Yuk are what makes the films so sparklingly good.
As this film has more going on in terms of story/ plotline, there is therefore more supporting characters being introduced. It's a bit of a hit-or-miss with them but they carry the story along. Seriously, the brightest gems in the film are really Jet Li and Josephine Siao - all others pale in comparison to them.
MUSIC
As per the first film, it is suitably aligned to the time period and to the style and tone of the film.
RE-WATCH VALUE
Definitely re-watchable and a good sequel to the first film. The quality of the action scenes have certainly not dropped so this film is watchable, even for that alone.
A good follow-up to its brilliant first film.
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