This review may contain spoilers
that summer we'll always remember
I almost didn't watch this because RIP WinnySatang but I am so glad I did!
this show had a great combination of good actors, a well-paced story, a solid soundtrack, and a sweet ending.
I'll highlight a few positives:
- WinnySatang chemistry delivered as always, as did the chemistry between MondRyu and NeoMint (at this point I'm convinced Neo would have great chemistry with a dead fish. he always delivers)
- casting Namtan as a princess and Gawin as a bodyguard was gold
- we get a wedding and babies (rare for BL to show an adoption)
- it was refreshing to watch a show with essentially no real antagonists yet have it remain interesting for the entire 10 episodes
- I like how they handled the second amnesia with it taking time for Wave/Davin to regain his memories instead of it all flowing back instantly (the cliche route other shows have done). under normal circumstances, I would have called out the double amnesia as a cheap plot point to create some last minute conflict, but it was executed so well that I actually really enjoyed it. plus, it allowed the story to stay away from other overused conflict tropes such as the royal family being homophobic or against Davin and Lava's love because he's a non-royal. (Davin's coming out was the sweetest scene, truly. "I'm a prince searching for my own prince.")
I do, however have a few criticisms:
- although I found the story to be refreshing for having no real villains, I thought it was odd that the assassination attempt on Prince Davin's life played such a minor part of the story when it also was the catalyst for the entire show. He only nearly dies twice (once right at the beginning and once right toward the end) and there aren't many fight scenes despite the royal monarchy being in peril. In fact, we hardly even see the monarchy be in peril. on one hand, I'm glad it didn't follow a typical narrative, but as a result something felt absent from this story. They could have had Wave/Davin leave without telling anyone where he went and a random accident causes him to lose his memory, stranding him on the island. No need for the royal takeover. but I digress.
- the boxing scenes. Felt really random with no payoffs whatsoever. I thought maybe Lava's boxing training was going to come handy when the assassins appeared, but as previously stated, they never had that climatic fight scene. Victor just shows up, shoots Davin/Wave, doesn't shoot Lava who was standing two-feet away (and thus allowing him to save Davin/Wave), and then dips lol. also I found it unrealistic that Lava was able to go from barely being able to box Tum to somehow winning an entire competition. it just felt really random and served no purpose.
all in all, though, it was a fun time and I finished the entire series within two days. if you like fluff (and can withstand the pain of WinnySatang's separation as a duo) give it a watch :)
this show had a great combination of good actors, a well-paced story, a solid soundtrack, and a sweet ending.
I'll highlight a few positives:
- WinnySatang chemistry delivered as always, as did the chemistry between MondRyu and NeoMint (at this point I'm convinced Neo would have great chemistry with a dead fish. he always delivers)
- casting Namtan as a princess and Gawin as a bodyguard was gold
- we get a wedding and babies (rare for BL to show an adoption)
- it was refreshing to watch a show with essentially no real antagonists yet have it remain interesting for the entire 10 episodes
- I like how they handled the second amnesia with it taking time for Wave/Davin to regain his memories instead of it all flowing back instantly (the cliche route other shows have done). under normal circumstances, I would have called out the double amnesia as a cheap plot point to create some last minute conflict, but it was executed so well that I actually really enjoyed it. plus, it allowed the story to stay away from other overused conflict tropes such as the royal family being homophobic or against Davin and Lava's love because he's a non-royal. (Davin's coming out was the sweetest scene, truly. "I'm a prince searching for my own prince.")
I do, however have a few criticisms:
- although I found the story to be refreshing for having no real villains, I thought it was odd that the assassination attempt on Prince Davin's life played such a minor part of the story when it also was the catalyst for the entire show. He only nearly dies twice (once right at the beginning and once right toward the end) and there aren't many fight scenes despite the royal monarchy being in peril. In fact, we hardly even see the monarchy be in peril. on one hand, I'm glad it didn't follow a typical narrative, but as a result something felt absent from this story. They could have had Wave/Davin leave without telling anyone where he went and a random accident causes him to lose his memory, stranding him on the island. No need for the royal takeover. but I digress.
- the boxing scenes. Felt really random with no payoffs whatsoever. I thought maybe Lava's boxing training was going to come handy when the assassins appeared, but as previously stated, they never had that climatic fight scene. Victor just shows up, shoots Davin/Wave, doesn't shoot Lava who was standing two-feet away (and thus allowing him to save Davin/Wave), and then dips lol. also I found it unrealistic that Lava was able to go from barely being able to box Tum to somehow winning an entire competition. it just felt really random and served no purpose.
all in all, though, it was a fun time and I finished the entire series within two days. if you like fluff (and can withstand the pain of WinnySatang's separation as a duo) give it a watch :)
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