This review may contain spoilers
Love Upon a Time: A Place I Visited, Not Just a Series I Watched
ove Upon a Time ended up being everything I hoped it would be and more.
After production delays, recasting, and significant changes from the original pilot, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. What I got was a beautifully crafted historical fantasy romance that completely swept me away.
What surprised me most was how playful the series was. I expected something far more serious, but JJ's performance as Nakhun injects the perfect amount of humour and chaos into the story. Honestly, if a Gen Z university student suddenly found himself 400 years in the past, I would expect him to react exactly like this. His exaggerated expressions and comedic timing never felt out of place to me. Instead, they made him feel human.
Net and JJ are phenomenal together. Net brings warmth, emotional depth, and quiet strength to Phop, while JJ fills Nakhun with charm and life. Their chemistry is undeniable, and by the end of the series I was completely invested in every glance, every conversation, and every moment they shared.
What truly impressed me was the balance. Love Upon a Time is simultaneously a romance, a mystery, a period drama, and a fantasy. Remarkably, none of those elements overshadow the others. They weave together naturally, creating a story that constantly keeps you engaged.
Visually, the series is stunning. The rivers, landscapes, traditional homes, costumes, and historical locations all contribute to a world that feels rich and lived in. The production quality is among the best I've seen in Thai BL.
And then there's the finale.
What a finale.
It's the kind of ending that feels earned. After all the love, heartbreak, danger, sacrifice, and longing, the final chapter lands with enormous emotional weight. Long after the credits rolled, I was still thinking about it.
More importantly, this series achieved something few dramas ever manage. It didn't feel like I was watching a story. It felt like I was living inside one. I wasn't simply observing these characters—I felt present alongside them.
I'll carry Love Upon a Time with me not as a show I watched, but as a place I visited.
After production delays, recasting, and significant changes from the original pilot, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. What I got was a beautifully crafted historical fantasy romance that completely swept me away.
What surprised me most was how playful the series was. I expected something far more serious, but JJ's performance as Nakhun injects the perfect amount of humour and chaos into the story. Honestly, if a Gen Z university student suddenly found himself 400 years in the past, I would expect him to react exactly like this. His exaggerated expressions and comedic timing never felt out of place to me. Instead, they made him feel human.
Net and JJ are phenomenal together. Net brings warmth, emotional depth, and quiet strength to Phop, while JJ fills Nakhun with charm and life. Their chemistry is undeniable, and by the end of the series I was completely invested in every glance, every conversation, and every moment they shared.
What truly impressed me was the balance. Love Upon a Time is simultaneously a romance, a mystery, a period drama, and a fantasy. Remarkably, none of those elements overshadow the others. They weave together naturally, creating a story that constantly keeps you engaged.
Visually, the series is stunning. The rivers, landscapes, traditional homes, costumes, and historical locations all contribute to a world that feels rich and lived in. The production quality is among the best I've seen in Thai BL.
And then there's the finale.
What a finale.
It's the kind of ending that feels earned. After all the love, heartbreak, danger, sacrifice, and longing, the final chapter lands with enormous emotional weight. Long after the credits rolled, I was still thinking about it.
More importantly, this series achieved something few dramas ever manage. It didn't feel like I was watching a story. It felt like I was living inside one. I wasn't simply observing these characters—I felt present alongside them.
I'll carry Love Upon a Time with me not as a show I watched, but as a place I visited.
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