kazel87
Kuala Lumpur
This review may contain spoilers
I have watched this series twice. I think you will enjoy this series if:-
1. You view it from Asian lens (further details in the review below)
2. You do not really give heavy emphasis on the inconsistencies within the Kiss series (ie some knowledge will be useful such as Pete and Kao are already together for 3 years, Pete's dad knows about them, etc)
I have not watched the earlier 2 Kiss series in entirety. So perhaps this might be the reason I enjoyed DBK immensely.
What I like about the series are:-
1. Each main characters were thrust into realistic situation that any gay man may encounter in real life.
Pete - having to constantly being compared with his dad's friends' sons and worry being a disappointment to his dad.
Kao - being a breadwinner for his family with his sis still in college. I felt his story arc was important but somehow misunderstood by some viewers without the understanding of the situation he was in. Coming out may put his and his mother's reputation at risk. This will certainly have economic impact (ie loss of students for Kao and promotion for his mother) even if he has strong support system and acceptance from friends and family. I felt this fear is very real especially in Asian society.
Sun - somewhat estranged from his dad because of his sexuality and the dad tried to bargain with him in return for his acceptance.
Mork - accidentally outed by a good friend (with good intention nonetheless) but reiterate to that friend that coming out is a very personal thing that can only be decided by himself.
2. The awesome opening intro with the dramatic music and symbolic action/item hinting at the storyline (ie the coffee bean and breaking of glasses) as well as the theme song.
Now this series is far from perfect. I wish they had done certain things differently. I felt the introduction of Non was to tie in to the Kao's fear of coming out but somehow the execution was muddled. There was no background to Non's action as to why he kept pestering Kao. Perhaps some flashback might be useful.
Nonetheless, this is my fave 2019 BL series for 2 simple reasons:-
1. Realistic scenes that any gay man would face. I especially like the conversation between Pete and Kao on needing to be a better person simply because they are gay.
2. Sizzling chemistry between the 2 main couples.
1. You view it from Asian lens (further details in the review below)
2. You do not really give heavy emphasis on the inconsistencies within the Kiss series (ie some knowledge will be useful such as Pete and Kao are already together for 3 years, Pete's dad knows about them, etc)
I have not watched the earlier 2 Kiss series in entirety. So perhaps this might be the reason I enjoyed DBK immensely.
What I like about the series are:-
1. Each main characters were thrust into realistic situation that any gay man may encounter in real life.
Pete - having to constantly being compared with his dad's friends' sons and worry being a disappointment to his dad.
Kao - being a breadwinner for his family with his sis still in college. I felt his story arc was important but somehow misunderstood by some viewers without the understanding of the situation he was in. Coming out may put his and his mother's reputation at risk. This will certainly have economic impact (ie loss of students for Kao and promotion for his mother) even if he has strong support system and acceptance from friends and family. I felt this fear is very real especially in Asian society.
Sun - somewhat estranged from his dad because of his sexuality and the dad tried to bargain with him in return for his acceptance.
Mork - accidentally outed by a good friend (with good intention nonetheless) but reiterate to that friend that coming out is a very personal thing that can only be decided by himself.
2. The awesome opening intro with the dramatic music and symbolic action/item hinting at the storyline (ie the coffee bean and breaking of glasses) as well as the theme song.
Now this series is far from perfect. I wish they had done certain things differently. I felt the introduction of Non was to tie in to the Kao's fear of coming out but somehow the execution was muddled. There was no background to Non's action as to why he kept pestering Kao. Perhaps some flashback might be useful.
Nonetheless, this is my fave 2019 BL series for 2 simple reasons:-
1. Realistic scenes that any gay man would face. I especially like the conversation between Pete and Kao on needing to be a better person simply because they are gay.
2. Sizzling chemistry between the 2 main couples.
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