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labcat
This review may contain spoilers
Urban Boy Meets Country Boy
The portrayal of teenagers from rural and urban areas meeting can be rather charming, if in some ways clichéd. One of the weaknesses that can be seen almost immediately is the relative lack of focus. The script could have been improved--at times it feels as though one were sitting near a group of teens, in a cafe or some others setting, and listening to them. The themes can, in fact, be rather serious, but it seems that there is a reluctance to explore them fully. The latent power imbalance between the more well heeled urban consumers of the homestay and the impoverished service providers is hinted at but soon forgotten.
If there is anything interesting in the story that lacks focus, it is that, to the urban dwellers who are wealthier, the countryside may just be more a novel commodity to be consumed or romanticized. To the urban dwellers, the countryside can simply be a getaway; but to the actual poor people of the countryside, their impoverishment is something that they need to get away from. It is not that the urban boys are malicious or exploitative, but they simply don't know better. Little is down to develop the theme, however, and the thin story eventually gives way to a display of youthful innocence and friendship that bring the urban and the rural together.
There are hints of romance/BL that, commendably, are not excessively emphasized to pander to fans. The signs of romantic affection between Nubdao and Keptawan are definitely there, but, in line with the innocence and youth of the characters, they do not really flirt or confess their feelings to each others (in Season 1 at least).
In the end, the country boy's crisis is all too easily resolved, partly with the help of his wealthier friends. This made me wonder why the writers bothered to add in the crisis (financial debt) in the first place. We could simply have a group of friends who visit the homestay facility in the countryside and end up helping the impoverished country boy improve it.
The production quality is generally decent even if the budget is low. With a more focused script and a bolder exploration of themes, the series would have been better.
If there is anything interesting in the story that lacks focus, it is that, to the urban dwellers who are wealthier, the countryside may just be more a novel commodity to be consumed or romanticized. To the urban dwellers, the countryside can simply be a getaway; but to the actual poor people of the countryside, their impoverishment is something that they need to get away from. It is not that the urban boys are malicious or exploitative, but they simply don't know better. Little is down to develop the theme, however, and the thin story eventually gives way to a display of youthful innocence and friendship that bring the urban and the rural together.
There are hints of romance/BL that, commendably, are not excessively emphasized to pander to fans. The signs of romantic affection between Nubdao and Keptawan are definitely there, but, in line with the innocence and youth of the characters, they do not really flirt or confess their feelings to each others (in Season 1 at least).
In the end, the country boy's crisis is all too easily resolved, partly with the help of his wealthier friends. This made me wonder why the writers bothered to add in the crisis (financial debt) in the first place. We could simply have a group of friends who visit the homestay facility in the countryside and end up helping the impoverished country boy improve it.
The production quality is generally decent even if the budget is low. With a more focused script and a bolder exploration of themes, the series would have been better.
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