rape is not romance.

The 'why not' scenario? Why not stop romanticizing rape in dramas in general? Stop airing abusive visuals to audiences as what romance looks like. Stop pairing victims of sexual assault with their abusers in relationships. That's rape culture.

Likit Kammathep's sexual assault didn't drive this drama; it's what happened after. There are so many missed opportunities for a non-aggressive intimate moment in earlier episodes that could have replaced the rape. Likit Kammathep needn't have lost its core story, or its main couple in the end. But, common sense did not exist here either, and out of this entire village-missing-its-idiots. Repentance was sadly absent, and ignored too. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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One of the best Thai dramas of 2021.

James and Mew, have a fun playful quality as actors. Both strong in their humor, they play off other actors' emotions so well. As, one of the sweetest pairings to date; these qualities they bring to the characters of Squinty and Pum.

I never doubted for one moment that the mains weren't in love. The chemistry between them is refreshing. This romance is non-toxic and natural. Misunderstandings are voiced, and worked on together as friends first and then as a couple. With multiple characters, a second couple, three if you count the parents - it's quirky and fun. This is really an ensemble cast with everyone (even the non-living) having multiple stories played through, and resolved. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a little more than sweet, but without that bitter aftertaste of some dramas. Enjoy.

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rape is not romance.

The settling of a debt; the sins of the father lay upon one child. One punishment for having jerks for parents - rape. Or, as in the remake; A slightly different context, & same outcome. A romanticized, albeit outdated and cautionary, human trafficking tragedy.

Both families were 'a piece of work' in both versions. Both little sisters, being half of a strange and surreal tag-team. In this, both of their roles were well defined. The male lead's sister; the brothel-enforcer (same character in remake) redirects the second male lead's hopes, to protect the family's unpaid (Dad embezzled) baby machine (female lead). While, the female lead's sister; the wannabe brother-in-law's mistress (changed in remake) moves in with the mains, trying to initiate wifely duties. The series is depressing, characters questionable, and motives having nothing to do with 'love at first sight' (see discussion). Rape is not romance, and does not belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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abuse is not romance.

Whether out of complicity, condoned, or ignored - Everyone associated with the male lead abused the female lead. Exactly like in the original; a matching revenge-marriage-plot, with ongoing kidnapping and imprisonment story-line the mainstay. But, unlike the original, there are no repercussions. Though there is a shift in blind loyalties in support characters, there is silence from our unrepentant male lead. Those drunken floor scenes are some of the best, albeit time waste, wallowing in self-pity moments I've ever seen come from an abusive male character. Add the cringe-worthy suffering second female lead's pity-fest in culpability, and this remake becomes the 'sniveling version'. "Barb Rak Ta Lay Fun" is a toxic and venomous cruel mess under the guise of revenge. A depressing remake of a bad drama. Not recommended.

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Great ensemble cast. Recommended.

The Warp Effect is an over-the-top comedic teen series, that wanders into something else at episode four. What it plays with is the past, making memory and choices ridiculous. While finding ways for resolution and letting things go, later in life. Even Jean's story, didn't stumble. Because, it didn't ask her to forgive and didn't tell her she had to forget. It is her life, and how she lived it was going to be her choice and her resolution. That teaching moment was probably taken to heart by more than a few people watching this. It wasn't negated by a quick fix, or someone else's idea of how she should feel. So, much could happen in this story and dealing with most of the past was done in the present, and not in the final episode. I appreciated that.

It is what is endearing to this drama. If the watcher didn't get all the social clues, healthy moments, and tips that past decisions (or circumstances) are not set in stone defining us forever. Then the final episode tied it all up in a ribbon. Like everyone in this series, none were handed a happy ending. It's a shame we'll never see Alex's later life solution for that other memory, and though I think the final episode was a stumble for the storied resolutions that were accomplished. This is also a fantasy, and the teen audience needed the final touch - that sometimes you need to be cognizant of what you do in real time to make for a happy ending. And, other times you have to turn around and come to terms with it in your own head. Great ensemble cast. Recommended.

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rape is not romance.

This is one, of the more ambiguous and heartbreaking moments in drama-land sexual assault. The segregate revenge plot, with male-lead-sisters-insane-lies add-on. If a male lead can't take revenge on his ex-fiance, let a stranger (female lead) you've already condemned and targeted take the karma. In this case; make the female lead fall in love with the male lead; force an evening of intimacy; then abandon her to that reality. A reality he created, turning her entire world against her. Sometimes, in a story you can't differentiate, between forced, or coerced. I tend to lean toward motive, and the victim's reaction. It’s called ‘rape by omission’ and it is sexual abuse. Not romantic, revenge pure and simple. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

Like the original from 2002; Crazy drama drips from every episode. But, sadly, they did the one thing they shouldn't have done. Regurgitated, a kidnapping and rape in episode 10, complete with a cringe-worthy morning after cuddle between the male lead rapist, and his female lead victim.

ML: "Are you still angry with me?"
FL: "I'm not angry. But, I hate you."
[EP 10, 55:56]

Even, the acting seems to be affected by the scenes, and falls flat right through to the end of episode eleven. I know the out-come, pregnancy, is being used to force reconciliation in the end. But, why can't this script, just once use 'love' as the reason. I mean, it's unconscionable, this was the 2015 remake. If it wasn't for the rape, this would be a drama that I would recommend. But, rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

With, a much more in depth story than the 2013 remake - this version has a better story-line with more detail. Unlike the remake, the male lead's history and character motivation is revealed. Along with much needed in drama, personal reflection, and growth for the female lead. The ending is even more poignant, and not a rush to sacrifice characters to tie-things up. But, it has two ambiguous off-screen rape scenes of the female lead, by the male lead. The male lead glorifying both, on camera afterwards. If those scenes weren't included it would be a must-watch for many and a classic drama. But, it failed violently in the end. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance

In 2016, the first ethical regulations for Thai television channels regarding the media portrayal of gendered violence in soap operas was published - sparked by series "Game Rai Game Ruk" watchers in Thailand organized and lobbied to ban such violence.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3047227/metoo-bangkok-thai-tv-soap-operas-rape-and-sex-attacks

I left Game Rai Game Rak unrated at zero for a long time - And, not because I was put off by all 3 parts; beginning, middle and end. It was the criminal toxicity of one male lead and his equally abusive side-kick, the female lead's sister for two-thirds of it. But, how do I account for the first-third - the beginning? After thinking it through, I was inspired to finally rate it. I came to accept the male lead's character was a rapist, and nothing more. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Without a rape - I would still rate it a one. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One" https://mydramalist.com/list/389deQR4)

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rape is not romance

That did not belong there. I still don't understand why the writer was so moved to escalate blind-jealously to rape. It did little but create a 'what the hell', 'no they didn't', 'wait - what?' moment. Because, the scene ends in a consensual second pairing. There is so much going on in this series that that one moment negates one of the craziest second female leads. An off-the-rails mystery - Complete with redemption and revenge plots, you will shake your head at. On the writer, shame on you. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

Whether out of silence, sanctioned, or direct involvement - Everyone associated with the male lead abused the female lead. The difference between this and the 2017 version, is the rape (2005). But, unlike that remake with matching kidnapping and imprisonment story-line, 2005 had some repercussions. Where there is a shifting of blind loyalties amongst associates and some onscreen remorse from the male lead rapist himself. Maddening as it is, the culpable second female lead in both versions denied any knowledge of the female lead's abuse, right up, and until, the second female lead's own happy ending. But, even with redemption, rape is not romance and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

The rape is a lie. That debated, considered, and re-debated rape tag; I lean toward the female lead victim's reaction. I call rape. With only that lie as a reference, watchers believed the male lead had raped the FL while she was unconscious. Even, as a pretend blow-up-doll for the male lead; Stockholm syndrome was a real part of this series, and the female lead's mindset. It is such a grey distinction, that playing with 'rape to romance' in drama as a lie. But then, 'Rape culture' is a lie. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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angering game - have fun

"Mia Luang 2022" is maddening right up until the end of episode eighteen - the last 2 episodes being the lakorn version of loose ends. If you need romance, this is not it, no amount of wanting it, will change that. Walk in with eyes wide open; this is a game and winning is on each messed- up character's terms. Where you are only a victim, if you allow yourself to be, and if you don't know you are playing, you lose by default. This would have been a solid ten, but for the last 2 episodes, and 8 is pushing it. But, a soap-opera that generates an angry following for all the right reasons - As if reason would change the game in any way. I feel sorry for Nudee, a positive ending without getting the man, would've given this story purpose. I still recommend it.

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