2
13
3
virgievirgie
Lost in Dramaland
Slow-burn romance with Amazing Chemistry; Focus on Family/Business Rivalries
Subjective Gut Rating - 8.25
I am not a veteran lakorn watcher but from the few dramas that I’ve watched, “Rivalry” has probably the least amount of over-exaggerated acting. We still have actors opening their eyes really big and glare at you, but at least the camera pans away after a couple seconds.
Speaking of acting in this drama, I think the cast overall did a pretty good job. I am most impressed with FL Nychaa (as Milin), and 2FL Donut (as Wianna). I think they gave the best performance out of the bunch. ML Alek (as Anawin) did a decent job for the most part and is most animated when he has scenes with FL. Pop (as Tewis) didn’t impress me until the last episode. For the most part, he acts quite emotionless, though he’s good to look at. No one character really annoys me and as I commented, the acting is restrained to a certain point.
“Rivalry” really focuses on the rivalries between different family members, and different companies. The majority of the plot focuses on family conflicts and relationships, and to a smaller extent the rivalries between the two companies. The drama casually mentioned why both companies hated each other, but did not really delve into it. There are many twists and turns and the drama’s pacing is good and keeps me engaged for the most part. However, the second last ⅓ of the drama becomes quite melodramatic and that’s why I start to lose my attention. I definitely enjoyed the first half of the drama a lot more.
Chemistry between the leads is top notch. Nychaa/Milin and Alek/Anawin have so much fun and chemistry together, before and after they got together. Anwain is quite a bland character in the beginning, if not for his bickering with Nychaa. His personality definitely comes out then. It took me a couple episodes to like Milin, but she definitely has tremendous growth and I have grown to like and root for her. If you are a romance lover, you should be satisfied with the sparks and skinship between them. However, be aware that this is a slow burn romance, and it did take them a while to be officially together. But once they are together, the time they spent on the island is enough to make up for the long wait. Their love continues to be strong with open communication and trust in each other. I LOVE what Milin said to Anawin when she confronted him after the secret of Anawin/Anna’s breakup was exposed.
On the other hand, I don't quite feel the love or obsession that Tewis has for Milin. Instead, he seems to have a lot more chemistry with Lisa. Most of the time, he is constantly flirting with Lisa and getting all up close and personal. His actions are not telling me he’s in love with Milin.
I would have liked to see a little more of the pre-marriage and marital relationship between Phakhin + Jennis, and the love triangle between Sean + Pete + Naorn. The drama is so long that there should be enough time to tell us more.
The ending to me is actually quite surprising and I can’t tell if I like it or not. I knew something’s up with this character and there has to be a reason behind his employment. But the way it ended was somewhat dramatic and tragic.
If you enjoy family business/rivalries and want to take a first pass at a Thai drama, I think this is a good introduction. If the second half is not as melodramatic and slowed down the pace, I would have given this a solid 8.5. For now, I’ll keep this as an 8.0-8.25.
Other Random Observations:
1. So many beautiful women in this drama! Nychaa looks beautiful with less makeup and a fresh face as a high schooler!
2. I am not sure why the farm lady let some strangers go through all the files in the office.
3. A public restroom stall with a lock on the outside? Why would you do that? For the sake of the drama, I guess this has to make sense.
4. The hospital looks like a 5-star hotel. There are chandeliers!
Completed: 3/3/2023
I am not a veteran lakorn watcher but from the few dramas that I’ve watched, “Rivalry” has probably the least amount of over-exaggerated acting. We still have actors opening their eyes really big and glare at you, but at least the camera pans away after a couple seconds.
Speaking of acting in this drama, I think the cast overall did a pretty good job. I am most impressed with FL Nychaa (as Milin), and 2FL Donut (as Wianna). I think they gave the best performance out of the bunch. ML Alek (as Anawin) did a decent job for the most part and is most animated when he has scenes with FL. Pop (as Tewis) didn’t impress me until the last episode. For the most part, he acts quite emotionless, though he’s good to look at. No one character really annoys me and as I commented, the acting is restrained to a certain point.
“Rivalry” really focuses on the rivalries between different family members, and different companies. The majority of the plot focuses on family conflicts and relationships, and to a smaller extent the rivalries between the two companies. The drama casually mentioned why both companies hated each other, but did not really delve into it. There are many twists and turns and the drama’s pacing is good and keeps me engaged for the most part. However, the second last ⅓ of the drama becomes quite melodramatic and that’s why I start to lose my attention. I definitely enjoyed the first half of the drama a lot more.
Chemistry between the leads is top notch. Nychaa/Milin and Alek/Anawin have so much fun and chemistry together, before and after they got together. Anwain is quite a bland character in the beginning, if not for his bickering with Nychaa. His personality definitely comes out then. It took me a couple episodes to like Milin, but she definitely has tremendous growth and I have grown to like and root for her. If you are a romance lover, you should be satisfied with the sparks and skinship between them. However, be aware that this is a slow burn romance, and it did take them a while to be officially together. But once they are together, the time they spent on the island is enough to make up for the long wait. Their love continues to be strong with open communication and trust in each other. I LOVE what Milin said to Anawin when she confronted him after the secret of Anawin/Anna’s breakup was exposed.
On the other hand, I don't quite feel the love or obsession that Tewis has for Milin. Instead, he seems to have a lot more chemistry with Lisa. Most of the time, he is constantly flirting with Lisa and getting all up close and personal. His actions are not telling me he’s in love with Milin.
I would have liked to see a little more of the pre-marriage and marital relationship between Phakhin + Jennis, and the love triangle between Sean + Pete + Naorn. The drama is so long that there should be enough time to tell us more.
The ending to me is actually quite surprising and I can’t tell if I like it or not. I knew something’s up with this character and there has to be a reason behind his employment. But the way it ended was somewhat dramatic and tragic.
If you enjoy family business/rivalries and want to take a first pass at a Thai drama, I think this is a good introduction. If the second half is not as melodramatic and slowed down the pace, I would have given this a solid 8.5. For now, I’ll keep this as an 8.0-8.25.
Other Random Observations:
1. So many beautiful women in this drama! Nychaa looks beautiful with less makeup and a fresh face as a high schooler!
2. I am not sure why the farm lady let some strangers go through all the files in the office.
3. A public restroom stall with a lock on the outside? Why would you do that? For the sake of the drama, I guess this has to make sense.
4. The hospital looks like a 5-star hotel. There are chandeliers!
Completed: 3/3/2023
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