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This review may contain spoilers
Less About Revenge, More About Found Family
My journey with Payback started on a random Wednesday afternoon. Procrastinating because I didn't want to work somehow led to binge-watching five episodes in one go. The hype was real, and my mind was blown, and I was hooked. Needless to say, no work was done that afternoon. And I have thoroughly (and largely enjoyed) my time with this drama.
While the story begins with revenge as its central theme, the plot expands as the episodes unfold. It morphs from this simple, straightforward goal to become about Sun finding himself, forgiving himself, and, in a way, finding a home and a family to 'replace' the one he lost 5 years prior. He learns to not only love and forgive himself, but also to allow love (in its different forms) to find a place in his heart.
What I Liked
☀️Sun's relationship with Kajorn and Sky
It was the best part of this story IMO. It contributes toabout 95% of his healing journey. Forget Jay. Were it not for these two, I think Sun's journey would've taken a lot longer than it did.
And Kajorn is the MVP of this whole show. No other character made me laugh as much as he did. Someone should add comedy to the tags, coz some of this shit was funny as fuck.
☀️The Acting - Some of the side characters did leave much to be desired. However, the main characters and the major supporting roles did their job quite well. Aside from Boss (oh! and Max), I didn't know any of the other faces in the show, and they all impressed me with their performances.
☀️The Chemistry - The main leads work incredibly well together and play off each other beautifully. I am so impressed that I wish the BL gods would allow them to work together again. And please let them have a good script and a good director.
☀️Pacing & Plot - I have not read the source material, so I only have the adaptation to go off of. I was not bored once. I was stressed, I was angry, I was giggling, but I was never bored.
What Could've Been Better
🎥Episode 9 - What the hell was that? It's been a week (since the episode aired) and I'm still mad. Those were some incredibly dumb decisions that did not fit the character profiles established throughout the show, especially Sun's.
🎥The Villains' Ending - The drama does not shy away from showing the horrible things that go on behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. How it chews and spits out the innocents whose crime is to have a dream.
That part I liked. I was horrified by it (still am tbh), but I like that they didn't try to sugarcoat it.
So, based on the horrific things I was subjected to over the 10 episodes, I feel like two of the main villains, Songphon and Kongkiat, got off way too easily. I wasn't satisfied. I wanted a blow-up. I wanted them exposed to the public and shamed. Only then could they die.
The only villain whose ending I found satisfactory is Sunny's. After all the shit he unapologetically did not only to Sun but also to the numerous faceless young boys, so he could keep his sponsor happy and maintain his position in the industry, you couldn't pay me to care or feel bad for him, and where he ended up. I simply do not have that much sympathy or compassion in me.
☀️Final Thoughts☀️
Actually, I think I've run out of words for a proper conclusion😅. I've written too many reviews this week. Just go watch it. It's worth your time
While the story begins with revenge as its central theme, the plot expands as the episodes unfold. It morphs from this simple, straightforward goal to become about Sun finding himself, forgiving himself, and, in a way, finding a home and a family to 'replace' the one he lost 5 years prior. He learns to not only love and forgive himself, but also to allow love (in its different forms) to find a place in his heart.
What I Liked
☀️Sun's relationship with Kajorn and Sky
It was the best part of this story IMO. It contributes toabout 95% of his healing journey. Forget Jay. Were it not for these two, I think Sun's journey would've taken a lot longer than it did.
And Kajorn is the MVP of this whole show. No other character made me laugh as much as he did. Someone should add comedy to the tags, coz some of this shit was funny as fuck.
☀️The Acting - Some of the side characters did leave much to be desired. However, the main characters and the major supporting roles did their job quite well. Aside from Boss (oh! and Max), I didn't know any of the other faces in the show, and they all impressed me with their performances.
☀️The Chemistry - The main leads work incredibly well together and play off each other beautifully. I am so impressed that I wish the BL gods would allow them to work together again. And please let them have a good script and a good director.
☀️Pacing & Plot - I have not read the source material, so I only have the adaptation to go off of. I was not bored once. I was stressed, I was angry, I was giggling, but I was never bored.
What Could've Been Better
🎥Episode 9 - What the hell was that? It's been a week (since the episode aired) and I'm still mad. Those were some incredibly dumb decisions that did not fit the character profiles established throughout the show, especially Sun's.
🎥The Villains' Ending - The drama does not shy away from showing the horrible things that go on behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. How it chews and spits out the innocents whose crime is to have a dream.
That part I liked. I was horrified by it (still am tbh), but I like that they didn't try to sugarcoat it.
So, based on the horrific things I was subjected to over the 10 episodes, I feel like two of the main villains, Songphon and Kongkiat, got off way too easily. I wasn't satisfied. I wanted a blow-up. I wanted them exposed to the public and shamed. Only then could they die.
The only villain whose ending I found satisfactory is Sunny's. After all the shit he unapologetically did not only to Sun but also to the numerous faceless young boys, so he could keep his sponsor happy and maintain his position in the industry, you couldn't pay me to care or feel bad for him, and where he ended up. I simply do not have that much sympathy or compassion in me.
☀️Final Thoughts☀️
Actually, I think I've run out of words for a proper conclusion😅. I've written too many reviews this week. Just go watch it. It's worth your time
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