This review may contain spoilers
It's okay, could've been better.
It's okay, borderline good.It could've been fantastic if it was shorter. The first hour was a bit of a drag but I get it because they had to set everything up. But even then, they didn't do a good enough job for me to gasp at the twist. A little too much exposition in the second half, the unfolding of her origins/back story felt messy...
I'm just mad because it had so much potential to be better, I mean even some of the fight scenes were we'll done and the acting. Crossing my fingers for a better part 2.
Anyway, Miss Kim Da Mi and Mr Choi Woo Shik I'm free whenever ?
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New theme
StoryThe overall story is so good. It will get you so much engaged into the movie. You will also be shocked in the end, the ending is so unpredictable. There are some emotional scenes also which will get you emotional. I think the theme of the movie is good and new, you should watch it if you are looking for some thriller.
Actors
The acting was go good in this movie, all actors done a great job. The main character was so good.
Overall
This is a good movie to watch but it is a one time watch. I will recommend you to watch it if you are looking for some different story to watch, you will not get upset from this movie. This movie does not contain any love stories.
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It completes my imagination of Shao Nian Ge Xing!
For a story to be adapted into various mediums (comic, animation, and live action), it definitely speaks quality. For us who read Shao Nian Ge Xing (Song of Adolescents) the novel and follow the donghua (animation series), having a live action is a real treat for fans. It is very very rare for an IP to get this opportunity. This drama itself completes my imagination about the world of Shao Nian Ge Xing. I see how it is well coordinated with the novel and donghua version, so that each version complements one each others despite several differences in some places.After completing all episodes, I am not hesitant to say it is really a superb adaptation. The worldbuilding is complex but clearly explained through the course of the story. This drama has all ingredients of a great wuxia: geographical landscapes, actions, sects, skills, and weapons, imperial politics, culture, and philosophy. There are diverse landscapes: cities, temples, and palace, mountain, jungle, river, and sea. There are actions almost in every episode which is pleasant to eyes because of good CGI. There are philosophies from Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism giving the story some moral weight. The Chinese cultural presentations are so rich, from music, paintings, poetries, dance, outfits, and interior design of places.
The imperial politics and the damage it caused to the jianghu is pretty complex since it involves the grudge of two generations. However, the story is able to balance external conflicts, who finally win the thrones and who finally get recognition as the best martial experts, and internal conflicts: familial love vs anger among siblings, forgiveness versus revenge among loyalists, repentance versus self-righteousness among those who did wrongdoings, solitariness versus togetherness among friends. So, the best aspect of this drama is the strong themes it holds tightly from the beginning to the end: brotherhood and friendship. This story tells a lot about love to siblings, parents/ children, and love to friends. This makes it meaningful to fans and general audience.
This drama is so loved, so it lies solid ground for future movies/ drama, for prequels and sequels.
Final thought (5/2/23)
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This story follows the journey of the youth: Xiao Se/ Xiao Chuhe (the main character), the four guardians of Tianqi (Lei Wujie, Sikong Qianluo, Tang Lian, and Ji Xue) a.k.a his guardians, Wuxin the shameless monk his best friend, and Ye Ruoyi his advisor.
It starts uniquely as Xiao Se is portrayed as anti-hero. His back story is quite heart breaking. He was a prince and prodigy that had fallen to the lowest. After involved in Langya Mutiny, he was demoted to commoner, exiled, harmed by his enemy, and lost his martial arts). People loved and remembered him as a hero, but now he was nobody and gone missing. However, in his heart, he always desired to clear his uncle name and wanted to come back to capital city, Tian Qi. He never lost his pride and principles. He is a person with a very strong character. Xiao Se journey started from coincidental encounter with Lei Wujie, a newbie with pure heart, whose journey aimed to be the greatest expert in jianghu. Later, they both travelled together and found more friends along the roads, especially Wuxin whose life unexpectedly was related to all of them. Their brotherhood is amazing.
Throughout the story, all characters experience character development. The naive Lei Wujie finally climb the ladder of skills as well as learn about love and having cute romantic relationship with Ye Ruoyi. The strong but shy Tang Lian learn to follow his heart and his principles rather than following duty blindly. Wuxin realized that he was not alone in his journey. Sikong Qianluo stopped being a bratty and spoiled girl. Xiao Se got the most extreme character development, from nobody to somebody again as a prince and a martial artist. He was still cunning and sharp tongue, but his traits were somehow refined by his past downfall and adversities. He faced his inner demon. He became more humble and grounded.
The story and interactions between characters are funny and entertaining, but also can thrill and create suspense. I found that all character are strong and badass. Nobody is weak here, even the princes learn martial arts. Nobody is stupid, as each character is reasonable and use their intelligence to face the challenges, including the antagonists.
Personally, I don't mind with the romances, even though some audience complain it, wanting it to be just focused on pure wuxia and indifferent friendship to feeling, because no chemistries among couples. The romances are told in the novel, so it is not wise to omit it from the story. To keep the drama stay true to the novel is appreciation for the writer/ IP. As the cultural background of the story believes in the concept of Yin and Yang, romance between man and woman even in martial arts world is a good thing and needed to balance things. People cannot keep doing physical fighting, action, and getting injured or experiencing setbacks without cure and consolation. The best consolation for man is the love from woman; people naturally seek for his/her soulmate. So, it is good to have a hint of romance. This drama does better in telling romantic relationship in comparison to the donghua because it gives more screen for couples. We know how relationships start, evolve, and end among couples here, both for main characters and supporting roles. All is wrapped well.
For you who never read the novel or watch the donghua, this drama completes the donghua in several ways. The donghua is a little bit confusing at telling the background, context, and things happened in the past. This drama delivers it well so we know what actually happened to Lord Langya, the history of four guardians, the history and relationships of characters, etc. The drama also improves the pacing and sequence of events so that the storytelling is smoother. This drama also changes some parts/ adds things that are not in the novel or Donghua, which is make the story stronger. For example: It differs in the time identity of Xiao Se as a prince is exposed to his friends, when and where Xiao Se met Xiao Chong and Xiao Lingchen for the first time, who involved in Three Party Meeting of Baxiao Hall, the romance during lantern festival, how the Dark River assassin syndicate got its ends, how Xiao Se got his swords, the options given to Xiao Yu before his demise. etc. I personally hope the drama has more episode so we can see the war between Beili and Nanjue, Xiao Se versus Ao Yu, the prince of Nanjue he beat in gambling repeatedly told before, and how he won it.
The drama also moderates some depiction in the novel that are too bloody. We don't see the bloodshed in Tian Qi and how every character always thrown a mouthful of blood after getting hit. In my opinion, it is good so that the story is acceptable for younger audience and thus family friendly. I also like the details in drama showing gestures, especially the fingers movement when a character is thinking of something and their face expressions (such as in the scene when Lei Wujie telling his Insulting Sword Technique to Xiao Se, Xie Xuan, and Wushuang). Even though many people saw Xiao Se expression is emotionless, I personally saw it accurate because that is how Xiao Se should look like.
I recommend this drama for you fans of the donghua and all of you who love historical and wuxia drama. Dear fellow fans, waiting for season 3 may be long. This drama can fulfill our thirst in the mean time.
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Easily the best BL I've watched
Even though the "Rivals to Lovers" trope is overused in the Drama industry, Bad Buddy manages to deliver it in a very refreshing manner.The story balances character development well with plot, creating a smooth pacing, in which misunderstandings aren't dragged on for too long, and are in fact believable and add to the characters, makibg their relationship stronger.
The chemestry between the teo main leads is OFF THE CHARTS, and thr acting is ON POINT. The suporting cast is also very good, but i must bring attention to the amazing main lead cast. All tge interaxtions are believable and refreshing, besides, the LGBTQ+ representation being another key point to the BL, in a way their relationship isn't sexualized nor forced. The eriters run away from the annoying BL cliché without making use of damaging stereotypes, such as binary relationships (the woman or man if the relationship), romanticizing rape, or simply excluding characters sexual orientation ("I'm not gay, I only like you"). Although the sexual orientation themes are almost never brought up as a development point, such as characters finding their sexual orientations, the character development and their relationships are still well done.
In conclusion, I cannot reccomend this enough, I rewatched a total of 3 times, and plan in watching it again.
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This movie keeps you engaged since the beginning. The story is developed in such a way that you have to keep watching. You fall in love with the boy as the girl is falling in love with him. The tender moments are so touching. When they kiss for the first time you feel like it was your first kiss too.
The music in this movie was amazing, especially the last song. I need to find the soundtrack. The scenery was beautiful & they way they filmed the movie was outstanding.
Although the end was sad, my heart was feeling pain but also hope & longing. I will definitely watch this movie again, hopefully with my daughter.
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Plot: You know how most shows are pretty boring in the beginning and only gets interesting around halfway or more, you will hook right from the 1st ep. it’s very comical. Then you 'll need your tissues ready for all of the emotional scenes will be brought out you’ll get happy, sad/heartbroken, frustrated, anxious and last of all it’ll make you crave for more on what’s happening next. I love how they developed all characters from beginning to the end, everyone changed significantly for the better or worse. The cgi and costumes were so well done that I’m just so amazed. In my personal opinion, this is the best love story I have ever seen portrayed! I did not, due to the side characters' stories got a little bit too draggy. The production devoted a lot of time to the side characters' background and love story - which, although interesting, takes the focus away from the main couple who were undeniably THE most attractive factor of the drama. Hence, it was a little frustrating. I've read the book for Heavy Sweetness Ash Like Frost (HSAF) so I could still understand what was going on, but I think that even non-book readers can still easily grasp the plot without sitting through all of the draggy scenes. For me though, the best part of the drama was the hilarious beginning, the adorable mortal arc, and the epic finale (I initially doubted this could live up to my expectations because there were only a few episodes left for the final arc, but the drama did a phenomenon job!). These were moments that will forever be embedded into my memories!
Acting: Hmmm what’s the word... ahhh it’s phenomenally amazing! If you watch it like seriously the acting will blow you away. I was skeptical if the casts in here can bring the characters to life since it's not easy task to do all the facial expressions and feelings in here. The leads had such an out of the world chemistry they’re literally the Perfect for each other. The acting here is so natural nothing felt forced or off. The cast was just perfect I’m sure some people will say that others can do better but like seriously who can other than this amazing cast from this amazing show?
Deng Lun is the BEST Phoenix we can ever ask for! Appearance-wise, he straight up walked up of the novel! His Phoenix eyes are honestly just what I imagined the character to have! Acting-wise, he completely sold the character to me! I actually love how his Phoenix is a lot softer than the novel's, who was more arrogant and proud. Deng Lun's Phoenix, on the other hand, was kind of dense (which earned him the nickname of bird-brain, ) but he was devoted and gallantry and the God of War in the sense that he fights his battle head-on. Deng Lun's eyes were so emotive and everytime Phoenix looked at Jin Mi I could feel myself melting into a thousand puddles. Deng Lun and Yang Zi have the best chemistry ever and their every moment on screen was electrifying! Yang Zi was also amazing in this. First of all, she is beautiful and I've never doubted her as the daughter of the Flower Goddess. It is actually amazing to watch her transformation from a naive girl into a mature woman throughout the drama, and I thought that Yang Zi did a phenomenal job on portraying both Jin Mi's humour and maturity. I think she is one of the best actresses of her generation. This drama has made me a fan of both Deng Lun and Yang Zi. I will for sure watch out for their future projects.
Costumes:I really enjoyed seeing how each realm had their own distinct style and how each were shown so beautifully. Little things like hairstyle, accessories, makeup, clothing composition, etc really add to the drama in a good way. they used different colours to represent each main leads’ nature, for example, JinMi is pink; XuFeng became the Demon God in the end, he is black; LiuYing is the princess of the Demon World, she has purple; RunYu is Night God from Heaven World, therefore bit of black mixed with his white colour; SuiHe is the princess of the Bird Kingdom, her colour is red with bit of yellow.
Music: it’s gooood, especially Sa Ding Ding’s version it was just so emotional to just listen to it. Oh boy when it was played in the show I literally got goosebumps. All the other ost were so good that I had to search them all up and added it to my playlist. Also it’s so cool that one of the version the song were sung by the leads Yang Zi and Deng Lun.
Animations/CGI/Production: As with every fantasy drama especially, a lot of animation and cgi needs to go into the production since the setting includes places like Heaven, Hell, and various other "realms". The realms were all animated so well. he cgi just gives it the right magical feeling. Another commenter mentioned this as well, but the dream beast that stayed by RY's side throughout the drama was animated so well. You could see all the details and the colors and everything was just so real.
Heck yea I’m definitely rewatching this amazingly true masterpiece many times. I don’t even know what am I supposed to do after it ends like it’s so so so hard to find a show that’s this perfect and I’m just going to say that this show is the best show ever to me it tops anything and it’s my #1 show. Totally, totally recommend everyone and anyone to watch this if they can but no pressure..
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before anything i get why people would love Rinko's mother (especially when u get to see the exactly opposite dynamic with Kai, his mother and his surrounding's), but she a tactless moron! i'm all for how she supported her son/daughter - at least at home Rinko had a safe haven cause of Fumiko. but u don't run all over people, just cause u have a misguided need to protect ur child - especially when that child aint a child and can fend and defend themselves - certainly not against an 11 yr old (that has more then enough on her plate) let alone the man ur daughter ended up with - her laughing and announcing "...Rinko lucked out with Makio..." (considering she more or less doesn't have in-laws to deal with) was revolting to witness, and the only thing in my mind at that sec was STFU - like with her intrusively asking a child, about her boob growth - like i said, tactless and utterly moronic ugh
everything else - was sad and sweet - bitter sweet if u will - Tomo didn't have a mother - a woman that even when she was around - wasn't really there for her child, as opposed to a woman that the sec Tomo walked into her life, she was her soul focus - ironic that the "child protective services" came to check on Tomo's living situation, when she was surrounded by love and care - while they (and the surrounding do-gooders, ironic that b*tch that pushed her own son to almost put an end to his life - freakin heart breakin) could care less when she was neglected on the daily, just cause it was done by the woman that gave birth to her - a lot of irony in this movie -
even the ending where the child had to again make the grown-up decision and chose her mother, instead of herself... i.e where she needed to be the adult in the relationship, instead of reaming with Rinko and being a kid - sad really. even though that scene where Hiromi visits her own mother, at long last (as she "abandoned" her when she got pregnant with Tomo) not to mention Tomo's coming back to a clean house - that looked like a home that was taken care of, as opposed to how we see it at the start.. guess u could interpret that into a "positive ending"...
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This version >>>>>> All the other versions
No really! I will prefer re-watching F4 Thailand over watching the other versions even for once.Before we get into my review lemme put this out. The actual story ie. Hana Yori Dango is not a great one tbh. It has so many holes and the plot is nothing but a getaway from a busy and unsatisfactory life to a happy and deluded one. That's a fact. The probability of 4 rich-nice-kind-allrounder-handsome men to be my, for that case, to be any ordinary girl's friends is less than the probability of me turning back the time. But it's fiction and we don't actually have any rules here and also this story is we received and is still getting received too. So let rationality stay aside.
Now the actual review. The series is definitely worth watching. The wait was so worth it. From the trailer till airing. All of it. Casting 100. Acting 100. Overall production 100. Everything's just wow. What mesmerized me more is the way they made changes in the story. Even with a lot of superficial things happening this version still has a solid ground to not totally push off people into delusions. I really appreciate it. I will rewatch it just to be at awe for how they've improved a basic story to a bomb story. I also loved how there's no much screentiming for skinship and intimate scenes. They have proven them to be of no much use and I liked it. I won't write much but would only ask you to go watch it if you haven't yet cause it's nice, fun and beautiful.
Not dissing the other adaptions. But for me F4 Thailand tops all the versions of Hana Yori Dango.
#f4thailandisthebest lol.
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Degrees of love
This could be an educational movie about MILK: where it comes from and what becomes of it! The story of milk is told through 4 separate GL romances (???) of different degrees following the maturation and transformation of milk into a cheesecake! Very symbolic!The first story, The Dairy Farm, talks about two childhood friends who are trying to get the cows to give more milk. They are extremely close friends but are they more? Open to interpretation! Playing the piano in the field for the cows was really cute and the chemistry between the girls was natural.
In the second story, The Cheesemaker, an overstressed and very unhappy city office girl, goes on an impromptu vacation to a countryside cheese maker's farmstead and B&B. There she bonds with the owner's daughter over making cheese with the milk from the previous story's dairy farm...a relationship in the making? Probably but nothing is ever said openly, everything is just implied.
The third story, Deliver Me, follows the earlier mentioned farm's cheese delivery girl who meets her high school best friend/girlfriend after a long time. They really talk for the first time ever. Probably my favourite story! I liked the delivery girl a lot, carrying her heart on her sleeve but lacking the courage to ask what she really wants to know with her ex pretending to be oblivious! The love they felt for each other was not mature enough to bloom properly.
In the last story, Baker, the delivery girl delivers cheese to a cafe where the owner makes delicious cheesecakes. She is being hit upon by her extremely annoying neighbour but is completely unaware of it while at the same time falling for her! This is a full fledged GL but fraught with misunderstandings and lack of communication (if they talked to each other from the beginning the movie would have been much much shorter).
The Cheese Sisters is a cute movie, the actresses have great chemistry and the countryside is really pretty especially in the first story. Each story is about 30min long. There is not much conflict and no toxicity whatsoever. I liked how the movie was constructed with every degree of love from friendship to committed relationship. Even the titles of stories can be understood as descriptions of these relationships. You will spend a nice moment watching this and then you'll forget about it!
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justice for fiat
what the actual hell was this…..started off as a great idea, the awkwardness that comes from shifting a friendship into a relationship and how gestures/skinship carry a whole new meaning. genuinely loved that, but it only lasted a very short moment.
fiat…. god, what DIDN’T fiat go through?! it felt endless in regards to just how much he had to go through. it started to feel like a wattpad fanfic too. the ending was pretty underwhelming. there were also a lot of highly inappropriate conversations with Leo’s mom that really made me uncomfortable.
the second pairing reminded me a lot of neo & louis, it was a bit odd of a feeling but I actually think they were nice to see develop, but a crappy ending really had to come and ruin everything.
not the best, but first kept me wanting to see this through.
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Sometimes you have to risk all to have a safer and better life
When you open up your mind, you never know where you will meet your Best Friend. Set in the tumultuous 1980's in Korea, this film was very loosely based on real events and presidential candidate and activist Kim Dae Jung.During a time of martial law, student protests, brutal interrogations and arrests, Lee Ui Sik finds himself and his family under house arrest for being in opposition to the ruling power. As the intelligence chief states, anyone not like himself is a "commie" and "commies" are detained, or deported, or killed. The chief calls upon Dae Kwon, a part-time patriotic helper, to move in next to the Presidential candidate, Lee Ui Sik and his family, who are serving under house imprisonment and surveil them. The goal is to prove Lee is a commie with ties to North Korea and finally rid themselves of him. Through a series of comic adventures, Dae Kwon and Lee meet, even ending up in a bathhouse with Lee's son. Though on opposite sides, both men are lonely and in need of friendship. The more Dae Kwon listens in on the upright Lee and the more he sees how the current government covers up its own dirty work, he slowly begins to change his mind and his ideas.
Like many Korean movies, Best Friend's mood changed on a dime and went from comedy to tragedy, back to comedy and a host of other emotions. Some of it worked and some of it didn't. It could be uneven and even jarring at times, but it was never boring. Veteran actor Kim Byung Chul as Dae Kwon's assistant was the catalyst for many of the laughs. Lee's family played it dramatically straight for much of the movie. Though a few scenes went fully into melodramatic territory, the final act revealed the dangers of attempting to change a corrupt regime.
Jung Woo gave a complex performance having to work both the comedy and melodramatic beats of the film. Dae Kwon not only dealt with spying on his neighbor, but he was also a husband and dad and not a very good one. Through his clandestine observations, Jung Woo shows Dae Kwon's epiphanies as old beliefs and habits make way for new ones. Scandal plagued Oh Dal Soo was fine as the beleaguered candidate having to make decisions even as he faced personal crises and death threats.
I have to give Korea points for being willing to look at difficult times in their history and work through them artistically. Though a fictional work, bordering on fantasy at times, Best Friend did push forth the idea that in order to change society even when it might come at great personal cost, it had to be done for the good of all and future generations.
With the themes of enemies to friendship, sacrifice for the greater good, and personal evolution, Best Friend, if not inspiring, could be funny, entertaining and even heartwarming. Not a perfect film, it was too erratic and sometimes heavy-handed, but one worth trying sometime. (7.75)
8/24/22
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The direction is good, the drama is energetic from start to finish, there's not that twisted phase where nothing happens in the middle of the drama. The scenes are well recorded, the editing was zealous and even the use of memory scenes is well dosed. The effects used are adequate and visually pleasing.
The soundtrack is harmonious and very well used in the scenes.
The cast is very good and the performances do not disappoint. Li Yi Tong performs lightly and interacts convincingly with the entire cast. Jin Han played his character very well and showed that he is consistent in his performances, whether as a villain or hero he manages to carry the character.
One scene caught my attention, I think, like me, one of the two directors, was a fan of Hitchcock, because the scene with the birds in the tunnel caused me as much despair as the scenes in the movie 'The birds'.
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As someone who had cancer, this plot is absolutely disgusting to me. I dont understand why people didnt think this would be disrespectful and plain stupid to actually make as a plot. I would never wish such an illness on anyone and it seems the writers didn't think through what an impact it has on someones life. It definitely wouldn't be as easy as the show made it seem, and it was honestly pretty painful to watch as a survivor, especially when finding out it was all fake. Why would a rich, handsome guy fake a serious illness to get a girl out of all the things he could have done? Like seriously. I really liked the chemistry the two actors had and while there were already some odd things, I really enjoyed the show in the beginning. But the plot is just too stupid and plain mean. To be confronted with the worst time of your life in such a lighthearted and dumb way. Was this review helpful to you?
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Wow, This Is An Incredible Series -- Seriously Do Not Miss It
Top-level points: This is a wonderful production, and is well worth your time to watch it, and watch it again.Detailed, committed – one might even say loving – cinematography that makes maximum use of color and natural scenes to produce enchanting images. A soundscape that catches you up and transports you – without your even knowing – into a whirl of emotions. Actors who enjoy wonderful mutual chemistry and craft performances of characters who have a LOT more depth than in most BLs. I am not a teacher, but I think this series is a “how-to” example of how to create a beautiful cinematic work that grabs the audience and moves them deeply.
All of that said, it is not perfect, although I can understand those who say it is. Sure,Teh had many reasons to cry (having sacrificed his future for love and obtained only what he believed to be rejection), but as a plot device the depictions of it were overkill. Billkin’s performances of Teh’s sobbing were I am sure very difficult to do, but sometimes they missed the target – as another reviewer commented there were moments when I wasn’t sure if he was crying or laughing. Just too much angst.
Another imperfection: I stand in awe of the music team’s work and the lovely soundscape they produced for most of the scenes – but they erred in the choices at the end. After the hug on Cape Promthep, the two protagonists have finally finally found each other and declared (in deeds if not in words) their mutual love. It is THE culminating moment of their dramatic arc – but ewwwwwww....the music that plays is a fluffy, airy little version of “Really Special,” in which the “Chai ry blauw” refrain just comes across as totally inappropriate. Fer Chrissakes, these two have just broken lifelong chains of fear and inarticulacy that had previously doomed them to constant mutual incomprehension. They are finally free and can have hope for the future. And this moment deserves more dramatic music than fluffy fluffy “Chai re blauw.” (Yes, I know some of the other lyrics were apt but that doesn’t cut it for me……it was the tune that was in my head as I was watching, and the reaction was NOT positive.)
But in the end, all of these imperfections are small. Taken as a whole, the work is a masterpiece, and the achievement of all those who worked on this masterpiece is very very large. So do watch it yourself – Personally, I think it’s even worth paying for, to see the top-quality HD stream from Vimeo (but I recognize that many people cannot afford the price, until maybe someday it comes down.)
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Now, having said that, I will offer some more detailed comments on various aspects, and on the first episode. Probably more detail than most people want, but if it bores you, feel free to stop reading. There’s too much emotion inside, and it’s therapeutic for me to write it out…….
Cinematography:
After the lousy flat cinematography in so many BL dramas, this one is like a garden blooming in the desert. Those who composed the visuals (Director Boss must have had some pretty good help) love colors, and idealize the natural scenery of Phuket. (All the gritty parts have disappeared from this reality.) And either Boss and Co. love the Sino-Portuguese architecture of the Straits Chinese cities or they just liked it as a convenient backdrop – whatever the reason, they have put together a stirring visual ode to Southeast Asia and it alone moves the hearts of people who, like me, love that region.
Soundscape:
The OST is wonderful wonderful wonderful!! Not only for the main songs which are excellent but for the creative use of the melodies to craft background music that grabs the viewer and pulls them into the emotional maelstrom. Skyline is a fantastic theme, and it is translated many times, with different vocalizations and instrumentalizations. There are several versions of “Skyline” that play during moments when Teh is tongue-tied and helpless because of what he perceives to be his “destiny” preventing him from loving another guy. Watch the scene in Ep 5 where Bas is announcing to their class that he really likes Oh, for the interplay between the “Skyline” piano and the wild, bereft look on Teh’s face……it’s a killer of a scene. (And those who complain about Billkin’s acting need to watch this……he’s fantastic.)
And for the use of vocalization, watch the Ep. 3 scene in the hammock on the beach . As the boys talk, there is just the sound of crickets near the beach. However, from the moment Oh begins his self-revelation, female voices in the background are drawing the viewer in, and creating a musical frame for the emotional moment – but then Teh just cannot bring himself to answer Oh's implicit declaration of love. So Oh says “Okay, whatever makes you comfortable. But I think you're jealous.” Oh’s love, at least, is clear. But Teh just cannot be honest. Then, high and clear, an "a capella" voice with a concert-hall echo sings key lines from Skyline. (Could that be Billkin, singing?) The subtitles don’t translate the lyrics at that point, so many non-Thai viewers may not recognize how poignant they are: "In the end of a love novel, normally, those who have been apart are brought back, so they can see each other again and say "I love you" one more time. But in my reality, our love cannot be like that." The music expresses Teh’s reality, where love cannot be; it has to stay “The love that dare not speak its name.” And the scene changes. Just superb composition, both audio and visual.
Acting:
The cast did an excellent job. The two leads are both so young and still a bit of “raw talent” -- I am just overwhelmed to think of the potential they both have. I hope they can fulfill it. They have such good mutual chemistry, and they have mastered the art of showing through the face what the character is feeling, deep inside. People have criticized Billkin for a “wooden” portrayal of Teh, but that is the whole idea – Teh comes near to being an emotional cripple. A character who has spent his entire adolescence hiding his feelings, he dare not let his emotions be seen, until they well up inside and he cannot stop crying. I think Billkin’s portrayal, which alternates wooden moments with raw emotion, is spot-on. That IS Teh. Even at the end, on Cape Promthep, after having gone through his own living hell with his family, he cannot bring himself to answer Oh’s question “What about you and me?” But Oh, who may yet qualify for sainthood, is willing to accept the silence. All he wants is not to be shut out of Teh’s life. Watch his face during this scene – PP Kritt brings to painful life the vulnerability of the hopelessly-in-love young man. (All I want to do at that moment is hug Oh, and reassure him that he is loved.)
The supporting cast is excellent as well. Nat as Hoon comes across beautifully as the empathetic brother. Bas, played by the very young and VERY talented Khunpol, is possibly the one character who tugs on everyone’s heartstrings in every aspect – he loves, he respects, he sacrifices selflessly. It is a great performance. And Smile as Tarn is convincing with all the conflicting emotions that flow through her. So much stronger than many of the actresses in the BL world. Also, the two kids who played young Teh and young Oh really did an excellent job, too. Bravo performances all around.
Episode 1: (huge spoilers here….really don’t read on unless you’ve already watched)
I have to say a few words about Ep. 1 because on first watching, it left me kinda cold…..like “why all this to-do about the kids?” I really wondered if I should continue watching the series. Frankly, I went on watching just because of the cinematic beauty – the lights and colors and images of SEAsia. I am sooooo glad I continued……
The thing about the first episode is that the viewer doesn't know what to watch for. It seems a bit disorganized with these scenes from the past life of the boys Teh and Oh, and then Teh doing some sort of university acting test and it kinda jumps around. (That non-linear storytelling is not a feature of later episodes.)
But omigod, now that I've been through the whole story and have gone back and rewatched ep 1 I would say it is a masterpiece. The cinematography -- use of colors, framing of shots, beautiful use of Phuket scenery (which only gets better as the series goes on)......it's all fantastic. And then the performances......wow. I was not a big fan of Teh -- in fact they both had asshole tendencies displayed in ep. 1. Only on re-watch can you really see Billkin's superb capture of the internal struggle that already had Teh locked into an emotional prison, and how that plays out on Billkin's face. If you don't know what you're looking at, that is so easy to miss.....
Note that the scene where Teh dedicates his audition performance to Oh, with tears brimming in his eyes -- that scene actually came several weeks BEFORE they "buried the hatchet" and became friends again. What that says: for five long years Teh kept Oh in his heart, so strongly that it came bubbling out in his university auditions when he thought of Oh. He WANTED to make up and be friends, but "couldn't push send." And then, a few weeks later, when the reconciliation finally happens, and The has cried for Oh, in front of the audition panel, Teh still cannot bring himself to tell Oh how important he is. When Oh says "we can be friends but maybe not best friends" look at Teh's face!!!!! He is crippled by fear. Five long years, and he can't bring himself to say "but I missed you so much." Instead he says "yeah sure, whatever you want." Pushing the love down.....hiding it inside.
But then immediately he begins the series of good works to try to help Oh. He cannot bring himself to tell Oh he likes him that much, but he starts helping him.....over and over again. Works of love that neither of them recognize -- oh, but on rewatch we recognize them. Instantly you realize how completely relatable Teh really is. And it culminates much later, with the cut-up workbook that Teh cannot use to get his own life back on track, because he cut it to pieces to try to help Oh. Teh was not the only one crying, at that point……
Rewatching Ep 1 will make that all now crystal clear.....Now it all becomes obvious; you know what is coming -- the hurt that Teh's fear and self-suppression will do later, to almost everyone -- Oh, Bas, Tarn, his mother and of course Teh himself whose life is derailed and who is nearly broken by it -- all that pain begins squarely in Ep1. Far more are the tears I shed on rewatch, knowing what is to come.
Fortunately (skipping forward to the end of the series), Hoon has helped Teh cross his own Rubicon……and he is able to declare himself to Oh. There is hope. Teh finally realizes that destiny does not bind him to be a slave to fear. (In the lyrics from an old Stephen Stills song “We are not helpless; we are men. What lies between us, can be set aside and ended.” )
The creative team is going to have to find another theme song (or some new lyrics for “Skyline.”) Or at least I hope so……if the second season smashes that hope…….it will kill me too.
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This review may contain spoilers
Fresh and cute ^_^ I love when Lin Lin really did a study before Yu Ku's light is off. If that's me, I will read mangas. LOL. She's so natural in a natural way, meanwhile Yu Ke's stoic attitude is kinda cute too, especially when Lin Lin ask which comes out first, chicken or egg. LOL. It also warmed your heart when Yu Ke face his biggest fear to help Lin Lin ^_^I love the story idea and so the conflict, but I think it will be better if they show more conflict with Duan Xi, not only with Ru Ting. The other thing I love about the movie is the song. I am a bit surprised when I hear 'I Won't Let You be Lonely' (Wo Bu Yuan Rang Ni Yi Ge Ren) by Mayday. I am a little bit lost focus to the scene when this song playing ^o^;
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