A Romance-Heavy Drama Felt Limited in Depth
This drama was okay and I say that disappointingly because I could have loved it. The performers delivered a great performance, the choreography was engaging, the steam was steamy, and the storyline was unique. It has a nice twist with unexpected hidden identities, and the underlying conspiracies give the drama political intrigue. However, there were several opportunities to expand on these subplots and it never happened. This made the overall story a romantic trope that lacked dimension.Was this review helpful to you?
An Eerie Supernatural Mystery with Mixed Execution
I enjoyed this, but it wasn't consistent. It started strong and then fizzled for me as the series progressed. It is divided into 5 cases, so there are different subplots each time, making the storyline unique and engaging and they revolve around a larger narrative that comes together near the end. The cinematography and sound effects are eerie and great for fall watches. But certain plots weren't as strong or cohesive for me compared to others. I enjoyed "Mysterious Tales of Chang'an" more, but this is a nice option for supernatural and mystery watches and I could see myself watching the more stronger episodes again.Was this review helpful to you?
A Love-Hate Kind of Drama for Me, Engaging Fantasy with Slow Sequences
I initially tried watching this once before but quickly dropped it for its low appeal in the first episode. Much later, I gave it another try—and that time, I stuck with it. It was a strange watch for me, because there was so much I didn’t like, yet also a lot I genuinely engaged with. Some themes fell flat and disrupted my viewing flow—especially the romance scenes, which lacked chemistry or believability. They took up too much screen time and made the story drag for me. But then the show would segue into really compelling sequences that recaptured my attention. There were also stretches where too much time passed without any strong subplots to push the narrative forward, leaving me underwhelmed in the middle. I found myself moving through the drama slowly and somewhat out of obligation. That said, I did enjoy the overall story and theme. The content felt rich, the underlying framework was engaging, and the comedic moments hit all the right notes. I loved almost all the subplots—they were layered with enough poignancy that it was easy to fall in love with the characters and be drawn into their storylines. I don’t regret watching this—I just don’t think it was particularly well-rounded.Was this review helpful to you?
Unique, quirky and hilarious
I think this show is just so unique, quirky and really hilarious. It clearly is not the typical, run of the mill BL where an "overly cute and shy university boy falls for a super hot, rich guy" or a story that feels like "pure cotton candy" and I like that about it. Even though it is super quirky, it actually feels realistic in a lot of ways, I know not every couple is so unique or quirky, but some really are. Both of the main characters have this kind of confidence in their weird personalities, but they totally embrace their uniqueness, and they complement each other so well. I am sure some people might find it a bit too over the top or think that it is not "cute" in the traditional sense, but that is what I actually like about this show. I also think that the cinematography looks gorgeous and has its own distinct vibe that really matches the tone of the show. It is different, and I personally like this vibe.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Love conquers all
While not a fan of that company, I watched several shows produced by DMD – and finally got one that I both liked and enjoyed: "Love Upon A Time". It is not a perfect show, but one that I wanted to come back to every week, one that made me feel good from first to last episode, one that I will rewatch soon.LUAT’s plot and story successfully combine a fully developed BL plotline (including falling in love, having doubts about it, fighting for it regardless of adversities, overcoming all obstacles) with non-BL elements like a fantasy setting (complete with time travel, reincarnation and curses reaching across centuries), a fish-out-of-water main character, a mystery/crime story, but also comedy and family matters. This combination works very well for at least two reasons: the BL storyline is the most profound one and – deservedly – gets most of the attention while everything else, even solving a mystery from the past, serves the main storyline. Unlike with many Thai BLs the setting and story elements connected with it do not sideline nor overshadow the BL aspect of the series – they are supporting it. The series finds a healthy balance between its heavier, darker, more serious issues and its lighter, funnier moments. It is also helpful that the show does not take itself absolutely serious – it is, after all, a piece of entertainment. Also, to make it clear: LUAT is not a documentary about life during the Ayutthaya period and its goal is not historic accuracy.
While I have no issues with the script that are worth mentioning, nor with the show’s overall pacing (despite some initial doubts in this regard), both casting and performances are an entirely different matter.
JJ carried the show, with some help from Kim, Net and several seasoned cast members. Nakun seems like a role written for JJ, who seized this opportunity to show what he is capable of. Nakun is a multifaceted protagonist: relatable, funny, sassy, confident, but also hesitant, thoughtful and mature. The culmination of the series – at least for me – was the ep. 7 scene with Nakun and Phop confessing their feelings for each other. JJ is great in that scene, displaying actual range: starting reserved and hesitant, he lets his guard down for a moment, then becomes serious to finally admit defeat when emotions overcome him. When Nakun hugs Phop and begs him to forget about their love, there is so much emotion in that simple gesture – the way JJ moves and grabs Net is almost frantic, showing true desperation. It is a sad, heartbreaking scene, tense and emotionally charged – and it relies almost entirely on JJ, supported by Bowkylion’s vocals.
JJ’s Nakun reminded me of Punn Winnala from "Revamp" portrayed by Prem Warut Chawalitrujiwong: someone hiding a secret, someone who is more than he appears, someone falling in love, but painfully aware that this love cannot last – and then realizing he should fight for this love regardless of everything. I like BL characters like that: strong, but also experienced and wise in their own way, aware of how unfair life is, yet longing for love they think is impossible – only to find out that it is achievable and standing firmly to defend it.
As for JJ’s screen partner, I was never fond of him, mainly due to the taint of "Bed Friend". Still, Net’s LUAT performance as Phop is at least serviceable – and, at times, better than that. Also, I like Phop – for his straightforwardness and honesty, and for standing his ground when faced with an ultimatum regarding him and Nakun. Thai (and Asian in general) BLs need more characters like that. JJ and Net have very good chemistry, which allows me to appreciate Net’s performance in LUAT even more.
Kim gave my second favorite performance of the series – making Kaew more than a shallow, token feminine male character. The writing is not overly generous to Kaew and Kim does a lot to give his character some badly needed depth. Some BTS footage for ep. 10 convinced me that Kim was the most mature cast member – and I think it translated to Kaew. He was able to realize what he wants early on, express that, accept one rejection, survive another, curse Jom, mourn and move on – that is actual strength.
Latte and both of his characters are on the opposite side of the spectrum than JJ and Kim; as Jom Latte is wooden and stiff like a plank and switches to annoying and unfunny as Thee. It is worth noting that Jom is the only character who undergoes a significant development - as Nakun is more on a discovery journey, while Phop and Kaew remain unchanged; all three of them are aware of their inner strength and are wielding it to solve problems and combat adversities. Jom – at the start of the series – is very different: a closeted gay man afraid to come out, hiding behind pretense and excuses, even going into full denial. Latte had an opportunity to show Jom going from that to coming out, seizing the moment, overcoming his fear and going beyond that – and he wasted it. Jom has his character arc, but it is solely because of the writing – the performer added nothing to it. More than that: Jom remains bland and weirdly emotionless throughout the whole show because of how Latte portrayed him, reciting his lines like an automaton (which probably was meant to sound serious and mature).
As for other cast members, two deserve a brief mention: Nont – portraying an awful character in an interesting way – and Lookwa, who is always a delight to watch and listen to.
LUAT’s OST consist of seven tracks available through DMD Music, listed below in order of their release.
- "ภพเธอ" by FirstOne Wannakorn Reungrat, which is nothing special and gets a basic score of 2 stars in my ranking.
- "แค่เธอตรงนี้" (Still You) by JJ Radchapon Phornpinit, which is alright and gets 3 stars.
- "ฝากฝันชั่วกาล (Everlasting Dreams)" by "Ice" Saranyu Winaipanit – one of only two songs performed by an actual singer. It is rather good and I give it 3,5 stars.
- "คำคะนึง (Within)" by Net Siraphop Manithikhun – 2 stars and let’s forget about it.
- "ปักใจ (Still)" by NuNew Chawarin Perdpiriyawong, which I disliked almost as badly as I dislike the performer; 1 star is all I’m willing to give.
- "ดั่งใจฝัน (daydream)" by "Bowkylion" Nitchapha Veersutthimas, easily the best part of the OST with great vocals and lyrics – it gets a whole galaxy of stars. Listen on repeat if possible.
- "ยอมรับหัวใจ (No More Hiding)" by "Kim" Pongsaton Sittipan – imperfect, but genuine (almost personal) and sensual; 3,5 stars.
A rather long OST for a show consisting of 12 episodes – which can mean various things. BTW: what was the point of having Lookwa in the cast, but giving the songs to NuNew or Net?
All in all – a good show and even better BL from a company that served disappointment after disappointment. Got to rewatch is asap.
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A Dark & Psychological Piece That Pushes Limits
The performances in this drama were masterful—raw, realistic, and emotionally gripping. The character development was gradual and immersive, drawing me in before I even realized how invested I’d become. Despite that, this was a difficult watch and definitely not for everyone.While this is heavy subject matter, it didn’t feel exploitative. That said, it explores the darkest sides of human behavior—mental health struggles, manipulation, enabling, mind control, assault, toxic relationships, and delusional thinking. Though I understood the characters’ backstories and motivations, it was an emotionally taxing narrative, and I grew to deeply resent both main leads and the destruction they caused.
It’s been compared to Goodbye My Princess, but Love & Bid Farewell is even more disturbing and traumatic. Watching this depends on the viewer’s sensitivity to the subject matter, and trigger warnings are essential.
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Not Till the End of The Moon, But It Hits Similar Notes
This was an okay watch and I liked it, but it isn't the best production and I wouldn't recommend it to everyone (there is a lot to forgive). It is low budget and you can tell from the execution, the script, scene transitions, and the set. The version I watched had terrible English dubbing, so I couldn't watch it with audio and the subtitles were so simple that it was like reading at a beginner's level. With that said, it has several elements of Till the End of the Moon and for those who know me, this is my favorite Chinese drama and I have to watch everything related to it. So although this was an okay feature for me, I enjoyed all of these elements, including wardrobe.Was this review helpful to you?
Great Comic Book Premise, Execution Didn’t Work for Me
I really liked Ma Sihan in Eternal Lovesickness, so I went into this hoping to enjoy it just as much. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my cup of tea. If it hadn’t been such a short watch, I likely would have dropped it around the halfway point.It started off light and familiar, but I quickly struggled to stay engaged. The pacing felt slow, and I found the overall execution a bit uninspiring. The story and side elements didn’t capture my interest, and I often wished things would move along more quickly. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters and the narrative, and the subtitles unfortunately made the experience more difficult at times.
That said, this hasn’t put me off Ma Sihan—I still look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.
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Had it's fair share of pros and cons
Honestly, it's not a bad series. Some are saying it was toxic, and I'll say there was a hint of toxicity. However, I have a feeling that many Chinese BLs will add some because of the huge fame of 'Revenge Love'. That being said, this is a Hallmark movie compared to 'RL'.There's some plot holes that could have been patched to make it better, but this is a low-budget effort, so I get it.
The secondary couple was adorable and I would watch a series of their story in a heartbeat. Actually, their story could have been a better story with the other couple being secondary, but what do I know, right?
Essentially, this was a tame, watered down version of 'Revenge Love', which was evident front the cast's appearances.
The settings were nice and the cinematography was well done for the budget they were working with.
The music was ok, but could have been better.
It was a decent story, with actors that have potential.
Worth a watch if you are looking for something that's not deep.
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Palace and Revenge Themes That Didn't Hold My Interest
This is a partial review covering episodes 1–20 only.I can’t continue with this one. After watching half of the drama, I can confidently say this isn’t my cup of tea. The main storyline and sub-arcs don’t interest me, and I struggled to stay engaged in the entire first half. Wen Zhengrong and Jeremy Tsui's roles are the most interesting to me, but Wen Zhengrong isn’t in a substantial number of scenes, and Jeremy Tsui as Pei Yan alone isn’t enough to carry the drama forward for me.
I also found the situations that set the story in motion a stretch, and the romantic conflicts aren’t engaging or compelling to me. There is a hidden backstory, delivered as Easter eggs in the first half, and that aspect does interest me. However, because so much of the screen time is dominated by elements I find sleepy, I’ve forgotten much of that thread. At this point, it’s time for me to put this one to bed. I gave it a fair chance, having watched half of the series. But it is good to mention that many people did highly enjoy this one.
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A Familiar Time Travel Plot That Didn’t Fully Land
This reminded me of Different Princess and The Queen of Attack, though I didn’t enjoy it as much. The early themes were amusing and engaging, but the narrative began to fizzle in the later episodes—especially after reaching its apex and introducing conflicts. The conflicts felt contrived and could have been more effective if handled in a unique way without relying on familiar tropes. That said, the performers are skilled and delivered strong performances. This might still be worth watching for fans of Yan Zixian.Was this review helpful to you?
A Miss for Me, Despite Loving Guan Yue
For those who don’t know me here, I absolutely love Guan Yue. It started with The Reincarnated Lovers and was cemented with Devil Falls in Love with Fairy. Ever since then, I’ve made it a point to watch his costume dramas. That said, I didn’t really connect with this drama. Through no fault of the performers, the storyline just didn’t draw me in, and I found it hard to stay engaged. And it was a struggle to finish. Usually, even if I’m not a fan of the overall production, I can at least appreciate the storyline — but in this case, the arcs just didn’t resonate with me. It wasn’t quite my cup of tea.Was this review helpful to you?
A Fresh Take on a Familiar Transmigration Setup
I just loved this drama—and it completely took me by surprise. I don't think I had any preconceived notions going in, but I definitely didn’t expect to fall in love with the narrative the way I did. It follows the familiar “sucked-into-the-novel” storyline and sticks to the usual script. But what I really appreciated was that, despite using a familiar prototype, the drama introduced subtle nuances that made it feel fresh. Each episode delivered engaging side plots and character-driven stories through cases and investigations. And that style was a win for me.I also found the entire drama hilarious, and the romance hit all the right notes for me—authentic, gradual, and never forced or cliché. I especially loved the family dynamics and the emotional growth, both within each character and between them. The execution was solid, the performances were strong, and the quality remained consistent throughout the series.
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A Goofy, Outlandish Comedy with an Aimless but Fun Tone
This is an outlandish drama with an offbeat comedy lasting for most of the series. The characters are absurd and goofy, but they work for the storyline, which is sometimes aimless because this airs on the side of absurdism. But I enjoyed the watch. However, I don't know if it's for everyone since this might fall into a niche watch.Was this review helpful to you?
A Docudrama Exploring Influential Women in Chinese History
This is a pretty good series if you enjoy docudramas. It is structured into four separate stories, each focusing on a different prominent woman in Chinese history. Each segment highlights a well-known historical figure and explores their life through key moments that shaped their legacy. Each story is told from the woman’s own perspective and presented in a reflective, almost documentary-like style, as if blending personal experience with historical record. The series follows their journeys while emphasizing the defining choices, challenges, and turning points that contributed to their place in history.Was this review helpful to you?
