Reviews

The legend of the red string (●♡ᴗ♡●) The future will reunite us (●♡ᴗ♡●)

PLOT: Intouch and Korn are in love, but homosexuality was frowned upon in the 1980-90s, and when their fathers try to separate them, Korn commits suicide and Intouch follows him.
30+ years later, Pharm, a college student with a passion for baking, crosses paths with Dean, a star student and president of the swim club. Drawn to each other like magnets, they start dating and discover that they both frequently have dreams (nightmares?) about Intouch and Korn [excerpts from their past lives]. Dean wants to know more and investigates.

+++ Reincarnation storyline is fairly coherent
+++ Good cast, with a bunch of talented actors : Ohm & Fluke / Kao & Earth / Boun & Prem, and the support cast is good too.
+++ Pleasant OSTs, not too intrusive

### The narration is a bit slow, with an almost 50/50 alternation between past and present in each episode.

### Pharm spends all his time crying, even in irrational circumstances (reuniting with In's niece, for example). Fluke is very good at crying, but the amount is excessive! In was much stronger mentally than Pharm, plus, the latter has an unbearable prudishness and sometimes completely unreasonable behavior... It's frustrating when the MC becomes annoying!!

=> BL recommended by everyone. So I had high expectations and I was a little bit disappointed.
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L'avenir nous réunira (●♡ᴗ♡●)

PLOT: Intouch et Korn s'aiment, mais l'homosexualité est mal vue en 1980-90, et qd leurs pères veulent les séparer, Korn se suicide et Intouch le suit.
30 ans + tard, Pharm, étudiant et aimant la pâtisserie, croise le chemin de Dean, étudiant star et Président du club de natation. Attirés l'un par l'autre comme des aimants, ils sortent ensemble et découvrent que chacun d'eux fait fréquemment des rêves (cauchemars ?) avec Intouch et Korn [extraits de leurs vies antérieures]. Dean veut en savoir plus et enquête.

+++ Story réincarnation à peu près cohérente
+++ Bon cast, avec a bunch of talented actors
+++ OSTs agréables, pas trop intrusifs

### Narration un peu lente, avec une alternance (presque moitié-moitié) du passé et du présent dans chq épisode.
### Pharm passe tt son temps à pleurer, y compris ds des circonstances irrationnelles (retrouvailles avec la nièce de In, par ex.). Fluke est très bon en pleurs, mais la dose est excessive ! In était bcp plus fort mentalement que Pharm, de plus, celui-ci a une pruderie insupportable et des comportements parfois complètement déraisonnables ... C'est frustrant qd le MC devient agaçant !!

=> BL recommandée par tous. J'avais donc des attentes et j'ai été un peu déçue.

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Duang with you, a breath of fresh air

I absolutely loved duang with you, the sweetest story with the sweetest characters.

It had everything from the start, good story, good pacing, good soundtrack, amazing acting.

The cast really embodied the characters and por and tee tee absolutely ended the actors not acting like couples discussion, it was so lovely watching a couple on tv behave like normal couples do, makes you forget you're watch a tv show and helps you immerse fully in the warm viewing experience, they put in their all.

The platonic relationships were also really well written and explored beautifully, the friendships felt real and they were given good plots and necessary screen time and the nuance of parents - child relationship especially in qin's case was really well executed without taking away from the light hearted tone of the show and seeing duang's happy family was a warm contrast.

I just really liked the creative decisions of the show, and i think the cast delivered a wonderful performance. I really loved the attention to detail especially little things like the trio's phone charms that match their personalities or qinn's phone case that has his name, a nice change from the props without personality we see so often, it made the characters feel so real.

There were a few things i didn't like like the teddy bear plot dragging on for so long since qinn keeping it made no sense imo especially since they changed him never liking tiw like in the novel to him starting to have feelings back in hs or the camera price plot being a whole issue only for qinn to get duang expensive slippers that weren't really given an explanation but I understand plot needs conflict and it didn't really affect how much i loved the show.

The pacing was different, slower than what i usually like and they were so lovey dovey for so many episodes it felt like i was just watching them date which i usually only like for an episode or 2 since i get bored after the chase is over and the couple gets together but duang with you eps felt like a warm comfortable hug every saturday. It's very much a slice of life comfort show.

Kudos to everybody that played a part in the making of it because it was a lovely watch, I love queer joy. 🫶🏼

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Chef's Kiss for Heart Code: TungpangJessie with insane chemistry in a short, high-quality GL

Heart Code the Series is a standout Thai GL that masterfully blends high-stakes action with a deeply moving soulmate romance. Spanning just seven episodes, it delivers a tightly-paced narrative where every scene carries weight managing to tie up every plot point in the end of the series.

Why it works so well
- Insane Chemistry: Tungpang and Jessie deliver authentic, high-tension performances that make their evolving relationship feel earned rather than forced.
- Technical Excellence: For a 7-episode series, the production quality is exceptionally high, featuring cinematic directing and a score that significantly enhances emotional scenes.
- Satisfying Finale: Unlike many dramas that rush their endings, Heart Code successfully ties up its complex conspiracies while providing a heartfelt and genuine conclusion for the main couple.

While the end of the final episode feels slightly stretched, this series is still a very compelling watch despite its minor pacing issues. It is an impressive step forward for the genre, and I am genuinely excited for Monomax’s next project with TungpangJessie!

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Duang With You is one of those shows that instantly lifts your mood. From the very first episode, it has this playful, feel-good energy that just pulls you in. The tone stays light without ever feeling shallow—it strikes a really nice balance between humor, warmth, and those small, relatable moments that make you smile.

What really makes the series stand out is its characters. They feel lively and genuine, and their interactions are often funny, a little chaotic at times, but always charming. You can tell a lot of care went into building their dynamics, which makes it easy to get attached to them.

Visually, it’s also a treat: fresh colors, a pleasant style, and a pacing that never drags. Everything feels smooth and easy to watch, making it perfect for binge-watching or just unwinding after a long day.

In short, Duang With You is feel-good entertainment at its best—light, cozy, and genuinely fun to watch. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something that will leave you smiling. 😊

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Wasted potential

GJM has proven me again and again that he will f it up with his bad habit and favoritism to the point where he ruined the story and other characters. The very reason of my love and hate relationship with his tv shows. Anyways, it's nice to see Ju Jingyi with her improved acting (dare i say that this most likely her best role and acting so far in my opinion) + her being paired with Tian Jiarui. Love to see Chen Duling and Zeng Shunxi reunion as a cp again here, my personal favorite pairing.

This would've been one of his best work if GJM didn't f it up but it is what it is. On the bright side, I at least was happy because GJM gave us Chen Duling, Ju Jingyi, Zeng Shunxi and Tian Jiarui in the same project despite the favoritism & outcome. Other than that, there's almost nothing i can say plotwise cause he f it up halfway through 🙃 He really wasted the potential of this drama. And talking about favoritism, Chen Duling and Zeng Shunxi didn't deserve this treatment. So disappointed halfway through the drama until the end. Wu Wangyan and Wu Shiguang arc is a complete sh*t. They're pretty much just a figure and accessories of VoS that is almost useless cause they're only used for certain moments only and disappear from the face of the earth. Where tf is their power?? They are so nerfed by GJM and they're so weak for what they're supposed to be capable of.

This is why i have love and hate relationship with GJM projects. He's bad at long term execution and his favoritism is sickening and yet, i stupidly still look forward for his projects because his plot story and synopsis is always interesting to me and him casting someone i like is just a bonus, i'm always interested beacuse his work are pretty good and interesting at least at first before going downhill (mostly his drama series). The Yin Yang Master is my fav movie from him.

I've never felt this huge disappointment cause Veil of Shadows have such a good potential to be one of his best work if he didn't f it up, but he proved me again and again that he will always have this terrible habit of him to f it all up especially with his favoritism in his drama series that ruined the plot. GJM's favoritism is gonna backfire Tian Jiarui and i'm concerned about him. I like Tian Jiarui but GJM is ruining him with his way of favoritism. I too would boost my kid under my agency if they're capable and got what it takes, but what GJM is doing is so wrong and damaging because he ruined the overall story. He really ruined other characters just to make Ji Ling become the center and shine when there are 2 other characters that's also important for the plot. Thank goodness that Lu Wuyi character got the same amount of love and devotion from GJM unlike Wu Wangyan and Wu Shiguang based on how he wrote their arcs.

Wu Shiguang character is important to the plot (he's literally the 10th dragon son, the one that they all been waiting for to save the world from Jiuying) but Wu Shiguang character arc is just SO sh*tty, all that '10th dragon son' build up in beginning for nothing, no development at all. Wtf is GJM thinking? Should've not cast Zeng Shunxi and Chen Duling as the so called main leads if he's gonna do them dirty like this. I like all 4 main leads, and i'm disappointed with the heavy favoritism that is so obvious to the point he's ruining the whole story. I am not annoyed by Jiling or Wuyi, i like them too. I'm annoyed by GJM for his shitty writing for other characters. He gave his best on Jiling and Wuyi but clearly not for Wu Wangyan and Wu Shiguang.

Surprisingly the ending isn't blatant sad ending but a hopeful open ending, but sad to see that Wangyan and Wuyi will never know or remember each other. They truly lost each other ): Also GJM could 've at least add an extra episode to show their respective wedding and just a bit of their new life after all this nonsense but what do you expect from GJM lol 😒

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Lighthearted and still so beautiful!

It's just so cute… and simple. And probably what makes this so amazing.

The simplicity of human relationships and our need to connect is actually so beautiful. At the end of the day, the whole functioning of the world is about having a friend, having someone to share things with.

I was watching, and I didn't even need to see the Parbdee logo to know that it was filmed by them, the excellent filming could only be a work of theirs. Beautiful lighting and photography, which I think were the cherry on top to give the scenes such delicacy. As they should! Because in this age, on the verge of going through college applications, being a teenager... everything is so intense and emotional.

And this show... displayed this beautifully, with such care!

4 episodes that feel a lot better than a longer series bcs it was so beautifully made. SeaKeen delivered, as always! Especially Keen, he's so talented. This boy is sooo brilliant!

It's really so delightful to watch! Also it's an easy-watch, it's very light and still so touching!

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Not the best, but still good

You know that thing that kinda annoys you at first, but you find yourself going back? Like it just grates at you, but for whatever reason, you keep going back coz something about it calls to you? That was this show to me. Maybe I'm subconsiously a masochist.

☀️What I Liked🌑
1. The acting - There are parts that I for sure did not like. However, when the gimmicky parts of the plots are drawn back, you get to see just how well these guys act. Especially TeeTee, who plays Duang. When they stop making him play a literal dog, you can see the immediate change in his face and aura.

That man can act. A good example is in the finale, after their conversation with Jamie on the phone, and Qin tells Duang that they can sleep together. You can see the immediate switch on this face. I wish we saw more of that serious/toned-down side of him

Por, his smile is absolutely beautiful. In terms of acting, I think he was OK. I didn't cringe at it. However, it is harder to critique him as his character, Qin, doesn't have that much of an emotional range, meaning Por doesn't use his facial muscles much. Likely since Qin's supposed to be more reserved.

He could do better with his crying scenes, but overall, based on the little we got from what he had to work with, I think it was OK. Hopefully, we get to see him as a more expressive character in the future. I think I'd like that.

As for the wider cast, some were cringe, most were average. No one quite stood out for me.

2. The Production Value - Based on my experiences with Dumondi through 'Khemjira', 'Love Upon a Time', 'Zomvivor', and now 'Duang with You', the company has some incredible people behind their cameras. Their cinematography is top-notch. Up there with (dare I say) a company like BOC. They know what works and what to do with the camera and the lighting.

Lemme gush about lighting for a second, the blue light on Qin in episode 6. Holy shit. I know that scene was supposed to be hot, but that light on him. Oh, it framed him beautifully. The NC scenes in episodes 9 and 12 are also filmed so beautifully. I know the actors have to do their job to sell these scenes to the audience, but the people on the lights and cameras have to be recognized for how well they highlight the actors and their actions in said scenes

3. The chemistry - What I keep thinking is, 'if these characters can give us this much chemistry in a fluffy, college show, what do you think they can do with a more mature, perhaps even darker show?' I think I would spontaneously combust.
PS. I know most people loved their 1st kiss in episode 4. I didn't like it. It wasn't reciprocal enough for me. But the kisses in episodes 9 and 12... That's where it's at. That's where they actually and equally shine

4. The communication - They are surprisingly mature in how they communicate and refuse to let things fester. This show isn't driven by miscommunication, and I love that. And this isn't just with the main characters, even within the wider friend groups. They argue, yes, but take the time to talk things over and fix them.

🚨What I Didn't Like/Could've Been Better🚨

1. It can be overly comedic - This is an ongoing issue for me. Oftentimes, Thai BLs do this kind of humor that doesn't quite land for me. It's over the top, a bit forced, and just so confusing. I remember being thoroughly annoyed by the comedy that I had to note down my feelings after episode 4. Good thing they toned it down as the show proceeded. Or maybe I tuned it out...? IDK. But I think it's the former.

2. Duang's characterization - He is very childish, especially in the 1st half. I think it's meant to be cute, but it comes off as immature, taking you out of the headspace where you're supposed to view him as a potential love interest. And for the love of Christ, why did he have to act like an actual dog for most, if not all, of the 1st half of this?

I think the makers of this show wanted to portray him as this sunshine golden retriever, which, cool, no problem. But why make him mimic an actual dog? Why was he panting on my screen? You can 100% do a golden retriever character without the dog traits. It's been done before. I'm still unsure why they insisted on it.

3. The 2nd couple - With how the streets were excited about the introduction of Marvis, I thought the 2nd couple would have a bigger role to play in the overall story. Only, no, that wasn't to be the case. So much could have been done with a story about 2 playboys falling for each other, but they just let that drown. Then, they only let the combined friend group meet Marvis for 2.5 seconds in the finale. Tsk, tsk.

4. The performances - I mean all the singing and dancing. So during the course of watching this drama, I learnt that the 2 main characters are part of a Tpop band under Domondi. Which could explain why I had to spend about 20+ minutes or so (divided btwn 2 episodes) watching them perform full songs and dance routines.
However, I shouldn't have had to sit through all that. Christina Aguilera and Cher singing and dancing in the 2010 movie 'Burlesque' makes sense coz that is a musical film. Duang with You isn't a musical, so none of that extended singing and dancing made sense to me

5. The situation with Qin's parents - It should've been handled better. The resolution was too quick and too shallow, especially after that long flashback to Qin's childhood. The child actor and the woman who played the nanny should be commended for their acting, though. I was simultaneously heartbroken and pissed off to the high heavens

Would I rewatch this? Absolutely not. I cannot handle a 2nd round of Duang

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Dark, Messy, Watchable

I went into Girl from Nowhere without having seen the original, so I’m judging it purely on its own—and overall, it lands somewhere in the middle. It’s not bad, but it’s not particularly good either.

The show doesn’t feel like it has a firm sense of direction beyond its central idea: exposing social issues and the darker sides of human nature. That part is clear, and to its credit, each episode does carry a weighty theme. Some of those messages are thought-provoking, and I did find myself engaged by the moral questions it raises.

Nanno, the female lead, is the most interesting element. She starts off almost like a devil figure—avenging victims by punishing those who wrong them. As the series progresses, she shifts into more of a catalyst, someone who tempts and nudges people until they reveal their worst selves. It’s an intriguing evolution in concept, but the show doesn’t always execute it cleanly, which makes her role feel inconsistent at times.

Where the drama struggles most is in execution. The storytelling can feel messy and uneven, with episodes that don’t always fully land despite strong ideas. The acting is decent across the board, though the roles themselves don’t demand much range, so it’s hard to fully assess the cast. Becky as Nanno is ok, nothing impressive but I don't have much to criticize either. There’s potential there, but it feels like she and the others are still building experience.

One aspect that didn’t quite work for me was the character Sky. He starts off as a victim and then reappears sporadically without much clear purpose, only to have a more impactful role in the final episode. He leaves me confused because the buildup about him is too scattered.

At just six episodes, it’s an easy watch and works well as a filler series. If you’re interested in darker, morality-driven stories, it might appeal to you. Just don’t expect a tightly written or fully polished experience.

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I LOVEEEEE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS DRAMA SO MUCH ?❤️

Completed 29/29 ; my personal rating (100/10)

no regrets watching it while it was ongoing! It’s so goooooooddd!!! There’s a plot twist in almost every episode, which keeps it exciting, fast-paced, and never boring. It’s a total emotional rollercoaster, and you honestly won’t be able to guess the plot unless you watch it all the way to the end.
The plot can be confusing at first, and you really have to think it through, but just keep watching and it’ll start to make sense. Stressful, but in the best way possible and seriously addictive!

I was bawling my eyes out from episode 22 all the way to 29 😭 The cinematography, CGI, OSTs, chemistry and visuals were all so good too. The CGI was beautifully done, the OST hits so hard, and the visuals are just stunning!!

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WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT LOVE!

At first blush, looking at the title, I almost passed, thinking it was just another cooking themed story. I couldn't have been more worng and I'm glad I didn't pass this gem up. Such a heatwarming drama. Warms a cold heart. Emotionall touching, wonderfully filmed and acted and just an all around must view if you're into character evolution and metamorphosis. One of the best, warmest, and spiritully lifting "works of fiction" I have seen. Just what the doctor ordered! The musical score was perfect. The cinematography was exceptional, and both the main actors and support cast was very welcome in my heart. This one will stay with me for a while and I know I'll rewatch many times.

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