Reviews

9/10 Growing Pains, Rebellion, and the Pulse of Youth

9/10 Growing Pains, Rebellion, and the Pulse of Youth
Bold and unflinching, Hormones: Wai Wawun dives into the chaos of adolescence, capturing the thrills, mistakes, and heartbreaks that shape a generation.
This Thai coming-of-age film follows a group of high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and identity during one transformative summer. Rather than focusing on a single protagonist, the film interweaves multiple storylines-from first love and jealousy to ambition and insecurity-mirroring the fragmented yet vibrant nature of teenage life.
The film's strength lies in its honesty. It doesn't shy away from depicting awkward moments, impulsive decisions, and emotional turbulence. By balancing humor with tenderness, it presents adolescence as both messy and meaningful. The young ensemble cast delivers natural, heartfelt performances that allow viewers to see themselves in the characters' struggles and dreams.
Cinematography emphasizes the energy of youth, with bright cityscapes, buzzing schoolyards, and intimate closeups reflecting the highs and lows of teenage emotions. The soundtrack complements this vibrancy, amplifying moments of joy and melancholy. While some storylines feel underdeveloped due to the ensemble structure, the film's emotional authenticity outweighs its narrative imperfections.
Ultimately, Hormones: Wai Wawun succeeds as both entertainment and social reflection, pushing boundaries for Thai teen cinema by portraying adolescence with rare candor.
Rating: 9/10 - A daring, heartfelt, and relatable coming-of-age film that resonates across generations, making it one of Thailand's most memorable youth dramas.

Leia Mais

9/10 Growing Pains, Rebellion, and the Pulse of Youth

9/10 Growing Pains, Rebellion, and the Pulse of Youth
Bold and unflinching, Hormones: Wai Wawun dives into the chaos of adolescence, capturing the thrills, mistakes, and heartbreaks that shape a generation.
This Thai coming-of-age film follows a group of high school students as they navigate love, friendship, and identity during one transformative summer. Rather than focusing on a single protagonist, the film interweaves multiple storylines-from first love and jealousy to ambition and insecurity-mirroring the fragmented yet vibrant nature of teenage life.
The film's strength lies in its honesty. It doesn't shy away from depicting awkward moments, impulsive decisions, and emotional turbulence. By balancing humor with tenderness, it presents adolescence as both messy and meaningful. The young ensemble cast delivers natural, heartfelt performances that allow viewers to see themselves in the characters' struggles and dreams.
Cinematography emphasizes the energy of youth, with bright cityscapes, buzzing schoolyards, and intimate closeups reflecting the highs and lows of teenage emotions. The soundtrack complements this vibrancy, amplifying moments of joy and melancholy. While some storylines feel underdeveloped due to the ensemble structure, the film's emotional authenticity outweighs its narrative imperfections.
Ultimately, Hormones: Wai Wawun succeeds as both entertainment and social reflection, pushing boundaries for Thai teen cinema by portraying adolescence with rare candor.
Rating: 9/10 - A daring, heartfelt, and relatable coming-of-age film that resonates across generations, making it one of Thailand's most memorable youth dramas.

Leia Mais

Perpetual state of golden hour.

I loved the beautifully lit cinematography, the romantic lighting, and the perpetual state of golden hour... :p

I usually avoid watching teenage/highschool romance because it often feels weird to me. Sometimes they're just plainly unrelatable. And sometimes there's a lot of directors/writers that throw in a highschool setting into a story that would work way better for adult characters, not to mention the creepy directors that project their predatory gaze into these kinda shows (hello hollywood, hello sam levinson..) But this show was not even close to any of that. It felt like the showmakers created this out of a deeply beloved nostalgia, and maybe even one they felt after becoming parents themselves, because some scenes, like the ones with Qin Ye Yun's dad, felt like they came from a parental perspective..

I found it really touching how this brings up economical and class struggles.

I know a lot of people dislike the ML/Jiang Qiao Xi, and even tho I don't agree with his actions, I see where he's coming from. I thought his character was beautifully complex, and the shame he felt was very human.

This was also a confirmation for me that Zhang Linghe can really ACT. It's a shame some people dismiss his talent just because he's known for being good looking.

Overall, I really loved this drama and I think it deserves a much higher rating than the current one.

Leia Mais

WHAT IN THE WOLD OF PLOT TWIST

It was good at first when there was mystery behind how the S Line started to appear. It kept me thrilled, it kept me interested. I was seriously thinking that the S Line was a developed technology or something of that sort.

Then later in the drama the plot twist took a turn for the worst. It became somewhat of a thriller-fantasy drama. I can accept that it would head towards a thriller-fantasy concept but what I could not accept was it unravelled and kept me interested only to lead me to the most confusing ending I have ever watched in my entire life. I did not understand what I was watching during the ending, and I am so disappointed I wasted my time.

It had such a good potential had it not been for the sudden shift of the plot and the mind boggling ending.

Leia Mais

Wonderful Chemistry, One Constant Discomfort

~ First Part (No Spoilers) ~

I started this drama mainly because I had heard good things about the romance, and in many ways, it delivered exactly what I was looking for.

The chemistry between the two leads was excellent. Their interactions felt natural, their playful moments made me smile, and once they acknowledged their feelings, I absolutely loved watching them together. One of my favorite aspects of this drama was that the romance didn't stop after the confession. Instead, we were given plenty of affectionate moments, kisses, longing looks, and the kind of romantic tension that made their relationship feel alive. As someone who loves seeing couples actually enjoy being together, this was incredibly satisfying.

I also have to praise He Yu. His performance was one of the biggest reasons I kept watching. Jin Zhao is charismatic, protective, and emotionally expressive, and He Yu portrayed those qualities wonderfully. Even when I disagreed with some of Jin Zhao's decisions later in the story, I never stopped appreciating his acting.

I also enjoyed several of the supporting characters. San Lai was one of my favorites, bringing both humor and honesty to the story. I especially appreciated how he wasn't afraid to challenge Jin Zhao when he believed he was making the wrong choices. The supporting cast added warmth to the story and made many scenes even more enjoyable.

Unfortunately, there was one aspect that constantly prevented me from fully embracing the romance: the adopted sibling dynamic.

I completely understand that Jin Zhao and Mu Mu are not related by blood, and I know that this won't bother every viewer. However, because they were raised as brother and sister, I personally never managed to forget that part of their relationship. I genuinely tried to look past it because I loved their chemistry so much, but that feeling of discomfort stayed with me from the beginning until the very end. Even when the story referenced this relationship near the ending, it reminded me of the same uneasiness I had felt from the start.

This is, of course, entirely personal, and many viewers may not feel the same way. I simply wanted to mention it because I think it's something potential viewers should know before starting the drama.

~ Spoilers ~

The drama changes its tone quite significantly after the time skip, becoming much more serious than the first half.

While I appreciated that the story became more emotional, I found myself becoming frustrated with Jin Zhao's decisions, particularly regarding his illness.

What bothered me wasn't his desire to protect Mu Mu—it was the fact that he made that decision for her. He chose to hide the truth, asked everyone else to lie as well, ignored her messages, and allowed years to pass without giving her the chance to decide what she wanted.

One of my favorite moments in this storyline was actually when San Lai confronted him. He pointed out exactly what I had been thinking: protecting someone shouldn't mean taking away their ability to choose.

Personally, I believe that if someone truly loves you, they deserve the truth. Let them decide whether they want to stay by your side instead of deciding for them. I truly believe Mu Mu would have chosen to remain by his side, which made this part of the story particularly frustrating for me.

Despite these frustrations, I still genuinely enjoyed the romance. The chemistry between the leads remained one of the drama's greatest strengths, and I loved every moment where they simply acted like two people deeply in love.

Overall, I had a really good time watching this drama. It made me laugh, gave me plenty of butterflies, and introduced me to another actor whose future projects I'll definitely be watching.

I would still recommend this drama—but with one small warning. If the adopted sibling dynamic is something that might make you uncomfortable, it's worth knowing that this element remains part of the story throughout the drama. If, however, you're able to look past it or it doesn't bother you, I think you'll have an even better experience than I did, because the chemistry, romance, and performances are genuinely enjoyable.

Leia Mais

A historical fantasy short drama with beautiful cinematography, mystery, and emotional longing.

I am not writing a huge review. I felt like writing cos this is an underrated short drama.
Its a story between 1000 years old beautfiul demon and a young magistrate.
If you like Love Beyond the grave, you are going to love this one. In my opinion, this drama has vibes of (and a lighter version of ) Love Beyond the grave . However the story is build upon mystery cases which i loved it.
The production had a fantastic job, outfits, decors , make ups, everything was somehow perfect. i cant complain. Once again, with a low budget, this is a gem.
I lost in the story line, never get bored. THe OST is amazing also the editing hits the bull eye.
the chemistry between the leads is increadibly good
I highly recommend
enjoy!

Leia Mais

MY BICKERING COUPLE /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\

For me, this was a fun, fluffy, and light-hearted drama with a nice mix of business and office politics, which I really enjoyed. However, I didn't like how some characters took up so much screen time despite not contributing much to the overall plot.

I also wish we had gotten more episodes focusing on Yifei and Qianfei's dating era. They only showed about 3–4 episodes of them as a couple, but I wanted to see more of their sweet, adorable, and fluffy relationship. I absolutely loved how Yifei and Qianfei were always teasing each other. They were my ideal bickering couple! 🥹💕 Their playful banter made their relationship feel so natural and entertaining. Another big plus point for me was that there weren't any major misunderstandings between them. It was so refreshing to watch a couple communicate and trust each other instead of being dragged into unnecessary drama.
And I have to say, my favorite scenes were whenever Yifei got jealous over Qianfei. 😂 Those moments were adorable, hilarious, and honestly some of the best scenes in the entire drama for me. I also really loved that there was never a scene where Yifei's dad objected to Yifei and Qianfei's relationship. It was such a refreshing change! He was a genuinely sweet, supportive, and caring father. 🥹💖I also loved Qianfei's parents. They were warm, understanding, and supportive, which made both families so enjoyable to watch. It was nice to see a drama without unnecessary family opposition getting in the way of the main couple's relationship. ❤️

The chemistry between the leads was one of the highlights of the drama. Wang Churan and Tan Jianci were so good together that I really hope they get paired up again in another drama. 🥹💕Although this drama had a few drawbacks, especially the pacing and some slow scenes, I stayed till the end because of Wang Churan and Tan Jianci. 🥹💕 I absolutely loved them as Qian Fei and Li Yifei. Their chemistry, acting, and playful relationship were the biggest reasons I kept watching. ❤️✨

Leia Mais

An Eye-Opening Drama Worth Watching

I liked this series because it presents its themes in a way that feels believable and grounded in reality. The situations and conflicts made sense, which made the overall experience more impactful. It also explores important issues from different perspectives, making it genuinely educational and thought-provoking.

One thing I appreciated the most was the ending. It gave the main character's journey a proper conclusion instead of leaving obvious setups for another season. It felt complete, rather than relying on popularity to justify continuing the story.

On a lighter note, I couldn't stop thinking that Cho Gyu-cheol looks like Aloysius O'Hare from *The Lorax*. I know it's completely unrelated, but once I noticed it, I genuinely couldn't unsee it and it kept making me laugh.

Leia Mais

Gen z couple drama with summer vibes

This is a beautiful summer drama and it is the first drama I watched when it was airing as I became interested after many pre released reels started to show on my timeline. I live for Chinese separation trope dramas from Crush, The First Frost and Speed and Love. This one matched well with SAL and I remember obsessing over all of them. No does it like Chinese in this separation trope.
People may say there are some problems with the story but honestly chemistry between the leads makes you forget that flaw. I love those dramas where all the drama is only focused on the main leads this one too.
Acting wise at first I found Baobao lacking a bit but then suddenly she improved so much and she did exceptionally well in the emotional scenes. Keyu on the other hand also did so well and made the viewers cry with him. They both are doing great job. Everybody’s gen z couple and I must say gen z couple does hit differently, didn’t realize before they are the first. They are rising stars and have a bright future ahead. This was my first drama of both of them and now I am a fan of both.
The main selling points of this drama are main leads visuals, their outstanding chemistry and exceptional acting. Also not missing osts. The c dramas I am addicted to I always love the osts too, this one being no exception.

Leia Mais

tell me the facts, i'll learn. tell me the truth, i'll believe. tell me a story?

it will live in my heart forever.


I'm speechless. Seeing Choi Hyun-Wook in this show was an experience on it's own, his way of portraying the character was just WOAH.
The story was amazingly written, I'm not going to spoil, but the plottwists and the way this show was built up felt very rewarding and mind-blowing.
Not even once did I think that it was boring or anything, like the professor kept sinking more and more into the story, I found myself inhaling the drama. I think this won't leave my mind for a very long time, last time I felt like this was when I watched "Parasite" or "The frog" and trust me, I ain't complaining.
Choi Hyun-Wook was THE choice for this role and I'm very glad we got to see such a talented actor playing a quite different character from his usual dramas!!

Anyways..

To be continued...

(iykyk)

Leia Mais

Ignore the weird haters, this show was legitimately *fantastic*!

Some people were calling this 'bromance' (as if that would be a bad thing even if it were true, although the relationship depicted in this show actually goes far beyond that, so it's not even true anyway) or even 'queerbait' and hating on it for literally no reason other than the fact that actors Sky and Nani have (so far) simply chosen not to kiss each other in their series, nor perform some of the typical physical-fanservice activities outside of filming that most other Thai branded-pairs tend to do (which is all well within their rights to choose, by the way). Never mind the fact that there are literally multiple other 'actual' (marketed-as) BL media in existence where there is no kissing or physical intimacy at all other than just some hand-touches or hugs, just like here, yet I hear no one arguing that THOSE shows are 'bromance' or 'queerbait'! 🙄🤦 (Certain reactions to this show have also felt a bit like acephobia or aromantic/asexual {aro/ace} erasure-- as if they believe that a partnership 'has' to have physical intimacy or romance to be 'real.' Uh, no, it most definitely does *not,* as a whole host of aroace-spectrum people in real life can confirm...)

In reality, "Wu" is actually quite a queer series (which is made rather-explicitly clear via some dialogue, too, even if you somehow manage to miss all of the directing and acting cues), with both a real-life trans actress portraying an important trans character in-universe who is taken very seriously and respectfully, and a partnership between the two main characters that is (from my personal perspective as someone who is on the aroace spectrum myself) an absolutely beautiful, shining, and unfortunately-*far*-too-rare example of a queerplatonic partnership (a real-world term for any committed non-romantic relationship that is a true partnership, which falls outside of standard societal 'romantic' norms).

Anyone with any media literacy at all should be able to tell that the two main characters were absolutely being portrayed as life-partners. Yes, there were some jokes and some lampshading about it at first (along with some clearly-panicked denials in the 'doth-protest-too-much' vein, lol). But anyone who has consumed as much fictional media as I have over the course of my life can spot all the tropes, as well as all the nuances in the acting, and ALL of that pointed *very* clearly to these two characters being true queerplatonic partners. Not only did they do every single standard trope for couples (including couples in non-romance-focused works), and neither had any hint of (nor any interest in) any other partners, but the characters themselves are literally bound by life, death, soul, heart, and traditional jewelry; they canonically love each other; and it is outright stated multiple times in the show that they are partners! I'm sorry, but seriously, how much more proof does one need? That is not 'friendship,' that is so far beyond 'friendship' that to claim so is just absurd, lol. So, yes, despite them not kissing/etc. nor using any traditional 'romantic' labels for themselves in the series, they are partners. And this was one of the most beautiful depictions of queerplatonic partnership that I have ever seen. (Please let content creators make more media with QPP's like this! 🙏)

Now, all that said, let's finally talk about the rest of the show, lol:

The music (and I mean all of it-- the instrumental score {which is available on music platforms!} as well as the vocal OST's), direction, cinematography, and production were surprisingly excellent.

And the acting was *brilliant.* Nothing was over-exaggerated, yet you could still read every single thought and emotion on the main characters' faces (and through their eyes), and even comic-relief side characters were taken seriously.

As for the plot, I loved how much the fantasy/mythology elements felt so much like a manga yet still also so grounded, as well as how at the same time it incorporated some excellent political commentary. 🔥 I also really loved how well-written the internal character growth journey for the 2 main characters was. (My only one small quibble with the plot was the slightly weird, apparently-ableist take on Deafness that was briefly mentioned twice 😅, but not being Thai myself, there might be some kind of cultural nuance I'm missing there? Regardless, that was a very minor ding against an otherwise absolutely-fantastic show, so I did not let those 2 small moments affect my overall rating.) (EDIT: And the show also has really great rewatch value-- upon a rewatch, there were so many great little details that were now noticeable and new layers revealed to be already present after knowledge that was gained later in the series the first time through! 👍 )

Finally, please note that every episode contains a mid-credits scene, and all of them are important!

TL;DR: This was top-tier, easily one of my all-time favorite Thai shows, and one I greatly look forward to rewatching. Absolutely recommended!

Leia Mais