This review may contain spoilers
Heaviest series I watched
One series that proves the number of episodes doesn't matter. Imagine telling such a powerful story in just six episodes. So many emotions were shaken, and every episode left a lasting impact.I think everyone had been looking forward to this series ever since the teaser was released two years ago. My first impression back then was, "They're really brave for tackling the Catholic faith." I knew it was going to be controversial.
Let's start with the acting. No question about it. GemFourth absolutely nailed their roles. The cinematography? Equally impressive. Every frame felt intentional and beautifully executed.
What surprised me the most was that I rarely felt the usual "kilig" while watching. Instead, there was always a heaviness sitting in my heart. I felt so much pain for Tanrak because you could feel the weight he was carrying. The guilt, the fear, the confusion. Watching him question his faith was heartbreaking because that's one of the heaviest things that can happen to someone who has devoted his life to it. He wasn't just struggling with love. He was questioning everything he had believed in.
Episode 5 was probably my favorite. I was completely silent the entire time. For me, it was the heaviest episode of the series, and every scene hit exactly where it was supposed to.
And then the ending gave the answer I had been waiting for. No one can question another person's love. You can still love God while loving someone wholeheartedly. Those two things don't have to cancel each other out.
What I appreciate the most about Ticket to Heaven is that it never tried to paint the Catholic faith as the villain. Instead, it presented both sides with respect and compassion. It encourages understanding rather than judgment, and I genuinely hope more people watch it with an open mind.
This is one of those series that will stay with me for a long time. It definitely left a mark.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love is the most beautiful and important thing in the world.
If god teaches us to love, but we're not allowed to love each other, then what's the point in having god in this world.A very deep statement. I don't believe in a god, but if there were a god, he shouldn't forbid people to love each other, because love is the most beautiful and important thing in the world.
I do like that they didn't put down the religion as the worst thing there is, and even the priests can love and forgive.
Though i am an atheist, i respect people who believe, as long as they don't use religion to hurt other people. Live and let live is my philosophy.
This was a very beautiful story en very well executed by the whole cast. GMMTV showed again that they can produce amazing drama's. The music was beautiful and the visuals great.
Gemini and Fourth have great chemistry and good kisses.
This is really a must watch!
And be aware that there is a bonus clip after the end credits of episode 6.
Was this review helpful to you?
Flawless Masterpiece – A Must-Watch 10/10
This drama is perfect from start to finish. If you are looking for a show with great acting, a beautiful story, and amazing music, you need to watch this right now.What I Loved:
The Story: It is beautifully written. It has the perfect mix of happy, sweet moments and deep emotional scenes. It never feels boring, and the ending is completely satisfying.
The Acting: The main actors have incredible chemistry. They don't even need to speak to show how they feel—their expressions say it all. You will truly care about every single character.
The Music & Visuals: The show looks like a movie. Every scene is shot beautifully with great lighting. On top of that, the soundtrack is amazing and makes every emotional moment feel twice as powerful.
Final Thoughts:
I honestly have no complaints. It is a heartwarming, unforgettable journey that I will definitely watch again
Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece!!
Watched the whole series. It's about queer struggle with religious guilt. It's brings healing to every heart out there struggling with reconciling their faith and sexuality. It's truth a masterpiece. The acting , directing, cinematography, everything is great. Actors Gemini and Fourth are incredibly talented. Please watch the show.Was this review helpful to you?
Uma história de amor, fé e esperança
#TicketToHeaven é uma das obras mais lindas, sensíveis e emocionantes que tive a oportunidade de assistir. É uma série que toca em uma realidade extremamente dolorosa para muitas pessoas da comunidade LGBTQIA+, especialmente para aquelas que cresceram em ambientes religiosos, convivendo com a culpa, o medo e o sentimento de inadequação.Mas, mais do que abordar esses conflitos, o que realmente me encantou foi a forma como a história escolheu contá-los. Em vez de seguir apenas pelo caminho da dor, a série constrói uma narrativa delicada, acolhedora e cheia de esperança, mostrando que o amor e a fé não precisam ser inimigos. Foi muito bonito acompanhar uma história que acredita que ambos podem coexistir.
Todo o arco do Tanrak foi emocionante. A descoberta dos primeiros sentimentos, as dúvidas, a culpa cristã, o receio de decepcionar as pessoas ao seu redor e, por fim, a aceitação de si mesmo. Ver ele entender que não precisava abrir mão da sua fé para viver o amor, nem negar quem era para continuar acreditando, foi uma das coisas mais bonitas da série.
Eu particularmente gostei muito desse tom esperançoso. Mesmo sabendo que, para muitas pessoas, a realidade ainda é muito diferente e muito mais dolorosa, achei reconfortante ver uma obra escolher transmitir uma mensagem de acolhimento. Não porque essa seja a experiência de todos, mas porque histórias assim também são importantes. Elas mostram uma possibilidade, oferecem conforto para quem precisa e lembram que ninguém deveria ser obrigado a escolher entre sua fé e quem é.
Além da mensagem, a série também acerta muito nas atuações, na direção e na forma delicada como conduz cada momento. Tudo parece feito com muito carinho e respeito pelos personagens e pela história que está sendo contada.
É uma série linda, emocionante e extremamente sensível. Uma história que fala sobre amor, fé, aceitação e esperança sem deixar de reconhecer a dor que existe nesse caminho. Sem dúvida, vai permanecer comigo por muito tempo.
Was this review helpful to you?
A Beautiful Time-Travel Story with Flawless Performances
As a huge fan of the genre, my expectations were high, and honestly, the story was absolutely beautiful. The time-travel element is incredibly well-crafted, but what truly elevates this drama and keeps you hooked is its phenomenal cast.Without a doubt, the lead actors were the absolute highlight. Their chemistry and dedication are flawless; they have a brutal ability to reach through the screen and make you feel every single ounce of emotion, nostalgia, or pain. A special and mandatory shoutout goes to Heo Nam-jun, his performance was spectacular. He possesses a magnetism and talent that practically scream that the industry is long overdue in giving him more main lead roles.
On the antagonist side, Jang Seung-jo definitely understood the assignment. He managed to evoke a genuine anger in me; he’s one of those villains who is so well-acted that you feel pure hatred every single time he steps into a scene.
If I had to find one flaw in the script, it’s that the subplot with the two aunts felt pretty unnecessary. They seemed to be there more as filler than for any actual narrative purpose, though fortunately, they don't ruin the overall experience.
All in all, a gorgeous fantasy story driven by perfect lead performances. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a great time-travel journey with a lot of heart.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
THE BEST BL I WATCH
i have no word. you guys should watched it NOW.oh god geminifourth acting is insane, from moonlight chicken, my school president, our skyy 2, my love mix-up, and this...like insane. i just hope it's a lil bit longer because so many things are just montage and a lot of time skip, i hope they show more like when tanrak going to tell father after he ran away with barth, or how barth tell his mom that tanrak is his boyfriend, or when they living together before and after they being a husband...
and don't forget to support their upcoming the love of siam the musical in theather...
also gmmtv is jerk to tth, no promotion like other series, it's like they don't care and just move on after they upload tth, they even don't write how many country trend for tth, like the last ep it's has 168 country trend in x but they just write 130 and many more countries??? how hard it is to writh tth is trend in 168 country???
ticket to heaven trending in so many country but we get
❌️NO gmmtv live house
❌️NO fan gathering with the cast
❌️NO talk show/variety show (gmmtv or outside)
❌️NO official x space
❌️NO series vlog
❌️NO new photobook
❌️NO cp magazine
❌️VERY ridiculously least cp event
❌️NO promo or content with other cast
Was this review helpful to you?
Another Series Victim of Great Production But No Depth
I could tell the team behind this series genuinely tried their best in giving it the most possible depth they could give with the limited 8 episodes they had to work with, but in the end, there was only so much they could do while still doing justice to the novel.The selling points of the plot were supposed to be the angst and forbidden love between Vayo and Blew, however, they weren't able to fully sell and capture the said selling points because, once again, they only had 8 episodes to work with. From the start, I already knew this was gonna be the struggle of the show, but I still gave it a chance because the plot is one of the first of its kind in the GL genre (let's not talk about Only You please).
My 7.5 rating is for the production, the acting, and the action scenes, because they all actually slap. Definitely a few wtf moments and unrealistic scenes, but it's a fictional show with fantasy elements (princess and commoner), so I let it slide.
What I would also like to pinpoint is how surface-level the 'intimate and getting to know scenes' were of Vayo and Blew. Sure, they were sweet, soft, and cute, but nothing that would have let the viewers understand why Vayo fell so deeply in love with Blew and why Blew was willing to step down from being the next queen and get stripped of her royal title. I was hoping for the "Oh shit, do I like her?" moments for both of them. But the writing and scenes made it clear that they already liked each other from the very beginning, so there was no thrill.
My final thoughts: I wish the writers understood the target audience with a plot like this. This plot works best with the effective accompaniment of elements of forbidden angst, battle of setting boundaries with respect to duty and status, and slow burn. Sure, they definitely slowed the burn, only giving Vayo and Blew episode 7 to truly 'be together ' but everything leading up to that moment felt very empty and wasn't convincing enough.
Overall, my only concerns were from the lack of depth in the romance aspect of Vayo and Blew which became even more apparent in the final scene when Blew told her dad she was stepping down as queen and how she couldn't live with Lom because girl, at that point, as a viewer I was questioning whether she was for real or simply infatuated with the fact that Lom kept saving her ass during the entire crisis.
I hope this is a lesson to upcoming GLs with plots like this that the build-up of the main characters' connection, intimacy, and tension is what makes or breaks a show like this. If only they had done a better job of setting up Vayo and Blew's characters as they fell in love, it would've made this show an instant, undeniable hit.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This series feels so close and familiar because it reflects a reality that exists all around us
I have so many things I want to say about this series, but I think the first thing I want to say is thank you so much to P'Aof and GeminiFourth for creating such a gift for everyone who has struggled with their beliefs and sexuality. From the title and synopsis, people might think it's just another doomed BL with a tragic ending, but trust me, TTH is an absolute masterpiece.The story shines because Barth and Tanrak are the true heart of it. They are never overshadowed. Instead, the series is entirely about them as individuals, each carrying their own pain.
With Tanrak, you can truly feel how hollow he is. His only purpose in life is to reunite with his parents in heaven. His dreams and his life have never really been for himself. The faith he holds onto so tightly and his dream of becoming a priest are the only paths he believes will lead him back to heaven.
As for Barth, he was raised in a Catholic family and taught never to question the rigid system, even though he witnessed how that very system and those beliefs continued to hurt the people he loved, including himself. Eventually, he became angry with both those beliefs and with God because the help he prayed for every day, and the God he had been taught about all his life, never seemed to be there when he truly needed Him.
Even though this series is only six episodes long, the story is incredibly clear and flows so naturally. You can feel the tension, the fear, the anxiety, the longing, the vulnerability, the desperation, and the love. Kudos to Gemini and Fourth especially for bringing these characters to life so beautifully that I ended up crying for both of them every episodes.
This series taught me so much about humanity, society, and faith. It also made me question so many things about myself and the world around me. And the ending? Chef's kiss. Tanrak doesn't have to choose. He can continue loving God and loving the boy he loves at the same time.
There are no purely bad people in this series, nor are there purely good ones. They are all simply human. I think that is the most beautiful interpretation of the idea that God is love. I read somewhere in Tw and cant help to write it here, TTH can be the classic tragic story about religion and sexuality, but no this series choose to be the light, the hope, the love and the faith. And personaly i think its also realistic and human.
Overall, this series is now my number one!
To end this review with my favorite quote from the series :
"Remember, you can love God and love yourself at the same time."
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Better Writing would've Made it Shine even Brighter
I cannot believe it took me 8 days short of 6 months to complete this drama. I think this happened for 2 main reasons1. Shine aired at a time when my country was also going through political protests. Specifically, student-led, gen z led protests. The issues, especially the police and military brutality, just hit too close to home for me. Reality bled into fiction, or was it the other way around? The point is, it was too much. I use dramas as an escape from daily life. At the time, this show just magnified the reality around me
2. I accidentally got spoilers. Thank you, my carefully constructed Twitter algorithm. As soon as the show aired, I knew what happened to whom, and that quickly diminished my desire to continue with the show.
Now on to the show itself,
I believe that 'Shine' is a very important story. It gets points for tackling something outside the usual BL lens with the heaviness and seriousness that it deserves. I may not know much about Thai politics, but I know all too well the plight and fight of the people against cruel, corrupt governments.
As for the characters
✨Trin and Tanwa - I found their opposites-attract relationship interesting at first. However, as the story unfolded and as the political matters became more serious, I found them to be more than a little mismatched. I love that Tanwa's carefree attitude and playfulness helped open Trin up to a whole new world. Something less buttoned up than he was used to.
But how did Trin influence Tanwa? The politics and reform matters were important to Trin, but Tanwa never involved himself in them. Never steps foot in this world that Trin cared deeply about - even though his view of some things did come from a privileged lens. Tanwa's story is all about his daddy issues and drug use. For a show whose main theme is political revolution, it was odd that one of its main characters was so removed from it
✨Victor - Turns out that he'd become my favourite character. N not only that, but I also felt like he had been older and a tad bit more mature in his approach for revolution, he'd have made a better partner for Trin. Especially intellectually, and even more so due to the time period they lived in. His dying, particularly in the way he did, broke me. His death is an unfortunate reality of what happens when the pple decide to fight the government.
I have seen this reality on the news more times than I want to recall. I get it, I understand it, but I don't got to like it. I am disappointed in how the show added that 'Don't tell Trin' conversation btwn him and Tanwa. They used that to absolve Tanwa and give him and Trin a happy ending. Lowkey, I feel like Tanwa having to carry that burden of Victor's death would've been a better, more impactful ending for someone like him.
I hope to see more of Peter as an actor in the future
✨Krailert and Naran - I knew it was likely going to end the way it did, I just did not expect the specific route it took to land where they did. I thought that their political differences would drive them apart. Because, yes, opposites attract, but not in cases such as this one. The difference was too much.
I expected that Krailert would choose the military might over Naran and what he fought 4. You know, as he was just another cog in the militaristic machine. I just never expected him to reveal everything, hope for a happy ending, only to be stopped by the wife and her powerful family. While they both left broken-hearted, I feel the most for Krailert. I just know that he spent most of the rest of his life in that room crying, reliving their memories, and playing that song he composed over and over on that piano.
Now Son and Euro as a ship... may the BL gods give them another worthy script in the future. Their acting skills and chemistry deserve another chance. Hopefully, one with a happier ending this time
✨Dhevi (and to an extent, Veera) - To say that ep 8 shocked me would be an understatement. What do you mean that this long-suffering woman, whom I spent 7 episodes feeling bad for, was going to trap a man she knew would never love her by threatening to kill the man he loved? Her turning evil was not in the realm of possibilities in my head. And lowkey did not make sense. I hated that twist.
With all the power she had thanks to her father and brothers, she should've found a way to keep Veera alive and divorced this man who would clearly never love her. She deserved a better character ending than what we got. Speaking of Veera, that horrible hoophobic military general died 'alone' in his cell in the same way that we saw Veera's body. I wonder if the specific way of setting up his death, this was the doing of the other military guys or Dhevi coz I believe that she somewhat loved him.
✨Final Thoughts✨
While I appreciate the heavy topics explored in this drama, I think the writing, especially that of specific characters, left me disappointed. Most of the acting by the cast was exceptional, and I fell in love with the main OSTs. 'Far Side of the Moon', 'Half of Everything', and 'Am I in Love' have found their way into and a permanent place in my playlists
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A good vision undone by execution
This isn’t my usual genre, and honestly, I only wanted to watch because of Ding Yuxi. I hadn’t decided what to watch yet at the time I picked up the series, but seeing DYX in a modern outfit with injuries and suffering (Haitangs will know) felt like reason enough to check this drama out.Episode 1 wasn’t a bad introduction. From there, I figured the timeline wouldn’t be linear, so I braced myself to pay closer attention in case follow‑ups, explanations, or world‑building details would be clarified in later episodes. They weren’t.
I know the kind of content that prompts discussion, theorizing, and analysis, and I don’t mind rolling up my sleeves, putting on my glasses, and digging deeper for understanding or resolution. But there are also stories that spark these discussions simply because they fail to establish themselves properly. Unfortunately, this series falls into the latter category.
Yes, it’s action‑packed and detail‑heavy, sprinkled with fantasy and adventure. But that’s exactly why I couldn’t figure out why the entire series felt so hollow. The world‑building was basically throwing everything into a bowl, mixing it without proper context or foundation, tossing in action, thriller, and conspiracy elements, and calling it a day.
My biggest gripe isn’t even the lack of categorical clarity—it’s the characters! They all needed to be explored with depth. Instead, bad writing and direction merely skimmed the surface. The biggest letdown here is Zhang Hai Xia. His character is rich with an inner battle of morality and conflict, yet he was reduced to a one‑dimensional villain.
Technically, the flaws are glaring as well. I wouldn’t mind if the effects weren’t cutting‑edge, but the editing was botched: transitions felt sloppy, pacing was rushed, and the hollowness of it all was swept under the rug. The direction was as weak as the writing.
Aside from DYX, what compelled me to finish this drama were the leads. The casting was perfect, and their portrayals were phenomenal, no questions asked. Even the secondary and side characters delivered strong performances, and that alone carried the entire series.
The drama clearly had a vision—I could see it too, if I’m being honest. This could have been an excellent series with strong foundational elements. But execution ruined most of it, if not everything. Technically, Zhang Hai Xia and Zhang Hai Lou’s relationship was undone by their circumstances and their ties to Zhang Hai Qi. But as a viewer, what ruined them and all the other beautifully characters was poor execution.
No matter how much suspense, action, or plot twists you pile on, it will always feel hollow without proper foundation, clear direction, and strong execution.
So much potential, wasted. Ding Yuxi understood the essence of the story and brought out so many interesting points, especially with Hai Xia during his interviews and posts. Honestly, I think it would’ve turned out better if he had held the pen himself.
Glad it’s over, though not for the right reasons.
Was this review helpful to you?
THE BEST OF THE BEST!
This is really by far, the best BL series I've ever watched.I've seen quite a few BL series before, but this is the first time I've been this invested in a pairing.
I'm not blind, I know this series has received mixed opinions, and I respect that. But personally, I have to disagree. Yes, the plot is familiar. The storyline is predictable. But it still felt like such a breath of fresh air.
Duang is a perfect character to me, and I honestly don't understand why some people think otherwise. He's so human. A true lover boy, a walking green flag, he respects boundaries, remains patient, remembers even the smallest details about the person he loves, and is willing to step back if that's what the other person needs.
And Qin... hmm, he's probably one of the most realistic characters I've seen. That's why I'm always confused when people criticize him for being quiet. Trauma affects people differently yk. If you've never experienced something that makes you withdraw from the world, then I'm genuinely happy for you. But Qin's reactions felt incredibly real to me. And despite everything he's been through, he's strong. Really, really strong.
Ironically, I think the series being "predictable" is part of what made it so enjoyable. You may have an idea of where the story is going, but the performances keep surprising you. The emotions never feel predictable.
At the end of the day, a good script can only take you so far. When the actors genuinely have chemistry, every scene just hits differently.
Duang With You will always have a special place in my heart. 🤍
Was this review helpful to you?
The Fisherwoman Is as Fierce as a Tiger: Obedient Husband, Please Comply!
2 people found this review helpful
A very positive slice of life vertical drama
I watched this while doing a vertical drama marathon with Wang Bing Xiang and quite surprise to see him pairing with Zheng Chu Chen because I haven't see her for quite sometime in vertical dramas.This on is a non toxic and very positive slice of life vertical drama that I really enjoy watching it from beginning to end (but some people may feel bored because it take almost 3 hours to complete). There are less negative scheming drama or less face slapping here and there. This one more focused on building their life in fishing village during 1970s.
My personal opinion, Wang Bing Xiang really suited casting for this timelines drama (1970s, 1980s, 1990s), and he done a lot of it already. Love to watch interaction and relationship between the Village Head with Zheng Chu Chen character (both quite cunning and sly with each other).
Highly recommended to watch!!!
Note: I only watched this one version so far. There are currently 9 versions available (including this one) and all versions already finish aired.
Was this review helpful to you?
Welcom to 1980
Do you like ethical transgressions without consequences—featuring a bit of acting talent, plenty of filters, and an approach that perfectly portrays men as superior to women?Then this is exactly the right thing for you!
No, seriously—
you can tell right from the first phone call, just by the way the woman speaks without any authority, that men are the ones who have to be listened to here, regardless of whether they’re right or wrong.
I was hoping the boyfriend might help her grow morally, but nothing doing.
The most unbelievable part, though, is a doctor disregarding his professional principles.
Sorry, but I don't need a second season; the storytellers and producers should probably just focus on inanimate objects instead.
Was this review helpful to you?
Love and Faith
I'm still not over this absolutely amazing and unforgettable love story. Honestly, I don't think any review could ever do this series justice. If someone asked me to recommend just one show to watch, this would be my answer without a second thought.Everything about this series feels perfect—the plot, the characters, the storytelling, the emotions. Every single episode has a purpose, and not once did I feel like I was wasting my time. There isn't a single scene that I'd skip or regret watching.
What makes this series so special is that it isn't just about love between two people. It's about believing in yourself, finding hope when life feels impossible. It reminds you that even when everything seems to be falling apart, you can still find someone who makes life worth holding on to.
Tanrak and Barth's story beautifully captures the emotional conflict that many queer people experience. It explores the struggle between faith, identity, love, and acceptance with so much honesty and compassion. It shows that believing in God and being true to yourself don't have to exist in opposition. That message alone stayed with me long after I finished watching.
This series made me smile, laugh, cry, and sit in silence with emotions I didn't even realize I was carrying. Some moments are so raw and deeply moving that they reach places in your heart you've kept hidden for years.
What I admire most is its authenticity. Nothing feels exaggerated or unnecessary. The characters feel like real people, the emotions feel genuine, and the relationships develop so naturally that you almost forget you're watching a drama. It feels as if you're living alongside them rather than simply watching their story unfold.
This isn't just a BL romance—it's a story about love in its purest form: love for another person, love for yourself, faith, family, forgiveness, and hope.
I truly believe the hours you spend watching this series will stay with you long after it's over. It isn't just entertaining—it changes something within you. And by the end, you'll find yourself learning something from every single character.
Was this review helpful to you?
