An entire campus apparently deciding that everyone should be in love immediately.
How do you review We Are when your main memories are architecture students, group dinners, and an alarming number of people accidentally finding soulmates at the exact same university?This series really looked at university BLs and said, "What if we gave you four couples, one giant friend group, and enough wholesome chaos to sustain an entire fandom?"
First came Phum and Peem.
Or as I like to call them:
Human flirting machine × man pretending he wasn't enjoying any of it.
Pond and Phuwin once again proved that chemistry is apparently one of Thailand's renewable resources.
Phum flirted like it was his full-time job.
Peem resisted like it was his full-time job.
Neither of them were particularly successful.
Then came Tan and Fang.
The definition of "we've been in love with each other for so long that everyone else already knows."
Aou and Boom delivered quiet affection, mature communication, and enough domestic energy to make viewers start planning weddings.
Then there were Chain and Pun.
The soft one and the softer one.
The kind of couple that makes you smile every time they appear on screen without fully understanding why.
And of course, Q and Toey.
Because apparently this friend group was operating under a strict "nobody gets left behind and everybody gets a boyfriend" policy.
Honestly?
Respect.
By the end of the series, it genuinely felt less like watching multiple romances and more like spending time with one enormous found family.
The dinners.
The trips.
The teasing.
The group chats that probably violated several noise regulations.
The friendships mattered just as much as the romances.
And that's exactly why the series worked.
Because We Are understood something important:
Love stories don't happen in isolation.
They happen around friends.
Around shared meals.
Around people who become part of your life simply because they refuse to leave.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul understood exactly what this story needed: comfort.
The series never rushed.
It never forced drama where it didn't belong.
Instead, it trusted the characters and their relationships enough to let viewers simply enjoy spending time with them.
The production team created a university world that felt vibrant, warm, and lived in.
The classrooms.
The studios.
The cafés.
The late-night hangouts.
Everything felt like somewhere you wanted to be.
The cinematography kept things bright and cozy, while the soundtrack somehow managed to make every confession and every lingering glance hit twice as hard.
We Are wasn't trying to reinvent university BLs.
It didn't need to.
This wasn't mafia politics.
This wasn't emotional devastation.
This wasn't overthrowing corrupt systems.
This was comfort television.
Premium-grade comfort television.
This was four couples, one giant friend group, and enough love to make the entire campus feel like home.
10/10.
Would absolutely join the friend group, attend every dinner, and become emotionally attached to every single one of these idiots all over again.
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One man discovering that his biggest competition was actually himself.
How do you review Fish Upon the Sky when your main memories are awkward makeovers, relentless teasing, and Pi looking like stress had personally selected him as its brand ambassador?This series really looked at the university romance genre and said, "What if we added insecurity, comedy, sibling interference, and enough secondhand embarrassment to physically leave your body?"
Pi had a crush.
A very serious crush.
The kind of crush that convinces you a complete personality overhaul is a reasonable life decision.
Unfortunately for him, Mork existed.
Confident.
Charming.
Annoyingly attractive.
And apparently operating on a full-time schedule of making Pi's life significantly more complicated.
Naturally, chaos followed.
Phuwin brought so much vulnerability, awkwardness, and relatable insecurity to Pi that it was impossible not to root for him.
Because beneath all the panic and overthinking was someone simply trying to believe that he was enough.
And honestly?
Haven't we all been there?
And Pond as Mork?
The king of teasing.
The emperor of patience.
The CEO of looking at someone like they've already won a competition they didn't even know they were in.
Watching Mork slowly prove to Pi that he was never interested in the version of Pi trying to impress the world and had always liked the version hiding underneath it all gave us one of the sweetest messages in Thai BL.
Then there was Duean.
The human embodiment of chaos.
The younger brother who somehow managed to create problems and solve them at the exact same time.
His relationship with Meen delivered some of the funniest moments in the entire series and honestly deserved its own support group.
The friend groups, the university setting, and the endless misunderstandings gave the series an energy that felt lively, messy, and incredibly fun.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director New Siwaj Sawatmaneekul understood exactly what this story needed: fun.
The series never took itself too seriously.
The comedy landed, the emotional moments hit when they needed to, and the story never forgot that sometimes romance is supposed to make you laugh as much as it makes you cry.
The production team embraced bright colors, energetic pacing, and exaggerated comedy while still allowing the characters space to grow.
The cinematography reflected the youthful, chaotic energy of university life perfectly.
And the soundtrack?
Pure serotonin.
Every song somehow made an already ridiculous situation feel even more adorable.
Fish Upon the Sky wasn't trying to reinvent the genre.
It wasn't trying to emotionally devastate you.
It wasn't trying to overthrow governments or run mafia empires.
This was chaos.
Premium-grade chaos.
This was insecure dental student × man who apparently decided flirting should qualify as an Olympic event.
10/10.
Would absolutely survive dental school, become emotionally attached to the friend group, and watch Mork flirt aggressively while Pi malfunctioned all over again.
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Convincing chemistry saving sluggishly paced story
I quite enjoyed this BL featuring the romance between grumpy music student Qin and sunshine art student Duang. The cat and dog energy was in full force with them, making their dynamics fun and sweet to follow.I really liked the way that TeeTee played Duang...It might have felt like A LOT in the first quarter of the series but as I get used to it, I became quite endeared by the character...which I must admit is probably a mirror of how Qin, the tsundere cold student felt, facing the over the top puppy energy of his suitor. The romance beginning could have felt stalkerish for some but I was charmed by the sweetness of it all, as well as the unexpected layers of the two main characters.
Was it without flaws? Certainly not. The pacing was properly sluggish, with a lot of screen time devoted to competitions and school aspects that did not really matter in the grand scheme of the story. Half the series felt like fillers but still, as I got more and more endeared by their relationship, I followed quite happily the less inspired moments of the story.
Another big flaw of the story is coming from the secondary couple played by Otto and North. I had a good prior feeling about the cast, having watched all the seasons of DMD Friendship, but unfortunately Otto and North definitely needed more time to be able to carry their storyline, which was clumsily written and felt very awkward with the recurring English talking...Maybe sticking to just speaking Thai would have already helped them? Having said that, I quite enjoyed the other relationships with the friend group being really cute to watch when bantering with Duang.
The production value was very good. DoMunDi production is proving once again that they can really develop a vibe specific to a show while maintaining great filming quality. It just feel done with care and budget. The soundtrack was not outstanding though, except the credits song, nothing really memorable to me, which is a bit of a shame given the central place of music in the story.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a sweet student BL with a sunshine x grumpy romance. The story could definitely be better paced and not every arcs is worth that much screen time...But the romance evolution, the unexpected deeper moments really save the series and make it worth a try.
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I will be buried with this.
There is SO much to say. I live everything. No other bl could ever beat kinnporsche in my eyes. every SINGLE day, I think about it and Vegaspete. vegaspete's storyline was so raw and beautiful i sometimes go back to watch just their scenes in the safehouse. I will FOREVER love this show until the day I die. this was maybe my second or just one of my first Bl's and I couldn't have been more happy that this was the one that changed my life. it literally did. change my whole life. I member I was maybe 12 or 13 and looking up where to watch love in the air and kinnposche. if I never saw some edits on tiktok, I dont know where or what I would be doing with my life now. I LOVE YOU😭😭😭Was this review helpful to you?
This feels like a love story written for tired people.
How do you review Love After Addiction when your main memories are sleepless nights, rescue missions, and You Xi looking at Yang Meng like he had personally invented REM sleep?This series really looked at the romance genre and said, "What if we added insomnia, career collapse, emotional dependency, unresolved history, and enough yearning to keep an entire city awake?"
You Xi had fame.
Success.
Recognition.
And absolutely none of the peace that was supposed to come with any of it.
Scandals happened.
Burnout happened.
Sleep stopped happening altogether.
Then came Yang Meng.
Former classmate.
Rescue captain.
Human sleeping pill.
Apparently.
Because somehow, against all known medical science, You Xi discovers that the only place he can sleep peacefully is next to him.
Honestly?
Cinema.
Lin Feng Song brought so much exhaustion, vulnerability, and quiet desperation to You Xi that watching him slowly unravel and rebuild himself felt painfully real.
And Chen Wen as Yang Meng?
The king of patience.
The emperor of emotional stability.
The CEO of accidentally becoming someone's safe place.
Watching Yang Meng slowly realize that You Xi needed far more than sleep while You Xi slowly learned the difference between dependence and love gave us one of the most emotionally mature relationships of the year.
Because this wasn't simply a romance.
It was a story about trust.
About loneliness.
About what happens when someone becomes the first place you've ever felt safe enough to rest.
And honestly?
That might be more intimate than love itself.
The supporting cast understood the assignment too.
The friends.
The colleagues.
The people trying to hold these two together while they stubbornly pretended they were handling everything perfectly fine.
Spoiler:
They were not.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Writer and director Nattachai Jiraanont understood exactly what this story needed: quiet.
The emotional moments weren't rushed.
The silences mattered.
The sleepless nights mattered.
The spaces between conversations often said more than the dialogue itself.
The cinematography deserves special praise.
The city lights at 3 AM.
The empty apartments.
The exhaustion written across faces illuminated by street lamps.
The contrast between sleeplessness and peace.
Every frame felt intimate.
Almost intrusive.
Like we were witnessing moments nobody else was supposed to see.
And the soundtrack?
Absolutely guilty of aiding and abetting emotional devastation.
Every song arrived precisely when viewers had almost convinced themselves they were emotionally stable again.
Almost.
Love After Addiction wasn't simply a BL.
It wasn't simply a second-chance romance.
It was a story about finding rest in another person after forgetting what rest even felt like.
This wasn't celebrity × rescue captain.
This wasn't ex-classmates-to-lovers.
This was insomniac actor × man who accidentally became home.
8/10.
Would absolutely lose sleep, make terrible emotional decisions, and watch these two idiots discover that sometimes the thing you're addicted to isn't sleep.
It's finally feeling safe enough to close your eyes.
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2 people finding their way back to life through melodies they thought they had lost forever.
How do you review First Note of Love when your main memories are recording studios, unfinished songs, and Neil and Sea looking at each other like they were hearing music nobody else could?This series really looked at the music romance genre and said, "What if we added grief, creative burnout, healing, and enough emotional damage to keep playlists employed for years?"
Neil used to live for music.
Then life happened.
Loss happened.
Silence happened.
And suddenly the thing that once made him feel alive became the very thing he couldn't bear to face.
Then came Sea.
A fan.
A dreamer.
A walking reminder of everything Neil thought he had lost.
And somehow, also the person who helped him find it again.
Charles Tu brought so much quiet sadness and vulnerability to Neil that watching him slowly reconnect with music — and with himself — felt incredibly moving.
And Michael Chang as Sea?
The king of optimism.
The emperor of emotional support.
The CEO of believing in someone long before they can believe in themselves.
Watching Sea patiently stand beside Neil while he learned how to create, grieve, and love again gave us one of the gentlest romances in recent Taiwanese BL.
Because this wasn't about saving someone.
It was about accompanying them.
There's a difference.
And First Note of Love understood it perfectly.
The supporting characters and music industry setting added so much texture to the world.
The rehearsals.
The recording sessions.
The pressure of expectations.
The fear of never being able to create something meaningful again.
Every part of it felt honest.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director Lien Chien Hung understood exactly what this story needed: space.
The emotional moments weren't rushed.
The silences were allowed to exist.
The music was allowed to speak when words couldn't.
The production team understood that songs in this story weren't simply background music.
They were memories.
Conversations.
Confessions.
Goodbyes.
The cinematography deserves special praise.
The stage lights.
The empty studios.
The city nights.
The moments where characters sat quietly with their thoughts while music carried the emotions they couldn't yet express.
And the soundtrack?
Honestly, calling it a soundtrack feels disrespectful.
It was another character.
Every song carried emotional weight.
Every lyric mattered.
Every melody told part of the story.
First Note of Love wasn't simply a romance.
It was a story about finding your voice after losing it.
About learning that grief and joy can exist together.
About understanding that moving forward doesn't mean leaving the past behind.
This wasn't celebrity × fan.
This wasn't sunshine × grumpy.
This was broken musician × person who reminded him that music was never truly gone.
10/10.
Would absolutely sit in that recording studio, cry over songs that don't exist outside this universe, and watch these two find their way back to music and to each other all over again.
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Good watch!!
I have read so many negative reviews for this drama. But the drama is pretty good actually. There are many refreshing things in this drama. I agree that there are clichés in this one too. Just like other kdramas. Acting of the cast was very brilliantly executed. I love the chemistry of Male and Female lead. Give this a try!!!Was this review helpful to you?
Two men discovering that yelling at each other is apparently just an alternative form of flirting.
How do you review Paint with Love when your main memories are unpaid invoices, artistic meltdowns, and Maze and Phap somehow turning workplace conflict into a love language?This series really looked at the office romance genre and said, "What if we added creative chaos, financial stress, emotional repression, and enough bickering to power the entire company?"
Maze liked order.
Schedules.
Budgets.
Spreadsheets.
The kind of man who probably color-coded his stress.
Then came Phap.
The human embodiment of "we'll figure it out later."
An artist powered entirely by talent, optimism, and a concerning lack of planning.
Naturally, the universe decided these two should spend all of their time together.
What could possibly go wrong?
Singto brought so much quiet frustration and vulnerability to Maze that watching his carefully organized life slowly descend into emotional chaos became one of the best parts of the show.
And Tae Darvid as Phap?
The king of chaos.
The emperor of impulse decisions.
The CEO of solving problems with vibes and determination.
Watching Phap slowly pull Maze out of survival mode while Maze gave Phap the stability and support he had been missing created a relationship that felt surprisingly balanced beneath all the arguments and teasing.
Because beneath the bickering, these two understood each other in ways neither of them expected.
And honestly?
That's where the magic was.
Then there was Nueng and the rest of the team, who somehow managed to turn the office into one giant dysfunctional family.
The friendships, the workplace dynamics, and the shared creative struggles gave the series a warmth that made the world feel lived in.
And can we talk about the people behind the camera?
Director Peemapol Panichtamrong understood exactly what this story needed: personality.
The series embraced the chaos, the humor, and the messiness of creative work without losing sight of the emotional heart underneath it all.
The production team leaned heavily into color, art, and visual storytelling, making the studio itself feel like a character in the story.
The paintings.
The sketches.
The unfinished canvases.
Everything reflected the emotional states of the people creating them.
And the cinematography?
Beautifully playful.
Bright colors and creative framing gave the show an energy that perfectly matched its characters.
The soundtrack?
An accomplice to emotional and romantic crimes.
Paint with Love wasn't trying to be the most dramatic BL of its generation.
It wasn't trying to emotionally devastate you.
This was enemies-to-lovers for people who enjoy watching organized men suffer because of artistic chaos gremlins.
This was businessman × artist.
Spreadsheets × paintbrushes.
Control × creativity.
10/10.
Would absolutely work at that studio, miss every deadline imaginable, and watch Maze slowly realize he was hopelessly in love all over again.
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An interesting drama
LIKEHan Yan so poor thing my god
I love the cinematography so swift every detail, every look and angle
Chai Jing is so loyal to Han Yan
First time I loved Wen Zheng Rong who plays Ruan Xi Wen's character - she makes me have goosebumps when she tried to save Han Yan
The shock when Xi Wen learns that her life could be changed but was stopped by someone
The poor Chang An and Xi Wen
This scriptwriter is so powerful I really cannot take it
Duan Tian Shi’s reaction when he met Zhuang family at court lol
Fu family is so sweet to Yun Xi
That last scene, if you know you know
DISLIKE
Never seen such a terrible character as Zhuang Shi Yang who always find ways to push his blame to others
MUSIC - personal fav
剪 Jian - 李沫非 Li Mo Fei, 吉拉石林 Ji La Shi Lin
焰 Yan - 李琦 Li Qi
刃 Ren - 尚雯婕 Shang Wen Jie
REWATCH VALUE
Five for now
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Can give it a miss I guess
LIKEWhen everyone wants to stay at the same abandoned government inn lol so funny
Lots of cases seemed to be linked with each other
When a cat jumped out of coffin I jumped
A lot of root cause was due to greed want to be officials and blinded by ambitions
DISLIKE
It gets boring at times the storyline is just not there
MUSIC - personal fav
寻 Xun - 于毅 Yu Yi
REWATCH VALUE
Nope
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Masterpiece
If there's one "crime" Ashes to the Crown commits, it's ending at only 24 episodes, a show this rich in storytelling, character depth, and political chess deserves at least 40.Chen Duling doesn't just play Chu Zhao, she becomes her. The role demands a staggering range: the cold fury of a woman scorned, the sharp intellect of a political strategist, the vulnerability of someone who has lost everything once before, and the quiet warmth of a woman learning to trust again. Duling delivers on every front.
Whether she's orchestrating a court maneuver with a single raised eyebrow or sharing a wordless moment of understanding with her love interest, Duling's performance is layered and precise. She makes Chu Zhao feel like a real person who has been forged in fire, not a fantasy archetype
The romance between Chu Zhao and Xie Yanlai is one of the healthiest, most balanced relationships I've seen in a C-drama. There's no tiresome "simping" from the male lead, no frustrating "playing hard to get" from the female lead. These are two adults who understand each other, respect each other's intelligence and agency, and develop genuine feelings through shared purpose and mutual trust
Their relationship is built on equality. Chu Zhao doesn't need Xie Yanlai to save her she needs him to stand beside her. And he does, not as a subservient protector, but as a partner who recognizes her strength and complements it with his own. The slow-burn tension, the intellectual sparring, and the moments of quiet intimacy feel earned rather than forced. C-drama romance writers, take notes: this is how you write a power couple.
The court intrigue in Ashes to the Crown is genuinely brilliant. Every alliance is temporary, every betrayal has layers, and no scheme is as simple as it appears. The drama treats its audience with respect, requiring you to pay attention to dialogue nuances and political maneuvering. The weiqi (go) metaphor that runs through the series is apt this is a game of encirclement and patience, not explosive confrontations .
Characters like Xie Yanfang (the ambiguous, cunning brother) and the antagonist Xiao Xun add moral complexity that elevates the narrative beyond good vs. evil. Even the "villains" have understandable motivations, making the political battlefield feel lived-in and authentic
Ashes to the Crown is what I call a masterpiece. It's a drama that rewards careful viewing, celebrates female agency without apology, and delivers a romance built on mutual respect rather than toxic tropes. The political scheming is razor-sharp, the performances are top-tier, and the emotional payoff is deeply satisfying.
This is one of those rare dramas that I'll rewatch, not just for the plot twists I missed the first time, but for the sheer pleasure of watching two brilliant leads navigate a brutal world together.
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This review may contain spoilers
My Wish? For this show to be longer, more detailed, and less gorey
I’m here to give my first ever review of a supernatural, occult horror k-drama that was recommended to me on Netflix! Keep in mind I am writing this review several weeks after I’ve finished it, it's not completely fresh in my head, so hope you will understand if there are mixups or errors of any kind. As someone who typically goes for the familiar silly lighthearted rom-com or melodramatic tearjerker, I am actually proud to say that I conquered my fears of this genre and gave this one a shot.At first, I was thinking how glad I was this was a mini series with only 8 episodes because I didn't think my nervous system could’ve handled anything longer. I told myself I needed to power through only 8 and it’ll be over, but by the end, I somehow ended up wishing it was longer and less bingable LOL If you’re anything like me and feel hesitant to explore this genre, I will say give it a try as it's not a bad introductory show. The reason I chose to watch this was because there was something about this drama’s Netflix poster that immediately drew me in when I saw it. Perhaps it was the combo of high school and horror, or the ominous way they're standing in a dark, eerie classroom facing us, the audience. Put a bunch of high school students in a life-threatening situation caused by demonic technology and watch how they fight for their lives (flashbacks to “All of Us Are Dead”). Or perhaps, being a long-term I.O.I fan, it could've been my curiosity about Kang Mina and her new acting career that made me want to check this out (she absolutely killed it in her role as Nari though!).
To summarize, this drama primarily follows a high school friend group in Seorin High School. It all started when Hyeongwook, one of the boys in the group, discovers a mysterious app called Girigo that supposedly grants any wish you make through the app. He excitedly shows it to the rest of his friend group: Seah, Geonwoo, Nari and Hajoon, claiming that all you have to do is a film a video of yourself stating your wish with your “Saju”, essentially your name and birthdate/birthtime, written and it'll come true. The rest of his crew calls it bluff, until the unbelievable happens. The wish he made, to get a perfect score on his upcoming math test, really did come true just as he had wished for it through the app. Suddenly, a 24-hour countdown starts on his app screen. When the timer ends, he dies by a suicide.
His friends are petrified by his shocking fate and set out on a quest to uncover the truth behind the app. A few of them even tries using the app themselves, wondering if there was a way to bypass or stop the timer. Where did this app come from? What is happening to the bodies of those who uses it? Why did Hyeongwook die? This is when the mood of the drama shifts from a chill high school slice of life with light romance to thriller/horror as it starts diving into themes of curses, demonic possession, revenge, alternative spiritual dimension and exorcism. Once you get to episode 6, almost everything becomes clear - why this app exists, how it came to curse people, and how to break the curse. That was my favorite episode among them all because the storytelling was so well done and gripping. The actresses for Siwon and Hyerung did a phenomenal job in the origin story acting. Watching the tension in their friendship driven by Siwon’s broken relationship with her shaman mom get worse and worse and what it ultimately led to was extremely interesting. My other favorite scenes were those with the character Haetsal (Hajoon's sister) interacting with Seah. Seeing how committed she was to saving the lives of the kids touched my heart.
This is not a big issue, but there were some tiny concepts that felt a bit hard to grasp for me personally, like shamanism and exorcism, given my lack of experience with this genre. The ambiguous cliffhanger ending leaves you wondering if a second season will be coming anytime soon. I should also give a trigger warning that there were quite a bit gore and jump scares throughout the show. Unsurprising for a horror drama, but if anyone is sensitive to those visuals, it might be good to avoid or skip past those scenes. Overall, it was a really enjoyable watch. I wish the writers developed certain plot lines more, but I think they did what they can within 8 episodes. I will definitely remember this drama for years to come.
*This review was written without the assistance of AI
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This review may contain spoilers
meh - okayish...
Just finished watching this BL and it's okay for me. There were moments that I really enjoyed but there were also times where I felt unsatisfied. Here is my honest review about it.Editing:
One thing I noticed throughout the series was the editing. There were scenes where I wished they handled the transitions and music better. For example there was a scene where Moo and his friends were talking, then suddenly the scene shifted back to Fu. The sudden transition felt rushed. I think it would've flowed better if they added a few seconds showing Moo and his friends laughing/smiling before slowly fading the music and moving to the next scene. Small moments like that really matter and can make scenes feel more natural & smooth instead of just rushing it because to be honest it looked so awkward, distracting and confusing. 🥲 I also wished they added more variety whenever they put extra scenes in between. I've noticed that some of the building shots, road scenes, and filler clips were all the same. If they're going to add scenes like those, I hope they would've shot in on a different angle and such so that it'll be less repetitive.
Story:
For the storyline, I think it was okay overall. But I feel like there weren't really that many big plots twists throughout the series. Most of the focus was mainly on the main couple especially when Fu and Moo found out that they were the ones they had been texting each other. Another major plot point was the situation involving the undercover of the drugs thingy in the hotel and that's mostly it. but aside from those, there weren't many other events that felt like major turning points in the story. The series relied more on the characters, relationships and romantic moments rather than having a strong storyline. While I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing since this is a RomCom BL, though I personally wished there were more interesting conflicts or deeper storylines that could have made the series feel more entertaining ! ^^
Now for the main couple, Fu & Moo.
I really enjoyed their story and their dynamic as a couple. I love how Fu was willing to put alot of effort into winning Moo's heart even if it took him days, months and even years. His determination and patience showed how much he genuinely loved and cared for him. Though there were also moments where Fu's actions felt like they went a little too far especially at the start of the series. For example when he publicly showed his feelings for Moo through posters, stickers, and other grand gestures in public places (Moo's university) and it sometimes felt like it crossed the line between romantic and overwhelming. For me I really do understand how Moo reacted and felt during those cuz who wants to be publicly humiliated like that? 🥲 I know Fu's intentions were good, it's just that I wish he had considered how Moo would feel about those actions too. For Moo I actually liked his character and his development. At first he was more of a closed off person and was unsure about his feelings, but as time passes by, he became more open and accepting of Fu's love. I liked seeing him learn how to trust and allow himself to be cared for. His character wasn't instantly changed overnight and his growth felt gradual which one of the things I appreciate of him.
Side Couples:
For the side couples, I honestly wish they had more screen time. Each of them had interesting stories and personalities and I wanted to see them interact with one another more. Even giving them just a few more scenes would have helped the future watchers understand their relationships and backgrounds better 🥹
Tian & Mark
This couple was probably the most complicated to like for me... I understand why Tian is a fuckboy and acts the way he does because his past with Kluayhom and being hurt by someone he trusted, isn't a joke and it clearly affected how he views relationships. But when this specific scene in the last episode where Tian pulled Mark into the storage room and continued touching him even after Mark said that he didn't want to, ICKED ME SO BAD BRO. That scene made me kinda uncomfy & disappointed honestly . I can still handle whenever Tian is flirting with Mark and stuff but that scene is a big no for me. That's lowkey SA if i'm gonna be honest 😭 For Tian as a character I was honestly hoping to see more development from him. As what I said, I understand why he became the way he was... but I was really hoping that he would eventually learn from his mistakes and heal slowly. I felt like his growth was not as satisfying as I hoped it would be even until the end.
Tee & Jeab
I actually really liked this couple. I think their relationship had a lot of potential because they showed a different type of dynamic compared to the main couple and to the side couples. The main issue with this couple is Tee's struggle with communication. Though he's aware of his wrong doings and such and that's what I like about him. I think his way of apologizing is through his actions such as continuing to visit Jeab and buying him things that he likes. I like his character development and how he got more softer eversince he starts to have feelings for Jeab. For Jeab I understand why he became frustrated toward Tee. After all the teasing Tee gave him, it makes sense why Jeab would have a hard time trusting him. I honestly wished they had a proper conversation and wish there was a scene where they could've been vulnerable with each other and finally talk about their feelings.
Tai & Yu
I LOVE this couple. Sooo cutesy ! Their dynamic was simple and that's what made them enjoyable. I really really REALLY wished they had more scenes together and get to see more of his perspective and his relationship with Yu. ☹️ BUT I find it so funny how Yu is literally everywhere. (i am NOT joking.) Like he's a barista, a waiter, a janitor, a driver, a bartender, and now he got accepted to be one of the employees at Fu's Hotel. HE'S EVERYWHERE & EVERYTHING 😭😭😭 And somehow he manages to do everything, holy time management final boss. It honestly made me curious about his character and why he has so many jobs. For Tai, I really like his personality. He's calm, chill, and has a very comforting presence. Compared to some of the characters, Tai is someone who brought balance and balance throughout this series.
Overall this is an enjoyable show. But for me it had some areas where I wished it was improved. The main couple was definitely the highlight of course ! though I think the side couples deserved a little bit more attention because they also had interesting stories too. If they ever make a season 2 or a new series in the future focusing on the after college life and marriage of Moo, I hope the side characters would have more screen time too !!!
If you're looking for a romcom BL with cute moments, romance, and a wholesome feeling, I think you might enjoy this. But if you're looking for a deeper plot with more complex character development, you might want to try other shows :))) !
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This review may contain spoilers
It could be a red flag but baby I'm colorblind
Let’s start with the good parts, because there is a lot to love here. First and foremost, Boss's yearning is unmatched; a man never looks better than when you can see exactly how much power his partner has over him (Also, the rain was a paid actor for how many times his shirt got wet and transparent). Alongside him, Noeul is somehow utterly flawless each and every time he appears on screen. Their chemistry is out of this world; the looks, the touches, the passion, and some of my favorite on-screen kisses (I bit my pillow so many times it should be illegal).For the main characters I want to pay attention to the contrast between Cir's sweetness when engaging with Phu and him giving nothing when talking to anyone else. His interactions with Win were highly amusing and I really enjoyed their friendship. Meanwhile, Phu is the softest pretty boy out there, but the second he found out about Cir's past, he was ready to throw hands, and I lived for it. Going into this, I wanted to say that Noeul kept his undefeated record for the "pure of heart, dumb of ass, home-of-sexual" character archetype that he mastered with Rain (LITA). Surprisingly, though, Phu actually possesses a survival instinct.
The supporting cast held their own beautifully, too. Jin is metaphorically my brother; practically he's so chill and emotionally mature I could cry. On the other hand, Win perfectly embodies the exact exasperation you feel when you've been besties with someone for years and are fed up with their dumbassery. Together, JinWin are a top-tier second couple; they had very little screentime, but they are big in my heart.
Then there's "Dark!Cir," my beloved. He managed to act both concerned and mocking while looking devastatingly otherworldly. He is a total ragebaiter and I stan it.
Even the wider friend group had great moments. While some secondary characters were a bit plain, their banter was excellent. Rome was a funny little side character with his fish obsession (I'm partial to them), and the mixing of the two groups yielded great dynamics (especially Jin paired with Cir, and Win with Phu).
I also genuinely enjoyed the familial subplots. I loved Phu’s family and appreciated how the show made both Phu and his mother's perspectives understandable. As for Cir’s family... well, his brother Zone was ready to jump into the action, and I’m glad they didn't cheapen the brothers' past. Their mother is completely nuts and should be held for a psych evaluation. Which should have happened instead of leaving Zone to deal with her while Cir and Phu run towards the sunset with a wedding soundtrack.
As for cinematography, the production choices immediately sucked me in. The lighting and scene subdivisions beautifully created the illusion of two worlds connecting, which underlined the main theme and expertly masked the stalking elements in the first few episodes.
To be honest, the plotline of Cir keeping up the "multiverse lie" was mysterious and compelling at the beginning. Although the multiverse elements were eventually confirmed, we all know that Boss’s ability to look devastatingly handsome (coupled with Cir’s tragic past) was the major thing saving him from being served with a restraining order.
(When the show first hinted that my baby Cir might be a stalker, I was standing there like *surprised pikachu*)
Personally, the stalking twist intellectually cheapened the lore established early on, even if it did successfully give Phu space to stand up for himself and highlighted the psychological consequences of Cir's abusive upbringing.
If we go with the idea that Cir and Phu are red-string soulmates, which is heavily implied by the parallel universes and the paper telephone plotline (that is quite literally a string tying them together, argue with the wall), the writers could have handled it much better. They could have let Cir know secret details about Phu simply as a byproduct of his dreams from the alternate universe. The narrative wouldn't have taken a hit if their past encounters were driven purely by fate and destiny instead of Cir crafting them behind the scenes. While still allowing Cir to be secretly in love with Phu for years, it would have created a much healthier foundation for their relationship.
(I'm aware it's based on a MAME's novel, and from what I heard they tend to incorporate and romanticize this Red Flag behaviour, so I'm not giving any grief to the directors and such)
I particularly enjoyed the push and pull of "Is this real life? Is this just fantasy?", especially since Cir genuinely seemed to believe he was from a parallel universe at first, only realizing the reality of his dreams later. By that point, he was already in deep and naturally terrified of losing his soulmate by telling the truth.
(Though, honestly, seeing his mother, I too would prefer faking a multiversal soul displacement if it meant a roundabout way of getting to kiss a gorgeous creature like Noeul instead of having to deal with her)
Ultimately, the big climax of finding out your boyfriend has been illegally following you for years wound up being highly entertaining, mostly because both things wound up being true: he did stalk Phu, but he also really saw the alternate universes.
My only real grievance is the non-existent logic behind why Jin can literally read minds. Like, what the hell was that?! Explanation? None. Just random bulls**t, go! I have to concede it was funny, but actual fantasy world-building would have made it feel like a cohesive element rather than a Deus ex Machina. It felt designed purely to reassure the audience that Cir wasn't a depraved creep and to inject some comic relief. That said, Jin reading everyone's mind only to find Phu's brain completely empty of thoughts except for food is such a canon event that I can't even be mad.
Furthermore, the archetype of an alternate-universe Cir actively helping other versions of Cir get together with their respective Phus gave me massive ORV vibes (yk, the cosmic setup of a version of yourself pulling the strings), which will always be goated in my book.
To wrap this up, I’m not even going to logic-check Phu getting sick after 30 seconds in the rain, or Cir’s psycho mother trying to pay Phu to stop seeing her son.
We know the tropes, we accept the tropes, we die in our hearts at the tropes, long live the tropes.
The opening OST theme was giving everything it needed to give and it's going on my playlist for the foreseeable future.
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