Oxygen (2020)

The longer Thai series about love woes between young people from several faculties of the University of Bangkok is, in my opinion, more or less successful, if I keep in mind that the creators stuck to the book, rather fairy-tale model and that it expresses the most beautiful feeling in the world, regardless of sexual orientation. Hence the rating from me as it is.

Instead of praise, I will underline a few of my observations, which did not noticeably affect my evaluation. University environment again. One of the main characters of Solo (played by the twenty-seven-year-old Thai singer and actor Supanut) rides in a lighthouse that is just a dream of the creators themselves. Solo-Gui duo act for a long time as if they were sleepwalking, I understand that it was supposed to be like that and not that it is a flaw in their acting. But I was bothered by the overall tightness. The second duo Kao-Phuri didn't even have a kiss after hours of watching, but only forehead to forehead, there was neither sight nor hearing of any intimacies of students who are already in their twenties. I don't need to see it, but that's what it sounded like overall.


Delší thajský seriál o strastech s láskou mezi mladíky z několika fakult univerzity v Bangkoku je dle mě víceméně povedený, pokud mám na paměti, že se tvůrci drželi knižní, poněkud pohádkové předlohy a že vyjadřuje nekrásnější cit na světě bez ohledu na sexuální orientaci. Proto ode mě hodnocení takové, jaké je.

Místo pochval zde podtrhnu pár mých postřehů, které ale znatelně neovlivnily mé hodnocení. Zase vyskoškolské prostředí. Jedna z hlavních postav Solo (hraje ji dvacetisedmiletý thajský zpěvák a herec Supanut) jezdí ve fáru, které je pouhým snem i tvůrců samotných. Duo Solo-Gui dlouhou dobu hrají, jako kdyby byli náměsíční, chápu, že to tak mělo být a ne, že je to vada jejich herectví. Vadila mi ale celková upjatost. Druhé duo Kao-Phuri si vlastně nedalo po hodinách sledování ani pusinku, ale jen čelíčko na čelíčko, o nějakých intimnostech studentů, kterým už je dávno přes dvacet, nebylo ani vidu, ani slechu. Nepotřebuji to vidět, ale celkově to tak vyznělo.

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C'è amore a fuoco lento e poi c'è la noia

Alla fine ho dovuto arrendermi. Non è perché non ci sono baci bollenti o scene di letto a titillare la mia fantasia. Il fatto è che purtroppo la storia del dottorino indeciso fra maschi e femmine e di tutte le fandonie che racconta mi irrita profondamente. La coppia dell'Orso Yoghi e del coniglietto non mi dice assolutamente nulla. la coppia principale alla fine si vede troppo poco e il suo sviluppo è veramente molto, molto lento. Insomma, ditemi quello che volete, ma una coppia di sani adolescenti che dorme nello stesso letto e a malapena si bacia una volta al mese eh beh insomma non è credibile.
Immagino che fra poco interverrà il papà cattivo del ragazzino ricco a cercare di dividere i due piccioncini, ma sinceramente mi sono veramente rotta le scatole perché mi sto annoiando e quando non sono annoiata sono irritata. Non mi interessa più vedere come andrà a finire, tanto so che andrà a finire bene e tutti i santi finiranno in gloria ma l'idea di guardare ancora quattro episodi di questo drama mi è insopportabile, per cui taglio le perdite e parto per altri lidi. Immagino che molti non saranno d'accordo con me, ma me ne farò una ragione.

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Second couple MUCH cuter than main couple

This was an ok watch, and what I mean by that is I did the ol’ skiparoo through episodes 3-13. What chemistry built up through the first couple of episodes with the main couple, was completely lost after that. Like, it was nice to see them get to be together and Gui take his place beside Solo at the end but I wasn’t squealing into my pillow about it. The second couple, LOVED THEM! When I searched for Phu on MDL I almost collapsed when it didn’t say he was 30 but aside from that, he played cold for everyone but ‘him’ incredibly well and it’s one of my favourite tropes. Kao was cute as heck and I’m sure could play most type of roles with his look. He needed big built Phu next to him to be considered feeble, put it that way. I won’t rewatch this show, but I will follow Phu and Boss on insta to keep an eye out for other dramas.

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During the first few episodes this series seemed a bit bland, but it picked up in the fourth episode.

* The main couple are just adorable! I love how gentle they are with each other from the first moment they met until the very end. The progression from comfortable silences to learning how to express their emotions with each other was also really well done.

* The scond cuple was a bit ... weird at first, with the "bunny" and "owner" it gave uncomfortable vibes. Also, Phu playing hard to get took a bit too long. Overall, they have a similar progression, in that they have to learn how to give and take -- and not one only giving and the other taking.

* I hated the het romance, if you can even call it that. Starting from Khim, who ships real-life people and posts their photos online without asking for permission, and ending with Dr. Lies -- why two people have a crush on him, I'll never understand -- this whole storyline was a mess. It also didn't have anything to do with the others. Khim's illness was only there as long as it was usable for the plot. Overall, too much screentime for a (badly written) het romance -- there are already enough het romance series, I don't need them in my BLs. (Maybe as a very small side couple, but this here was too much.)

* I don't really get the father. I have no idea what he thought, and why he acted that way. They could have done a "Gui has to prove himself" subplot without a fiancée, and without that much pressure. It also changed the tone of the drama a lot. Instead of the het romance, it would have been much more interesting to develop this further.

* There are some smaller inconsistencies, but they can easily be overlooked.

* The cinematography was good though. At first I found it a bit beige-y and dull but it got better later.
* Also, the slow pacing of the first ten episodes was nice and appropriate for the development of the relationships. The music underlined this feeling.

Overall, I'm glad I picked this series up again (after dropping it last year after three episodes or so), but I probably won't watch it a second time.

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So much going on without anything actually happening.

While I wouldn't say this was bad, it really lacked in a lot of ways for me.

This was all over the place as far as storyline, as if the writer or director or someone just couldn't decide on what story did they want to tell. Was it a university drama? Was it a countryside drama? Was it a rich boy/poor boy drama? Was it a workplace drama? Was it a winning-over-an-opposing-parent drama? No one knows because this series had ALL of that at some point.

And that's all just withing the main couple. Then there are secondary couples that tackle secret crushes, questioning sexual identity, using someone to get closer to someone else, violence rumors, school bullying and the list goes on and on and on..

Yet, with all of this going on, there seemed to be a serious lack of development between the couples / characters. It played almost more like a sit com where every episode was a standalone thing and there MAY be a hint or undertone of slight progression of relationships. But the constant change of story direction made it hard to get invested in which is unfortunate because they could have had a solid series if they just focused on one thing and did it well.

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It's alright

I watch this show as something that is like "no commitment"? I wouldn't say its a bad show? Like if you're unsure what show to go with during meals, then this could be the one. I think the weirdness alot of comments mentioned is due to the "inexperienced"-Ness in show. It's cute, yes. It's fluffy, yes. It makes you smile, yes. Is there awkwardness, no.

But there's the lack of facial emotion in everything and every face that makes you wonder like huh? And the outfits are always almost the same. It's a very very suitable for age 12 kind of show. The kind of plot you see from 10 years ago when BL just started.

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During my rewatch

I watched this the first time and I enjoyed it but when it was over and I watched others I sort of forgot what happened, however, I watched it again for various reasons.

a couple of reviews I've read said that there was a lot of fluff in the beginning, which I didn't see. I mean Solo comes in and gets Warm Milk from Gui and falls in love with each other, I think it was done well, sometimes we need a little "fluff" because usually, it takes 3 or 4 episodes to get someone to fall in love which is fine but sometimes fluff is good

Supanut; I love him so much, I liked him during my first watch of this but then when I watched Pitbabe, I realized how much I like him as an artist. He has so much expression and emotional range that he makes his character come alive. He can honestly play any role, I hope to see more of him in 2024.

Gui & Solo; I like how they made these two characters interact in this series, Solo comes on a little strongly to Gui and throws out there from the start that he likes him, and usually other series, would have the other protagonist run away and make it out to be this whole thing but they made Gui this really sweet guy who just want to take care of Solo and protect him. Solo is just this sad boy who needs love and reassurance and those are my favorite types of men

Kao & Phu: I enjoy these two storylines, I like how Kao was so head over heels for this man and you can tell the moment he came running in with the trash can Phu was interested and the actor "Phu" does a good job playing the character "Phu" because if you see his eyes, they have a lot of expressions when he talks to Kao.

Khim & The Dr: I didn't care for these two the second time around, I watched them the first viewing but I skipped a lot of their parts the 2nd time as I didn't care too much. Khim's story was sad though with her being sick, thinking the doctor is gay even though they liked each other and her brother being mean to her but since I have seen it the first time I didn't need to see it the second time

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Dude everyone should watch this beautiful show

I don't get it why everyone writing a bad review about this show it was such a great show the production was awesome storyline was great and I love the fact this is a fast-paced drama and it totally loves at first sight scenes is going on and I loved that Sol and Gui were so sure that they have a feeling for each other. I loved the show with fast-paced storyline especially from that slow-paced drama in which rivals to lover scenes in which first 5 episodes of fighting and hating then 3 episodes are getting to know each other and 2 episodes of confession or temporary fight for 3 episodes and 2 episodes confession this show was not like that both the characters were so sure in the first episodes Sol so sure he has feelings for Gui and Kao has feelings for Phu and PhuKao scenario I loved the most in the entire show and I feel the chemistry of the cast and everything was so good and so everybody should watch and I recommend this show for everyone.

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I finished this series two days ago and I have decided to review it cause I honestly don't know what to rate it. So here goes!

Story-6/10 (carried it to the nearest number)
Solo and Gui- 7.5/10
They were cute in the beginning. I liked them! Two boys meeting in the night and thier love blossoming was just beautiful to me. But then the series HAD to introduce a fiancee ( who by the way was NOT even part of the book! I mean, Linda was in the book- just not Solo's fiancee). And then Solo's dad was just not right for me. I mean, I get why he did what he did, but still- he really sucked as a dad.

Kao and Phuri- 9/10
This secondary couple made me comeback every week! They were so cute and I smiled everytime they were on the screen. They actually carried me more on an emotional rollercoaster than the main couple. And I am happy that Phuri is coming back to Thailand (although the way that they were talking, it was gonna be some years for them to see each other).

Khim and Dr. Petch-1/10
Why? Cause I can't give them anything lower than that. They weren't even in the book and I still don't see why they were in this series. They didn't serve any purpose for me and I still think that Dr. Petch should have ended up alone. He hurt two people to get the girl that he liked and everything is honky dory?! HELL NO!

Dr. Perth and Khem- 6/10
They should have developed more on this couple. It ends with us kind of seeing that (maybe) Khem has a crush on Dr. Perth. If they do have a second season, I hope that this couple be developed.

Acting/Cast- 7/10
I am giving this a seven, cause it made me hate some characters as well as truly adore them.

Music-7.5/10
The music is cute and I like it!

Rewatch Valu- 6/10
I am not that eager to watch this series cause again- what was the point of Dr. Perth, Khim and Khem's storyline? I still don't see the point of them! Also, if they didn't introduce Solo's fiancee, I may have been more eager to rewatch this series. I mean, I could just watch it for Kao and Phuri ( that's the reason why I gave it a 6, though).

Overall- 6.5/10
It honestly did start off good. I did like it, especially Kao and Phuri. But, I guess that they can save this series for me. I don't even know if I would recommend this series. I might just tell people to just watch Kao and Phuri scenes.

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Not good but not that bad

First of all, I found out this show by March through Wattpad. My journey here started out when I read the first book. There are 5 Novels in the series; Oxygen (SoloGui) , Nitrogen (PhuKao), Anakin (ParmJedi), Aftermoon (Nong Moon), The Air (Special Chapters).

STORY
The story in the novel is great. It features each and every character greatly and it showcases how Solo and Gui's relationship is healthy. Aside from DeanParm in UWMA, i'll label SoloGui's relationship as the 2nd healthies I've ever encountered.

I was so excited when I found out that the Novel was getting a series adaptation but unfortunately it was a little bit of a disappointment for me. Phu and Kao's story comes after Solo and Gui's story and when the team decided to combine it into one, the timeline messed up the storyline. Personally, I do not like the addition of Linda because I had enough with demonizing women and always making them the villain in the story. The couple's conflict in the book is related more on family and maturity where they are challenged, not by certain third parties, but their own family.

PhuKao story is what I am living for especially in the books. Their story here is a bit the same but it is only half-way. Their story continues when Kao went to England with Phu and met Parm (Phu's brother) and that part is what I liked the most about the novel. It made it much deeper and much enjoyable and I'm kinda disappointed not seeing that part in the series.

Solo's dad and Jay's story could have been portrayed so well but it is disappointing to be seen in the series.

Probably the biggest confusion that happened in the series was the timeline as the story kinda went all over the place.

The doctor's story can be taken out from the series. I skipped all of their parts

ACTORS

The acting could do some work and this is the first time I've seen them on screen so I understand when there are certain parts when their acting isn't that great. I would like to see more from Phubeth(Phu) because idk, something in him feels a bit wrong.

Boss(Kao) did a great job portraying his character and I am actually in love with him right now.

As for the others, they are still a lot of improvements.

Should you watch it? It depends on you. It is not good but not bad.

But I would recommend reading the Novel because there's a lot missing in the series. And the third novel which is Parm and Jedi's story was my favorite. The second part of the PhuKao's story is actually better than the first part. It has something to do with depression and mental health of Phu's brother, you would know a lot about their family as well as Kao's father finding out their relationship. Some parts with his father is hilarous and I really recommend reading it. I would not rewatch it though.

Overall, this series is okay for me. But not as good as other series. Actually, there are a lot of series that came up this year due to popularity but most of them kinda disappoints. The only good BL I've watched so far was ITSAY.

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An okay drama with not a lot of substance

After finishing the series, it almost felt like a relief because I watched every week hoping there would be a little more to spark my interest but after 13 weeks I can say that overall it was just a plain drama with little to no conflict at all.

If you enjoy a light hearted drama with not much to think about, this would be a nice one to watch over a weekend but if you want depth and quality, this would not be for you.

The simplicity of the story was really lovely to watch and the relationships were just pure and cute with no 'am I gay? No I only like you' trope which was refreshing. The relationships between Solo and Gui as well as Phu and Kao were overall really enjoyable and both couples had cute chemistry. The third couple was just shambles, I could not care less about them, I wouldn't even be able to name the doctor. Often feeling the need to skip their scenes, the third couple really did not add anything to the story except frustration.

The only actor I think that did a good job is the one who played Kao. He was very natural and played his part incredibly well. All the others were lacking in some aspects, whether that was facial expression or delivery of their lines. I am not sure whether it was because of the actors or the director not helping them and giving them enough guidance.

The OST of Oxygen was really nice to listen to and I found myself not wanting to skip it very often, however, the other aspects of the drama in terms of music were pretty awful. The sound effects were bad and at times the background music was abruptly cut with no real transition.

Overall, an okay drama with not a lot of substance. I wouldn't personally rewatch.

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