Oxygen (2020)

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.

Lire davantage

It's sweet and it had potential to be a good series, premise of the story is common

This series is actually a typical BL story. The story starts off with the moment of the main characters meeting each other. I actually find Solo and Guitar's first moment to be sweet and wholesome (The warm cup of milk scene). Their subtle interactions with each other is actually pure and cute for me. As for the other couple, I find their chemistry to be lacking. Especially the actor for Solo's brother (Phuri), acting is a bit stiff for me though it's understandable that the character is uptight and serious but yeah, I find the lack of charisma in his acting that's why the other couple for me did not actually gave much of an impression to me. Although, the premise for their relationship is actually sweet and funny because Solo's friend (Kao) had to chase Phuri so that he could show his affection.

Aside from the cons of the acting, there were also moments in the series that I find to be cringey or overly dramatic. Especially, the fighting scenes were kind of funny to me. I know that it was a serious scene but still, it felt short for me.

What I do love in the series is the OST songs that were sung. I actually downloaded those two songs and I can definitely say that the My Oxygen song is still stuck in my mind on repeat and I'm amazed that the actor for Solo has a beautiful voice.

What really pains me is the wasted potential for this series. It could have been a better melodrama genre in which the scenes where Solo had to face some issues within his family as well as Guitar's financial problem could have been executed in a way that it would give more impact or impression on the viewers but yeah... The execution felt dry for me. That's why I agree with some viewers that some scenes might bore you because it felt dry / lacking.

What I do love about the series is the starting scenes. The beginning of the series actually immediately caught my attention because I thought that this series would stray away from the comedic university romance trope because I thought it would have a heavy angst or melodrama theme but yeah. It fell short for me. The ending also was really dry or lacking for me. When I was watching this until the end, I constantly had the feeling that it was missing something.

In conclusion, this series was average for me. It had potential to be an angst drama so that it could have strayed away from the BL comedy romance setting. Alas, it didn't.. :(
I don't discourage anyone from watching this because it's a matter of choice. Some people might like it, others might not. All in all, you can still be entertained in watching this even if there are pros and cons for this series... :)

Lire davantage

Worth it for the side couple

I wanted to give this one less but I’m giving a 7.5 for the side couple, because they alone made it worth watching.

Cast:
I loved the choices for the actors of the side couple. They both did extremely well portraying their characters and had one of the best chemistries I have seen in a while.
The main actors were both okay, but they were lacking a bit in expressions a lot of the time, their whole story just felt a little dull. This could also be due to their character descriptions though.

Plot:
The main couple developed quite quickly which can be great, here it was a little too rushed in my opinion. There was no “getting to know each other” or “developing feelings” stage they just both jumped head first into it. Especially their lack of real conversation made that a little weird and for me hard to connect to their couple.
I theoretically liked their story, I watched all of their scenes, but it got very draggy in some parts. They did play through basically every standard BL plot component there is, which generally doesn’t have to be bad, if done right. Here it did feel a little too copied on some parts. Their characters in themselves without their couple were also quite lacking.. there wasn’t really too much (interesting) about them except for their love for each other. In general: I didn’t dislike them and their story, but to me they were not enough to make up a good series.

Now everything that was lacking for me with the main couple, I found with the side couple (as so often in series that have a mediocre main couple). Phu and Kao were literally my light throughout this series. Their relationship and feelings for each other were well developed, nicely paced, and unbelievably heartwarming. I also liked both characters as characters instead of just a couple. If I ever do rewatch this series I will most likely only watch their scenes. I do also sincerely hope this gets a second season so I can see more of them.

There was another side couple that just felt unnecessary and weird in it’s entirety. It was probably necessary to show that part of the story, because of the further development in the novels, at least that’s the only way I can explain to myself why they were part of this series. However, for that cause they could have cut the whole thing a lot shorter.

An overall feeling I got from this, that kind of bugged me, was that it was extremely obvious that this was adapted from a novel. There are things that work in writing, because you can see into the people’s minds and feelings. You can be a little over the top and unrealistic without it feeling too weird. If you put that onto a screen however, you have to make sure that the story makes sense being watched instead of read.

Soundtrack:
I didn’t like this one too much, not because of the music itself but because of the timing. There were some scenes that had extremely dramatic music playing in the background that did not fit the mood of the scene at all etc.

All in all, I would recommend watching this one for the side couple. Even if you decide to skip through all other scenes.

Lire davantage

Just OK

I've been a bit behind on my BL dramas so I just started watching this today, so I'll be updating as I finish each episode. Therefore, the rating may change if the show improves.

So far, overall impressions:

PLOT: What plot? There doesn't seem to be much of anything going on, outside of the characters' attempts at getting the attention/affection of the people they like. Which is fine but...there's literally nothing else going on. Things happen, but they don't feel connected. It's as if they filmed a bunch of scenes they thought were cool, and then just stuck them all together.

MUSIC: The OST is great, and the background music is so nice. It can be very calming TBH, especially since there isn't much going on plot-wise. Just pretty boys and pretty music, which may be exactly what you need.

CHARACTERS/ACTING: I saw someone else call Solo/Gui "robots in love" and that couldn't be more accurate. The acting is very stiff and the chemistry is nonexistent. I'm hoping this will improve. I'm slightly more interested in Kao/Phu but only because Kao is the only character who has any liveliness to him. Everyone else seems to be just drifting.

Lire davantage

I love this show

This show is really good,i like watching it and the two main couples are really cute. The acting is good most of the time but when it comes to any crying scene,i think the person who plays Gui needs some improvements. It's not terrible but it's a little unbelievable. I don't know about you but I don't cry like that and i don't know anyone who does. Besides that, I still do really like it. The relationships are cute and wholesome but I'm a bit nervous about the next episode because of the girl. I hate it in bl's when there is a girl put in to cause drama. I know it's based on a book but still. If they break up because of that, I'm going to be annoyed. Anyway, can't wait for the next episode to come out.

Lire davantage

I love you more than oxygen......

The first episode was very pleasant... It starts with Solo having nightmares. Solo and Gui's scenes instantly clicked. Their chemistry is very natural. The other potential pair Phu and Kao(I hope the names are right) is something I'm looking forward to. Then comes the two doctors which I have to wait to pass any judgment.
Above all the opening song "You are my Oxygen" is addictive.
This is adapted from a novel with the same name Oxygen,
Story: Orphaned at a very young age, Gui, a fourth-year engineering student, has had to work hard and earn for himself for as long as he can remember. Solo, a freshman in the Faculty of Music, can get anything he wants with a flick of his wrist. Money, fame, good looks, the boy has everything, except his smile.
Basically the theme is one is poor who has nothing still smiles throughout his hardships. The other one has everything except a smile. It's about two characters with different conflicts that meet each other to start their journey.
SO FAR SO GOOD. Let's WAIT AND WATCH...

Lire davantage

Generally satisfying bromance with high production values

The Thai Film Industry still sets the gold standard for production values in BL dramas. "Oxygen" is beautifully photographed, the soundtrack is flawless and the score is excellent. In fact, it was refreshing to have a real film score and not have variations of the OST pop songs repeating over and over again. I did note one major editing error, where the Phuri character starts to give his love interest Kao a sponge bath and the actor who plays Kao starts to laugh. The cut-away is way too late. But that little blooper aside, this is an enjoyable multi-bromance soap opera. It's interesting they use the word "gay" (at least in the English translation) because nothing particularly "gay" happens here, except for some light kissing and hand holding. There's enough of a plot to sustain, maybe 8 episodes but it feels like there's a lot of padding to stretch it to 13, 45-minute shows. All of the characters are likable, except for Phuri who is sort of inexplicably indifferent to everything -- except when he's called on to resolve a fist fight. The most interesting bit of drama comes early on when Solo is given a date rape drug by a female admirer who wants to video tape a sexual encounter to post online. Women are often irrelevant characters in these Yaoi dramas -- or they're a catalyst to get to guys together, and there is one of these sub-plots, so this was a fresh addition. The various male pairings do conform slightly to the seme-uke stereotypes, but at least its pretty subtle. All of the guys stay in the masculine gender role lane. The writing may be more clever than it appears at first glance, as I noted a number of motifs that could be interpreted as double entendres, but I'll have to leave that to your imagination. I give "Oxygen" a high re-watch score for the outstanding production values and acting, even if the plots are a bit too familiar.

Lire davantage

Great Story Great Music

I thoroughly enjoyed this drama so much I've watched it more than once. There is ALWAYS room for improvement in any drama and sure there were some instances that were not thought out. But these instances are enough for me to rate it lower than a 10. Probably the music was my favorite part of the drama. It is my understanding that SOLO diid the OST for this drama and I can surely understand why. KAO also did an excellent vocalization. I think Phuri was my favorite character. He finally came out of his shell long enough to show he was capable of love. The painting he left for KAO was so touching.

Lire davantage

Beyond my expectations

Well for me personally being still new to bl series i had alot of options to see through my new intrest in k drama but i came apon this particular show and am amazed .i can't tell if its becouse of the cute couple or the plot planning but let me discuss each couples strength and weakness
GUI AND SOLO
To be honest at the beginning i was really confused like seriously i didn't get the point of the short nightmare and him waking up calling his friend then his friend gets a nightmare enough about that personally i love solo cold bad boy self mixing it with gui soft and cute self it would only makes sence and the idea of a cup of walm milk for a smile really makes sence and what is really makes it cute is how there love develops so adorable but i really wish the plot was not soo confusing
PHU AND KAO
I mean ok i love solo and gui but this two are exceptional there acting was so flawless i literary fell in love with them i hope they have there own show i could feel there chemistry from how phu who slowly softened by kao and how they build there relationship one word for them WOW the relationship of a cute bunny and tough protective master is so darm creative but i really wish they had more scenes
Here comes the bad part
KHEM KHIM PERTH PETCH
i was not sure of there role sorry to say so accuarly i was frustrated like darm petch didn t notice he was hurting perths feelings it was so annying i believe honesty is the best policy if he liked the girl tell her but don't hurt other ppls feeling infact thats that i did not like it thats all i will say
But anyway i would really recommend this on solo and gui's sake and the music ooh yeah definitely the best so happy watching

Lire davantage

This is definitely worth the watch.

I love how healthy the relationships are portrayed in this BL, which is saying something because it's not often that gay couples are portrayed as healthy. Unlike most BLs where physical intimacy between gay couples are the primary focus, that wasn't needed here. The intimacy between Solo & Gui and Phu & Kao were enough for me. It was soft and actually portrayed genuine romantic emotions between the characters. The acting was so well done in those scenes that I forgot the actors were new.

My favorite scene between Solo and Gui was when Gui couldn't sleep while staying in Solo's apartment and after Solo had woken up because Gui wasn't in bed, he casually laid on his couch with his head in Gui's lap. It was such a simple action, but that's something you do when you just want to be close to someone.

For Phu and Kao, my favorite scene is when they are spending time together and using Kao's red earbuds to listen to music. Phu just looks over at Kao and reaches over to gently brush Kao's bangs from his eyes before resting his hand on Kao's cheek. The way Kao looks at him afterwards made me swoon and my heart flutter because I want someone to look at me like that one day. Again, it was a simple action, but it was the perfect amount of intimacy.

I highly recommend watching this and I'm definitely going to have my friend watch it since she had to experience me ranting about it as I watching each episode in our discord chat.

Lire davantage

More than Carbon dioxide Less than Oxygen!

If you can decode what my title meant --- bravo!!
If not ... Here's the review to the series which is not important enough for me to call it oxygen for my BL heart but definitely somewhere near to it😉

The lead couple Solo and Gui are good but what keeps me more interested in this story are the second leads - Phu and his bunny❤️
Actually the spice factor is missing in the lead couple's story... Both are very calm, quiet and easy going which makes their story a bit dull.
There was no lot of chasing or pull push theory between them which left nothing for me to stay glued onto.
While in second lead's story there is everything I mentioned above.
Phu is the cold, manly, rude kinda guy who's exterior is hard but with a soft heart while kao (his bunny) is a cute, naughty, clingy guy who isn't shy to accept his love for another guy and takes all the efforts to make sure his love is noticed and accepted!

Of course there's a lot to unfold in the coming episodes so I hope the lead couple's story also picks up and becomes more interesting like the second lead.

There is an other couple too which m not sure will be a straight or a gay or bi towards the end of the story.
It's about a confused doc who isn't sure about his sexuality first and ends up liking a fujoshi girl at the end.
This girl is hard core yaoi girl who ships all men who are spotted together.
Her character development is slow in this series and a bit over the top bcoz she clicks photos of guys who come at her cafe and without their consent posts it into LGBT page of hers which I think is very much wrong since it puts someone's privacy at stake.
Also she has a cute brother who gives potential gay character feels (Hehe).

Face value of all the actors herein are 10/10.
Videography is awesome with bright colours and beautiful cinematography.
The title track is really soothing especially when it mentions ".....you are my oxygen!"

All in all one should definitely watch this piece coz a BL fan can never afford to let go of something so wonderful❤️😀

Lire davantage