Ton Hon Chon Tee (2020)

Could've been better

This crap was so messy. The story had potential and they ruined it in the last 2 - 3 eps. Like Ton, why the fuck?! What was the fucking reason? Ok so Imma give my reasons and explanations on why I gave everything wut I gave it

//Story//
As I said, the story was fine. It was kind of cliche but wutever, I'm a hopeless romantic and lonely bitch. Gmm just ruined it so bad in the 9th and 10th ep. How does Ton love Chon if he'll cheat just to prove a point? Boy, you got a mouth right?
Also, the homophobia was just *NO*. Like you can add it, bc there are situations where it's "used correctly" (I do not in any way, shape, or form support homophobia) but why use it for comedy!? Fucking crazy. Also, stop with the shitty stereotypes, just bc he's feminine doesn't mean he's gay and just bc he's masculine doesn't mean he can't be gay. That's why I gave it a 4.0, it was good but they didn't execute it well.

//Cast/Acting//
I fucking love the cast, Mike, Top, Khaotung, Gunsmile, and most of the rest. But damn, the acting was so-so. what do you expect with such a bad script and execution of the story? They did their best with wut they were given. The cast saved it.

//Music//
Idk why but I found myself singing the intro all day. Literally the only part I liked.

//ReWV//
I'm not watching this again. Never. I'm gonna try to forget it was ever made. I will be telling my friends not to watch it.

A few more things.
There were cute moments, that's no lie. Unfortunately, I found myself skipping a lot of the end just to get it over with. You know it's pretty bad when I write a review and skip. This is also the first review I've written, I was too lazy to sign in and type, but I felt it was necessary.n Yea that's wut I thought. Gmm give these boys a better show. And dude give Na some happiness.

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Underrated

Problematic tropes are used in this series, but they are actually addressed unlike older BLs. It's refreshing how the characters explicitly talk about these tropes. They say things that BL audiences have been thinking about these issues for for years. Characters may also seem stereotypical at the start, but as the series goes along especially near the end, pleasant surprises that break the mold are thrown in. What's more skillfully done is how these tropes are used together with other devices to provide a funny, entertaining experience. I was just laughing every episode. Just when you think the scenarios couldn't get any more ridiculous, they will, and you laugh more and louder. It helps that the actors deliver in both comedic and dramatic scenes. The supporting cast is absolutely hilarious and endearing. Watch this memorable, underrated, even subversive series.

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Its cute. I would watch it again

Im not sure why all the bad reviews. Is the show oscar worthy? No but almost none of these school age BL's are. Once you've seen a couple you've basically seen them all. The plot isn't terribly original but it was hilarious. The ML's are cute and the supporting actors are too funny. Especially the mom and the girl who plays the fake girlfriend. I laughed all the way through. To me it was almost a spoof of BL series. If you pay attention there are a lot of commical references to other thai and chinese bl's. I didnt even notice the music. I think it was just normal background music.

Its a good flick if you want something light to binge watch. I would recommend it.

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Must watch

i would like everyone who is checking reviews, GO and WATCH the series it is very good . it deserves more praise than people give it. watch it till last and you will love it.
the story is beautiful and it shows friendship romantic relationship ... it is filled with comedy you will always have a smile on your face... trust me wait till "Ton" confesses his feeling it gives show a more meaning ...
i have watched many bls and i will recommend everyone to watch it cause you are missing a really good show.. you can also check comments section there are also quite a good short reviews about the show!!

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Badly concluded.

I only watched it for two reasons: 1, because my friend said it was very crack!fic and funny. 2, I really liked the cast.

Well, it was fun and kind of crack!Fic. The show could have been great if they didn’t mess up in the last 2 episodes. I don’t know if it was because of Covid, but that end was ridiculous… nonsensical. Like, how can that be the explanation for everything Tonhon had done? Like, really? His dad was a homophobe and Tonhon was an ass.

We knew from the first time that he liked Chonlatee. I mean, no one is this jealous of a “brother”, but the explanation was totally awful. How can they say Tonhon acted like that because he liked Chonlatee so much? Do you all think we are stupid?

Anyway, I liked the Mike/TopTap relationship better. I wished that Chonlatee would stay with Na (or someone else).

Overall, funny tropes, good cast, but very bad on figuring out some things. Most of the Thai BLs don't know how to work on certain topics.

Wish for Pod/Khao to have another show together. They deserve something better, but after the not-so-good reviews, I don’t think GMM will give them a chance.

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Ignore that low rating, it's 10/10!

If you watch this for nothing else, watch it for the final episode. Although... it's flipping amazing anyways.

How do people rate this so low?! Was it the homophobia? Because I can see that, although we had people loudly voicing support for LGBTQ+ there was quite a lot of homophobia. That being said, we have dealt with that in other shows and not condemned it for that. And if that isn't the reason, I have no idea what it could be. Was it the pandemic? Was everyone still just angry at the world? I really just don't get it. I mean.... I usually rate shows a little lower than average or about the average. But this was a 10/10 for me.

I flipping loved this show! It was hilarious! It was a great plot, and Chonlatee was everything! The friends were AMAZING! Every character played their role so well! I was laughing so much. I LOVED this friends to lovers trope, I loved the journey, and I routed for Chonlatee the entire time! I loved the differences between our two main characters. I loved how right away Tonhon was treating Chonlatee as if not a day had passed. Their first meeting? Hilarious! Their first sleepover? Hilarious! Everything he did was just so satisfying.

And can we give this series credit for not having Tonhon break up with his girlfriend FOR Chonlatee! He was heartbroken BEFORE he ran into him again (and while heartbroken he ran back to his 'home' if that tells you anything) and then things went from there. That is SO refreshing. Look at Love Mechanics, although I loved that show, I couldn't bare to watch another show where the GF card gets dragged along for far to long!

One of my big issues in this show was Ton and his feelings. When Ton was faced with a truth and suddenly seemed to change so much, it felt unrealistic. Buuuuuuut after everything played out, his reactions made SO much sense! I even want to go rewatch it right after finishing it to see the series in a whole new light!

There is not one thing in this show I disliked, and THAT is very, VERY rare for me.

Oh and let's not forget Na! We love you Neo! and Gunsmile, sad to see you in this role but you did great! Mike, TopTap, a pleasure as always. ALSO this is SUCH a change in character for Khaotung! I saw one episode of Eclipse and him in 2gether and he seemed SO different here. I love him the most in this one but what a versatile actor! And Pod! I actually wasn't a huge fan of him in Dark Blue Kiss but LOVED him in this one! Okay at first I thought he was a bit dense but again, I have to go back and watch the show in a new light to truly see his entire character now!

GMMTV, a pleasure as always.

I have many more thoughts but I have to stop somewhere!!

Okay one more thing! When Ton was apologizing LOL OHMYGOD.
Me:
"HE DID NOT JUST DEHEAD THAT TEDDY BEAR AHAHAHHAHA
THREW THE WHOLE GARBAGE AT HIM HAHAHAH
Oh you're hot? HERES A BUCKET OF WATER AHHAHAHHA

THAT EPISODE KILLLLLED ME! I had to rewatch so many times and started crying I was laughing so hard!!

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There was too many stereotypes to count in this series but I don't know....I enjoyed it for the most part. It's definitely not a life changing series and to me it's just a fun little series to watch when there's not much else. The main couple is very strange and the dynamic of their friendship is probably stranger than their relationship. Throughout their friendship we see Ton being very close minded and almost pressuring Chon to get a girlfriend. Then everything happens and their in a relationship and Ton accepts it pretty quickly....which would be fair enough but then we find out Ton has actually fancied Chon for a long time also. There's little to no indication that Ton is even slightly interested in Chon whatsoever until he finds out Chon likes him. I don't know haha it confuses me so much. Its a good comfort series I guess.

Let's not forget about Na, he's so adorable but gets used.....ugh I'm glad he found happiness right at the end.

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Watching this show is my only regret

You would think, with an all-star cast such as this, GMMTV would put out something actually worth your time. Don't bother with hope though, as this show will fail to meet even your lowest expectations. Despite how cute Khao looks in all those oversized shirts, the character visuals are there to serve as a distraction to the complete mess that is going on in the foreground. If you're prepared to be colossally disappointed by a story that somehow manages to cram every important detail into the final episode without giving any closure for the previous 9, then this is the series for you.

But don't worry - what the show lacks in logic, it makes up for with characters that truly never get what they deserve. This series has characters that you will love, and a few that you will really, REALLY hate. Which, honestly, is the only motivation to finish the series in my opinion. The acting is one of the only redeeming qualities (aesthetic cast aside), and it's clear that every cast member has done their best to bring the story to life (unfortunately). Although the comedic and dramatic timing for the series is comically out of place - the timing of the comedic moments is honestly funnier than the comedy itself purely for the distress that it causes in my only functioning brain cell - at least the cast commits and gets it done.

Really though: GMMTV, you've really disappointed me with this one. Thanks for reminding me that my standards aren't actually that low.

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That was..........BAD

Okay, I am usually generous when reviewing stuff but this was outstandingly so BAD that there is no way to go around saying it. Gosh, I cant believe i was able to seat through this disastrous show till the very end. The plot was so horrible that I wish I could tell the writer not to write such nonsense again.

Tonhon has got to be one of the WORST BL male leads I have ever stumbled across. I have no idea how chonlatee was still able to have a crush on him even after knowing how horrible of a personality he has. I honestly cant even REMEMBER the story because was there REALLY ANY STORY/PLOT to this. Complete garbage.

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It has some serious problems, but I liked&enjoyed it

Before I start:
1/ I don’t speak nor understand Thai, so I relied entirely on subtitles provided on GMMTV’s YouTube channel;
2/ all my comments and remarks below are about the GMMTV series – I didn’t read the book which inspired the series; for me the series is a completely independent work, not connected with the book, and it needs to stand on its own.

What I like about the series
1/ On-screen chemistry. Toptap and Mike work so well together that I’d be surprised to learn that off-screen they are anything less than good friends. But what I enjoyed even more was the chemistry between Pod and Khaotung; they sold me on Ton and Chon having genuine affection and feelings for one another. It was more than the absence of awkwardness; both actors seemed confident and relaxed in each other’s presence (for most of the time), hence their interactions (including the goofy ones) were believable. We deserved to see more of those two together; we got loads of cuteness and emotions, what we should have gotten more of was boyfriend banter (we got some of that, but more would be nice – Khaotung showed that his Chon can be shy, confident, loving, stubborn and angry, but also very sassy).
2/ Less non-problems than I feared. My prime example is Chon’s reaction to the kiss video in episode 9. Initially I was disappointed and thought Chon reacted according to BL-silliness (by which I mean that characters usually suspect and assume the worst, act without real reason, judge the situation without actual proof, tend to overreact and/or react to things no real person would bother reacting to; also, they don’t talk to each other). Then I watched episode 10 and saw that Chon’s reaction was much more grounded and relatable. Chon recognized Ton as a show-off prone to dumb stunts and actions which would give Chon constant heartache. Suddenly it made sense and the BL-silliness was gone; there was no fake problem – there was a real one and Chon was reacting to it.
3/ Showing homophobia’s still a real thing. We see LGBTQ characters fearful of how their friends and other people would react to their coming out/revealing they are in a same-sex relationship and we see homophobic characters with their stereotypes, prejudice and aggression. Pretending we live in a world were nothing stops LGBTQ persons from having a happy life would be bad. Glad the show writers didn’t do that. That being said:
- the way a gay character was presented in episode 1 (guy who followed Ton and Chon after they had lunch) was appalling and homophobic,
- Ton never apologizing nor even addressing his homophobia was a huge mistake of the writers,
- Chareon getting his wish fulfilled instead of being denied and ignored was an even bigger mistake of the writers – c’mon, guys! if you want to show everyone that homophobia is bad you can’t reward a homophobe!
4/ Very limited side plots. Compare “Tonhon Chonlatee” to, let’s say, “2gether”, where we got 4 couples: Tine&Sarawat, Type&Man, Dim&Green and Mil& Phukong (5 if we include Pear&Boss). Were they all necessary to tell the story of Tine&Sarawat? Did we learn more about the main characters because of these additional characters and their relationships? What purpose in the story did they serve? In “Tonhon Chonlatee” the side characters are acutely aware of their purpose; Ai explaining to Ni, that they are the protagonist’s sidekicks was on point and almost breaking the 4th wall.
5/ Miriam. Once she shows up she does a lot to push the plot forward – which the story needed after the slow-paced first few episodes. The character itself is likeable and a much needed voice of reason.

What I don’t mind about the series
1/ How character development of Ton was handled. The writing is rather basic and often clumsy, with a difficult-to-believe revelation in episode 10, but we also get a clear character arc for Ton. BTW: I liked that the show didn’t immediately explain why and how Ton got the idea of having Chon stay at his place and them two spending so much time together. Ton felt something for Chon and acted on what we were initially led to believe was instinct - I'm fine with that.
2/ Clumsy writing. (i) People condemning Amp after her rant in episode 8 - apparently students carry paper balls with them at all times (ii) The shoehorned beach scene at the end of episode 8 (I guess we needed that to illustrate that Ton made a decision, that from now on – instead of being a homophobe – he’ll fight homophobia, that he’s no longer afraid and so on).
3/ Unanswered questions. (i) How come Ton didn’t recognize Chon in episode 1 and what purpose did it serve? From a story point of view it would be better for Ton to recognize Chon right away, saying something like “Just the person I wanted to see. I’ve missed you so much. Let’s have lunch”. (ii) Who leaked the picture of Ton sleeping in episode 8? Was it Chon (he took the picture)? Was it Pang (she saw the picture and held Chon’s phone long enough to send the picture to herself)? We know why it happened (drama), but how? (iii) Is everyone allowed to see other people’s kites that hang if front of the Sam Muk temple? And to tamper with them? (iv) Don’t Ton’s parents have any social media accounts? Don’t they follow their son?
I can live without knowing these things.

What annoys me about the series
1/ How Ton’s attraction to Chon is explained in episodes 9 and 10. On reviewer (deetsy) addressed this nicely today, so let me quote: “In the end what we got was a homophobic story of "I'm not gay, I just love you". It worked well 5 years ago in SOTUS, but now I think LGBT community moved on past this narrative and deserves something better”. In short: why can’t Ton just be gay or bisexual or pansexual? Why the additional “explanation” that he’s attracted to Chon because they have had a special bond as children? Why the emphasis on Ton not being gay, on Ton “still liking women” and not feeling anything for other men? Maybe there’s something I don’t get about some BL series, but this wasn’t the first time I saw something like this. Did you notice the emphasis on past girlfriends, who don’t even have to appear in the show nor become villains (like Amp), but are casually mentioned? As if the writers wanted to establish that gay characters don’t exist and if two guys get together they are bisexual or pansexual at best. In “Tonhon Chonlatee” this applies not just to Ton, but also to Na, and you can see the same pattern in other series: a boy dating girls until he meets that one special boy he’s attracted to (see both Tine and Sarawat in “2gether”, see Tee in “Cause You're My Boy”, see Knock in “Together with me” and see many others examples).
2/ Chareon’s homophobia and “the baby solution”. Chareon is a homophobe and a domestic tyrant. Everyone is trying to make him realize he can’t separate Chon and Ton nor impose his wish to have grandchildren, but at the same time everyone tries to satisfy that wish: enter Nam and the surrogate mother idea. Why is this even in the show? Why did the writers decide to fulfil Chareon’s wish and disregard basically everything done up untill that point? Chareon was told he can’t force his kids to do his bidding and then he got exactly what he wanted. As much as I enjoyed the first part of episode 10, I was facepalming for most of the rest of it.
3/ Nueng facing almost no consequences for his assault on Chon. Nueng is a would-be rapist and almost nothing happened to him. Ton kicked him once, dragged him out of the toilet and punched him once – that was all, that was the whole “punishment” for what Nueng attempted. I’m not saying we needed a scene of Ton and Chon testifying at a police station, but something should have happened, e.g. Ai or Ni doing their sidekick job and telling Ton (e.g. a day after the assault) that the university announced Nueng was suspended and facing a police investigation. Instead we got Nueng on best-buddy terms with Amp, supporting her lies (I didn’t know would-be rapists hold the moral high ground to lecture junior students on splashing seniors with water) until she was revealed as a homophobe. The guy shouldn’t even be in the series at that point! BTW: remember how Chon was reprimanded for kissing Ton while Ton was asleep? If the writers (correctly) wanted to tell us that any form of sexual activity, even a kiss, needs to be consensual, they shouldn’t send conflicting signals like that.

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Never. Been. So. Disappointed

The show was pretty good, but the ending ruined everything. There was so much wrong with it I'm just in so much disbelief of how GMMTv could really fuck up a show like that.

The writers or whoever really tried to make us feel like this was another praise worthy dad who learned to accept his son. The thing is, the father didn't accept shit. He got his way and that's why he was happy in the end.
I know a lot of gay couples do surrogate, it's not uncommon. But the reason they ended up with this option just doesn't sit right with me. Ton's dad literally decided how, who and when they were gonna have a baby. It honestly feels like Ton and Chon were forced to have a child. And I thought I liked Chon's mom too, but she let us down. Like why is it that instead of putting the dad in his place, and letting him know it ain't his life, everyone's tryna please him? Ton and Chon weren't involve in any of the planning and it doesn't even seem like something they even wanted. At least not that early in their life. Seriously, Ton is still in school 3 years later.
And though I still like Miriam, it felt like she was forced to be the surrogate mom. In the scene that we saw, she didn't even say yes, she was just like "YOU WANT ME TO BE THE SURROGATE?", and then "No I don't have a problem with it?" ANd what the fuck if she did have a problem with it sir? I mean she hasn't even had sex yet and already thinking of having someone else's baby? Plus, she was given like a mil for doing it, and a mil is a lot of money, so it feel like she was backed into a wall.
I honestly should've known that they were gonna do some stupid shit like this because they made it very clear that "the dad isn't homophobic, he just wants grand kids." If GMMTV don't fuck outta here with tha bs, he's homophobic and he probably would've disowned Ton, if he hadn't said yes to having kids.
Anyways there was so much wrong with this show but this was the worst for me. I don't recommend it.

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