Cutie Pie (2022)

I had some issues in the beginning but the ending was magnificent.

Plot:
I had some issues with the beginning right off the bat. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Lian as he seemed really indifferent to Kuea and he acted a bit like an ass. The dates he took him on were more like scripted outings than dates. I also didn’t care for how Kuea hid his true self for so long. I understand his fear of showing his true self only to get rejected, but he still shouldn’t have played a caricature of himself. A couple episodes deep into the show and you start to see the characters dynamics. I started to enjoy and like Lian and Kuea’s relationship.

Do I think Lian and Kuea could have gone about things a lot differently? Oh, my definitely. But every show needs its drama. I don’t like how many secrets they keep from each other though. I loved the friendships between Kuea and his school friends and his relationship with Kondiao. Plus Yi and Lian's friendship. The side relationship were some of my favorites I absolutely adore Syn and Nuer and their first kiss was PERFECT, no matter how cheesy and cliché it might have been. I also really liked watching Hia Yi catch feelings for Kondiao and seeing their relationship and dynamic change and shift as the show went on. Dear God, that proposal scene gave me the WORST case of second hand embarrassment I’ve ever had. The fact it was at his dad’s birthday party and in front of a ton of people is.. it’s a no for me. It was made even worse when Kuea said no! Now, do I think Kuea was wrong for rejecting Lian’s proposal? No, I don’t. I think he did the right thing at the right time. Was it extremely embarrassing? Absolutely, but it was also a little stupid on Lian’s part as well. Who proposes at an important event right after a fight where all of Lian’s secrets about Kuea’s family and his properties come out? I absolutely adored the last episode, it was equal parts sweet, cute, funny and just plan adorable. The fact that Lian was sabotaging Kuea’s proposals just so he could propose again was hilarious and really sweet. Although I think Kuea’s proposal won.

Music:
I thin the songs sung by NuNew were amazing and fit the story and the scene they were in but they were a bit overused i my opinion.

Acting:
The acting is some of the best things about this show. NuNew and Zee did a fantastic job. Their acting really showed in the second to last episode. They both deserved awards for that performance. The background/side actors did a great job as well. You can really tell everyone had amazing chemistry with each other, especially NuNew and Zee, Nat and Max, and Yim and Tutor.

Random notes:
I think Foei and Yi's secretary are the funniest characters in the show.
Not Yi immediately regretting getting Nong for 4 episodes straight.
I love Lian's parents (especially in the last episode) and Kuea's mom.

Lire davantage

BL arranged marriage story : kind of an insane premise makes for an enjoyable ride despite its flaws

This drama is for sure entertaining with a kind of bonkers premise with the two male heroes being engaged in their childhood and bound by a familial promise done to the family patriarch (grandfather of one of them). Now that there are both adults, they are therefore heading more or less voluntarily into an arranged marriage.

This plot might sound quite insane but it is pretty enjoyable with a mix of several tropes working pretty well together... Age gap, rich and cold male lead, cohabitation: there is a lot going on regarding the relationship between the two main leads as well as also regarding the relationships between the secondary characters. Do some of the relationships contains toxic and unhealthy aspects? Yep...Does everything make a lot of sense ? Not at all... But is it fun? For sure! Maybe the pacing and the writing could have been tighter, nevertheless it was a really easy watch.

I found the range in acting skills kind of unbalanced. It is a bit of a hit or miss in terms of performance (even for a same actors depending on the scene). For example, some of the younger actors felt quite inexperienced but still managed to be good for the fun and cute scenes, and were less successful in being totally convincing in the more emotional moments. Some of the more seasoned cast members oscillated a bit more between great moments and feeling oddly rigid at some other time.

Despite some flaws, I found overall the ensemble cast quite endearing and would be looking forward to see them in other series. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Nunew and Zee, they felt really comfortable acting together and the pairing worked especially well in the context set up by the show.

The OST was good, principally for the songs sang by Nunew. He is clearly talented and made the soundtrack much better by his presence. As the music was pretty important for his storyline, it was a relief seeing him so suited for that part of the role. What missed the mark the most in terms of soundtrack was relating to the way some instrumental music were used. Saxophone tunes during sexy time is not always a success and can honestly feel like a cheap trick to convey the feelings...which was the case here.

Regarding the making, I did find it a bit "soap-opera like" for some scenes with a lot of dramatic moments that felt more funny than gut-wrenching. I do not think that it was done on purpose, but once I got used to it I found it cute. I also think that this kind of "in-your-face" directing might explain why sometimes some of the acting work done felt a bit strange and "posey". You can feel that the actors are really directed to be loveable or cool but it can lack nuance and feel a bit too much at times. I still find it globally pretty charming.

I would recommend this to people looking for a BL with an age-gap and that like cold CEO vibe vs. cheeky and spunky guy. It is a simple and fun watch, do not expect a lot deepness or even angst from it. The drama content is very much matching with its title.

Lire davantage

loved it

I was so invested in this series, i binged the whole thing, started on new years eve, finished new years day.
I hope my new year can be filled with just a drop of the love the two main characters were able to portray here.
I don't even understand the negative remarks about this show.
Yes, it has a few triggers, but I'm not sensitive myself. I just enjoyed the budding romances, growing into passion. And the kissing scenes, yess, this is why I love BL drama's, the passionate kisses, totally made me want to reinstall tinder. However, posting 'BL drama' as an interest on my tinder profile might not be the smartest idea :-D

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Either You Love It, or You Hate it.

As the headlines says, this is a series where you will find yourself loving it or hating it for whatever reason. It boils down to your own perspective.

I saw that those who gave this series a low score had one thing in common in general. Those reviews said Lian (ML) is a toxic person who basically groomed and forced Kuea (MC) to have sex with him all the time.

I noticed that there's a trend in some of the review bombers. They compare Cutie Pie to other BL series, particularly KP. Also, they compare Cutie Pie to Why R U (Zee's old series with a different partner). Some of the low reviews MIGHT come from those who hate to see Zee moving on to a new pairing [ZeeNuNew], and some MIGHT even be review bombing this series just because they want to compare CP to KP, I saw that weird trend going on.

Now, let's dissect this series.

For me, I love Cutie Pie down to the bone.

That's because there is CONSENT, there is no R@pe, there is No Grooming. Toxic Relationship? Depends on you.

If you really watched Cutie Pie, like honestly watched it and not just review bombing it as I've seen what other reviewers are doing (They 'supposedly' watched the whole 12 episodes, uhuh), you'd know that there was No Grooming done in this series. Kuea had a crush on Lian ever since he was a kid, and Lian didn't treat Kuea inappropriately when they were kids and while growing up. Lian treated Kuea as a brother instead. Even in the novel version, Lian waited for Kuea and didn't even touch or kiss or treat him inappropriately before Kuea became an adult. Even when Kuea became an adult, Lian didn't treat him inappropriately.

That's the MAIN REASON why Kuea was unsure if Lian truly see him as a true and legitimate fiance, because Lian didn't show any overt romantic interest towards Kuea while they were growing up.

Cutie Pie 1 and Cutie Pie 2 is BIG on CONSENT. Like, it's basically the invisible tagline of the whole series.

Lian made sure that Kuea knows what they're doing before doing the deed. Also, there's even a time where Lian refused Kuea when he saw that Kuea was drunk even though Kuea was practically throwing himself at Lian.

Those other reviewers literally had the guts to review bomb this series because of the 'no consent' thing then compare it to KP or other risque BLs. Like, wth? Did we even watch the same thing?

As for the toxic relationship where in Lian supposedly 'limits' Kuea, like in going out or whatever.
Now I can tell you that some of those review bombers, who stated Lian as a toxic person because of this, didn't watch the whole series [ep 12/12] unlike what they stated in their reviews.

Let me tell you this, Kuea 'limited himself' on his own. In the series, Cutie Pie 1 and Cutie Pie 2, and even in the original novel, aside from that one particular time where Lian forced Kuea to live with him with the consent of Kuea's mom, Lian NEVER again dictated what Kuea should do, before living together, and after living together.

Kuea was so in love with Lian that he got this in his mind to be a 'perfect' fiance. He lied about his course, his hobbies, and his circle of friends because he thought Lian will be disagree with those things. But I have to tell you that Lian already knows of it, and even if he doesn't, he's ok with it as long as it makes Kuea happy.

Kuea was the one who chose to lie about himself because he's afraid that Lian will be disappointed with him. Lian knows that Kuea was lying but he chose to patiently wait for Kuea to tell him the truth. Lian supported Kuea in everything, and I mean everything that Kuea wants to do. Lian even stated that he will give Kuea his company and all of his assets once Kuea is old enough or something happens to him. Also, Lian supported Kuea in his career in Cutie Pie 2 at his own sacrifice, don't want to spoil too much about this.

Lian is actually one of the most misunderstood characters in BL history if people are regarding him as toxic. He's literally the greenest of all the green flags out there in BL history.

However, there is a somewhat (?) toxic relationship though, but it's not with the main couple, it's with the side couple, Hia Yi and Kon Diao. On that side, I agree that it's somewhat toxic since Hia Yi sets a curfew for Kon Diao. Even though we know why Hia Yi does what he does as seen in the Naughty Babe series, they only hint at it in the Cutie Pie series.

Also, I do agree with the other reviewers about one more thing.

COMMUNICATION.

The characters needs to communicate with each other. Not just the main pairing, but even those 2 side couples.

Aside from that, I really like the story and find it cute and light.

Zee's acting was great, and Nunew really delivered as Kuea. I really can't see another Lian and Kuea aside from Zee and Nunew. Lian's secretary, Foei which was played by Poppy, was superb, I couldn't control myself in laughing whenever he's in the scene. I guess the only awkward one in the cast is Kon Diao played by Nat. He needs more acting lessons as I noticed that his acting is quite stilted. Aside from that, the DMD boys, and other side characters, all did great.

Music selection was superb. Nunew literally carried the whole OST and Kirin's songs. Kirin singing at the club was actually one of the main highlights in the series.

If you're still unsure if you want to start watching this series or not, just give it a go. If you like it, then you like it. If you don't like it, then drop it. Easy like that.

Just don't get discouraged by the review bombs. It's better to make your own judgement.

Lire davantage

The right to love.

First, the love scenes….OMG best and sweetest I have ever seen. They had chemistry. I also like how they handled the consent in the scene when they had their first time together.

What I really enjoyed was how they calmly discussed real issues for a lot of the LGBTQ community in so many countries. They discuss how they will have no legal rights as a married couple. That no matter what happens they will see it through together and stay together. (Inferring that though their community, country, and culture’s view of same sex marriage.) My favorite line was something like “This is the reason we have so many problems. Open your eyes, open your mind, open your heart. Love is love. “

I am so happy to see a BL show that is not violent, or some kind of date rape scenario. We are getting closer and closer to main streaming.

I think this show took a lot of guts to attempt. Ina sense they went out on a limb. We all know what sells in the BL genre. This production did not rely on the standard attention getting sensational nonsense that is nothing like real life. (I am referring to the evolution of a love relationship. I think we can all agree that an aristocrat and a commoner from another country would probably not arrange a same sex marriage.) They relied on the acting, the sweet message, and the writing. It may be a little campy and the story may be far fetched. It is not meant to be some real life drama. It is a happy romantic love story that has some hot but not gross love scenes, that addressed some social and political issues.

FYI the behind the scenes is pretty cute. Especially the two leads. I think someone may have had a legit crush. Cute!

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The Plot almost ruined it but chemistry saved it.

Summary:
▪️Acting:
Ranges from good to great.
▪️Chemistry:
Fantastic. Main reason why it's so popular. All 3 couples were great.
▪️Cinematography:
Ranges from good to beautiful.
▪️Plot:❓
▪️Story:
Overall good & another reason why it's so popular.

This show has a simple plot that was somehow still lost. Like they found it again towards the end but it was definitely lost for a while in the middle. This is the one time where telling a cliché story would've been the best course of action that would've resulted in a good plot.

Still the story & chemistry are the main highlights and in those two aspects one will very likely not be disappointed✌🏾

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Para mim só existe Syn e Neur

Primeiramente, eu vi esta série, quando ela saiu, então é normal eu não me lembrar tão bem dos pontos fortes e fracos da série.

*Sobre a sinopse*

Eu não a achei cativante, porque casamento arranjado não é muito o meu estilo, além disso em pleno século XXI, isso é incomum na sociedade "moderna". Mas enfim, não censuro a ideia, para quem gosta vale a pena assistir. Essa ideia tem sempre os seus prós e contras.

*Casal Lian e Kuea*

Eu fiquei chocada com a diferença de idades? Não, talvez porque os meus pais tenham dez anos de diferença. Claro que o facto mais perturbador será a exclamação que Lian por vezes comenta. Porque pode ser um pouco questionável para algumas pessoas. Acho que nenhuma criança olha para um bebé e diz "eu amo-te" ou "sempre te amei, desde bebé"

Com o decorrer da história eles vão construindo memórias e momentos a dois. O que mais odiei foi a forma como Lian é opressor, controlador, tudo bem se sente ciúmes, mas sinceramente ele é muito tóxico. Eu não vi praticamente muita química entre o casal, talvez seja pelas mentiras ou pelos momentos mais quente, que aparecem sem razão aparente. Sinceramente nem sei como o youtube permitiu.

O Kuea praticamente viva com certo receio de mostrar ao "amado", que cantava e praticamente parece que os dois não convivem muito, que não se conhecem muito bem, já que o Kuea usava uma mascara, para mostrar que era bom moço e que é submisso ao amado. de certa forma ele sempre foi submisso o tempo inteiro. Eu sinceramente não vi muito potencial para o casal.

Mas lá está eu vejo que o relacionamento é forçado pelo facto da existência do casamento arranjado. Quem gosta eu não critico, mas sinceramente eles poderiam seguir um caminho mais limpo.

* Casal Khondiao e Yi*

Para mim esses dois são quase um copy paste do casal principal. Eu sinceramente não sei porque é que eles existem. Simplesmente para mim eles poderiam não existir, a sua história não é muito relevante. Até hoje eu sinto me mal de pensar isso. Eu não tenho muito a acrecentar.

*Casal Syn e Neur*

Ei simplesmente amei, para mim eles foram o único suporte para não abandonar a série. A história deles começa de vagar, antes de acontecer o primeiro beijo, eles já tinham uma certa química. Quando os vi pela primeira vez, eu pensei duvidosamente que poderia ser um casal, o Neur foi atirado para a série para correr atrás de Kuea, mas acabou aterrando nos braços de Syn.

Eles poderia ser um casal melhor, mais desenvolvido, caso tivesse mais tempo na série. Mas pelo pouco tempo que duravam eles sempre desenvolviam uma coisa aqui e outra ali. O relacionamento eles era saudável, mesmo o ciumezinho do Syn ( o coitado apaixonou-se antes se saber que estava apaixonado) era saudável. O amor dos dois é sensacional, eu amei muito, mesmo. Assim que soube que eles iriam dar novamente, eu fiquei com os olhos brilhantes, para ver os dois.

*Considerações finais*

Poderia ser melhor, para mim a única coisa boa: são as músicas, o casal Syn e Neur, que eu dei por mim a ver metade da série pulado os dois casais ( Lian e Kuea / Khondiao e Yi), para ver os meus amados ( Syn e Neur). Portanto alguns episódios resumiam-se a mais ou menos 15 minutos, eu esperava semana após semana para os ver.

Para quem gosta de uma história sobre casamento arranjado e alguns comportamentos tóxicos é recomendável, para aqueles que não gostam tanto como eu, eu recomendo somente ver a série pelo casal Syn e Neur.

Lire davantage

My Top 5 Best BL drama

I became intrigue in other peoples list as there top BLs to watch. After finally watching it I have to say I truly enjoy it. Now I am not someone that cares for ships and fandom power of actors, but I do have to admit all in all it was good overall, although the mediocre acting by the lead males at some parts really cringe me. I will recommend watching this drama after TharnType or Bad Buddies, since in a way it has a mid similar vibe in the overall aspect of the drama, funny, good nc scenes and character development.

Will I rewatch it again maybe, would I recomended yes.

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Iconic but certainly not for its plot

Cutie Pie's production value is high, the chemistry is sizzling and love the political messages here and there. But what is that plot? The novel's plot is kinda dumb, but the series? Straight up nonsensical. I definitely watched for everything but the plot.

I do appreciate Nunew singing the OST and not sounding terrible! Not a given in thai bl iykyk

Overall a fun watch regardless, could have been far better if they would have stuck a bit more to the whole "Kuea is also a baddie" plot and included more insights on Lian's feelings and thoughts (they are dumb in both versions though, no saving possible either way).

Bonus point for the added Angst towards the end, the Novel was a bit too angstless and uneventful for my taste. Lian turning while crying at being rejected hit hard and I'd like to thank everyone, especially Zee for it.

That being said, I am looking forward to Cutie Pie 2 You!

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