Queen KittyCat93

BL Fans, take a chill pill. This was a good show

Let me start by saying: BL fans are expecting way too much from this genre. I always check MDL before watching a series to see the cast, director, and reviews, and lately? The reviews are exhausting. People are overanalyzing every little thing instead of just enjoying the show. At the end of the day, BL dramas are about two dudes circling each other for 8-12 episodes until one finally confesses. These aren’t meant to be cinematic masterpieces, so please, and with all due respect... GET A GRIP.

Now that my tangent is over, here’s my actual review.

What I Liked About Sangmin Dinneaw
Personally, I enjoyed this series and rated it accordingly. Is it the best BL I’ve ever seen? No. Would I rewatch it? Probably, when I need something light and enjoyable.

What stood out to me was that it wasn’t another university-based romance set in an Engineering faculty. Instead, it gave us believable characters with mostly “real world” problems. The supporting characters were funny and well-executed, and—for the love of all things holy—it was SO refreshing to see a man have a platonic female friend without her secretly trying to sabotage his relationship. The jealous ex-girlfriend trope is beyond exhausting, and I’m glad we avoided that here.

I also appreciated the language barrier between Sangmin and Dinneaw. It was both believable and endearing since I understand both Thai and Korean. However, I have to admit—the amnesia scene where Sangmin forgot everything except how to speak Thai was a little too convenient. But his facial expressions were the highlight of the series, and I sincerely hope he got a bonus for all those costume changes. Also, were those tattoos real? I need answers.

The Side Couples – Messy, Hilarious, & Heartbreaking
The side couples added a lot to the show. Poor Pop spent the entire series pining for Tor, only for Tor to string him along mercilessly. Honestly? That was brutal to watch. Then we had Riktor and Guy—a chaotic, unhinged duo in the best way possible. The cucumber squatting scene? Had me crying with laughter.

The NC scenes were surprisingly intense. Sangmin and Dinneaw’s scenes were well-done, natural, and fit the story rather than feeling excessive. Dinneaw’s solo scene? Incredibly well-executed—sensual without being overly graphic. That said… somebody needs to tranquilize Riktor.

Setting & Direction – A Breath of Fresh Air
One of my favorite things about this series was the setting. It’s rare to see Thai dramas—BL or otherwise—set outside of Bangkok or a university. Ayutthaya was a stunning backdrop, and I genuinely enjoyed Dinneaw’s little historical facts about the area. It even inspired me to look things up on my own, and as a history nerd, that’s a huge win.

What Didn’t Work for Me
Some of the casting choices were questionable.
Sainam, the hotel executive, is still a child, and watching his much-older assistant literally grope him was beyond awkward. Pony—who could easily be his mom’s age—being eye-level with his junk was off-putting, to say the least.
The ending felt rushed.
When there were only eight minutes left in the final episode, I was seriously wondering if the show would even wrap up properly. It did… kind of. But it felt like we deserved a bit more time with their happy ending.
Final Thoughts – A Solid BL That Did Its Job Well
Sangmin Dinneaw did not reinvent the BL genre. It wasn’t the most breathtaking series I’ve ever seen. But it did what it was supposed to do—tell the love stories of not one, not two, but three couples (four, if you count the mini-couple at the hospital) in a way that kept me engaged and entertained.

For anyone reading this review, I just want to say: BL dramas are meant to entertain us for the short time we watch them. Many of these actors—especially in Thailand—are full-time students or working other jobs. Unlike Western productions, where actors spend their entire lives on film sets, Thai BLs are often made under tight budgets and quick shooting schedules. Expecting Hollywood-level production from a genre that’s still growing is unrealistic.

If you’re looking for a light, fun, well-acted BL with great chemistry, silly sound effects, and a unique setting, this is worth watching—at least once.

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