Average Thriller

TW: Animal abuse is insinuated within the first three minutes of episode 4; however, we are assured at the end with a message from the creators that no animals were harmed during filming. While it pertains to characterization of one person, if you find this distressing (like I do), I think you can go to the four-minute mark of episode 4 and not miss anything important story-wise.

I felt like this was a pretty typical domestic thriller/crime drama. No twists and turns here, which may be explained by the fact that this was based on a true story. The writers have merely adapted that real-life event to the small screen without any added razzle dazzle, and that’s what it felt like watching this. Although I didn't know the answer to the ultimate question until the final episode, nor did I suspect the surrounding circumstances, once everything was revealed, I wasn't surprised at all.

This is a short drama: four episodes around 25 minutes each. Time constraints will of course prevent us from diving too deeply into the characters' backstories. That said, we got enough details about the major players to get a sense of who they were, and if viewed as a movie cut into parts, the characterization felt complete enough. I do wish we saw more of the detective's story. There was a very intense build-up that led me to expect some big revelation in the end, but it just resolved rather quickly and quietly. On the one hand, I felt like the writers were trying to fit too much into this short piece, and that resulted in a breadth-over-depth application. But on the other, I applaud the writers for using every last second to propel the story forward in one way or another in spite of their time limitations.

Overall, although I'm not blown away by this drama, I did find it interesting and enjoyed spending a couple of hours with these characters and their story. I'd recommend this drama if you want something short but intense with strong actors and quality production value.

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Loved, loved, loved this! I was thrown off at first by the overacting, but when I read from others on here that it's deliberate, I immediately got into it and think it made this drama all the more special. It really feels like you're watching a live action anime, and that gives Kakegurui a special and unique touch that sets it apart from a lot of other dramas. Though the episodes were a little formulaic, they were fun and enjoyable to watch. I thought all the games were clever and was interested in seeing how Yumeko figured them out. The actors were fantastic; I absolutely adored Minami as Yumeko and loved her dynamic with the other characters, especially Manyuda. If I had to offer some critique, it'd be that I wish we got more character backstory, especially with the main ones and even more especially with Yumeko, since there was definitely something going on there. Perhaps we'll see that in Season 2, but overall it didn't take away from my enjoyment of this show. Definitely add this to your list if you're looking for something fun to watch!

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STORY:
Overall cute, entertaining little one shots featuring some of our favorite GMM-TV guys. The writers give us drama without it getting too heavy or angsty. For the most part, each episode provides either a follow-up/conclusion to what we were given in each respective drama or a side story that takes place at some future time but still following canon. The only story that seemed a little off to me, and *only* when compared to the end of its main drama, was the one with In and Sun. Whereas at the end of Edge of 17, In and Sun had begun a tenuous yet happy relationship, here they seemed to have taken a couple of steps back, and we’re once again rooting for these two to have their happy ending. It’s still a good one shot and still feels authentic in terms of In and Sun’s characters. And, prior ending notwithstanding, it does feel consistent with In’s character (given what we saw throughout Edge of 17). But I think for that episode, you have to put aside the ending to Edge of 17 (or just imagine your own scenario that occurred afterwards that would lead up the events in Our Skyy).

That aside, in all of these episodes, we watch these boys experience thoughtful character development and gain a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation of their partners and relationship. I think it’s this growth that adds to a sense of closure and knowledge that everything will be okay.

ACTING/CAST:
These guys have already proven themselves to be more than capable of delivering great performances, and they brought that same energy and dynamic we’d expect them to bring based on their previous works. I have to really commend Off and Gun who, because of their plot line, had to emulate how the other would act in terms of facial and body language. Both pulled it off impeccably. Frank and Drake (Mork and Tee) were probably my favorite in terms of chemistry (so sweet and naturally affectionate), and Krist brought his signature adorableness as well.

MUSIC:
I love Fluke’s song that I think is only associated with Pick and Rome’s story (??). So catchy. Don’t really have any other standouts, but the music was still enjoyable.

RE-WATCH VALUE:
I don’t typically re-watch dramas unless they are especially compelling. For Our Skyy, I may go back and skim a few episodes when I’m short on something to watch.

OVERALL:
I really enjoyed revisiting these characters and falling in love with them all over again, and I’m sure fans of the original series will feel the same. If you’ve already watched those prequel dramas (which I do recommend doing before embarking on this) then I’m sure you’ll love this as well. Of course I’d recommend! :)

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Hot Boys and Smut Does Not a 10 This Make

The very first scene in episode 1 got me excited to start this show. The cinematography and production value looked top notch, and it seemed like a good story was right around the corner. By episode 2 I was starting to have my doubts about how much I'd enjoy this show, and by episode 9 I decided it was more of a burden than a joy to watch, so I ended up dropping.

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Let's start with the GOOD:
• The lead actors do have nice chemistry with one another. Especially as the series progresses, you can tell that they are comfortable with one another and like being around each other. The romance, therefore, feels natural and organic. And yes, the bed scenes are steamy and sexy and fill that hole of carnal desire that other BLs leave behind.

• SOME parts of the story are good--the serious parts. There are a few defining moments that come to mind that I thought were really well acted and scripted. I also appreciate the variety and ingenuity that a different setting (here a baking company and baking competition) and plot can bring to the genre.

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Ok, now on to the BAD:
• The acting. There was this forced naturalness about it that came across as awkward, stiff, and inorganic. I agree with others who have said it seemed like improv. While I think this style works for certain types of scenes, I believe it's better if used sparingly. The acting did improve as the series wore on, but the awkardness wasn't completely erased.

• The story. Oh how I wish the writers/director/whoever had narrowed down the number of episodes and focused solely on the internship, baking competition, and development of Ace and Sky's relationship within that context. It would have made for a more focused, unique story. I liked the creative plot line and new type of challenge(s), as well as the different setting. But no. They had to bring in elements from BL shows we've seen time and time again. I don't always mind when tropes are used, but I'd prefer they be used in a way that actually fits within the story and moves it along. Here, it felt like it was added for manufactured drama and to create more episodes.

• The humor. God I hated the humor. It was like watching something written by a 12 year old boy. Cringe doesn't begin to describe it. Of course, humor is subjective, and if you’re a fan of booger and fart jokes, inappropriate workplace sexual harassment downplayed as something to make fun of and laugh at, and the like, you may like this. Me? I prefer comedy that's a bit more subtle and witty in nature.

• Finally, the product placement. Look, I know companies have to make money in order to create these things. I get that. My problem is that I felt the director/writer could have found a much more creative and seamless way to insert the numerous product placement scenes. Many of them were added out of nowhere and had absolutely nothing to do with the story at all, which made for a jarring and disconnected viewing experience.

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OVERALL, if you're a fan of, for example, Make It Right or The Best Twins, I think you'll enjoy this. I say that not because the stories are similar, but because the comedy is, and the comedy makes up a huge part of this show. I also think you'll enjoy it if you're looking for something simple and silly with good visuals. But if you want something that's a little more serious all-around and consistent in terms of writing, then you may be disappointed. I'd say give it a shot and if you're still liking it by the end of episode 2, then I think this one will please you.

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Meh

I'll start by saying that I agree with a lot of what the reviewers who rated this on the mid- to low-level scale said, so I'd definitely recommend checking out their reviews to see their thoughts on it. So that I don't echo what's already been said, I'll incorporate those reviews here and throw in my additional two cents.

In the grand scheme of Thai BLs, I'd say this drama is rather indistinguishable from and reminiscent of many of its predecessors: same male leads (one is demure yet sexually inappropriate while the other is angsty and gay-for-you); same plot devices (sexual assault is inconsistently used as a tool to both identify and villify "evil" characters while also romanticized to foster and facilitate romance between two "lovable" characters); and same, average writing and storytelling that by the end of the drama makes you realize that not a whole lot has happened. I wish more of the drama had been devoted to Tharn and Tar's backstory, rather than repetitive scenes between Tharn and Type that didn't really add to the story (yes, I know they're the show's namesakes, but still), or even between Tum and Tar. But after finishing the drama, I'm struggling to remember what the bulk of episodes were about; most of the action came in the last few episodes, but by that point, I had already lost a lot of interest.

In terms of acting, I was pleasantly surprised with how well everyone did, even the newer faces. That said, a lot of the characters felt stiff and one-dimensional. As much as I love MewGulf's off-screen chemistry, I have to say I grew rather tired of Type's constant jealous moodiness and Tharn's saccharine doting. I also felt like they went from enemies to lovers in the blink of an eye, and their on-screen chemistry (or lack thereof) suffered because of it. I didn't feel any yearning or heat, and I'm a bit over the superficial "I'm a sex god and therefore you will fall for me" trope.

Overall, not the worst but not the best. It wouldn't be the first drama I'd recommend, but it's moderately entertaining if you don't have anything else to watch.

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Better than Expected But Not Perfect

STORY:
I went into this knowing it's source material and pretty much got everything I expected out of a Mame work. Surprised? No. Disappointed? Eh. I've accepted my fate with her works at this point.

The story has your classic Mame checklist of elements she seems to include in most of her works. Sexual harassment and assault disguised as tsundere kickstarting an OTP romance? Check. Sexual harassment and assault also (and perhaps confusedly, to the newcomers) being used to characterize an evil antagonist? Check. Unresolved trauma that can be healed by a handsome savior's kiss and warm smile? Check. Did I leave anything out?

The story is broken into two separate but interrelated arcs, with the first half of the show focusing on one couple (Payu and Rain) and the second half focusing on the other (Prapai and Sky). I enjoyed the latter more, though they weren't without their faults as well (mostly Sky acting far more cringey than he did in the beginning, when he only popped up every now and then). Payu and Rain just seemed purely like a fantasy played out in real life. There was no depth to the characters or plot, and the romantic set-up was laughably unrealistic. Further, the Rain and Payu at the end of the series would have never acted the way Rain and Payu at the beginning of the series acted, and vice versa. These two characters were inconsistent and had no individuality and persona outside of the two-dimensional tropes they were playing. As it was, this couple was bland and forgettable, not offering anything more than what we see all the time in your basic BL.

With Sky and Prapai, teenage me (who went through an ~eDgeLoRd~ phase) would have eaten their tragic, angsty love story up. Thirty-one year old me appreciated the darker tone, but also cringed from time to time at the melodrama of it all. I felt like the story was succinct enough and I liked that there wasn't a lot of filler, but this is also one where the antagonist just turned into a wimp when confronted by Prapai, and I feel like in real life, that wouldn't be the case. But again, I know that BLs don't often go for realism.

I think it also doesn't help that the "tops" (for lack of a better word) are supposed to be older and suave and charming. Self-assured and advanced in their careers and financially independent. The problem is that they cast baby-faced men in their early 20s (who quite frankly are rarely if ever at that stage in their lives), which causes me to suspend even more disbelief than I already do.

Other minor things that annoyed me was everyone referring to Rain as "Payu's boy" and the like (gag), the unnecessary dialogue where characters are literally just thinking out loud or telling us viewers what they are doing (which we can clearly see from watching the show), and the overall subpar writing quality.

ACTING/CAST:
Aside from what I noted above about casting actors who are probably too young for the types of characters they play, I thought overall the leads did well. Fort, who played Prapai, did the best in my opinion, followed by Peat (Sky) and/or Boss (Payu) (I can't decide who did better), with Noeul (Rain) coming in last. Fort was the most natural and consistent in his character (which could honestly be due in large part to writing or directing), and Noeul was a little bit too chaotic (but again, maybe it's the writing or directing).

The couples did all have good chemistry with one another. This was a series where the bed scenes were spicier, which is a plus, and there didn't seem to be any awkwardness between the pairings.

OVERALL:
Surprisingly, not a terribly offensive offering from Mame, but definitely includes her unrealistic yaoi fantasies coming to life. Breaking the series into two halves (essentially) kept it fresh and interesting and probably cut down on a lot of filler. It was an okay watch, and I'd recommend if you're looking for something with good smut. Definitely do not watch this for the plot or writing. At the end of the day, it's just another Thai BL that takes themes which could otherwise be interesting and different and cheapens them by turning them into fantasies rather than exploring them fully.

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Not the Best, But Not the Worst

I went into this with zero expectations, having not read the webtoon and having only skimmed the summary. By the time I got to this, I was aware of the disappointment and negative critiques voiced by many on MDL, but as I watched it, I couldn't quite figure out why people were so let down. It is by no means the best drama I've ever seen, despite it's perhaps lofty storytelling aspirations, but it's far from the worst. I'd say it's solidly average, but I don't feel as though I've wasted six hours of my life watching it.

The CGI was fine to me. While I thought the demons looked a bit silly, I didn't really take serious umbrage with how they were presented. I've certainly seen worse and cringier effects in other dramas. Most of my critique comes from the presentment of plot and characters. We're given pretty much the same storyline every two episodes: someone receives a decree of damnation; the Arrowhead and New Truth get involved, causing mayhem and hysteria; the receiver of the decree tries to figure out why they were targeted and how to avoid damnation; and the decree is carried out. In the midst of all of this though, we don’t learn very much about this mysterious, all-knowing cult. We don’t really learn why these decrees started happening, how long they’ve been occurring, or why they are happening. And we don’t make any progress on what, if any, solution there is and how to bring that about. As a result, the storyline lacked a very clear, strong direction. Rather than having a distinct beginning, middle, and end, this felt like six episodes of these people’s day-to-day lives. I’ve read some comments saying that maybe the story will be further expanded, and questions answered, in Season 2 (if there is one), but I am a strong believer in the argument that individual seasons should feel as whole and complete as possible. Ending on a cliffhanger that leaves room to explore more in a future season is one thing, but creating a six(ish)-hour long intro that ends up setting up the actual story that will come later is a bit ridiculous. I also just felt like until the last half of the final episode, the story was kind of slow and draggy in some parts, which I’m never a fan of.

I also thought the lack of a clearly identifiable (at least initially) single main protagonist who serves to guide viewers through this maze was an interesting choice. We spend the first three episodes trying to get to know a set of characters, only to have (most of) them completely abandon us in episode four, where we’re given a new group to follow. It was slightly jarring and made viewing even more disjointed. Because we aren’t given proper time and backstory to get to know these characters very well, I found it hard to connect with and care about them. That said, I enjoyed the characters and storyline more in the latter half, as I found that damnation decree to be more interesting. The cult leaders and members, on the other hand, felt stock-like and two-dimensional. There was no depth or complexity in their actions or motivations, and the one who did have that interesting backstory wasn’t present for very long, and his past was a bit rushed through.

In terms of positives, I found the premise interesting, though execution lacking, and was especially curious to see how the final decree would play out. The acting was fantastic, and the music set the tone nicely.

Overall, I would recommend watching at least the first episode if you’re even mildly interested, because I think it’s one where you’ll have to see for yourself if you like it or not. I wish more plot was given to showing the origins and development of the cult and damnation decrees, as well as advancing it towards some kind of end-goal (good or bad), rather than showing us the same set-up over and over again, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they’re treating this as the first half of a whole season, the rest of which will be released later (though if true, I hate that strategy). I’d probably give Season 2 a shot if there is one.

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Nearly Perfect

With “Make Our Days Count,” the creators of the HIStory series prove yet again that they are brilliant in producing sweet, lovable, high quality BL (ending here notwithstanding—more on that later). Although this latest installment in the compilation gives us no novel or unique plotlines, what it does provide are stories that are relatable, endearing, and genuine, and the actors deliver beautifully in bringing these tales to life.

Making up our primary couple is Xiang Hao Ting (popular, confident, and charismatic) and Yu Xi Gu (reserved, studious, and a bit of a loner). Their dispositions could not be more different, and it makes the perfect contrast. Xi Gu was beyond adorable—words cannot begin to describe!—and I loved seeing Hao Ting dote on him and turn into a sweet, adoring boyfriend.

Our secondary couple is Sun Bo Xiang and Lu Zhi Gong. This is another storyline we’ve seen before—one pining for the other in an unrequited love—but I think the age difference between the two characters (and how it relates to their dynamic in the relationship) adds a nice, differentiating touch. I don’t think the chemistry between these two is quite as good as the chemistry between Hao Ting and Xi Gu, but by no means is it awkward or unbelievable. These two were very fun to watch and made for a good second storyline.

With both couples we experience alternating moments of doting, adorable sweetness and well-executed, passionate sexiness. The romance was earnest and pure, and I felt that the pacing was good for the number of episodes. Each couple was given just the right amount of time to develop their relationship and tell their story. As for the series overall: solid writing, likeable supporting cast, minimal filler, and although (like I said earlier) the storylines have been done before, nearly nothing felt contrived or manufactured. Nearly everything flowed smoothly, which is what we’ve all come to expect and appreciate in a HIStory series.

THAT SAID, I was disappointed with the ending. Like others, it’s not that I can’t stand sad endings or don’t appreciate them, but this one did feel contrived. It came out of nowhere and didn’t fit with the rest of the story. The shock value it added to the show seemed to outweigh anything else, and it created a jarring, disjointed finale. I totally get the other argument that this ending gives meaning to the title of the series, but I feel like it would be more compelling if more time was spent on the immediate aftermath, rather than ending after a huge time jump with no explanation or reflection in between. I don’t think it got the development and attention it deserved, and the series as a whole suffered for it. Had more time been spent on it—or had the time been better spent—I think it wouldn’t have felt so sudden and out of place.

Overall, I do recommend. I think the series could have ended perfectly right before the end of episode 18, but in terms of acting, writing, production quality, and chemistry, it remains high on the list.

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*Potential spoiler section is marked below*

Ahhh, the series that made viewers fall in love and then broke their hearts! Putting aside the unfortunate news that Season 2 is unlikely, I still think this is a good drama and recommend adding it to your watch list. Just get your heart and tissues ready before watching the final episode (and make sure to watch the Director's Version so you don't miss anything).

The plot was interesting and dynamic, with each episode moving the story along nicely. Beware that we are introduced to a lot of characters up front, and for me at least it was a little challenging keeping track of who was who and what their relationship to one another was, but with the help of a cheat sheet and a couple of episodes later, I had each one down.

The acting, for the most part, was pretty good. Although some actors in the beginning felt a little stiff, I did notice it improving as the series went on. Saint as Pete was absolutely adorable, and he somehow managed to exude both shy innocence and sexy naughtiness. As others have noted, it was so refreshing to see that this character was gay and not gay-for-you, which occurs frequently in BL pieces. Perth as Ae was caring and doting, and his loyalty to and protectiveness of Pete was charming. Tin and Can--ugh, my favorite couple and the favorite of probably a majority of fans as well. Can (or Cantaloupe, as Tin likes to call him *my heart*) was so cute: young, naive, and pretty much drama-free until resident tsundere Tin decides to make Can the target of his affections. Once it became apparent that they would become a pair, I waited impatiently for the upcoming episode to see how much further along they would get. I just loved the side of Tin that Can brought out, and seeing Can get so flustered with Tin as he tried to work out his emotions towards the other boy was so charming and well-done. And that last scene with Tin in the shower, wow. Surrounding circumstances notwithstanding, he really shone in that scene. It was so beautiful and so raw and probably the best-acted scene in the entire series, in my humble opinion.

There are two other BL couples to speak of, though they don't get nearly as much screen time. The first is Tum and Tar, step-brothers who harbor complicated feelings for one another and one of whom hides a dark secret. The second consists of Kenglka, a high school student crushing on his best friend's brother, Techno, a university student who is friends with Ae and Can. Though short, I feel that Tum and Tar are given sufficient screen time to tell a complete story and leave you with a bit of closure. But I was a bit disappointed that KlaNo's story got barely any development. The most significant thing that happened between them occurred in the last episode, and it felt more like the beginning of something that would have been explored further in Season 2. I did hear that P'New was going to make a spin-off for these two characters, though we'll see if that's still going to happen now. I hope that he does, as I'd love to see Mark and Gun breathe more life into these characters. Though they only had a few minutes together as a couple, Mark did so well in his role as Kengkla, and I'm curious to know how KlaNo's relationship develops.

Characters aside, in terms of story line, from what I've seen, P'New stuck pretty closely to the timeline and events in the books. Thus, although I got a little bored with Ae and Pete's story, preferring to see more development in the three side couples, I appreciate the director's faithfulness to the original text. This also helps explain why the other couples didn't get as much screen time, especially TumTar and KlaNo, as I don't think they played major roles in the book (with Tum and Tar playing bigger roles in other books from this universe). And, without revealing too much, this may also explain why one of the couples got a sad (read: heartbreaking) ending. I think the series just ended in the wrong place in the books.

***BEGIN SPOILER***
Speaking of that ending, because I have to get my thoughts down . . . . Sadly, Tin and Can do not get a happily ever after. At least, not in the series. This, coupled with the fact that Season 2 seems unlikely, is the source of disappointment for most people. One the one hand, I respect P'New's rationale that it makes the series more realistic: not everyone gets a happy ending. I can also see where Can's rejection was somewhat supported by his earlier actions. Tin was the more pushy one, and Can struggled with his feelings throughout the entire series. He was still struggling when Tin confessed to him, trying to figure out the difference between liking someone as a friend and liking someone as more than that. But on the other hand, Can also (perhaps subtly) seemed to be warming up to having Tin as a boyfriend, which I think gave a lot of viewers hope and made the ending even more surprising. We saw Can get jealous when he though Tin liked someone else, and we also saw Can ask for more kisses when hanging out with Tin earlier. Again, it may just be that Tin confessed too soon, before Can had a chance to work out his feelings, and because of that I can see how P'New would construe the confession scene, and its consequences, the way he did.
***END SPOILER***

Overall, this was a really solid start to what could have been a few great seasons, and I'm sad to see it end the way it did. I'll keep my fingers crossed that things will get resolved and we'll get a Season 2 or maybe a couple of spin-offs, but I thin right now P'New needs a break from the real-life drama. On the plus side, I heard he's cleaning up some unedited footage with plans to release it, so at least we'll get one final treat. I'm also now impatiently waiting for the English translation of the novel to be released to I can get that happy ending I'm told exists. :)

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This was a really cute drama that breaks your heart in a few key places but leaves you with that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

The story line is really interesting, and I especially liked the first part of the series, while they were going through the hazing. I thought the SOTUS system was interesting, and it was fun to watch Kongpob and Arthit's relationship develop. I think my only complaint with the story line is that Prem and Wad didn't get enough development at all, and I wish we could have seen more of them.

The acting was really good, from all of the characters. Singto and Krist specifically were great MCs. Both of their acting is so natural and effortless. There is a chemistry between them, though not necessarily raw desire. Rather, it's sweet and romantic, the kind the makes you smile and go, "Awww." That said, if you're looking for a lot of makeout scenes and sexual tension, you won't find it here. But if you're looking for something sweet, this one definitely hits the spot.

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Started Off Good But Left Me Underwhelmed

STORY:
This series is good for BL fans who enjoy more mature content and don’t mind a bit of smut. The setting is different than your more mainstream BLs, which I thought gave it a more interesting touch. The episodes follow the same general format: most of it focuses on introducing characters and advancing the storyline and concludes with a more gratuitous sex scene (which, yes, can get explicit—though no complete nudity is shown. If that’s not your thing then you may want to skip those parts, but if you want something less vanilla than a lot of other BLs, then you won’t be disappointed). That said, I found that as the episode number increased, the plot line was given less attention, the story felt really rushed, and the characters acted in ways that felt flat, inorganic, and solely for the purpose of pushing a particular narrative. That is, I would have appreciated their actions more had they--the characters--been given more backstory and development. Having finished the series, I’m left wanting so much more based on the story line and first few episodes, but unfortunately the story seemed to get a little lost and underwhelming about halfway through.

ACTING:
A bit hit or miss. I thought the three main guys—Brian, Andre, and Ryan—were decent, but the supporting cast was about what you’d expect coming from what I’m thinking is a lower-budget project (in other words, I don’t think they’ll make it as actors).

MUSIC:
Really cool vibe, I liked it.

REWATCH VALUE AND OVERALL THOUGHTS:
Although nowhere near among the best dramas I’ve seen, the story was entertaining and somewhat different. I wish more time was given to plot and character development, but the episodes are short so it’s not a huge investment of time. If you’re interested in the series and don’t mind a bit of what’s essentially soft porn, then I’d say go for it. Just don’t expect a super deep and profound masterpiece.

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This series takes place roughly 2-3 years after Season 1. Kongpop is now a third year and the head hazer while Arthit is facing new challenges that come with entering the workforce. Campus life is largely left behind, as SOTUS S focuses primarily on Arthit's life at Ocean Electric, along with the potential strain this puts on his and Kongpob's relationship. New challenges arise, along with new faces, and I think fans of Season 1 will enjoy this season as well.

Once again, the acting from all of the characters is fantastic. As Kongpob, Singto retains his sweet, endearing manner. No longer the head hazer, Krist shows us Arthit's softer, shyer side, and it's absolutely adorable. Krist makes the most melt-worthy expressions and seeing him interact with Singto's character is really cute. They have the same chemistry between them as they did in Season 1, which I think is both a good thing and a bad thing, and something I think a lot of people justifiably critique. My main issue is that Kogpob and Arthit still act as though they're in the beginning of their relationship, rather than a couple years in. I totally understand that Arthit is shy, and am in no way asking for full on public PDA, but a soft touch or brief hand-holding every now and then would have been nice. It just felt like their relationship hadn't progressed at all since the end of Season 1 and that which, again, occurred several years prior. It felt like Kongpob was still chasing after Arthit even though he already had him. We do get some more lovey-dovey moments towards the very end, and very cute ones at that! It just would have been nice to some of that scattered throughout the series. It's certainly not a deal-breaker, but those going into this expecting a bit more romance than what was given in Season 1 be warned.

The story line, I thought, was interesting, although I was getting a little bit bored towards the end. Something special about SOTUS S is that the director includes special scenes at the end of each episode, which are primarily flashbacks of events between Kongpop and Arthit after the latter has graduated. These were a cute touch. As with Season 1, there wasn't a lot of development with the side couples, which was disappointing as they had so much potential. One of the side couples could have been eliminated altogether and it wouldn't have made any difference to the story. I'd definitely be interested in seeing both couples developed further in a future series or movie, but I have a feeling that probably won't happen.

That said, I did enjoy SOTUS S, but I did enjoy SOTUS a little bit more. The university setting and hazing challenges provided a bit more diversity and variation than the obstacles in this season. Still, I enjoyed watching SOTUS S (incredible acting + charming MCs) and would recommend this franchise to anyone looking for their next BL to watch.

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I'm Calling It Brilliant

Wow wow wow, I was *not* expecting to enjoy this drama as much as I did! Is it perfect? No. But is it superior to a lot of the BL we've been given lately? Very much so. (IMO of course). If it weren't for a few technical issues (questionable green screen, music too loud in some parts, voices too low in others) I probably would have given this a 9 instead of an 8.5*. At any rate, I think it should be rated much higher than the 7.3 it currently has (as of writing this review) and am disappointed to see such a low score.

*You know what? Screw it. I'm giving this a 9. Technical difficulties be damned! It's been a while since I've gushed this much over a BL drama and characters, and I've been so underwhelmed by the releases in this genre lately, so a 9 it shall be!

STORY:
This gave me "the BL industry is high-key problematic" in ways that Lovely Writer (exploring similar themes) did not. I don't want to put LW down, because that drama certainly has its merits, but I really appreciated the overall more realistic, less exaggerated tone that Call It What You Want took, as well as a different branch of the issues these actors may face in this world. It’s no secret that this drama was inspired by real events, and I felt that realness.

I also just enjoyed the unique setting in which this story took place. Much of the story focuses on external toxicity, namely power imbalances and control of actors (and apparently directors!) by the producers/talent agencies (not sure who the antagonist was representing). But we also see a glimpse of the internal, more private struggles that some actors face through the telling of Bas's story. And just when you think this story can’t possibly pull you in any further, bam! They hit you with the plot twist and you’re all up in a different type of feels. The serious topics here are not portrayed in a manner that’s contrite or—and I cannot emphasize this enough—cringey and melodramatic (I’m looking at you opening scene of UWMA). And because of that I remain fully engaged in the story and believe everything I’m told without rolling my eyes. Kudos to the writing, acting, and directing for accomplishing that.

Finally, although the episodes were limited in both number and length, the story felt whole, with very little of what I consider to be filler and fluff. Had I not known a Season 2 was coming, I likely would have felt robbed of both a burgeoning romance between certain characters and further explanation and resolution a very significant plot point. But since we are getting a sequel (hopefully soon!), I’m satisfied with what the director gave us in Season 1. If viewed as the first half of a longer series, I think Call It What You Want was fairly strong in pacing, character and plot development, and setting the stage for what's to come.

ACTING/CAST/CHARACTERS:
Ladies and gentlemen, this--THIS--is how you do romantic tension and chemistry between your two leads. I went in expecting James to be the creepy predator based on the synopsis but was oh so pleasantly surprised to see how sweet and soft he was. Ait--who gave him permission to be that cute!? He had my heart from the very first episode with his bold yet coy flirtations, and I want nothing more than to protect this little marshmallow fluff at all costs. The sweet, shy smiles and secret glances, the tenderness with which they look at and speak to one another--be still my fluttering heart.

I know I’m giving a lot of love to James and Ait (let’s just face it: they’re a huge part of why I love this drama) but I’ve got to give props to my man Michael in his portrayal of Bas. He wasn’t on screen as often as the others, but when he was—nothing short of impressive. Throughout the series, he gave us a mix of lovable nonchalance and worrisome solemnness, and boy did he really shine in the final episode.

Several of the actors here appear (based on their MDL page credits) to be newer to acting, but they delivered lines and conveyed emotions like veterans in the field. Other than a few longer-than-necessary pauses between dialogue in the first couple of episodes, the interactions felt natural and organic. Overall, really great job in selecting the cast for this.

OVERALL:
Ummm 100% recommend. No hesitation. This drama gave me sweet, sweet romance. It gave me substance and plot twists (well, one really big twist). And it gave me solid acting and writing and interesting characters. I was fully invested from beginning to end, and I am now oh so eagerly awaiting Season 2.

Lire davantage

Cute and Wholesome

I started this show last night when I saw it pop up under Viki's "recently added" section and binged the rest of it today because I was so addicted and invested. I haven't seen a ton of dating reality shows, and the ones I have seen have mostly been those trashy/guilty pleasure ones that took air time away from music videos on MTV and VH1. I didn't really know what to expect going into this one, but boy was I surprised at how overall cute and wholesome this was!

The cast. Loved them. Although they didn't get equal screentime, they each brought something endearing to the table, and I enjoyed getting to know them through these 11 episodes. There wasn't a single one I disliked, and as a small aside, I thought it was so cool to see several with multiple, visible tattoos on their bodies. That made for a refreshing break from what we're traditionally shown in Korean media.

The set up and premise was interesting. Rather than having one eligible bachelor make a selection among several hopefuls, a group of eight men are brought together and they must essentially match themselves (or attempt to) by going on dates and otherwise spending time with one another. I haven't seen this format in a dating show before, so I liked that unique aspect.

That said, this show largely felt like one big speed date. While most of the first dates were, I'm assuming, set up randomly, most of the subsequent dates (which weren't many) were based on whether the two respective parties mutually liked and chose one another, which rarely happened. Perhaps in theory the boys were expected to get to know one another at the house during down time to see if they clicked or not, I think I would have enjoyed the set up more had there been more organized activities for the guys in the beginning, to give them a more structured and extensive way of breaking the ice and getting to know one another. I think that would have benefited the more introverted contestants and perhaps given them a fighting chance down the road of being selected. Seven days is an absurdly short amount of time to try and connect with someone, and this felt a bit rushed and focused too much on first impressions, which as we know can be misleading. I also wish we could have seen more of the quiet, intimate moments that some of the contestants shared, such as the long talks before bed we were told about. Finally, some parts seemed unnecessarily cruel to the contestants (like notifying them that they did not receive a single letter from one of the other contestants).

Another thing that surprised me a bit was that the cast pretty much got along with one another and the drama was rather light. There were a few moments of misunderstandings and love triangle situations, but overall this was pretty tame. No catfights or sabotage; at times, the show focused more on the platonic friendships being formed rather than the potential romantic ones. I also really appreciated the show bringing to light some of the issues gay people (and I'm sure the queer community at large) face in Korea by having the contestants talk about their own experiences. It was important to put out and hopefully reassuring to hear, and I wonder if this being Korea's first gay reality dating series had a lot to do with how vanilla and, in some aspects, educational this was. Small steps, can't bring something too shocking.

I'm looking forward to Season 2, but I do hope it's messier and spicier.

Lire davantage

Two Words: Loved It

Just finished this drama and wow. I loved every minute of this 16 episode ride. Although it was peppered here and there with a few over the top moments, I can't say I didn't enjoy it. I was fully engaged from beginning to end.

The story was interesting, filled with humor, mystery, and a small (but sweet) touch of romance. As with any well-written K-drama, there were just enough plot twists and big reveals to keep me on my toes and surprised throughout the story's development. Some revelations I guessed ahead of time, while others I thought I knew, but wasn't 100% sure until the very end, and some just caught me completely off guard! The characters, while stereotypical in some regards, were nonetheless dynamic and fleshed-out. They each fit into the story exceptionally well and moved it along in just the right way.

The acting was of course top-notch. I loved Im Soo Hyang's portrayal as a strong (yet not emotionally sterile), sarcastic, bad-ass female lead, and Lee Jang Woo was the cutest teddy bear counterpart , determined and ever the advocate for justice. Their dynamic was great. Among the supporting cast, the standout for me was Lee Kyu Han, portraying Mo Won Soo, the black sheep whom you couldn't help but love and empathize with. He stole every single scene he was in.

The OST...loved it. Fierce voice, fierce lyrics. It hyped me up and set the tone nicely.

Overall, if you love a good revenge/mystery/thriller drama that focuses more on family dynamics rather than law and police procedure, definitely check this one out (heck, check it out even if you do like procedural dramas!). I went in interested but without any expectations, and left feeling blown away.

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