It's a cliche plot step-bro romance but it's so worth it.
This one is my very first Taiwanese BL. I'm quite shocked as well like it's 2024 and this was still my first one from Taiwan? I've known History long before but Idk why I still didn't watch it. It was pretty much hype back then. It's been so long since I've been inactive watching BLs. Tho I've been reading danmeis when I wasn't active with BLs.Anyways, let get right into it. First of all I really love the overflowing chemistry between the two— Eric and Benjamin. The characters suit them well. Eric did a pretty good job with facial expressions. I know I'm biased but I really love his eyes and when he pouts it melts me. He's way too cute being a 30 yr old. Benjamin. He's good as well. He handles it well. I'm not good at this I'm sorry *sobs*. They're both doing well in terms of acting and delivery. I mean, you can't deny it. You can clearly see what their eyes are telling you. It looks simple but is quite well delivered. The plot is cliche. Addicted has it as well. But this one is a lighter version. Tho they are pretty much similar. I've read the novel of this as well.
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SA is prominent in it. Which is crazy bc I do kinda feel like it hurts just by watching it
First of all I could say it's a so-so. The main couple wasn't much. Little to no chemistry, that's how I feel about them. (Take note it's a personal take so pls keep that in mind.) The second couple was more interesting to me, they poured so much emotions into it. And the other couple, I won't spoil tho. The disturbing thing was the physical abuse. There was some SA attempts as well. It's the internal homophobia. It really is. Was always included with the three couples.This show was so hype but it was a bit disappointing.
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Cliche but in terms of portrayal it lacks nothing at all
Okay so here's my take on this one.First of all, I came across this series on YouTube shorts , that scenario where they were eating in the cafeteria , sitting across and facing each other, Songkram pretending to stretch out but sneakily made a heart sign using his fingers. The other party got flustered and also pretended to stretch out but made a heart sign using his hands instead over his head. Ahhhh I really love that scene. It was pure cuteness. Also their facial expressions was on point that I couldn't help but giggle in silence (ps I was watching it around 12 in the morning, glad I did)
I've been a BL fan since TeeFuse era (My Tee the series) I've also watch Love of Siam by Mario Maurer before the first mentioned series. Just trying to say , I've seen a lot of BLs in the industry be it Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and so on. I also read BL novels, read quite a few as well.
Back to them, my first impression of Earth was that his fierceness and the EYEBROWS lol. He really is a resemblance of Eun Woo but much more of a Dylan Wang aura from the remastered Meteor Garden. I've seen a lot of good-looking Thai BL actors but he's more of an exotic one for me. I just can't wrapped myself about the fact that this gorgeous guy plays so well in this series. I really wanted to say more lol . Let's go with Bank, honestly when I was watching the series I really thought he reminded me of Bai Lou Yin for some reasons, attitude and sarcastic side also his haircut is the same as Bai Lou Yin. Needless to say Bank is much younger and cuter. (ps I found out that he's a year younger than me and I was a bit shocked for the reason that is it okay to be head over heels to someone younger than you, also our bdays is just 3 days apart lol we're both Aries, I think it's a cute trivial fact for me)
Second thing, their chemistry is very on point I can't stop but gets an ear to ear smile esp when I saw them being so lovey-dovey with each other on EP 8. Their acting is so natural as well, they really did a bunch of workshops just to get there and blend in with their characters. Generally, don't we presume chemistry first before watching a romance story????
Yes concept of the story is very cliche BUT it was more than that. Also I love the fact that unlike many BLs out there there's no cringey-ness at all. One of the factors why I really like this series.
Let's talk about the side couples. Oh boy, they did them very preciously. I find the freshmans very cute but hey aggressive and full of vitality as h*ll. Pipe and Meen, I still didn't understand much about them I mean it was more of being rushed ,some things weren't clarified for me somehow they just went impulsively and boom do the did , tho what I like about their scene is that they did the nipple biting, Pipe did, I was hoping Songkram was going to do it to Ai as well. Actually I felt like it was rushed in a way that a lot of things aren't actually tackled properly. For instance, Pipe did said he likes Ai and that was confirmed via him trying to give Ai some ointment but that was it like what??? nothing else happened at that point, hmm about their study session, I couldn't feel anything special tho it was very normal. Its like he just went there just to bicker with Songkram. Also Songkram mentioned he was flirting and trying to court Ai but as far as I remember it wasn't that way to me. Honestly the first episode was really a mess first time watching it. Glad I did rewatch it also watched their EP 1 reaction fortunately it has English subtitles but very little.
I never really expected the series to have nsfw scenes at all. I mean the cast was full of visuals and I thought it would be just lovey-dovey scenes. Oh boy. The final EP was *chef's kiss* Ai and Songkram's scene was really something. I'm out of words. The last part where they kissed each other's forehead and said I love you was something I thought off right after them doing the deed and that was really beautiful. That scene where they cried together at the hospital, I cried a little on that, for the reason that I felt pity on Songkram for on the spot acting tough and just saying he would wait for him. Long distance isn't something anyone could handle esp as we know how Songkram is deeply in love with Ai.
I hope my review helps somehow. Also don't give up on this one. Its a gem. I mean the flaws that I have said made it a gem. It was worth it to be honest. I stopped watching BLs right after finishing Bad Buddy and for the first time this year I'm glad my first one is them, EarthBank.
Also, it's a disappointment not having English subs on most of their interviews and playzone series on YouTube. As a foreign fan. I felt like I lost a part of me not knowing what these guys are saying. Is it just me? I haven't seen them being on the spotlight, the spazzers and all the translators? Where are you guys? If I do have the money to sponsor the translation for every international fan I might have done it so. Dang being poor sucks.
ps. I just made an insta account just to follow both of them, I got post series depression after watching the series so it helps a lot knowing that they're still together sometimes and I found some very cute interactions of both on YouTube doing dares on ig live and tiktok as well.
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