A show to be cherished, though it could have used more tension

When I heard there was going to be a Thai adaptation of Cherry Magic, I was wary. The Japanese drama is very dear to my heart.

I have to say I loved the first half of the show up to, and including, the airport episode. There was clearly an importance in contextualizing the overall themes of the show into Thai culture. The visuals were gorgeous, the pacing was excellent. The airport episode is, to me, an act of genius.

I was somewhat disappointed in the second half. To me, personally, it lacked tension. Everything was resolved too neatly, I think. There's a difference between overwrought drama and the lack of it.

The meeting with the parents lacked, to me, some tension, some friction. I know I'm comparing it in my mind to the Japanese version, and to me the movie is excellent at portraying the trials of accepting someone with their truth. That's the epitome of love, and I think the Japanese version did it better.

I do commend the series for going where the Japanese version didn't (or couldn't?): the overt signs of affection, the kisses, the love scene. Cherry Magic seems to be a type of series that doesn't rely on that - but it also doesn't avoid it. So good work on that.

Jinta and Min seemed to have been somewhat sidelined in these later episodes - but I loved their moment at the hotel in the finale. Very special and touching. I could see a special or a short spinoff with these two.

I loved Pai particularly. Rock was lovely, as well as Dujdao. They really nailed it on the casting.

All in all, this was a delight to watch. Kudos to everyone involved. Despite what seemed to me a disappointing second half, this was clearly done with heart and attention, and deserves much praise and needs to be cherished.

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