Why is this series so HIGHLY praised?

I do not understand why this series is regarded so highly amongst other series that outclass this IMO.

story wise: there were practically None.
Acting: superb, the chemistry was great between the two MCs
Music: .... really forgettable, half the times I don't notice it and the other half is the cheerful, goofy music in SERIOUS scenes like pretend sexual assault passed of as a joke...
rewatch value: little to none since everything gets tied up by the end... unless you're watching for those hot scenes.

this series can be summarized in two words: LUST and SEX.

BELOW WILL CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS.... read at own discretion

Many things I didn't like about this series:
1) Non-consensual behavior. From ep 1-4, Tharn's behavior was disturbing and non-consensual but what is worse is that it was always played off as a joke or something playful so its fine to cross the line, WHEN UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WAS HIS ACTIONS REMOTELY ACCEPTABLE IN REAL LIFE.
2) Lack of plot, communication, and character development. This series is 70% or more about Tharn lusting for Type and Type wanting to have sex with Tharn. 15% drama, 5% comic relief, 5% cute scenes, and 5% WTF TYPE!!! I'm sure everyone who watched this series, at one point, was frustrated at Type. Also what is character development?? Tharn's character exists solely to lust for type. And Type?? well he dates a guy, whose also gay, but still hates gays... but only likes Type (the I don't like men trope). What is logic??? sure you can say later, he learns to admit his feelings but does he actually grow as a person? I'd say no, at least none up to the finale.
3) Using rape and sexual assault as a plot device to strengthen the relationship between to the MCs. what more can I say? There was no serious conversation about it. It was purely plot device.
4) Inconsistencies. Type's behavior is so inconsistent, I was confused at his behavior. He supposedly is experimenting his sexuality with Tharn but it was passed of as "I'll use my body to repay Tharn". I thought he was majorly against GAY anything so without knowing that, why would someone offer their body as a form of repayment?? Then it was supposedly a one time thing.... but then the next scene was sex AGAIN??? and they never addressed it or had a real conversation. There is 0% of meaningful conversations in this series. And by meaningful I mean the, coming in terms with one's sexuality, or coming out to friends and family, or sharing traumatic experiences. The love confession scenes are not "meaningful" here.

Things that were good:
1) Intimate and cute scenes... surprisingly much more intimate than your usual Thai BL. Often times I wish it were shorter...
2) the chemistry between Mew and Gulf are REALLY good. I would love to see them together in a less problematic/toxic relationship.

Overall, this series is probably considered REALLY GOOD because of the chemistry between the two MCs and all the skinship and intimate scenes. One episode here has more intimate scenes than the whole of DBK or SOTUS... and that's probably why people don't like those series as much as this one...

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by the LGBTQ+ community for the community

and that is the reason this series is so good. Don't get me wrong, you can still watch this series even if you do not identify as part of the LGBTQ community. But for once, we are the target audience. This isn't your regular BL who's primary audience are heterosexual females. The reason why this series is so good is because it focuses on the issues within the LGBTQ+ community.

Story wise: 10/10
Although it uses a cliche plot of pretend boyfriends, it was executed very well. The relationship between karl and vlad felt very natural and genuine. It's a coming of age story that focuses on both MC and how they influence each other's as they figure out adulthood. It also deals with figuring one's sexuality and the difficulties of coming out.

There are many dialogue referenced back throughout the story and you have to pay attention to even the slightest detail. They tend to drop some dialogue and that sets up for scenes later on when you make the connection "ohh so the dialogue in the earlier was setting up for this scene". That's good writing there. everything is connected, every little action and detail.

All the characters introduced are all fleshed out. They are as if real people, very relatable. They drip feed you little information at a time. None of them were used as a plot device, each character has their flaws and weaknesses as well as strengths and potential.

Acting: 9/10
Really good acting. As mentioned above, great chemistry between the two MC. everything is natural smooth and enjoyable. Even the supporting characters are all LOVEABLE. literally I disliked no one in this series, there's no villain, no jealous ex-gf, etc. The actor who played Karl is really good with showing his emotions. I was really amazed by his emotion portrayal. Sometimes, some acting are over the top and there's a reason for that. My favorite character has to be Anna, just because she's amazing, supportive, has flaws and insecurities of her own, and has a backstory.

Music: 9.5
The OST in this series is amazing. Literally one of the best. Music plays at the right time and it hits the feels.

rewatch value: 10/10
Definitely has high rewatch value, just because of all the little details you might miss the first time watching. Also the ending is open ended, and I'm writing this after only watching it for a go. I'm definitely going to re-watch the ending to catch anything I might've missed. The story doesn't feed you information, you have to make those connections yourself.

Overall: 10/10
Simply the best PH BL series. The series showed consent, the harmful stigmatization of the LGBTQ community and the microaggressions/stereotype. Vlad was very well spoken and I was very impressed and shocked at the same time to see a him point out these issues due to your usual Thai Bl for enforcing some stereotypes. Which is why I said at the beginning that this series was made by a member of the community for the community.

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AMAZING CHEMISTRY

I just finished this series and is still processing what happened but its too good to not leave a review. nothing profound but just me rambling, anyways...

right off the bat, the two ML have amazing chemistry that draws you in before you even understand whats going on with the story. The acting between them is amazing and its sad the sweet moments were cut. But you can still get the feeling theres something more to their relationship than whats lead on regardless of all the "best bro" talk. Chinese "BL" has one of the best chemistry maybe its because they can't explicitly show it.

BGM is a bit repetitive. You can tell there's only a few in this series and it gets recycled a lot. HOWEVER, thats not a bad thing necessarily. I really like the BGM they have and it really sets the mood. It's all done right and nothing feels out of place.

The story wraps up by the end. not many loose threads, and I'm contend with the ending. However you will realize that after a while there's a pattern- which is that EVERYONE dies at some point. Only 2 exceptions.

Rewatch value is a bit low just because the story completely wraps up by the finale so the only real re-watch value is the chemistry between Yue Lou and Yu Zhi.

Overall a really good watch.

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Eh.... was it a waste of time???

Is it fair to say I "completed" this series even though having skipped 60% of the show? Can I really write a review for a show I was confused on 80% of the times?

I was super confused throughout this whole show, but I kept watching for FighTor. Therefore, I won't be talking about the rest of the couples as there were too many for me to keep my interests.

The relationship between Fighter and Tutor is quite strange. I liked how it started, with the enemies trope then Fighter having a girlfriend?? but apparently Hwa was not a girlfriend so IDK what they were. However, somewhere along the way, their relationship got messy and I got confused. Throughout this whole time, we barely get to see any indication that Tutor might like Fighter. But the show kept throwing us cute scenes of them together which led me to think "WHY R U guys acting like a couple" but somehow, they ended up confessing AFTER denying it for the billionth time. The sex scenes were great tho... but I wish they talked things out more, especially towards the end. They solved a conflict which lasted 2 episodes long with like a 30 second clip which felt lackluster... The change in their relationship was just too sudden.

Their story might have been great if it weren't for the horrible editing and pacing of the show plus the lack of plot.

Story: gave it a 4, but there's not much going on tbh. Fighter likes teasing Tutor but Tutor doesn't take it for no reason. I love their Dynamic at the beginning. Especially when Tutor teases back. But then they admitted their feelings for each other and went to a romantic place to prove their feelings. when they got back Fighter's dad found out and tried to separate them. that lasted 2 eps long but solved within 30 seconds....

Acting: was good, not much to say about it tbh. Maybe its because my lack of interests that affected how I view the show. I didn't cry nor did i get overly emotional aside from mad and frustration (at Fighter for denying his feeling and at his dad for doing dumb stuff) Nothing special.

Music: couldn't care less. Only listen to the ost when they insert it in the cute scenes. Otherwise there will be parts with weird audio.

re-watch: only if you really like them, otherwise no.

EDIT: my thoughts and rating after re-watching

Story:
having rewatched the series, only the FighTor parts, I was less confused this time around and understood the story better. Having said that, the subbing for this series was quite confusing at times (I still appreciate the subs) and the pacing/editing of the show was not any better. It's a really fast paced story and some scenes are cut and is up for the viewer to catch the cue and infer. However, I still don't find that initial spark where Tutor fell for Fighter, we get that fighter fell for tutor at first sight but the feeling we get from tutor is ... why does this senior love to tease me?? what I'm missing is how that later on translates into liking fighter.... but if we ignore that and pretend they liked each other then it's all good. It's about two boys coming to terms with their feelings and accepting one another. They tease each other for attention but finally crossed the line. That lead them to question their feelings for one another and going on a trip to confirm it.

Acting:
Really good acting from both of them. At first, I was too confused to feel anything but after re-watching, I felt the emotional scenes when Tutor was distancing himself from Fighter. Really good scene from Zee on ep 12.
And Saint's seductive gaze on ep 9, that whole scene was HOT.

Music:
Didn't really notice it much but it did enhance the emotional moments.

Re-watch:
well.... I did re-watch it because I felt like I didn't fully understand it my first time so if you felt the same, maybe it's worth a rewatch.

original rating: 4.5
Now: 6

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when Humor is controversial

This post ISN'T telling you what you can or can not like, what you should or should not find humorous, or that you should or shouldn't watch this series. also its a long one.

Actually I'm taking a college course in Humor and Laughter right now and just like what y'all pointed out, humor can be used to shame or humiliate someone. But on the other hand, it could also be used as a tool to gain acceptance and agreeance. Say, a speaker says something funny and you laughed, in order words, you subconsciously agree with the speaker even though you don't vocalize it or if asked if you agree, you may not acknowledge it. (give it a sec for that to sink in, it makes sense right?)

Humor can also be used as a tool to gain attention. But what does this show do with the attention we've given it? well nothing meaningful that's for sure. For example, ep1 when Chon was molested, the scene after he had a talk with Ton. About how, NOT ALL GAYS are bad people etc. That is meaningful even though Chon was testing Ton rather than coming from a place that wants to educate him. So i was expecting ep 3 for Ton to apologize or have Chon point out how it wasn't cool to force your friend to do something they have not given consent to. But what did we get? more "humorous" jokes from Ton imitating Chon after creepily eavesdropping. What we don't get is the meaningful conversation that comes after the audience gives them the attention.

i get it's supposed to be funny. I get it's satiric and ironic and what not. But that doesn't mean I have to laugh at it or find it funny. If Ton were to start spewing nonsense like how he thinks rapists and murderers should be praised and his friends look at him like "uhmmm" but smiling as if they agree just as how they do when he spews homophobic and toxic masculinity lines, will you find that funny?

So don't tell us the obvious, we know its "humor and supposed to be funny". But we're just addressing it because it's not funny to us so you don't have to act as if we're stupid that we don't realize its humor and finding the need to point it out. We point it out because, again, there were not any meaningful conversations between the characters. Below are 3 examples, one from each episode I found disturbing and not funny.

Having a feminine gay Molest someone then later saying "IM JUST A GIRL DON'T HURT ME" is NOT funny. That is problematic on multiple layers; first molesting someone is not humorous in any way, 2nd thai BL have a tendency to portray darker skinned folks as the "villain" so to speak, and lastly it feeds into the "gay people are predators" stereotype. This is a issue of misrepresentation. (ep1)

Pushing your friend (chon) into a room with a stranger you (ton) picked out even tho the friend (chon) is EXPLICITLY saying "NO" IS NOT funny. Then later making fun of it by imitating it is NOT funny. This is an issue of consent. (ep2)

finding the need to "BUY" a fake girlfriend just to prove to your over the top masculine friend that you're 100% most definitely straight is NOT funny. That is a toxic relationship. (ep3)

I'll give you your "its satire" when Ton spews his problematic lines and it's supposed to be ironic. But the three that stood out to me (and I'm sure theres more) that I find problematic about this show is not just THAT SIMPLE. BUT the stuff I listed above shouldn't even be humorous, PERIOD.

We have identified that Humor is a tool that is used in writing, BUT it should never overshadow the plot to the point where it hurts the actual story. That is the issue we're pointing out. Not just because we have no sense of humor.

EDIT: also, as we have established, Humor can be used to SHAME. That is the point of this show. This show doesn't aim to EDUCATE but rather to SHAME (at least thats the vibe I'm getting) which is why it's toxic.

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it only goes downhill

This series started off sort of good (maybe in comparison to another series airing at the time), but after a while, it only gets worse. Only going to talk about Itt and Pai.

How I perceived the plot was: at first it was sweet, the tension between the two mc was cute. it was sort of an enemies to lover trope... Itt was struggling and Pai was there to help him achieve his goals while Pai had no confidence but learns to love himself and make his own descisions over time due to Itt's influence, OR SO IT SEEMED.

What the actual plot was..: This show took a full 180 when Itt went from frenemies to bully mode. He constantly put Pai on the spot in uncomfortable situations hoping Pai would be braver or stand up for himself. But we don't really see that. Even in the finale, he couldn't advocate for himself in front of his parents when he was outed. He even agreed to his mother's request that "he's still young, there's still time to change". At that point I lost all respect for him. I couldn't care less during the crying scenes, frankly i skipped through them just because he was so pitiful to watch. Ultimately, I have no respect for Pai is because he gets shit handed to him. He didn't have to advocate for himself (which I thought was the whole point in Itt's influence on him). Itt went to talk to his parents. His parents went to seek outside advise. But what did Pai do thats not crying? exactly....

Also...when his parents finally became more open minded, I felt they were asking all the wrong questions. Its not about society and the challenges, it's not about Itt's love for Pai is strong enough, it's not about if Pai will regret this in the future. BUT RATHER, its about YOUR (the parents) love for Pai and supporting him regardless of society, the challenges, his relationship with Pai, or if he later regrets this. They were literally scaring the poor boy all over again with the what ifs, but not comforting him with their support?

The acting in this is kinda meh. At the beginning the chemistry was cute. fell flat after the whole bully situation.

Honestly Don't recall there was music used in this series...

rewatch value.... uh I wouldn't waste my time when there are better series out there.

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