Theory of Love (2019)

Why Does Everyone Become Gay?

First off, I can see why Theory of Love gets hate. It's unrealistic. All these straight people turning gay. I cannot! First Khai and then, Two. What?! Anyways, I finally get to see the highly raved OffGun pairing in action. They do have good chemistry though I felt that their chemistry isn't anything special. KristSingto & BrightWin had more in my opinion. Anyways, the series started off really strong but quickly runs out of steam and becomes aimless. There's only so much you can do with a protagonists who longs for his straight best friend who does not reciprocate his feelings. So, he cries so much. Like literally. Every episode, Third mopes and cries because of Khai, whether that be Khai having a girlfriend or talking to a girl, etc. How can someone cry this much? It's gets kinda annoying to be honest, especially when set to cheesy, sad pop music. But when Third pulls away and doesn't hang out with Khai anymore, Khai, the straight best friend realizes that he has feelings for his gay best friend and makes an effort to win him back. This is when the story starts to get interesting again and you get invested though the interest kinda fizzles out towards the end. The story is pretty predictable and unrealistic. Yes, it is fiction, but this show seems to aim for realism, unlike say like 2gether that is intentionally over-the-top. It's kinda risky making actual gay people believe that their straight friends will fall for them. I hope that no one will actually believe this. This seems to be the reason why some people don't like this show; because it's unrealistic. There's also some questionable plot points and character actions that don't make sense.

The performances were good. Gun gave probably the best performance in the series though I felt that he was over-acting at times. And The fact that the characters are film students is pretty cool as I've always wanted to go to film school and become a film director. It's cool seeing the BTS of making a film from a student perspective.

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I have a lot of issues with this drama... Although the premise is good, the fact remains that Khai is really the most arrogant seme I have ever encountered in a BL drama. He was a jerk to Third and he did a lot of things that were not just mean but also hurtful. It actually pained me to see Third loving at the same time getting hurt by Khai multiple times in the show. This is actually another example of a toxic relationship. Although Khai was an arrogant jerk in the beginning, he did had a character development in the end and changed his ways.. but the scene where he realized his feelings for Third was really lacking for me. It felt too rushed and like it had no chemistry or it was a bit dry. It was like the relationship was pushed or forced so that they could end up together (the straight/player/arrogant seme guy falls for the gay guy trope) is basically what I'm seeing here.

In the end though, the two of them end up together so it's a postive note for some of the viewers. I'm not going to discourage people to watch this but if you're into this trope, you can watch it. I just find the character of Khai to be disappointing and it would have been better if the show addressed LGBT issues better. Like in realistic situations, how would someone feel about liking the opposite gender or what struggles would they face in the community and how would they cope it or how would they solve it so that they can be accepted by people who ostracized them. It's difficult to find shows that addresses this well.

Anyway, What I can leave as a positive note though for this show is that the acting is good. I'm glad that the actors portrayed their characters well in the story.

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STORY:It was okay. I feel at the beginning it was really good but in the middle it got pretty boring for me and I even skipped some of it. At the end it picked up a bit but was still not as enjoyable as the beginning. Also, I feel that this show could not decide what it wanted to be. Sometimes it got super serious but then some times it just got fluffy.

ACTING: The acting in this show was actually pretty good. It was very enjoyable and I felt like the actors all had a great and very realistic connection. I still wonder how Gun was able to cry that much.

MUSIC: It was okay. It was not bad but it was not great. The OST was enjoyable but it was nothing amazing.

REWATCH VALUE: As I stated before it did get a bit boring at the middle point in the show, so I do not think it would be something I would rewatch.

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i have a feeling that the 12 episodes are insufficient to develop the whole story... you will sense that there are missing points and perspectives from the characters as it concluded.. sadly, there are boring parts, especially the pool party scene in Ep.10... I thought that it was poorly executed, you will feel the awkwardness of the actors to deliver their lines and acting. However, generally I love the actors and their portrayal, the typical Thai production and acting was depicted. I think the production became too cautious in presenting the involvements of Film production in the story. This is something should reflected in the series. Very limited parts that they used technical and theoretical ideas in film making, considering that the characters are film making students. It should have reflected figuratively and artistically in expressing their lines and even making sense of their acting. The concept of having the film making plot is mostly reflected in showing what they know about classic Hollywood films.

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My main problem with this series is that by the fourth episode I was more interested in the side couples. I was disappointed that we didn’t get more screen time with them. I also didn’t like that Khai and Bone were the only two that got true character development. It was frustrating to feel like I was watching the same scene over and over again as the story pacing was kind of weird.

That being said, I really like the actors. They did a very good job of projecting the characters feels and I never miss understood a character’s intentions. That coupled with the editing lead to some great plot twists in the side couples that had me jumping in excitement.

Overall, I like this series and would recommend it to a friend, but I probably wouldn’t rewatch it unless I was looking for a specific scene.

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In terms of originality this is one of the shows in the genre that are quite original. Is an usual friends to lovers slow burn story but it works. It works because both actors have chemistry. Still the story as it goes on gets a bit boring as slow burns stories get, that's why you need side characters with their own stories so it doesn't get boring and this had it. It just a shame that the second pairing didn't get the time they deserved, especially when their story and the actors chemistry was amazing. Hopefully in the future they work together or do a sequel with just their characters. The one downside of this show is how frustrating the characters get in more than one occasion, at times it becomes annoying. Still a really good show that is worth it to watch.

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When this drama started, I didn’t like Khai at all. So, imagine my surprise when he ended up being my favorite character! I loved that he owned up to his awful behavior, to his mistakes and tried hard to become a better person. My attitude towards him changed once the drama’s POV changed from Third to Khai after the beach scene, when he went home to gather this thoughts after finding out that Third was in love with him. It was the first time we saw the real him.

As much as I loved Third/Khai, I do have to say that I loved Two/Aun a bit more. Maybe because I love Earth Pirapat and his Aun was just so… so…! I wish they had gotten more space and time on-screen but the writers and the actors did all they could with they were given. And Aun, he was my second favorite after Khai, hands down.

I didn’t care about Bone and his professor, though. Maybe because the actor playing Bone just didn’t click with me, who knows?

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We saw in 'Puppy Honey' that it wasn't right.

Episode 1: Ugh, they paired Off Jumpol with Gun Atthaphan, again. We saw in 'Puppy Honey' that it wasn't right.

About the story: Two boys are best friends, while one of them is "secretly" (the other guy is blatantly using him, so he has to know on some level) in love with the other. The other seems straight, changes girlfriends every other day, nevertheless he has a rule to not date friends, which is interesting as he only has male friends. Why should he need this rule?

The main problem with "theory" of this love is that I don't even cheer for the Gun Atthaphan's character to be with Off Jumpol's.

And to drag this for 12 episodes is a strain.

I mean Off Jumpol is super mega cute but for ONCE I would love to watch him with someone he's got real spark with (and that's not Gun Atthaphan even in the weirdest of dreams). Then there is Sara Legge, who DOES look 35, doesn't really fit among all the students around (perhaps if she was naughty teacher?) yet they try to put her together with someone almost 10 years younger... That's another thing that might work in THEORY, perhaps. Watching it is a strain, despite Mike Chinnarat's Bon being the only likeable character far and wide.

Despite its name, or the "epic" opening credits, or the opening song, the actual series is small, low budget thing shot mostly in 2-3 locations indoors, in which nothing major actually happens. It's mostly a conversational drama (well, maybe not really drama) about characters that don't have much chemistry together, relying heavily on inner voiceovers (usually a good sign of a weak script) without which it might possibly not even hold together. There's quite interesting music, but it doesn't really have anything to do with the quality of the material shown with it playing. Often the kind of music does not match the kind of content.

Now, looking back at 'Puppy Honey' (which was a pretty average show), Off & Gun couple line in there was moderately enjoyable and the only thing missing was a real kiss. Fans were told: "If you wish to see them kiss, you have to watch 'Theory Of Love'". But, after watching a few first episodes of 'Theory Of Love', I no longer even wish to see that kiss! Enough said...

I cheered for Neen Suwanamas & White Nawat's couple and wished for more screentime for them, as it was a completely different level to watch White Nawat. With them, I didn't get that uncomfortable icky feeling like while watching Off being cute on Gun. AND we didn't need to hear some inner voice to break it all down to basics for us.

Around episode 5, I've generally had enough of the main "plot" and just wished the two guys go on their separate lines. I'd even take it if Off Jumpol's character (as we WERE stuck with Gun Atthaphan's as the main one, narrating us the whole thing) went abroad or something, for the rest of the series. And if not, then at least shift the main focus elsewhere. These two could have a happy ending or a sad ending, I just didn't really feel the need to watch it.

Episode 6 shows Sara Legge is really their teacher. I watched student-teacher romances before. Looks like I am to watch another one now. The "surprised look" on Bon's face was NOT the best one I've seen, lol. BUT! As soon as we switched to our "main couple", I got reminded that at least, we didn't have to listen to his "inner voice" informing us that he is indeed surprised in that moment.

But then we're back with the main "couple". I'm afraid I reached the point where I find these two unwatchable. I probably won't be able to re-watch even 'Puppy Honey', now. I've noticed producers decided to put Gun & Off together in TWO MORE DRAMAS. You forgive me, but I really DON'T want to see them. Not only I am dropping this IN 6th episode, I drop both 'I'm Tee, Me Too' and 'Not Me' BEFORE 1st episode. THAT much I don't want to watch these two.

I think my action suggests that this "show" could not be saved even if the title song was done by Coldplay...

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The thing I'd like to say to anyone who's going to watch this series is that people in love are idiots and it is impossible for us to completely understand them unless we are in their place. And yes enough is enough but imagine you're in Third's shoes, it takes a lot to move on when you're blindly given hope. It needs a real a**h**e move to move on and even then in a place where it hurts. Especially for a negative person like Third. So I hope people can give this series a try. It talks about the reality of a onesided love and stupidity of people(all characters in the series) with regards to reality. I can totally imagine people being that stupid in reality. Overall its one of the realistic series I've seen.

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Just watched episode 4 and I just can't help but to anticipate for the next episode. Now lets get to reviewing. The plot of the story is on point. I think it surpasses that of most bl series' except for addicted of course, and considering the fact that it is relatable and most of us experience unrequited love, makes it even more appealing and pleasing to watch. The actors in the cast are definitely a perfect fit for the story. Not to mention that they are good looking and personally I think they are good at acting. Though I can't fully decide yet since they have'nt gone into more in depth scenes like kissing yet but so far I would give a 10. For the music, i would give a ten. Though I don't understand it but judging from the reactions of thai people, they say it fits well with the story. The rewatch value for me isn't much since I personally don't rewatch, even kpop dramas I don't until I forget but if I do forget than I would definitely rewatch it. Overall a 10 is perfect for this bl. I think its second only or on par with addicted.

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How far is too far?

Things that I liked about the series:
- There are a lot of classic movies referenced throughout this series, and the fact that each movie coincides with what was going on in that moment was brilliant. A perfect way to tell a story about film majors.
- Gun, who plays Third in this drama, is a stellar actor. He's one of the more popular actors in this genre, and now I can see why. This was my introduction to both Off and Gun, and I was impressed by what I've seen. Gun, like Fluke in UWMA, was able to express all emotions perfectly. I sympathized with him when he was at his lowest, and I was proud of him when he started fighting back.
- The music throughout this series is one of my favorites. It was so beautiful and perfectly captured the show.
- Two, played by White, is my favorite of Third's friends. Once again, I see White playing the supportive friend to the main characters. My first introduction to him was when he played Tul in A Tale of Thousand Stars. Also *snorts* I can't help but make a comment about how he and Mix both had Earth lol. Tian, keep Pupha away from Tul!!
- Speaking of which I kindof like the whole side story between Two and Un, played by Earth. They were honestly my favorite ship in the entire series. I loved how Two was secretly crushing on his high school sweetheart, but then P'Un walks in and turns everything around. I felt for Two's dilemma, and I was so glad they got together in the end.
- Bone I felt was the most mature character of the series. Okay, that's not saying a whole lot and I'll explain why in my dislikes. Finding out the girl of your dreams is your college professor was like a slap to poor Bone's face. While he did have his moments of immaturity, I like how he had a moment of weakness where he could've kissed her, but didn't. In addition, he put his own feelings aside and allowed his crush and her fiance the chance to get married without any conflict. I honestly felt bad for him, but I was also proud of how he handled himself in the end.
- Khai....oh Khai...I have a lot to say about this guy, and unfortunately a lot of it is bad. HOWEVER, I did enjoy that his quest towards redemption did not come easy. The guy had to work his ass off for it, and rightfully so. It shows that he is willing to change for the better, and I appreciate that Third didn't cut him any slack.
- I love how we were able to get the POVs of both Third and Khai. It was unique from any of the other BLs I've seen so far. Being able to know what both parties were thinking about helped flesh them out as characters.
- In terms of realism, this show has it in spades! The concept of Unrequited love towards a supposed straight guy, and how this show portrayed it, was so realistic it hurts. I've lived through this concept myself. I was Third many times, which is probably why I related to him so much.

Things that I didn’t like about the series:
- Oh boy, I feel like this is where I'm going to piss people off lol. Okay, there's one thing that I seriously dislike about the show. Or rather, one person I seriously dislike. One word...KHAI! I'm sorry to all my TOL fans, but I freaking hated Khai's guts. I hated him so much, I wanted to punch him. I felt so bad for Third, and for the first time, I was honestly hoping that the main couple DID NOT end up together. We're constantly told that he's a good friend, but we never see it. Khai was never a good friend to Third at all. He treated Third like his little servant, which pissed me off even more. Yes, he may have had a great redemption, but that still doesn't erase the fact that the guy is a total asshole. I mentioned how very realistic this show is, and I stand by that. Including Khai's behavior. But it's also because Khai's character is realistic that makes me want to punch him even more. I've met guys like guy. I've crushed on guys like Khai. I've been hurt by guys like Khai. I hated Khai!
- Now I can't put all the blame on Khai. While I think Gun's acting as Third is stellar, I do also have a problem with this character as well. I relate to Third a great deal because I've been in his shoes. That also means I can be frustrated with how much abuse he was willing to put up with, and the poor guy put up with a lot. But some of the blame for his misery falls on him too. Is it hard to get over someone you love so much? HELL YEAH, IT IS! I would understand his dilemma more if I actually saw the good in Khai, but as I already stated, Khai wasn't even a good friend to Third. What good qualities does this man have? I will say Third giving Khai the cold shoulders during the second half of the series was so satisfying.
- Since I'm passing blame around, I have to put some on Bone as well for his part in Khai's ploy to find out if Third really likes him or not. That whole stunt was what made me lose any and all respect in Khai, but Bone had his own hand involved too, which was not cool. You don't pull that kind of stunt on someone you deem as a friend.
- Khai's sudden sexual identity reversal was poorly done. Am I really supposed to believe that all of a sudden he has feelings for Third just like that? I get what the writers were trying to do with it, but the fact that Khai just accepts it and goes along with it is not believable in the slightest, especially given how much of a womanizer he was. If he was a closet case, that would've made it more sense, but that wasn't what we got.

Overall Thoughts:
Admittedly I struggled with how I wanted to review this show. I originally gave this a 6.5/10, but I saw a lot of comments that made me really think the show over. The show is great, I admit. I love the storyline, I like the idea of showing the hardships of unrequited love, I love Third as a lead protagonist, I love Two as a supportive best friend, I like Bone as a character, and I love the soundtrack. However, the biggest thing I dislike about this series is the main love interest. I hated Khai. Just because you give him redemption doesn't mean you suddenly forget all the horrible things he's done. And Khai has done a lot of horrible things for most of the show. He's arguably the worst love interest I've currently come across in a BL. In a show where I'm wanting to root for the main couple to get together and get their happy ending, I was hoping Khai would stay away from Third. That said, if I were the look at this show in terms of demonstrating the toxicity of an unhealthy unrequited love, I'd say this show perfectly demonstrates how destructive it can be. I will agree with a lot of fans that not all relationships are butterflies and rainbows. Some are quite messy, I agree. Some are toxic. That being said, we're also supposed to root for the characters to be together, and I didn't find myself doing that.
Despite all that, I admit I found myself continuing to watch the show because I was really hoping for a well deserved happy ending, so it did grab my attention. And Khai's confession to Third at the final episode was corny and sweet, and reminiscent to Third's confession to Khai.
With all of that in mind, I am raising my ranking a bit, but not that much. I still wouldn't watch this show a second time, and I still hated Khai.

Rank: 7/10

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