Top Secret Together (2021)

Confusing mess

OK, my reviews of Thai BL series are starting to sound so repetitive, but once again, series like "Top Secret Together" show how small companies really face a lot of issues when creating any type of story, not just BL. Low budgets, inexperienced actors, poor directing, confusing writing/plots, nothing original in the storyline, among other things, caused this series to be well below standards and nearly forgettable.

First, let's set the main characters...
Simai, Phob and MaiEak are friends who study together and have to finish an internship at a non-descript company. Phob is in love with MaiEak but he is oblivious to it. Simai meets Lukmo who is his supervisor and immediately likes him and tries to make him open up as Lukmo is super uptight and annoyed with the extroverted Simai.
Nampu and Copy are two university students. Copy is in the engineering faculty and I'm not sure where Nampu studies but he visits Copy at, yes, you guessed it, a copy shop he runs with his father and openly tells him he likes him and starts flirting with him despite Copy resisting all the time worried about what his father might think.
Plawaan plays basketball and wants to attend a competition hoping to be selected. In all this long process he is followed by a high school student named Suea (at least from what I assumed from his school uniform in episode 15) who motivates him and helps him train even if he misses classes (making his mother angry). However, Plawaan runs into Top, a rival, who wants to play a game and whoever loses will actually quit basketball. Plawaan loses and he is depressed but Suea is there to make him feel better.
Both and Newyear act nearly as themselves, both are a real life couple and here take roles as café owners who act like parents to all the younger characters who come to the café and give them advice.

Ok, those are the characters... now the confusing mess that was the plot, especially for the main couple and the MaiEak, Phob, Namo love triangle.
Oh boy, where to start?! I'll separate it according to each couple or it might get even more confusing.
Simai starts falling for Lukmo despite his cold demeanor and constant rejections. Lukmo starts opening up and warming up to Simai. They spend time together at work and also in Simai's house because Simai's mother loves Lukmo. Then, Simai's father arrives as he was working abroad and recognizes Lukmo as Kao, his biological son from a previous marriage (plot mess #1). Simai is mad because now that Lukmo is his half-brother he can't date him (plot mess #2... I will never understand Asian BLs that are obsessed with half-brothers or stepbrothers being in love as we've seen in "History 2: Crossing the Line" and "History 4: Close to You" from Taiwan; "Brothers", "My Bromance", "My Bromance 2: 5 Years Later" and "Love by Chance" from Thailand; and the cancelled "Addicted" from China). Lukmo/Kao is mad at him because Simai's father abandoned him and his mother for Simai's mother, then his mother died later due to cancer so he was all alone (plot mess #3). The father opposes to Simai and Lukmo being together (as usual in some Thai BLs) but then, suddenly, appears in Lukmo's office to tell him that is ok to date Simai because Simai is not his biological son (plot mess #4) so they are not really half-brothers only stepbrothers. Simai always thinks he is Lukmo's half-brother because the father forbids Lukmo from telling Simai the truth as "he is too sensitive to handle it" (plot mess #5). Then, Simai tells Lukmo he is going abroad with the father, leaving Lukmo all alone again for no apparent or valid reason (plot mess #6). They say goodbye in episode 15, Simai tries to kiss Lukmo but he rejects him and then falls asleep in 2 seconds. Then, near the end of the episode, Simai appears in his office but I still can't tell if he is real or if Lukmo is hallucinating (plot mess #7) because Simai has a different hairstyle in episode 14, he leaves as we hear an airplane in episode 15 and suddenly shows up at the office with his old hairstyle in the last part of episode 15 without any indication that some time has passed... we get a hint because Lukmo has a new hairstyle in that scene but in the behind-the-scenes we hear one of the assistants tell Kanok (who plays Simai) that he doesn't even appear on the scene as he is at the door frame so Mix (who plays Lukmo) can focus on something for the camera to shoot, so more plot mess.

The other main characters have Phob deeply in love with MaiEak and MaiEak being an idiot who can't recognize Phob's feelings and only uses Phob to do most his work during the internship and almost everywhere else in reality. In the middle episodes, Phob confesses his feelings for MaiEak only to be rejected which causes a change in Phob who becomes more distant as he is angry at MaiEak. Then, around episode 10 (I think), a younger guy named Namo visits the café and sees Phob and immediately likes him and tries to chat with him. This is when MaiEak gets jealous and begins to change which then becomes yet another storyline/plot mess when he tries to interfere in what is developing as a Phob-Namo relationship. All of a sudden, he confesses his feelings for Phob and tries to stop him from seeing Namo. He even tells Simai that he let Phob do most of the things for him because he wanted to see if he was special to Phob... I mean, what? after he confessed his love, you still make him do things for you? MaiEak has to be one of the most arrogant and selfish characters I've seen in a Thai BL because he calls Namo to brag about the time he spent talking to Phob (Namo later does the same but he really likes Phob from the beginning), he calls Phob all the time and tells him he loves him and calls him "babe", he tells Phob they will eventually end up together but I don't know if he is driven by love, driven by jealousy of seeing Phob being happy with someone else, driven by his desire to have Phob around to help him do everything, or a combination of all of the above. Sorry, but Phob is too good for you MaiEak... luckily, the writers decide the same thing and Phob gives a Namo a chance and end up together while MaiEak reflects by writing a boring letter to himself and hoping he ends up with Phob one day.

The other couples are not as confusing but don't show many interesting things.
Nampu chases Copy like a puppy all around campus, the copy store, the café, everywhere. Copy starts to slowly fall in love with Nampu and has a nice chat with his father who supports him 100% no matter who he decides to like (yay for the usual Thai BL clichés with the parents that either completely approve their son being gay or do the most ridiculous things when they are against it, but there never is any middle ground with parents in Thai BLs). That gives Copy confidence so he becomes Nampu's boyfriend. The story of this couple is dull and boring and they go through all the usual phases of a BL with the flirting, denial, rejection, jealousy, fighting, etc., etc. and Nampu is a bit too annoying with his actions at the beginning when he is almost forcing Copy to like him.
Plawaan and Suea see each other a lot at first with all the basketball practice but then Suea's mother tells him to study and grounds him so they don't spend much time together. In the end, Top tells Plawaan that he wasn't selected in the competition so Plawaan should try because the bet from the earlier episodes was a joke (yet another plot mess). Plawaan meets with Suea in his school and they go together somewhere but nothing else happens.
Both and Newyear are a couple. Both proposes in episode 12-13 while on vacation at the beach and they own a café. That's it... nothing memorable to tell.

The thing that bothered me in this series is that we see the couples, but aside from the moments with Both and Newyear in the café, at Neywear's party and the beach trip, they don't interact with each other. Simai-Phob-MaiEak are friends but I don't know how do they know Plawaan-Suea or Nampu-Copy aside from the friendship they share with Both-Newyear. And the other actors, like the guy who keeps trying to sabotage Lukmo's work and telling the girl in the office to do something or he will lose Lukmo, the 2 older women at the office, the company CEO, the café worker, even Simai's parents, do not provide any depth to the story, they don't bring anything interesting or do much... so I have no clue why were they were included in this series other than to have some airtime to fill.

The acting is a bit of an issue but is not as bad as other series (like Gun Napat in "Golden Blood" for example). Newyear and Aof (who plays Phob) have more experience than the rest with Newyear appearing in "I am your King Season 1" and "What the Duck 2" and Aof appearing in "Make it Right" and "Make it Right 2" while Tiger (who plays Plawaan) had a guest role in "My Engineer" as the annoying guy who flirted and tried to kiss Cooper.
The rest are newbies to acting... Kanok (who plays Simai) and Mix (who plays Lukmo) had good chemistry. There are some behind the scenes at the end of each episode and there is a scene with Kanok crying after discovering that he might be Lukmo's half-brother, when the director yells "cut", he keeps crying and is Mix who comes to console him, which was nice to see. The acting wasn't solid by any means, but they delivered decent moments when they had to. I believe directing and writing is what let them down in this series.

In the end, a series that was longer than what it should have been, that had some major plot issues and that didn't provide a satisfying end to the main couple caused by all those plot issues is what makes "Top Secret Together" another forgettable BL series. Also, anyone knows why there is a scared cat in the series poster? Makes absolutely no sense.

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More isn't better when it comes to the number of BL couples

I imagine at least one creator behind this series thinking: "Let's throw in as many BL couples as possible. Maybe at least BL fans would find one of the couples their cup of tea."

The inclusion of Newyear and Both, a real-life couple that is semi-fictionalized here, is a symptom of this desperate attempt to make the series commercially successful. After all. the fans of their YouTube channel may be drawn to the series because of them. Never mind that their purpose in the story is really just to own a cafe that the other (mostly unrelated) characters patronize so that there is a semblance of a unified story world. The subplot of Newyear and Both is rather unimpressive as far as the creation of a series is concerned--even if they do look cute together.

The story should simply have focused on one main couple and one side-couple, namely Simai/Lukmo and Phob/MaiEak. Lukmo is an employee of the company at which the other three are interns, and the focus on just these two couples would have allowed their stories to be more developed.

Simai and Lukmo's story, while not original, is the most compelling. I think it would have been interesting if more had been shown of Lukmo's youth and the longstanding grudge he has been holding against his estranged father. More revelations of his inner world early enough would have made his uncharacteristic openness to Simai more moving. The transition to Lukmo's reconciliation with his father could also have revealed more complex emotions. For instance, how does he feel regarding his relationship with Simai when he is told that Simai is not really his half-brother. As for Simai, the actor playing this role seems to suit the role of the innocent and sweet Simai (with a dash of playfulness) very well. The story would have been more interesting if more work had been done on his struggles after being told that Lukmo is his half-brother. Surprisingly, the two new actors playing these two characters seem under-stretched in their roles.

Phob and MaiEak's story is the old story of secret one-sided love. They would have been a good secondary couple if there had been more scenes of them, such as the scenes of Phob's crush on and quiet sacrifices for MaiEak from the time they are freshmen. This is mentioned by the other characters but we don't see it for ourselves, and so we are unlikely to feel much for Phob. MaiEak's uncertain feelings towards Phob could also have been the focus rather than his (sloppily written) attempts to woo a girl in the company. The focus on his attempts to woo the girl simply makes it unconvincing that he would later start to realize that he loves Phob too--he is supposed to have felt something for Phob all these years, but it is not convincing. Adeptly executed flashbacks would have helped in the portrayal of this couple.

The other notable couple is Copy and Nampu, whose story is unabashedly ripped off SOTUS. The inclusion of this couple is unnecessary. So is the inclusion of Plawaan and Suea. Sure, more cute actors are thrown into the series, but at what expense?

If effort had simply been spent developing the Simai/Lukmo and Phob/MaiEak storylines, this could have been a rather good series. The disjointedness that results from moving from one couple to another would also have been effortlessly eliminated. To the credit of the series, at least the five couples are clearly differentiated and their stories are usually not confusing. But audiences have grown to expect more from BL.

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A 5 for 1 Deal!

This series was definitely something different! I don't think I've seen a BL with this many couples in a fat minute (The last I can recall is Why R U?). But, one thing that I didn't hate about this series is the plot flood surprisingly well with the amount of characters we were introduced to. Top Secret Together (only having 2 (maybe 3..?) out of 5 couples actually get together..) has been a really good collaboration of old and new BL actors, and creates something that is great and not at the same time!

Let's Dive In.

Let's start with production. I think this series get one star for just the behind the scenes. Not many Bl series do this, and I really enjoyed watching those parts more than the actual episodes. You got to see how close the crew and the actors were and it put you in this comfort zone that I never wanted to leave. I actually loved this group so much that I'm sad that it ended. Maybe they'll be ale to see them in future projects. On with actual production, it was decent, same old same really. The wardrobe was really nice, especially for Lukmo and Simai. Ad placements weren't bad either, quick and simple. Plot flowed really nicely, Surprisingly, with 5 couples, the story didn't feel jumbled up and screen time felt very well proportioned out. I really loved how they managed time, they definitely deserve a pat on the back for that. There was only this one really annoying part where there was this constant clicking sound that I thought that was my headphones at first, but no, it was just the series. Other than that, production gets a thumbs up from me.

Moving onto the couples, I'm going in order of my favorite to least favorite (plot wise since not all of them ended up together):

1. Simai and Lukmo

Surprisingly, I actually really enjoyed the main main couple. I liked how their personalities bounced off each others, but most importantly, I loved Simai. He was so bubbly and willingly to be there for Lukmo even when he was acting brooding and lonely. Most of there interaction was the best for me, i just wanted them to get together so bad -- until they're revealed to be brothers. Why are they first then? I literally can't stand incest in BL, but the dad thankfully tell Lukmo the truth (but not Simai? which will inevitably hurt him more in the future but ok), that they aren't blood related, so that let the stress off of me a little bit. I don't understand the ending? I'm guessing they end up together since Simai comes back, but it was left ambiguous so idk. The actors did a fantabulous job. All emotional scenes were done so well and they actually cried real tears and looked sad; I loved it so much (Lukmo breaking down at his mom's grave hurt tho). I really hope that we continue to see these actors in future projects, and seeing as this is their first series, they did an absolute terrific job.

2. Both and NewYear

I mean, this couple had to be next. Them being together in real life obviously helped with creating this really nice and natural feeling when they were on screen, but they acted as the fairy gayfathers to all the couples, and I loved it. They get into some turmoil with a new employee, which was really nicely plotted out, but other than that, this couple was just perfect. They owned a cafe, they gave healthy advice to the others, and their engagement was beyond cute. Again, them being a couple in real life helped, (especially those kisses -- damn) but I just loved them so much. another thing I sort of like was when they addressed something as if they knew that we were watching. It threw me off a little, but at least they didn't break 4th wall, that's all I'm happy about. This wasn't NewYear's first BL, but this was Both's so for that, I give him a big round of applauds.

3. Phob and MaiEak

Granted, this pairing had the most drama, but I really pined for them to get together, so I'm most sad that we don't see them actually end up together. The only thing this series did wrong was not have them end up together. MaiEak finally realizes his feelings for Phob when it's too late. His little turmoil with Namo was honestly nice, seeing him have some competition. The only thing I guess I will give them acknowledgement for is not following most BLs. In others, they would always choose the first option, but instead Phob (ambiguously?) ends up with Namo. But good for him though, what was he suppose to do, wait until MaiEak was ready? Love his last moment though when he's writing on his diary thing, hopefully in the near future, things get better. I was so excited to see Aof again, especially since we hadn't seen him since Make It Right. it was nice to see him, I hope we continue to. Sunny also did a superb job, he really just reminded me of Ohm Pawat, and I absolutely love Ohm.

4. Nampu and Copy

Not going to lie, I jumped on their boat a bit late. I was immediately turned off when I saw that Copy was an engineering student. But also, Nampu was just kind of creepy and a bit annoying. I didn't really start liking them until their date at the cafe. There one of the only couples to actually get together, but both actors had really good chemistry. Copy's conversation with his dad also did it for me, I love it so much. They were just all around cute when they finally got together.

5. Plawaan and Suea

why oh why were they even a part of the series? They aren't even introduced until maybe episode 4 or 5, and they just don't play any important role at all. They do do a but of flirting, but there's no connection and no chemistry. I think the only thing I can appreciate about this couple is that they actually played basketball hows its suppose to be played. Also, Plawaan's hair at Both and NewYear's party was a crime against humanity. Was it a wig? Did they just not part his hair well enough? I don't know, but it distracted me the entire time. Their relationship felt pretty irrelevant. If they were cut form the script, there would be no change in plot. These actors are pretty brand new, but their acting was probably the worst. I'm sure with more screen time, they'll get better.

Overall, this series wasn't that bad at all, I got through it pretty quick (seeing as they have 15 episodes that run about 30-40 minutes each). It was a comfort watch more than anything, it wasn't the most progressive BL or unique, but sometimes that's just what BL needs to be, a bunch of cliches and cute fluff.

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WOW

This show was kind of a disaster? 15 episodes all they could come up with was this? Really? Too many characters, mostly uninteresting and uninspired/overused storylines, one or two really bad acting performances. I blame the script and direction for this, really.
Although Copy and Nampu's story was rather unoriginal, something in the actors' performances and screen interactions caught my eye and got me coming back. I mostly watched it until the end because of them—and also a morbid curiosity of how bad the series would be in the end.
As one can see in the behind the scenes, the young cast was earnest, hardworking, focused and intent on doing a good job. But alas, good intentions don't always make for good results.

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Devastated storyline

It's first time I am writing this review. I found 1st few episodes are pretty good but after that there was nothing new to left for viewers to watch.
Story has ended abruptly. Though some couples have happy ending but for me the ending us not satisfactory at all. I wish I would never started to watch it. If you haven't started yet then i will advise you to don't watch it or you'll also be disappointed.

There could be more twists and turns to make it more interesting.

Acting of the actors are not that bad. Though most of the actors were new but they have tried best to show the emotions of their character.

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critiscs are too harsh

I actually quite enjoyed this series.
Judging by the end, i don't think that there will be a follow up, which is unfortunate.
There is so much more to these characters, they could easily make a continuation with Lukmo/ Simai, the truth hasn't come out, the story line of Phob and the 2 lovers hasn't finished yet and so on.
The fact that is has 5 gay couples, 1 couple a real-life gay couple, still amazes me. As far as I can tell all or most of the actors didn't have previous experience, at least not in BL series. Copy's character was really enjoyable. The chemistry between Lukmo and Simai for example was really good, believable. Simai's song was heart-felt.
Yes , the story line was a bit strange, too slow at times, but overall, I would certainly recommend this series.

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Barely Made It

Whew ok so first I gotta say I knew this would be awkward when I saw the cat on the cover. Everything about him looked terrified. lmao
Anyway, unfortunately, the BL industry hasn't figured out more is not always better (when it comes to couples). Large amounts of coupling not only confuses fans but can keep each couple from getting the screen time they deserve. I suffered through most of this but pushed my way to the end. A LOT of it was basic and cliché city but I wanted to give the, clearly new, actors a chance. It wasn't all bad though, there were some cute parts, pretty decent visuals and, of course, I had a favourite couple lol. I wouldn't recommend to anyone (even a BL newbie) but I hope the actors progress in their careers through this.
Enjoy...

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This review is for people who are looking to see any bl.

First of all the series is very much normal. This series didn't have so much promotions. so this series featured 5 couples who are trying to get into a relationship. *The lead couple: so much trauma.. they meet at office , start to develop feelings later found out they are step brothers born to different fathers and mothers...* Eak & phob : friends who are trying to understand each other.. least fav *both and new year.. they are real life couples who are featured here to link everyone to one another. *copy& his bf... very much intimidating. *the unknown couples..not have much screening time.. cant predict lovers or friends. you can watch it one time to ease your bl heart. but the series is about 5 different insecurities faced by couples in society represented by 5 couples. This series would have been better if it have 3 couples.. its so crowded like My engineer... If we have to know the full story we have to see for s2.. not rewatching worthy.

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Confused and Disappointed

There were some many good characters in the series but not used well. When you thought you where getting a good moment they would just cut to the next scene and you left wondering wait what happened how did they get to there.

I think what was missing is finishing off every couple with an understanding of what happened to them in the end, Did they get married, did they end up together, where they friends in the end, did he come back and they where together. Only two couples outlined and understanding of their relationship the rest where just is there a season 2 but i don't want it because season 1 was a mess.

It's sad because what was a great series to begin with and handsome guys turned into a complete disaster very confused and disappointed in the end.

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Want to see how narcissist parents mess up kids

What I thought was a light hearted BL to binge turned into a major trigger for me.
If you're interested in seeing how pathological narcissists can screw with their kids well into adulthood? If so, then watch this!
Did the writers even know what they did here?
I'm so very shook!
Guys meet, guys fall in love, guys find out they are 1/2 brothers! Yikes
Hurt/abandoned/lonely guy finds out they aren't really brothers...Phew! But crazy dad makes him promise never to tell! WTAF?
And, as if this isn't bad enough the dad decides to take a job abroad and take the "loved" son with him to keep them apart ( ya, remember how he just said they could be together?)
There are tons of couples in this. A few are sweet, and others are about as well written as the ones I vented about. There's job drama that doesn't make any sense, heck I'm just left with anxiety and a lot of questions.
I'd say, unless you're a psych student and looking for research. Hard pass on this one

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More does not mean better!

Just a quick review, The acting was at most point very unbearable to watch. They story line were all in a massive mess. It was hard to even follow one love story let alone 5 different one, especially when the plot doesn't make any sense. I have no idea how the heck all of these people are connected to each other. If they wanted to produce a decent BL drama, they should of just focused on the Main couple (which their love story was pretty horrible too) and maybe one or two side couple. Why feel the need to fit in five couples with only a 40 ish minute episode. It felt very rushed, idk how the the guy from the Main couple just out of no where fell in love with his boss like none of it makes sense. I definitely feel they were just trying to make a quick bang for a buck and said "lets throw all these attractive people in a drama and hit every BL troupe we can" like no that's not how it works, because surprise! BL fans prefer QUALITY STORY TELLING over FACE! Goodness I can say this is definitely one of the 'why did I watch this' drama.

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