Completed
Pinoy Ares
74 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 8
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

I AM KNOCKED DOWN, HARD

Oddly satisfying and arguably one of the best last episodes in a series, BL or not.

Dont hate me, i will be honest for a little bit. I watched it because all the other BL series (except one or two) being aired at the same time are mostly lackluster. It wasn't as popular as the other series from bigger companies, as a matter of fact there was hardly any mention of this series from any YT BL vloggers. The story is nothing special (on paper) and the initial pacing was a little off for me.

The first episodes, although engaging, are hard to watch. Its the story of a (slightly dumb) high school gang leader trying to bully a senior college student into doing his bidding. I find myself dumbfounded as to why someone would put himself in an awkward position by someone a lot younger than him. I wasnt buying the premise, i hate the bullying.

However, as the episodes go by, i find myself eagerly following their story and waiting for the next episodes to come. There is something about Noey's demeanor, innocense and cluelessness that keeps you hooked. The awkward acting of Thiwa is puzzling - was it because he was an amature actor or was it an intentional choice? In the end, it didnt matter because they blend well together. Auntie Tim, NidNhoi and Thiw are also good addition to the story.

By episode 8 I found myself inlove with the series.

The set and location are amazing. Above average production quality and photography. There was also a few scenes where the actors are allowed to shine, without it being too dramatic. Take note other series creators (ahemmmmmm 12% and Between us) - you dont have to make your actors cry unnecessarily just to showcae their acting skills.

Oh i have to make a special mention of the very unique end credit scenes, cause that is effin genius and I really loved it! It is unique and I specially loved it in episode 11 when Thiwa was dancing alone (after that heartbreaking cliffhanger confession) and in episode 12 when they were dancing together via videocall.

This is arguably one of the best BL series right now. And, yes i loved the last episode and the satisfying way they wrapped things up. I hope there are more projects for Tar and Bom. Definitely a good series to reccomend and rewatch - 9 stars!


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Completed
rakhamn
45 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

It couldn’t of been any better.

I really love this drama from the cast to the plot, the soundtrack, the comedy, the fluffiness, and the leads. I can’t think of anything that I wish they would’ve done different or better. I truly loved it just as it was. I’m so sad it’s over, but pleased that we got this beautiful show.

Well, I liked it from episode one a few people have mentioned that it’s a show that really grows on you as you watch it and as you start to care about the characters and I could see that. Because in the first episode you’re like OK where is this going? But as you sit and watch you like oh I like where this is going this is actually very very cute..

The ending was exactly what I wanted it to be and I’m so happy that they ended it and flushed out all the stories and didn’t leave us hanging with open question marks. Nice job writers!

I have no doubt that more people will watch it and fall in love with it because it is really a hidden gym right now and I can see it being ranked videos of the year definitely and of the last few years likely.

Give it a watch, watch the first two episodes and I’m pretty sure that you will be hooked and wanting to know what happens.

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Completed
BL Compilations
13 people found this review helpful
Nov 18, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.0

a quirky comedy that will make you smile

Overall: this should put a smile on your face, make sure to watch the entire final episode and watch the ending credits as they change. Aired on GagaOOLala and AIS Play's YouTube Channel (for members)

Content Warnings: fights/violence, manipulation, stalking, non con touching, highschooler starts as a sophomore 15/16 and university student who starts as a junior 20/21 (didn't bother me*)

What I Liked
- Noey's aesthetic, it's unique
- Noey's vain/forthright/quirky character
- several funny moments, especially subverted tropes that made me laugh
- sweet moments
- Thiw was such a supportive friend
- Noey's family dynamics were very realistic, they bicker, they laugh, they cry
- hints of GL
- that they changed the ending credits to match what was happening
- good production value
- the music

Room For Improvement
- it dragged a bit in the first half but then sped up at the end and they didn't fully explain or resolve plot points (Noey's dad???)
- the drama at the end of ep 11 and beginning of 12 was cliche (but I was really happy with Thi being honest in episode 11)
- very unrealistic that that was the first time they did that at the end of ep 12
- Thi's laugh/tense shoulders/scaredy cat vibe was a little too much for me and I wanted him to have more character growth sooner
- I think some of the jokes didn't quite translate well like the thing with the charm towards the end, also Thi's dream in episode 5 was a bit too grim
- not a fan of an aggressive pursuit after that woman, also not a fan of bullying
- *this was a very PG rated series so the age gap/under 18 aspect didn't bother me

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Completed
dodoubleg1785
12 people found this review helpful
Feb 25, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Well, I finished it...

Honestly, I don't understand how this show has as high of an overall rating as it does. A lot of reviews said to stick with it because it gets better and, while that is true, I can't say the last 4 or 5 episodes were enough to make this rate an average of 8+. It's an investment to stick with the show till the end and unfortunately, this one did not have a decent return after it was all said and done. It wasn't bad, per say, but it certainly wasn't good.

By the end, I just stuck with it to see how they handled the issue with Thi's parents and then it never ended up happening. They were introduced to create conflict but then it never got resolved. It's one thing if they end the show with the parent still "needing time to accept or adjust" but here, they were simply never seen or heard from again and the main couple was just like "whatever, I do what I want." Well then why not just do that from the beginning?

It wasn't just the issue with the parents either. There were multiple aspects that were introduced and never really dealt with, making a lot of the show feel disjointed.

On the bright side, it was fairly basic and didn't need a lot of focus to pay attention to. It's an okay series to take a mental break with when you need it. Not the worst I've seen but definitely not the best. Go in with little to no expectations and it's a good time-waster.

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Completed
John Master
14 people found this review helpful
Feb 6, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0

Laughs. Redemption. Courtship. Serotonin. Kiss at the end. And hair product. Lots of hair product.

The awkward, halting, hesitant romance at the core of I Will Knock You should endear itself to any BL fan who likes their rom-com strong both in Rom and in Com. Appreciation for the 1950s greaser look and for bright floral patterns in wardrobe design will only enhance the appeal of this witty series. Where many BLs resort to some form of “love at first sight” to persuade viewers that the lead characters dig each other, affection between Noey and Thi develops slowly. Rather than manifesting with sparks of passion, these two young men with very different personalities take time to understand one another. Their mutual attraction snuck up on both of them, even if veteran BL viewers saw it coming much earlier. In this case, that observation is not a complaint: we know who the main characters are; we know it’s a BL; we know main characters in BL series will end up together. The characters know none of that, of course. The series does not rush them into romance, so that when realization dawns on Noey and Thi, their emotions fit the story and plot. Theirs is a bond born of affinity, friendship, and mutual trust rather than one sold to the viewer via lustful glances despite minimal interaction as human beings. BL fans who prefer shirtless muscle boys frolicking in bathtubs should seek their fix of pale porn elsewhere. Those BL fans who like compelling character arcs that highlight contradictory impulses within an individual’s psychology will relish the slow-burning romance offered here. Both these characters are discovering who their adult selves will be, and that process of growing up almost overshadows their incipient romance. By pursuing this character angle, I Will Knock You delivers a story of first love that manages to feel different (in a good way) from the rest of BL.

The plot manifests most of the trappings of the enemies-to-lovers genre. Noey is a wannabe gangster, still in high school. A lazy, unmotivated student, a bully, and someone who regards fighting as a first-line of confrontation, Noey leads a gang of young thugs whose primary purpose appears to be brawling with rival gangs and terrorizing students weaker than they are. He breezes through his life with bluster and bravado, but his bothersome behavior burdens his mother. At wit’s end, she hires Thi to tutor her wayward son. Unbeknownst to her, the two have already tangled. Thi had run afoul of Noey and his gang when the college student disrupted Noey’s pursuit of a girl. We first meet Thi tutoring a group of high schoolers who are fearful of Noey and his band of bullies. The meek college student clearly wants no part of confrontation, but he twice overcomes his instinctive cowardice to stand up to Noey in defense of his students. Because this is a comedy, Thi had no idea the new pupil he was hired to help was the exact bully who already had it out for him. By the time each of them discovers their new “working” relationship, neither wants to disappoint Noey’s mother, desperate for something that will get through to her lunkheaded son. That something, in true BL fashion, will be Thi. Unlike many Bls, however, Thi exerts his influence not through the mythical medicine of loving him so very much, but by inspiring Noey to become a better person: a better student, better brother, better son. Thi’s expectations that Noey can be better drive Noey to self-improvement. Noey’s character arc is thus mostly about redemption and reform, as the ballistic bully discovers depth in himself he never knew he had. In realizing his own potential in life, Noey also realizes it was Thi who sparked that renaissance. This epiphany resolves him to start courting the older boy. For a wannabe thug, Noey manifests a startling gentleness and flair for big romantic gestures. Noey’s persistence even extends to inducting a horrified Thi into his gang. Noey confidently assumes he bestows a great honor, but Thi and the other gang members each have different grounds to find this development rather alarming. The first quartet of episodes primarily establishes the characters while they do not get along; the next few episodes set forth the thaw in their tutor-student dynamic as they become acquainted; and the final quartet depict Noey’s pursuit of the reluctant Thi. The emotionally rewarding finale pays off not only the long-simmering romance but also a surprising number of minor plot points from earlier episodes. That attention to both big narrative arcs and small details alike makes this finale one of the stronger series-enders in the annals of BL series-enders.

The project was written and directed by Champ Weerachit Thongila, whose BL bone fides include having written and directed Kiss Me Again and having directed 2Gether (series and movie). With I Will Knock You he returns to the theme of a mismatched pair falling for one another. Here, however, the central romance feels more nuanced and emotionally rich than the earlier two. IWKY shares some DNA with the earlier projects. Like Pete and Kao, Noey and Thi start as enemies, commence a complicated friendship, then romance blooms late. Like Tine and Sarawat, Noey and Thi experience some shifting in the dynamic of who pursues whom and why. Also like Tine and Sarawat, Noey and Thi worry about how their respective friend groups will view their relationship. Like both earlier couples, when Noey and Thi finally acknowledge their attraction, that moment feels entirely earned by the story and plot. Unlike those earlier couples, Noey and Thi are not peers. Thi, in particular, has misgivings when the younger boy pursues him. As a result, he never commits to Noey while the younger boy is still in high school. The series lacks the kind of NC scenes that have become common in recent BLs. In fact, the only true kiss between the actors arrives in an extended post-credit sequence of the final episode that serves as an epilogue to the story. (A really, really enjoyable epilogue, to be fair.) Whether the absence of the customary kiss scene or the newfangled NC scenes was chosen because writer Champ felt waiting made the story stronger or because having a 17 year-old actor (Tar) limited the options available to director Champ seems irrelevant. Not having those elements within the story necessitated selling this romantic comedy through character and story development, and I think that effort was a success. Where IWKY really distinguishes itself from Champ’s earlier BL projects is the strong comedic element that infuses the plot, especially in the earlier episodes. Moreover, the styling of the Watphlu gang—wardrobe, hair, physical mannerisms—must surely reflect the sensibility of the person who both wrote and directed the series, and I found the greaser vibe of these characters incredibly fun to watch.

Anchoring the entire series is a star turn from Tar Atiwat Saengtien. He inhabits Noey with a startling range. Tar pivots from fierceness to gentleness in the blink of an eye. Somehow, even when Noey blusters at his fiercest fierceness, one can still sense an uncertain, naïve kid lurking somewhere beneath the bravado. When Noey courts Pam and, later, Thi, Tar imbues the character with a suaveness copied from old movies and a confidence rooted in his own self-belief. It’s a funny performance, but a scene later, and the viewer can see that Noey’s confidence is largely a facade. When Tar plays Noey as a wounded soul, the performance elicits nothing but sympathy for a character who is, let’s face it, mostly a putz. Initially, I found off-putting the character’s penchant for intimidating those around him. The unsavory behavior from a lead character detracted from my enjoyment of the series until I realized somewhere about Episode 3 or 4 that I was riveted to the screen every time Noey was center stage. Thi watched Noey closely from a sense of self-preservation, constantly alert for danger warnings in the volatile kid’s behavior. I, however, watched Noey closely because Tar kept spinning the character in new and different ways. It was fascinating to try to figure out who the character truly was—which I think is the point: he himself was sorting through models of adulthood and trying to land on the one that fit. While my judgment at this writing may still be clouded by euphoria of the outstanding finale episode, I must deem Noey one of the most compelling BL protagonists ever devised. The vision for the character may belong to Champ, writer and director, but it is Tar who executed that vision.

I shall conclude this review by noting that I think IWKY may be one of the most Thai series I’ve yet seen. That is to say, I think only someone familiar with decades worth of Thai pop culture can fully appreciate all the Easter Eggs writer/director Champ stuffed in. I had the distinct sense much content was going right over my head. Noey, for example, had an unlikely fixation with old movies and vintage music—especially the kind of sappy romantic stuff of which BL is a contemporary iteration. (His courtship of Pam in ep 2 includes a hilariously bad song and dance number of an absurdly old tune. Loved the 1940s radio microphone, though.) The character's affinity for nostalgia is apparent to anyone, but only someone conversant with the old posters that adorn the walls of Noey’s bedroom can hope to figure out what subtle messages are being conveyed by the inclusion of those specific references. Likewise, Noey’s connection to his local temple needs unpacking for us foreigners. The gang’s name “Watphlu” seems to incorporate the Thai word for temple (wat), which probably is no coincidence. Right? Stuff is happening here. I’m sure of it. I just need a Thai person to explain to me what it all means.

Oh. One reference I absolutely did get. On several occasions in the later episodes, Noey and Thi almost share their first kiss. That the kiss never quite materializes works for this particular series and for these characters. The five-year age gap between the high school freshman and the college student is a gap too wide for comfort. So, Thi’s insistence that they wait worked for this series. But no one who makes BL has forgotten the wrath of fandom when 2Gether concluded its ballyhooed run with a paltry high-five, least of all the director of that series—who is also the director of this series. On multiple occasions, the two actors lean toward one another, their lips about to connect. Only for some last minute intervention to interrupt the inevitable moment when the two young men succumb to the attraction they both clearly felt. These repeated fake-outs seem certain to induce eye-rolls and anguish from veteran BL fans. Clearly, Champ knows exactly what his audience wants, expects, and demands. He just wasn’t giving us that. Finally, the post-credits epilogue begins a series of time jumps to show how the characters’ lives fared. The final sequence in that series depicts Noey’s college graduation. At last, Noey and Thi stand upon an equal footing. They seize the occasion to deliver a cathartic smooch for viewers. Overlaying this glorious moment we hear a voiceover from Thi, “I hope that will make everyone happy.” And that line must indubitably represent a sly reference to the backlash over the infamous “high-five.” Now that, my fellow BL enthusiasts, is how you do an Easter Egg.

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Completed
PPBongi
7 people found this review helpful
Mar 3, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.5

Mix Bag except for some phenomenal acting

Starting out quirky, then funny, this series loses itself in the middle and then finally lost its direction at the end. Which was so sad. If this series had ended like it had started, I would be leaping with joy and proclaiming it one of the greatest. I tip my hat to the newcomer Tar Saengtien as Noey Watphlu. He frankly is astonishing to watch. Having only been 17 at the time of this production, he displayed a natural ability to act that I became completely mesmerized by his performance. Satita Sinsamnao as NidNhoi, the sister to Noey also had a noteworthy and outstanding performance. Her dead-pan characterization with shades of sarcasm and brutal honesty was a thing of beauty to watch. Both are worth watching this series just to see them act.

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Ongoing 12/12
belaff
19 people found this review helpful
Dec 1, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Pardon the pun, I Will Knock You really knocked me off my feet

I am watching so many shows, that I check out everything that is releasing at least the first ep to see if I even leave it on my list, maybe to binge in the end, or watch as it releases. And literally the first seconds of this show dropped my jaw to the floor. It didn't need more than one scene to show that Noey will be one of my all time favorites BL characters. The attention to details of this series is show from the first scene and noticed throughout the episode. Maybe super minor soft spoilers ahead, just describing the characters as seen on EP1 only.

Noey is a the perfect wannabe Tonny Montana. He is clearly a fan of 50s gangsters and very nostalgic. Listen to vinyl records and mixtapes, and most amazingly, has a strong moral code. I kept expecting the gang leader to fall under pressure from his gang to be tougher, do something, it's what always happens with these gang leaders and tough members dynamic. "Will you let this person do this and that to you?" and etc. But he doesn't! And this falls very much under the anti-hero gangster persona from the movies he probably loves. As a fan of them too, as well as western and noir/neo-noir movies, I appreciate it so much! Those gangsters you root for, don't hurt woman, are gentleman, caring to animals, only hurting the "deserving" as by their moral codes. I'm sure we will learn more about his toughness through the series and why he is this problem child. He is very superstitious and listen to only one song, "Destiny", isn't afraid to badly sing it and him and the gang have a choreography to it, a scene that already is one of my favorite BL scenes of all times. I literally screamed. He is unapologetically himself, shameless and confident. From the trailer I think he won't even have trouble admitting to his gang having a crush on a guy, which is awesome.

And Thi. He is the bravest coward out there. Sometimes it seems like he is literally about to pee his pants afraid of the little nong, but still keeps speaking up, defending his nongs and, most importantly, still calling Noey "nong". And he is HILARIOUS. I've read Bom's acting is a bit shakier, specially compared to Tar's (Noey), but I love so much his choices. Him looking for the lotus in the rain, the grandma posture in the raincoat, was ridiculously funny.

If anyone would dig a ship between Brian "the Brain" Johnson and John "the Criminal" Bender in Breakfast Club, this might be the show for you.

And now the production. As the two main characters, it's also amazing! Again, the first scene, everywhere they focus through Noey's room tells so much about the characters. And that keeps going, the cuts, perfect close ups to that expression to showcase the scene. Also the writing. Already love so much of the quotes. The whole symbolism of the lotus flower as his heart was always so well put. Thi describing it as all withered and dead with no use, not even for praying? Beautiful. We maybe will see more of it, and the soulmates charm as well. (Yes, the breast/charm thing is a play in words in Thai).

This show is cute, cheese, beautiful and cute and beautiful again. I fell on it blind and it was impossible not to fall in love. It's really early to tell much, who knows if it won't be a complete disappointment as it runs? If it does, it will still be one of my favorite first eps ever, favorite character's introduction ever. IF it keeps going as it is, it will be one of my favorite BLs of all time. I recommend this 10/10. My girl kept looking at me, and all my excitement as I kept giggling and screaming and laughing and repeating "Oh my god I LOVE THIS!".

This is my first review, cause I don't get that WOWed with a first ep in a long time. It was such a good experience! And many shows I was excited to watch as it was released, that made me look foward to that day of the week, ended recently, so I'm glad I have this one.

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Completed
aemway
9 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Onebof the cutest bl series ever!

There's nothjng negative I could think of for this cite serie. The best thing about this series is how it portrayed the traditions and life of working class Thai people in such a lovely way.
Each character is well-developed and played so well by talented actors. The scenes are never boring and of course there are times you could predict, but it's still very enjoyable and funny.
Music- the director and producers made the right choice in choosing such traditional music. That's what set apart from all the other Thai bl series out there.
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Completed
ahhdra
5 people found this review helpful
Apr 23, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 6.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
If you debated with Thai BL fans about how frustrating this series was, I bet you wouldn’t have any slight chance. lol

It took me 7 episodes to finally realized that this show wasn’t that bad. This is the first time I had this very big patience. I usually stop after 4-5 episodes when the stories became unreliable. But the reason I stayed stupidly because I really had a huge amount of curiosity about the rating.

Some reviewers says the series went well after episode 8, yes they were true but not entirely. I agree there were some developments about their chemistry and also Noey’s character. However, Thi’s character got stuck from the very start. I hate his personality, every time Him being awkward and dull at the sametime I really want to press skip to next minute.

The conflict between Noey and Bas, Noey and Phayu, Noey and Thiwa are pointless. If they tried to give some conflicts amongs those characters, they supposed to give the solution too. But the facts that they just like giving Thi and Noey an inevitable hard time, is definitively trifling.

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Completed
cdvmty
6 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.5
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers

Fluffy and silly but surprisingly decent

True, I'm sure "I Will Knock You" will not be a series you are going to remember in one year from now... maybe you won't even remember it by the end of this year! However, I came across the trailer of this series expecting nothing and ended up pleasantly surprised. Here's why:

1. The story/plot: Many comments I've read can't simply understand why Noey and Thi can be such extreme characters in terms of their actions. Noey is cocky and "street smart", he is the leader of a gang and is obsessed with old Thai music. He really is one of the most curious characters I've come across BLs as he is aloof and in his own world most of the time and he does whatever he wants to do without noticing much around him. Thi is the older university student who is the nerdy guy who loves to help others and is scared of almost everything that is not morally or ethically correct. Thi becomes Noey's tutor and the rest of the show is them navigating their feelings towards each other, the gang, the potential love rival who is interested in Thi and parents who are also the complete opposite with Noey's mom, Tim, being a hardworking, no nonsense and open minded one and Thi's parents (who barely appear in episode 11 and the first few minutes of episode 12) being against Noey and judging him and his mother. The silly way they meet and how their lives become connected since the beginning of the show might look dumb to some (I've read comments dissing the show after 1-2 episodes just because of this) but seriously think about it... how is this plot and storyline bad or dumb? Silly, sure... childish, maybe... but this story was way better than other crappy Thai BL's we've got like the Frank/Drake trainwreck called "Cause You're My Boy", the confusingly messy "Top Secret Together", the disaster called "Gen Y 2", the utterly boring "Physical Therapy, the ordinary "Hidden Love", the forgettable "Golden Blood", the disappointing "Bite Me", the weak "Don't Say No", alongside most of the run-of-the-mill series produced by GMMTV that fans love just because one or two actors are in the series but can't see the dull story we are getting. All the aforementioned series had terribly executed plots with stories going nowhere or pulling magic tricks to make it a bit more interesting, so, "I Will Knock You" a least has something to tell. I also think people misunderstood the whole point as they see Noey as this bully and Thi as the scared distressed soul. I believe this is the consequence of each of the characters' personality where both are stubborn in their own ways with Noey strongly believing in the friendship/camaraderie of being in a gang and Thi strongly believing that helping others and doing everything "by the book" is the right way to go.

2. Bom and Tar: I still find it hard to believe there is a nearly 10-year gap between the two leads. Now, we've seen lead actors with several years difference between each other but Bom (who is 27) looks younger than Tar (who was 17 at the time the show was being filmed and is now 18), especially in the last episode when he cuts his hair. That is why this series doesn't include NC scenes as the actors kiss near the end of episode 12 and Bom and Tar appear shirtless in separate scenes when they are taking or are coming out of the shower. So, if you think about it, the show had to resort to other strategies as this was not a series like "Tharn-Type" where they had sex nearly every episode or "Cutie Pie" where NuNew had to sing almost every episode and Zee also showcased his ripped body just for the fans. This series had to fill out 12 episodes with activities that will showcase the chemistry between both Bom and Tar and amazingly, Bom is also debuting in the industry (a bit late for the usual standards inside TV) but, while it was not perfect, both actors played the cards they were dealt and did it adequately. I was particularly pleased with the final episode when Noey goes to Chiang Mai to get Thi back and they have a really good scene with both crying and hugging where both were able to effectively convey their feelings.

3. A bit of everything else: The secondary actors are one sided as the most important revolve around Noey as we see his straightforward mother (played by Arisara), his very clever younger sister (played by Mild), his best friend Thiw (played by Ohm), and his gang member Waewdao (played by May). All interact in different ways with Noey and with Thi but all are there to provide advice, to provide support and to provide a snarky reminder when Noey needs to be put in his place and brought back to Earth.
In a bit of a weak spot, the show does not provide the same to Thi (which is a shame) as his friends are there and sometimes do provide some advice but like most viewers, misunderstand and tend to judge Noey's intentions and his reputation as a "gang member". Thi's parents are useless as they oppose their son's relationship with Noey but after the first few minutes of episode 12 they disappear. It is implied by the end of the series (with Noey finishing university) that Thi's parents have not warmed up to Noey yet, but we never get anything solved in that area. Besides, Thi is an adult with a master's degree under his belt so I doubt they could stop him by this point.
The appearance of Phayu (played by Namo) is a another weak spot as it brings the usual cliché of every Thai BL of having either a crazy female character or a male love rival... in this case, is the latter as Phayu is interested in Thi and tries to get him in a series of half-hearted attempts like playing soccer in the volunteer camp or shooting a basketball to see who drives Thi home. I don't think we ever really have any doubts about who Thi loves so all the Phayu moments are a badly executed attempt to bring some drama as I'm sure the writers were trying to fill the 12 episodes with something.
The music is nice as the opening song is quite catchy (you can find it on Youtube) and the rest of the songs are not played too much or too loudly to the point that it can become annoying like we've seen in other series.

So, while "I Will Knock You" will not be the most memorable series ever and you will most like it forget about it at some point, maybe sooner than later, at least came with a simple story that was not perfect, but included some silly entertainment that had some nice moments among the sea of mediocrity that is out there in the BL industry (particularly the Thai one).

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Completed
AbsoluteBL
8 people found this review helpful
Feb 9, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.5
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 1.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Bad boy/good boy + sunshine/grumpy, + younger seme pairing, bully romance

A college kid (part-time tutor) confronts the leader of a gang (Noey) who then turns out to be his next student - falls in love with him.

Bad boy/good boy + sunshine/grumpy + younger seme + bully romance? Noey has a baby Dom thing to his bully behavior which is oddly cute. Lots of tropes I enjoy and YET I never resonated with this pulp. (I think Noey uses ter because he’s younger, and doesn’t want to use phi.)

The costumes in this show are insane and I kinda like them. There’s a Grease thing going on, and thus I keep expecting them to break into song (and being grateful t hat they don’t). The wardrobe is like the plot and the acting: loud and obvious and not very good but weirdly entertaining.

Did I like it?
Not really.

Did I mildly enjoy watching it?
Apparently.

Ultimately, I found the romantic chemistry inauthentic (especially from the uke) these two just never seemed to actually like each other, let alone want to be together, plus a terrible dead fish kiss.

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Completed
IlimaMalla
12 people found this review helpful
Feb 4, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
I have been eagerly awaiting each new episode of this drama every week because it's so entertaining to watch and has excellent performances. I liked the 90's vibe of the series. I can not describe how much I love Noey and his style of dress. And I also love he side characters. All of them were fantastic. The series is simple, but beautiful. And the most recent episode actually brought me to tears. Noey and Thi of Watphlu will be missed. I definitely recommend everyone to watch this series. You can find slow or uninteresting on first, but when you start watching this, you will not be able to stop.

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I Will Knock You (2022) poster

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  • Score: 7.7 (scored by 6,810 users)
  • Ranked: #4612
  • Popularity: #1176
  • Watchers: 15,739

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