Night Dream (2023)

want the actors in something else (skip ep 5)

Overall: there was potential with an angstier story but the writing got progressively worse as the series continued. Skip episode 5 and start episode 6 at 43 minutes. 6 episodes about 30 minutes each. Aired on Youku's YouTube channel, first episode link https://youtu.be/B36ryCeKxUw Rookie Thailand has also produced: 21 Days Theory, Future and The Best Story

Content Warnings: past death, grief, homophobia, bullying, punches, parental verbal abuse

What I Liked
- some sweet moments
- they explained what happened 5 years ago so the time gap made some sense (but 5 years was too long)
- funny with the friends hiding behind plants
- glad she finally stood up for herself though she should have told Night he needed to figure his stuff out asap before someone else started dating Dream
- Dream seeking communication at the beginning of episode 5
- Namwan in the second half of the series (though I didn't hate her in the first half)
- production value was good for what I assume is a low budget series (except for the too loud background music at times)

Room For Improvement
- time skip needed to be 2 years instead of 5 to feel more realistic
- cliched writing, unnecessary love triangles, drunk kissing, etc
- not clear when flashbacks started/ended/were flashbacks
- the multitude of flashbacks made the episodes feel choppy, would rather they had shown everything in the past and done 1 time skip to the present (similar to ITSAY), there were even flashbacks to scenes we had just watched like with the professor (also what on earth is you fail a university class if you can't write an amazing novel? does that really happen???)
- nonsense stuff (who doesn't know their best friend has a sibling, they've never met in person or seen a picture? they could have made this a step sibling during the time gap to make sense)
- failed redemption arcs for the dad and brother
- unclear of how much time passed in the last episode
- hardcoded English subtitles were a little difficult to read (didn't take off points for this)

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Potentially Frustrating, Character Study, Sweet & Angsty, Dreamlike, Great Chemistry.

(General spoilers only.) The atmosphere and sweet tension are alluring but there is more character based angst than a viewer might initially expect. If you like character studies and growth you might enjoy this. Love is the main theme and catalyst, but this story is about more than just romance.

Very General Spoilers below.

Things that frustrate some viewers (but didn't frustrate me, as I explain further down):
- Vague sense of time and non-linear flashbacks.
- Night continuously struggles to understand his own feelings and then communicate them.
- Dream is avoidant as a self-preservation mechanism.
- Love triangles.
- The ending is positive but a bit rushed (this one I agree with).

I like character studies and there is an interesting symmetry between Night and Day: Night mentally "runs away" while Dream physically runs away. They often hinder themselves from getting what they truly want because of their personal coping mechanisms for fear. I found watching them navigate that interesting, pretty realistic, and meaningful.

I thought the actors did a great, naturalistic job, and got me emotionally invested in their characters. The magnetic pull of affection and attraction between Dream and Night is palpable.

Namwan, Night, and Day seemed kind of unlikable shortly after being introduced to them, but as more of their character was revealed, the more I was able to empathize with, and like, them.

Night DOES have character growth but the process is messy and everyone, including himself, gets hurt. A lot. But Dream contributes to that too. Both Night and Dream are young and still figuring life out, so that came across fairly realistically to me.

I didn't mind the love triangles in this so much because they really do serve a purpose in propelling Night's character growth forward. Especially since there aren't that many episodes in which to tell this story. Night has to get to a certain point emotionally and mentally so he can gain clarity, self-resolve, and purpose in the whole of his life.

The cinematography and editing felt dreamlike in a way that I was surprisingly not annoyed by. There were partial flashbacks that, after awhile, would be returned to with more of the flashbacks shown. They also aren't shown in chronological order, so they add to the *feel* of the past relationship without having to tell the full story. It was slightly confusing at first, and then it drew me in and I was able to roll with that and the unspecified time skips through the series. Reminded me of how it feels when just waking and mentally replaying bits of interesting dreams and trying to remember what connected them. It wasn't linear but it all tied together in an atmospheric way. I'm not sure if I've explained it well, but it worked for me.

My only disappointment with this show is I wish the ending had had more to it. It was sweet but just too short to fully balance out the tension from the whole series and the recent heavy feels. If the show had frustrated me, as it did some viewers, then the ending probably wouldn't have been enough to soothe that and leave me in a good mood.

The reason the professor gives for not passing Night's thesis is realistically ridiculous and requires suspension of disbelief.

MEDIUM General Spoilers below.

If the following resonates with you, you may find this story moving, as I did. If not, you may find Night, and even Dream, annoying (as some reviewers do):

Being unfamiliar with, and confusing different types of love. Never seeming to be able to meet parent and teacher expectations. Not receiving approval or emotional support from family members. Sibling rivalry. Worrying about and being stifled by societal norms. Severe insecurities about self-worth. Being so scared of more failures that it hinders trying for desired things.

Dream's biggest flaw is his main coping mechanism of running away and ghosting.

I may not rewatch often, but I know that I will want to watch again.

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Started Well But .....

It really started well as you see "high school best friends get separated and meet after several years to realize their love for each other" trope. After finishing ep.3 my curiosity for the drama increased a lot but after ep.5 i lost all my hope for the show.

The main lead is such a stupid character to exist and I know such characters really exist but still it was hardful to watch these shows in 2024. He really kissed a boy and next day he straight up goes to girl and confess he likes her because He does not want to disappoint his father. When he know that his brother also likes the same boy he wanted to win his brother atleast once so he chases after boy.

I was really expecting something like Our Dating Sim where both characters long for each other after separation and try their best to rekindle the love for each other. Here its straight opposite where one is clueless about love while other is reason for unncessary misunderstandings.

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started strong but plot fell apart

I really loved the first 3 episodes even though the female lead was a bit cringe…turns out her character became likable in the second half but the rest of the script started falling apart.
I loved the feel of the show. The production and visuals were good but the script started skipping around and not making sense. the whole father plot was confusing and messy. I’m still not sure why Night decided to drop out and go work for his Dad or for that matter even if he did end up doing that. it seems like he didn’t. yeah. there’s loads of plot holes.
what kept me coming back was the whole feel of the show. the color, the camera, the music…if felt peaceful and sweet and just well done. I just really wish someone had been better at editing or script writing. sigh. For example….why would someone put away a picture of them and their crush in the front hallway of their house? wouldn’t it be put in a special private place? like their bedroom? yeah. a lot of the details were weirdly done. if you don’t sweat the small stuff and love a sweet friends to lovers story then this short series does fit the bill.

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Totally Binge-Worthy

I am not sure why this drama has such mediocre reviews. I absolutely loved it. The story was sweet and simple but it kept me intrigued throughout the six episodes. I thought the acting was really good especially since the entire cast was new to me. The chemistry between the MCs was fantastic. I felt like I knew the pain and frustration Night felt throughout the drama. I could see the arch of his character coming to the realization of what love was to him. I also enjoyedDream’s two friends. they provided a little humor as well as support for Dream. This is a feel good drama. I would definitely recommend and rewatch this cute little BL story.

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Started good, but progressively became a drag

honestly, this series started so good and had the potential, but what were the last 2 eps? honestly, it felt separated from the rest of the series, as if a block of events happened but they weren't connected to each other, the context was off?! Did we actually need the last bit of him working in the hotel, looking at the sea and coming back to see his cafe still standing? so many questions in my head from just the last 30min of the episode alone. I was always shipping Dream and Night but I believe their past and their relationship could have been told more thoroughly or deeply, it felt shallow. After seeing how Day asked Dream and told him to wait, I had a feeling they would be a good ship as well. Probably one of the few times I support the ghost/alternate ship more. So many questions were left unanswered and felt too rushed even though at the same time last 2 episodes felt like not much context and just dragged to make episodes. Does it make sense? Therefore, I first rated the show a solid 9 but I dropped it to 7.5 right now and it is for the sake of the beginning.

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Almost there...

Okay, this could be one of the better titles I watched but unfortunately it did not deliver entirely. I will elaborate.

This is kinda my jam, estranged lovers meet after some time, the emotions are there, the whole the-one-that-got-away shebang is there, the chemistry is escalating, flashbacks of the past also there, and then, there is some really lovely skinship. Everything I like is there. I mean, the kisses were good, realistic, my guts react to these type of things and I loved it.

However, it felt a bit weird, the whole thing did not have a flow and it felt like a loop, one runs away the other - the writer Night is incapable to communicated like a decent person. And then all over again just faster. I know they wanted to create a character that is actually scared and emotional but there was not enough time to develop it. So it was really impossible to connect to the characters.

Of course, the character Day was just thrown it like here is an obstacle, a bad bad bad guy and in like 45 minutes he is good good good guy some of us were even routing for. The whole thing could last longer and the character could develop better. If you know what I mean!

I noticed that when we have longer BLs (the ones that are actually not that good), we have many filler characters or NC scenes that are just forced. I liked that in this series that was not the case, but I really needed more. I will conclude this with - it is short, cute and it is not the waste of time. it is not that bad, not good, but not that bad. And if you liked The promise this might be something you could watch!

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Could Have Been Better

Within the dynamic and ever-changing realm of Thai Boys’ Love (BL) series, “Night Dream” presents a moving story of love, friendship, and personal growth. The protagonist of the show is Night, a senior literature student who finds it difficult to write his final novel because he has never experienced love. The story takes shape as Night makes contact with Dream, a buddy he hasn’t seen in a long time, who helps him understand the nuances of love.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/02/21/night-dream-series-review-ep-1-to-6/

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Can someone explain to me why do I love it so much?

I don't get it. I start watching it just out of boredom. But I love it. I love it! The cast is amazing. The tension is making my breathing uneven. They portraited the emotions so perfectly you can basically read what's happening inside ther hearts from their expressions. The plot, even tho it's not the most original one is still entertaining cause it's still accurate and it pictures simple life problems perfectly. These things happen and they complicate people's lives so it's good to see it on the screen. The soundtrack complements the scenes so well. The overall vibe captured my heart. I am so happy I started to watch. It's exactly what I needed even tho I didn't know I was missing something like this. Also for whatever reason I can watch the intro on repeat.

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Magnificent! A real gem

Magnificent! This was the first word that came into my mind after watching this short charming and beautifully done BL. It is obviously patterned off the South Korean model and it works! I simply do not understand the negative criticisms of this series. It is well acted, storytelling is engaging, and it is such a delicate love story that I think people mistook that delicacy for lameness. To be brutally honest, the only people who see it that way are not gay or those who have forgotten what it was like to struggle with acceptance. The intensity of its credence for each of us who had to face that is wildly different individually. Each persons’ journey is unique and soulful. This is a classic BL with such soft, gentle whispers that it almost glides under the radar unnoticed. But this is a beautifully done and very touching series that because of its delicacy, is mischaracterized. There is some fine acting here capturing all the various emotions of coming out, of being jilted, and suffering from an unrequited love. You can read my full review of this wonderful series at BLBliss.com.

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