Kidnap (2024)

Its MinQ Era

I'm very excited about this series..fr I've never been so obsessed about a series as I am with this one...our boys really did put in their blood sweat and tears..now I know that the series will be a success no matter what...Leng did pretty well for a first timer..his acting exceeded my expectations now I'm so proud...his chemistry with ohm Is very smooth and it's so natural...so far the first episode was well played out and now I can't wait for the remaining episodes to air as well...I just hope that they will get the recognition that they deserve when the time comes...let's watch kidnap while also supporting our boys na

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Another GMMTV'S BL with unsual themed that interesting in a first glance but it work otherwise.

Overall for 5 episodes, i can say something thay maybe triggered the fandom of the artist but i'm not afraid of toxic BL stan. Cz i pay to watch this series and i have right to give my opinion towards it.

Disclaimer, my takes on Kidnap is based on my preference in Thai BL genre; Suspense, Crimes, Drama, Mystery. If you only watch drama/series to see gay things and fethisizing it (only want to watch the intimate gay fanservice scene) don't read my review cz you will comment "get out from this series if you don't like it as simple as that you are just a haters"

Before we into Kidnap, i want to tell you that Thai BL series is lack of dark genre. I can only list few of them; Manner Of Death, Triage, Never Let Me Go, Kinnporsche, 4minutes, Laws Of Attraction, Dead Friend Forever. And my expectation is: Kidnap would be in this top list of Suspense/Thrill Drama.

And my expectation goes wrong.

Kidnap serve us with cheap romcom, which is (disclaimer) not my cup of tea. But this is Ohm Pawat, who doesn't want to see him on screen? So let's just enjoy him being sexy gay guy.

I will give you my opinion based on 5 important thing that should in a good series; Plot (script/dialogue/characters) Acting (micro expression/mimic/gesture), Cinematography (editing/grading/cut scene), Sound Design (music/ost/backsound), and Set (location)

Plot:
+ It was interesting for the first few time you watch it. Something irregular that happened in GMMTV's production (not a high school drama). The big idea is good, i can see the vision of the writers where they want this plot to lead the story until the end.
+ The story doesn't have too many characters in it. All the characters that present in this story is a plot driven. They don't waste any characters as fillers, means they focused only to the main/suppport characters that can develop the plot into something that leading them to the ending, i like this motivation of work.

- The dialogue was cheap and cheesy for some important scene. I thought the script writers can be more comprehensive to make impactful dialogue for the characters in the series. But it annoyed me when Q or Min's dialogue wasn't represent the feelings/emotions that should be present in the important scene.
- The plot filling with A LOT of illogical thing and a plot hole. I felt ike i can help the writers to make a well written plot and make it a lil bit logical. Also, the characters has no layers, it just feel bland and we can't empathy enough with the character's decision. They also push the romance roughly, like it's too illogical fot an illogical story. They could do better. It's too bland and too cheap for Netflix show, it's embarrasing to watch. Only Ohm Pawat the worthy thing here.

Plot rating 6.5/10

Acting:
+ Ohm as main lead can potray this thin layers of characters so well. His emotions can be felt by just seeimg into his eyes and his little gesture or micro expression. He can control the character so well and he give Min one of the bestest performance compared to his previous work Double Savage or Wednesday Club. He match with the directing style of p'Noom.
+ Yada, the Mafia Boss Woman. Her acting was good and neccessary, i have no complain about her acting as a villain. Good job
+ The acting chemistry between Ohm Pawat and Ohm Thipakorn was top tier. They really looks alike and Ohm showing that he is love his lil bro so much.

- Leng as Q was a forced doing. He can pull his ability to play simple romance comedy or slice of life type of series but idk why the company forced him to do something that below his ability. He is lack of micro expression, voice intonations, gesture and so many more. He is as a rookie not doing his best job, and i would like to blame the company to force a rookie like him to play a rough dark characters. This role are not suitable for him. I hope in next project he got a lil bit simple themed drama and not forced to be a main lead. He has the potential to grow.
- Ohm Thipakorn, Chelsea, Title, Papang was very, very mediocore. I hope them to be more 'act', not only a 'scripted act'. They can do better.
- Ohm and Leng awkward chemistry. Idk if it effect of watching YinWar Jack&Joker in the same time cz they have big BIG chemistry or i just can't feel the chemistry between them. They almost got the chemisty as a brothers, not a couple. All they do is just showing "fanservice" for intimate gay show enjoyer, nothing more than that.

Acting rating: 5/10


Cinematography:
+ The camera works are doing very well. It giving 'not cheap production' like other GMMTV's show. It so dreamy and looks so decent. Good job for that.
+ The composition scene are very good, they give so many good angle and unawkward panel.
+ Cut scene are VERY GOOD. The director has that sense to make a good cut scene. No awkward cut scene, all smooth and clean. It really give you satisfying feelings.

- The inconsistency of color grading. At first episode, it looks VERY GOOD. Not too dull, but not to bright/dark. But in other episode, the grading is not consistent, it's somehow a bit too dark, or too blue, or too white. What's wrong with grading team????

Cinematography rating: 6.5/10

Sounds Design:

- I don't have any plus on this. They are very BAD at sound designing. I blame the audio visual team to make a cringe sounda effect and irrelevant music to irrelevant scene. This is too annoying and makes me uncomfortable. The comedic sound are sooo annoying it better watch Kidnap without audio.
-The OST are not giving. Out of themed. Too soap opera music.

Sounds Design rating: 4/10


Set/Location:

+ They pick a cute house for Min and his brother to live, sadly they need to sell that cute homie home. I love the home, it feels homie.
+ Bar, restaurant, or anything related to other set expect home is good, it's believable, not really cheap and relevant to the themed. GOOD JOB!

Set/Location rating: 7/10


Overall rating for Kidnap was: 5.8/10

Are this series worthy to watch? Let me give you some perspective;

- If you searching for a series to kill your time and you are not in a period of watching other series, it is not really worthy. But if you want to see Ohm Pawat as a Hot Gay Guy, it's all worthy?.
-If your preference are series that only contain a drama, lovey dovey, a gay fanservices scene, male love male intimate scene without too much thinking about the plot, it's might be worthy enough to watch.
-If your preference are high standard drama like 4 Minutes, Last Twilight, or anything that contain a huge plot with well written story, Kidnap isn't worthy at all. You might be mad to watch series that is not well written and so much plot hole?

So this is all my opinion towards one of GMMTV's BL that airing in this Period. ?

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Episode 6 is one of the best episodes in any BL series. Absolutely perfect!

I've watched episode 1 through 6 so this review will be updated at the end of the series.

Finally a BL series that displays genuine relationship building. The mail leads are very affectionate and tender toward each other. The relationship is very believable and genuine. Episode 6 is probably one of the best episodes in any BL series. The episode was absolutely perfect.

NSFW Content. - 1 - 6. Very sweet cuddles, hugs and affectionate touching. First Kiss in episode 6.

Story- I love the writing in this series. No , unnecessary frustrations. No stupid plot points. No lazy writing. No overused BL tropes. Good communication between the male leads. The story makes sense with a great plot and interesting twists. I'm enjoying the series immensely. It just makes you smile. The producers, writers, screenwriters, directors, everybody involved with this production has done an amazing job.

Production- The production is well done. Great cinematography, lighting, and scenery. High quality production. Thanks to everyone involved with putting the production together well done.

Casting,- The male leads are on fire. They are doing such an amazing job. I love it. They are so charming and sexy. The chemistry is off the charts. They're doing a wonderful job. They're budding relationship is very believable. The supporting cast is also doing a great job. Everyone should be very proud of themselves.

OST- Nice music played at the right times. Not overplayed. Well done. Nice addition to the show.

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only reason i'm still watching is for ohm

i went into this with a very different idea of how it would be executed. honestly i know that Ohm is a really good actor, so i wasn't expecting to be this disappointed ? the idea is really good, and i think they could develop a lot more on Q's childish character due to the fact that he may have had a majority of his childhood taken away from him, and when he finally has someone who cares for him like family would, he clings to them (i'm talking about min).
i think personally, i don't like shows that focus on the romance more than the main plot. GMMTV really fell off in the past two years and the last shows i really liked from them were Not Me and Bad Buddy. or maybe its just that they're not making shows my type, but all the shows they're making have the same cliche scenes and similar plot lines - one character has a traumatic past and meets other character who makes them open up and then they both fall in love.
overall, the scriptwriting is actually pretty good compared to the quality of the show, but there are some really weird lines. idk how to say it but something about this show is just not good. the acting, i feel, especially leng's, doesn't match the romantic scenes. they do well in other ones but they just look like ? the entirety of the romance scenes. the 6th episode looks kind of better but i'm so close to quitting this show because i want them to focus more on the whole drug trafficking, bribery, and gang plot more than the romance, but ig the show is just not made for that ?

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Romanticization of Abuse, Crime, Kidnapping and Stockholm Syndrome

The boys are extremely gorgeous and handsome, it's hard to stop looking at them.
A sweet poison with cute and funny moments "hiding" dangerous toxic messages in plain sight.

The show twists the Kidnapper/Victim plot into an intriguing and entertaining Partners in Crime plot.

Min is a double faced red flag. He's kind, sweet and protective of his loved ones but he can also be a violent thug that resorts to crime and dirty money.

Entertaining, intriguing, sweet, dangerous and morally questionable.
Turn off your brain, enjoy and perpetuate the toxic messages that shape our society.

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Really good writing going into waste

The plot is good. From what I can tell by now anyway. The script is really good imo. I really like it it's just that I had a problem with how they executed the comedy (it's not exactly comedy as much as sarcastic humour) part. Even tho it was written well the actors couldn't pull it off. They were too intense. Also the aspect ratio (I think that's how you call it) makes the series look so intense that when they have a soft or just a relaxing moment it doesn't feel relaxing.

Acting is so stiff. Ohm is good (duh) but sometimes too intense that you feel like serious Min is a different Min from the regular Min. Iygwim. Leng is a beginner and he really did his best but imo beginners need easier or side roles as a first role so they get comfortable in front of the camera. He is good at the anger and kinda at the fear but failed with the sassy part of his character. His character acts like a spoiled brat but he can't pull it off which kinda ruins the balance carefully written for the character.

Editing is a mess. Why did they put a romantic background music when Min tells Q to not trust anyone? That literally doesn't make sense. As soon as Min headlocks Q there should be an intense, scary music not a romantic one. This is the moment that I decided to drop the show.

Another thing that bothered me so much was how bright it was even in intense moments. I couldn't get into the story at all cause it's so bright so I don't get scared or worried about the character. It's just like how you won't be scared to watch a scary movie at daytime compare to nighttime.

I went into it not expecting much so I'm not like extremely disappointed or anything. I just dropped it cause of the stuff I listed above.

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Crisp, Fresh and Intriguing.

Really love the pacing of the show. The actors are acting, the cinematography is breath-taking, the chemistrying is natural, bg score is very good, plot is whacky but intriguing. Over-all , a very solid start. We have a legit plot from a gmm bl this time lol. I love all the characters so far. They have done a very good job at establishing these characters in just 2 eps without giving away all at once. Most importantly we have Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee working his magic (I really missed this guy on my screen). The first 2 eps are clear winner in my book. The writer and the director seem to have done their honework on the medical conditions they will be dealing with in the show. I am really liking it so far. The story has a good flow, getting immediately to the point and not beating around the bush. Fast paced and crisp without any cringe-worthy fillers. I hope people will give this show a fair chance because it really deserves it. Also, the comic timing in this show is very good. The jokes land which rarely happens in gmm bls. One more thing I really liked about this show is it showed us the class divide between Min and Q without having the characters utter preachy monologues. I might adjust the rating as we go furtherinto the show as it is a gmm show and disappointment is almost inevitable. For now though Kidnap is a winner for me.

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Kidnapped kidnapper

An unusual love story captivates the audience in each of the episodes of 'Kidnap', a Thai series directed by actor, musician, singer and filmmaker Noom Attaporn Teemarkorn ('Midnight Museum'), known for his distinctive style and captivating narratives, in which it presents us with an intense plot where there will be no shortage of violence, kidnapping, intrigue, hand-to-hand combat... and romance.
Pawat Chittsawangdee (Ohm) and Thanaphon Usinsap, who after appearing as a guest actor in 'The Folly of Human Ambition' (2021) plays his first leading role in this series, are in charge of giving life to characters that have even become a trend on social networks, because every time they appear on screen their romantic approaches monopolize the throne of Instagram and Twitter.
Ohm Pawat Chittsawangdee is a young actor who got his start in the entertainment industry with the lead role of Frame in the 2016 series 'Make It Right', which was followed by 'Make It Right 2' and 'Make It Right: On the Beach'. BL lovers remember him for his performance in the film 'Dew', a performance that won him the Best Supporting Actor award at the prestigious 28th edition of the Bangkok Critics Assembly Awards in 2020.
His character of "Pat" Napat Jindapat in the series 'Our Skyy 2' (2023) and 'Bad Buddy' (2022), and that of Khemachat Dhamrong-rattanaroj in 'The Shipper' are also treasured by his fans.
The link between Ohm and the director of the series is not recent, as both had already worked on the drama 'An Eye for an Eye', from 2021. On this occasion, Ohm played the secondary character called
Nawa.
Ohm plays Min, a young actor and stuntman who agrees to work as a kidnapper to use the money from the kidnapping for the expensive medical treatment of his sick brother, as well as to pay a debt owed to gangsters.
However, when her employer asks him to kill Q, him young, spoiled, rich co-star whom he has kidnapped, Min can't bring herself to pull the trigger. Instead, he tells them the job is complete and takes the boy home to hide him.
What we will see next takes the viewer through a wealth of emotions, from despair to hope, from insecurity to love, with Min and Q trying to outwit their pursuers to save their lives and those of their loved ones.
In this way, the two boys create a loving bond and discover that they have a strong and undeniable connection with each other.
Although the relationship does not begin as "Cupid's rules dictate", with the lover arriving with a flower in his hands to give as a gift, this love seems very logical to me because Min never exercises violence on the kidnapped person, while Q He finds in the kidnapper a strong and kind being who can protect him. His protector is always there for him.
Stockholm syndrome is one of the reasons that moves Q, a feeling that grows in his chest when there is an emotional bond towards the person who has kidnapped him. After experiencing something like this, people are not the same. Q is an innocent boy. His only "crime" is that of being the son of Khacha Yuenyongwisut (Lift Supoj Janjareonborn), the incorruptible police officer who is carrying out a criminal investigation in which those who hire Min to carry out the kidnapping are involved.
Let's face it, developing a strange bond with his kidnapper is not original, as it has been explored before. Films such as the British 'A Life Less Ordinary' (1997), by director Danny Boyle; the American 'Kill Me Later' (2001), by Dana Lustig, the Indian 'Highway' (2014), by Imtiaz Ali; and the American gay film 'The 24th Day' (2004), by Tony Piccirillo, have addressed the issue from various perspectives.
The Thai film 'Bangkok Love Story', by director Poj Arnon ('Tell the World I Love You'), from 2007, tells us a tumultuous relationship between two strangers who become close, but deep down there are no points of coincidence with this series, because in the film there is not a kidnapping but a rescue, while the mission entrusted to a cold hitman is not to kidnap, but to physically eliminate a police informant.
The difference that I appreciate between the previous films and the series directed by Noom Attaporn Teemarkorn is that Min is not the typical predator or the obsessive character with psychiatric problems represented by Ricky (Antonio Banderas) in the Spanish film 'Tie Me Up!' (1990), by Pedro Almodóvar, or Massimo Torricelli in the Polish '365 DNI' (2018), by Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes, to name just two examples.
'Kidnap' does not take lightly a criminal action such as kidnapping, with the legal implication to which the kidnapper is exposed and the trauma it causes to its victims.
What drives Min not to commit a crime is his kindness and love. This is what causes Min to not execute the order given by the employers and instead save the person he must kill. Together, the two young people will experience a traumatic situation in the best way they find possible.
Ohm and Thanaphon Usinsap represent a couple in the story with ups and downs, and Lima syndrome is also present in the plot, since the kidnapper responds to the victim. Since these syndromes exist, which in this case for me is true love, not a condition, there is this way of addressing it in the series. To tell a story this extreme, you also need a lot of delicacy and a lot of respect for the subject.
On the other hand, the strong chemistry between both roles is also partly due to the prior teamwork that the actors do before each scene, bringing to fruition sequences that are out of the ordinary, between kidnapper and victim.
In this character of Q, the actor who plays him comes out on top, combining strength and defenselessness, with a happy and noble character, which does not lack sensuality.
For his part, Ohm continues to stand out in his career in the complex role of Min with a difficult balance between the boy in need of money to save his brother's life and even his own in the face of the bullies who demand payment of a debt. and the nobility and innocence that hides in his heart.
It is not credible to me that a criminal network would entrust the mission of kidnapping and murdering a person with no prior experience. However, this is understandable, since it favors the development of the plot.
Ohm Thipakorn Thitathan, Min's younger brother; Phromphiriya Thongputtaruk (Papang) as Suea; Chelsea Napapat Sattha-atikom, in him acting debut, as Khanomjeen, Min's friend; Pym Pympan Chalayanacupt as Yada, Suea's boss; Title Kirati Puangmalee as Min's senior James, among other actors and actresses, bring a range of intense and complex performances.
Obviously this conflict, with only one episode broadcast so far, arouses the interest of the public who loves to see the two main characters together, and also those who follow the other Ohm in his role as Min's brother, who left me wanting see more of his artwork after discovering him as August, in 'Last Twilight', and Zo in 'Our Skyy 2' and 'A Boss and a Babe', all from 2023.
Likewise, the plot encourages the viewer to find a logical explanation for how Q can have feelings for the man who kidnaps him.
By reading the comments on MDL one can see that the majority of the audience really enjoys every scene, every situation that these characters present. There is annoyance, but also a support that makes the audience who finds the series fascinating complicit.
Except for the rookie Nontachai Vinyousupornchai, the other three screenwriters, PingPong Suwanun Pohgudsai, Chalermpong Udomsilp and Sornpanath Patpho, have extensive experience in writing scripts, especially those in the BL genre, having written the scripts for 'Never Let Me Go ' (2023), 'Cherry Magic' (2024), 'Remark' (2016), 'The Gifted' (2018), 'ThirTEEN Terrors' (2015), 'Vice Versa', 'The Eclipse', among others, which demonstrates his commitment and vision in the development of the series.
In summary: 'Kidnap' offers a moving vision of the protagonists' journey as they deal with their growing attraction and the development of a beautiful romance, while searching for a sense of belonging in a world that is hostile to them.
I'll come back to the review to update it.

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a romcom at its core

Overall: this feels like a romcom with a window dressing of action/mystery/corruption. 12 episodes about 40 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala in: US, UK, Germany, Australia https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4709/kidnap-2024-e01 ; Netflix Asia http://www.netflix.com/us/title/81927 ; YouTube in some countries https://youtu.be/KhSyfKC06J4

Content Warnings: violence, kidnapping, mental health struggles/trauma, past death mentioned

What I Liked
- an engaging intro that for once wasn't a flashback or a flash forward
- clear and unique premise
- subverted meet cute
- tension
- supportive sibling
- sweet/caring moments

Room For Improvement
- the beginning scene needed a little more light
- why did the guitar have to make an appearance in episode 1
- nervous about pacing with 12 episodes
- nonsense stuff (ie had all the lights on when going to sleep, being in the rain led to colds)
- "comedy" sound effects like the quack noise didn't make things funny
- the trailer made it seem more of an action series when it's mostly a romcom

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