Loved the Taste Even Without the Long Beans
This show wont give you any bitter after taste. I fell inlove with the first episode, was consistent till the end!At first i was worried - there are so many cooking themed Thai BL shows that has disappointed me in the past - from "Bite Me" to "Baker Boys" to "Cooking Crush". For a country blessed with the richest treasure of cuisine, these shows ended up making me crave for more. So I am really glad to say that this show stands out among these titles.
The story also wasn't that unique, to be honest, and although it wasn't perfect, it is entertaining and adeptly executed. There are some plotholes here and there and there is very little character study but I liked how they showcased the food and I specially liked the competition angle of the show although we can see from a mile away that Plawan will definitely win it all.
For me Sailub as Oab and Garfield as JJ (are both delicacies cooked to prefection) were the anchors of this show. Pon as Plawan just like Benz as Metas were both annoying at the beginning - but as the series progressed their characters kind of grew on me to the point that I liked the four main leads equally. Some of the acting in the first episodes seems a bit overdone, but as you continue to watch it and get used to its flow then it became tolerable and to an extent enjoyable.
When Khaosuay appeared i initially thought they would fall into the trap of putting annoying girls (common to a lot of BLs) but Im glad that they didn t go in that direction and wrapped her story properly plus Belle is so gorgeoous you really just cant hate her. I would however say the most annoying character of the show was Kleua for being the pretentious sneaky villain of the show -they should have used a much stronger 3rd (or 4th if you count Khaosay) character in the Oab-Plawan love story because the matchup between Oab and Kleua just isnt equal enough and there's no way you'd believe Plawan would choose Kleua over Oab.
One thing I strongly hate in this is probably the very obvious product placements - yes, they were incorporated in the story but comeon a chef cooking instant noodles for his partner at a restaurant?
Did the series show enough to be unforgettable? Probably not, i would probably forget about its story after a few months. I dont even think it will win any awards anytime soon. Did I enjoy? Like i said, yes, immensely and its become one of the few things I look forward to every Friday. Will I recommend? Yes, very strongly and most definitely.
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This review may contain spoilers
This Love Have A Lot Of Basil
Sskksks, I’m sorry, but if pettiness was an olympic sport, Kluer would win gold, mfer did not come to play! Also, tell me why the moment JJ showed up, I went ‘Wait, isn’t that the boot licker from Pitbabe? yo Kenta, what your arse doing here?’ LMAO.No really, the moment Kluer said, ’Stir fried with long beans’ I went ‘Damnnnn Susan, yous is petty!’ Not gonna lie, I clapped a bit, be petty Susan, be petty. Up until the finale, I thought he was gonna be the only petty character, but seeing Chef open a restaurant right around the corner was a whole new level of pettiness, damn what's in the water in that restaurant?
Chef Oab: You are Eliminated! As a chef, always be aware of the cleanliness of the kitchen.
*A few moments later*
Chef Oab’s naked butt on the kitchen counter, doing the devils tango with Plawan.
ME: *boombastic side-eye*
Peoples, we are eating stuff…if this is what happens behind the scenes of these restaurants, imma learn to make my own tiramisu. Also, what's with Chef and doing it in the kitchen? Every chance he get he's breaking plates and spilling product placement noddles.
Anywho, RIP to those of us who watched this without food, and almost ended up licking our screens. The food looked sooo appetising! And, am I the only one who even blew on invisible food every time the characters did? Damn I’m hungry.
CHARACTERS
I think everyone did what they were supposed to, which was refreshing. SailubPon were good in their roles, had great chemistry and managed to keep my interest. Most of the times, I intend to get pulled in by the second leads, but here, although I was enjoying the dynamic of the second couples, my focus was on the main leads.
Or course, Plawan chopping the chef while working for Methas was a big-no-no, but hey, I’m here for the drama, so I kept cheering on him to not tell Oab until it was too late. I like that they weren't overbearing, even when that female showed up and there was misunderstanding, they didn't break up. It was a good change, seeing adults act like adults. I really liked it.
The will they won’t they relationship of the second couple was good. You could cut the tension between them with a bread knife. Which was why, I was a bit disappointed with the finale. I didn't want KinnPorsche level of swimming pool end, but like, this was them throughout the series:
Intense stares. Helping you pee. Falling on your naked body. His face really close to his face. Cinema dates. Buying the hospital you work at. Near kisses with so much tension. Slow burn. If you want me, earn me speeches. More intense stares. THEN, in the finally, JJ shows up in a towel, and it's like:
JJ: I'm half naked, boobs on display, please, go home, I want to sleep. Hehe, don't look at me, hehe stop it.
METHAS: *In love noises* Come here. You're in trouble today.
ME: Girl, it's about to go down. They about to break Methas other leg and the bed.
WRITERS *Missionary kisses. Next scene. They engage.*
ME: Engaged? Dafug y'all rushing for??
Like, that's not what was advertised? Sirs, we did not order this? Where the food at? What happened to the promised good eating? I mean, I'm satisfied with what they gave me, but I'm not full. That's that make sense? It wasn't bad, but it just felt flat after all that tension. That being said, they were cute in that scene.
Anyway, my only problem in the beginning was that JJ was asking too much of Methas. Sure, all he wanted him to do is to be more human, instead of an evil business man, and good on him, Methas needed to know that JJ will only date someone he felt was a good person. But at the same time, JJ forcing Methas to be ‘a good human’ defeated the purpose of growth. But I think this was redeem in the finale, cuz even though he had the ultimatum, he was still popping champagne, and it took him losing JJ and taking his advice for him to come to the good side. So, a bit of grown on his own, which was good. And frankly, I think he's the only who had any major sort of growth, everyone else was pretty much the same with little changes.
But like Methas' whole personality was like: money, money, annoying, money, annoying, money. Then when he fell in love he was like a child at a candy store. It was funny to see him out there giving out free rent instead of increasing the prices. Also, that wedding ring. Damn, that rock shined brighter than the sun. But tell me why homeboy told JJ he'd teach him how to love? Child, you just learned it like two seconds ago, and your definition of it still so-so, so what you gonna teach him?
Listen, KLUER is a loser. And not the graceful kind, but the kind you wanna leave at disneyland on his birthday. He sucks. Characters like him are the reason why I sometimes thinks second leads deserves no right.
This dude was doing too much, all because he had a crush. First, calling Khao Suay to come back home and disturb our peace, then trying to state some claim when he saw Chef and Plawan might have something on the side, then literally trying to kiss him while he was 'asleep', then immediately hating him cuz he was a spy.
I laughed. The deep kind that makes you choke, when Chef and Plawan were eating each other and Kluer was alone on his bed sobbing. The editing was chefs kiss, best scene sequence ever. Good job editors. Yes, Kluer looked so sad and pathetic, and I was supposed to feel bad for him, but at that time, I was so done with him, his lonely arse weeping with in a pain with heartbreak made me laugh happy tears. Then when he got rejected, he was remembering when he almost kissed Plawan in his sleep. Son of Adam, how is that what you choose to remember, was that a happy memory for you? cuz…
I'm glad his pathetic arse finally grew up and came back to work with the team. I did understand him in the end, first Chef could have left the restaurant to him since they worked together for so long, but he decided to hold a competition. Then, Chef again stole/fell in love with his crush. That must have hurt, in the finale when he was chanting 'get marry' I was like, damn, 'you gonna cry into your pillow tonight, ain't you Susan?' but he seemed generally happy... sooo...
PLOT:
Listen, I think This Love Doesn’t Have Long Beans was wrongfully named. Sure, that female character who doesn't like long beans showed up to annoy us for like two episodes, then got dump while trying to eat her sandwich. (Side note: Chef, really, did you have to bring her the sandwich? It made me laugh. And gawd, he was so brutal when he dumped her. Yikes. ‘I don’t think I ever loved you’ damn, #sad) But still, it should have been called This Love Has A Boatload of Basil. Cuz really, that’s all they talked and smelled about. Plawan spent more than half the series sniffing Chef cuz he smelled of basil.
I have dried basil at home, but I’m tempted to go to the grocery store and sniff a fresh one to see what all the fuss is about. That would be weird, right. Yeah, that’s weird… don’t wanna be labelled the ‘basil sniffer,’ people know me in this town.
And, sure, I’d like for female characters to stop popping up like rent is due to cause unnecessary drama, but they add to the good drama when done right, and this one made me dislike Kluer more, and brought out Plawan’s sassy side, so we good. Plus, her arse got dumped while eating a sandwish and made me laugh, so thanks for your service female ex-girlfriend.
Anywho, there wasn't anything big, or special about the plotline. The story has been done before. It's always a nasty job when you date someone you work with, and that too the boss, but I like that it wasn't just a workplace romance, and it started out as a con. Sure we all knew he was gonna fall in love in the end, and they gonna have a happy ending, but the execution of it, was done well with a good cast, which made it interesting to watch.
The plot gave me exactly when it promised, and for that I enjoyed it. It was a simply story about food that managed to entertain me every week. A lot of dramas have been trying to fit so many themes and genres into them, that I’m all too happy when I stumble upon a simply slice of life like this one.
FINALE
I went into the finale ready for drama in the first few minutes cuz now Chef knew Plawan has been deceiving him, instead, he just chopped him well-well. And the whole time I was like… hmm, sirs, where is my drama?
ME: Enough eating each other to robotic background music, give me drama!! I want drama. I want yelling, throwing stuff. Drama. Drama. Drama.
*Writers give me drama. Tears, yelling, shoving, rain, outside, fatal position.*
ME: Nooo *in the corner crying* that’s too much drama. Take it back. Take it back.
Which of course immediately turned into laughter, cuz damn Chef did Plawan dirty opening that restaurant. So petty, and for what? Then he went and ordered food from him, so he'd come and see his new place. That was Foul!! Though, I like how when Plawan finally came to say sorry, he accepted, warned him to never break his heart again, and immediately violated all the health codes. Loved that Plawan was the one to propose, I was like awww, that too surrounded by basils.
Overall, the finale felt a bit rush towards the end, but it didn't leave any major loose ends, and I was satisfied with it, so we all good. All in all, a good show, that I’ll highly recommend to anyone looking for something unheavy to watch. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to more work from the cast.
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This review may contain spoilers
pretty typical Thai romcom (watch suggestions)
Overall: I struggled with the beginning episodes. Luckily, episode 4 kicked things into high gear but cliched plot points made me fast forward a lot. The series is based on a book which I haven't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/this-love-doesn-t-have-long-beans-episode-1-zp9b0sxbr0?lang=en_us (keep watching after the behind the scenes of ep 1, I think those scenes are from the entire series, not just episode 2).Content Warnings: manhandling, stalking, past deaths, manipulation, hit, unwanted outing, non con turned consensual
Watch Suggestions (focuses on the 2 couples, takes out some cooking/love rivals)
- read the synopsis and skip episode 1
- episode 2 watch 16:10-20:30, 30:10-32:30, 41:40-43
- episode 3 watch the beginning to 5, 22:15-25, 27:20-36, 40 to the end
- episode 4 watch the beginning to 2, 19:15-22:10, 44 to the end (steamy scene at the end of ep 4)
- episode 5 watch the beginning to 2, 5-12:20, 21:15-23, 25:10-26:15, 34:15-35:25 (steamy scene cutting out the beginning non con part), 54-58:40
- episode 6 watch 9-14:40, 17-19:20, 23:20-30, 38:20-41:05
- episode 7 could watch the whole episode
- episode 8 (to take out some angst) watch beginning-10:50, 33:10-39:38 and 44 to the end
What I Liked
- supportive/realistic friendship
- visuals (except the bowl haircut)
- tension
- intimacy and ongoing mutual attraction/interest
- the behind the scenes at the end of the episodes are fun
Room For Improvement
- took awhile to vibe with the leads
- love triangles, time could have better been spent on developing the second leads
- goofy music/comedy sound effects
- nonsense/'because the writer said so' stuff i.e. both "plans" have obvious loopholes, not telling her something important about her dad
- frequent flashbacks
- a friend gave information he shouldn't have
- the non con, the rest of the scene was great though
- ending felt rushed
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Cliche served on the plate! A bit stale here and there but makes a good one time meal.
This was entertaining but not unique!The story and characters both were pretty much predictable and lacked depth. Although it wasn’t a complete letdown, I was maybe expecting more.
The chemistry between Oab and Plawan was the highlight for me! However, their flirting over the "basil scent" brought me second-hand embarrassment. Also I was expecting more actual food on the table, instead it was them making out on it more. *Not complaining though. Those two can kiss*
Watching them together was fun but as individual characters, they felt pretty weak.
Plawan starts off as an enthusiastic but amateur cook who tries to impress and trick the chef into becoming his successor. His journey was engaging at the start but loses its charm along the way. He was all over the place and started doing everything almost 'so perfectly'. On the other hand, we have Chef Oab who is a culinary genius with a terrifying stern demeanour who becomes surprisingly soft in just a couple of episodes.
The story of all the side characters was interesting but undercooked. You are left to imagine a lot more than what is presented. JJ and Methas had such a promising and interesting storyline but it was rushed and so unconvincing. Kluea's character arc was disappointing. I don't get why they do that to good characters. He was positive and supportive from the very beginning. Honestly, if this sudden shift was for shock value, it didn't work. I was more annoyed rather than shocked. And Khaosuay, another female character in a BL series with selfish motives! I would like to retire this trope. I was hoping for more nuanced female characters.
The final episode was okay but bit rushed with too many unresolved issues to address.
Overall, it is a decent one-time watch if you’re in the mood for something cliche and entertaining!
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This love has daddy long legs ??
I don't remember which recent BL had kept me so glued on to it like this BL did.The story is interesting, acting is on point and chemistry is fire.
Not a single episode where I was bored.
The intimate scenes are hot and so is oab- daddy long legs!
He's truly an eye candy in this series while plawan is cute little bunny.
Other characters are good too.
I found this highly underrated.
Definitely a must watch!
This won't disappoint you for sure.
Go for it!
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This review may contain spoilers
My love might need some long beans
I have a complicated relationship with this series. On one hand, I love the premise, most of the cast, and the couple dynamics. On the other hand, I find the script-writing, the pacing, and the writing of the main character severely lacking. Unfortunately for me, I am heavily reliant on the second half when it comes to fully enjoying a show.Let me elaborate:
1. Premise: I love the diversity in career paths in this series. I also love the whole infiltrating a competition storyline, because when made well, it can be so fun to watch. I also enjoyed that the second couple has a fleshed-out sub-plot of their own that contributes to the main story but is not heavily reliant on the main couple.
2. Cast: Even though the only actor that I think doesn't have a bad acting moment is the guy who plays Nubnueang, most of the cast were decent to watch. Most of them had their shining moments: Sailub does emotional scenes well, Benz is kind of amazing for being able to make Methas a truly likable character, and Garfield is an all-around decent actor. However, I don't think Pon is an actor seasoned enough to make Plawan likable. To be fair, not many actors can make a character like Plawan appealing to me so I am looking forward to seeing Pon in other projects. I also heavily disliked the voice Benz adopted whenever he was posturing in his businessman role - there are better acting choices that could've been made.
3. Couple dynamics: whatever issues I have with the individual character, it really does not impact my love for the dynamics between the two main couples. I absolutely adore the subtle intimacy between Oab and Plawan - the subtle touches, lingering glances, and the whole shebang with Plawan breathing in Oab's scent. That was feral and I love it. I loved the MethasJJ couple even more than the main couple. They have such an easy rapport with each other and I loved that they don't come into the relationship with this idyllic view of one another but they managed to fully fall in love despite knowing each other's flaws. Methas is so horribly overbearing at first but JJ is written to be such an idealistic person that you know he runs the show. JJ is not scared to call Methas out on his shit and stands his ground. What I loved is that Methas absolutely respects and loves him for it. It's not a case where Methas just gives in because he wants to win JJ over (I mean it does contribute to it) but he actually does respect JJ's ideas and opinion. Anyways, I love Methas and JJ together. They are my favourite non lesbian U-Haul couple.
4. Writing: the script writers need to get it together. First of all - there were quite a bit of lines that noone would ever say in real life and it's so hard to watch. Second, the whole "no long beans" thing is just executed so poorly - if it's the girlfriend who is allergic, why is he so against it even until the end? He said it's because they made a commitment to the customers, but the customers come not because they're all long bean haters - they came because of Chef Oab. Also if he's that famous of a chef, why does he not have enough money to pay for the mentor's surgery? Surely if he was on a Masterchef type of show, he could have sold the idea of that whole successor thing to a network and get a chef to run it while he's still the owner if he's that uninspired. Third - the confrontation scene between Oab and Plawan in the end is absolutely bonkers. I get giving Plawan a chance to explain himself but if you are so adamant on not selling to Methas, why did you give the deed to Plawan anyways? It is also insane for the writers to not give Plawan the character redemption moment - if he had confessed things to Oab first, he would have been a much more likable character in my eyes. I also despise the whole Oab opening a competing restaurant and then it had no follow up afterwards. Like you can't set up a restaurant that quick, do a one man show practically, and they suddenly close? Absolutely ridiculous.
Another thing that I hope more series does is getting actual professionals as script advisors. I don't know about being a chef but the whole Methas's knee injury is just so stupid from my point of view. Why was he using a walker one minute and then using a cane the next minute? The whole post-op plan was stupid and I wish I could get over it. But at least is not as bad as the medical scenes in Wandee Goodday so that's the small win.
So this is not a bad series, but I wouldn't classify it as good either. I would recommend this ONLY to pass time.
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fun to watch, but a lot of cliché
The weakest point of this series is the storyline. The pacing is off most of the time. Either it's too slow or it's too rushed, espeically in the finale. Also the stereotypes are not my cup of tea. We have a "model" who does not like anything besides eating and earning money with least effort as possible. The chef who looks stern and unapproachable but can cook exceptional well. There is an ultra-capitalist who thinks everything can be bought with money and a physio-therapist who thinks helping others is his call even when he is annoyed with his lazy friend.These characters are ingredients for a show full of cliché and little character growth. What is nice about this show, it's not overly silly or over-acting comedy. But there are scenes where you ask yourself "WTF?", like kicking a competitor out because the kitchen is not clean enough but five minutes later fucking in the same kitchen (Did anyone clean afterwards?).
While it would have been nice if we could see characters with more nuances and more depth, it was overall fun to watch. First eat before watching, otherwise you will get hungry for sure, because all the dishes they serve look really amazing. Then turn your brain off and just enjoy the ride and the drama. At least the characters all had a variety of emotions and could act on them. Also the chemestry of all couples was top notch, even when sniffing your partner may be a bit cringe, but who am I to judge? ? One bonus point goes to the OST, because I think they did better than most shows and not used "canned" music for the background and the songs were nice as well (6->7). Overall, better than I would have expected, but not good enough for a really good show, but it was entertaining at least.
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Well Acted Morally Reprehensible Story; Still Wrong
The reason I watched this series is the name simply fascinated me. Its named intrigued me. After watching this series, I realized I had made a grave mistake. There are not many series that I truly disdain, but this is one I found genuinely detestable. Without exception, I found all the main characters contemptible. Admittedly, at the same time, I found one of them, perhaps because of his bad-boy imagery, erotically-enticing and could understand his attraction and hold on others. Although I cannot fully explain it, I understand the magnetism of a ‘bad-boy’ archetype. To be sure, this is a well-acted series. Overall, there is nothing wrong with its execution. But it is not just acting that makes a story. It is the content and characters of the story as well and the morality. This tale is awful and to glorify those characteristics is reprehensible, despite its good acting. How you present a story is just as important as who is presenting the story. The message in this story is morally reprehensible as well as the characters. That part needs to be seen; certainly not glorified.Was this review helpful to you?
Perfect light hearted yet HOT binge worthy series
Alrightyy!! You must be recognizing most of our cast from pit-babe. So loved watching them again with a much short,spicy and light hearted series.More than chef oab and plawan's story our second leads JJ and methas stole my heart and would give it a 10/10 only for them.
The story though had a very cliche plot of hidden agenda , ex lover and love triangle this was portrayed and showed to us differently. Though i was a little , jjjust a little irritated and confused about few parts in the series nothing majorly disappointed me.
Overall, i would describe it as a cute, too spicy, little annoying series. Nothing really bored me.Best part of it is the interesting second couple's story. I would definetely watch it if they make a seperate series with them as main leads having same storyline.
Worth a watch as it ia just 8 episodes and skippable.
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✨Unmatched Chemistry on Screen✨
I first got to know Sailubpon through Pit Babe as Alanjeff, and they’re genuinely impressive. They do a great job conveying emotions and bringing their characters to life. Now with their own series, they’ve really shown how much they’ve grown. Benzgarfield also did a good job and added something special.- Ngl, Episode 8 felt a bit rushed, especially after the strong episodes before it. I was hoping for a bit more from the finale. A special episode would have been nice. The plot twist involving Kluer's character as the petty culprit was interesting, but the JJ & Methas storyline felt a bit sudden and could have used more explanation. The biggest twist was Plawan proposing to Oab ? (I honestly hoped Oab would do the proposing!) hahaha. But in the end, seeing both of the couples get a happy ending was a real relief.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I’d recommend this drama if you’re looking for a solid story that’s easy to follow. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely worth watching. I’ll probably check it out again.
P.S.: I’m looking forward to seeing more projects from Sailubpon?
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It is a story in the tone of a romantic comedy that unfolds through the eyes of Plawan, a young man eager to find his place in the world, influencer in financial trouble and model lover of pad kaprao, a typical Thai dish, which, for one high sum of money, he must fulfill the secret mission of infiltrating the competitors of a cooking contest to become the successor of the restaurant owner, a serious and severe-looking chef, with great culinary skills, who will make the protagonist go crazy with love when he smells the aroma of sautéed basil that permeates his clothes and his body.
On his journey, Plawan will discover his first love, while exposing himself to harsh criticism from the chef for not having culinary skills, and tries to pretend to be the person he is not to fulfill a hidden agenda: win the contest and then give the restaurant to Methas (Benz Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat), a rich businessman who dreams of destroying the premises and turning the place into a shopping center area.
Meeting the chef will shake up the life of this young man who discovers, among plates, pans, stoves and a basil patch on the restaurant's roof, a melting pot of unique and diverse characters, who will become part of his chosen family.
For its part, the rigid and perfect world of the perfectionist Oab, a strict chef and not prone to banality and nonsense, is turned upside down from the moment Plawan bursts into his life. This is how you will also find out your true sexual preferences.
This is a solid project, since on the one hand there is the web novel "No Beans and Love Me More", by Ninepinta, which I think tells a beautiful love story, and on the other hand there is the direction of Nui Suttasit, a great director who has participated in several LGBT+ projects, such as the famous anthology 'Club Friday', since his debut behind the camera in 2012, precisely with the film of the same name.
In 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans', Nui Suttasit preserves several of the distinctive features of her authorial work, while constructing a story worthy of her legacy. The series resembles other works in the career of prolific creators, while presenting echoes of their previous filmography.
Perhaps the most pronounced similarity is with 'Bangkok Love Stories 2: Innocence', his most popular and well-known series in the West, due to the dramatic structure and the movement towards a fantasy and dream world starring homosexual or presumably heterosexual characters who discover their true nature. sexuality.
However, the reverberations are not limited to this, and the director's usual concerns are added to the series' discourse, such as self-discovery, acceptance, coming out, multiple partners, friendship, family, best friend relationships, love triangles, work environment, workplace romance, heir male protagonists, social networks, cooking, multiple courses of food, the clash between tradition and modernity, usually from the adaptation of novels, another distinctive feature of his work.
All added to the unmistakable sound of the soundtrack composed by Chachamon Thunyaon, and which includes titles such as "Stop", "You Fill My Heart" and "Let Me Say".
The director, who throughout his career has had very diverse characters, in the case of the series wanted to approach it with respect and a gender perspective, with a lot of love and without caricaturing. Knowing that each work has part of its creator, and that it is a famous novel that he would adapt, he foresaw at all times needing the series to appeal to a large audience, which is why it is filmed in an attractive way and with a lot of music and excellent photography to show an attractive story for the characters.
The screenwriters have extensive experience in the BL universe, writing scripts that would later be brought to the screen. 'Pit Babe' is one of the series written by Kanokphan Ornrattanasakul ('Catch Me Baby', 'Dead Friend Forever – DFF''); Issaraporn Kuntisuk (Dead Friend Forever – DFF', 'Be My Favorite'), and Fleur Irene Insot, who now join forces again not only to design the characters, build conflicts and a dramatic progression of the series 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans', but also to return to the public some of the members of that 2023 drama starring Pavel Naret Promphaopun and Pooh Krittin Kitjaruwannakul.
The way of playing with the nostalgia and tenderness of first love is a success in the narrative line that is created, showing adequate doses of realism and viscerality. The director is correct in the construction of the script and complies with what was planned, an element that could end up attracting the public after viewing it.
The cast is made up of talented actors and actresses, several of them already with experience playing LGBT+ characters.
Pon Thanapon Aiemkumchai stars in the series as Plawan, one of the actors who already have experience in productions of this theme and genre. The actor made his acting debut playing Bay, the main character of the BL series 'The Moment', in 2020, which was followed by its second part: 'The Moment Since'. He would then participate in the two seasons of 'Gen Y', in 'Make a Wish', and in the drama 'Pit Babe', in 2023.
There, his character, Jeff, explores his sexuality alongside Alan, the owner of the race track and sports car repair shop, a character played by Sailub Hemmawich Kwanamphaiphan, an actor who in 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans' assumes the role of Oab. This actor is natural in front of the camera, which creates a hypnotic effect on the viewer. Furthermore, he knows how to perfectly use the intensity of expressiveness, which makes him one of the best performances in Thai drama.
Thanapon Aiemkumchai draws a protagonist in whom an interesting emotional web is woven once he discovers his sexuality. His role in the series is fundamental, since the greatest dramatic burden falls on him. In this way, the actor takes advantage of non-verbal expressiveness, showing the chiaroscuros that run through the nature of his character.
In addition, he has that sordid touch for having agreed to compete in a contest for money, knowing in advance that Oab expels from the event anyone committed to whom he wishes to use the restaurant grounds for something so foreign to his dreams. This gives his character some edges, which are highlighted and developed in the script.
In a way, his character can remember other performances he has given throughout his career, which is why it gives a remarkable result.
In the midst of their personal experiences, Auto (Lee Asre Watthanayakul), Pansib (Tiger Tanawat Hudchaleelaha), and Kluea (Aon Kasama Khamtanit), the other three finalist competitors, experience the friendship and love of the protagonists. The youthful cast offers freshness and vitality to the series.
Nubnueng (Michael Kiettisak Vatanavitsakul), Oab's friend, will always be at his side with the most accurate advice, while Khaosuay (Belle Jiratchaya Kittavornsakul), the chef's ex-girlfriend, will return from abroad and test the budding romance between Plawan and Oab.
Separate paragraph for two attractive actors with great potential: Garfield Pantach Kankham, who takes on the role of JJ, a young physiotherapist friend of Plawan, and Benz Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat, the actor who plays Methas. Both will make up a beautiful couple in the process of being built when the first has to go to treat a sprained ankle suffered by the rich businessman. Both are ready to become a ship that stars in numerous BL series.
Garfield, who in 'Pit Babe' takes on the role of Kenta, is remembered for his debut as a protagonist in the 2017 series 'D'Cup', also with an LGBT+ theme, as well as his role as Top in 'Dew the Movie', from 2019, a feature film in which he plays Lew's boyfriend. Fans of this actor remember him for his work in the acclaimed series 'I Promised You the Moon'.
For his part, Benz Atthanin Thaninpanuvivat, who played Kim in 'Pit Babe', is followed by a large audience after his leading role as Praram (Pralak) in the BL drama 'En of Love: This Is Love Story' , from 2020, without forgetting that his acting debut takes place in another series of this genre, 'Theory of Love', the popular audiovisual of 2019, starring Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat and Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn.
Ingenious, elegant, the series shows great care in each scene, allowing us to easily forget some of its inevitable clichés.
The technical realization follows the patterns of the BL genre series, but from a dynamic that has no intention of innovating, but rather of offering a visually attractive product. The photographic direction does not make any mistakes and there is creativity and visual quality in this section. The artistic direction stands out for its successes.
Another audiovisual parameter that stands out is the use of color. A sensitivity can be seen in the choice of the visual palette and what it conveys to the public. On the other hand, the editing of the series follows a conventional system, supported by flashbacks, which has a remarkable finish.
In summary, 'This Love Doesn't Have Long Beans' is a series that starts from an interesting base with potential, and gains in intensity as the episodes go by and delves deeper into the narrative construction of its story.
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Liked it.. did not love it.
It was a meet-cute story that started out strong but became a little predictable.I needed something fluffy, and this kind of worked. The characters are nice, some moments are cute and fun, and I liked everything related to food and JJ&Methas.
As a romance, this didn't really work for me. The relationship between Oab and Plawan is very rushed and feels lukewarm, all sweetness, passionate and no depth. The drama near the end is a bit .... ugh. I mean, I get it. It's important. But it felt so predictable.
Loved the secondary characters.
One man so used to being alone and another whose chosen to to heal and help. And, now they might just find out they're exactly what one another needs. JJ truly is such an adorable and amazing character.
I liked how he really saw Methas. He saw past the facade and saw a man who wanted to prove and who is afraid. Love him so much together with Methas. OK... I know I'm biased.
It was easy, it was fun, it was very sexy. So, while this story and I were not really a match, I can totally get why people dive into it.
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