This review may contain spoilers
Unbelievably Good
To be frank, this series was at the bottom of my watchlist. I am not a fan of multiple pairings and the heavy themes (cheating, non-con, & toxicity) highlighted by many reviewers of this drama definitely turned me off. I wasn't really looking forward to it. But my curiosity and boredness overwhelmed everything else and decided to give "Together With Me" (1st one of the trilogy) a try. Not even two days have passed and I found myself at the final episode of TWM Next Chapter. That's how fast I binge-watched the whole thing.
I am telling you. IT'S THAT GOOD.
I mean, I don't want to exaggerate, but this trilogy has done something in me that no other Thai BL have done.
It made me feel that these love stories can actually be real and heart-stopping. That everyone is human, and all relationships are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. I am just so done with other BLs that are just pretentious and just full of fluff. No hate to those BLs but I didn't know I was looking for something deeper until I've watched TWM.
STORY: A lot of people bash TWM Next Chapter because of its "cheating theme". But I felt like it should be congratulated instead, because up until now I haven't seen any BL drama that have effectively and realistically shown all the deeper motivations of cheating. Yes. Cheating is absolutely despicable and I love that the drama did not shy away from showing its motivations, aftermaths, and resolutions. It was so realistic and really can happen in real life.
Yihwa's workplace flirting and almost romance happened to me, and to almost everyone I know. Even when you are in a relationship, this can happen and it's very human to admit that you can be vulnerable too. I like her more this series. So relatable. Korn's cheating was because of so many factors - heavy pressure from his father, misunderstandings & fights with Knock and of course, deep pent-up sexual frustration. And I know a lot of people hated him for these, but his reasons are actually very real and true. He gets a lot of hate "for thinking with his dick" but it can actually happen. Even Farm's constant cheating is not random. It's deeply rooted from something that happened to him previously. That cheating can be an offensive (revenge) and defense (coping) mechanism.
I love the depth of this theme, and I was so glad it got explored in this drama.
I also love the fact that this show has a workplace setting. It clearly shows a lot of workplace terminologies and environment. It has a much more different feel than the overused university ambience.
But of course, what I love most about this story is the focus on not only relationships but of friendships and families as well. From TWM to TWM Next Chapter, the cast's meaningful friendship has been the highlight. I love that this group of friends is always ready to help each other out. Even though they have misunderstandings and fights, they still care deeply about one another. Fai's admonishment of Yihwa was so harsh but it comes from a place of deep hurt and concern. I like how, even though it's hard for both of them, they got to talk it down and listen to each other's reasons. This friendship was so meaningful and precious that I really don't get how a lot of people could just overlook this, and just laser-focused on the cheating theme.
Like they erased everyone's goodness in their minds and just let one bad thing overwrite everything else. :(
I know most of the time Knock's parents are used for comedic purposes but whenever they appear, it's just precious. Even Korn's father (whom everyone hates) is a realistic portrayal of an outdated, conservative parent. But in the end, it shows that he just loves his only son and just don't want his son to suffer because of his relationship decisions.
ACTING: Max and Tul are the KINGS OF BL indeed. All their interactions are just laced with explosive, heart stopping, orgasmic chemistry. It does not matter whether they're fighting or kissing each other, everything is just electrified and great to watch. Of course, time to give kudos to everyone's acting as well. They're all great - from the main to the supporting cast. Everyone in the cast is likeable. Even the villains PlernPleng (TWM) and her minions' acting are decent and unforgettable. And in TWM Next Chapter, I like Pete and Art's acting, even though they had the villains' roles.
MUSIC: I like that no matter how ridiculous it gets, the music is still A+. I love the sad tempo of the BGM and all its OSTs.
REWATCH: Do you even have to ask? I have already rewatched this series multiple times. I cannot get enough. This is an unpopular opinion but I don't care. TWM Next Chapter is the best in the trilogy, and KornKnock (MaxTul) reigns in the BL world. Despite all its bad reviews and heavy themes, I am so glad that I gave this one a try. It's so unbelievably good and unforgettable. Right now, I am cruising and stalking all blogs related to this trilogy.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this. The cast and the production company have done a wonderful job. I am so excited for MaxTul's "Manner of Death" and I really hope that this one is as good. :)
I am telling you. IT'S THAT GOOD.
I mean, I don't want to exaggerate, but this trilogy has done something in me that no other Thai BL have done.
It made me feel that these love stories can actually be real and heart-stopping. That everyone is human, and all relationships are multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. I am just so done with other BLs that are just pretentious and just full of fluff. No hate to those BLs but I didn't know I was looking for something deeper until I've watched TWM.
STORY: A lot of people bash TWM Next Chapter because of its "cheating theme". But I felt like it should be congratulated instead, because up until now I haven't seen any BL drama that have effectively and realistically shown all the deeper motivations of cheating. Yes. Cheating is absolutely despicable and I love that the drama did not shy away from showing its motivations, aftermaths, and resolutions. It was so realistic and really can happen in real life.
Yihwa's workplace flirting and almost romance happened to me, and to almost everyone I know. Even when you are in a relationship, this can happen and it's very human to admit that you can be vulnerable too. I like her more this series. So relatable. Korn's cheating was because of so many factors - heavy pressure from his father, misunderstandings & fights with Knock and of course, deep pent-up sexual frustration. And I know a lot of people hated him for these, but his reasons are actually very real and true. He gets a lot of hate "for thinking with his dick" but it can actually happen. Even Farm's constant cheating is not random. It's deeply rooted from something that happened to him previously. That cheating can be an offensive (revenge) and defense (coping) mechanism.
I love the depth of this theme, and I was so glad it got explored in this drama.
I also love the fact that this show has a workplace setting. It clearly shows a lot of workplace terminologies and environment. It has a much more different feel than the overused university ambience.
But of course, what I love most about this story is the focus on not only relationships but of friendships and families as well. From TWM to TWM Next Chapter, the cast's meaningful friendship has been the highlight. I love that this group of friends is always ready to help each other out. Even though they have misunderstandings and fights, they still care deeply about one another. Fai's admonishment of Yihwa was so harsh but it comes from a place of deep hurt and concern. I like how, even though it's hard for both of them, they got to talk it down and listen to each other's reasons. This friendship was so meaningful and precious that I really don't get how a lot of people could just overlook this, and just laser-focused on the cheating theme.
Like they erased everyone's goodness in their minds and just let one bad thing overwrite everything else. :(
I know most of the time Knock's parents are used for comedic purposes but whenever they appear, it's just precious. Even Korn's father (whom everyone hates) is a realistic portrayal of an outdated, conservative parent. But in the end, it shows that he just loves his only son and just don't want his son to suffer because of his relationship decisions.
ACTING: Max and Tul are the KINGS OF BL indeed. All their interactions are just laced with explosive, heart stopping, orgasmic chemistry. It does not matter whether they're fighting or kissing each other, everything is just electrified and great to watch. Of course, time to give kudos to everyone's acting as well. They're all great - from the main to the supporting cast. Everyone in the cast is likeable. Even the villains PlernPleng (TWM) and her minions' acting are decent and unforgettable. And in TWM Next Chapter, I like Pete and Art's acting, even though they had the villains' roles.
MUSIC: I like that no matter how ridiculous it gets, the music is still A+. I love the sad tempo of the BGM and all its OSTs.
REWATCH: Do you even have to ask? I have already rewatched this series multiple times. I cannot get enough. This is an unpopular opinion but I don't care. TWM Next Chapter is the best in the trilogy, and KornKnock (MaxTul) reigns in the BL world. Despite all its bad reviews and heavy themes, I am so glad that I gave this one a try. It's so unbelievably good and unforgettable. Right now, I am cruising and stalking all blogs related to this trilogy.
Thank you to everyone involved in making this. The cast and the production company have done a wonderful job. I am so excited for MaxTul's "Manner of Death" and I really hope that this one is as good. :)
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