6
10
JulesL
This review may contain spoilers
Light, fluffy rom-com with a super adorable couple
Even though waiting for the English subs is somewhat torturous with no regular schedule, I still enjoy this show enough to wait for the upcoming episodes and their subbing. At least, GMMTV makes the dramas available to international viewers via YouTube, and I appreciate that.
Mr. Lipstick is not like the typical Lakorns; It is lighter, shorter with fewer annoying characters. It is also a lot more fluffy with not much of a storyline other than the primary romance and some side villain plotting. That said, many of the cliches and elements that make a lakorn are very much in use here. For example, dramatic background music and sound effects that I would only accept in Thai lakorns, two irritating nang rais (one schemingly vindictive and the other stupidly loud), and a petty older relative that holds grudges like nobody's business. If you expect a thought-provoking plot with character development and a brilliant script, Mr. Lipstick is not it. However, it's truly a sweet rom-com. Also, I have to give credit to the Thais for knowing how to use situational comedy, slapstick humor, fitting sound effects, and witty dialogue (as much as I can trust the subtitles) to tickle one's funny bone.
For comedic relief, the show includes two over-protective brothers of the nang'ek, and I must say that I find those two plus her parents endearing. Contrary to the p'ek's older sister, the petty unreasonable elder, we have a warm, lovely family on the nang'ek side. The whole family is good-looking! I also like how the show features Thai desserts - the way they are highlighted makes me try them all!
The biggest attraction of this show is, of course, the lead couple. Aom Sushar as Mod and Pae Arak as Kao are adorable together. They have good chemistry and look good as a couple - I love the height difference, but then again, that's one of Aom's charms - she is so petite and lovely. I also like her voice. Unlike Chienese dramas that use dubbed voices, I like that the Thai shows use the actors' real voices. Mod is a terrific FL whose physical appearance belies how tough and plucky her character is. It's great that she prioritizes her self-development over love, and the ML is equally amazing in allowing Mod time and room for her to grow into her own person. Kao is confident in himself and their relationship.
I like Pae's hairstyle here, but he looked great in "oh My Ghost' too with a cleaner cut. I really like Khun Kao - he's a wholesome male lead who knows how to draw the line clearly and not mislead the interfering nang rais. He respects his sister but is matured enough to acknowledge his feelings and stand his ground. Even though he is slightly narcissistic, he is so sweet with Mod. There's lots of accidental skinship (yes, "mostly the trip and fall into his arms" and the "oops, I turned my face and my lips accidentally found his" kind), but since these two are so cute together, these scenes only heighten the sweetness factor for me. Honestly, I think they could have done better showing Kao's growing attraction for Mod. The show explained why Mod already has a crush on Kao, but it is not clear to me when and what is the turning point for Kao falling for Mod. I also want to know what exactly happened between Tul and Wi. I do think that the whole love triangle between Tharn, Dao, and Teacher Mod is unnecessary. Still, I forgive this show for all its plot holes and flaws since I already expected it as a lightweight Lakorn, kind of like a web series that is typically too short for good character or story development.
Other things that I find most satisfying is: 1) how Tul is always one step ahead of Wirarong and manages to sabotage most of her evil schemes, and 2) seeing Wirarong's frustrations when she fails to get what she ultimately wants. I love it when the nang rai fails!
Music-wise, I really like the featured songs like the one by Aye Sarunchana:
Meua Rai Ja Tueng Jai Tur (Far away) (OST. Tam Ruk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuJsPyXPeng
The opening song is super catchy and reflects the positive and fun tone present through most episodes.
Plain Ka Nan Pen Fan Dai Mai (LOVE SCORE) by Sizzy and Nanon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ds5B9jzk1A
I also like the instrumental pieces that underscore the sweet and romantic scenes with our endearing main couple.
Rewatch value is so so; I will probably watch the cute Kao and Mod moments while browsing through YouTube.
Overall, this is a sweet series that I would recommend for passing the time while waiting for your main show episodes to air or for a quick watch when you are in the mood for some romance with just a tiny bit of angst.
Mr. Lipstick is not like the typical Lakorns; It is lighter, shorter with fewer annoying characters. It is also a lot more fluffy with not much of a storyline other than the primary romance and some side villain plotting. That said, many of the cliches and elements that make a lakorn are very much in use here. For example, dramatic background music and sound effects that I would only accept in Thai lakorns, two irritating nang rais (one schemingly vindictive and the other stupidly loud), and a petty older relative that holds grudges like nobody's business. If you expect a thought-provoking plot with character development and a brilliant script, Mr. Lipstick is not it. However, it's truly a sweet rom-com. Also, I have to give credit to the Thais for knowing how to use situational comedy, slapstick humor, fitting sound effects, and witty dialogue (as much as I can trust the subtitles) to tickle one's funny bone.
For comedic relief, the show includes two over-protective brothers of the nang'ek, and I must say that I find those two plus her parents endearing. Contrary to the p'ek's older sister, the petty unreasonable elder, we have a warm, lovely family on the nang'ek side. The whole family is good-looking! I also like how the show features Thai desserts - the way they are highlighted makes me try them all!
The biggest attraction of this show is, of course, the lead couple. Aom Sushar as Mod and Pae Arak as Kao are adorable together. They have good chemistry and look good as a couple - I love the height difference, but then again, that's one of Aom's charms - she is so petite and lovely. I also like her voice. Unlike Chienese dramas that use dubbed voices, I like that the Thai shows use the actors' real voices. Mod is a terrific FL whose physical appearance belies how tough and plucky her character is. It's great that she prioritizes her self-development over love, and the ML is equally amazing in allowing Mod time and room for her to grow into her own person. Kao is confident in himself and their relationship.
I like Pae's hairstyle here, but he looked great in "oh My Ghost' too with a cleaner cut. I really like Khun Kao - he's a wholesome male lead who knows how to draw the line clearly and not mislead the interfering nang rais. He respects his sister but is matured enough to acknowledge his feelings and stand his ground. Even though he is slightly narcissistic, he is so sweet with Mod. There's lots of accidental skinship (yes, "mostly the trip and fall into his arms" and the "oops, I turned my face and my lips accidentally found his" kind), but since these two are so cute together, these scenes only heighten the sweetness factor for me. Honestly, I think they could have done better showing Kao's growing attraction for Mod. The show explained why Mod already has a crush on Kao, but it is not clear to me when and what is the turning point for Kao falling for Mod. I also want to know what exactly happened between Tul and Wi. I do think that the whole love triangle between Tharn, Dao, and Teacher Mod is unnecessary. Still, I forgive this show for all its plot holes and flaws since I already expected it as a lightweight Lakorn, kind of like a web series that is typically too short for good character or story development.
Other things that I find most satisfying is: 1) how Tul is always one step ahead of Wirarong and manages to sabotage most of her evil schemes, and 2) seeing Wirarong's frustrations when she fails to get what she ultimately wants. I love it when the nang rai fails!
Music-wise, I really like the featured songs like the one by Aye Sarunchana:
Meua Rai Ja Tueng Jai Tur (Far away) (OST. Tam Ruk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuJsPyXPeng
The opening song is super catchy and reflects the positive and fun tone present through most episodes.
Plain Ka Nan Pen Fan Dai Mai (LOVE SCORE) by Sizzy and Nanon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ds5B9jzk1A
I also like the instrumental pieces that underscore the sweet and romantic scenes with our endearing main couple.
Rewatch value is so so; I will probably watch the cute Kao and Mod moments while browsing through YouTube.
Overall, this is a sweet series that I would recommend for passing the time while waiting for your main show episodes to air or for a quick watch when you are in the mood for some romance with just a tiny bit of angst.
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