This review may contain spoilers
Why not BDSM for a change :)
The Cast: Ton Saran Anantasatthakul as Kim (aka the “Sub”) is relatively new in acting and even though his play is not ready for an Oskar, he does fit the role. I like that he is independent, comes from a good, loving family, has a good job and friends. Why is that important? Because often for BDSM roles the plot revolves around “broken” or at least “damaged” characters.
I like the storyline that revolves around him. It seems realistic: He is heartbroken, he seems to be sick of it and wants to go back to normal. There comes this mysterious man who offers him a way out. “Can you make me forget his hug?” - sometimes a new experience can definitely help. (But outside of a drama plot you should NEVER just go with someone you never met before! Bad idea!!!)
Yoon Phusanu-Wongsavanischakorn as Mr. Kamol the Mafia Business Owner (aka “the Top”). He is not so fresh to acting anymore. I don’t want to go to much in detail about their acting, cause for this show we can agree it’s not top noch, still enjoyable, that goes for Ton as well as for Yoon. Let’s talk about his role as Mr. Kamol:
I did read some bad review on his part, because of his physic and way of acting that does not fit the description in the Novel. I did not read the Novel, so I cannot compare that but I think it is also very cliché that a “Top” in BDSM has to be super muscular, heavier, taller or whatever to be good. A lot in BDSM can be just psychological and has nothing to do with physical dominance.
So I like him being not so muscular and more on the mind-game side. Mr Kamol is someone who has learned that he can achieve anything if he sets his mind to it. He is ruthless in his business and used to get whatever he wants. In the little private time he has, he wants to follow his passion and find someone who fits his needs.
So in the bar he sees that pretty boy and just goes for it.
Now I jump over the BDSM Play that we get to see on the first episode. There was already a lot said about what a bad display it is of BDSM. But I think: a) Who did really think we’re going to see a real BDSM Play? B) There is no right or wrong in Sexplay.
As long as it’s safe, both want it and enjoy it everything is good. So I find it a bit pointless to talk wether this was a good example of BDSM play or not.
What was good so was the fact that Mr. Kamol made sure that Kim is not drunk and really wants to try whatever he is going to do. He obviously is not a good person. But I’m happy with him being all about consensual sex. He is also not letting uncontrolled emotion out on Kim. He seems to enjoy BDSM just because it is his preference.
Kims reaction is also realistic. And fun to watch.
Now let’s talk about their chemistry: I really like it! It’s all about their eyes. I totally agree that the kissing is well - we saw better kissing. But the looks they give each other are really enticing. I hope to see more of that.
They are very blunt to each other. I’m quite annoyed of the same misunderstandings we get to see in a lot of BL series, because no one talks about what hey really want. Here we have Mr. Kamol: “I like you - come and live with me.” , and Kim: “Are you nuts? Who wants to get involved with a mafia? Leave me alone.” - well that does not work of course.
What about privacy rights?
Mr. Kamol is kind of a stalker. His behavior is not okay in the real world. As for my part: I’m here for the show. I like the dynamic. But that is up to preference.
Side couples: So far I see two side couples. Kim’s best friend De or Day who broke is heart and is now happy in love with his boyfriend Ith. They are a cute couple. I hope we learn a bit more about their relationship and what actually Day’s job is. Cause he seems to have a connection with Mr. Kamol.
The other one could maybe be the first Assistant of Mr. Kamol and the nephew of the head housekeeper (sorry I forgot their names). Let’s see what happens there.
And I cannot forget the two lady’s working with Kim in the office. I LOVE them. They really bring a lot of Charme to the plot.
The Mafia side of things.: Well it’s not “The Godfather “ and I don’t know anything about mafia in Thailand, so I cannot say a lot about this. Their is a story though and that’s good. We actually see Mr. Kamol working a lot! Obviously he wants to build a new casino and is fishing for Investors while his opponent Denai is doing the same. ( This side character is a bit comical ) They basically try to steal this project for themselves and using mafia-style methods to do so.
The conclusion: It’s just episode four, so there is way to go to say where this show ends up. I had no expectation whatsoever and I guess this is why I like it. The idea of the story is better than the execution in some parts, but overall it is consistent.
We have a Main Couple with good chemistry, a storyline that makes me want to see more and every character in the drama has a unique side to them. They really add to the story.
For me: 8.5 out of 10.
Edit follows after the series ended.
I like the storyline that revolves around him. It seems realistic: He is heartbroken, he seems to be sick of it and wants to go back to normal. There comes this mysterious man who offers him a way out. “Can you make me forget his hug?” - sometimes a new experience can definitely help. (But outside of a drama plot you should NEVER just go with someone you never met before! Bad idea!!!)
Yoon Phusanu-Wongsavanischakorn as Mr. Kamol the Mafia Business Owner (aka “the Top”). He is not so fresh to acting anymore. I don’t want to go to much in detail about their acting, cause for this show we can agree it’s not top noch, still enjoyable, that goes for Ton as well as for Yoon. Let’s talk about his role as Mr. Kamol:
I did read some bad review on his part, because of his physic and way of acting that does not fit the description in the Novel. I did not read the Novel, so I cannot compare that but I think it is also very cliché that a “Top” in BDSM has to be super muscular, heavier, taller or whatever to be good. A lot in BDSM can be just psychological and has nothing to do with physical dominance.
So I like him being not so muscular and more on the mind-game side. Mr Kamol is someone who has learned that he can achieve anything if he sets his mind to it. He is ruthless in his business and used to get whatever he wants. In the little private time he has, he wants to follow his passion and find someone who fits his needs.
So in the bar he sees that pretty boy and just goes for it.
Now I jump over the BDSM Play that we get to see on the first episode. There was already a lot said about what a bad display it is of BDSM. But I think: a) Who did really think we’re going to see a real BDSM Play? B) There is no right or wrong in Sexplay.
As long as it’s safe, both want it and enjoy it everything is good. So I find it a bit pointless to talk wether this was a good example of BDSM play or not.
What was good so was the fact that Mr. Kamol made sure that Kim is not drunk and really wants to try whatever he is going to do. He obviously is not a good person. But I’m happy with him being all about consensual sex. He is also not letting uncontrolled emotion out on Kim. He seems to enjoy BDSM just because it is his preference.
Kims reaction is also realistic. And fun to watch.
Now let’s talk about their chemistry: I really like it! It’s all about their eyes. I totally agree that the kissing is well - we saw better kissing. But the looks they give each other are really enticing. I hope to see more of that.
They are very blunt to each other. I’m quite annoyed of the same misunderstandings we get to see in a lot of BL series, because no one talks about what hey really want. Here we have Mr. Kamol: “I like you - come and live with me.” , and Kim: “Are you nuts? Who wants to get involved with a mafia? Leave me alone.” - well that does not work of course.
What about privacy rights?
Mr. Kamol is kind of a stalker. His behavior is not okay in the real world. As for my part: I’m here for the show. I like the dynamic. But that is up to preference.
Side couples: So far I see two side couples. Kim’s best friend De or Day who broke is heart and is now happy in love with his boyfriend Ith. They are a cute couple. I hope we learn a bit more about their relationship and what actually Day’s job is. Cause he seems to have a connection with Mr. Kamol.
The other one could maybe be the first Assistant of Mr. Kamol and the nephew of the head housekeeper (sorry I forgot their names). Let’s see what happens there.
And I cannot forget the two lady’s working with Kim in the office. I LOVE them. They really bring a lot of Charme to the plot.
The Mafia side of things.: Well it’s not “The Godfather “ and I don’t know anything about mafia in Thailand, so I cannot say a lot about this. Their is a story though and that’s good. We actually see Mr. Kamol working a lot! Obviously he wants to build a new casino and is fishing for Investors while his opponent Denai is doing the same. ( This side character is a bit comical ) They basically try to steal this project for themselves and using mafia-style methods to do so.
The conclusion: It’s just episode four, so there is way to go to say where this show ends up. I had no expectation whatsoever and I guess this is why I like it. The idea of the story is better than the execution in some parts, but overall it is consistent.
We have a Main Couple with good chemistry, a storyline that makes me want to see more and every character in the drama has a unique side to them. They really add to the story.
For me: 8.5 out of 10.
Edit follows after the series ended.
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