How to spot an abusive relationship

ACTING:
GRADE: 6
The main thing pulling this up is the main character/actress. She is so goddamn likable and charismatic. Her family members, and friends is also pretty fun, and the dynamic between most of the characters is pretty enjoyable. The "french" that comes up occasionally is so bad it's actually good, as I didn't realize it was supposed to be french before it was spelled out.

STORYLINE:
GRADE: "Can I give this minus?"
This is anything but romantic in my opinion. He is constantly stepping over boundaries, putting her down at EVERY turn, making her feel dumb or pathetic for expressing emotions. Honestly feel like I could show this show to my patients for grade A+ examples on gaslighting. My naive ass was rooting for her to be with her awesome, empathic, caring and smart male co-worker in her team. But no. Go for the guy who's vision of a "romantic" time is to KIDNAP you in a traumatic way at your workplace, disrespecting your professional life, and having you just following along passively watching YOU work. Or calling you a slut when you come on to him (aka your boyfriend), or put on make up. YAY.

Ladies. If this is your man, you run. And boys, if you're in little brothers relationship? RUN.
Can't believe the sisters love story is the most wholesome one! Also, why is the main character going from a charmingly silly but strong independent woman to a furiously infantilized version of herself by the end. Seeing a grown woman speaking in baby-voice and throwing pretend tantrums is so weird.

If I'd rate it on everything other that the failed romance storyline, then it would be graded much better. The rest of the story is fun, lighthearted with a few "moral story lines" that works most of the time. As a storyline about how to get caught in a bad relationship, it's good - as a supposedly romantic story it's really bad.

SOUNDTRACK:
GRADE: So bad it's almost good.
It's basically three soundtracks played on repeat through out the WHOLE series. 1) Sad instrumental, 2) Melancholic instrumental/piano turned somewhat hopeful, and 3) More cheerful/romantic song. AND THEY ARE PLAYED AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM PLACES. She's acting crazy angry? Queue romantic song!! They time the music so weirdly, and it took me straight out of the scenes some times, but I looved it.

Overall: It was enjoyable enough to watch it. I'm almost done and will finish it. But I wouldn't watch it if I wasn't trying to learn Thai. There are several horrible tropes that perpetuate sexist/toxic standards. It's ok. But I hope young people watching this doesn't think it's standard that men can't contain themselves or that being treated like dirt is ok. :(

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