Not The Typical RomCom

I can't say anything more than what others have said about this series. It's exceptionally well made.

One, the story. The premise is a typical set up. A little Romeo and Juliet or the story they will discuss in the series itself. However, what made this show endearing is how they built on that premise. You have two boys who were raised to dislike one another only to find out that they mean much more to each other than they thought. The main characters are good boys, both for when it comes to family and when it comes to friends. I can't describe them any other way, they have so much heart despite being slightly different form the other. I have so much to say about the script, especially the subtleties woven in between lines. My heart grew fonder for them when they portrayed a healthy relationship with open communication and consent. Something that should be celebrated. They also show relationships beyond the two main leads, branching out to their friends, family and the other people around them.

The story isn't perfect, but it has all the heart.

Two, the acting/cast. This is by far the best in chemistry among all of them. I will say that the main leads really acted well. I have watched a great deal of series, but the synergy Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat have is explosive. It's no surprise to me that they are close friends in real life because it shows. The way they acted screamed comfortable and the way they interacted with everyone else felt homey. The entire cast of this series feel like they are comfortable with each other and it adds to the beauty that is this story. Kudos to them for doing that so well.

Music. I like all the songs and the score of this series. Close to the topic at hand and the mood matches the events. Nothing else to be said except for you to experience it yourself.

I will miss Fridays anticipating for this series. It really is something different. From the story to the acting to the direction to the production, all of it felt well-rounded and done with care. Clearly, a lot of them enjoyed their time on set. It felt light and nice to watch it all play out on screen. I will miss Pat and Pran and their friends and family. I will miss the cute moments, the deep moments, the sad moments and the moments that made you feel understood.

I wish only the best for the cast and crew. They created something special, and I hope they continue to have that with them.

One thing I am sure of after finishing the last episode is that I'd be prepared to watch it all over again.

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Something sweet... Something spicy

When I first started this series, I did not expect much. Granted that it had a lot of "spicy" scenes, but I had hoped to some degree that it will provide a semblance of depth among its character.

Which they did-- to a degree.

But, reading other reviews that had tackled on those topics, I will simply list Pros and Cons of this show. Warning on spoilers.
Pros:
-OST and the Intro video. It just matches well with the overall show aesthetic.
- First and Khaotungs characters Sand and Ray. These two could have a series all on their own and it wouldn't be much different, to be honest. A lot of the characters in this show are quite human -- meaning they are both good and terrible. Sand is not perfect but compared to Ray he is a saint. An absolute wonderful person that from start to finish I only wished he got the best ending. Ray's complexity is spot on, and for someone like me who had been in close contact with someone extremely alcoholic, their portrayal is eerily familiar. That and the chemistry of the two actors is just beautiful.
-Boston. Don't get me wrong, he is terrible. Like the walking red flag. His lack of remorse and his selfish nature is not an uncommon trait. It's seen in the real world, and I have to praise Neo's acting because people did dislike Boston a ton.
-Mew. I like Mew, and I like his transformation era but his character sometimes came off as trying too hard.
-Nick. I love Nick, despite him bugging the car and falling deeply in love with Boston, he still ended up with the best version of himself. And that's someone who will love themselves and choose themselves. It's always hard to waste away when in love, and it's beautiful that Nick recognized that and decided to step away.
-Nick and Sand. Friendship is top tier despite the hiccup here and there.
-The way they ended one friendship as well, which shows that sometimes we outgrow people and we can't expect that same level of closeness there when it had crumbled to dust.
-Therapy session as important to get over addiction is a plus.
-Recognizing that growth is not linear.
-Mond the actor.
-I know people say that this show is very queer-- which I agree, it is. But it feels more like the show showcases strongly just how much a person's sexuality can evolve and how much that can reflect in how they interact with people around them.
-Mixx~

Cons:
-Debating if this is a pro or a con, or it should be it's own genre but these people - Mew, Ray, Cheum and Boston had never felt like a friendship group to me. Even at the beginning. Which supposedly is the thing. There was lack of anything to prove they all had gone through things together, unless you can see them drinking and starting a hostel which really doesn't show much. Apart from Ray and Mew that had a scene that showed how or why they are close-- the other two seemed like props to me.
And don't get me started on Cheum, that character was a bad friend no matter what anyone says and quite oblivious to things that matte
-Mew and Top. I do not understand why they still ended up together. I felt Top is such a boring character. He is like Boston but not, and the whole fire trauma wasn't nicely done enough to make him more human. I get second chances and whatnot, that he was tricked or whatever-- but he sometimes just come off creepy and nosy and people like to say that's because of love. After people commenting that Mew is his type, how come Mew was the one that converted him to being monogamous? There' s just so many things about this couple that could have been executed better to have that satisfying end-- all I got out of them was they should not have been endgame.
-Top and Sand past resolution was a bit rushed and strange. Hating them, then exposing Top and then by the end they are both buddy buddy. Meh. Did not expect a fight but a better situation that would have connected them better despite the past, would have been better.
-Atom and in extension Cheum again, just you'll get it when you watch it. Before this, Cheum was a meh character to me, then that scene happened and she was just-- deplorable. Her only redeeming quality was her when she was with her girlfriend.
- Mond the character Boeing. I get that his past with Sand and Top can be a moving force in their respective relationships, but the execution only made it feel that his existence to the story was so unnecessary.


Other creative decision you can ignore or accept but those listed above is really what stuck with me. However, overall, I still did enjoy the show. It's quite a journey, especially when you had to wait for the next week. I slightly envy those who would be coming in now and can binge watch it until the end. And I praise the actors for giving life and personality to the characters they portrayed. A different kind of series from the usual GMMTV produced ones, that's for sure.

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If we have set apart by time, I'm pleased to wait

When I watched this series I had no idea what it was about.

I was pulled simply by the title itself and glad to say it did not disappoint.

The series was masterful. In 5 episodes, I felt the same feeling and satisfaction I had when watching a full 13 or so episodes of other series. Needless to say, I loved it. So much. I have watched many coming of age series, many with LGBTQ+ themes, family themes and friendship themes, but nothing was as masterfully portrayed as this.

What sets ITSAY apart is that it mastered the show not tell aspect of story telling. Where continuity mattered, and where every scene had a reason. Each character did not need a special arc to understand their personalities, and yet you understand the depth of their person. Same goes with the main actors who acted very well, and showed how it is to struggle discovering aspects of yourself during youth.

You make mistakes, you act recklessly, you take things for granted but at the end of the day you discover that things go beyond yourself. You have support and you have love. We learn that as naïve, and as scared as the main characters were navigating their lives, they were able to mature. It was beautiful, so human, so real.

I am glad I decided to watch this series. Aside from the plot and characters, you get to see how beautiful Phuket Thailand is, and the cultural practices they have. Which I find important as well, to understand the persons involved, your setting plays a large part in creating the right atmosphere for it. That, and the OST added to the already beautiful art that is this series.

I sometimes wonder if I would ever be able to watch something like this again. Where it left me satisfied and filled with emotions. Maybe it will come soon, maybe it will come in the form of ITSAY part 2. I'm not sure yet, but one thing is definitely certain, ITSAY is worth the watch.

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A Wonderful Story

I followed this drama a while back, and was thoroughly moved every episode until the last.

I watched this drama without any idea of the hype around it. Scrolling through Netflix, and it just released a few episodes back then. Kim Soo Hyun of course, was one of the more notable names when I saw it, and from the moment I heard the soundtrack, I was hooked.

I will try to make this review as vague as possible. Only to highlight the parts where it felt most alive.

PROS:

1. All the characters had an arc and one way or another, were interconnected. They were also with flaws. Very human. And I appreciate the moments where you are reminded that it takes time for a person to change. When their individual stories moved on to their next chapter, you feel wonderful knowing what they went through to get there.

2. The acting. I can not stress enough how wonderful the portrayal of the characters were. Especially on the part of Moon Sang-Tae. Others would argue otherwise, but I have watched a lot of shows and movies where they portrayed people who are mentally challenged and one of the more admirable portrayals was done by Oh Jung-Se. Kudos to him. And to Seo Ye-ji and Kim Soo Hyun who remained consistent and careful with their characters throughout the series.

3. The lessons. They use stories and weave them with the lessons each episode has. It is subtle in a way, and gives viewers a different perspective in an otherwise definite idea of what it is in every episode.

4. The OST. I loved it. It fit the series perfectly. From the low, melancholic tunes to the more upbeat and lovely sounds. The OST was well used, and set the tone of the series well. Kudos.

5. The relationships. You can't really hate one character. How they are related, how they interact, it's so beautifully human that you feel for each of them. You might get annoyed with one, but after taking a moment to understand their character, you begin to grow with them. As they mature, your view of them does too, and I find that an admirable trait of this series.

CONS:
1. Near the end, there were some lapses and events where you would double think, and say "Huh"? But the overall show is wonderful in itself that you can overlook that.

It may not be the same for all, but this is the kind of series that you go through once and completely immerse yourself to have all the feelings. The story may sometimes appear absurd, but the way it was portrayed and the interaction between characters is wonderful to note. The acting made the story more lively, despite its dark undertones.

When I rewatched it, I focused more on other production related decisions that took away the magic of watching it for the first time. Some may find this series a go to whenever they feel like it, but for me, this series is an emotional experience. It's a one time immersion thing. You can go back, but the first impact will not be the same.

However, the love you will have for the characters and their stories will remain. And hopefully, the lessons that they do to. If one should watch this story, yes, you should, but be prepared for a ride of feels.

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It just feels real

The Midnight Series of GMMTV had been on my "Watch Later" list for a while now. Simply because i have grown so accustomed to their story telling type and the quality of their series that I did not expect anything profound from it.

Then I stumbled upon Moonlight Chicken. By it's name, I had already found it interesting enough. A Chicken diner located in a region/province in Thailand that is yet to recover after the tumultuous times from COVID-19. Despite the rising prices and the need to adapt to an economy that has been heavily hit, Moonlight Chicken stands different because it gives more of a respite to its customers than a reminder of harder times.

There are a lot of things I thoroughly enjoyed about this story but one stood high above all-- the use of a Chinese song called "The Moon Represents My Heart".

For those who are familiar with this song, it is a sweet Chinese love song that has been popularized by Teresa Teng. I would not get into much details with the song because the show encapsulates the kind of love that it wishes to share. But that's not what I am getting at. I had not read or watched anything regarding the production of Moonlight Chicken, so I have no idea what the director/writer's intention was when they incorporated the song-- but one name stood out when I was watching the series and it was Li Ming's mother's fiance Mr Tong. What's funny enough is that she refers to him as Mr Tong multiple times through the series.

And it hit me so hard, because Mr Tong and The Moon Represents My Heart suddenly becomes real. I am not sure if it was meant as a reference, but after watching the story of Jim and Wen, then Li Ming and Heart and the hardships of Alan and Gaipa-- I can't help but relate it to a beloved actor's story of Leslie Cheung. And for those who do not know, that is a story that is both pure and tragic. Such love that is enduring and a love that is all consuming. Thank you to the writer for that beautiful homage.

Now it brings me to the three or maybe an extent, four couples that are showcasing love differently.

Jim and Wen, the main couple. This is interesting because they both are dealing with different kinds of trauma from their past love. You have Jim whose love had treated him with selfishness, and had ended up with much tragedy that the entire ordeal had left him distrustful. Then we have Wen, whose heart is ready to love but can't properly move on from a love that has kept him captive. How could you move on from someone you have been with for so long? How can you help that person accept that you no longer love them? Sprinkle in with other personal matters such as work, family and inner predicaments gives you a story that beautifully endures. Kudos to Earth and Mix, they rarely miss.

Li Ming and Heart. This couple had captured me in a way purity does, in awe and appreciation. LiMing and Heart shows the silence and subtlety of love, where what is considered "normal" should not dictate the limitations of what love can become. Despite Li Mings feelings of inadequacy or Heart's disability, the two of them found the right note and voice to conquer their trials and emerge victorious. A love stemmed from the desire to understand and grow together. Kudos to the young actors Fourth and Gemini.

Saleng and Praew. Though brief and not as highlighted, I appreciate the realness of this couple. They are by no means rich and they know that with the pregnancy they will be facing harsher times. And yet they persevered. The growth of Saleng's character as well made me admire him more, his hard work to ensure his child will grow up with enough opportunities and his willingness to do more to give his wife a safe home. It's wonderful how they both did their best for each other and did not let the situation hinder them from still also working hard for the betterment of themselves. Kudos to Mark and View.

Alan and Wen (then Gaipa). Alan comes of pitiful to me. Which is maybe what we want to feel at the start. Though it is annoying and clearly appalling how he acts so stubborn with Wen and how he allows his personal feelings affect his work-- you can't deny that the man is clearly deeply heartbroken and moving on has become a curse to him. However, it also shows two people who drift apart and are slowly drawn to beings that can move their world for the better. Kudos to First and Khaotung, they express emotions strongly and beautifully.

This is already a testament to the story writing and to the actors themselves.

Apart from that, what's the most beautiful about Moonlight Chicken is that everything feels real. Rarely were their the usual plot devices that forces the characters to come together-- it was enough for the characters being human to move the story forward. Their jobs are not glamorous, there are hardships and the effects of gentrifying a historical part of the land is also highlighted. There is also the evolution of dreams, how one can transform that dream and still be wonderful. Family dynamics, how giving birth does not guarantee forever love, how being different does not mean you affect others, how your love is enough to make others feel appreciated and how we can never be perfect, but we can always try to make it work.

Love. Loss. Hope. Bravery. Honesty. Resilience. Growth. Heart. Friendship. Trust. Letting go.

I appreciate so many things about this series but can't really put all my thoughts in one go. It is well thought of, well executed and well meaning. Love and suffering, love and growth, love and moving on. Truly a treat and something i wish could touch hearts for the years to come. Kudos! A definite must watch.

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Basic premise that had promise but did not deliver

Entering this movie with low expectations, especially since it looks like it's geared towards a younger audience. However, I will write this review only as an observation of the entire thing based on someone who generally likes coming of age, young love and all type of romance.

Let's start with the pros.
* The acting of the cast is decent enough to carry the movie. It helps that these actors have a friendship in real life because it shows that there is a closeness among them. There is a fair share of shenanigans that would have fallen short had the cast not been as talented as they are. A very good plus.
* The score. The music aptly fits the entire movie and it's both moving and sentimental. Something that you definitely feel when it comes to first love.

And unfortunately, that's the most highlight you can get from this story.

Everything else is wishy washy and sometimes feel half baked.
Let's get into it.
* They have a group of friends, who-- apart from their share of shenanigans have nothing that indicates there is a deeper relationship among them. Which, if there was no intention on touching up on this, should not have had a large group in the first place.
*Liking Lin. I know it's a trope to have a group of guy friends like a single girl who supposedly has all these ideal traits. Lin is not just some girl-- at least to the eye of this friendship group. But apart from that, I see no reason why they would fight over this girl when they really aren't doing anything to show their affection. Especially when a lot of the montage of the movie shares more on Tong's feelings and these friends play along--giving the impression that they all support Tong.
*Speaking of friends, I especially disliked the part where Tong and Lin cool it off and these friends jump at the chance to be with her. One had the gall to cry to Tong while the other asked Lin out. I know they are "close" friends but there was not enough in the movie to substantiate how they are close at all.
*Lack of anything else really. If maybe we solely focus on Tong and Lin it's cool, but a story only makes better sense if everything else is used properly. Like none of the other friends had personalities or story lines that make you care for them.

I could go on and on about those parts but at the end of the day, when you introduce a story about a friendship group and a girl, you expect the friendship group to feel like a friendship group and the girl to have more interactions with said friendship group beyond shenanigans. Apart from that, you expect that the coming of age part where they all graduate and go to the next chapter to feel more relatable.

I do commend the ending. The parallel universe and the acceptance that not everything lasts forever. But other events could have been executed better and the story could have been told with more depth. In any case, all kudos goes to the cast for making this movie a bit more engaging despite the story that they were given.

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A Breath of Fresh Air and a Testament to What it means to be a Remake

Cherry Magic TH stands on its own-- carrying its own charm and adding its own flavor to an already loved series/story. The story of Karan and Achi spans beyond them as the main couple-- it includes all the people important to them, surrounding them with support and love.
I want to list all the good things this series holds, but to summarize, I will say this: Every character is important, every scene is a build up and the love of these two is well fleshed out.
I could not have asked for a better version, and this was so wonderfully done with respect to its original material. And although I found the second main couple (Jinta and Min) in need of improvement for their story, overall this series is top notch. They tackled so many topics respectfully, whether it be about the self, the relationship, the friendship, the family, communication and so on, and so on. And the hopeful theme left by the end is one we wish to strive for-- a world in which our purest magic is to love wholeheartedly.

Very thankful for this series. Kudos to the cast-- especially to Tay and New who has shone brightly. Kudos to the writers, to the director and to everyone who has anything to do with this. Truly a breath of fresh air.

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