Tharntype 2.0

If I had known this story was written by the same author as tharntype, I would have never even gave it a chance. What even is going on in this show... If you're looking for fluff, consensual relationships, non-toxicity, and a strong plot? Sorry, this ain't it. If you're looking for some good steamy scenes then this might be up your alley if you just ignore everything else wrong with the show!

To start off with the plot? There is none. If that's the kind of show you're looking for I'd advise you to skip this. Outside of the romances there is absolutely nothing going on, well besides the occasional bad guy that usually then gets involved in the romance plot. Dare I say the show is just complete fanservice, and cringe (not the good kind).

The one thing I'll give this show props for is the intimate scenes, they were well done in my opinion. However, when given the context and consent status of these scenes...


NO MEANS NO
STOP MEANS STOP

That's right about where my nice thoughts for this show ends.

The beginning of this show truly got me hyped, there was something so good about it that got me hooked in, and almost immediately all my interest dropped. It's like they spent all their time on a really good hook for their essay and didn't know where to go after that. And yet again this show delves into the galaxy of dub con and non con... they can't keep getting away with this. Whether including this is realistic or not, the problem is that non con is not dealt with the way it should be. It should be criticized and shamed on, but here it is romanticized and sexualized and there are no reprecussions for the perpetrator. I'm seeing some say that Phayu touching Rain without consent was okay because he didn't go the whole way?? If someone doesn't want to be touched, then you don't touch them, that's that. Now how does this show THAT DEALS WITH A CHARACTER WHO HAS BEEN SA'D simultaneously have dub con and non con?? It's just not adding up and giving me flashbacks to Tharntype that did the exact same thing.

Albeit that I did technically stop watching every second legimately at episode 6, I skipped around a bit having some hope left for this show. So maybe I don't get to have a say about this show because I didn't fully watch each and every single episode, but I also know right from wrong and how you should treat another HUMAN BEING.


1ST COUPLE THOUGHTS

For the first couple, they honestly didn't interest me. The first few minutes of the episode intrigued me and got me excited for them and that was about it. The chemistry between them was palpable (and i dont necessarily mean this about the actors) and got boring around episode 6 like im not getting concerned for Rain getting kidnapped like I should be.

I dislike the "I'm not gay, I like girls, oh but I'm gay for you" trope. People can question their sexuality and not be sure about what they're into, but I just think Rain's switch from saying he's not gay to falling in love with Phayu so short after that is too fast. If they hadn't had made the 2nd couple a sole focus for the other half of the series, they could've made Phayu and Rain a slowburn. Then again would I really want to see that.

2ND COUPLE THOUGHTS

I was really intrigued by the second couple for the longest time because I really liked Sky and their story didnt even start until ep 8 I think...? So, I watched that episode only to be imensely disappointed that Sky was essentially blackmailed by Pai to have a one night stand, consensual or not you don't have the right to have sex with someone just because you helped them....

Some more skipping and stuff, Pai not knowing what the word "no" means... I saw all of Sky's trauma and past in ep 13 and I honestly was about to cry at some point, this guy has been through a lot and deserves much better (and when I say this I AM INCLUDING PAI too, boy needs therapy before he gets into another relationship honestly...) and when Pai comforts him saying "I'd never do those things to you." ... Good for you Pai, good for you being able to do the bare minimum in a relationship, however instead of saying YOU would never do those things can you just comfort your boyfriend who is currently reliving, and willing to tell you, his trauma..

It's just so conflicting cause they can present good examples of a healthy relationship and comforting your partner who's been through trauma, such as the "tell me when you're ready", but then they mix it in with this weird shit that's just manipulative and while what they say is nice, I guess, I feel like it's just not the right time to say those things.

I GOT SO MAD WHEN PAI SCREAMED AT SKY. This poor guy is reliving his trauma and shaking and you got the fucking nerve to think he's cheating on you?? I completely understand that Pai didn't know the situation at this point but he can also read a room RIGHT?? If I see that my partner is literally shaking and about to cry my first thought isn't going to be to yell at them right in their face. I would also just like to add that Gun didnt get hit nearly enough times.

For the record, I truly think that Sky should not be in a relationship for his own well-being, he's got some serious trauma that has been repressed and having this dependency on Pai is not healthy. I'm sorry it isn't like the fantasies, love does not fix trauma.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

I really dislike the infantilization of some of the characters in this story, more specifically Rain and Sky. This is a weird trope that needs to die, and yes I completely understand that some relationships are like this irl HOWEVER when it is presented this way with every relationship in these bl shows you can clearly tell its a stereotype to make sure you know who's a top and who's a bottom. Like what even was that spanking scene with Phayu and Rain, I was uncomfortable to say the least. Pai and Phayu calling them "babies" irks me. You can't tell me there's not a power dynamic going on here, more specifically with the age.

Both couples were more likable when they were secondary characters, they seemed to act more normal, more human..

Phayu and Pai are walking red flags. Pai is literally a stalker, his actions in the beginning are unacceptable and he has little growth after that. Getting a spare key to his crush's room was not cute or sweet, it's an invasion of privacy. Changing sim cards everytime Sky blocked him.. Are we supposed to want them to get together or?? Pai was literally cuddling with that guy at the bday party, I'm not hearing it from ANYONE.. Phayu constantly forces himself onto Rain before they're in a relationship even as Rain has expressed his disdain. In the end Phayu always blames Rain for not behaving and that he was asking for it, EW.

Phayu being mad was supposed to be hot I guess, but I was left feeling uncomfortable and concerned for Rain's safety at times. His actor has charisma and yes is attractive, however it's hard to feel any positive emotions after the things Phayu has done.

Truly if someone has a hard time understanding why people are writing harsh reviews about this show then apply some of the things these characters do into real life. They would be penalized, and the problem is that the show makes it seems like their behavior is okay. I wouldn't have a problem if they made stories like these if they didnt romanticize the hell out of non con, dub con, and toxic relationships and rather they critiqued it.

Sorry for how disorganized this whole thing is, I've never written a review before but I had to let out my annoyance with this show.

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I was, like many others, intrigued and invested by the concept of this drama. Yes it still manages to take place at a school/university but it manages to introduce a unique plot point. Finding out the identity of a secret admirer, but this was also the dramas downfall. Looking back at this show now I am so surprised how I thought this show was actually somewhat good, like I was viewing with rose-colored glasses.

I sort of ruined it for myself by reading through the comments of one of the episodes only to discover that in fact none of the guys or Akk were enchanté, but rather it was Theo. I'm honestly not too sure whether or not I would have eventually figured this out, but that's besides the point. So, at that point, I was now just waiting for the reveal and Akk's reaction.

I did to some extent appreciate how this show actually made the 4 suitors not actually like Theo but rather have alterior motives, of course it was downright wrong of all of them to do but it made them more fleshed out characters who arent just 4 guys who are all in love with Theo, with no personality and are going to get rejected by the end of the show anyways. I'm sorry but I just don't think it's realistic for 4 people to suddenly be in love with a person who literally just joined the school, and it's cliche. So a bit of props to them for that in a way.

Bit of a critique of love-triangle, squares, whatever. Almost always you know what love interest is going to end up with the main character, and what gives that away is literally the COVER. Enchanté is no different from that, they literally didnt even put the other 4 guys in the cover.. I'm not going to dogpile on this show specifically and say its bad solely for that when literally every form of media does this, but its just a pet peeve im now realizing. If anything it wouldve been unique to have all 4 guys that Theo's "suitors" and maybe just not even have Akk in the cover to create a bit of suspense, I know to a certain extent we are supposed to right away root for him, but as soon as he's introduced you get a good idea that he's obviously gonna be the one Theo ends up with.

I dislike Theo. His whole premise for pretending there was a secret admirer was just for Akk to admit his feelings, and he clearly put Akk through a lot of strain as a result. Does it not seem cynical that he treated this whole thing as well as a game?? He's actually insane to be able to pretend for so long, did he like seeing Akk suffer?? Especially when he could have just confronted Akk.

Akk hands down was my favorite though. Supportive through and through when Theo didn't deserve it, but realize your own self worth too please. Although I had higher opinions of this show back when I was watching I think I really only kept watching it for him. I wish that Theo would have been the one to run after Akk, however that would have worked. Akk's done so much for Theo, and hasnt gotten the same in return.

It's sad I have to say this, but at least this show doesnt romanticize dub con or non con, i mean it doesnt include any to begin with but you get what i mean hopefully.

The proposal scene with the fake Paris background made me laugh though.. its so odd, but so funny.
The theme song was stuck in my head for so long, as well.

I can't say I would even recommend this show as a mindless watch as it would be infuriating to sit through around 8 episodes of going back and forth trying to find out who enchanté was. It has even less rewatch value (to me personally) when the whole premise of the plot (aka who enchante is) is revealed the first time around.

Akk and Theo, in my opinion, had great chemistry at the beginning of thes series, playful childhood friends. But then that just disappeared for some reason I can't even explain it the two weren't envoking the same feelings out of me as they did in the beginning.

If there's any drama that we should all collectively agree should have had less episodes, than it should be this one. 8, even 6 maybe... The question of who enchanté is was dragged out throughout like 8 whole episodes and each episodes left with a cliffhanger that teased you into thinking enchanté was gonna be revealed only for the episode to end and for you to wait and wait and wait... And once enchante was revealed and that whole arc was over they decided to throw in Theo's parents divorce for some reason, I mean it this could've been an 8 episode series.

But overall the show did entertainment me every friday after i got home from school, and i even looked foward to it so ill give it that. Then again school makes me look foward to anything that is not school related.
As much as I like to criticize bl for its toxic traits and lack of logic, i can appreciate a show like this that is bad, but not in the aspect that it glorifies abuse, non con, etc, but that it just has poor writing but can be entertaining to clown on a bit.

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Underrated IMO

honestly this series was a breath of fresh air for me after being disappointed by so many others series. that's not to say this is the utmost perfect bl series to ever exist, it definitely has its flaws. i definitely think this one is underrated! i cant believe im a whole year late to this

if you don't like slow burn or a lack of psychical touch i'd say this one is not for you, but you're missing out if you decide to skip. the progression of feelings towards one another felt so natural and believable and left me satisified for the most part with its build up. its so fluffy in the best way possible. definitely a series that you can sit down and watch without thinking too much.


mork and tawan are some of the sweetest characters i've ever seen, especially mork and HIS DIMPLES 😭. theres so much i could say about mork, but the tldr is he's a sweetie pie, maybe too sweet for his own good. it honestly felt like watching two baby puppies give each other affection. i know its not big, but mork's carefulness when changing tawan was really nice to see, when in other bl series they'd take this as a chance to sexualize the situation. the only critique i give for this couple is on tawan's side i sorted of struggled to see any progression of feelings towards mork at times, but i also feel like mork was more focused on in terms of feelings developing. it also doesnt help that tawan broke up with por two episodes before the show ended. nonetheless their relationship progression was pretty smooth, couldve done without the ghosting trope at the very end though..

i appreciate how we were not given the evil ex girlfriend trope in this series, im tired of women in bl series literally being demonized.


the discovery of por being a cheater was dragged on for way too long, it shouldve been discovered way sooner, and i do think that realistically tawan was a bit too oblivious with all of it. as much as i love this series the conflict couldve been wrapped up and been 8 episodes instead of ten. not too sure where the rumors of por being a kind and caring person rooted from, all i saw was a petty coward who got in a hissy fit with boyfriend and decided to drag someone else along in it. mork punching him was definitely satisfying.


in most case scenarios i end up usually being interested in the side couples more than the main one, but that wasn't the case here. i think in itself thats a flaw and a good thing.

i didnt like toy's "playfulness" when it came boss especially when he decided to mess up all of his books that im sure boss had so tediously alphabetized, i'd be mad too. the progression of toy's development is a tad bit staggered to me, but it could be worse. the blackmail was never okay to begin with. however the sudden shift of boss being annoyed to reciprocating feelings did feel a bit bit rushed to me.

not too sure how to feel about nadia and mayom's relationship progression, i definitely dont think it was given the same attention as the other two couples were given. i love nadia but mayom just bores me im sorry...

aside from the side couples the other side characters were enjoyable as well, i honestly might have liked watching them more than the side couples. theres also trans rep in there and two gay uncles and mork's bisexual awakening 🥳

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