Pinoy BL Series
Thailand
This review may contain spoilers
Kumusta Bro? (2020): An Experimental Interactive Pinoy BL Series
“Kumusta Bro?” was the first of its kind: an experimental live and interactive digital Filipino (Pinoy) boys’ love (BL) series. It’s different. But different doesn't always equate to good. Because of its experimental interactive format, this Pinoy BL series lacked cohesion and focus in both form and content. Interactions with the Kumu app commenters/subscribers were distracting which hindered the overall narrative of this series.
Earlier in the season, there were promises of something more with mentions of the effects of the pandemic, questions about gender identities and sexual orientations, and struggles with mental health, but later on, the plot/storyline of this series was reduced to a silly and thoughtless tangled web of love and relationship among the main characters with lots of live confessions. Without reference to any consent, these awkward live revelations really felt invasive.
The free-flowing screenplay was circuitous. Some lines were long and repetitive. And some dialogues were corny and cringy. Screenplay was also preachy at times.
Acting and chemistry fluctuated throughout the season. Sometimes the main cast members were fully engaged but other times they looked bored with very low energy. Acting was generally overdramatized. The experimental interactive format exposed the weaknesses of the main cast members. Kristof’s acting was bland and felt scripted while Sky’s acting was monotonous and lacked range. RJ and Allen were generally ok but were bogged down by the tedious script. Rapport among the main characters was inconsistent. Even with all the tiresome crying, none of the main characters commanded any empathy. They weren’t relatable enough. The series was such a waste of talent. The actors deserved better.
Audio-visuals were problematic. There were instances, including during the premiere and the finale, when internet feed was disconnected. These instances were to be expected given the poor internet connectivity in the Philippines which makes you question the appropriateness of producing an experimental interactive Pinoy BL series. Sound was sometimes choppy. The soundtrack “Takot Lang” (Only Fear) by Brian Aquino was at least catchy.
Given all these, I would only recommend “Kumusta Bro?” as a backgrounder for those who plan to watch its upcoming full narrative series (if the producer, Firestarters Studios, pushes through with it). But if the plot/storyline and performance are generally the same with this experimental interactive Pinoy BL series, even with improvements in production, I would advise against watching even the planned full narrative series. It wouldn’t be worth it.
Earlier in the season, there were promises of something more with mentions of the effects of the pandemic, questions about gender identities and sexual orientations, and struggles with mental health, but later on, the plot/storyline of this series was reduced to a silly and thoughtless tangled web of love and relationship among the main characters with lots of live confessions. Without reference to any consent, these awkward live revelations really felt invasive.
The free-flowing screenplay was circuitous. Some lines were long and repetitive. And some dialogues were corny and cringy. Screenplay was also preachy at times.
Acting and chemistry fluctuated throughout the season. Sometimes the main cast members were fully engaged but other times they looked bored with very low energy. Acting was generally overdramatized. The experimental interactive format exposed the weaknesses of the main cast members. Kristof’s acting was bland and felt scripted while Sky’s acting was monotonous and lacked range. RJ and Allen were generally ok but were bogged down by the tedious script. Rapport among the main characters was inconsistent. Even with all the tiresome crying, none of the main characters commanded any empathy. They weren’t relatable enough. The series was such a waste of talent. The actors deserved better.
Audio-visuals were problematic. There were instances, including during the premiere and the finale, when internet feed was disconnected. These instances were to be expected given the poor internet connectivity in the Philippines which makes you question the appropriateness of producing an experimental interactive Pinoy BL series. Sound was sometimes choppy. The soundtrack “Takot Lang” (Only Fear) by Brian Aquino was at least catchy.
Given all these, I would only recommend “Kumusta Bro?” as a backgrounder for those who plan to watch its upcoming full narrative series (if the producer, Firestarters Studios, pushes through with it). But if the plot/storyline and performance are generally the same with this experimental interactive Pinoy BL series, even with improvements in production, I would advise against watching even the planned full narrative series. It wouldn’t be worth it.
Was this review helpful to you?
