Break Up While You Can

Content Warnings: tragedy

Overall: I absolutely hated the "moral" of the story which is to stay in a non-working relationship and hope that magically one day it gets better (spoiler alert, that very rarely happens in real life)

What I Liked
- I think basically everything was well done like production, acting, etc. I recognized one actor from In Between.

Room For Improvement
- I really disliked the terrible "moral". This couple had a huge deal breaker in their relationship which was shown to be a problem that they both acknowledged. They should have broken up, not spent 5 years being unhappy with the other person. Breaking up isn't necessarily bad, it can be the best thing for one or all people involved...

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Be Loved in House: I Do... want the plot to progress faster

(minor spoilers)
Content Warnings: none that I can think of...

Episode 12 bumped up my score to 7.5/10 overall. If you want super slow pacing and breathtaking visuals, then this is the show for you. Otherwise watch the 1st two episodes, imagine in your mind every single romance/bl trope multiple times (accidental falls, getting out of the shower, healing time, etc) then skip to ep 11 to watch most of those happen in flashbacks and then episode 12 for the ending. 

What I Liked
- amazing visuals
- acting
- the cat
- production
- the cameo
- the love triangle (I think the only 1 I've ever liked)
- the coworker/friend stopping the other coworker/friend from taking a picture of an intimate moment without the participants' knowledge
- the 12th episode
- the intro song*

Room For Improvement
The pace is sooooooooo slow. I watched it on 1.5-2x speed and it still felt slow. There is so little progression with either couple. I can like a slow burn done well, but this was not it. There is also little sense of time. Is this taking place over days, weeks, months? Why does the 2nd couple go soooo slow and then rocket ahead???

The plot - I'm used to plot holes and non logical things but this drives me nuts. So basically the new boss (Jin Yu Zhen) puts up a rule that no employees can be in a romantic relationship with anyone (even outside the office, is that even legal??) A m/f are about to get engaged so they want him to get rid of the rule. Logical response by the other employee/manager (Shi Lei) should be to get the boss to fall in love with him and then he has to remove the rule, right? Nope, I honestly can't even say what their plan was. Get more intel on the boss???

Boss - is attracted to Shi Lei. Logical thing, don't put up that rule and instead try to win him over. Actual response - move in with him, make some moves, then reverse your moves over and over again. Basically a ton of mixed signals. Also disappear off to places with no follow up explanations. Things are kind of explained in the last episode, but it still didn't do it for me.

Poor characterization of the boss - he started out super cold, then he went to really awkward/nervous, then he went to a pursuer, whaaaatt, I got whiplash. 

Music - there is legit one and only song that plays over and over again. It's a nice song but it's like "This Is The Song That Never Ends..." song. 

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too many characters

Overall: I wanted to give this indie (aka low budget) production a chance but there are just too many characters/confusing/non existent plot and I don't want to watch the remaining 7 episodes. 12 episodes about 16 minutes each cutting out the credits. Aired on KMD Studios YouTube Channel.

Content Warnings: fight, (possibly more)

What I Liked
- OST
- the school nerd and the guy who wants to make money seemed promising (not much movement by ep 5)
- consent, asking for a kiss

Room For Improvement
- there were way too many characters, who are they, who do they like, what is their relationship with one another? I wish they had focused on just 2 characters and made it shorter instead of having so many characters/relationships
- music was too loud and it drowned out the dialogue, though in ep 5 it seemed not as bad
- intros/outros too long

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A cheesy musical that was almost so bad it was good

Overall: I wish they had really leaned into the "so bad it's good" but it didn't quite make it. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: a slap, non con touching/sponge bath (guy was unconscious), kidnapping

What I Liked
- the orchestral music was great, some of the musical numbers were okay
- a flirty protagonist who is clear about his intentions*
- made me laugh in several parts
- I liked Mikey's friends and they weren't just played for comedic relief

Room For Improvement
- the remarks about other people's weight
- there was some rough acting which I found hilarious but I don't think it was intentional
- invasive sponge bath while someone is unconscious
- *Mikey's reluctance was dragging on for too long
- too many characters

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I've checked out of this series

Overall: I'm sad because they took everything I liked about episode 0 (fast paced, likeable characters, great music) and wrecked it. The series should be called "Boring Cheaters." Watched on iQIYI.

Content Warnings: non con kissing that turned consensual, dub con kissing and non con kissing that did not turn consensual, stalking, manhandling, harassment, drunk driving?, slap, manipulation, possible past suicide attempt/s

What I Liked
- the outro song
- I think the actors are trying their best with a terrible script

Room For Improvement
- very confusing, we start with a scene at the end of the first episode, then jump back and forth several times between present day and flashbacks (also too many flashbacks in later episodes)
- meh intro
- boring/slow paced, I watched at 3x speed. The cut episodes were slightly less boring (around 40 min vs 1hr 10) but still boring
- unlikeable main characters, I don't mind flawed characters but I especially don't understand Nine at all
- switching back and forth from a steamy scene where both people are cheating to a scene where a boyfriend is setting up a nice dinner was not appealing at all
- I don't normally notice the music unless it's really good or really bad and this was the later, sometimes the music really didn't fit the vibe of the scene
- the toilet humor (twice in the first 4 episodes!!!)
- I don't know why they are going to OnlyFans, have they seen some of the stuff on Gagaoolala? Also it seems like the actors had to act in the 18+ scenes totally naked when previously they were told they'd have socks... I hope the actors find something with a better plot, editing, really better everything

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better as it went on

Overall: the series has darker parts, I enjoyed it more as it went on and out of the stupid "plan". 12 episodes about 50 min each uncut. Airing uncut on WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/5otuxjhuyyf07zc/l41002p1dbd and cut https://wetv.vip/en/play/urw9h4e5323fq3g-Mate%20the%20Series/x4100k6ep1l-EP01A%3A%20Mate%20the%20Series

Content Warnings: past sexual assault, attempted rape and non con recording/voyeurism, trauma, PTSD and PTSD attacks, homophobia, blackmail, vomiting, non con touching, manhandling, slap

BL Scenes/Sweet Scenes/Kisses (uncut, cut version reduced kissing)
- episode 3 watch 11-14, (3A it's 8-10:30), 42:20-44:30 (3D beg to 1:20) and then 46:40-49:42 (3D 3:25-5:45)
- episode 4 watch 3:50-5, 23:30-29, 31:50-34:15
- episode 5 watch 10-20:30, can watch 24:20-26 though it's not sweet with the BL couple)
- episode 6 watch beginning to 2:30, 12:30-13 , 16-19, 31:15-34:20 and 44-end

What I Liked
- sweet moments
- good, established GL couple and they gave good advice about getting medical help
- established BL couple
- supportive moms

Room For Improvement
- a main character is abusive, she invades the other character's privacy, has her followed, has a terrible "plan", she held a character down who has major trauma
- lines like "because of love, you can never do wrong"
- comedy sound effects

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wrong characters get redemption arcs/don't have consequences

Overall: it's obvious from the title of the series and the trailers that this isn't going to be a fluffy romance series (which is fine). Unfortunately the wrong characters are receiving consequences and the wrong characters are receiving redemption arcs. The 20 episodes are broken up into 4 stories, each one has 5 episodes. Aired on Gagaoolala and on AIS Play's paid Youtube channel.

Content Warnings: attempted suicide, manipulation, non con touching and kissing, homophobia, mental health struggles, fight scenes/violence, non con video recording/posting, sex trafficking, blackmail, cyberbullying, homophobia, drugging, kind of attempted murder

What I Liked
- intro/OST
- kissing/steamy scenes from Pan/Nott
- acting from Seng/Billy
- the sweet moments
- shout out to marriage equality

Room For Improvement
- it really bothered me that the wrong characters were receiving redemption arcs, I wanted to see jail! maybe this is supposed to be realistic but it's not my thing
- the kissing from the side couple was not good
- there are quite a lot of characters
- how would the manager not know what NC stands for?

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In Your Heart?

Overall: choppy BL with a bad ending. Watched on Gagaoolala (also on Viki).

Content Warnings: rape (portrayed as romantic), non con kissing/trying to kiss, punches, beaten up (off screen)

What I Liked
- the OST and intro sequence was well done
- there were a few funny moments like the music when they were sitting on the wall, broom fighting
- good production value

Room For Improvement
- the non con was totally unnecessary and the ending was stupid, it didn't make me throw my computer in rage but I was disappointed
- the female love interest part was confusing and unneeded
- that mom looked the exact same age as the high school student (actor is 29 apparently, the mom should have been an older actress)
- choppy editing/plot
- the side characters needed more development
- continuity error, after being beaten up with visible injuries, they are injury free in the next scene
- the scene in the principal's office/that money thing were too long

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slice of life mini series

Overall: if you want something short and light, then this is a good mini series to watch. It's more BL thru other characters' eyes or situational, I didn't feel major romance vibes from the two leads. For me, it's similar to the Taiwanese series Bro & Me and the South Korean series The Boy Next Door. Aired 24 episodes about 3 minutes each on Romance Realm's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8vrGoxHdgrqbFj-zzBCU79QRm-RiOkqr&si=N25LnJeD4eVEeOGb

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise (they are non-related/same age guys who have to live together due to their parents wishes)
- caring moments
- Chen Wen (who was in the original Addicted series)
- production value
- that they managed to release this, appears to have been filmed 4 years ago

Room For Improvement
- frequent cowboy western music
- the female love interest
- think they could have had more hints that there were romantic feelings between the leads
- I'm not sure about bringing in Autism as for why a character had difficulty interacting with others, I'm not an expert in that area so I can't comment about the accuracy of the depiction

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typical gmmtv high school romance/coming of age (timings for BL scenes)

Overall: it's fine, nothing groundbreaking but it isn't trying to be that. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each. Aired on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI6GZkz9PZRxoeyTrwO5nu_J&si=PDNKfZbzu2ySo3I7

Content Warnings: bullying/beaten up, mental health struggles, punch, non con picture taking/sharing

BL Scenes
- episode 1 part 3 beginning to 2:28
- episode 2 part 4 10:13 to 13:15
- episode 3 part 1 6-6:45 (not between the couple but a fun BL moment)
- episode 3 part 3 1-4:50 and 9:12 to the end
- episode 4 part 1 11:10-12:40
- episode 4 part 2 6:50-11
- episode 4 part 3 9-end
- episode 5 part 3 4:35-6, 8-9:10
- episode 5 part 4 1:05-4:40 and 7.43-9.25
- episode 6 part 1 13:20-14:15
- episode 6 part 2 3:50-4:40
- episode 6 part 3 10:15-end
- episode 6 part 4 2-5:40, 12:30-13:05, 14:25-15:05
- episode 7 part 1 9:10-12:10
- episode 7 part 2 7:05-11:50
- episode 9 part 2 2:15-6:35
- episode 10 part 1 beginning to 3:15
- episode 10 part 3 5:35-6:30
- episode 10 part 4 3:20-5:55


What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- sweet moments
- friendships
- her family and his dad (also talked about safer sex)
- the BL side couple (except they oddly had no scenes in episode 8)

Room For Improvement
- started with a voice over exposition/character dump
- two catch and falls in the first half of episode 1
- continuity errors
- cliche wannabe girlfriend
- the punch was too much
- multiple times jumps at the end

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too slow paced for me

Overall: I skimmed several episodes (5 and 6 were okay) but it was too slow for me and then I skimmed the final episode and am happy I didn't watch all episodes (not a fan of the ending) 12 episodes about 45 minutes each. Watching on GagaOOLala

Content Warnings: non con picture taking, harassment, manhandling, fight scene, manipulation (potentially more)

What I Liked
- clear premise
- how Kiao actually felt like he was from the past and not knowing several things like cell phones
- the other characters' reactions felt fairly realistic with the situation
- addressed transphobia/homophobia in a natural way (Kiao was using an older term)
- character friendships
- how the adults resemble the actors who play their younger selves
- neutral, there are comedy sound effects

Room For Improvement
- was really slow, scenes dragged on too long, a lot of unnecessary stuff
- set up for the 'gay for you' trope
- the plot, especially towards the end
- that ending

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blended different tones very well - a must watch

Overall: there are very few series that manage to balance humor, romance, realism and sadness well, Love in the Big City is one of them. Based on the book Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park which I didn't read and I reviewed the series on its own merits. 8 episodes about 50 minutes each. Aired on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40771c-love-in-the-big-city

Content Warnings: (2 major ones, see my spoiler comment and how the romance plays out), harassment, unwanted outing, homophobia, non/dub con turned consensual, conversion torture (off screen), punch

What I Liked
- acting/chemistry
- supportive friends
- blended different tones very well
- sweet moments
- intimacy
- character growth
- production value

Room For Improvement
- exposition dump to introduce his friends
- series covered 10 years, so voice overs were used to show passage of time
- odd that a certain aspect wasn't discussed in episode 5
- episode 8 jumped back and forth between flashbacks and the present

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meandering plot and incomplete feel

Overall: I was intrigued in the beginning, but it lost my interest with the large amount of staring and lack of meaningful dialogue. Began airing on YouTube November 20th https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Njz75725bXKH1h92Yn-RCgu5EZb_SW-&si=P7Jx-VCWqEIUqr_b, then moved uncut episodes to a different platform and then moved an uncut version to WeTV in January https://wetv.vip/en/album/dd8g63nmfpkqdwg

Content Warning: sexual assault, non con touching, death off screen, self harm

What I Liked
- unique premise
- caring moments
- steamy scene in ep 4 uncut version was well done but it seemed to go on for too long
- production value for what I assumed was a very indie production

Room For Improvement
- voice over exposition
- too much staring/flashbacks, they needed to talk/learn about each other more
- I'm not familiar with the Thai prison system but it seemed odd they had a fully stocked music room and library based on the other facilities and the whole music video/the voice thing, how some characters had those numbered shirts and others wore regular clothes, also they were packed like sardines for sleeping but then magically at the water area there was no one around
- showing a character defecating was not needed
- the ending was a non-ending, although there is a special a series should still be complete and be able to stand alone
- made viewers wait a month for the last 4 episodes, the release platform/schedule felt like they figured it out as they went instead of it being pre-planned

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traditional Thai romcom

Overall: if you enjoy a ton of comedy sound effects and old school approaches to dating someone then this series is for you. 24 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI7tY-4JZhpydsT6fIpemt3l&si=f7ir8p1MqNiXYXtL and WeTV https://wetv.vip/en/play/feag2shxw6mx76l-Perfect%2010%20Liners For all parts, they should have aired 2 episodes per week instead of it taking 6 months to air and I was not a fan of the constant comedy sound effects.

First Arc (episodes 1-8)
Content Warnings: non con touching, non con picture taking/sharing

Watch Suggestions (if you're not a fan of the cold/jerk pursuer trope and if the comedy doesn't work for you)
- watch episode 1
- episode 2: part 1 6:15-7:35, 8:45-11:40, part 2 beginning to 1:30, part 3 2:40-5, part 4 4-end
- episode 3: watch part 1, part 2 watch 6:20-7:10
- episode 4: watch part 1, part 3 start at 3, watch part 4
- episode 5: watch part 3 starting at 2, watch part 4
- episode 6: watch part 1 (can skip or watch parts 2 and 3), watch part 4
- episode 7: watch part 1, part 3 9-10:20 and part 4 16:30-end
- episode 8: watch part 1 15-end, parts 2, 3 and 4

What I Liked
- I did laugh a few times
- subverted tropes
- easy to understand premise
- sweet moments
- nice to see a lot of GMMTV actors
- Pond & Sand breadcrumbs were sweet though some ignoring boundaries at the end of ep 5
- Tay Tawan cameo
- the friend groups

Room For Improvement
- started with the present, then flashback, the flash to the present and then back again the start of episode 3 felt jarring
- has the nonsense 'be a jerk to the person I like' "plan" (though it is nice that the other guy had a bit of a spine and pushed back)
- non con kiss in episode 5 part 4
- love rivals/jealousy
- the "I don't like you smiling at anyone else, I don't like you going around acting cute" in episode 7 part 4
- (neutral) the comedy sound effects didn't make me laugh


Second Arc (episodes 9-16) (dynamic is a hyper child-like character with a reserved stern character)

What I Liked
- caring moments like tying the tie
- supportive mom/sister

Room For Improvement
- the one character acts like a child (brings a blankie to university, sleeps with lights on, cat on his shirt, his childish mannerisms)
- a ton of new characters were introduced quickly

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on hold - lack of official international release

Note: I have taken off a full point from my initial review for the unprofessionalism regarding the change of platform/airing plans. All of this should have been worked out before the series aired, not changed partway through. Currently only those in Japan and Thailand have a way to watch this series.

Overall: this appears to be a solid romcom with a dash of angst. First episode aired on YouTube, company posted they will not post future episodes on YouTube. 10 episodes about 40 minutes each.

Content Warnings: none so far

What I Liked
- clear set up and then that it was a flashback
- funny parts
- Bas's cameo
- a bit of mystery at the end of the beginning part in the present, and then we'll see later what exactly is happening between them
- sword scene was fun
- don't think we've had a romcom BL about a boyband group forming yet

Room For Improvement
- the hardcoded subtitles would be better as YouTube softsubs so they are larger, easier to see and people could auto translate into their own language
- felt a bit slow in parts and I watched on a faster speed

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