Love Triangles, part 2 (more triangles and a worse plot)

Overall: the writers thought that they didn't have enough characters/love triangles so they threw in another triangle and then made them into rectangles? Am I in geometry class? If you want to watch idiots and jerks totally mess up their love lives, then this is the show for you. I slogged thru ep 1, 2, 6 and 8 and cannot bring myself to watch the rest. Watched on Gagaoolala.

What I Liked
- Valen's awkward attempts at moving their relationship forward in the beginning was kind of adorable
- overall production value was good, a few errors with the English subs but not bad
- the enjoyable OST is by Jeff Satur
- the kissing scene was fairly well done in ep 1, at least no dead fish lip press kiss
- I did appreciate that there was an apology from Mr. Goldfish Memory

Room For Improvement
- characters were really stupid and unlikable, I'm not even going to get into all the ways that they were awful
- a 16 minute recap of season 1 out of a 45min episode, 16 minutes! I like a short recap to center what happened before but this was way too long. And it wasn't clear where it ended. Weren't they lying in the sand/water at the end of season 1, that's where it should have started.
- a third love triangle, you've got to be kidding me (update they got even worse with even more characters added in to create love rectangles)
- Kaitoon is the stupidest protagonist, he has both the memory and brain of a gold fish. He can't figure out that either guy is romantically interested in him? And why can't they just tell him directly? Kaitoon and Valen stupidly started back at square 1 when I thought they were going to advance their relationship in season 2.

Read More

a m/m reality dating series with a goal/message

Overall: I think this improved on the first season (which was spread out over a few months). 20 episodes about 25 minutes each. Aired (free to watch) on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/4786/boyscation-too-2024-e01 and YouTube https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdXIknoSRTzuXCiH2eohX0CKbhki0h9Of&si=5uf86CF1tLF2qAxF

Note: When watching "reality" series, I always keep in mind that producers might tell the guys what to do/say and that editing can be extremely misleading (not showing things, change the order, etc). This production/emcee appears more involved in Boyscation but that doesn't mean the other dating series productions weren't involved/manipulated things. My goals were that the guys have some fun and being on the show helped (or at least doesn't hurt them) in their personal and professional lives.

What I Liked
- the family/friends and message of the final episode
- that they followed the pairs that matched when they were back in Hong Kong (though it dragged on a bit too long)
- highlighted non profit organizations at the end of some episodes
- that on the first vote they could vote for up to 3 people & they showed a graphic of the vote givers/getters
- nametags in the beginning
- questions about their habits game was likely useful for the guys to think about compatibility
- released 5 episodes each week

Room For Improvement
- that the first game was touching people while being blindfolded
- the roommate choosing should not have been totally random
- that the mutual matches ate breakfast right in front of everyone
- some of the announcements of matches/who people liked/didn't like was a little too brutal

Read More

wished for a better plot for these great actors (watch suggestions)

Overall: SUKFILM does some things really well such as chemistry/tension. However, the love triangles/cheating bog the series down. Aired 8 episodes about 10 minutes each https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfaogVGCvwQ_32A8H9oWjdEtXVTWcrja&si=212BSBvITHARKx3G I am watched the cut version, the uncut has longer kissing scenes.

Content Warning: dub con kissing turned consensual?, non con kiss, manipulation, unwanted public outing

Watch Suggestions (to avoid cheating. love triangles and an evil ex)
- watch episode 1 and end it at 9:55
- skip episode 2
- watch episode 3 beginning to 45s, 5:15-7:40, 9:35-end
- watch episode 4 beginning to 1m and 6:40-end
- stop episode 5 at 2 minutes
- skip episodes 6 & 7
- watch episode 8 7:40-end

What I Liked
- acting/chemistry/tension
- visuals
- sweet moment with the first aid
- music (except that the singing was too loud during scenes with dialog)
- a character actually had a decent plan in episode 8

Room For Improvement
- the cliched woman character (which I think has appeared in all 3 of their BLs)
- one character is kind of a jerk/cheater (this is also a running theme in their BLs)
- I can't really be happy with the couple because I don't trust that there won't be cheating in the future

Read More

mixed feelings

Overall: there were parts that I really liked and one aspect in particular that I really didn't. I initially watched for the side m/m couple (they meet in episode 2 and have a few minutes every episode). At times, this series has a bit of a soap opera feel. Watching on Viu with VPN set to Thailand. This is the episode 1 part 1 link https://www.viu.com/ott/th/th/vod/439286/My-Coach  Watch past the credits of the final episode for wrap ups of the characters (Plueng and Yu are at the very very end). 

Content Warnings: past bullying, sexism, punches, manipulation, harassment, drugging, attempted sexual assault, non con kiss, past trauma, homophobia, transphobia, unwanted outing, blackmail, held against will, high school student/coach relationship, bribery

What I Liked
- discussion of issues: i.e. challenges of being a woman in a male dominated career, importance of having safe sex and carrying around condoms, sexual harassment, pursuing your dreams, about being your true self and deserving love and happiness
- the end of episode 14 brought tears to my eyes
- Plueng and Yu, I wish they had had more screen time
- nice to see a darker skinned character and I really liked their conversations with Yu
- the intro song

Room For Improvement
- how both the coach and assistant coach were ogling the bodies of their students (high schoolers) and the things that followed, this just reinforces negative stereotypes of women in male dominated careers

Read More

Terrible Ending In My Room

Overall: I watched the first 3 and half episodes and the last episode (cut version). Very disappointed at the ending.

Content Warnings: kind of attempted self harm/suicide - it's complicated, character death, horror, watching someone without their permission

What I Liked
- there was some stunning cinematography for example in the beginning with the light behind the characters, nice color scheming, music contributes to the mood
- the intro drawing/animation sequence
- the kiss in the final episode was well done

Room For Improvement
- in the cut version, there is zero explanation why Phob didn't turn into an evil ghost?!?
- Phob was too gutless to say goodbye to Phat (but then they did say goodbye, I have no idea why/how that came about)
- time skip and 50ish year old Phat says he married a woman but it didn't work out, he's dying of cancer and his mom died...then Phat and Phob reunite after Phat's death
- free version cuts out parts and it felt choppy in many places

Read More

Thame & Po are the draw for me

Overall: I'm most invested in Thame and Po's relationship, the business/bandmate stuff is less interesting to me. 13 episodes about 45 minutes each. Airing on GMMTV's YouTube channel as well as Netflix

Content Warning: punch

Watch Suggestions (unless you enjoy all the band members backstories/singing/rap battles)
- watch episodes 1-3
- episode 4 part 2 watch 4:30-6, and watch part 4
- episode 5 part 1 watch to 10:30 (or can watch all), part 4 skip 4:30-10 unless you enjoy group singing and more group time

What I Liked
- the set up was woven in well (with the interview and information about the band) instead of a blatant exposition dump
- Po's supportive friend
- how both Po's and Thame's past experiences shaped their current views of the situation
- liked getting to know one another in episode 4 over the phone
- how Nano put the tent together really easily
- production value/music (the lack of "comedy" sound effects is nice)

Room For Improvement
- two much with the other bandmates, want more interaction with Thame & Po
- the "I can explain" but doesn't explain/other person doesn't wait for an explanation
- wish the 1 bandmate would mind his own business
- nonsense stuff i.e. phone battery lasting 10+ hours

Read More

depiction of mental health struggles (watch suggestions)

Overall: the heart of this series was in the right place, but it took way too much effort to figure out the plot/characters/timeline in this series. 10 episodes about 15 minutes each. Aired on JC Show YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLalG2smk62xFJiyPLSsGxIW_4Znk24W_j&si=J4IbxX_npVilW4Rf

Watch Suggestions (to focus on the main couple)
- watch episode 1, watch episode 2 stop at 14 min
- episode 3 watch 6-10:40
- skip episode 4
- watch episode 5 beginning to 10:30
- skip episode 6
- watch episode 7 3:45-16:20
- watch episode 8 for the first 6 minutes to clearly explain the plot/what is happening
- watch episode 9 7-end
- can watch all of episode 10 or start at 5:20 to focus on the guys' relationship

Content Warnings: manhandling, mental health struggles, self harm, discussion of bullying, past death

What I Liked
- that they tried for a different type of plot
- sweet/caring moments
- visuals
- good music
- behind the scenes (though it was almost as long as the episodes)

Room For Improvement
- conversation with the doctor in episode 1 took too long
- I realize they were going for more an artsy/experimental vibe but they could have made timeline jumps back and forth more clear and what was a next episode preview, also if they had removed the exes that would have made things more clear (finally clearly explained in episode 8 what the situation was)
- in ep 10, it was a well intended discussion about the important of talking to a doctor, but then the character talked about slowly reducing the medicine if stopping and it made it feel that the goal should be ending medication when some medication is life long and life saving and there should be zero stigma taking it long-term
- should have moved the 15 minute behind the scenes footage to separate videos

Read More

First Impression: Impression of Youth

Overall: I'm not yet sold on the highschooler and teacher dynamic. 9 episodes about 24 minutes each. Airing on Viki https://www.viki.com/tv/40928c-impression-of-youth & iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/impression-of-youth-episode-1-rfcqsvgnbk?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: past death, grief, possibly high school/teacher

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- sibling relationship
- shirtless construction work

Room For Improvement
- normally a 4-5 year age gap wouldn't bother me, but the high school student is acting young and the fact that the older guy is his teacher isn't my favorite thing

Read More

First Impression: Ossan's Love Thailand

Overall: has the crack comedy/overacting feel, to be determined with the plot/pacing. I have watched all of the previous Ossan's Love live action series/movies but will try to review this series on its own merits. 12 episodes about 50 minutes each. Airing on GMMTV's YouTube channel https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLszepnkojZI63DZX1W9UTHeCiGDumJxch&si=gtEBAtl0tBrY42OU

Content Warnings: non con kiss, non con picture taking, past death

What I Liked
- seeing Earth & Mix again and that they switched character types that they normally play
- chuckled a couple times like the monk scene

Room For Improvement
- didn't laugh at most jokes
- Heng looked older in the flashback instead of younger
- love triangle

Read More

First Impression: Eternal Butler

Overall: the first two episodes were fine. I can see my final review going quite a bit up or down depending on how the next 10 episodes go. 12 episodes about 20 minutes each. Airing on GagaOOLala (Americas, Europe, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, India, Southeast Asia) https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/5016/eternal-butler-2024-e01 ; iQIYI (available in USA, Spain and ???) https://www.iq.com/play/eternal-butler-episode-1-dst0wmvc9g?lang=en_us ; YouTube (available in African countries, Greenland, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and a few others) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZCKtVEQmC4

Content Warnings: blood, manhandling, non con kisses (likely other things that they've hinted to)

What I Liked
- easy to understand premise
- the sci fi element

Room For Improvement
- started with a flash forward
- nonsense design with the glasses aspect
- (neutral) sound effects

Read More

3rd Time Is Not The Charm

Overall: I debated even starting this because of the production company (google Motive Village controversy and you can learn about it). But I wanted to support the actors.

Content Warnings: flashback to non/dub con sex (drunk)

What I Liked
- the Forth/Beam kiss was decent
- (neutral) animations

Room For Improvement
- the reboot (season 2 aka season 1 plus extra plot line) ended on a major cliffhanger so I expected this to pick up where it left off but instead we have 2 new characters as the leads with a totally different plot
- the 6 of them sitting around and re-creating their stories was an exposition dump
- there are 3 established couples that didn't really do anything and don't have chemistry/they don't feel like established couples, i.e. an established couple who had a dead fish lip press kiss
- two seemingly straight guys starting as rivals who will eventually fall into the 'gay for you' trope
- production value (odd camerawork, goofy background music that didn't fit)
- effeminate guys stereotyped as boy obsessed/shrill
- boring, they even put a flashback in 27 min to earlier in that same episode
- a stupid competition
- what a weird thing for a person in an established relationship to do when someone asks for his phone number
- no official international release

Read More

a soap opera (side BL couple)

Overall: I saw this on a BL list and decided to watch it although it doesn't have English subtitles. I watched the first 2 episodes and the last episode. Unfortunately the sweet established m/m couple breaks up in the final episode (at least they both seem to move on/be happy) but that made me not want to go back and watch all of the episodes especially because I didn't understand most of what they were saying. Watched (not subtitled) on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLh45VQur4AvofKLgui5nvD9m96BiIlu8V

Content Warnings: murder/death, held against will, attempted kidnapping, intimate partner abuse, violence, blood (likely more)

M/M couple scenes (from episodes that I watched)
- episode 1 part 5 4:15-end
- episode 2 beginning-2 min
- (they broke up at the beginning of episode 32)

Read More

First Impression: The Boy Next World (uncut version)

Overall: having difficulty with one of the child-like main characters, but I'm trusting in their chemistry. 10 episodes about 45 minutes each (episode 1 was 45:51). Airing uncut on iQIYI https://www.iq.com/play/the-boy-next-world-episode-1-1dszq3d8c3o?lang=en_us

Content Warnings: blood, violence off screen

What I Liked
- unique premise
- intro got my attention
- great to see Boss & Noeul again
- intimacy and sweet moments

Room For Improvement
- a main character acted like a child (who calls their university friends to complain about not finding their underwear)
- not sold on the world building (why would a character make that jump/assumption with other more scientific possibilities)
- (neutral) there were some comedy sound effects but at least they weren't the entire time

Read More