Love / hate relationship with this series

First and foremost, I am glad that I gave this series a watch even with all the negative reviews. Yes, I can see where people are coming from but there was enough to keep me intrigued and invested right up until the end.

Yong Je and Xing Si's relationship was just riddled with unlikable traits from the very beginning and I'm sorry to say but it never got any better for me. Even though the viewer is made to believe that all of the bad behaviour was in fact done "out of love and support," it was straight up ridiculous. And, despite insisting that he really did love Yong Je, I can't help but feel bad for Xing Si right up until the end. He was basically forced into this relationship and I never truly believed that, if he were allowed to make his own decisions without guilt, he would have kept family separate and found a new love. He was a great character who was given a sh*tty storyline.

The main couple, however, was the polar opposite. They were everything from start to finish. The actors played the roles really well and they were really the main reason I kept watching. Li Cheng's silliness had me laughing out loud more than once and there was a great balance of playfulness and sincerity to him. Teng Teng was simply amazing and it was hard to look anywhere else whenever he was on screen. Not just because of the eye candy, but he had great subtle nuances that added to every second of the scene. It's clear that the actors understood their roles and played them up effectively.

It was really hard to rate this because of the drastic contrasting feelings I had for the two main couples. That's the problem with shows that focus on more than one relationship... if one is really bad yet they get just as much screen time, it's hard to want to stick around for the other couple, even if they are pure gold. But on the other hand, their different situations created a balance within the show itself, which I guess was the main purpose. I just would have rather seen Xing Si get a better arc because he was great.

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Short and sweet..

As much as I can understand where all the discontented reviews are coming from, I think this series was fine overall. Was it the best? No. Was it the worst? No. It was just enough to make me want to watch another episode "just to see what happens."

It made me think that if a BL series mated with a Hallmark/Lifetime movie, this would be the offspring. Recycled plots/tropes and predictable while still managing to not resolve any major issues. There's tension from the get-go, a situation that forces them to see each other, growing closer, some minor issue and a half-assed attempt to push each other away, then a make-up and everyone apparently lives happily ever after.

Meanwhile, nothing actually gets fixed in the real issues. (The main one being Nawee's family and especially the history with the fathers.) (Also, it was a bad-ass move for Aiaoon to threaten Nawee's father and I had hoped it would turn into an interesting storyline with an aggressive Aiaoon, but then he just never followed through with it. In fact, the father is never seen again for the rest of the series and that entire issue that made Aiaoon pissed at the family from the very beginning has somehow vanished.)

There were certainly cringeworthy moments.. looking at you, Accidental-Kisses. However! When they finally mean to lock lips, they do so with full-on intent and purpose, which was enough to make me forget about the 2 ridiculous ones. If you're like me and the awkward kissing in BL grates on your nerves, then you'll like this change of pace. Especially when the acters are older than university age, I like seeing Man-love rather than Boy-love, if you know what I mean.

Bottom line, if you go into it knowing the story will be a stretch and the tropes are going to be ever-present, you can still enjoy the show for what it is. Short series with short episodes. Cute AF. Sharp-dressed men.

And Sichol needs his own story.

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Did I watch this franchise correctly?

First and foremost, I have yet to watch the sequel (2 Moons: The Ambassador) so I do not know what happens there yet.

But so far, from what I understand, because of studio politics and such, there will be a completely new cast for the next installment. When I read reviews about a new cast, I thought people were referring to the change from the 2017 version of 2 Moons verses the 2019 version 2 Moons 2. Now, I realize there will be a third completely different cast playing the main characters, as if relearning who is who once was not enough.

Also, when I started watching this version, I thought it was going to be the exact same thing and I was wondering why on earth did they redo it when the first one was fine as it is? Then I realized that it was more like a recap as the 12 episodes of 2 Moons is actually only 4 episodes of 2Moons 2 with the rest of the series being a continuation.

I think both were worth the watch and both have actors I prefer in the role over their counterpart. It's a confusing situation and now I question if I was supposed to watch it in order it was released. At least this wasn't as bad as when they start making prequels, spin-offs and "sister series."

I quite enjoyed the series as a whole, even if it wasn't mindblowing. So many school tropes and unnecessary misunderstandings but it's to be expected. One thing I didn't really understand was why they were playing up the villain theme music for Park every time he showed up and why the characters were treating him as such BEFORE he actually did anything bad. He was a boy with a crush but he essentially backed off when Pha finally claimed Yo. And then Yo flat out uses Park to make Pha jealous then ditches him at the movie theater. Now, I'm not saying Park taking revenge was justified as revenge so rarely is. But seriously, Yo made a dick move and a petty one at that which essentially created a villain. This trope of playing mind games in a relationship is so overused and really is childish.

I very well may change my tune after watching the next instalment and, hopefully, they will be older and wiser next time around. Though, according to other reviews I've already seen for it, I'm not holding my breath.

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Practically perfect.. however...

There is so much to love about this series that it's hard to pick which aspect was at the top. But for me, the overall production was superbly executed; everything from the story to the acting to the camera work and direction. (Special shout-out to the fight scene in the casino and, more specifically, the panning shot going up and down the stairs.)

It truly was a rollercoaster ride of emotions - sometimes so quick, in fact, that I felt like I may get resulting whiplash. Within the span of 10 minutes, there could be a moment of laughter, tugging at heartstrings and on the verge of tears in suspense, but it still all worked well and somehow managed to flow all the same.

I like how every character has their strengths and their flaws. No one is perfect and they all make mistakes, but you still root for them despite their shortcomings. They are all simply human, trying to make the most out of the hands they were dealt either from birth or somewhere along the way.

While I would love to see more, I feel like the story could end here, at least as far as the relationships go. The only relationships I'd be curious about is Kim and then how the boys handle being reunited with their mom. However, it kind of broke my heart that the mom looked almost uncomfortable and afraid of them as they hugged her in the ending scene. They just want to love her but they are essentially strangers to her and that's devastating... I don't know if I could sit through more scenes like that. And yet I thought it was beautifully executed all the same to show the reality of the situation and that being reunited is not going to be all hearts and rainbows.

Overall, the series was the best I've watched to date in the BL genre, hands down. There is definitely rewatch value in it, especially knowing what the ending is. I'm looking forward to searching for hints from the beginning since I know there were "lightbulb" moments for sure.


***EDIT***

After watching the series a second time, I feel like there is even more rewatch value in this series. During the first watch, I'm constantly confused with all the deceit and trying to guess who is actually good or bad. But, as I've said above, everyone is flawed in their own ways yet it's how they deal with it that makes the viewer either root for them or jeer them.

My main gripe with it is the whole storyline with Porsche's parents essentially being thrown in in the penultimate episode. That didn't really give viewers much time to grasp what the heck was going on and I still wonder who was telling the truth with all the different scenarios that were presented. And man, the way the mother was uncomfortable while Chay and Porsche tried to make her remember them still bugs me the second time around.

I did have to up my rating though because it's still a great series and I will keep it in rotation for favorite series.

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Ideology: A new foe has appeared. Challenger approaches.

The only reason I labeled this as "dropped" was because I'd read spoilers of the ending and, therefore, refuse to watch it happen. I stopped at episode three which was enough for me, personally.

The story, while good and important, seemed slow and forced in some areas. What I liked about this series is the way they approached the discussion of equal rights. They actually had it formed as a question to challenge the ideology that anything outside of hetero relationships or identities is wrong. So far, a lot of BLs I've seen just bring it up as it pertains to the main characters in a "we can't get married until we have equal rights." I found that this method stood out more because then it's not just relevant to these fictional characters' future but moreso the future of society as a whole.

That being said, with this series, even though it's short, I found myself pausing a lot which is usually a sure sign of being distracted by something else instead of being engrossed in the show. It may very well be because I knew the ending already, I don't honestly know.

But the show did tackle some important issues and there were moments where I truly felt for the characters.

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They played with my heartstrings along with their guitars.

This was such a roller coaster of a series with how it would bring the viewer up and down and all around. There was such a tragic undertone throughout (which was beautifully done) while they still managed to make me laugh at some of their antics. And then the last two episodes had me bawling my eyes out with how bittersweet it was.

I will start off by saying if you simply want a story about a washed up singer falling in love with his new music composer, this isn't for you. While this series does have that, it does not focus on their relationship under a magnifying glass of scrutiny. The viewer isn't expected to analyze what every action means as far as their feelings for each other. Actually, there's not a lot of guesswork at all in their relationship since the show is very straightforward with that aspect. (You mean they actually communicate and there are no plot points centered around misunderstandings and assumptions?! Is it even a BL, then?)

While the main leads get equal attention, I will say it feels like the show is mostly centered around Neil and his grieving process for his brother. He has not moved on from his brother's death and only the threat of losing the last thing he had of his brother (their music) kicked his ass into gear to do something about it. That snowballed into him finally finding the encouragement to move on and live his life instead of just existing.

With Sea, we get a little glimpse into his background - absent parents, growing up alone and clinging to the idol who was likely the only person to show him any interest in his young life. His lifeline in Magnet was yanked away with the crash and affected him deeply, which is what they finally bond over.

Anyone who has ever lost a close loved one could relate to the pain and suffering and feeling of being lost without direction that Neil is going through. He was a big child who had his brother looking out for him and then he wakes up one day to find his brother is gone. Even for someone who hasn't experienced it, the way Charles portrayed it was gut-wrenching. He seriously acted his tush off for this role and I think it paid off.

The story was so well thought out and it progressed in a way that made sense. Yes, this meant it was a slow burn and yes it meant their romantic relationship was sometimes put on the back burner to simmer, but I feel like that made their coming together that much more satisfying. They each had obstacles to overcome and, while they were supportive of each other, they didn't rely on the other to fix their problems for them. They worked on themselves to improve and it was so refreshing to watch.

I like that there wasn't an abundance of side characters and that everyone who was introduced had a purpose. There was no real villain which was nice as the characters had enough inner demons to face without needing an external force to add to it.

If I had to say one thing that I wish were done differently, I wish they had more music (either as Magnet or as Neil and Sea) to play throughout the series. They kept playing the same 4 or 5 songs over and over and, while I get why they did it, it made things seem repetitive, even if they weren't. If you pay attention, you'll see there are storyline progressions with each time the play the same song, but to a casual watcher, it may be lost on them. Plus, I just really enjoyed the music so of course I wish there was more of it.

This was a very mature series without all the unnecessary NC filler. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy NC content and am a sucker for smut, but I feel like if they went any more detailed than they did, it would kill the vibe of the series and, honestly, it was perfect as it was.

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Better than reviews led me to believe.

Apparently, if you watch the trailer then you will be disappointed because it hints at a more serious storyline than what the series actually ended up being. I, personally did not watch the trailer therefore I had zero expectations going into the series which I would personally recommend is the way to go. Because from a lot of the reviews, it makes it sound like this series was horrible which it certainly wasn't. I found it to be an interesting and engaging watch overall, if not a little juvenile in places (but that's to be expected in a high school setting.)

I think initially, they were aiming for a similar vibe to Never Let Me Go with the danger element and such since Perth and Chimon's role in that series was very popular. But when you put the setting in a high school with really only a debt collector as the main threat, that's not exactly a thrilling plot. I found more "danger" in regards to Kang's heart where Sailom was concerned. Their relationship was worth sticking around for while the side couples were a bit hit and miss sometimes.

At the start of the series, I was already close to dropping it because of the juvenile bullying. But the way Sailom stood up and fought back in his own way without involving others was very refreshing. He knew he was superior and wouldn't allow Kang to treat him lower than he deserved. This made for some great bickering and build-up of tension between them that had the victim on the offensive more often than not.

The side couple of Guy and Nawa was entertaining as well though when the main couple is already an enemies to lovers trope, it kind of becomes redundant in the secondary couple. They played it well enough, but it was just lost in the background most of the time. Which is a shame because they had a decent storyline going as well.

I really wish there was more between Saifah and Name, especially since it was more like a reunion of friends. There were hints of a potential romance but nothing concrete the whole series which left me guessing right up until the last scene they have together in the jail. But by then, it's like "I need more!!" and we just don't get it. Not only with their storyline but with the actors Papang and Pepper... these two seriously need a series together where they are the leads because they totally have the chops for it. I hate that they are typecast as the older siblings or school mentors because they are closer to 30yrs old instead of all the actors in their late teens/early 20s. I would love to see a more mature series with these two. (Doesn't have to be mature as in NSFW but just a story that is about adults "adulting" and not about kids being immature.)

Speaking of NSFW, I kind of wish they just left that part out of this series, and that's coming from someone who lives for the smut. While Perth and Chimon had good chemistry with the bickering and even with the flirting, their actual physical chemistry wasn't great. It looked almost uncomfortable. I would rather it be implied than shown at just 40% effectiveness.

With all that said, I did find it to be a good watch overall and I would recommend it. There were quite a few funny moments that had me cackling and there were some heartfelt moments that pulled at the feels.

And, yeah, someone give Papang and Pepper their own series.

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It gets better...

This is the first lakorn I've seen so I knew going into it that it would be different from anything I've ever seen before. I also knew that the romance aspect was not going to be a big part of the story.

That being said, even going in armed and ready, the first half of the series absolutely DRAGGED for me. Not because there wasn't anything going on but because it was the same thing over and over and over again. I honestly ended up skipping most of the scenes with the second wife and her maid because every single time was "how do I get my son to succeed Tian?" And whenever the wives were arguing it was just supper catty to me. Then, as sweet as Lady Phin was, her voice sometimes just got on my nerves because she sounded like she was whining, even when she wasn't.

There's a lot of questionable actions going on which, I normally don't pay too much attention to because not much can phase me. But when Li started trying to send Mat to seduce her own son then drugged him and Phin to make them sleep together, thinking "if he has sex with a woman, he'll stop being gay," that was seriously messed up. And I almost felt queasy when they were sitting down to dinner with the mushroom dinner although I suppose that was the point so kudos to the writer for that one, I guess? I suppose the bad characters had to do some pretty nasty things in order for their redemption to be that much more satisfying and so they kind of accomplished that too. But it could have been done in maybe half the time. Especially since EVERY conversation was overheard by someone else. It should have moved the story along faster but it didn't during the first 80% of the series where it was a constant plot point. Honestly, for as big of a mansion as they were living in, there was ZERO privacy and apparently everyone was just happening by at the right moment.

Now, the second half was getting better as Tian started standing up for himself and flat out saying "I don't want to take over the family business and hide what I am anymore." Nevermind that no one except is brother listened to him but as we see him get more and more frustrated, the viewers are just waiting for the explosion to happen.

Speaking of the brother, I think the best part of this show was Tian and Yang's relationship. When they were on screen together, it was always phenomenal from start to finish. I really can't say enough good things about them and really, Tongtong's performance as Yang was probably the best throughout the entire series. Apparently, being a lakorn means there's bound to be some overacting which I definitely agree with. Especially Jan and her maid.. they were distractingly overdoing it which was also part of the reason I skipped their scenes.

The last couple of episodes really hit hard in an unexpected way for me. With how ridiculous the series started out, it really ended strong with some major feels and declarations. Some of the speeches could have been edited a bit shorter, especially Li's while she's there surrounded by everyone and she addresses each one individually. But still. I found myself tearing up a few times, especially toward the end.

Overall, I would say it was a worthwhile watch though I don't really see much re-watch value in it for me personally. Maybe if there was a Tian, Yang and Jiu cut, I'd watch that over and over. But this was a long series with a lot of repetitiveness that brought me really close to dropping it. But if you decide to start this, I'd suggest to stick with it because it gets better as it goes.

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A drama without the drama

This series was such a breath of fresh air. It was a nice break from the overly dramatic, ridiculous storylines filled with miscommunication, jealousy and misunderstandings. There were no vindictive ex's, no love rivals doing underhanded actions to gain favor and no unnecessary filler to drag along in order to make the series longer. Every plot point had a purpose and were interesting to the extent that I almost forgot what happened in the beginning of the series since it was so interesting.

And, finally, a workplace drama that actually had emphasis on the actual job and work they were doing. Pretty much 80% of the series storylines had something to do with their work and it still made sense and was captivating enough to hold my attention. They didn't overly explain or dumb things down for the viewer but gave enough so that anyone who isn't into marketing could follow along.

The side characters were interesting in the way they were very realistic in their emotions and actions. Every office worker has dealt with the busybodies, the inappropriate jokesters and the quiet yes-men who just want to survive another day in the workplace. The friends were fun yet supportive and loyal and honestly, Zorzo as Ae had me laughing so much throughout the series. I also enjoyed seeing Bruce as Chot and thought he played the character well. Sometimes I find the "ladyboys" played a little too over the top but he had a nice balance and it was actually fun to see him opposite Up in a kind of role swap from their roles in Lovely Writer.

As far as the romance goes, it is a very slow burn but a sweet one. The hesitations on both Jeng and Pat's sides were completely justified and the satisfaction we get when they finally come together is made all the more sweeter because of it. This was a good example of a love triangle done right and I actually really liked how Put's character was handled. He was not mean or made out to be a villain but rather a man who realized he messed up and lost the love of his life because of his mistakes. He truly wanted Pat to be happy so he ultimately steps away when he realizes there's nothing more he could do to regain Pat's love. The side couple, while confusing at times, was frustrating in the good way that makes you root for them even more. Unfortunately, that story is left open though it feels like it was intentional for either a second season or a spin off featuring their story.

As of the time I write this, I have no idea if there are plans for a second season but I feel like it could go either way. There were a few loose ends that could be resolved better in a season 2 (mostly the second couple and Jeng's father) but I also feel like, as far as the main couple is concerned, they have a satisfying ending and don't need anything drawn out for the sake of views.

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A nice watch for a single sitting

The thing I like most about these short series is that you can binge it all in one go without feeling like you wasted a whole day of actual productivity. This series, while nothing phenomenal or ground-breaking, was an enjoyable watch.

On the surface, the storyline might seem a bit ridiculous where an established chef has to compete to prove he deserves to stay head chef at a well known and successful restaurant. But as you continue watching, you'll see that the competition is merely a coverup and excuse that Laura, his equal-share business partner, is using in order to replace him without flat out firing him.

Basically, she wants to change things up with a new menu whereas Do Gun wants to keep things status quo. Since Laura doesn't do the cooking herself, the only way she can get what she wants is to replace Do Gun. We see this in the way she wants Jung Woo to frustrate Do Gun and either drive him to quit or drive him to compete. But even then, she has rigged the competition so that Jung Woo would win anyway so either way, Do Gun is gone. In that respect, I think the storyline had more depth than first glance, especially for a short, 2hr total series.

Unfortunately, this didn't really help in making the romance make sense. The cute-chemistry was there as well as the bickering chemistry but not so much the romantic-chemistry, if that makes sense. I enjoyed watching the friends in the kitchen interacting with both chefs and found myself laughing along at some of their moments.

All in all, I could see myself watching this again for a light, doesn't-need-a-lot-of-attention viewing if I feel like seeing a couple of cute guys with some funny side characters.

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Pleasant surprise

There isn't a whole lot to say about this show except that it turned out to be a lot better than I was expecting. Lately, I've been getting more and more tired of school-life shows because I feel like once you've seen a couple, you've seen them all. But this show had some good reviews so I tried it out and I was so glad I did.

It was very entertaining from start to finish and it even had a taste of after school life which I greatly appreciated. With three main couples, I was afraid that it might be a bit overkill but I found myself invested in each story and was happy to see each situation was very different so it wasn't just the same thing over and over, just with different characters.

Personally, I thought each conflict was executed well and, while they used my least favorite trope of all (claiming "I don't love you" for the benefit of their partner) I can overlook it because it gave me enough other stuff. And, really, it was kinda used effectively here, unlike in other shows where it just creates more unnecessary drama. At least here, it meant Mek goes to Australia where he wouldn't have otherwise. But I like to think they could have had a discussion instead and stayed together, doing the long-distance thing for a couple of years without having to break his heart in the process. But I guess that's BL drama for you.

All in all, it was a great series and I would watch it again for fun.

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No expectations is the way to go.

It should be a general rule that one should not go into watching a series with expectations. Having a preconceived idea about what should happen takes away from what actually happens and more often than not leads to disappointment.

I think this may be the case for most of the negative reviews this series is getting. That and the fact that when we see the same pairings over and over, we get into the mindset that these characters should be playing a certain role in every project they do. I think some people forget that these are actors and they can be anything and anyone the script calls for them to be.

Unfortunately, I think this is what hurt this series the most. Sure, it just finished and there's still a lot of watching to be done, but I'm concerned the bad reviews will turn people away before they even give it a chance to make their own opinions. In my opinion, it was a decent watch though it certainly wasn't anything to write home about. And, while I can't see myself watching it again, I may look up some scenes occasionally.

Regarding the main actors and their roles.. I get it. I know this is based off a novel but it really feels like a manhwa or manga. It's got the "everyone chasing after one of the lead characters," an older uke with an innocent, puppy-like seme, not much dialogue between the couples... etc. And the second couple was practically non-existent except for their NC scenes. I even remember thinking at one point, "why doesn't the doctor have many lines? Are they not confident in his acting and only using him for eye-candy?"

In this respect, I though Ja actually portrayed the character well, actually. I may prefer him in a more serious, mature role but that doesn't mean he didn't capture the essence here. It was almost believable that he was younger and more immature than First's character. First, on the other hand, in the attempt to seem older and more put together, seemed to be mostly expressionless throughout 80% of the series. I think he just has way too much passion and charisma to try to pull off that aloof, in control older-man vibe. I appreciated the attempt because I like it more than the whiny brat he was in TharnType 2 and the start of Don't Say No, but it still felt a bit flat and 1-dimentional to me for the most part.

Early on in the first few episodes, I was about ready to drop the series on account of the supporting female cast.. the actress doing the series with Ashi and the 2 managers were driving me nuts but, thankfully they don't get all that much screen time as the story between Punn and Ashi progressed. The managers just get enough to actually further along the plot which was nice after a while. Even Worra became amusing after a while with her over-the-top performance in the lakorn within the series. I wonder how many times the real actress, Noon, had the crew cracking up with her antics and found myself looking to the other actors to see if they crack any smiles.

Ming was a very good character. He is the best wingman and "daddy" to Ashi and Punn. His scenes with the doctor were nice to watch too, being that they were always banging. But hey, it was hot and well done. It was hard to get invested in the doctor as a character since they didn't develop their relationship much or even develop him as a singular character until they gave him a half-assed backstory in the second to last episode. The writers/director put more emphasis on and effort into explaining how Title became such an a-hole than they did with showcasing the doctor and why we should care about him as a supporting character.

Speaking of Title, he was your standard, cookie-cutter villain where he is so in love with the main character that he will do horrible things in order to get his crush to notice him. It's a trope I'll never understand because what good guy "hero" is going to be like "wow, look at how awful that guy is.. he must really love me. I want to be with that guy." And then you have Title doing the whole "well, if he won't love me then he can't love anyone" thing. Like, he flat out says it, not just hints at the mentality with his actions.

Them going to Japan was a nice change of scenery as I don't think I've seen any Thai BL use this storyline yet. Usually if a character goes abroad somewhere, we don't usually see them in that country. Off the top of my head, I really only remember Kirin briefly being in Korea in Cutie Pie and Shi De being in the US in We Best Love. The scenery and architecture in the Japan portion of the show was stunning, especially with the snow. It was mainly because they were filming a period piece but it provided some great visuals and of course the use of hot springs.

The pacing felt a little weird since Punn and Ashi's story at times felt dragged out while Ming and the doctor could have used so much more. It made the whole thing feel unbalanced though I was still invested enough to watch to the end and feel entertained all along the way. Again, it's not the best series but it was an enjoyable watch for what it was.

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