The first episode of the Thai series “My Love Mix-Up” is out and sets a fun tone for the high-school romantic comedy starring Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul and Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak as leads Atom and Kongthap. It starts with Atom narrating a school legend about how writing down your crush’s name on an eraser can manifest into a real relationship. This is a small deviation from the original series, which features a mix-up over an eraser without any legend attached. Atom has a crush on the cute Mudmee (Pahn Pathitta Pornchumroenrut), but when she lends him her eraser with Kongthap’s name on it, it leads to hilarious consequences, as Kongthap thinks Atom has a crush on him.

Directed by Au Kornprom Niyomsil, the Thai show is based on the Japanese manga by Wataru Hinekure and Aruko. There’s already a very popular Japanese version of “My Love Mix-Up!” (Kieta Hatsukoi – 消えた初恋 ) featuring Mishieda Shunsuke and Meguro Ren as the lead pair. While the first episode of the Thai series isn’t as funny as its Japanese counterpart, it’s still cute and entertaining. Besides, the writers slip in several small changes in the plot so that viewers who’ve already seen or read the Japanese versions will have something new to look forward to.

Fourth Nattawat Jirochtikul, who plays Atom, gives the role his own interpretation, which is endearing but not as comedic as Michieda Shunsuke’s portrayal of the lead character. Fourth has a natural confidence in his body language that doesn’t completely match Atom’s confused, silly personality. Kongthap’s character is more straightforward; he is an introverted, serious, top student, so Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak has an easier time slipping into the character’s skin. While Fourth definitely emerged as the stronger actor in their debut series “My School President”, round one of “My Love Mix-Up” goes to Gemini.

A lot of the dilution of the comical mood in the first episode is due to the choice of background music, with the creators using staple tunes that GMMTV shows have used in other productions. While some of the music blends well with the story, much of it does little to enhance the mood. episode one was a trash watch and makes you dont want to watch the rest of the show. I cannot believe they replaced the dog character with a cat! I do like cats, but c’mon, Mametaru the dog in Kieta Hatsukoi was the cutest thing about it. I will not get over it.