We Are Family
We Are is everything I typically don't like in dramas. It lacks direction and plot, the characters aren't anything special, the acting is mixed, and the list goes on. But I adored every second of it. It's not deep, it's not angsty, it's not one of those dramas that you're going to walk away from rethinking your life, it's just 16 episodes of pure wholesome love and friendship.
I'm going to say it again, there is no plot here and while normally that would drive me mad, it works for We Are. It's not breaking the mold when it comes to the story, we're back in the typical college BL setting that we can never seem to get away from. The Fine Arts major is a little more original though I have mixed feelings on how it was incorporated, mostly in that I don't think any Fine Arts student worth their salt would be walking around with a completed painting unprotected like Peem was in that first episode, but what would I know, I'm not a Fine Arts student. I just know that I wouldn't, but I'm also slightly OCD and a chronic overthinker and just watching him gave me anxiety. There is no major conflict or villain to shake things up. The few issues that do come up are dealt with quite quickly and neatly. The pacing could have been better, it definitely lags in the middle and towards the end. Considering the lack of plot, I think it could have been condensed into 12 episodes, but I also think, given the number of characters and side romances, some of their stories could have been better drawn out and the whole thing in general just made more organized and cohesive.
The key to We Are is the friendship between the characters and how even as they pair off, that friendship remains and their group just continues to grow. They are all, with the exception of Fang and Beer, a bunch of dorks. Adorable, sweet, idiotic dorks. You simply cannot help but to love them. Their unwavering support of each other is endearing and their "plans" are absurd and painful to watch but also entertaining in all their trainwreck glory. They mean well. And while it is mostly fun and games, there are a few moments where they have genuine heart to heart conversations, usually between Phum and Beer or Peem and Q as they try to work out their feelings. They serve as a nice break from the chaos and to solidify those particular friendships.
The chemistry between the actors is a large part of what made We Are such a success. They played off of each other so well that it was fully believable they were the best of friends. But while the buddy chemistry was off the charts, the romantic chemistry was definitely lacking between some couples. Pond/Phuwin and Winny/Satang seemed uncomfortable/awkward during their more intimate moments and while being hesitant or awkward during a first kiss is normal, it's not every time afterward. Aou and Boom on the other hand ate that up. Acting in general was mixed. Pond and Phuwin have both improved since Never Let Me Go, but while both are very talented in other regards, neither has ever struck me as particularly talented when it comes to acting unfortunately. Marc was also pretty lackluster and really didn't seem to be putting out much effort. Satang impressed me in a big way. He was so adorable as Toey and brought that perfect mix of cute and mischievous. So talented! Aou has blown me away in every role he's played and I'm so glad he finally got a lead role. He absolutely killed it! He was so annoyingly cute as Tan. He and Boom act so well together and are both so talented. I really want them to get their own series. They deserve it.
I really enjoyed the music for this series, both the opening and closing songs and each couple's theme song. I do think they got over played a bit as per usual, but I liked them enough that it was slightly less annoying than it might have been. There were aspects of the cinematography that I really liked, shots like in Episode 15 where Q is framing Toey's face with his fingers. I do think they could have found ways to incorporate their art more, but I can also see how that might have been a challenge.
I went into this series with no expectations of liking it, half expecting to drop it, and it's now currently sitting in my GMMTV shopping cart as I seriously consider buying it. It's not deep, it's not profound, but I think it speaks to the kind of friendships some of us may have and many of us wish we had. While We Are may present itself as a rom-com, it's the friendships that make it and leave an impression.
I'm going to say it again, there is no plot here and while normally that would drive me mad, it works for We Are. It's not breaking the mold when it comes to the story, we're back in the typical college BL setting that we can never seem to get away from. The Fine Arts major is a little more original though I have mixed feelings on how it was incorporated, mostly in that I don't think any Fine Arts student worth their salt would be walking around with a completed painting unprotected like Peem was in that first episode, but what would I know, I'm not a Fine Arts student. I just know that I wouldn't, but I'm also slightly OCD and a chronic overthinker and just watching him gave me anxiety. There is no major conflict or villain to shake things up. The few issues that do come up are dealt with quite quickly and neatly. The pacing could have been better, it definitely lags in the middle and towards the end. Considering the lack of plot, I think it could have been condensed into 12 episodes, but I also think, given the number of characters and side romances, some of their stories could have been better drawn out and the whole thing in general just made more organized and cohesive.
The key to We Are is the friendship between the characters and how even as they pair off, that friendship remains and their group just continues to grow. They are all, with the exception of Fang and Beer, a bunch of dorks. Adorable, sweet, idiotic dorks. You simply cannot help but to love them. Their unwavering support of each other is endearing and their "plans" are absurd and painful to watch but also entertaining in all their trainwreck glory. They mean well. And while it is mostly fun and games, there are a few moments where they have genuine heart to heart conversations, usually between Phum and Beer or Peem and Q as they try to work out their feelings. They serve as a nice break from the chaos and to solidify those particular friendships.
The chemistry between the actors is a large part of what made We Are such a success. They played off of each other so well that it was fully believable they were the best of friends. But while the buddy chemistry was off the charts, the romantic chemistry was definitely lacking between some couples. Pond/Phuwin and Winny/Satang seemed uncomfortable/awkward during their more intimate moments and while being hesitant or awkward during a first kiss is normal, it's not every time afterward. Aou and Boom on the other hand ate that up. Acting in general was mixed. Pond and Phuwin have both improved since Never Let Me Go, but while both are very talented in other regards, neither has ever struck me as particularly talented when it comes to acting unfortunately. Marc was also pretty lackluster and really didn't seem to be putting out much effort. Satang impressed me in a big way. He was so adorable as Toey and brought that perfect mix of cute and mischievous. So talented! Aou has blown me away in every role he's played and I'm so glad he finally got a lead role. He absolutely killed it! He was so annoyingly cute as Tan. He and Boom act so well together and are both so talented. I really want them to get their own series. They deserve it.
I really enjoyed the music for this series, both the opening and closing songs and each couple's theme song. I do think they got over played a bit as per usual, but I liked them enough that it was slightly less annoying than it might have been. There were aspects of the cinematography that I really liked, shots like in Episode 15 where Q is framing Toey's face with his fingers. I do think they could have found ways to incorporate their art more, but I can also see how that might have been a challenge.
I went into this series with no expectations of liking it, half expecting to drop it, and it's now currently sitting in my GMMTV shopping cart as I seriously consider buying it. It's not deep, it's not profound, but I think it speaks to the kind of friendships some of us may have and many of us wish we had. While We Are may present itself as a rom-com, it's the friendships that make it and leave an impression.
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