A Wholesome Take on High School Romance!

I highly recommend this show if you are looking for the following:
• Wholesome and healthy relationships
• Engaging characters progressions
• Solid chemistry between the cast
• Moderate comedic tone
• Excellent music

-----------------------------
SPOILER BELOW
-----------------------------

What I love:
1. Gun and Tinn's relationship develops steadily and does not go backward. It's a fun and rewarding experience to root for Tinn and Gun because each episode culminates in a milestone in their relationship stages. They have a healthy relationship and resolve any potential conflict through meaningful conversations. Viewers are continuously rewarded in this journey with a simple yet effective ending scene in each episode, such as Gun realizing he may like Tinn in episode 3, the little fingers interaction in episode 4, and Tinn blushing when Gun starts reciprocating his feeling in episode 7.

2. Gun and Tinn have contrasting character progressions, which is refreshing to watch—in contrast to Gun's, Tinn's significant personal development happened prior to the first episode. He had changed from whom Gun called 'NobiTinn', a seemingly less sociable bookworm, into this unyielding, reliable, and ever-supportive individual before we were even introduced to him. As we observe Gun's character growth through many ups and downs, having Tinn in these scenes with Gun assures us that things will be alright. Apart from his eventual relationship with Gun, we can say that Tinn has not changed; he is very much the same person that we knew from the first episode.

3. Despite the different approaches that Tinn's mom and Gun's mom take in nurturing their sons, they love their sons just the same. It's almost natural to like Gun's mom from the start, as she is the more understanding and easygoing mother of the two mother figures. Viewers were challenged with the possibility of Tinn's mom being the villain of this series. But, despite relatively more limited scenes, Tinn's mom has proved us wrong through her masterful performance in the later episodes. Both "I love whoever you love" and "It's okay, I was the reason you were afraid to tell" are equally powerful messages to their sons and the viewers.

4. This series uses humor smartly. The earlier episodes have plenty of slapstick and comedic scenes, effectively showing the innocence of high school students. As Gun matures and has to focus not only on his band but also Tinn, more serious, pivotal, and romantic scenes are added to sustain his character growth while staying true to the comedic nature.

5. Music is an integral part of this series, and the cast performs passionately. Each episode has 1 or 2 covers or original soundtracks effectively integrated into the plot. The singers are excellent, and their emotion flows nicely into the scenes. My recommendation for the original soundtrack is episode 12's ก้อนหินกับดวงดาว (Rock & Star), and the cover is episode 5's ฟัง (Listen). But, honestly, it's hard to pick favorites because all the OSTs are amazing.

-----------------------------

What I wish were different:
1. The overall message about Hot Wave was centered only on winning it. From the early episodes, Hot Wave has been set as the band's endgame. We have observed the bandmates growing musically, academically and becoming a better team until the Hot Wave final result in episode 11. Unfortunately, after losing in the final, the band focused only on the outcome, not the journey. Until the Hot Wave arc's closure in episode 11, Gun apologized for failing to lead the band to victory. This is mainly addressed by the 'Once Upon a Time' song, but I wished there was a scene to remind the band that the Hot Wave result does not and will never invalidate their immense growth.

2. The other bandmates need more backstories and serious scenes before the conflict in episode 11. As viewers are more used to watching them on a lighter note, the sudden tonal shift to a heavy argument scene will come as a surprise.

-----------------------------

Best Episode -- Episode 3!
This episode has a special place in my heart; it reminds me of my relationship in high school, from preparing for mid-term examinations together and sneaking into an empty classroom to slow dance and enjoying the moment while the band was playing music during the school festival. Unfortunately, it didn't work out between us after graduation, and I honestly wasn't settled with the closure that I got.

But this episode helped me remember and process my feelings at that time. And looking at it from the 3rd party point of view through this episode, I understood that regardless of the outcome, those tiny pockets of moments were special. I am grateful!

-----------------------------

Takeaways:
The director (Au Kornprom Niyomsil) and his team are fantastic. 'My School President' now differs significantly from the trailer shown during GMMTV 2022. The amount of effort to research and pivot in such a short time must have been tremendous. Thank you for the great effort and for delivering us this masterpiece.

The main cast is incredibly talented. Fourth and Gemini are perfectly cast as high school students starting their coming-to-age moment. No matter what the scene is about, be it comedic, romantic, or emotional, they manage to do it flawlessly. And they can sing very well! I am sure many people are hooked from the very first note that Fourth sang in episode 1's อยากร้องดังดัง, or their duet in episode 2's ข้างกัน (city).

-----------------------------

I look forward to cheering for them as they grow and get many more meaningful projects to hone and showcase their talents.

Read More

A Storytelling Masterpiece!

I highly recommend this show if you would like to experience the following:
• A grounded portrayal of the lower-income class
• An accurate depiction of generation gaps
• A glimpse into the struggles faced by deaf individuals

This show delivers with:
• Fantastic chemistry and dynamic between the cast
• Intertwining plot structure and character arcs
• Meaningful reminders about the best and worst parts of life

-----------------------------
SPOILER BELOW
-----------------------------

What I love:
1. Li Ming's journey and Fourth's portrayal of him. In the beginning, Li Ming is depicted as an unintended victim of a rigid school system, unhappy with the paths other people imposed on him, and unsure about a romantic relationship. However, through a positive mindset about his future and working hard to better himself and help Heart and his family, he finds the answers to the questions troubling him. Fourth is fantastic in this role. Be it a scene with or without dialogue, he kills it. Considering this is his first significant role in a series, I am in awe. My favorite scene of Li Ming is in episode 3 where Fourth has to act without any dialog and portray the suffocation he feels while his friends are talking in a classroom. So good!

2. This series deals with the passage of time smartly. Not all significant character and relationship developments are shown in eight episodes, and viewers are encouraged to imagine and assume the progression. It is tricky to get this format working, especially in a series with time gaps in and between episodes. But with excellent writing and direction, this series manages to deliver. A notable example is how fast Jim and Wen's relationship seems to progress; we are watching them speed-running through eight episodes which can be watched in a day, but in fact, they took at least six months with plenty of interactions off-screen to build their relationship. The two plot sequences are defined, while what's in between is left for viewers to fill in and visualize.

3. “Show, don’t tell.” Related to the point above, some major plot developments are prepared as pleasant surprises for the viewers. One great example is in episode 7 where Heart’s parents could communicate with Heart in sign language. None of the characters in that scene was surprised, but I am sure the audiences are. It shows that within the gap between episode 6 and 7, Heart’s parents have learnt from their mistakes, and choose to prioritize and understand their son more. These are some of strongest scenes in this series. Kudos to the actress who acts as Heart's mom; almost all her scenes are all emotional and intense, and she delivers consistently with such finesse.

-----------------------------

What I wish were different:
1. The sound editing could be better in some scenes, notably the closure scene between Alan and Wen, also any beach scenes. There are squeaky sounds in the background when Alan and Wen are speaking in the restaurant, and as someone who focuses on facial expressions and reads subtitles, these distractions make it hard for me to immerse myself in such a critical scene. Though, the sound editing in episode 7 is fantastic. The backing sounds in some intense scenes are beautifully arranged and delivered.

2. Not all scenes are equally memorable, which is expected, but some are forgettable and can be replaced to better support the plot progression. Alan should have been introduced earlier in the series to flesh out the backstories between Alan and Wen.

3. As great as Earth's acting is, his portrayal of a 40-year-old man haunted by his past and selling chicken rice can be improved. His performances shine through as a parental figure for Li Ming and during flashbacks related to his previous relationship. However, when it comes to the daily portrayal of a chicken rice seller troubled by raising a teenager and trying to make ends meet, I find he lacks the signs of wear and tear surviving emotional and physical grinds.

-----------------------------

Best Episode -- Episode 4!
If I were to pick the best episode, I would be torn between episodes 4 and 8. I feel episode 8 is excellent in wrapping up the story and giving everyone the new beginning they deserve.

But for me, episode 4 takes the cake. Similar to the message it tries to convey about how happiness and despair come hand-in-hand in life, this episode has an outstanding balance of emotions.

My favorite scene probably in the entire series is when they celebrate Jim's birthday. Happiness is simple, and this scene exudes that.

-----------------------------

Takeaways:

There are important life messages that the producer and writers are trying to convey through this series.

Both Jim's and Wen's story arcs highlighted that our past could haunt us for the longest time without us knowing, so it's important to understand when to let go. On the other hand, both Jim's and Li Ming's story arcs try to remind us about generation gaps, that age is just a number at a certain point, and everyone can learn from each other regardless of age to become a better version of themselves.

Of course, all these are easier to say than do in real life, but they are good reminders nonetheless.

-----------------------------

At first, I was curious how P'Aof would be able to direct this series given the ensemble cast; Earth, Mix, First, Khaotung, also now Gemini and Fourth can lead an entire series just within their couple. And the fact that this series can balance them beautifully speaks about how great the director and his team are.

Kudos to P'Aof and his team for this masterpiece of storytelling!

Read More

Lost in Commercials

"My Love Mix-Up!" appears to have all the ingredients for success: a well-beloved source material, a multi-talented cast with solid portfolios, and a dedicated fan base eagerly anticipating this adaptation.

Unfortunately, it fell short. This series highlights a concerning trend in media, where the primary focus seems to have shifted from storytelling to serving as an advertising platform, with product placements and ads competing for attention within the same runtime.

============
What I liked
============
(+) Pahn's Performance as Mudmee
The series has a talented cast; Both Fourth and Gemini have displayed versatility in their previous projects, and the actresses playing their mothers adding depths in this series with their seasoned performances. Yet, Pahn's portrayal of Mudmee stands out the most to me. Despite this being her first role in a series and her character being part of a side couple, the story arc of Mudmee and Half is arguably as memorable, if not more so, than that of the main couple. This might be partly due to their scenes are not distracted by product placements (see point below). The payoff when this couple finally gets together in episode 9 is satisfying.

(+) Depiction of Iconic Scenes from the Manga
One strength of this adaptation is its effort to showcase more iconic scenes from the manga. With a longer total runtime than the Japanese counterpart, this series has the opportunity to bring these memorable moments to life on a larger screen, giving them the attention they deserve. However, due to reasons mentioned below, some of these important scenes fell short of delivering the emotional impact I was hoping for.

===================
What I didn't enjoy
===================
(-) Product Placements
The sheer volume of merchandise and ads in this series is just absurd. While the actors clearly tried their best to act, these distractions wasted their efforts. The earlier episodes are particularly guilty of this. For example, in episode 5, where an important scene between the main couple is overshadowed by the need to advertise a bee doll. I think Euro-cake might have more screentime than the supporting characters.

(-) Aesthetic Inconsistency
This series lacks visual coherence, with skin tones and colors often appearing washed out. This dullness contrasts with the 'bright' and 'comical' tone this series aims for, causing several scenes, particularly daytime rooftop settings, to fall short of achieving their intended vibrant atmosphere.

(-) Distracting Sound Effects and OSTs
The cast is talented and capable of carrying scenes without the need for constant sound effects. While the intent to create a 'comical' atmosphere is clear, the execution is unbalanced in this series, resulting in an overuse of audio elements (and often, too loud) that detracts from the performances. Although the OSTs are good, their repetitive use became jarring in this series.

===========
Best Scene!
===========
There are several memorable moments in this series, but if I had to choose one, it would be the scene where Atom comes out to his mom during the series finale.

This scene is executed perfectly: Atom's fear of not being accepted by his mom, his mom's fear of being the last to know about her son's relationship, and Kongthap's role in helping them connect are all portrayed with depth and authenticity. The minimal use of music allows Fourth's raw emotions to take center stage, and he conveys a multitude of feelings in just a few minutes.

Once again, these actors can act. It's a shame that earlier episodes were cluttered with so many distractions.

==========================

In summary, there are good things here, and I found it somewhat enjoyable overall. In another universe, with better editing and fewer product placements, this could have been a much stronger adaptation. The BL landscape is more competitive now, and there are simply better series to spend your time on.

I look forward to seeing Fourth and Gemini in projects that fully showcase their amazing talent and chemistry. And hopefully, the product placement invasion will not spread further!

Read More

A Story about Hope and Hope Realized

If you're looking for a BL show that has:
(1) Faithful depictions of visually impaired people
(2) Meaningful narratives about life struggles
(3) Solid cast with exceptional acting
(4) Stellar cinematography
(5) Great OSTs

Look no further, you are in for a ride! Do prepare some tissues.

===============
Spoilers below!
===============

POSITIVES
(+) Actings!
This show has a solid cast that delivers outstanding performances in every scene. Sea's portrayal of a visually handicapped man on a journey of acceptance and resilience is particularly noteworthy. His ability to convey hope and determination amidst challenges is convincing (and tearjerking). Jimmy also shows impressive growth since Vice Versa. He excels in scenes that require the expression of intense emotions, such as carrying the regret over his sister's fate through many episodes, his anguish following Day's loss of sight, and the turmoil from his sudden breakup with Day. The side-characters are great as well; I especially enjoy the dynamics between Day and his family, and Mhok with Porjai.

(+) Wonderful Life Messages
While the final episode may be divisive for some viewers, the series undeniably conveys powerful and meaningful life lessons. Two messages particularly stand out to me: the importance of hope and the value of giving ourselves a second chance. The kindness shown by everyone around Day, including strangers, in light of his disability, is really heartwarming. In a world where life's challenges can be overwhelming, especially when societal barriers may add to the difficulty, this show serves as a reminder that kindness, support, even love exist for those who are willing to seek and embrace them. It's often thought that forgiveness is something we give to others, but truly, it's often for ourselves. Thanks to this show for the reminder!

NOT-SO-POSITIVES
(-) Inconsistent Focus on Side-Characters
The finale's emphasis on Night and Porjai's wedding preparations and ceremony seems disproportionate, considering their limited interaction in earlier episodes. The narrative relies heavily on exposition to establish their relationship, rather than showing it through meaningful scenes. Despite the excellent performances by both actors, the lack of early development and interaction with the main couple results in a storyline that feels underdeveloped. Some scenes are unnecessary too, like the transition from Wedding Venue -> Airport -> Wedding Venue in the finale, which instead could be used for more meaningful characters interactions (more Chef Ramon + Chef Mhok acknowledging each other pls!)

(-) Sound Design/Editing
This show has impressive OSTs, yet the sound effects placements are often distracting. Scenes like August's regretful kiss and Day's breakup with Mhok had these jarring cymbal rolls and loud instrumentals, somewhat overshadowed the actors' performances. Yet, the sound design is perfect in other scenes, like Mhok finding Day in Chatuchak, or Day's total sight loss at Khao Khuha, proving that the cast performance could carry the scenes without over-reliance on sound effects.

FAVOURITE SCENES (in any order)
1. Day reconciling with his dad
2. Porjai telling Mhok about her pregnancy
3. Beef stew for Night
4. Last Twilight at Khao Khuha

ENDNOTES
All in all, this show stands out as a poignant and beautifully crafted series. For anyone seeking a BL show that combines emotional depth with quality storytelling and production, this series is a must-watch.

I am really excited about what's next for JimmySea. Their growth and development as actors can be observed in this show, where they have successfully portrayed characters that are so different from their real-life personalities. I hope they'll get more opportunities that challenge and showcase their range.

Read More

Superb acting but rushed final act!

Plus/minus:
(+) In the first few acts, the story is fleshed out nicely to show Xiao Qi's sacrifices to win over Young Ci.
(+) After the love is reciprocated between the two, the narrative shifting toward Young Ci's angle is also great.
(-) The scenes that led to the final break-up were rushed. It doesn't fit Young Ci's character to make the final decision over two scenes. The letter that she wrote and narrated did help sustain her PoV, but more scenes of arguments/discussions would have given much more weight to the break-up scenes.

Takeaway:
1. The absence of noticing mental health and therapy is again apparent in such love-themed movies to drive the plot. Not entirely sure how accurate it is with the reality in China, but the movie focused more on improving Xiao Qi's physical health after the incident. In contrast, his mental health was largely ignored despite having apparent effects on his surroundings. Young Ci also chose less desirable actions despite wanting to help Xiao Qi's mental health issue.
2. Greg Hsu and Zhang Ruo Nan are perfect for this show. It was a treat, and I look forward to their other projects.

Read More