Short, and sweet.

The friendship between the leads is incident-driven, sometimes combative, usually funny, interesting, and ultimately heart-warming. Despite the age differences, with that interaction, there is a natural progression between both men, from strangers to caring about the other person.

The story does stop for individual life lessons. During those moments I felt like I was in a young adulting class, or an after school special to some. The teaching moments are informative, in and of themselves. The bromance is what makes those moments possible, and forgivable. Two people caring and taking care of each other, isn't that the true definition of family. A sweet story - Recommended.

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rape is not romance.

This is one, of the more ambiguous and heartbreaking moments in drama-land sexual assault. The segregate revenge plot, with male-lead-sisters-insane-lies add-on. If a male lead can't take revenge on his ex-fiance, let a stranger (female lead) you've already condemned and targeted take the karma. In this case; make the female lead fall in love with the male lead; force an evening of intimacy; then abandon her to that reality. A reality he created, turning her entire world against her. Sometimes, in a story you can't differentiate, between forced, or coerced. I tend to lean toward motive, and the victim's reaction. It’s called ‘rape by omission’ and it is sexual abuse. Not romantic, revenge pure and simple. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

Like the original from 2002; Crazy drama drips from every episode. But, sadly, they did the one thing they shouldn't have done. Regurgitated, a kidnapping and rape in episode 10, complete with a cringe-worthy morning after cuddle between the male lead rapist, and his female lead victim.

ML: "Are you still angry with me?"
FL: "I'm not angry. But, I hate you."
[EP 10, 55:56]

Even, the acting seems to be affected by the scenes, and falls flat right through to the end of episode eleven. I know the out-come, pregnancy, is being used to force reconciliation in the end. But, why can't this script, just once use 'love' as the reason. I mean, it's unconscionable, this was the 2015 remake. If it wasn't for the rape, this would be a drama that I would recommend. But, rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance.

With, a much more in depth story than the 2013 remake - this version has a better story-line with more detail. Unlike the remake, the male lead's history and character motivation is revealed. Along with much needed in drama, personal reflection, and growth for the female lead. The ending is even more poignant, and not a rush to sacrifice characters to tie-things up. But, it has two ambiguous off-screen rape scenes of the female lead, by the male lead. The male lead glorifying both, on camera afterwards. If those scenes weren't included it would be a must-watch for many and a classic drama. But, it failed violently in the end. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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rape is not romance

In 2016, the first ethical regulations for Thai television channels regarding the media portrayal of gendered violence in soap operas was published - sparked by series "Game Rai Game Ruk" watchers in Thailand organized and lobbied to ban such violence.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3047227/metoo-bangkok-thai-tv-soap-operas-rape-and-sex-attacks

I left Game Rai Game Rak unrated at zero for a long time - And, not because I was put off by all 3 parts; beginning, middle and end. It was the criminal toxicity of one male lead and his equally abusive side-kick, the female lead's sister for two-thirds of it. But, how do I account for the first-third - the beginning? After thinking it through, I was inspired to finally rate it. I came to accept the male lead's character was a rapist, and nothing more. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Without a rape - I would still rate it a one. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One" https://mydramalist.com/list/389deQR4)

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rape is not romance

That did not belong there. I still don't understand why the writer was so moved to escalate blind-jealously to rape. It did little but create a 'what the hell', 'no they didn't', 'wait - what?' moment. Because, the scene ends in a consensual second pairing. There is so much going on in this series that that one moment negates one of the craziest second female leads. An off-the-rails mystery - Complete with redemption and revenge plots, you will shake your head at. On the writer, shame on you. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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Straight up twelve episode crime drama.

Straight up twelve-episode crime drama. Fleshing out of the story is minimal. Jarring at times. It is unusual in that a Thai drama deals with this kind of content, in this way so directly. It reminds me of other countries' dramas. This is more a violent & graphic Thai after school special on 'you do the crime', and you get punished no matter who you are. In that it is needed.

Viewers have asked for well-defined lines of criminal and romantic intent. Defining rape & murder, as a crime in this context is a service. Entitlement of the rich and powerful, not a defense. Revenge, not justification. The story is good, a little short, and the victim dialogue, is disappointing. But, the final outcome isn't a head shaving and a trip to the temple. In that, it could have been a turning point in the industry. But, it's a basic crime drama, with no frills.

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in the the name of exploitation.

Be advised, this drama deserves the 18+ watch rating for episode 17 alone. Still confused to why it wasn't rated during the actual airing. I personally think management wasted a great cast, and the artists themselves tarnished their own portfolios by doing this. The story and episodes dragged. The repeating of scenes, and content was needless. Characters cheating, misunderstandings - A plot that didn't have any real destination and general distasteful content was repeated until I didn't care anymore. The ending is predictable, and you can see when it's predicted by the director in the opening credits. Do I recommend it? No. Not at all. I feel it was a cash cow for the channel, and artists went along with management. Neither really caring about, the audience's experience, or expectations. Sad, really. Because, I recommend you don't care about this drama either.

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Stay out of comments. Good writing, & a good play.

"Choice Husband" (2023) is a well-crafted production; with a good cast; and a writing team that wove a story that was as intricate in its subtlety, as it was devious in it's execution. By the time you realize you've been had, you're almost done and ready to pay for your ending.

Step into Peking Opera and the tale of The Grape Fairie, God of Fire, and God of Night. And, the many twists and turns of multiple Opera troupe's endings all from the minds of two writers in one drama "Choice Husband." A good premise, that I believe watchers needed to know sooner. Because, the production team appeared to take on too much, loosing them, and the story to repetition. An average play, with a-not-so average story-line. Recommended.

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Iconic monster movie, hijacked by teen horror film.

Gamera vs Teen Mass Murderer. Just like watching angsty high school mean kids bully a giant turtle, because who cares if someone else dies during revenge. And besides, no one died really on the path to stupidity, did they. it was all the monster's fault, my feelings needed those deaths for validation.

That lack of empathy, and humanity in teen horror movies - Is the power that drives the violence in them forward, and so does it here. Whether, you use a monster, or make yourself into one. All those people died horribly, because the world owes a teenager something. But, this wasn't suppose to be a teen slasher film.

I can compare it to watching an arc in an anime, that you know doesn't belong. Then you find out it was written by producers, because the manga is on going, and they've run out of issues. So, they made something up. Gamera is suppose to be fun, and with humanity. This, had neither.

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Average Watch.

"The Lost Soul" I don't know how I should feel about it - The series starts with a good story. The first third of the episodes with those romantic & mysterious touches, is what sucks you in.

Then the story changes. This is the middle loop, and its repetitive nature, will exhaust watchers. Where, romance is just a word, and more likely to only appear in flashback form, from now until closing credits. That repetitive loop, with no progress is what hurts this series.

Because, the last third's slow and methodical meandering across plot points, though, trying to propel this drama out of that loop. Doesn't have enough strength to pull watchers back into the story, and ready for resolution.

Is it an average watch, that should have been better than that.

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rape is not romance.

When you're convinced the male lead might drown, looking up in a rain storm with his mouth open - But, sadly, that didn't happen here. Instead, sexual assault was the outcome, and pregnancy the result. There is no rhyme or reason for the male lead to rape the female lead. Nothing. But, then the 2021 remake is consensual only in that the female lead didn't know he was actually punishing her, degrading her, and raping her by omission. This criminal. Both awkward. Both male leads bastards. Both (2021, 2005) male lead roles some of the stupidest characters ever written (i.e. paternity), playing in one of the most toxic stories I've watched even without rape add-on. Rape is not romance, and doesn't belong in the romance genre. Avoid.

(source; read; My Custom List "Rated One")

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Note: trigger tags hidden under spoilers.

So, you've come to watch anyone's daughter (female lead) revenge the deaths of her family, clan, and friends. Her badass self, taking no prisoners, while giving no quarter. The target in her life is her former lover (male lead), and his achilles heel is her. He'll do anything to keep her close, and she'll do anything for revenge. And, I mean anything. A push me pull you on an insane path maddening with grief.

How many dramas have you watched with this plot line? Where the insanity spiraled out of control with filters off. Or did it fizzle out for the easiest ending; neither bitter, nor sweet. Because the premise was written out of the story. This cast did well, and the leads' story was disquieting as it took us where other daughter-revenge plots have failed to go. I appreciated it for what it was - a dark, unique take.

If you have ever hated-on lackluster general/prince/official/scholar/king's daughter revenge plots - F'xd. Recommended.

Note: trigger tags hidden under spoilers.

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