chesca
Philippines
This review may contain spoilers
Ok first of all, it was so much better than I expected---not perfect but good.
PROS:
1. BEST IN DEVELOPMENT. For me, AePete's development from friends to couple was one of the most consistent and well developed progressions I had seen in a BL. None of their scenes seemed out of the blue or rushed. I forgave the over the top and cutesy dialogues of AePete thinking that this was Ae's first relationship.
2. In relation to the first one, I loved how they showed Ae's curiosity about gay sex. They really talked about sexuality! It wasn't one of those shows where their sexual orientation just suddenly shifted. The show was explicit enough yet it still seemed so innocent and wholesome. That particular scene where Ae searched about gay sex was really nice.
3. Perth's acting was so on point, also Earth's (Tar). They really stood out for me although the rest of the casts were fair enough.
5. The OST was nice. I was shocked the first time they used Love Sick's Shake (when Tum was playing at a bar). The use of love sick's ost made me feel nostalgic.
6. AePete's relationship was healthier than my body ISTG.
7. TINCAN. I had never been so invested in a BL couple since Sotus (which was, like, years ago already). I was literally screaming the every time Tin was professing his crush on Can. The build up of tincan for s2 was so effectively done.
Now for Can's character---absolutely lovely. The earlier episodes showed us a hyper and comedic Can, probably immature too. I thought he was one of the stock characters to provide comedic relief but as the series progressed, we got to see his depth. The later episodes where TinCan's relationship were staring to be established, it was really nice to see the different sides of TinCan’s characters. (I admit I kind of shipped TinPete at first).
The series did a good job at shifting my attention from the MC to TinCan to be honest. The latter episodes, I just almost didn't care about AePete anymore.
8. There were a lot of likable side characters like Techno and Pond. BEST FRIENDS AWARD, I say.
NOW FOR THE CONS:
1. Despite its college setting, a lot of the scenes felt like it was set in High School instead. I did say I forgave the cutesy of AePete's relationship but I admit I cringed sometimes. But I get the theatrics of it.
2. A lot of things were happening. Hadn't I watched TharnType first, I would have been so lost. But since I did know their backstories, I appreciated all side characters especially Type---he changed a lot.
3. CONSENT, KENGKLA, CONSENT. Techno deserves a better partner and brother! Technic literally helped Kengkla in getting his brother laid!! The series showed us nothing about techno seeing kengkla in a romantic light yet his brother still pushed it??? It would have been fine if they just kept it light but Kengkla raped techno and the people justifying it in the comment section are disgusting. To make matters worse, kla lied to No and manipulated him to be in a relationship with him. I dont think I will ever buy this ship no matter how the series will justify it. I was so uncomfortable watching that scene especially when they added in the OST they played whenever there were cute scenes.
Nonconsensual acts are so prevalent in BLs and it has been overlooked for so long, by so many, for the sake of shipping. I really am so keen about consent when it comes to BL and how most shows (and authors) romanticize it.
4. To continue, Tum's nonconsensual act bothered me so much especially knowing Tar's past. He did apologize and kind of redeem himself in the latter episode. And for this one, I was glad the series took it seriously.
5. And as much as I love TinCan, I didn't like how they started to realize their feelings when Tin kissed Can to "make him shut up". I just really tried to understand Tin's rash and straightforward character.
6. Chompoo's character. It was so shallow and obviously part of those unnecessarily clingy and childish female characters to drive the plot. Please stop this kind of female representation.
7. Lay was one of those exaggerated and illogical portrayals of characters to provide comedic relief in Thai BLs but it was annoying. I get it, she was a fujoshi but she went overboard on shipping real life guys. She went hard on fetishizing gay couples.
8. I mentioned the shifting of the viewers’ attention to TinCan but it took a toll on the MC. The ending was so unsatisfying for AePete and they basically lost momentum during the last episodes. They most probably had decided beforehand to have a 2nd season but really, a phone call? Even though they were shown to be imaginarily together, it felt so flat and unsatisfying. But I mean I didn’t mind it that much because my focus was on TinCan.
9. They went all out promoting Samsung lol.
10. I was not a hundred percent fan of Saint’s acting for this show. One of the main reasons why I dropped LBC after watching the 1st ep in 2018 was because of Saint's acting, sorry. He was good but some of the parts were awkward to look at especially when he was trying to cry.
11. Ae was sometimes annoying with his overprotectiveness. I get the BL tropes where the top really gets overprotective and jealous easily and that sometimes ticks me off.
12. What happened to the guy who was blackmailing Pete? I hope we get to see a resolution in s2 despite Saint not being in the series anymore.
To conclude, it's a nice BL. The main couple was wholesome and had a healthy relationship. Watching TharnType and LBC, I kind of get the feeling that the author chooses problematic and traumatic themes to intensify the story. A lot of authors do that and it seriously needs to stop. I have no problem with using rape or any traumatic events as long as they are not merely used as a plot device but are actually discussed and taken seriously. So done with romanticized nonconsensual acts.
I'm am looking forward to s2 because I love TinCan so much. Maybe the reason why I was surprised at how nice it was was because I wasn't really expecting much.
TharnType and LBC have too many issues that needs to be solved. I am only judging based on the series. I wish everything will have a resolution, good or bad. Nevertheless, I am invested.
PROS:
1. BEST IN DEVELOPMENT. For me, AePete's development from friends to couple was one of the most consistent and well developed progressions I had seen in a BL. None of their scenes seemed out of the blue or rushed. I forgave the over the top and cutesy dialogues of AePete thinking that this was Ae's first relationship.
2. In relation to the first one, I loved how they showed Ae's curiosity about gay sex. They really talked about sexuality! It wasn't one of those shows where their sexual orientation just suddenly shifted. The show was explicit enough yet it still seemed so innocent and wholesome. That particular scene where Ae searched about gay sex was really nice.
3. Perth's acting was so on point, also Earth's (Tar). They really stood out for me although the rest of the casts were fair enough.
5. The OST was nice. I was shocked the first time they used Love Sick's Shake (when Tum was playing at a bar). The use of love sick's ost made me feel nostalgic.
6. AePete's relationship was healthier than my body ISTG.
7. TINCAN. I had never been so invested in a BL couple since Sotus (which was, like, years ago already). I was literally screaming the every time Tin was professing his crush on Can. The build up of tincan for s2 was so effectively done.
Now for Can's character---absolutely lovely. The earlier episodes showed us a hyper and comedic Can, probably immature too. I thought he was one of the stock characters to provide comedic relief but as the series progressed, we got to see his depth. The later episodes where TinCan's relationship were staring to be established, it was really nice to see the different sides of TinCan’s characters. (I admit I kind of shipped TinPete at first).
The series did a good job at shifting my attention from the MC to TinCan to be honest. The latter episodes, I just almost didn't care about AePete anymore.
8. There were a lot of likable side characters like Techno and Pond. BEST FRIENDS AWARD, I say.
NOW FOR THE CONS:
1. Despite its college setting, a lot of the scenes felt like it was set in High School instead. I did say I forgave the cutesy of AePete's relationship but I admit I cringed sometimes. But I get the theatrics of it.
2. A lot of things were happening. Hadn't I watched TharnType first, I would have been so lost. But since I did know their backstories, I appreciated all side characters especially Type---he changed a lot.
3. CONSENT, KENGKLA, CONSENT. Techno deserves a better partner and brother! Technic literally helped Kengkla in getting his brother laid!! The series showed us nothing about techno seeing kengkla in a romantic light yet his brother still pushed it??? It would have been fine if they just kept it light but Kengkla raped techno and the people justifying it in the comment section are disgusting. To make matters worse, kla lied to No and manipulated him to be in a relationship with him. I dont think I will ever buy this ship no matter how the series will justify it. I was so uncomfortable watching that scene especially when they added in the OST they played whenever there were cute scenes.
Nonconsensual acts are so prevalent in BLs and it has been overlooked for so long, by so many, for the sake of shipping. I really am so keen about consent when it comes to BL and how most shows (and authors) romanticize it.
4. To continue, Tum's nonconsensual act bothered me so much especially knowing Tar's past. He did apologize and kind of redeem himself in the latter episode. And for this one, I was glad the series took it seriously.
5. And as much as I love TinCan, I didn't like how they started to realize their feelings when Tin kissed Can to "make him shut up". I just really tried to understand Tin's rash and straightforward character.
6. Chompoo's character. It was so shallow and obviously part of those unnecessarily clingy and childish female characters to drive the plot. Please stop this kind of female representation.
7. Lay was one of those exaggerated and illogical portrayals of characters to provide comedic relief in Thai BLs but it was annoying. I get it, she was a fujoshi but she went overboard on shipping real life guys. She went hard on fetishizing gay couples.
8. I mentioned the shifting of the viewers’ attention to TinCan but it took a toll on the MC. The ending was so unsatisfying for AePete and they basically lost momentum during the last episodes. They most probably had decided beforehand to have a 2nd season but really, a phone call? Even though they were shown to be imaginarily together, it felt so flat and unsatisfying. But I mean I didn’t mind it that much because my focus was on TinCan.
9. They went all out promoting Samsung lol.
10. I was not a hundred percent fan of Saint’s acting for this show. One of the main reasons why I dropped LBC after watching the 1st ep in 2018 was because of Saint's acting, sorry. He was good but some of the parts were awkward to look at especially when he was trying to cry.
11. Ae was sometimes annoying with his overprotectiveness. I get the BL tropes where the top really gets overprotective and jealous easily and that sometimes ticks me off.
12. What happened to the guy who was blackmailing Pete? I hope we get to see a resolution in s2 despite Saint not being in the series anymore.
To conclude, it's a nice BL. The main couple was wholesome and had a healthy relationship. Watching TharnType and LBC, I kind of get the feeling that the author chooses problematic and traumatic themes to intensify the story. A lot of authors do that and it seriously needs to stop. I have no problem with using rape or any traumatic events as long as they are not merely used as a plot device but are actually discussed and taken seriously. So done with romanticized nonconsensual acts.
I'm am looking forward to s2 because I love TinCan so much. Maybe the reason why I was surprised at how nice it was was because I wasn't really expecting much.
TharnType and LBC have too many issues that needs to be solved. I am only judging based on the series. I wish everything will have a resolution, good or bad. Nevertheless, I am invested.
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