Sotus: The Series (2016)

Too hyped

As a newcomer to the BL genre, I have binged probably 30 or more dramas recently. As the BL fandom in general seems to think so highly of SOTUS, I decided to give it a try. I was sad to see that it was about as good as I expected. I'd hoped that it would blow me away, but it barely kept me interested. I failed to see any chemistry between the actors, onscreen or off. The character development felt like a car with a bad clutch. It just dropped scenes in your lap and failed to flesh those scenes out satisfactorily. I mean, what was the point of the haircut scene?? Why was Arthit crying behind the stadium? For that matter, why did the seniors decide that the juniors had won the flag??

I have tried to start watching SOTUS S, the second season.....it's 2 years later, why is Kong still chasing his boyfriend for attention? I may force myself to get through episode 1, but I'm not promising anything.

I think that the actors in SOTUS did what they could, especially with some of them being new to the drama world. I do not think the main actors and most of the side characters are shippable though. Prem and Wad are the exception. There was chemistry and potential there. Sadly, nowhere else that I saw. And I am happy to watch even the worst storyline for some good chemistry.

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GIVE IT A CHANCE AND LOOK AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

When I heard that this show had some hazing activities, I was actually a bit disappointed or hesitant to watch it because of the SOTUS system but I decided to give it a chance and I didn't regret it... Although the SOTUS system didn't sit well for me in the beginning (because of a matter of culture differences), I opened up with this show by looking at the different scenes being portrayed and because of it, I learned how to love this show.. The way the characters developed in their relationship is so sweet and I'm glad that there's as season 2 for this.. I know that some might be turned off by the beginning of this series because of the hazing etc. but try to give it a chance and look at it from a different perspective, the hazing is not the focus of the series but rather how the main characters' feelings developed with one another and I find it to be pure and wholesome. We need more shows like this that don't just focus on the physical intimacy but rather how the people learn to fall in love, come to terms with their feelings and face the issues that they have. I'm also glad that the show also addresses the LGBT community and not just fetishizing men. Trust me, Season 2 of SOTUS is even better.

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Second part of the story saved the series

April 19, 2021

Sotus a very interesting drama. Although, it sets the tone as a college student type of story. The execution of the scenes a definitely made the planotic and simple plot better.

Definitely the chemistry of Arthit and Kong is good. I love Arthit’s character development and Kong’s perseverance.

Maybe its cultural differences but I really don’t understand the hazing plot. If I am being honest the first half of the series I feel very disconnected and I was really close to dropping it. It took me a few days to finish the first 7 episodes while it took me like a day or two the finish the remaining.

First half 6/10, second half 9/10. That’s why I can’t give the series a perfect 10 cause the beginning really riled me up. I was like how is this top rated then I understood after the second half. Anyway WATCH THIS YALL. First half was not my cup of tea but after ep 7 thats when everything becomes better!!

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Amazing series-SOTUS

I love this series and the chemistry between them is absolutely amazing, to be honest whenever I watching series I have some scenes to skip but in this series I don't have any scenes to skip and I didn't find any lacks at any scenes. And I learn more about love and relationship like how to be patient in a relationship and how to protect our loved one at any situation and more I learned from this series thank you very much for giving this amazing story and love for Krist😍singto. I'm really blessed to saw this series and all the crews did their roles very well, as an engineering student I absolutely love it always love from India.

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10/11 RECOMMEND

SOTUS walked so all of the other thai bl series could run.

I agree with this statement. Although, i’m not sure if there are amazing bl dramas before SOTUS, this one here definitely took thai bl dramas international.

A friend of mine told me that it romanticize hazing but in my own opinion, it does not. I think “hazing” is not a right term for what they’ve done, in my country there’s a compulsary military training in which, the activities are basically the same? The hazing portrayed in the series does not even depicts actual violence. It’s basically just like working out in the gym or training for a sport, haters are just trying to find loopholes for this one.

The story itself was light and served a very amazing coming to terms with sexuality for Arthit (Krist). I don’t like university settings much, but this one is actually a top notch. Arthit’s character development is amazing.

The music really give off that university kind of vibe. I graduated college 4 years ago and hearing the OST kinda brings back uni days.

The acting of Krist and Singto is... not perfect. They can still improve but with that storyline then I guess I can deal with it.

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I saw this show on Netflix once and I started watching it but I didn't pass the first episode until I was boring and I said Okay let's give it a try. And I fell in love with the characters. Some inconsistencies sometimes but overall great. Great character development specially Arthit, he really is a grower character. Great script, the way they introduce or include the humor is great. Overall one of my favorites so far, and the sequel is even better... But yeah great, I really wanted to see more of the characters background, a little more of backstory would have been great.

128/30/2021: No because I gave Sotus (my first BL) a good rating, and after rewatching it, it deserves an 8 pr 8.5.

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I dare to pay $20 to an audience who has completed this drama with a poker face because bois and gorls, this drama will exercise the muscles in your face... IT'S A ROLLER COASTER RIDE OF EMOTIONS! You'll laugh then the next thing you know you're crying, then you're gonna yell because of fluffiness, then again cry, then repeat.

This is the second Thai BL drama so far that I have watched (next to Theory of Love), and so far I'm loving it! Thai BL dramas never fail to disappoint with their storylines because this was worth to watch! Intriguing Plot, Unique Casts, and Outstanding Chemistry! This drama, which I noticed, contains more valuable and real-life lessons a person could ever have other than falling in love. And another unique thing about this drama is that they didn't show hate or villainous aura to the females (which is quite noticeable to most BL dramas), which is a very important factor nowadays! It's one thing that I loved in it.

Story: 9.5
Acting: 10 (CAN I KEEP SINGTO? EVERYONE NEEDS A SINGTO IN THEIR LIFE)
Music: I love the music even though the intro is goddamn long.
Rewatch: Definitely!
Overall: 9.5/10 !!!

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Okay, you have to know one thing about me: I am a very picky BL-Drama-Lover. A drama has to be very well done for me to enjoy it. And Sotus definitely is one of those pretty much perfect done series!

But let me review it from the start. The storyline. I actually watched Sotus rather reductantly, because I didn't really like the trailer. But when I started watching it, I got into it more and more. The story starts out like any highschool-love-comedy-show: it is light-hearted, the characters are introduced and there isn't going on much in the first episode. But the story develops really lovely! The main couple (I'm sorry, I'm a Swiss loser, I cannot remember all the names) has this kind of rivalry-but-somehow-sexual-tension-dynamic I really love! Especially Artith seems to be so harsh and unapproachable. But that's what makes it interesting. As a viewer, you can follow the storyline, you get to know so many different characters and you also can observe how the relationship between the characters change.
It's not a sudden "oh, it's love at first sight and we're gonna fuck in the next episode", but it's... so sweet. It's slow-built, but it also satisfies us with a bit of fanservice, but most importantly, the development in the relationships - whether it's in a friendship-kind-of-way or in a romantic-kind-of-way - is really portrayed realistically. What I also appreciate, is that Artith doesn't fall in love at first sight, that he struggles with his own feelings and his sexuality. This is a big topic, as Asia isn't that progressive yet (compared to Europe, at least).
Also, there actually IS a story to follow, not only about the relationship between two guys, but also about their life in university and friendship!
Also, it kind of introduces us into the world of Asian universities and culture. Everyone living in the West would agree with me - it's very different from our traditions and habits.

And now let me start on the characters! Oh, they are played so well, you won't believe it until you see it. All the characters (not only the main ones) are chosen carefully (at least it seems like it), and they play their roles so perfectly! All of the actors have got talent, you can feel it. Their facial expressions are gold, their voices sound like honey, and their gestures fit into their roles.

I really recommend this series, if you're into angsty teenager love, discovering about sexuality, but in a sweet and cute way.

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BL Has Evolved So Much Thanks To SOTUS

Another BL that many consider god-tier status. Though I appreciate that this series doesn't go for some problematic tropes it's got its fair share of non-problematic tropes for me to foresee how "SOTUS" influenced other series I've seen thus far. Since this was made in 2016, so it's considered quite old in BL standards. I was surprised to find this series on Netflix, because here in the states Thai BL's aren't really on streaming services, except for Viki sometimes. I guess that also attributes to it's status!

Let me start with what I liked. I enjoy both of our leads, whom both started their acting careers from this show I think. As well as some of the side characters actors as well. Arthit really got on my nerves at the beginning of this show, but his character softens a lot so by the end he was okay. Kongpop (played by the lovely Singto) was my favorite, of course seeing as I love him in other shows. But his character was also the most well-rounded and kindest out of anyone in the show. I also liked Aim, but again I knew that actor and I liked him prior anyways. The entire college initiation was interesting (for awhile) and I did really want to see how Arthit and Kongpop became a thing. So for the base level stuff in the show, it was fine!

Moving onto what I disliked. The show got kinda boring after awhile, I wanted the orientation stuff to be over and desperately wanted something else to happen. Eventually we moved on, but it was too late into the series and I wish it would've happened sooner. Also we could've gotten more couple development. Most of it was saved until the last 2-3 eps I'm pretty sure, well minus "longing" glances and obvious tension. I wanted concrete evidence that things were progressing, but I guess that's what the sequel series is for which I am going to watch! I have a feeling I'll like it more than this show, but again I appreciate what this show did for future BL.

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