Sotus: The Series (2016)

I gave it a try, but I couldn't finish this series.

I know it's an older serie, one of the older popular bl series, and I also read the disclaimer at the beginning that this is pretty exaggerated, so I really really had little to none expectation. But I guess, I wasn't prepared enough. The acting wasn't good, the dialogues were bad, no humor, the whole hazing is really over the top, that it made me laugh in a negative way, etc.
Over the time I found Arthit to be cute and I felt like there is chemistry between the main leads, so I had the hope, that these will help me to finish the show, but unfortunately that wasn't the case... I really couldn't watch ep 6 at all, it was painful/cringy/exhausting, so I stopped there.
I really wanted to watch this show, because I saw some cute clips of this couple in YouTube, but I guess this is one of the bl series that didn't age well. Especially for someone who started to watch bl dramas only in 2022 and has watched some good bl series, watching this is not possible, or at least that was the case for me...

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I'm sorry but I can't accept this bullshit.

I'm extremely surprised at how popular this series is. I only managed to finish the first 3 episodes because I skipped over the repetitive hazing rituals. They were hard to watch not only because is it boring, it is also highly unrealistic for a small group of seniors to publicly haze an entire cohort of freshmen without interference from their peers, seniors, university staff, and even parents. And the rationale behind the hazing is to train freshmen to stand up for themselves and learn discipline and respect? Don't play sappy music over this explanation. It's an insult to my intelligence. This is not the military and it sure as hell is not a military school. This is as insane as the marry your rapist tropes in early Yaoi. How do they expect their audience suspend their disbelief to this level? The writers should read up on the consequences of hazing because what they are doing is romanticize hazing, which they understand because of the disclaimer before the show starts. On top of this, we are expected to believe Kong and Arthit fall for each other?

I skipped forward to the last episode and saw that Kong recognizes the "values" behind the SOTUS system but wanted to change the methods, then he becomes the hazing leader the following year. My eyes did a full 360 degree rotation.

I should also point out 2 instances of homophobia within the first 3 episodes. First, Arthit displayed his homophobia by asking Kong to proclaim he is gay. Second, Kong retaliated by saying he would make Arthit his "wife." It's popular shows like this that continue to enforce heteronormativity in society. This is why straight people are still asking same sex couples, 'Who's the man, who's the woman?"

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This isn't going to be super organized, i just see a lot of ratings that, for what it is, seem too high. tbh i don't watch many thai dramas, maybe all this is normal, but the production was just.... really bad.

there's one point in the drama where he removed the string the other guy tied on him, and it NEVER comes up again. but it was supposed to be dramatic. and later on it's magically back on and there's no scene addressing this. and the way the music is cut, the way the end of the episode is cut, it seems very low-budget. but it doesn't really bother me that much.

but i love the casting and acting. as an mlm myself, seeing a cast that doesn't look all like runway models is very refreshing. and the surroundings too, they look very normal. and the cast, altho there's some forced/cringey parts, act very much like how any group of friends i've been in acts. it's really worth watching, so long as low-production value doesn't hinder your ability to enjoy smth.

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I really liked it but...

Now, I went into Sotus expecting great things. Fans of BL dramas all seem to agree that this is one of the best if not the best BL drama. So I was expecting this to be my new favourite BL story and I'm afraid to say that its not, but that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it.
I have now seen several Thai BL dramas I started with Bad Romance last year, which was fine and I watched a little bit of Together With Me which was a lot better, but then I took a break from Thai dramas and only recently have gotten back into them. So I've been trying to get through the GMMTV BL dramas first, so I started with My Tee which has potential but it really wasn't that good. Then I moved on to Kiss: The Series and Kiss Me Again, I really enjoyed them both but especially Kiss Me Again, I'm a big PeteKao fan now. After that I moved on to My Dear Loser: Edge of Seventeen and WOW this drama was almost perfect to me, I thoroughly enjoyed the main couples love story and the chemistry between In and Sun was unbelievable - watching their bond and friendship grow was pure magic, although they didn't define their relationship they are my favourite GMMTV BL couple at the moment. I also watched Puppy Honey, it was pretty good, Pick and Rome had great chemistry but the writing for them wasn't the best (but I am very excited about the bits and pieces I've seen of Theory of Love - also OffGun's friendship is adorable)
When I finished Puppy Honey 1 and 2 I knew that I only had Sotus left before I could watch Our Skyy. So I saved Sotus knowing it was everyone's favouite and so I could compare it against all the other dramas and I did really enjoy it but certain parts also underwhelm me.
I think the writing was a little weak and dragged in some places but overall it was very good. The direction wasn't anything new or amazing, but it did the job more than well enough and the actors I thought did a brilliant job. So the one thing that let me down (and I hate to say it) was the lack of chemistry I felt between Singto and Krist, I really like the interviews and appearances they have made in other things, I love their personalities, but somehow the chemistry was missing a little for me in Sotus. That's not to say I didn't "aww" and squeal at their cute moments, because I 100% did, but as I said there were some scenes where I found the chemistry was missing.

Here's the thing chemistry is completely subjective, if it wasn't people wouldn't have shipping wars, so although I didn't see it clearly hundreds of thousands of people did and so the only real weakness this show has for me is a very personal reason, It may have also been that my expectations were way too high, but because this show is their love story, I'm afraid I can't give it a higher score, sorry! But I will be onto Sotus S soon and I'm pretty excited for it.

My current ratings for the GMMTV BL dramas:

My Dear Loser: Edge of Seventeen
Kiss Me Again
Sotus
Kiss: The Series
Senior Secret: Puppy Honey
Senior Secret: Puppy Honey 2
My Tee

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My Hones Opinion :

Honest Opinion:
This is the Second BL Drama that I DIDN'T like that much.
Comprised of 15 episodes the first 9 were mostly revolved around the SOTUS hazing, then we start with the real Love story.
There were some long filler-scenes, filler-episodes ( the Flag one ), some missed opportunities.
Regarding Production:
The Audio was OK, sometimes it was lacking, sometimes muffled, sometimes very good.
The Cinematography was OK as well, nothing special.
The Characters: Not Fully Realised. I couldn't connect with Kongpob nor Arthit. At some point, I was more invested in Em's and May's relationship, to be honest ?.
I wish that would have been MORE in-depth conversations between Kongpob and Em since they're literally best friends ( like expressing their emotions or how they felt regarding their crushes instead of just nothing ). And just one scene doesn't count in my opinion.
Also #PremWad. I wanted to see more ?.
I understand that the show is also about the SOTUS method, and I liked the fact that they wanted to incorporate some traditions in there. But I think it was a little too much overdone.

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In the SOTUS the Series (2016), in Ep. 6 [4/4], the main role character ‘Bright’ tells TuTah,

“Is this the time to say that, you FAG?”

I know a translator’s slip should not spoil one’s fun, and I have tried to remain fair about the whole thing. BUT, I must admit, it was a shock and a disappointment. Actually, I was hurt and for that reason pissed off and do not know of any other way to vent my frustration than to express my feelings here.

In America and Europe the term ‘fag’ is the most derisive, insulting and humiliating hate-term you can use against a gay person. Shame on the translators and shame on anyone responsible for allowing such hateful speech on public television. To the translator of this insult I would like to say, “this world belongs to all of us - so get used to it”.

I hope the ignorant person who did this will grow a heart and learn to consider the terrible impact this word will have on young minds... including gay kids, and gay-friendly kids. After getting punched like this in the middle of a supposedly safe LB series, many vulnerable-gay ones will learn to hide even more, while the gay-friendly will learn to be less friendly.

Words are like swords: they cut!

As to the rest of the series, I found it very entertaining and well made; the chemistry a little off balance, though, with the character of Kongpob taking most of the credit. I was, nonetheless, enjoying myself up until that moment when I got slapped in the face by the unfortunate translation. I must confess I stopped watching at that point and proceed to declare it so in this here review. This is a ‘partial review’ of a good series spoiled by an ignorant translator that injected it with venom.

Ps. To the translator... I am a grown person who can take this and more; but, think of the young ones, you prick!

(Apologies to all of the rest).

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