Love by Chance (2018)

DEAL BREAKERS

SHORT REVIEW AND DEAL BREAKERS!

I honestly liked the show, I just hated the side couples, but I also hope they had more screen time. I'd recommend this series to anyone who is into BLs. LBC is a classic the second one was really bad but that's just my biased opinion seeing as Saint wasn't in it.

The show was great I loved watching it, and I would love watching it again. But there were only a few deal-breakers. First of all the characters (Ae and Tin) were a little aggressive. And usually, I wouldn't mind, but when it comes to love I would like to point out the fact that they made pushing your partner around seem like love. that just doesn't work. For all the teens and or younglings watching this show. you have to know that if your partner is aggressive it's not good for the relationship. the next deal breaker was the fact that the show, in general, lacked gay reparation. Maybe it's just me but scenes got really cheesy really quick. When it comes to gay reparation this does not only apply to this show it applies to most BLs. The next deal-breaker is really based on my opinion. The really long stares were unnecessary. Instead of having the main couple look at each other for 10 minutes straight (over-exaggeration), They could have had a few more scenes with the side couples. Then again I would like to mention that I do like this show and I would watch it again and again, and it's the reason why I got so into BLs. I loved everything about Pete and Ae's relationship. It really did make me feel single.

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LBC was my first BL series .. I love the story between ae and Pete . I love how good actor ae is you could literally understand what he wants to say even if don't speak .. his expression are so good.i was so surprised that he was 17 when he shooted.storyline does justice about accidentally meeting strangers to friends and falling in love what I love about their relationship is even they have ups and downs , insecurities but they quicky wrap up whole thing instead of letting things becoming big issues.. Pete is cutest thing ever .. tin can story was like typical enemy to lovers but I felt bad for tin and can because tin didnot get the happiness and can who is late to realise what he feels .tin acting was very impressive.. Tum n tar is something taboo subject but it does happen in real life ..was very impressed with tar acting rape victim I cried when he did .. kengla and pno storyline I didnot like it's totally stalkerish behaviour and his bro was so stupid . Kla shouldnot have taken advantage of pno .. he is too innocent guy.. that was disgusting .. but I was very impressed with kla acting .. good story , music and actors . ....

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Saldo: dos 4 casais só se salvou 1

Ora, ora... cá estou eu, depois de cinco anos que vi a série, decidi ver de novo, agora em 2023, com um olhar mais maduro, e trazer meu ponto de vista para cá.
Contextualizando a história no tempo, a série foi a primeira do famoso "Universo Mame", compostas atualmente pelas séries Love by chance; TharnType 1 e 2; e A chance to love (segunda temporada de Love by chance) e Don't say no (spin-off de TharnType). Todas essas séries se conectam, e se formos contar as novels esse número cresce para mais ou menos 16. Por isso fazem parte do mesmo universo. Desde a primeira série adaptada, a série, que apesar de ter sido um sucesso estrondoso, sofreu duras críticas, pois Mame, apesar de quebrar alguns estereótipos em seus trabalhos, tinha o hábito de inserir temas muito complicados, como estupro, relações tóxicas romantizadas, criminosos que não são punidos, e há quem fale até em incesto. Atualmente, existem outras série de grande sucesso dela e que não estão envolvidas em polêmicas, ela própria já se desculpou em entrevistas pela sua forma de escrever no passado, e é notório que ela evoluiu muito, porém vamos à série em questão. A série foi cercada por polêmicas, além das já citadas. Existiram denúncias de homofobia por parte do elenco para com o ator Earth Katsamonnat (Tar), que é assumidamente gay, além de denúncias por parte da empresa contra Saint Suppapong (Pete), a ponto dele não participar dos eventos de promoção da série e precisar fazer seus eventos sozinhos para se promover, já que era excluído de praticamente tudo (até hj não sei o motivo), e inclusive nem foi informado oficialmente que a segunda temporada iria ao ar em 2020, portanto, ele não participou e a segunda temporada não fez o mesmo sucesso da primeira.

Eu não vou falar de um roteiro como um todo, vou falar dos núcleos dos casais separadamente pra ficar mais fácil o entendimento.

Primeiro, o casal principal, Pete e Ae. O casal tinha muita química, tanto que até hoje existem "viúvas" desse shipp. A relação dois dois, apesar dos problemas foi bem saudável. Pete, milionário tinha complexo de inferioridade por ser gay, ele mesmo verbaliza isso muitas vezes. Ae é um rapaz pobre, porém com muitos princípios, tanto que não entra em parafuso ao perceber que gosta de Pete, muito pelo contrário, assume seus sentimentos e tenta o respeitar para que ele não pense que ele só quer sexo, já que ele sabe dos traumas de Pete. Outra coisa importante é a opinião dele sobre presentes caros, de início eu pensei que ele apenas tinha medo de ser visto como interesseiro, mas além disso, ele via Pete como alguém que precisava ser protegido, e quis ensiná-lo a se proteger de possíveis tiradores de vantagem. As famílias de ambos também são bem saudáveis, foi lindo ver Pete se assumir e ser aceito, mesmo depois da mãe ter visto o vídeo. É possível ver que a mãe de Pete tem um olhar triste, não consigo definir se ela superou o divórcio, já a família de Ae é respeitosa o suficiente para não deixar os meninos em saias justas com perguntas indiscretas.
A relação de ambos pode ser definida em uma palavra: consentimento. Ae só beijou quando existiu abertura, eles só transaram quando Pete deixou claro que queria, não por Ae ser difícil, mas ppor que ele tinha medo de avançar e ferir os sentimentos de Pete, já que tinha conhecimento de muitas situações difíceis que ele passou. Minha única única crítica, é que acho que eles deviam ter terminados juntos, não numa chamada de vídeo.

Agora vamos ao casal problema: Kengkla e Techno. Tudo na história deles está errado, absolutamente tudo! Desde o irmão de Techno que "vende" o irmão ao amigo, até chegar ao momento do estupro. Houve penetração? Não sei, mas houve estupro independente disso, pois num ato orquestrado, Kengkla fez com Techno atos que ele absolutamente não tinha como consentir.
A história deles foi tão pesada que nem chegou a ser citada em TharnType... totalmente desnecessária essa parte da história.

Já para a história de Tar e Tum, eu passo pano sim! Não entendo o motivo do hate neles. Minha crítica nesse caso é contra o próprio roteiro, que deixa a história sem ser contada de forma correta e isso dá margens a várias interpretações. A história só será contada em detalhes na primeira temporada de TharnType, e isso foi uma grande lacuna, que deixou a história deles sem sentido. Depois, temos a pauta do incesto, que causou um grande movimento nas redes sociais, até que no último (ou penúltimo, não lembro bem) ep, numa conversa, eles deixam claro que são apenas meio-irmãos. Dando a entender que o pai de um deles se casou com a mãe do outro, e dessa forma eles não tem laços de sangue.

Por fim, Tim e Can. Eu particularmente não gosto desse casal, não sinto nenhuma química. Além disso, a parte deles na história foi péssima, foi bem desenvolvida, Tim abriu o coração, e olha que ele é cheio de traumas e preconceitos, Can aparentemente estava se apaixonando, e do nada me joga um "vamos ser amigos", gente... eu nem soube o que pensar na hora. Hoje eu sei que essa foi a deixa para a segunda temporada, mas na época eu quis esfolar a Mame.

Enfim, a série é apaixonante. Pete e Ae quebram qualquer coração de gelo, Tim e Can tem um bom desenvolvimento apesar do final deles não ser bom, tem muito alívio cômico na série e com certeza uma das melhores osts que já ouvi. Com certeza recomendo, já informando que contém gatilhos, mas a parte boa se sobrepõe.

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Saint-Perth-Mean-Plan Superb acting

The first few episodes were confusing for me. The story jumps from one prominent lead couple to another supporting couple. From the start finding and focusing on the story was frustrating.
After 5 episodes I became aware of what exactly was happening so I started skipping other characters' scenes. except for Ae's Friend and Pete's friend. after 3-to 4 episodes when Ae's and Pete's story windup (they get together and start living life as boyfriends I skip on that) and focus on Pete's friend 'Tin'. Tin's character and his paired up started to gain my interest. Then I watched Tin and Can's character story till the end. I was disappointed when the series ended with Tin's crying. I was expecting to start season 2 but when I read a review of that. I again faced disappointment to find out they changed Tin and Can character setting and also changed Ae and Pete's character setting. so I will be skipping season 2 and I am done with this.

Let's talk about the production: They cast so many characters and university/house the whole drama setting where drama was shot and the usage of prompts wasted money. They should have focused on the main characters. 2 main couples are also acceptable but 5 couples. it was too much. The story was stuffed.
Ost was good and catchy. The story would have been more interesting if it was only focused on "Ae and Pete" and "Tin and Can".

You can just watch it for fun and don't mind with story. just enjoy beautiful characters and their acting.

Leggi di Più

It's cute and fluffy.. Premise of the story is common..

I'll just make my review of this series short and simple.. There are pros and cons for this series.. For the pros, the acting is decent especially for the main couple.. personally, there were actors that were a bit stiff and awkward at some scenes but the show was still enjoyable.. The scenes that I mostly enjoyed though were from Pete and Ae and Tin and Can.. The story for this series is common because of the university setting and the typical shy guy falling for the charismatic guy trope for the main couple as well as the enemies trope for the other couple..

What bothered me the most though were the scenes of Pete and Ae. Yes, they're so cute and sweet but if only it were possible, they could've tone it down a bit. I admit that some of those scenes for me were cringy and cheesy..

Anyway, what I love about the series was that it tackled some of the important issues in the LGBT community.. Although the execution was not perfect, it was still a good start for the series. I'm happy that the series ended on a positive note, it's just that the ending could've been better..

In conclusion, the series is still a good watch - average level at best but props/cheers to the actors for portrating their characters..

Leggi di Più

Okay if youre looking for a show that has a happy ending this is for you. Howveverrrr i need season two to come out already!! thankyou
main couple pete/ae
-The actor that plays ae is so talented and i love the communication that they have. At first i was very very annoyed by their lack of communication but i made it through. Glad their story ended happily but i thought ending the season with them on a phone was lamee
Next couple tin/can
As a non-novel reader i can see their appeal. One is a hurt rich kid who hates everyone and schemes to get his way, but the other is a honest idiot who just tries to do whats right honestly love them cant wait to watch them fix things

Leggi di Più

One of only a few perfect BL's for me. The story is a very cute boy meets boy and they fall in love tale. There is something nice about a BL being free of the usual gimmick of friends who have a one-night stand or enemies to lovers trope. Ae is a great and unique protagonist as he's rough and tough but he is completely soft towards Pete. He does not try to deny his feelings towards Pete as is the usual method for BL characters. Pete is also a rare character as begins the drama with his sexuality established. It is nice to watch a BL where the main story is a couple falling in love naturally and not drag because of unnecessary drama but because of real life insecurities and doubts.
Pros: The stories for each character are so well thought out.
Cons: Too many couples were presented to give a satisfactory ending to each and unfortunately, behind the scenes drama means we may never get one.

Leggi di Più

Love love love this series! I must say its one of my top fav BLs ive watched! AePete's story was so adorable and their chemistry was amazing. The kissing scene was filled with passion and wasnt awkward at all despite them both being so young.

Perth left such an impression because I found out he was only 17 when he landed the role. Wow that boy is definitely going places!

Above everything I love how Ae was so supportive of Pete despite him being lgbtq+. They were so sweet and loveable in the series the only disappointment maybe that I heard they arent really talking to each other outside the series anymore? :(

I've literally recommended this series to everyone I know and all of them loved it!

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me lo ricordavo meglio

allora, grazie al mio ritrovato amore per Perth (che qui è praticamente un feto rispetto a dangerous romance e never let me go) ho deciso di rivedere questo titolo e poichè non avevo mai visto il secondo (e TT che a livello tecnico sarebbero collegati), ho deciso di di fare un rewatch di Love by chance 1 e poi di passare a tutti i titoli che non ho visto. ora, lo ricordavo meglio, molto meglio. e l’8 che è un voto affettivo, il voto reale sarebbe forse 7, perché è stato il primo BL (ancora quando i più non sapevano nemmeno cosa fossero) che ho visto settimanalmente e quindi questo suo fascino mi è rimasto, mi è rimasta ancora la sensazione di aspettare con ansia la settimana per il nuovo BL, per questo gli regalo un bell’8, ma la sostanza è calata. punto primo, i BL di qualche anno fa, non sono i BL di ora, quindi uno direbbe che alcune scene sono”invecchiate male” (prima di tutto quella cosa al limite del legale con Kengla e Tecno) per passare a Tin (con la sua poco velata omofobia iniziale) e avanti… punto secondo si vede che molti di questi attori erano all’inizio della carriera perché hanno creato alcuni dei personaggi più irritanti e terribili della storia del BL. punto terzo, ci si ripresenta un clicè tipico di quegli anni: la sorella di una personaggio che innamorata pazza dei BL fa casino e rompe. c’era in Why are you e avevo convenentemente dimenticato ci fosse ance qui. che personaggio irritante. bene, fatta questa introduzione vorrei parlare un po’ di una cosa che ho notato: quando ho fatto la recensione di Cutie Pie ho detto che era già la seconda volta che vedevo un prodotto di Zee e che non mi piaceva la sua interpretazione (il primo proprio Why are you) e nella recensione di ViceVersa avevo detto che stavo rivalutando Perth, ecco, ho scoperto che il problema con Perth, non era Perth, ma Saint che forse, a quanto pare sarà anche il problema in Why are you, assieme comunque a Zee. bene, tolto questo torniamo un momento su una bandiera rosso sangue: Kengla. allora Kengla è un mostro e assieme a Tecnic fanno una di quelle accoppiate che trovi solo nei peggio thriller, però boys se mi piace Mark come attore (e visto che amo le bandiere rosse, anche Kengla), ho visto molto di suo e quella sua faccetta da volte, quel suo sorrisetto angelico, ma che nasconde una bestia di satana dietro è veramente apprezzato. solo un fatto, parlando di uno degli “elephant in the room” la scena nell’ultima puntata: allora, ai tempi che furono io avevo anche letto alcune parti delle novel e mi pareva molto più volenteroso di esprimersi No rispetto a come è fatto nel drama. poi ogni uno colga le sue conclusioni su quella scena, io la butto solo lì. Tin e Can sono onesta, mi piacevano di più quando li ho visti la prima volta. e gli ultimi due… ve beh, Title mi inquieta un pelettino in tutte le cose che fa, mentre Earth è un po’ come Gun dove lo metti, riesce sempre a dare belle interpretazioni. poi ci si aggiunge caldamente un Earth selvatico che compare, fa Type e scompare e abbiamo raggiunto la nostra storia… ora se lo si vuole vedere da farsi con ampie vedute, anche perché è comunque una pseudo pietra cardine del genere

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Pretty Good! I recommend :)

PLOT: I noticed there were a lot of bad reviews for this series that almost made me not want to watch it. But I am happy I gave it a chance as it was pretty heartwarming and super cute. The plot was a little fast-paced in terms of the protagonists falling in love with each other but it calmed down through the first few episodes.

ACTING: Personally I really liked Perth who played 'Ae' in the series, as his acting was really good and he stole the spotlight in the series. Even though physically he wasn't suited for the character he still portrayed the role perfectly possessing gentle, dominant, jealous, and possessive sides to him. He made sure to act it all out well. I also liked the acting of Mean who played 'Tin'. He also portrayed his role perfectly with his fear of trusting people and snobbish character. I thought that Saint who played the character of 'Pete' was perfect physically for the role but his acting needs to grow as I felt I was watching a robot for there were no emotions portrayed from him. But he was super cute :)

CHEMISTRY: The protagonists' chemistry was really good they were able to act out as cute lovers without any hints of awkwardness between them and this includes the second couple as well.

I think you should go for it. The couples' love story is worth watching so if you like a story as sweet as sugar this is the one for you:)

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Deux tiers vraiment sympas, un tiers franchement nul

J'ai bien aimé l'histoire des deux couples principaux Pete/Ae et Tin/Can. Pour les deux autres couples BL, c'était carrément inutile surtout si l'on considère le temps que le drama leur consacre et d'autres aspects problématiques de leurs histoires. Quant à celle qui concerne Pond / AimCham, elle était anecdotique et dispensable, mais elle ne m'a pas dérangée car c'était plutôt mignon.

Commençons par l'histoire principale. Pete est un étudiant fortuné mais très timide et coincé, victime de menaces et de chantage de la part d'un camarade car il est gay et craint que sa mère l'apprenne. Un autre étudiant, Ae, le percute en vélo et les deux jeunes hommes vont finir par tomber amoureux. J'ai trouvé leur couple agréable et intéressant, on a beaucoup de moments mignons et pas mal de bisous entre eux, et ce qui est vraiment appréciable (comme d'autres l'ont déjà précisé dans des commentaires), les quiproquos ne durent jamais plus d'une minute car ils se parlent et ça leur permet de régler les problèmes, Ae étant un gars direct qui n'aime pas que les choses restent en suspens. Maintenant, j'ai quand même relevé certaines choses un peu plus dérangeantes. Déjà d'après sa fiche, j'ai calculé que l'acteur qui joue Ae devait avoir 16 ans au moment du tournage alors que son personnage est censé être étudiant, et ça se voit à l'écran. Alors il est très mignon, il joue bien, (même mieux que celui qui interprète Pete à mon avis mais c'est personnel) et son personnage a un caractère plutôt affirmé donc ça lui confère une certaine maturité quand même, mais l'écart d'âge que j'ai ressenti devant certaines scènes avec son partenaire plus âgé m'a parfois mise un peu mal à l'aise. Ensuite, il a beau être tout love et protecteur avec Pete, il lui arrive parfois d'avoir un comportement un peu trop possessif et dominant. Heureusement cela n'arrive pas souvent, la plupart du temps il est adorable donc on évite de glisser vers une histoire toxique mais j'avoue que depuis ce que j'appelle ma prise de conscience féministe, j'ai du mal avec certains agissements et je les repère tout de suite dans les fictions. Concernant Pete, également, j'ai trouvé que son personnage, comme d'autres l'ont dit avant moi, était bien trop neuneu, docile, hésitant, limite faiblard, pour être réaliste. Du coup les hésitations, les silences et les regards craintifs de l'acteur semblaient faux et m'ont donné l'impression que son jeu n'était pas très bon. Mais il reste un personnage attachant et on a envie qu'il ait une fin heureuse, c'est déjà ça, mais il est vrai que le jeu de l'acteur ne m'avait déjà pas tellement convaincue dans Why R U donc j'ai du mal à tout mettre sur le dos du rôle qu'il est censé jouer. Enfin, l'histoire de l'antagoniste qui harcèle et violente Pete n'est pas résolue à la fin, ou alors j'ai loupé un épisode, donc pourquoi nous tartiner tout un bla-bla sur l'enquête que Pete demande à son ami Tin de faire à son sujet, si c'est pour qu'au final il n'exploite pas les informations obtenues ? C'est du temps gâché qui aurait mieux servi s'ils avaient consacré plus de scènes au couple Tin / Can (ou aux autres couples, puisqu'il fallait absolument qu'ils nous pondent 5 romances, autant les développer même si les autres ne m'ont pas satisfaite).

Concernant le couple Tin/Can, je dois avouer que j'ai regardé Love By Chance surtout pour eux car j'aime beaucoup le thème "enemies to lovers", et leur histoire ne m'a pas déçue. Tin est un ami de Pete, très arrogant, très riche et très hautain. Il est persuadé que l'amour vrai et la confiance ne sont que des leurres, d'où son attitude méprisante envers tout le monde, et j'ai adoré voir sa carapace se fissurer au contact de Can, ce petit "singe" qui ne cesse de lui rentrer dans le lard. Je sais que leur romance reste en suspens à la fin de la première saison et qu'une deuxième est censée leur être consacrée, mais si j'avais regardé Love By Chance à sa sortie et non pas maintenant que la 2ème saison est terminée, je n'aurais sans doute pas été aussi positive sur leur histoire parce qu'une des conditions essentielles pour moi avant de commencer un drama, c'est la certitude qu'il y a une fin heureuse. Il est donc possible que je me farcisse la deuxième saison bientôt, même si les commentaires sont en moyenne plus négatifs. On verra bien.

Comme je l'ai dit précédemment, l'histoire de Pond, le colocataire accro au porno de Ae, et AimCham, une étudiante qui est également serveuse au café, est très anecdotique et très peu de temps leur est consacré, mais c'était plutôt agréable de voir ce gars qui ne prend jamais la vie au sérieux, se montrer plus impliqué pour une personne qu'il estime en valoir la peine. On n'apprend pas grand chose d'elle en revanche, son personnage n'est pas du tout développé, on sait juste qu'elle a suffisamment de caractère pour le remettre à sa place quand il le faut, mais au moins elle n'est ni stéréotypée ni evil bitch, ce qui est plutôt une exception dans les BL Thai, les personnages féminins étant souvent ridicules et/ou antipathiques (bon on a bien la soeur de Can qui est une fujoshi un peu caricaturale à certains moments, mais ça reste light donc on ne va pas en faire un fromage).

Passons maintenant aux deux derniers couples qui, à mon sens, n'avaient pas leur place dans ce drama. Je comprends qu'ils ont adapté un bouquin, mais bon sang, aucune loi n'oblige les scénaristes à adapter strictement un roman, non ? La preuve, il semble y avoir pas mal de différences entre le livre Manner Of Death et la série, donc pourquoi venir nous emm...er avec des âneries sur deux autres couples aussi mal exploités quand ils auraient pu consacrer plus de temps aux autres histoires (ou pondre moins d'épisodes, 12 auraient suffi et ça aurait coûté moins cher) ? D'un côté on a un lycéen crétin (Kengkla) qui passe son temps à négocier avec son pote pour avoir enfin l'occasion de se taper le frère aîné de ce dernier (Techno), on ne les voit jamais ensemble car il s'agit essentiellement d'une obsession de la part de Kengkla, et pof, dans le dernier épisode, on a Techno qui rentre bourré, finit par erreur dans le lit du crétin qui dormait sur place et ce dernier en profite pour abuser de lui sans qu'il y ait de consentement éclairé... Et au réveil, il ose encore prendre l'air timide et manipuler Techno pour lui faire croire que c'est celui-ci qui lui a sauté dessus ? Si encore ils avaient eu ces scènes-là au début du drama et que la suite de l'histoire nous avait montré comment une relation pouvait se construire avec un démarrage aussi toxique, à la rigueur pourquoi pas, mais là niet, zéro évolution, le drama s'arrête là pour eux... Complètement idiot et malsain. Surtout qu'on nous présente en parallèle un jeune homme (Tar) traumatisé à la suite d'un viol qui a de terribles conséquences sur sa confiance future dans les relations amoureuses et le contact physique qui le répugne, donc c'est vraiment mal géré.

Alors l'histoire de Tar et de Tum (son demi-frère ? Son frère par alliance ? J'ai pas vraiment compris mais qu'importe...) est certes touchante, mais là encore très dispensable. Déjà pour tout comprendre de son histoire il faut avoir suivi le drama TharnType, qui se situe dans le même univers et qui possède certains personnages en commun, d'autant que Tar est assez important dans TharnType. J'ai mis un certain temps à comprendre que le "Type" de LBC était le même individu que dans TharnType (ce n'est pas le même acteur en plus), et pour en rajouter une couche dans le grand n'importe quoi, Tharn n'est même pas présent dans LBC alors que c'est l'ex petit ami de Tar avant d'être en couple avec Type, donc un peu dur de capter la dynamique de ces personnages au début... Quant à ceux qui n'auront pas vu TharnType au préalable, ils seront tout simplement largués, c'est dit. Donc, vraiment inutile de nous polluer avec leur histoire qui n'apporte franchement rien de plus au schmilblik (à moins qu'ils aient absolument tenu à caser une bonne partie des stars de leur écurie en même temps, m'enfin quand on voit le résultat ils auraient mieux fait de s'abstenir). Je n'ai rien contre les couples multiples dans les dramas, le problème c'est qu'un couple secondaire est bien suffisant pour contenter les fans. Au-delà, ils ont souvent du mal à gérer le tout (on voit ce que ça a donné avec Gen Y...) et les couples "accessoires" sont en général très mal gérés au vu du temps d'écran qui leur est consacré, quand ce n'est pas carrément expédié avant qu'on n'ait compris quoi que ce soit...

J'ai l'air très négative mais j'ai quand même passé un très bon moment avec les deux couples principaux Pete/Ae et Tin/Can, c'est d'ailleurs pour ça que ma note atteint 7.5. D'ordinaire je souffle d'impatience pendant de nombreuses scènes entre les protagonistes parce qu'on a souvent beaucoup de longueurs ou d'hésitations inutiles dans les dramas Thai, là je ne me suis jamais ennuyée avec eux donc c'est assez rare pour que je le note. Si les deux derniers couples n'étaient pas venus parasiter mon plaisir, ma note aurait été nettement plus élevée.

En conclusion, ne boudez pas votre plaisir, mais n'hésitez pas à appuyer sur "avance rapide" quand l'histoire s'écarte des couples principaux.

Leggi di Più

Majorly triggering elements used as tropes

Just a little note before you start reading this lengthy rant:
This review is written for the purpose of explaining why I seem to rate it so low when other people have rated it so high. There are major spoilers as I explain plot points into detail and why exactly I hated them so much.
Do not read this if you haven't watched the drama yet, you should still make your own opinion of it beforehand. Then, if you want, you can read this.
Whether or not you agree with me, I will be happy to politely discuss and debate the series with you.
Thank you.

Trigger warning: cens*red mentions of g*ng/male r*pe.

I have debated writing this review for a while now but decided to just go for it in the end because it's just on my mind all the time and I just want to move on for good.

So, where do I even start with it? I'll explain my rating in a few points below. Some little bits addressed in those points can deduct 0.5pt while the major ones deducted up to 2pts.

1. Way too many characters.

If the drama was going to address the relationship of so many different characters, why make it only 14 episodes? Even better: if the show was only going to be 14 episodes long, then why telling the story of so many characters? Plus the final episode, though very lengthy compared to the previous 13, hardly gives any closure to any pairings at all.
Sure, Tin and Can have their own season (which, I've heard, is terrible), and TharnType have their own series (which I was enjoying until about episode 3 for the same reason as my third point), but the others just felt rushed to me. Even Pete and Ae who just... live happily ever after? I was honestly hoping to see more drama happening between those two, especially since they're presented as the 'main pairing' from the trailer and plot summary.
Also I kinda wanted to see more of Pond and Cha-Am. Just because it's BL doesn't mean straights don't exist anymore.

Which can bring me to my next point. The next two points, actually, as they are slightly linked together.

2. The triggers.
3. Using those as tropes.

— Incest. Saying they're half-brothers right at the end of the show doesn't suddenly make it okay. To all people without siblings, it's time to put it in the bin-cest please!

— G*ng r*pe. And using male r*pe as a trop in many, many BL drama (I see you, fanfics, in any fandom). Here's a quick disclaimer for you: it's NOT okay. Yes, it's a very traumatic experience, and it shapes the character and gives reason for his behaviour towards his older brother and his fear of falling in love, but the reason it was explained in the drama just made it feel like a trope, which I don't find okay. And again, with all the other characters to focus on, it didn't really make me empathise with him at all.
Sure, I cried when he finally confessed it to his brother, because, as I said, it is an extremely traumatic experience and no one ever should have to go through that. But the comforting period was just way too short in my opinion. They could have made it so much better. If you want to make your characters suffer to make the viewers cry in horror and shock, at least develop the aftermath a little more.
Instead he just went back to France after a little hug and that's it. What was even the point of making him come back to Thailand? It was okay just seeing the two brothers chat online.
Earth's performance was top notch though, as usual. (No, I am not biased...)

— Taking advantage of a drunk guy and then playing the victim card. Ah, yes, maybe my favourite of the lot. Raise your hand if you can't stand Kangkla! From the minute he was introduced to the show, he was just forgettable. I never bothered to remember his name (I had to look at the cast list to get it in my review) and his character in general is just... nope. I hated him just that much more whenever he was on-screen.
And Technic is just as bad, helping his friend make a move on his brother without seeming bothered. Then there's Techno. Sweet, uuhh, stupid? Yes, he's an airhead (so much better in TharnType) who agrees to be the boyfriend of the guy who practically assaulted him! Kangkla had the nerve to blame No afterwards to get what he wanted. That, everyone, is the definition of a toxic relationship.

4. The shippers. Also, Shampoo (sorry not sorry about that).
Why. Are. They. So. Hardcore! In nearly all Thai BL Drama I've watched, there will be fangirls who love shipping two good-looking guys together. And, coincidentally, those guys either end up together or are at least interested in other guys. I am generally uncomfortable when real people are shipped together (isn't enjoying the bromance enough?) so when Lay asked her brother for pictures of Tin and Pete together because they were her OTP, I got fed up with her. Pity, because I really enjoyed her character until then. And Can said nothing about that!
Chompoo refers to herself in 3rd person, and others might have found that cute. So did I the first few times. And then she was just there. Saying she loved Ae because he helped her get her bag. Kept being clueless about how little she meant to him. And then she just disappeared. We never heard of her again. Poof, gone as soon as Pete and Ae officially get together. Bye-bye, good riddance, you won't be missed. Wait, who were you again? Forgettable.

Speaking of disappearances, that brings me to my fifth and final point.

5. Trump. No, not the former president.
I thought he would be the bad guy throughout the series. Like, he wouldn't just go away after being punched a few times and then getting a little bit of money from his victim. Instead he was just there to create a little drama in the first two episodes before noping away. I get why he had to, as explained in the show, but he could have been showed more, especially in the last episode. What happened to him? Did he get caught and is in jail? Or did the people he owed money to get him first and beat him up or worse? He was just a bad character written very badly. Also he made it a point to bother only Pete while there are so many other rich kids in that school, as stated several times by Tin.

I guess I could mention a few minor points while I'm at it.

a) Stopping in front of the camera to show your sad or conflicted little face, only to say nothing and going away anyway. I get that it's done for cinematic and drama effect, but it's just unrealistic and annoying when done so many times for so long.

b) Saying all your thoughts out loud. Voice-overs are okay and used in other dramas. Why not do it there, too?

c) I've already mentioned the straights but let me do it again here: they are okay. We promise no one is going to hate them, we are a more open-minded society, heterophobes won't be too much of a problem.

I have mentioned TharnType a few times as well, but I don't think I actually like it, either. Not after episode 3, as said earlier. Let me briefly explain here. If you don't want to read about them you can just skip this section, since the review is not originally for this drama.

(Also note that this doesn't count towards the rating of LBC. This is just pure ranting about something I thought I would enjoy given how much people talk about it and how well they rate it.)

Triggers. Again. And done badly, too.

It is explained in the first episode that Type hates gays. It is also said in the first episode that Tharn is gay. Later on, you learn the reason for Type's way of thinking (he suffered abuse from a man when he was a child) and it makes sense. Then, of course, since the series is called TharnType, you kinda know they get together eventually.

But not this early, and not this way.

Wanting to overcome a trauma is one thing. Facing it by just going for it is another. Wanting to repay a debt is something else entirely. Look at Tar: he still has philophobia at the end of LBC, he doesn't suddenly overcome his trauma by hugging his brother twice.

Type, on the other hand, seems to completely forget that when he initiates the relationship (because yes, he's the one who said he wanted to have s*x with Tharn out of the blue). The first time, I let it slide, because he was still nervous, and the situation was obviously different than when he was a kid. But then they did it again? Like, Type said they'd only do it once and then he asks for it again? It doesn't make any sense at all.

The slow-burn was going well in the beginning, when Tharn got too close to Type and he freaked out when he was touched. That is an expected reaction from someone who suffered from a traumatic experience. I was expecting them to take things super slowly, and for Tharn to teach Type that it was okay to touch, that not all gays were the same and that he was supposed to be at ease and feel good from it.

Nope. Not at all. Not only do they go at it as early as episode 3, but they go at it again in the next episode and it's just completely unrealistic. Healing from a trauma takes years, and even though it must have been at least 10 years, Type was obviously not over it judging from his reaction towards Tharn's touch and his hatred towards gay men.

I might give it a second chance later, hoping it improves, but I have very little expectations for that. And I want to focus on other series I started a little while ago, as I'm really enjoying them so far.

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