The Effect (2019)

The title is fiting - it's a very impactful series

Viewer (reader) discretion is advised. The series with some very triggering topics which I will also mention in my review. Some such topics are rape, bullying, homophobia, violence, suicide. It has some pretty graphic scenes and it’s not for everyone.

For only having three parts, this is a very impactful series. Going into it, I knew what the story was going to be about, but I didn’t expect them to be this transparent about it. This is not a love story, far from it. It’s a story about a man who is obsessed with another and will go to any lengths to have him. The series addresses a lot of important topics and they do it quite well.

I honestly didn’t expect the rape scene to be so graphic, so violent. Not that it is a good thing, but sexual assault and non-consent are very common things we see in BL series. But they tend to romanticize both, make them gentle and with a lot of persuading. The Effect didn’t go that route. They made it violent, hurtful, traumatic. And that really had a big impact. The dialogue that accompanied the scenes were heartbreaking, especially considering that rapists who rape those that are close to them do see this as an act of love. It is not. It’s an act of violence, of needed control, of showing their dominance. And they point that out too, which is really important.

The trauma Shin went through because of Keng was portrayed very well. Not just his physical trauma through the bruises he carried on his body, but also his mental trauma. Shin’s bruises were in a way symbolic. They were a symbol of his pain, but it seemed like as they started to fade, people around him started to forget how traumatized he is. There is a scene in which Keng begs for forgiveness and offer money, and the fact that Shin’s parents agreed to that, shows that they didn’t understand his pain. I am so glad that Shin had friends who were there for him, who supported him through everything and who protected him when needed.

Social media is toxic, by now we all know that. However, that doesn’t mean that we are not impacted by what happens on social media, by what others say and post about us, even by what we post ourselves. And that is something that this series really pointed out. People always take sides, and they usually take the side of the more popular person. Be it the right side or not. Be it the truth or not. And the worst part is that once it is over, people tend to forget about what happened on social media. They treat it like it’s not reality simply because it happened online. The effects it has on a person are often times not acknowledged.

Homophobia is something that not only followed Shin and Keng at school, but also something that was coming from Keng’s parents who wanted him to protect their reputation. That’s a sad reality that many LGBTQ+ youth still face today. They either cannot be who they are due to fear of what will happen to them or because they are forced to conform to the norm of “normal behavior” that are set by the society.

Both main actors were absolutely brilliant when it came to portraying the emotions, no matter how good or bad those were. I felt their pain. They were on point with their gestures, facial expressions, body movements, even tone of voice. It was so raw, yet amazing.

I do think the story was very rushed. I wish there would be more time to develop the characters and their storylines. And to address some things a bit more in depth. To give Shin a chance to heal before our eyes. And I wish for the ending to be cleared. I am still unsure what exactly happened.

Leggi di Più

It's amazing, it only has one problem

without a doubt it is a series that is totally worth it. It is well written, it has a complex and well developed story and also the performances and the music are very good.
My biggest problem with this drama is that there was never a complaint to the police, when they even had all the possible evidence to win a case and that K. will end up in jail, which I consider very important that it should have happened, I would give an example and it would definitely be what they should do to do justice, it is the only failure they would have. The way things happen to Shin are very realistic and well told and developed, I am glad that a drama has this depth.
It is well worth it and I would definitely recommend it for how well done it is.

Leggi di Più

HEAVY trigger warnings. I am not ok.

I know, I know, I should have read up on this drama and maybe watched a trailer. But I'm not used to doing that and my watch recommendation is the tag "LGBTQ"and/or "Gay Male Lead" as these usually lead me to a BL drama. This is not that. I repeat, it is NOT a BL. at least, not one where there's actual love involved (not counting the brief hand holding by the two friend characters in the forelast scene.

I don't really understand the theme or message of this drama. Is it to warn against cyber bullying? The dangers of sharing and shaming on social media? If so, this could have been portrayed much clearer. The drama now focuses on the SA-event and the aftermath for Shin and Keng, rather than that.

The final scene (again: What is the POINT??) leaves room for a follow-up. IF that were to happen, I need a strong Shin who has overcome the events, a Keng who is in prison or at least very much in the gutter where he will have to remain until his final breath and a real love story as a redemption arc. But maybe we should just leave it alone. This was traumatising enough.

Leggi di Più

Por favor, só assista se não tiver problemas com gatilhos!!!

Demorei praticamente 5 anos para conseguir rever essa série e vir falar sobre ela. Foram apenas 3 episódios que me machucaram de uma forma indescritível, por diversos motivos pessoais, e só agora consegui enfrentar esse fantasma.
Meu título tem muito a ver com o que aconteceu comigo, eu assisti à essa série sem ter conhecimento dos gatilhos, e por causa disso tive crises de pânico. Hoje, depois de muita terapia já consigo falar sobre ela (claro que a terapia não foi por causa da série, mas os gatilhos que ela ativou pioraram minha situação emocional).

Apesar de ter aspectos técnicos muito bons, essa série trata temas muito sérios de forma irresponsável, e eu diria até que é um desserviço ao mundo BL. Posso estar sendo radical? Sim! Mas não consigo opinar de outra forma sobre uma série que romantiza um estupro e ainda termina com um final aberto.

Tem muitas problemáticas sendo desenvolvidas, mas primeiro vamos falar de Keng. Keng é o representante da universidade, um garoto belo, rico, tem tudo o que quer, mas que sofre uma grande pressão por parte de seus pais para ser sempre o melhor em tudo, para não decepcionar e tudo o mais. Ele tem certeza de sua sexualidade, ele sabe que é gay, mas não tem coragem de mostrar esse seu lado e se reprime por causa da família e da imagem social. Keng tem alguns amigos, e um deles já se declarou pra ele. Óbvio que Keng o rejeitou, mas ele fez questão de deixar sempre claro que tinha certeza que Keng era gay e não tinha coragem de se assumir. (In)felizmente, a paixão chega para todos, e para ele chegou quando conheceu Shin. Talvez todos os anos de repressão sejam responsáveis pelo estrago mental feito nele, sim, estrago mental, pois ninguém age como ele agiu estando são, mas NADA justifica o que ele fez!!! Absolutamente nada!

Agora, vamos falar de Shim, Um garoto introvertido, sem amigos, que chega na faculdade e se aproxima de dois jovens que se mostram amigos de verdade, e acaba sendo atraído pela amizade de Keng. Talvez ele se sinta especial, pois pela primeira vez na vida faz amigos, e justamente o cara mais popular da escola, até mesmo seus pais vibram por ele entrar em uma nova fase. A vida de Shim começa a virar de cabeça pra baixo quando começam a surgir boatos sobre ele e Keng, sempre acompanhados de fotos sugestivas (tirada pelo tal amigo apaixonado de Keng às escondidas), e isso gera uma onda de hate contra ele, afinal, quem era ele para manchar a imagem do mais popular, do mais rico e mais bonito? Sim, pq o adjetivo "gay" era uma mancha. E até mesmo os que não se importavam com a sexualidade, se importavam que Shim fosse o escolhido, pois achavam que não combinavam. Shim sofria além de todo o ódio jogado contra ele, com medo de ver Keng com a imagem prejudicada, em nenhum momento ele se coloca em primeiro lugar, mas que é fã de BL até aqui entende e espera que tudo se resolva. Quando a bomba explodiu, Keng assumiu a homossexualidade para seus pais, e também seu amor por Shim, que o rejeitou pois nunca o viu dessa forma, pelo que eu entendi ele não sente atração por ninguém, e Keng, o garoto rico que sempre teve tudo, menos um não, não aceita esse fato. A Partir daí tudo vai descer ladeira abaixo.

Keng a partir daqui se torna um homem assustador, como se não estivesse mais em seu juízo perfeito, com atitudes nojentas e doentias. Começando a partir do espancamento e estupro que ele comete contra Shim, do fato dele ter gravado tudo (MDS que horror) para ouvir e se satisfazer depois, ou chantagear Shim, não sei, ambas as opções são terríveis. A abordagem desses temas até aqui é bem importante e interessante, falamos da explosão de Keng depois de anos sendo reprimido, falamos de bullying e cyberbullying, mas nada me preparou para ver a forma como foi tratado o caso do estupro... a família de Keng, sem nenhum escrúpulo, pagando com dinheiro pela sua imagem, Shim aceitando, Keng não sendo punido e ainda perseguindo a vítima, que agora está em depressão, a tentativa de suicídio, a vida da vítima ser destruída e a do abusador seguir em frente... qual o intuito de mostrar isso? Com certeza existiam vários outros caminhos que esse BL poderia ter seguido para ter um final adequado, mas até o final de superação não veio, com a aparente morte de Shim depois de tudo que sofreu.

No aspecto técnico, tudo excelente! Conseguiram encaixar toda essa densidade em 3 eps, mas sinceramente, nunca mais quero ver esse BL de novo, e com essa resenha eu o enterro. Só assista se não tiver problemas com os diversos gatilhos que ele mostra.

Leggi di Più

The Effect (2019)

Esse série é muito maravilhosa justamente por fugir dos roteiros tradicionais das séries tailandesas. Apenas faço uma ressalva, o roteiro deveria ter abordado que um dos caminhos saudáveis e positivos para os protagonistas, Shin e Keng, que é o atendimento clínico psicológico - um psicólogo, por exemplo, pois isso daria ao público geral, inclusive fora da Tailândia, de que há esperanças oferecidas pela ciência, ainda resta uma possibilidade de curar as feridas. O final aberto é muito, mas muito interessante, dramático ou nem tanto assim. Eu amo finais abertos. [Hiran Pinel, Brasil. 2021]

Leggi di Più

SPOILER REVIEW

Be Careful, this is a dark story with lots of anguish. They cut this down to 3 episodes - and the story ends on a painful note.

I probably would not have watched this if I had read the reviews. Too much reality for me, i watch shows to feel better, not worse.

Yes, it is realistic, maybe a bit too much. There is no love here, only one guys twisted, messed up mind. And the other one, passive to the point of not being able to think straight - thinking everything was his fault although he did nothing wrong. In a real life like this one, parents should have gotten both boys some serious counseling - maybe even had them admitted for counseling.

I will complement all the actors - they did a fantastic job. It's the main reason I did not rate this show lower, and also just because it was not something I would watch, does not mean I need to rate low. No rewatch value for me tho.

Leggi di Più

I WAS WARNED WHAT WAS GOING ON!!!!

Damn, this series is very very deep and so real. It feels like this is a short film to advocate awareness about mental health issues, rape, suicide and social media craziness that can bring serious mark in someone's mind. Although this is just a 3-episode type of series, it's not boring it gives you much more to engage urself into it. I was really shooketh about how the story goes and the crazy plot twists here and there. I was so speechless especially at ep 2 when I thought Kheng broke down depressed and broken he will appreciate Shin's love and company but nah. The scene where Kheng beat and rape Shin is so so devastatingly painful (like a thousand of daggers stabbed into ur heart at the same time). Damn, u better give it up for the producer, cinematography, director...... just everything else who made this series. BIG CLAP for y'all, you really did that!!!! I was really glad the social issues, rape and suicide were tackled excellently. I never ever thought that this series is raw, deep and heart wrenching! The actors did their thing very very well. I love how this series presented the series of cause and effect of something harmful to someone else's life and those anyone or anything around them. It's just excellent, pure excellence!!!! The way the story is conveyed, I don't really think to rewatch it again but this is worth recommending to everyone. This series is really not intended for people who experience trauma (rape, suicide, mental health problems). This is one of the best yet short series out there. That's how you make a series. If it's a short one just make sure u engage ur audience and make sure that u conveyed the message very well. Periodt!!!

Leggi di Più

Sebuah Tragedi

Pada umumnya bL menceritakan kisah yang romantis dan terlihat seperti sebuah cerita yang seru dan menyenangkan, namun series ini lebih seperti peristiwa kriminal. Shin, seorang mahasiswa baru di universitasnya menyukai seseorang yang terkenal bernama Keng. Keng adalah seorang senior di universitas ini dan mempunyai riwayat prestasi yang bagus. Shin menyukai Keng sejak pertama bertemu dengannya, sampai akhirnya mereka bertemu, seiring waktu berjalan Keng malah melakukan hal yang di luar batas kewajaran kepada Shin yang mengakibatkan Shin mengalami trauma dan psikologinya menjadi terganggu. Di series ini kita akan diperlihatkan tentang akibat yang ditimbulkan oleh pecehan seksual. Series ini sangat cocok untuk pembelajaran atau edukasi bagi penontonnya. Pengemasan setiap scene nya menurutku cukup ringan sehingga alurnya mudah dimengerti, namun saya tidak terlalu senang dengan tahap resolusi series ini yang cenderung terlalu cepat, dipaksakan, dan kurang begitu detail.

Leggi di Più

The shock factor was there!!!!

i wanted to watch something small and happy before i went to bed and it was on my watch list so i did that. right off the bat i felt the worst feeling in my gut. i connected the dots why the main character was narrating from the future so immediately i thoughht things were gonna get bad, i didnt read the description because its what i dont do often, but i cried 90% of it and the main i felt for shin is a pain i can not describe anything ever. the actors did amazing and i truly want to give both the actor shin (james) the biggest warming hug ever because he deserves it. the shock factor was there, it was all there. you never really see any dramas or shows in general showcase mental illness like depression, self harm, and so on. i indeed was right feeling the gut grenching bad feelings from the start but i did not know it was going to be this bad. i can tell most of the time or infer what may happen but oh my god. i just had to express my feelings on here about it. the ending absolutely broke me (again!) and i love when dramas end right where you have to fill all the gaps by yourself but this one. it felt, i honestly dont know how to describe. im just putting words together and such because its almost 4am but i just need to talk about this.

Leggi di Più

TW: bullying, stalking, rape, self harm, suicide attempt, depression, gaslighting, PTSD

If after watching the trigger warnings you think you can watch it, think again because the rape and suicide attempt scenes are VERY explicit.
In BLs too often we see sexual assault/abuse scenes that are meant to be seen in a romantic way, or just ignored. Too often one main lead will force the other because they wanted it and they end up together, and that´s a trope I have always hated. In this series we see what really happens in those situations, it isnt nice nor romantic.
This shows us Keng and Man as stalkers and manipulators that believe they deserve something.
Keng ignores Shin when his feelings arent reciprocated, and rapes him. Then tries to manipulate and gaslight him.
We see Shin´s suffering, his depression, his fear of Keng and how he even tries to commit suicide.

ThingsI didnt like, or could have been improved:
1- I believe the rape and suicide attempt scene didnt have to be that explicit.
When I started this drama I already knew what it was about, but didnt expect those scenes to be so upfront.
2- I read a comment that in the novel we see alot more of Shin´s recovery, and even him helping other victims. I REALLY wish we would have gotten that in the series.

Leggi di Più