The Eclipse (2022)

LOVE

High school dramas can be either really good or really bad. This is one of the really good ones.

Both characters are easy to identify with and you sympathize with both of them for different reasons. Akk is the prefect president, who carries the weight of the school on his shoulders. While it may not seem like it, he struggles to keep up the "perfect child" persona he's always played. Ayan, the recent transfer, seems to be a rebellious troublemaker that Akk is tasked with keeping in line. However, Ayan's true intentions were never to cause trouble for Akk.

Not sure if you could really call this enemies to lovers, but they do start off as rivals of some sort. Akk and Ayan seem to be polar opposites, but slowly realize they find comfort in each other. This series also deals with issues of internalized homophobia, as well as outward homophobia from peers in school. The "Suppalo curse" storyline is a little unbelievable at times, but the way it is executed and the twists involved make up for anything it lacks.

My one complaint is the dream sequence. Why did they do that to us. Regardless, the tension between Akk and Ayan is perfect, the actors have great chemistry, and the pacing of the relationship is well done. One of my favorite BLs to date.

Leggi di Più

Emotional & effective Coming Out allegory

Other reviews made me question watching this but I am glad I did. The Eclipse is a well-crafted story that is at its heart about the struggles of coming out in a society that might not accept you, and working to find acceptance and love. Akk's struggle to come to terms with his feelings (not just for Ayan) and break free of what his school expected of him was very powerful, and Ayan's struggle with anxiety and devastation over his uncle's suicide after being faced with shame and bigotry, are extremely intelligible stories to any queer viewer and they were incredibly well-told. The worried looks at glances from other students, worrying about being judged, the fear at being spotted at school, and the odious and bigoted language from the school president (who we loved to hate) all drove home the point.

On some level, the story of the protestors and the central conceit of the school uniforms seems simplistic - other reviewers have wondered why it was such a big deal and why the story wasn't more explicitly about queer equality. This is where Thai contexts have to be considered and the directors and writers should be credited for treading very carefully around hot-button issues in Thai society like prejudice and bigotry, especially given that Thailand today is not politically free and the space for public discussion is not as open as in other countries. It's clear that they were making a larger point about Thailand, democracy, freedom, and equality using the school uniform story as an allegory. This is born out in references in the history class to the policies of Marshal Phibun, a military dictator whose edicts on clothing (among other things) radically changed Thai culture - references to Emergency Decrees from the 1970s (another period of military rule and government paternalism) and ministry rules also hint at the fact there is a message here beyond just the school that cannot really be discussed directly.

At times this symbolic approach makes the story seem a little maddening - only at the very end does the story actively address LGBT equality from a societal standpoint (and even then not directly or forcefully), despite prominently featuring a cafe with the pride flag and gay characters protesting for their rights, so even the viewer attuned to the LGBT issues sometimes leaves asking "why are these three gay kids so up in arms about school uniforms?" It's probably also lost in translation somewhat that the three protesting students use somewhat stereotypical feminine language that marks them clearly as queer. But, this careful approach also avoids hammering home the message "IT'S GAY EQUALITY, STUPID," which would quickly become tiring and ruin the slow-burn approach.

Further, stylistic choices sometimes don't do the story any favors- Akk's understandable problems accepting himself and wanting to be loved by the administration see him yo-yo between trying to accept Ayan and rejecting him so much and so frequently it occasionally exhausts (sometimes multiple times in the space of one scene). The last-minute Chadok and Thua reveals happen so suddenly and so late there is no time to process them or re-evaluate the story at all. Further, Chadok spends so much of the series as the antagonist, we are robbed of the chance to figure out exactly what his deal with the school was and why he felt so attached to it even after it ruined his life. There was so much potential in the story for redemption for his character, especially with the "queer elder" Ajahn Dika angle.

What made this story rise above these faults, though, was the consistent characterization by First and Khao, who were thoroughly convincing as young men falling in love and struggling against the opposition, as well as the strong supporting cast, whose own stories never felt like they were either under-used or distracted from the main plot. You wanted them to get through the situation, not just to finally get to a long-expected kiss, but also just so they could find happiness and closure in a place that was hurting them.

A closing message that some might miss is the theme of forgiveness, especially from the three Jums to Akk and Thua - this contrasts nicely with the earlier emphasis on justice and vengeance. Closing on forgiveness, and the heartwarming family acceptance scenes, makes this a strong and touching series I would definitely recommend.

Leggi di Più

me encantó, mis cosas favoritas y lo que no me gustó

La amo, le daría un 9.9 si pudiera, pero primero voy a decir porqué lastimosamente para mi no es un 10:

• En la primer mitad de la serie los protagonistas, Ayan y Akk, tenían esta dinámica cliché del confiado y el paniqueado que hacía que todas esas escenas sean iguales y un poco aburridas.
• En segundo lugar, me parecio que la producción dejo mucho que desear en cuanto al libreto porque por ejemplo, ¿por qué se amigan con Thua un segundo después de haberlo hecho confesar todo lo que hizo y dando a entender que no se arrepiente? nadie sabe.
• Por último de lo negativo se viene lo peor, qué onda con Wat y la profesora, muy desubicado todo y ya al final era obvio que nos querían mostrar que se gustaban o algo aunque gracias a dios no llegaron a nada porque no se si se habrán olvidado de que son un chico de secundaria y su profesora, qué les costaba buscarle una chica de su edad o dejarlo solo sin esas escenas raras.

Eso sería lo que hace que esta serie no sea perfecta, pero ahora quiero destacar mis partes favoritas:

• La química entre First y Khaotung es de otro nivel les veo la cara y digo wow están enamorados.
• El nivel de actuación que tienen los dos es inigualable, la cantidad de escenas tristes que me hicieron llorar o las escenar tiernas que me hicieron sonreír, la manera en la que first nos muestra el cambio en akk, les crei todo.
• Amo mucho el ost de Khaotung, su voz es muy linda, y me parece que la musicalización de la serie estuvo bien
• Las escenas de amor como de amistad todas me parecieron demaciado lindas y bien hechas.
• El plotwist estuvo muy bueno, yo ya sabía lo que iba a pasar porque me había spoileado con ambas cosas, lo de thua y lo del profesor, sin embargo me tenias mirando esas escenas boquiabierta.
• La relación entre los protagonistas es súper sana y linda, Ayan espero a que Akk se aceptara a si mismo y fue a su ritmo, pero asimismo Akk no lo hizo esperar demasiado, yo pensé que en algún punto él iba a desvalidar su relación del miedo o algo así, pero él nunca lo hizo.
• La trama me parecio super interesante ya que toca el tema del abuso de poder y cambios de generaciones, y creo que le dieron un buen final dandonos la verdad y posteriormente vemos como Ayan deja ir a su tío.

En serio es una serie muy hermosa, ya la vi como tres veces de lo linda que es, y mientras esperaba cada capítulo en emisión cada semana nunca perdía las ganas de verla.

Leggi di Più

Two broken souls can heal each other

'Eclipse' is one of those BL's that warm up to you. It gets you, and becomes somehow a comfort show. Akk and Ayan are the total opposites , that attract each other. They are both broken souls that fell in love, and helped to heal each other. I'm not saying they completely healed, but they started that healing journey together. That is a beautiful message.

As much as I loved both of their character developmens through the drama, I loved Akk's more. It was beautiful to see how much growth and inner acceptance he confronted. He had issues, like confroting himself about being gay, that he finally accepted. It was very nice touch, since it's not portrayed often. It's very difficult and hard to accept, and not easy for everyone. It felt more realistic, that he wa struggling - also the way Aya was patient and waited for him. He didn't force him into anything, which was simply amazing.

The side characters weren't as strong, and reason I am not giving the drama full 10. I did however enjoy Chadok's character and the plot twist, that made me like him. However, it was also weird and very disappointing for me how they dealed with Thua at the end. Neither of them didn't get punished, I get why Akk did not, but Thua ?! He literally destroyed school property and set that fire! Not to mention the stress and trauma his actions also caused for the protestors. For me he definitely should have been severely punished for what he did for the group of students!! And at the end all he did was a short apology, that didn't even feel sincere to me? So no, I didn't like how he got his happy ending with Kan and everyone was so okay with it, like he had just made some silly pranks.

Overall, I did enjoy Eclipse. It has a great story and message. I do wish it touched the homophobia topic more, there was potential for it to be more plotline. But it's a great drama.

Leggi di Più

It's my first time soo...

At first i wanna say that this series really got me from watching straight series. I've seen KinnPorsche, Not Me and other great BL series from all time, but after all it was boring already. This is something new, that really mesmerized me.
The plot is just great, that mistery part of this is dragging to hell. You can feel the strange and unusual vibe in trailer too.(but I'llrecommend you, to watch pilot trailer first, then watch teaser and finally watch series.(This helps a lot)).
Cast.. cast is just THE IDEALIEST. you can never find something better. Both Khaotung and First aren't just good-looking. Their visuals are the thing that will make you, never forget them, ever again. You probably have seen Not Me, or Tonhon Chonlatee. First has played YOK in Not Me series and Khaotung has played role of CHONLATEE in Tonhon Chonlatee. Their roles are soo memorablee. First has almost the same role like in Not Me. But Khaotung's role is fully opposite from what he had played. He played cute guy who fell in love with his neighbour but he couldn't ask him out. But in the ECLIPSE... He is craziest playboy. Ayan(Khao) hit's on Akk(First) NONSTOPPPP. But you have to see their sweet moments for yourself. I won't spoil.
Just can't hide my obsession about their love story and 😭CHEMISTRYY😭, which will make you fly to the moon and back.
Good luck, hope this helps.
Thank you for your attention 💕

Leggi di Più

Insane

This was absolutely wonderful
I loved how they represented queerness and internalised homophobia. And coming out and really this was so well done.
My only critic is how they handled a specific character towards the end, I think it made absolutely no sense at all.
But the rest? SO GOOD
We need more shows like these!! Touching on serious subjects, I found it did something like Not Me, it criticised the social classes and capitalist society in a very good way. It condemned the use of social power against weaker people. And I always love a social activist series.

Leggi di Più

What was the ending

Really it was the ending that let the whole drama down
Whoever picks the actors thank you. You picked the right people as first and Khoa portrayed their characters wholesomely there were times I was picking
The story for me was so relatable as I fit in the age group and it illustrated barriers we teenagers face in our day-to-day life because of all the pressure and expectations that are heaped upon us not realising we are breaking down
Akk( first) was my favorite as I feel like he has the most character development and learns a few things from Ayan ( khoa)

Unfortunately, they got let off which I believed wouldn't have been the case in real life, and felt like they needed a consequence to learn how actions affect others

Leggi di Più

Who okay-ed this storyline?

The drama had so much potential with the vibe they were going for and the skills of the main leads but the plot was a very big question mark.

Writing

The main conflict and the writing of the show was so underwhelming, that I honestly questioned "who the hell said this was good enough?". It was honestly one of the most stupid and lack-lustre conflicts to ever be made. With how they were directing the mood of the show, I was expecting them to make this more mysterious and darker instead they made it... rainbow? While forcing the dark, that really was not dark at all. Even the writing for the more simpler scenes that concentrate more on the relationship of the main characters, Akk and Ayan, was very bland and felt extremely forced (luckily their chemistry was able to save majority of the scenes). In the first few episodes, Akk and Ayan kept meeting the same exact way, they kept reusing so much of the writing, that their conversations were just going in circles the whole entire first 3 episodes. I really do not know what the writers wanted to say through this drama.

Acting/Cast

First and Khaotung had great chemistry in this drama, I think these two are fairly good actors and could've had a lot to show with the type of genre this drama was promoting. But I feel like the writing of this drama was so bad, that all the actors could do was just show a different kind of personality rather than a whole character. Like seeing Khaotung act so straightforward and brave compared to his other characters in other dramas, is fairly amusing.

Music

The music was forgettable. I don't remember any particular music piece or song in the drama.

Re-watch value

Would I re-watch this drama? Maybe, but only the main couple scenes before they officially got together. Everything else is not really worth watching and I do not want to see the character I want to punch in the face.

Leggi di Più

A successful metaphorical ode to freedom

Let there be no mistake: reducing the scenario to the curse of an eclipse and teenage love stories would be a mistake. What is dealt with here is the right to freedom, whatever it may be, especially individual freedom. Why follow rules if they do not bring anything good? Why accept things that are bad for you? The different protest movements are all shown in a non-violent light, which makes them even more relevant. These topics were already covered in NOT ME, and it is nice to see that people are engaging with these issues in places where it is not necessarily easy to express one's personal opinion. Bravo to them!

Another interesting point to raise is the way homosexuality is dealt with. For once, we have an ordinary man who comes out, whereas usually, men who have a relationship with a man define themselves by "I'm not gay but". It's not pansexual, it's just that they refuse to admit that a manly man can be homosexual, which is somehow homophobic. Here, nothing of the sort, and the subject is assumed. And on top of that, we are portrayed with parents who can handle the situation.

The acting, finally, is very good. Khao had managed to give consistency to his character in TONHON CHONLATEE, which was a real feat given the complete failure of this series. Neo and Louis had almost saved FISH UPON THE SKY from the slump in which this series was. And AJ is still doing very well in his supporting roles - we are waiting for his main role, he deserves it. So, no surprise that the acting is great.

In summary, this series is a successful and necessary ode to freedom in these times when it is regressing all over the world.

Leggi di Più

The BL part was great but not the story related to the title

The title refers to a supposed curse in a school that misfortune would befall students who break the school's strict rules. The effects of the curse are rumored to be especially powerful during a solar eclipse. Is there a supernatural element here or is there a sinister human hand behind the scenes? This premise is so intriguing, but it ends up being the weakest part of the story. I would have appreciated a nice story about some sinister person controlling the mysterious events behind the scenes, perhaps in the fashion of The Gifted. In fact, the series did give me The Gifted vibes at the start--imagine how nice it would be to have something like The Gifted with a BL plot.

Unfortunately, the story about the curse fizzles out. First, you sense something amiss when there is barely any real development with regard to the curse for many episodes despite the frequent allusions to it. It quickly becomes clear that this isn't a supernatural drama (which is fine) and that there are human forces behind the misfortunes that befall misbehaving students (which is also fine). Unfortunately, the writers seem hesitant about developing the plot with regard to the curse.

Ultimately, the rumors about the curse are merely an excuse for the BL story. Yet, do we need an excuse for the BL story? The story of the main couple, the head prefect of the school and a seemingly rebellious student who defies the rules of the school, is fine. The part about the curse makes the story seem original at first, but it fails to deliver. The writers have done a pretty good job developing the main characters, and the effort spent on the virtually meaningless part about the curse could have been spent on the characters' backgrounds and personal struggles instead. For instance, Thuaphu (one half of the second BL couple) is an interesting character who is unfortunately underdeveloped. His relationship with his stepfather seems interesting and could have been given more attention. Really, we don't need a premise like a curse. The students' struggles with the school authorities could simply be there without some reference to a curse.

To make matters worse, it is rather laughable that the school, despite being supposedly an institution with archaic, oppressive rules that are strictly enforced, frequently has a few students protesting about its rules. And the protestors do not get into serious trouble with the school authorities. So much for being an oppressive environment that emphasizes discipline in a way that is out of sync with the contemporary world.

As a mystery, the story does come with at least one red herring and a couple of twists. But it is a little too late and too ineffectively delivered. In fact, I wish that the red herring had not been a red herring. It involves a student who aspires to be a prefect--the story could have been more interesting if he had been the one behind the apparent fulfillment of the curse.

Despite the disappointing plot about the curse, the BL parts are nicely done. They may not be really original, but they are better than the average set-in-a-high-school BL. The personalities of five of the main characters (the two couples and one of their friends who is interested in film) are nicely developed and distinguished. If only there had been a stronger story holding everything together.

Leggi di Più

Easy binge, suspension of disbelief required

I felt like it had a bit of a slow start, but once I got into it I was really invested.

The plot is pretty solid, especially if you know a bit of background on the political climate in Thailand around protests and authoritarian rule.
The twists and turns are also well executed.
I do think some of the characters motivations are a little bit unrealistic. Some of the writing decisions really had me scratching my head a bit. Probably my biggest question was around Akk and why he needed so desperately to succeed? It felt like he needed some stakes or external pressure outside of the teachers to influence his actions.

The acting is good and the chemistry is there between the mains. The side couple could use a little work, they felt a little uncomfortable with each other despite starring together in other dramas. The leads did a really great job expressing their emotions, especially in high emotion scenes—which is a testament to their acting. I was especially fascinated by Akk, I’ve seen him in other dramas but he really shined in this role. He has a charm about him that is lowkey mesmerizing? Especially when he smiles lol

Anyway, production budget was definitely low but I think they made the best with what they had. Audio is a little wonky at times but I’ve definitely heard worse loool. They probably could have cut a couple episodes, and made the show a little more tight.

I would recommend, a must watch BL

Leggi di Più