Vice Versa (2022)

Very sweet and romantic, definitely worth a watch

I don't understand the real reason people are not enjoying it, the story of Puen and Talay is really adorable. The multiverse/supernatural thing is really interesting and there were scenes where my heart skipped a beat! It's not full of suspence but it has some important points: the fated encounter between the two main characters ad the fact that their destinies are linked no matter what. The purity of the feelings Puen has for Talay and that this one gets to understand with time, the bond with their friends and them always having each other's back. The importance of a family that supports you (Puen didn't want to leave the other universe cause even if he didn't have his life as an actor and had way less money, he had a family is that one, Pakorn's) and the importance of the person of your life above everything. Acting was really good, especially Jimmy's. It took me a bit to like Talay's character because he was that kind who is always a "no, no" in the beginning (Akk, I'm looking at you rn lol) but in the end you could tell he really loved Puen. The aesthetic of the colors was really pretty and the fact that the pink is their 'together' color, I mean that's really cute. Honestly I'm really hoping for a season two on Aou and Fuse, I'd be so up for it. We already know Aou has a counterpart in PuenTalay's universe, sooooo :) but also if it does not have a sequel I'm totally fine because Puen and Talay's story is perfect the way it is and everything can be left like that. By the way I highly recommend it, I loved it! Only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the dynamic of Tess and Pakorn, I really wanted to know what happened to them while being on the other universe, I know they were not the main characters but I mean PuenTalay lived as them for two years.

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It was alright, but that's about it.

Okay, so let's start with this first. I was very interested in the concept of this drama. I'm totally into fantasy and sci-fi b/c it forces writers to be smart. Creating an entire universe is not easy and it takes A LOT of nuances. So I was excited to see what they were going to come up with in the end. What they came up with was nothing, besides a few differences no big changes in this new universe. Fine, we move. But as things continue I see there was literally nothing else that had to do with fantasy AT ALL. It was just so weird, how such a concept had absolutely no follow through except for literally three episodes. It was sad. However, I am open to things not going the way I thought in dramas as long as it's still interesting and fun. I will say this drama did have fun moments but none of them were interesting.
It was a boring drama, with nothing of merit happening in the background of the relationship b/t the leads. Which, again, I think you can get away with if the couple is super interesting, super fun, super cute, and super hot. Now Puen and Talay were so adorable and they definitely had their moments that made me laugh and cry (ep 9 was my fav), BUT they were not that interesting as a couple. It's the truth.
So all in all, it was okay. Which sucks because they really could have really went for it with this drama but it seems like they just held back on so much. Even Sea and Jimmy seemed like they were holding back, which made some moments seem awkward and look uncomfortable. They made up for it by having sweet moments together that definitely made me say "awwww." But this drama only has moments nothing much more beyond that.

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it's not what it could have been, but ...

For sure it's not what it could have been, but now that it's over I'm not sure if it ever could have been acurately placed into film. My readers digest conclusion is that we ( the audience) fell in love with the actors who played Puen and Talay (Sea and Jimmy) they fall in love with each other and we have a happy ending. Makes for a great BL series. As intruging as the plot was I'm not sure if would ever really work in film series or movie. I think it may be too diffult.
The secondary cast was also very strong. Up Kita Fuse Aou just great charcters and all very likebale. Aslo the female charcters were all very strong and well played in my opnion. I actually think that Ohm and Nanom may have been more distracting. For those whom think it started out good and went wrong I'll challenege them to take a second look and think about it from the end and go to the beginiing. For all it's complications I very much enjoyed this series.

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Interesting universe swap concept with unfulfilled potential

Vice Versa is one of the more aesthetically pleasing shows produced by GMMTV. And although it may be a body switch BL, thankfully, you don’t actually need to do any mental gymnastics to figure out who’s who. (GMMTV is kind enough to use the actual characters in most scenes even though they’re really in someone else’s body.)

Science fiction lovers, however, may be a little disappointed to know that the show flounders a little when it comes to the science and logic of its story – in short, there are obvious plot holes. Personally, I thought this was a shame. Vice Versa presented a fantastic opportunity for GMMTV to explore new genres and push the boundaries of storytelling.

Most of the episodes are filled with fluffy scenes of Jimmy and Sea spending time with each other, or their gang going about their lives trying to produce a movie. It's a great JimmySea debut given that their chemistry is excellent. However, the show would have been far more holistic if it also showed the other side of the swap – what happened to Tess and Tun in the other universe, and how are they holding up in their portkey search? Much of the science fiction is backloaded in the final episodes, when I would have liked to see it throughout the series.

Still a great BL with pretty solid acting, though.

Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/10/01/vice-versa-2022-review/

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Most Underrated Series

This series has what most popular and overhyped BL series lack nowadays: plot and concept.
And I know some of you really like to nitpick a lot just because you don't dig much deeper and only want to see the series the way you all wanted to see it, but this series is GOOD and GIVING.

This series is great since it's brand new, exciting, and has something to offer. It offers more story, conflict, message, and development in just five episodes than the majority of series this year put together. The characters are so relatable, so human, and understandable.

When I went to Twitter, I thought there was a lot of anticipation about this series, but it's actually very underrated. But if the reason why it is so underrated is because it has a refreshing plot, then the world of BL is not really ready for some progress...
This era literally went back to hyping series like TT and others...

Anyways, Vice Versa is for people who like good storylines and are open-minded, invested in watching some series, and progress. Although it is not flawless, because there is no such thing as a perfect series, I still do think it deserves more recognition.
To add, I never thought Jimmy and Sea would have this much chemistry. I frowned at first, but then they really surprised the hell out of me. Also, for a rookie, Sea's acting skills are amazing and Jimmy is improving a lot (better than his performance in Bad Buddy).

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Terribly insipid

We had a good subject that was different from the ordinary - this story of parallel worlds. The problem is that instead of focusing on it, the series only concentrates on an umpteenth uninventive love story drowned in countless product placements, each one longer than the next, which GMMTV has unfortunately made a specialty of (it's at the same level as in FISH UPON THE SKY, that's for sure!). The actors' performance ends up being affected: how could they be credible when they have to spend their time explaining to you how to eat KFC chicken or why you should drink Ohishi Honey Lemon 0%?
The 2 characters with whom the 2 heroes are exchanged don't even get a little bit of storyline, it's a shame!
At the 9th episode, I realized that nothing better was going to happen, so I decided to give up. In short, don't waste your time with this series.

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Perfection

All I can say about this series is perfection. It's only been 4 episodes and we have gotten sooooo much more than other bls could've gotten. With 4 episodes and the issues, stories and plot they put in each episodes, I must say, I'm very impressed. In episode 1 and 2 we layed down the whole plot, tactic and gimmick of the show while introducing the main characters very effectively too. Episode 3 we got character development, a whole story of the friend credit gang, Puen acknowledging his true ways to live his life being in someone else's body and owning up to his fault to his gang by doing his best with the script. Episode 4 we tackled more about their love life, how one don't have any interest in love but is very serious about it and one want to experience it but is very clumsy and messed up along the way since both have never fallen in love. But then we have that conflict in episode 4 and I love how it's resolved within only 1 episode. That's what you get when we have communication and not a frustrating 12 episode on going "angst" about a miscommunicated issue like some other series. I really love series a lot, from the acting to the script, location, coloring, clothes, the attention to details, to the little easter eggs they're throwing for the og bl stans. I don't have enough words to describe how much I love it.

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Fantasy BL with real-life emotions and an AESTHETIC MASTERPIECE

Okay, so… This show stole my heart. Quite literally.

Before I further explain why, I have to be honest and say that I didn't have any high expectations for this whatsoever. Quite randomly, I decided to watch the first two episodes because I was bored. At that time I wasn’t aware of the cast and knew almost nothing aside from the fact that Jimmy should be playing the main role, so my first intention to give this a shot wasn’t even OhmNanon pairing as for many others. My only premise was that it’s supposed to be fantasy and some universe traveling, which I found interesting because fantasy and BL? Yes, I’m here for it.

And now to my review.

1. Story + Characters

Truthfully speaking, this series is more subtle about the fantasy than I expected it to be and I consider myself to be a sucker for fantasy, so it would make sense if I felt more regretful about it. I admit I came for the fantasy, but in the end, I stayed for so much more. Sure, the whole thing about the main characters traveling to a different universe, the small details (like transparent paper, difference in counting, snow in Thailand...), and even the shooting places in the series somehow feel fantasy-like. At the same time, the emotions that characters experience and go through, create an almost “slice of life-ish” atmosphere.
For instance, we don’t know much about Talay’s and Puen’s lives before they traveled though it seems they weren’t completely satisfied with their lives there. Puen was an actor who didn’t have much time for himself, while Talay just landed his dream job, but later confessed life itself was also draining his energy (and he used it as a reason for being single as well). And that feels very real as life indeed can be very exhausting at times and our dreams and hearts are not always easy to follow. For some unknwon reason, two of them travel and meet in different universe and in somebody else’s bodies. When that happens, they start to realize life doesn’t suck as much with the right person beside them and start to open their hearts for each other.

In addition, I love how both main characters are built very much equally. They have their weaknesses, their strengths, their dreams and their fears, and they don’t feel 2D as many other characters we’ve all seen in BLs before. I absolutely adore this couple’s chemistry, for it is somehow funny yet intriguing at the same time. Both are obviously inexperienced in love, but one is willing to lose his heart right away with the right person, which he’s doing quite messily yet confidently; and the other one doesn’t care about love much, but is surprisingly serious about his own heart matters when he starts to fall. I rarely get this feeling form BLs series, but I really feel like Talay and Puen help each other make better versions of themselves and it’s palpable how much they care for each other with their smallest actions and gestures. Everything aside, at times, there is this crushing anxiety of whether they will return together or if they will return ever at all. In a universe that is not their own everything the main characters experience creates this mixed, heartwarmingly bittersweet atmosphere which I find easy to relate to.

Apart from the main characters, we mostly see their friend groups, which account for a good comedy and nice friendships, and I love seeing them enjoy their time together and support each other. I can't imagine how much Talay and Puen will miss them when they get back to their own universe. Also, there are no annoying friends, no malicious girl characters, and no stupidly toxic tropes or miscommunication issues taking forever to solve.

To everyone who says this plot is complicated: How do you deal with anything else that actually needs some thinking and attention?

2. Cast

As I haven’t really seen JimmySea together before, their chemistry both on and off set, came as a big surprise to me. It's apparent why I wasn’t so sure of this pairing at the beginning... Both Jimmy and Sea are pretty new to the whole acting thing and this was Sea’s first time in a BL series, so I didn't want to expect anything groundbreaking from them. However, the more I saw of them, the more I realized how well Vice Versa suits them and now I can't imagine anyone else playing Talay and Puen. I watched Inside Vice Versa and honesetly, the director made such a great choice by picking Sea as the main character and then giving him Jimmy as his partner. They match each other so well and their acting is enjoyable and easy to watch. I hate overacting in series, but both actors here are great at showing the subtlest changes in their character's emotions without having to do too much.
And they are good friends in real life as well and it shows! They aren't as loud as some other BL couples because both Jimmy and Sea are more on the introverted side of GMMTV and it's honestly quite refreshing to watch interactions between people who are calmer, but still very comfortable with each other.

This is meant to everyone who came only for OhmNanon and left after two episodes: You are seriously missing out on one unexpected and sickeningly cute new pairing of JimmySea. Actually, with each episode I fall for the way they act in this story more and more.

3. Cinematography

Lastly, can we talk about the filming and editing in this series? From the colors accompanying each episode and perfectly representing its mood, dreamy and spectacular locations (which I’d love to see all if I ever come to Thailand) never seen in BLs before, to little details showing differences between both universes... And the styling? Can someone give the stylists in this an actual raise because BOY, DO THEY DESERVE?

My conclusion - If you take your time on this and actually pay attention to details, this show is quite literally an aesthetic masterpiece. Some people may not be aesthetic freaks like myself, but if you are, do yourself that favor and GO WATCH VICE VERSA RIGHT NOW!

4. Music

I love the Have I Found OST by Sea! It's one of my favourite songs these days.

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Interesting, rather plain

I loved the intro of this drama and felt that the pace was fine. It improved even more after OhmNanon were out of the picture. The actors fit each other and they both look very stylish in every episode. I liked a lot about this BL, the positives are that it is rather soft, sweet, intimate and has a lot of funny light hearted moments. You can feel the love blossom and you feel that the two characters have gotten close to each other so much that they can tell who the other is without seeing their face. It is rather well done and I had no problems finishing the drama.

Now for some of the negatives, Jimmy is not the best actor and while it isn't too noticable, He definitely stands out as the most unskilled. It is hard to describe why. He seems a little too stiff and has flat expressions. This is less of an issue in the more romantic or funny scenes but still noticable. Besides that, the story is a little hard to follow some times, there are time skips that don't feel like time skips and it makes the story feel less grand.

Overall, the BL has many cute moments and can be compared to other GMMTV dramas that have faults in them like Enchante.

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really interesting story

multi universe travelling, meant to be, soulmates concept ? count me in.

the story was really fresh and interesting from the start bc a huge twist changed everything we're seeing in the first few minutes and then twists kept coming and that's what i love, not getting bored. some parts were as cheesy as it should be like u go aw but also yup this is cheesy but yk what im ok with it, it wasnt overdone.

the amount of actors and actresses casted from various bls will remain in history (and even if ur faves arent here, there are still so many referrences to phrases in popular bls).

in this community i see every review talking abt the chemistry of the main actors and i can say it was there ngl. they both did really well !

what i was meh about is that no one mentioned if there was actually talay and puen in the other universe too, with different names like it happened with everyone they met along the way but ig this would open a whole different window of coming across them and they probably didnt want to reach out so far with the story

THIS IS NOT HATING but sometimes some actors were standing rlly stiff while talking to each other and i wish the director helped them feel more comfortable with their hands or something bc they be standing like ?‍♂️ not always but yea...it's noticable, it's fine tho.

overall it was a nice easy going series to watch (i started at the last 2 episodes so i binge watched till that part) i hope to see more of the actors in the future

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Interesting yet mediocre

All hail to GMMTV’s newly added brilliant talent, Sea Tawinan. A rookie actor who can showcase above-average acting skills along with his superb visual and appealing boyish masculinity; this has captivated me since the release of the trailer.

The storyline has its unique charms. I enjoy that they emphasize the differences between the two universes (the snow season and same-sex marriage in Thailand are superb.)

My favorite element of this drama is the color palettes that also fit the main character's job profession as a color grader. The title of every episode was aligned with the characters' plot, outfits/wardrobes, settings/locations, and mood. I once again appreciated the great production efforts of the whole crew in terms of the abundant beautification of the show’s cinematography. My second favorite is the unexpected cameo appearance of several GMMTV’s notable personalities.

I like the show however I feel like something is missing and lacking. It’s either the progress of the story, its impact, or both. It almost feels like another plain BL but fortunately, some scenes lift up the viewers' energy on getting entertained. Those side characters mostly save me from getting bored. Ohm-Nanon still has that undying chemistry, Perth character introduction is an ice-breaker, Neo is just as comedic as he is, and I want more scenes coming from Aou and Boom since they are so cute here.

If the multiverse does exist, I hope our selves living in those worlds are doing great (too).

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Charmed the socks off me!

I started watching this after a long string of incredibly written and mature K- and J-Dramas and was immediately reminded of why classic Thai dramas hold such a firm place in my heart.
This show is zany, over the top, and filled with an irreverent charm that leaves you wanting more at the end of each episode.
It has an interesting plot but keeps its focus firmly on developing a slow and gentle romance, allowing the characters all the time they need to grow both as people and as partners to each other, which lets the viewer form a closer bond with the characters and lets them (the viewers) get invested in these characters' lives which makes the whole story, ridiculous as it may seem on the surface, a lot more grounded and makes every single emotional scene all the more impactful. This is still quite a rarity in queer dramas and makes for a refreshing change of pace.

Now beware, slight spoilers ahead.
Some personal highlights (aka Things I Loved):
- The loving attention to detail the writers and directors clearly paid while designing the alternate universe. These details range from the simple (e.g. cone bread), to the hilarious and silly (e.g. off-key singing as an art form), to the genuinely meaningful (e.g. the legalisation of same-sex marriage) and cheekily remind the viewer every now and again to expect the unexpected and stay on their toes
- The bond shared between Puen, Talay, Up, and Aou, and later on Kita and Fuse as well. They are the boys, the lads, the gang, utterly inseparable and always, always there for each other. I'm a sucker for good depictions of (queer) friendships and these fellows delivered big time. This show says hug your homies, hold their hand, kiss their cheeks, tell them you love them, let them know how important they are to you, and they are so right about that actually! I will die on this hill!!
- The pacing and development of Puen and Talay's relationship. As I already mentioned the buildup to every major step in their relationship is very well handled and given ample time to unfold at a slow but steady pace, but it's not just that. The way the show approaches their connection to each other hit me like a thousand bricks and made me shed actual tears a lot more often than I'd like to admit. From almost the beginning of the show these two are incredibly fond of one another and their friendly bickering becomes increasingly gentle and tender until it becomes a dynamic of "I love you so much, so there, take that you idiot, I'm expressing my genuine affection for you, suck it nerd!" at which point I think I lost my heart to this show for good.
- Dol and their understated defiance of gender norms and expression. Dol may not have been explicitly written as a trans character, but their character serves to gently question what gender identity really is and what it means for our lives but also to us personally. I absolutely adore them and wish we'd gotten to see more of them, although they do play a significant role in developing several important plot points.
- The show's approach to love in all its forms. This story boldly and deliberately blurs the lines between platonic, romantic, and queer love and emphasizes the importance of true human connection over trying to force a relationship along a predetermined course. Sometimes love means getting to know somebody over the course of several years until you've come to adore every single facet of their being and it doesn't even matter what type of love you're feeling for each other as long as you get to stay together. At the same time love can also mean the specific labelling of feelings and relationships and the boundless joy and excitement that come with being officially "in love" or "best friends" or "the most important person in each others' lives". This show says "No matter what happens, I'll go through it with you". "Remember, where there's you, there's me", it says, "Thank you for teaching me not to be afraid of tomorrow".

Some personal lowlights (aka Things I Didn't Like):
- How quickly Talay manages to resolve all the problems Tess created after returning to his own universe. I'm glad there were no great, drawn-out conflicts, but I did find myself thinking "Boy that was fast" every time Talay magically fixes whatever Tess broke. A very minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.
- How unresolved Tess and Tun's story felt by the end of the show. I know they weren't the focus of the show, but all the plot threads of Tun's unrequited love for Tess, Tess and Tun's reconciliation and subsequent separation in the alternate universe, and Tess' eventual return to his original universe, were all just barely touched on before being dropped completely. I know they play relatively minor roles in the story as a whole, but given the interesting dynamic that was hinted at between them and how solid the chemistry between Ohm and Nanon (their actors) is as we all know, I wish we'd gotten to see just a little bit more of these two.

In conclusion: A slow-paced, charmingly written and acted story about love, love, and once again love. If you want a show that provides a window into the lives of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances who come to love each other deeply and fully while tugging at your heartstrings with how achingly gentle and real it feels, then this one is most definitely for you.

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