On Cloud Nine (2022)

An eternal love

A series with rare qualities, which kept me captivated, hoping and crying at their same time. It's not action (in fact there is very little going on), it's not high school or college drama, it's not struggling in life. It's acquiring awareness, it's eternity, it's closure and a new beginning at the same, all on a metaphysical, philosophical level. I also like the fact, that the series is well-paced and finishes once the story is told; it doesn't stretch more than necessary.

The acting is very good, both main characters excel in their respective roles, conveying their emotional development with minimal actions (as required by the script). The cinematography is simply spectacular (what with Thailand's breathtaking nature), the music is ok. The plot is a bit confusing. There is a strong tendency towards abstraction and vagueness (which is justified), but it goes a bit too far. This does not diminish the series' worth, since the plot per se is not the main focus.

For reasons I don't want to disclose (but become obvious once watched), this series may speak to the not-anymore-so-young ones among us a bit more.

Watch with your closest and oldest friends and plan for a couple of beers or a glass of wine afterwards.

Leggi di Più

Probably not for the ADHD brain

This was a good series dont get me wrong. But if you are like me can have a hard time totally focusing on a show and non-linear time lines are confusing it probably isnt for you. I will need to rewatch this at least 2 more times before I will be able to figure it out completely. I got the jist of it just not how we got there.

The scenery is gorgeous . The acting was good also. I really liked these two together. At times it all seemed too slow but I think that may have been intentional.

I will be watching it again to see if I can pick up the puzzle pieces and see if that will help with my rating of this series.

Leggi di Più

I was not expecting that

So, I went into this drama BLIND, I had seen some clips on YouTube, so I checked it out and checked the synopsis after the first episode because I was very confused. It didn't really help but I think that's the point. This drama is excellent, I really enjoyed it. The plot twists were absolutely mind-boggling to me. Did not see the first one coming and the second one, holy shiz. I had an idea in the first episode the Tiew might be special but I gave that idea up once the second episode started. After I watched that, I was waiting for Mork to get hit in the head by something so the amnesia would make sense but nope, they took it one step further. Overall, I super enjoyed it and the "god" character or whoever he's meant to be is super hot. Like sir, who gave you the right? I do, however, have some critiques but they involve heavy heavy spoilers and I'm not allowed to write those so just know, I kinda dislike Mork, also how old is Mork cause he wears a uniform and Tiew does not, and lastly timeline confusion. Other than that, I really enjoyed it so I do recommend you watch it.

Leggi di Più

A jigsaw painting

I got to say, when i started watching this i was very confused and intrigued. It felt like the had thrown a puzzle of 1000 pieces to solve but just a few of them were from the actual puzzle i needed to put together.
The story is poetry in visual form and every time it unfolds is like untying a knot that i hadn't seen was even there.
If you think of giving up on this drama on the first few episodes, i ask that you watch one more. Even if you already put into your head that you are not going to understand it either way, i plead that you try again. I promise that you will be as surprised as i was when i finally understood how to put together and look at this beautiful painting that was done in front of my eyes.

Leggi di Più

Keep watching it …

I didn’t really understand the plot and normally I stop watching then … but here there was something that made me wanna continue watching it: was it the mystery, the music, the actors, … I don’t really know but watching this series I had moments where I was feeling sad and moments I felt overwhelmed with joy.

This series is a cinematographic marvel with shots that blow you away completed with good music. And the chemistry between Meen and Rossi : steaming hot.

I want to see more of these two actors … cause they’re not only good looking but they are really excellent professionals.

Leggi di Più

ONE OF THE FINEST AND RARE I WATCHED.. ??

This series is short but that short little number of episode are just worth watching especially the cinematography and the BGM!! There are skme flashback scenes which are some of my favorite and the cutie pies that did that a good role..
If am coming to the story , at a point we may feek confused but when you reach the end you will get a better idea of what's happening, it's not that typical college or engineering stories.. It's something CLOUD NINE... Just go for it if you like something not that rushed but calming and soothing with nature views and a soulful love story....

Leggi di Più

Entrancing and beautiful

Have you ever been afraid to rewatch something because you feared it would taint your initial reaction? The beauty of this little piece of amazement, with it's awe-inspiring scenery and it's heart-wrenching story has me at a loss for words. I really want to tell others about it but I don't want to spoil it. I am also afraid that others won't find it as entrancing as I did. But in my opinion, that was on-screen poetry. When I finished the last episode, I just sat there......there were no words. I had questions, but I didn't want them answered. I want more....but that was enough. I want to talk about it, but I don't really know what to say.

Ok....here goes:
There are some people who would have problems with this piece because it involves a love story between a high-schooler and someone older. Ages aren't given, so it's hard to determine the validity of that argument, but Tiew does look older by several years, and Mork even mentions it in a round-about way. But Mork isn't innocent in that he knew what he was doing and allowed the situation to occur. He even tried to end it but was ultimately trapped by his own emotions.

I gave the Music value 10 stars, but I was so entranced that I honestly can't tell you if there was music. All I know is that the music in my heart as I watched was worthy of a 10. (OMG that line was so cheesy, but I'm not changing it!) The acting was amazing. The way Tiew gazed at Mork gave me butterflies. The way Wise delivered his lines made me not care that I didn't understand, because HE knew what he was talking about, and that's all that mattered. Watching this, you're never really sure if/when they are dead or alive or in a dream, and you won't understand the time line, but in the end, that doesn't matter either.

Leggi di Più

Interesting concept but Poor execution and super slow pace

Well, this is certainly interesting. “On Cloud Nine” has almost all rave reviews yet the MDL rating is only 7.0. Am I the problem that doesn’t quite connect with the drama and align with the reviewers? Maybe, maybe not.

10 minutes into Episode 1, I wonder why this guy in white is so annoying, creepy and stalkerish. Just leave the tourist alone and let him enjoy his sightseeing! Of course, I know there’s more to it, so I persisted and finished the episode. But the pace is soooooo slow and there are such long pauses in between dialogs that I almost gave up. Since this is such a short drama, I figure I can endure the slow pacing.

The slowness never goes away and I had to speed it up to 1.25x and 1.5x.. But the story did get more interesting and I am a little less confused as the drama goes on. The characters don’t seem to do much, nor are they engaged in meaningful conversations. Is this soothing or boring? Eventually, I realized what it’s all about and did think the concept is quite interesting and unique. Unfortunately, the execution is confusing and poor.

The acting of the two main leads is decent. The chemistry is quite good, and there are a few times I said to myself, “Just kiss already!!”. “On Cloud Nine” does a nice job in showing the beautiful sceneries of Chiang Mai. But at times, the scenic shots also feel slow and edited in a way that takes you out of the story.

Unfortunately for me, I cannot recommend this short drama. it’s too slow and confusing, and I did not enjoy it that much. I want to support small production companies who are putting out work for the masses. Thus, I am rating this a 6.5 and not lower. Sorry, fans! Please don’t come at me!


Completed: 9/12/2024 - Review #484

Leggi di Più

Só assista se for todos os eps em maratona, senão não vai entender nada

Preciso começar falando que precisei ver essa série três vezes para entender direito. Ela é como um quadro abstrato, é necessário muito sentimento e emoção para ser compreendida. A melhor forma de resenhar foi narrar os eps.

O começo é muito confuso, e a medida que a série avança fica mais confusa ainda. É necessário notar cada detalhe, pois eles só farão sentido depois.
O primeiro ep inicia com Tiew tomando uma bebida, que posteriormente descobriremos que se trata do orvalho mágico. Depois aparece Mork, que estranhamente não se desespera por não ter memória, por suas coisas desaparecerem magicamente, por cenários e comida surgirem do nada, pela aparente perseguição de Tiew (que nunca troca de roupa e sabe todos os seus gostos), por não existirem outras pessoas além deles dois...
Obs: esse clichê de limpar a boca é muito sem sentido pra mim
Nesse primeiro EP, é possível perceber o microfone por baixo da camisa preta do personagem Mork, uma pequena falha da produção.

No primeiro EP é contada a lenda de Tha Phae, que reza que se vc caminhar do final de um muro existente em Chiang Mai e caminhar de lá até o centro de Tha Phae com exatamente 99 passos, encontrará sua alma gêmea. O detalhe é que foi Mork quem contou essa lenda a Tiew, no segundo ep, porém não lembra.

O segundo EP inicia com a primeira aparição de Wise colhendo o famigerado orvalho, e uma volta na linha do tempo até 2019, onde podemos ver quando Mork, um colegial e Tiew, um veterano, se conheceram e se aproximaram (a cena do banho... Que cena senhores, que cena...). Vemos um casal se desenvolvendo, gradativamente passando de desconhecidos a amigos, e depois para algo como um flerte. Nesse ponto já estamos apaixonados pelo casal.

No terceiro EP descobrimos que Tiew perdeu seu pai, quando ele leva Mork pra visitá-lo no cemitério.
Nessa visita, outro ponto de atenção. Tiew comenta sobre outra lenda, que fala que alguém que morre, tem direito a 99 dias de felicidade antes de deixar esse mundo, guarde essa informação. Percebemos o olhar apaixonado de ambos. Também descobrimos como Tiew sabia do lugar que Mork gostava, sua comida preferida.
Enquanto na linha do tempo atual, Wise se fazia conhecer a Mork, como "dono" do café onde ele trabalha, deixando uma metáfora para que ele faça a coisa certa. Que coisa certa é essa? E dizendo também que ele é a pessoa que controla, confia, monitora. Controla e monitora o que? Será que ele realmente é dono do café? Esse parte não sei dizer. Mas a coisa certa, descobrimos que é falar a verdade a Tiew, pois na verdade Mork tem um irmão gêmeo, Min, e ambos estão brincando com Tiew, enganando-o, revezando para sair com ele sem perceber o estrago final que isso vai causar.

No quarto EP os gêmeos decidem que embora os dois gostem de Tiew, Mork dele ficar com ele, apesar de Mon ter gostado dele primeiro. Mon o incentiva a falar a verdade. A expressão de Tiew nesse EP está diferente, como se já soubesse que ia se decepcionar muito. A cenografia perfeita desse EP, a fotografia, junto com os flash backs dos momentos entre eles, é inesquecível pra mim. A série não mostra Mork contando a verdade, mas corta para Tiew o perdoando e declarando seu amor. Enquanto na linha do tempo atual, uma voz misteriosa confirma a lenda dos 99 dias de felicidade após sua morte. Essa última felicidade é "controlada", monitorada e confiada (quem disse ser essa pessoa? Wise) por um homem de sangue branco que apesar de não ser anjo está além de seu tempo. Nesse ponto entendemos que Wise vive como humano, mas tem esses dois sobrenaturais. Ainda nessa linha do tempo, começamos a entender o que aconteceu com Tiew, pq ele sempre está de branco. E pq Mork não lembra nem estranha nada. Aqui começa uma de dias pra Mork, que está com 3 dias. Tiew também deixa escapar que a memória de Mork vai voltar e que sabe de alguns lugares que ele gosta, mas não explica como sabe disso. A fala dúbia de Tiew sobre estar ou não em um relacionamento também causa suspeita. Mork finalmente notou as roupas brancas kkkkkk. Quando Mork passa mal, Tiew insinua que sabe que vão se separar, e finalmente vemos de novo o orvalho do primeiro ep. Agora denominado de primeiro orvalho do inverno.

No EP 5 vemos que Mork recuperou a memória e pretende afastar Tiew, também entendemos que foi isso que ele fez em 2019 quando Tiew se declarou, ele não se permitiu viver o amor devido aos sentimentos de seu irmão gêmeo, e agora faz o mesmo. Em 2019 Mork foi embora prometendo que voltaria aquele mesmo lugar pra dar sua resposta, Tiew prometeu que esperaria. E agora que Mork lembra de tudo, estava apenas brincando de assustar Tiew, pois finalmente decidiu aceitar seu amor.
Enquanto isso, a voz misteriosa dá uma explicação de como se forma aquele orvalho, e fala sobre o pós morte. Que nos 3-4 dias após a morte os espíritos vão para lugares onde foram felizes, ficam fracos e sem memória, até beberem esse orvalho, que pode energiza-los por até 99 dias, quando devem partirem definitivamente. Nesse ponto entendemos que Mork está vivendo seu período de 99 dias, mas ainda não temos uma explicação clara sobre Tiew. Mork não percebeu que as outras pessoas não podem vê-lo, mas Tiew tem essa consciência. Quando Mork conhece Wise, tem a notícia de que pode ver ser irmão, mas que será pela última vez, que Mon poderá vê-lo, mas por um tempo limitado. Esse encontro vai dar a ele a consciência de sua própria morte. Descobrimos que na verdade Mork saiu de casa fazem 3 anos e nunca voltou. Resta entender o que aconteceu durante esse tempo.

No último EP tudo é revelado. Mork se lembra de sua morte, Mon de sua culpa. Mork fica sabendo sobre os 99 dias de felicidade, e que Tiew já está morto também, mas seu espírito quis esperar por ele, está vivenciando seus últimos dias, onde quis vivenciar a felicidade de ter Mork de novo. Curiosamente, a primeira vez deles foi como namorados oficiais, o primeiro eu te amo, foi como espíritos. Quando a memória de Mork volta, ele percebe que também sempre esteve vestindo branco, isso faz ele entender que está morto também. Essa é a explicação para o sumiço de seus pertences que só existiam em sua memória.

Eles não morreram juntos, Tiew realmente morreu fazem 99 dias, Mork morreu 9 dias depois. Como Tiew agora deve partir e Mork tem a opção de ir embora antes dos 99 dias se quiser, ambos puderam ir juntos.

No final, todo mundo tá em depressão, quem morreu e nós que estamos assistindo.

A série tem uma fotografia incrível e cenários naturais e urbanos espetaculares. Não tem uma ost marcante, mas os sons instrumentais são lindos e combinam muito com todo o resto. A atuação é sensacional. Pra mim, a única coisa que não foi legal foi o fato de não explicarem como foram as mortes, e pq foram tão próximas uma da outra, fora isso, perfeita.

Leggi di Più

Beautiful & underrated

This is what small production houses can do! Just 2 actors, the Thai mountains, fitting music and a classic tale of love is all it took to make this highly underrated gem of a BL.

The story is a classic mythical and mystical tale, told in pieces, so that we are continuously puzzling together what actually happened. In the end, we did not get all the answers, but do we ever in these kind of tales? The overall feeling is one of happiness and completion.

The acting is very good. Imagine no side stories, marginal side characters so all the work comes from just these two. Excellent! The Thai scenery should have been a paid actor, as this (intentionally) contributed so much to the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and will put in on my re-watch list!

Leggi di Più

Calm but Confusing

Okay. Let me talk about the good things first. The pace of the series, the acting, the dialogues, the camerawork, the sounds, the music- everything is unhurried, calm and relaxing. The interactions between Tiew and Mork are genuine, sincere and beautiful. There is a gentle undertone of suspense and mystery that is maintained nicely throughout the series. The surreal and dreamlike atmosphere matches perfectly with the unique story and plot.

But along with all of these great things, there is also a sense of confusion that accompanied me constantly- I was always wondering "What the heck is going on here?" And even though some of the confusion did get cleared as the series progressed, still I felt very uncomfortable due to the constant jumps in the timeline. I felt that the number of these jumps was way too much, and it contributed nothing towards enhancing the richness of the storytelling.

Another main source of confusion (and irritation) was the idea of having Mork and his twin love the same person, and moreover (as if this was not already bad enough) both going out to meet Tiew alternatively. I mean what were they trying to do? And what was the reason for having this absolutely unnecessary plot? Was there a need for a twin at all? The storyline was already quite creative, and slightly complicated too, because of the whole 99 day stuff, and adding the twins plot did not do it any good.

The conclusion? Well, the overall quality and feel of the series is quite good, despite the above mentioned issues. Even the ending is quite nice. So, even though I will not give it more than 7 stars, still I would say go ahead and watch this one- you might enjoy the rare feeling of unanxious calmness and completeness that this series emanates.

Leggi di Più

Let's Go Together!

STORY:
============================================
If you are looking for a straightforward quick watch this is not the show for you. On Cloud Nine does not follow the standard linear format that most conventional shows stick to. In fact, if you aren't paying attention it is very easy to get lost in the time jumps and plot holes that seem to riddle this show. However, if you take your time and watch to the end I promise everything will make sense.

While the series is relatively short with 6 thirty minute or so episodes I did not feel the story was rushed at all. In fact, the episodes felt like they were an hour and a half each but in the best way possible. The pacing of this show was amazing. The only part of the plot that bothered me was the twin swapping plot point. I felt this was really unnecessary and added mostly unnecessary confusion to an already robustly complicated plot.

ACTING/CAST
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Rossi as Mork/Mon - Rossi was fantastic playing both Mork and Mon. While it may have been difficult at first to discern who was who I felt Rossi did a good job with adding slight differences in the two portrayals. Rossi held me captive by the heartstrings through his acting. I felt his pain and anguish as he worked to navigate through the complex narrate of feelings in these roles. It was in his minute facial expressions and eyes that let the audience know what he was feeling.

Meen as Tiew - Meen does a good job at playing Tiew. He starts off as this character who you aren't quite sure what he's up to but you watch as he slowly lets his feelings show for Mork. When he broke down in tears after being rejected I had to pause the show to get some tissues. I look forward to seeing what else he works on in the future.

New as Wise - This character confused me for quite a while. I couldn't place my finger on what was going on with him until the creepy nature documentary narration explained it half way through the show. He wasn't anything special to write home about mostly the facilitator to help progress the second half of the plot along.

RELATIONSHIPS
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Tiew/Mork - Their relationship was filled with some cute moments but also heartbreaking. They have an amazing slow burn filled with sexual tension. Once they do finally admit their feelings for each other the resulting kiss was everything I could have wanted and more!

MUSIC
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To be honest the music sounded like it was stock lo-fi and piano beats purchased from an open source website. Not to say the music wasn't beautiful it was. The Sound Design team did a good job at matching the instrumental tracks to the scenes while still leaving moments of silence to accentuate important moments.

REWATCH VALUE
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To be honest, I probably won't watch this one again even though I'm giving it a high score. To me, these mystery plot shows are amazing the first time around but after that you lose the initial thrill that drew you to the characters.

Leggi di Più