Blank (2024)

Well, Goddamn. I Struck Gold!

I'm a big fan of wlw shows and since I discovered Thai GL, I made it my mission to see everything I can find. But, I've never been moved to give a full review until now.

Blank is the best GL series I've seen yet. The casting was perfect. The actresses managed to sell one of the most problematic tropes in queer shows. Age gap pairings are increasingly brought under scrutiny (and rightly so), so I'm glad a few details were changed from the book. There's only so much toxicity I can stomach, delusional as I can be.

Faye and Yoko brought a slow burn romance to life in Blank. I went into it with mixed feelings, but they pulled me in. I found myself empathising with their struggles; one was determined to give the love she felt and the other was determined to ignore/squash those feelings. The push and pull. The internal conflicts. The mess that was their history and familial connection. Everything pulled me in.

I think it also depicts the fevered enthusiasm of young love and how starkly it contrasts with older love which is more cautious from knowing the many possible troubles that lie ahead. Watching this series reminded me of my first crush on an older woman and how it had felt like a living, breathing thing inside me. It had taken all my willpower to keep it locked in.

I've already started seeing the second season and it only gets better. The emotions run deeper and the chemistry burns hotter. Their conversations are very stimulating too as they have to find ways (words, and actions) to communicate across their generation gap. As is expected of Gen Z and Millennials, their priorities are different too and they have to find a balance between prioritising their happiness or prioritising the comfort/desires of their families.

I'm rating this a 10/10. The actresses are amazing. The production is beautiful. The storyline is new and just the right amount of chaotic.

I highly recommend!

Leggi di Più

A great series, regardless of the hate. Worth a watch.

So I’m just gonna say it and address some common misconceptions. Yes, there is a 16 year age gap. Yes, this show is the sequel to Gap. Yes, the unbearable grandmas are back.

First, the age gap. 16 years IS a huge age gap but the series does time jump about 5+ years into the future. The younger character Anueng acts very childish at first which doesn’t help. However, after about halfway into Ep.2 you realize that she acts like this because she’s hiding behind this childish persona and is actually going through a lot of abuse and trauma in her daily life. We don’t get into more detail until about Ep.3. Khun Nueng also experiences her own family trauma and has no romantic feelings or even interest upon meeting Anueng. So at the end of Episode 3 is when I think people should make and informed decision about whether they accept it morally or not. There is no grooming or “creepy” behavior. Is it abnormal for a “regular” relationship? Sure. The point of this dynamic is to show that, regardless of age, status, personality (or lack of) falling in love is the same. But as a watcher you should decide what you think is appropriate yourself and not jump to any conclusions before you even watch the series. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable but it’s not okay to be hateful unfairly.

Secondly, it’s related to GAP but it plays a small role throughout the series so you don’t need to watch GAP to understand. I watched GAP as well and to me they are nothing alike. Maybe the concept of the age difference. But they have a completely different setting, storyline, and overall message. You can see the relation between the sister characters because of the personality they have being raised so strictly by their overbearing grandmother. It’s very true to how siblings are. Some side characters are the same but the ones from GAP (other than the younger sister) rarely make appearances. Also, for clarification all three sisters in the family all have GL relationships but it’s not clear what Khun Nueng’s sexuality is since in the very beginning she almost marries a man and he is still actively chasing her in the series.

Lastly, there’s no doubt that this series has a heavy focus on trauma and/or trauma bonding. So I wouldn't watch it if that’s triggering for you. Some people may find that problematic and some might find it healing. Relationships like this exist for multiple different reasons in multiple different ways across the world. I personally think that how people view this series is completely up to personal preference and tolerance to these types of relationships. This series is very thought provoking both in the fictional story and in reality which is why I enjoy watching it so much. All in all so far it’s an amazingly beautiful produced series with a lot of potential a needed breath of fresh air. I highly recommend giving it a watch.

Leggi di Più

Brilliant, Underrated Series

When I started watching- I hadn't even heard about it- no promos or anything. I love GAP so it was strange. I think I've watched every GL out there, and this is perhaps one of the best, if not the absolute best.

It's such a difficult topic, handled with such maturity and beauty. I have to add that personally I'm a bit uncomfortable with age gap stories myself but in this one- so was the lead- her perspective came across so beautifully that I couldn't help but root for both of them. The actresses are both fabulous, the chemistry, flow and everything seems natural. Especially Faye Peraya. And the direction is also brilliant- her reserved character comes off so well. The tender scenes are done in absolute silence- which only add to realness of it. I was amazed at the brilliance of this GL from nowhere.

A little bit of spoiler- it doesn't have the 'perfect ending'- I don't even think there was anyway to achieve it with the storyline being such a tricky topic, but I think the lack of such an ending makes it even more real. Personally I loved it. Although my heart broke a little- and that's the only reason my rating is not a perfect 10

Leggi di Più

the story and the main cast acting so good! plus the CHEMISTRY of YOKOFAYE

the story of this GL SERIES so GOOD. the acting of the main cast which is YOKO and FAYE was TOO GOOD! when I first watched the first episode, when ANUENG appeared in front of ARNUENG at the store, there was a strange chemistry. but I have no idea about the story, and I still haven't read the summary of the story. but I feel that there is something... they're match in my sense. the chemistry appeared so easy and good like a BOOM! I noticed, Yoko is good at acting, there is no ugly effort. no over reaction. she's good at acting, act like a kid. she's good at humors for funny, she's good at thrill. she is also good at crying. she's all in one! YOKO is a PROMISING ACTRESS in Thailand. and YOKO-FAYE is the new LOVE TEAM of GLs WORLD! best in 2024! also Faye she was good, although little bit I was disappointed with her, because more videos of her that appear on social media, she's flirting with more ladies. that's career ruining. but? and because we love the LOVETEAM of her and yoko, Faye's career has been saved . anyway, more GLs to come for YOKOFAYE! they have big chemistry! we love them so much! please make us fall in love again ! CONGRATULATIONS to all the staff of BLANK the series... from the PHILIPPINES ( we are not thai but we love you guys! )

Leggi di Più

Thai GL version of Dynasty

GLs are few and far between, they should not be judged harshly and given the space to grow. The first thai gl, GAP, I dropped after one episode. This one I finished but only because it was short not because I liked it. I did not. Actually it was bad and boring.

The story of a 20yr old high school student hitting on a 36yr old artist is new and original. And that is all. Everything else is just bad starting with the main characters. They all sound like they came out of a soap opera. So the 20yr old's mother was the artist's best friend in school. She even had a crush on her but when the artist rejected her confession, she slept with a boy who got her pregnant. Later that boy was getting married to the artist but she left him at the altar. They all come from wealthy families.

I would not have minded this soapy plot if the chemistry were good. It was not! The 20yr old girl behaves as if she is 12: baby voice, cutesy expression, pouty, pushy and manipulative. The 36 yr old artist is a virgin, never been in love, usually lost in front of the pushy girl with rare bouts of adult reasoning which is always welcome.

They are making a second season? Please don't! This was bad enough! The woes of rich people are not as interesting as they used to be! On the other hand we may find out answers to some of the questions that have been left open.... but I will have forgotten about those by tomorrow anyway!

Leggi di Più

A Beautiful Pairing with a Complicated Romance

Adapted from a novel of the same name, this mini-series is a spin-off of the famous GL “Gap The Series”. This an age-gap GL between Khun Nueng (Faye Peraya) and Anueng (Yoko Apasra), though I want to make it clear that the characters are at the right age to date, so the age difference doesn’t seem inappropriate. The series is a fresh breath of air in between lots of cringy and plain situations. The chemistry between the leads is cute and Yoko’s acting has an innocence to it that will make you adore her with all your heart. Faye as Khun Neung is brilliant, her acting is commendable, her expression doesn’t seem forced or awkward and is very detailed. She has put a lot of effort into her role and while watching the series you won’t find awkward pauses, forced acting, or expressions. Faye has grasped the very essence of Khun Neung’s character, who can mask her feelings.

Read the complete article here-

https://the-bl-xpress.com/2024/06/07/blank-series-review-ep-1-to-6/

Leggi di Più

I LOVE THIS SERIES!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS!!

I love this series how the cast portray their roles very well, I can feel all the emotions whether it's love, sadness this series is a masterpiece I'm aware that a lot of you guys is uncomfortable about their age gap but if you watched this series you'll understand. That love knows no age and gender when you really love a person and it shows the reality of having a relationship Is not easy you both need to put a lot of effort to make it work, I LOVE ALL THE CAST #FAYEYOKO #MARISSAICE I wanted to thanks all the casts, staff, CEO P'wan CEO p'Ice to make it really happen. I'm very satisfied

Leggi di Più

A Surprising Rollercoaster of Emotions!

Get ready for an exciting revelation about "Blank: The Series"! Initially, I had my doubts about the show, thinking it might turn out to be a disaster. Yoko's character gave off annoying vibes, and the significant 16-year age gap between Khun Nueng and Anueng raised some eyebrows. However, the series had a few surprises up its sleeve that pleasantly caught me off guard.

Just when I thought I had the characters figured out, the show took an unexpected turn. Anueng's childish behaviour turned out to be a clever act, a strategic way to break down Khun Nueng's emotional walls. It was like witnessing an intricate game of emotional Jenga! Both characters had their share of struggles, including past abuse and restrictive circumstances. Yet, amidst the chaos, a genuine bond formed, and their journey became immensely captivating.

Let's take a moment to appreciate the high production value of the series, especially coming from a small production house. The scenes, particularly the reshoots, were exceptionally well-executed, raising the quality bar to new heights. With such impressive visuals, my expectations for Season 2 are sky-high. I was so enthralled that I couldn't resist delving into the source material by reading the book. That's how deeply invested I became! Plus, that season one end!!! I wanted to make sure I didn't try to smack Khun Nueng in my dreams.

Now, let's talk about the exciting and humorous aspect: the "Fifty Shades of Anueng" situation in Season 2. Brace yourself for a hilariously entertaining ride! The unexpected and comical situations that arise will leave you in fits of laughter. How will they handle it? Will they go for steaminess or keep it light-hearted? The anticipation is palpable as we eagerly await to see how this spicy twist unfolds.

So, fellow fans of GL dramas, "Blank: The Series" is an absolute surprise package. It's like embarking on an emotional rollercoaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Don't judge it based on your first impression because once you give it a chance, you'll be in for an exhilarating adventure. Prepare yourself for drama, character growth, a dash of spicy romance, and plenty of laughter.

Leggi di Più