The story seems cliche if you look at it on hetero/straight perspective especially when this type of storyline has already been applied in many telenovelas(Latin and Filipino) and even Asian. However, the good twist is that the gay storyline is the main focus, in which one of the characters is a hero who tries to win the love of his best friend after a random tryst due to intoxication. At first glance, it was not really a tryst because, both, as mentioned were intoxicated. But from there complication arose, including the surprise appearance of a girl friend of one of the main characters and then the development of love between two college-educated young adults who are both male.
This is a kind of romantic comedy series that I wouldn't get bored watching for many times, if time allows. Aside from the "main lovebirds", one character I really love is Yihwa. All cast, even the villain, portrayed their characters very well. The acting is "superb" (IMO) especially Yihwa's , and of course, Korn and Knock. Even though I tend to hate the villains, their characters have been played well that it is difficult for me to ignore them. Although it is possible to pinpoint the neophytes in acting, I have come to familiarize all the supporting characters. They've all managed to invoke emotions in their characters, which, I believe is very effective in stirring the emotions of the viewers.
It is not only about having to see the main characters to feel good throughout watching the series. The supporting cast really managed to bring out different types of emotions in me. So, I think this BL series is very effective in incorporating the characters, which I initially thought would just be fillers and uninteresting. But then, they did a great surprise.
And one thing I have to point out in this series are the kissing scenes(of course).
Max(Korn) and Tul(Knock) managed to portray natural kissing scenes, even the most intimate ones between two male lovers in a BL series. I can only watch this in gay movies which are rated for adults. But considering this has also been shown on Thai TV( I think) and online, they have managed to capture a big audience because of their kissing scenes.
I thought I'd be satisfied with just one love scene, but the series kept on surprising me. They really put intimacy of two male characters to a new level. And for that, I commend the actors, the producers, the writers and the directors.
Musically, the timing of the background effects is good. Some are over-the-top but understandable. I love the soundtracks though. Hearing them makes me appreciate Thai pop music more. This is coming from an international fan and viewer of the series.
Overall, this series has done a great redemption to the BL industry. I rate it first on my list.
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A BL Gem, Not Perfect But It Deserves 9 Stars
I hate this series. Why I hate it because my sleep has been disrupted. LOLIt made me binge-watch it from past midnight to morning, only giving me four hours of sleep. In the end, despite the bad engsub, I have come to love the series.
This is the first BL series that has managed me to gush at the main characters. I have watched many BL series and I think those who know me here know how toxic I can be when I defend a BL series such as TharnType.
But I understand that this BL series is not everyone's cup of tea. It is not perfect but it is a feel-good BL series that I end up loving it.
It is a shame that there is no extensive social media promotion for this series. I have come to love the main characters but I have to take a special mention to Earth for justifying the role of Songkram. I don't really like that cool, arrogant, and handsome main lead but his character is volatile. He can be this sexy arrogant over-achiever but also a silly lover. There are moments where he is romantically excited chatting with his new boyfriend that I find really cute. And then he can be this strict boyfriend even though they are not in a relationship yet.
And their acting is also good. It's a comedy BL series so I expected chaotic scenes. There are a lot of them actually.
I feel like some scenes should have been retaken but the spontaneity of those scenes, the natural acting, and vibe in that certain setting and the flow seem satisfactory for me as a BL audience. It's like they were having fun during the production and might have that 'come-what-may' recording of scenes. But the results are good. I feel like I am watching a stage play where a character appears and then another one exits in one scene and then another. But I still see the direction to be exemplary.
I have to commend the director and editor for that.
I have to say that Destiny Seeker is a rare gem in BL. I would have given it 8.5/10 but seeing the ending of the series, a 9.0/10 is a fitting rating for the series. Again, it's not perfect. I can see some BL fans ranting about the cliche moments in the scenes and some generic tropes. But what it delivers is a feel-good vibe in the end. I am very entertained.
I did not even mention the sultry scenes and even the side characters. The character development of side couples is satisfactory to the point that it does not eclipse those of the main characters. They even help build anticipation for the main course though some viewers may have complained that the bed scenes of side couples are earlier than the main leads.
Anyways, I like the differentiation strategy of the directors because even if the bed scene of the main leads occurs in the last episode, it is all worth it. Viewers will have to check it.
Kissing scenes are not that good but the main leads have better improvement in the last episode. Side couples' kissing scenes are better though.
I am looking forward to more of EarthBank series because they are another BL couple that deserves the BL fans' support.
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The Best Series in the Gay-themed BL Genre So Far, Ever
This is the second Boys Love series that I have ever rated 10 because it deserves that rating.Yes, I might have complained about the short number of episodes but the number is justified on how compact, yet impactful the storyline of the series is. I really feel that the storyline is simple as someone who is gay and who has been through this kind of situation or has friends who have experienced the similar situations. However, it's very, very relevant and again, impactful. It has a resonance level to the higher degree and its direction is too superb, the minor flaws I have seen are unnoticeable when the whole art form is taken into consideration.
Editing expertise is very adept. This is one of the biggest factors for the show's success.
Acting of each actor from the main to the supporting is utterly superb. I see the naturalness of the acting of each actor. Viewers of the series, I surmise, can really see themselves in the characters of the series. Despite the actors being unknown before this series, their acting is really surprisingly great.
As for the soundtrack used, this series has the Best set so far. Each song has lyrics that are related to the situations in the series. Each song parallels with the emotions and circumstances of the main characters in certain scenes. I feel like through the series, the hidden musical treasures of the Philippines have been unearthed and showcased in this show for the world to see, hear and zealously listen to.
This is also the BL series that really showcases the reality of LGBTQIA community. As a member of the community, I feel like a part of my story has been demonstrated in this show. There is a sense of empowerment. BL as a form of escapism for some is now used as a platform to relay the voices of the community whose members are still being ostracized in certain societies.
I feel like this review doesn't give justice to what the series has done to the communities, for BL viewers, LGBTQIA and straight allies. I have many things to say about this series but alas, whatever things I would like to share can be summarized with these three words: SUPERB, PERFECTION and IMPACTFUL.
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Gold-Star BL, One of the Best
Despite being ad-laden, the production managed to showcase a BL series that brought Nanon and Ohm to new heights in their career.It has a magical story that seemed to derive from a simple storyline, a BL version of modern Romeo and Juliet in a Thai setting.
There is nothing superfluous here. The acting is superb. The dramatic storyline has resonated with me.
The characters portrayed by the actors seem to work wonders among the BL audience as they demonstrate a believable love story defying the conflicts in their respective families and delivering the audience to a setting where they can get front-row seats in witnessing the development of their romantic storyline, from enemies to lovers.
I also love the soundtrack so it's a plus in the overall production of the series.
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There's magic in this story and I can attest to that when I watched the whole episodes with no skipping the third time. Even though it's a coming-of-age drama among university students, there's magical element that I couldn't figure out until I re-watched the whole episodes.
The vulnerability yet honest portrayal of the leading characters is what makes me hooked to the series. They're like velcro straps that you wish to get out from the system but would require certain level of force to detach from the characters and their budding love story.
Honestly, I didn't find this appealing during the first time that I watched this. I felt like it's another first-time romantic story among 2 male lead characters who wished not to label themselves as gay but just ended up falling in love. I skipped most parts and episodes until the episode where Arthit and Kong's kissing scene in the rooftop. There is where I felt that they have this palpable chemistry but kinda forgettable. But that proved to be wrong when I binge-watched it again from evening to early morning, sacrificing the plan to sleep in on a weekend. It's during this binge-watching that I felt certain giddiness, the similar reaction I have experienced watching Isak and Even in Skam and Max and Tul in Bad Romance.
I like the delivery of the lead actors especially Arthit's acting. Their moments were done in slow-paced dramatic motion that, at times, I felt the scenes were dragging. But the cutesy parts especially when Arthit smiles were magical that just watching those scenes can compensate the less pragmatic storyline of the series.
I can't really find lots of kissing scenes in this series, typical of Asian BL series but those only two kissing scenes are, I think, enough to feel the magic of the love story of male characters who want to express their love and just be "fuck it, I don't care! I have to do this 'coz it feels so right!"
Overall, SOTUS the series is a BL Drama that is full of moments of friendship and overcoming obstacles in the SOTUS system and a certain kind of romance that may not anymore be that special to some but still worthy to relive the first-love moments.
I am not Thai but I commend the Thai entertainment industry for bringing these characters to the Asian audiences.
Also, I am done with BL stories that are all about tragedy and mostly negative storyline. Although I like some arguments in plots from time to time, I want to see another dimension in the portrayal of gay love with positive notes.
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A Gold-Star BL Mature Series
This is by far the BL series that produces the most exhilarating effects in almost every episode. It is that great. The production and the flow of the story are well thought-out.It may be violent and sultry but these factors add to the flair of the overall quality of the series.
The actors depicting the main characters also exude great chemistry that their interactions are too believable, creating an illusion that feeds the BL fans' imagination about their realness.
Is there anything I need to add?
I think those statements have summed up what I feel about the series, in a succinct way I can manage.
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