Food, pranks, love play, sexual tension, music and love are the ingredients of 'Ingredients', the Thai BL series starring Jeff Satur as Marwin (Win) and Gameplay Garnpaphon Laolerkiat as Tops, two college students who are also roommates. From the first moment, we see them already living together under the same roof. And yes, you may think at the beginning that there is already a romance between them, but no... this one is on the way. And you will witness it firsthand.
Win is a charming and confident young man, romantic and playful. He loves music and dreams of becoming a world-class musician. Away from his family and immersed in the world of concerts and tours, but suspended for the moment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he has not taken good care of himself until he comes to live with Tops.
Gentle and sensitive, Tops has been fascinated by cooking since he was little. An aspiring chef, he finds happiness in cooking delicious, tasty food and giving it to Win to try. When the difference between the two becomes the perfect match, chaos ensues, and the two find themselves deciding between their dreams and each other.
While Marwin writes and sings his own songs and plays the guitar beautifully, Tops, the Food Science student, dreams of opening his own restaurant one day and creates many dishes that have Win as his taster par excellence. He, amazed, will help him with the ingredients and in the kitchen itself, in addition to creating a vlog for Tops to promote his elaborate recipes.
There's no drama. There is no complex and elaborate language. There are no dramatic twists. And is this a problem? In another series, I would surely demand it... and I would even complain about the tropes and the toxicity and the jealous boyfriend and the homewrecker that I have questioned on other occasions, but no, it will not be necessary..., the same with the guys from 'Ingredients' and what happens before your eyes, they will steal your heart and conquer you, well shhhh, total silence, you haven't realized yet that you will only need two people who are happy to be in each other's presence.
Other of its peculiarities lie in the fact that the series has as its background the cruel stage of Covid-19, and with only two or three outdoor scenes, all the action takes place inside the home shared by the protagonists. It is therefore striking how they promote health and safety in times of pandemic, as well as the interest in raising awareness about the necessary hygiene habits.
This drama, which highlights the many cute interactions between the couple as they go about their daily lives, doesn't have a big budget or a complex narrative. With two charismatic protagonists, a cozy atmosphere, simple but honest dialogues, and a romance that is based on the platonic and the playful, 'Ingredients' shows that a love story can be created, even between two people with different personalities, but They have a close relationship and complement each other well.
In a kind of sitcom, although its objective is not to provoke laughter itself, with independent episodes that address a given situation that finds its conclusion in it, but slightly connected by brief references to previous chapters, Win and Tops invite the viewer to penetrate in the privacy of your home so that we can discover your daily life. Between songs, plates of food, jokes, games, looks, silences and small everyday actions, such as calling each other to dinner, playing with a cat, insisting to each other that they stink and have to go take a shower, or decorating the Christmas tree, The friends look at each other and are silent about the love they have for each other.
It is evident that the characters are in their own world and it is the audience, an accomplice, who, already inside the home, bursts into the lives of Win and Tops to witness how one character will take a small step to get closer to the other, and how the other will be happy to take his step forward as well.
The director masterfully directs a visually striking and emotionally charged series that captures the essence of the complexities of human connection, self-discovery, acceptance and personal, spiritual and professional improvement, and challenges conventional notions of love and intimacy, thanks to meticulous attention to every detail.
The camera does not leave the faces of the two young people, and scans the attractive surroundings, especially the living room, the kitchen and the bedroom, now from one, now from the other, as if it wanted to appropriate it. This is how the house becomes another character in the work. In this way, the viewer is guided by the creators through the always beautiful, emotional and at the same time complicated process of falling in love.
As the 21 episodes of an average length of 10-15 minutes progress, the series captures the intimate moments of the two characters. Through conversation, games, music, the preparation of food dishes or their tasting, but without forgetting the silence, abstract soundscapes and textured cuts, the intimacy between Win and Tops is transmitted in a visually shocking.
The absence, at times, of a traditional script, letting the character act, allowing the character to flow freely and spontaneously, allows for improvisation, which results in genuine and authentic performances that resonate with the audience.
The series explores the idea that true intimacy can be found in the simplicity of sleeping next to someone, sitting at the table or on the couch to share one of the delicious but easy-to-make dishes, or being a part of the friendly chat while strumming the guitar, transcending the physical act of sex.
With its unique narrative approach and powerful performances, we can't forget the chemistry between Jeff Satur and Gameplay. Simply put, one feels very comfortable with the other. Since 'He She It', both shared leading roles and this allows them to establish very good vibes. The looks they give each other, especially the first to the second, convey happiness and affection. They are both happy, and excited to be in the other person's presence.
For most of the series, Marwin and Tops play the role of a cute couple of platonic friends, but their relationship almost feels like that of a couple of lovers. In those moments, a solid foundation for their future love relationship is built, while Jeff's voice lets us hear his song 'Moment', which will accompany us throughout the series.
Already at the end, the drama introduces more romance and, if it were not for the kisses, although there are not many, in truth, the viewer practically does not perceive that a natural transition from friends to lovers has occurred.
In addition to the moments in which they already act as boyfriend and girlfriend, it attracts moments such as the tension when Win's family comes to visit to ask him to abandon his dreams and dedicate himself to the family business, the way in which Tops will calm him down in this and in others occasions, the obvious jealousy in Jeff when the neighbor interacts with Tops, the aspiring musician's concern about the thesis that the chef must present to graduate...
Don't turn off the television thinking that it is a simple story, that its episodes are short, that it serves as an advertisement for a supermarket chain (hence the name of one of the characters) or that it will not keep your interest. Don't make the same mistake when for the first, second and even third time I tried to view 'Ingredient' and left it thinking it wasn't worth it. Precisely, there is the hook to seduce you, to conquer you. Don't underestimate the series for these or other reasons.
Tops and Marwin have the power to conquer you as a couple. Jeff and Gameplay are two charismatic actors who make you want to share the fate of their characters. The initial dynamic of the relationship will stop being cordial, brotherly, with large doses of sexual tension here and hints of affection there, until it becomes a true romance in which, as I said, you are an accomplice par excellence.
And yes... why won't I tell you about the ending? Do you want him happy? Do you want the couple to live locked in that house, as if the new coronavirus lurked forever on the outskirts? No, at some point, the doors will open, the masks will be forgotten, those who are no longer with us will be remembered, but life goes on.
At those times, Tops and Win will continue with their careers. The two couples will leave to restart their professional lives where they were stranded after the arrival of the deadly disease. One will invite the other to follow him, but... why do long-distance relationships exist? Can't they stay connected by video calls? Is it not possible to succeed in your respective fields while waiting to meet again? They are not boyfriends? Don't you love each other? Who says that all is lost, that love has an expiration date?
As the final credits roll, I am convinced that always, always, Tops will hear Win's voice, and Win will continue trying Tops' delicious dishes, because love persists, and the hope of reunion also beats.