2021's Best BL

As the headline says, it really is a one of kind series that is pure wonderful in every way. It's refreshing.
The plot exposes the entertainment industry's dirty secrets that only the insiders would know. This is a factor that would draw fans in because it's also a new setting other than your regular highschool/university love type of BL.
One thing I absolutely love about this BL is that it focuses on CONSENT, which is rare because many series have non-consensual scenes and people think it's okay. Nubsib constantly asking Gene for consent to kiss, hug, hold him, etc is really cute.
The cast is also a surprise! I didn't imagine 2 straight looking men would actually play a couple that would wreck the BL fandom. Love it!
The OSTs aren't my type so I would rank it lower but in each scene the music is suitable for it and makes it have more ~feel~.
Rewatch value: definitely would rewatch it someday when I'm bored. Just because it is that good too.

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Absolute Perfection

There was no flaw to this show. Everything was perfect; from the acting to the OSTs to the production. It was just breath taking.

The cinematography was top tier, as well as how the storyline was portrayed. Few lines but more emotions; this was the essence of ITSAY that I believed many people liked. The push and pull dynamic between Teh and Oh Aew, wanting it but pulling back. That tension drew people who wanted to see them flourish into a couple in. It is the perfect LGBT coming of age representation that not many BLs can portray.

The cast choice is also amazing and I'm so glad that Nadao decided to have BKPP as their next couple. Their chemistry build up because of years of friendship really allowed them to grow and display it through the series. It is just beyond words. Nat (played Hoon) really portrayed the older brother character really well. Kind of reminded me of my brother but is more nice. Khunpol was another cast member that caught my attention. I loved the way he portrays Bas' emotions so well. Just amazing.

Music: OSTs are SO GOOD. I could listen to it on repeat 365 days (currently still having it on repeat). Music in each scene also played a huge role in giving essence to the show, and the team really did a great job in music selection.

Rewatch value: definitely a whole 10 because it is just that good! I've already rewatched it once and gosh I still felt the same way I did the first time I watched it. Good times.

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Most memorable BL

Maybe because I believe in reincarnation that I am biased in rating. It is really nice to see reincarnation in a BL series along with religious beliefs about the afterlife.

Plot: I really love it! Although the way Korn and In's scenes were too modern for the year that they were stated to have been in, it was refreshing to see the story unfold by watching the 2 different eras of the couple. It also has many heart wrenching scenes that was hard to turn off the waterworks. The only BL that I ever cried so much for :"). Side couple is also cute! Kind of wanted Sammy's character to fall in love with a girl but that guy works too.

Cast: Amazing cast! Pharm is a character added in Fluke's role diversity. He made the character extra cute and I'm sure Ohm agrees. Ohm is an actor I didn't really like at first because of how cold he seems to be but really he is a sweetheart (for fluke <3). The difference in characters of Ohm and Fluke made DeanPharm's dynamic work. I personally find that Kao and Earth isn't that perfect match for a couple because there wasn't enough chemistry for them to convey it to Korn and In, but they still managed to do it so kudos. Prem and Boun are just amazing. Their chemistry is really top tier.

Music: Superior OSTs. Music played for each scene is also very fitting to the emotion portrayed and brings life to the series.

Rewatch value: 10/10 because I have already watched it 3 times. It's really the BL series that drew me in so deep.

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Unexpected Transgender Representation

To be very honest, I wasn't expecting a body-swap show to be accidentally(?) trans-friendly. The anxiety that Love portrayed whenever she has to rush to the lake every night, as well as her identity getting found out by the people closest to her is similar to the feelings of those who are still in the closet. Out of al the letters in the LGBT community, I feel like trans folks would relate a lot to the feelings of love in regards to her worries about her identity. A really great way to show non-trans folks how is it like living as a trans folk who is still in the closet juggling with their "double life".

This aside, the storyline is really cool. The school itself is so unique already, which makes me want to enroll there xD. The visual effects for the unicorn, the holograms, is just perfect. Games and activities in the show are also unique and never seen before. Really amazes me to see how everything played out.

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"As for me, you are a fish upon the sky too"

That's the most memorable line of this refreshing series.
To start off, this series is really great in terms of educational purposes. Be it regarding LGBT, mental health, basic knowledge, etc, it reaches to educate others on certain topics while keeping the storyline, which is something not many BLs can do.
The plot is really good on its own. The way the series is directed also allows viewers to have a breather when the main couple has an argument. However nearing the last 2 episodes, it's like someone deflated the good tire and it turned out to be slightly boring, which was quite a turn off.
The cast is amazing! The power of 00s and onwards. :)
OSTs are not really vibe-able to other than Mix's.
Rewatch value, I wouldn't watch it again just because it's not really the show that captivates me a lot.

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Bad play out for the chracters

To be honest, the first episode came off as boring. It was a turn off and I watched it half way several times before I started to commit to finishing it. Sure the storyline for the most part is good, but the way it plays out for some of the characters is really a shame.

1. Phai, Thanu, Sandee. Phai's meeting with Thanu should have never happened. It's heartbreaking for someone who hasn't experienced a relationship. Especially when both of them experienced the shock when they met at the riverbank, it was like they were meant to be. (Derived from the way Thanu kept thinking about Phai and even drew a portrait of him.) And after Phai and Thanu talked it out, he still has to deal with a jealous and cunning friend who probably likes him. Phai deserved better.

2. Padbok. Come on man, the amount of anger given to this character is unreal. Every time he comes on screen is just a violent mess. Really did not like the way he didn't at least have a character development in the first season. I'm hoping in the coming season he would be a better person.

3. Tong and Pok. Enemies to lovers (ETL) trope but with a horrible plot. They should have really given both of them a better story instead of having them be in whatever mess they are in right now.

4. Jew. Small support role but still crucial for scenes to relieve stress from main couples. I feel like they should have him be a couple with Yuki. Would have made it more interesting as it connects the 2 faculties and any drama (for instance Padbock being an ass to the Communication Arts students) would have been more interesting than seeing him beat up Thanu and people who protect Thanu.

5. Jack and Koh. They seem like relationship tools that everyone uses for their benefit. They truly deserve a story on their own seeing as to how their relationship has played out.

As for casting, it's really good, but there could be some changes to have a more impactful cast.

Music wise; OST isn't great, BGM for scenes are okay but kind of repetitive. Makes it super annoying.

Rewatch value: I would probably only rewatch it because of Mark and Kit, otherwise no.

Edit: Added point 5.

#MarkKitSupremacy

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Gotta love a good show

2020's first BL drama. Also the first BL drama to blow up, bringing in international fans such as myself to the BL fandom.

First thing's first, the cast. Amazing! The chemistry between Mew and Gulf is really good, and it really adds a lot of flavour to the characters in the series. Mild as per usual, amazing at comedy. Tong is the underrated cast member that needs more spotlight!

Secondly, the music. All OSTs were very good and the music that is played for each scene is superb! When it's sad, it's sad. When it's cute, you get butterflies. Very well done.

Thirdly, the plot. Ooh, the plot. The story itself is quite good, just that there many many problems to it. Non-consensual touch by Tharn to Type, r4pe of Technic (as seen in parent show), incest, overly possessive and jealous boyfriend, unhealthy relationship. All these are the fantasies of the writer who I shall not name, which is downright disturbing. Many underaged teens watch this series and will think it's okay for one to perform non-consensual acts on the person they like. It is all kinds of f**ked up.

Rewatch value: too much of that drama fights between lovers thing for me to even handle. However I would watch highlight clips of lovely moments. Therefore rewatch value is the lowest i can give.

Overall, it could be better if there weren't any problematic scenes in the series. It is the series that paved the way for the BL industry and an inspiration to many directors to direct a BL series.

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Better off without S2

Not going to sugarcoat this. Itsay was better off without season 2. Sure, the development of their relationship from Phuket to Bangkok was interesting, but due to the change in director who seem to not understand the characters, it was a huge impact to how season 2 played out.

Plot: My rating for S2's plot is lower than what I gave for S1, mainly because of how Teh was portrayed. The scriptwriters were drunk when writing this season's plot /s. It just wasn't it. I really hate how Teh looked at Jai exactly the way he did when he looked at Oh Aew in S1. Having Teh cheat in the relationship also adds to the stereotype for the gay community and is harmful. The ending where Bas and Q were left bittersweet because Oh Aew and Teh reconciled was not to my liking. They deserved more than being one sided lovers of the main character.

Cast: This season's cast was really good! I really love Oh Aew's new circle of friends, especially Ta (played as Q).

Music: As always, Nadao Music really is superior. I'm so thankful to then for making such great OSTs that conveyed the feelings of the characters.

Rewatch value: Gave the lowest score because it really isn't that good that I would d i e to watch it again.

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