Sex with a side of emotional abuse, anyone???

LONG REVIEW AHEAD BC I'M A HATER!!! :)
Also, a lot of smiley faces bc I'm passive aggressive. :)
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Thailand is known for its large production of BL's. However, because of these yearly influxes, the quantity has risen while the quality has fallen into a large, steaming pile of dung. Cutie Pie is no exception. :)

I went into this drama expecting to witness forced proximity turning into mutual love. I enjoy that trope, as it allows characters to build on perceptions, release negative stereotypes, and form a mutual and consensual relationship that suits them. This was, after all, an arranged marriage, where one character hoped to win the other over in the end. But did I get what I was expecting? No. Not at all. Actually, I got everything I didn't want and more. :) Can you tell how happy I am about that???? :)

ANYWAY.

If you haven't seen it, let me lay out some details. Our main characters are as follows: Kuea Keerati (NuNew), Lian Kilen Wang (Zee), Khondiao (Nat), Yi (Max), Syn (Yim), and Nuea (Tutor). Kuea is engaged to Lian, and their relationship is quite rocky as they are both harboring secrets that could change the course of their engagement. Khondiao is NOT in a relationship with Yi, but Yi is very protective of Khondiao. Finally, Syn and Nuea are side characters who form a relationship of their own throughout the series. Unfortunately, that's as simple as it gets. The rest of this show is filled with a plethora of crying scenes, miscommunication out the wazoo, some bar/club action, college activities, and a whole lot of pain and suffering (partially from me).

SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW!!!

Now, if you have seen it, please sit back and enjoy my rant as I dive into my ratings.

Story? 4/10.
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. :)

I am notorious for not watching trailers, as I enjoy blank slates when going into shows/movies. So you can imagine little old me going into Cutie Pie with my aforementioned expectations.. and being extremely disappointed. Now, imagine that disappointment with my other notorious action of always giving things second chances (and thirds and fourths). Como se dice 'more disappointed'?

Let's begin with Keau and Lian's storyline. We've got a kid full of life and adventure who is engaged to a pretentious man he pretends to be perfect for. This perfection means that everything Keau loves has to be kept secret. But wait! Lian already knows? Yes. Their entire storyline ebbs and flows off of the secrets Keau keeps that Lian is already aware of. So we have Keau, who is hiding his true self--which in his mind is keeping his engagement afloat--and on the other end, Lian is watching him suffer to keep these secrets, even though he's already accepted Keau and his lifestyle. Not only that, but Lian is in love with Kuea just as Kuea is in love with Lian. But does Lian share this information? No. He just lets Keau stay heartbroken at the thought that his fiancé will never feel the same way as him. And the only reason I can come up with as to why this information isn't shared sooner, is because Lian's a grown man who doesn't know how to use his words. :) Not until the 7th episode, anyway. But even after that, their relationship is even more rocky. Go figure, right?

Nonetheless, the production team makes up for this terrible plot with a bunch of sex scenes. Just kidding! There are sex scenes, but I didn't forget what Keau had to go through in order to get steamy in the sheets. Toxicity was all I could see, so I still can't believe their relationship ended the way it did. Which, by the way, super cheesy ending. I hated it. Like everything else about their relationship. :) 2/10

Now, let's drag Khondiao and Yi's storyline through the mud! I have never been more annoyed at a couple than I was while watching Khondiao and Yi interact. You're gonna sit here and tell me that I waited an entire season (what was it? eleven episodes?) to find out that Yi was so protective of Khondiao, because he hadn't been able to save Khondiao from an animal attack that somehow took away his memory? You're telling me that Yi put Khondiao through so much emotional abuse because he felt guilty about what had happened in the past? Make it make sense. Please. Because Khondiao went through so much turmoil to not only be treated like shit and given the ugliest dog as a present, but we find out that he remembers what happened and he's been fine with it this entire time?? 1/10

Let me move on before I get heated again. :)

Syn and Nuea. Their progression was actually somewhat of a surprise, but not in the way you might think. Yes, it was a breath of fresh air to see a somewhat healthy interaction between two college boys who obviously find each other attractive. I enjoyed the flirtation, the looks, the slow-burn... BUT... their intimacy towards the end felt so random and undeserved. Does that make sense? Like, it would have been perfectly fine had they never shared a kiss. Their storyline just didn't evolve enough for it. Plus, the kiss just didn't suit their characters. While Nuea was flirtatious, Syn was reserved. If I was the director, I would've had them share a kiss with no one watching. 7/10

Acting/Cast? 7/10
Eh.

Since this was NuNew's first drama, I'll give him a break. His acting wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. I hate being able to tell when actor's are doing their jobs, and there were several times where NuNew's acting did just that. Zee was great. Love ya, bud. Max was alright. Yim and Tutor were okay. Nat, however, I'm just not a fan of. No hate, but the kid needs some work. The only scene that I found he acted well, was when him and Max were at the skate park, and he's angry that Max won't tell him the secret he's been hiding.

I don't remember anyone else.

Music? 8/10
Not bad, if I'm being honest. The title track? Ass. Everything else? Good. I loved NuNew's voice, and I hope to hear him singing OST's for other shows!

Rewatch Value? 1/10
If I ever find myself perusing the internet for something to watch, I would only choose this series to replay Syn&Nuea's scenes (specific ones only).

Overall? 4/10
Filled to the brim with problematic themes, characters, and scenarios, Cutie Pie the Series was a dumpster fire of toxic relationships acknowledging no such toxicity. Watch at your own risk. :)

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An Easy? 6 Episodes

LONG REVIEW AHEAD BC I'M DRAMATIC :)
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First of all, y'all are regarding this show too highly... in my opinion.

Was it easy to watch? Eh. Did it have a sweet message? Sure. Did it make any sense at all? Hardly.

Now hear me out. This story was fed to us as two male college students in a marriage&family class who reluctantly become partners for a dating assignment (Gagaoolala). That sounded pretty average to me (in the scope of BL's that I've watched), and it was only going to be 6 episodes, so I picked up the show as soon as it aired. However, it was very clear after the second episode that this storyline was not headed in the direction I had assumed it would. In fact, I think the train this show and its viewers were riding switched its course twice, teleported to another dimension, and then pulled into its final destination upside down.

SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW!!!

Why do I feel that way, you may ask? Well, let's start with the stalker.

This show is literally 6 episodes long. SIX. Why did the writers waste 30% of this show on a stalker that is practically forgotten about after the fourth episode when he's caught? It was irrelevant and time consuming--even as a trope to bring our main protagonist (Ji-woo) and his two love interests (Ro-A and Yu-Na) together. This scenario in six episodes would have only worked had the stalker been stalking Ji-woo, not Yu-Na, and if the setting was more thriller-like than soft and romantic. 4/10

Now, let's talk about Ro-A's roommate (Nam-Jun).

Was he hot? Yes. Do I just have a thing for bald men? Maybe. But I digress. What the hell was that? Did y'all see what I saw? I was all for the beginning premise of this show: guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes girl. I was not prepared for guy likes guy, but the guy that guy likes, likes other guy that likes girl. Now we have a jealous best friend harassing Ji-woo and kicking over tennis balls...... While I don't mind a love triangle, I cannot emphasize enough that this drama is ONLY 6 EPISODES. Thus, Nam-Jun's character felt 2 dimensional and as ridiculously placed as the stalker. 6/10 (higher score bc he's hot).

Finally, let's get into the topic of that one student and her teacher.

Why? 1/10


Now for my ratings! If you're still here...

Story? 7/10.
Honestly, it wasn't bad. But, it wasn't good. The only reason I found myself coming back for each episode was in hopes to see progression between Ji-woo and Ro-A's relationship. Yes, their story ended up progressing. Yes, we even got a kiss. No, I was not satisfied.

In every way, their story feels unfinished. I mean.. it kind of is unfinished.. and not in a way that I'd like to see a season two between these characters (and whichever other characters the writers will drop in). We see nothing build between them, unless you count a drenched Ro-A reciting a poem to Ji-woo through a locked door. And even that didn't do it for me, as the scene that ensues (where they're in the bed) only lasts for a minute or two, and there's nothing romantic about it. And now that we're talking about romance, I will die on any hill as I say that there is no genuine romance in this show. Ro-A kind of just stays by Ji-woo's side until Ji-woo realizes that his feelings for Ro-A are more than he thought. But we don't even get to see that shift. It kind of just happens, and then they're together and happily holding hands after the longest 20 minutes of my life.

Acting/Cast? 8/10.
I don't have much to say, honestly. Ji-woo (Han Hyun Jun) and Nam-Jun (Yoo Hyuk Jae) were my favorite actors/characters. They really encompassed their roles as the men who pine after their unrequited love, and I was able to feel their hurt, anger, confusion, and passion. Everyone else was just okay. Nothing spectacular, but nothing terrible. Honorable mention to the stalker: great performance, but you run weird.

Music? 6/10.
Can't recall a single song in this show, and OST's are my favorite. That should say enough.

Rewatch Value? 7.5/10.
I'll tell you what. I do see myself watching this drama again, but it won't be my first choice when I have nothing else to watch. It's just light, quick, and there's a kiss at the end to seal the deal.

Overall? 7/10.
I really wish Korea would stop releasing less than average BL's, because we all know how well done their hetero drama's are; a low budget does not equate to a poorly written script. I want heart. I want reality. I want ROMANCE. I want to see a relationship between two male characters feel natural, and I want their story to make sense! BUT, we can't all have what we want, so I will settle at a 7 for this rating. Just know that you have been warned of the mediocrity of this drama.

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Someone's gonna jump out and yell PRANK'D YA, right?

SHORT LENGTH REVIEW BC I AM BEFUDDLED :)
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(Please keep in mind that I have only seen 7 of the 8 episodes as this review is being posted. I will update once I have finished watching.)


While I try to respect everyone's opinion, I wholeheartedly--from the very depths of my aortic valve--disagree with the reviews/ratings above 7/10. This drama is bad, and I don't particularly trust y'all who enjoyed it. Did you really? Did someone pay y'all? WHAT am I missing?

SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THIS REVIEW!!!

Story? 6/10.
I have never witnessed a script go absolutely everywhere and nowhere at the same time... until this show.

Han Ba Da (Han Gi Chan) is a chef who wishes to open his own restaurant one day, so when the opportunity is presented to him, he jumps on it, but finds it difficult to attract customers; he is only but a chef, not a people-person. However, the abrupt arrival of Tommy (Holland) opens the door--literally--to customers anew and a twinkle of romance.

Sounds fun, yeah? That's what I thought. But we're all wrong sometimes.

This story starts where it's meant to: Han Ba Da opens a restaurant (with an extremely greedy woman, might I add), but is unable to produce revenue in order to maintain the rent. Thus, we're introduced to Tommy, his savior. However, this introduction includes accidental vehicular assault and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. I hated it, but whatever. Now we've got our two main protagonists working together, and they actually make a great pair. Tommy is super extraverted and seems genuine in his aide to Ba Da, which we see quickly develop into something more than a business relationship. But, unfortunately, this is where it all goes downhill.

Got an ex you want to throw into the mix to wreak havoc that'll never make another appearance? Go ahead. Some spilled soy sauce we want to get angry about? Sure. A bunch of customers constantly being left at the door that says Open one second and Closed the next because Ba Da and Tommy are extremely unprofessional? Why not.

(That's not even the full list of what all happens during the 8 fifteen-minute episodes, but now I'm sure you can imagine the train wreck I have sat through.)

Acting/Cast? 6/10.
This is actually the part I was hoping to score higher on, but, unfortunately, the children in this show acted better than our two main protagonists. Which is extremely disappointing, considering I really enjoyed Han Gi Chan (Han Ba Da) in Where Your Eyes Linger.

Music? 6/10.
Honestly, not much to talk about. I don't remember any of the songs except for the title track, and even that was lackluster.

Rewatch Value? 1/10.
I genuinely hope to never even hear anyone talking about this drama, or else I might spontaneously combust. Even writing this review was difficult

Overall? 6/10.
MyDramaList suggested I rate it a 5/10, but I thought that would be too harsh on top of everything I've written in this review. Overall, as Simon Cowell would say, it's a no for me.

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So sweet my teeth hurt!

SHORT REVIEW BC IT HASN'T FINISHED AIRING!!
Also, slight spoilers along the way. Read with caution!
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If you told me a month and a half ago that I would fall in love with a show about a cat-man living with a real man and their life together introduces them to feelings unknown... I would've believed you. Easily. Because that premise alone is everything I could ever ask for. But so far, this show is much more than that. Let's get into it.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Story? 8/10
Meow Ears Up, begins with the introduction of Dermdem (Gap), a dejected artist who lives alone. Orphaned at a young age, he welcomes solitude much more than happiness. But when he brings home a stray cat one night, and that stray cat turns into a man, silence and sorrow no longer exist. In fact, it is because of this cat-man named Meow (James) and his playful tendencies, that the dark clouds hovering above Dermdem's head dissipate.

Apart from their budding affection for one another, we also get to see something develop between Meow's brother Faiyen (Bright)--who is also a cat-man-- and Evan (Bodo), a professor?? teacher's assistant? as they bond over basketball and learning English. Now we have two love stories to follow (three, if you include the mouse-girl, but I'm not really following that progression) that are quickly filling with good memories.

Acting/Cast? 8.5/10
So, the good actors are everybody except for Bodo (and sometimes Gap). Ugh! I hate writing this, because every character has filled my heart with so much warmth that I can't imagine doing them dirty, but man... Bodo cannot act. At all. To the point that I get second hand embarrassment, because Bright is so much better during their scenes. But!! It's his first job, and he's as sweet as can be, so I'll let it slide.

Everyone else is doing a terrific job, though! This series is made more enjoyable by the lighthearted atmosphere these actors are able to emulate with their characters. Well done. :)

Music? 6/10
Have y'all heard that title track?

Rewatch Value? 9/10
AS IT STANDS FROM EPISODE 6... I most definitely will watch this show again. It might even become a comfort show for me. HOWEVER, anything can happen in two episodes.. so I'll keep y'all posted.

Overall? 8.5/10
So far, this show has been enjoyable and wholesome. Genuinely good for my soul. It's not too serious, and the characters actually have their own personalities and goals. I hope to keep memories of this one for a long time! :)

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