A masterpiece of a series that sets a new standard for all BL dramas

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

I don't even know where to begin. Do yourself a favor and just watch this series. It does everything right. Watching it was a wonderful journey and I'm just sad that it had to come to an end.

Pros
- The casting. The acting. The chemistry. All sheer perfection. Ohm and Nanon made this series the phenomenon that it is. The attention to detail, the subtleties of expressions, the realism, it's all perfection.
- The plot unfolds wonderfully in a way that keeps you invested from start to finish. It takes you through such a wide range of emotions in the best way possible.
- The music is top-tier and really elevates the series. Just hearing the OST immediately transports you back into the story.

Cons
- There were a couple moments where they could have shown some things more detail, or addressed certain points that they glossed over. It plays into an overarching theme of just wanting more of this entire series. The fact that it had to end was the biggest downside.

Overall
- What are you waiting for? Watch it. This series sets a new standard for all dramas, BL or not.

Leggi di Più

A unique and heartwarming story brought to life by an enchanting and talented cast

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This series is a breath of fresh air. It has a unique and moving overarching plot, wonderful characters and character development, perfect music, and a great production crew and dedicated cast.

Pros
- A unique and compelling plot that touches on many complex themes. The plot unfolds and blends perfectly with the broader romance story, keeping everything cohesive and moving forward.
- The two leads have been cast perfectly. Their enchanting chemistry and emotions are apparent in every interaction, no matter how small. You can tell how much they really embraced and fully embodied their roles.
- A truly high-quality production with a dedicated production team and cast that gave this their all, making for a superb final product. The behind-the-scenes documentary shows the amount of dedication required to film this series on location up in the rural mountains and the passion and commitment from the director as well as the cast.

Cons
- There are a few slightly impractical or unrealistic premises in this series that may stick out for some people.

Overall
- This is a truly thought-provoking series. If you're tired of 1-dimensional characters in a university setting getting caught up in superficial squabbles, then this series will give you a dose of something much deeper and more meaningful.

Leggi di Più

A cinematic masterpiece

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This coming of age story is more like a high-quality movie divided into multiple parts rather than a typical drama series with many episodes. The story, acting, and cinematography are all outstanding.

Pros
- Simply unmatched cinematography compared to any other series in this genre, and better than many Hollywood movies.
- The casting, acting, and chemistry between the leads is superb.
- Skillful storytelling techniques that enable deep messages and feelings to be conveyed without the need for explicit vocalization or overt flashbacks.
- The story touches on powerful human truths in a very natural and organic way.

Cons
- As this is a coming of age story you need to think about the characters and their motivations from their point of view. For those of us who are far past this stage of our lives, their motivations and actions can seem frustrating at times.
- There are a few moments where the acting is so intense that it can be a bit unexpected or jarring.

Overall
- A simply stunning series that has set a new bar for the genre.

Leggi di Più

Strong plot and cast let it stand on its own, even if you haven't seen "Kiss Me Again"

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This series is a spin off that focuses on two characters that were first introduced in other titles in the "Kiss" series. I did not watch Kiss or Kiss Me Again before watching Dark Blue Kiss because I heard they weren't necessary, and I now regret that decision. It is possible to jump straight into Dark Blue Kiss and enjoy it for what it is, but take it from me and others that you'll be craving more of these characters and you'll end up wanting to go back and watch anything else featuring them afterward anyway.

Because so many people were watching Kiss Me Again purely for the Pete and Kao BL moments, GMMTV made a three-part series compilation of all of the Pete-Kao scenes on YouTube. While this is disjointed to watch because it cuts out so many other parts, I recommend at least watching this compilation first to get a sense of where this couple came from before starting Dark Blue Kiss.

Pros
- Strong plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat and coming back for more
- Great characters with great chemistry. As this series doesn't focus on how they met, the overall vibe is more mature, but you do get to scratch the blossoming relationship itch with another side couple.

Cons
- The series feels off if you immediately jump in with Dark Blue Kiss itself as you don't get an introduction to any of the characters or their pre-existing histories or relationships.

Overall
- With a strong cast and plot, this series takes you on a wonderfully dramatic ride that lives up to its overly-dramatic opening theme. For the best experience, either watch Kiss Me Again first or at least watch the officially uploaded Kiss Me Again Pete-Kao Scenes compilation to get a better understanding of the journey this couple went through before getting to where they are in Dark Blue Kiss. If you don't, you'll probably end up wanting more and you'll end up going back and watching it all out of order like so many of us did anyway.

Leggi di Più

An insightful look at the BL industry that unfortunately doesn't live up to expectations

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This series is a refreshing meta take on the drama industry that isn't afraid to tackle problematic aspects of the entire BL genre. I really really wanted to like this series more but unfortunately, while it starts out with a great premise, the actual storytelling and execution suffers from many issues.

Pros
- A unique and refreshing premise for a BL series that tries to break problematic tropes and offer a wider variety of characters.
- A good example of a BL series showing working adults instead of the same old school-based setting.
- A good example of a BL series showing more diverse characters - a strong female character and a comparatively more gentle male character who are both portrayed in positive ways, parents/families with diverse sexualities, etc.
- A talented cast with decent chemistry

Cons
- Several plot points felt somewhat arbitrary and overly convenient, including ties between certain characters. Most things that took place in flashbacks actually didn't really add to the story and were actually a big detractor for me. The same story could have been told without the forced backstory.
- Some characters lacked depth and at times seemed to be hollow caricatures based on single motivations. It was hard to identify with them or feel that they were actual people.
- The pacing at some parts was excruciatingly slow. Certain scenes just dragged on and on. I'm not sure if they were just looking to fill time, but scenes that should have been emotional and impactful just ended up feeling downright boring because they were being dragged out so much.

Overall
- While a lot of fans seem to really like this series for tackling some of the BL genre's biggest issues, this series itself unfortunately suffers from its own issues on the production, script, and story side that made it less enjoyable than I had been hoping for.

Leggi di Più

A boring and disappointing sequel with no real story being told

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

TharnType was such a unique and intense series with great characters, but unfortunately, the sequel is a complete letdown. The high variation in review scores is probably between those who are just happy to see these beloved characters on screen again and those who expected some actual plot from a sequel.

Pros
- It's nice to see Tharn and Type together again, with plenty of couple moments together.
- It was interesting to see both the old supporting cast and some new cast members come together.

Cons
- Little to no real plot. The few moments of potential plot developments felt forced and weren't believable.
- So much wasted potential in terms of overall storytelling as well as the potential to develop side couples.
- The pacing was entirely too slow with nothing happening for large amounts of time. It was legitimately boring at many parts. The entire sequel series could have been a standalone movie.

Overall
- Probably only worth watching if you're a hardcore TharnType fan and just want any excuse to see more of these characters on screen regardless of the plot.

Leggi di Più

Simply one of the best romance stories of all time

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

Where to even begin? This series has everything - a deep and meaningful story told in impeccable fashion, skilled actors, lovable characters, beautiful cinematography, superb music, and more. This series sets the bar extremely high and I have a hard time thinking of other series even in the same league. Even after finishing it, I'm having a hard time moving on.

Pros
- There is a deep overarching plot that unfolds beautifully. The series also makes use of unique narrative storytelling techniques which keeps things fresh as it progresses.
- Plenty of moving scenes and memorable moments where you feel deeply for the characters.
- In a genre that can include some less than healthy relationships, the main couple here is an example of a great healthy relationship.
- Unexpected but endearing and lovable side couples.
- Absolutely gorgeous and talented actors.

Cons
- Because this series is stretched out over several more episodes than most series, there are a few moments where the pacing can feel a tiny bit slow/off.
- If you're not ready to feel some deep emotional moments, this may not be the series for you.

Overall
- This series is one of the pinnacles of the genre and everyone should give it a try.

Leggi di Più

A messy, confusing, and amateur production that can't find its footing

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This series starts out with a unique premise but quickly falls apart into a complete mess. To the actors' credit, it was the overall script, storytelling, production quality, and pacing that undermined any potential this series may have had.

Pros
- The series has a unique premise with a few compelling moments hidden throughout
- The cast is decent

Cons
- Any semblance of a plot completely falls apart, leaving you confused and uncertain for the rest of the series as to who the main characters are, what kind of story this is, why any of the side characters even exist, and why you should care about any of it.
- Extremely disappointing and amateur production quality. Scenes that don't match up, so many multi-takes, overused tropes, and more. The various storylines seem to almost have nothing to do with each other, which each group basically being in their own world.
- The pacing was excruciatingly slow with some scenes being milked so much that you could fall asleep. The entire 13 episode series could have been condensed into 6 episodes.

Overall
- This series is worth skipping. If you're intent on watching this, feel free to skip past about 60% of it, which is comprised of overly drawn-out scenes that are there to take up time.

Leggi di Più

A refreshing look at relationships and the realities of life with adult couples rather than students

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

Pros
- The story is a great and realistic representation of relationships, family, and the realities of life for adults. It's so great to not only have stories about students with school-level low stakes. This series shows you that everything isn't always sunshine and rainbows but people still have the strength to live their lives and find love.
- The acting is superb. The entire cast is very talented and this makes it easy to full immerse yourself in the story.
- The pacing is just right and keeps you interested from start to finish.
- The variety of couples keeps things fresh and interesting.
- There's great representation of the deaf community.

Cons
- There were a couple moments where it felt like some drama was introduced for the sake of having drama. Those couple moments felt a little bit forced and unrealistic.

Overall
- A wonderful series that represents the adult world in a realistic way. A must watch if you're bored of school-aged dramas.

Leggi di Più

An unfortunate letdown that felt amateur and forced from start to finish

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

Unfortunately, this series is a complete letdown that suffers from many story, production, and casting-related issues.

Pros
- A few cast members were attractive and had some cute moments together.

Cons
- The overall plot wasn't very compelling, with a lot of plot points that just didn't make sense. So many moments of tension were just artificially manufactured so they never felt realistic or believable and the stakes never felt high for anything going on.
- The production quality was poor and the pacing was off. Lots of long and overly drawn-out scenes that were simply boring and hard to get through.
- The overall acting level of most of the actors was unfortunately below average, making some scenes hard to sit through. Some of the couples also lacked any real chemistry or depth and didn't feel believable at all.

Overall
- This series unfortunately doesn't have enough redeeming qualities to make it worth watching.

Leggi di Più

A decent mix of characters and stories keep things interesting

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This series has a lot going on. Lots of friends and side couples/stories mean there's a lot to keep up with. Some of these stories are much more compelling than others. An overall plot eventually emerges which drives the entire series forward, but some of the plot points end up feeling somewhat manufactured instead of organic.

Pros
- Attractive leads with good chemistry and an interesting story.
- The overall plot that emerges keeps you coming back for more.
- A variety of great characters and stories including a strong female character that actually doesn't play into some tired drama stereotypes.

Cons
- Some parts of the plot felt very forced and unrealistic.
- Some characters and their motivations can seem unbelievable and frustrating.
- No real OST to speak of felt like a big missed opportunity.
- The eventual resolution to the story felt comparatively flat compared to some of the other more intense moments.

Overall
- Worth watching for the variety of interesting and compelling characters.

Leggi di Più

A charming supernatural story that captures the realities of the human experience

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

While this series starts out with a fantastic premise and explores otherworldly themes, the depth and relatability of the characters make it feel like one of the most authentic and intimate representations of real human relationships and experiences.

Pros
- The creative plot premise and relatable characters make for a compelling narrative.
- Charming and talented actors make every minute believable and touching to watch.
- This series portrays the realities of some very difficult life situations quite realistically.
- While some dramas feature less than healthy or exaggerated relationships, the interactions here are realistic and mature.
- At only 8 episodes long, there's no filler here.

Cons
- At only 8 episodes, you will definitely want more. Some plot elements could have likely been distributed differently if they had more time.
- This series is severely underrated. Perhaps because of the licensing rights it hasn't had as much exposure when it first aired. It just came to GMMTV's YouTube account a year later, but hopefully more people will see and appreciate it now.

Overall
- This is a unique and wonderfully charming series that is short and easy to watch so everyone should give it a try!

Leggi di Più

A serious and mature take on relationships with introspection and character development

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

Be prepared for a lot of film references and allusions as this series is full of them. The mood of this series is overall serious and somber, touching on some deeper emotions. If you're looking for a break from some of the sweet and happy dramas out there, this might be the series for you. If you're looking for something more lighthearted then this may feel a bit too slow or sad for you. The characters here deal with difficult situations, come to terms with real issues about themselves, and go through a lot of character development. The pacing can be a bit slow at some parts, but it matches the overall feeling for this series.

Pros
- The characters experience significant development throughout the series, something not always found in most dramas.
- This series does a good job of handling emotional and relationship issues in a relatively realistic and mature way.
- Plenty of moving scenes where you feel deeply for the characters.

Cons
- It can feel a bit too heavy and slow-paced at times.
- The emotional toll can be high on the viewer.

Overall
- If you're a fan of stories with more somber moods and more realistic takes on relationships, you'll definitely enjoy this.

Leggi di Più

The lead pairing struggles to find its place but the side couples carry this great series

NO-SPOILER REVIEW

This is a really hard review to write because I would have given very different ratings for just the main couple versus all the other side couples. The lead couple starts out strong and unfortunately struggles to find its way, but thankfully this series gives plenty of time to the development of the side couples, and they make for an amazing series.

Pros
- Three of the main side couples have amazing character and story development as well as great acting and chemistry. Any of them could have carried this entire series and could have their own dedicated spin offs.
- A good blend of funny, dramatic, and feel-good moments.
- The OSTs are great and really add to the mood.

Cons
- Some tropes feel a bit stale and some relationship elements aren't very healthy.
- As this series doesn't appear to have the same budgets as some other Thai BL series, there are some aspects that feel a bit rougher in terms of overall production and distribution. In addition, this series seemed to have some difficulty with multiple rounds of casting and issues with a Chinese investor company and cast member.

Overall
- This series seems to have had some issues getting the attention and acknowledgement it deserves as it's not coming from GMMTV or other big studios, but it's definitely worth watching. While the plot for the main leads isn't very strong, this series survives on the amazing side couples, which are more than worth it.

Leggi di Più