The character development is amazing, as you can see them becoming more open to eachother.
Some of the scenes were a bit too exaggerated, and that's why it can seem fake to some people.
Overall a very very good drama to watch! I recommend it 10/10!
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This review contains spoilers.Having read a number of glowing reviews of this show I was totally prepared to sail this ship - but wow, what a letdown. If anything, it showed me how far Thai BL shows have come in the last couple of years. Before I discuss what I didn't like, first I'll mention what I did like.
First of all, I appreciated that the women in the story were portrayed as just normal people and not crazy, stupid or boring little nothings that were 'in the way'. It's sad that this should be a breath of fresh air, but there you go.
They also had some interesting side-characters who had potential to add variety and spice to the show, but they were under-used. And I liked the character of Arthit and the actor who played him with some degree of subtlety. I also thought the sub-plot with M and May was cute.
However...
The major issue I had with this show was the character of Kongpob. Frankly, he creeped me out. I'm not sure if it was the fault of the actor or the script, but Kongpob always had this eerie smirk on his face that really set me on edge. The creepy smirk, combined with his constant do-gooder interjections, made him someone I would never trust or want to be around. He felt very fake, very false from the outset. I mean, he even smirked DURING his first kiss with Arthit. It made me shudder, and not in a good way. I thought maybe the plot would turn and he'd be revealed to be a psychopath.
I also did not really respond to the core theme of the show - the hazing rituals. They went on forever and were very repetitive, doing little to drive the plot forward beyond setting up the basic 'bully being wooed by the victim' theme. There were pacing issues throughout, with annoying gaps in any sort of forward motion.
And finally, I found it hard to understand or trace how Arthit ever came to like Kongpob, or vice versa. There was a total absence of chemistry in that relationship, and Arthit's decision to give in to Kongpob did not strike me as credible. At the end of the day, if I don't believe in the relationship the show just can't work for me. It wasn't my cup of tea, I'm afraid.
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Stockholm Syndrome with a Dash of Homophobia
I went into this with so much high hopes. I love Singto. I really do. He’s a great actor and has great screen presence. I also heard good things about this series and thought ok I’ll give it a shot. And right out of the gate the whole thing goes to shit when the hazing starts. I don’t know about anyone else but having had experience with the hazing system in the US Greek System romanticizing hazing as a way to advance a romance is disgusting. People are permanently harmed and die each year due to this system. That aside lets get into it.First off I will not fault Krist for his acting like a dick. He does it well in this movie. What he doesn’t do well is to show that he has any romantic feelings for Singto. He acts more like a 12 year old with their first girlfriend than a mature adult discovering that they’re gay and all the awakening feelings that go along with that. I know what you’re going to say - but this is just a show. Yes, I know it is. But for god’s sakes its a freaking BL romance. Let’s at least put some effort into this. And don’t get me started on the kissing scene. Krist looks like he wants to be anywhere but there and knowing his homophobic feelings I can see that on screen. These two are more just close friends than any kind of romantic partners.
The one thing I do like about this series is the fact that the few openly gay characters do not have the typical over the top played for laughs Queen behavior. There is one very flamboyant man but he doesn’t try to scream and act like a walking cliche. And one member of the inner circle is gay and they think nothing of it. This at least lends itself to his friends accepting his homosexuality right up until they exchange the leather cords at the end. You can see the friends making fun of it in the background.
All this being said I have NO hopes for the new GMMTV BL with Krist and Mike being anything more than a rehash of Krist’s disgust with performing in a BL and inability to relate to the gay characters. Let’s please stop using homophobic actors who actively hate BL and do harm to the LGBTQIA+ community at large. Instead let’s please use respectful actors, especially gay actors, and write realistic gay romance that everyone can enjoy. #maxtulforever
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The story is great, the cast are talented and funny, the music was very well fitting and I liked this so much that I've made a playlist on YouTube of all my favourite clips. I promise you, you cannot go wrong with this drama. What I particularly liked was how the relationship was addressed. It wasn't overly fanservice-y and was sweet and cute. It wasn't forced, and didn't perpetuate the common trope of "seme" and "uke" that you tend to see with lots of BL.
I 100% recommend it, and if you want more once you've finished then you'll have to wait with us all in SOTUS limbo while we wait for November to come... Season 2, I'm waiting for you!
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However, to be subjective, the storyline is strong and the acting is on par. I am just worried that the romance that blooms out of SOTUS will make SOTUS an applicable and allowable act. Maybe they should think of changing the name for the second season and not make SOTUS as the frontal point of the series anymore. It would be good if they have a stronger anti-SOTUS storyline for the second series.
Let's remember those who fell by the act of SOTUS everywhere and May Karma return to all that have caused and still doing it.
#antisotus #goodseries #changethename
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Sad that I can't read the Online Novel 'til it's translated into English, but this drama has made me very happy. Story was simple but focused in start of everything with beginning stage of relationships, characters' development & establishment. Arthit's denial was cliche but his acceptance was endearing as well as manly. He's so charming that even his temper and meanness in the beginning was hard to hate. Meanwhile Kongpob's unconventional smooth and witty (also flirty) demeanor as a freshmen was funny but sexy. He always has biggest and brightest smile when he's with Arthit. ^^
It's a smart drama where story concept is interesting to grab your attention, but focuses on characters and their interaction & influence to make it fun. Casts wrapped it up with big pink ribbon with their charm to perfect the series. I'm a sucker for happy ending.
Check out the interview between the casts. So cute. ^^
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This is for sure the best drama series i have watched so far and let me tell i have watched a lot! The story is really freaking great and the actors are amazing too!!! The acting itself is really good cause when there are more romantic scenes they look really real and u wouldn't guess they are scripted! And since both of the main actors are really good friends it makes it even more special cause in some scenes u can see that they are showing some true emotions as well and they are rally comfortable around each other! I have already rematched the whole season 3 times and i would even with it few more times!!!
I also really liked all the supporting cast cause they really suited their roles and i felt like I'm just watching my school mates from the side! The supporting cast made the whole story even better cause they had their own situations that u can think about and make some new ships as well! XD
Over all i would recommend this for sure for somebody who is searching for some alternative love story that is not cliche and isn't very predictable as well!
I would give this 11/10 for sure and i hope that the next season will be as good if not better!!!
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The first part of the series might push away some viewers because of the ridiculous hazing portrayal, but it's worth it given that the latter part of the series will bombard you with lots of great moments.
I highly recommend the series, and it still remains my even favorite after watching a lot of other BL dramas.
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The acting wasn't the best at first, but it definitely improved throughout the series. Also DAMN. THOSE KISS SCENES (my hearteu :3)
totally recommend for any fellow fujoshi!
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Mmmmkay, it's overrated.
(This is my first review.)Okay so, to be honest, my opinion of this show is largely about the framing of the Sotus system. The sotus system is abusive in this show and the presentation of it as some sort of courting ritual for Kongpob and Arthit is kinda disturbing to me. The tone and the content are so at odds they are almost mutually exclusive from one another. Sotus is a system that exists in real-life in Thailand and hazing/initiation rituals exist in many other places. People die and suffer serious physical and psychological trauma each year due to this system in Thailand. This only makes this series more disturbing to be quite frank. There is a short film (not a BL) made in Thailand which tackles the sotus system (it is against it). The tone of the film and the content match far better and it is honestly a far more rational presentation of a system in which power can so easily be abused. Here is the link if anyone is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NgYr6GqofM
Now, with that out of the way let's talk about things other than the plot.
The acting is fine. I have seen many of the actors in other things since this and their acting is better. So, it's okay but it often could be better and I've seen better acting from them since then.
The chemistry is mediocre at best in my opinion. This is something a lot of fans love about ArthitKongpob as a couple, but honestly their chemistry felt very platonic the whole way through to me. I never bought into the romantic or sexual attraction between them. This is not because of the minimal PDA, it just didn't feel like they were attracted to each other to me.
The music itself is okay. Sometimes it felt unnecessary and frequently it was too loud.
The series does have a somewhat nostalgic feel, so for people who love the series I can understand the re-watch value is probably high.
When the sotus system was not the centre of the scene I generally enjoyed it. (I have seen Sotus S and the Our Skyy special and preferred them a lot more, especially Our Skyy.) Hazing is personally something I hate. I have been close enough to it in real-life to have a visceral reaction to seeing it (especially in the romantic way it is presented here). But there are scenes that are well made. The scene in Arthit's apartment was sweet and the phonecall/almost confession scene was my favourite performance throughout. But yeah, it felt like propaganda for a controversial system more often than it felt like a story of love between people.
Of course, many people love it so I'm probably missing something. I actually would recommend the sequel and Our Skyy special. The main relationship and friendships are far more equal and easy to feel comfortable about for me.
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