Cutie Pie (2022)

A series to listen to, not simply watch

I watched the official trailer of this series, and wanted to watch it immediately, simply because the plot was so outdated, yet so freshly taken by adding it into the BL world.

And then... Originally, it was a disappointment. The story was too unrealistic and simple to the extreme, told in the first episode with nowhere to go, the turns easy to predict, the characters one-dimensional and difficult to understand. Overall, the whole show seemed to be just... empty, so I kept on watching merely for the beautiful pictures and the good-looking actors, as their chemistry is undeniable.

Then there came one episode, one scene, where I submerged into emotions so hard that I forgot to breathe for a minute, with my mouth open, not able to move, slipping down, literally almost falling off of my chair. I didn't understand what happened. I kept watching that scene over and over again, watching the actors faces, moves, body language with awe, taking in the beautiful music, feeling like a peeping Tom, looking at two people who just had their first moment truly connecting with each other. This was when I realized: hey, these guys really want to tell me something. Maybe it's me who did not understand something...?

So, I watched the whole series again. From the very beginning, questioning all of my previously formed opinions, and imagining myself into the place of each and every single character in the situations portrayed, listening to what the actors wanted to express with their plays (I basically paused watching like 50 times per episode). By every, I mean every. The kids, the parents, the friends, etc. What I found was pure beauty.

First, the story.
Original impression: undeniably outdated concept, and undeniably unrealistic and simple, no surprises, not progressing.
After re-watch: even if the concept is outdated, it is merely a frame to highlight what truly matters: the people who live through these stories. Grandparents and parents, who want their offspring to be in an emotionally safe relationship with someone they care for, is the single most basic wish of any responsible caretaker in a family. Same as respecting their intentions. I love how in the story everything seems to be settled for the main characters, but if you watch carefully, the elderly keep asking the young ones about their feelings and wants, implying that the story is actually not narrow at all, but is based on the characters' decisions - which is how real life writes a story. There are kids becoming adults, who want to meet their parents' wishes, whilst expressing themselves, living life in their own ways. Friends who change. Realistic people.
I understood that my feeling of unrealistic comes from the fact that two boys are engaged in a world where gay marriage is yet to be a fully accepted concept. So came my understanding: the source of this feeling is that we are yet to accept it as natural. Accept it as nothing extraordinary, and the whole story becomes cute and a bit naïve, but absolutely imaginable.
Overall, the plot is simply frame, which, on one hand challenges the viewer to rethink their own view on same-sex relationships with its unrealistic way (we need to give credit for the two grandpas here). On the other hand its simplicity does not draw attention away from the important thing this series wants you to focus on: people, emotions, connections.
The story is not progressing - because it doesn't have to. Unlike any other BL series I have ever seen, this one kicks the usual series dynamics in the teeth, and settles you in a fairly static plot, to make you actually watch, feel, live in the skin of the characters, instead of settling you in rather static characters for a longer-shorter series of events. You can literally feel yourself growing together with them in the slow story.
This series is not exciting because of the happenings. This series is exciting because of how the characters live through them. Note: This part I may need to edit later as the series end. :)

Second, the characters.
Original impression: one-dimensional emotions and drives.
After re-watch: Once I understood that I will not see their characters portrayed by their actions as the story progresses, I knew I needed to put myself into the characters' shoes. And it was so easy! I mean, who wasn't a young university student, who had no idea what they want with their lives, but knew exactly who they want? Who wasn't a child, who wants to please their parents, but find their own ways? Who didn't struggle with their own emotions they felt towards a friend? Who were not doing extreme things out of guilt, desire, desperation, wish for care?
I realized not only these characters are complex, but they are so beautifully everyday people! Which is ingenious, considering the anything-but-everyday plot. This controversial feeling, amplified by the characters captivates the viewer. Their emotional roller coaster is expressed in the most subtle things, visible if you really, but really listen to them. A pair of widening eyes, a narrow back walking away, tears, obviously, wide moves, anxious stepping from one foot to another, a furrowed brow, sitting calmly in front of the other... It struck me really hard when I understood that these actors, unlike in some other series including better and worse I watched, are actually ACTING. With capitals. They show me fully realized characters who they were able to connect with, even the ones who I originally thought are bad acting. They simply don't go over the top, but rather behave as a normal human being. I love how the expressions are not loud at all in this series, because when they are... Fireworks.

Third and last, the show overall.
Original impression: empty.
After re-watch: If anyone got to this point in reading, by this time you most likely realized my source of emptiness was my own shallow take. This series will not shout in your face what is happening and is felt, instead invites you to imagine yourself in the places of the main roles, and offers you a journey with a partner we sometimes forget to bring along: ourselves. A multi-dimensional journey and see, how different people, bonded by intention, love, sympathy or duty, in different situations, for different reasons can overcome difficulties by listening to, understanding and respecting each other. And this, in my opinion, is a story worth to learn from and remember to, by watching and re-watching a thousand times.

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