Finally a 2023 Thai series that gives me butterflies :)
I have developed a complete love for this series and both men since the end of ep 2. This episode gave me so many sweet, warm fuzzies, and I am so grateful I came across this gem from Thailand! I had lost a lot of hope for Thai series this year, but this show is wonderful and I plan to shout that from the digital rooftops!!!! I just finished episode 4 and am so eager for episode 5. No, the storyline is not very original, but it is well done and I think the actors are doing a great job so far....does it help that I find both leads super gorgeous...yes, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this is the first Thai show this year that I haven't had to force myself to sit distractedly through an episode and that I am 1000% rewatching! It's honey-sweet and the pacing is phenomenal thus far. The music is lovely and fits the story better than average too. I want to say this will be one of my top ten from Thailand, but there are 6 episodes to go, and I don't want to jinx it. Right now, I am loving this show and all the butterflies it started giving in ep3 and that are still there through ep 4.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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I do not know what other's are talking about
This was a great show. Honestly, it was simple, pacing was good, story line was straightforward, everything was suggested early enough to address later. This isn't a complicated show and that may be why I've seen so many negative reviews. One person said that star in my mind was better but that show brought an abuse plot and brushed over it and their conflict continued on until the last two episodes. Dunk's acting isn't perfect but he definitely improved and he made me feel the same nerves that his character felt during many scenes in the show. He played the "trying his best" character really well even if it wasn't always perfect. I can't criticize the bobble head comment because I know people in real life that move like that, so it genuinely didn't bother me. Joong's acting was perfect, their chemistry was so natural and it's one of the best potrayals of a dating couple I've seen in a show. The puppy love, the progression, the nerves, the true love (which joong nailed, he was acting incredible from face to body). And it's not fair to compare them to other high quality shows because a lot of those had the romance as the side plot and a bigger plot occurring. This show's main plot IS the romance and the obstacles they face during its progression. Joke explains he developed a crush on Zo because he was the first person to ask what he wants and respect it which made sense when we see how neglected he felt by his parents. Zo is the textbook nerdy boy with his walls up because his mom was strict and his friend lead him on and ridiculed him in the process. The debate club wasn't even that in your face but that was explained because Zo wanted to make his mom proud. They argued when they needed when Zo or Joke were being a unreasonable. The stalker story was explained to be occurring from years before and which didn't need to take up more time than it did and resolved in the most rational way you can instead of brushed over. The parents' effects on the boys were implied from the beginning and then things occurred for them to get closer (Zo's dad in the hospital, and Zo telling Joke's dad that he realized life is too short for him to mince his words and he should tell his son how he really feels). And the biggest criticism I've seen is the hidden agenda. One, the author can name the title whatever it may be, it really is not that serious but MOST IMPORTANTLY, Zo was absolutely valid in his hurt. Zo and Joke put so much importance in honesty and communication and it was mentioned SO MANY times so finding out he came to Zo with hidden intentions definitely made sense in the grand scheme of things especially after his past friend lied to his face and shut him down when Zo confessed. Zo was always upfront with Joke even with the Nita situation. And if someone were to find out that your partner lied to you, especially after being confronted, it makes you wonder what else they may be lying about. It wasn't stretched out too long either, Joke tried to make amends his way and then apologized and Zo stated all he was looking for was an apology. Everything was fleshed out as well as it can be for a cute show like this, so it makes me wonder if other critics and I were even watching the same show. I understand if this might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it felt that some of the critiques were not coming from a fair place. Not everything needs to be shown to be understood and they utilized their 12 episodes really well. There were some lagging moments in two episodes but not enough to turn me off. The side couple were there and cute and did not take too much time but enough to get their story across. There were honestly only about 1.5 NC scenes and the couple others were just kiss scenes and their chemistry was so natural and beautiful, I genuinely believed I was watching two people in love. If the show was as bad as people make it out to be then they deserve a chance to move up from here especially with how many veteran actors have been in worse shows and now are great in their craft. But my final thoughts, I truly thought every aspect of this show was amazing and the dynamics were natural. Watching it from the pov that this is a romance focused or almost slice of life type of drama, it hit the mark and I thoroughly enjoyed it.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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Definite improvement over SIMM, easy fun watch
If you are expecting HIGH drama and complicated layered plot, this is not the show for you. What it has going for it is the undeniable appeal and chemistry of Joong and Dunk. Joong is his typical endearing, thoughtful, besotted self. He has more nuance and more moods to convey here than he did in SIMM, where mostly I think his character was a confusing asshole. Not sure why everyone is picking on Dunk, as he was notably improved here. His character starts out clueless and hostile and gradually falls for Joke in a way that feels natural and understandable, especially when a little of his relationship backstory comes in to play. Dunk does his best work reacting opposite Joong and this as true for their conflict scenes as it is for their love scenes.The side couple feel like an afterthought, and the plot and the twists lose steam after episode 9, not gonna lie, but Joong and Dunk are what sold the show and it was still very enjoyable to watch their scenes and their little shout out to SIMM.
It was fun for what it was, it would have been better if it was a shorter series or had a tighter ending but it didn't ruin anything for me.
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Disappointed after all the wait!
I'm here for Joong Dunk, I really love their role in our Sky. I'm disappointed they end up in yet another typical school BL, like we've not had enough of this.It's somehow really boring in 1st episode and somewhat frustrating as the focus seems to be on the girl (at least for now). I don't know, I just feel like its too complicated lol
I just want to watch Joong Dunk in a good role, good storyline and goood chemistry but I didn't get any of this in episode 1 , so Im dropping it.
I'd rather drop it and keep the good memory I've of this couple in Our Sky!
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JoongDunk chemistry never disappoints
Yes this was not perfect and the hidden agenda was not a big deal at all, I expected more. But I enjoyed this. It was a simple BL and I absolutely love JoongDunk, so I had to finish this. As always they look so good together with overflowing chemistry.They improved a lot and the kissing scene were so much better than in star in my mind.
It was interesting the issues that were addressed with like the relationship with their families, the pressure…
I also like the second couple, wish we had seen more of them.
Don’t know why add this stupid problems in the last episode, Zo annoyed me here. Joke is such a good boyfriend, I didn’t like how Zo treated him sometimes. Also, it would have been interesting to explore more Joke story about his relationship with his family.
For me, it’s not as bad as people are saying it is, you don’t always need a big or complicated plot.
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The agenda wasn't really hidden at all.
The plot and the pilot trailer got me hyped up, but in the end, it wasn't such a good experience at all. Let me explain.I have been expecting this since the pilot trailer, and I think that the original plot was more intense, hot, and fun. I was already a little down when the official trailer showed up. What upsets me is that the "Hidden Agenda" was so mid. Not really hidden at all and the plot was all up the table so early in the episodes. It wasn't enjoyable. At least their development as a couple was... good? I'm not sure. However, I understood the choice to focus on their development as a couple and not focus on their dynamic. But it was just... boring.
What I liked, was the secondary couple. Jeng (Aou) and Pok (Boom) were incredible, even with a tiny screen time their fights and problems were so much deeper if you compare them to Joke and Zo. Their acting was amazing too. Well, Joong (Joke) and Zo (Dunk) were good too actually. And they got better since their last series (Star In My Mind), so it's good to see them improving.
And just a little observation: The OST was soooo good. And the photography was really cute too.
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Coming of Age
This is a great series exploring coming of age. Who am I? And what is my goal in life? If you look at this as a stricktly romance series I can understand that you miss a lot of the interesting underlying plot lines. I personally love how strings and crumbs were given in episode 1 and with a red thread throughout the episodes became clear how each character had multiple hidden agendas with their actions and experiences.The series explore self-awareness into adulthood, how ties to family changes from childhood into young adulthood and romantical connections. How past experiences are carried with us and impact our future decisions and reactions in various situations.
Personally I loved how Dunk’s acting showed parrallels in scenes from the beginning of the series to the same scenes happening at the end of the series and you can clearly see his character growth. (Zo is supposed to be an awkward character in the beginning before he grows into himself over the couse of the series. We see Joke grow and learn more about himself as a person and how to approach his friends, family and situations.
The side couple wasnt showed much, but Aou and Boom did amazing in the few scenes they were present. And gave the perfect counter-balance to Dunk and Joongs characters.
Also, we cannot deny that Joong and Dunks chemistry carried in the low plot parts of the series.
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joongdunk saved it
starting was good but ending was tooooooo rushed ....acting was good ....their visual chemistry ....those kiss scene ....saved the drama BUTT the plot was soo plain and poor ....we cant blame joongdunk but the writers ....joongdunk really deserve better projects ...worth watching but not rewatchingif u are a joongdunk fan u will love the chemistry ...yep u will get bored too
last ep was soo rushed ...its like the writers were forced to to make the last ep....the hidden agenda was soo hidden that i could n't find it
i will suggest not to keep high expectation while watching
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Not Bad
i don't thinks it's there acting cause I personally liked it and I really fell in love with star in my mind I thinks it's the story line like I get it but at the same time it wasn't the best but it wasn't terrible and I thought it was okay but I think they need to be more challenged with better roles and not have all the lovey dovey ones like what if they get a story line loke Not me with action violence i think thay would be a better story lime but i dont this they should stop becoming partnersVond je deze recentie nuttig?
déception et déjà vu
Dommage encore un scénario mal ficelé, histoire déjà vue et pas originale, pas de nouveauté la trame se devine dès le 1er épisode.1) L'ex qui négocie son aide pour conquérir la belle et l'amoureux qui se retrouve à devoir côtoyer l'ex et fini par succomber à son charme, tout est basé sur des arrangements qui finissent toujours de la même manière
2) Aussi très déçue par le jeu de Dunk, pas à l'aise dans sa gestuelle, des mimiques toujours maladroites en comparaison à Joon, pourtant il n'en est pas à son premier lakorn et surtout les 2 se connaissent bien maintenant.
Je ne pense pas visionner le reste de la série, trop évidente
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JoongDunk: The Series
Let’s get this out of the way: this is very much "JoongDunk: The Series". Everything else: the side characters, the plot, themes and conflicts, were put aside to make way for the main couple’s cuteness. And don’t get me wrong, they are cute. They have great chemistry and their intimate scenes are *chef’s kiss*. And although many people complain about the acting, honestly, I've seen worse.Still, I wish the series was more.
To me, the biggest problem was that all the conflicts were thrown seemingly out of nowhere (unless you paid attention to a single line mentioned by an extremely side character a few episodes earlier), then solved immediately and never mentioned again. That made the series seem very fragmentary, with no overarching plot that would connect all the episodes into one coherent story.
I can’t help but think about Tee Bundit’s other series, “Something in My Room”. I watched it uncensored (70 minutes per episode) because the censored version had some really bizarre editing choices, with key scenes being removed to the point where the plot didn’t make much sense. I wonder if the same thing happened here, except we’ll never get the full show.
Here’s how I would make it:
As many people said, Jeng and Pok should have more scenes. Jeng coming up with excuses to avoid being seen in public, Pok being increasingly bothered by it, until he can’t take it anymore and tries to break up. Jeng with his football co-players (I can’t call them friends), witnessing their machoism and homophobia. Pok crying in Zo’s arms. And so on.
The debate club should play a bigger role. We should see more debates, preparing for debates, etc. The screenwriters could use this opportunity to discuss social issues, like marriage equality or queerbaiting in media (tee-hee). Also, the big competition should take at least half a season, not be mentioned twice, then thrown in at the last minute.
During the preparation, Wave’s distaste for Joke should become prominent. And mutual. Zo may have noticed and asked Joke, who’d say it’s not his place to say. Maybe he’d known about what happened between Trine and Wave, maybe he’d just known they had a conflict. In any case, Zo would have to do a bit of investigating.
While we’re here, I wish Nita would get more screen time, so we could get to know her as more than a “love interest”. Maybe give her a reason to want to win the scholarship? And us a reason to root for her?
James should show up earlier, stick around Zo, but always disappear when Joke or even Zo’s friends show around. Zo’s friends would notice there’s something off about the guy, so it wouldn’t feel like Joke’s just being paranoid.
Also, Zo’s mother should be more present, calling or texting Zo and putting pressure on him (even interrupting his dates). Maybe a scene or two of Zo scrolling social media and seeing her pose with her accomplished students? Also, the situation should be resolved with something more than it was (an apology maybe?).
Same with Joke’s father. I know it was meant to be a surprise, that Joke was going through the same thing as Zo the whole time, but the resolution we got left me feeling “wtf just happened?”. Joke’s father goes from 0 to 1 in a matter of seconds and for no reason other than “Zo told him to.”
To accommodate those changes:
The pointless faux-breakup in the last episode could be cut, it didn’t serve anything.
While Puen’s story was important in explaining Zo’s initial hesitation, the reconciliation could be cut. No one cares about him and he never shows again.
A lot of Joke and Zo's dates could be shortened.
Anyway, the series we got was a mindless fluff, something to switch your brain off and relax. I don't regret watching it, but I wouldn't do it again (although I will rewatch certain scenes, because damn).
If you really have to watch it, stick to the last parts of ep 4, 7, 8, and 10 and the beginning of ep 11. Thank me later.
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It’s worth a try.
I placed a spoiler alert at the end of this review.If you’re looking for a cute and somewhat lite series, then give it a try. The story concept was ok, but the script was messy. The first four episodes were weak, weird and cringy. It got better by episode 5 but it felt like I was watching a different series at that point. The relationship pacing for Joke and Zo was off at first. I like the secondary BL couple more because they were already an established couple with a real problem. I was also able to predict one of the story elements very quickly. I liked how unpredictable the ending of the series was. See the spoiler alert at the end of this review if you want more information. It had a lot of wasted/filler screentime that I skipped. The acting was good from most of the cast.
******Spoiler Alert******
We get a series of flashbacks in episode 1 that hinted how the rift between Joke and Zo started but did not fully explain what exactly happened during the contest.
There was no smooth transition between Joke and Zo going from enemies to friends. However, the transition from them going from friends to lovers was better and more realistic.
I liked how they addressed the issue of dating someone that’s not out yet and the toll it takes on an individual that is in a secret relationship. I just wish this couple had more screen time, especially considering how much filler scenes/wasted screen time the series had.
I was able to guess by the first episode that Pat was helping Joke with his “hidden agenda.”
As for the ending, it was refreshing that we didn’t get the predictable relationship problems in episode 11.
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