Angelika
Happy Ending Outside the Fence
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Bad try...
The main issue with this drama is that it really wants to be deeper than it is. It’s like that one friend who insists on wearing sunglasses indoors to seem mysterious, but in reality, just bumps into furniture. In an attempt to be as enigmatic and "artsy" as possible, the show throws the viewer straight into the middle of the plot without a map or even a vague sense of direction. Explanations? Pfft, who needs those? Character introductions or motivations? Absolutely not—figure it out yourself by squinting at cryptic expressions and awkward pauses, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll piece it all together.We’re presented with three main characters, and the storyline juggles between them with the grace of a toddler trying to juggle flaming torches. Add in some random time skips, and you’ve got yourself a thoroughly confusing start. But surely, you think, surely the middle part will make everything clearer, right? Wrong.
Take, for instance, the mysterious "crime" that Cha Jung Woo committed to be banned from writing under his own name. Everyone in the drama talks about it with such cryptic vagueness, you start to wonder if even the scriptwriters know what happened. The more you think about it, the less sense it makes. In the age of digital printing and self-publishing, this whole "banned writer" storyline crumbles under the weight of its own illogic. What’s stopping him from publishing a blog? Or an e-book? The drama seems to think that being vague equals depth, but really, it’s just confusing.
And as for the romance—well, let’s just say you can forget about that entirely. One day, they wake up and decide, "Hey, I think I want to be with that person," and poof, we’re supposed to believe there’s a grand romantic connection. But there’s no build-up, no sparks—just two people suddenly deciding they’re in love because, well, the script says so. It’s about as romantic as accidentally grabbing the wrong person's hand in a crowded elevator.
There’s nothing particularly memorable about this drama—except, perhaps, for that one song they use repeatedly, which might just get stuck in your head whether you like it or not.
Overall, I’ve seen worse dramas, but I’ve definitely seen better ones too. If this show didn’t spend so much time pretending to be more profound than it actually is, it might have been a far more enjoyable experience. As it stands, it’s like a shallow pool trying to convince you it’s the ocean—just don’t dive in expecting depth.
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Just Pretend That This Drama Don't Exist
Rather than detailing what went wrong with this drama, it’s quicker to list what went right. Don’t worry, it won’t take long.Summer. A time for love, sunshine, and short romantic stories set in picturesque resorts, right? Clear blue water, stunning beaches—an ideal backdrop for a sweet summer fling. And what’s better than having fan-favorites Boun and Prem as leads, playing a debt collector and a resort owner? Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Spoiler alert: It’s not.
There are six episodes, each clocking in at 43 minutes. But here's the catch—only about 25 minutes of that is actual content. The rest? A delightful assortment of full-length intros, outro songs, summaries of previous episodes (just in case your short-term memory is non-existent), and behind-the-scenes bits that, quite frankly, are funnier than the drama itself. But, hey, at least the intro song is catchy! You might even find yourself humming it long after you've forgotten the plot.
Now, if you’re hoping for more positive highlights, buckle up because we’re done. Why, you ask? Well, because this show shares the same screenwriter as That's My Candy, which should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the plot. The story is a mess, with four couples jammed into six episodes. That’s right—four couples, but not nearly enough time to develop even one. The plot progression is like a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces are missing, and the ones that do fit somehow don’t form a complete picture.
The last episode? A surprising gem. If the rest of the show had been even remotely like the finale, it could’ve been a decent, maybe even charming, summer drama. We get a happy ending, sure, but only after we’ve skipped from point A to point D, leaving points B and C to fend for themselves. The character development you were looking for? It got lost somewhere between the intro song and the BTS clips.
The script, the storytelling, the editing—oh, where do we even begin? Let’s just say, if I handed the basic plot outline to a group of middle schoolers, I’m confident they’d come up with something better. Honestly, it’s as if the "professionals" responsible for this got together and decided to collectively wing it.
I scored this drama a generous 5.5, and that’s purely out of sympathy for the actors. Boun, Prem, and the rest of the cast worked their hearts out, only to end up in this misfire of a show. The best thing you can do? Pretend it doesn’t exist. Let’s all agree to hum the intro song and move on with our lives.
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Deze recentie kan spoilers bevatten
Careful what you wish for
Many fans after a good first season wish for the second season of their favorite show, but sometimes same titles are better left alone. "To My Star" is a prime example of it.The script is so bad I am not sure if even the scriptwriter knew what he wanted to convey.
Because it seasons 2!!!
We already have established characters but what scriptwriters do? Change one main protagonist character so much that I start to wonder if it's split personality disorder or some evil twin plotline? But no luck! Just forget season 1 and let Ji Woo have a new personality starting from season 2!
The main storyline and conflict is so ridiculous boardlining toxic and abusive that I have no words left for it. After Ji Woo ghosted Seo Joon on his birthday ( yes birthday again - Seo Joon really start to hate his own birthday soon) and disappeared for a whole year, Seo Joon looked for him everywhere to get an explanation and closure. But when he finally meets Ji Woo we are meeting Ji Woo season 2 version which is ruthless and can - for his own convenience - hurt people. We have full 8 episodes of that so get ready!
I will not go into the details but in episode 5 or 6 I was really convinced that this two are better off breaking up. This conviction didn't even disappear after watching 2 last - fluffy episodes that should convince the audience to have memory loss and forget the previous 8 episodes and feel that the main couple should be together once again.
They even try to explain it from Ji Woo POV but if you rewatch episode 1 after it and try to feel bad for Ji Woo.... i am really amazed by an audience that can eat this BS. Ji Woo sad past and his own issues - excluded he had a whole year to get his shit together and reflect on himself so when he finally meets Seo Joon again he should have guts to apologize, explain himself or something on this line. But what did he do? Push all the blame on Seo Joon.
Clap Clap Clap
When we as the audience who rewatch know at this point he still supposedly love Seo Joon and waited for him...
I saw reviews of how realistic this relationship is and I need to agree that is really realistic abusive relationship. Ji Woo do only things convenient for him and only takes from Seo Joon because he knew Seo Joon love him. It's always about him, he don't give a crap how he made Seo Joon feel or how hard he made it for him.
In the whole season, i didn't seen any genuine care from Ji Woon toward Seo Joon, or Ji Woo self-reflection on his behavior (only the magical forest scene that supposedly convinced him to get back with Seo Joon - that is a slide show from their happy moments)- Ji Woo is as he is and it Seo Joon that needs to change, not him. Even though the whole mess is all about Ji Woo and caused by him.
Their whole conflict resolution in last episode felt so shallow that I just know that Ji Woo will pull that shit again. There was no lesson learned for him and I don't think he even felt genuinely bad about what shit he put Seo Joon thought. If this was real life Seo Joon would really break down mentally and become a mental institution patient while Ji Woo would be too busy feeling bad about some no-existent hurt Seo Joon put his thought.
To sum it up if it wasn't season 2 of To my star, most people would see it for what it really is. I just hope more and more people realize that nice cinematography and good acting shouldn't cover how bad and toxic the script really is.
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A subplot that wandered in, got distracted, and never really found its way back to relevance
After watching the Enchanté trailer, I made the classic mistake: I developed expectations. I was ready for a harem-esque story full of multiple love interests swirling around the central mystery of "Who is Enchanté?"—a thrilling adventure with a side of romantic tension, or so I thought.But alas, by the end of the first episode, it became abundantly clear that this was not what I had signed up for. The "Who is Enchanté?" mystery, far from being the heart of the story, was more like an afterthought, a subplot that wandered in, got distracted, and never really found its way back to relevance.
Now, I imagine reviews for Enchanté will be split right down the middle. If you’re here for a juicy harem dynamic or a tightly woven mystery, you might leave feeling as bewildered as someone expecting a rollercoaster but getting a merry-go-round instead.
After watching the Enchanté trailer, I made the classic mistake: I developed expectations. I was ready for a harem-esque story full of multiple love interests swirling around the central mystery of "Who is Enchanté?"—a thrilling whodunit with a side of romantic tension, or so I thought.
But alas, by the end of the first episode, it became abundantly clear that this was not what I had signed up for. The "Who is Enchanté?" mystery, far from being the heart of the story, was more like an afterthought, a subplot that wandered in, got distracted, and never really found its way back to relevance.
Now, I imagine reviews for Enchanté will be split right down the middle. If you’re here for a juicy harem dynamic or a tightly woven mystery, you might leave feeling as bewildered as someone expecting a rollercoaster but getting a merry-go-round instead.
What I Liked:
Cinematography and Locations: The campus is so picturesque that it made me wonder if I’d accidentally clicked on a tourism ad. The scenery is practically the star of the show.
The Little Prince Analogy: They did manage to weave in The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, which was a nice touch. A bit deep, a bit whimsical—basically, it added some literary class to the proceedings.
Plot Ideas: Now, I said ideas—not execution. The ideas themselves were quite promising. You could sense there was potential hiding in the background, nervously waving its hand.
Akk: A likable character with solid acting skills. He gave me someone to root for amidst the confusion.
Akk’s Little Sister: A scene-stealer in the making! Unfortunately, they gave her so little screen time that you’re left wondering if she wandered onto the wrong set and no one noticed.
The Fake Enchantés: I did enjoy watching the various imposters pop up, each with their own hidden motives. It added a bit of intrigue to an otherwise meandering story.
What I Disliked:
The Enchanté Plot: The main hook of the show—"Who is Enchanté?"—was so poorly handled that by episode 5, when Theo was still looking for Enchanté, my reaction was a baffled, "Wait, we’re still doing this? Why? Can we get back to Akk, please?" The exchange between Theo and the mysterious Enchanté felt so short and hollow, it was almost like a side quest in a video game that you accidentally complete and then promptly forget about.
Theo’s Character: I wouldn’t say he’s outright unlikable, but he’s certainly not someone you feel much for. He’s self-centered, aloof, and more of a plot device than a protagonist. He’s there, but it’s hard to root for him when he feels like he’s going through the motions rather than actively engaging in the story.
Attention to Detail: Or rather, the complete lack of it. There are so many little plot points that just don’t make sense—script issues, editing blunders—you name it. How did no one catch these before airing? It’s a mystery greater than the Enchanté one.
Pacing: Oh, the pacing. It drags. A lot. Whole stretches of time feel like filler—scenes that seem written by someone bored in middle school, unsure how to move the plot forward. It’s slow, and not the thoughtful, atmospheric kind of slow, but the “nothing interesting is happening and I’m questioning my life choices” kind of slow. Whether this was due to budget constraints or the screenwriting itself, I’m not sure, but it left parts of the show feeling like a slog.
Overall Thoughts:
Enchanté had potential. Really, it did. But it was let down by clunky screenwriting, direction that didn’t seem to know where it was going, and a post-production team that may or may not have been asleep at the wheel. The main duo are both relative newcomers to acting, and while they gave it a decent shot, the weak script didn’t do them any favors.
That said, there’s something oddly comforting about the show. It’s the kind of thing you can watch when you don’t want to think too hard—something simple, unproblematic, and easy to follow, if not particularly riveting. So, if you’re bored and in the mood for a no-brainer that won’t stress you out, Enchanté might just be the ticket. Just don’t expect a grand mystery or a complex love polygon.
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Good or Not?
Bad Buddy gained massive popularity and an army of devoted fans, and honestly, I get it. It had a lot going for it that most BL dramas just don’t have:Cinematography that didn’t look like it was shot on someone’s phone.
Actors who could actually, you know, act.
A budget that didn’t scream “we spent everything on this one shot.”
Characters who felt like actual humans with layers, rather than cardboard cutouts with tragic backstories.
If I’d been asked to rate the show based on episodes 1 through 6, I’d have happily given it a 10/10. Seriously, I was ready to hand it the gold medal in the BL Olympics. But, alas, I finished the show, and by the end, it felt like all that beautiful potential was thrown out of the window. Somewhere around episode 6, the story decided to go downhill like a boulder with no brakes. What started off strong became repetitive and messy, as if the screenwriter had to make so many last-minute changes that they ended up flinging spaghetti at the wall to see what stuck. Spoiler alert: not much did.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved that Bad Buddy addressed some common misconceptions and brought a fresh perspective to the BL genre. But the difference in quality between the first half and the latter half of the show is as stark as that infamous Game of Thrones "horse drawing" meme. You know the one: perfectly detailed in the front, absolute chaos in the back.
Apparently, the plot is based on a novel. I don’t read or speak Thai, but I’d bet good money that the main issue here—screenwriting—stems from whatever changes they made from the source material. You can almost feel the subtle shift in the characters’ personalities in the later episodes, like they wandered into the wrong storyline but were too polite to say anything.
Now, I can already hear some people saying, “You’re asking for too much. It was already really good for a BL!” And sure, it was good, but I have to ask—do you honestly believe episodes 7-12 were as good as episodes 1-6? Having actors with such great chemistry in the lead roles, they really dropped the ball by not giving them a script worthy of their talents.
In the end, Bad Buddy had all the ingredients for greatness, but somewhere along the way, it ended up with half-baked episodes.
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Instruction of How to Enjoy this Drama
First of all, Rainbow Prince is a true labor of love. And by that, I mean it must take a lot of love to create something so gloriously cringey, awkward, and outrageously over the top. It’s not just a show—it’s an experience. The kind of experience that makes you question your life choices, but in a way that’s so entertaining you can’t help but keep watching.Imagine a mid-2000s Disney Channel musical, the kind with catchy (if questionable) songs and plots held together by the flimsiest of threads, accidentally blended with BL. What do you get? A cheese-filled, plot-hole-riddled, logic-defying creation with dance numbers of varying quality and a story that feels like it was crafted by someone with a firm grasp on the "anything goes" rule of storytelling.
But let’s get down to the real instruction manual for watching Rainbow Prince, because this show requires strategy. It comes in three distinct phases:
1) "It’s bad—are they serious?"
Your first reaction will be one of confusion. You’ll sit there wondering how something this bizarrely off-kilter made it to screen. Is this a parody? Are they actually trying to be serious? The cognitive dissonance is real.
2) "Huh? It’s getting worse?"
Just when you think it can’t possibly dive deeper into the abyss of cringe, Rainbow Prince gleefully proves you wrong. Plot twists appear from nowhere, logic continues its vacation, and the musical numbers take you to a place where the laws of entertainment are entirely subjective.
3) "It’s so bad it’s started to become funny."
Ah, the final stage. You’ve reached the summit of Mount Absurdity. At this point, something magical happens—the sheer badness of it all starts to flip into comedy gold. It’s like the show becomes a parody of itself, and suddenly, you’re laughing with it (or at it, who can say?). You’re no longer just watching—you’re part of the chaos.
Now, to fully embrace this third phase, there’s a trick. You’ll need to turn off your brain completely and bring a bottle of Prosecco (better yet, make it two, depending on your alcohol tolerance). Drink every time you catch yourself thinking, “This is bad,” and before you know it, you’ll be singing along to the Rainbow Prince songs with gusto. If you attempt to mimic the choreography, well, that’s when the real magic happens.
Watching with a friend? You’ve just doubled the effect. I guarantee, after two episodes, you’ll be crying with laughter, fully invested in the madness, and probably having the time of your life.
So yes, Rainbow Prince is a triumph in its own special way. You just have to survive the first few minutes of shock and cringe to get there. Enjoy the ride—brain cells not required.
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Hunting House BL
Firstly, I must confess that I have a deeply irrational love for haunted house stories. There’s just something about creaky floorboards, ominous whispers, and the ever-present threat of being sucked into an evil mirror that fills my heart with joy. So, naturally, when I heard about a haunted house BL, I thought, “Well, this is clearly designed specifically for me!” Sadly, it turned out to be less of a custom-made masterpiece and more like a pair of ill-fitting shoes—full of potential, but ultimately just uncomfortable.Acting
Now, I’ve seen a fair share of questionable acting in my time, especially from fresh-faced newbies who look like they’ve just wandered off the street and onto a set. So, to be fair, the acting here wasn’t bad per se. But it was, shall we say, thoroughly bland. Imagine a sandwich made with two pieces of plain white bread and nothing in between. That’s the kind of "meh" we’re talking about here. The whole cast had the energy of someone who just woke up from a nap and can’t quite remember what they’re supposed to be doing. A more experienced cast might have brought a bit more life into the haunted halls, or at least a little more fear into their eyes.
As for the lead chemistry, well… it was the sort of relationship where you could almost hear the background music urging you to believe in their connection, but deep down you knew they’d probably forget each other’s names in a week. Nothing particularly memorable to write home about.
Story
The story, on the other hand, was the sole reason I stuck with this show until the end. Mystery, thriller, horror—it had all the right ingredients. There were some genuinely interesting twists and turns that, at times, made me sit up and think, “Ah! A plot!” But the problem was in the execution, which was about as smooth as trying to ice skate on sand.
The director, bless his heart, was clearly a newbie, and I’m not entirely sure he knew how storytelling works—especially when trying to juggle so many genres. It felt like he had a box full of puzzle pieces, but none of them quite fit together. The pacing was, to put it kindly, chaotic. He couldn’t quite figure out how to build tension or momentum, which, for a horror/thriller, is a bit of a problem.
To sum it up, the story was the only saving grace for this drama, but the execution? A glorious mess. With the right director and a cast that knew how to express something beyond mild confusion, this could have been something truly special. As it stands, it’s more like a haunted house where the only thing scary is how much better it could have been.
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Stockholm Syndrome takes a sharp turn into meet-cute territory
PlotThe story of Kidnap is delightfully straightforward—Ohm’s character, Min, kidnaps Leng’s character, Q, after a plan goes sideways. Naturally, instead of simply dropping or offing Q off with a "sorry for the inconvenience," Min fakes Q's death and hides him in his house. As you do. Now, one might think that Q would be somewhat grateful for the effort—after all, Min did just save him from certain doom by helping him vanish from the mortal coil. But no, instead of gratitude, Q decides that escape attempts and general mischief are the order of the day. It really makes you wonder why Min didn’t just finish the job and save himself the headache. I mean, putting his life and his family on the line for someone who’s as useful as a chocolate teapot is, frankly, a questionable decision.
Then, in a twist that would make any rom-com enthusiast nod in appreciation, Q eventually returns to his family only to voluntarily "kidnap" himself again. Yes, you heard that right. This time, it’s less "dragged into a van" and more "leisurely stroll back into the arms of his captor," signaling the true start of a typical GMMTV rom-com—where Stockholm Syndrome takes a sharp turn into meet-cute territory.
Acting
Well, it’s got Ohm. Ohm can act. And let’s be real—he has chemistry with pretty much anything, probably even with inanimate objects if given the chance. The problem is, Ohm shines brightest when paired with someone who can really push him to the next level. Unfortunately, Kidnap doesn’t quite deliver on that front. The dynamic is a bit lopsided, with Ohm doing most of the heavy lifting.
As for Leng, this is his acting debut, and while it’s certainly not the worst one I’ve ever seen, it’s clear he’s not quite ready for a lead role. You can tell if you pay close attention—there’s a certain stiffness to his performance, as if he's still getting comfortable in front of the camera. But hey, everyone’s got to start somewhere, right?
Production
Episodes clock in at just under 40 minutes, often closer to 35 once you subtract the intros, outros, and the occasional "let’s pan across this scenic view for no apparent reason" shots. For a GMMTV series, that’s on the shorter side. And the plot? It feels, shall we say, a little… choppy. Watching the show, you get the sense that we might be missing 10-15 minutes of content per episode. It’s like the director realized halfway through filming that Q (Leng) might not be able to handle the more demanding scenes and promptly restructured the entire show to minimize his screen time. The result? A series that feels very Ohm-centric with Leng as side character thrown in to keep the plot moving.
In short, Kidnap is a fun little adventure, but one can’t help but feel that a good chunk of it was left on the cutting room floor—along with whatever deeper character development or intricate plot twists were sacrificed for some mystery reason. If you’re here for Ohm, you’ll get plenty of him. If you’re here for a complex narrative... well, you might want to lower those expectations.
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Star and Sky: Star in My Mind | Sky in Your Heart
4 mensen vonden deze beoordeling nuttig
GMMTV & Director New collaboration
Star in My Mind is a collaboration between GMMTV, one of Thailand’s biggest entertainment powerhouses, and Director New, who’s practically a legendary figure in the BL universe thanks to his work on Love By Chance and Until We Meet Again. Naturally, this combo had me counting down the days to its release like it was the BL version of a lunar eclipse.So, is it any good?
Well… yes and no.
Let’s be honest, anyone familiar with GMMTV knows what they’re capable of. And Star in My Mind? It’s not bad, but it’s also not great. It’s definitely not GMMTV’s crowning achievement. The problem is that the plot is so simple and straightforward that pairing it with Director New’s understated, elegant style was a bit like serving plain toast with a side of plain toast. His strength lies in taking heavy, emotional stories and making them feel simple, but when you give him a story that’s already as uncomplicated as tying your shoes, it just ends up feeling… a bit flat.
In fact, Star in My Mind is the kind of show that’s built for binge-watching on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The plot is so simple that even those 8 episodes felt like they were stretching it out a bit. I can't help but think that in six months, most viewers will struggle to remember much about it—other than, perhaps, "Oh yeah, that was a thing." Which is a shame, really, because the main actors show real potential. With the right project, they could have made a big splash. Here? They barely cause a ripple.
I had a tough time rating this drama because, well, while there’s nothing particularly wrong with it, there’s also not much to rave about. It’s like a lukewarm cup of tea—not bad, but not exactly something you’re excited about either. If you break it down—acting, plot, script, directing—it’s all above average compared to many BL dramas out there. But when you put it together, it somehow just feels… mediocre. Even the screenwriting, which is stronger than some of GMMTV’s recent offerings, couldn’t elevate the whole package.
Now, if you’re a fan of simple, wholesome love stories with no big drama, no major problems, and certainly no twisty plot turns, this might just be for you. I imagine a younger audience or people who are new to the BL genre might really enjoy it for its easy-going charm. It’s like the BL equivalent of comfort food.
In conclusion, Star in My Mind is the kind of drama where everything is technically good, but somehow it all comes together in a way that’s distinctly "meh." The script and directing felt mismatched—perhaps a more energetic, "showy" approach could have spiced things up and made it more memorable. As it stands, I have a strong suspicion that in half a year, I’ll be struggling to recall anything beyond a few key plot points and the fact that, yes, this drama existed.
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Visual lullaby
Cooking Crush is exactly what you’d expect from a classic Thai Rom-Com with OffGun as the leads—sweet, fluffy, and with enough chemistry to melt even the hardest heart. Or so you'd think. But alas, not even the power of a fan-favorite ship can rescue this drama from the depths of its own lazy directing.Let’s start with the good stuff, because there is some. We’ve got a cute romance between a culinary student (played by Gun, who looks like he could charm a brick wall) and a medical student (played by Off, who, I suspect, has an entire closet filled with only one personality type). There’s also a culinary competition thrown in for a dash of excitement—although it feels more like a sprinkle rather than a healthy spoonful. As usual, Gun’s acting is top-notch. The man knows how to make you believe he’s head-over-heels in love with a plate of pasta, let alone Off. But there’s one tiny issue: if you pay close attention, it looks like Gun simply can’t—or won’t—kiss Off properly. It’s been said before, but after watching this show, I’ve got to admit, the evidence is overwhelming. If I hadn’t seen them in other shows, I’d assume they had the romantic chemistry of two damp sponges left out in the sun too long.
Then there’s Off. Now, credit where it’s due—he’s improved a lot since Not Me. But while his acting skills have leveled up, his characters? Not so much. It’s like watching his Not Me character with a minor tweak, as if someone said, “Let’s just add a dash of ‘quirky’ and call it a day.” His characters feel so similar it’s hard to tell if he’s playing different roles or just slightly remixing the same one.
On the brighter side, Neo once again shines with his performance—he’s like that extra hot chili in a bland dish, spicing things up whenever he’s on screen. And we get a promising debut from Aungpao, who did surprisingly well, making me hopeful for future roles.
But let’s be real, all these minor acting quirks could be forgiven if it weren’t for the Director, who apparently decided that the easiest route was the best route. And by easiest, I mean he thought, “Let’s have everyone stand still, sit down, or—if I’m feeling really adventurous—lie down while talking. That should cover 85% of the show.”
I’m not exaggerating. A solid chunk of this drama is just characters sitting, standing, or lounging around, delivering dialogue with close-ups of their faces as if they’ve just been told their life depends on nailing this monologue. The scenes play out like this: character A walks in silence from point A to point B (perhaps to get a snack or ponder life’s mysteries). They stop, sit (or stand dramatically), and then proceed to talk—often at great length—with an alarming number of close-ups. It’s like the director found out people sometimes walk and talk at the same time, but then thought, “Nah, let’s not get too crazy with this walking-and-talking business.”
The result is a visual lullaby, lulling you into a gentle state of boredom. There’s no real momentum, and the repetition of these static scenes makes it feel like you’ve been trapped in a loop of endless small talk. I mean, I’m all for character-driven scenes, but this was more like watching people wait for the bus while occasionally talking about their feelings.
If only the director had decided to, I don’t know, add a bit of movement or activity to the scenes? Maybe let the characters actually do something while they talk? But alas, creativity must have been on vacation during production.
In conclusion, Cooking Crush had the ingredients for a decent rom-com—great actors, a cute premise, and a fan-favorite pairing. But due to lazy directing, uninspired cinematography, and a plot that involves far too much standing around doing nothing, it ends up feeling more like a half-baked dish than a gourmet meal. If you’re looking for something light and easy to watch, go for it. But if you’re expecting a culinary masterpiece? You might want to lower the heat.
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Good but beware
Let’s start with the acting, shall we? Our famous BL duo really stepped up, sparing us the usual buffet of cringe-worthy moments that have become a staple in the genre. However, I couldn’t help but notice Dr. Bun occasionally standing there like a man unsure of what to do with his hands. You know, the kind of awkwardness where you’re not sure if you should shove them in your pockets or start conducting an imaginary orchestra.Now, the storyline—it's a diamond in the rough, emphasis on rough. According to the tags, this drama was adapted from a novel, which made me wonder if the plot holes were inherited from the original author or if the screenwriter decided to add a few of their own for fun. There are quite a few, and at some points, I half-expected a character to fall into one and disappear entirely.
That said, I’m not going to count the police or medical examination scenes as plot holes, even though they were questionable at best. Procedures vary from country to country, and it wouldn’t be fair to judge them by my own country’s standards. I’m fairly certain our local detectives would faint if they saw how things were handled here, but who am I to nitpick across international lines?
Overall, the drama starts off like a slow-moving train with a questionable destination but really picks up steam around episode 6 or 7. The storyline has a good skeleton, but it’s in dire need of a little fleshing out. Like I said, plenty of potential, but the writing is a bit... porous. A script revision could have really helped patch things up. Still, it’s far better plot-wise than a good chunk of other BL dramas I’ve suffered through.
And then there’s the directing. One of the directors clearly fell head over heels for close-ups and camera pans. Honestly, I half-expected the camera to crash into one of the actors' faces at some point. Please, dear director, I beg you—find another trick to make scenes dynamic because by episode 5, I was getting motion sickness from the constant camera swoops.
Now, let’s talk about the characters. Take Inspector M, for example. A classic case of "loved to hate," except his redemption arc felt about as natural as a cactus in a snowstorm. He had all this wasted potential—if they’d leaned more into his rivalry with the leads, we could’ve had another gripping storyline. Meanwhile, Sorawit—oh dear, Sorawit—had entirely too much screen time for a character who seemed to be there solely for decoration. He had no real role in half the scenes he appeared in, and at one point, I started suspecting he was secretly an extra who kept wandering onto set by accident.
In conclusion, it’s a good watch, but be prepared for a few bumps along the way.
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I liked it more than I expected to
I liked it more than I expected to.Now, that’s not to say I was expecting to dislike it, but I also wasn’t preparing for anything more than a light snack. Instead, Deep Night served up a decent helping of entertainment, even if some of it was a bit undercooked.
Acting
For a series led by a newcomer like Shogun, I have to say, the chemistry between him and First—along with what I imagine was the director gently nudging him in the right direction—helped cover up the rougher edges of his performance. There were definitely moments where Shogun looked like a deer caught in the headlights of some particularly challenging scenes, but for his first time, he did a solid job. His chemistry with First was especially strong, which worked wonders in carrying the story through its more questionable moments. It was like watching someone perform a complicated dance while occasionally tripping over their shoelaces but still managing to look graceful.
Story
Ah, the story. Let’s just say I have a love-hate relationship with it. On one hand, the premise is full of potential, with all the makings of a great drama—mystery, intrigue, romance, jealousy! But on the other hand, there are so many moments where the logic seems to have taken an extended vacation.
So, here’s the setup: Khen is a university student whose mother runs a nightclub/host club. One fateful day, Khen visits the club and sees his fellow university student, Wela, performing as a host. And just like that—bam!—he falls in love. The twist? These two have apparently been attending the same lectures for who knows how long, but it took Wela taking off his glasses and standing under a dim nightclub light for Khen to notice he exists. If that isn’t a lesson in how important good lighting is, I don’t know what is.
Once they become a couple, the plot shifts into what I like to call the Jealousy Carousel. Khen gets jealous because, you know, Wela’s job as a host involves interacting with other people. They make up, only for Khen to get jealous all over again. Rinse, repeat. After a few cycles, you start wondering if maybe Khen should have picked a less emotionally turbulent career path—like professional sandcastle building.
What I Would Change
If I had the power to make some tweaks (and let’s be honest, someone should hand me that power), the first thing I’d do is scrap the university setting entirely and make the characters a little older. Wela being the number one host would make far more sense if he had, say, five or six years of experience under his belt rather than being a student who’s just squeezed a couple of part-time shifts between classes. It would give his character a bit more depth, too—because let's face it, being a top host at 20 is impressive, but also feels like something out of a fantasy.
I’d also throw in a female hostess, someone with acrobatic skills. This would allow for some more dynamic scenes in the nightclub and provide a bit more balance in the customer interactions. Not to mention, a comparison between how male and female hosts handle their clients could add an extra layer of interest. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see a few flips while someone’s pouring champagne?
As for Khen (played by Shogun), I’d rework how he meets Wela. Instead of them being university classmates who’ve never noticed each other until one fateful nightclub encounter, it would be far more engaging if Khen first met Wela as a customer at the club. That way, their relationship could develop more naturally—from customer and host, to the son of the nightclub owner falling for the star employee. It would also spare us the whole "love at second glance" thing, which is harder to buy than a discount wand at Ollivanders.
In conclusion
Deep Night had potential, and I genuinely enjoyed watching it more than I expected to. But with a few tweaks here and there (and maybe a little more logic), it could have been so much more. It’s like ordering a meal at a restaurant and realizing it would be perfect if only the chef had added just a bit more seasoning—or, in this case, a bit more plot coherence.
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Director New suck at comedies
Let’s just get it out of the way: Director New sucks at comedies. There’s no nice way to say it. His attempt at rom-com in A Boss and a Babe misses the mark so badly it feels like he’s trying to hit a bullseye while blindfolded, and someone’s moved the target to another country.This rom-com manages to fail spectacularly at both romance and comedy. It’s almost impressive, in a how-did-we-get-here kind of way. The problem? Director New doesn’t seem to understand that jokes require timing, delivery, and maybe—just maybe—punchlines that don’t feel like a deflated balloon. Most of the jokes don’t translate well into any language, leaving us with non-verbal humor that, well, relies almost entirely on Book making silly faces as if that’s the pinnacle of comedic brilliance. Spoiler: it’s not. And while Book isn’t exactly the world’s greatest comedic actor, I can’t say even the finest comedian would have been able to salvage these scenes. You can’t make filet mignon out of wet cardboard, after all.
And as for the romance? Oh, dear. It stumbles out of the gate in episode one, with the main characters already in love before we’ve even had time to warm up the popcorn. It’s like they pulled a Deus Ex-Machina romance card from the get-go and forgot to build any tension. Worse, they behave like middle schoolers in puppy love, even though they’re supposed to be working adults. Force plays the boss, whose primary qualifications seem to be his hotness, which, let’s be honest, kept me watching longer than I’d care to admit. Unfortunately, he doesn’t take his shirt off nearly enough to distract from the complete lack of plot or character development.
The cold, distant company boss we were promised? The one who’s meant to be intelligent, calculating, and maybe, just maybe, too focused on his work? Yeah, forget that. Instead, he immediately decides to start a relationship with his intern—an intern who would absolutely be fired in real life on day one for having no common sense, no work ethic, and bringing absolutely nothing to the office except coffee. And questionable coffee, at that. By episode 3, you’re left wondering why the "romance" feels less like a love story and more like a platonic hangout session between long-time friends who decided to play "what if."
Plot progression? Ha! What plot? The romance flatlines after episode 2, and the subplots are so neglected you’d think they got lost in transit. This story had enough material for a movie, at best, but stretching it into twelve episodes was like trying to butter toast with an ice cube—pointless and messy. None of the side characters needed to be there; they existed solely to wander around in the background, their stories left unexplored and unfinished like abandoned side quests in a video game.
In short, I don’t recommend A Boss and a Babe. With twelve episodes that feel like an eternity, it’s a wonder anyone made it through. There are far better BL series out there that actually understand how to deliver both romance and comedy. Watch those instead—trust me, your time is better spent elsewhere.
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Nueng - Why? Just Why?
Nueng—Why? Just... Why?After watching the trailer for this drama, I wasn’t particularly thrilled about it. But, as fate would have it, it was the only title my friend (who’s still in high school and a full decade younger than me—this will be important later) hadn’t seen. So, we decided to give it a whirl during the weekend, because what else were we going to do? Read? Pfft.
To my surprise, the cinematography, script, and acting were far better than expected. In fact, it wasn’t until episode 8 that I realized the actor playing Maze was Singhto—yes, Kongpob from SOTUS. Both male leads deliver solid performances, though the chemistry between them is... let’s say, lukewarm. Phap, in particular, often steals the spotlight, leaving poor Maze feeling like the sidekick in his own drama.
Now, when it comes to story, I’m a firm believer that great storytelling can salvage even the most chaotic script. And in Paint With Love, we have a script that occasionally veers into “what on earth just happened?” territory—there are moments that simply don’t add up. Yet, somehow, the storytelling manages to make the show enjoyable. It’s like watching a juggler who drops every third ball, but still keeps you entertained.
But the real kicker? The vastly different reactions my friend and I had to this series. She didn’t like the main couple at all—particularly Maze—and thought the plot was, well, a bit of a train wreck. Cue our in-depth discussion (as one does when avoiding actual responsibilities), and I realized the difference came down to life experience and, perhaps, a little thing called reading between the lines.
You see, she’s younger than me and prefers her characters to be either black or white. But the characters in this series are fifty shades of grey—no, not that kind of grey. They have strengths, weaknesses, and, most importantly, they’re flawed in deeply human ways. Phap’s jealousy of Nueng, for example, isn’t just a shallow plot point—it’s fueled by his insecurities, feeling like a stand-in for Maze’s past love. Maze, on the other hand, is grappling with his need for control, money, and his belief that he knows what’s best for others (spoiler: he doesn’t). He’s like that person who assumes they can fix everyone’s problems but ends up making a glorious mess of things.
One of the more poignant moments in the story is Maze’s flashback to his fight with Nueng. Maze opposed Nueng’s decisions because he believed he knew better, which led to them losing contact for years. There’s even a tearful begging scene where Maze asks Nueng to stay with him, which, let’s be honest, raises a few questions about their communication skills. Maze’s subsequent determination to send Phap to Japan is a desperate attempt to avoid making the same mistake again. He’s terrified of stifling someone’s potential—kind of like forcing Stephen King to write ad copy instead of novels. In his mind, maybe if he pushes Phap to follow his dreams, he won’t lose him too.
“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they’re yours,” as the saying goes, though in Maze’s case, it’s more like “If you love someone, push them out the door before they start packing.”
What makes this series fascinating (and frustrating) is that everything Maze and Phap do makes sense in character. But, depending on how well you read between the lines, your perception of them can wildly differ. It’s like solving a puzzle, except half the pieces are missing, and the picture on the box isn’t much help.
Now, let’s talk about Nueng, or as I like to call him, “the character that makes you ask, ‘Why is he here?’” Bland doesn’t even begin to cover it. He’s like a slice of plain toast in a show that’s already lacking butter. And then he gets worse—eventually morphing into a character who hides his selfishness behind a mask of kindness. If the screenwriters had cut his storyline entirely and given us more insight into Maze and Phap’s motivations, the show would’ve been stronger for it. Nueng’s relationship with Maze? Bizarre, at best. His absence, his manager hitting Tharn’s manager, and all the trouble it caused was just a super messed-up subplot that added nothing but confusion.
It honestly feels like Nueng’s storyline was hastily slapped in at the last minute, which would explain why it feels more like a plot hole than a plot point.
In conclusion, Paint with Love is a show with strong points and weak ones, depending on how much you're willing to squint and interpret the subtext. A rewatch might help clarify a few things, but I suspect it will also remind you that Nueng was just there to test our patience. And trust me, I will remember very little about him in six months. But overall, it’s a decent watch if you don’t mind filling in some blanks yourself.
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Star and Sky: Sky in Your Heart
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Worst Timed Lunch in BL History
My true score for this series is 7.7Star and Sky: Sky in Your Heart is a continuation of the previous part Star and Sky: Star in My Mind. If you asked me if it's better? I can comfortably say: Yes.
The characters are more fleshed out, side characters are more likable, and don't feel like props. Peacing is also a lot better. While storyline and cinematography also look better than in the previous part (Or it's scenic village scenery that distracts you from it)
The whole story revolves around Doctor and Teacher who fall in love with each other in a small village. 8 episodes feel like a very short time but somehow it's more than enough in the Director and Screenwriter's opinion to feed us sweet scenes of the previous part couple in all-time weird timing. That why when Prince fight for his life sick (malaria) we have - TADAM - a sweet scene of Daonuea and Khabkluen flirting over lunch. It all you should know about timing on this series or therefore lack of it.
All actors really tried their best with what all watchers can notice "colorful" script - 10/10 for effort. I want to especially applaud the actor who played Prince who is a newbie to acting - he really did best he could with what he got. When for some reason - the wardrobe department seemed to have difficulty with finding him clothes that fit him ( Like really give him pants that don't look so ill-fitting), and other little and the bigger things that I will not mention because I want to keep this review short. Anyway i couldn't help noticing that with such a "colorful" series Prince sometimes give us this blank start - that perfectly gives off a feeling of - What I am doing with my life? Screenwriters and directors really should take it to heart before producing something like this again.
The script is mediocre, the execution of it is also mediocre while post-production editing feels like it was done by a drunk person...
Is this series Bad? NO.
Is this series GOOD? NO
There are much worse and better series than this one, it feels like a discount version of A Tale of Thousand Stars but still watchable enough to stay for 8 episodes. While the main couple is likable and has a cute storyline. I even liked their romance aspect till Prince suddenly got a sudden character change and started behaving like a heroine from a Victorian romance novel (Even in this genre I saw spicer romance). Anyway everyone probably already noticed that GMMTV has a problem with writing adults character that behaves like adults.
To sum it up if you have some free time give it a go, it would be probably a nice, sweet or even cheesy PG intro into BL genre. But if you look for something of more substance and plot-oriented or dramatic it might not be for you.
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