STORY

One of the most beautiful and relatable stories I have seen in countless series I have watched over the years. It is a story that can truly touch deep inside one’s heart, especially all of us who have that special person in our hearts, and many of us can relate to that. This is a story that is both feels real and down to earth, at the same time, enriching and fulfilling, tear-jerking and yet making you feel wholesome, all at once.

Not all story are lovey dovey and blissful all the time. This story showed us that many times, love can be and will be tested by trials and challenges. However, if we believe in true love, as Phob and Nut each did, then everything is possible.

Someone like Phob who had felt like he lost everything when he heard of his cancer diagnosis, clung on to life and eventually stayed on, thanks to this love and his dedication to Nut. He was brave enough eventually to make the life-changing decision because of that love, that losing his arm is in the end better than losing his life and make Nut lose everything. And they can in the end, achieve their dreams together (in a way).

If this isn’t a beautiful story, then I seriously do not know what else is.

(Additional Note: There are many great life lessons contained within the story and the whole series, and this can serve as a beautiful inspiration to many others out there suffering similar problems)

ACTING/CAST

One of the other great strength of this series. A story cannot achieve its full potential without great actors, and the main leads, Man and Title have done way beyond the expectations as those who are fresh and new to the industry. The way they acted and showed their emotion, and leading us through the story of Phob and Nut were beyond amazing. You totally almost couldn't tell that they have not starred in any series or productions before.

The dedication showed by the entire team was also amazing, the amount of efforts they put, from the director, the famous Mean, to the main leads, Man and Title, the side couple actors, Tonnam and Get, and to all the others who helped to make this masterpiece come to life. I can totally feel their enthusiasm and sincerity, their desire to bring this story to life. Despite the handicaps of not being a major series produced by giants in the industry like GMM and Studio Wabi Sabi among others, The Yearbook proved to have excelled beyond any expectations.

The production team also did a very wonderful job in transforming Man and Title into the younger versions of Phob and Nut respectively. The contrast between their older and younger version were obvious, not only in terms of their haircut, make-up and other things, but also, subtly, in their behaviour and voice pitch as well (You may have noticed that Title lowered his pitch a bit in portraying Nut's older self.)

(Note: The commentaries by the actors at the end of each episode are great and refreshing extension of the story, done in a great way to help the viewers to understand the story better. Not only that the actors are great in acting, but they also project a very friendly and sincere, personable image too. I personally enjoy seeing them in person more than many other BL series and other drama series' superstars out there.)

MUSIC

Yet another great strength of this series, as very few series can claim to have not just one but FIVE excellent OSTs, mostly by DRG (Dragon), with two especially made for this series (Old Pic and the finale episode song). I really love all of them, the melody and the great lyrics. Not only that they were very related to the story, but the timing of their inclusion in the scenes were phenomenal, and for most of the time, served very well in heightening the emotions conveyed in the scenes.

The music were very prominent throughout the eight episodes of the series, and I am amazed at the amount of effort put in order to seamlessly include them through the many scenes and flashbacks throughout the entire story. These hidden gems of talents enrich the story, the acting and the production even further. Very well thought, made and used in this series.

REWATCH VALUE

This series certainly deserves multiple rewatching, as the flow of the story can surprisingly be addictive, considering how they focus a lot on the theme of 'memories'. While some may find the use of flashbacks to be excessive, yet, in reality, in people who love, our most beautiful memories often always stays in our mind, being replayed over and over again. And that is how this series keeps many of us on our toes, as each flashbacks and plot continue to reveal gradually, layer by layer, the truth behind the whole story.

This series has been very successful in leading us through a roller coaster of emotions that is great and yet not excessively depressing or contrasting, which certainly can make many of us to continue rewatching the story again and again without so much being bored. The story really felt alive and real, and we may really feel as if we are part of their story. The flashdrive confession scene by Phob to Nut in Episode 7 is one of the best scenes I have seen, and personally I have watched that episode many times, and particularly that confession scene.

OVERALL

Very highly recommended series, and I hope this series will get more recognition for its great quality and the dedication with which its producers and team have put their heart and soul into making. Be part of the true love story between Phob and Nut, of two best friends turned real lovers, who discovered true love through trials and challenges, through years of separation and misunderstanding, overcoming even their greatest fears, and at the same time, inspiring others who are struggling with similar problems.

Looking forward and hoping for a continuation of this series in a potential sequel as shown in the final episode.