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An original story with remarkable surprises
Through the interwoven stories of Mieko, Makki, as well as an older Eiji, More Than Words makes the point that all relationships have to evolve with time.The story takes a particularly interesting turn when Mieko decides to become a surrogate mother for Makki and Eiji’s kid. To the 3 of them, this is the only way they know how to move forward. It’s a way for Makki and Eiji to exist in society, and a way for Mieko to cement her indispensable significance in their lives.
And as the characters are placed under the ultimate test, their fraying relationship teases out the worst tendencies of human nature. I don’t want to spoil what happens in the end so you’ll have to watch it to find out, but the twists and turns that the story takes is remarkable.
The storyline is creative, emotionally wrecking and sometimes, deeply uncomfortable to watch.
More Than Words is a slow burn that you must be prepared to sit through patiently. There are moments where the show just involves 2 people having a conversation while eating a meal. It feels realistic and mundane, which adds to the charm of the show, but can get a little dull if you’re looking for more stimuli.
All in all, it's a truly original story.
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/10/31/more-than-words-2022-review-bl/
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What a gem
I wasn’t expecting to see Earth Pirapat in a Singapore series, let alone a series where he speaks Mandarin, but well, what a gem this turned out to be!!Earth plays Tae, a Thai swimmer whose mum disapproves of his dreams. His dialogue features a combination of Mandarin, English, and a smattering of Thai, which is really quite amazing if you ask me – I cannot imagine how stressful it must be to deliver lines in (what I assume to be) a completely foreign language.
Compared to the other characters, Earth doesn’t have as many lines in the show, but serious airtime is dedicated to his story. So if you’re a fan of Earth (and swimming), yes, you might want to check this show out.
Plotwise, Victory Lap doesn’t have anything particularly well-developed or complex to offer. But unlike some other series which are all over the place, Victory Lap has decent storytelling and pacing. The story is also driven by its characters - each of the swim club members come with their own problems (and secrets) and I would have liked for the series to be longer so that there’s room to explore everybody’s backstory.
What you can expect from this show: A wholesome swim club story, some comic relief and romance, lots of camaraderie and friendship.
My full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/10/16/victory-lap-2020-review-earth-pirapat/
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An elaborate ad for Oishi Honey Lemon but did I watch it still? YES
Thailand will never stop finding the most creative ways to sell stuff and Magic Of Zero is proof.Will tacky product placements and extended shots of celebs drinking refreshing 0% sugar bottled drinks stop me from lapping up content anyway? It’s LoveMilk, Dew and EarthMix, so don’t be silly. I’m watching it anyway.
This anthology is a reboot of some of the most popular GMMTV couples and basically gives you another chance to watch them be sickeningly cute together. What's not to love right?
But enough about the gay couples for now. I want to talk about Dew and Tu's storyline. I don't want to spoil anything for anybody but seriously, go watch it. I didn't even like them THAT much in F4 but this story was really cute.
Their episode featured a highly unusual plot that turned out to be a refreshing break from the usual GMMTV stuff. I would totally watch an entire series based on this story.
Also, in this episode, you get to see Dew’s character acting silly and cracking jokes. Totally different from his cool, moody self as Ren, so if you want to see Dew being a total CHILD, this episode should do the trick.
My full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/09/28/magic-of-zero-2022-review-an-ad-i-would-gladly-sit-through-any-day/
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Laugh out loud funny moments when you least expect it
While Mama Gogo initially appears to be a Thai edition of Magic Mike, this show is so much more than muscle and empty gyrating. What Annie’s crew sells is in short supply in the modern world: A connection to something deeper.Amidst the roaring crowd and flurry of dollar bills, Mama Gogo makes the point that desire is complex, going beyond just a handsome face and a nice body. It’s about undivided attention and the ability to make others feel seen.
And that’s exactly what Chen (played by Lee Thanat) – my favourite character in the show – demonstrates even without shedding his shirt. I was worried that the debtor-collector relationship between him and Annie was going to be cringey and problematic but their relationship progressed in a really sweet (and surprisingly, not at all weird) way. Chen was the one who saw through Annie for who she is – a single mother struggling to do the best she can.
Earth’s character, Kampan, is supposed to be an antagonist in the show, but he’s not a typical villain. In fact, I have difficulty wrapping my head around his character. If I had to describe him, he’s like a real-life Ken (yeah, like Barbie’s Ken) but with a bit more depth and agency – sometimes, he comes off like a robot with a pre-downloaded personality struggling to masquerade as a human being. Not quite sure what to feel about his character but it’s certainly not Earth’s best performance.
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/08/30/mama-gogo-2022-review/
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I wanted to see more of the side couple (TimMai!!)
My Secret Love, while a decently produced production, is unfortunately not going to be anywhere near the best BLs out there.Some gripes I have:
The acting is not great (their crying is exaggerated and facial expressions sometimes out of control), the storyline is not fantastic (seriously? 2 college boys being literally blackmailed into producing BL content is problematic ngl), and some bits are kinda lame (college kids going around pranking people for content is so juvenile, and also, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE people land in a kiss after falling down?).
Do I recommend that you still watch it anyway? Yes, with some caveats:
1) You’re looking for a show that you can just sit and consume mindlessly without thinking too much into or pondering about the deeper questions in life. 2) You’re in between shows and you need a ‘filler’– doesn’t need to be 8/10 level (or even a 7.5), but please, no utter trash either – to tide you over until your next episode. 3)You enjoy slightly meta BL shows about BL.
Okay the third is pushing it slightly. But us BL fans have been spoiled by all the high-quality productions out there (and with more to come!), so run-of-the-mill BLs are no longer going to cut it. So this is, in a way, a happy problem. A very, very happy problem.
Full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/08/26/my-secret-love-2022-review/
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Senpai, Danjite Koide wa!
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Sadly not memorable
As with all Japan BLs, there's no such thing as plain and candid communication. The characters often spin an overthinking web of doubt and have to gently untangle it over the course of several episodes. In that aspect, STCBL proves to be lighthearted and funny (overthinking fools in love will always entertain!).Unfortunately, the show ultimately fails to make a deeper, more meaningful point on relationships and human nature.
I thought STCBL might explore the dreaded workplace taboo - how a senior-junior or supervisor-employee relationship can be problematic for romantic relationships – in greater detail. Perhaps I was expecting a bit more sneaking around to avoid gossip or prying eyes (many workplaces also have policies against fraternization). MmMMm, the tension from forbidden relationships… but nope.
The final 2 episodes also didn’t make much sense to me with lame misunderstandings getting in the way of their eventual get-together. Even when they finally became a couple, it was underwhelming.
I started off being quite excited about this show, but it lost steam towards the end. Was this a watchable, perfectly all right show? Yes. But was it memorable? Not really.
My full review: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/08/18/senpai-this-cant-be-love-bl-review/
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Ep 5 & 6 ranked a solid 9/10 for me!!
Close Friend Season 1 revives some of the popular BL pairings and thrusts them head-first into an anthology. Make no mistake, however, Close Friend is not a sequel to any of their previous series. Expect a completely new storyline involving familiar faces.With just 6 episodes, the series makes for a breezy watch but I don’t recommend you actually watch all 6 episodes. Some were just downright bad or mediocre. If it were up to me, I’d tell you to only watch episodes 5 & 6.
Ep 5: I'm not a fan of Zon/Saifah from Why R U but this episode was delightful. Unlike the usual modern college romances, this one is set in the 1990s. No smartphones, no widespread internet access. Instead, what you get is a charming tale on how 2 students living in different cities in Thailand fall in love after writing each other letters and sending items by post.
Ep 6: This episode offers a refreshing spin on the KimCop pairing. While audiences are used to seeing Mark completely whipped for Kit in 2moons2/Gen Y, their dynamic in this episode is almost reversed. Kimmon plays Jedi, a celeb, whom Ray (played by Copter) is obsessed with. Ray frequently makes use of VR to ‘interact’ with Jedi, but the lines between VR and reality start to get blurred when he meets Jedi in real life.
This episode is what I imagine a Black Mirror x BL crossover to look like, posing some fascinating, thought-provoking questions on how the nature of relationships might evolve in the future.
Read my full review of the season here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/06/03/close-friend-bl-season-1/
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Some plot holes and unanswered questions, but what a fascinating narrative
If you liked the sinister, somewhat depressing undercurrent of season 1, the second season won’t disappoint.Unlike season 1 – which focuses on Yeonwoo’s story – this sequel is an ambitious look into an entire network of individuals and organisations, going beyond the struggles of a single individual. It infiltrates a universe of drugs and organised crime where monos (people who can’t see colour) are cruelly exploited for their vulnerabilities. Pretty heavy stuff.
However, the story gets progressively sloppier as it frantically scrambles to wrap everything up in 8 episodes, so be prepared for some plot holes and unanswered questions. Many South Korean miniseries tend to cram way too much into short episodes, and the Color Rush sequel is no exception.
Season 2 introduces a new character in the form of Sehyun, Yeonwoo’s classmate, who also becomes his new love interest.
It’s unusual for sequels to introduce a completely new love interest, but guess what? I actually preferred the new guy.
Unfortunately, nothing really much happens between Sehyun and Yeonwoo, perhaps setting up the Color Rush franchise for yet another season. If season 1 was centred around romance, season 2 seriously placed romance on the backburner.
My full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/05/24/color-rush-2-bl-review/
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A very hot mess. Literally.
The premise was so promising but I think it’s safe to say that The Tuxedo is a hot mess. Literally hot guys + a mess.The backbone of the story is really a bratty son of a business tycoon looking to have a tuxedo made by a gifted tailor. But then there’s also an evil father figure, a family feud, a background story about a childhood trauma and phobia, some other side characters that aren’t super important… Plus an obligatory unlikeable girlfriend(?) who gets in the way.
There are 1001 plots going on even though the show only has 8 20-minute episodes and very little makes very much sense.
The show really could have just picked a few things to focus on instead of wasting precious time on other plots. The Tuxedo may have sh*tty storytelling and less-than-ideal acting, but hey, incredible sexual tension between 2 attractive men in suits? Yeah I’ll somehow sit through the storytelling (or lackthereof), thank you.
Be warned, though, the tailor and the sad richboi go from 0 to 100 real quick (maybe way too quickly). One moment they detest each other, the next, they’re flirting aggressively and eating each other’s faces. I guess this is what they mean when they say love and hate are two sides of the same coin?
The romance is fast and furious, so if that’s not your thing, you may want to give this a miss. Or not. On the bright side, if it turns out that you hate this series, at least it was only 160 minutes of your life.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/04/23/the-tuxedo-2022-bl-review-a-very-hot-mess/
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Fluffy love story served well by a straightforward plot
Spanning 10 episodes, the series wastes no time with convoluted subplots and complex characters. It is served well by a straightforward plot with a healthy sprinkle of fluffy moments. And dimples.Despite their vastly different social backgrounds, Tawan and Mork somehow find a soulmate in each other. But then there are nagging doubts – Mork, a lowly-educated taxi rider, questions if he could ever deserve someone like Tawan because he isn’t as educated or wealthy.
In Southeast Asia, motorcycles are generally perceived to be of a lower status to cars but this notion adds to the charm and romanticism of the plot. There is something wildly intimate about motorcycle rides set against the backdrop of a city’s nightscape as 2 people cruise into an unknown future. Motorcycle = the real wingman.
My Ride is classic rom-com material in this respect, mostly glossing over the potentially thorny issue of class using a magic solution called love. It is a classic tale about how the right person was always right by our side. Best illustrated by this quote in the series: “Sometimes we don’t need the best person, just someone who’s best for us.”
Full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/04/20/my-ride-2022-review-fluffy-love-story-with-a-dose-of-dimples/
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Got off to a good start, then crashed
Straight up let me just get this out of the way: The acting isn’t great and the writing leaves much to be desired.So why did I find myself wanting more??? What surprised me the most about Season 2 were the kiss scenes, which were way above average. The kisses were neither one-sided nor flat and the exchanges were actually pretty smooth. Best of all? It had initiative.
I enjoyed the first few episodes a lot more than Season 1, which moved at a slower pace. In season 2, Valen unfortunately, still isn't the most likeable BL character around. He's immature, selfish, clumsy and awkward. Now compare this to Non – portrayed to be a way better character with very few flaws, so perfect that he makes Valen look like a joke. But… Non is rather bland and boring.
Is Love Area is trying to make the point that we tend to fall in love with imperfect, deeply flawed people, preferring to adore them for who they are even when faced with other supposedly better options? Sigh.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/07/love-area-part-2-2022-review-got-off-to-a-good-start-then-crashed/
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Most Thai series I watch are BL but I'm so thankful I made an exception
IFWT is a classic whodunnit murder mystery with profoundly tragic undertones. You can expect a highly compelling narrative arc, with twists and turns that will keep you engaged throughout. Every step closer to solving the mystery comes with dark secrets being unravelled, threatening to destroy the harmony of existing relationships.While social media and public scrutiny can be brutal, what is more frightening are the secrets that push people over the edge to do terrible, terrible things. And the most frightening of all is having to spend every waking day living with the consequences.
The idea of consequence is salient in IFWT, with pertinent questions on moral responsibility being raised. There are simply no straightforward right answers in this series. Every character is marvellously flawed in their own way and often, what appears to be seemingly irrational behaviour driven by instincts ends up perfectly relatable, even if questionable.
Apart from excellent writing, stellar acting also carries the story through most of the crucial scenes where emotional depth and complexity is required.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/02/12/in-family-we-trust-2018-review-not-a-bl/
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30Sai made Doteida to Mahotsukai ni Narerurashi
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Classic Japan BL that you need to watch at least once
For me, watching Adachi and his friend Tsuge navigate their newfound power and their growing feelings for another person was an absolute joy. Who cares if some moments were a little awkward and even ‘out there’? I was inhaling the episodes.I appreciated how character development constantly propelled the series: The point of the show is that it is not enough to know what someone is thinking if you want to be in a meaningful and stable relationship with them. Basically, there are limits to how much your relationship can benefit from mind-reading.
With a great premise and likeable characters, Cherry Magic is one of the most entertaining BL shows with moments that are equal parts funny and sweet. It’s the kind of show that you will return to rewatch on a shitty day just because it will make you smile.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/02/06/cherry-magic-2020-review/
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Ryu Sun Bi's Wedding Ceremony
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I was actually pretty entertained
I went in without high expectations because the ratings and reviews didn’t seem too fantastic, but I'll be honest and say that some moments were quite hilarious and fun to watch.The premise is interesting because it asks a fairly deep question: If two people play their ‘roles’ in a marriage, can love be nurtured after spending an extended amount of time together? Can romance blossom from what starts out as a transactional arrangement? The cynic in me is inclined to think, hell no, they might hate each other even more by the end of it. But in a BL universe, we are allowed to dream a little.
The sweet domestic life of Kiwan and Hoseon was enjoyable while it lasted but some questions were left unanswered. It's also unclear why a love triangle was needed for the plot. I think the series would have worked perfectly fine without it.
Read my full review here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/01/31/nobleman-ryus-wedding-2021/
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Technically not a BL, but still romantic
The Untamed is a compelling story about clan rivalry and intrigue, friendships and maybe a little bit more than friendships.Lanzhan and Wuxian have a wonderful chemistry in the show. The Untamed is not a BL because of censorship laws in China. However, there are plenty of scenes that hint at a romantic relationship between the two so I’ve compiled a list of all the times where I thought there was something more here: https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/all-the-romantic-scenes-in-the-untamed-although-its-technically-not-a-bl/
What I like most about The Untamed is that it delves into the psyche of key characters and devotes great attention to their background stories. Especially the villains, who were very well-constructed. The audience not only connects with these characters, but is able to relate to their pain, regardless of the evil they have done.
In fact, Untamed makes the point that there are no truly evil people in this universe. Just people who have made poor choices because they thought these choices would make them happier people, only for it to result in their eventual ruin.
Read my full review here (mild spoilers): https://asianblreviews.wordpress.com/2022/01/21/the-untamed-2019/
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