Detailed Rewatch Review

Rewatched my first BL to write a proper review 4 years after its release... I feel like I didn't watch it properly enough to appreciate it during covid era.

1. Story (7/10)
LIKES
FighterTutor:
The hardship they had to go through made their relationship feel even deeper, how they showed their love and care for each other. The process on how they went from enemies to lovers was great, the pacing of each character's expressions was just right. How their confusion and desire for each other was portrayed amazingly with the story. The issue they had with Fighter's dad added a whole new level to their story. The build-up done for their first kiss was just *muah*. I appreciate there not being any stupid misunderstanding that could've been avoided easily, they were mature with each other. My rating for this category is honestly, heavily carried by FighterTutor's story. If the series was only about FighterTutor, I'd rate the story an (8.5/10)

SaifahZon:
The other main couple that's the complete opposite with their relationship filled with mostly fluff. I absolutely adore Zon's awareness of him being in a novel and his comicalness. The beginning episodes portrayed their cute tension together as they're stuck in those situations are very adorable. This couple is perfect for people who like simple yet cute dynamics, their gentleness with each other is so soft. They were able to execute cliche scene with Zol's novel, pure entertainment from a student's fan fiction, which made it funny and not cringe at all.

Others:
1. The guest roles of TharnType and Make it Right's couples were a very creative way to show how their world had changed to a novel story
2. How Zon's parents had a confusing attitude to him was a good way to show how when you're in a novel, the side characters will strangely support whatever is related to your lover (In reference to them allowing Zon play music with Saifah but not writing fictions even though both doesn't contribute to his GPA)
3. Tongta and Tutor's sibling relationship is very precious, scripted well

DISLIKES
FighterTutor:
It wasn't shown enough why exactly Fighter liked Tutor in the first place, why did their first meeting during orientation make Fighter develop slight feelings for him? Trolling him was cute in Fighter's eyes but not to Tutor apparently. Fighter did Hwa wrong and it wasn't emphasized enough, even Zee said himself his character wasn't a good person XD. Tutor being Hwa's best friend acted out-of-character taking part in the relationship knowing he cares for her. I didn't like how FT's relationship when they were enemies were mostly harassment done by Fighter. He cornered him when it was night time at campus, hugged him when preparing Hwa's cake, and kissed him during Hwa's party. Even though, those unwanted moments by Tutor made him realize his feelings, it's unethical. Their relationship was mostly physical, it was almost like only lust, sometimes too much around the last episodes. The issue with Fighter's dad successfully proved it wrong though. During this issue, their tension wasn't shown enough since Tutor's sick scene made me almost forget that they weren't on good terms.

SaifahZon:
Even though they're supposed to be equal to the other main couple, they felt like a side couple during the later episodes which I can understand due to covid issues as they mentioned. My question is even if there were no disruptions, what story and plot would've been added that would contribute in their relationship growth? With FT's deeper story, it made them stand out way more. How SZ initially got close was due to the cute boy fan club with Soda and Luktan which his friends and the seniors totally forced on poor Zon. Imagine having to show affection to the guy who doesn't feel guilty about your ex cheating with him. And remember that time Zon had to take Saifah's towel in the locker room and he cornered Zon, attempted to flash him?! Poor Zon was so scared he hid inside one of the stalls. Another time was when Zon was sleeping before their rehearsal the music show on the couch, and Saifah literally kissed him. This is not a cute act and shouldn't have been portrayed as one. Their accidental first kiss during their fight was a bit crazy, I wanted to excuse this scene with Zol's novel but that was before she even started writing. During the last episode, their emotional bed scene together felt a bit off. The whole time their relationship was based on simplicity, so their deep emotions then made it feel off.

JapanTanthai:
Their affection was so unexpected that it felt like Tanthai was using Japan to get into the soccer team. Absolutely no reason for them to start liking each other, for some reason they already enjoy close-proximity presence.

DewBlue:
I thought Dew had a split personality from attempting to hit Blue, to helping him practice soccer. Literally the only reason why he didn't hit him was because Champ stopped him at the exact time. If Dew wanted to soften up to Blue, it wasn't portrayed enough. How was Blue not visibly afraid of him? ChampBlue literally feels better since Champ is a green flag who can take care of Dew's youth well.

DayHwa:
Day attempted to take advantage of her when she was drunk during her party, the only reason why they didn't kiss was because Hwa looked away. Not only during here, but also right after when Fighter broke up with Hwa. He knew she was in a vulnerable position in need of a lover who would support and care for her, as the third-party he took still part in the mutual kiss. I don't even know if Hwa likes Day for him or because he was able to utilize her heartbreak at the right time. Also, Hwa forgave Tutor was too easily. He was a part of her heartbreak, even though it probably wouldn't have worked out without him anyway.

Zol:
A university student, 18 years old, but writing romance fan fictions of real-life people actively hating on each other and publishing it online. Not only she didn't ask for their permissions (excluding Blue for some reason), she lied to Zon about deleting his name from her fiction. It's okay for a bad character to exist in a story, but it was downplayed as an okay thing that I don't like.

Others:
1. Tutor's past for being rich could've been emphasized better, it was random and easily forgotten
2. There were some cringe scenes, but it was backed by the idea that they were in a novel
3. Zen was.... just there. Not sure what this character was for. Did not contribute much to any plots, or entertainment

2. Acting/Cast (8.5)
LIKES
ZeeSaint:
Easily the best acted couple in this series. I want to appreciate Saint's ability to express various emotions in a very natural way playing a character who shows his emotions. How he portrays Tutor's discomfort and tension with Fighter is absolutely my favorite part of his character, heavy on the tension during their first mutual kiss while studying and the emotional scene at the campus during night time when Tutor said no one understood him. One of my favorite acting showcase scene would be when Fighter begged Tutor to tell him why he ghosted him at his condo. I never thought I'd ever see Zee's character weeping like that, it was a very emotional scene and both actors did great. Another natural scene from this couple was at the last episode, when Tutor admitted to being possessive after Fighter took off his shirt at the beach. It was absolutely adorable. ZeeSaint's chemistry in WHY R U the series is just perfect, the way they look at each other, and their affection. There are not enough words to comment on their bed scenes, it is not awkward at all and I want to applaud them for delivering such scenes.

JimmyTommy:
I absolutely adore Tommy's portrayal of a comical and jumpy character in a romance novel. His devastated, confused, and scared expressions were very entertaining and funny to see. Jimmy's portrayal of a more nonchalant character was nice, he fits playing a character who likes to tease. JimmyTommy/Mii2 is awesome for bromance or platonic relationships regarding their chemistry. However, I'd like to make their kiss scene at the last episode an exception. A bit shocking to see how they kissed after getting a fluff and simple impression of them.

ParkSeng:
Even though I'm not a fan of their plot together, I can't deny that they have a decent chemistry. They weren't given much to work with, but I wonder how they could've been if otherwise. Park could portray feeling flustered from having a junior being physically close to him, and Seng's eyes were glued to him well.

Others:
1. Max can act angry well, Nat also portrayed a cute younger character well
2. Perth (Zol) can naturally smile real good during her fangirling moments, it's a bit contagious
3. Cheer (Tongta) was only in the show for a bit, but her acting and delivery was on point! Such a pro
3. Poppy (Junior) is a memorable side character who can express wittiness very well with his voice, body movements, and face
4. Tonnam (Natee) acts as a funny and expressive character like a pro
5. Janistar (Hwa) acted her breakup scene with Fighter really well, specifically the heavy breathing

DISLIKES:
ZeeSaint:
When Fighter forced himself to Tutor's condo and Tutor himself, it was kind of awkward. It was too gentle for an assault, not sure if it's supposed to be this way signaling that maybe Tutor didn't try resisting and Fighter didn't want to be aggressive. Then, I know Fighter is supposed to be a colder character who isn't expressive to just anyone. But during the emotional scene when Fighter confronted Tutor at campus resulting in Fighter apologizing if he made him uncomfortable, his expressions were too bland. His lover was crying right in front of him yet he didn't express enough.

JimmyTommy:
Even though they're an equal main couple, it'd be better if they were a side couple in this series. I love it when they utilize their existing chemistry to act on playful moments and flirting, but maybe not deeper situations. Tommy seemed a bit awkward during happy/cute scenes, and Jimmy's facial expressions can be improved more. Their kiss scene at the last episode lacked a bit off a natural physical proximity. I can't help but compare it to ZeeSaint's scenes, but it's not a fair comparison to be honest. If I'm not wrong, either the director or acting coach mentioned how most actors here lacked experience except for Saint.

MaxNat:
Not a fan of their chemistry here, maybe their plot together also affected my opinion on their chemistry. They were fine individually as their own characters, but I don't see a 'them' from this series itself at all.

3. Music (9.5/10)
LIKES
This series has A LOT of OSTs, around 10. Not only they have many OSTs, but many BGMs were also provided. The BGMs weren't only modified melodies of their OSTs, but actual totally different ones. You know when you notice that a show keeps reusing the same songs for specific scenes? WHY R U doesn't noticeably do that. They don't only serve quantity, but also quality. I love how the 2 main couples have their own 'anthems', where it's:
How Many Reasons Make Me Love You? by Pantherist for SaifahZon, and
Is This Love? by Tom Isara for FighterTutor

DISLIKES
The only thing I hope could've been done was allocating the OSTs throughout the series better. Some of them were played way more than the others that I couldn't recognize some of the songs when trying to listen to it.

4. Rewatch Value (4.5/10)
Since this is review is based on a rewatch, that says something about it. But I doubt I'll rewatch this show again, I was just feeling nostalgic. This show attempted to make almost every character end up with someone, this made the show feel forced at those parts. But if you remove scenes that don't necessarily add anything to the plot like the side characters who are almost completely unrelated to the main plot, I'd rewatch it. However, I wouldn't judge a show based on its rewatch value. Some shows are simply more fit to be rewatched by me (short stories, or mystery thriller genre).

4 years ago, I was still new to the BL world and preferred a more gentle couple like SaifahZon. I guess now I like couples with a deeper visible bond together, my heart is now on FighterTutor. Overall, If the only couple here was FighterTutor there's a high chance I'd rate this series a 9.5/10 .I really miss ZeeSaint together as well as JimmyTommy.

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